Wizard's Key (The Darkwolf Saga Book 1)

by Mitch Reinhardt

  Jane and Geoff snickered. Ariel walked over to Jane and leaned on her wooden sword.

  “And now,” she said, “perhaps you would like to learn a spell?”

  Jane leapt up from her spot in the tall grass.

  “Yes, yes,” she said. “Can I? I’d love to! But can I cast spells?” A grin spread across her face.

  “We shall see. You will need to learn the magical qualities of each plant, each tree of the forest,” said Ariel. “Certain spells require specific materials.”

  Jane nodded. “I understand.”

  “Excellent. Gather some basic components. A few oak leaves, a handful of green grass, and a few cherry blossoms.”

  “Okay, I will! Thank you!” said Jane. She turned and was about to dash off, but Ariel stopped her.

  “Wait. Geoff, you accompany her. Do not leave each other’s sight.”

  “All right!” said Geoff. “I’m on it! C’mon Jane! Woo- hoo!”

  Jane and Geoff ran into the forest as fast as they could. Geoff scanned the ground for lush clumps of green grass while Jane searched for oak leaves and cherry trees.

  “Oh, this is gonna be so cool!” shouted Geoff. “Hey, Jane, what spells do you want to learn?”

  Jane stopped and thought for a minute before answering.

  “I don’t think I have a choice. Whatever she wants to teach me I’ll learn. I guess I’ll just have to trust her.”

  “Yeah,” said Geoff. “So we trust her now, right? We’ve kinda been through a lot together, haven’t we?”

  Jane looked at Geoff. My goodness he’s right, she thought. They had some close escapes with Ariel. Without Ariel, they would not have survived this long in this world.

  “Yes, we have,” she said quietly. “Didn’t you say we had no choice but to trust Ariel?”

  “Yeah, I guess,” said Geoff.

  Suddenly a dreadful feeling came over Jane and her newfound enthusiasm faded, as did her smile.

  “Geoff,” she said as she picked up a handful of oak leaves, “what if we can’t get back home? We could be stuck here forever.”

  “Jane you can’t think like that,” he said. “We’re gonna get home.”

  “Back at school,” said Jane, “a lot of people thought you were just a little nerd. But now I see that you’re actually really cool. I never understood why everyone picked on you. Sawyer and his jock buddies picked on you a lot, didn’t they?”

  Geoff nodded and then lowered his head a little.

  “Yeah, I’m used to it by now…I guess. I don’t expect an apology or anything. He’s Sawyer. It’s what he does.”

  “Well, he should apologize,” said Jane. “And those bullies should leave you alone.”

  “Yeah,” said Geoff. “But we gotta work on getting home first.”

  “You know,” said Jane with a frown, “I just realized we aren’t any closer to going home. What if we don’t find the key? And even if we did find it, Ariel says we need to find an archway, too.”

  “We’re gonna be okay,” said Geoff. “We have Ariel. You’ve seen what she can do. She can handle anything.”

  Jane laughed. “Where did that come from?”

  “Well,” said Geoff, “she’s a druid. A badass.”

  Jane laughed.

  “Badass,” she repeated. “She is, isn’t she?”

  “Oh yeah,” said Geoff. “Don’t worry, Jane. We’re gonna be all right. We’ll get home soon.”

  Jane sighed.

  “I hope so. I really do.”

  She felt better about their situation after listening to Geoff.

  “Okay, I think I have enough grass,” said Geoff. “Have you found your leaves and stuff yet?”

  “No,” said Jane. “We better hurry before Ariel changes her mind.”

  “Yeah. Good idea,” said Geoff.

  After another ten minutes of searching, Jane and Geoff returned carrying the items Ariel had instructed them to locate. “Okay,” said Geoff. “We got the stuff you told us to get. What’s next?”

  Jane held her hands out and displayed a mix of cherry blossoms, grass, and oak leaves.

  “Yes,” said Ariel as she examined the contents of Jane’s hands. “These will do nicely.”

  “Jane, use your pouch to hold your components,” said Ariel. “I will teach you about their properties soon. I must continue with Sawyer because he is in dire need of training.”

  “Huh?” said Sawyer. “What? I—”

  “Cannot even hold onto your weapon,” said Ariel. “How many times have I disarmed you? Jane is a natural healer. You are not a warrior, not yet. But you could be if you work at it.”

  Jane smiled and looked at Sawyer. His eyebrows were raised and his mouth had dropped open.

  “Again, your grip is all wrong. You swing your sword like a club and your balance is nonexistent. Do you remember what happened when we began your training?”

  “Oh! I do!” said Jane with a giggle. “He dropped his sword.”

  Jane looked at Sawyer. He had narrowed his eyes and was glaring at her. Jane smiled as broadly as she could.

  “Yes,” said Ariel. “Such a mistake should never happen to a warrior.”

  “Well…like you said…,” said Sawyer, “I’m not a warrior. Besides, we don’t need swords back home.”

  Ariel walked up to Sawyer and looked him in the eyes.

  “Again, you are not home.”

  Jane watched as Sawyer stood at attention and swallowed, he hung on every word she said.

  “You must ask yourself this,” said Ariel. “In a sword fight, can I kill someone?”

  Sawyer winced and shook his head. “I don’t know.”

  “Because, I assure you, they will try to kill you. Expect no quarter from your foe. You appear to have some athletic ability, but that will not keep you alive.”

  Sawyer stood in silence. To Jane he looked like he had been called into the principal’s office at school. She felt a little sorry for him.

  “You somehow managed to slay a river troll and win the Stormblade,” said Ariel. “Whether that was luck or fate I do not know. However, if you are to be the Stormlord you will have to grow up.”

  Sawyer nodded.

  “I will give you time to consider what I have said.”

  Ariel turned and walked to the campfire.

  “I don’t need any time,” said Sawyer. “I’m ready. I am. I don’t know how to fight with a sword, and at the moment I can’t tell you that I can kill someone. The truth is I hope I don’t ever have to, but your world is dangerous. I know this sword is a weapon and not a toy. I want to learn how to use it so I can help you protect us, and maybe protect others.”

  Jane wasn’t sure how Ariel would react to his answer, but she was sure Sawyer meant it. He had never spoken so passionately about anything.

  Ariel turned back to Sawyer.

  “I did not think I would hear such an answer from a young human. Perhaps it was fate that dropped you in that dark hole with the Stormblade,” she said.

  Jane watched as Ariel took out one of her scimitars and showed Sawyer the differences between her weapon and his long sword.

  Jane watched Sawyer and Ariel. He was totally focused on learning swordplay. He looks very serious, she thought.

  Ariel provided a small lunch that consisted of berries, bread, and water. She sat beside Jane and ate while Sawyer, after wolfing down his portions, continued practicing the techniques Ariel showed him.

  “Balance,” called Ariel. “Maintain your balance at all times.”

  “Oh, yeah. Okay,” said Sawyer.

  Jane and Ariel watched Sawyer for a minute before Jane spoke.

  “How is he doing for a beginner?”

  “No
t bad,” said Ariel with a nod. “I admire his tenacity. It will serve him well in battle.”

  “Battle?” said Jane. “Are we going into battle?”

  “I hope not,” said Ariel. “But these are dangerous times.”

  “In that case,” said Jane, “you got any more swords?”

  Ariel smiled.

  “I think we will choose a different weapon for you,” she said. “After all, you are a natural healer.”

  “What sort of weapon?”

  “I am not sure yet.”

  “Okay,” said Jane. “How about I concentrate on healing and leave the killing to you and Sawyer?”

  “I think that is an excellent suggestion,” said Ariel.

  She lay down on her stomach in the grass beside Jane and motioned for her to do the same.

  “What? What are we doing?” asked Jane.

  “I will teach you how to mend small plants. Look here.”

  Ariel pointed to a wild tulip with a bent stalk. It was crumpled and was missing a few of its deep red petals.

  “Watch,” said Ariel as she placed an index finger on the broken stalk.

  “Ehlia talo.”

  The broken stalk straightened and the tulip grew a few more inches. What was once a dying flower had become healthy and robust, displaying vibrant colors.

  “Wow! It even grew!” said Jane.

  She looked at Ariel. The elven druid was smiling at her reaction to the wondrous event.

  “Yes. That spell will also help a plant grow and invigorate it,” said Ariel. “Look, there is another. Now you try.”

  Jane looked where Ariel indicated. There rested another trampled tulip, this one sporting deep lavender petals.

  “Place your finger on the stalk,” said Ariel.

  Jane did so.

  “Now concentrate on the flower and speak the minor charm of healing, Ehlia talo.”

  Jane took a deep breath and studied the tulip. She hoped her spell would work.

  “Ehlia talo.”

  As soon as she finished the last syllable the lavender tulip straightened and flourished just like its deep red cousin had done.

  Jane laughed aloud. A warmth flowed over her, lifting her spirits.

  “I did it! Did you see that?”

  “Yes,” said Ariel. “Well done.”

  “Did what?” asked Sawyer, who had stopped his sword practice and walked over to Jane and Ariel. He was breathing hard and sweating.

  “Look, Sawyer,” said Jane. “I made that flower grow.”

  “Yeah? That’s pretty cool! Can you use those spells back home? If so, you could open your own florist shop.”

  “Smart aleck,” said Jane.

  She turned to Ariel. “That’s a good question. Will these spells work when we go home?”

  “I do not know,” said Ariel. “But I do not see why not. Remember, the power of spells comes from within you.”

  “Oh, I hope so,” said Jane. “I could heal sick pets and make plants grow all over.”

  “I’d say you got that spell down,” said Sawyer.

  An exciting thought suddenly occurred to Jane. She looked at Ariel, her eyes wide.

  “Hey, can I heal people too? I mean, with different spells? Can you teach me how to cure diseases?”

  “Yes,” said Ariel. “You would make a wonderful healer, I think.”

  “Can I save someone from dying? You know, bring them back?”

  Jane spoke so fast in her excitement that she wasn’t sure if Ariel understood her rapid questions.

  “No,” said Ariel. “The ability to return someone to life lies with a greater power. You cannot return the dead to life, but so long as breath remains in their body, you can save them.”

  Jane nodded and looked at her lavender tulip again. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I want to learn every healing spell there is. Will you them to teach me? All of them?”

  “I will,” answered Ariel. “But you should know some spells you will learn may exact a price from you. Weaken you.”

  “Can casting spells kill me?”

  “Only if you use the last remaining energy within you. Then your spirit will depart from your body.”

  “How many spells will I be able to cast before I get weak?”

  “That,” said Ariel, “only you will know. There are limits to magic. Each druid has their own limitations according to their inner strength.”

  “You better not go crazy, then, Jane,” said Sawyer. “You don’t want you to kill yourself over a flower garden or something.”

  “But I don’t feel weak,” observed Jane. “I feel like just I did something good.”

  She smiled at Sawyer and Ariel. “Actually, I feel great.”

  Ariel leaned forward and smiled. “As did I when I cast my first spell.”

  “Hey, Jane,” said Sawyer. “The next time I get hurt playing football, could you throw a healing whammy on me?”

  Jane laughed. “I don’t know. You heard Ariel. It may take too much out of me.

  “Come,” said Ariel. “That is enough for one day.”

  “Hallelujah,” said Geoff as he jumped up from a comfortable spot under the oak tree. “I’m hungry. Ariel, will you show me how to fight with a sword too?”

  “No,” said Ariel. “Not with a sword. But perhaps you and Jane would like to learn about this.”

  Ariel unsheathed a dagger from her belt and held it up.

  “Aww, man,” said Geoff. “I want to fight with a sword.”

  “I think you are better suited for something smaller,” said Ariel. “At least for the moment.”

  “But I like swords,” said Geoff.

  “Perhaps one day I will teach you,” said Ariel. “But for now, use this. It is my last dagger.”

  “Oh, all right,” said Geoff as he took the dagger from Ariel.

  They returned to Silverthorne Manor as the evening sun was setting.

  Sawyer noticed worried servants whispering among themselves and hustling about. He looked at Ariel, who also spotted their strange actions.

  “Go and prepare for dinner,” said Ariel. With that, she walked toward the great hall.

  “What’s happening?” asked Jane.

  “Dunno,” said Sawyer.

  “I’m going to wash up,” said Jane.

  Jane turned and went upstairs while Sawyer and Geoff stayed in the hall.

  “Geoff,” said Sawyer in a quiet voice, “I think something’s going on.”

  “What?” asked Geoff.

  “I’m not sure,” said Sawyer. “Look around. People seem worried, even scared.”

  Geoff looked about, watching the other residents of the manor.

  “Yeah,” he said. “I think you’re right.”

  “Well, I guess we’ll find out soon enough. C’mon, we better get cleaned up too,” said Sawyer.

  They went upstairs to their room. Two water basins and jugs rested on a table. Sawyer tossed the Stormblade on his bed and went straight for the basins.

  “Wow, it gets dark fast here,” said Geoff, looking out the window.

  “Yeah,” said Sawyer as he dunked his face into the cool water in the basin.

  “Sawyer, what’s that?” asked Geoff.

  Sawyer looked at Geoff, who was pointing to his bed. A strange blue-white glow was coming from the Stormblade. Sawyer didn’t say anything. He motioned for Geoff to stay put while he slowly walked to the bed. Something is wrong, he thought. He grasped the sword and felt an abrupt jolt. He slowly unsheathed it. It pulsed with a small arc of electricity that traveled the length of the blade.

  Sawyer examined the sword for a moment, and then he touched the large sapphire.

  A sense
of doom overwhelmed him. Danger was near. In his mind he could see the dark forest surrounding Silverthorne Manor, but he was running. Running through the forest. He ran fast. Faster than a man could run. He felt the cool evening air rushing through his thick black fur. He was drawing closer. Closer.

  Geoff watched Sawyer grip the sword and fall into a trancelike gaze.

  “Sawyer…,” he said. “Sawyer…what is it? Are you okay?”

  Sawyer didn’t answer. His brown eyes had rolled up in his head. Geoff inched closer to Sawyer and poked Sawyer’s arm. “Sawyer?”

  Sawyer still didn’t respond. Geoff had never seen Sawyer like this. He mustered all of his courage and pushed Sawyer’s shoulder. “Sawyer!”

  Sawyer snapped out of his trance. “Geoff, we’re in danger! It’s coming for us!”

  Geoff jumped back, startled by Sawyer’s actions. “What? What’s coming, Sawyer?” Sawyer looked at his sword again and then back at Geoff.

  “I saw it again, Geoff. It was huge…and it wants us.” Geoff stepped back, barely managing to keep his balance by grasping the arm of a nearby chair.

  “What wants us? Is it the…werewolf?”

  Sawyer nodded. “We have to warn the others!”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Battle at Silverthorne Manor

  Jane had already removed her sandals and started the lengthy process of removing her corset, which she wore on the outside of her dress like one from the Middle Ages. She was fumbling with the laces when Sawyer and Geoff burst into her room.

  “Oh!” she gasped. “You guys! What are you doing? Are you crazy?”

  She glared at them. She wasn’t amused by their intrusion, nor was she in the mood for their practical jokes or horseplay.

  “Jane! We’re in trouble,” said Sawyer. “We need to warn Ariel. We’re no longer safe here!”

  The look in Sawyer’s eyes and the slight quaver in his voice confused her. Geoff grabbed her hand. “Jane! The werewolf is coming! It’s close! We gotta tell the others! We gotta hide!”