by K. Dzr
* * * * *
Gavin and Tahir freed Declan by way of the King’s order and found the other two magicians. Despite King Robert’s decree, they were keeping them under watch until they received word from Demetrius. They took turns guarding them at a small camp outside of the royal forests. The magicians were far too much for any of them to tolerate for very long. It was currently Gavin’s turn, and although Tahir felt sorry for Gavin, this gave him and Destiny precious time alone.
“How long have you known you had magic, Destiny? And why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Tahir asked, as they strolled through the royal gardens as they often did.
“For as long as I can remember. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier, Tahir. You know how my father is. You grew up in a magical forest where everyone had at least a small bit of magic. You were encouraged to find your own and explore possibilities. I have been forbidden to even speak of magic; forced to live in secrecy; hiding who or what I truly am. Every time I tried to use my magic, bad things happened. I wanted to tell you, I just…couldn’t. It’s too…repulsive.”
“Repulsive? What could possibly be repulsive about magic? About you?”
“You don’t understand.”
“Make me understand.”
“I, I can’t. Not right now.” She suddenly remembered that she was angry with him. “Why do you care anyway? I thought I was a waste of time?”
“Destiny,” Tahir began, but was interrupted by a flash of light. “What now?” he wondered as he searched the skies for the source.
“Demetrius and Alexander!” Destiny took off running toward the light.
“How do you know?” Tahir asked, but she was already far ahead. He shrugged and ran after her.
Sure enough: Demetrius, Alexander, Kraven, Meelix and Smokey stood by the castle doors. Smokey and Meelix both looked quite wobbly and confused.
“Demetrius! Alexander! How long it has been!” Destiny greeted them. “I wish it were on happier terms.”
“As do I, but it is good to see you nonetheless,” Demetrius said. He and Alexander took turns hugging her and commenting on how much she has grown.
“What was that light?” Tahir asked.
“Oh, it’s horrible,” Meelix answered, still holding tightly to Demetrius’ clothing. True to Alexander’s word, he was regrouping more quickly this time, though he was still light-headed. “It’s tunnel travel. Trust me; you want no part of it.”
After a few minutes of introductions and small talk, giving Meelix and Smokey time to compose themselves, the group decided to meet with Gavin and the magicians before meeting the King.
“Thank goodness you are here. I feel I am going as mad as they are,” Gavin exclaimed when the others arrived.
The magicians ran toward Smokey, calling her name. In the excitement, she almost ran toward her adoptive parents, but quickly remembered that she was no longer their pet. When they reached her, Declan picked Smokey up while the others petted her.
“No! I’m not Smokey!” she said as she tried to escape Declan’s grasp. “Let me go, Declan!”
The magicians ignored her pleas.
“Put me down! I’m not Smokey!” she said, struggling for her freedom.
“Oh, Smokey, we missed you.”
“Good boy, Smokey!”
“Where’s nexus?”
“Yes, what happened?”
“Bad Smokey! You didn’t find nexus, or Declan!”
“What’s the matter, Smokey?”
“QUIET!” Ellic broke free of their grasp and flew out of their reach. She landed by Meelix and held her head high. “Do not call me Smokey! I am Ellic: Dracara d’Osceana Atara. Furthermore, I am no longer your pet…nor am I a boy!”
Tahir was shocked. He, Meelix, Oraden, Destiny and Gavin all pondered how one could distinguish a female dragon from a male.
“Ellic is a beautiful, strong Dracarae name,” Alexander said, giving Ellic a look of approval. Demetrius and Kraven smiled and nodded in agreement. The three magicians stared blankly at Ellic for a moment, and then continued their jabbering and fussing as though nothing happened. The three carried on so that no one else could get a word in. Demetrius and Alexander just stood and observed them while Ellic desperately tried to demand their respect.
“I have seen enough, do you agree, Alexander?” Demetrius asked, sensing the impatience growing in him.
“Agreed,” Alexander said, not taking his eyes from the babbling magicians.
Demetrius plucked a large leaf from a nearby tree and folded it. All but Alexander and the three magicians watched closely as Demetrius worked. The leaf appeared to grow as he folded it and turned it and folded again, until it took on the form of a bird. He cupped it in both hands, raised it to his lips and whispered to it, then he tossed it into the air. It gained life and took flight to Iltrepidore, carrying Demetrius’ message for Darios.
“What is our course of action, Teacher?” Kraven asked.
“My earlier estimate was correct. We should have at least a year to prepare. If they are going to be of any use to us, they are going to need some formal education. But first we must speak with the King. There are still a few issues to be resolved,” Demetrius explained.
“Asymptier?” Alexander asked.
“Of course.”
“So can we bring all this chatter to an end?” Kraven rubbed his temples.
“I do think a sleeping spell is not a bad idea, Demetrius,” Alexander suggested.
“Agreed.”
Alexander and Kraven walked over to the chattering magicians. The two waved their hands slowly over the magicians, uttering their magical words while Demetrius folded another leaf. Slowly the magicians quieted down. One by one, they yawned and stretched and fell asleep. Alexander took them, one by one, and laid them against a large tree. He stood over the magicians, lowered his arms to his sides, keeping his palms upward, he quickly raised his hands above his head. The entire tree, along with the magicians vanished into thin air.
“What did you do?” Gavin asked in shock.
“They are sleeping,” Alexander answered. “They are still there, but are shielded in a magical barrier similar to the one that protects Elysi. They will be perfectly safe until we are ready for them.”
“Are you sure?” Ellic asked. Although she did not wish to be their pet anymore, she didn’t want any harm to come them.
“I am certain. No harm shall come to them, Ellic. Trust us, you need not worry,”
“Come, friends,” Demetrius commanded. “A King awaits.”