Wort folded his tiny body into an elaborate bow, and they all laughed.
Madame Persimmons smiled. “Pleased to meet you Wort. And I agree, Belle. Much as I’d love to hear all about your latest adventures, I think we should discuss what to do about the ‘Mr Kafoops situation’ first.”
Raff frowned and shrugged. “What’s to discuss? He’s a kitsune, who's tried to have us killed, three times that we know of. I’m afraid what happens to him is up to the amulet.”
Madame Persimmons pursed her lips. “While I understand your feelings towards him, I need you to consider that Mr Kafoops has been here at the Fey Academy a very long time. He has never harmed, or even been cruel, to any of the students or staff. His role has only ever been that of an informant. I’d like to at least offer him the chance to explain his actions.”
Belle looked at her horrified. “He set fire to the first year dorm, and could have killed us all!”
“Yes, but that was on Tyranius’ orders. He seemed quite relieved when he heard Tyranius was dead. Who knows what hold Tyranius had over him?”
Leah looked from Madame Persimmons to Belle, and could almost see the smoke coming out of Belle’s ears. “Okay, but we know he informed the kitsunes when we’d be flying to Ellissidil, and that we’d gone through the veil to Valleron.” She held up her hand as Madame Persimmons and Belle both opened their mouths to speak. “How about this? We’ll come up with a plan to expose Kafoops as a kitsune. But before we use the amulet, we’ll give him one chance to explain his actions. If he chooses not to, then it’s all over.”
Madame Persimmons sighed with relief, and nodded. Belle smiled sheepishly, and nodded as well.
“I’m sorry I snapped at you,” she said to Madame Persimmons. “It’s just that the only kitsunes we’ve had dealings with so far have been monsters! Serbus ordered the slaughter of an entire community of men, women and children, and Jonah was running a child-labour camp full of starving children. So when I found out Kafoops was a kitsune, I kinda saw red! It makes my blood boil that I used to defend him, when the other kids bagged him out. I felt sorry for him! And the whole time he was helping the kitsunes try and kill us…”
Madame Persimmons patted Belle’s hand. “I’m sorry too Belle. But we need to remember that we know nothing about the kitsunes as a race. Condemning an entire race, for the actions of a few, is wrong. Yes, Tyranius and these other kitsunes you’ve had dealings with were monsters, but I’m sure there are members of every race who are bad. Unfortunately, these particular monsters also had power, and therein lies the problem. I may be wrong, and Mr Kafoops may be just as bad as them. But I want to be sure first.”
Raff cleared his throat, and all eyes turned to him. “Okay, so we all agree that we make a plan, and give Kafoops the chance to explain why he did what he did? Cool…so I think I may have a way of doing it. What if you tell Kafoops that Lyricus is arriving in the meadow at around eight o’clock tonight, with a message from the Oracle, and you’d like him to be there to collect it? You could explain to him that Lyricus will be in a hurry to return to the palace, so he needs to be there waiting. I’m sure he’ll be happy to intercept what he thinks is a message about our movements. Meanwhile, Belle will need to locate a wolf and have him ready when we need him.”
Madame Persimmons frowned. “I think that sounds like an excellent plan Raff, except for one problem. I’m not sure it’s such a good idea for Belle to be wandering around outside. Someone might see her and ask questions.”
Belle nudged Lyricus and laughed. “Ummm, that won’t be a problem Madame Persimmons. You see… I’ll be invisible!”
Madame Persimmons’ eyebrows shot up. “Pardon me?”
“When we were in Valleron, Lyricus taught me how to construct an elven shield. It’s saved our lives more times than I care to remember.”
Madame Persimmons smiled. “Well then, I’m starting to feel a little obsolete around you lot! I think it might be time for you to tell me all about what you’ve learned since you left.”
Chapter Thirty
-A Kitsune’s Life-
A full moon hung overhead, lighting up the meadow as if it were daytime. Kafoops stood out in the open, looking up at the sky in anticipation of Lyricus’ arrival.
“Okay, are we ready?” Raff asked, and they all nodded. “Then let’s do this!”
Lyricus dropped the shield surrounding them, and they followed Madame Persimmons towards where Kafoops stood waiting.
Kafoops saw them coming and instantly looked nervous. “What’s going on here? When did you lot get back?” He cast an accusatory frown at Madame Persimmons. “I thought you said they were still in Ellissidil?” He nodded towards Lyricus. “And isn’t this the elf I’m supposed to be waiting for?”
Madame Persimmons waited until they were all standing in front of Kafoops before replying. “Mr Kafoops, it has come to our attention that there is a kitsune spy here at the Fey Academy. Do you know anything about this?”
Kafoops had broken into a sweat, and was madly wiping his face and neck with his handkerchief. “Well, I’m sure I don’t…”
“Before you say anything you might later regret, I should warn you that these children have the amulet, which has the power to destroy this particular kitsune spy. I’d hate Belle to have to bring the wolf over to expose him?”
Kafoops was by now a quivering mess, madly wringing his handkerchief in his shaking hands. “Please don’t kill me, I beg of you. I only did what I was ordered to do by the Kitsune Supreme Council. If I failed, or refused to do my job, they would have killed my family.”
Belle almost growled. “What family? No one has a family anymore, by order of the kitsunes themselves.”
Kafoops looked ready to vomit. “That law was only passed in Florisia and Valleron. Dragardian children aren’t sent to Naissance; they are raised by their parents, and trained as soldiers. The kitsunes realised the power of family and blood ties, so they eradicated that power in their enemies, but embraced and used it in Dragardia.”
Raff could feel the anger burning through his body. For generations, families in Florisia and Valleron had been ripped apart and outlawed, while those in Dragardia were allowed to continue to lead a normal existence. He reined in his anger, knowing Kafoops wasn’t responsible for the decisions made. He was just a pawn in a much bigger game.
Kafoops was practically grovelling at Madame Persimmons’ feet. “Please Penelope, I can help you! The Kitsune Supreme Council are cruel, and power hungry. There are many others in Dragardia who’d be happy to see them fall from power. Let me be your eyes and ears inside the enemy’s gates. I can tell you their secrets, and help to correct the wrongs I’ve done.” He looked around at them all. “Please…?”
Belle cleared her throat and sighed. “Well, I think he’ll be more useful to us alive than dead. As long as we can trust him?”
Madame Persimmons nodded. “Perhaps we should move this conversation to my office. As long as we all agree that Mr Kafoops should be allowed to try and prove his worth?”
Raff watched them all nod and mumble agreement. “Okay, so let’s go talk about how having our own spy changes things.”
* * *
Raff watched Kafoops trying to make himself as small as possible in his chair. No wonder they’d never suspected him; he was the most totally unremarkable person Raff had ever seen. But that was just the persona he had assumed; they needed to remember that he was first and foremost a kitsune.
Madame Persimmons sat behind her desk, her eyes blazing at Kafoops. “Right Mr Kafoops, what can you tell us about this Kitsune Supreme Council, and their reign of terror.”
Kafoops gulped, and wiped his sweaty brow. “Long before the Great War, kitsunes were banished to the outer reaches of When, charged with acts of treachery against the When Government. According to kitsune history, they spent centuries plotting their revenge. The Great War provided the opportunity to weaken the power of the other races by dividing them, and thus making them easier
to conquer. When the veils went up, instigated by Sardon, who was by then ruling Florisia, the Supreme Council took over Dragardia, and set up kitsunes to rule in the other new worlds.”
“But the eradication of the most powerful among the Gifted, which was the long term goal of the Kitsune Supreme Council, proved to be more difficult than they’d first thought it would be. The kitsunes who’d been banished had done extensive research into the most powerfully Gifted of their generation, and discovered they were always children descended from mixed-blood.”
Kafoops was no longer cowering, as if he were warming to his topic. “Even after centuries of the races being separated, children were still being born with mixed-blood. Added to that was the ever-looming prophecy, which mentioned ‘the blood of old’ and three children. In the last ten years, the number of these children being born had finally started to dwindle, and the Council decided to step up their plans. The people of Valleron and Dragardia were ordered to prepare for war, and the annihilation of Florisia.”
A deathly silence hung in the air as Kafoops finished speaking. Raff wanted nothing more than to throw up. How were they supposed to stop this? The whole idea of three kids being able to stop an invasion was ridiculous! So why would the prophecy say it was up to them?
Madame Persimmons sighed loudly, and looked at the children. “I think I am finally beginning to understand the importance of your role in the prophecy. Had you children not found and restored the amulet, and then gone through the veil to Valleron, the people of Florisia would have had no warning of the impending invasion, and therefore had no chance of defending themselves. At least now we can rally and prepare for the worst.”
Raff grinned. “Don’t forget we also know to avoid stepping through any portals, 'specially the ones that bind Gifts!” He winked, and they all chuckled, the tension in the air easing a little.
Lyricus sat forward in his chair. “Speaking of portals, what can you tell us about them, Mr Kafoops? How are they created, and can all kitsunes create them, wherever and whenever they wish?”
Kafoops looked nervous again. “I’m afraid I can’t tell you much about them. I’ve never seen one being created, and only the more privileged kitsunes have the power to erect them. I’m sorry… I was just a lowly messenger, being forced to do a job I hated.”
“What about communication? How do you send and receive messages?”
“We use our star balls. All kitsune star balls are linked to the Supreme Council.”
Raff nodded. “Okay, we figured as much. So… as far as you, and therefore the Council, know, we’re still in Ellissidil. Got it?”
Kafoops nodded enthusiastically. “Of course, I will make sure the Council believe you are still there.”
Madame Persimmons looked at the children, and then Kafoops. “Thank you Mr Kafoops. I think that’s all we need to know right now. You are free to go. But if you betray our trust, you know the consequences.”
Kafoops stood up quickly. “Of course… thank you… I swear to you I will be an excellent asset.” He literally scurried from the room and closed the door behind him.
Belle sighed. “Well, I have to admit I believe him. He may still come in handy yet. In the meantime, we need to get back to Naissance.”
Chapter Thirty-One
-Naissance-
Belle wasn’t sure whether she wanted to laugh or cry at finding herself back in Naissance. Thanks to Wort, who never ceased to amaze her with his wealth of information, they’d found the entrance to the veil, and had a pretty good idea of the layout of the villages in Naissance. After much argument, her tiny friend had agreed to stay in the safety of the Fey Village with Madame Persimmons. In the end, it had been the promise of more of the headmistress’ delicious honey cakes that had convinced him to stay behind.
She winced at the pain from the usual ‘crossing headache’ and looked around to find her friends in the same state.
“Belle?” Raff moaned. “Any chance I could be first on the healing list this time?”
“Ummm… I guess that’ll depend on whether our Gifts even work here.” A sick feeling settled into the pit of her stomach. “I just remembered that the prophecy described Naissance as the ‘place without magic’. What if…?”
Lyricus slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “Hey… how about you give it a try before you get all worked up? Maybe it just meant that there’s no magic present in Naissance, not that you can’t bring your own magic in.”
Belle nodded and took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and lifted her hand to her head, praying it would work. She smiled when she felt the familiar warmth flowing into her aching head.
“See. Nothing to worry about,” Raff said with a grin, after releasing the breath he’d been holding in a loud whoosh. “And I don’t even mind that I didn’t get to be first.”
Belle laughed as she reached out and healed her friends. Maybe being back in Naissance wasn’t going to be so bad after all.
Raff was still holding the amulet and scratching his head. The usual pulsating glow it emitted during a crossing had faded, but instead of returning to its dormant state, it had continued to produce a soft faint glow. “Ok, so I’ve no idea how this is going to work. I’m guessing the faint glow means the Orb is somewhere in Naissance, but it’d be handy to know which direction we’re supposed to go in.”
“So why don’t we try asking the amulet? The prophecy said it’d help us find this Orb, so it must have some way of showing us where it is. Maybe if we move it around, it’ll glow more when we point it in the right direction. Or something?” Leah suggested.
Raff grinned. “I suppose it’s as good a plan as any. Let’s give it a go.”
They scrambled to their feet, and Belle and Leah moved to either side of Raff. They started off pointing the amulet back towards the veil. Nothing. They began to move the amulet in a clockwise direction. Nothing… nothing… and suddenly a thin cord of blue light was snaking out the end of the amulet. It meandered up the road, and disappeared into the distance. The three children were too stunned to move. It had worked!
Lyricus laughed and snapped them out of their silence. “Well done guys. Looks like we’re heading north then, eh?”
They all laughed and hugged, babbling in excitement about the wonders of the amulet, and relieved to know they were on the right track.
“Okay, now that we know where to start, we’d best get moving,” Raff said, still grinning in excitement. “Knowing our luck, this Orb thing is probably at the other end of Naissance.”
Lyricus threw his arm around Belle’s shoulder and hugged her close. “Yep, let’s do it. By the way, I was thinking it might be a good idea to erect a shield before we reach each village. I’d rather not have to deal with the inevitable questions about why four kids are wandering around Naissance. Especially when they realise two of them have elven features.”
Belle looked up into his dazzling green eyes. “Sounds good to me. But I’m thinking that before we leave we should make sure all of our magic works here. I’d rather know now, than find out it doesn’t work when we’re relying on it.”
“Good thinking, Belle.” Raff said. “How about you both try to raise a shield first?”
Belle held her breath as she reached for her Gift. Relief washed over her as she felt the familiar tingling in her fingers. She expanded the shield around her, and chuckled at the looks on Leah and Raff’s faces.
Leah grinned. “Okay, so I’m just gonna assume, from the fact you both just vanished, that elven magic works here. Awesome. My turn.”
As Belle released the shield around herself, she watched in awe as Leah’s gorgeous, gossamer wings sprung out behind her. As the wings slowly retracted into her back, she turned to Raff. “So far, so good. Your turn Raff.”
Raff looked around him, obviously searching for something he could test his Gift on. The next thing, a large rock in the bushes close-by exploded into dust.
They all looked at where the rock had been, and back
at Raff. “Wow, I haven’t seen that one before. How’d you do that?” Leah asked, an awed expression on her face.
Raff chuckled. “That was one of the things Aracus taught me when we first met.” Pain and sadness flashed in his eyes for a second. “I hadn’t had a chance to try it since then. I just sorta inject the target with light and air and bam, it’s dust!” He shrugged. “Okay, so obviously because we didn’t come through a portal to get back here, our Gifts haven’t been affected. Nice!”
Lyricus sighed. “Man, I wish I could do that sort of stuff…”
Raff grinned and slapped his back. “Yeah, you can only vault onto horses, move silently and raise shields. Must be tough to be you!” He winked, and they all laughed.
They moved off down the road, following the fading trail of light the amulet had emitted. Within half an hour, the first village came into sight.
Belle quickly raised a shield, and grinned at Lyricus. “Beat ya! You can do the next one!” She nudged him with her elbow, and he smiled and shook his head.
The village looked much the same as the one in which Belle had grown up. The houses were all identical architecturally; only distinguishable from each other by the personal touches added to the individual homes, or the bright colours they’d been painted. Belle shuddered as she remembered the barren state of her old house. Her Guardian, Griz, had never even attempted to make it a home. It had always been a horrible prison.
They passed the school, and heard children inside singing and laughing. She smiled at how happy and carefree they sounded. A vast difference to the last school they’d seen. The smile turned to a frown as she realised something none of them had thought of. There was no longer even a pretence of a school in Valleron! What would happen to the children who were sent to the portal on their fourteenth birthday, and opened the door into Valleron? She felt the bile rising up in her throat just thinking about what would happen to them!
Valleron (Book 2) Page 15