Soul Stone Mage Complete Collection Boxed Set

by Sarah Noffke

  “Oh, yum.” Monet’s tone lacked enthusiasm.

  “Now go and wash up, all of you. I don’t have all afternoon to wait around for you,” Mage Lenore said tersely.

  “No, I guarantee you she doesn’t,” Monet whispered in Azure’s ear as he turned her around and led her toward the sink in the kitchen.

  Azure and the three men returned to the table with their hands washed, but Mage Lenore wasn’t anywhere to be found. Instead they found a note that read:

  “Go ahead and eat. I was quite tired, and have settled down for my late-afternoon nap. I’ll see you just before you head off.”

  “Head off? It’s getting late. She expects us to hike down the mountain a few hours before sunset?” Azure stared at her cucumber sandwich, not sure she could eat it. Her stomach rumbled with nerves. They’d spent a whole day at Mage Lenore’s house and were no closer to finding a cure for her people or the Book of Branches.

  “Just between you and me,” Monet leaned down low, his voice a whisper, “that bitch is messed up in the head. She berated me for over an hour about my green hair, telling me that it meant I was destined to be mischievous and disregard rules. Like, tell me something I don’t know.”

  “You mustn’t disrespect a mage. She’s complex, and we can’t assume we know what she’s been through or why she’s the way she is.” Gillian spooned berry salad onto his plate.

  “Yeah, if I had been cursed to guard a tree for all of eternity and cycle through my stages each day I’d probably be pretty bitchy too,” Ever contributed.

  There was that word again. “Cursed.” Twice it had been used when discussing things that shouldn’t be considered curses. Azure was human. Why did that mean she was cursed? Mage Lenore had been chosen to protect the last howling willow. These were gifts, weren’t they? Perspective had to be key here, she thought.

  “Okay, well, since we’re headed out of here soon, let’s discuss where we are headed,” Azure said, stirring her salad with her fork, still not interested in eating.

  “It will take the rest of the day to get down the Mountain of Truth,” Ever said.

  “Great. That will put us in the goblin city at the base of the mountain by sunset. Sounds like we will all be roasting over an open fire by the time the stars are out,” Monet said, eyeing his dry toast like it had offended him somehow.

  “Well, I can tell you that the Book of Branches is located in a mountain just north of here,” Gillian said.

  “Fucking brilliant. There are only a dozen mountains north of this one,” Monet said, sounding extra grumpy.

  Gillian held up a fat finger. “Yes, but only one is covered in bluebonnet flowers.”

  “So?” Monet asked, drawing out the one word.

  “So, the mountain where the Book of Branches can be found is covered in these wildflowers. It should be fairly easy to spot this mountain from the valley floor, because it’s rumored to appear blue from afar,” the gnome offered proudly.

  “Well, that only means it will take us about half my life to find this bogus mountain,” Monet said, shoving back from the table.

  “Don’t be absurd, Monet. You’re going to live many centuries,” a voice said from the living room.

  The group turned to find the older woman who had served them dinner last night.

  “Mage Lenore,” Azure said, relief flooding her voice. She pushed away from the table and rushed over to the woman. Her kind eyes were a welcome sight after meeting the demanding child and disapproving adult.

  “Yes, child. And now you’ve discovered secrets that no other knows. It makes every day unique and binds me to the Howling Willow. The moment I leave the Mountain of Truth, I’ll age rapidly and soon die,” the old witch said, a new sadness in her eyes.

  “I’m sorry, Mage Lenore. What can we do?” Azure asked.

  “Oh, this is a fate I’ve accepted, and I wouldn’t give it up. Not yet, anyway. But having your company was nice for me, so thank you. And now it’s my turn to return the favor.” Mage Lenore waved the guys over from the table, encouraging them to gather around her. She turned back to Azure when everyone was shoulder to shoulder. “I’ll offer you two bits of knowledge that will help you save the people of Virgo and also stop the tyranny in the Land of Terran. None of what I offer you is a guarantee, but rather, if used with great determination, it will help you to persevere.”

  Azure sucked in a breath, her nervous eyes meeting Ever’s for a moment. He understood her stress, judging by the tentative look on his face. Why couldn’t this damn witch just give her answers rather than riddles?

  “Queen Azure, the only way to heal those in the kingdom of Virgo of this virus is through a human,” she said, and then sucked in a breath, as if waiting for the questions to begin.

  “What? The humans? But they won’t help us. They’re the ones who created this virus,” Azure said, her voice bordering on yelling.

  “That may be true, but it is through our enemies that we must find solutions,” Mage Lenore said, her warm brown eyes lighting up.

  “Look, I traveled all this way for answers, and you’re telling me I need to turn to my enemies for a cure? That’s not helpful at all.”

  “I can see that from your perspective it would seem unhelpful, but I promise that answers are found on the journey, not from being handed a solution. Give a man the truth and he will discard it in the ocean. Make him discover the truth on his own, and he will know it all his life.” The old woman pulled her wand from the pocket of her apron and assessed the group.

  “Can’t you tell me something more specific?” Azure asked, frantic that she’d wasted all this time on a wild goblin chase.

  “I cannot. Now, I believe you’re also looking for the Book of Branches. I’m not going to tell you where you can find that ancient book,” the witch said, waving her wand back and forth in a rhythmic fashion.

  “So, more awesome reasons we trekked out here, then?” Monet said, his tone about as angry as Azure felt.

  “No, I’m going to do one better,” Mage Lenore said, with a smile. “I’m going to send you to the cave.” She swiped her wand through the air and the four disappeared.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The group spiraled through purple mists and shadowy clouds until they landed on uneven ground.

  “Is everyone okay?” Azure asked, pushing up from the ground and spitting out a bit of dirt. The surroundings spun in her vision for a moment before righting themselves. She saw that the others were starting to stand too.

  Azure wiped her hands across her eyes, trying to clear the blur. “Where are we?” she asked, staring down at a mountainside bedecked with sapphire blue wildflowers.

  “I do believe this is Lancothy Mountain,” Gillian said at her side. “Which would make those the caves of Lancothy.” He spun around and pointed at a hole in the hillside above of them.

  “If you knew that, why didn’t you say so before?” Monet asked, shaking his head. He was a bit woozy from traveling a great distance in a single moment.

  “I didn’t know that before. I’ve never been here. However, now that I’m here, I know what this place is. I recognize the other mountains in relation to this one. And—”

  “Oh, more mysterious gnome navigation magic.” Monet cut him off, shaking his head at him.

  “So that’s the cave where the Book of Branches is buried?” Ever asked, pointing at the cave mouth only a switchback up from them. It wouldn’t take more than fifteen minutes to get there. The cave was located only about halfway up the mountain, but traveling here from the Mountain of Truth would have taken another day, if not two. Mage Lenore had saved them quite an effort by teleporting them here.

  “I guess so. It’s the only cave entrance I see.” Azure scanned the rest of the mountain. The top was a rocky table; it was missing its peak. Below them there were a few flat spots covered by large boulders that could be cave entrances. However, it made the most sense that the kind-of-helpful Mage Lenore had relocated them to a spot with the cav
e entrance just ahead.

  “Okay, well, let’s start this party.” Monet took off up the path that led to the cave.

  “Hold up,” Gillian requested, finding a seat on a nearby rock.

  Monet turned and looked at the gnome. “Hey, break time was back there at the wacky shack. Now it’s go time.”

  “And Queen Azure is going to go, but the three of us are going to hang back,” Gillian said to the young wizard.

  “I agree that strolling into a dark cave is really scary, but if you want me to hold your hand then I’ll totally do it, little guy,” Monet said, his tone mocking.

  Gillian shook his head. “Remember, Queen Azure, when I first told you about the Book of Branches?”

  “Yes, you said it detailed the different tribes of the dryads and that there would be information about the rogue dryads in there,” she said, remembering the conversation they’d had as they hiked to Virgo from the ocean.

  “Yes, and I told you I knew where to look for the Book of Branches, and that you had the key to finding it.” Gillian pulled his hat off his bald head and wiped his brow.

  “Point. Get to the fucking point,” Monet said.

  “The point is that Queen Azure is the only one who can enter the caves of Lancothy,” Gillian said, sliding the bowler back onto his head.

  “Are you fucking kidding me? All things you could have said before I dirtied my robes on this venture.” Monet dusted his sleeves, his face pinched with anger.

  “I knew she’d need our help to find the cave entrance, so stop complaining,” Gillian said.

  “Wait. Why can’t you all go with me?” Azure asked.

  Gillian cleared his throat. “I haven’t been entirely upfront with you.”

  “Shocking,” Monet grumbled.

  The gnome ignored him. “That cave leads to an underground city that most have never seen. One can only venture into the kingdom of Lancothy if they were born there, or are royalty. Those species who signed the treaty decided long ago that the only way to ensure that the people in Lancothy were abiding by the laws set forth by that doctrine was if they could visit the land every now and then. You see, because it is afraid of prejudice, the kingdom of Lancothy has been closed to outsiders for as long as anyone remembers. However, the law states that those of royal blood may pass into it.”

  “What exactly is Azure going to find in this underground secret city?” Monet asked, crossing his arms on his chest.

  “It’s not considered an especially dangerous place,” Gillian said, his face flushing pink.

  “Come off it, gnome! Why would the people of Lancothy suffer from prejudice? What’s up with these strange cave people?” Monet said, strangely sounding protective of Azure.

  “The only ones allowed in the kingdom of Lancothy besides royalty are wereanimals,” Gillian said.

  The group exchanged uncomfortable looks, no one knowing how to respond to such a strange statement.

  Gillian looked at Azure. “There’s a library in the center of the city, I believe. That’s where you’ll find the Book of Branches. However, you’ll have to steal it, because finding the information within the pages would take too long, and they’d never allow you to take the book from their city.”

  “You’re asking her to steal a book?” Monet said, turning to Ever for backup. Monet looked more livid than Azure had seen him in a while.

  “Yes, and not only that, you should pull your hood up to cover your face. Your royal blood allows you to venture into the city, since the magic was set up by the treaty. However, there are still many in Lancothy who don’t take kindly to those who are different from them. They don’t care about breaking our laws, and might harm you,” Gillian said, his tone too serious.

  “Oh, my Merlin! This is fucking ridiculous! Now she has to sneak into unpleasant territory and steal a book! No. Just fucking no!” Monet threw his hands in the air.

  “Monet.” Azure turned to him, her voice calm. “I’ll be fine. I’ll lay low. I’ve got my wand, and I’ll get in and out of there without being detected. Mage Lenore wouldn’t have sent me here if she thought I would be in real danger.”

  “Oh, fuck. Now you’re putting stock in that nutty woman? Trust a gnome and a witch who is having a midlife crisis. Smart, Queen Loony,” Monet said, starting to pace.

  “Well, if you’re concerned, Azure doesn’t have to go alone.” Ever stepped forward, a sly smile on his face.

  “Oh wait, are you royalty and conveniently forgot to tell us? Prince of the Light Elves, huh?” Monet put venom in his words.

  “No, I’m a commoner, but I think I could pass as a wereanimal,” Ever said, spreading his fingers wide at his side. Sparks flew back and forth between Ever and the bluebonnets, creating a stream of light that flowed to his hands, then traveled up his arms and over his chest. Magical symbols rose to the surface of his skin as his eyes glowed brightly.

  A moment later the light and symbols faded, but the victorious look on Ever’s face remained.

  “Uhhh, that was a cool trick, but you look nothing like a tiger or giraffe or whatever animal you were trying to disguise yourself as. You do look a bit like a monkey, but that’s nothing new.” Monet shook his head at Ever, obviously not okay with the current predicament.

  “Turning myself into a real wereanimal would be nearly impossible with either human or Light Elf magic. However, if I’m correct in my assumption, wereanimals give off a certain pheromone, right?” He turned to Gillian for confirmation.

  The gnome rested his chin on his hand and thought for a moment. “Yes, that’s correct. I believe they have a pheromone that is unique to them, and which they emit no matter what animal they happen to be.”

  “And you’ve now magically drenched yourself in wereanimal stink, is that it?” Monet asked, not looking convinced.

  “Yes, and that should, if my assumption is correct, be enough to fool the magical guards at the entrance to the cave, allowing me passage. There must be a protective barrier which only allows those of wereanimal or royal blood to pass, right, Gillian?” Ever asked.

  “Yes, that’s a correct assumption,” the gnome said.

  “What if someone asks you to transform? What if that’s a test to get into the city?” Azure asked, sharing Monet’s skepticism.

  “I don’t know much about the underground city of Lancothy, but I do believe that it’s considered a safe place for wereanimals. They are supposed to be free to be whoever they choose when in the city. However, I think that you shouldn’t advertise those Light Elf ears,” Gillian said.

  “Good idea. Transformisanje uši.” Azure pointed her wand at Ever.

  His pointy ears softened, rounding on the top. Ever’s hands flew to them, a grimace tightening his face. “I could have done that myself.”

  “Yes, but when you do it on Earth you always shrink your ears. They don’t look as natural as the transformation I’ve done,” Azure said proudly.

  Monet stepped forward and elbowed Ever in the side. “See, she can be a real bi—”

  “Do not finish that sentence if you desire to keep your wits about you,” Gillian threatened, his hands fisted on his hips.

  “What? I was going to say beauty. Azure is a real beauty. The biggest, most insufferable beauty I’ve ever met,” Monet said, covering his laughing mouth.

  “And you’re a real dick, Monet.” Azure found herself laughing too, but it was mostly due to the nerves now buzzing in her chest. She lifted her head to gaze at the cave entrance just above them.

  “Here, take my robes just in case, for extra coverage,” Monet said, throwing his mint green robes at Ever. He caught them and nodded his appreciation, pulling the robes on and angling the hood over his head.

  Monet strolled over to a cluster of green plants and snipped off a few sprigs of rosemary. He handed it to Azure, who took it with a look of surprise. “Rub that on your arms and neck. The robe will keep you covered, but that will hide your smell.”

  Azure smiled admiringly, doing as Monet
had instructed.

  “We will stay in that clump of trees, Queen Azure.” Gillian pointed to a stand of oak trees just a bit down the mountain. The wizard and gnome would be shielded from view there.

  “Okay, well, we will be back as soon as we can,” Azure said, swallowing a lump in her throat.

  “Please do. I only stole one bottle of wine from Mage Lenore, and when it’s gone then I am too,” Monet said, striding for the trees.

  “You what?” Gillian asked, running after the wizard.

  Monet turned, a triumphant smile on his face. “Just kidding!”

  “Oh, thank heavens.” Gillian threw his hands to his head, relief relaxing his face.

  Monet crossed his hands, reaching into either side of his robe. “I actually stole two bottles of wine.” He held two wine bottles over his head. “You didn’t think I’d leave you high and dry? Get it? We’re on a mountain, and you—”

  Gillian swung around to face Azure. “Hurry!” he said, cutting Monet off. “Before I kill him.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Azure stared into the blackness of the cave. In the distance, water could be heard dripping. The smell of bat shit and stale air wafted to the surface on a draft.

  “It’s probably time to mention that I loathe caves.” Azure turned to Ever, a frustrated look on her face.

  “Is it the dark, or the claustrophobic aspect?” he asked, tension written in his eyes.

  “The ground is slippery as fuck. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve landed on my ass when exploring the caves around Virgo.” Azure lifted her wand and a light flickered above the tip, illuminating the inside of the cave. The walls were rough in places and smooth in others.

  “Well, it looks as though this cave slants up, so maybe that will make the footing a bit easier,” Ever said, pointing at the path within the cave.

  Azure agreed with an uneasy nod. “Okay, let’s go steal a book.”