by Thandi Ryan
‘Princess can I get you anything?’ Rakan asked.
‘No, thank you, I think I just need to rest for a while, it was a lot to feel what everyone else was feeling and channel it to Rufus. I’ve done this before with Amara but this time there were so many of you.’
‘I will go and find a healer for Kenaz and when he comes, he can look at you too,’ Kalon said standing up and looking to his brother for approval. Rakan nodded and Kalon went in search of a healer, leaving Ellora, Kenaz and Rakan in the study.
A few minutes later Garrick rushed into the study with Waldon at his side and a feeling of joy and complete and utter relief came over him when he saw that Kenaz was no longer frozen.
‘Kenaz my boy, how good it is to have you back,’ Garrick said, going over to him and kneeling down by his side. ‘How are you?’
‘I’m alright, I was scared and confused and it still hasn’t sunk in that I lost the last four days of my life, but I think I’m alright.’
‘Good,’ Garrick said genuinely pleased.
‘I do have cramps and aching bones and muscles though.’
‘It is to be expected.’
‘I guess, I don’t ever want to be frozen again though,’ he said reflectively.
‘I’m sure you don’t,’ Garrick said in agreement. He looked around the room and saw that Kalon was not with them. ‘Where is Kalon?’
‘He has gone to fetch a healer,’ Rakan said.
‘Ah yes, it is wise to get Kenaz checked out.’
‘Ellora is feeling unwell also,’ Rufus said.
Garrick turned and looked with concern at Ellora. ‘Princess, what is the matter?’ Garrick asked.
‘I am fine Garrick. I just felt a bit weak.’
‘She helped Rufus find his power so that he could free Kenaz,’ Rakan told his father.
‘Saving the day again,’ Garrick said walking over to where the princess was.
Ellora smiled weakly at Garrick. ‘I will be fine Garrick; I just need some time to gather my strength.’
‘I’m sure you will princess but still, it would be wise to let the healer look at you.’
‘Very well,’ she said conceding to him.
Garrick went over to Kenaz again ‘Let’s see if we can make you a bit more comfortable until the healer arrives.’
He picked Kenaz up from the floor as though he were a feather and carried him to another chaise lunge that was in the study. He placed him on the chaise on his side and took the blankets that were on the floor and placed them over him.
‘The healers will have you back to your normal self in no time,’ Garrick said reassuringly.
Garrick and the children waited for a healer to arrive and about half an hour later, Kalon appeared with Dariel. Dariel appeared at the doorway and surveyed the situation. He entered the room and greeted Garrick and then the rest of the children. He went to Kenaz and examined him.
‘You will be fine Kenaz;’ Dariel told him; ‘you need to spend time in the spas morning and evening for the next seven days. I will give you some oils when I have mixed them together, apply them to your joints and they will soothe you.’
When Dariel had finished tending to Kenaz he stood up and when Kenaz acknowledged and thanked him, he walked to Ellora and knelt down beside her.
‘Princess you got in the middle of something powerful again,’ he said in a disapproving tone.
‘Yes,’ Ellora said sheepishly.
‘Well once again you are very lucky,’ Dariel said, as he was checking her pulses and her eyes. ‘You too will be fine, I will make you a tonic to drink, and it will rejuvenate you. In the meantime get some rest.’ Ellora thanked him and Dariel stood up and looked at Garrick. ‘They will both be fine Garrick, but please may I speak with you outside?’
‘Of course.’ Garrick said following Dariel out of the study. When they were both outside Garrick closed the door behind him and faced Dariel and waited for him to speak.
‘Between the seven children there is a lot of power, perhaps more power than I have see in a long time. The Empress, Rakan and Rufus possess the gift of sorcery and they can harness power that is way beyond their years and experience and that troubles me.’
‘But Dariel they are good children.’
‘I know,’ Dariel said quickly. ‘But as we both know, power can be a drug and it corrupts.’
‘Dariel, they are very young and they are in good hands.’
‘I know that Garrick, but nonetheless I see great power in all of the children. Ellora is an empath and I do not know what powers Kalon, Waldon and Kenaz possess, but I know that they do, even if it is not magical.’
‘What do you suggest?’ Garrick said.
‘Do not let them use their powers unsupervised, they must learn to use them properly and wisely and for good – even Ellora.’
‘I will see that it is done.’
‘For safety’s sake too, these past incidents have been serious, only luck and intervention from the gods prevented them from being seriously hurt or worse.’
‘I know Dariel; it was my own son who was injured,’ Garrick said rather sharply. ‘I remember it well and I do not underestimate the gravity of the situation for one moment. I hear what you say and for the most part – I agree. They should be supervised and taught how to use their magic, but I also know that they are responsible children.’
‘But they are children all the same.’
‘I am aware of that, yes, they who possess the gift of magic should be supervised but I am not sure supervision is necessary, or even possible in Ellora’s case.’
‘Garrick…’ Dariel began.
‘Yes Dariel, I understand the situation completely. I will agree to them not being able to use their magic but only for a short period of time.’
‘For how long?’ Dariel enquired.
‘A few months,’ Garrick replied in a clipped tone.
‘Garrick, I do not wish to interfere in the raising of the children, especially your children but I cannot remain silent on this issue; it is one of great importance and potentially one of great peril. Forgive me if you think I am being impertinent in speaking out of turn but I must speak.’
Garrick softened slightly after hearing Dariel’s words and the conviction behind them.
‘Very well Dariel, I will speak with all of the children and I respect your courage and conviction.’
‘Thank you, I will return shortly with the oils for Kenaz and the tonic for Ellora.’
‘Until then,’ Garrick said, before returning to the study.
He sat at the table in the centre and called the children around him.
‘I understand that you are growing up and that you have new powers to deal with, but I am also aware of the dangers that you may inevitably place yourselves, or each other in. Therefore, from this moment onwards you are not to use your powers unless you are supervised.’
‘But father,’ Rakan said.
‘No buts Rakan, you all seem to possess an incredible amount of power and until you learn how to harness it and utilise it properly you should not – no – you cannot use it, without supervision. Rufus I will speak with your parents.’
‘What about me?’ Ellora asked. ‘My power is not magical.’
‘Ellora I understand that you cannot control your empathy but please do not do such things as you did today, or that which you did with Amara and Rakan beforehand. We will find someone to help you understand and utilise your gift – all of you need time,’ Garrick said seriously. ‘You need time to understand your powers and you need time to grow and learn, not just about your powers but about yourselves.’
‘I understand that,’ Rufus said. ‘After the event of the last four days I completely understand that. I for one promise not to use my magic unsupervised, but it should be no surprise for you to hear that I really don’t want to anyway.’
‘I understand that,’ Garrick said.
‘Very well,’ Rakan said dejectedly.
‘I promise not to try
anything like I did today again,’ Ellora said simply.
‘Very well, I do trust you; I trust all of you, that is not an issue. The issue is your using magic that you know nothing about. As of yet, none of you know what your powers are exactly, or how to utilise them properly or if you will develop any more and on the two occasions you have discovered them you have been in real danger.’
‘I understand father,’ Rakan said.
‘I know you do Rakan,’ Garrick answered. ‘I’m going to leave you now to have the rest of the day to yourselves. Ellora get some rest and don’t do anything too strenuous, the same goes for you Kenaz. I’m sure you all have lots to tell Kenaz about the last four days and lots to talk about in general. If you need me I will be in the east tower working.’
Garrick rose and left his sons and their friends in the study. The six of them waited until Dariel came back to them and administered the tonic to Ellora and the lotion to Kenaz.
‘Ellora I hope I don’t have to see you in a healing capacity again. In fact I don’t want to see any of you in a healing capacity again,’ he said amicably, before departing from their company.
In the afternoon the six went in search of Garrick and ate lunch with him, and after lunch, the rest of the day went smoothly and quietly for Garrick and the six children – as did the rest of their time in the palace. Garrick was thankful that life, from then on in remained uneventful: at least in the troublesome way.
Months passed and the children were still growing in body, mind and spirit. They continued to go to school and Thaddeus took Gaerwen’s place and taught Rakan and Rufus sorcery. Rakan and Rufus both had the power to throw energy balls and streams, but Rufus’ energy streams were a rich orange. Both of them could levitate and Thaddeus taught them how to levitate under control.
As with everyone who had been a witness to their power; he was surprised by it, slightly in awe of them and even a little afraid – but he never showed it.
Garrick continued to take them out on adventures and teach them the advanced ways of the guard and advanced field-craft and he began to recognise that they were all talented in one way or another. Ellora stood alone in that she was an excellent archer; she could use a bow and arrow and a crossbow, she had a good eye and never missed her target, and the more she practised, the faster she became and Garrick admired her skill.
Waldon, Kenaz, Rakan and Kalon were outstanding swordsmen; while Waldon and Kenaz had great power, Rakan had great finesse and skill, while Kalon had great skill and even greater speed and both of the brothers were very quick on their feet.
The friends spent much of their time on athletics and ran, swam and did Olympic exercises. As they spent more and more time on athletics, Garrick and some of the guard taught them how to fight; they learnt the ancient martial arts of the east such as Kali and Kung Fu and the aerobic fighting style learnt in the west of Basimine and as they trained, they were having the time of their lives.
Three more months passed and more riders arrived in Amalah but this time, they informed Ellora and everyone in the palace that the Empress would be returning to the palace two nights from now. Ellora was so excited that she jumped up and down and squealed with laughter and giggles for the longest time and when food was served to her she was too excited to eat it.
The palace staff went into overdrive and began preparations to welcome the Empress home; fine china and cutlery were brought out as well as the trestle tables and beautiful linen tablecloths. Butlers and cooks began to arrive and so did the extra workers to make sure that everything would be ready in time. Amalah was going to celebrate the return of its Empress and the celebrations would start in the Great Hall of the palace.
Ellora and her friends noticed the change in the palace, life had been quiet and relaxed in the times when they had been there, but now there was a constant buzz and jostle and noise that came about due to the frantic anticipation of Amara’s arrival. The weather in Amalah was pleasantly hot and so in their spare afternoons, the children retreated to the palace gardens, where they were out of the way of the palace staff and there, they played or sat under the oak tree and talked.
‘You know our time together may not last much longer,’ Rakan said one day, before Amara was to arrive and completely out of the blue, while they were all under the tree.
‘Why not?’ asked Kenaz in a worried tone.
Because you, Waldon, Rufus and I, are seventeen years old and we will want to do something with our lives and we will no longer be taught together at the palace either.’
‘What do you want to do Rakan?’ Ellora asked.
‘I want to go to Lansten, to the school of sorcery. Gaerwen and Thaddeus have taught me so much and I want to continue to learn.’
‘As do I,’ Rufus said with certainty.
‘I will join the guard,’ Kenaz stated confidently.
‘As will I,’ said Waldon.
‘It looks as though you already know what you all want,’ said Ellora
‘You’re going to leave us behind,’ Kalon said, rather emotionally. ‘You’re all going to leave us,’ he said clearly upset.
‘Kalon do not be upset, we are still here,’ Waldon said calmly.
‘Nothing is settled yet and even if it were, we are not leaving you – we have to leave each other. We will all be apart but we will all be with someone. You will be with Ellora; I with Waldon and your brother with Rufus. Besides, if we do join the guard Waldon and I will remain in Amalah, so we will not be that far away. You will be grown up by then anyway, we will all miss each other terribly but all our lives will change.
‘Can I visit?’ Kalon said sullenly.
‘Of course you can Kalon, I expect you to,’ Waldon said emphatically.
‘As long as you’re not leaving yet,’ Kalon said still upset at the thought of the four boys leaving them behind.
‘No one is leaving yet,’ Waldon said reassuringly.
‘The only place I am going right now is back to the palace for some more food,’ Kenaz said. ‘I’m absolutely starving,’ he said rubbing his belly in an exaggerated fashion that made the others laugh.
He continued to do the motions when he saw them laughing and made strange gurgling and rumbling sounds from his throat and his belly that made them burst into fits and giggles and then hysterical laughter. When everyone had finished laughing and wiped the tears from their eyes Kenaz led them back to the palace to get supper and made light banter along the way.
Ellora looked at Kenaz thoughtfully, “he was so clever at what he did,” she thought to herself. He could always change a subject, without getting caught and go on to make everyone laugh. She was so glad that Rufus had been able to unfreeze him she mused, as she couldn’t imagine him not being a part of their group. She thought some more about her friend and she smiled to herself as she followed behind.
Chapter 13
The next two days went by very quickly for the palace staff but seemed like an eternity for Ellora as she grew more excited by the hour about her sister’s return. She had missed her incredibly and could not wait to see her and hug and kiss her. Ellora had so much to tell Amara and she knew that her elder sister would also have much to tell.
While Amara had been away; Ellora had eagerly awaited the riders to deliver her sister’s letters to her and she had read them all at least three times by now. How she wished she could have been there, especially in Mantor and she hoped that one-day, they would be able to undertake the same journey together.
The palace was now decorated with flowers, streamers and ribbons and the Great Hall had been set for yet another grand banquet. Ellora loved those occasions, they were so delightful and special and she fondly remembered when her mother and father used to host them. She thought of her parents for a while and smiled as she remembered the good times and special occasions that had been celebrated over the years. Ellora smiled as she realised that was the first occasion that she had contemplated her parents without feeling any pain.
Ellora’s maid
s came into dress her and she made her way to the balcony room to find the five boys, Garrick and Thaddeus were already there, sitting and relaxing but they all stood up when she entered the room and they greeted her warmly and she greeted them back with equal warmth. They talked for a while in the balcony lounge before they heard the sounds of the royal trumpeters who signalled that Amara and her entourage were about to reach the gates of the palace and at that moment, Ellora stood up excitedly and smiled.
‘Amara’s home,’ she squealer.
‘Let us go to meet her then,’ Garrick said, smiling as he stood up to take everyone downstairs to the palace gates.
‘I can’t wait, I can’t wait,’ Ellora said excitedly.
‘You only have seconds to wait now,’ Garrick said to her pleasantly. ‘You’ve waited so long Ellora, it’s nearly over.’
Garrick and Thaddeus led the children downstairs to the front palace gates where they met with the council and some of the guard who were already there waiting. They made small talk as they waited for Amara’s carriage to arrive and when they saw it approach, Ellora began to jump with joy and squeal and shout to the point where Garrick had to calm her down.
The carriage had made its way through Amalah and had been met with well wishers who had turned out to welcome the Empress back home. They clapped and cheered and waived and threw roses and petals at the carriage and when the carriage passed them by, they too made small talk and then left to go home. The carriage continued all the way to the palace gates and when they got there Amara looked to see her sister Ellora standing in front of everyone waiting to see her.
“Dear, sweet Ellora,” she thought to herself. “How I have missed you, I have so much to tell you.”
The carriage eventually came to a standstill and Amara waited patiently as the guard stepped down and opened the carriage door for her. She made her way to the carriage door and the guardsman put out his hand for Amara to take and when she took it, he helped her down the makeshift box of steps and onto the ground. As soon as her two feet were on the ground, Ellora was running towards her and calling her name excitedly.