Zach grabbed him by the tail and swung him in the air. The ferret landed on Lyra’s back
“Hi.”
“Fine! Where were you?!”
“What sea dragon?” Adriane asked.
“This purple sea dragon attracted wild magic.”
“That’s weird,” Tasha murmured, fingers tapping the small screen.
“I’ll say!”
“No, I mean for a second I thought I had a lock on Emily’s jewel.”
“Here, I’ll give you a boost.” Kara shot a fine beam of dazzling red and white magic into Tasha’s device.
Adriane raised her wolf stone. “Mine has some of Emily’s magic in it.” The warrior directed a steady silver beam to the other side of Tasha’s jewel locator.
A piercing screech filled the air as wolf and unicorn magic collided, shattering in a flurry of sparks.
“No good.” Tasha hurriedly tapped the screen, turning down the volume. “Your jewels are exact opposites. You can’t work together without a balancing factor.”
“What a surprise,” Adriane muttered.
“We did it before,” Kara interjected. “Most of the time.”
“Now that your jewels are more powerful, the differences are more pronounced,” Tasha explained.
“Here, try this.” Sunlight reflected through Ozzie’s jewel as he sent a beam of his pure gold light across the magic meter.
This time, a set of croaking notes rang forth with no feedback.
“That’s better.” Tasha nodded in satisfaction.
Everyone leaned forward as blue and green lights swept back and forth on Tasha’s small screen. Sparkles of purple and pink tinged the edges.
“Fascinating,” Tasha said, adjusting one of the meters.
“What?” Ozzie asked.
“I’ve located Emily’s jewel, but the signature is different.” Tasha looked up.
“Is that good or bad?” Kara asked.
“Your jewels change as you become more powerful, but the core signature should never change. It’s who you are. It’s as if someone else is using her jewel.”
“You sure it’s hers?” Lorren asked.
“Quite,” Tasha confirmed. “The readings are coming from somewhere in the southern islands.”
“That’s dangerous country,” Zach said, frowning. “Mostly unexplored jungles.”
“How long will it take us to get there?” Adriane asked.
“A few days, if we fly directly across the Moorgroves and over the Burning Deserts,” Zach said.
The others groaned.
“We could try another way.” Tasha held up the magic meter so everyone could see the blinking dots. “There’s a series of four portals that crisscross Aldenmor. The first one is at Mount Hope.”
“That’s an hour from here,” Zach said worriedly. “And with the web shifting, the portals are out of alignment. It could take us all day to get to the others.”
“Not if we jump all four at once,” Adriane said, picking up on Tasha’s idea.
“How?” Kara demanded.
“You’ll have to make a rope out of magic,” Tasha explained. “Anchoring it to Emily’s jewel, we can slingshot through the four simultaneously.”
“Tasha’s a genius,” Lorren said, beaming. “How many times have you done this?”
Tasha blinked. “Exactly none.”
“Emily’s all alone!” Ozzie cried, then his eyes opened wide. “Or not.”
“I love portal hopping.” Kara faced the warrior. “What do you think, Xena?”
“Okay, Barbie. Let’s go for it.”
The mages knocked fists, then turned to Ozzie. The ferret gave the girls a determined nod.
THE SUN SANK slowly toward the horizon, tingeing the ocean a beautiful pale pink. Emily dragged a piece of driftwood across the beach, heaving it onto the crackling fire Marlin had built.
“I didn’t think a merprince like you would know anything about camping.” Emily watched as the merboy poked at several rolled-up banana leaves filled with purple potatoes and fruits roasting on the coals.
“Of course I do,” he answered. “I was in the merscouts.”
Emily’s mouth watered as smoke wafted into the air. She had forgotten how hungry she was. The last thing she’d eaten was a bowl of Cheerios at home in Stonehill that morning.
“Here.” Marlin plopped a few steaming leaf bundles on a large abalone shell and handed it to Emily.
“You might be a snob, but you sure are resourceful.” Emily smiled, taking a big bite of the hot fruit compote. Her eyes lit up. It was delicious.
Marlin watched her as she ate. “You never bonded with an animal? I thought that’s what mages were supposed to do, bond with animals and make magic to save the world.”
Emily paused before responding. “I guess I haven’t found my bonded one yet.”
“What about the weird ferret?”
“He’s an elf and he’s not weird!” Emily shot back, then relaxed. “My friends and I… we don’t have any formal training or anything. We just try to do the best we can.”
“But you still use magic without an animal.” Marlin seemed fascinated with the concept.
“Yes. But I’m only a Level One mage. Kara and Adriane are Level Two.”
Marlin chewed thoughtfully. “You know, once upon a time, merfolk were full of elemental magic. I mean we even had scales and tails! But we don’t need magic anymore.” His nose got higher in the air with every word. “As I said, we are evolving away from magic.”
“In my world, so many species are lost every year because of ‘evolution,’” Emily said. “And now your dragons might not make it. You’re the merprince. It’s your responsibility to do something about it before it’s too late.”
“It’s not like I have time for magical animals,” Marlin sniffed. “I have a kingdom to run.”
“You’re wrong about the magic, Marlin. I’d give anything to bond with an animal,” Emily told him. “Maybe if you had a real friend like that, you’d believe in magic, too.”
“I don’t need friends and I don’t bond with animals. Besides”—he pointed to her empty wrist—“what good did it do you?”
“I have wonderful friends,” she said adamantly.
“If your friends are so great, where are they now when you need them?”
“Baloobah!” A loud crashing noise came from the bushes.
Emily and Marlin bounded to their feet.
“What was that?” The prince’s eyes darted across the beach.
Something fuzzy shuffled from the trees.
“Hey, it’s—” Marlin stepped forward.
“Shhh!” Emily held Marlin back. “You’ll scare him.”
The creature wobbled to the edge of the campfire. A huge grin split his face as he spotted the palm leaves filled with steaming food. Suddenly his body quivered and twisted before snapping back in place.
“grAk!” A huge hiccup sent a burst of blue green twinkles flying through the air.
“That jewel doesn’t belong to you,” Emily said calmly.
“Blah!”
“The ferret ate your jewel?” Marlin asked.
“He’s not a ferret.”
“Of course it is.” Marlin leaned forward. “Hey, little fella. How’d you get here?”
The purple creature sprang into the merboy’s arms, grinning.
“What the—!” Marlin pried the animal from his neck. “Get him off me!”
The creature fell to the sand and grabbed four leaves, shoving them in his mouth. Bits of fruit dribbled down his face, sticking to his fur.
“What’s wrong with your ferret?” Marlin asked.
“It’s not Ozzie.” Emily studied the purple imposter. “It’s some kind of shapeshifter.”
“BWRAAAP!” The creature’s mouth opened into a gigantic maw and gave the biggest, loudest burp she’d ever heard.
“That’s disgusting.” Marlin waved a hand in front of his face.
Sticking his tongue out,
the creature started running toward the tree line.
“Don’t let him get away!” Emily dove after the little beast, tackling him in the sand.
That purple foot! Wait a minute—“I’d recognize that toe anywhere.”
The creature wriggled away and stared at her with big indigo eyes.
“You’re not Ozzie.”
The purple creature twinkled and spun in a blurry tornado. When it came to a stop, a pink and white owl blinked blue eyes at Emily.
“Hoooop.”
“No, you’re not Ariel.”
With a twist, the creature spun around, morphing into a green cat with orange spots.
“Yayayaya.”
He was using her jewel to find animals she had connected with.
“Stop it, you’re not Lyra, either.” This game was starting to upset Emily. “I know who you are—now turn back this instant!”
With a sigh, the creature plopped on his rump and transformed into the plump purple sea dragon.
“You!” Marlin yelled.
“Pffffft.”
“Okay, that’s better,” the healer said. “Now give me back my jewel.”
“Nuh-uh.” He shook his head.
“What’s your name?” Emily asked the creature.
His deep blue eyes widened. “RrrrrriiblaH.”
“Nice to meet you,” Marlin said. “Now get away from us before you attract more magic.”
“You’re not going anywhere until I get my jewel back.” She looked into the creature’s deep blue eyes. “Indigo.”
“Dingo?” the creature asked, tilting his head curiously.
“Indigo,” Emily repeated. “Your name. Like it, Indi?”
“Byeped.” The creature jumped up and scampered around the campfire.
“Come back here, you little jewel gobbler!” Emily scrambled to her feet, chasing him in circles.
Marlin grabbed the purple creature, waggling him back and forth.
“ScribidibibitiYAI!” Magic exploded like miniature fireworks as the sea dragon suddenly morphed into a ferocious fuschia bear—and fell face-first on top of Marlin.
“Help!” the merprince shouted, trapped under the beast’s giant belly.
“Leave him alone!” Emily yelled at Marlin.
“I told you,” the merboy’s voice squeaked. “Magic will never get you anywhere.”
PoP!
Emily felt magic tingling all around her.
The bear sat comfortably on the sand, a satisfied grin on his face.
“Marlin?” Emily looked around. The merboy had disappeared!
“I’m up here!” Marlin’s voice came from somewhere above her head.
The merprince was atop a palm tree, clinging to a frond.
“Finally, we agree on something,” Emily said, smiling at Indi.
“Hee hee.” Indi leaped to his feet, morphing back into the sea dragon.
“Hey! How do I get down?”
Crrrack—Thud!
“That stupid shapeshifter portal popped me!” Marlin exclaimed, stomping onto the beach, rubbing his rear end, “That’s how we both got here.”
Emily frowned. What kind of creature was this? Unicorns and dragonflies were the only creatures she knew of that could create portals—and this definitely wasn’t either.
“Wait, Marlin. If that sea dragon can make portals, he could pop us back.”
The merprince considered. “Well, okay. But it’s still all your fault.”
Emily looked at the grinning creature. Casting Marlin a significant glance, she asked, “Can you take us back to Aquatania?”
Indi shrugged.
“He’s probably just being lazy and doesn’t want to pop us anywhere.” Marlin rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
“Poptart!” Indigo jumped to his feet, facing the prince.
“I bet you can’t even make a portal!” Marlin scoffed.
“Bilabilablabla!” Indi waggled his big rubbery tongue at the prince.
PoP!
Emily felt a rushing wind press against her ears. Her stomach twisted as if she were plunging down the highest loop of a roller coaster. Blinding lights dwindled to sparkling points as the din of a hundred voices engulfed them.
When the world steadied, Emily and Marlin found themselves squashed among the strangest creatures she had ever seen.
“LADIES AND BEASTIES, feast your peepers on this extra ordinary item!” A small blue imp wearing a silver jumpsuit leaped across the stage dangling a glowing purple sphere from a chain. “The one and only Eye of Graleth, taken right from the demon’s keep. Guaranteed to supercharge any magic!”
Emily stumbled forward as large trolls and warty hobgoblins pressed close, gleaming eyes locked onto the magical prize.
“This isn’t Aquatania!” Marlin cried.
The imp beamed. “This little beauty is priceless—but for you, I’ll make an exception. Now, who’ll start the bidding?”
Hands, claws, and spiked tails shot up in the air.
Indi had portal popped Emily and Marlin all right—right into the middle of some bizarre all-creature auction! Torches flamed from nearby towers, lighting the packed market square beyond.
“Sold to the handsome wartbeast!” the imp yelled from the stage.
“Woot!” A hairy, clawed fist pumped the air triumphantly.
“Where are we?” Emily asked as Marlin guided her out of the throng.
“Thieves Bazaar,” Marlin said, stopping at the side of the stage. “Indigo popped us right into the center of Port Tuga!”
“Where is he?” Emily looked around for the shapeshifter.
Circling the market, rows of buildings with thatched awnings formed a dark silhouette against the purple sky. Creatures whose faces were hidden by long, colorful robes, inspected mysterious wares in booths that lined the teeming square. Glowing spheres bobbed and floated next to stalls filled with strange bottles and gleaming lamps. Exotic foods and dry herbs perfumed the market with a spicy scent.
“We have to get out of here,” Emily whispered, nervously eyeing the motley crowd.
“Right.” Marlin dusted off his robes. “I’m a prince. I know how to talk to commoners.”
“Marlin, wait—”
The merprince brushed past her and marched onto the stage.
“Ahem!” Marlin struck a regal pose with his shoulders thrown back and his nose in the air. “Good people of Port Tuga.” His robes blazed in the lights. “And the rest of you.”
Curious creatures swarmed from the shadows. Armor, sharp teeth, and narrowed eyes glinted in the gloom.
“I am Merprince Marlin III,” he announced in a ringing voice. “I’m looking for someone worthy of transporting myself and this great mage.” He gestured to Emily.
The crowd buzzed with interest.
“Mage?”
“Merprince?”
“III?”
“Marlin!” Emily hissed.
“Four thousand stars!” someone yelled out.
“I beg your pardon.” Marlin blinked.
“Shu bada du mama!”
A spinning whirlwind of green and purple twirled across the stage. In a flash, it transformed into a yellow wartbeast with big red bows in its tusks. Dancing back and forth, it snatched the glowing talisman from the imp.
A troll jumped up and down excitedly. “Five thousand stars!”
“Eight thousand for the magic beastie!” An eager dwarf leaped into the air.
“I love you!” a wartbeast called out.
“Do I hear ten thousand?” Marlin called back.
“Marlin!” Emily scrambled onstage and pulled the merboy out of the spotlight. “What are you doing?”
She gasped as the talisman arced high in the air, falling into Indi’s gaping mouth. Lighting up like a sparkler, he transformed again, this time into a big, toothy, aqua-striped ogre.
“Spit that out!” the blue imp yelled, chasing the ogre in circles.
Ogre Indi cartwheeled across the stage, waggling a gi
ant purple tongue.
The crowd loved the spectacle, yelling and screaming for more.
“Let’s take the money and hire a boat,” Marlin suggested. “It’s that thing’s fault we’re here.”
“I’m not leaving without my jewel!” Emily argued.
“Well, there it goes.”
“Indi!” Emily cried as the ogre took a swan dive off the stage. Streaking into the nearest booth, Indi started gobbling spell vials, potions, gems, and every magical thing in sight.
The crowd surged after him, blanketing the creature in a dark wave.
Emily dashed to the edge of the stage—and was suddenly standing beside Marlin on the opposite side of the bazaar!
“He portal popped us across the market square!” Marlin complained.
“Indi?” Emily whirled around frantically.
The crowded stage area was empty now, except for one enraged blue imp shaking his fist in the air. The shapeshifter was nowhere to be seen.
“I had them in the palm of my fins,” Marlin huffed.
“Magic spells!” hawkers shouted from brightly colored booths crammed with unusual merchandise. “Fake jewels! Fool your friends!”
Emily gulped. “What are all these creatures doing here?”
“Port Tuga is a hideout for adventurers, magic hunters, and fugitives,” Marlin explained. “I bet you can find any magical thing you want here. Probably even find another jewel.”
“No way.” Emily’s jewel was totally unique. “Come on, we have to find Indi.”
The healer dodged a convoy of covered carts rattling across the cobblestones and scanned the square.
“Knicknoots! Get your knicknoots,” came the cry from a nearby booth. “One is never enough!”
“Fascinating.” Marlin walked over to inspect a pile of smiling, colorful furballs. Each emitted a pleasant sounding hum. “What do you call this?” he asked the frizzy green-haired dealer.
“It’s a knicknoot. Buy four, get eight free.”
“Hey, you can’t beat that.”
But Emily barely heard him. Goosebumps prickled up her spine. Someone was watching her. A black-cloaked figure melted into the shadows behind a booth laden with gleaming potions.
Heart of Avalon (Avalon: Web of Magic #10): Page 4