Azrael's Twins

by V. J. Mortimer

  Niamh and Grady had almost stopped breathing as their father told the tale. How could this be true, they asked themselves? Mum and Dad weren’t the least bit magical!

  Their father seemed to read their minds. ‘I know. It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? There is no way you would ever have seen this magic here. The ability to use our magic mostly left us when we came to this world. It’s a sad fact but while anyone magical coming from this world to ours can use magic in both worlds, it’s not possible for anyone from our world to come here and do the same thing – elves can, and magical creatures, but not us. We can still feel magic, sense it being used, but it’s almost like … looking through a window at a picture … one we can’t touch even though we can see the colours and all the images. It was the price we paid to come to this world.’

  Grady was unable to stay quiet. He had so many questions. ‘What was the name of your world? What was your name … your real name. And Mum’s? And what about us? Where did we come from? There or here?’

  ‘Slow down,’ said Merritt. ‘You’ll get your answers but there are things you need to know. When we came to this world we did so for a reason. Many years ago our world faced one of our greatest challenges from a master of magic, a sorcerer much like me. But his way to magical power did not come from good, but from evil. Magic has both a dark side as well as a light or good side. As in this world, some choose to use power for evil reasons. They will always find themselves coming up against forces that will resist them, so wars are almost inevitable.’

  The glow from the stones heating the cave did not seem to diminish as Merritt spoke on. The flickering glow from the fiery cloak of the phoenix provided a dancing light show around the walls of the cave. The shadows they threw back from Merritt’s shape seemed to amplify his presence as the tale unfolded.

  ‘Sorcerers are rare in our world. Most people can use one or at most two of the elements in magic – Earth, Air, Fire, or Water. Sorcerers can use all of them. This makes their power just about unlimited.’

  ‘What was his name?’ asked Niamh.

  ‘His name was Balthasar. And many people came to help him in his cause. Wizards and witches that we thought were on our side proved not to be. They were working for Balthasar. His power grew in the world to the point where he became a threat to our land, to our people. But we were not about to let that happen. The ruling council of our land devised a plan to eliminate Balthasar’s power. The risks were so big that if we didn’t do this then our land would fall under his shadow forever. By using the combined powers of all our great sorcerers we worked out a way to limit his ability to use all the elements to their full extent. If the ability to fully access all the power of the magic was taken from him, if we put a lid on his powers, then he would be unable to use his power to control magic the way he previously had – he would be diminished. The plan we came up with required two especially powerful users of magic to become the seat of the elements, a place where the cap could be put. But the penalty was that those two people would have to leave our world – forever. By taking the ability to control the elements away, Balthasar could not carry out his plans and would be severely weakened.’

  Both Grady and Niamh knew where this was going. ‘They gave the powers to you and Mum, didn’t they?’ asked Niamh in a tremulous voice.

  ‘Yes sweetie, they did.’

  ‘And you think he did this tonight?’ asked Grady.

  Bel answered this time; ‘Yes, Grady. He probably did. Which means we are no longer safe here. And your magical parents are in danger as a result.’

  The children looked at each other in disbelief. Their parents! Wizards! Witches!! Cool!!!

  Bel gave a wry smile and turned to Grace. ‘They are taking this much better than I thought they would,’ he chuckled to her.

  ‘So what happened after they gave you the powers?’ asked Niamh, curiosity mixed with a newfound admiration for her parents.

  ‘Ahh. Now that is another story,’ said the phoenix, interjecting. ‘And one which we might want to talk about in the morning.’

  The children looked askance at him. ‘The morning!’ they both exclaimed. ‘No way – tell us now. Come on Mum, Dad. You’ve got to tell us more!’

  Outside, the darkness became thicker as the night fell over the forest. Silent watchers kept vigil outside the cave and waterfall as they waited, and waited ...

  Merritt turned back towards the entrance to the cave. ‘Bel is right. Too late now for more stories Grady, Niamh,’ he said looking at them in turn. ‘Who or whatever was after you will not give up so easily and staying here is dangerous.’

  Niamh wanted to argue with her father but this time she knew he was right. As the tale had worn on she could feel the hole in her stomach getting larger and larger. By now it felt as though an enormous pit had opened up and it needed filling, and the adrenalin of the flight through the forest had worn off letting weariness seep into her bones.

  ‘I agree. We can’t stay here,’ said Bel. ‘I can feel their hunger pains myself,’ he said, looking at Niamh as if reading her mind. ‘They need food.’

  At this last word the dogs suddenly sat upright, tails wagging and an expectant look on their faces. If they could talk, they would have said ‘Foooood!! Yes Yes Yes!! Now please!’

  ‘Well we don’t have anything to eat here,’ said Grace. ‘So if you have a plan, now would be a good time to hear it. It’s not like we can make ourselves invisible here.’

  Grady couldn’t contain himself at those words. ‘Can we learn how to become invisible?’ he said excitedly.

  Bel smiled again and said, ‘Yes, I thought you’d like that little trick. But that’s something mostly the fairies and elves only learn when they are your age. It’s one of their little party tricks. And to use it you’ll need to learn how to co-operate with others, Grady. You won’t be able to do it yourself. It needs Earth AND Air to weave the invisibility charm.’

  ‘Well why can’t we use it now? You and Mum and Dad are magical folk and Embarr must also have that skill or we’d have seen him before this,’ questioned Niamh. ‘If we can make ourselves invisible we can get away from here and get home without anyone seeing us.’

  ‘Good thought Niamh, but Embarr can’t cast an invisibility charm on us, and Bel may be powerful, but not powerful enough to manage all of us. There’s no one here who can weave the powers we need,’ said her father. ‘Invisibility charms that can be cast over a wide area are a peculiarly human trick. Not even the elves can manage it like we can. But remember what we just told you happened when we left our world for this one?’

  Niamh and Grady both nodded. ‘You can’t cast spells like you used to,’ said Niamh.

  ‘That’s right,’ said Merritt. ‘So even if we wanted to we can’t use the elements to weave the invisibility charm.’

  At this Embarr gave out a loud whinny and pawed at the ground. Everyone turned to look at him as the sudden noise broke up their discussion.

  ‘What is it?’ said Grace. Another loud whinny in response came from Embarr as his hoofs drew two circles in the dust on the cave floor, one intersecting the other. When finished he flicked his head towards the two children and then towards his back.

  Bel, Merritt and Grace exchanged glances. ‘Do you think he is saying what I think he is?’ said Grace. ‘That can’t work here, can it?’

  Bel regarded the unicorn for a moment and said, ‘It’s never been tried before but perhaps it can. Niamh, Grady, how much do you trust Embarr?’

  ‘Completely!’ shouted Grady, quickly chorused by Niamh.

  ‘Then there may be a way of getting out of here without being seen,’ said the phoenix.

  Merritt’s mouth dropped when he realised what the phoenix was suggesting. ‘You can’t be serious, Bel. They are only children. They can’t do this!’

  ‘Can’t do what, what can’t we do?’ said the children.

  Bel regarded them with his glowing eyes.

  ‘The unicorn has the ability to use the pow
ers of others, even if the others aren’t capable of using them. If you are willing, the unicorn can use your powers and weave the cloak we need.’

  ‘But that’s mad,’ said Grady. ‘We don’t have any magic powers.’

  ‘Oh yes you do,’ said the phoenix. You just have no idea of how much power you have. Your mum and dad might not be able to use their powers here as they weren’t born in this world. You, however, were. So the magic of this world, which is much more powerful than the magic of ours, is yours to use as you will. You just haven’t been taught how to use it yet. Embarr can help channel it and get us out of here.’

  Niamh and Grady couldn’t believe what they were hearing. Could they really do magic now? ‘What do we do?’ said Niamh.

  ‘Climb onto Embarr’s back. That’s all you need do. He’ll do the rest.’

  The unicorn knelt down as the children calmly walked over and climbed onto the creature’s back. Embarr stood up, the children having to duck slightly so they did not knock their heads on the cave ceiling. They suddenly felt a slight breeze begin to stir about their heads, as if they were breaking into a trot through the forest. The breeze began to make Niamh’s long hair stream away from her face, the strands of glistening gold, red, and brown colours catching the glow of the phoenix’s shimmering flame coat.

  The children lifted their hands in wonder as a tingling sensation coursed through their fingertips and up through their arms. The feeling grew until they each felt their entire body was wrapped in a sparkling electric blanket. Outside of the silent wind surrounding the children there was no breeze in the cave. Merritt, Grace and Bel watched as the children began to glow with a light they had not seen for many years. They clasped hands together, fearing where this might lead not just the children but all of them. As the glow grew the children felt and saw a dome of what they could only describe as liquid light form above their heads. It spread out and downwards forming a dome which seemed to sizzle for a moment as it touched the ground on either side of them. As it touched the ground the children heard the sharp intake of breath from their parents as both children and unicorn faded from view.

  ‘What’s happening?’ Niamh whispered, more to herself than anyone else.

  She felt rather than heard Embarr reply, ‘I am channelling this world’s magic through you. It’s rare magic and without you I couldn’t do this. But your powers are strong, I can feel it. I need both of you to do it. You need to be tested for your powers, and soon, but I can feel one of you is strong in Air and Spirit while the other is strong in Fire and Earth. To weave this cloak you need all of those powers. To find it in two so young is almost unheard of where I come from.’

  Bel turned to Merritt and Grace. ‘Step into the dome. No one will see us now and we can make good our escape.’

  The parents exchanged glances and walked towards the place where the children and Embarr had appeared to be only moments before. As they stepped inside the golden dome they felt the surge of power the magic was generating and again gasped, this time more loudly giving voice to the shock they felt. They had not had this feeling for many years and the surge of emotions it generated inside them was almost overwhelming – joy, rage, majestic surges of magical energy coursing up and down their veins, it was almost too much to bear. Grace dropped to her knees beside the now visible unicorn.

  ‘Mum, what is it? What’s wrong?’ shouted Grady. Niamh started to climb off Embarr but Grace held up her hand.

  ‘No sweetie. Stay there. I’m fine, I’m fine.’ She fought for control as her breathing settled from ragged gasps to slight sobs. ‘I had just forgotten how powerful magic felt.’ She looked up at Merritt and said in slightly awed tones, ‘I never knew. Never had any idea what power lay here. Did you?’

  Merritt helped Grace to her feet, his arm around her shoulders and pulled her tight to him. Kissing the top of her head gently he looked at her and replied, ‘I had some idea. But until we passed through that veil just now I did not realise how much lay here.’ Looking back towards Bel he exchanged a knowing glance.

  The phoenix stared back at him. His eyes betrayed nothing behind a barrier of impenetrable calm. ‘Now you understand how dangerous Balthasar could be if he ever gained control of the powers to make use of it all. But come. Plenty of time to talk of this later. The children need rest and channelling magic through them in this way will tire them out quickly.’

  Merritt took a deep breath as if to steady himself. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Time to get home. Embarr,’ he said, gently touching the unicorn. ‘Stay at a gentle walking pace and try to avoid the paths as they will probably be watched. Take the back way which leads around by the front of the lake. We can come to the house by the side entrance near the stables.’

  Embarr let out a gentle snort and turned towards the cave entrance. ‘Wait!’ said Grady. ‘What about the dogs?’

  Bel chuckled to himself again. ‘Yes, we had almost forgotten those,’ he said. ‘Don’t worry though. Their friends can lead them home. Those who were after you have no interest in a couple of happy dogs.’

  ‘Their friends?’ queried Niamh.

  ‘Yes,’ smiled the phoenix back at them. ‘Beedlelow and Phillibeet – the squirrels. The dogs have had a great time with them and they’ve been looking out for you for the past two summers!’

  The squirrels, almost ignored while in the cave, sat up and squeaked at their names – ears suddenly erect and tails twitching from side to side. Beedlelow ran to Cu, grabbed his blue collar, and swung himself up onto the shoulder of the now obliging dog while Phillibeet did the same to Fin. Far from being shocked by the whole thing the dogs seemed happy to have the tiny jockeys on their backs and, woofing away in a playful tone, frolicked around the cave as the squirrels hung on and chattered away. To Niamh and Grady it sounded like they were laughing, which – not surprisingly – they were.

  ‘The squirrels and dogs can make their own way back,’ said Bel. ‘They both know the way and Beedlelow will keep them on the right track. No one will give them a second glance out there and it’s doubtful whether anyone will see them being so black. But come, it’s time to make tracks.’

  Embarr stepped slowly towards the cave entrance. ‘Wait a moment,’ said Bel again. ‘We need to give our eyes a chance to adjust to the dark and I need a moment to create a little puzzle for anyone watching out there.’

  Bel turned back to the entrance of the cave. The children and parents, sheltered under the dome of magic could now feel him drawing on the same power which Embarr had drawn, and continued to draw, through the children. It seemed for a moment that the entrance to the cave flickered as if a transparent curtain had been drawn across it.

  ‘That should confuse them for a while,’ he muttered to himself.

  ‘What did you do?’ asked Grady, a little sleepily, the effects of drawing the magic starting to take its toll on him.

  ‘Just a little smoke and mirrors, my boy,’ said Bel kindly. ‘Once we leave here we want to make sure anyone watching for us sees nothing and thinks we are still in here. That little magic trick I’ve just done will make it look to anyone outside that the glow from our fire in here will keep on going even after we’ve left. We don’t want them coming after us but we also can’t leave these stones as they are. The magic in them would last for a very long time and we don’t want any of your village friends coming up here to find some magically glowing stones by mistake now, do we?’

  Turning back to the stones Bel concentrated his gaze at them for a moment. The light and warmth they gave seemed to diminish and flow back to the phoenix. The crystalline reflections which had illuminated the cave sputtered into darkness. ‘Give your eyes a moment and then step out. The dome will give you some light inside it, enough to be able to make out your steps. Just mind you don’t step outside it. As soon as you do you will be visible. Go now and I’ll follow you in a moment.’

  ‘But how will you hide?’ said Niamh in a voice tinged with concern. ‘Won’t your feather fires be like a beacon out
there?’

  ‘I have a few more tricks yet, Niamh,’ said Bel. At the last of his words his fires suddenly altered, changing from their bright red and gold glow to a deep orange colour, then through a rich dark red, into a forest green colour, and then finally – to Niamh and Grady’s astonishment – a flickering cold-looking black flame. Were it not for the way the black flowed and rippled across the flamebird’s body, the children could have sworn they were looking at one of the crazy blackbirds which hopped around the house from time to time. But no blackbird ever had feathers that black. To the children it almost seemed as though a hole had opened in the cave where Bel had been only moments before.

  ‘Let’s go,’ said Bel. The dogs and their jockeys sprang lightly from the cave and raced off down the path. They raced quietly into the forest and disappeared from view.

  Embarr stepped gently and lightly out from behind the shimmering veil of water and onto the path which they had leapt off only a short while before.

  As they made their way down the path and into the cover of the trees they all felt, rather than saw, the deep black wings of the phoenix rise above them and silently sweep away into the night. He gained height and circled above the troop, scanning for signs of danger. But there was no pursuit or movement under the canopy of trees below. The eyesight of the phoenix was unrivalled by any bird, magical or otherwise. No movement could pass his detection and no group of people was ever so well watched.

  Just as Bel had said, everyone inside the dome could see enough to make sure of their footfall. The dome had the added bonus of muffling the sounds of their passage. To any watchers in the forest their progress would sound like nothing more than a small forest creature grubbing around on a night time foray for food.