by Kristen Pham
Valerie saw Sibyl’s eyes briefly flick to Cyrus, and Valerie thought she might have words for him instead. If she did, she wasn’t going to mention it in front of the rest of the group.
“Then we’ll go meet the other Oracles at the Lake of Knowledge and find out now,” Henry said, his eyes already searching for the path back.
Valerie had to go to Elsinore to meet with the Grand Masters, so they agreed that Henry, Cyrus, and Sibyl would return to Arden to get the Oracles settled in the Imaginary Friends’ dorm. Juniper also had to return home so as not to alert the Knights of his absence. Privately, she asked Oberon to go with them to watch over Henry and make sure his arm healed.
Valerie, Gideon, Kanti, and Chrome would go to Elsinore. The icy kingdom was where Kanti grew up, and she would be able to help them navigate the tricky nuances of the culture.
Cyrus pulled Valerie aside before he left. She gently touched a bruise under his eye. She knew from her own experience that it would turn all kinds of nasty colors before it got better.
“You fought like a hero,” she said.
“I consider my performance in any battle that I don’t get to carry you out of as falling short,” Cyrus joked. He’d had to carry her unconscious form off the battlefield at the Black Castle, a fact that he was very sorry she’d missed.
Valerie leaned in and kissed him lightly on the lips. When she pulled back, her face burning with embarrassment, she saw his pleased surprise at her public display of love. Her gesture had been worth it.
Then Cerise led the group headed to Arden away, and Valerie watched Cyrus retreat through the trees, his head already bent close to Sibyl’s, deep in conversation.
“Lead the way,” Valerie said to Gideon, who knew the path that would lead them closest to the border of Elsinore.
“I think the leading is in more capable hands than mine,” Gideon said. “But I will show you the path you seek.”
Chapter 19
The trip to Elsinore was much longer than their walk to Ephesus had been from Arden. They passed the occasional abandoned home in the hollow of a tree, but they didn’t encounter any of the People of the Woods.
“It’s kinda creepy up here,” Kanti said when they rested beside a tree with blooming pink flowers. “I thought there would be more people traveling these paths.”
“The People of the Woods are gathering in the cities to discuss their tactics for the upcoming battle,” Gideon said. “The Fractus have decimated their population before, searching for magical objects of legend, powerful weapons, and charms.”
“The Fractus managed to invade the cities in the trees?” Valerie asked, her mind reeling. The People of the Woods seemed apart from the rest of the world, like the Conjurors hidden below the ground in Plymouth.
Chrome sent Valerie an image of Fractus chopping down trees and using a strange rope to climb up to Arbor Aurum. Chrome and his partner Jet had fought for the People of the Woods in that battle, leaping onto attackers and sending them falling to the ground. She winced at the overlay of satisfaction that Chrome sent at ending his enemies’ lives.
“The last time the Fractus infiltrated the cities in the trees, it was because a Conjuror trusted by the People of the Woods betrayed them. Since then, the People have been more distrustful of the Conjurors on the ground than ever,” Gideon said, lowering his eyes. “I was fortunate that they allowed me to stay in Arbor Aurum, since I was adopted.”
“Surely they wouldn’t throw out a child,” Valerie said, unable to imagine Elden allowing something like that.
“It wasn’t officially sanctioned, but those harboring Conjurors were often driven from the safety of the trees. And those who remained were outcasts. Even me,” Gideon said, his voice devoid of emotion. He stood up and the others followed, continuing their long walk toward Elsinore.
Chrome sent a vision to Valerie of Gideon arriving at the Guild of the Knights of Light, still a young, scrawny boy who was very intimidated by the world around him. Valerie stole a glance at her mentor, realizing for the first time that he understood what it was to be an outcast, like she had been on Earth. No wonder he’d chosen to leave Arbor Aurum behind to find a place where he could belong.
“It sounds a little like Elsinore, with so much importance put on being in the right family and coming from good blood,” Kanti said, her eyebrows furrowed. “That and having a strong power is all that matters.”
“With Elden at the helm, things have gotten much better with the People of the Woods,” Gideon said with a return of his usual equilibrium. “Perhaps those in Elsinore will see there is a better path as well.”
Kanti chewed her lip. “I hope you’re right.”
“Kanti, do you know where Calibro lives?” Valerie asked her friend. “I didn’t think to get directions from Skye.”
Kanti nodded. “I’ve never met her, but everyone knows about her. She’s famous in Elsinore. Her parents were from a prominent family, and they both died when she was really little. Everyone was horrified when Calibro moved to Arden when she was eight, but as she quickly rose in the ranks in the Justice Guild, everyone was impressed, since they figured it meant she probably had a lot of magic in her blood.”
“She’s definitely smart,” Valerie said. “But I don’t know if that has anything to do with magic. Even on Earth, there are kids who are prodigies and excel at a particular talent. Calibro’s seems to be logic.”
“She almost never returns to Elsinore, which I totally understand,” Kanti said with a snort. “So how she’s going to escape attracting attention coming with a crowd of Grand Masters, I can’t begin to imagine.”
“I guess we’ll find out when we get there,” Valerie said, and then turned to Gideon. “Will we arrive tonight?”
“We will sleep in the trees for safety until morning,” Gideon said.
Valerie was relieved that she’d be able to rest before meeting with the Grand Masters. She would need all her wits about her if she wanted to convince them that she had what it took to be their leader.
The next day, Valerie woke up and discovered that Gideon had found some fruit and nuts from the forest below for breakfast. He also pointed her toward an alcove in the side of a tree, where stored rainwater formed a kind of natural shower. When she was done, she saw that Kanti had thrown an elaborate dress over the wall of the alcove.
She put it on, and the expensive, red material fell in heavy folds down to her feet.
“I feel like a fraud outside of my jeans. Is this really necessary?” Valerie asked Kanti when she stepped out, her short, wet hair dripping on the dress.
“If you want to blend in, then yes,” Kanti said. Then she lifted a wry eyebrow. “You were willing to have your gorgeous hair chopped off to be disguised as a boy to get inside the Black Castle, but wearing an expensive dress is where you draw the line?”
Valerie grinned at her friend. “I didn’t even know you put this in the callbox.”
“That’s because I knew you wouldn’t like it, but that you might need it. You can thank me later,” Kanti said, and then went into the shower herself.
Valerie saw that Gideon was dressed up as well, in a pale blue suit with gold braid that looked a little like a military uniform.
“She really thought of everything, didn’t she?” Valerie asked as she examined her mentor.
Gideon was as comfortable in his suit as he was in anything else he’d ever worn, and she envied his confidence.
Chrome flashed an image of himself, preening, and she knew that he was mocking her because he didn’t have to wear a costume.
“You might want to wait before you gloat. Maybe Kanti is going to make you pose as a fancy dog on a leash,” Valerie teased.
He gave her a mock growl, and it was good to see Chrome be lighthearted, even for a moment.
Then Kanti stepped out, and Valerie caught her breath. Her friend’s long hair was pinned up, and she wore a beautiful blue dress that plunged in the front and back. It was hard to believe that less t
han a year ago, Kanti had resembled a witch, warts and all.
“Stop staring,” Kanti said, grumpy. Then she stuck out her tongue, making even Gideon grin.
“I know, I know, you miss the days of being the ugly duckling. It’s hard being the swan,” Valerie said.
She was joking, but she knew the words were true for Kanti, who didn’t know who to trust in Elsinore now that she was a beautiful, powerful Conjuror.
“Let’s go stir up some gossip,” Kanti said, flinging back her head with exaggerated drama.
They stepped off a nondescript platform and landed on a cold, empty street in the outskirts of Elsinore. Valerie shivered, glad that the dress provided more warmth than her thin T-shirt would have.
“I didn’t pack any coats, because this is summer in Elsinore. It’s as warm as it gets here,” Kanti said.
Chrome hunched his shoulders, shivering, clearly not enjoying the weather, either.
“Do we need to go over the plan?” Valerie asked.
Kanti gave a dramatic roll of her eyes. “I lead you to Calibro’s house and then return to my family’s castle and draw as much attention to myself and away from your little gathering as I can. I’m the distraction. Again.”
“And what a beautiful distraction you are,” Valerie said, which made Kanti punch her in the shoulder.
Kanti checked the street signs. “We’re not too far, but we need to hurry. Once the birds spot us, they’ll spread the word around the city. They get up early.”
Even as she spoke, Valerie saw bright blue birds fluttering near the rooftops, probably scanning for any interesting news. Kanti saw them, too.
“Walk slowly. They’ll only notice us sooner if we run.”
Kanti led the way through the streets, which were much more organized than the ones in Silva. They walked at a brisk pace, and Valerie, Gideon, and Chrome kept some distance between themselves and Kanti, in case she was recognized.
They approached a majestic house with eight tall pillars. Kanti gave a little nod toward it, and continued on her way home.
Valerie glanced at the sky nervously, noticing that several birds were circling above, watching with interest. She increased her pace as she approached Calibro’s house.
“Let’s go around back so we’re not spotted,” she whispered to Gideon and Chrome.
An image flashed in Valerie’s mind of a swarm of birds at a distance. Chrome’s vision, which was much sharper than hers, had already detected a flock headed straight for them.
They began to run, and the sound of chirping grew louder. Frantically, Valerie looked for open windows or any of the Grand Masters who might be nearby, but the house seemed deserted.
The birds descended, three landing on her shoulders and one in her hair.
“Is it true that you’re here with Princess Kanti?” a tiny voice asked.
“Do you know whose house you’re spying on? What are you here for?” chattered another voice on her shoulder.
She turned to Gideon and Chrome for help, but she saw they were similarly bombarded.
“No comment,” Valerie mumbled, trying to swat the birds away. But they were only briefly loosed from their perches on her body, returning seconds later.
“Tell us your name!” squeaked one of the birds flying near her face.
Valerie had no idea how to combat these tiny gossips. She was about to suggest that they leave Calibro’s house and return later when she saw Chrome’s ears perk up. His power was to detect magic trails, and he was clearly on the scent of something. He trotted around to the enormous backyard, and Gideon and Valerie raced after him.
The birds easily kept pace, but when her small team crossed into the backyard garden, they were suddenly enveloped by silence. The birds were fluttering around, puzzled.
“I don’t think they can see us,” Valerie said, confused.
“It must be a protective spell on the property,” Gideon explained. “Calibro must have known that the birds would trail anyone near her house.”
Valerie breathed a sigh of relief and admired the silent, frozen wonderland of flowers etched out of ice and a few hearty flowers that could bloom in such chilly weather. But Chrome ran faster now and stopped at the side of a small, frozen pond.
He sent Valerie and Gideon an image of leaping onto the surface.
“What if the ice breaks?” she asked, but Chrome only stared at her, pawing at the ground.
“He’s a Master Knight. You can trust his instincts,” Gideon said, and Valerie flushed.
“Sorry, Chrome. Let’s jump,” she said.
They all landed in the middle of the pond, and the ice around them splintered. But instead of plunging into freezing water, they dropped safely down into a small cavern beneath the pond. Above her, the shattered ice had already repaired itself.
She could see that a tunnel led away from the cavern and into another room that gave off a warm, golden glow. The chatter of many voices echoed off the walls, and the three hurried toward the noise.
Valerie didn’t know what she was expecting to find at the end of the tunnel, but it wasn’t what she saw. Golden yellow sand met warm, lapping blue water. It was like being on a beach in California. She blinked as her eyes adjusted to the bright light that emanated from a ball on the ceiling.
Around her, the Grand Masters were lying on beach chairs and swimming in the water, which looked like it went on forever, like the ocean.
Next to her, Gideon and Chrome took in their surroundings as well, but if they were shocked, they hid their amazement better than she did. Valerie saw Calibro’s curly blonde head coming her way.
“Welcome, Valerie and friends,” Calibro said formally. “I hope you will be comfortable here, but that you will also bring order and purpose to this gathering. As I feared, it is difficult to escape the party atmosphere of this hideaway. I am beginning to suspect that my parents had it spelled by an Empath to encourage people to forget their worries. They did love their parties.”
Calibro shook her head indulgently, and Valerie tried to fathom how such a serious little girl had come from parents who had created this summer playground in a land of ice and snow.
“Thank you for opening your home so we could all meet. I know it could put you in danger if the Fractus discover where the dissenting Grand Masters are hiding,” Valerie said.
Calibro considered her words with grave eyes. “I fear that our government will descend into dictatorship unless we can regain the balance of voices in Arden that makes it great.”
Valerie was struck by her words, thinking of the etching on Pathos about the Balance. Were Calibro’s words connected somehow?
Skye trotted up, his mane streaked with a hint of gold from his time on the beach. He was clearly trying for his usual authoritative demeanor, but a playful glint in his eye made Valerie suspect that he wasn’t immune to the magic of the cavern.
“Our fearless leader has arrived,” Skye said pleasantly. “I suppose we must get down to business.”
Calibro glanced up, and the bright ball on the ceiling dimmed under her gaze, silencing the chatter.
The rest of the Grand Masters began to gather closer, and Valerie saw several faces she recognized, including Henry’s Grand Master, Dasan. Altogether, there were close to fifty Grand Masters, which was a small subset of the group in Arden but enough that Valerie hoped they’d be a force to contend with against the Fractus.
“Where’s Al?” she asked. The Grand Master of the Stewardship Guild, which made sure the planet’s weather and physical systems were functioning as they should, had been on the inner Council of the most powerful Grand Masters in Arden.
Skye’s eyes darkened. “Al is supporting the Fractus. He will be a formidable enemy, because the Stewardship Guild has the ability to shut off access to valuable resources on the planet. They could plunge us into night for days in a row or pollute our supplies of water.”
“He always seemed so jolly,” Valerie said, finding it hard to reconcile the pleasant man who
had been welcoming and supportive of her with someone who could side with Oleander.
“He believes the Fractus are our only hope for preventing dark days,” Calibro said. “Many who are choosing to support Oleander do not do so out of thirst for power or evil. They think it is the right path for the Globe.”
Gideon nodded. “Those words echo those I have heard from trusted friends and Knights who are considering lending their help to the Fractus.”
“They will be sorely disappointed when they see the ruthless means by which the Fractus intend to grasp power here and on Earth,” Skye said, stomping his hoof into the sand. “Which is why we must stop them. Valerie, have you considered how we will wage the battle ahead of us?”
Valerie took a deep breath and nodded. Calibro handed her what looked like a stick of gum.
“Chew this and it will amplify your voice for a short time,” the girl explained.
Valerie popped it in her mouth and a fuzzy warmth hit her tongue.
“First, I want to commend you all for your courage in risking the anger of the Fractus to do what is right,” Valerie said, her voice shaky at first as she adjusted to the magic that made her voice echo loudly, like she had a microphone that was turned up too high. But as she considered what she had to say, her confidence grew. “In order to defeat the Fractus, we will have to wage a battle on two fronts, the Earth and the Globe. Right now, Reaper has an advantage, because the magic that the Fractus bring to Earth is uncontested.”
“But isn’t it bound by the rules of Earth that limit magic?” a voice called from the crowd.
“Technically yes, but there are ways around it,” Valerie said. “Magic that doesn’t directly break Earth’s rules, especially magic that imitates nature, is possible. Zunya’s magic, which is really robbing others of power, is also immune to Earth’s rules. And there are rumors that magic that channels electricity is possible on Earth.”
“Still, as long as those rules are in place, Reaper’s power will be limited,” Calibro said. “He will search for a way to break those boundaries down so magic can run rampant.”