A Time for Magic

by Jessa Ford

  Cora rushed forward and embraced her friends. “We um...this just happened, but it doesn’t have to,” Soph said. “If it makes you uncomfortable, or--” Willem started, but Cora cut him off. “Oh, please. I can’t imagine any two people I’d rather see happy. I’m glad you’ll be able to look after one another.” Soph did not miss the words her friend chose to end with. “And what exactly do you mean by that?” She took a step back and crossed her arms, her expression turning stern.

  Quickly, Cora ran through the day’s events and what it meant for her foreseeable future. Willem stood frowning. His boyish face suddenly looked much too mature for his age. “So, we got rid of one bad guy to essentially uncover an entirely worse group? And you think Juniper Sniels is a part of it?” Cora nodded, “It looks that way.” Soph, ever the optimist, grasped both Willem and Cora’s hands, “Well then, we’ll do whatever we can from here. Do you know where you’re going?” Cora was thankful for Soph’s hopeful outlook. “I do, but it’s better if you don’t know.”

  Willem and Soph understood. “I really do love you both. I’ll be in touch as soon as I can. And Willem,” she turned to look at him, “check in on my parents for me? I don’t think I’ll be able to see them before I leave.” She forced herself to swallow the lump forming in her throat at the realization she would have to stay parted from her parents. Through all of this, her parents and their safety had been a large part of her driving force. Her desire to keep them safe required they stay parted, and she wished more than anything she could embrace them before she had to leave again. “Of course,” he stepped forward and hugged her. Soph followed, letting a tear fall as she pulled back from Cora. “You’re amazing, Cor. I always knew you would be.” “We’re all pretty amazing, as it turns out. Look after one another. I’ll miss you both.” Cora smiled weakly and left the room.

  When she arrived at her own room she was not surprised to see Xave and Malen standing inside. “Are they okay?” Malen asked. Cora smiled, not at the kindness of Malen’s question, but at the memory of the scene she’d witnessed minutes earlier. “I think they’ll be just fine. They have each other.” “Before you go, I wanted to assure you I’m going to do whatever I can from Arvendry to help. We’ll figure out who this Council is and make sure they don’t remain a threat.” Cora’s heart wanted to burst at the woman’s protectiveness over her. “Thank you Malen, truly, but you’ve done so much already. Just stay safe.” The older woman took Cora by the shoulders and grinned, “I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have a daughter. Once we figure out this Council business I’m going to really enjoy getting to know you better, Cora.” Cora blushed and started to protest, but Malen kissed her forehead and walked away. She squeezed Xave’s hand and left them alone in the room.

  “I took the liberty of packing your things,” Xave motioned toward Cora’s sad heap of belongings in her bag. “Given the climate in Hulsgard, we may need to look into some additions to our wardrobes. Perhaps something that hasn’t been nearly drowned, torn, or set on fire?” Cora laughed and shrugged her shoulders. “So, will we be going as Cora and Xave, or will we need to be more discreet?” Xave reached over and touched the ring on Cora’s finger, “I was thinking, it’s been awhile since Mr. and Mrs. Anders have been back to visit their family in Hulsgard.” “Ah yes,” Cora’s stomach flipped nervously, “it’s probably time they checked in on the old farm.”

  Xave planted a quick kiss on Cora’s cheek. “Are you ready?” He wrapped his hand around her waist, but was met with protest. “You know,” she shifted her arms to be in a more solid hold, “maybe this time I can lead us?” Xave smiled. “You did have an excellent trainer, not to mention ample real-world application recently.” Cora rolled her eyes. She picked up her bag and they disappeared, leaving no trace they were ever in Dari’s home. As the world flew by Cora she tried to quell the heartbreak of not seeing her parents again. At this point she should be used to sacrifice, but some sacrifices didn’t get easier with time.

  ✽✽✽

  Nikol Delmarno sat in a cold cell. Since he was brought in he’d had no visitors; it was expected that they would treat him this way. He hoped Malen had been able to awake from her state. He couldn’t find her in a dream any longer, since his magic was all but gone. He watched the shadows the sun cast on the walls when a figure appeared at his door. One of the Time Benders who had joined his cause appeared. “She’s stronger than you thought,” the large man mused. Nikol smiled. He had certainly underestimated Cora Vaunderly. “It appears she was.” He lazily turned in the man’s direction. “In your search, have you ever encountered anyone like her?” It was a strange question for the man to ask Nikol, and he began to wonder if the Council hadn’t planted one of their own with him.

  “That depends on who wants to know,” Nikol baited the man. “I think you are well aware of who would benefit from that information.” The man was losing patience. Nikol couldn’t fathom why they thought this was the man to coerce him into talking. Surely, they had someone with more tact. It was true, then; the man worked for the Council. “In that case, let them know she’s the only one. I don’t know what the extent of her magic is, but I know she’s exactly what they’re looking for.” No sooner had Nikol finished speaking, did the man disappear.

  ✽✽✽

  Xave and Cora arrived in the now familiar clearing on the edge of the Lost Forest. “You know,” Cora said as they began to descend into Hulsgard at a normal pace, “I’ve only been this far from home once before.” “Oh really?” Xave’s usual self-assured facial expression had returned. “And how was the trip last time?” “I was able to see some interesting places. The company was a bit lacking, though. They ditched me after just a few days.” She smirked. Xave felt his heart swell at the normalness of their exchange.

  He took her hand as they reached the town’s main road. The Windy Watchtower looked unchanged at the end of the road and somehow, he was sure Dari’s sister already knew of their arrival. “Should we stop in?” Cora motioned up at the inn. “Yes, Mrs. Anders, I believe we shall.” The dust and wind began to obscure them from view as they neared the inn. To any passers-by, they were an ordinary young couple, completely in love. As it were, at least one part of their appearance was not far from the truth.

  AFTER

  A short distance from the coast of Caslya, a man sat and waited for a meeting to begin. He was dressed in an expensive burgundy suit. His gray hair gave away his age, but his face had retained a youthful sheen over the years. He sat at the head of the large wooden table, indicating his position over his two peers. “The resurgence of Nikol Delmarno has been taken care of,” the man’s voice echoed years of power and prestige. “How was it done?” the woman seated to his left asked. By her tone, it was clear she was the man’s equal in class alone. She, too, wore clothing which hinted at her station in the upper echelons of society.

  She was younger than the man by two decades at least. Her fiery red hair was swept up into a sleek ponytail, not a piece out of place. Her eyes glowed in the dim candlelight. Though they were almost golden, they gave off an icy chill. “A girl defeated him.” “That fool Delmarno said as much, but he could be lying,” the second man at the table doubted the story’s authenticity. He was a large man who looked uncomfortable in his formal attire. His knuckles drummed the table as he waited for an explanation. He leaned back from the table, which allowed his face to be party covered in shadow.

  “You of all people should know power can be deceiving,” the first man continued, “and we have proof of the girl’s magic. She could be the key to everything. As we suspected, Delmarno led us to the one we’ve been searching for.” A quiet hush fell over the room. “And you’re certain?” the woman spoke up again. “As sure as we can be without seeing her for ourselves.” “Then it’s decided,” the second man said, “we need to treat this carefully. We can’t force her hand. Let her think she’s coming to us willingly.” They all murmured their agreeance.

  Their plotting continued
. “How will we contact her?” “It’s already been set in motion. The new Telgrian governor is sympathetic to our cause.” “How will we keep an eye on her?” “One of our Watchers will make contact.” The woman left suddenly and appeared a few minutes later with another man in tow. “I believe this man knows both Telgria and Arvendry well. Our intel says the girl has spent time in both locations, yes?” “That’s correct,” the first man responded and then turned to their newest member of their audience, “We need you to recruit someone for us. She’s a Time Bender, thus our need for your unique set of gifts.”

  The visitor’s eyes shifted to each person in the room and nodded, “I’ll do what I can.” His voice gave off the illusion of confidence; but he thumbed the knife at his wrist as they spoke, a nervous habit. It was concealed by the leather of his jacket. “Thank you. We expect you to report back weekly, Dorlyn,” the woman spoke tersely. She turned her back to him after gesturing toward something on the table.

  Dorlyn Zellows grabbed an envelope off the table and left the room. He didn’t have to open it to know where this assignment would take him. It was a train that had been set in motion many years ago. He had hoped there would be more time to stop what was surely about to happen, but Dorlyn knew better than to trust hope. His life had taught him long ago that more often than not the world takes from you with no promises of anything in return. Before he could do anything about his predicament, he had a stop to make.

  Truth be told, Dorlyn should have made this stop years ago; his pride held him back. As he exited the concealed building, the bright light of the coastal island town assaulted his senses. In all the years he’d spent away from his home in Telgria, he never quite grew used to seaside towns and balmy weather. Dorlyn made his way through old streets until he reached the port. He could have used his gift to travel faster, but he needed the time to think. On the ship it was only a few days’ travel on the water until he reached his destination: Arvendry.

  Awknowledgements

  ✽✽✽

  I've been writing stories here and there since I can remember. In fact, I couldn't tell you which came first: my love of reading stories, or my love of creating stories. Either way, I could fill a room with all of the half-filled notebooks and pages I've scribbled on over the years. A Time for Magic is a story I've had in my head for some time. One day in Summer 2019, I sat down on a ramdom weekend and started writing. As pieces came to me I added more and more, mostly during late-night feedings with my daughter while I was trying to type on the GoogleDocs app on my phone (I was more productive than I gave myself credit for, I suppose). In the end, a full story came together, and I'm so happy to share it with readers. While writing is a complete 180 from my day job, I can't wait to continue Cora's story in book two.

  It wouldn't have been possible (and still isn't possible) to carve time out for myself if it weren't for my husband. A large reason A Time for Magic even came to be is because he took over bedtimes and gave me Saturday mornings to myself while I tinkered away. I also think my daughter is a bit responsible; it wasn't until she was born that I thought maybe I really could do something crazy like write a book. Turns out kids teach us a lot about ourselves, too. Readers are the other reason this book came to be. As an avid reader, I sometimes go through periods of time where I absolutely devour everything I can. Then when all the dust settles, I find I'm craving one more story, one more world to lose myself in. So I hope, dear readers, this is one more story you can disappear into, even if it's just for a little while.

  Keep an eye out for book two, coming late 2020.

  ✽✽✽

  Cora's story continues in the Gift of Magic series book #2 right where A Time for Magic left off.

  Cora, Xave, and their friends are left trying to find out who the Council is, and just how much danger they truly pose. At the same time, Cora must continue to learn about her magic and its limits. The more she uses it, the more she realizes she may not have as much control as she once thought. Friendships are tested, and new allies are discovered along the way. Ultimately, Cora has to decide how much of herself she is willing to sacrifice, and how much she's willing to allow others to sacrifice on her behalf. After all, everyone sees Cora as a hero, and a real hero would know just what to do, right?