The oracle laughed softly. “Our relationship was doomed from the beginning – an oracle falling in love with a Guardian. Who was I fooling? I can never marry unless I relinquish my gift – and you can never marry either. So I lived two separate lives for a short while, pretending that everything was hunky-dory. But, as our mission grew more complicated and the more I battled to hide my visions from you, I chose to fake Dione’s death. I couldn’t keep up with the pretence anymore – I knew that the closer we grew the sooner you would discover the truth. I knew how you hated the oracle – you always voiced your dislike of her silly predictions – those were your own words. I was afraid that you’d reject me.”
“I would never have shunned you.” Drakon’s dark eyes reflected sadness. “Being different is a gift in itself.”
The oracle averted her gaze, blinking away tears. “Seraphians fear witches – they don’t trust them and that’s why I chose the old woman’s form a long time ago. She was far more inconspicuous because of the way she looked… meek and mild. When the 10th Awakening occurred – the one when Galene’s predecessor, Eva, awakened – I disguised myself then as the old woman. Soon after that I revealed my gift to Maksimos by secretly predicting to him that Eva would be the Guardian of Hydor. Once this happened Maksimos believed in my foretelling and accepted me, but he only ever knew me as the old woman. The other Guardians were sceptical of my gift. It took them far longer to trust me. So, instead, I isolated myself and lived as a hermit in the woodlands… in this temple. Then, after all the centuries that I’d remained hidden in this guise…” – the oracle indicated her current form by running her hand from head to toe – “I never returned to my true form as Dione again… until I met you.”
“Can… can I see Dione again?”
The oracle nodded. “Yes… my darling.”
Picking up her staff that she had propped against the wall when Drakon had first arrived, she tapped it three times and pressed it against her chest. The emerald glimmered as she swirled in a circle.
“You haven’t changed one bit… you’re as beautiful as the day I first laid eyes on you,” Drakon professed breathlessly. “The day I fell hopelessly in love with you…”
Dione sashayed toward Drakon, entwining her arms around his neck. Their lips locked together in a passionate kiss as they proclaimed their love for one another.
Chapter 20
A Patriotic Irishman
Rachel and Dom had set the plan in motion and so far they had smuggled over forty weapons through the western tunnel where they’d stacked them in the L-shaped alcove that hid the exit door. Alexis had scouted the base of Mount Hieros and had since located the concealed door which led into Hydor Region. From there they still had to devise the second leg of the plan, smuggling the weapons back into the City.
Rachel met up with Alexis in the early morning. The curfew had ended an hour beforehand when the sun had risen. Alexis required hay and, because of this, the Dark Legion wouldn’t question them as they made their way to the market. Two, strong working horses drew the wooden cart carrying baskets of fresh herbs that Elethea had given them to trade.
They passed through the Agora where the broken rows of columns had been cleared away. The Agora looked bare without them. Workers hurriedly repaired the waterways and drinking-fountains, as the snow had started melting from the Arcadia Mountains. Spring water would soon replenish the aqueducts and the City’s dams.
The horses’ hooves clopped lazily on the main cobblestone road that circled Mount Hieros. They headed toward the section in front of Gaia Region.
“I don’t see any hay,” Alexis said worriedly. “If it’s finished I don’t know how I’m going to feed my horses.”
“Let me go look,” Rachel suggested. “I’ll call you when I find it.”
Alexis agreed and remained with the horses and cart.
Rachel wove her way between the mended rickety stands. The ruined Gaia archway jutted out of the earth like a prehistoric fossil in front of her. The hay-traders, she presumed, would need an open area for stacking the bundles and it was over-crowded at the front of the trading stalls. A short distance further, to the left of the ruined archway, she found a hay-trader, but, to her dismay, the bundles were half the size they’d been before.
“Is this all you have until spring?” Rachel asked a plump Seraphian who was perched precariously on top of three bundles.
“Yes lass, this is it and it’s firs’ come firs’ served,” the man answered in a strange accent. He curved his finger at Rachel indicating that she should come closer. “Spring is jus’ around the corner.”
“We’ll have to take at least half of what you’ve got… for the horses,” Rachel explained, before adding, “Alexis’s horses of course.”
The man pushed himself off the haystack but his stumpy legs didn’t quite reach the floor. He stumbled forward, but quickly righted himself as he caught his balance on the corner of the hay bundle. His pale cheeks blossomed bright red, matching the unruly, curly crop of hair on his head.
“Sorry lass, but I can only trade two bundles per buyer. What with the shortage and all, there won’ be enough fer the other animals and the next grasses will only be planted in early spring and harvested late summer.”
“That’s a long way off… our animals will starve. Only now Lord Drakon wants us to reap the fields… when all he wanted before was to reap our City’s wealth.”
The man clicked his tongue. “Lass… lass… don’ yer get it. We’re not a threat tae him anymore with the Guardianship dismantled. But he needs a livelihood, our livelihood, tae survive. His warriors are an uncultured bunch – they’re only good for fightin’ and they don’ know how tae maintain a City. They destroyed their City… remember?”
Rachel nodded and stepped forward. This was her chance to make their cause known. “And now they’re going to destroy our City. We Seraphians must stand together. United we stand, divided we fall—”
“—we are united together by the power of Aether, where good shall prevail over evil, for all eternity,” the man completed the devotion as he thumped his fisted hand over his chest patriotically.
“For all eternity…” Rachel echoed. She peered at him. “Our time has come… we’re taking back our City. There’s going to be a rebellion.”
The man patted his rotund stomach. “Long gone is mae fightin’ days lass… but mae two sons are strappin’ young lads, they’ll join yer cause.”
“That’s great… you have to spread the word. But carefully, the Dark Legion must not find out. We’re preparing for the return of the others. And if they don’t return, we’ll still fight to reclaim what belongs to us.”
“Hear, hear,” said the man. Then he scratched his head. “Whose return?”
“The Guardians – Ash and Kyros – remember, they pledged an oath that they’d always protect their people… their City, our City.”
“What if they’re dead? What proof do yer have that they’re alive? We might be startin’ a revolt only tae be killed – jus’ when things are lookin’ up around here.”
“I visited Thanos in the dungeons,” Rachel said. “The Guardians have some sort of intuition. He’s adamant that Ash will return soon.”
The man cocked his head curiously.
“And Thanos… he’s helping us smuggle weapons. Galene’s ill, but, once she’s well, I’m sure she’ll help us too, no matter what,” Rachel added convincingly
“Yer been busy, lass,” the man said. “But yer plan has holes in it… big holes. Beside the weapons, how yer goin’ tae gather the masses? There’re guards everywhere durin’ the day and we’re on lock-down at night. We’re outnumbered.”
Rachel sighed; she had to convince him. “Alexis has joined our cause. She’s working on that.”
The man nodded his head enthusiastically.
Rachel hoped this would convince him as they needed his help and that of his sons too. Every city dweller who joined them would swell the numbers, which ultimately wo
uld lead to victory. They had to take risks because, if they didn’t, they’d be slaves under the Dark Guardian’s regime for a long time.
“I have an idea,” Rachel said, “and your sons can help. We need to smuggle the weapons into the City from the mountain.” Rachel bobbed her head in the direction of Mount Hieros. “Alexis has located the concealed exit where they’re hidden.”
“Mae sons transport the hay early mornin’ and in the evenin’ before the sun goes down. We’ll pass there, collect what we can and hide it under the hay bundles.”
Rachel knew he was risking his life, and his sons’ lives too and she didn’t even know his name. “I cannot thank you enough.” She extended her hand to him and he took it in a firm grip, shaking her hand strongly. “I’m Rachel by the way.”
“Fergus… mae name’s Fergus.”
Tomorrow they’d show Fergus where the concealed door was so his sons could smuggle the weapons into the City. Rachel headed back to Alexis to tell her the good news. One by one, she was winning the Seraphians over, which was important because, without their help, her plan would be futile.
Chapter 21
The Element Spells
The Middle Realm
The days had passed quickly, but since the season never changed in the Middle Realm it was difficult to follow the passage of time. Over the past few weeks the three Guardians had taken turns in casting the element spells on fifty-two Arete soldiers and two hundred Hajaran warriors. They’d decided that the Seraphian citizens would remain here with the Hajarans until after their foray into the Third Realm.
The Book of Elements lay open on the pedestal where it stood centre-stage in the arena. Kyros strode around the demarcated ring and tapped each Hajaran warrior on the centre of their forehead. The Eklektos ritual would determine which element energy they had.
“Gaia… Aer… Hydor—” Kyros broke off as he strode over to the next warrior who happened to be Zahir.
Kyros tapped Zahir on his forehead and paused for a fraction of a second.
Ash held his breathe.
“Eklektos never lies.” Kyros winked at Ash, and then a smile passed over his lips. “Pyr.”
Zahir bobbed his head, happy with his selection.
Maksimos circled the pedestal, his fingertips grazing the book. The warriors knelt inside the ring, their heads bowed. Much to Ash’s disappointment, he’d only mastered one spell at a time, so Maksimos had intervened and taken over. This would ensure that they completed the incantations by the end of the day.
“Clear your minds…” Maksimos instructed.
Maksimos extended his left hand toward the first warrior and chanted the incantation for the Gaia element – his voice deep and earthy. His rhythm changed when he switched spells for the next warrior, his words soft, floating on the air, which lulled the spectators. Moving onto the third spell, his chanting rose in a crescendo. Suddenly, a light flashed out of his fingertips; the light forked and hit the three warriors simultaneously, knocking them to the ground.
“Move to the outside of the arena once I’ve finished with you,” Maksimos ordered. “Kyros will take over from there.”
The three warriors staggered to their feet and swayed out of the ring. Kyros led them away to a second demarcated area.
“Recover first… after which you can practice your new skills,” Kyros informed them enthusiastically.
Three hours later Maksimos hobbled around the arena, exhausted. Last were Chance and Elektra and a handful of warriors. Nervously, Ash watched from the sidelines. Elektra’s frown was a tell-tale sign that she was worried too. She’d made it clear to Ash the day before that she didn’t trust Maksimos. She’d also told him that she’d prefer it if he cast the spell. Ash had advised her that it would look suspicious if she refused Maksimos and had suggested that she wear her snake Amulet for protection. Elektra had agreed, admitting that she’d feel far safer having it on her arm.
“Spread out,” Maksimos said. “If the wrong spell hits you – well – we don’t know what the consequences could be.” He waved his hand back and forth until he was satisfied that the gap between Chance and Elektra was wide enough.
The last five Hajaran warriors joined them in the circle.
Ash glanced at Elektra’s bracelet but the snakes’ emerald eyes were dull. Elektra wasn’t in any sort of danger.
Maksimos chanted the incantations casting the spells successfully on the warriors. They moved off to the outside of the arena.
Chance peeked out from beneath his eyelashes as he awaited his turn. Quickly he looked down again when Maksimos pointed his fingers at him. The light hit Chance directly in his chest, throwing him off balance. But as quickly as he toppled over, he rebounded back into a kneeling position. Maksimos nodded at him and Chance scuttled off in the direction where Kyros was training the others.
Maksimos circled the pedestal eyeing Elektra curiously. She was the last one in the ring. Kneeling before him, she cast her eyes downwards over her freckled nose. A wisp of strawberry-blonde hair curled over her cheek.
Ash stepped forward protectively into the circle, standing directly behind her.
Maksimos’s eyes darted to Ash. He inclined his head as he spoke, “Would the Guardian of Aether do the honours by casting the last spell on his friend.”
Bowing, Maksimos extended his hand and indicated that Ash should step forward and take his place.
Ash loped over to the book. After placing his right hand on the inscription, he stretched his left hand out and pointed his fingers at Elektra. He tucked his thumb under his palm. All this time Elektra remained motionless, her eyes squeezed shut and her breathing shallow. Ash chanted the fire element spell with cadence, repeatedly, faster and faster. Sparks shimmered from his fingertips. Not daring to close his eyes in case he missed it, the bright light flashed toward Elektra. When it struck her, the light exploded into a kaleidoscope of colours.
Ash blinked and his eyes refocused on Elektra who sat amidst a swirling colourful haze. The snakes’ eyes on her Amulet glowed the brightest green he had ever seen. The vapour formed a spinning vortex around her and then the snakes’ eyes sucked the haze in, where it vanished in an instant, just as a genie disappears back into its bottle.
Elektra lifted her head. She rose steadily and strode out of the ring. As she passed Ash he caught a glimpse of her eyes. She seemed different, elusive, but her eyes gleamed with intensity.
Maksimos stared after her speechlessly, while Ash’s mouth gaped, thunderstruck. What had just happened? Maybe his advice to Elektra to wear her Amulet hadn’t been such a good idea after all.
Chapter 22
Prophecies of the Past
The Guardians gathered in the stone temple along with Zahir for a meeting. Moments before they had selected Zahir as commander of their combined forces – the Arete soldiers and the Hajaran desert warriors now formed the formidable Hajaran Army.
“As I said before, we don’t know where the vortex will open on that side,” Kyros explained. “It’s a great risk, but one that we have to take.”
“I’ll go first,” said Ash. “That way if there’s a problem I can close it immediately.”
Kyros nodded, agreeing with Ash.
“How’ll we get the horses through without them injuring themselves?” Zahir inquired.
“The decision’s been made… only Pandora will go. Elektra has spent many hours training her,” Kyros confirmed. “And having a flying horse could prove useful too.”
“But my men… they fight better on their horses! They’re desert warriors at heart, remember?”
Maksimos stepped out of the shadows, his face rigid. “Didn’t your men train with the foot soldiers?”
Zahir half-bowed to Maksimos. “They did Master. They’ve trained well. Having the horses would be an added bonus.”
“We can’t guarantee their safe passage. Have your men prepare immediately – without the horses,” Maksimos ordered in a low tone. “We leave in three days’ time.”
<
br /> “Winter’s nearly over there, so travelling on foot through the terrain will be easy,” Kyros added.
Ash fidgeted with his tunic. “Are we taking the book?” His eyes locked onto Maksimos’s eyes as he waited for his reaction.
“For what?” Zahir questioned.
Maksimos rubbed his chin but his gaze darted away from Ash. “We are. That way we can use the incantations on any other Arete soldiers who’re willing to join us.”
Ash eyed Maksimos. He had a hidden agenda and he guessed it concerned the concealed spells.
“But our enemy cannot get their hands on it…” Kyros said, “… because Drakon will use the element spells against us again.”
“Ahhh, I’m sure he will if given half the chance,” Maksimos agreed. “We’ll have a final meeting the day before we leave. Can we conclude now? I have something else I need to attend to.”
They all nodded in unison and murmured their goodbyes. Maksimos hurried away and Zahir left shortly afterwards, leaving Ash alone with Kyros.
“While I’ve got you here Ash, I must tell you that there’s not much mentoring left for you.”
“Only the spells – I need to master more than one at a time.”
“You can’t compare yourself to Maksimos. You forget that he’s the oldest Guardian alive – he’s been in the Realms far longer even than Thanos.”
“Almost a millennium I believe. He told me...”
“And while we’re on the subject of millenniums, there’s one event that not many Guardians or even Seraphians live to see in their lifetime.”
“What’s that?” Ash asked curiously.
“The August Moon… it only occurs at the turn of the millennium. It’s been scribed by our forefathers as one of the most sacred events of all time.”
“At the turn of the millennium?” Ash shook his head in wonder. “That’s not very often.”
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