CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Korben stood facing his friends, looking from face to face, settling on his sisters. Elizanne smiled. They were in the king's study, just off the throne room. Meechie had arrived moments earlier and Jeremy had decided the study was a better place to perform the ceremony.
“Are you ready?” asked the priest.
Korben nodded. “What should I expect?”
“I have never seen this spell performed, but from the readings it will be similar to what you experienced the first time.”
Again, Korben nodded, remembering how painful it was to have the bone structure of his face altered. “We should get started. I will probably be unconscious until morning.”
It was mid evening, the sun beginning to set. It cast a golden red hue into the study through a small window high up in the ceiling. Korben sighed deeply, preparing for what was to come.
“Sit,” ordered Meechie, pointing to a chair.
Korben moved to sit and Elizanne tensed. She knew the magic needed to perform this spell was immense, and worried for Meechie as much as for her brother. Olrond and Jeremy moved back towards the door, wanting to make sure neither caused a distraction, for what was sure to be a complicated procedure.
Meechie began chanting. Slow and deliberate the words came. It was clear, he needed to say each word properly, and all watching did not want to know what the consequences would be if he misspoke. For half an hour, he chanted, and then his tone changed. The room began to electrify with magic. Elizanne could feel it flowing through her, calling out to her. It took all of her energy to keep it in check and she regretted wanting to be in the room. Jeremy and Olrond could feel it as well, penetrating their skin. Again Meechie's tone changed, and so too did Korben. His face began to shimmer, and then it shifted and looked like a rippling pool of water. Then, he screamed.
The pain coursed through Korben and went to his very core. His own magic, small as it was, welled up in response to the spell being cast. Last time he had tried to fight it, this time he knew better. His magic needed to blend with Meechie's. He was nowhere near as powerful as his sister was, but he did possess basic abilities. If it were not for these abilities, he may not have survived the first time. After another half an hour, Meechie stopped chanting. Moments later, Korben stopped screaming and slumped forward. Slowly Korben fell to the floor, as did Meechie, exhausted from the ordeal. Jeremy reached out and grabbed Meechie, who stated he was fine, just tired. Elizanne went over to Korben and rolled him over. There, unconscious on the floor, was a man who resembled her father so greatly, it made her gasp. Jessup had returned. They gathered him up and took him to his chambers, making sure one would watch over him until morning, rotating every few hours. Meechie was given a room to recover in as well. Elizanne was elated. Her brother, back to her, but there was a burning question to answer. What would they do now?
The dawn came but instead of the usual brilliant colours, there was only a deep red. Every villager in the Central Lands took it as a bad omen. Elizanne stood in her bedroom window and knew what it really meant. Her children had passed into the Void. She assumed the colouring was thanks to the Goddesses, who were attempting to prepare the people. Elizanne sighed. She could sense the unease in the village below. She and Jeremy were going to have to go out among the people and ease their fears. “And introduce them to Jessup,” she muttered to herself. Moving away from the window, she changed out of her bedclothes and went to her brother’s room.
Jessup had slept soundly, and no ill effects appeared to have occurred from the spell. When Elizanne arrived, he was eating his morning meal with Olrond and Jeremy. Upon seeing, him her breath caught and a smile crossed her lips.
“I really should have known it was you all this time,” she stated, coming into the room. The three stopped eating and looked at her. “Your favourite story as a child was the one about the dragon saving the world. His name was Korben. You had the same eye and hair colour as well. Funny how this comes to me now.”
Jessup smiled, remembering the story. “I think the original spell created a bit of confusion with people who knew me, whenever they were around me. You may have recognized the name but could never place it.”
“Yes, that is exactly what the original spell was designed to do,” stated Meechie's voice from the door. “How are you feeling today?”
“Hungry, and a bit of pain, but nothing I can't handle,” answered Jessup.
“So what's the plan now?” asked Olrond.
“Eric and Koral have entered the Void,” said Elizanne. “It is only a matter of time before they finish their quest. The sun rose a deep red, a sign. The villagers are going to need us to explain what is happening.”
Jeremy rose. “Then I suggest we all get ready and go out into the village. We need to explain Korben disappearing, and Jessup reappearing as well.” He turned to Olrond. “General, I would like you to accompany us as well.”
“Of course, your highness,” he replied.
Moray was getting impatient. He had hoped Lakin would have already begun taking control of this mortal world, but instead he appeared quite content to sit in his study going through old books. Back and forth he paced in his room, becoming more and more agitated. Glancing out his window, he noticed it was well after midnight hour, and felt enough was enough. He threw open his door and stormed to Lakin's study. Without knocking, he burst into the room to find Lakin alone.
“I have had enough of you wizard!” he bellowed, making sure to keep his voice elven. “Why haven't you begun putting your plans into effect?”
Lakin sat back and stared at the demon. Moray had been there for almost a week now, and with each passing day becoming more irritable. “Koral and Eric have just this day passed into the Void. I was just going to head down to begin preparations for their arrival.”
Moray looked confused. “Arrival?”
Lakin grinned. “They need the breath of a dragon to complete their task. I have the only living specimen. A portal will be created to bring them into the lower levels. When they are in the room with the dragon, we will change the outcome of this prophecy.” He then closed up the books on his desk and again looked at Moray. “Would you care to accompany me?”
Moray nodded his agreement, and followed Lakin out. Lakin knew it was not a good idea to have the demon in the lower levels at this time. There were preparations to be made and his attention would be elsewhere. There was a chance the demon could take advantage of the situation. Not wanting to dwell on the demon, but focus on the task at hand, Lakin pushed the thought aside and headed to the library, hoping Brin and Vernia would both be there. He was not disappointed.
They were seated at the same table, but opposite ends. Books piled between them. It appeared they were searching everything elven. “I apologize for my interruption, but the time has come,” he said approaching them.
Brin slowly stood. “So, they are at the end of their quest,” she stated, coldly. Lakin was shocked at her tone, and he smiled.
“Yes, my dear. They are going to attempt to break into our lower levels and free our prisoners.”
Her face turned to iron. “Then we must prepare. They are already going to return magic; we cannot allow them to free those who could be their allies!”
Vernia, who had been watching the interaction between Lakin and Brin closely, turned her gaze to the elf. She caught her breath, not wanting to let on she had figured out what it was about this elf which bothered her. He was a demon in disguise. Moray was elated and he had slipped, allowing his eyes to glow slightly during the discussion. He caught himself, but Vernia had already seen. She quickly averted her eyes, hoping he had not noticed and turning her attention back to Lakin.
“My lord, perhaps we should be on our way,” she said, her voice composed.
Lakin, who had finished his discussion with Brin, nodded. “Yes, we must get below and make sure we are ready when they arrive.”
They moved out of the library, Lakin pausing to converse with passing Magima.
Those above ground needed to be ready for anything. They passed by a window and Lakin paused. The sun was rising, but it was like nothing he had seen before. The sky was a blood red, a sign from the Goddesses.
Vernia gasped. “My lord, perhaps I should send a message to Duke Dubar. I am sure he and the people there will be worried about this sunrise.”
“Yes,” said Lakin absently. “Make sure he understands this is not a bad omen.”
Vernia moved off to send a message to the duke. She also planned a detour into Lakin's study. Malena would want to know what was going on at the Tower.
When the mirror cleared, and Malena appeared before her, Vernia was taken aback. “Is something wrong, your highness?” she asked.
Malena, looking very pale and weak, smiled. “Koral and Eric have arrived. Their passing into the Void caused a ripple throughout. All of us here were temporarily stunned by it. I will be fine.” Pulling herself into a more imposing posture, she continued. “I assume you are contacting me because Lakin is up to something?”
“Yes. He knew Eric and Koral were now in the Void and is beginning his preparations for their arrival.”
Malena sat back. “He is going to allow them to arrive, but something must happen after they release the mist to create chaos. Do you have any idea how he plans to do that?”
“I believe he is going to use Brin. She will distract one of them long enough to ensure they do not achieve this together.”
“Ah yes, that would be quite clever of him. Neither of them knew their sister has betrayed the family.” She fell silent, clearly contemplating what was about to occur. “I want you to be ready Vernia. When the Void collapses, I will transport you here.”
Vernia smiled. “Yes, my queen.” She bowed and the mirror clouded over. Suddenly Vernia was not feeling so helpless anymore, and saw a bright future ahead.
Malena stood from her throne, and slowly walked across to the window. She had partially lied to Vernia. It was true, the ripple of their passing into the Void had weakened her, but there had been another one earlier which had been far more intense. The one Eric and Koral created was obvious, she could sense theirs and Gillock’s magic throughout it. However, the first one was a mystery. It felt as if her own magic had looped back on her. Now was not the time to ponder the odd ripple, but she knew it would require her full attention once the Void was down.
She stared out the window, contemplating what was to come. For so long her only view had been the rocky terrain of the Void. Soon she would see forest, rivers, and mountains again. Patience was needed now. There was no way of knowing how long it would be until the twins completed their task.