“The soldiers froze in amazement as the woman reached up, and with her last breaths took hold of his mane. She placed the baby on his back, securing him tightly with swaddling. Then, she whispered in Pegasus’ ear the last words she ever spoke.
“Pegasus reared as the woman took her final breath and fell to the ground. With a single flap of his mighty wings, he took off into the star-filled sky with the baby on his back. He flew, higher and higher, carrying the child deep into the mountains, to a place he knew he could grow and be safe. Far away from evil human hearts.
“Pegasus set down quietly at the edge of a small village, and out of the woods, an Elven princess came to greet him. She wondered why the boy had to stay with the humans when he possessed such greatness.
“‘It is his destiny,’ Pegasus replied. ‘You can keep watch from a distance. Make sure he is safe until the prophecy is fulfilled.’ The child was left on the doorstep of a local farmer and his wife, who could not bear children of their own. They took him in and gave him the name Eason. Eason was deeply loved by his new guardians, and everyone in the village played a part in raising him.
“As the years passed, Eason grew into a handsome young man, much taller and stronger than any other boy in the village. From the age of thirteen, he showed signs of magic and power. Knowing the risks, the Elven princess visited him and warned him that if the humans ever found out about his gifts, they would kill him. So, she made him promise to keep his powers secret.
“Once a week, he would travel to a secluded area where he met the Elven princess and other mystical creatures—Mermaids, Fairies, and Unicorns. On rare occasions, Pegasus would join them and teach him about his gifts and how to use them for good. In time, and in secret, Eason grew into a powerful Sorcerer.
“As Eason continued to grow, the jealous leaders persisted in their search, scouring the countryside to search for him. They captured every being that showed magical power, or power greater than their own, and threw them into dark dungeons where many were slaughtered. They stripped Unicorns of their magical horns, Griffons were shot from the skies, and even the Dragons were hunted and killed until there were only a few left.
“Eason caught word of what the evil men were doing, and when the time came, he gathered and led an army of Elves to the human dungeons and released all magical beings. They fled north and eventually came to this place. Then Eason, along with four other Sorcerers, used their powerful magic to ward and glamour our land and our kind. They conjured an enchanted wall of mist to surround and blind us from all human eyes—veiling us forever. And thus, Misteria was born.”
As Lavinia finished her story, everyone remained silent, absorbing her words.
“Your story was so vivid, it was like you were right there,” Anna said.
Lavinia’s face softened, a slight smile lifted on her lips. “I was.”
Anna gasped. “You were the Elven princess, weren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Whoa,” Henry interjected. “You must be like hundreds and hundreds of years old.”
“That may be, but a lady never reveals her true age.” Lavinia winked at Henry, making him blush.
“Henry,” Will scolded, elbowing him in the arm.
“What?” He groaned, rubbing his new bruise. “I’m just saying, she looks really, really good for her age.”
“Thank you, Henry.” Lavinia smiled.
“If our grandfather was one of the five Sorcerers, what was his name?” Anna asked.
“I think you already know the answer to that question,” she replied.
“Is Eason our grandfather?” Will’s pulse raced, waiting for confirmation.
“Yes,” she answered. “And he is still, very much alive.”
“Wow, your family is a huge deal in Misteria,” Henry said, patting Will on the back.
“It’s unbelievable,” Anna breathed.
“So, fairytales are real?” Henry asked.
“Not all of them,” Lavinia replied, standing to her feet. “We should go. We mustn’t linger.”
Will was getting restless, his mind spinning even more than before. “Why do we have to go back? Shouldn’t we be looking for our mom?”
“Not tonight, William,” Lavinia protested. “It’s not safe these days in the darkness, especially in areas beyond the Hallowed Wood, where Malzador’s creatures roam.”
“What kinds of creatures?” Anna’s voice trembled.
“Creatures ya don’t wanna know ‘bout,” Tobin muttered. He’d been quiet until now, stepping out from between the two Elven guards. “At night, dark creatures are everywhere, especially da Hellhounds. And during da day, it’s dem Howlers ya have ta worry ‘bout.”
Anna’s eyes widened with fear.
“Don’t pay him any mind,” Lavinia sighed. She turned and narrowed her eyes at Tobin before turning back to the children. “This area is still safe, and you’ll remain safe in my home. No evil has stepped here.”
“What are Hellhounds and Howlers?” Will asked. He wanted to know what kinds of things they were going up against.
“Da ugliest an’ meanest creatures in all da land,” Tobin replied. “Dog-like creatures. Dem Howlers have no hair, but leathery, tough skin, sharp claws, an’ ugly spikes runnin’ down dem backs. Evil, ferocious creatures. But dey is not as bad as dem Hellhounds. Evil hounds with red glowin’ eyes and a bite dat’s poisonous. Hellhounds also breathe fire.”
“But our mother,” Anna wailed. “She’s out there with those beasts. What if she runs into them?”
“Don’t worry,” Lavinia answered. “Your mother is so much stronger than she seems and has many friends here. Right now, Malzador’s creatures have been sent to hunt for rebels and Rhyder. They have no idea your mother is alive, let alone back in Misteria.”
“That’s comforting, I guess,” Will replied rubbing his aching head.
“First you must find Rhyder, so he can help release your gifts. Then, you will be able to help save your mother and grandfather.”
Will nodded, but his thoughts lingered on his father. An Elven prince who had once lived here, in Misteria with his mother.
“If our father was Elvish, then why don’t we have pointed ears like you?”
“I don’t know,” Lavinia replied. “Maybe being born and living in the human world for so long suppressed that side of you.”
Anna’s quiet sobs filled the area, and Will knew what she was feeling. The entire day was overwhelming, and now that they were tired, it was hitting them hard. They both missed their mother terribly, and hearing about their father, as if it were the first time, made Will’s heart ache even more.
Lavinia placed her arm around Anna. “Come. I don’t like to be outside of the Elven dwelling for too long, even with our wards up. Besides, you will need to rest before your journey tomorrow.”
“We aren’t going alone, are we?” Will asked.
“No,” Lavinia said. “Tobin will be your guide.”
Tobin choked on his last breath, grasping his chest. “Oh—no, no, yer Ladiness,” he said, bowing. “Me is not fit ta guide dem on such a quest.”
Lavinia clicked her tongue and shook her head. “Come now. You are most fit. You know more safe places and residents in Misteria than most, and often brag about how crafty Buguls are. Besides, the Seer told me it must be you. I trust you, Tobin, and am entrusting the lives of my kin in your hands.”
Tobin trembled and dropped to his knees. “Oooh, dear Lady, I can’t. I mustn’t. Tis such a great task. Too great, indeed.”
“You can, Tobin, and you will. This is not debatable.” Lavinia leaned down and patted Tobin on the cheek.
All the way back to the Hallowed Woods, Tobin moaned and groaned and carried on.
Henry’s hair was a matted mess, but he was up and ready for the journey ahead. He bumped into Tobin on his way to the washroom.
“Sorry,” he mumbled.
“Don’t worry.” Tobin grinned. “Henry, I can take ya to da Middling village o
n our way. Ya’ve probably got some kin dere.”
“No.” Henry shook his head. “The only relative I want to see is my dad.”
Tobin shrugged. “Da Middling folk are very friendly an’ are great cooks.”
“I don’t care.” Henry huffed and turned away.
Will walked over and patted Tobin on the shoulder. “Don’t mind him. He’s battling some insecurities.”
“Don’t know why he would,” Tobin muttered.
“Oh, I think it’s a short matter, but I’m sure he’ll get over it.” Will chuckled.
“Not funny,” Henry growled.
“What?” Will shrugged. “Think about it. You actually have relatives in this place. Relatives you never knew you had. Maybe you have some hidden gifts too?”
“Like what, whacking average-sized people in the kneecaps?”
Everyone laughed, including Anna, which made Henry feel the tiniest bit better.
As the sun kissed the morning sky, Will, Anna, Henry, and their sulking guide gathered their things and met Lavinia in the center of the courtyard.
Before they set off on their journey, Lavinia handed each of them a small satchel filled with food, a canteen of water, and a cloak to keep them warm on their journey.
To Henry, she gave a dagger sheathed in a beautiful brown leather case. He pulled it out and inspected it. He’d never had a weapon of his own before, especially this sharp, and it made him feel special.
Will thanked Lavinia as he received an Elvish bow and a quiver of arrows. She also gave him a smaller dagger, which he strapped to his side.
Anna was also given a dagger, like Henry’s, but her blade was curved and had an intricate design carved into its golden handle—most likely Elvish. Around Anna’s neck, Lavinia fastened a necklace—a golden spiral with a clear gem set into it.
“What’s this?” Anna asked, her fingers grazing the pendant.
“It’s an amulet of protection to ward off evil,” Lavinia replied. “It carries a magical enchantment from the Sorcerers of Misteria.” She placed her hands on Anna’s shoulders. “Never take it off.”
“I won’t,” Anna promised, tucking it into her shirt. “Thank you.”
Lastly, Lavinia gave Tobin a short, double-edged sword which looked extremely sharp, along with a single kiss on the top of his head.
“Travel only by day, and before darkness falls, find safety within the trees.” She lay her palms on Tobin’s shoulders. “Keep them safe. We will gather as many as we can, and on the sixth day, we’ll assemble at the ruins of Hunchback Hills. Meet us there.”
Tobin bowed his head. “Yes, m'lady.”
“May the magic of this land carry you safely and swiftly to your destination,” Lavinia spoke.
She hugged each of them, and as the four set off from the Hallowed Wood, the Elves, who had gathered around to watch them set off, bowed to each of them as they left.
They traveled west, through the grasslands towards the Forked-Tongue River. Multi-colored wildflowers, as tall as Tobin, danced in the wind around them as if bidding them a fond farewell.
“Are there Fairies here?” Anna asked.
“Not anymore, especially da areas which aren’t warded with protection,” Tobin replied somberly. “Ever since da Sorcerers started to go missin’, da Fairies don’t come out in da open anymore. Dey choose ta take shelter in da forests, where dey is protected.”
“That’s so sad.” Anna frowned. “How can such a beautiful place have so much evil?”
“Maybe we’ll be able to help get things back to normal,” Henry suggested, trying to lift her spirit.
“You make it sound like it’ll be simple,” Will replied.
“Hope for the best but prepare for the worst,” Henry said, quoting the words his dad used on countless occasions. “I don’t think we should be negative right from the start. I mean, look at this place. It’s where fairy tales were born. The human world has no idea this land exists. But we are here and are somehow a part of it.”
Will gave him a side-eyed glance. “Look who’s suddenly positive.”
“Hey, the sun is shining today. It’s not all bad.”
Anna smiled at his sentiment. “That’s an excellent way to put it. We are walking in a land filled with magic. A land where dreams are born.”
“That may be true,” Will muttered, “but we have to remember this land also holds nightmares. We can’t go walking around with our heads in the clouds, or we might have them bitten off by some mystical, flying monster.”
“Will,” Anna scolded.
He shrugged, then pushed past them. “Just keeping it real.”
“He must not have had enough breakfast,” Henry murmured, and Anna agreed with a nod.
It wasn’t long before Henry heard the sound of rushing water. As they made their way through an area of dense trees, they soon stood at the bank of a wide river, filled with heavy rapids.
“Wait here,” Tobin said before hobbling away.
“Hey, where are you going?” Henry called after him.
“Gettin’ our transportation.” He continued down the side of the riverbank, then disappeared into a thick patch of trees.
“We aren’t going out on that river, are we?” Anna groaned. “It’s too rough. We’ll die before we make it anywhere.”
“Will and I have rafted many times. We’ve got this,” Henry boasted.
“Yeah, but you had grownups with you,” Anna clarified with arms crossed over her chest.
“We could have done it without them,” he returned.
Tobin finally emerged from the trees, dragging a small boat behind him. Will and Henry ran to help him, each taking an ore.
Henry looked back to see Anna frozen with fear. He walked over to her. “Don’t worry. We won’t let anything happen to you.”
Anna didn’t look convinced, but she allowed Henry to lead her to the boat. Once she got in and took the front, he jumped in right behind her. Tobin was next, then Will pushed them off and hopped into the rear.
“Where will this river take us?” Will asked.
“If we go right, it’ll take us right off da Razor Falls. If we stay to da left, we’ll be headin’ into Malzador’s territory.”
“Why would we want to go to either of those places?” Anna sighed softly.
“We need to stay left,” Tobin said.
“Left?” Henry barked. “So, we're heading into the madman’s territory?”
“We could go right,” Tobin shrugged, “but dat would end in a painful death.”
“Left it is,” Will said, pushing his oar into the water, steering them across the river.
As the rapids carried them swiftly, the boat became harder to handle and began twisting in a circle.
“I thought you guys knew what you were doing?” Anna’s fingers white-knuckled the sides of the boat.
“Straight. We need ta be goin’ straight,” Tobin moaned, looking a little pale.
“It’s not me,” Henry announced. “Will is the one steering.”
Will growled. “It’s been a while since we’ve been on a river, and if you feel like you can do a better job, I’ll gladly let you steer.”
“Nope,” Henry piped up. “You’re doing just fine.”
“I’m getting dizzy,” Anna said as the boat approached its seventh twist.
“I think we need some help,” Will hollered. “I can’t stop it.”
“Look!” Anna pointed toward some colorful ripples in the water directly alongside the boat. The water began to swirl in the opposite direction, and within seconds, the boat stopped its spiraling and evened out, putting them back on track.
“What just happened?” Henry asked, completely shocked. “What did that?”
“River Sprites,” Tobin replied plainly.
Just above the sound of the rushing river, they heard faint giggling and watched trails of rainbow colored water ripple away from them.
“Thank you!” Anna called out, waving to the invisible creatures. r />
“Why can’t we see them?” Will asked.
“Some Sprites, especially outside protected areas, don’t like ta be seen,” Tobin noted. “So much evil exists nowadays, dey like ta remain hidden.”
“I’m glad they helped us,” Anna exhaled. “I was getting sick.”
“Me too,” Henry admitted.
For the next few hours, Will and Henry were able to keep the boat straight, but fighting the river’s currents was exhausting. Anna was also tired and began to panic as she watched the sun set. A half-moon hung high in the sky.
“We have to find shelter,” Anna urged. “It’ll be dark soon.”
As the current slowed, Tobin directed them into a small alcove along the riverbank. After they hopped out of the boat, Will and Henry dragged it to shore, and at Tobin’s direction, hid it beneath some brush.
“Foller me,” Tobin said, leading them into the forest.
“Where are we going?” Anna asked.
“Ta an Elvish huntin’ tree,” Tobin answered.
“Is it safe?”
“No one but da Elves an’ I know ‘bout it,” he said turning back with a wink.
As they made their way deeper into the darkening forest, Tobin stopped in front of a large tree.
“Is this it?” Anna asked. It looked like every other tree in the forest.
“Ya,” he replied. “Now give me a boost, would ya?”
Will and Henry each took one of Tobin’s legs and pushed him up the tree as high as they could, then watched as he disappeared into its branches.
“Come,” he hollered down.
Anna was next, and as she was lifted, noticed there were small rungs on the tree to hold onto for easier access. She never would’ve seen them unless she was up close. They were well camouflaged.
From the ground, it looked like an ordinary tree, but as she made her way into its boughs, she found a hollowed-out area, much like Lavinia’s, only a lot smaller and plainer. The area was flat with a circular stone table in its center and just enough room for the four of them to lay comfortably. It was also high enough that creatures on the ground couldn’t reach them, and the thick branches and leaves concealed and protected them from the elements and things flying above. Tobin pulled a few flint rocks from his pouch, then gathered a few dead branches and dried leaves to start a small fire in the center of the stone table.