by Ephie Risho
She watched him in awe, not because of his fantastic telescope, but because he knew where she was from.
That made her wonder: Was that because I mentioned Old Mr. Thompson? But he lives a long way from Seabrook. Just what sorts of things do wizards know? If he can know things about me before he’s even met me, he must know a lot about everyone.
“Let’s see,” Sage mumbled, making a few adjustments to some knobs on the telescope. “There! Take a look.”
The wizard stood up and gestured with an open hand.
Amber peered into the glass and gasped. “Look at all the goblins!” She turned to Sage. “What are they doing?”
As the other two peered through the scope, Sage said, “As far as I can surmise, they have come out of their mountain home and are preparing for some rather unappealing effort against humanity. You see those large tents?”
Basil squinted through the scope. “The big brown ones?”
“Indeed.” Sage gestured purposely with his hands. “Goblins tend to live in caves, and they very much don’t like to be in the sun for long. By the size of those tents, I believe they are gearing up for a longer excursion out among civilization.”
“War?” Theo asked.
“Indubitably.” Sage nodded grandly. “But against whom and to what purpose, I haven’t a clue. You see, goblins don’t have any real desire to live in human cities, so why bother attacking them unless it’s part of a bigger plan, with more moving pieces.”
“What are all those red marks you’ve made on your map?” Amber asked.
“Ah, yes.” Sage walked over to the table. “I’ve been tracking significant occurrences of an unusual nature.”
“Um. What does that mean?” she asked.
“Dragons, a phoenix, and more, all coming out in greater numbers than we’ve seen in many a year.” Sage pointed. “See here? This is where the great red dragon lives. I believe it was asleep, or at least far away, for many decades but now is active again. And the trouble it has been causing will only be the beginning, if I’m right. We do not want a dragon attacking the villages. That will go very poorly for people.”
“And these,” he said pointing at Seabrook and the others on the coast, “are where the phoenix has been attacking.” He looked at Amber knowingly.
Amber put her hands to her head. “So it was a phoenix!”
“Yes. Indeed.”
“This is terrible. And you said there’s more?”
“Indeed.” Sage stroked his wispy beard. “Much, much more. I’m afraid we may be seeing only the beginning.”
“Do you know what’s causing all of this?” Basil asked.
“Possibly. Possibly . . .” Sage trailed off.
Basil cocked his head to look the wizard in the eyes. “We were thinking it was some sort of magic.”
“Yes, of course.” Sage whisked his hand in the air. “But the question is, who’s behind it?”
Basil looked at the others with eyebrows raised.
“Yes. It is dark magic that has awakened all these creatures. A very powerful spell indeed. Powerful enough to cross hundreds of miles. Most likely there are many behind it, and they have traveled to a number of locations.”
Sage looked out the window, lost in thought. “Yes, yes. At least four wizards, I would think. Possibly five. Or three very powerful ones with some help.”
Amber was curious about the old man’s way of talking—he sometimes spoke directly to them, and other times he appeared lost in his own thoughts, talking to himself. He seemed to go back and forth between the two with ease. But it was somewhat confusing . . . was he talking to the trio . . . or to himself?
Sage looked back at the three kids. “Or . . .” He pointed dramatically. “They have a powerful leader and help from some relics. Yes, that’s possible. Indeed. I can think of one or two who would cause quite a bit of trouble of this sort.”
“W-w-what,” Theo asked, “um . . . what are you thinking to do about it?”
“Do? My dear boy, do?” Sage patted his robes and pulled out a long ornate pipe, which he lit and took a puff. “Why, there is so very much to do! Yes, yes. Indeed. Very much we must do. And soon!” He turned his head to look at Theo with his right eye.
Theo waited silently for the old wizard to continue.
After a moment, Sage went on: “There’s a very old prophecy that comes to mind. I have no clue whether it refers to today or if it’s about hundreds of years from now, but it involves a great evil taking over our world for much, much too long, and all good folks living in hiding during that time. Unless . . .”
Theo, Amber, and Basil all watched the wizard attentively while he stoked his pipe and continued looking out the window. “If I recall, the prophecy mentions that the evil can be stopped by youngsters who are able to unite the six core elements. In fact . . .” Sage paused and looked at Theo, “I do have to wonder with the powers before me right now if I may have found some of those youngsters.”
Theo gulped. “What do you mean? Powers?”
“Yes.” Sage stood up. “All three of you possess the capacity for elemental magic.”
The three looked at each other curiously.
As if he heard their thoughts, Sage strode over to a bookshelf and continued. “Elemental magic is where a magician can manipulate the world around them without the need for spells, wands, potions, or the like.” He pulled a book off the shelf and placed it onto the table, then looked the three of them in the eyes. “All they need is themselves.”
He opened the book and leafed through the pages, then pointed at a diagram, and the others drew nearer to see. “This shows the different elemental powers. You can see there are six. Generally speaking, no wizard will have more than one at a time, unless they are special indeed, or they use the power of a wand or scepter.”
He pointed at the center. “They are all held together by the ether, which gives power, or mana, to them. Now, I don’t have specifics—prophecies are elusive and cryptic at best—but I imagine there will be a way to break the spell by somehow uniting these elements. Of course, those who are involved will need to know how to use their powers.”
He stared at them each individually for a moment, then went on. “I have no way of knowing whether any or all of you are the youths referred to in the prophecy, or what your powers are. All I know is that I see mana in all three of you—each of you has a natural gifting in an elemental power.”
“The key to unlocking it is to recognize it and explore the boundaries of what you can do with it. So look at this diagram.”
Sage pointed at the drawing again and paused. “Over the course of your short years, were there any of these that you felt particularly good at navigating, like you were gifted?”
The three stared at the diagram while their minds raced. Basil spoke first. “Theo’s always been an animal magnet. Animals love him. What do you think, Theo? Think you’ve got the elemental power over animals?”
Theo shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. It never seemed special to me. Just normal.”
Sage nodded. “That’s a good sign. Theo, if that is your power, what you need to do is try using it more intentionally. See if you can get into the minds of animals and if you can encourage them to do what you ask.”
“All three of you,” Sage continued with a sweep of his hand, “have powers and can learn to harness them. You have to figure out what they are and begin using them. The more you use them, the more power you’ll find yourself having.”
Amber considered the different options. “I live by the sea, so I’ve always felt comfortable with water. But I’ve also been great with plants—everyone in Seabrook says I have a green thumb. But what about these others? Maybe I just haven’t had the right moment to know I have a gift?”
She glanced at Basil, who shrugged his shoulders. She smiled and shrugged her shoulders as well.
Theo looked confused. “So we’ll try to figure out these powers, but what’s next? What are you going to do?”
“I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that the three of you with elemental powers showed up in my lookout residence when I happened to be here. Whether it’s the prophecy or not, these are the kinds of things that don’t happen by accident. You will be needed here to slow down the destruction of these creatures.”
“How would we do that?” Basil asked. “We’re just three kids, and we don’t even know what our powers are yet.” He turned to Amber and Theo, who nodded emphatically.
“Well, with magic, of course.” Sage held his hands out grandly. “You’re going to need some way of lifting the spell.” He walked over to another book, then began leafing through the pages.
“Let’s see. Something you can take with you. A staff? No, too difficult, and you’d need to know how to cast the spell. Let’s see. An amulet? Yes, that’s it. It can hold enough power in it, and we can put it on a long chain to get it over their heads. It would have to be very long, of course. But that’s no problem. The amulet can cancel the spell when it gets around their necks.”
Theo cleared his throat. “Um, are you saying you want us to put an amulet around the necks of some goblins? Because that sounds dangerous.”
“Oh dear me, no.” Sage shook his head. “Goblins are the least of our concern. I’d suggest going straight for the phoenix!”
Amber turned pale and sat down. Theo suddenly felt lightheaded, and Basil choked.
“You think we are capable of finding the phoenix and putting an amulet around its neck without getting killed?” Basil asked. “How on earth would we be able to do that?”
Sage smiled. “I’ll see what I can whip up.”
15
Good Gifts
“LET’S SEE,” THE OLD WIZARD SAID, rummaging around in a drawer. “We’ll need an amulet or pendant.”
“I have a pendant.” Amber pulled it out from under her shirt.
“Wonderful. Let’s have a look.” Sage put his hand out, and Amber gave it to him.
Sage’s eyes lit up. “Oh, we wouldn’t want to enchant that one. You hold onto that one.”
“Why? What is it?”
“Oh, it’s got its own purpose. Where did you get it?”
“It’s been in my family a long time.”
“Ah. Perfect.” Sage nodded and handed it back. “Then it’s in the right hands. Keep it well.”
“But what is it?” Amber was frustrated. Why did Sage talk like the pixies, so mysteriously?
“Well, it’s a wizard’s pendant, of course,” Sage replied. “It most certainly has some properties or other for the wizard and his or her descendants. Which I’m assuming is you.”
“I’m related to a wizard?” Amber was suddenly very confused.
“Of course. Which explains why you’d have an elemental power. It’s not a guarantee, mind you. I’m guessing no one else in your family practices magic?”
“No. Not at all. Nobody’s even talked about it.”
“Well, no matter. I imagine someone or other in your family probably has some gifting. Regardless, try not to lose this pendant. I don’t know what it does, but it certainly does something.”
“My mom said it brings luck. And my dad said I’m related to someone named Majestic Rose . . .”
“Luck? Interesting.” The wizard stroked his beard. “That’s a hard spell to create. Very hard indeed. That would explain why Rose was always the most unscathed.” He chuckled, then his eyes glossed over and they saw him smile for the first time.
“Well then, time to work.” He stood up abruptly and headed to the upstairs chamber. They heard all sorts of clanking noises and Sage talking to himself. The three friends sat quietly, looking at each other.
Amber shook her head, confused. “He talked as if he saw her. My mom said she’s like a great-great-great grandmother. Do you think Sage is that old?”
Theo shrugged his shoulders. “Well, he is a wizard. I don’t know much about magic. But I would guess he’s figured out a way to stay alive longer.”
Amber gazed out the window lost in thought.
Basil set down the book with the diagram, went over to a jar of water and stared at it for a while. “I’m not sure what you could do if you had power over water . . . But I don’t think I’m doing it.”
Theo laughed. “You could drink some. That’ll show it!”
Basil and Amber laughed as well. Then Basil lifted his hand and began swirling his fingers around. Amber watched, then turned back to the window, deep in thought.
If I have power over plants, what does that mean? She stared at the trees below. Would I be able to help them grow? She focused on the trees. They seemed like ordinary, everyday trees. Nothing different than any other time she’d paid trees any attention.
She closed her eyes and tried to get a sense of the closest tree in front of her. She waited until she could somewhat sense its presence, then she thought, Okay, tree. Grow. She imagined the tree growing and had a feeling that there was a small disease where a branch had once been. She imagined the disease healing and the tree stretching to the skies.
“Whoa!” Theo stood next to her. “Are you doing that?”
She opened her eyes. The tree was actively growing right in front of her. It was at least four feet taller than before she’d closed her eyes—and it was still growing ever so slowly upward, toward the sky. Her eyes grew wide and she thought, Okay, stop!
The tree stopped growing, and she smiled. “I guess I’ve figured out my power!”
Theo patted her on the back. “I’d say! That tree looks like the healthiest one around.”
She turned to Basil, who was still swirling his hand around. “Figure anything out, Basil?” He shook his head.
Just then, Sage called from upstairs. “A blade! Does anyone use a sword?”
“I do,” Basil called back. He walked up the stairs and showed his short sword to the wizard.
“Perfect.” The wizard snatched the sword out of his hands and returned to his muttering.
Basil looked confused but walked back down the stairs to his friends. “Well, whatever he’s doing with my sword, I hope he doesn’t break it. That’s my favorite.”
Amber and Theo shrugged.
When the wizard finally came down again, it was getting dark. The trio had climbed down to care for their horses and get some food from the saddlebags for dinner. When they got back to the house, Sage was grinning ear to ear.
“We’re all set,” he said. “They’ll be ready by tomorrow.”
“What are they?” Amber asked.
“Well, the amulet, of course!” Sage said. “That, and a few helpful items I’m sure you’ll be able to put to good use. Now there are a few things you should know about enchanted items. First, and most important, you can’t use more than a few enchanted items at a time before weakening the effect of all of them, as well as make your own powers more difficult. These are powerful gifts—but be aware if you have other items.” He looked at the pendant on Amber’s neck. “Keep track of them so that you don’t hinder your natural powers.”
“Second, enchanted items have a lifespan. I’ve imbued these with plenty of mana, so they’ll all work more than once. But every time they’re used, it saps some of the mana, till they’re less and less effective and eventually the enchantment is gone. No need to worry with these, though. They’ll last at least a year of heavy use with the enchantment I put on them.” He looked proudly upstairs, then back to the three.
“Third—and not relevant to you today but perhaps down the road—wands, scepters, and staffs are different. They don’t interfere with other enchanted items or your elemental powers. They do require internal mana to cast their spells, so most folks aren’t able to use them. Not even all elementalists
are able to use them, but many can with practice.”
“Scepters only have one purpose, one spell they can cast. And they get more powerful when used in combination with other scepters with multiple wizards using them together. Wands, on the other hand, can do much, much more—but only within their realm. Much like elemental powers, wands stick to one type of spell, like illusions, conjuring, or transmutation. And staffs . . .” Sage looked at the staff in his hand and smiled. “Let’s just say they help make enchantments a lot easier.”
“What are our items?” Basil asked eagerly. “I know you took my sword.”
“Of course. Of course.” Sage brushed the air. “You must be patient. No need telling you now. You’ll have to wait till morning, when they’re ready.”
Amber looked up the stairs eagerly. What sort of items could they be? She was so excited, imagining what sort of magic was being whipped up and what her newfound powers might be able to do that she found it hard to sleep that night. She tossed and turned and didn’t feel very rested. But the sun came up earlier than normal on the top of the mountain, and she awoke with the rest of the group at the break of dawn.
After a pleasant breakfast of porridge, Sage stood and brushed off his sleeves. “I think they should be ready by now. Let’s go see.”
The three could hardly wait. Theo bobbed up and down nervously. When the old man came down the stairs, they eagerly peered at what he was carrying.
“This . . . is the amulet.” He held up a pendant a little smaller than Amber’s palm, with silver backing and a red stone in the middle, dangling from a particularly long chain. “This should be what’s needed to free the phoenix. Put this around the neck of any enchanted creature, and it will break the spell instantly. They’ll also be immune to the effects of that particular spell for the rest of their lives.”
As Sage handed the amulet to Amber, she examined it more closely. It looked like a fairly average necklace pendant—nothing extravagant or magical.
“This is Basil’s sword.” Sage held it out with both hands. “I’ve enchanted it with a few spells. It will have no trouble cutting through any material, even the thickest dragon scales. It also will light up when it’s near any creature who’s been enchanted by the spell.”
