by John Victor
"I think some of us have to go to the city. I will go. You can lead the people till I return. I don’t want any harm to befall you." "What are you going to do in the city?" "I will talk to the police. They should be reasonable enough." Evalle was not sure if that idea was wise enough. People born with magic would suffer. They would follow her to the portal if she tried to escape, and kill all her people.
"I don’t think that's a good idea. Those people are never reasonable. We cannot bargain with them. We have to find a way to draw them to us."
"I have an idea." Evalle said. She jumped again. Her face brightened. She was sure that it would work. It couldn’t fail. It would give them a better chance. The lawmakers will come begging. She chuckled silently.
"What do you suggest?" Surprised by the sudden outburst. He almost laughed at her. It was a crucial situation. It may piss her off.
"We can act as the bad guys. We will sneak to the major parts of the city and destroy some of their important things. They won't be able to see us. We will call ourselves by the names of the evil sorcerers. Impersonation. It's easy. That way, they will come begging. And the evil sorcerers will get annoyed. They don't like to be exposed. After the lawmakers beg us for help, we will instruct them to move their people away from the roads and away from where the fight might reach. After doing that, we will initiate a fight with the evil people. It is not going to be easy. We will try. We have to try."
"Wow, that's a very brilliant idea. I know a place you can destroy. It is a very major place in their city. They call it trade center. When we destroy that place, they’ll definitely come begging. You are a genius."
"I know trade center. I once worked there. The place where nobody liked me. Filled with annoying and ugly people. I will destroy that place and inscribe the names of the evil people on the walls. Blaming them for chasing us away and destroying our people. It will serve them right." "We kill two stones with a bird. That's awesome. I will have to inform the people. So that we will begin our training to eliminate the evil ones."
Evalle laughed. "It's two birds with a stone. We have to build up our powers. The tension had eased and Evalle felt at peace. She knew that those were the right people.
The people she was meant to have met a long time ago. Evalle smiled. They had finished their tea and she was already feeling dizzy. It was getting dark outside and Jasper had to go home. She was already missing him. She enjoyed the conversation. He deserves to be a leader. Evalle walked to her room. Her pets had appeared and eaten their food before vanishing. She laughed aloud. They were still flaunting their powers. They will soon get tired.
She stretched a woolen sheet on her bed and lay on it. It was going to be a very long night.
Evalle walked down a long road and came to a stop. She was in front of her office. The office she left some hours ago. She wanted to run back but her legs couldn't carry her backwards. She walked into the office and sat on a chair. The walk down the road had been a long and tiring journey. She found a bottle of water on the table and took a large gulp. She was refreshed. She released a loud sigh. She was interrupted by a sound she heard. People were talking and chatting and giggling. She looked up. The office was full. Just how it looked on a normal day.
Evalle wanted to run out. Something she saw made her stay behind. A dark shadow was also in the room. Lingering from place to place. It appeared to be looking for something. It stopped at Camilla's table and brought out a large, white envelope from a hole that was supposed to be its mouth. It dropped it there. Evalle opened her mouth.
It continued moving till it got to her table. It brought out another envelope and dropped it there. Evalle was shocked. It was not Camilla that dropped it. Neither was it any human. Evalle knew she had wrongly accused Camilla. But who implicated her? Evalle saw Camilla enter the office. No one looked in her direction. As usual.
Camilla sat down and looked surprised when she saw the envelope. Evalle remembered how she looked when she saw hers. Camilla read it wide eyed and folded the envelope before throwing it into her bag. Evalle then saw herself enter the office. Camilla was the only one that was staring at her. Camilla had seen the envelope on her table too. She didn't mention it. She waved to Camilla and sat in front of her table.
Evalle saw herself carry the envelope and exhibit the same expressions she saw on Camilla. Evalle saw that people were now staring at her. Something she didn’t notice at first. She folded the paper between her palms and used her magic to burn it. Evalle screamed. The people around her opened their mouths.
Evalle saw Camilla, she was in shock. She saw Camilla stand up from her table and walk up to her. Tears flowed freely from Evalle's eyes. She had been telling the truth. Evalle felt her legs carry her up as she was taken outside the office. She met herself on another long road. She cursed herself for being so naive. Even though it brought her good luck at the end, Evalle knew she did not do well to Camilla. It was only out of suspicion. Evalle met herself at her old home. It was still scattered from the thieves' robbery.
Camilla was there, searching every corner. Evalle wanted to yell 'I am here.' She knew Camilla wouldn't hear her. Camilla was crying. Maybe she thought they took me. Camilla ran out of the house immediately she knew that Evalle was gone. She was furious and filled with rage. Evalle saw the wind circle round Camilla. Dirt followed the wind. Camilla was destroying everything in her path. People were running helter skelter.
Lots of police vans came and stood in her front. She picked them all and flung them away. Evalle could see how angry her friend was. Camilla picked up one of the policemen and flung him. He landed miles away. The men began shooting. Evalle was scared. She didn't want Camilla to die. Camilla is strong. The bullets bounced back, hitting the police officers. Evalle almost laughed. She was watching her friend on action. More officers came. They were determined to capture her. She watched as her friend threw them away. Camilla slumped. Evalle yelled. She still had many to destroy.
Evalle watched as the men approached Camilla and carried her onto their van. She offered no resistance. She was weak. Tears were still flowing from her cheeks. Evalle couldn't take it. She allowed the police officers, capture Camilla. It will be her job to save her. Evalle's legs carried her out of the scene until she met herself in a river. Evalle's head spun as she looked around. A lot of people were staring at her. She was drenched in the mixture of sweat and water. She looked at everyone.
They looked worried. Jasper was holding a bucket that was half filled with water. She didn't meet herself on her bed. She was on a cold floor. The look of the surroundings told her she was in front of her house. Had she been sleeping that long? Everybody came to her side. They began to ask her for what happened. She could not explain herself. Everything looked real. She knew it was more than a dream. Who was showing her everything that happened? Was she expected to get Camilla back?
Evalle sat upright. She found herself crying. She left Camilla in that situation. She told everyone that everything was fine but she would address them later. She signaled to Jasper to wait behind. She had to tell someone. Or else she would run mad. Jasper stayed behind while the others left for their houses. "Jasper, something is wrong." Jasper knew something was wrong. She just had to open up to him. "Do you know anyone with wind magic?"
"Yes. There are three of them with us. They are the only ones that remain in the world. They should have been four, but they lost their daughter." Evalle's ears stood erect. "They had a daughter?" Everything was getting clearer. Camilla thought her family were gone. So did her family towards her. Donald replied. "Yes. They said they had a daughter. She died when the lawmakers came to attack." What happened to her? Evalle looked at him. “Can I see the parents?"
"Oh sure. They are few houses away from yours."
"Okay. Let me get dressed. You will take me there." Evalle went into the house. She put some food in the animals' plates and went to change her clothes. She came out some minutes after. She had slept for about seventeen hours. It was almost dark agai
n. They had every right to worry. She joined Jasper outside and they left. Jasper couldn't stop thinking. Everything that just happened was strange. As they were walking, Evalle began to explain what she saw in her sleep. She believed Camilla was the daughter of the family here. Jasper knew why she was furious. If she didn't go fast, Camilla would be killed.
It didn't take long before they got to the house. They entered and saw three people sitting round a table. Two grown ups and a young man. About Evalle's age. They greeted Evalle when they saw her enter and offered them seats. Evalle wanted to be fast with everything. She was going to have a quick conversation with the parent. Matter of life and death. "Sir, do you have any daughter.” Yes, but she's dead now. She's gone."
"Can you describe her looks?"
"Yes. She's a brunette. Not too beautiful but good looking."
With that statement, Evalle knew it was Camilla. She stood up from the chair. Jasper stood up too. "Thank you sir. We will get back to you. It's very important we leave now." Evalle didn't want to tell the parents about their daughter. She needed to make sure she was alive.
They walked out of the house back to her house. "I have to go there now." "Where?" "To the prison. I will make it there. I should be back in some hours. The journey may be long."
"How will you get there?"
"I have a compass. Remember?"
Jasper chuckled. Evalle was going to try out her luck, to see if the compass would go to wherever she told it to. Jasper watched Evalle pull a large compass out of her bag and hung it on her neck. She ensured that her pets were not beside her. She rotated the face of the compass and whispered. "Camilla's prison cell".
Jasper was surprised as a portal appeared in front of them. Evalle went into it and turned back to wave. The portal had closed behind her. She began to run. Her instincts told her that something was going to happen if she didn't get there fast. She could not use magic in the portal.
She was getting familiar with where she was. She was at the spot she saw in her dream. The spot where they took Camilla. Evalle continued running. She passed through walls. She knew nobody could see her. Evalle was sure it was a prison cell she entered. She could see people wailing. The place was built with strong gates. Gates that magic could not penetrate. Evalle saw some police officers marching towards a particular cell. Evalle ran faster. She ran into their bodies and came out of the other side.
CHAPTER 7
She could see the end of the tunnel. It was a dark cell. At the end of the cell, Camilla sat there, in the same clothes she wore in Evalle's dream. She was waiting for death. Evalle jumped down from the portal and whispered to Camilla. "Hey, it's Evalle."
Camilla looked surprised. "I thought you were dead."
"I wasn't.” Evalle could hear the footsteps approaching. The portal was closing gradually. Evalle knew she didn’t have time. "Follow me." She dragged Camilla up and they both jumped into the portal. The portal closed finally. They could hear screams of confusion inside the cell. Evalle and Camilla kept running, even though they knew they could not be found. Evalle knew the other end of the portal would soon be opening. Camilla was still surprised. "Few minutes ago, I thought today will be my day of death. Thank you." "No problem,. The compass on Evalle's neck began to sparkle. Evalle knew the other end was opened, and that Jasper would be waiting for them. Evalle could see the end. She knew it was her sitting room. Camilla didn't know where Evalle was taking her. She was going to follow her and not ask questions. They got to the end of the portal. Evalle jumped down. She knew if the police officers were going to use a magic compass, they'll get lost and die in the portal.
They wouldn't even think of it. Magic is like an abominable thing. Camilla jumped down. Jasper looked at Evalle in disbelief. She was strong, self-willed and determined. He looked at Camilla. She was dirty, yet beautiful, in his eyes. "Are you Camilla?"
Camilla blushed. No man had spoken to her that way before. "Yes. But my real name is Natalie Evans." Jasper opened his mouth. He knew immediately that she was the daughter of the Evans, wind sorcerers.
Jasper went out of the room, he knew Evalle wouldn't let Natalie know of the surprise. Not yet. He passed the house of her parents. He smiled. They would be happy to know that her daughter was alive and well. He already liked her. What's with the weird feeling? Not long ago, he remembered he was having it for Evalle, now it was Natalie. He blamed it at the lack of beautiful ladies in recent years. Jasper thought about Evalle, the brave lady that got whatever she wanted. Only God knows what else she saw in her dream. Natalie will be an asset to them. Her powers were growing and she was yet to develop most of it. She was going to be a key factor in the destruction of the evil sorcerers.
Jasper remembered he had not told the people about their plot. They all had to train. He went the alarm house. There was a large bell there. He hit it put. Everybody knew what that meant. They didn't know what the case was, this time. They all rushed out of their houses, to the center of the city. Jasper went to meet them there.
Evalle kicked her legs under the table as she watched Natalie eat. She looked more relaxed. "What is that sound for?"
"To call the people together. There is a crucial matter at hand, which you would be involved in very soon. You just have to trust us. Do you want to rest after your meal?"
"No, I’m getting too curious. Surprise first." Natalie smiled.
* * *
Jasper looked at everyone. He wouldn't know if they were complete. They were so many, he got annoyed while trying to count them. They were staring. The people in the city had a habit of staring at people unblinkingly when they need answers.
Jasper smiled. "I think I have told us all the story of the three evil leaders and their evil town, very close to us." They chorused "Yes"
"Those three people are related to Evalle. I know you all have heard about the Fortress haunting quest that went on and on for several years, until the spell was broken by two powerful ladies. Evalle is one of the ladies." Jasper heard gasps and then murmurings. He couldn't get what they were saying. He couldn't pick up a word out of what the thousand voices were saying. He had to scream. "Enough!"
He was interrupted by a young woman. "Is she that powerful?"
Another man talked "We chose a good leader."
Jasper was frustrated. "Let me finish! Everywhere was quiet again. The staring continued. "Evalle’s sister, the second lady to perfect history is the lady we all know as Keronette, one of the three evil leaders. Her real name is Emily." The people were shocked, and frightened. They didn't know where the conversation was leading to, but they knew it was not going to be good. Jasper continued talking. "Evalle is begging us to rescue her family."
"Family? How many of them?" A young lady yelled from behind.
"Out of the two men, one is her husband and the other is Emily's husband.” The people eyes were filled with surprise. "Now, we are going to kill two stones with a bird."
"It's two birds with a stone." Someone in the crowd yelled at him. He slammed his head with his fists. Evalle had corrected him earlier.
"Thanks. To save her family, we have to defeat the evil people without faces."
"That’s not possible."
"What's the plan?" Another boy said, in a silent whisper.
Jasper heard him. "We are going to pose as the evil ones. Very few of us will go to the city through Evalle's portal; the others will continue training for the battle. Jasper explained everything he and Evalle had planned, to them. He was excited while saying it. It had been long since he had fun.
This one was going to be epic. He listened as the people cheered, some giggled.
"So, when do we start training?" Someone from the crowd asked.
"Tomorrow morning. The best fighters will train the rest. The training will run for one week. During that week, we are all to stay off food. We will feed on our powers and it will sustain us. The more you feed, the more you will grow. We will be stronger than anyone that ever lived. Our army will be unbeatable. Fe
w of us will go to the city to start operation. Those people will be chosen later.”
The remaining part of the day was spent in bedrooms. The people wanted to savor the last quality sleep time they will have for a long time. Natalie was staying with Evalle. Evalle promised to reveal the surprise, the next day. She heard people cheering; she didn't know what the whole thing was about. She just had to play by the rules.
Evalle let Natalie sleep in her room while she stayed with her pets, who lost interest in disappearing. They stayed in the sitting room. Natalie couldn’t stop thinking about Jasper, the only guy who had commented on her looks. She hadn't felt at peace, the way she felt in the new place, for over two years. She slept off.
* * *
It was still dark outside, but the city was already busy. They couldn’t wait for their training. No more food. Markets were closes because they were of no use. Natalie looked outside her window. She could see people moving everywhere. It was still dark. What was happening? She walked to the sitting room, Evalle was snoring. Natalie returned to her room. For Evalle to be sleeping, that means there is no problem. She felt magic everywhere. She used some of her wind to steer them away from herself. She still felt dizzy. Lack of sleep in a prison cell. She chuckled and dozed off.
Victor and Margaret Evans felt weird. They knew something was wrong. They didn't know why Evalle came to ask for their daughter. It was unusual. No else had asked. Maybe they were anxious because of the training. They slipped into the bathtub and used wind to protect themselves.
Natalie was dreaming. She saw her parents, they looked confused, like someone had said something to them. They were together in a tub. Why were they protecting themselves? From what? Natalie woke up. She wiped the sweat that was on her forehead with the back of her hand. It was day break. People were shouting outside the house. Someone was standing in front of her. "Wake up, sleepyhead." It was Evalle.
