“It’s perfectly safe,” she answered Arnon. “Even from overprotective brothers,” she jested with a humored sneer.
Everyone got a good chuckle in, except Nashua.
Arnon accepted what they said, for now. But he’d still be on his guard. It was his job after all.
They stepped through the falls, and as promised, the water fell right over them and they stayed dry. What awaited on the other side… if what they’d seen so far was breathtaking, this gave the word instantaneous new meaning.
“The Oasis of Loramoore.” Milo let them take a moment to soak it all in.
It was lush and green, warm and moist. Filled with tropical life like they’d never seen before, and not native to the area.
“My people have hidden this oasis for hundreds of years,” revealed Nashua.
His sister nudged his arm with a look that ordered him to rephrase his statement.
He cleared his throat. “Our people. The Tunkapog people.”
Pompous and prickly, Juliska thought to herself. She wondered how he’d been chosen as the Tunkapog’s next leader.
Kanda continued. “We considered calling this our home once.”
“I can see why,” said Cornell with a whistle slipping off his tongue. “The magical energy in this place is buzzing.” He looked like a kid in a toy store, eager to try out everything.
Eddy had just pulled out a notepad and was writing down a few notes on behalf of his mentor, Balloch.
An air of excitement enveloped them all.
“When we heard the Svoda might need to expand a little, this was the first place we thought of,” said Kanda.
“I had no idea… no idea something like this was just miles away from us.” Balloch shook his head in wonder.
“The Oasis of Loramoore is approximately the same size as your island,” explained Nashua. “So it has good expansion potential. And it would not be too much an effort to set up a portal that would bring Svoda right into the oasis, rather than landing just outside it.”
“We felt you should see what surrounded the oasis though,” added Kanda. “One thing you may want to note is that this place is a bit of an oddity, so it attracts non-magical outsiders.”
“Not that they should ever be a bother,” assumed Eddy. “They don’t know this exists, right?”
“No. And even if they enter the waterfall, which they do all the time, unless they had magical blood…”
“No entry…” finished Eddy, writing it down at the same time.
“We’d have to deal with the potential of magical folk being seen going through the waterfall,” noted Cornell. Eddy jotted that down as well. “Even if there’s a portal set up inside here somewhere, it’s bound to happen that someone will use the waterfall.”
Arnon agreed and made a mental note of this as well. “We also need to consider the off chance that someone steps through the waterfall, who does have magical blood, and does not know it,” said Arnon. “It’s rare these days, but it can happen.” He took a glance at Juliska and sent her a friendly wink. She smiled back. She’d been the last magical child found, so it had been a while.
“Something you’ll have to give some thought to,” Nashua said decidedly.
Arnon nodded, already thinking up ways to take precautions.
“How did all the sand get here? Or out there…” corrected Cornell. “I felt no life, no energy from the sand.”
“It happened a long time ago,” said Kanda. “The people that owned and worked this land overworked it. Ruined it. Drained the life out of the ground and basically, killed it.”
“That’s kind of a scary thought,” replied Balloch. “Will it never come back to life?”
“It’s been almost a hundred years with no sign of recovery. Only time will tell I suppose.”
“So if the desert and sand are dead, how does this oasis thrive?” asked Cornell.
“A series of underwater caves,” explained Nashua. “Some from the ocean, some from fresh water sources. But the water pops up out of the ground inside the oasis and provides life. The energy renews constantly.”
“So there are sources of both salt water and fresh water here?” confirmed Balloch.
“Yes,” answered Nashua.
Eddy noted the information.
“It’s the constant movement of the water that renews the energy and life here. The fresh water flows from underground and pops up in springs. The ocean currents do the same. The consistent ebb and flow of the tides creates a never ending energy source, enough for all your magical needs.” Kanda smiled. She could tell they were falling in love with this place.
“Just like the island,” noted Cornell smartly. “The ocean provides us all we need there as well. Being self-sustainable is vital.”
Everyone agreed.
“Well, how about enough gawking and note taking, for now,” suggested Milo. “Shall we?” He let Kanda and Nashua lead the way. Not too long in they came to a meadow filled with flowers and tall grass. In the middle was one of the fresh water springs the Macawis had spoken of.
They decided the meadow was the perfect place to set up camp. Arnon and Cornell had carried a heavy looking trunk between them. They insisted it was not heavy at all; they had used magic to make it so. And somehow, all their supplies and personal belongings for this quest had been stored inside.
Arnon opened the trunk and reached down into the depths. He pulled out a thick stack of canvas.
The tent. There was just one. It didn’t look that big folded in his arms, but Juliska watched as he and Cornell spread it out on the ground and it took up much more space than she expected. They made a few swift and simultaneous movements with their hands, and the tent popped upward, forming into a substantial looking canvas abode. They opened the front flaps and hooked them so everyone could go in.
Juliska stepped through and froze, she’d had never seen anything like it. Day one and she was already overwhelmed.
“Wow.” Apparently, neither had Eddy. He stopped right alongside her.
She could not hold back a grin seeing the look of awe on his face.
“Impressive. You cannot argue with that,” he aimed at her.
“No. I suppose I can’t.” But it can be a quick argument. She left him and went further in.
There was a large room in the center of the tent. In the middle was a long wooden table and chairs. Off to the backside was a galley and fireplace, stocked with food and other provisions.
Lining the walls on the right and left hand sides were doors, marked with the name of the person staying in the room behind it. The belongings they had packed and delivered before the quest had already been put in each of their rooms.
Juliska headed for hers, but stopped short when she saw the name on the door next to hers. Eddy stepped up to his room and tossed her a wink as he stepped inside. She wondered if anyone would switch with her.
The room was simple. A bed, a small table and a dresser for her belongings. It didn’t take them long to get settled, and soon, they were seated around the table aligning plans for the next few days that they’d explore the Loramoore Oasis.
For Juliska’s part, this meant attempting to have visions as often as possible and hoping nothing ominous showed itself. Or if it did, that it gave them enough warning to prepare. No one expected anything though, seeing as the oasis was peaceful, and Kanda and Nashua had told them it was safe.
Their time at the oasis was spent tracing the levels of magic. Scouting out potential locations for a town and residences. Testing the security of the place. Mapping the terrain and making notes of anything of interest.
Eddy refused to stop attempting to engage Juliska in conversation; she avoided him whenever possible, claiming she needed to keep her head clear. His incessant attempts were going to drive her mad by the time this trip was all over. Unless he finally got the hint and gave up.
As their time at the oasis came to an end, one fact they each agreed all Svoda would enjoy was that the magical energies i
n the oasis kept it much warmer than the island, or the state of Maine, even during the harshest of winters. Something many Svoda would be happy to know as winters could be long and brutal. Something many often wanted to escape, but could not.
It almost seemed too perfect. Why even keep exploring?
But they had a plan and would stick to it.
CHAPTER SIX
A week into the quest…
So far, everything was going as scheduled.
No injuries. No illnesses. No ominous visions.
Tons of information collected and two locations down.
The second, they all considered not nearly as hospitable as the oasis. It was set inside a cliffside overlooking the ocean. Stunning views. Possibly good for short visits, vacations maybe, but for permanent living it just didn’t have the right options available. Powerful magic, but little else to offer in long term home comforts. So they departed and headed to number three.
They were finally leaving Maine. And heading somewhere south, deep in the mountains to a place known as the Witch’s Head. A circle of mountains that most non-magical folk avoided; old folk tales rumored it a place filled with spirits of the dead. What it really had going for it was a lot of privacy, and an abundance of magical energy. Which to someone of non-magical blood who wandered into the spot without this understanding, would give them the impression of something mystical they could not understand and usually explained off, by calling it haunted.
The most attractive part of this place lay at the bottom of an expansive valley right in the middle of the circle of mountains. This valley was a prime location for people like the Svoda. Not only was is remote and secluded, but the arrangement of the mountains created a vortex of sorts, which collected and contained an abundance of magical energy. The vortex pushed it down, capturing it in this valley.
Upon arrival, they set up the tent and prepped for exploration. But as it was evening, they decided to give it a rest for the night and start up in the morning. This gave them a chance to unwind and enjoy a dinner together.
It unfortunately gave Eddy another chance to corner Juliska. He grabbed the open seat next to her, while her old school mates, Milo and Arnon, laughed and offered no help in rescuing her.
“When will you get the hint?” she charged Eddy hotly.
“Um, let me see… you’re going have to try a lot harder.”
She raised her palm at him in what was meant to be a threatening pose.
“You wouldn’t.”
“You don’t know me.”
“I’m trying to.” He grabbed her hand and kissed the top of it.
She pulled it back with a scowl. “Do not push me Eddy.”
He refused to stop. “Have a drink with me.”
“I don’t drink. It muddles my head.”
“Not at all?”
“No.”
“Have you ever?”
Milo and Arnon cleared their throats and held back a laugh.
She glared at them. “Yes. I have. Not a story I’m going to share.”
“Lightweight, are we?” Eddy teased, leaning back a little. “See how easy this is?”
“What?”
“Talking. Conversation.”
“That’s not what we’re doing.”
“We could be friends you know. Do you have any?” he asked boldly.
“Of course I do…” It was a lie really. She knew a lot of people. Even considered some of them friendly. But even Milo and Arnon were just old schoolmates that she’d hung around with years ago. Not so much now at all, other than for work. She tried her darndest, but could not think of one true friend. She had acquaintances. Family. She had her mentor, PanSofia. But there wasn’t a single person she had ever called friend.
For a moment, this felt rather pathetic. But she shook it off fast.
Work mattered. Her visions mattered. Not friends.
She got up from the table to wash her dishes and put them away. Eddy followed.
She spun around and confronted him.
“My personal life is none of your business.”
“I’d really like it to be.”
“Why?” It came out before she could stop herself.
“You’re smart. Sharp. Devoted. I admire that.”
She looked at him incredulously.
“I’m Balloch Flummer’s apprentice. A historian, and record keeper. I do value order and devotion, immensely.”
She looked him over from head to toe.
He shrugged.
She caved. “Okay. I can give you, that you appreciate what I do, and that I take my job seriously.” She paused, her breath feeling a little short. “However…” He cut her off.
“You’re also incredibly gorgeous. I’ve never seen a woman and been so instantly stricken by her beauty.”
Her breath hitched. “That’s… bold.”
“Why not? You won’t take my hints,” he grinned at her.
“Well, Edward, that’s very… flattering.”
“But?”
She inhaled deeply. “I didn’t come on this mission to meet anyone. I have to stay focused.”
“What about after the mission?”
“You’re just not going to give up, are you?”
“Take a walk with me, Juliska. It’s too beautiful a summer night to stay indoors.”
The very idea sent butterflies fluttering through her insides. Or maybe it was the way her name slipped off his tongue.
“I… I don’t think that would look very… appropriate.” It was all she could come up with as an excuse.
Eddy grinned. “Ah, see? I’m getting to you. You almost said yes.”
“That’s the exact opposite of what I said!” She refused to wait for him to rebut her and rejoined the table where a heated debate had just begun.
“Ah, Juliska, maybe you can clear this up,” said Arnon.
“Um, I’ll try,” she replied, a touch flustered.
“It’s about your sister.”
“Amelia,” added Milo. “She told me about a dream she had.”
Juliska let out a disgruntled groan. She hadn’t realized her sister and Milo were that close. He was a few years younger… oh right, Kay. She and Amelia were good friends. She let out a long sigh.
“I’m guessing this dream was about returning magic to all the land,” chimed Juliska dramatically. She was annoyed that Amelia had actually told this dream to someone outside her family.
“That’s the one,” said Milo.
“She actually believe it’s possible?” asked Arnon, dumbfounded. “It’s a nice thought, I guess, in the pure imagination of it, but it’s…”
“Preposterous.” Nashua was firm in his assessment. “A more ridiculous endeavor has never been attempted.”
Juliska agreed, but answered Arnon just the same. “I can’t honestly say what Amelia believes, but knowing my sister… how do I put this? She likes to get on these little kicks about things, and then nothing ever comes of it.”
“She seemed pretty serious to me,” said Milo. “She made some good points. You know Arnon, your sister Nina was there too. She seemed interested as well.”
Arnon scowled. He’d have to have a talk with her once he got home. He’d forgotten that his sister and Amelia had become friends after working together a couple years back.
“Hold up a second,” said Cornell. “I only heard half of this conversation. Explain what you mean by returning magic. What exactly are we talking about here?”
Everyone was listening now.
How pleased Amelia would be to know her topic was being debated by some of the finest minds on the island. Milo explained her sister’s dream perfectly. She’d definitely told him everything. Maybe even more than she’d shared with her or the family.
Most had similar opinions; it was a nice thought, a nice concept, but not the least bit plausible or realistic. The chaos it would cause would be disastrous. But they debated the subject for the next few hours. Each coming up with pros and cons of s
uch an event happening.
Juliska, having nothing more to offer the conversation, got up from the table, excusing herself. She needed some air. Eddy moved to follow. She groaned, but agreed, in disbelief she’d rather walk with Eddy than listen to people debate her sister’s latest crazy idea.
She supposed she could manage a walk. As long as he didn’t try anything else.
A flame from a candle sconce caught her eye and she swooned. Eddy reached over to steady her but she pushed him away and caught her breath. The conversation quieted at once, all eyes focusing on Juliska.
“What is it?” Arnon asked at once.
She looked at everyone at the table. “We’re being followed.”
“What?” Arnon, Cornell and Nashua asked at once.
The table emptied. Everyone waiting to hear what else she had to say.
“We’re being followed,” she said again as evenly as possible. “A man… I saw a man. Not clearly. No face or identifiable features. But definitely following us.”
Arnon took over. “Cornell, would you do a sweep of the area and see if you pick up any magical traces this man might have left behind?”
The magic tracker nodded curtly and departed at once.
“I’m going to run some perimeter checks,” said Arnon.
“I’ll go with you,” offered Nashua.
“Maybe you should stay, just in case.” Arnon’s gaze flitted to Kanda. Apparently, thought Juliska, she wasn’t the only woman getting hit on. But Kanda just smiled, unconcerned, and cast her brother a knowing look.
Nashua laughed. “I may be the overprotective brother, but my sister can take care of herself in a battle.”
“Can she?” Arnon looked eager to find out more.
Kanda gave nothing away as to what her brother meant.
“A battle?” Juliska muttered, taking in an uneasy breath. It wasn’t anything she’d actually prepared herself for. She’d done basic battle training, but frankly, wasn’t all that confident in her abilities.
“Not to worry,” assured Arnon. “I’m sure it won’t come to that.”
Regardless, he nodded knowingly at Milo, Balloch and Eddy, and winked at Kanda, before leaving the tent with Nashua. The others followed them outside.
Forsaken (The Seer's Apprentice, The Pearl Dragon, and The Devoted Ghost) (A Fated Fantasy Quest Adventure Book 8) Page 6
