Fated Fantasy Adventure

by Humphrey Quinn

  “Come quick! It’s Meghan! Something’s happened.”

  Colin got a sinking feeling in his stomach. They followed Mireya to the edge of the wharf, where a ball of fire reeled along the shore.

  “Meghan?” Colin gulped, in disbelieving horror. The flames engulfed his sister and yet did not appear to be burning her. “Get out of there,” he pleaded, trying to race toward her. Sheila and Jae held him back.

  “I haven’t seen anything like this in ages,” said an astonished Irving Mochrie. He asked Colin, “Has she done this before?”

  Colin tried to think of the right answer. Before he could, more Balaton arrived, escorting Banon Blackwell.

  “Well, you’re definitely not a secret anymore,” whispered Jae dejectedly. “But at least the Three D’s didn’t have a chance to pull off their plan.”

  It was the only good thing about it! His sister was a walking fireball, and a good many Svoda had seen her. The Balaton relaxed their battle stances seeing their leader calmly approach Meghan. She didn’t seem worried or afraid of the flames.

  The crowd murmured behind her.

  “What is this girl?”

  “She’s like the Banon,” another woman said.

  “A Firemancer, is it possible?”

  “What magical family is she from?”

  “I thought they weren’t from our world.”

  The crowd quieted. All eyes watched Banon Blackwell speak to Meghan.

  “What do you see?” she asked in an eager voice, which indicated she understood what was happening. Which relieved Colin, although only slightly, seeing as he did not.

  The fire that surrounded Meghan changed color, from orange and yellow to bright gold. She faced the Svoda and Juliska with a blank stare, and her body began to rise off the ground.

  Colin swallowed a lump in his throat. His sister was on fire, and floating off the ground. How? And why?

  Meghan drew up her arm and pointed it at the Svoda. She was high enough that she was pointing almost directly at Juliska’s head. To Colin’s amazement, the Banon, standing only about six feet from Meghan was not bothered by the heat, and yet Colin could feel it some twenty-five feet away.

  His sister started to speak. In a voice much deeper than her own.

  “Beware. Beware. They attack you where you sleep. Beware, I say to all Svoda, they attack you where you sleep.” She repeated this several times.

  Mummers buzzed through the observing crowd. Frightened faces looked to the Banon for answers to this apparent prophecy.

  “What do you mean, girl?” one woman shouted.

  “Who attacks us? Who?” another voice hollered.

  “How will we know, if we’re sleeping?” a man asked.

  Juliska addressed the distressed crowd; her brilliant stare was enough to quiet her people. She turned back to Meghan, while even more gypsies arrived, including the elusive and unfriendly Ivan Crane, followed shortly after by Garner Sadorus and the Three D’s. Colin swore that Garner had a look in his eye, which was not pleased to see Meghan, apparently prophesying. He also scowled at an infuriated looking Darcy.

  “They must have really had a plan of their own,” thought Colin. He still had no idea which scenario was better. It didn’t matter now.

  The fire diminished around Meghan’s body and she slowly descended to the ground. Colin ran to his sister’s side. Nobody stopped him this time. For a brief second his sister’s eyes opened, her mind once again linked to his. Her thoughts confused him though.

  “Mother, I want my mother.”

  “Mother? What do you mean? She’s dead, remember?” Her delirious request frightened Colin more than seeing his sister on fire.

  The crowd drew closer. Banon Blackwell bent over and touched Meghan’s face with the back of her hand. She was burning up.

  “She will be fine,” said the Banon. “Take her to the hospital,” she ordered a couple of the Balaton. “I will arrive shortly to handle this situation myself.” Two Balaton hooked arms around Meghan’s limp body and instantly popped out of sight.

  It was an uncomfortable feeling not knowing where they were taking his sister. He reached out for her, silently. “Meghan, can you hear me?” Her mind was weak, but she answered.

  “Yes, what happened?”

  “I’ll explain later. Stay linked to me though, okay. We may have trouble on our hands.” He brought his mind back to the ensuing chaos around him, keeping Meghan’s link open. At the same time blocking her from hearing the conversation, so as not to frighten her while she was trying to recover.

  The Svoda gawked. And pointed. And whispered.

  Colin wanted to shrink and disappear.

  But there was nowhere to hide. Nowhere to run. No one to protect him and Meghan... even Jae couldn’t get them out of this mess. But he stayed close regardless.

  Juliska conversed with her personal Balaton along with two of Viancourt members, Garner Sadorus and Darius Hadrian. For what felt like forever. When their conversation ended she turned and motioned for everyone’s attention. The crowd went silent, waiting for her to speak.

  “I am pleased by what has happened here today.”

  Colin’s eyebrow lifted in disbelief. He didn’t get the sense she was actually happy about it. He did get the sense that many of the Svoda were not.

  “Proof,” she stated. “Proof that magic survives in the world. That there is still magic to be found. And protected. It finds us, finds its way home to us, even with our borders spread far and wide.”

  “How can we be sure they’re not spies?” a man shouted.

  The Banon shot a severe glare in the man’s direction. “I believe you all remember that I was once a lost child. Magic was with me the day I was found by the Svoda. It has not happened again since. This is a day to celebrate, not fear.”

  The majority of the crowd accepted this explanation, and instead began to question Meghan’s words.

  “What then of the prophecy of the child? What will you do about this, Banon Blackwell?” another voice called out.

  “Once understood, we will as always, do what is necessary. Now disperse. Go home and see to your own families. Be thankful for this day. For this reminder of what we fight for. The survival of our kind. For the survival of magic.”

  Shouts and clapping broke out, in firm agreement with their leader, and the crowd began to thin. Somehow, Colin didn’t feel any more welcome than he had before his sister’s prophecy, or the Banon’s speech.

  The leader whipped around, facing Colin with a penetrating gaze. One that he swore might stab into his eyes if he looked long enough. Even with his heart racing, and nerves begging him to run and hide, he stood his ground. Although timidly. He kept the block in his mind, so his sister wouldn’t hear what was coming. He didn’t think it would be good, and he wanted her to heal as fast as possible in case they did have to flee.

  Colin heard an uneasy breath next to him and cast a side-glance in Jae’s direction. Oh no, Jae! They’re going to know everything he kept secret now. That he hid our magic. This is definitely not going to be good.

  Jae trembled, waiting for the inevitable. He had lied. There was no hiding it at this point. It could mean expulsion for his family. His mother, father and sister stood behind him, unaware of what Jae had hidden from the Banon and the Viancourt.

  But from the displeased frown on Juliska Blackwell’s face, she had pieced it all together. She forced a smile and leaned over to better see into Colin’s eyes. Her gaze sparkled unkindly, but her voice held an overly friendly tone that warned she was not his friend.

  “Let me ask you, Colin Jacoby... who were your parents?”

  Colin stuttered out a few incoherent words, trying to think. He wasn’t a good thinker when it had to be done fast. What would Uncle Eddy want me to answer? What would Meghan answer?

  “Our p-parents,” he breathed out nervously, “they uh, died a couple of years after we were born, and we lived with our Uncle, Arnon Jacoby, until the day we got stuck, I mean, ended
up, uh, here, while helping Jae get home.” He hoped the reminder of their assistance would help their cause, but just as instantly as he said it, he wished he had left Jae out of the picture. Not that it really mattered at this point.

  The Banon’s gaze flitted swiftly over to Jae, warning she had not forgotten about him, but just as swiftly soared back and landed on Colin.

  “And tell me, Colin Jacoby...” she spoke his name as if she had some personal aversion to it.

  Was there anything he could do to get on this woman’s good side? Jae had spoken of her with great reverence, but even he now looked more afraid than devoted.

  “Did your uncle ever perform magic?”

  “I never saw him do so,” Colin answered honestly, glad that he had not.

  She narrowed her eyes as if this helped her see if he was telling the truth.

  “Hm,” she said, under her breath. “One more question. Have you, or your sister, ever performed magic before today?”

  Colin flinched. His eyes widened, giving him away instantly. He really was a terrible liar. He had been afraid this question was coming. Even so, he still failed miserably. This was the one answer he didn’t want to give away. It was a sure conviction for Jae... and who knew what, for him and Meghan. And their Uncle Eddy had already warned them about keeping his book, the Magicante, secret. And safe.

  Colin opened his mouth to attempt a lie, but to his horror, Jae spoke up, stammering out his words in haste.

  “I’ve seen Colin do magic, but never his sister. I taught him a spell on the off chance he might be able to help me against the Scratchers.”

  His family gasped, appearing as though they had been hit by a boulder. They even took a few steps away from him.

  “Jae, no, you’ll...” Jae eyed Colin hard, and he shut up, realizing if he said the wrong thing, he would only make the situation worse. Although he could hardly see how it could be any worse.

  Juliska Blackwell’s composure faltered slightly. The pitch of her voice went up as she spoke. “Were you aware of this?” She aimed her question at Jae’s shocked parents.

  “No, of course not,” said Sheila, adding weakly, “Our son would only do what he thought was best, I’m sure.” Irving reached out his arm and motioned for his wife to stop defending their son.

  “Our boy knows the rules, Banon Blackwell. Whatever punishment you see fit, we will take as a family.” The disapproval of Jae’s actions was heavy in Irving’s voice.

  Juliska Blackwell stood to her full height, pondering the situation.

  “Jae Mochrie, you have put me in an uncomfortable position. You have broken strict rules put into place to protect all Svoda. However, their world, is also our world, so by a lucky off chance, you have found two lost among us and brought them home.”

  They waited, breathlessly.

  Two Balaton remained near the Banon awaiting her orders.

  She paced back and forth, weighing her decision.

  Colin broke out in a cold sweat, feeling faint. Almost a bit like his energy was being sucked out of him.

  She stopped, facing them again.

  “I try to imagine myself in Jae’s position, questioning whether I would make it home or not, and how best to defend myself. It comes to mind, would I have not done the same as Jae, even knowing that strict rules are being broken? This brother and sister coming to live with us, although seemingly like fate, is also the result of a tragic accident, as well as your disobedience of the rules.” Her stern voice stabbed out at Jae.

  Colin wished he could defend Jae, but he didn’t know how to without making it worse. But it wasn’t Jae’s fault. He and Meghan had chosen not to listen to him. He didn’t think telling the Banon this would make any difference though. And it was starting to feel like she was purposely taking an extremely long time stating her decision. Prolonging their agony.

  Colin decided he disliked Juliska Blackwell very much.

  The Banon sucked in deeply and let it out slow.

  “I come to this conclusion. By some blessed miracle, two lost souls have returned to us. Through a difficult path, yes. But home none the less.” She leaned in, pretending to touch Colin’s cheek in a loving manner. “And yet the rules should never be broken,” she glanced at Jae. The Balaton braced themselves to fulfill her punishment.

  “Meghan and Colin Jacoby will enroll in school beginning tomorrow. Jae Mochrie shall be demoted from junior learner back to elementary learner. He will start his lessons over again since there are rules he needs reminding of.”

  Jae’s parents, humiliated, but thankful to still have a home, humbly thanked the Banon. Irving seized Jae, dragging him home.

  COLIN FOLLOWED THE Mochries, simply to avoid any more questions from Juliska Blackwell; once he noticed she was gone, he slowed. The argument going on up ahead was ugly. He decided it was a bad idea to head to the Mochrie home and decided to find Meghan.

  Colin arrived at the hospital a short time later, after asking for directions. A woman advised him that Meghan was on the fourth floor, last room on the left. It was a long walk up to the fourth floor. And when he left the staircase and headed into the corridor, he got a strange sense of emptiness all around him. And the place was empty. Not a person to be seen. He supposed there just were not that many sick people. But it was quiet. Shouldn’t there be noise of some kind?

  He stepped quietly down the corridor and found the room, no problem. However, it was not his sister lying in the bed. It was another girl, around his sister’s age. But the two of them could not have been mistaken for each other.

  This girl had long silver hair, and slept with a smile on her face as though she were smiling right at Colin. It took his breath away and his heart skipped a few beats. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. He wanted to reach out and touch her, to see if she was real.

  “Can I help you?” a voice snapped behind him.

  Colin’s nose sucked in the smell of mothballs. “Sorry,” he said, spooked. “I was told my sister was in this room. Meghan Jacoby.”

  It was Viancourt member Tanzea Chase. She flipped through a chart with a scowl.

  “She’s not even on this floor. Down a level, room nine.” She stood guard by the silver haired girl’s door and watched him leave the floor. Colin noted that she locked the room.

  “Poor girl. She must be very sick,” he thought, “and to have Tanzea as her nurse.” Colin shuddered. How would she ever get better with that terrible woman taking care of her? He wasn’t sure who he liked less, Tanzea Chase or Juliska Blackwell.

  He finally located Meghan’s room but slowed before entering, hearing the voice of Juliska Blackwell. She was talking to Meghan. Colin hoped she wasn’t fishing for information and decided to listen, tuning into his sister’s mind. She was still open to him, but he was careful not to let on he was listening.

  “It’s hard to describe,” his sister was saying. “And so messed up really. Fire doesn’t burn me. Not that I want it to.”

  Juliska laughed lightly, replying in a motherly voice. “You know, Meghan, I sensed it in you right away.”

  “You did?”

  “I was not positive, let’s say it was a hopeful feeling. It has been too long since my people have experienced such a thing. It is a good reminder that the world goes on, outside of our small little daily lives. Plus, to find a lost one with such talent! I’m afraid Firemancy is a dying form these days.”

  Colin cringed. He felt Meghan’s growing adoration for this woman.

  Maybe I should have let her hear everything that went on, rather than block her.

  “Sight is both a blessing and a curse,” Juliska continued. “One I have also managed many years myself. We are very alike, you and I. Did you know that Firemancy is handed down from mothers, only to their daughters? Never sons.”

  “Really? So I’m a Firemancer because of my mother?”

  “Yes. I imagine, were she alive today, she’d be very proud.”

  “I... I never even knew her. She die
d when Colin and I were just babies. Our uncle took us in and he never really talked about our parents at all. I think it made him too sad.”

  “Of course. Yes. And here you are now, a new journey just beginning. In so many ways.”

  “It is... kind of scary,” admitted Meghan.

  Colin was surprised to hear his sister say this. She never admitted being scared of anything.

  “Which is why I want you to know you’re welcome to visit me, at any time, whenever you have questions about your visions. Or school. Or well, just... anything. I realize you are here alone, and since I have the sight, too, I’m always available to you. As I am to anyone in need of my help.”

  Colin’s mind reeled. What was Juliska doing, being so nice when only minutes ago she was so vile, and mean?

  “At least I have my brother,” reminded Meghan.

  “Yes, of course. Colin. How could I forget?”

  There was that disdain in saying his name again. He shuddered. He really didn’t like this woman. And now his sister was drooling over the attention. She did excel at that.

  “Actually, I can’t believe he’s not here yet, although...” Meghan stopped, taking a sip of water.

  “Although?” Juliska prompted thirstily.

  “He may not want to see me. We had a pretty big fight.”

  “I see,” said Juliska.

  Colin decided he had heard enough. It was time to make his presence known. He let himself into Meghan’s mind. She lifted her head and smiled at the door. Simultaneously, Juliska’s gaze followed.

  Colin’s figure appeared, acting as though he had just arrived. His acting was almost as poor as his ability to lie.

  “Hey, Sis. Feeling better?”

  Meghan nodded.

  Juliska glided toward the door as Colin came in.

  “I must take my leave, Meghan. Things to do, people to order around,” she winked mischievously. Meghan smiled, and Juliska was gone down the hall in a flash.

  “I hope you didn’t tell her too much,” Colin said accusingly.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Uncle Eddy. The Magicante.”