The Wizard, finally realizing that he was right in his assumption, pointed his wand up into the air, and three round red lights shot from its tip. The orbs stopped in midair and started to write in the sky.
Ves-guard needs assistants, wounded girl at the city gates.
Suddenly, lights of different colors flew up in answer. And within a few seconds, Ves-guards appeared from every street.
“Quickly, take the girl to the hospital,” said the first Ves-guard.
The closest took hold of the girl, stood her up and Phazed her to the hospital as instructed.
“Now tell me what happened,” said the Ves-guard who first found Demala.
“You’ll hear all I have to say, but only in City Hall with the Wizard Delsani,” said Demala. “And no stalling; many lives are on the line.”
The Wizard raised his wand to the air again, and again a flare shot up, only this flare was green, and it seemed to go higher into the purple sky than the others. It went through the imitation clouds that floated just above the city that were contained by the dome that surrounded and protected that magnificent place.
At first Demala wondered why the Wizard shot the flare. Perhaps he’s signaling someone that I’m here? thought the Wolf.
However, as the thought ran through, his mind he saw an object glinting in the sunlight. The Wizard saw him staring up at it. “It’s what we call a Tear-Fly,” he said contentedly.
“Yes,” said Demala, “I’ve heard of them, but I’ve never seen one.” He stared in awe at the giant winged water drop, and when it had landed, the Ves-guard ran to it. “Two please,” he said. The Tear-Fly grew to double its original size to accommodate the Wizard and the Wolf.
They were on their way to the City Hall, and would soon sit in the presence of the Council of Wiz-Wit.
They lifted higher and higher with every moment. Although their ascent ended only a minute into their flight, they could see most of the city. Demala was again in awe at the sights he saw, for the city was one of the most beautiful sights any could see. Streets upon streets of houses, shops, restaurants, and pubs. The Wolf saw people scurrying around, getting along with their abnormal lives.
The Wizard pointed out some of the sights as they flew on by.
“My name is Jert, and I guess that you are the Wolf Demala.”
The Wolf nodded.
“And this is your first time within the city walls, is it not?”
“Yes,” said Demala.
“Well, if you look there’s the Wiz-Wit Hospital (You Curse, We Nurse), the Sweet Shop (Tricky, Leety’s, Sweety’s), the Colweup River that runs through the city on its way to the ocean, the Pet Shop (Nothing Normal Pets), and the Mortuary (You croak, we stoke),” said the Ves-guard with a small snort of laughter. When the Wolf didn’t do the same, the Ves-guard said, “You know: You croak, we stoke, because we Wizards cremate our dead. It means, like, stoking the fire.”
“Yes I know. But don’t you think that name is a little inappropriate?” asked Demala, turning critic.
“Well, at first some thought So but when the owner couldn’t change the sign, he made it so if there is a death in the city, or if dead are brought here, the letters on the sign vanish for a week to show respect for the dead and their families,” said the Wizard.
“Tell me, are you an Anilang?” asked the Wolf curiously.
“No, I’m not, but the city is.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means what I said,” said the Ves-guard, grinning. “You know this city as Cayer-Huld, though by some it is also called Anilang City. You see, when the city was built, the two founders, the first Wizard Cayer Varthker and his best friend (the Warlock) Huldcend Sayer, were Anilangs who could talk to Dragons. They had a fairly good relationship with the Dragons of the Ouertal Colony. This made them believe that it would benefit Wizards and Witches alike to have them as allies. So they made it possible for everyone within the city to understand the Dragons when they spoke, and vice versa, so they did exactly that.”
“The last time I checked, I’m pretty sure that I wasn’t a Dragon,” said Demala mordantly.
“Oh of course not,” said the Wizard hastily. “Every now and then a new animal language is added to the city, and the Wizard Delsani has fought for your right to come here, since you helped at the Battle of Kealhal. With the help of the Grand Wizard who persuaded the Supreme Witch, the Council of Wiz-Wit soon fell into line and went along with the move.”
As their flight was nearing its end, Demala could see what looked like a great fortress far off in the distance. It was on its own aisle not far off the coast, or at least that is how it looked to him. “What is that place, there?” he asked as he nodded in the direction of the fortress.
“That’s the old palace. It has not been used for over Six hundred years, since King Dragdani last sat on the throne.”
“And why has it not been used since?”
“The last King didn’t use it, and no one else can enter without the King’s permission.”
“When I was a boy, there was a tale told to all youngsters who loved hearing the old tales, even to this day some are told. But this particular tale told that King Dragdani would return in our hour of need,” said the Wizard meaningfully, as if remembering the tale had awakened the memories from his childhood. “It was also said that when the palace once again joined with the coast of the city, he would live there again and our entire world would finally be at peace.”
“Isn’t that something like the Second Prophecy?”
The Wizard suddenly looked offended. “No how could it be. The Prophecy tells of his heir coming, not him,” he snapped.
“I didn’t mean any offence. And I’m sorry if you took it as though I did,” said Demala apologetically, as the Tear-Fly touched down.
“That’s all right. I didn’t mean to snap at you,” said the Ves-guard shamefully. “It’s just that I’m one of the few that believe in the story. I mean, for us to have peace, I think it has to be true.”
They quickly climbed out of the Tear-Fly and walked up the steps to the city Hall entrance and were seen by most of the members of the Council of Wiz-Wit, as they had just adjourned from their meeting.
“That’s the Grand Wizard and the Supreme Witch standing together,” said the Ves-guard pointing to them. And before he could say or do anything, Demala ran forward to them.
“You must hurry,” he said urgently, “before it is too late. The town of Kuople is under attack.”
“A second attack?” asked Berlanin.
“Shall we summon the Ves-guards?” asked Galfead.
“Quickly,” said Oruealth fretfully
Ves-guards from all over the city assembled outside the City Hall, and against the protests of the Council Jaucal, and Oruealth went as well.
“Neither of you should go,” protested Berlanin.
“This is your time to get a little experience at running the city, my friend,” said Jaucal. “I would say that it would not be wise to pass up the opportunity. Anyway, are you going to try and stop us?”
Oruealth grinned, for she knew as all others did what the answer to the question was.
“Of course not, Grand Wizard,” said Berlanin.
They Phazed their way to the Witch town only a few seconds later. When they arrived, they found the inhabitants of the town dead.
“At least they put up a fight,” said one.
“Yeah, but they still shouldn’t have had to fight alone,” said his friend beside him. And the first one nodded in agreement.
As they came to the Town Hall, they heard cheering and laughing. And there were the invaders. They were cheering and laughing because they had just killed two of the villagers, a Wicca and a young Warlock.
Consumed by anger, the Grand Wizard stepped out into the sunlight, his white beard glistening.
One of the Dark Wizards turned and met his gaze. He choked on the wine he had just downed.
“One you missed,” said the old Wiz
ard loudly and firmly, as to be heard by all.
“Who the heck are you?” asked the Dark Wizard as he wiped the last remainder of the spilt wine from his mouth and chin.
The others stirred as the Supreme Witch and Ves-guards appeared.
“You dare to ask who I am,” said Jaucal furiously, “when you are the intruder. If you don’t know, then I will be clad to show you.” He raised his scepter high and said, “What’s wrong? You were so brave in attacking the people of this town,” mocked Jaucal. “Or was that because you took them by surprise? Maybe your backbones aren’t as strong as you thought.”
The invaders advanced further, drawing out their wands. Their dark robes flowed in the wind that had suddenly come of the Grand Wizard’s will.
“You three take that side,” said the wine-soaked one.
The Grand Wizard put up his hand to those behind. “These are mine,” he said.
“So you have overcome the yellow streaks after all, and you think you can best me,” the old Wizard said, loudly addressing has enemies.
This fuelled the anger of his attackers, and bright lights of green, blue, red, and yellow flew toward the old Wizard. With his scepter, the Grand Wizard swatted their spells away like puny flies.
As they got a closer look at the Scepter, the Dark Wizards realized that this was not just any old Wizard Ves-guard, but the Grand Wizard himself.
The invaders ran back toward the building behind them. Some cried out while the others merely ran in pure fear.
“You should always finish what you start,” said Jaucal as he laughed at the sight of them. He took out his own wand waved it, and with shimmer of grey light, chains appeared in midair. They flew around the Dark Wizards who fell in a heap on the ground.
Then Oruealth stepped forward, her talisman placed on her hand. She waved her hand to the left, and the chained Wizards were thrown into the wall of the building next to them.
Shouting was heard from inside the Town Hall. More Wizards and some Lores and Goblins came running out.
“You don’t mind if we do our jobs, do you sir, madam?” said one of the Ves guards.
Jaucal, and Oruealth laughed and the Supreme Witch said, “Round up the rest quickly.”
The Ves-guard nodded. “YOU HEARD!” he shouted. And with that, the light Wizards and Witches confronted their opposites.
The Lores and Goblins drew their weapons, although they would only attack as a last resort.
However, it was not long before some had fled and the rest were dead, dying, or in custody. Three of the Ves-guards lay dead, and five were wounded in the fight. One of the less wounded was the young Wizard, Jert, who flew to the City Hall with Demala. His arm was broken by a rather nasty curse, but he was lucky that it hit his arm and not a more vital area.
Those who were able searched the town from top to bottom and found that not one of the inhabitants still drew breath.
Jaucal stood leaning on his scepter, looking and feeling fresher then he had in weeks. It seemed the excitement of facing those young Wizards had reminded him of his old Ves-guard days. Though he knew that then they would not have run away like children from a tempered parent. He also knew that he should take no pleasure in it, for he would rather not have felt the fresh feeling nor had the good memories at all if it meant that the innocents of this town young and old were alive and well.
Then a shadow came in front of him, and his daydream passed. Jert now stood in his line of sight.
“Sir, the town is now secure and has been checked. I’m sorry to say there are no survivors,” said the young Ves-guard.
“How is your arm?” asked the Grand Wizard looking at the sling the young Wizard was sporting.
“Still broken, I’m afraid.”
Jaucal grinned. “In that case I relieve you of your duty. Go back to Cayer-Huld and get yourself seen to.”
“But sir, there is still a lot to do here, and I don’t want to just go home while the rest have work to do.”
“But, my young friend, I have a job for you. I want you to take all of the wounded to the hospital and when healed and well, I want you to go to the City Hall and tell the deputy Grand Wizard all that has happened here. Please ask him to send a letter to the Wizard Delsani explaining it all, as well. I think that is certainly far more important and less depressing than what we will be doing here.”
“Yes, Grand Wizard.”
“Please call me Jaucal. All these ‘sirs’ and ‘Grand Wizards’ are making me feel so old,” laughed the old Wizard. “So do you except your new assignment?”
“Yes, of course, Grand - I mean…Jaucal,”
“Good, you may go as soon as you are ready.”
Chapter Eleven
Mr. Weavger
Ten years passed since the Wizard Delsani cast the spells to suppress King Drago’s powers.
Ten years since Ulicoth tried to get to the boy through the former deputy Grand Wizard and the salt assassin.
Ten years for the one to grow up, and within those years, the Queen Mother, Helen Stark, married the deputy Grand Wizard, Berlanin. The three still live in Weston Road as a happy family.
Delsani had warned Helen that if Peter’s mind became too powerful, the spells he cast could break under the pressure. Nevertheless, they seemed to be going strong, for Helen had not seen any sign that the spells had broken down. In addition, she gave Delsani that very information every time he came to visit.
“You know, Helen, today is the day that we have to tell him that he is not just an ordinary Wizard and take him to Dorminya,” said Delsani.
“Yes, I know, and everything is ready for later. I’ve sent all my assets to the M.E.A.L. (Money Exchange, Accounts and Loans) account I opened just before leaving Dorminya, and I put both Peter and Berlanin down as the beneficiaries just in case something happens to me,” she said. “I want them to have something to fall back on financially. I’m not sure how he’s going to react. He thinks he’s an ordinary Wizard, but he’ll find out that there is another world and he’s the true heir to the throne of Opredanas and that he’s far more special than that.”
“Yes, of course you’re right, though it will be hard for him to hear. He must hear it all the same,” said the Wizard. “So when do you think we should tell him?”
“It can at least wait until he’s had his party,” said Helen hopefully.
“Yes, of course,” said Delsani. “And when will that be?”
“Half past five. He wanted to give his friends time to get home and change after school,” replied Helen. “I’ll keep back some of the cake if you want to take some home with you.”
“We would need at least ten cakes,” said Delsani. “However, that won’t take long.”
“Let me guess. There’s a spell to make it grow to ten times its original size,” said Helen.
Delsani laughed and said, “No, but that is a good idea, though a duplication spell should do the trick,” he said.
“Could you make a little room next to the cake?” asked the Wizard.
Helen did as he asked and Delsani took out his wand, pointed it at the cake and said, “Duplacant.” And suddenly there appeared an identical cake right in the space that Helen had just cleared.
“Just think, only another nine to go,” said Helen sarcastically.
“Oh, I can’t wait,” said Delsani in response.
Helen laughed. “But still it saves time.” And just as she finished, she heard the alarm clock in Peter’s room go off.
There was suddenly silence. “He’s up,” she said. But there was no answer, and when she turned round, she saw that the Wizard was already gone.
Indeed Peter was up. He put on his stereo and cranked up the volume so he could hear nothing else. It was the same thing every morning. He would get up turn on the tunes and then head for the bathroom to get ready for school. And like always, it took at least five minutes for him to reach the bathroom, for he was too busy jumping up and down and nodding his head franticly to watch where he
was going.
When he finally found his way to the bathroom, it was into the shower and then on to styling his hair. Peter was lucky, or so his friends said, as he, unlike the rest of the world, did not need to use hair gel, wax, or mousse, or any other hair product. His hair was so thick and wiry that all he needed was water. He would style his hair while it was still a little wet from the shower, and it only took a few minutes, which again his friends thought was lucky, for it sometimes took them at least twenty to get their hair just the way they wanted it.
It was not long before he was in the kitchen eating his mixed cereals; he liked mixing different cereals instead of eating the one boring bowl of the same thing.
“So what are you doing today?” asked Helen in an attempt to strike up conversation.
“Nothing,” said Peter sleepily.
“You’ll be doing nothing all day? Wow, school has really changed since I left,” said Helen sarcastically.
“Very funny. I’ll do school work. That’s what people usually do in school.”
“All right, I was only trying to have I conversation with you, Mr. grumpy.”
“Sorry, I didn’t get much sleep last night. I was adding a few things to my manuscript and I didn’t realize the time,” said Peter.
“I know what you mean, it happens to me all the time. Well, are you ready to face the school world today?”
“If I say no, can I stay off?”
“No,” laughed Helen. “I was just being polite. Besides, how would your friends feel if you robbed them of the chance to get you on your birthday?”
“What kind of mother are you? You’re supposed to be concerned when something like that comes up,” said Peter, hoping that this would change her mind, although he really knew it would not.
“I am concerned. I’m afraid of missing it,” she laughed again.
“You’ll be laughing on the other side of your face when I phone child services and tell them of that kind of abuse I’ve been getting from you all these years,” said Peter jokily. He now laughed at the look on Helen’s face.
The Second Prophecy (Part 1 of the Dragdani Prophecies) Page 17
