Heart of Avalon (Avalon: Web of Magic #10):

by Rachel Roberts

  Suddenly her view was blocked by a tarnished brass lamp dangling in front of her face.

  “Magic lamps!” A wartbeast grinned, sharp white tusks curling from his whiskered snout. “Only been rubbed once.”

  “Uh, no thanks.” Emily stepped back warily.

  The cloak of a passing troll caught on the edge of her backpack, revealing a curved dagger cinched to his waist.

  “Watch it!” the troll growled.

  Marlin grabbed Emily’s arm and pulled her away. Snatching two cloaks from a cart, he draped one over himself and handed the other to Emily. “Stop attracting attention.”

  “I wasn’t trying to.” Emily slipped the cloak over her head, tucking her red curls under the hood.

  “We have to find transport out of here.” Marlin looked over several booths.

  “Check it out.” A bearded gnome with a wide hat displayed racks of brooms, their polished handles gleaming in the lights. “The Nimbot 7000. Fastest flyer I got.”

  “A broom!” Marlin scoffed. “That’s ridiculous. It’ll never fly. You got any carpets?”

  A movement caught Emily’s eye. The mysterious cloaked figure lurked in the shadows, watching her.

  Emily hunched under her cloak, fear creeping through her body. When she looked back, the figure was gone.

  She had to find Indi and get her jewel back. Maybe away from the island, she could contact her friends.

  “Healer.”

  Emily spun around. Someone had spoken to her telepathically! She looked up and down winding narrow streets. Shafts of fading sunlight streamed between the buildings, flickering hints of what the darkness hid.

  “You are in great danger.”

  Chills shot up her spine. How could she hear a voice in her mind without her jewel?

  She scanned the bazaar, her eyes settling on a squat elf leaning against a booth of stringed instruments. His weathered face was etched with a permanent scowl. Long, pointed ears stuck out at odd angles. A banded knot of hair stood straight atop his flat head.

  “Did you say something?” Emily asked the elf.

  “Not yet,” the elf replied, waggling bushy eyebrows.

  “Let me handle this,” Marlin said, and strode up protectively.

  “So, yer looking fer a boot, then.” The elf eyed Marlin.

  Marlin examined his shoes. “No. Mine are fine.”

  “I thought I heard yoos be looking for transport.”

  “Yes, we are,” Emily quickly said.

  “He said ‘boot,’” Marlin said to Emily.

  “Ay, you’re a smart lad. I be Captain Cribby. I been sailing the briny for many an ear.”

  “Huh?”

  “We need a fast craft,” Emily told the sea elf captain.

  “None faster or craftier than the Fearless Flyer.”

  Marlin ushered the elf into the shadows. “We need to avoid any confrontations.”

  “You wouldn’t be meaning any magical trouble, now would you?”

  “What gave you that idea?”

  “Take a squinty over there.”

  Several trolls in leather armor and heavy boots pushed their way through the crowd. One immense troll juggled a handful of singing knicknoots. His buddy slapped them away, pointing in the mage’s direction.

  Marlin self-consciously pulled his cloak tighter about his royal robes.

  “Now, wee wee be goin’?” Cribby whispered.

  “What?” Marlin threw his webbed hands in the air.

  “We need to get to Aquatania,” Emily said.

  Cribby whistled. “Ya know, Aquatania is across the freakin’ world. Anywhere a mite closer? I hear Boggle Bog is quite nice this time of year.”

  “No, Aquatania,” Marlin snorted contemptuously.

  “Can you take us there?” Emily asked.

  The elf’s beady eyes glittered. “For a fee.”

  “Once we get there, we’ll pay you handsomely,” Marlin promised.

  “Thank you for the compliment, but I prefer cash.”

  Emily’s hopes sank. “We don’t have any money.”

  Cribby scratched his nose and inspected the prince’s sparkly outfit peeking out from under the cloak. “That’s a nice robe ya gots there, Princely.”

  “It’s encrusted with pearl and opal.”

  “That’s just crusty enough.”

  Marlin sighed. “Fine.”

  “Marlin, are you sure?” Emily asked.

  “Yeah, it’s okay.” Marlin smiled weakly. “I still have my royal rings.”

  “I’ll be needin’ those, too, laddie.”

  “Fine, fine. But not until we’re aboard.”

  “Okay. We’re gonna need a scuttlebucket of supplies.”

  Emily pulled at Marlin’s cloak. “We need to find Indi.”

  Marlin’s deep brown eyes studied hers, then flickered to Cribby. “Ten minutes then, at the docks.”

  “No more, no less, or I be sailin’ without ya.” Cribby’s large red sandals clacked across the cobblestones as he scurried into the crowd.

  “Excellent!” Marlin exclaimed. “See, I told you to leave it to me.”

  “You must leave at once.”

  Emily’s face went ashen. “Who are you?”

  “Duh… Marlin!” The prince pulled his hood aside quickly.

  Instinctively she reached for her wrist—then remembered her jewel was gone. How could she have heard anyone?

  This time, Emily closed her eyes and asked with her mind, “Who are you?”

  “A friend.”

  Suddenly a roar erupted across the crowded square. A purple blur flew through the air, bouncing over the crowd.

  “Indi!”

  Back to his odd sea dragon form, the shapeshifter tore through a striped canvas awning and ricocheted through booths, demolishing rows of shelves. Spell vials, wands, and crystals went flying as the creature stuffed everything he could into his mouth.

  “Indi!” Emily bolted across the busy square.

  Marlin followed her, then skidded to a stop.

  The group of trolls had surrounded Indi. One of the brutes picked him up, shaking him furiously. The troll scratched his head as Indi whirled in rainbow colors.

  Marlin casually stepped up. “Excuse me, my good troll.”

  The troll stared down at the merboy. He was easily three times Marlin’s size, with biceps so huge, they looked like hams, and thighs as thick as tree trunks.

  “Would you be so kind as to return the purple… um… dragon.”

  “Get lost!” The troll shoved Marlin with a huge hand.

  Marlin was either incredibly brave, or just stupid.

  “Now look here, I am Prince Mar—”

  The troll pushed his muzzle in Marlin’s face. “We don’t like your kind.”

  “You mean the kind with clean breath?”

  A crowd gathered around them, grumbling loudly.

  “Hey, it’s that merprince!”

  “And the mage.”

  “Indi, pop us out of here!” Emily pleaded with the sea dragon.

  Emily and Marlin disappeared in a flash. With a Pop—they materialized two feet to the left.

  Indi belched a rainbow of sparkles. Eyes crossed and tongue lolling, he hung limp in the troll’s hands.

  “Har har!” the trolls laughed. “Make more magic, mage.”

  “Leave us alone!” Marlin gallantly stepped in front of Emily. “Don’t worry,” he whispered to her. “I’m schooled in protecting six different types of princesses.”

  Emily gulped. “I’m not a princess.”

  “Oh. Then run!”

  But there was nowhere to go. The trolls pressed in, backing them against a building.

  “A mage and a merprince.” A silver dagger glinted in the troll leader’s massive hand. “Nice.”

  Emily had to do something—and fast! But what?

  “Use your magic.”

  Magic? But what could she do without her jewel?

  “You don’t need your jewel.” The
strange voice echoed in Emily’s mind again. “Control their thoughts—make them think something else.”

  Panic rising, Emily reached out. A pulsing strength seemed to grow from the center of her being.

  “Now hear their thoughts.”

  Not knowing what else to do, Emily concentrated, focusing her will like a laser. Shadows played across the stalls, turning and gleaming in slow motion. Lights floated in a dream-like haze. The bazaar took on a surreal glow as shapes split into double vision.

  “Focus.”

  Random words fluttered across her mind. Emily was only half conscious of the thoughts until she paid attention. Suddenly the background noise of a hundred different conversations flooded her mind.

  “Good. Now listen to the words.”

  The hum of the crowd faded to a soft buzz as distinct voices crystallized.

  “The merprince will fetch a king’s ransom.”

  “I’ll make a fortune with that magic creature.”

  “I wish I had a knicknoot.”

  The thoughts flowed through her mind like water.

  “With a magic jewel, I can become as powerful as the Dark Sorceress, and rule Aldenmor!”

  “If that mage doesn’t figure out how to get us out of here, I’m not inviting her to Wave Fest II.”

  The calm, cool voice broke through the throng. “Tell them they don’t want this magic creature.”

  Emily felt her magic lock onto their thoughts.

  “You don’t want this magic creature,” she called in her mind.

  The trolls’ eyes glazed over. Their bodies went limp.

  “Drop the sea dragon or I’ll… really get mad!” Marlin threatened, doing his best to look fierce.

  “I don’t want this magic thing,” the large troll mumbled in a daze, letting Indi slip to the ground.

  “Now, that’s much better,” Marlin said, puffing out his chest.

  Emily scooped up the sea dragon.

  “Beebee!”

  “Shhh!”

  “Beebee.”

  “Tell them you were never here, you never existed.”

  Emily sent the telepathic message to the trolls. “We were never here, you never saw us, we never existed.”

  “They were never here. We never saw them. They never existed.”

  “Who?” a blue troll asked.

  “I dunno. I’m hungry, let’s go to Bob’s Big Buoy.”

  The creatures shuffled back, bumping into one another as they wandered into the crowded square.

  Emily let out her breath, amazed. She could always sense what other people were feeling, but had no idea she could actually change what they were thinking. It was like she had erased their thoughts and replaced them with her own.

  “What did you do?” Marlin asked, shocked. The crowd just milled around, paying no attention to them.

  Emily inhaled sharply. “Whatever I did, I don’t know how long it will last.”

  She scanned the mysterious alleyways and winding streets. “Which way to the docks?”

  “This way, mage,” the voice coaxed her forward.

  This was totally creepy. But whoever it was had just saved them.

  “Come on.” Marlin guided her down a corridor off the bazaar.

  “No. This way.” Emily hurried down an alley in the opposite direction, holding Indi close inside her cloak. Marlin had little choice but to follow her lead.

  Indi dangled in her arms, leaving a trail of twinkly bits with each burp.

  “You ate too much junk,” Emily scolded.

  “Blahhhhp.”

  “He has Indi-gestion,” the merprince cracked.

  Emily’s head swam as she felt her healing magic mixed together with every magical thing Indi had swallowed. At least she still had a connection to her jewel, however faint.

  “I can see the docks!” Marlin exclaimed.

  The smell of salt water wafted in the wind as they raced out of the alleyway. The streets all sloped downhill, converging onto a long boardwalk above the port. Several ramps angled down to rows of rickety wooden docks below the seawall. Boats of every size and shape were preparing to moor for the night.

  Emily gasped and skidded to a stop, forcing Marlin to barrel into her.

  Two large, nasty-looking, lizard-like creatures with sharp, gleaming teeth blocked the way. Emily recognized them. So did the merprince.

  “Bulwoggles!” Marlin cried.

  “I smell magic.” A bulwoggle smacked his lips, revealing pointed fangs.

  “Well, well, the merprince and the mage,” the other growled, yellow lizard eyes staring hungrily at the glowing dragon. “You’re not thinking of leaving, are you?”

  “Emily, do your mind trick again,” Marlin urged.

  The healer tried to pierce the creatures’ minds like she’d done before. But this time it didn’t work. A weird sensation tickled along Emily’s spine as bright sparkles exploded in her head. For a second, she lost her breath.

  The bulwoggles suddenly froze stone still, lizard eyes opened in surprise.

  “It gets easier,” a cool voice spoke. “You don’t have the skill yet.”

  That voice! Emily whirled around.

  A tall woman shrouded in a black cloak stepped from the alley.

  “It was you, wasn’t it?” Emily’s eyes opened wide.

  “Who the heck are you?” Marlin demanded.

  The woman threw back her hood, revealing a startlingly beautiful face. “I am a mage.”

  “MOVE TO THE docks,” the woman commanded. “Now!”

  Who was this person? Emily clutched Indi tightly. She could feel her jewel thrumming inside the sea dragon.

  “Come on, Emily.” Marlin helped her down the ramp and onto the gently swaying docks. Beyond, the blues and blacks of the ocean stretched to the infinite horizon. Funny, Emily thought. There was no sign of the island she and Marlin had been stranded on.

  “Where’s Cribby?” Marlin asked, scanning sailing crafts of all sizes and shapes.

  But Emily was more concerned about the sudden appearance of the stranger. She watched the woman slowly back down the ramp, the bulwoggles still locked in her spell.

  “How do you know me?” Emily asked.

  “My name is Miranda. I helped you escape; that’s enough for now.” Her tone was cool as ice. “Trust me.”

  Emily tried to keep her breath steady. Something didn’t feel right.

  “Here I be!” Cribby’s voice announced.

  “Over there,” Marlin said, and pointed.

  A large, three-masted schooner sailed majestically up to the docks.

  They broke into a run.

  But the magnificent vessel glided past, revealing a much smaller craft.

  Marlin screeched to a stop, mouth open in shock. Cribby whistled happily, bailing seawater out of a beat-up old scow, its single mast bent under weatherbeaten sails.

  “This is your boat?!” Marlin cried.

  “Aye, she is,” the sea elf said, proudly puffing out his chest. “A real piece o’ work.” He tossed a rope to the shocked merprince.

  Planks of mismatched wood haphazardly nailed together formed a small cabin behind the mast. A shallow cockpit in the helm was crammed with barrels, rope, a spyglass, and assorted supplies.

  “I am not getting on this,” Marlin declared.

  “There they are!” a group of voices echoed over the waters.

  Dozens of creatures stormed onto the docks, weapons gleaming in the fading sun.

  “They’re trying to get away!” someone yelled.

  “Come back with our magic stuff!” an angry merchant commanded.

  The bulwoggles snapped out of their trance, roaring along with the crowd.

  “What happened to the spells?” Emily cried.

  The woman shrugged. “They wore off.”

  The planks shifted as the angry mob thundered down the ramp. Battle-axes, swords, pitchforks, and blazing balls of magic fired into the evening skies.

  “Clam almighty!” Crib
by tossed his buckets and leaped to the steering wheel.

  A flash of red crackled from Miranda’s long fingers. Several barrels tumbled down the docks, bowling into the crowd.

  One of the bulwoggles deftly launched himself over the barrels, yellow eyes flashing anger.

  Miranda swung her arm, creating a sparking shield.

  Grinning, the bulwoggle reached behind his back and withdrew a long, wicked-looking sword. He swiped it through the air a few times, testing its weight. With a bloodcurdling cry, the monster smashed the shield into splinters of light.

  “Hurry up!” Miranda yelled.

  “Come back here, Cribby!” Marlin grabbed the rope attached to the craft. His heels slid across the wooden planks as he tried to hold on.

  “Ye better heave ho, or I go!” the sea elf called out.

  With one last doubtful look at the boat, Marlin heaved himself aboard, pulling Emily after him.

  “Merman the mainsail!” Cribby called out, pulling the rigging tight as the boat rocked dangerously.

  Marlin tripped over the ropes as the flimsy sail unfurled from the mast.

  We don’t have enough time, Emily thought as she watched Miranda back toward the boat. Mage or no mage, the woman couldn’t hold off the bulwoggles for long, let alone the entire crowd. They’d never make it!

  Panic suddenly gripped Emily. Where was Indi? In the confusion, she had lost him!

  “HiC!”

  The little sea dragon sat on the dock, burping a flurry of magic. The bulwoggles stopped, confused by the strange creature.

  With another hiccup, Indi expanded, growing twice as big as the bulwoggles.

  “What in the—Indi?” Emily gasped.

  Body rippling, a green scorpion tail emerged from one end of Indi’s torso, a snarling lion’s head taking shape from the other.

  “Chimera!” someone yelled.

  With a roar, chimera Indi’s spiked tail swung over its body, ripping through the wooden boards.

  The bulwoggles leaped away from the fearsome half lion, half scorpion.

  With a ferocious snarl, chimera Indi hiccupped and shrank into a—pink bunny.

  “It’s just a bunny rabbit!”

  Laughter erupted as the crowd surged closer.

  The bunny twitched its whiskers—“hIC!”—and expanded. Sharp, pointy teeth sprang from an elongated mouth. Red eyes opened from a wolf-like head, and purple hair sprang from Indi’s body.

  “Werebeast!”

  “A Har!” Werebeast Indi stomped up the docks, forcing the crowd back, giving Cribby time to set sail.