I expected the Sorceress to get hit by the shard in the face. I expected her to be surprised. I expected her to die.
But instead, she put her right foot back and rested her body weight on it. Then she raised both her hands in front of her with her palms facing each other but horizontal to the floor, right hand under the left. Then, leaving the right hand where it was, she lifted the left and shouted an incantation. From between the palms a shimmering bubble formed, with a thicker membrane than that of a regular bubble but with the same iridescence and undulating blob. The shard went top speed, straight into the blob.
She did it in a blur of speed so fast that I couldn’t do anything except watch with my mouth open.
The blob distended towards her chest as the pulsating purple shard tried to pierce through its outer membrane and impale itself into its original target. The struggling shard came within an inch of her heaving chest, and yet the Sorceress did not lose focus, did not even waver in her singular task. She stared ahead, holding the blob in between her crooked hands, chanting her incantation without pause, without distraction, as if she was not afraid of what the shard could do to her. Then I realized it was not that the shard posed no threat to her at all, it was just that if she failed to capture it, she would rather die. The bargain was struck, her life for the obsidian shard. Soon, the momentum of the projectile diminished and the blob subsided to its round form, still quivering from the unspent energy from the jagged stone.
The Sorceress reached out with one hand and gracefully twirled the blob with it. She laughed again. The tone this time was that of unmistakable victory.
“Good show! But you still have a lot of things to learn, King Maker!” she said.
I didn’t have the energy, the wit, or the will to trade insults with her. I just stood there watching her glide over to where the doctor and Kieran were.
She laughed with one hand holding the blob containing the shard. The doctor’s head was hung low but Kieran was clapping with glee. The Sorceress turned to me and said, “Since you are so insistent in doing this, let me help you.” She flicked her hand as if driving away an errant fly. A gust of strong wind hit me and I toppled over, straight into the pit.
I welcomed the darkness. I welcomed the comforting thought of shedding the pain. I spread my arms and relaxed my body and mind. I got myself ready for the final battle with life. I closed my eyes and waited...for my eternal rest.
CHAPTER 38
Looking To The Future
In front of the Portland Police Department were a few dozen reporters all pointing their recorders at the man speaking at the podium: Uncle Jake. Right next to him were my mother and father; behind them were Detectives Dewitt and Mercado. I stood as far in the back as I could.
“We are pleased to finally bring this mystery to an end. My brother-in-law and my dear sister have been found yesterday. Their plane went down on July 5th. Since then, little was known about their whereabouts but we are glad to say that they have now been rescued. Found in an abandoned mine. My sister with a broken ankle but other than that, quite healthy and happy to be home. I would like to thank my niece and her wonderful friends who never gave up. They searched for them tirelessly even when the authorities had all but given up. They will take a few questions, yes?” He pointed to one of the reporters.
He continued on but I decided it was a good time to leave. Hailey, Taylor, and Blaise walked away from the press conference with me.
“Does anyone feel like tea at the Black Rose? I have a few people I would like to thank,” I said.
“Anytime!” answered all of them in unison. Then we laughed at the silliness of it.
Taylor drove us and parked in front of the Victorian mansion. I got out of the car and went straight to the elm tree by the parking lot. I gave it three knocks and said, “If you’re there, we will need some tea at the café.” I walked back to the curious looks of my friends.
We entered the Black Rose and made our way to the same table overlooking the river we’d used in the past. I looked out the window and marveled at the gigantic apple tree in the back garden.
Hailey asked, “Exactly how did you survive that fall?”
“The Brotherhood took me,” I lied.
“I thought they couldn’t interfere?” Hailey said.
“They waited until the Sorceress released me from the bargain. As soon as she threw me off the cliff, it meant she didn’t want me anymore, so the Brotherhood were able to rescue me,” I lied again.
“I still can’t believe you fought her on your own. And won!” Hailey exclaimed.
“But how did your parents get saved and how come they don’t remember a thing?” Taylor asked.
“When I thought I was about to die, I called the Brotherhood and asked them if they could take my parents as soon as they were released from the Sorceress’ bind. I know she was going to double-cross me, I just didn’t know how. But once they were rescued, the Brotherhood wiped their memory and replaced it with the crash story you will see on the news feeds.” In the background we heard the news recapping the live interview of my parents. I turned my head to watch the news as my dad’s voice filled the café, saying, “Yes we were in a plane crash and the only shelter we could find was the abandoned mansion but we fell into the chasms and had been living in the cave, waiting for rescue. Thankfully our daughter and her friends were able to find us.”
The camera panned to the multitude of reporters covering the live press conference as they dispersed after the speakers left.
There! For a brief moment, I caught it. A man with silver hair talking with my father, a figure I cannot forget. The man they call Simon. He’s Trifama. In my mind, the words of the Sorceress gnawed at me relentlessly, “The Trifama Alliance will fall!”
Another secret I have to keep. I looked away and rejoined the conversation at the table.
I recalled the moments in the cave when I thought I would have to die, and the conscious act of giving one’s life away for the sake of another. It was intense, something I will just keep to myself.
“The one thing I don’t get is that why didn’t they just get the codex on their own. I mean, it was just here at the Black Rose?” Blaise asked.
It was Elmwood who answered. “You see, they can’t go the Rose, because only white magic is allowed here. They had to send you to get the book. They needed to find out how to activate the stone and they still got it so wrong.”
“I know, but still they have an imbued shard. I’m worried what will they do with that,” I said.
“Whatever it is, we will be there to stop it,” Hailey said. Taylor placed her hand on top of mine and nodded in agreement.
“Speaking of the codex...” I said.
I pulled my backpack and pulled the book from it. I ran my hands over the gilded edge and let my fingers touch the gem-encrusted cover. I had such respect for it now. I opened it to the page where I had the marker. Inside was the piece of paper I left for Hailey and Taylor that day.
My dear friends,
I cannot take you to the sanctuary with me because the place is bugged. I know in my heart that whoever is working with the Sorceress is not one of you so I am taking the only person I know who could have betrayed us. I hope I am wrong because I trusted her but I cannot take any more chances.
On this and the next three pages, are spells you will need to learn. I know what you are thinking, that we don’t have time, this is too risky and you are not Xanas. But you are wrong. I figured out what the shimmers mean. The colors come from magic emanating from each of you. I don’t know why Blaise doesn’t have it. It is possible that it is because he is fully human. I trust your abilities and your courage. Please have faith in yourselves as I do. I know you will do your best and that is all that can be asked of anyone. Take this letter to the Black Rose. The Brotherhood will be waiting to give you all the assistance you need.
I
hope to see you again but if I don’t, take care of each other. True friends are worth more than all the gold and power in the world.
Abi.
I felt so sad to be parting with this book. It seemed a little unfair that we just started to find out and learn magic just a few days ago and now it had all come to an end. But every good story must come to an end. Reluctantly, I closed the book and handed it to Diwatha.
“No, Abi, you are the King Maker and these are the Knights of the Crown. We prepared the book for all of you.” Elmwood pointed at me, then Hailey, Taylor, and Blaise. Blaise pointed at himself as if to ask, “Me, too?” Elwood nodded and mouthed, “Yes, you too.”
“But we don’t—” I started to protest.
“We are here to teach you what you need to know,” Elmwood said, waving his hands to stop me from finishing my sentence.
“Let us show you something,” Raphae said. He gave a short incantation that was not familiar to me. The room changed to a training ground complete with the same kind of shooting range they had at the Sanctuary. I was impressed.
“This is where Taylor and Hailey trained. This is where you will also train if you wish.”
“Yes, of course. I would love to train here with everyone.”
After walking the grounds and checking out all the weapons available, my friends thought we should say our goodbyes. “It’s getting late; we probably should go home soon,” I said.
“Abi, there is something you should know,” Elwood said.
“I’m not my parents’ biological daughter,” I answered.
“How did you know that?” stammered Elmwood.
“The book talked about magical lineage. While I didn’t see my name, or my parents’, I noticed that I can do magic and they can’t. I just assumed, but now you confirmed it.”
“And yet you were still willing to die for them?” Elmwood asked.
“Because there are bonds stronger than blood. It may be thicker than water, but there certainly is something stronger and thicker than blood. I love them and they love me. Yes, I am adopted but it is because they loved me that much despite the fact I am not their real daughter, I would have gladly exchanged my life for theirs. They will always be my family.”
“I see why you were chosen to wear the crown,” Diwatha said.
“About that...” I started to peel away the bandage from my right hand and showed it to the Brotherhood.
Raphael took my hand and examined it closely. “Your suspicion is correct. The shard that has been pulled out of this has been imbued with your blood. The shard is active. But there is nothing to be done right now but to find where the Sorceress is and what her plans are.”
“Do you think you can help us with another task?” Diwatha asked.
We all nodded and eagerly followed the Brotherhood to the third floor.
The place was completely clean. Everything was dusted off and gleaming.
In the middle of the room, on top of a table covered with a white cloth, was the Obsidian Crown except for two missing pieces.
“The crown!” exclaimed Taylor.
“If you look closely, the crown is made of hundreds of tiny shards of obsidian. Like a jigsaw puzzle, the pieces were painstakingly put together,” Diwatha said.
“What’s holding it?”
“Magic,” Elmwood said.
“But it won’t last. Only the rightful...” and this time everyone joined in with “bearer” and we laughed.
“...can have any permanent effect on the crown,” finished Elmwood.
He took the book and opened to a page. There under liquid fire was a spell to create the sustained fire the Sorceress used on me. I must have looked worried about casting the spell.
“It’s ok. We are here to help but you will need to lead us,” Elwood said, lightly touching my arm.
I nodded in assent. “Ok. Everyone stand in the circle with your hands over the crown.”
“You too, Blaise. We need all the power we can get,” Diwatha said.
“Abigail, go ahead and start. We will follow,” Raphael said.
A whoosh of intense heat rushed from our hands straight to the crown. The air around the table rippled with excited molecules. We kept chanting and fire shot out our hands to the crown. After a few minutes, Elwood asked us to stop.
There on the table was a crown of solid obsidian. It was as magnificent and haunting as the first time I saw it, even with the jagged edges where the missing shards were supposed to be.
“Thank you, everyone,” said the Brotherhood to all of us. Diwatha pulled the Kerberian Box out and placed it on top of the table. Elwood carefully picked up the crown and slowly and with reverence, placed the crown inside and covered it with a velvet cloth covered with golden sigils. Raphael closed the lid and placed his hands a few inches from the top of the box. He murmured a few words under his breath and the carvings on the outside of the box started to dance and writhe as it did before. Once they stopped, Raphael opened his eyes. “The crown is now secured.” He gazed at all four of us, beaming with pride.
We left the Black Rose at sunset. Walking back to Taylor’s car, I looked back at the imposing Victorian mansion and then to my friends. I subconsciously touched the wound on my hand. I slowly pulled the gauze off and I stared at the darkening scar.
Yet another secret to keep.
There was a time when I would have doubted myself, would have questioned what it all meant and when I couldn’t figure it out, I would have lashed out at myself and everyone around me. But now, I know something for sure, I know whatever happens next I can handle it, we can handle it.
We got in the car. Taylor started the engine. I lowered my head on the headrest of my seat. I couldn’t wait to get home to see my mom and dad. We were going to have dinner: a normal family dinner. This was something I took for granted in the past, but not anymore. Life was finally, back to normal. I closed my eyes and folded my hands on my lap. I traced my fingers over the gauze covering the wound left by the crown. I opened my eyes, intending to inspect the wound again but thought better of it. I didn’t have to look at it to know that underneath that milky-white gauze, there was a web of darkness spreading. I closed my eyes again, this time, to prepare for the next encounter with the Sorceress.
The End
The Obsidian Crown of the Lost Dominion Page 27
