From above their heads, the formerly unnoticed jasmine vines splashed showers of golden trumpets that cascaded down the trees as melted butter over the branches. Like ornaments, globes of pink wild azalea bloom clusters appeared everywhere on the green leaf bracts of shrub honeysuckle.
“Aren’t the sky-blue phlox and rich purple dogtooth violets on the forest floor brilliant?” Memlatec asked. “Have you witnessed this display before?”
Bodrin stared without blinking. “Even the scarlet cardinals in the tree limbs and orange-breasted robins searching the ground for worms are part of the show. I think I even taste mint. We’ve come across this wonder once before.”
“The area is renewed each spring if you arrive at the right time to partake of the experience.” Memlatec lowered his staff. The springtime scene melted away and returned to the browns and rusts of autumn. “For those who appreciate the earth’s energy, this is a place to refresh.”
“Why’d you want us here?” Saxthor asked. Bodrin turned to Memlatec also. “This is beautiful, but I think you had more in mind than the show.”
Memlatec raised his hand. His facial expression hardened like gray stone, only his violet eyes remained of the vanished vitality. The boys tensed.
“I sent you two to this place because you’re old enough to understand the importance of what I’m about to tell you. You need to be aware of some facts. You’re in mortal danger from Earwig – Irkin.”
Memlatec glanced up at Fedra who continued to monitor the horizon. The old man looked straight at Saxthor.
“The nobles forced your uncle’s abdication for corruption, ineptitude, and Irkin’s alienation of everyone in society. He retreated to the country content to remain in seclusion amid his mediocrity. As his wife, Irkin followed, bitter and resentful, her ambition was unabated. With reluctance, your mother ascended the throne to save the dynasty and kingdom.”
Saxthor fidgeted. “I’m sorry for Aunt Irkin.”
“She seeks to destroy your family, imagining she can return to a vacant throne one day.”
Bodrin put his hand on Saxthor’s shoulder as Saxthor hung his head.
“She hates him because of his family?” Bodrin asked.
“Yes.” Memlatec tightened his grip on his staff and straightened his spine. “Saxthor, your immense, unique, and critical power is starting to develop. Irkin discovered you have a force unknown to her when the crystal glowed in the garden. She feels threatened by the mysterious energy. Her new fear, atop the old hatred, elevated her desperation and focused her determination to destroy you.”
Bodrin withdrew his hand and stared at Saxthor.
“I’m a kid. I can’t hurt her. I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
“Of course not, but she envisions you as a threat. She’ll use any means to prevent you from developing your ability to challenge her.”
Saxthor picked at piece of bark. “I don’t have any power.”
“The servant’s fall in the stairwell was no accident, not the one she intended. You must leave the kingdom.”
“He’s just a kid, Memlatec,” Bodrin said.
“You’re in imminent danger Saxthor. Earwig indulges her malice in Castilyernov Earwighof’s dark tower. However, the real source of evil comes from the Munattahensenhov, the primordial peak inthe Ice Mountains at the continents far north. Earwig is always alert at the slightest hint of a rival, but the Dark Lord of Dreaddrac who works through her, is your primary nemesis. The Dark Lord fortified the Munattahensenhov duringthe Wizards’ Wars long ago. That evil festers in the subterranean catacombs. Someday, Dreaddrac will have sufficient power to march south over Powteros. You will be the only force capable of confronting his evil. Neither of them must discover the nature of your growing ability. The witch has already tried to kill you. None of us can protect you here any longer. You must disappear now before your aunt draws the Dark Lord’s
“Aren’t the sky-blue phlox and rich purple dogtooth violets on the forest floor brilliant?” Memlatec asked. “Have you witnessed this display before?”
Bodrin stared without blinking. “Even the scarlet cardinals in the tree limbs and orange-breasted robins searching the ground for worms are part of the show. I think I even taste mint. We’ve come across this wonder once before.”
“The area is renewed each spring if you arrive at the right time to partake of the experience.” Memlatec lowered his staff. The springtime scene melted away and returned to the browns and rusts of autumn. “For those who appreciate the earth’s energy, this is a place to refresh.”
“Why’d you want us here?” Saxthor asked. Bodrin turned to Memlatec also. “This is beautiful, but I think you had more in mind than the show.”
Memlatec raised his hand. His facial expression hardened like gray stone, only his violet eyes remained of the vanished vitality. The boys tensed.
“I sent you two to this place because you’re old enough to understand the importance of what I’m about to tell you. You need to be aware of some facts. You’re in mortal danger from Earwig – Irkin.”
Memlatec glanced up at Fedra who continued to monitor the horizon. The old man looked straight at Saxthor.
“The nobles forced your uncle’s abdication for corruption, ineptitude, and Irkin’s alienation of everyone in society. He retreated to the country content to remain in seclusion amid his mediocrity. As his wife, Irkin followed, bitter and resentful, her ambition was unabated. With reluctance, your mother ascended the throne to save the dynasty and kingdom.”
Saxthor fidgeted. “I’m sorry for Aunt Irkin.”
“She seeks to destroy your family, imagining she can return to a vacant throne one day.”
Bodrin put his hand on Saxthor’s shoulder as Saxthor hung his head.
“She hates him because of his family?” Bodrin asked.
“Yes.” Memlatec tightened his grip on his staff and straightened his spine. “Saxthor, your immense, unique, and critical power is starting to develop. Irkin discovered you have a force unknown to her when the crystal glowed in the garden. She feels threatened by the mysterious energy. Her new fear, atop the old hatred, elevated her desperation and focused her determination to destroy you.”
Bodrin withdrew his hand and stared at Saxthor.
“I’m a kid. I can’t hurt her. I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
“Of course not, but she envisions you as a threat. She’ll use any means to prevent you from developing your ability to challenge her.”
Saxthor picked at piece of bark. “I don’t have any power.”
“The servant’s fall in the stairwell was no accident, not the one she intended. You must leave the kingdom.”
“He’s just a kid, Memlatec,” Bodrin said.
“You’re in imminent danger Saxthor. Earwig indulges her malice in Castilyernov Earwighof’s dark tower. However, the real source of evil comes from the Munattahensenhov, the primordial peak inthe Ice Mountains at the continents far north. Earwig is always alert at the slightest hint of a rival, but the Dark Lord of Dreaddrac who works through her, is your primary nemesis. The Dark Lord fortified the Munattahensenhov duringthe Wizards’ Wars long ago. That evil festers in the subterranean catacombs. Someday, Dreaddrac will have sufficient power to march south over Powteros. You will be the only force capable of confronting his evil. Neither of them must discover the nature of your growing ability. The witch has already tried to kill you. None of us can protect you here any longer. You must disappear now before your aunt draws the Dark Lord’s
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