Ami
Treefoul and Sprout sat at a wooden trestle table tucked in the corner of the castle kitchen. As the boy dug into his third piece of elderberry cobbler, jittery apron-clad workers chopped mountains of vegetables nearby. Bob and Theo appeared in the doorway.
“Er, Master Treefoul, did you want us to do some drills or something?” Bob asked.
“We’re at loose ends and Bailey is starting to act up,” Theo said.
Treefoul frowned. “Yes, yes. Do something useful with yourselves elsewhere.”
With longing backward glances at the freshly baked cobbler, Bob and Theo disappeared. Treefoul focused his attention onto Sprout.
“I’m so glad you like the cobbler, dear boy. If there’s anything else you’d like, just let me know.”
“Candy,” Sprout mumbled through a mouthful. “The kind you get at the castle gift shop.”
“Ah, yes, the gift shop candy is delightful.” Treefoul stroked his chin. “When did you have the opportunity to sample it?”
“The day my mum applied for a job. I met a girl in the courtyard who gave me a whole bag of it.”
Treefoul’s eyebrow lifted. “The same girl who healed you?”
“Yeah.” Sprout stopped chewing. He flicked the Fox Clan wizard a fearful glance and then shook his head from side to side. “I mean, no.” He swallowed and pushed his plate away. “I’m not hungry anymore. Excuse me.”
He stood and headed for the side door.
“We’ll talk later, Sprout,” Treefoul said.
After the child left the kitchen, the wizard’s toothy smile faded and his eyes narrowed. Without warning, he swept the plate of half-eaten pie to the stone floor. The kitchen staff blanched.
“What are you waiting for? Clean it up,” Treefoul snapped as he strode from the room.
****
Castle Ytherium was buzzing with visitors and tourists when Jon arrived, but Vynn waved him into a waiting room adjacent to President Szul’s office. Since several other people were already waiting to be seen, Jon pulled history notes out of his backpack and began his review. One by one, the other citizens were called inside. At length, Jon was left to struggle with the timeline of ancient history alone.
Movement and a faint lilac fragrance made him glance up. Kira had appeared.
“Oh, it’s you.” He returned to his notes.
“You mustn’t accept this commission.”
His gaze met hers. “Mustn’t I? Look, Princess, you’re not the boss of me.”
“My father wishes to remarry and I don’t approve.”
“That’s fascinating, but what does your father’s marriage have to do with anything?”
“This commission involves a family portrait. My sister can’t attend the sitting, and I refuse to participate. Therefore you must decline.”
Jon bit his lip as he tried not to laugh. “So that’s the big problem you were talking about? Your dad’s getting remarried and you’re jealous.”
Kira sank down on the bench next to him, stone-faced. “I’m not jealous.”
“This is priceless.”
Just then, the door to the inner office opened and the visiting citizen departed. Jon stuffed his notes into his backpack and stood.
“Guess it’s my turn.”
A very pretty brunette appeared in the doorway, a few years younger than Jon’s mother. The woman’s glossy brown hair was twisted into a simple arrangement at the nape of her neck, and she wore a light blue gown with flowing, feminine lines. Her air of quiet self-confidence filled the waiting room.
“You must be Jon Hansen of the Dragon Clan. My name is Ami Yedor, President Szul’s scribe. Please come in.”
Jon returned Ami’s warm smile. “Thank you.”
He entered the president’s office without giving Kira the benefit of a backward glance. Szul was waiting for him, beaming.
“Nice to see you again, sir,” Jon said.
As he clasped wrists with President Szul, his portrait of Kira caught his eye. Resting on an easel and framed in dark silver, the sketch showed Kira to her best advantage. The president followed his gaze.
“Ah, you see how I have been enjoying your handiwork.”
“I’m glad you like it. Your daughter is an excellent subject.”
Kira barged into the meeting just then, and stood behind her father. Her arms were folded across her chest and her chin was lifted. The president acknowledged her presence with a nod, but his smile slipped a little when he noticed her hostility.
“Er… you’ve met my intended, Ami?” President Szul said to Jon.
“It’s truly a pleasure. You’re a fortunate man, Mr. President.”
“I am indeed.”
“Kira never mentioned how charming you are, Dragon Wizard,” Ami said.
Unobserved by anyone but Jon, Kira curled her lip in disgust.
“There’s to be a wedding at Castle Ytherium, Jon Hansen.” President Szul rubbed his hands in anticipation. “To commemorate the occasion, I would like you to paint our new family portrait. Assuming the remuneration is adequate, would you be game?”
Behind her father’s back, Kira shook her head slightly.
“Ah… there’s a little problem with my schedule, sir. This coming week I have examinations at school. After that I’ll be studying under Quixoran. I really don’t see how I can get away.”
Kira gave Jon a ‘thumbs up.’
“But for you, sir, I will make the time,” Jon concluded with a broad grin. “It would be an honor.”
“Excellent!”
If Kira had been able to throw fireballs, Jon would have been reduced to ash. On his way out of the office, he opened his arms to her.
“Sweetheart, don’t I even get a kiss good-bye?”
Kira’s quick peck on the cheek was closer to an ice pick than a kiss. Feeling like he’d pretty much evened the score, Jon walked out of the castle with a lift in his step.
****
After the final bell of the school year, Jon trudged to his locker. His exhilarated classmates were mingling in the hall, exchanging email addresses, and talking about vacation plans. As he passed Brett’s locker, he noticed the door was ajar. She was gone already and the locker was empty — all except for the dragon sketch he’d drawn for her on his first day at Pacifica High. With a lump in his throat, Jon peeled the drawing from the inside of the locker, folded it, and put it in his pocket. He hadn’t caught more than a glimpse of Brett that day. Who knows if I’ll ever see her again? Fred and Casey’s lockers were empty as well, and Jon assumed they’d already left too. A stab of loneliness made him frown.
In a blue funk, Jon cleaned out his own locker and headed for the parking lot. His summer vacation had arrived. Tomorrow morning, he’d transport to Dragon Isle to train full time. He’d scored a prestigious gig at Castle Ytherium. I should be a happy camper. And yet… he felt flat. His junior year of high school had ended, and his friends weren’t around to celebrate with him.
Just as he tossed his backpack into the Jeep, Fred and Casey appeared.
“Oh, hey! I thought you’d both left already,” Jon said.
“We were thinking about going to Tug Farnham’s pool party on Mt. Soledad,” Casey said. “He’s having a truckload of pizzas delivered.”
“His parents own a franchise, so it’s all free,” Fred added.
Jon forced the corners of his mouth into a smile. “That sounds great. You guys go on ahead. I’m kind of not feeling the party thing right now.”
“Okay, we’ll catch you later,” Fred said.
“See ya,” Casey added.
Casey and Fred exchanged a glance and then burst out laughing. Fred put Jon in a headlock. “We’re not going anywhere without you, Dragon Breath.”
“You should probably let him go, Fred. He’s turning purple.”
Fred released Jon.
“It’s nice to know you care,” Jon said, rubbing his neck.
“Let’s get some footlongs and chips from the sub shop and head to the beach to kick it for awhile,” Fred said.
A grin lit Jon’s face. “I’d like that.”
****
Jon, Casey, and Fred brought their feast to a cove populated by seals. As they watched the sea animals sunning themselves on the sand, Jon described the scene in President Szul’s office. Fred nearly choked on his meatball sub when he mentioned Kira’s kiss goodbye. Casey was less amused.
“Dude, that was mean.”
“You’re right,” Jon agreed. “But I’m sure Kira wasn’t trying to be mean.”
Casey rolled his eyes skyward.
“So… Casey and I were talking,” Fred said.
“We’re inviting ourselves to Dragon Isle for the summer,” Casey said.
“What? I thought you had an internship or something lined up,” Jon sputtered. “And Fred don’t you have football camp?”
Casey shrugged. “The funding fell through for the internship… and I would much rather do research on Dragon Isle anyway.”
“Football camp isn’t as much fun as a tropical paradise,” Fred said. “Besides, you’d miss me.”
“As friends go, you guys are awesome,” Jon said.
Casey nodded. “That’s very true.” He took another bite of his turkey, cheese, and tomato sub.
“We’re awesome and then some,” Fred said.
“Dorsit recruited a new apprentice, Casey,” Jon said. “She reminds me of you.”
“She’s pencil-thin, with hairy legs?”
“Mo’s a brainiac.”
“Mo?” Fred repeated. “What kind of a name is that?”
“It’s short for Maureen. She’s Ian and Ilene’s American cousin.”
A flicker of interest lit Casey’s eyes. “Yeah? She’s got Scottish roots, then?”
“Yeah, and she’s into poetry, math, and computers.”
Fred grimaced. “A dream come true.”
“You’d be surprised. Mo is good-looking and athletic… a champion downhill skier as a matter of fact.”
“Not too much snow on Dragon Isle,” Casey said.
“Maybe we can put snow on the volcano and have a winter festival this summer,” Jon said.
“When are we leaving?” Fred asked. “I gotta pack my snowshoes.”
“We leave tomorrow morning from my house, first thing.”
Buoyed, Jon gave Fred his extra bag of chips.
****
When Fred knocked on Jon’s door the following morning, he had a surfboard under one arm, a huge sailor-sized duffle bag over his shoulder, and a grocery bag.
“Where’s Casey?” Jon asked. “Didn’t he give you a lift?”
“Yeah. He’s getting his stuff from the car.” Fred handed the surfboard to Jon. “Mmm, I smell food.”
“I made some toaster waffles.”
While Jon carried the board into the living room, Fred dropped his bags in the entryway and headed into the kitchen. Casey let himself into the house a few moments later, lugging a huge suitcase and a laptop computer.
Jon gave the laptop a dubious glance. “I hate to point this out, Casey, but there aren’t any electrical outlets on Yden.”
“I have a generator in the car.”
“Powered by what, hamsters? There’s no gasoline on Yden either.” Fred folded a fragrant waffle into his mouth.
“No, genius, but there’s magic,” Casey said.
Jon thought a moment. “I’ve seen a loom that weaves blankets by itself. I suppose the same sort of perpetual motion spell could be adapted to a generator.”
“I figured as much. I’ve got a few other scientific instruments I want to bring. Maybe you guys could give me a hand?”
Casey’s trunk was jammed full of technical-looking things, including an oscilloscope.
“What’re you doing, Casey, building a lab?” Jon asked.
“Exactly.”
“You’re out of school for the summer and what’s the first thing you want to do? Go back to school,” Fred said. “I don’t get it.”
“You don’t have to get it. I just need you to lift it. And be careful, these instruments are delicate.”
The three boys muscled the equipment into the living room. Fred retrieved his duffle and bag of groceries from the entryway and added it to the mix. Casey spied a box of jelly-filled donuts inside the grocery bag.
“Of all the things you can’t live without, Fred, you bring those?”
“I got priorities. I brought marshmallow pies and cans of chips too.”
“Sour cream and onion?”
“Naturally.”
“Well, all right then.”
Jon eyed the pile. “I’m bringing chocolate sandwich cookies, licorice sticks, and cases of soda. We’d better make a couple of trips.”
****
Despite Fred’s skepticism, Casey’s instincts about the generator proved to be spot on. After Jon asked Quixoran for a spell to get the generator going, Casey had no problem setting up his lab. Dorsit even magically added a lab wing to the bungalow, complete with a separate entrance. As Jon had predicted, Mo showed interest in Casey’s work.
“You’re a science geek at heart, Mo,” Jon joked.
Mo glanced at Casey. “I like science geeks.”
Although his face flushed pink, Casey gave her a crooked smile.
With his athleticism, Fred proved to be a terrific addition to Dragon Egg. He also managed to come up with several variations to keep it challenging. After he convinced Quixoran to make the pigment glow, they played Dragon Egg at night. The girls could see in the dark better than the boys, but since Max and Jon could use a shield spell for short periods of time, it helped even the odds a bit. When Ronny was the Egg, however, she could see in the dark in addition to using a shield spell. Her opponents had to block her progress until the shield spell failed.
With the help of the Wiznet, Jon firmed up a work schedule with Ami. He took several digital photographs, so his subjects wouldn’t have to sit for long periods of time. President Szul gave him studio space in the sunny, spacious library. Although Jon set up his easel in the far end of the room, Kira kept scowling in his direction. Fortunately, Mr. Storm managed to get her to focus on schoolwork instead.
Kira hadn’t spoken to Jon since he took her photograph. He forged ahead, wondering how long she would keep up the silent treatment. When he was painting, he found it hard to be upset about much. He managed to rough in light and dark areas and general shapes the first day. While Jon was cleaning his brushes, Kira’s tutor left. Her curiosity piqued, she came over to check Jon’s progress.
“It doesn’t look like much yet, does it?”
“Are you trying to be rude?”
“Actually, I’m trying to ask you to dinner.”
His brows shot skyward. “You want me to stay for dinner?”
“Well, no, I don’t. The invitation is from my father and Ami.”
“In that case, I’d be happy to accept.”
As she strode away, Jon’s merriment faded. I believe you and Kira will both be happier when you’ve mended fences, Quixoran had told him. Somebody must make the first gesture.
“Kira, wait,” he said, to no avail.
Before she could reach the door, Jon magically slammed it shut. Outraged, Kira pulled and twisted the knob. “Open this door, Wizard!”
“Talk to me, Kira. I have a lot of enemies right now. I really don’t want you to be one of them.”
“I’m not your enemy, Jon Hansen.”
Not good enough. Try harder.
He took a deep breath. “I apologize for hurting your feelings, and I hope we can be friends again. That’s all I wanted to say.”
When Kira made no response, his heart sank. He waved his fingers and opened the door. “Sorry I kept you.”
Kira left. As Jon continued to clean his workspace, a troubled frown flitted across his features. He’d made the first move. It looked as if he’d have to make the second and third moves too.
****
President Szul, Ami, Jon, and Kira ate in a private dining room. Ami made repeated attempts to draw Kira into the conversation, with limited success. Her father filled the void, telling stories about the challenges of governance and how he’d met Ami. Jon also learned Kira’s sister, Kysandra, was going to have a baby toward the end of the year. Ami and President Szul were planning to pop over to see her and the grandchild as soon as Kysandra could receive visitors.
“Assuming one of the consortium wizards will be so kind as to give us a lift,” Szul joked.
“If they don’t, I’d be happy to help,” Jon said. “I’d like to meet Kysandra sometime. Is she as beautiful as her sister?”
Kira’s violet eyes narrowed, as if trying to weigh his sincerity.
“Both of my daughters were fortunate to take after their mother in terms of looks,” President Szul replied, diplomatically. “But I think Kysandra would acknowledge her younger sister has been breaking hearts since the age of transition.”
“The first time I saw Kira, I was tied up in Mandral’s throne room, unable to work magic and about to be carved into pieces.” Jon’s gaze locked with Kira’s for a long moment. “When I saw her face, I forgot to be scared.”
Ami sighed. “That’s so sweet.”
A flicker of emotion registered in Kira’s eyes, and she smiled ever so slightly. At that, a feeling of sweet relief flowed through Jon’s veins and he couldn’t stop talking. He told Szul and Ami about Kira’s funny experiences with television, electricity, and unfamiliar foods on Earth. When he recounted her bravery upon meeting Quixoran for the first time, Kira’s rigid posture softened further. Finally, he talked about the game of Dragon Egg when she’d painted his face red.
“You didn’t!” Szul exclaimed, staring at his daughter in horror.
Jon shrugged. “It’s okay. Looking back, I was totally obnoxious and deserved it.”
“No, you didn’t. You won the game and I should have been more gracious,” Kira said.
“I cheated.”
“Nonsense. You’re the most honorable man I know.”
He searched her beautiful face. The angry cloud had lifted, replaced by an inner glow. A smile tugged at Jon’s lips.
“Thank you, Kira. I hope you always think that.”
As Ami and Kira went on to discuss the wedding, Jon exchanged a glance with Szul. The president gave him a wink and a nod of gratitude.
When dinner was over, Jon thanked the president for his hospitality.
“Mr. President, do you know if Warlord Mandral’s old throne room is intact? I saw some interesting artwork before that I’d like to examine more closely.”
“That room has been made into a chapel and is open to the public, young wizard. You are welcome there anytime.”
Ami gave him an impulsive hug. “You’re welcome here anytime as well.”
“That means a lot to me. Good night.”
After Jon nodded to Kira, he made his way downstairs. Had he said the right things to repair their relationship? Maybe he’d said too much. Bringing up the game of Dragon Egg had been a risky move, but he’d wanted to acknowledge his part of the whole mess. He’d also handled Kira’s ring test poorly, but he hadn’t want to discuss that in front of her father. She’d obviously not told him about her magical ability yet, and Jon didn’t want to breach her trust.
He located the chapel without any trouble. The torches lighting the room had been doused for the night, so Jon formed a small everlasting orb and sent it aloft. The cavernous space was somewhat different than he remembered. The banquet tables had been replaced with pews and there was an altar where Mandral’s large wooden throne had been before. Some of the artwork on the walls had been rearranged a bit, but most of it was still there.
The first painting to catch his eye was a beautiful garden scene with lovely brushwork. Reminiscent of a Thomas Gainsborough landscape, the piece would have been worthy to hang in any museum. Fine art is universal — or trans-dimensional in this case. I bet some of the master artists on Earth were actually wizards.
He moved on to the next painting, a study of an attractive, naked nymph. To his chagrin, Kira picked that moment to join him.
“I’m surprised you wished to visit this place again,” she said. “Because of Mandral, you can’t have pleasant memories of it.”
“My memories aren’t all bad. If I hadn’t met you here, I don’t think I could have rescued my dad.”
“If you hadn’t transported me out of the dungeon, I would probably have died.”
“Nah. You’d have found another way to escape.”
“You also would have found a way to rescue your father. With or without my help.”
“Well… I guess we’ll never know.”
“I suppose we won’t.”
They both examined the nymph painting for a few moments. Finally, Jon cleared his throat. “So, are we good?”
“Yes, Jon Hansen, we’re good.”
They exchanged a smile.
****
The next day, Jon trained on Dragon Isle until mid-afternoon and then reported to the castle to spend a few hours working on his painting. When Ami extended another invitation for dinner, he was eager to accept. Kira was more at ease, and Ami encouraged her to talk about her flower garden.
“I didn’t know you had a garden,” Jon said to Kira, surprised.
“Her flowers are exceptionally beautiful,” Ami said. “And when Kira makes essential oils from the petals, the results are outstanding.”
“That explains the lilac,” he said without thinking.
“Lilac is Kira’s favorite flower,” Ami said. “How did you know?”
Jon cursed the warm flush spreading up from his collar. Every time Kira hugged him, he’d smelled lilac.
“Oh, uh, Kira must have said something,” he mumbled.
President Szul chuckled. “That’s all right, son, I understand. Ami is partial to roses.”
As Ami leaned over to exchange a kiss with Szul, Kira glanced toward the ceiling.
After dinner, Jon asked Kira to show him her garden. Behind the castle, several acres had been set aside for personal gardening plots. Kira’s garden was dedicated to all manner of flowers. Surrounded by a low hedge, a honeysuckle archway mimicked the one on Dragon Isle. She bent to inhale the aroma of the delicate blooms.
“I put this in after my visit to Quixoran’s garden. I love the fragrance of honeysuckle.”
“Your garden is beautiful. I wouldn’t mind sketching the flowers.”
Jon strolled between flowerbeds in the deepening twilight, admiring the plants and flowers, and enjoying the heady floral fragrance. When he reached the lilac bush, he cast a mischievous glance at Kira.
“I hope I didn’t embarrass you too much tonight.”
“No. But you don’t have to pretend any more. I will tell my father your affections have cooled and we are merely friends.”
“Is that what you want?”
Her shoulders lifted in a slight shrug. “I shouldn’t have involved you in my deception in the first place.”
An unfamiliar voice rang out just then. “Kira!”
A tall, good-looking man hopped over the low hedge and into Kira’s garden. Clad in the snappy uniform of the president’s Elite Guardsmen, he had a broad smile on his face. A shock hit Jon in the chest.
Did Kira drop Casey for this dude?
“Reye, this is Jon Hansen of the Dragon Clan,” she said.
The guardsman’s delight at Jon’s presence was quite contained. “Oh, hello, Wizard.”
“Nice to meet you,” Jon said, with equal enthusiasm.
“Kira, we received a new shipment of weapons into the armory today,” Reye said. “There’s some beautiful workmanship represented if you’d like to see them.”
“Well, I—”
“Excuse me, Kira, but I have to be going,” Jon said. “See you tomorrow.”
“Wait.” Before he could transport, she pressed a sprig of lilac into his hand. “Good night.”
One of Jon’s eyebrows lifted. “Night.”