BOOK 3, EMBRACE

AMELIA COBB’S ATTEMPTS to gather her wandering mind failed. She stared dreamily through the single window in the room. Spring had arrived. It teased them all with its fresh, warm breezes. The winter had been long, bitterly cold and relentless, typical to the woods of northern Maine. But the drip drip drip of fast melting snow meant warmer weather had finally won out.

A door opened behind her and people shuffled inside, murmuring greetings to each other. She’d called a meeting and it was about to begin, but try as she might, Amelia could not pull her eyes away from the window.

They’d created a magnificent little town out here in the middle of nowhere. Nestled deep in the woods. Built into great oaks and pine trees untouched by human hands and hundreds of years old. Hidden from the outside world. Protected from their enemies. Just over twelve years now since they’d left the island. Defied the leadership of Juliska Blackwell. And waited for two young ones to grow and discover the truth. To discover their fate.

They were close now. So very close.

Amelia caught two children far down below on the ground, playing, and smiled.

Soon, they’d be living in a much different world. With much larger borders. With no need to hide as they did now. She sucked in, the anticipation of it filling her with energy.

“We should get this meeting underway,” she stated, spinning around. “We have much to discuss today.”

She gazed across the room. Nine in attendance, including herself. Her most trusted friends and allies, and they didn’t look any more excited about being stuck inside this room than she did, but it had to happen. She swept around them and took a seat behind a simple wooden desk. This action instantly quieted the room.

Amelia fidgeted in her seat, unable to tame the need to be up and moving. 

“Cora,” she called out, “let’s just open the window. I don’t know about all of you, but I am dying to feel the spring air this morning.”

Cora jumped up from behind another desk and obliged at once.

Everyone let out a satisfied sigh as the warmer spring air seeped inside, bringing with it the scents of maple and pine, as well as wet earth as the last of the snow melted and new tendrils of life were pushing up out of the ground. Just the sounds of young children laughing and playing outdoors, and the birds returning and chirping happily, put them in an instant good mood.

“Well, okay everyone,” said Amelia, drawing the group’s attention from the enchanting spring air and back to the meeting at hand. “I realize we all have a case of spring fever this morning, however, we do need to get down to business.”

Cora, Amelia’s assistant, took note of each in attendance, writing it down for future reference. 

“Nina Tourner, check. Barrett Nuskey, here. Berta Prideaux, yes. Colton Fahlbush, leaning in the corner as usual.”

He winked at her; she returned with a stern gaze that hinted at playfulness, and continued.

“Curtis Bevins, yes. Heloise Peppernell, brought the coffee, and Wilbur Finn, needs a mug of that coffee. Late night again, Wilbur?” prodded Cora, her eyes narrow in amused suspicion.

“When do I not put in a late night, Cora?” the older man grumbled, accepting a mug of coffee from Heloise. His eyes smiled. “You sure know how to make a tasty cup of mud,” he praised, draining the mug in seconds. He accepted another instantly, although tiredness continued to plague his worn face.

Amelia took a sip from her own mug. “I’m tempted to have a meeting every morning just to have your coffee, Heloise.”

“It’d be my pleasure,” responded the middle-aged woman. They smiled kindly at each other. After everyone’s mugs brimmed with coffee, the meeting finally began.

“Barrett, I believe you have a progress report for us today,” stated Amelia.

“Yes. Yes, I do everyone,” he replied, standing to address the group. He cleared his throat, his voice shaking nervously as he spoke. “We successfully moved two more people into prime key positions in the government last week. Paula Bedgewood and Amos Durmuddy. They will not be around for the next few months. They will, of course, be sending in reports on their progress as often as possible.”

Sighs and adulation rustled through the group. This was good news.

Barrett breathed out in relief.

It wasn’t easy for them to integrate into the outside world, but it was necessary if their plans were to come to fruition. However, this also meant being separated from friends and family for extended periods of time. It was worth the sacrifice though, for the long-term success they hoped would come.

“Well done, Barrett. And please send my thanks to your zone for all their hard work on this project,” said Amelia. “Without these key government positions, progress would be impossible. Once we finish what we’ve set out to do...” she shook her head. “The entire world will be looking to us for help. They will need us to understand what’s happening to them.” 

“It is a noble, but weighty endeavor,” agreed Colton Fahlbush from his corner. He tipped his coffee mug toward Amelia. She tipped hers back and took a swig before continuing.

“I hate to appear boastful, but it seems our plans are moving forward at the perfect pace.”

“Not that we still don’t have much to do,” reminded Barrett, feeling bolder. “We are still hoping for ten more positions, so with the eight we have currently, I’d agree. Or rather my zone would agree, the perfect pace to be ready in time.”

“We’ll be looking forward to your next progress report then, Barrett.”

He nodded at Amelia, taking a seat so the meeting could move on.

“Next on the agenda, Cora?”

The woman skimmed across some notes.

“Your report, Amelia.”

“Ah, good. I’m very pleased with this as well. I have had contact with our informant with the travelers.”

“With all our people on missions of their own, it’s starting to feel a bit like we are the travelers, not the banished ones.” Wilbur Finn let out a sigh.

“Yes. It does a little. But, we must remember that even though the travelers were once dear friends, and some, family, we want different things. They chose to run and hide, and we chose to stand up and fight for what we want.”

“Aye that, Amelia,” Wilbur stated. “Thanks to you confronting Juliska Blackwell.”

She chuckled and raised an eyebrow. “Thanks to us all. I could not have done it without all your support. Anyway, we digress.” She placed her hands palm down on the desk. “I have been advised by our informant that Meghan and Colin Jacoby are well; as well as can be expected. They are settling into their magical lives, and also as expected, their abilities are increasing rapidly. And most importantly, at least for now, they are safe living with the traveling Svoda until it is time for them to come to us.”

There was a collective sigh of relief, followed by a few worried glances.

“So much of our plan depends on those two. Poor little dears,” said the plump Berta Prideaux. Everyone nodded in agreement.

“It is a tenuous situation,” agreed Amelia. “They know so little, and yet the success of our plan and our very futures, depends entirely on them. I only hope we did right by hiding them from their destiny for so long.”

“Hopefully it wasn’t for too long,” added the tender faced Nina Tourner.

Amelia nodded, her lips forming a tight smile. “We all agreed to bind their powers, knowing full well that the spell would only be broken when they encountered their true destiny,” reminded Amelia. “We had no way of knowing how long that encounter would take.”

“It was the right thing to do,” insisted Curtis Bevins, his voice sure. “They deserved that much, at least; a few years’ peace. They’ll have to grow up too fast now, as it is.”

“And need I remind us all of the sacrifices made by your brother, Arnon,” aimed Heloise at Nina. She returned an honored, but sad, smile. Heloise refilled Nina’s coffee and gave her a light pat on the shoulder.

Before they could continue, rushed footsteps clamored up the narrow staircase that led to their meeting room. The door flew open and a wiry young man stormed through. He cast a look of great dismay across them before his gaze landed on Nina. She rose from her chair, facing him.

“What is it, Owen?” she asked the young man, who was her sixteen-year-old son.

“The seer sent me,” he said, breathing heavily. “With grave news.”

The room tensed, their spring-enchanted demeanor giving way to acceptance of what ‘grave’ news often meant: death.

Amelia got out of her chair and came around the front of her desk. “What has happened, Owen?”

“Something that will change everything,” he blurted directly. “Something that hasn’t happened in over a hundred years. Something that even the immortal Grosvenor will fear...”

Amelia fell back against her desk, gripping the edge for support. Curtis hopped over to steady her but she motioned she was okay. Gasps and cries of disbelief flew through the room. Cora jumped up and slammed the window shut before anyone outside accidentally overheard the news and started a panic.

“It’s – It’s not possible,” stuttered Barrett.

“It just cannot be,” cried out Berta and Heloise at once.

“I thought they were extinct?” questioned the tired-faced Wilbur.

Amelia, feeling instantly defeated, sank into her chair. “This is grave indeed,” she moaned. “Only one thing could frighten the Grosvenor. Only one thing could match their power.” She took a deep breath, afraid to say the words aloud. “A Projector could mean the end for us all.”

“Or even more power for the Grosvenor,” murmured Curtis. “If they were able to harness the child’s power.”

A barrage of concerns assaulted each other, everyone in disbelief over this news, and unsure what to do next.

“What about Meghan and Colin? Can they even match this kind of power?”

“And we still don’t know the identity of the third Fated child.”

“If the Projector reaches maturity, we may not have enough time to find out.”

“Yes, time is a major factor here. Once the Projector reaches maturity, all may be lost.”

Amelia stood up and motioned for calm.

Colton pushed his hand through his stiff, dark hair. Wilbur tried not to shake, but coffee spilled out of his cup and down his weathered skin. Heloise hurried to wipe it up. Nina reached out and grasped her son, Owen’s arm.

Curtis approached their leader. “What should be our next course of action, Amelia?”

“Sh- should we put our plans on hold?” asked Barrett apprehensively. “Should we call our members back from their duties to fight this new enemy?”

Amelia motioned for silence. She paced around her desk, deep in thought, before finally speaking.

“Owen, what else did the seer say? Did she know the age of this Projector, or its location? Any other information of value to us.”

“All she told me was a Projector was emerging, still young and not yet near its full power. But the seer also warned that she is not alone in her discovery.”

“Not alone,” Amelia repeated. The fresh spring air in her lungs turned bitter. “Soon, the entire magical world will be looking for this child, to try to harness its power before it reaches maturity, or to kill it before it does.”

“It’s not wise to try to harness the power of a Projector,” insisted Curtis. “It is a useless endeavor. No one has ever succeeded in using a Projector’s power. It corrupts. Absolutely.”

“Curtis knows his history,” reminded Wilbur. “And I say we heed his warning. Projectors are not allowed to live for a reason. They are dangerous and unpredictable. The most harmless child can turn into the most vicious monster at the simplest of whims. If allowed to go unchecked, they will destroy worlds.”

“And you darn well know the Grosvenor will try,” warned Curtis darkly.

“No one has ever found a way,” said Amelia. “One would have to try to persuade the child to their side.”

“But how? And why would they? Once mature, their power is limitless. Why choose any side but their own?” Nina sat back down. “What a terrible fate, for any child... no choice for their future.”

“Not so unlike Meghan and Colin,” whispered Berta. “Fate can be cruel.”

Amelia shook her head and turned away. “A frightening reminder, but with a Projector’s power working on our side...”

“All our work. All our sacrifice,” whimpered Heloise. She trembled, refilling cups of coffee that did not need refilling.

“All our work will mean nothing if this Projector lives to maturity,” persisted Curtis. He thumped his fist on the edge of Cora’s small desk, bouncing it off the floor. It landed with a sharp thud. 

“Never mind our plans,” cautioned Colton. “All life will be at risk, whether in the magical world or the non-magical.”

Just outside, birds, completely unaware of the dangers that now lie ahead, chirped happily. Kids played and laughed.

Even with the window closed, the enchanted spring air turned foul.

Amelia spun and faced her fellow banished Svoda.

“We must decide, all of us, what should be our next course of action. Do we join the hunt and kill this child before it has a chance to unleash its devastating potential upon the world? Or should we attempt to locate and sway the child? And hope all hell doesn’t break loose upon us if we cannot control the Projector’s power.” She paused before asking, “Does the child live or die?”

##

Journal entry, the last day of May. Eleven months into our Journey. By Meghan Chelcy Jacoby

TODAY’S ENTRY WILL be a long one. I haven’t written anything down in a couple weeks, but I want to write down everything I can so I don’t forget. Most of this has nothing to do with my visions as a Firemancer, but I decided it might be a good idea to keep track of our travels with the Svoda.

I cannot tell if time is going faster or slower. On one hand, it’s hard to believe that Colin and I have been traveling with the Svoda Gypsies for nearly a year now. It’s even harder to believe that in less than a month, we will turn fourteen. It seems like just yesterday we were waiting impatiently for our thirteenth birthdays.

And yet time cannot move fast enough. We are still over two years away from getting the doorway to open: the one that will take Colin and me back home, to Uncle Arnon. We are still holding out hope that he somehow survived the Scratcher attack.

It is going to be strange not to celebrate our birthdays in Cobbscott this year, and even stranger without our uncle, Kanda Macawi or the Jendayas... especially Sebastien.

I think about Sebastien a lot, mostly wondering if he still thinks about me. I can’t believe I kissed him hours before I got stuck with the Svoda and never got to see him again. I miss him. A lot.

I wonder if his family even returned to Cobbscott this summer. With us missing and Uncle Arnon... well, if he’s alive, he must be searching for us. All of them would be I imagine. Or maybe they’ve given up. Or maybe they never searched at all.

It’s clear that Uncle Arnon and Kanda knew a lot more about what was going on than they ever told us. And when our uncle showed up that night and threw the Magicante at Colin... it was like he knew. He wasn’t surprised. Even when Colin used magic against the Scratchers. It is an odd thing really. As eager as I am to get home and find out what happened to everyone there, part of me feels like Colin and I are exactly where we are supposed to be.

Anyway. Now we have even more people to miss. Little Timothy, the ghost boy from Grimble. And Uncle Eddy. It felt wrong leaving Grimble and moving on to another place. Although our uncle had moved on as well. It still felt weird. Like we were leaving something behind.

After Grimble, the Svoda traveled to a place called Beresford. It was boring in comparison. Frankly though, I didn’t mind, as it was a nice break from the constant chaos of Grimble. We miss Uncle Eddy and Timothy though. It doesn’t feel the same without them.

We didn’t get to see much of Beresford, other than to know we were deep in a forest and there were no other people around. We had the wagons again, and stayed inside another version of the Svoda Island, just like in Grimble. Except no one was permitted to leave the wagons this time. Balaton guarded the exits. I don’t know what was out there, but if it was scary enough not to be allowed to go, then I’m perfectly fine with not.

On another not so fun front, we started school again while there. Although I’m not sure why as we ended up not having enough time to finish the level or take the exams. And now we have just moved on again, to a place called Eidolon’s Valley, or nicknamed the E Valley. School is on hiatus for a bit. I hope for a long time. But from what I understand, we pretty much have to repeat the intermediate level once we start up school again. No wonder it takes everyone so long to graduate.

Except for Ivan.

Ugh. The boy that can do no wrong... Juliska just loves him.

He is as bad-tempered as always. We are at least on speaking terms, although barely. Juliska put his Initiation on hold until tonight. She told me herself that she needed to wait until we reached the E Valley, because she had a special challenge planned for him. I really wish she didn’t like him so much.

Of all the people she could choose from... why Ivan?

It just means I have to see him even more, as it turns out that when Tanzea Chase told me my schooling would be aimed more toward Firemancy, what she actually meant is that Juliska would be teaching me herself. That’s one part of school I love! I get to skip some classes... Darcy is totally jealous so that’s awesome. She glares a lot. But that’s about it. She hasn’t tried anything other than her usual taunts, which we just ignore. I think she can see how useless it would be since I’m spending so much time with Juliska right now.

But the sucky part is so is Ivan. I don’t know why, or what she has him doing. But he’s been very busy. And around far too much. And he’s not even living with the Mochries right now. He moved out and got his own place.

Firemancy wise, The Firemancer’s Pocket Guide is proving a great challenge, but I’m slowly working my way through the book and learning everything I can.

One thing Colin and I have been worried about is the bird-human. I have not seen it since Grimble. Maybe it did not move on with us, which would be sad really. It was a comforting thought, knowing it was a small memory of home. Never mind that he or she saved my life!

Oh, and then there’s my brother. Colin spends most of his spare time alone these days. I have no idea what he’s up to because he is better than ever at blocking me out of his mind. His skill at magic is also improving, and apparently at a record pace. At least this is what I’ve heard people whispering behind our backs. Not like they’re afraid of him, just surprised. And impressed.

At the same time my brother seems to be improving, everyone else seems to be getting worse. There’s even rumors spreading that this is the real reason school is canceled right now. The Svoda are getting a little freaked out. Their magic is weaker than it should be, and there seems to be no answer as to why. The adults try not to act worried about what’s causing it, but it’s pretty easy to tell they are.

Regardless of what’s screwing up the Svoda’s magical powers, or that my brothers seem to be supercharged, the use of magic is strictly forbidden here in the E Valley, except in a life or death situation. I guess this is an order straight from the ruler of this place. Some guy named Eidolon. Svoda can visit, but they cannot use magic.

So far, the first two weeks here in the E Valley have proven hot, dry and boring. All of us non-Initiated still in school types have to keep ourselves entertained while the Initiated attend regular meetings. By entertained, what I really mean to say is that we are supposed to be keeping up on our studies. Not my idea of a good time! Unless it’s Firemancy, then that’s okay.

Anyway, they never tell us what goes on in these meetings. However, even I, still a newbie to the Svoda world, can tell there are a lot more meetings than normal, and this whole weakened magic thing is definitely causing a panic. People seem busier than ever, considering there’s no school, and just not much to do around here.

Meghan let out a groan. “Ick, Nona. Why are you always so keen on licking my feet? I suppose that’s enough catching up for now anyway.” She put the journal aside.

Nona stopped licking. There was an unfamiliar sound somewhere outside. She sat up straight and froze in position, like a statue. Her Catawitch eyes blazed toward the door. A moment later, satisfied it was nothing potentially harmful she relaxed and returned to licking Meghan’s feet.

Meghan leaned back against a rock wall. The rock was the color of rust, and uncomfortable to lean against, but this was her bedroom wall. At least while living in the E Valley. They had no wagons here. Instead, the Svoda had taken over abandoned cave dwellings that lined the bottom of a towering canyon wall.

Jae Mochrie had explained that when the Svoda had first journeyed here, they had been allowed to use magic to fix up the dwellings and make them livable. Which mostly meant making the homes big enough to fit everyone. Unfortunately, this did not mean additional privacy. If anything, it was less.

Because the Mochries were a family of four, but were also hosting the twins, and the grizzled Corny Tibbit, they’d been given one of the larger dwellings. Ivan had chosen to move out of the Mochrie’s and get a place of his own.

Meghan couldn’t imagine living in one of the smaller dwellings as crowded as it was in this one. She and Colin still shared a bedroom with Jae and Mireya. There were four holes punched into the rock wall, just large enough for someone to sleep in without getting too claustrophobic. They did at least have mattresses and didn’t have to sleep directly on thin blankets or directly on the rock.

But dressing in the morning was complicated and had to be timed. There was one stone partition in the room that had to be shared by all four of them. They each had a trunk filled with belongings and there wasn’t much room for anything else in the room.

Outside of their bedroom was a main room, which included a combined living space and kitchen. Five doors lined the walls. The first was the youngster’s bedroom. The second belonged to Sheila and Irving. The third opened to a large closet, which Corny Tibbit decided to take over upon arrival. The fourth led outside into the E Valley, and the fifth opened to a tunnel that led deeper into the canyon.

This tunnel connected with other tunnels and cave dwellings, like an underground web that eventually led to a large open dome in the center. This was also how to get to the bathhouses. There were two, one for the women and one for the men.

Inside the dome was where meetings took place. Where people gathered to eat and visit. Where the Svoda businesses set up shop. Only a few carried enough supplies to bother opening. The Steel Gin, Balloch Flummer’s bookstore, the bank, and a mercantile on wheels.

Meghan sighed. It was early, but she sensed the household about to stir and wake. She hadn’t been able to sleep and decided to start writing in her journal. Sure enough, just minutes later there was movement in the kitchen, followed by the smell of coffee percolating. Mireya slipped out of bed and dressed, heading out to help her mother.

Colin still slept. He was caught in the middle of a dream, but that’s all Meghan could sense in his mind. Even in his sleep, she had trouble penetrating his thoughts. It was like he had put up some permanent block she could not get past.

She closed her eyes, willing herself to fall asleep if only for a few minutes. But her mind was alert and sleep evaded her. She was just about to give up and get up herself when there was a couple of thumps against the floor and the voice of Jae mumbling to himself. He’d jumped out of bed realizing he’d overslept and was frantically dressing. As if Irving Mochrie knew the perfect moment to rub in his son’s forgetfulness, his voice echoed into them.

“Jae! You had better be ready. I’m leaving in two minutes.”

“Coming, Dad! Be right there.”

“Better be. We have to finish work early today. Ivan’s Initiation ceremony is tonight.”

“As if you’d let anyone forget,” Jae grumbled. He departed without so much as a hello or goodbye.

Colin’s head popped out from behind the wall of his bed. “When was the last time we actually had breakfast with Jae at the table?”

“More like, when was the last time we ate with Jae, period,” retorted Meghan. “Seems like everyone is super busy, but doing what exactly? It is a dry, dead valley out there. And we’re not in school, and there’s only a few businesses even open.”

“Irving’s is one of them though. I guess he needs Jae’s help.”

“Every single day?”

Colin shrugged. “I guess there’s still lots of work to get done.”

“Well... it feels very busy around here considering all the not-so-much-really-happening, going on.”

Colin refused to answer. His sister was slyly prodding for information on what had been keeping him so busy lately and he was keeping that to himself. She was right though. There was a sense of things going on, people kept busy... for what reason? He’d heard the rumors, just like everyone else. That something was wrong with people’s magic. He assumed it had to be this.

Weakening magic was not a concern of his. Colin lay back down, facing the rust colored stone a few feet over his head. He’d been having a dream about the silver haired girl named Catrina. But when he’d awakened, like so many dreams, he’d forget some of the specific details. They’d been talking. And laughing. Time seemed to go on for days inside the dream.

And then like always, she’d gotten scared and had to leave suddenly.

He’d bet his life there was something important he was forgetting. Or something she was trying to tell him, but couldn’t. The lack of new clues was testing his patience. Mainly because there was this invisible counter winding down in his mind. A little push with every minute that went by and he had not found her, or found out what happened to her. He was running out of time. And so was she.

It made no sense how he knew this. But he was certain of it. He’d never been so certain of something. Catrina needed his help. Her life depended on him finding her. He didn’t care how he knew, or why. Only that he believed it fully and would not stop searching for her.

“You ready for some breakfast, Col?” asked Meghan.

“Yeah, sure.”

They hurried to dress. Sheila Mochrie’s absentminded voice chimed good morning as they entered the kitchen.

“Breakfast is on the stove. I’ll be off in a minute to a zone meeting.”

“What are you meeting about today?” Mireya asked her mother. She was just emerging out of Corny’s closet room with an empty tray.

“Oh nothing of interest,” Sheila replied. Her smile appeared forced and tight. She disappeared into her and Irving’s bedroom.

Mireya set down the empty tray and shuddered. “It’s so creepy in Corny’s room, and it’s supposed to be a closet. I can’t believe he just won’t come out of there.” 

“He didn’t have anything for you to give me, did he?” asked Colin.

Mireya shook her head, holding back a wry smile. They still didn’t understand why the grizzled old man had taken such a liking to Colin, and frankly, neither did he. But he had tried to warn him while back in Grimble, that someone would try to steal the Magicante. And Colin had missed it.

Corny had been his normal quiet self since then. But if he ever had gifts to hand out again, Colin would pay attention this time.

Mireya took a seat on the opposite side of the table, immediately immersing herself into a book. A minute later, Sheila bustled out of her bedroom and shouted, “I’ll be back in a few hours, stay out of trouble, don’t stray too far,” and shot down the tunnel leading to the dome center.

The twins finished breakfast and headed outside into the valley. When the twins thought of a valley, for some reason, lush, green and full of life came to mind. Here, it was dusty, hot and dry. A rust colored desert that went on as far as the eye could see.

Just outside their dwelling were other Svoda youngsters of various ages hanging around. Some reading. Some playing. Some talking. They didn’t have far to roam, as the official entry into Eidolon’s Valley was not far away, and the Svoda were strictly forbidden to enter. The canyon wall was long as it was towering. Doors marked the dwellings all along the outer wall. The twins were nearly in the middle.

To their far left at the end of the canyon wall was a rock archway. This is how they’d come into the valley and this is how they would leave. Although it had not yet been announced as to when the doorway would open and they would move on.

If they turned to their right and walked to the very end of the canyon, there was a pathway, which led upward into the rock. This is where Juliska Blackwell currently resided. The path was steep, but easily passable. At the very top, wedged between the canyon wall (that housed the Svoda dwellings), and another canyon wall, was an oval shaped stone castle. It was difficult to tell whether the stone had been carved away and shaped into the castle, or whether the stone had become lodged there, and then the castle was forged after. Regardless, it was a remarkable sight.

Meghan had been there a few times already, to have Firemancy lessons with Juliska, and she couldn’t wait to return again. It was a bit like visiting royalty. And Juliska being Banon to the Svoda Gypsies, she was technically doing just that.

If you kept walking and skipped the path leading to the Banon’s castle, you entered into a bowl-shaped formation carved into the ground. It was wide enough to fit many people, and open to the sky. This is where they were to gather for Ivan’s Initiation later that night.

In front of the twins was sand. A lot of it. Some soft, some hardened with time and lack of moisture. And rocks. Many of them. Most climbable. When on top, you could see far out across the valley. A place the Svoda were strictly forbidden to enter.

Goblin-like formations littered the valley floor and if you stared at them long enough, they appeared to sway and move, almost as if they were alive. And then there were the dust devils whirling walls of sand across the valley. The twins guessed it would be uncomfortable to get blasted by one of those.

They stepped out and in the opposite direction of a few other Svoda youngsters who were sitting atop some of the rocks, reading, studying or talking. Colin found one that was climbable and vacant and made his way to the top. Meghan followed. He plunked down at gazed out across the valley.

From this vantage point, it went on and on and on. He thought it odd they could see so far, seemingly to no end. And yet it was almost like looking at something that just repeated itself over and over again. A bit like everything they were seeing was somehow looped to repeat. Was it a mirage? Their eyes just playing tricks on them? This Eidolon did have some strict rules. Perhaps the Svoda were not being allowed to see what was really in the valley. He wondered what would happen if he were to step foot beyond their borders and into the valley. Would it look the same?

Meghan put her attention into The Firemancer’s Pocket Guide, eager for her next lesson with Juliska. She had tagged her journal along, but no longer had the desire to write. After a while, she glanced at her brother, who was still gazing out into the valley. She watched him closely for a full minute. He did not blink, even once.

“What are you doing?” she whispered. “Does that really pass the time? Staring into nothing?”

Colin frowned. “I’m trying to focus.”

“On what?”

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“Oh, of course. I’m too stupid with magic to understand,” she mocked.

“That’s not what I said.”

“Might as well have been.”

“It’s just... complicated. Something I read in the Magicante,” he admitted.

“Whatever,” she said, reminding him, “Better not get caught doing magic.” She turned her attention back to her journal, going over past notes she’d written from her lessons with Juliska.

Colin ignored her. He was attempting something he had learned from the Magicante, and it was definitely breaking the no magic rule. However, the book insisted he would not get caught. After leaving Grimble, the book had begun to randomly open and show Colin new spells it thought would be useful for him to learn. He’d been practicing this new spell for over a week already, and had only made it work for just a few short seconds.

If he could learn how to use this magic correctly, it would allow him great sight. Not a vision like his sister. Not seeing the past or future, but for his own eyes to see far into the present, to distant locations. The vastness of the E Valley seemed the perfect place to practice this magic. Maybe he could prove whether there was something else in the valley. Or whether what they saw, was actually all there was to see.

The sun moved through Eidolon’s Valley changing the shapes of the goblin-like formations; after a while it began playing tricks on Colin’s eyes as he swore the formations were actually moving.

Frustrated that he could not make the spell work, he breathed heavily and opened his eyes.

“You must quiet your thoughts and focus only on the place you want to see.” This is what the Magicante had told him. The only problem, all Colin could think of were vague things like rock formation, or cave, as he did not know any specific locations in the E Valley. He didn’t know how specific it needed to be. Or maybe he just wasn’t doing it right, or his magic wasn’t strong enough to pull it off.

He shook his head, stretched his back and closed his eyes. “Aspectus Remotus,” he mumbled under his breath. Nothing happened. He didn’t see anything but the darkness of his closed eyelids, or the brightness of the valley if he opened them. He let his eyes close again, attempting to clear his thoughts and focus on the destination. The corners of his mouth lifted, forming a grin; his thoughts strayed to Catrina. Her silver hair. Her sad smile. Holding her hand. Laughing. Reaching out for her desperately, each time she was pulled from his dreams.

Colin’s breath hitched and his hands fell down to the rock to steady himself. Except he was still sitting down on the rock. And yet he was flying. At least that’s what it felt like. He flew over rocks, past canyon walls and through the dust devils. He didn’t feel anything, but could see everything clearly. And yet he was still sitting down with his sister just behind him. The valley held no surprises that Colin could see. It looked the same as it did from his perch on the rock. He guessed it was the sun, or the distance that made the formations look like they were moving.

His gaze narrowed in on a possible target. A cave opening still far ahead. He felt a pull coming from that direction; it must be his destination.

“Wicked...” he muttered, flying inside. It took a moment for his vision to adjust to the dark. A voice called out his name, startling him. He sucked in, coming to a screeching halt. He felt like he was floating in the dark, but his hands were still firmly planted on the rock; he hadn’t moved. And yet he could see everything around him in the cave as if standing there.

The voice called out again. “Colin! You must find me. Please.”

He took off towards the voice. It brought him through a locked door and into a dungeon-like room. Then he saw it: a glass coffin with the sleeping body of a young girl inside. The same girl Colin had seen in the hospital back in Grimble. The same girl that haunted his dreams, nightly.

“Catrina.” He looked down over her, stunned.

Her eyes burst open. Sky blue orbs peered upward, searching above her.

“I- I can’t see you, but I know you’re here. You found me, Colin.”

He couldn’t reply to her, she wouldn’t hear him. What the heck was she doing in a cave deep in the valley? In a coffin? She obviously wasn’t dead! And how did she know he was here with her? Especially when he wasn’t really.

“You have to hurry, Colin.”

He wanted desperately to reach out and free her. To speak or offer comfort of any kind. To let her know he would find her, for real.

Catrina sighed, her eyes drifting closed. “I’m running out of time...”

Colin wanted to shout to keep her awake, but there was no voice she could hear. He had to leave her. It pained him terribly to do it. He took one last look. She slept, just like she did in the hospital, sleeping peacefully. He wasn’t so sure her sleep was actually peaceful at all.

His mind felt an elastic-like pull and try as he might, he could not stay with her. His hands went up to protect his eyes from the blinding light in front of him. The spell had ended and he was no longer with Catrina. Not that he’d actually been with her at all. He’d never left the rock. Meghan still sat just behind him. She jumped, startled when he bounded up to his feet quite suddenly.

“What’s your problem?” she asked, watching her brother spin around, looking a bit dazed. He ignored her, stopped and peered out across the valley. He was going to break the rules. He was going to enter the valley. He was prepared to do it right this minute. And search every cave and break every rule he had to, in order to save Catrina.

“Who is Catrina?” Meghan asked curiously, catching him off guard.

He’d let his guard down and she’d heard him say her name. He shrugged his reply, pretending he had no idea who she was talking about.

Meghan eyed him, hard. He still refused to answer.

“Whatever,” she mumbled.

Colin frowned, reality sinking in. He could not just disappear into the valley. Alone. Without any help. What if he got lost? What if he was gone for so long that the Svoda left without him? What if he looked and looked but never found Catrina?

He didn’t care about the rules, not really. But he had no idea how to actually find Catrina. Even if he could make the spell work again, he wasn’t sure it would show him how to find her. Going on foot might take days, or longer. He had no idea just how far into the valley he’d just gone.

He slumped back down, hitting the rock with a slow, defeated thud. He would find her, somehow. But if he decided to break the rules and sneak into the valley, he’d need to be prepared as he could be. It would be a long journey. And he had no clue what hurdles he might come across out in the valley. This wasn’t like camping with Uncle Arnon.

He looked up to see a wry smile etching across his sister’s face. “What?”

“A girl... this Catrina,” she shook her head and laughed. “You’ve been hiding your thoughts from me because you’re in love with a girl. Aren’t you?”

Colin opened his mouth to deny her accusation but nothing came out. He reaffirmed the block in his mind. At least she didn’t catch onto everything.

Meghan would never allow him to scamper off into the valley, even to save someone. He wrinkled his nose. She would have before she got all chummy with Juliska Blackwell.

He never thought he’d say it, but he liked his sister better when she didn’t mind breaking the rules and could lie and get away with it without a second thought.

Meghan chuckled at his flustered demeanor.

Colin frowned. “I am not in love. And Catrina is... no one.” His sister didn’t need to know his business. But Meghan persisted and persisted, not giving up. Colin decided he’d had enough and got up to leave. He had a rescue mission to plan.

“Oh, Colin. Get over it. Can’t I have a little fun? So you like a girl.” Meghan rolled her eyes.

Colin did not answer, but plunked back down. Maybe Meghan would help him. He toyed with telling her, but each time he tried something in his gut stopped him. She stopped teasing him and went back to reading through old journal entries. After a few minutes, she looked up to see her brother chewing on his lip. He was nervous about something. His fingers tapped on the rock next to his leg. He was really worked up.

“Why won’t you just tell me what’s going on in that head of yours? It can’t be liking this girl that’s soaking up all your time, or making you so on edge.” Then, she recalled how many hours she had spent daydreaming about Sebastien Jendaya, and changed her mind. Maybe Colin could spend all his time thinking about this girl.

Colin scowled. “You going to let me read your journal? No. Didn’t think so,” he answered haughtily. He didn’t need to read her thoughts to hear her silent answer. The journal was for her eyes only.

The days of not keeping secrets from each other had ended almost the moment it had begun. Already forgotten were the lessons learned about what could happen if they kept secrets from each other and didn’t keep their connection open. Already lost were the warnings from Uncle Eddy, their dead ghostly tutor from Grimble, who had warned them not to keep secrets from each other... ever!

##

“GATHER AROUND EVERYONE, thank you,” called out Balloch Flummer, the bookstore owner. His adult son, Noah, assisted him in ushering in the arriving crowd. It looked like all Svoda were turning out to watch Ivan Crane’s Initiation begin.

The day’s heat had subsided, the last beams of sunlight streaming just at the edge of the bowl-like amphitheater. Hushed voices echoed and bounced off the surrounding canyon walls.

Each Initiated member of the Svoda stood together on one side of the amphitheater, while the not yet Initiated stood on the other, gazing jealously as they desperately wished they could be on the Initiated side. Ivan, as the newest Initiate, stood alone in the center.

On the Initiated side, two members of the Viancourt stood at the front of the group. This included Darius Hadrian, and of course, Garner Sadorus. The twins ignored his deep, fierce stares.

Billie Sadorus waved at the twins, offering them a wide grin and a wink in greeting. She was standing next to the Jackal sisters along with Irving and Sheila Mochrie. So different, they were, brother and sister, Garner and Billie.

Jae and Mireya watched along with the twins, awaiting arrival of the Banon.

“At least we don’t have to catch a whiff of mothballs tonight,” whispered Colin in jest. Jae snickered and held back a laugh. Meghan looked at them questioningly.

“Tanzea Chase is sick. Read it in the Jackal Lantern earlier today,” Jae said. “She won’t be making any public appearances for a few days.”

“That’s news?” Meghan didn’t particularly care one way or the other. 

“It is if you had a meeting planned with her,” he explained.

“Oh. I guess, yeah. Wait... why don’t they just use magic to heal her?”

“Can’t. Goes against the rules. It’s not a life-threatening illness and magic is strictly forbidden here.”

“Oh, right,” remembered Meghan.

Colin swallowed hard, his throat thick with guilt. He’d been using magic since they’d gotten here. He’d need to be more careful. He had no idea what would happen if he got caught.

Meghan wondered if Firemancy was considered magic here? She’d practiced it with Juliska during her lessons. Perhaps the rules didn’t apply to the leader of the group, or special gifts like Firemancy. It wasn’t like she could just stop a vision from happening.

Someone nudged her arm. She looked up to see Colin and Jae staring down Darcy Scraggs; her counterparts, Dulcy and Daveena, were just behind her. They walked by shooting hostile glares at the three, but said nothing and wormed their way to the back of non-Initiated.

The twins had never been to an Initiation ceremony before, but assumed it would not last long as the light was fading and darkness would soon drape over them. Svoda could not be outside of their cave dwellings after dark. Another strict rule of the E Valley.

Balloch Flummer stepped to the center of the amphitheater and raised his hands motioning for everyone to quiet down. Ivan stood at his side. Meghan thought he looked a bit nervous until his eyes caught hers and the corner of his mouth lifted just slightly. 

“Nope,” she mumbled hotly. “Just Ivan being Ivan.” She tore her gaze away from his smug smirk, shaking her head in an annoyed fashion.

Balloch waited for the last of the echoes to stop bouncing around the amphitheater walls. He faced the entrance with his arm thrown out in greeting. “Our Banon, Juliska Nandalia Blackwell.”

The crowd cheered and watched breathlessly as she entered, escorted by her personal Balaton, Jelen and Jenner Wandrer. Two imposing looking brothers who always stood as her guards.

Meghan watched as eagerly as everyone else did; everyone other than Colin. He’d be perfectly fine without seeing Juliska Blackwell, although he was curious to see what happened during an Initiation.

She strode in, her blood red full-length jacket sweeping across the ground; she nodded in greeting to the members of the Viancourt, first. Missing from her outfit, or her hair, was Pajak, Juliska’s pet spider. A shiver ran down Meghan’s spine just thinking of its glass-like body with wandering eyes that seemed to follow wherever she moved, and its skinny long legs that clinked hauntingly as it crawled along. A spider for a pet!

It was one thing Meghan could not adjust to, even with all her visits to Juliska. The thing just plain gave her the creeps.

After the Banon greeted the court members, she moved on to the Initiated Svoda, grabbing the hands of a few members who just happened to be near the front of the group. When done, she stepped out in front of them, but faced Ivan, and the envious non-Initiated standing behind him.

“It is with great honor,” their leader began, “that we are gathered here tonight, to begin the Initiation of Ivan Crane, so that he may become a fully-fledged member of the Svoda Gypsies. An honor you should each be striving for every moment of your lives.”

The crowd cheered and clapped, and she continued.

“Ivan Crane, do you accept this Initiation, and swear to finish the task set before you, thus achieving your Initiated status?”

“I swear to finish whatever task you would ask of me, even if it meant my life to do so.”

Juliska smiled. There was a mysterious twinkle in her eye.

“Very well. Your task, Ivan, is something a little different. Nevertheless, I have no doubts you can accomplish this task. It will be one of a personal nature.”

The crowd oohed and aahed, having never heard the Banon stray from the normal Initiation type tasks before.

From what Jae had explained to the twins, typically, Initiations were scavenger hunts of sorts, projects that tested the Initiates’ knowledge of history, laws and magic. If their knowledge proved worthy, they won their place among the Initiated. He claimed it wasn’t too hard to pass, and was much harder to get chosen for Initiation. He could not recall the last time someone failed an Initiation task.

“It is a matter which I will discuss with you further and in private,” continued the Banon. “And upon your completion, all will know the results.”

The group buzzed with anticipation. Never had an Initiation been so secretive.

“Now, on to your choice, Ivan Crane,” Juliska stated. “As is the tradition, you shall announce your choice for Learner Companion. One amongst us that is not yet Initiated, who will assist you in this task, in the hopes of forwarding their own knowledge and gaining their own Initiation in due time.”

Juliska waited just as eagerly for him to name his choice, as did everyone.

Ivan turned to the mainly younger, non-Initiated group. Zealous eyes waited anxiously, hoping he would pick them.

Meghan laughed. Who would want to spend time with that boy? Following his instructions and doing what he says...

Colin heard her thought, surprised she’d let her guard down, and opened his mind to hers for a brief moment.

“I do pity whoever he picks,” he agreed.

“I’m not sure pity is a strong enough word,” she shot back silently. She bit her lip trying not to show her opinion outwardly.

Ivan Crane searched the crowd, ignoring the eager eyes gazing back, waiting for some sign that he was about to pick them. Then, his unflinching gaze stopped on Meghan Jacoby, and his earlier smirk turned into a devilish grin.

“Oh no,” she whispered under her breath, horrified. “He wouldn’t dare!”

But Ivan did dare.

“I choose the Firemancer, Meghan Jacoby as my Learner Companion, so that she may learn from me and perhaps, someday, follow in my footsteps.”

Some in the crowd clapped and cheered. The rest stood in disbelieving silence.

Why would he pick this untested newcomer over one of them?

Jae pushed Meghan gently, but she refused to move forward. He cleared his throat and stepped back when he thought that steam might literally blow out of her ears.

That, or flames. He wasn’t sure.

Colin nudged her when Jae gave up. “Meghan,” he whispered. “You have to go. Now.”

All he heard was a barely audible nonstop flow of expletives unlike anything he’d ever heard come out of his sister before. Nevertheless, she went forward, stalking to Ivan’s side but huffing the entire way. She refused to look at him and give any satisfaction. 

Meghan felt a warm pat on her arm and saw that Juliska was congratulating her. She forced out a smile.

“Very smart choice, Ivan Crane. My visions of your auspicious future are coming true already. A Firemancer at your side could prove a very wise move for this particular task.” Juliska beamed in delight. Even this could not brighten Meghan’s mood.

Ivan bowed and thanked the Banon for her praise. Juliska came forward and congratulated Ivan personally. As she drew closer, Meghan could not help but smile, for real. Though inside, her fury toward Ivan Crane intensified so much that she felt certain she would burst into flames at any moment.

Juliska leaned into them.

“I will call upon you both soon and explain your task further.” She proceeded to whisk away in full Juliska fashion. A line began to form, with Svoda ready to congratulate the Initiate and his chosen companion.

Just as the Banon reached the exit of the amphitheater, she froze, motioning for her two guards to do the same.

“Silence,” she suddenly bellowed. Her voice ricocheted around the bowl-like walls of the cavern. After a moment, all went quiet. All but inquisitive breaths of the Svoda and the distinct sound of massive wings snapping against the air.

A collective gasp stripped away the ceremonious atmosphere. 

It could only mean one thing.

“How?” yelled a man. “How did they follow us here? How did they get here?”

There was no time for debating the answers. 

An ear-piercing screech the twins had hoped to never hear again rained down over them all. It bounced around the walls working up the Svoda into a terrified frenzy. It was impossible to tell just how many Scratchers were attacking.

Someone shouted, “Run for your lives!”

The crowd barged toward the one exit, jamming it. 

A fury of flame cut them off as Juliska Blackwell’s body ignited. Her arms outstretched, her body lifting off the ground rising above the group.

“Stop!” she ordered.

The crowd did as she commanded, watching ominous shadows swarming overhead, preparing to dive and attack.

“Go safely to your homes! I alone will fight this enemy and accept the consequences of using magic.”

The crowd more calmly worked their way through the exit.

Irving and Sheila had found their way across to their children and the twins. “All hold hands and follow me,” Irving ordered. Jae grabbed Mireya and Meghan, and in turn, she grasped onto Colin as they fought to stay together and get outside of the amphitheater.

The hurried organization did not last. Panic ensued again when the Scratchers dove into view. There were three. Parents grabbed their younger children and raced toward their dwellings and the safety of the caves; they disappeared into the closest open door they could find.

One of the Scratchers dove downward, perilously close to the Svoda.

Juliska’s arm shot outward, a spell bursting out of her palm. It blasted the creature back into the air.

“You cannot fight them alone,” one of her guards shouted.

She lowered her hand, faced her palm upward and closed her eyes. A moment later two axes formed, with thick handles. Jelen and Jenner each grabbed one ready to defend their leader as best they could without using magic. But they could only attack the Scratchers if they flew low enough.

Juliska shot off another spell. And another. And another, showing no signs of tiring. But fighting all three at once was proving difficult even for the leader of the gypsies.

While her back was turned fighting off a Scratcher attempting to land, another swooped down and knocked over four Svoda mid-run, including Balloch Flummer and his son, Noah.

Nearby Svoda scurried in all directions, attempting to take cover from the flailing beast’s deadly wings; wings that if enclosed around you, meant instant death!

Noah helped his father off the dusty ground, along with the two others who had fallen. Noah’s own young daughter stood by an open door urging them forward.

“Father,” called out Noah. “I would say this warrants the use of magic, wouldn’t you?”

Balloch agreed, seeing as their lives were in imminent danger. Before he could tell his son to let him do it though, and take the subsequent consequences, Noah took the lead.

“Emissio,” he yelled, sending the beast flying backwards into the air. The two Svoda he had helped up raced away to safety. As Noah followed, he realized that his father was not at his side. He turned and saw Balloch racing toward an unprotected child that had fallen and gotten separated from his parents. Noah saw the child’s own father running too, but he’d never get there in time. Balloch was closer.

Irving stopped at the entrance of a dwelling and pushed Mireya and his wife inside. Just as he was about to do the same with Jae and the twins, a panicked cry stopped them cold. The horror in the cry was unnerving, and yet they had to look. They couldn’t stop themselves.

It all happened too fast.

There was no time to help, only watch the inevitable.

Noah Flummer called out, warning his father.

The Scratcher, which he’d blown away from his father only moments before hovered over Balloch, its wings outstretched, its body descending, its wolf-like snout pushing out an eerie howl over its imminent victory.

Noah planted his feet on the ground, palm at the ready to shoot off a spell. His hands shook; if he blasted the creature, he might hit his father too. But his father was dead if he did not.

Balloch, fearing for the life of the child in his arms, with all his aged strength, tossed the child to safety. The boy’s father caught him and fell to the ground covering his son with his body as the Scratcher landed and enclosed its wings around Balloch. A painful cry rang out for a fleeting moment, then ended.

Noah’s spell hit the Scratcher straight on, but too late. The beast toppled over onto the ground with a hideous screech. It opened its wings leaving Balloch’s lifeless body behind, bounding off the dusty ground poised to attack again.

Time seemed to halt. Breath stolen out of lungs. All sound drowned out by blood rushing to ears. Shocked and saddened gazes frozen on the dead body of a man they all loved and admired.

Juliska Blackwell spun around, her eyes wide with a mix of anger and the need for revenge for the death of one of her own. 

Sound and chaos came hurtling back.

The beast hovered just over their heads, screeching and howling in victory.

Noah ran over to his father and fell to his knees.

The twins’ minds came together, the blocks they held in place breaking apart. This very same thing may have happened to their Uncle Arnon. Their minds raced back to the fallen pine tree in the woods behind the campground, and to the moment that had changed their lives forever.

The Mochries tried to drag the twins inside and Colin permitted it, no strength to fight it. However, Meghan refused, taking steps closer to danger, unable to take her eyes off the dead body of Balloch Flummer. But she didn’t see his face, only her uncle Arnon’s.

Someone stepped up to her side taking a protective stance that forced her to step back to the canyon wall. Meghan sank down the side of the wall, to the ground. She looked up to see Ivan shielding her from potential danger. Her thoughts wound tighter and tighter.

Spells were cast, both Jelen and Jenner breaking the no magic rule as they fought two of the beasts. Juliska stormed toward the one who’d killed Balloch.

“How dare you?” she roared. With each stride, flames burst forth from her body, starting with her hands, spreading to her head and feet.

Meghan’s eyes popped wide, watching. She’d seen Juliska use her power as Firemancer, but never like this.

With each step, the color of the flames changed. Starting out orange and yellow, shifting to a deep gold, to a light red, and finally to a red so dark it was almost black. Juliska’s appearance transformed, her face taking on a feral, aged look. Her arm lifted, pointing at the beast.

Its wings flapped madly as it tried to escape higher in the air, but it could not. It snarled furiously at its unseen cage, and thrashed viciously, attempting to get away, but Juliska had it caught.

“What gives you the right?” she demanded of the creature. The beast writhed in agony. The two fighting Jelen and Jenner saw this and fled to higher air space out of harm’s way.

Juliska’s body rose off the ground to the level of the captured beast. A circle of fiery light started to encircle them both, forming a barrier around them. She whispered something and the creature went silent. Its body suspended in some sort of temporary frozen animation.

“You will return to where you came from,” stated Juliska. “And you will deliver this message: we will never stop fighting! We may not be able to kill you yet, but we will find a way. And when that day comes you’ll be the ones running for your lives.”

The spell broke with an elastic-like pulse that shot fiery strands of light in all directions. Juliska sank down to the ground with a soft thud. With the barrier broken, the Scratcher regained the use of its limbs and vocal chords; it fled upwards into the darkening sky, joining the other two and their haunting silhouettes disappeared into the horizon.

Juliska’s Balaton came to her side at once. She insisted she was fine and straightened her clothes and hair. The feral look she’d taken on was gone, replaced by her normal alabaster skin and penetrating gaze.

Meghan closed her mouth, realizing she’d let it fall open while watching Juliska. There was so much more to being a Firemancer than just seeing things...

A hand reached down offering silent help off the ground. Her gaze made a trail up the hand, arm and neck to see Ivan Crane staring down at her. She accepted his help, neither looking pleased about it. He let go as soon as she was up and steady on her feet.

“You’re... okay?” It sounded painful for him to ask.

“F-fine,” she stammered. Not the truth, but like she was going to share with Ivan.

He turned away from her, satisfied enough. Meghan wondered why he even cared.

Just inside the cave dwelling, Colin sat on the floor and stared into nothing. Even as a few people exited the dwelling, emerging back outside cautiously, he just stared, his breaths shallow and his thoughts, heavy. He’d just had a terrifying realization. One he affixed firmly, so deep in his mind that Meghan would never be able to read the thought.  Ever. He could not believe it. He could not prove it. And no one would believe him, but he was certain of it.

There was a tug at his arm. His head flicked upward.

“You okay?” Jae asked him.

“Um. Yeah...” Colin got to his feet. “You?”

“Yeah, I’m good.”

Colin pushed the terrifying realization out of his thoughts for now. He had no idea how to process the information, or what to do with it. Sharing with anyone was out of the question until he had solid proof.

Realizing the Scratchers had retreated, the Svoda hesitantly emerged from their hiding places, witnessing the lifeless body of Balloch Flummer. Colin followed the others outside, looking on as Noah Flummer tried to comfort his mother, Sidra, but could barely comfort himself. Tears streamed down many faces. Svoda young and old alike knew Balloch well.

After a few moments, Juliska walked to the center of the gathered circle and stood next to the grieving family.

Colin pinched his eyes together; if only he had proof. Maybe he was wrong about her. Almost as if she knew he was thinking about her, Juliska’s gaze fell on him. Hers was a mixture of determination, fulfillment, and a hint of sadness, which hardened the longer she looked at him. He shuddered, looking away. This woman did not like him and he had no idea why.

“This is a sad reminder of what we all must strive for,” Juliska’s voice rang out a second later. “Yes, Initiations are a vital part of our livelihood and a tradition long standing. Nevertheless, whether you are chosen this month, or next year, you must each do your part. Our rules and traditions must always keep us moving forward, toward our goal of living in safety and someday returning home. We must find a way to fight this evil!”

She paused, listening to the somber and sniveling responses of the crowd.

“Balloch Flummer was a good man,” she sighed. “A devoted member to his final breath. He gave his life so that the young could live. So our future could survive.”

Sidra Flummer looked up from her husband’s dead body.

“It is what he always wanted,” she mustered the strength to say. “To protect both our history and our future.”

Nothing more was said.

Juliska Blackwell nodded to her personal guards, Jelen and Jenner, who stayed by her side as she left the scene.

Meghan thought she looked unusually defeated.

Colin scowled, hearing her. His sister hadn’t put the block up against her thoughts yet. If Juliska looked defeated in any manner, it was forced. He was sure of it. He set his own mind-block firmly in place, keeping his suspicions to himself. If what he thought was true turned out to be so, and he found irrefutable evidence, imagining the backlash was impossible.

Others in the crowd assisted the Flummer family back to their home, and carried Balloch’s body to a private location where they could say goodbye and plan a funeral. His body would be cremated so his ashes could be brought with his family when they left this place.

Irving Mochrie turned to his family and the twins.

“Night is upon us. We had better get home. It’s bad enough that Banon Blackwell had to use magic. We must not break any other rules of this place, or we will face permanent expulsion.” He swallowed hard and led the way.

Once inside, no one spoke. The silence was deafening. Then, Ivan Crane sauntered in. He did not live with the Mochries now, but did come by to check in. He did not speak, only sat down. After a while, Irving broke the silence. Somewhat halfheartedly.

“I believe that even though this night was fatally marked, there is a lesson here for us all. We were not prepared. True, we were not aware that Scratchers were here, hiding in wait for us. But we must always be prepared.”

“You are right, of course,” answered Ivan. “If we do not find a way to defeat this enemy, we may never be able to go home.” With that, he stood up to leave. Sheila grabbed his hand.

“We realize it’s crowded, Ivan, but you’re welcome to stay.”

“No. Thank you,” he replied gently. “There’s something I need to do.” He nodded to Irving and Sheila and took his leave.

His departure triggered a mass movement in the Mochrie house. It was not late, but no one could muster the strength to put into words what they had witnessed.

As everyone dispersed to their rooms, the door on Corny Tibbit’s room opened, just enough for his dingy sleeved arm to reach out; it held a piece of paper.

Colin’s heart raced. Was it for him? Some new message he needed. He grabbed the paper and Corny’s door instantly slammed shut.

The Mochrie parents just nodded their heads in tired confusion, and went into their room, but not until after Sheila had thoroughly hugged her children.

Colin took a sweeping glance at the paper. It seemed as though he would have to wait for more pages. He only hoped there were more, especially since it spelled nothing coherent, even when read backwards, sideways, or really, it didn’t look like words at all.

Once Meghan, Colin, Jae and Mireya were alone in their room, no one knew what to say about the evening’s events. Jae comforted Mireya. She cried softly while lying on her bed. Balloch often spent hours reading and reciting stories to the young children.

Once Jae had calmed her down, he closed her curtain to let her sleep. The three slipped into Jae’s cubby and sat on his bed. It was a tight fit. But even Nona joined them, curling up on Meghan’s lap.

“Messed up,” he whispered.

The twins did not know how to respond. They had hardly known Balloch.

Sadly, this was the first time in a long time the three had been alone, and none of them were feeling overly conversational.

“I expect my father will keep me busier than ever now,” said Jae.

“Is that possible?” asked Colin.

“Somehow, my father will find a way.” He mocked his father’s voice in hushed tones, saying, “C’mon Jae, lots to be done. It’s my responsibility to make sure you stay on the right path.”

The twins chuckled, and the mood lightened ever so little. Mostly, they just felt sad, overwhelmed and tired. This new life was taking over. Their goal of getting home and back to Uncle Arnon seemed farther away than ever. This new magical existence was consuming them.

“How do you think the Scratchers got here?” Colin asked.

“My guess is they got stuck here after following a previous group of Svoda, and then waited to attack until we were all together.” Jae shrugged. “It’s the only explanation that makes sense.”

“They would’ve had to have followed a group of Svoda here,” assumed Meghan. “I mean, they have to use the same doorways we do, right?”

“Yeah. They do.”

“They must’ve been unable to leave with the last group, then,” guessed Meghan. “Or, maybe the last group didn’t know they’d been followed.”

“I’m thinking the latter, because the Banon or the Viancourt would have made an announcement if any messages had been left behind from the previous group about being followed.” Jae shook his head in dismay. “They stayed hidden just long enough for us to think we were safe here. Just sat back and waited for the right moment to attack.”

“But how would the previous group have not known they were followed?” questioned Colin. “Those things are kind of big.”

“There’s a few theories going around on that subject,” noted Jae. “Most popular one is they’ve got some kind of way to cloak themselves.”

“Why wouldn’t they just stay cloaked all the time?” Colin pushed further. “Attacking while invisible seems like a good way to get the job done.”

And that was a super scary thought that gave them even deeper shudders.

“Second most popular theory, claims they can transform into a much smaller form and they fly through with us, unnoticed.”

“I suppose that’s possible,” said Colin. “But if they can transform into something else, or something smaller, why hasn’t anyone ever witnessed it?”

Jae eyed him questioningly.

Meghan too.

He was pushing too hard and needed to back off. Finding proof for his terrifying realization would not be easy or fast. But there were such obvious holes in the theories surrounding the Scratchers, he didn’t understand why others didn’t see it, or question it much harder.

Then again, maybe they did, but kept it to themselves.

Thinking for one’s self around here did not go over too well.

Although it was a bit more like they didn’t want to see the truth. Because accepting it was too hard. It meant they’d been duped into believing something that wasn’t true. Colin had read books with situations like that. People turning a blind eye. Choosing to selectively see or remember things; as long as those things didn’t mean their life was some kind of dangerous lie.

Once again though, Colin had no proof, only his own wild theories that he’d keep to himself. 

“Just trying to figure it all out,” he played off. “It’s just all so...”

“Heinous. Gruesome. Sad. Terrifying, like twenty-four-seven,” Meghan responded.

“It’s how we live,” Jae responded glumly.

“Every time I think I’m starting to understand this world, it gets all messed up again,” she said quietly. “It’s like living in a world where everyone is counting down to the next attack. And you can’t argue that it will get better because it doesn’t. It’s only a matter of time before the cycle continues and it happens again.”

The true reality was sinking in.

Magic had its benefits. But was it worth all the pain and suffering it caused along the way? The three sighed deeply, knowing that in every corner of every home, similar conversations were beginning.

Colin didn’t pose any additional questions. He’d have to find another way to research his theories about the Scratchers, as well as Juliska Blackwell.

The immediate concern being what would they do about this threat? The Scratchers were still here. Would Eidolon, the ruler of this world, allow them to use magic if their lives were in danger? Or would they be kicked out and forced to move on before they were supposed to?

A sudden fear cracked through Colin’s chest. They couldn’t get kicked out. Not yet. He had to find Catrina before they left this place. She was out there. Somewhere. Alone and in danger.

“Why does Eidolon not want us using magic, anyway?” asked Colin, hoping Jae would know.

“All I heard is that it’s part of the agreement Juliska worked out for the Svoda to be able to travel here. When he finds out that we’ve not only used magic, but also brought Scratchers here,” he cut himself off with a shrug that meant, we’re screwed.

“Has anyone ever seen this guy, Eidolon?” asked Meghan.

“Other than the Banon, I have no idea.”

“He has to be reasonable about this,” she added insistently. “I mean, we had no choice. Julis... Banon Blackwell had to defend us. The others too.”

“Maybe Eidolon could find some way of destroying the Scratchers,” suggested Colin.

“Doubt it. We’ve been trying for years,” reminded Jae. “There’s no known way to kill a Scratcher. We have injured and maimed, but never successfully killed one.”

“Even with axes?” Colin responded. “That Jelen and Jenner looked like they could do some serious damage. If Juliska captured one, like she did earlier, what’s stopping them from just chopping off their heads? They can’t live without a head.”

Jae frowned. “Huh. I never really thought about it. We’ve always used magic to fight them.” He shook his head. “It must have been tried before. Plus, if you get close to the wings... well, you saw.”

“Saw far too much for my liking,” said Meghan with a shudder. “My guess, their heads aren’t that easy to chop off.”

“Or it could be they don’t die when you do,” Jae added with a shudder of his own.

“Yeah, imagine that. The headless Scratcher,” Meghan muttered.

Even Colin had to agree it was not an image he wanted to encounter, and yet all this only added more holes in the theories surrounding the Scratchers. Everyone seemed in agreement they were not killable; however, it seemed unclear just how many times it had been tried, and how many ways, had failed. Things just didn’t add up.

Jae yawned. It set off a chain reaction. With no more to say and their strength waned, they crawled into bed. Neither Meghan nor Colin fell asleep easily, and once they did, their dreams forced them to relive the savage attack.

Meghan’s dream turned into a nightmare, or to be correct, Ivan’s nightmare regarding Jae. She hadn’t had a vision or dream about Jae in weeks. Although this time, rather than a dark silhouette-like being shrouding Jae’s body, it was a Scratcher that towered over him, picked him up and hurled him into the black abyss. Meghan, as always, sat in the middle of a pillar just out of reach. Unable to help her friend.

She awoke with a start, instantly furious at Ivan.

He was going to have to tell her what this vision meant and what was wrong with Jae. She had hoped never to relive the vision again, be it by fire or a dream. She guessed it meant that Jae was still in trouble. And the Scratcher; her brain had obviously exchanged it in place of the usual attacker because of the incident that evening.

Regardless of the meaning or outcomes, sleep was interrupted and spotty at best.

Colin made certain the block was firmly secure in his mind before even attempting to fall asleep. He didn’t want his sister reading any of his thoughts. He stashed all his own developing theories about the Scratchers and Juliska far back into his mind and focused on forming a plan to rescue Catrina.

Just the thought of her imprisoned in the glass coffin, hidden in a cave somewhere in Eidolon’s Valley, made him sick and kept sleep from coming. When it did finally claim him, he dreamed of the coffin, but rather than his silver haired dream girl, he saw the face of Balloch Flummer inside.

Colin stared down as if hovering over the coffin peering down into the glass.

Balloch’s eyes burst open.

“Find her Colin. Find her before it’s too late!” he warned.

Colin gasped.

Balloch’s eyes closed again and in a flash, it was no longer the storyteller lying in the coffin, but Uncle Arnon.

It was the second longest night of the twins’ lives; following their first night living with the Svoda Gypsies.

##

“GOOD, EVERYONE IS UP,” said Irving. It was breakfast and they stopped and watched as he stepped through the door at the back of the dwelling that came from deeper in the caves. “The SLC is having an emergency meeting. Ivan, I’ve been instructed that you may attend even though your Initiation isn’t complete yet. Boy, you must have really made an impression on Banon Blackwell.”

Ivan had joined them for breakfast that morning, but hadn’t spoken other than a quick greeting. He responded to Irving’s announcement by immediately heading down the tunnel to the meeting. Sheila rushed to change her clothes to a more presentable dress.

Irving looked sternly at the four youngsters sitting at the kitchen table.

“Be very mindful and careful today! Jae, I am leaving you in charge of your sister while we’re in this meeting. It could last a while.”

Jae perked up. “Yeah, Dad, of course. I won’t take my eyes off her.”

Irving nodded his approval and turned to Meghan.

“In all the chaos of last night, Sheila and I did not have a chance to congratulate you on being picked as Learner Companion.” Irving looked as though he was not entirely sure what he wanted to say. “I am sure that Banon Blackwell is teaching you well, but take great care. It seems she has a special task in store for Ivan, and now with Scratchers at our backs...” It seemed he had made his point as he turned and took hold of wife’s arm and they disappeared down the tunnel.

Meghan’s appetite, which was barely there at all, completely vanished. Why had Ivan picked her? She sucked at magic, and although her Firemancy was improving, she realized she still had far to go, especially after witnessing Juliska’s display of power the evening before.

“Is it safe for us to go outside?” asked Colin after they’d cleaned up the table a little later.

“I’ve heard a few others outside this morning,” Jae replied.

Colin wanted to keep practicing his Aspectus Remotus skills, hoping to regain a connection with Catrina, when a frightening thought dawned on him. He had been using magic just hours before the attack. He panicked. Did my use of magic trigger the attack? Did I show the Scratchers where we are? How will I keep searching for Catrina without using magic?

Regardless of whether his use of magic had somehow attracted the Scratchers, he needed to be more careful.

A knock at the door shook him from his thoughts. It was a friend of Mireya’s. Jae agreed she could go out and join her friends, but he’d go too and keep an eye on them.

The group stepped outside and were instantly confronted by a new human barrier, marking a point to which the children could not pass. A few older Svoda teens made up this barrier, protecting the younger Svoda as they played outside.

At the far end of the barrier, they noticed a trio of three female watchers, made up of the Three D’s.

“Can’t believe they would allow those three to be responsible for the safety of others,” said Meghan.

Colin and Jae nodded in agreement.

“We are small in numbers, but really, they could have asked anyone else and it would have been a better choice,” added Jae.

Mireya ran to join her friends.

“Don’t leave my sight, okay. Remember, I promised Dad.”

Mireya ran back, hugged her brother quickly, and darted back to her friends. Jae took a seat on a rock nearby and the twins sat down beside him.

Surprisingly, the dry, dusty air, and horrible events from the evening before did not dampen the spirits of the younger children, hard at play.

“It’s a little disturbing if you think about it,” Jae suddenly blurted.

“What’s that?” asked Colin.

“How used to these attacks we’ve become. How easily we slip back into our daily routines.”

“But isn’t that why the SLC is meeting today?” asked Meghan.

“Definitely. No question there. Still, life keeps going. Meetings will be had, decisions will be made, and maybe even new rules put into place. But when all is said and done, tomorrow we get up and start another day. With the full understanding that another attack will come.”

It brought them all back to their conversation the night before.

Seeing the sickly expressions on the twins’ faces, Jae bit his lip and nodded toward a group of huddled youngsters, which now included his sister. “Let’s go see what’s up.”

“Hey guys,” a familiar voice called out as they arrived. “You wanna check it out? It’s today’s Jackal Lantern.” Oliver Stamm, ex-classmate and son of Dr. Stamm, handed the paper to Jae, joining the dispersing children in a game of tag. Jae was sure to keep Mireya in view.

The front page was a detailed story of the previous night’s attack. None of the trio wanted to relive this event and turned the page. Inside, was a two-page spread about Ivan Crane and his Initiation. Meghan grabbed the paper and read the piece aloud.

Newest Initiate Report, By Kalila Jackal

How sad it is that the young Mr. Ivan Crane had to have his glorious night ruined by such horrific events. Such an amazing talent at such a young age! At least Banon Blackwell thinks so.

So what can we expect from Ivan Crane?

I believe to better understand this young, and may I say handsome, talent, we need to step into the past. Many of us recall the tragic story of Ivan Crane. The losses he has suffered, we have suffered alongside him. Firstly, the death of his mother; the poor boy was just four years old when she died. Taken by an incurable illness that even magic could not heal.

Secondly, almost nine months after her passing - well we all know what happened then: all hell broke loose!

Need I remind everyone that during this time, the Svoda still resided on our beautiful secluded island, off the northern Maine shores? Sadly though, the peace we had known for hundreds of years slipped away with the tides. A split amongst our people cut through the island like a knife. Some even came to believe that one of our very own had betrayed us to the Immortal Grosvenor. Yes, our most ancient enemy!

Of course, this split began when Juliska Nandalia Blackwell (before becoming our fearless Banon), made the following prophecy:

“Beware! A new threat rises! You will be betrayed by one of your own!”

Well, what could one expect from such a prophecy. Small battles broke out on the island, lines were drawn and sides taken. The next few years brought nothing but pain as these battles tore our friends and families asunder.

One group banded together and demanded changes to our laws, the very laws that had kept us safe from the non-magical world for hundreds of years. They wanted to leave the island and return magic back to its ‘rightful glory’, as in the days of old.

Can you imagine returning magic to a world that has forgotten it ever existed?

Can you imagine the turmoil this would cause?

This kind of nonsensical thinking can lead to no good I tell you. No good!

Alas, I digress.

It is at this point in our history that Juliska Nandalia Blackwell took her place as our leader. The rebellion continued, creeping into our daily lives. Taking sides became unavoidable.

Our Banon made the only decision possible. She decreed that anyone caught rebelling against the long-lived Svoda tradition would be henceforth banished from the island, even if it meant splitting family and friends!

To their credit, those who rebelled came willingly, together, to make their final stand. It was a sad day, because disagree or not, they were our loved ones. The Banon tried to reason with them. She promised to do everything needed to protect our way of life.

The leader of the rebellious group, Amelia Cobb, stood before her followers and defied our Banon.

‘We are tired of hiding! We are tired of living as hunted prey! We want our freedom to come and go as we please. We want magic to be a part of the world again.’

The speech continued and the Banon did not interrupt. However, when Amelia finished, she did speak:

––––––––

‘I UNDERSTAND YOUR DESIRES to live amongst the outside world. However, have we not had a good life here? Have we not been safe here? To go out into the world and think that people who do not know, or understand magic will accept you is wrong! Magic had to go into hiding for a reason. Need I remind you of our past torments? The very reason our ancestors came to live on this island? Hiding is our only option!’

––––––––

OF COURSE, AMELIA AND her followers refused to give in. There would be no peace.

Now, you might be asking yourself, has good ole’ Kalila had too much to drink today? What does this history lesson have to do with our Initiate, Ivan Crane, just shy of five years old at the time?

For those of you too young to remember, this is what occurred:

Three days after the banished Svoda departed our great island, the Banon called a gathering of all who remained. It was during this gathering that we were attacked, our first encounter with the Scratchers!

Sadly, to this day, we cannot say with absolute certainty, that it was not our own brothers and sisters that sent these terrifying creatures to hunt us down.

Although I do know, for certain, that I am not alone in hoping that one day we will discover the truth, and it will clear our long lost loved ones of this terrible charge.

But again, I digress.

For it just so happens that during this first attack, Ivan became an orphan, as it was his father, Ian Crane, who was the first to die by the wings of a Scratcher.

Perhaps his tragic past drives Ivan’s ambition. He has much to avenge in his short life. So the question arises, is he truly ready for the responsibility of being an Initiated member of the Svoda? Is he ready for the task the Banon has planned for him?

Perhaps his pick of Learner Companion will give us a clue.

––––––––

MEGHAN TOOK A BREAK from reading.

“They’re mentioning me!”

Colin was not sure if she was ecstatic or nervous. She continued reading.

––––––––

MEGHAN CHELCY JACOBY.

What do we know about this girl?

She came to us nearly a year ago, by accident, and just a short while later it was discovered she possessed a magical gift.

A Firemancer, no less!

A rare vocation.

Moreover, do we need remind you of the prophecy spewed from the mouth of this new seer:

‘Beware! They attack you where you sleep!’

What has come of this prophecy? There is speculation amongst some that it came true just last night! When we were viciously attacked so close to our homes. Yet, some fear this prophecy may not yet be fulfilled.

So was Ivan Crane smart to pick a Learner Companion so inexperienced? Will this girl, still a stranger amongst us, prove useful to him during his task? Will she one day also be Initiated? Is she truly one of us?

The Banon herself has taken up the task of training this Firemancer!

Therefore, that should be answer enough for anyone who questions the motives of the girl!

I for one think Ivan Crane chose wisely. A Firemancer at your side is invaluable!

––––––––

THE ARTICLE ENDED ABRUPTLY. Meghan humphed and threw the paper down.

“Why would they question my motives? I don’t have motives.”

“Not other than getting attention, Sis.”

Meghan scowled.

Colin continued, backtracking.

“Ivan’s story is revealing, like him or not,” he aimed toward Meghan. “It makes sense that he’s so distant. If both of my parents had died like that, I’d feel the same I think.”

“Earth to Colin. Both our parents are dead! As well as possibly our uncle!”

“It was different for us, though,” he argued. “We never knew our parents. And with Uncle Arnon, well I’m keeping up hope that he’s still alive.”

Meghan nodded. She was too.

“I was still a baby,” said Jae. “When the banished departed. I have no memory of it.”

“Are the banished Svoda really responsible for the Scratchers?” asked Meghan.

“It is coincidence that we were attacked three days after they departed, isn’t it?” he returned.

“But didn’t they still have friends and family who stayed behind?” asked Colin. “How could they attack their own people?”

“There’s no easy answer. From what I have heard over the years, the group that left was fanatical in their beliefs and willing to do just about anything to get what they wanted. We always hope the banished aren’t responsible, but things always seem to point back to them, in the end.”

Jae turned his attention to Mireya as the twins sat in silence, blocking each other from their thoughts. Similarly though, they each realized, again, how little they really knew about the Svoda and this world they were stuck living in.

After a while, Jae told the twins he was taking Mireya home to prepare lunch. He wanted to be ready in case his parents returned for a break, and assumed they would be hungry if they did.

Meghan offered to help.

Colin stayed behind and picked up the Jackal Lantern, turning back to the front page. He skimmed over the retelling of the previous night’s attack.

There was nothing new or different from what he’d already witnessed, and oddly, not a lot of questions surrounding the attack itself. The tone of the article carried the same attitude everyone else did: another day, another attack... with an invisible clock restarting a hidden countdown leading to the next one.

He moved on to another article. Maybe somewhere deeper inside the paper, someone actually debated the topic with any real depth or new thinking.

In Other News, By Kalida Jackal

In other news, we have learned that our own Viancourt member, Tanzea Chase, who we all know has been ill, fell and injured herself while attempting, at the last minute, to attend the Initiation of Ivan Crane. Her injuries are not severe: a sprained ankle and a bruised arm.

Doctor Stamm is healing her, without the use of magic, of course. We at the Jackal Lantern need not remind you that ALL magic is strictly forbidden in the E Valley. Let this be your friendly reminder. Our best wishes to Vian Chase for a speedy recovery. And all meetings scheduled with her in the next twenty-four hours will need to be rebooked.

––––––––

THE NEXT In Other News story that caught Colin’s eye was about the now deceased storyteller and bookstore owner, Balloch Flummer and his family.

––––––––

IN OTHER NEWS, THE untimely passing of Balloch Flummer is not the only torment this family has been afflicted with in recent days. We at the Lantern have learned that the Flummer family also received devastating news upon arrival here in the E Valley.

Another of Balloch’s sons, currently residing with another caravan of our kin, left behind a message before their own departure from the E Valley. It seems that his daughter, Catrina, fell seriously ill...

––––––––

“WAIT! WHAT!” COLIN exclaimed.

Did he dare think this could be his dream Catrina?

He kept reading.

––––––––

IT SEEMS THAT BALLOCH’S granddaughter is suffering from an unknown illness. Shortly before their departure from Eidolon’s Valley, she slipped into a coma. The message said ‘she is currently under quarantine until it can be determined that her illness is not harmful to others.’

The message goes on to say, that the group even received authorization from Eidolon, himself, to heal her with magic. Unfortunately, at their time of departure, even magic had made no improvements. Let us hope beyond hope that this poor girl recovers. Moreover, that we are able to hear of it in our own future travels.

In an odd way, it takes me back to the article in this very issue of the Jackal Lantern, about Initiate Ivan Crane and the loss of his beloved mother. If you have not read it yet, I highly recommend it.

––––––––

COLIN QUICKLY SKIMMED the rest of the article and paper. There was nothing else about this girl, Catrina.

“Can it possibly be her?” Colin whispered to no one. “But how? She’s in another group. How could I have seen her in the hospital in Grimble? When at that point she should have been in Eidolon’s Valley?” Colin’s mind reeled with this information.

Perhaps there is another way to travel between worlds! He could not help but think it. If true though, why would this information be kept secret?

He stored this information with the rest he’d collected so far. It only added to the questions, but the more questions that had no answers, the more holes in the story there were. It only further proved the case, in his mind, of the realization he was not yet ready to share.

#

JAE WAS CORRECT. HIS parents did show up for lunch, and Sheila was extremely thankful to Jae, Meghan and Mireya for cooking. Colin appeared just as the food was ready to eat. Even Irving seemed pleased with Jae’s actions.

“Our meeting is to start up again in an hour’s time,” Irving said as they sat to eat. “This is nice,” he added, “everyone eating together. I guess we haven’t done this in a while, have we?”

Sheila lovingly took hold of her husband’s hand. “You have been busy, dear. It’s too bad Ivan couldn’t join us, too.”

“Yes, but I’m sure he’s off taking care of business as always.”

“Dad, can I ask you a question?” interrupted Mireya, shyly. “What do you talk about in the SLC meetings? Are you talking about how to kill the Scratchers?”

Irving, with a rare twinkle in his eyes, tapped the side of his nose.

“That’s for Initiated minds to know, and non-Initiated minds to find out!”

She giggled, but asked no more questions.

The mood during lunch was better than the twins expected, and right as they were finishing, Colin had an epiphany. There are still members of the Flummer family here in the E Valley. I could ask them to describe their Catrina, and then I would know for sure if it’s really her! This thought quickly led to another realization. If she grew up in another group, they’ll have no idea what she looks like. It can’t hurt to try, I guess.

“Mr. Mochrie, the meeting doesn’t start up for another thirty minutes, right?” he asked.

“You are correct, Colin.”

“Would it be okay if I were to hop over to the shop? I ran out of note paper,” he lied.

“Sure, that would be fine. There probably isn’t anyone minding it right now, so take what you need. Last I saw, the mercantile was set up near the bookstore. Good to see you’re keeping up with your studies.”

Colin did not answer but took off down the tunnel before anyone chose to question him. He ignored the push in his mind from Meghan. He’d heard the Flummer family was staying in a small apartment over the bookshop. It had to be weird to live so deep inside the cave, without any windows, he imagined. 

He wondered how to broach the subject. The family was still grieving over Balloch, and he wanted to talk about Catrina, who is sick. Before he knew it, he’d arrived at the entrance. He walked in and as expected, it was deserted. There were tall trunks, open with rows of books lining the insides. But he ignored the books, finding the staircase that led to the apartment upstairs. He stopped after climbing a single step.

“They’re going to think I’m nuts,” whispered Colin. A voice startled him from behind a nearby trunk of books.

“They might, but I wouldn’t.”

Colin spun around searching for the source of the voice. He froze as a ghostly body floated through a nearby trunk of books.

“But... But... you’re dead,” he stammered, in shock. 

“Ah, alas, I am that.”

The ghostly body of Balloch Flummer hovered just a few feet away from Colin.

“Listen to me carefully. I don’t think I have much time. I was pulled from Grimble to here, which means you must be my unfinished business.”

“Me? But...” All Colin could do was stare in bewilderment. Balloch had gone to Grimble after he died. One of the afterlife ghost towns where magical folk ended up if they had unfinished business to tend to.

“Ah, boy, you gain so much knowledge after you die. There’s so much truth in death.”

“What do you mean, Mr. Flummer?”

His ghostly body rushed forward, stopping abruptly in front of Colin’s face. Balloch stared into his eyes searching for something. His ghostly head shook as if getting the answer he sought, but he didn’t offer any explanation to Colin. He floated back a few feet and looked at him knowingly.

“You can save my granddaughter.”

“What? How do you... what do I... where is...” his words sputtered out, shock befuddling his tongue.

“You are the only one who can save her,” Balloch told him, ignoring his trail of stammered questions. 

Colin stared at the ghost in awe. Confirmation. The Flummers’ sick Catrina was his dream Catrina. And her grandfather’s ghost had come back from Grimble to tell him this. Any doubt he had over saving this girl, vanished. Not that he had many, but this revelation only deepened his resolve.

“Do you know where she is?” Colin asked, determined. “I know she’s somewhere in Eidolon’s Valley. But I don’t know where. And as to how she got there, that’s still a mystery.”

Balloch floated, his thoughts his own. He did not address Colin’s questions.

“Mr. Flummer?” questioned Colin.

No reply.

It was a bit like they were having entirely different conversations that just happened to be about the same topic, at the same moment. Nothing like when he and Meghan had spoken to their Uncle Eddy, or other ghosts in Grimble, who talked the same as living beings. Colin wondered if it was because Balloch was so newly dead, perhaps he was confused.

Colin gave a start when Balloch suddenly blurted out, “You’re not the only one looking for her! You must hurry, Colin!”

“Not the only one! What do you mean?”

He got no solid answers, just more mournful babbling.

“So much truth in death,” Balloch sighed. “Oh the horrors to come and the truths to be revealed. So much pain. So much suffering. So much death. All because of...” he trailed off, mumbling incoherently and floated out of the bookstore.

Colin followed him into the small courtyard, which was still empty as the SLC had not yet reconvened. Balloch floated higher and higher, just as his Uncle Eddy had months before with Timothy.

Balloch’s voice echoed clearly down to Colin.

“Trust no one Colin Jacoby. Things are happening now that cannot, and should not, be undone. Trust no one.”

An icy shudder made Colin shiver. He watched Balloch’s ghostly frame fade and meld into the red rock of the cave ceiling, and vanish. He assumed, for good. A few seconds later, voices echoed out of the tunnels; Svoda were returning to their meeting.

Colin was not sure what his next move should be, so he headed down an empty tunnel, stopping to watch the Svoda gather. The Flummer family exited their apartment from over the bookstore. Rehearsed smiles poorly hid their obvious sadness. Perhaps one day, if he could save Catrina, he would be able to relieve some of their grief.

Catrina was real.

Not just a figment of his imagination.

Not just a recurring fictional star in his dreams.

He’d been certain before, but to have the confirmation from Balloch only ramped up his belief and determination to find her.

She was real. And here somewhere in Eidolon’s Valley.

Why would others be searching for her though?

Who else would even know she was here?

And how did she get into the valley in the first place?

As he made his way through the tunnel, other thoughts clouded his mind.

He had seen Catrina while in Grimble.

This meant there had to be other ways to go travel from world to world.

And there was only one person who could keep a secret like that; the woman in charge. The woman who claimed there was no other way. The woman who did not like him, and whom he equally did not trust.

The Svoda might blame everything wrong with their lives on the group that was banished, years ago, the Scratchers, or other enemies like the Grosvenor, who Colin knew little about, but his theories were leading him to one conclusion. That it all pointed back to Juliska Blackwell. Or someone was sure doing their best to make it look that way.

It could be a setup. He’d read stories where this sort of thing happened all the time.

He had no proof either way.

And he would not condemn the Svoda’s leader before getting that proof, regardless of his personal feelings on the matter. Disliking someone wasn’t proof that they were evil.

The situation reminded him of the story Kanda Macawi had told around the campfire back in Cobbscott weeks before they’d come to live with the Svoda.

Seek the truth. Always.

And he’d do just that. After he saved Catrina Flummer.

Thinking of Kanda naturally made him think of his Uncle Arnon. If there were other ways to travel between worlds, it might be possible to return home sooner than he and Meghan had been told.

Colin stopped for a minute, nearing the exit of the tunnel.

If he had to make a choice that very minute on saving one of them, Catrina or Uncle Arnon, he suddenly wasn’t sure which person to choose.

His uncle should be his top priority, but then Balloch’s warning rapidly overshadowed that possibility. He was the only one that could save Catrina. Her own grandfather had said it.

“But I don’t have any idea how to open or use these other doorways,” said Colin with a telling sigh that sealed his immediate future. No matter how badly he wanted to find out if his uncle was dead or alive, even with the knowledge other doors must exist, he could not use them. So he’d focus on the task he could do and save the girl who haunted his dreams.

##

IVAN CRANE FINISHED the steep journey to Banon Blackwell’s castle with one deep inhale and exhale. He wiped a single bead of sweat from his brow before knocking. Pantin Hollee answered before he could get more than one knock in, and showed him into a small room.

Ivan noted four hard looking chairs carved from the same stone as the castle, along with a similarly carved table. There was a warm, dry breeze and he looked up to see the room was open to the outdoors. There was no back wall, just openness crossing the entire expanse of the back of the room. He stepped a little closer, peeking outward. Good thing there was a railing; it was a long drop down.

The room may have been sparse in decoration but what it lacked in furniture, it made up for with the view; it spanned for miles upon miles into a valley dotted with red rock formations and towering canyon walls. The vast empire of Eidolon. The valley they were forbidden to enter.

“Ah, good, Ivan.”

He spun around, bowing slightly.

“I see you’re admiring the view. Breathtaking, isn’t it?” Juliska said.

“It is impressive,” he replied. “I had no idea the valley went on for so many miles.”

“Quite expansive. Eidolon has an enormous kingdom. We are living at the very edge of it.”

“I see that now.”

“Good, because the valley will come into play with your Initiation task.”

He waited anxiously for her to explain.

She did not.

“Meghan will be here shortly,” she said instead. “But I did wish to speak with you alone, first.”

“Of course.” 

“We both have something in common, Ivan. Well more than one thing I’m sure, but the quality I admire the most in life is frankness. Honest, hold nothing back, frankness.”

“Well, as you have said before, Banon Blackwell, it is what keeps us alive. I see no other prudent method.”

“And I stand by that,” she replied heartily. “This is why I tell you the following, Ivan. I hope, for your own good.”

Ivan’s eyes narrowed, darkening a little in hesitant anticipation.

Had the Banon had some vision of him? One she might actually share. It wasn’t something she did often. Regardless, it did not sound like good news.

“I have great visions of your future, Ivan, however, there is one thing that worries me.”

Ivan stiffened, listening. 

“In my visions, you are always alone. Now, when I say alone, I mean that you have no confidant, no single person that you trust above all others. Every great man, or woman,” she winked, “needs to have a confidant. Like I have Hollee, for example. A woman I can trust with anything!” She emphasized the last word while placing a hand on his shoulder.

He felt inclined to defend himself.

“Banon, with all due respect, I feel it is sometimes wiser for me to be alone. There are fewer distractions in my work. It allows me great flexibility in giving my life wholly, to the Svoda cause.”

“I understand your feelings on this subject, Ivan, as I myself, often follow a similar path. But I’ve learned over the years it’s not a smart one. It is certainly noble to give yourself so fully. I only ask that you reconsider this one part of your path. Having that one person you can trust with your utmost secrets, desires, or fears... someone you know you can trust without question. This will only help you bear the burden of such a noble life.”

Ivan stumbled over his words. “I will, um, consider what you say. Of course. I appreciate your candor,” he ended more firmly.

“I knew you would. That is why I like you, Ivan Crane. No Bull. No ego. Get to the point and get the job done,” she said vivaciously. “It’s why I chose you for Initiation above all others.”

Ivan nodded curtly.

“I will leave it up to you to follow the path you see fit. If you choose to find a confidant, choose wisely,” warned Juliska. “I’ve seen too much betrayal in my lifetime, but I’ve also seen that your instincts are very keen. Trust them.”

Ivan narrowed his eyes again, wondering what the Banon had seen of his future.

A confidant? Him?

He didn’t have time for making friends. Let alone someone he trusted above all others. And who? Just who would fulfill such a job?

There was a knock at the door.

“Meghan Jacoby, Ma’am,” announced Pantin Hollee. Meghan sauntered in, raising an eyebrow in a cold hello to Ivan, but smiling widely at Juliska.

“Perfect. We can get down to business now,” said Juliska, motioning for the two to sit.

As she did, Meghan cast her gaze out across the valley and let out a rushed exhale. It was so big. So much bigger than she’d pictured in her mind. She cleared her throat and turned her attention back to Juliska, only to let out another slip of air. Pajak... the Banon’s pet spider was clasped in her hair and the creepy bugger was sleeping with one eye open. Meghan attempted, poorly, to ignore it, and listen to what Juliska was saying.

“The task I put before you, Ivan, will be the most difficult I have ever asked someone to do. I do not ask it lightly, and I will even give you a chance to say no. It will take great skill, but I feel you are ready or I would not ask. I will also say that your choice of Learner Companion is rather ideal.” She cast a quick gaze at Meghan and winked.

Meghan smiled nervously in reply, instantly anxious. Did Juliska truly believe she was up to this task, too? She did not feel ready in the least. And was certain Ivan had only chosen her, to teach her some kind of lesson, and put her through hell while he ordered her around. She was not looking forward to it at all. Not even to spend additional time with Juliska.

Ivan nodded, in thanks for the Banon’s approval, but ignored Meghan. He sat near the edge of his seat, eager to understand his mission.

“I will also add that no matter the outcome of your task, Ivan, that I already consider you an Initiated member of the Svoda. Because I already know that you will not say no, and I know that failure is not a word you are fond of.”

How well she knows Ivan, thought Meghan. Failure is so not his style!

“So now, I lay it bluntly before you. A man from the previous Svoda group that visited here, wandered into Eidolon’s Valley. He never returned. And although Eidolon denies any knowledge of this man, I believe he is being held prisoner, or that he may be dead.”

Meghan could not believe what she was hearing. She took a hard swallow. What exactly was she and Ivan supposed to do about something so serious?

Ivan didn’t give away how he was feeling about this revelation, he just listened patiently, waiting for the Banon to continue. Juliska stood and paced three times around the room before she did.

“What I need from you, Ivan, is to venture into Eidolon’s Valley and seek out this man. If he is alive, I want you to break him out and bring him to me. If he is dead, well in that unfortunate case, there is something on his person that I need you to recover. Something that cannot be left in the hands of Eidolon.”

Ivan sat back and soaked this information in, still not revealing his feelings in the matter.

Meghan went a little pale. Sneak into the valley and find a prisoner? How? And won’t that upset Eidolon even more? And wasn’t this a job for more practiced Svoda, like the Balaton or even Viancourt members?

Juliska guessed her questions.

“I chose you, Ivan, for this most delicate mission because first, you are qualified. And second, people will not be suspect if you disappear for a few days during your Initiation task. If I were to send the Viancourt or Balaton, questions, concerns and rumors would spread like wildfire. I would like to avoid this. Plus, well, let’s just say my personal Balaton, they are the muscle, but not so much the brains,” she jested in amusement. “And the rest of the Balaton are needed for security, especially now that we have Scratchers to ward off.”

Ivan nodded that he understood.

“I also fully realize,” she continued, “that our actions in this matter could upset the delicate nature of our relationship with Eidolon. Nevertheless, I simply cannot leave behind an innocent man if he is yet alive, no matter what foolish mistake he made by wandering into the valley. And Eidolon cannot get his hands on what this man possesses, if he is dead. I have prepared a backup plan should things... go badly.”

Ivan read her implication well. “By badly, you mean if Eidolon is guilty of holding this man prisoner or killing him, then discovers us and wages battle...”

“See what I mean, Meghan. I hardly need to explain myself at all with this young man,” delighted Juliska.

Meghan didn’t much care about it. She was much more concerned with the task. What exactly was this thing they were supposed to retrieve if this guy was dead? What kind of thing would Juliska risk so much for that she’d let two people go into the valley to search after it?

But Ivan did not question this.

He was too focused on the task itself. After a few minutes of hard concentration, his face turned from calculating to acceptance.

“I agree that we cannot leave a fellow Svoda behind, Banon Blackwell, and I accept your task. When does the journey begin?”

“In three weeks’ time we celebrate the Feast of the Blest Arcane. This will keep the people pleasantly occupied while you two enter the valley.”

Meghan wanted to ask a hundred questions, none of which Ivan was asking. So like him. Just oblige. And do. And don’t bother asking important questions like will we even survive this? Or will be become prisoners, or dead, too?

Meghan must have been exporting panic out of her pores, her breaths, her skipping heartbeat and any other thing on her person that could give it away. She jumped when bony fingers gently touched her hand.

“Sorry,” she whispered breathlessly.

“It’s okay to be nervous, Meghan. But please, know that I would never put you in a situation I didn’t think you could handle.”

Meghan wanted to believe Juliska, and part of her did. And part of her wanted to prove Juliska correct. But this was downright scary. Sure, she’d spied on people before. And could sneak around and tell a fib, but this was potentially much more dangerous. Life-threatening even. And what exactly could she do to assist Ivan on this task? 

I suck at magic. He remembers that, right?

She cast him a glare, every icy pixel begging to know if he regretted his choice now. Was revenge as sweet as he hoped?

“I still stand by my choice, Meghan.”

She wanted to scream but held her tongue. Her blood boiled in her veins and she thought for a minute she might burst into a mass of angry flames.

“I think I know how to fix this,” said Juliska, her tone calming and presumptuous. 

Meghan waited.

“I realize how nervous you are, Meghan. And there’s still a lot left for you to learn. Being a Firemancer is a lifetime of learning. However, Ivan will need your talents on this journey. I request that you move in with me for the remainder of our time here in the valley. This will make it much easier for me to train you.”

Instant lightness filled Meghan and her face lit up brightly. She need not speak her answer aloud. She had already begun packing in her mind. Focused, one on one training with Juliska was exactly what she needed to prepare for this.

What about Colin though?

It’s just for a few weeks. He’ll live.

On his own, without you?

There’s no choice! Her addled brain argued with itself. 

“Good. It’s settled then,” said Juliska knowingly.

Meghan bit her lip and nodded. Colin would be fine without her for a few weeks. They’d never spent that much time apart before, but it was bound to happen sooner or later. Well, sooner now.

“I will expect you later tonight, Meghan. We need to get started right away. Now, Ivan. You do not need to be here for all of Meghan’s training. However, I will ask that you be here sometimes. It is vital you are able to work together, and understand her limitations.”

Ivan smiled upon the Banon’s last word.

Meghan scowled. He would have no problem pointing out her limitations.

Why did this great event, of being able to spend extra time training with Juliska, have to be mired with spending extra time with Ivan? The one guy she’d love to never spend another minute with again. The reality of the task sank in. Not only was it potentially dangerous, but she’d be spending far more time with Ivan than anyone should have to. She sucked in a deep breath and let it out slow. She had no choice. It was a done deal.

Ivan agreed on times to come and train with Meghan, and then bid his goodbye. Meghan remained behind, looking overwhelmed. Juliska sat down across from her.

“I have one other request for you,” she said.

Meghan gave Juliska her complete attention, although unsure she had anything more to give.

“I realize this situation is not one you ever thought you’d find yourself in, but I trust Ivan explicitly. I would not allow you to follow him on this journey if I felt it was too dangerous for you. In addition, I fully realize your dislike for him. I cannot change your mind on this, you either like someone, or you don’t. I am sorry to have to make you spend so much time with someone you absolutely loathe.”

“Is it that obvious?” mumbled Meghan.

“Honestly, it’s quite apparent to see that when the two of you are in a room together, the tension is thicker than a knife, and not in an ‘Oh they’re so cute and will grow to love each other some day’ kind of way.”

“Sorry. I do find him infuriating. But I’ll manage,” Meghan answered weakly.

“Good. Because I think, like it or not, Ivan is bound for great things, and I would like to see you in this direction, too.”

Meghan grinned at the Banon’s adulation. She wouldn’t deny any request Juliska made, and her praise almost made having to work with Ivan, worth it.

“I will leave you to go home and pack now,” said Juliska.

As Meghan arose to depart, Juliska stopped her.

“Oh, one other thing, in regards to your brother. I understand this may be difficult, but I need this task to remain a secret. You can tell him you are moving in with me for additional training for Ivan’s Initiation.”

“My lips are sealed.”

Juliska nodded and left the room.

Meghan followed just a minute later, after gazing out across the valley she’d be sneaking into, in the near future. What would Colin say when he discovered she was moving out? He would probably have a fit. But he would have to get over it, because she was moving in with Juliska Blackwell whether he liked it or not. 

#

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” asked Colin, walking in on Meghan packing a suitcase. She sighed, unsure of how to break this news to him.

“It’s only for a few weeks, Colin.”

“What is?”

“Jul... Banon Blackwell feels I need some full-time training, in order to assist Ivan,” she puckered her nose, “on his Initiation.”

“Okay. Still don’t understand why you’re packing.”

“I’m moving in with the Banon upon her request, so we can train more often.”

Instantly Colin disliked this idea, and then almost as instantly, he accepted it. I can spend more time searching for Catrina this way. It also meant his sister spending more time with Juliska Blackwell, but he supposed it couldn’t be avoided. Meghan had to do this task with Ivan, whatever that was. 

Meghan saw his face change from anger to acceptance and wondered why. She tried, but could not nudge past the seemingly permanent block surrounding his thoughts.

“I guess that makes sense,” said Colin after a minute. “It’s just for a few weeks. I’ll be fine here.” He wanted to warn her about his suspicions regarding Juliska, but his sister would be the last person to believe him on this. The Banon could do no wrong in Meghan’s opinion. And he still had no proof, only suspicions.

Meghan was about to question her brother about his odd behavior when Jae walked in. She gasped, stunned by his appearance. Colin followed with a gasp of his own.

“What happened to you?” she asked him.

“Yeah, I guess I should go to the doctor, huh. I fell, slid down a rock,” he explained. “Stupid really. Clumsy. It looks worse than it is. If we were allowed to do magic, I’d just heal it, although my energy feels so drained lately I probably couldn’t even do that.”

Meghan ran out to the kitchen and came back with a damp cloth. 

“Bad day?” she questioned.

“You could say that,” he replied with a wince as she dabbed at a large bump on his head. Jae used another cloth to wipe off bloody bits of dirt, which had ground its way into the side of his scraped up arm.

Meghan’s nightmare sat at the edge of her thoughts. When would she figure out what was going on with Jae? She felt Colin’s mind trying to link with hers and she let the block down enough to communicate with him.

“Maybe he did just fall?” suggested Colin.

Meghan frowned, pondering Jae’s injuries. They did seem plausibly caused by a fall down a rocky surface.

“I dunno, Col. Maybe.”

Colin grabbed the bloodied cloth used to clean Jae’s wounds to dispose of them. Meghan’s thoughts entered his mind again.

“I only know I can’t worry about it right now, Col. I have too much on my plate, already.”

Colin secretly agreed with her there. Once again, Jae’s problems would have to wait.

Their mind-blocks went back up securing their thoughts, leaving them unable to speak to each other until they lowered them again.

Jae popped out from behind the dressing area with a stack of torn and bloodied clothes.

“Here, add these to the trash too, Colin. They’re ruined at this point.” Just as he tossed them to Colin, both boys jumped in surprise.

“Nona! Nona!” Meghan was shouting fearfully.

Nona had just entered the room, clearly not her usual, well-balanced self. Her head bent to one side and she stumbled while attempting to jump onto Meghan’s bed.

“What’s wrong with her?” asked both Colin and Jae.

Meghan did not answer. She tried to get closer to Nona but found it impossible as her faithful Catawitch’s body began twitching strangely. It began with frantic stretching, and then evolved into hitting her head with her own feet, and then even more strangely, into a full on fight with herself. She scratched and meowed raucously, running in tight circles, climbing walls and in general, appearing to have suddenly gone quite crazy.

Colin, in attempts to help Meghan catch Nona, tried to grab the Catawitch, only for Nona to scratch him with her sharp claws.

“Nona!” yelled Meghan. “Please stop this!” She could sense that her loyal pet was in torment, but could not see or sense what was causing the problem.

Then, to the shock of the flummoxed trio, Nona’s meow turned into a clear, cat-like, girly voice. They looked on, stunned, as she shook herself and began licking one of her feet acting like nothing out of the ordinary had occurred at all. After a moment, Nona looked up at the stunned three.

“Sorry,” she purred. “I’ve been trying to get that out of me for days now.”

“Nona... you are... talking,” muttered Meghan in relieved disbelief.

“Of course,” she said so only Meghan could hear. The voice was clear in her mind, just like her brother’s when they spoke to each other through their thoughts.

Nona added, aloud, “Sorry, Colin, about scratching you. I did not mean to do that,” her cattish voice explained. She hopped onto his lap and began licking his wound. He busted out a relieved laugh as Nona healed his arm.

Once finished, Nona turned to Jae.

“Would you allow me to heal you as well?”

Jae, not excited about a trip to the doctor, nodded yes, heartily. “Thank you,” he told her as she set in.

“I guess I should’ve expected you to be able to talk,” breathed Meghan, shaking her head, “after all, the first Catawitch I encountered could.”

“Ugh. Let’s not talk about that Catawitch,” purred Nona, miffed that she had not done more damage in their previous fight back in Grimble. She let out a cutting meow and continued healing Jae’s wounds.

Meghan laughed at her loyal companion. Their minds thought a lot alike. She supposed it’s why they’d been paired together. 

After healing Jae’s wounds, Nona went immediately back to business and reminded Meghan they needed to get moving. She was due at Juliska’s and Nona was equally anxious for Meghan to begin her training before the upcoming venture into the valley.

“I still can’t believe you’re talking,” Meghan whispered as Nona bounded out of the cave dwelling and waited for her. Meghan picked up her suitcase, at the same time explaining to Jae what she was doing, asking him to pass the news along to his parents since they were not home.

It was a strange goodbye, and although temporary in the twins’ minds, they both felt an unexpected appeasement at being out of each other’s lives for a time. With both of them better able to block each other in their minds, this would be the first time they’d truly spent any length of time apart.

Meghan heard Nona call for her and she departed, leaving her brother and Jae in the kitchen. Both were deep in thought and neither paid any attention to the other, when they heard a door creak open, startling them both.

An old, withered hand shot out of the door holding a piece of paper.

“Corny,” whispered Colin, eagerly going over and grabbing the sheet. The hand slipped back inside and the door abruptly slammed shut. “Thank you,” Colin called through the door, unsure Corny could even hear him.

He examined the page. It made no sense, like the previous one, but Colin could not help but smile in anticipation. He hoped whatever Corny was trying to tell him, the answer would come soon. This time, he was listening.

##

AMELIA COBB BENT DOWN to the ground, hovering over a puddle of newly fallen water.

“Speculo.” She whispered the incantation, and there in the puddle, appeared a murky and distorted face. She had to pass along the frightening news of the Projector to her informant.

“I am sorry to contact you so abruptly, but there is news. News that cannot wait!”

The informant, a male voice, spoke back.

“Has something gone wrong with the plan?”

“Not exactly. But the plans may have to change.”

The informant waited, breathlessly, checking his surroundings to be sure he was truly alone.

“Go on,” he said. “It’s safe to speak.”

“We have become aware of something that changes everything. A Projector has emerged, not yet in full power, still a child.”

The murky face in the water stammered, speechless for an entire minute.

“I know,” continued Amelia. “This is a circumstance none of us expected.”

“What has been decided?” asked the informant, remembering that the tradition was to kill these children before they could reach full maturity and thus, come into uncontrollable power.

“We cannot come to a unanimous decision. However, we needed to warn you. By this point, the Grosvenor and all in the magical world will have discovered this information. Eventually, this knowledge will come to those of you who travel, too. Everyone will know about this child. Everyone will be hunting the Projector... whether to kill or conquer.”

The informant acknowledged this.

“I will pass this information along to the rest. We will follow whatever decision you make, Amelia Cobb, rightful Banon to the Svoda Gypsies.”

Amelia’s comforting smile waved through the puddle rings. Her silhouette vanished, leaving the informant alone.

“How grave,” he muttered, “that a poor child is out there fated to die because of a limitless magic that cannot be controlled.” He scurried to warn to his fellow informants.

#

COLIN GLANCED AT MEGHAN’S empty bed. This would take some getting used to. As much as he enjoyed the fact that he would have more time on his own, not having his sister around still made him uncomfortable. Something he hadn’t thought of before she left had kept him from sleeping well that night.

Would Juliska allow Meghan to return once her task with Ivan was completed? Or was this some ploy to get his sister away from him, or the Mochries, and closer to Juliska?

Either way he’d have to wait and see what happened after the task was completed. He hadn’t even thought to ask her about it. He had no idea what she and Ivan were doing. Colin supposed it didn’t matter in the end, but it was odd not to have even talked about it.

He sat up in bed and grabbed The Magicante. It was time to focus on finding Catrina. And his first problem, he needed to use magic without getting caught. He flipped through the pages; they shimmered as he turned them. After a few minutes, he gave up flipping and decided to ask the book for help. 

“Magicante,” he said to the book, waking it from its slumber.

It yawned its reply.

“Is there a spell that can hide the fact that I’m using magic? From everyone?”

The Magicante sighed in boredom.

“Such a silly question, Boy,” it replied snidely. “Is there such a thing? You already know the answer to that.” The pages flipped forward until reaching the exact spell Colin was looking for.

“Oh, right!” remembered Colin, thinking back to when Darcy Scraggs had used magic against them, back in Grimble, without the Balaton being alerted. The book, sensing Colin’s memory of it, added more to the story.

“That snooty girl’s spell only worked to hide magic from the Balaton. However, this is the spell to end all spells in regards to hiding the use of magic. You cast this spell correctly, Boy, and no one will ever know magic is being used.”

“Do I need to cast it just once?” asked Colin, noticing how short the spell was.

“You need to cast it before you perform any spell,” the book explained, his voice instructively excited. “For example, Abdo Emissio. Always add the word Abdo before any spell you perform, each time you perform it, and it will be hidden from all.”

“That. Is. Cool.” said Colin, eager to get started.

“Let me clarify though, it does not hide magic completely. This spell keeps magic from being traced, by hiding the trail of expelled energy that magic leaves behind. If someone physically sees you doing magic on the other hand... well you can put the rest together.”

Just then, Jae walked in.

“Hoped I’d find you in here. Mom wanted me to tell you dinner’ll be ready soon.” He sat down on Colin’s bed, watching as he stashed the Magicante. “Have you heard from Meghan yet?”

“Not since that first day. She sent me a leaf letting me know she’d gotten settled in, but would be busy studying. I’m sure she’s having her fill of fun studying with Ivan,” laughed Colin.

Jae joined in.

After a minute, Colin noticed a new injury, this time on Jae’s hand.

“It’s nothing,” he insisted, after seeing Colin’s questioning gaze.

“Nothing? Looks like a nasty gash, Jae.”

“The doctor gave me some salve. It’ll heal in no time. I’ve just been kind of clumsy lately.”

Colin did not believe Jae’s explanation, and for a brief moment, wished Meghan was there. A sudden case of clumsiness just did not fit.

“We’d better go eat,” reminded Jae.

After dinner, Colin and Jae went outside of the caves and meandered down a path. Both were silent, each rooted in their own thoughts. It seemed like hours drifted by without a single word passing between them.

Colin got a fleeting urge to let Jae in on his secret. He was not sure why he felt such a desire, except for the fact that no one did know, not even his own sister. He’d told no one of Catrina. The more he thought about it, the more he realized how stupid it would be to go gallivanting off to find her without telling someone what he was doing. What if something happened? It’s the smart thing to do, isn’t it?

“Jae,” he began tentatively, before he could lose his nerve. “Do you recall the girl that is sick, from the Flummer family?”

“Um, yeah, Balloch’s granddaughter, Catrina, right? I heard my dad mention her.”

Colin was not sure how to explain his dream girl situation without sounding nuts. He began with explaining his first encounter with Catrina, back in the Grimble hospital, and told Jae about his dreams, finishing with his encounter with Balloch’s ghost.

Jae perched himself on a nearby slick sided rock, listening without interruption. When Colin had finished, he slid down the edge until his feet hit the ground. He stood up, looking puzzled.

“And you believe she is here, somewhere in Eidolon’s Valley?”

Colin nodded yes.

“I don’t understand how you could have seen her in Grimble though. She’s from another group. Are you positive it was her?”

Colin nodded yes, again, hoping his instincts had been correct to confide in his friend.

“I don’t know how to explain it all, Jae. I just know I’m right. And I need to save her.”

“You could get into so much trouble, Colin,” Jae blurted unexpectedly. “I mean, we don’t know the whole story. Maybe there’s something important we’re missing. Maybe she’s really really sick, like contagious or something... maybe you should just forget about it?”

This was not the response Colin expected. His heart filled with dread. Thus far, Jae had always agreed with the twins, if not actually perpetrating their previous troublemaking escapades. Before Colin could argue his side though, Jae’s attitude took an all too familiar turn.

“On the other hand, if she really is in trouble and no one knows, I suppose you’d have no choice, would you?”

Colin could practically see Jae’s mind churning through the information, struggling with what it all meant. He must have been thinking the same thoughts Colin had. How could she be in two different groups at the same time? It went against everything they had been told. Everything they believed true. Everything their leader, Juliska Blackwell, claimed as truth.

Out of nowhere, Billie Sadorus popped out from a nearby path, jogging by.

“Oh. Hi Billie,” called out Colin.

“Gettin’ dark. You boys better be gettin’ home,” she reminded as they sped by. 

They hadn’t realized how late it had become. The duo raced back toward their cave dwelling, reaching the entrance with just minutes to spare. Off to the side of the dwelling, standing not too far away in another doorway, was the Three D’s.

Colin and Jae were at least thankful that the oncoming darkness would keep them from adding insult to injury. As it was, Irving Mochrie glared and shook his head at Jae and Colin as they entered.

“Sorry, Dad,” Jae apologized rapidly. “We lost track of the time.”

“Time for bed,” was all Irving replied.

As Colin and Jae headed to bed, followed by Mireya, Sheila appeared.

“Oh, good, Colin, I believe these are for you.” She handed him a stack of papers.

“Papers from Corny,” he whispered.

Sheila looked amused as she handed them over.

As soon as Mireya was asleep, Jae snuck into Colin’s cubby and they studied the papers. They moved them around, trying to put them together so they made sense. After a few tries they still spelled nothing. They shortly gave up, leaning against the back wall. Neither was in the mood to sleep.

“If you decide to go searching for Catrina, Colin,” whispered Jae, “I think that you should go during the Feast of the Blest Arcane. No one would miss you for a day or two.”

“That’s true, huh. You said it would be a busy time. It really lasts an entire week?”

“Yes, and good busy, since unlike the retelling festival, it’s not just one big gathering. People have smaller parties and dinners to go to, so it’s an easier excuse if you’re not around. And I can handle mom and dad, I’ll tell them you were invited to dinner with someone else.”

Colin’s mind began to race. The thought of searching for Catrina all on his own, was daunting. Could he really do it? He took a deep breath deciding that somehow, he would need to find the strength and bravery to do so.

##

CONCENTRATION ESCAPED Meghan. Since moving in with Juliska, she felt distracted, not quite settled in. Then, there was the extra time spent with Ivan; he had been attending her training at least once a day.

At what felt like a snail’s pace, she was learning how to create fire in the palm of her hand. The trick was for it not to spread to her entire body, or to some-one or some-thing else. Juliska and Ivan both agreed this was a vital ability needed on any journey.

The ability to create fire anywhere, anytime, would be of great use... the much harder part was controlling that fire. Followed by learning to see at will. No pressure. And Meghan already knew that having visions of specific events was nearly impossible without many long years of practice so she wasn’t sure how uncontrolled visions were going to help Ivan on this task.

The Initiation training was proving just as strenuous as Meghan had anticipated.

On the afternoon of the sixth day, Juliska had her take a break from practicing Firemancy, and instead, focused on using actual magic.

“Don’t worry,” her teacher said, before Meghan could ask. “This castle has protection around it. Eidolon cannot sense that we are practicing magic in here.”

“Oh. Cool,” Meghan said. She later changed her mind on ‘cool’, as magic practice did not go well. Meghan attempted the Emissio spell, but to no avail.

After a while, Ivan arrived to monitor her progress.

Things went from bad to worse.

“Are you taking the time to collect energy before you try the spell?” he asked, after seeing Meghan fail time after time.

“Well, of course I’m trying to,” she retorted.

“Can I make a suggestion?” he aimed at Juliska.

She nodded yes.

“Perhaps Meghan needs better motivation.”

Meghan did not like the sound of Ivan’s suggestion one little bit. Juliska pondered the idea, at first appearing unsure.

“The only reason I agree is that we are running out of time, but yes, perhaps you are right, Ivan.”

“Let’s change spells,” he said, taking Meghan aside. “I know you can do this,” he whispered under his breath so Juliska couldn’t hear. “I’ve seen you.”

“That was a life and death situation,” she whispered back, realizing he was speaking of the secret adventure they’d shared while in Grimble. When they’d ventured into the ghost huts in search of Colin’s stolen book.

“Exactly,” he mouthed.

Meghan scowled. What was he going to do now, put her in another life or death situation?

Ivan took a stance about ten feet away from Meghan and faced her.

“I want you to block my spell,” Ivan explained. “If anything, blocking a spell might help you stay out of harm’s way, even if you can’t defend yourself after.”

Meghan growled under her breath. 

“I am going to send a spell at you. Don’t worry, I’ll take it easy on you the first time. You will use the Obstructo spell to block me.”

Meghan had heard Jae use the Obstructo spell, back in Grimble. She readied her mind, attempting to collect magical energy to use for her spell.

“Ready?” asked Ivan.

Meghan replied by taking a defensive stance with her palm faced out.

“Carnacari!” he called out. Ivan’s spell flew at her so fast that Meghan didn’t even have the chance to say her counter spell. She lost her stance and screamed as a cascade of white carnations pummeled her body. They broke and fell to the floor after hitting her. They were easily breakable, but still stung upon impact.

“That hurt,” she grumbled through gritted teeth.

Ivan frowned. “What happened? You were supposed to block them.”

“Sorry to disappoint you. Guess I freaked a little when a cavalcade of white flew at me. It wasn’t what I expected.”

“What did you expect?”

“Oh, I don’t know. To be thrown into a wall or something.”

Ivan sighed. “Let’s try it again, now that you know what’s coming. Although I might remind you...”

Meghan cut him off. “Yeah yeah yeah. In the real world I won’t have any clue what’s coming at me. You’ve reminded me a few times, Ivan.”

“At least you’re listening,” he retorted. “And remember what I tell you.”

“That’s because your voice is so...” Meghan caught herself when Juliska cleared her throat. “Let’s just try it again.” She got her defensive stance at the ready again.

Ivan shot off the same spell again. And again. And again, until finally, Meghan got her obstruction spell off fast enough to block a few of the flower arrows. It surprised her, the damage an innocent looking batch of flowers could do to her arms, face, and clothes.

Ivan would have kept going, but Juliska decided it was time for a break, for which Meghan was very grateful. She left without a word to Ivan, and changed her clothes and cleaned up. The flower welts weren’t as bad as they felt and had cleared up a short while later, thanks to Nona’s cat tongue licking them until they’d healed. Although she wished she’d waited to clean up until after her arms, neck, and face had gotten covered in cat saliva. 

That evening, they returned to the study of Firemancy. It was time for Meghan to gain control of the fire she was creating, and keep it in the palm of her hand and not spreading all over her body. Three attempts in a row, she created fire, but not until the third try did she successfully keep it from spreading. She held her palm upward, controlling the flames, but that is when the real trouble started: uncontrollable visions.

“This is no good, Meghan,” warned Ivan, after lifting her off the floor. “If all that’s going to happen is you fall instantly into a vision... this is too dangerous.”

For once, Meghan thought he was actually talking sense and regretted his decision to choose her.

“You are free to find someone else,” she responded with a fake smile.

He rolled his eyes. “Far too late for that now.”

Meghan laughed. “Your fault you’re stuck with me. I had nothing to do with this.”

“Just focus, please,” he responded caustically.

Meghan let out a heavy breath that blew the hair off her sweaty face and lit into him.

“I’m doing my best, Ivan,” she articulated in an angry whisper. “I’m exhausted from trying. And focusing. If I focus any harder my brain’s going to explode. And you know, is it such an impossibility for you to just say one nice thing? How about, gee, I picked you for this crazy mission and you didn’t have any choice in the matter and thanks for working your butt off...” he cut her off, uncaring of her mood or request to say something nice.

“Exhausted isn’t going to help either of us if you’re stuck in an uncontrollable vision when I need you awake and in the present,” he grumbled back.

“Well maybe you shouldn’t have picked me, then!” she shot back.

“What’s done is done,” intruded Juliska, before the argument escalated further.

Ivan shut up, nodding at Juliska but biting his lip to hold his tongue.

At least he never argues with her, thought Meghan.

“I say enough for today,” announced Juliska. “I think, in all honesty,” she glanced slightly toward Ivan, “that you are trying too hard, Meghan. Take some rest. We will start again tomorrow morning.”

Meghan left the room abruptly. She noticed that Ivan stayed behind, however, shutting the door behind her.

Her fury was instant. She knew Ivan and Juliska were discussing her failures, and before she knew it, she had burst into flames, losing complete control. She attempted to squelch it, but Ivan was too quick. The door flew open just as she put out the final flame.

She glared at him ignoring the smoldering and singed curtains behind her. Ivan’s self-righteous gaze caught her and he grinned smugly before closing the door.

Nona thought Meghan’s blood might boil over. “Ignore him,” she insisted. “I watched you practice all afternoon, and you did very well. Even Juliska believes that. Now, it’s time to rest.” Nona knew her words would hardly calm Meghan’s fiery temper. At least as she stormed away, no more fires erupted.

By morning, however, she had ruined her sheets, singing them beyond repair. Meghan sat up, still fuming, but more determined than ever to succeed.

“I will keep my emotions under control today,” she said decidedly. “I will not let Ivan Crane get the best of me.” She immediately got up and began practice. She created a controlled fire in her palm on the first try, but a vision awaited her.

Nona sat, still as a statue, keeping guard as the vision took over.

It began much the same as it always did; her repeated nightmare of Jae Mochrie, injured and beaten, lying on his pillar, just out of her reach. She held her breath through to the end, not wanting to relive the vision, but as it neared its typical ending (Jae’s beaten body hurled into the great dark abyss) something new occurred.

Jae stood up, egging on the faceless silhouette, challenging it.

Meghan breathed, paying more attention now.

“Jae! You can’t fight that thing,” she yelled instinctively. Then she thought, Maybe he’s supposed to fight this thing? Maybe he needs to fight it. “Be strong Jae!” she encouraged. “Fight it! I know you can!”

The vision did not take the turn Meghan hoped it would.

Jae spun and peered at Meghan. She fell backwards in shock.

Burnished black eyes stared down at her. His face was contorted and wrong. Angry and powerful.

He spun around facing the foe that typically hurled him into the abyss and to Meghan’s amazement, the being backed away. A face formed underneath the dark cloak; there were no distinctive features other than a vile, pleased smile.

This was the result it wanted. What it had been hoping for.

Whatever was wrong with Jae, it was getting worse.

Whatever dark path he was traveling down, Meghan got the distinct impression that soon it would be too late for him to turn around.

The being vanished, dissolving into nothing, leaving Jae to fight this evil thing inside him. This darkness that expanded, fighting for control. He fell to his knees, panting, screaming and convulsing until the darkness had ripped itself out of his body and he slumped over, unconscious.

The vision ended and Meghan was on her bedroom floor. She fell onto her back with a thud. Nona licked her face lovingly as she moaned in despair.

What did this change mean? Was this still Ivan’s fear she was seeing? Would he ever explain to her what it all meant? Or was this something new that only she was seeing?

Meghan feared she was defeated. How could she forget about this vision and move forward? How could she keep this, or any other vision, from happening every time she created a fire?

“Oh, Nona. I’m so tired. I’m not cut out for this.”

Nona stopped her licking as a knock at the bedroom door intervened and sidetracked Meghan’s melancholy mood. Breakfast, delivered by Pantin Hollee.

“Thank you, Hollee,” mumbled Meghan, rising from the floor.

“Up early and hard at work already, I see.”

Meghan nodded half-heartedly.

“I’ve never seen anyone work so hard and learn so fast, Meghan. It will all come together.”

Desperation and failure must have been written all over her face. Meghan fought the lump rising in her throat, determined not to let it surface. She mustered out, “Thanks.”

Hollee gave her an understanding pat on the shoulder and left, insisting she eat.

After breakfast, her strength renewed, Meghan hardened her mind once again.

She would not fail Juliska.

She would work harder.

She would gain control.

##

COLIN TRIED TO IGNORE the third argument (in a week) currently raging in the Mochrie house. Jae’s father was angry with him, nothing new. However, Irving’s agitation soared today, by the fact that Jae was disappearing for hours while he was supposed to be with him, studying.

Colin did not wish to be present for this argument, which was proving to be the most heated he had ever witnessed. However, his curiosity got the better of him.

Where is Jae spending all his time? And why hasn’t he told me? It’s not like him to disobey his father.

“Jae, you must understand I do this for your own good,” avowed Irving. “Tomorrow morning you will accompany me to work. That is final! No more wandering off.” Irving’s face was red hot.

The angry glare that emanated from Jae sent shivers down Colin’s spine, and he swore that for the tiniest of moments, Jae’s eyes even changed color, appearing darker.

Then, Jae did something he had never done before. It paralyzed everyone in the room.

“No, Dad,” he said with a quiet confidence. “I won’t.”

Irving’s red face turned purple but no words would come out of his mouth. Sheila Mochrie sank into her chair with a blank stare, having never heard Jae outright defy his father.

Colin decided he no longer wanted to be present. This is going to get bad. Very bad. He edged his way to the front door, escaping, and took cover behind a nearby rock formation. To his surprise, a moment later Jae bounded by.

Colin had the briefest of thoughts. I should follow him. He was curious now. Where was Jae disappearing to if he wasn’t spending time with his father, which until the arguments of this past week, is where Colin believed Jae always was.

“If I can’t trust Jae, who can I trust?” muttered Colin. He decided to follow anyway, with the intention of outing his presence at the right moment.

Jae was still obviously angry. He mumbled as he stormed off, punching and kicking rocks along the way. Colin had never seen him so angry. Could he blame him though? Life with the Svoda was hard enough, and Jae’s father, even harder.

Jae was too upset to notice Colin following a distance behind him. Jae came to a stop at the entrance to the path that led to Juliska Blackwell’s castle. It was a steep climb. Colin hid as Jae glanced back, appearing to be checking to see if he was alone. His face showed signs of an inward struggle.

Jae began the climb to the castle. Colin decided not to follow, which turned out to be a smart decision as Jae got a few steps up, then changed his mind and came back down. As soon as he was down, he changed his mind and began upward again, at a hasty pace as if determined not to change his mind this time.

Was Jae visiting Meghan? Colin doubted that. But why would he visit Juliska Blackwell? Was he so upset with his father he would turn him in, and for what? Being mean? Colin knew that Jae respected Banon Blackwell, and at the same time, she had not always been kind to his family. Then Colin had another disturbing thought.

Was this where Jae spent his missing time? With Juliska Blackwell? And why?

“What is he up to?” muttered Colin in frustration. “And what is Juliska up to?”

Once again though, Colin came to the following conclusion: If I can’t trust Jae, who can I trust? He could not question his only real friend in this place, that wasn’t his sister.

Colin wondered if Meghan would have any insight and decided to message her, later. It was time to check in with her, anyway. On the walk back to the Mochries, a leaf struck him in the head.

“Like she can read my mind,” he chuckled ironically. The letter was brief.

“Col, I wanted you to know I’ll be unavailable, but just for a day or two while I do this Initiation task with Ivan. I will let you know when I’m back. How are you? Sorry I haven’t contacted you before now. Very busy training.”

Colin quickly recited his response.

“Doing fine. Well, not really I guess. Jae and his dad had a huge fight today. Very unpleasant. Apparently, Jae has not been spending as much time with his dad as we thought. He would not admit where he was spending his time though and stormed off. Please be careful, whatever you are doing with Ivan.”

Colin sighed. He missed Meghan. He missed being able to talk with her. He had been so preoccupied with finding Catrina, he had let those memories slide away.

“It’s not the same without you here,” he added. “But I really am doing fine, no worries.” He kept his mind closed off from her, still afraid he might accidentally give something away about Catrina. Now that he thought about it, it seemed wrong, unnatural to hide this from Meghan. But she was too close to Juliska Blackwell right now. And he could not take the chance the Banon would find out and put a stop to his plans to search for her.

He sent his leaf reply and continued home. He assumed that if Jae did visit, and she found out anything, she would fill him in later.

Upon arrival home, Colin was surprised to find the place empty. Though it was dinnertime, not even Sheila Mochrie was there, preparing her usual evening meal.

Colin was pleased to see, however, that Corny Tibbit had left him another page. He crept into his bedroom cubby closing the curtain, hoping this time, the pages would fit together and give him whatever message Corny was trying to send.

Colin stopped.

There was a small box wrapped in brown paper sitting on his bed, like a gift. He gawked at it, hesitantly picking it up. Balloch Flummer’s words, ‘Trust no one,’ rang clearly through his thoughts.

There was no tag to say whom it was from, just like back in Grimble when he and Meghan had received money anonymously. Colin wondered if this gift was from the same person.

He untied the brown paper cautiously. Inside was another small box labeled, J & T First Aid Kit.

It included the normal things he was used to seeing in a first aid kit, like bandages and gauze, but also included items he had never seen before. He picked up a bottle called Reliable Pain Potion, with a headline that read: Never Expires. Drink and be pain free! The next labeled bottle said, Smokescreen: Advantage Yours! Bottle includes one smokescreen. Twenty seconds that could save your life! To use, break bottle.

There were also various creams for instant healing of minor bites, scrapes or burns. These, he thought, looked eerily similar to the ones Kanda Macawi had used on him and Meghan when they visited Cobbscott.

He delved into the kit a little deeper and pulled out a small scroll, unrolling it. It contained various life-saving spells, like how to create water or fire. Lastly, was a thin pair of glasses, which he put on, slightly wary of what might happen. However, nothing did happen.

“Huh,” he shrugged, putting everything back in the kit. “What an odd gift,” he whispered, wondering if someone somehow knew his plans to sneak into the valley. The gift seemed a little too timely, and yet he could not help but admit it might come in handy as he had no idea what lay in wait for him on this journey.

He set the kit aside and went back to his new page from Corny. It still spelled nothing coherent. In fact, it did not look like words at all.

Something triggered in Colin’s mind.

“They’re not words,” he almost shouted, rearranging the pages. “It’s a map!” A short while later Colin had pieced it together. It appeared to need one final page.

Colin hoped Corny would deliver it soon. As he studied the pages, it also became clear that it was a map of Eidolon’s Valley. There was one heavily traced path.

Am I supposed to follow it? Will this lead me to Catrina?

Colin studied the map impatiently, wishing he could depart right then.

Along the path were outlined “safe” spots. Colin’s mind reeled over what he needed to be kept safe from, but it did not matter. He could not back out now. Catrina needed his help and he didn’t have much time.

Colin wondered just how Corny knew he needed this map? And how he’d known to warn him back in Grimble. He thought about asking, but didn’t figure he’d get any sort of answer seeing as he’d never heard Corny utter a complete sentence. Or even a partial one that made any sense.

Dishes clanged in the kitchen. The Mochries were home. Colin hoped that the inevitable confrontation between Jae and Irving would not get too ugly.

“Dinner,” called Sheila a short while later. Colin obligingly took his seat at the table.

Irving was not there and Jae drifted in a minute later. Mireya ate in silence, next to her mother. It was a quiet meal, with no discussions of the earlier events of the day.

Colin wondered if he was picking up some of his sisters’ intuition as he felt a strange sense in the air. It told him that things in the Mochrie house had changed, forever.

#

THE FEAST OF THE BLEST Arcane was beginning, which included seven days of frivolity and fun, according to Jae and Mireya. The one time a year the Svoda “let their hair down,” so to speak.

“I don’t know how out of control things will get this year though,” Jae said, “with everything that’s happened and there being Scratchers about. If you think about it, though, a week of fun doesn’t sound so bad, does it?”

Colin could not disagree. Although his current hope was that the festival would cloak his absence as he trekked into the valley. He impatiently waited for the final piece of the map from Corny, hoping he would deliver it soon. He was eager to get his quest underway.

Corny granted his wish later that evening.

It was just after dinner that Corny’s door opened and his arm jutted out, holding what Colin knew was the final piece of the puzzle. Colin attempted not to look too eager but went directly to his bed after snatching the paper. Minutes later, Jae joined him, pulling the curtain shut as he sat down on Colin’s bed.

Colin laid the final piece in its place and the two boys jumped in surprise as the pages rose off the bed and reorganized themselves, stacking on top of each other, then sealing themselves together, forming a solid, yet translucent, one-piece map.

“Corny may seem nuts, but he sure is talented,” admired Colin.

“Definitely!” agreed Jae. “It makes no sense though, how he can create something as brilliant as this map, or know to warn you about being attacked, and yet never speaks, lives in the dark and barely eats enough to stay alive.”

“He’s a genius,” Colin replied, picking up the map, adding, “Albeit a creepy, smelly, crazy kind of genius.”

Jae bit his tongue trying not to laugh too loudly.

The map was thick, yet in the form of a foldable square. Disappointingly, Colin found he could not read the map, and worse, the once outlined path he believed he was to follow had vanished.

“Maybe it will make more sense once you’re in the valley,” suggested Jae.

“I hope you’re right,” nodded Colin nervously.

One thing did become clear as they studied the map: it would be an arduous journey across unfriendly terrain, especially for the short-legged Colin Jacoby.

His thoughts turned to Eidolon. What would he do if their paths crossed? Colin would be caught breaking nearly every rule set forth in this place, and it seemed as though the gypsy’s presence was little more than tolerated on the part of Eidolon.

And who exactly was he anyway? No one ever talked about what kind of man he was. Although he didn’t seem fond of magic. After allowing panic to ensue for just a second, Colin let out a deep breath, regaining control of his racing heart. He sank back against the cave wall.

“So when are you going to leave?” asked Jae. “The festival is in full swing tomorrow.”

Thinking about leaving, and actually doing it, suddenly became too real for Colin, and for the smallest moment, he did not think he could do it.

“Honestly, Jae, I think the sooner the better. Otherwise, I don’t know if I’ll be able to go through with it,” Colin’s voice cracked as he spoke.

Jae did his best to sound encouraging, but it was clear he still doubted Colin’s plan.

“You have a great map,” he reminded. “Hopefully accurate and readable once you get into the valley. Besides, you seem determined Colin. Otherwise, I would definitely talk you out of it.”

“I am determined,” agreed Colin in a firm whisper, as much for his own benefit as Jae’s. “The thought of leaving Catrina behind is just about as dreadful as not knowing whether my Uncle Arnon is still alive or not.”

“So tomorrow then?” said Jae.

“Yeah, tomorrow.”

“In that case, I have a gift for you,” his friend informed him. Jae tiptoed to his dresser and searched for a moment. “Here,” he said, throwing something soft and crumpled at Colin. He unraveled the gift; it was a long sleeved tunic.

“Thanks,” replied Colin, unsure why Jae would offer this to him.

“That’s not just any old shirt, Colin. You need to pack light on a journey like this. That tunic will keep you at the perfect temperature. You won’t get hot or cold if you’re wearing it.”

“Really?”

“Test it out. It’s cool in here right now, put it on, you’ll warm right up,” insisted Jae.

Colin pulled the tunic over his own shirt and within seconds, it proved Jae right as Colin could no longer feel any chill.

“Wow. Awesome. Thanks, Jae.”

“They are pretty common, really. Nothing special.”

“Like you said though, I do need to pack light, so it’s perfect.”

Colin decided to make a list of everything he needed to bring, but when it came down to it, all he really needed was his new shirt, the J & T First Aid Kit, the map, and the Magicante; all of these would provide him with anything else he needed along the way.

“Well, I guess that’s it,” said Colin. He put his map and book in a small over-the-shoulder bag and laid out a sturdy outfit and shoes for trekking through the valley.

“Tomorrow,” he muttered.

“I will help you get away,” offered Jae. “I’m sorry I can’t help more.”

“Jae, you’ve done more than you probably should. I hate even having you involved in something that could potentially cause a lot of trouble.”

“It’s for a good cause though,” said Jae a bit apprehensively.

“Yes, it is,” Colin answered confidently, reassuring his friend.

“We should try and get some sleep,” said Jae, climbing into his own bed.

Colin wished for slumber, but it would not come.

What would Meghan say if she knew what he was about to do? What about his Uncle Arnon? Or for that matter, Uncle Eddy?

Colin tried to relax and breathed deeply. He needed to rest. Tomorrow was the biggest day of his life. He was heading into an unknown valley full of potential dangers. Nevertheless, he knew deep down that Catrina was worth it.

##

IVAN WAITED IMPATIENTLY, huffing and puffing through his growing agitation with Meghan as she looked through her backpack, nervously rechecking her list. The day had come. The training had ended. She was as ready as possible. Though no less anxious.

Ivan had packed light. One small backpack, and in his hand he held a map, which was clearly marked with locations to camp as well as their final destination.

Juliska had personally planned their safe passage through the valley of Eidolon. As they prepared to depart, the Banon was officially opening the Feast of the Blest Arcane. All eyes would be upon her, and not the two people sneaking into the forbidden valley.

Many thoughts raced through Meghan’s mind. Could she do her job correctly? Could she live through spending a couple days alone with Ivan Crane? How much hell would he put her through before she cracked? She even, for a slight second, thought, I’m only thirteen... well practically fourteen now, but why am I here? I am too young for a journey like this! She had to quell that doubt instantly.

Her thoughts also strayed to Colin. Would he be all right without her? He had never been completely on his own before. Guilt suddenly took over when Meghan realized she had not been in contact with him, other than short updates and letting him know she was busy for a few days during the task. She’d never kept a huge secret like this from him. But the details of the task were not her secret to share. 

She had promised Uncle Eddy she would keep their mind connection open, always. Moreover, look at what had happened the last time she had not... Colin had nearly been killed. But her brother had his secrets now, too.

Still, she should be taking better care of him. He might be turning fourteen also, but he’d still barely grown any taller in the last year.

“Nona,” whispered Meghan.

Nona stood at attention, sensing a request from her mistress.

“I have a very huge favor to ask of you.”

Nona knew already what she wanted, and though she was not happy about it, she understood Meghan’s concern and agreed without argument.

Being able to stall their departure no longer, Meghan advised Ivan she was ready, and they took their first steps into the dusty red rock valley of Eidolon.

#

COLIN GRABBED HIS BAG at the last minute deciding to tag along a small amount of food and water, just in case. Jae paced anxiously in the Mochrie kitchen. The rest of the family was off attending the opening of the Feast.

Jae was late, which typically would not have been tolerated by his father. However, since the outburst a few weeks’ prior, Irving had been unusually quiet and easy going.

“Ready,” Colin announced, securing the bag over his shoulder.

Jae stopped pacing and stared. The look on his face was not one of confidence. Colin gulped, nearly canceling his excursion on the spot.

“Maybe... Maybe I should come with you,” said Jae. “I don’t know if it’s a good idea for you to go alone.”

Colin, on one hand, would have loved to have company. On the other hand, with Jae’s strange behavior as of late, perhaps going alone would be best. Colin did not have to make the choice.

“No. The original plan is better. You should go alone. It’ll be easier for you to sneak through the valley.”

“Okay then,” said Colin. “I’d better go.”

Colin followed Jae out the door. As expected, it was deserted. All Svoda were celebrating the Feast, deep inside the canyon. The Viancourt had announced just the night before that the opening day festivities would take place inside, in order to maintain the nature of the festival as well as the safety of those in attendance.

Colin and Jae walked side by side to the edge of the valley and stopped. Jae nodded to Colin, who did not verbally reply, but rather grunted, attempting poorly to control the rocket of nerves taking off in his chest.

As Colin took his first step in the forbidden valley, a voice startled them from behind.

“And just where do you think you’re going?”

There was no need to guess. It was Darcy Scraggs.

Of all the people to have to follow me...

Darcy’s two bullies were paced a few feet behind her: the eloquent speaking Dulcy Hadrian, followed by a towering Daveena Troast. Colin swore the girl had grown a foot since he’d first seen her.

“I warned you I’d be watching,” Darcy sneered triumphantly.

“You are so in trouble,” chimed Dulcy. “Darcy knew her extra-century complexion would find you up to something.”

Both Colin and Jae burst out laughing.

Even Daveena could not hold back a thick snort.

“Thanks, Dulcy. That is just what I needed, a good laugh!” Colin exclaimed.

“Extra-century complexion... good one,” agreed Jae.

Darcy growled, ignoring her counterpart’s babbling.

Colin contained his laughter. Joke or no joke, this situation did not bode well.

“How did you ever graduate to intermediate level, Dulcy?” Jae questioned.

Again, without thinking, dumb Dulcy made her admittance.

“There’s a little thing called cheating,” she revealed proudly.

“Cheating is impossible,” argued Jae.

Darcy threw her hand over Dulcy’s mouth, cupping it, before implicating herself any further.

“You found a way to cheat?” muttered Daveena’s hardening face.

The other two had clearly not shared this information with her. Colin hoped the distraction would be enough to sneak away. However, three steps in Darcy roared for him to stop. He did, fearing he had no other choice.

Darcy turned to Daveena and tossed her a forced smile. “We’ll fix this whole school thing later,” she promised, in an overly apologetic tone. Daveena scowled and folded her arms, not believing her.

“And as for you two,” Darcy turned to Colin and Jae. “I’ll be turning you in now.”

“How am I going to get out of this one?” asked Colin under his breath.

As if in tune with his thoughts, his book, Magicante began to shake. He dropped the bag as the top popped open and out spun a tornado of leaves, the same one that had helped him locate Meghan back in Cobbscott when she had first become ill. The leaves shimmered in the morning beams of sunlight, expanding in size as it furiously twisted toward the now distracted trio.

Daveena dove into a small crevice, avoiding the blow.

“Stop!” demanded Darcy, thinking this tornado would somehow stop its advance on her command. When it did not, she sacrificed Dulcy to the whirling chaos and scurried away. The tornado lifted off the ground leaving the dimwitted girl scrambling in the dirt.

Satisfied that Dulcy was out of commission the tornado chased after Darcy and when it reached her, the leaves formed into a cone-shaped leg, which it proceeded to use as a foot, kicking her backside. She went sprawling onto the red dirt, yelling a non-stop stream of profanities as she fell face first onto the ground.

The tornado caught the tongue-tied Dulcy trying to slip away and pushed her onto the ground next to her swearing counterpart. Both frantically crawled away, but not before Darcy got in one last hideous glare.

Colin did not care. She was a nuisance that he did not have time to deal with.

Daveena snorted in laughter as she watched her counterparts flee in humiliating defeat.

The leaf tornado returned to the book, which promptly slammed shut, leaving behind a trail of swirling, dusty air.

Daveena slid from her hiding place, eyeing Colin. Would he have to fight her now? He felt certain she was much too large for him to win. She stepped closer, her face showing signs of uncertainty. To both Colin’s and Jae’s bewilderment, her mouth twisted with the slightest hint of a smile, and she turned and sauntered away.

“Okay, was not expecting that!” Jae mustered out.

“Which part?” Colin said hotly. “That they were spying? That Daveena didn’t pound on us? Or that Magicante once again saved the day?”

“All of the above, actually,” answered Jae.

“Our lucky day I guess,” said Colin, more calmly. “I’m sure peace won’t last on the Daveena front. Darcy is sure to win her back, somehow.”

“Very true,” replied Jae. “And on that note, you’d better get going, Colin.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” he agreed.

He looked at the great expanse before him.

“Wish me luck,” he mumbled, taking his first steps into the valley of Eidolon.

##

A DUST COVERED, OBLONG shaped mirror balanced aside eight others, forming a circle inside a darkened room. A weathered and gaunt face materialized into one of them, followed by another and then another, until all but one held similar ghostly silhouettes.

The Grosvenor.

Each eyed the other suspiciously, wondering why this meeting had been called.

It had been years since they’d heard the summons to gather.

Not that they made personal appearances. The mirrors allowed them to see and speak to each other, but from a safe, secret distance.

“Why have you summoned us Freyne Rothrock?” a penetrating female voice demanded.

“Patience, Narona,” replied an ashen faced man, from a nearby mirror. His voice lowered sardonically. “I have learned a terrible truth about our fearless leader, Fazendiin.”

“He’s not our leader,” another spoke firmly. “Simply the original of us.”

“And if you think he sees you as his equal,” started Freyne, but he was cut off. 

“Oh get on with it. What is it you have discovered?” another spat out impatiently. “It won’t be long before Fazendiin is aware of the summons, too.”

“Very well. I summoned you here today because we have all been betrayed.”

“This is not news, Freyne,” replied a bored voice. “Rather dramatic aren’t we today? We already know about the Projector. If this is all you called us here for...” the voice trailed off snidely, and the man’s face began to dissolve from the mirror.

“This has nothing to do with the Projector,” declared Freyne. “Fazendiin has broken the oath! He has fathered a child.”

Horrified chokes emanated from the mirrors, turning into malicious snarls as the gaunt faces sounded their fury over this revelation. The mirror of Narona Fentress cracked under the pressure of her enraged scowl.

“We all swore to it!” she bellowed.

“How dare he?” another voice barked in displeasure.

“How do you know this?” the man with the bored voice asked. His face reappeared, feigning interest.

“How is not relevant!” Freyne retorted. “A Projector is nothing compared to this treachery! Power will no longer be equal amongst us if this Grosvenor’s offspring is allowed to live!” his grating voice echoed.

“Our offspring would be immortal, they cannot be killed,” Narona reminded. “Which is why we each took the oath. How did he break it?” 

“He is coming,” a voice warned before Freyne could answer. 

The displeased grunts quieted as the ninth mirror fogged over and a face materialized in the glass. Jurekai Fazendiin: the firstborn of the immortal Grosvenor.

“I thought I felt a summons, though weakly,” he said, peering at the others suspiciously. His gaze stopped on the mirror belonging to Freyne Rothrock.

“Yes. We need to make a decision about the Projector,” Freyne replied haughtily. “Something needs to be done.”

The others agreed ardently.

“The Projector is of no concern,” said Fazendiin with amused insistence. “As we speak, the Projector is being tracked by others in the magical community. There is no need for us to come out of hiding, when others can do the job for us.”

No one objected.

“Once the Projector is dead,” continued Fazendiin, “we simply need to collect the last remaining copy of Magicante. With this book safely in our hands, there will be nothing left that can stop us, no one equal in our power.”

The eight listeners roared in agreement, at the same time eyeing each other in distrust. If what Freyne told them was true, the meager trust they had kept in each other all these long years was now at an end.

“Soon, my friends,” Fazendiin added, “we will control all magic, and will no longer hide but rule side by side, as equals.” Fazendiin stared directly into the eyes of Freyne Rothrock as he spoke as if daring him to counter his claim. He did not. Only glared through beady eyes.

Fazendiin’s face dissolved into mist, leaving behind an empty mirror.

The remaining Grosvenor followed, each mirror returning to its empty state.

Freyne Rothrock’s face was the last to dissolve. He let out a dark chortle.

“At last we come to it. A new war. The final war, with only one winner.”

And if Fazendiin wasn’t going to play fair, neither would he. 

#

COLIN JACOBY CAME TO an abrupt stop.

He hoped he was out of sight from any wandering eyes of Svoda that might happen to be peering into the valley.

He needed to figure out where he was, so he dug into his backpack and took out Corny’s map, and even though it was clearly a map of the E Valley, Colin could not figure out where he was. He turned it this way and that, trying to find something that made sense.

“Hey,” he shouted, caught off guard.

Something yanked the map from his hands and he watched it soar up over his head. He grabbed for it, but it was just out of reach.

“I haven’t even gotten started yet!” he yelled in frustration.

A face he did not expect to see again peered over the map’s edge.

“You!” Colin exclaimed. “So you did follow us from Grimble.”

It was the bird-human, flapping its wings and holding the map in its beak. They hadn’t seen it after it saved Meghan by transforming from a bird to a human, shooting off a spell and changing back to a bird again, when she was fighting to get Colin’s book back after he was attacked and left in a coma. Without the bird’s help, Meghan would not have gotten the book back and might not have made it out alive. And without the book, Ivan Crane would be dead, not alive. Something he didn’t know as the twins had not told him he had been killed during the battle and brought back to life with the help of the Magicante. 

Colin let out a sigh of relief.

“Can I have the map back, please?” he requested nicely.

The bird chirped and lowered the map in front of Colin’s face so that light could filter through it. His breath cut short. The map changed before his eyes and he stared, enthralled. He’d been reading it all wrong. It didn’t work like a normal map.

A silvery glow illuminated his current path.

The bird-human flew backwards, encouraging Colin forward.

With each step, the map changed ever so slightly, as if it was tracking his movements. Colin stopped when a rock formation blocked him from going any further. On the map, the illuminated path ended and words appeared that stated, turn right.

Colin obliged, along with the bird-human. The path illuminated again, showing Colin he was heading in the right direction, but also indicated a warning: do not touch any plants found along this particular path. Doing so would cost you greatly!

“Wow,” said Colin. “I think I get it now. This is a wicked cool map.” Somehow, he needed to find a way to thank Corny. But how did you thank a man whose mind was so messed up he preferred to live in a closet?

The bird dropped the map back into Colin’s hands. He studied it for a moment longer, realizing that his current path went on for some distance, so he tucked the map securely inside his shirt. 

“Thanks,” Colin told the bird-human. “We’re going to have to figure out some way to repay you.” Another group of favors he had no idea how to repay.

The bird perched on a nearby rock, nodding its beak and squawking in reply.

Colin followed the path and was delighted when the bird-human followed him. Perhaps he would not be alone during this quest after all. When his current path suddenly veered off into two directions, he consulted the map again. He held it in front of him and the light filtered through, illuminating which way to go. He continued in this manner until late afternoon, when upon looking at the map again, a warning message appeared.

“You must get to a safe spot before dark!”

Colin’s heart sped up. The closest safe spot appeared like an inky splotch on the map. It was not far, but he would need to hurry to make it in time. The bird-human chirped aggressively, encouraging Colin to move faster.

Finding his way through the goblin-like formations would have been impossible without the aid of Corny’s map. He took one last look through the failing daylight. His safe spot was close. He lowered the map and with his actual eyes, saw the entrance to a cave. He took off running as fast as he could with the sunlight fading behind his heels.

Colin leapt into the cave alongside the low flying bird-human, just as the final rays of light disappeared fully. After catching his breath, he dared himself to peek into the darkening outside. Why was it so important to be inside this safe spot?

A mixture of bizarre and eerie noises resonated outside the cave. As it leaked inside and bounced off the smoothed cave walls, it gave the impression that a sinister presence was in the cave, with them. Colin’s heart pounded as he listened to the grinding, groaning and crashing of rocks that rippled its way inside the cave.

What could possibly make such an unnerving sound?

Colin crept closer to the exit of the cave for a better look. He was sure to stay hidden in the shadows. He reached the edge and forgot how to breathe. He stared in awe, his jaw hung open and limp. No words would form. The bird-human chirped from somewhere close by but Colin could not take his eyes off the valley.

A monstrous silhouette slithered by, leaving a foreboding shadow in its path. This was followed by a thunderous crash of rock against rock a few seconds later.

Colin’s eyes fluttered, his heart stuttering and skipping a few beats as his eyes rolled up in his head and his body fell limp to the ground.

#

MEGHAN DRAGGED BEHIND the fast-paced Ivan. Not on purpose. She tried her hardest to keep up, but her pack weighed her down. For the first few hours, they did not speak other than basic small talk directly related to the task. However, Meghan could feel Ivan’s brazen satisfaction whenever she stumbled.

They took short breaks, only long enough for Ivan to consult his map. He insisted they eat while walking. As the first evening approached, Ivan directed Meghan toward a cave.

“This is where we will camp for the night. As soon as we get settled I need you to try to see.”

These were words Meghan had prepared for, but still dreaded hearing.

“You know I’ll do my best, Ivan,” she replied.

“Actually, I know you will,” he said, with almost an air of approval. “I’m going to study the map and make us some dinner. We’ll get some sleep and rise early tomorrow.”

Meghan had no strength to argue and just nodded as she stumbled yet again. So badly this time, that Ivan had to grab her before she fell completely. Meghan huffed as Ivan let go.

They arrived at the cave and Meghan gratefully sank to the ground escaping from her pack. The light faded, throwing the cave into near darkness. While Ivan prepared some cheese and meat pies for dinner, Meghan decided to peek outside the cave.

She heard strange sounds, like shuffling, grinding, and crashing rocks.

Meghan’s jaw dropped. She was speechless. Her thoughts instantly strayed to Colin. “Sure am glad he’s not out here with me,” she muttered softly. “He would pass out for sure if he saw this!” Meghan jumped as Ivan scooted up alongside her. His eyes gaped, taken aback by the scene manifesting before them.

“Wow. Juliska warned me but... wow.”

Meghan had never seen Ivan this close to speechless before.

“You knew about this?” she questioned.

“Of course.”

“And you didn’t think to share?”

“And telling you would have done what?” he returned. “Just been another distraction,” he answered himself.

He was right. Unfortunately. A bit of a terrifying distraction if she’d had time to dwell on it. Regardless, she refused to give him the satisfaction of agreeing with him. 

With the onset of darkness, the valley sprung to life.

The red rock formations that resembled goblins during the day became real living goblins at night; it was a sight unlike any other, at least considering all the things Meghan had seen in her lifetime.

The goblin’s bodies appeared cumbersome as they shifted and slithered across the ground, crashing into each other like they had no care that something was in the way.

Before long, the valley in front of their cave was barren. Where were they all going? Would they all be back before morning?

Though fascinated, Ivan made a sign for them to move further inside the cave.

“Was one of those things Eidolon?” asked Meghan.

“I don’t think so,” replied Ivan. “From what the Banon has told me, he is larger and bolder than any of his minions.”

“Those things are his minions?”

“Yes. Eidolon is the Goblin King.”

“I had absolutely no idea that goblins were real, never mind the fact that they would have a king,” said Meghan. 

“The Banon explained it to me, but I have to admit, seeing them and knowing about them, are two completely different things. I have never seen a goblin before,” he said with newfound reverence.

“And Eidolon, the Goblin King, is bigger,” Meghan confirmed. “Because those out there were huge already.”

“From what I hear, yes. No worries though, it’s not a part of our task to make contact with any goblins. Besides, once the daylight returns, they will go back to sleep. They don’t like the daylight.”

“Seems odd they would choose to live in a really sunny place, then.”

“Everyone has to sleep sometime,” said Ivan, handing Meghan a meat pie.

After eating, she set into her duties. Her nerves got the best of her right away. She saw Ivan about to say something and shushed him. He frowned but backed off. After a few more tries, she successfully created a small, controlled fire in the palm of her hand.

“Now for the hard part,” she whispered. She tried to focus on what she wanted to see... the path ahead of them and their destination, but she saw nothing but flames.

“Anything?” questioned Ivan.

“No. Nothing,” she answered. Nothing, is better than visions I wasn’t trying to have. “I’ll try again in the morning, before we head out,” she told him. Ivan agreed and advised Meghan to get some rest. He would do so as well, once he looked over the map again.

As exhausted as Meghan was, she found it hard to relax. There were actual, real, living goblins wobbling around outside their cave. Moreover, leaning against a hard rock wall, with just a small blanket for cover and a sweater for a pillow, did not condone a good night’s rest. Sometime during the night, she did finally fall asleep, to Ivan’s rhythmic pacing in the cave.

He awoke her early the next morning. It was still dark in the cave. Meghan wondered if Ivan had slept at all.

“Get packed up. I want to get out of this cave and moving as soon as it’s safe to do so. The goblins are moving back into their sleeping positions before day comes.”

Meghan packed up, ready in just minutes. She wolfed down another meat pie and then set to seeing. She was about to give up, again thrilled that she had not seen any nightmarish visions, when she did see something: a figure, following a red rock path, and hiding in caves, watching the valley come to life just as they had the previous night.

“Oh no,” she whispered.

Ivan knelt down beside her. “What?”

“There’s someone else wandering through the valley, and they’re heading in the same direction we are,” she gulped. “We’re not alone.”

Ivan gaze penetrated hers. She tried to decipher what he was thinking.

“You’re certain?”

She nodded.

“And what you’re seeing is the present? Not the past or future?”

“Um?” She shrugged. There was no way to know that with any certainty.

He slumped down, exhaling in a deep grumble.

“We can’t take the chance. We’ll consider it the present until we can prove it’s not,” he decided.

“It’s not by chance some part of your Initiation is it? Friendly competition perhaps?”

“No. I’m confident it’s not. Banon Blackwell took me aside and, well, let’s just say the only people that know about this little jaunt of ours is us, and her.”

“Oh. Right.” She let out a huff, wishing her visions came with cheat notes. It would be so much easier to decipher them that way.

The goblin’s rock bodies groaned against the ground as they shifted into a comfortable position to sleep away the day.

Ivan looked ready to bound out of the cave at the first sign of light. He looked down at Meghan.

“If there’s someone else out there we have to get there first.”

“Maybe this person I saw isn’t headed where we are, Ivan.”

“We cannot take that chance. We will have to travel faster today,” he warned. 

Meghan frowned. Her feet were still sore from the previous day’s hike. However, she did not want to disappoint Juliska. Or give Ivan the satisfaction that she could not keep up. She took a deep breath, digging deep, trying to find her determination.

She got to her feet and Ivan assisted her with getting the pack on. He’d already slid his onto his back. Minutes later, light filtered into the cave. Ivan stepped out first, carefully, to check that the goblins were asleep. They were. 

He took out his map and let the light filter through. Their pathway had changed. The goblin formations were not the same as the previous day. It appeared they did not stay in the same place night after night.

He motioned for Meghan to follow and the journey began again.

##

THE BIRD SAT ON COLIN’S shoulder and together they gazed, awestruck, into the valley, watching the goblins shift their way into the darkening distance.

After Colin had come to, he’d chastised himself for passing out.

How very cowardly he’d mumbled, disappointed. He had looked up to see the bird-human perched nearby; squawking in what Colin could only describe as laughter.

Colin laughed, shaking his head at himself. “At least no one I know was here to see that. Well other than you,” he aimed at the bird.

After this, the bird had taken up Colin’s shoulder and they watched the goblins, mesmerized by the creatures’ movements. A while later, Colin decided he had better go deeper into the cave to rest and eat. He talked aimlessly as he took out a meat pie, sliced off a piece for the bird, and ate the rest himself.

“I know you can understand me, so I’ll just talk. I guess if you ever want me to know who you are, you’ll tell me, or show me. Thanks by the way, for coming with me. I hate to admit it, but I did not like the idea of doing this on my own. I just know I have to save Catrina.”

Colin explained all about the girl as they’d hiked the day before. But after he finished eating he continued, dreamily.

“She’s beautiful you know. Wait until you see her, you’ll agree.” He looked at the bird. “I wish I knew what your name was.”

The bird shrugged as if to say, sorry, but not today.

“Well, maybe I’ll give you a name then,” decided Colin.

Thinking of a name to call the bird took Colin’s mind off the frightening challenge that lay ahead, as well as the goblins slithering raucously across the valley floor outside. He went through a list of names, none of which sounded right.

“You know, I only know you as the bird or the bird-human, and no other name fits. So I’m just going to call you Bird. But I won’t think of it like you’re a bird, more like the jazz musician, who was nicknamed Bird.”

Colin wished that he had his I-Pod and could actually listen to music, what a pleasant distraction that would be.

Bird nodded its acceptance of the name choice and squawked gently. It shook its feathers and stalked through the cave, acting silly. Bird had Colin laughing in no time. At one point, he was afraid he had laughed so hard that he had gained the unwanted attention of their outside companions.

Before turning in for the night, Colin took out the map. As he did so, Magicante’s pages flipped open, stopping on a green and yellow shimmering leaf.

“Oh, what’s this?” muttered Colin, taking a look at what the book was trying to show him. It didn’t let him read though, but spoke instead.

“I think it would be wise,” the book said, “for you to learn something new.”

“New magic?” Colin could barely contain his eagerness.

“Yes, I believe you will find this lesson prudent to the current situation.”

“How so?” he asked the Magicante.

“I sense danger in this place. One can never be too careful,” the Magicante’s voice hissed.

“Danger,” stuttered Colin. “More than what we’ve seen already?”

“Ah. Not to worry, Kid,” the book replied. “Nothing you can’t handle without proper training.”

“Okay,” said Colin. “What do I do?”

“Any real magician,” started the book, “knows the value of using a spell without having to speak it.” Magicante paused as if waiting for something.

“And?” questioned Colin.

“Well, why is it important?” asked the voice of Magicante.

“Oh. Okay. Um, my guess would be secrecy. No one would know what kind of spell you’re using against them.”

“Naturally,” agreed Magicante. “But here is what you do not know: spells thought, rather than spoken, use less energy to perform. Something many a fool that calls himself a magician does not know.”

“Oh. Okay,” said Colin. “Kind of makes sense when you think about it.”

Magicante had Colin practice various spells, thinking them rather than speaking them. Colin was sure to use Abdo before saying each spell in order to hide the fact that he was using magic. He took a stack of rocks and set into hurling them deeper into the cave.

“I did not think you’d have a problem with this bit of magic,” said the cranky voice of the book, after seeing Colin succeed easily. “But I decided it was time for you to know it. One of those little secrets apparently lost in magical training today.”

“Any other helpful hints?” asked Colin.

“That is all for tonight.” The book slammed itself shut and set into a soft snore.

Colin decided it was time to do the same. He wanted to get an early start. Bird nestled into a crevice and curled its beak underneath its feathers. Colin dozed off but woke with a start. He glanced around, but there was nothing there except for Bird, sleeping soundly. Colin shook it off, glad of Jae’s magic tunic. The night air was chilly, but he was not cold at all. Before long, he was sleeping again.

A few hours later, in the middle of the night, Bird awoke with a start. This time, something approached the cave. He left the sleeping Colin and flew outside to have a look. The valley was empty as far as Bird could see, with the exception of an approaching Catawitch.

Bird transformed into human form. There were no goblins nearby and Colin was sleeping soundly inside.

“Nona,” a young male voice spoke. “It’s nice to see you again. But what are you doing here? Why aren’t you with Meghan?”

“Well hello to you, too. Bird, is it now?” She laughed a girlish cat laugh.

“Very funny. Like I could tell him my name. Now back to my question.”

“Meghan asked me to stay behind and watch over Colin. She became afraid to leave him. Little did I know he had his own journey planned,” she purred in catty reply. 

“I’ve got Colin’s back. You should catch up with Meghan.”

“I do wish greatly to be at her side, but how would I explain? No. I will stay and do as she asked.”

Bird nodded. “Do you want to come inside the cave then?”

“There’s a few hours left until morning. I’m going to hunt for some food and snoop around. I’ll be following you tomorrow, just so you know.”

“Be safe then, Nona.”

“You too.”

Bird transformed and took flight, landing next to the still soundly sleeping Colin.

#

LIGHT FILTERED ITS way into the cave. Colin opened his eyes, not believing he had slept so well. He jumped up and packed his shoulder bag. “Better get moving.”

Bird followed overhead as Colin stepped out into the daylight, extracting the map. His path had changed directions. He realized that the rock formations he was looking at were not the same as the previous night. The goblins had moved positions.

“What a map!” he gushed, admiringly. “When this is all over, I really need to do something nice for Corny.”

Colin smiled up at Bird and closed the map. If he was lucky, today might be the day he found his dream girl.

#

MEGHAN STOOD BEHIND Ivan, waiting as he again studied the map. She took off her pack and plunked down. As she did, a plume of red dirt wafted off from her clothes.

“I’m never going to get these clean,” she whined.

“While we’re stopped, can you...” Meghan cut him off.

“Yeah, yeah. Just a sec.” She took a minute to gather herself and then created a fire in the palm of her hand. She focused on their journey, and the figure she had seen earlier that morning. She saw the same shadow of a figure, hiking through the valley. Nothing had changed. She searched the flames for any hint of what they might face ahead. However, there was nothing new in her vision. Nothing to indicate if it was in the present, past or future.

Ivan shook his head in confusion after Meghan informed him. A sense of urgency came over them both and they decided to eat lunch while walking.

After a while, the quiet of the valley grew on Meghan’s nerves. Hoping it would not turn into the catastrophe it had the first time, while in Grimble during the carriage ride to the Up and Comer’s Dinner, she attempted conversation with Ivan.

“Do you mind if I ask you something?” she threw out there.

“Um, go for it.”

“I’ve been wondering about the other Svoda groups.”

“What about them?”

“I know they exist, I guess I’m just trying to understand a little better how it all works. Do you know anyone in the other groups?”

“I was almost five when we left our island and started traveling,” he answered. “So no, I don’t really know much about the other groups other than they exist. Their numbers are similar to ours and there’s nine all total. I’m sure there’s a few people that know me, but I don’t think I’d remember them.”

“How about Jul... Banon Blackwell? She is the leader of all the Svoda, right?”

Ivan shot her a look that said, DUH!

“What I mean is,” she clarified, “how did she end up here, with this particular group, since there’s nine?”

“Oh. Well, when the time came for the Svoda to divide themselves amongst the different groups, Banon Blackwell knew she would have to choose just one. She wanted it to be a fair decision, so she, along with those selected to be leaders of the other groups held a raffle. A regular pull-a-ticket-out-of-the-hat kind of raffle, actually. Each ticket had a group number on it and Banon Blackwell drew this group.” Ivan actually sounded happy explaining this to Meghan.

“I wonder how the other groups handle not having her around. They must miss such an incredible woman, leader, I mean.”

Ivan chuckled. “She is admirable, to say the least,” he agreed.

A short while later as the heat of the day wore on Meghan, a voice echoed through her head.

“Colin?” she whispered, knowing instantly that it was not her brother. Her block was still firm. She sensed Colin in the back of her mind, but did not contact him or let his thoughts in. So whose voice was she hearing?

“Aahhh!” she suddenly yelled, falling over. She had not been watching her steps and was now laying face first in the dirt.

Ivan shook his head, but grabbed her hand, helping her up. Meghan wiped off the red dirt now plastered on her face, spitting out bits that had wormed their way into her mouth. She poorly ignored Ivan’s amused smirk. 

“You are enjoying my discomfort a little too much, aren’t you?” she grumbled.

A sly sneer snuck through his lips but he said nothing.

Throughout the rest of the day, the unfamiliar voice periodically entered Meghan’s mind, but never clearly enough to hear what was being said.

“Great,” she thought in a low whisper. “Just great! Hearing voices while stuck in the middle of nowhere on a mission with Ivan. Just perfect!”

Meghan’s frustrations grew more obvious as the day progressed. Ivan’s amusement turned to agitation as Meghan slowed and stumbled more often. As the second day ended, Ivan announced their hideout for the night was not too far, but they needed to pick up the pace to get there in time.

Once again, they found themselves scurrying to the cave with just minutes to spare before darkness descended. Ivan looked quite pleased when they arrived.

“What?” prodded Meghan breathlessly.

“We made good progress today. We actually went a lot further than I expected we would. We will arrive at our destination sometime in the late morning, if all goes well.”

“No wonder I’m so damn tired,” retorted Meghan. “I thought this journey wasn’t supposed to be that long.”

“I have a theory about that, actually. We know the goblins don’t go to sleep in the same place each morning. I think this might be on purpose. A defense mechanism of sorts, to make it harder to get through the valley. I don’t think Banon Blackwell realized we might walk in circles a few times.”

“Have we been?” Meghan had not noticed.

“Yes. A few times.”

“I’ll say it again, then. No wonder I’m so damn tired!”

“You survived,” replied Ivan, adding, “Same drill as last night. You see and I’ll get us some dinner.”

This plan was all well and good, except for the fact that Meghan was not in control of her emotions. As soon as she started her fire, the unwanted vision came: Jae, on his pillar, the malevolent being hurting him. Jae fighting back, but also fighting some evil growing inside him.

But this one didn’t end the same as the previous one.

Each time now, the vision changed just a little. Meghan could only assume that it meant Jae was changing too.

Near the end of the vision, Jae and the malevolent being were fighting on the pillar. But this time there was a sadistic voice that taunted Jae to let it free. To let the darkness inside him, out.

Whatever this thing was inside Jae, it was winning.

Meghan wished she could piece it all together. Was this vision a metaphor for some difficult or terrifying thing Jae was going through? Or was it more literal, like he was actually changing into something else? Like what? A monster? That didn’t make any sense.

However, in the vision, it’s exactly what happened.

The malevolent being challenged Jae, forcing him to release what was inside him. He did, and Meghan watched in horror as her scrawny friend turned into a monster.

With feral looking teeth that snapped at his opponent.

Rugged, thick arms and elongated fingernails that slashed and cut.

Jae let out a snarl and charged his attacker pushing the being to the edge of the pillar and right over the side into the black abyss. But the being’s hideous laugh echoed up from the depths. Jae might have pushed the being over the edge of the pillar but the being had gotten what it wanted from Jae.

He spun around and spied Meghan, letting out a snarl.

Her breath caught and she backed away, catching herself when she remembered she was stuck on a pillar too. Jae’s knees bent to a crouch.

What was he going to... he lunged, easily making the distance between their pillars.

His black burnished eyes pierced her own, his deadly grasp swinging out to take her down and Meghan screamed, falling over the side of the pillar.

The vision ended.

Ivan picked her up off the cave floor. He let go and turned around.

The vision of Jae was getting more intense and somehow, personal. Instead of watching like an onlooker, Meghan had gone to participant.

“Will you ever trust me enough to tell me what’s going on with Jae?” she asked shakily.

Thus far, they had avoided any real confrontation on this quest. And she’d kept the conversation light. But this was too much and Ivan needed to tell her more.

He whirled around and squatted down so he was eye to eye with her.

“Yes, I will actually.”

Meghan’s eyes opened wide, but then narrowed. She was finding it easier to read his expressions. “But not today, right?”

“No. Not today.”

“Why not?” she asked, genuinely interested in his reply.

“You’re not ready yet.”

She wrinkled her nose at him and folded her arms. “In your eyes, Ivan Crane, I doubt anyone would ever be deemed ready. What are you waiting for?”

“Meghan,” he stopped, shaking his head. His body language called out flustered, but his eyes met hers and indicated focused and determined. “I am going to tell you something, Meghan Jacoby.” He stood up, looking quite tall and foreboding.

Meghan did the same. She wanted to be on even ground when he insulted her so she could defend herself properly.

“I have certain goals I very much intend on fulfilling. Failure is not an option. It’s too important and nothing will get in my way. Nothing.”

Meghan recalled the violent dream she’d had, where Ivan attempted to kill her and made a statement eerily similar. At least here in the cave, he wasn’t pinning her to the ground with a knife in his hand like in the dream.

“You are an asset, Meghan,” he went on.

She’d had her suspicions about this, but was still surprised he admitted it so freely. 

“The Banon likes you, therefore, I like you,” he continued. “The way I see it, we are unwilling business partners. You are helping me get what I want, and I, eventually, will give you what you want.”

“So this is like ‘let’s make a deal’ or something?” Meghan shook her head in disgust. “No wonder you don’t have any friends, and to think,” she accidentally admitted, “I was almost starting to not despise being around you.”

Ivan stepped closer to Meghan with a cutthroat gaze that made her fall back against the cave wall. He closed the space, putting his hand next to her head and peered into her eyes with a chilling intensity that sent ice surging through her veins.

“Having friends is a luxury I cannot afford, Meghan Jacoby. Friends get in the way. And I don’t have time for things to get in the way. What I’m doing is far more important than making friends.”

She heard so many unsaid things in between the lines.

They would never be friends. Unwilling business partners, only.

That Ivan was up to something. She assumed securing his place in some high position close to Juliska. Although his tone hinted at something more. 

That whatever he was up to, he considered it worth giving up any kind of life for.

And this had nothing at all to do with Jae, this was personal to Ivan.

Just what was he hiding? And planning?

Ivan stood back, unpinning Meghan from the wall and went to the opposite side of the cave and readied dinner in silence. She stayed, her mind racing and adrenaline pumping hard from the fright he’d given her.

Perhaps part of his anger was that she’d sneaked into his thoughts thanks to the visons, and saw things he didn’t want to share. 

Colin hated when she got into his mind without asking first, too. It was the one place he always felt safe and free. And she was sure the reason he so rarely and on cautiously let his mind-block down to talk with her. And truthfully, the same could be said of her. No one wanted their private thoughts and fears invaded.

Perhaps Ivan was worried she would see too much. She suddenly remembered the phrase keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Ivan Crane was not someone she could afford to trust, completely. She might be forced to spend time with him, but it was now purely business. There was no giving Ivan a chance any longer.

She decided it best to get back to the job she’d been brought along for. Her heartbeats normal again, she concentrated on the task. A fire burst out of her palm and she gazed into the flames intently. Nothing. No new vision and no replay of an old one.

He looked at her expectantly. She shook her head.

Ivan nodded, handing her a meat pie. They ate in tense silence.

Outside the cave, darkness descended and the goblins stirred to life. In the distance, a ghastly, deafening cry filled the sky. Followed by a thunderous shake of the ground. It gave them both pause.

Meghan wanted this bad trip to be finished. What was she doing here? Tears threatened to surface but she bit her lip, hard, to force them back. She could not, and would not, permit Ivan Crane to get the better of her. She’d do whatever she needed to do to help Jae. Even if that meant working with Ivan.

Meghan extended her hand.

“Business partners then,” she told him.

He shook her hand, his dry smile returning. “I knew you’d come around.”

Meghan wanted to hit him.

“Let’s get some sleep,” he advised. “We have a big day tomorrow.”

Meghan sighed.

Why did Ivan always have to be right?

#

EVENING APPROACHED and Colin was farther away from his closest safe spot than he’d hoped to be. Bird urged him along, but Colin’s short legs could only go so fast. They were hiking past a ridged canyon wall, which he thought would never end. Somewhere at the end of this rocky ridge was his hideout for the night.

Bird’s chirping got more noisy as they neared the end, but Colin was forced to stop and catch his breath. He leaned up against the last bit of the canyon wall. Darkness was setting in. He needed to hurry and enter the cave, or face being caught by the goblins.

As he repositioned the bag over his shoulder, he froze. A rumble came out of the canyon wall. The rumble turned into clunky movement, which turned into the rock lifting off the ground.

Colin was too late, the goblins were waking. Although he’d thought for sure this was just an actual canyon wall. It was so long and had taken a couple hours to walk the length of it.

Pebbles and other sharp rocky debris plummeted down the sides of the shifting wall of rock. Colin started to run but something caught his cheek slicing into his skin. It wasn’t deep but bled profusely.

The creature awoke and came to life with a terrible roar that rumbled across the entire valley. It shook its body like a wet dog, but rather than hair, shards of rock showered the ground below its body.

Colin ran faster than he’d ever ran before. Bird had found the cave and was hovering in front of the entrance waiting. Colin reached it and slid inside, ending up on his butt. From the safety of the shadows, he watched what he had believed was a canyon wall, stalk by him, like a gigantic playful puppy. One with a dangerously outstretched and spiked tail wagging behind it.

Breath caught, Colin crept deeper into the cave.

“What have I gotten myself into?” he asked Bird.

Bird’s eyes were wide with disbelief, too, but he nudged Colin’s arm meaningfully.

“Yeah, I’m doing the right thing. I know,” said Colin. “This is just so different than my life. Right now, I should be heading back to Cobbscott for the summer, dealing with bullies, and meeting up with the Jendayas. Getting ready for my fourteenth birthday party. Fighting with my sister!”

That life was so far out of reach now.

He shook off his apprehensions and dug out his first aid kit, locating a cream that would heal the cut on his face. It stung to put on, but within seconds the bleeding had stopped and the wound had closed. Colin took out Corny’s map.

“We should be at our destination tomorrow morning,” he told Bird. An electric pulse shot through his nerves at the thought of actually meeting the real Catrina. Would she recognize him? Did she remember the dreams so vividly, like he did?

“Abdo Remotus Aspectus,” he whispered.

His mind’s eye left the cave searching outward to where Catrina lay sleeping. The spell worked easily for him now. And using Abdo kept anyone from tracing the magic.

Colin had no problem locating her. He gazed into the glass coffin where she serenely slept. He was so close. One more night and... he caught his breath. There was a shadow hovering in Catrina’s room, close to her coffin. A hooded figure edged closer to her. It raised a hand, which held a silver knife.

“No. No. No!” screamed Colin.

Catrina’s eyes flew open, looking straight into his. She placed her hand on the inside of her glass coffin, gasping.

“Hurry, Colin. Please,” she begged.

A gloved hand covered her face from Colin’s view.

He lost control of his spell and instantly surrendered his contact with her. He jumped to his feet to depart.

“Catrina’s in trouble,” he told Bird. “I have to go. I can’t wait.”

Bird flew in front of Colin, attempting to stop him.

“I can’t wait,” argued Colin. “If I do, I’ll be too late!”

Bird’s attempts to stop him failed. Colin bounded back out into the valley just as Nona, Meghan’s Catawitch jumped in front of him, trying to push him back into the safety of the cave. Colin didn’t give Nona a second glance and took only a few steps when something grabbed hold of him, yanking him off the ground.

Colin came face to face with a goblin.

Time seemed to freeze for a minute, each staring at each other eye to eye, until an eerie grin spread across the goblin’s rock-hard face.

“Straight to Eidolon with you,” its rough voice announced.

So they could talk. But Colin found he could not, his vocal chords incapable of forming anything coherent. The goblin’s body wriggled along the ground, like a slug. But much faster, and uncaring of the path it took and whether it bumped into anything else along the way.

Colin went limp. How stupid could he be?

He’d jumped right out into the middle of trouble. Without a plan.

He might never make it to Catrina now.

And just as frightening, he might never make it home.

##

IT WAS LATE MORNING. Meghan and Ivan stood at the entrance to their destination: another cave.

The moment of truth. Was the Svoda who had wandered into the valley still alive? Was he being held captive? Did whatever he have on his person, which Juliska did not want to leave in the valley, still exist? Or had it been taken by Eidolon?

Ivan took hold of two torches, which hung from a wall, unlit.

“Hm hm,” mumbled Ivan. “If you don’t mind...”

“Oh, right,” said Meghan. She snapped her fingers over the torches and they roared to life.

“We need to try to keep to a schedule in here,” informed Ivan. “This is not a safe cave. Once it’s dark, the goblins will be able to find us in here.”

“Okay,” said Meghan, apprehensively. “You do realize,” she added, “that even the best laid plans hardly ever go smoothly?”

Ivan rolled his eyes. “I am aware, Meghan, and to be honest, other than walking in here and searching for what we’re looking for, there is no other plan. We’ll be winging it.”

“Winging it! Oh that sounds nice and solid,” she criticized.

“There’s no telling what’s going to happen. We will just have to adapt and plan as we go.” Ivan stepped in, unafraid.

Again, Meghan had to talk herself down from her inner ledge.

I’m too young for this. I’m not good enough for this. What could Juliska have been thinking when she agreed with Ivan that I could handle this?

Juliska’s belief in her gave her the strength to step in after Ivan.

She was glad that the floor of the cave was relatively flat and smooth, which made it much easier to walk on. And run, if it became necessary.

Somewhere, not too far in, was supposed to be a series of rooms, like a dungeon. Another twenty steps in and the rooms came into view. Meghan’s heart raced faster and faster as they started their search. So far though, each was empty. But one of these rooms would have a man in it, either dead or alive. If the information Juliska had was correct.

Ivan’s arm swung up to his side stopping Meghan in her tracks. She froze and held her breath. Three rooms down a door creaked and feet shuffled across the ground.

Meghan wished she could talk through Ivan’s mind like she could with Colin.

They edged closer to the door.

Ivan motioned for Meghan to stay where she was and then he turned and softly jumped to the opposite side of the doorway. He faced her and mouthed, “We’ll jump in together.”

She nodded.

The element of surprise.

Would it be enough?

Ivan held up three fingers. “On three,” he mouthed.

She readied herself, a burst of flames erupting silently in the palm of her hand.

When Ivan held up his third finger, they simultaneously barged into the room, palms at the ready in case they were attacked, and needed to defend themselves.

Meghan’s fire fizzled.

Ivan’s hand fell and his head cocked awkwardly to one side.

They were not alone. There was someone else already there. Someone they both recognized, instantly.

#

COLIN AWOKE. APPARENTLY, he had passed out after being taken by the goblin. That or they’d knocked him out, he had no recollection of which. He climbed to his feet shaking off a bit of the grogginess weighting his head.

“I need to figure out where I am,” he whispered.

One lone torch hung on the side of a wall, lit. It didn’t offer much light, but enough to see he was inside a dungeon-like room. There was a door with bars on it, locking him inside. And if he had to guess, he’d bet he was in another cave as the walls were stone.

He tried to keep the panic at bay, but it surfaced anyway.

What had happened to Catrina?

Where’s Bird?

And... Oh crap, where is my bag, and... double crap... where’s the Magicante?

He had hoped the book might help him escape.

But he was on his own.

Colin’s breathing accelerated and his nerves made him feel sick. He needed to get out and fast. Was it day or night? Was Eidolon on his way? Did he come out only at night, too?

His feet hit something on the floor. His shoulder bag! He looked inside and everything was there, except for the Magicante. It was better than nothing. Although he was disappointed he might have lost the book, especially after the warnings from Uncle Eddy on protecting it, and everything Meghan had gone through to get it back for him.

Colin went to the door, but he was too short to look out of the window.

Something moved outside, flapping wings, and then feet shuffling closer.

“Colin?” a male voice whispered. 

“Yes, it’s me,” Colin croaked. “Who’s there?”

“It’s... Bird, in my human form.” Bird’s voice sounded muffled.

“What’s going on out there?” asked Colin. “Are you okay? They took the Magicante.”

“Actually, they did not,” Bird replied. “I have it safely hidden. I grabbed it before they could see it.”

Colin breathed a huge sigh of relief. “Thanks, Bird. Seems like I, or my sister, cannot succeed in any quest without you!”

Bird chuckled. “Maybe someday we’ll be able to discuss that. Right now, we need to hurry.” An inflection in Bird’s voice insinuated something bad was on its way. “There’s a spell, Colin, one that can open the door, but you must do it.”

“You name it, I’ll do it!”

“Fenestra,” explained Bird. “Just say it one time and the door will open.”

For some reason that sounded familiar to Colin, and his brain searched for the answer. Meghan. She had used that spell before, to free Timothy. He should have remembered it, but panic had stolen his ability to focus.

When would he ever stop being the scared little boy that always needed someone else to come to his rescue? And what would he have done if Bird hadn’t joined him on this quest? Failed. That’s what.

It didn’t matter right now. He needed to escape and find Catrina.

Colin faced the door and said the spell. One second and a loud pop later, he jumped out of the way as the door detached from its hinges and thudded to the ground.

Bird flew in. Colin could not help but be disappointed; he had hoped to meet the bird-human at last.

That is when Colin froze. Noises from somewhere up ahead.

They were not alone. Someone was coming.

#

“YOU!” BARKED IVAN, shaking off his confusion and readying himself for battle, once again.

“How is this possible?” interrogated Meghan.

Shocking blue eyes pierced her own, staring back with a bewildered glower.

It was the same young man she and Ivan had fought in Grimble while trying to get Colin’s book back.

How had he gotten here?

And why was he here?

Colin and his book, the Magicante, were many miles away in the safety of the cave dwellings with the rest of the Svoda. Therefore, it could not be the book he was after.

The young man surprised them by pulling the hood back over his head, revealing his face. He was young, about Meghan’s age, she guessed. But his eyes, these alone held the essence of someone much older. He had a head of disheveled reddish-blond hair.

He stared at Meghan and Ivan but made no move to strike. He appeared confident, even considering his hasty retreat in Grimble.

“I came here to make a deal,” he told them flatly. “I was betrayed by Eidolon and locked in a cell a few doors down.” He added smugly, “Eidolon doesn’t seem to know about Catawitches.”

Meghan glanced around but the boys evil Catawitch, Elisha, was nowhere in sight.

However, out of nowhere, another was.

“Nona! Where did you come from?” bleated Meghan as her loyal pet came bounding inside the room. Meghan was both relieved and baffled to see her.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” her cattish voice replied. Nona’s story would have to wait. The blue-eyed boy stepped closer to what he had been looking at. Meghan and Ivan now noticed there was something else in the room.

A coffin made out of glass.

And there was a body inside.

A small body.

A child’s body.

Meghan stepped back, stunned by this discovery.

“Why would someone leave a child here?” she questioned. “Who could she be?” And how had she come to be in this cave in the middle of the goblin’s valley.

The hooded boy answered Meghan as if he had heard her thoughts.

“No idea who she is or how she got here. I was trying to find the way out when I found her. And even stranger, I don’t believe she’s actually dead.”

Not dead? Meghan’s mind repeated.

“No, not dead,” the boy told her again.

“Wait... how did you hear that?” she eyed the boy, hard.

Ivan looked between the two, perplexed.

“You didn’t say that out loud?” asked the boy.

“No. It was only in my thoughts.”

Then, in Meghan’s mind, she heard the boy’s response.

Why is this happening to me? This sucks! Why can I hear this stupid girls’ thoughts?

“Stupid girl,” retorted Meghan.

The boy’s face contorted in anger. “Get out of my head!” he clamored haughtily.

“Man, does that sound familiar,” muttered Meghan, blocking the boy from her mind.

He obviously could not do the same, and struggled with the extra thoughts racing through his own.

Why can I block him, now? She wondered.

The boy heard her thought and demanded to know how blocking worked. Meghan just stared in disbelief.

“How did you get here?” demanded Ivan, trying to ignore whatever strange situation was occurring. “Why are you here?”

“How am I supposed to function with her stupid thoughts raging in my head?”

“You have to block me,” advised Meghan, unsure why she cared to help the boy that had a few months’ prior, attempted to kill her. And had killed Ivan. A fact he did not know and might well change his attitude about this boy in an instant. Not that he looked like he trusted the kid at all.

“How do I block you?” he yelled impatiently.

“There’s a point in your brain, you have to reach for it, and then set up the block.” Meghan was not sure how to explain it. With Colin and her, they had each just discovered it on their own.

After a minute, the boy regained some of his composure. “I don’t know why I can hear your thoughts, but I’m done. You’re lucky I’m not here for you today.” He booked it to the room’s exit, but Ivan blocked him, using magic. The boy stumbled to the ground.

“You haven’t answered any of my questions, yet!” explained Ivan.

The boy smirked. “I suppose that was payback for when I threw you up against that wall. You should’ve died from that blow I gave you.” The young man glanced at Meghan. He was quickly getting the hang of speaking to her while blocking what he did not want her to hear. Yes. I know about your little secret, he sent to her.

Meghan was aghast. “Don’t you dare,” she ordered.

Ivan, again, looked between the two, ready to explode in anger himself. Meghan decided to take another approach.

She put up her hands, asking both of them to cool down. Ivan did not release his stance but gave her a curt nod. Her new mind reading buddy got to his feet. 

“What is your name?” she asked calmly.

“Don’t know why you care, or what it matters, but it’s Colby.”

“Colby. Huh. Well, Colby, if what you say is true and you were put here by Eidolon, you’re in as much danger as we are.”

“Hardly. I came here to make a deal with Eidolon, and if he doesn’t make that deal, he will pay for that choice!”

“You actually think you’re powerful enough to take on the Goblin King?” Ivan jested.

“My magical energy has no boundaries,” he boasted, “and I won’t leave before I get what I came for.”

The three paced slowly about the room circling the glass coffin, each staring and deliberating their next move.

What kind of deal was Colby making with Eidolon? Moreover, why would Eidolon renege on that deal? And again, how had Colby gotten here? There wasn’t supposed to be another way in or out of the E Valley, other than the doorway the Svoda had come through and would leave by.

For the first time, Meghan and Ivan found they were on the same train of thought and knew they needed to discover the answers to all this before Colby could escape.

Colby caught on fast and extended his palm, throwing a spell at Ivan, who blocked it, shooting off one of his own.

Nona encouraged Meghan to hide behind the glass coffin, where she got a closer look at the girl sleeping inside. There was something familiar about her face.

In the chaos of the moment, no one heard the footsteps rapidly approaching.

#

BIRD URGED COLIN OUT of his room, where the sounds of rock grinding against rock were creeping closer. Bird flew deeper into the cave, the opposite direction Colin wanted to go. He followed, nonetheless. Bird had never let him down.

He ran and ran, passing empty cell after empty cell. He was running so fast that he could not stop. Not even when he heard spells cast, and rock blowing apart. He skidded past a room where from the corner of his eye, Colin saw his prize.

“Catrina,” he yelled, sliding to the ground. The battle taking place inside the room ceased and all went quiet. Colin got up, leaving the fresh dirt on his clothes and darted inside the room, where he again came to a sudden stop.

“Colin?” yelled Meghan.

“Wh-what are you doing here?” asked Colin, in shock over seeing his sister and Ivan.

“Now you see what I meant,” advised Nona hotly.

“This is becoming a freakin’ circus,” mustered an ill-tempered Ivan. “Do I even want to know what you’re doing here?”

Colin shrugged nonchalantly and nodded at Catrina’s glass coffin.

Before Ivan could question him further, Colin’s own memory had been trying to place where he had seen the blue-eyed young man before. He realized it came from his sister’s memory of her battle in Grimble.

“Why are you here?” Colin asked him.

“His name is Colby,” Meghan interjected.

“And we were just getting around to finding out the why,” explained Ivan caustically.

Bird, fluttering over their heads, chirped a warning.

“Hey, you did follow us,” said Meghan, seeing the bird for the first time.

Ivan looked as though he might blow a gasket, seeing Meghan speaking to a bird.

“We have to get out of here,” Colin announced, understanding Bird’s warning.

Colin let Meghan back into his mind and hastily showed her all he had been up to, and that something was following him through the cave.

“Okay,” she confirmed. “We have to get out now,” she told Ivan. “Something’s coming I don’t think any of us can fight.”

“Not without Catrina!” declared Colin.

“Catrina?” Ivan asked tensely.

“Catrina Flummer, the girl in the coffin,” Colin replied as if everyone should already know this fact.

“Flummer? The sick girl? From the other group? That’s not possible,” Ivan said, inspecting the coffin closer.

“Yeah, I know it’s not,” agreed Colin. “But it is her. And I’m not leaving her here.”

“My job was to come here and fetch a man, not a girl!”

“Ivan!” insisted Meghan. “We can’t just leave her!”

Ivan let out a flummoxed groan. It went against the task Juliska had sent him in to do. But he even with all his plans and the possibility of disappointing the Banon, there was only one option.

“No, we can’t,” he agreed through gritted teeth. “But we’d better hurry.”

“Maybe this is part of the test, Ivan? Or maybe Juliska didn’t know!” suggested Meghan.

“It doesn’t matter now. We have to take her.”

Colin wanted to ask his sister a ton of questions, mainly about Juliska and how they’d come to be in the valley, but he needed to free Catrina. He was at her side in an instant. The coffin lid was too heavy for him to slide off on his own.

Ivan jumped over to help him. 

While they did this, Colby seized the moment and ran.

“Hey!” called out Meghan.

“You didn’t really think he was going to stick around?” hissed Ivan.

A moment later glass shattered across the ground as he and Colin slid the lid off the coffin completely. The moment the lid broke apart the silver haired girl named Catrina Flummer bolted upright with a deep inhale. Her eyes flung open and she jumped out of the coffin deftly as if she had been awake the entire time and merely waiting for the moment to escape.

Soft slippers were the only protection on her petite feet. However, it didn’t seem to bother her as she landed softly on the ground.

“Colin! You found me!” she flung herself around his shoulders as if they were old friends who had not seen each other in ages.

Meghan and Ivan stared in disbelief.

Colin’s throat closed up, unable to respond.

He’d found her. And she remembered him.

Bird chirped wildly at the door. 

“We have to hurry,” Catrina advised. “We can’t allow Eidolon to keep what he has taken.”

“How do you know about that?” demanded Ivan, wishing he’d kept his mouth shut. They might not be talking about the same thing. These people were going to drive him mad. He was losing all control of the situation. 

Catrina ignored his demand and grabbed Colin’s hand, dashing out of the room. Meghan, Nona, and Ivan had no choice but to follow.

Up ahead they heard a shouted spell. It was Colby. He was fighting Bird, who was transforming in mid-air, throwing spells, transforming back to Bird and flying to safety. He was a talented fighter, transforming between his two forms in a split second. Unfortunately, it involved a lot of shimmering light, which kept them from getting a good look at him while in human form.

The fleeing group caught up to Colby. He was agitated by the battle with Bird and quit, sauntering alongside the others looking for the exit.

A pin of light far ahead of them.

They picked up speed, racing toward escape.

It was still daylight, so they had time to get out of here and find a safe place to hide and gather themselves before the goblins awoke for the night. 

Colby took over the lead and exited the cave with Bird flying out over his head, followed by Catrina and Colin, with Ivan, Meghan, and Nona right behind. Each skidded in turn to an abrupt stop, almost falling into whoever was in front of them.

Bulbous shapes banged around blotting out the blinding light of day. It took a moment for their eyes to adjust. Although only late afternoon, and very much still light outside, the Valley of Eidolon had come to life, with goblins of all shapes and sizes scissoring closer to the cave’s entrance.

Two rock-hard goblin bodies slammed into each other, causing a hostile fight to break out. Rust colored slivers fell off their bodies, crashing to the ground, or shooting outwards toward unaware victims.

The fleeing group of youngsters stepped back, hoping to take cover inside the cave. However, that path was blocked as goblins poured out from behind them, forcing them back out into the daylight.

“We’re surrounded,” whispered Meghan breathlessly.

A boisterous, yet whimsically delicate voice stopped the goblins in their tracks. 

“Stop this infantile fighting and get out of my way,” it called out.

They did, parting down the middle to create a path. 

Eidolon.

The Goblin King had arrived.

##

A THUNDEROUS MOVEMENT shook the ground as Eidolon arrived. He slithered irascibly toward them. He was taller and bulkier than his minions were. And carried himself with an authoritative and confident flare.

“How dare you sneak into my valley?” he demanded. Eidolon noticed Colby. “Ah. My newest partner in crime.”

“Bull! You went back on our agreement. I will reveal the secrets of what you found, but not until I have the book! That’s the deal!” Colby shouted in response. 

“I do like to change my mind from time to time,” mumbled Eidolon, raising one of his red rock arms into the air as if to say “my prerogative.”

His eyes turned deadly, his arm dropped and slid closer. “Besides, I don’t think you’re in any place to contradict me,” he spat into Colby’s unshaken face. “I will take the book and you will tell me what this is.” Eidolon revealed a small velvet bag, miniscule in his gargantuan hand, and dangled it in the air just out of reach of the youngsters.

Meghan and Ivan tossed each other quick glances.

Was this the item they’d been sent in to retrieve?

“The man who wandered into my valley refused to tell me what this is. It must have some great importance, seeing as he was willing to die for it.”

Confirmation.

The man Meghan and Ivan had come for was dead, and worse, Eidolon already possessed what Juliska needed them to retrieve. Ivan was in deep thought, ignoring the scene around him, calculating ways to get the velvet bag.

“Colby,” whispered Catrina. “You cannot tell him what that is. Do you have any idea what would happen?”

Colby snarled his reply. “I will do whatever I need to survive and return to my master,” he told Catrina. “With the book as agreed!” he yelled at Eidolon.

Fury erupted from Eidolon, causing even his minions to back away. The youngsters covered their ears from the deafening blare that left their ears ringing and their breaths caught.

“Or not,” mumbled Colby, taking a few steps back, suddenly humbled.

Meghan was starting to think he was more bark, than bite.

Eidolon’s message was clear; he was in charge.

He grabbed hold of one of his minions, letting out a thunderous cry while crushing it to bits. Shards of rock spewed out of Eidolon’s powerful hands.

The other nearby goblins squirmed nervously.

“I am finished being nice,” Eidolon rumbled. 

“That was nice?” muttered Meghan.

Colin turned and whispered to Bird. “Where’s the Magicante?” Bird had hidden it, but Colin had no idea where. Bird flew off around the corner. The goblins ignored the small flying creature.

Am I supposed to follow? wondered Colin.

If he could run fast enough he just might sneak through the goblin bodies. 

I’m not fast enough, he admitted, frustrated. If they managed to reach the Magicante, it could get them all home.

But then what? What happened once they were home?

Eidolon was not going to just sit back and ignore this invasion.

The Svoda would have little to no warning.

Colin sucked in and felt a gentle squeeze of his hand. Catrina encouraged him without taking her eyes off Eidolon.

“Ivan,” whispered Colin. “I need a distraction so I can get away. If I can get to my book we can all get out of here, fast!”

Ivan, lovely Ivan, did not question, but immediately went into action.

Colin allowed Meghan into his mind.

“I need you to create the largest fire you can,” he explained silently. “We need a smokescreen, if even just for a few seconds.” Colin let out a short gasp. His first aid kit. He had smokescreen and had forgotten.

Meghan was surprised by this bolder version of her brother, but realized he might be right.

Without hesitation, Ivan confronted Eidolon.

“I believe that what you’re holding actually belongs to Banon Blackwell. I will take it now if you don’t mind.” Ivan daringly stepped closer, ready to strike Eidolon with a spell.

Meghan concentrated, hard. The fire began slowly, in her palm. Then it spread.

Eidolon’s goblins noticed it right away. 

“Hey, what are you doing?” They had clearly never seen someone light themselves on fire before. The fire spread over Meghan’s body, leaving a tingly sensation wherever the flames licked at her skin.

Ivan’s attention stayed on the velvet bag. He was not going back to Juliska empty handed, whether Eidolon knew how to use what was in the bag or not. And no matter how crazy this entire trip had become.

Meghan thought furiously through her memory of the spells in the Firemancer’s Pocket Guide. She wanted the fire to spread and according to the book, she could catch anything on fire, even if it was not something normally flammable. She let the flames crawl away from her body onto the ground, taunting the goblins. They wobbled backwards as the unfamiliar flames taunted their red rock bodies.

“You’re doing great, Meghan,” encouraged Nona. “Keep going. Make it spread. Keep them backing away.”

Eidolon was not so easy to convince. “Do not back away. Attack!” he ordered.

Ivan threw a spell, which hit Eidolon straight on. It had no effect on him whatsoever.

“Silly boy!” he raved, impressed Ivan would even try such a feat. “Your magic is too weak on someone like me.” Eidolon’s body slinked closer.

Ivan dove out of the way. “Guess we have officially broken your no magic rule, Eidolon,” he egged.

The Goblin King laughed boisterously.

“I’ll say it again. Silly boy! I have no such rule.” Ivan was speechless for a moment. Perhaps Eidolon was lying. The Banon had specifically told them they could not perform magic, per the rules set forth by Eidolon.

He moved forward confidently. “Your magic will have no effect on me, so you might as well stop trying.”

Catrina Flummer stepped forward at that moment, her silver hair gleaming in the approaching sunset. “I wouldn’t be so sure of that, Goblin King,” she spoke boldly. Eidolon glared at her, fury ready to explode, but before he could respond a fiery explosion blew up a smaller sized Goblin.

Meghan gasped.

She had successfully thrown a life-sized fireball. And it had hit and taken out her target. Nona stood at her side encouraging her to do it again. 

Colin, seizing the opportunity, dropped the bottle marked Smokescreen, Advantage Yours! from his first aid kit, grasped Catrina’s hand tightly, and bolted. Catrina was even shorter than Colin. However, with the assistance of the smokescreen, they easily slipped between two heaving goblin bodies, unnoticed. They disappeared around the canyon wall where Bird flapped anxiously, waiting to show Colin where the Magicante was hidden. He hoped it was not far.

Colby took advantage of the smokescreen and followed the duo. He narrowly escaped being crushed by the same two goblins that Catrina and Colin had run between, but he made it through. He scurried after them, determined to claim his prize... Colin’s book. The Magicante.

Meghan stayed put, keeping her fires ignited. Her baby blue eyes dissolved to a blood red color. Streams of flame shot out of them blasting at the goblins. They dared go no further and ignored their King’s demand to advance.

Ivan made a sudden move no one expected. He climbed up the canyon wall so he was eye to eye with Eidolon. The king stopped and laughed at the mere audacity of the move.

In that moment of amused laughter, Ivan threw a spell directly into Eidolon’s open eye. The Goblin King cried out, his gigantic hands lifting to his face. In his short moment of blindness, Ivan jumped at the Goblin King’s convulsing body and yanked the velvet bag out of his hand then plummeted to the ground with a thud.

“Ivan!” called out Meghan, afraid he’d injured himself. It was a long fall. She lost her concentration and the fire fizzled out.

He got to his feet. “I’m fine,” he called out breathlessly.

The gap between them and the goblins was getting smaller. Eidolon’s minions advanced, but the king was faster.

For an immense creature made of rock, Eidolon’s body was agile. He glided across the uneven surface of the ground like an ice skater on clean ice, lifting his enormous body into the air and hurled himself towards them.

His body twisted, attempting to crush the little humans, but as it came crashing down, Ivan lunged at Meghan pushing her to the ground with his body. Eidolon missed them by mere inches.

“Run,” ordered Nona, now rounding the same canyon wall the others had escaped around minutes before.

Ivan yanked Meghan off the ground and they ran. Every direction they turned, rock-hard arms, legs, and bodies crashed down around them, pulverizing whatever happened to be underneath.

The evening sun still blazed hot. Up ahead, Ivan and Meghan noticed Colby chasing after Colin and Catrina. Meghan knew he was after the Magicante.

Bird had hidden the book in a small crevice. He used his beak to edge it out. Colin, while running, yelled for it to wake up.

“In some trouble are we?” it cynically asked, while yawning.

“We need to get out of here, fast.”

“You could have done that yourself, you know,” reminded Magicante.

“I know that. But I wasn’t going to leave you behind.”

“I see, yes. Good thinking, then!”

Colin grabbed the Magicante ordering Catrina to take hold, but Ivan and Meghan were still too far behind, and Colby was closing in.

Without even thinking about it, Colin prepared for battle. He would not let Colby have the book, and he would not chance Catrina getting hurt. 

Catrina hid her delicate face behind the book.

“Don’t worry, Lass. He’ll do just fine,” the book comforted.

“Oh, I know he will. I just hate watching battles. So violent,” Catrina explained.

“Ah,” said the book. “You’re a special one. Unique talent, aren’t you?”

“You cannot tell,” she whispered desperately. “It must remain a secret.”

“Yes, I can understand why,” the book mused. “Very well, then.”

“Thank you,” said Catrina, finding the book very agreeable.

Colin and Colby sent spells at each other with heightened speed. They collided, sending sparks in all directions.

“You’re much better than most,” admitted Colby.

“That’s what they keep telling me,” said Colin presumptuously. Repeatedly, their spells collided, canceling each other out. Colin only wanted to last long enough for Meghan and Ivan to catch up. When at last they did, he instructed them to take hold of the book.

“Colin! Get over here!” yelled Meghan.

Colin and Colby were practically laughing now; throwing pointless spells. They were having way too much fun trying to hurt each other.

They stopped dueling and froze.

Eidolon and his goblins were racing their way.

“Damn!” yelled Colby. “I will get that book. Maybe not today. But I will!”

“Colby, come!” Colby’s loyal Catawitch, Elisha, appeared suddenly atop a nearby rock. Colby bounded to the rock. Elisha jumped down to meet him. There was a burst of flame and they were gone.

Bird and Nona jumped onto the book, which Colin grasped onto; the book had them back at the valley’s edge in a split second.

Colin wondered why he had not just used the Magicante to locate Catrina in the first place. It would have been much faster, but he decided that the book would have just made him do it on his own, anyway.

Ivan stood up, dazed. “How...” he stopped. “Whatever. We need to warn everyone. Eidolon will be coming.”

“Wait!” pleaded Catrina.

The group halted.

“No one can know about me. I will explain when there is time.”

Colin did not question, but to his displeasure, this time, Ivan did.

“Hide? Why?”

“Maybe this isn’t the time or place, Ivan,” Meghan suggested.

“No. I have had it with all this craziness. I want to know what’s going on. Now!”

Catrina put on a pretty smile. “Ivan. You’re Ivan Crane, aren’t you?”

“Yes. How do you know that?”

“Not important. But if you don’t help me now, Ivan, you will never find out what I have for you.”

Geesh, thought Meghan. How familiar this bargaining sounds.

Ivan cocked his head. It was not quite enough to make him go along with her request, yet.

“You lost your mother so long ago, didn’t you? I would have been just under a year old, then. Did you know your mother gave me a gift right before she died?”

This got Ivan’s attention.

“I think you’ll have great interest in what I have to tell you, seeing as this gift is actually meant for you.”

“My mother gave you a gift, to give to me?” questioned Ivan, unconvinced.

“Yes. But you’ll never find out what it is if I’m discovered now.”

He let out a disgruntled groan but said nothing.

Colin kept his grasp firm in Catrina’s hand.

“Ivan, please?” he begged. He wasn’t going to lose her after just finding her.

Ivan stared at the young couple holding hands. So innocent looking, and yet there was nothing innocent about this situation.

But if she was telling the truth...

“I can’t believe I’m doing this. Fine. Hide. For now,” his tone warned she’d better explain about this gift as soon as possible or he would not be so accommodating.

“Thank you, Ivan,” whispered Catrina. She turned to Colin.

“I believe you will find a spell in the Magicante that will hide me from all eyes and ears but your own.”

“As long as I see and hear you, I can protect you,” he told her.

“Oh, I know you can protect me,” she readily agreed, squeezing his hand again. “You’re probably the only one who can. No offense,” she aimed toward the others.

Meghan, Nona, and Ivan didn’t know what to make of this girl. Or situation. 

Colin fought hard to ignore the tingly feelings flittering around his heart and for a quick moment, allowed his eyes to linger on Catrina.

He had found her.

He had actually found her.

She was real.

And remembered him, meaning all the dreams they’d shared had been real too.

He did not know this silver haired girl at all, and yet felt as though he had known her his entire life.

Ivan cleared his throat. “We don’t have all day,” he grumbled. 

“Okay. Magicante. If you don’t mind,” said Colin. The pages flipped open and a moment later a swirl of haze surrounded Catrina. It disappeared, along with her.

“Spectacular!” Catrina said. She turned to Meghan and Ivan. “Can either of you hear me or see me?” There was no answer. “Perfect!” she clapped.

“That’s a very strange book you’ve got there, Colin. I’m beginning to understand why it’s so popular,” said Ivan.

Colin shrugged, unsure what to say.

They took only a few steps closer to home before freezing in place.

A piercing howl penetrated the quiet overhead.

“You have got to be kidding me!” spoke both Meghan and Ivan at the same time.

Movement in the air and on the valley floor sent them all into overdrive.

The battle was about to begin.

Scratchers up above flew ominously as the rumble of approaching goblins shook the valley floor.

They needed to get back to the Svoda now. But Colin was not prepared to use the Magicante or any ability of his own to do it, for fear of the consequences if his ability or the book was discovered.

“I have an idea,” cried out Nona. “I have never done it before, but I could attempt traveling by fire.”

“Oh,” said Meghan. “All Catawitches can do that? I just thought it was Colby’s.”

“I know I am supposed to be able to do it, but I do not dare take anyone with me, not yet. I will slip into Juliska’s fireplace and sound the warning. I can get there faster than you can. And from the looks of it, you’re going to have a battle on your hands in minutes.”

It was true. Eidolon’s minions were advancing quickly. The valley floor trembled beneath the advancement.

“Start a fire, Meghan,” Nona advised.

Meghan concentrated hard. She was exhausted and freaked out, and it took everything she had to start the fire. She threw the flames onto the ground, but before Nona could jump in Ivan stopped her.

“Go with her, Meghan,” he ordered. “You won’t be able to help, now.” At first, Meghan was insulted, but then saw something in Ivan’s eyes.

Was it concern? Duty?

Did he just want to be sure and return her safely to Juliska?

Nona protested. “It’s my first time, Ivan.”

“It’s in your nature, Nona. You can do it.”

Nona agreed, although reluctantly. She did not want to hurt her mistress.

Meghan grabbed onto Nona. “You can do it,” she encouraged. Without hesitation, they jumped into the fire and vanished.

“Catrina, stay behind me,” ordered Colin as the Scratchers bodies lowered overhead. “Don’t let go of me,” he ordered her anxiously.

Catrina obeyed her savior at once, taking cover behind him and grasping the back of his shirt so Colin would know where she was. He faced Ivan.

“I learned a nifty thing today,” he said. “Don’t know if you can do it, but if you can it will use up less energy.”

“I’m all ears,” replied Ivan. “We’re going to need all we got!”

“Think your spells rather than say them out loud,” Colin explained.

“Really? Where’d you hear that?”

Colin nodded toward his book.

“I actually can do that, although I’ve never enjoyed it. Feels wrong not to say it out loud,” he admitted, readying himself for the Scratchers.

They started to dive. 

Ivan extended his palm, looking a bit uncomfortable as he shot off spells without speaking them aloud. However, it got easier each time. 

Colin joined him, and silently they fought off the diving beasts.

“Oh, wait,” yelled Catrina, startling Colin. “Tell Ivan his magic won’t work right if he keeps hold of what’s in the velvet bag.”

“What? Why?”

“Just do!” replied Catrina.

“Ivan! Catrina says you need to get rid of what’s in the velvet bag, or your magic won’t work right.”

Ivan struggled for a brief second with the idea of parting with his prize, before throwing the bag at Colin, who caught it and shoved it in his bag for safekeeping. He didn’t even question why it would not affect him. Neither did Ivan. They were too focused on blasting the Scratchers diving lower and lower. Although Colin was unable to deny that where he’d touched the bag, there was a strange sort of energy that buzzed through his hand for just a moment after.

Between blasts, they worked their way toward the cave dwellings, hoping that Meghan and Nona had made it back and sounded the alarm.

Colin and Ivan were outnumbered and the goblins were getting closer by the minute. They would not be able to hold off the battle on their own. Even with all Svoda able to fight at their side, they’d be outnumbered.

It meant a hasty retreat.

In which Svoda lives would be in peril.

Not the outcome Ivan had hoped for, but one Juliska had prepared for. And a possibility he had not taken as seriously as he should have. Things were getting strange. Just what was in that little velvet bag that was so dangerous, that their leader was willing to risk war to get it back? The task had been far more complicated than he’d anticipated.

Ivan ordered himself to stay focused. If he didn’t live through this battle none of those questions would even matter. His plans for the future would fail before he had the chance to see them through. And he could not fail.

He and Colin fought hard, shooting off spell after spell to keep the Scratchers high in the sky, and as far away as possible. While the valley floor quivered beneath the charge of Eidolon’s goblin army.

##

MEGHAN EXPLODED OUT of the fire and onto the castle floor, alongside Nona.

“Okay, we need to work on that a few more times,” the Catawitch muttered, “but not too bad for my first try.”

“You did fantastic,” Meghan praised, hugging her loyal pet.

Hearing the commotion, Pantin Hollee bounded into the room.

“Meghan! Nona! This is...”

“Sorry Hollee, no time. Eidolon is pissed and he’s coming, with his entire army!”

For the smallest of moments, the Pantin froze, but as Meghan’s words sank in she raced into action.

“Everyone is gathered for a feast, Juliska hasn’t departed yet.” She darted out of the room with Meghan and Nona at her heals. When Juliska saw them, she understood at once that trouble was coming. She rose from her chair and called her personal Balaton who appeared by her side at once.

“Sound the warning. Plan B,” she announced, calmly. The two Balaton disappeared without a moment’s hesitation. With the snap of a few fingers Juliska’s trunks were packed. Another snap and they had vanished.

“Everyone, hold hands, please,” ordered Juliska. “I can get us down from the castle much faster than walking.”

Nona jumped into Meghan’s arms, Meghan in turn grabbed hold of Juliska, who grasped the Pantin. Before Meghan could inhale, the ground beneath her feet had vanished. New ground came underfoot just as instantly. She steadied herself, allowing Nona to jump out of her arms.

“Hollee, get to the doorway and be ready to get everyone through. This is not going to be pleasant. We have no actual place to go.”

“Limbo?” confirmed the Pantin, her eyes open wide.

“Yes, I am afraid it’s our only choice.” Juliska paused as the Pantin scurried away. “Meghan, you will come with me.”

She and Nona followed as Juliska departed for the town center, in the middle of the cave where the Svoda were gathered. By the time they had arrived, the Balaton had announced the unscheduled retreat.

Screams and chaos now ensued as the people panicked. Svoda scampered out of the town center to their homes, locating family members who had not yet arrived at the feast, and grabbing whatever belongings they could.

Juliska attempted to keep the calm, but it failed miserably.

She let them leave and gather their families and belongings and joined Pantin Hollee at their exit to Limbo. It was an odd sight, a plain wooden door held up between two stone pillars.

Svoda arrived quickly and the door was opened.

The youngest children went through the doorway first, along with their mothers and those too old to fight. The line to get through was perilously long. Those at the back pushed forward, crowding those attempting to get through at the front. Families said hasty tear-filled goodbyes as they went through, leaving behind loved ones readying for battle.

A few of the women, including Billie Sadorus, stayed behind to fight. There was no argument, they needed all willing and able hands at the ready.

The Svoda army, though small in number, prepared for the oncoming encounter by slinging on belts filled with potions and stored magical energy should their own supply run out. Which often happened in a battle with so many drawing on the energy in the immediate area. They were not much of an army. Trained to defend themselves if needed, but potion belts thrown over shoulders didn’t make them soldiers. However, they’d fight to the death to protect their own.

From a distance, two figures approached, shooting off spells as they ran.

The world suddenly moved in slow motion for Meghan. Her thoughts were disconcerted as she watched her brother and Ivan getting closer, at the same time, orders were shouted nearby, and yet sounded as though they were miles away.

Juliska ordered all Balaton into attack position. They lined up next to her, palms ready for battle. Behind them was the second line of defense, all others capable of fighting. And behind them, those attempting retreat.

Directly over their heads flew in three Scratchers. No, there were four.

Where did the fourth one come from?

Reality came surging back with cutting force. Meghan covered her ears to hide the piercing cry of the Scratchers hovering over them.

The fighting duo of Colin Jacoby and Ivan Crane edged closer and gaining on them was the entirety of Eidolon’s Goblin army. They slithered across the valley, thrusting shards of rock and desert debris into the air as they advanced.

Colin ducked protecting Catrina from the rainstorm of rock pummeling them. When the dust settled, Ivan pulled him up and they ran again.

The Svoda gasped in unison as they witnessed the oncoming army. They were tremendously outnumbered.

“We will fight and retreat at the same time,” advised Juliska. “Work your way toward the doorway, and most importantly, stay together! Meghan, stay close to me.”

The Balaton were the first to strike, aiming their spells at the Scratchers. The hideous shrieks of the flying beasts rent the air and they did not relent in their attack. The second line aimed at the goblins, although they’d never fought a foe like this and the uncertainty in their ability to do so leaked out with questioning gazes to their neighbors, and shaking palms.

Two of the Scratchers flew off toward the retreating Svoda, attempting to block the exit leading to Limbo. Everyone dropped to the ground in hopes that the wings could not enclose around them. Adults covered children with their bodies aiming their palms upward shooting off defensive spells to blast the two away.

One of the Scratchers broke through the blasts and dove straight down, forcing a group to roll and scatter. The beast slammed into the hard dirt with a crunching thud. It got to its feet, shaking off the hard landing and snarled madly, beating its wings in warning. It sent everyone close running for their lives and away from the exit to Limbo.

“Don’t let it get through,” a voice shouted in warning. It was Billie Sadorus and she realized the Scratcher was trying to reach the doorway into Limbo. If it got through everyone on the other side would be in danger. Her brother Garner tore to her side at once and they each raced to stop the beast. Before they got close enough, two blasts shot at the creature hurling it into the air.

“Take that!” bellowed Kalila Jackal. Her sister Kalida nodded in earnest approval. They moved to assist those closest to them off the ground and back toward the exit to Limbo.

The Scratcher beat its wings and righted itself with agile speed and precision, the two near the exit regrouping with the others. Billie and Garner returned to the second line preparing to battle the goblins. While Juliska and her first line shot off a spell that created a protective barrier the Scratchers could not penetrate. It would not hold long, but it would give more Svoda a chance to retreat.

Juliska pushed at the barrier moving it so that the Scratchers were in the line of fire from the advancing goblins. It would bide them a few extra minutes. Maybe...

Colin and Ivan arrived, winded from running, but still fighting nonetheless. Colin remained Catrina’s shield, keeping her safely hidden behind him. He did his best to keep his movements around her inconspicuous, but everyone was so busy fighting he didn’t think they’d notice him protecting some invisible thing they could not see.

“Target the goblin’s eyes,” shouted Ivan. “It’s their one weakness.”

The first violent push from Eidolon’s army came hard and fast. They crushed through the Scratchers, creating an entanglement of wings and flinging rocks and goblin bodies.

The retreat continued nearly all those too young or unable to fight safely through to Limbo. She ordered the second line to begin their retreat.

Boom.

A shower of sparkly light.

The barrier broke apart.

Juliska and the Balaton raised their hands and aimed.

Anywhere.

Everywhere.

Splinters of rock from the hard goblin bodies shot in all directions as they continued waging battle against the Scratchers. The Balaton sent off spells to pulverize the larger rocks, turning them into sand-like bursts that would not harm anyone.

One of the Scratchers cried out in a hideous screech. Two goblins had it outstretched pulling at its wings from opposite sides, threatening to tear it apart. It kicked and flailed, miserably.

Meghan hid behind Juliska and the Balaton, wondering if the goblins could do it; tear it apart and kill it. 

They didn’t have the chance. Another Scratcher flew downward clawing at the eyes of one of the goblins forcing it to let go. The captured Scratcher used its free winged arm to attack the other goblin, gouging out an eye. The goblin released its grip and fell back, wailing and covering its missing eye.

The Scratchers used the distraction to fly higher in the air, out of the reach of the goblins enormous bodies. And refocus on their actual targets, the Svoda. The second line had made it to the doorway and a few had gotten through to Limbo. The goblins were proving almost impossible to fight, their eyes a difficult moving target. The first line was forced to move back, joining the second line. The goblins edged closer, one of them ordering the rest to form a circle around the Svoda. More slivers of rock spew out at the Svoda. Many palms went upward blasting at the larger ones, but a few were missed. Billie took one to the shoulder and fell back, but steadied herself and remained on her feet. She turned to see Noah Flummer arguing with his wife and mother to get through the doorway. They were trying to stay and help, shouting something about we cannot leave her here. Billie wasn’t sure what they meant, but shouted and pointed upward to warn them whatever they were doing, do it fast.

The Scratchers were preparing to dive.

The goblins nearly had them surrounded.

Half the second line had made it through to Limbo, leaving the rest plus the remainders of the first line still fighting. The Svoda army was getting smaller. Juliska ordered everyone to stay close and work their way to the doorway. They shot off spells, which were getting weaker, the magical energy in the immediate area getting used up. And most too exhausted to have the strength or focus to pull from farther away.

The only people not looking tired were Colin, Ivan, and Juliska. Even her Balaton were tiring.

Two Scratchers broke through the weakening blasts. One flew downward and right into Billie sending her hurtling across the ground. She knocked over two other fighters and landed on her back, the wind knocked out of her.

The second one dove into the group separating them. Only they had nowhere to run to other than the doorway to Limbo as the goblins had fully surrounded them.

Someone shouted at Billie in warning. She sucked in a breath and picked up her head; the Scratcher that had knocked her off her feet stalked toward her. She lifted her arm with a wince and shot off a weak spell. It hit straight on but wasn’t strong enough to stop the beast. It lifted its webbed wing, its extended arm ready to strike. She kicked at it to no avail. She tried to slide her body out of the way but wasn’t fast enough. Billie let out a scream as a sharp talon sliced into her shoulder. Blood gushed freely pooling around her on the dry ground.

The beast flew backwards. Garner had gotten to his feet and saw the attack a moment too late. He ran to his sister.

“Billie, Billie!” he called out fiercely. “How bad is it?”

“Brother, it is not so bad. I’ll be fine,” she insisted. Garner looked at his sister’s split arm and disagreed. He lifted her and carried her to the doorway. She fought him the entire way, insisting she could still fight. After Garner sent her through to safety, he returned to the battle.

How could they fight such an enemy and expect to win? The retreat needed to happen faster. Between the Scratchers attacking overhead and the goblins’ circle getting smaller, they had little time and this was not a battle they could win.

Juliska ordered the Balaton to focus on the goblins while she took over dueling the Scratchers, and told the remaining second line to get through the doorway.

Meghan felt a soft caress against her legs and looked down to see Nona. The Catawitch jumped up into her arms. Meghan caught a glimpse of Irving Mochrie standing near the doorway shouting for someone. She hoped someone from the Mochrie family wasn’t missing.

Meghan decided it was time to do her part. Her strength felt renewed. But before she could get a fire started, Juliska came to her side.

“Meghan, I want you to go through the doorway. I realize you might be able to help, but your visions are still uncontrolled. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Meghan’s heart raced at hearing Juliska’s motherly words. She agreed without argument, at the same time feeling stupid for not being able to help more. None pawed at her and Meghan heard the thought in her Catawitch’s mind.

“We can go through and help the injured. I can heal small injuries.”

“You’re right,” Meghan responded. “We can help there.” She sought out Colin, sensing in her mind for him. He dropped the mind-block for just a moment to let her know he was still in the battle but fine. He had just a few small injuries; cuts from rocks falling off the goblins. The block went back in place and she lost contact.

“He’s changed so much. Almost overnight,” she whispered to no one. Never in a million years would she have guessed her brother would be fighting in a battle like this. He was good at magic, and he was finally accepting it as a strength. Maybe spending a few weeks apart had been good in the end. Made him finally see what he could do on his own, without her always stepping in.

“Or it’s just the girl,” jested Nona.

Meghan shook her head. “Or yeah, it’s just the girl.”

She stepped through the doorway and the dusty valley of Eidolon disappeared, the sounds of battle silenced, replaced by a cool mist and patches of fog. They found the other Svoda easy enough though. Another body raced through behind them, out of breath. It was a man with a gash down his cheek. He stumbled, losing his balance. Meghan darted over and helped the man get up and join the others who were injured. Nona offered to heal whatever injuries she could.

Limbo was a strange place. The only sound was coming out of the Svoda. But their voices did not carry as there was no echo; no walls or anything for noise to bounce off from. It was even stranger to know that just through the doorway a battle raged on.

Those in Limbo waited breathlessly for the rest to come through.

A body flew into Limbo, skidding to a stop.

It was Garner Sadorus. There was a nasty gash along his back and he was out cold. A few people ran over and dragged him away from the door.

“Dr. Stamm,” one of them shouted. “We’ve got a bad one!” The doctor came running over and winced at the sight.

Meghan stared, in shock of seeing the typically fierce looking man crumpled up like a rag doll. They laid Garner next to Billie who had lost consciousness after losing too much blood. Her injury had been sealed but she had not regained consciousness yet.

Meghan turned away, unable to watch the doctor work on Garner’s injury. She watched tensely for the rest to come through, feeling useless and unable to help.

##

IN EIDOLON’S VALLEY, the number of remaining Svoda dwindled as more and more were able to sneak through the doorway. Those who remained were surrounded on all sides by goblins, and overhead by the Scratchers.

The Scratchers attacked the goblins, who were in the way of reaching their prey. The goblins saw the Scratchers as a nuisance at this point and just pummeled them, hard, whenever they got within reach. The Svoda had never seen the Scratchers take such a beating; and yet, they still lived. Not one had been killed, even by these monstrous sized goblins.

Juliska ceased fighting and used her remaining magical energy to set up a barrier around those who remained to fight. It would not last much longer, seeing as the goblins’ formidable bodies were almost breaking through.

The remaining Svoda carefully continued the retreat. It was getting harder and harder to keep the goblins at bay. No one standing behind Juliska’s failing barrier was sure how they would all get through, safely.

Ivan made his way to Juliska; it was the first time they’d had the chance to speak since the battle had started. She only wanted to know one thing, and she didn’t even have to ask him.

“The man is dead, but we got it,” he told her, speaking of whatever treasure was in the velvet bag. Juliska nodded her approval. At least one thing had gone right. And she needed to know, because Eidolon was coming. His voice drowned out his minions and the Scratchers flying overhead.

He’d trailed far behind his army, letting them fight on his behalf. But now they broke the circle and the Svoda watched the Goblin King charge across the valley floor like a freight train, littering his path with anything that got in his way, including other goblins.

Juliska’s protective barrier fizzled with an electric snap.

A few goblins fell forward nearly crushing the few Svoda that remained.

“Everyone, together,” Juliska ordered. “Barrios,” she shouted, reforming the barrier. The rest, except for Colin, used their remaining strength to add to her shield. It wasn’t enough. They were too drained and unable to collect more magical energy. The only one not showing signs of tiring was Colin. He shot off spell after spell gouging out goblin eyes and blasting away Scratchers.

Catrina gasped and applauded him vocally at all the right moments to build his confidence. Those remaining, watched Colin in awe as he never tired, and seemed to almost be (dare they say), having fun!

The Svoda had to resort to their magical belt reserves.

Colin, however, felt better than ever, invigorated even, with each new spell he threw.

Eidolon was getting closer.

The Svoda pushed back to the doorway, a couple more jumping through.

A goblin body pushed against Colin and he tumbled over. In the process, Catrina lost her grip on him and fell in the opposite direction. 

There was a scream. One only Colin could hear.

He jumped up and spun around to see giant wings snapping as they came in for a landing. One of the Scratchers had broken through the goblins and was aiming its deadly embrace at Colin; only the wings were about to enclose around Catrina without the Scratcher even knowing she was there.

In a flash of sheer will, Colin’s body vanished and reappeared right in front of the Scratcher. No one saw the silver haired girl he popped in front of protectively. And all were in awe of the magic he’d just used to shimmer his body closer. He raised his arm, palm facing the Scratcher just ten feet in front of him. The beast reared its head and screeched at Colin. He didn’t move a muscle.

In a rush of thought, all he could think of was everything these beasts had taken...

His Uncle Arnon’s possible death, or torture, if he’d been captured.

The death of Balloch Flummer, Catrina’s grandfather.

Ivan Crane’s father.

And nameless others Colin did not know, whose loved ones deserved vengeance.

A darkness filled him. A need. Something he’d never felt before rising with such extreme intensity. He looked up into the eyes of the Scratcher and stared it down. Rage built up inside him. Every frightening thing he’d gone through in the last year coming out of him in a torrent of venomous hatred aimed at the beast. 

“You will never. Take anything. From me. Again.”

Colin’s arm dropped.

His gaze focused and deadly.

A veil-like mass of energy shot out of his body, ensnaring the Scratcher, smothering it. No matter how hard it tried, it could not escape. It choked and squawked, unable to breathe.

Goblins backed away, giving them space. They didn’t want to be next.

The other Scratchers flew upward howling and screeching helplessly at their captured comrade.

Eidolon arrived unceremoniously. His fury turned to curiosity. 

Juliska stared, her penetrative gaze impossible to read.

The remaining Svoda gaped with jaws dropped, in awe of the sight.

Colin did not relent his attack. The Scratcher deserved to suffer. And die.

Catrina leaned into his ear. “Kill it,” she encouraged. “It cannot live.”

These words sealed the creature’s fate.

All Colin’s thought focused on the Scratcher’s need to die. 

The seething dark veils tightened its grip on the howling beast and with one final, fleeting cry, there was an electrifying charge and the Scratcher evaporated into nothing.

Gone.

Dead.

The veils of darkness dissolved, leaving Colin out of breath and filled with a wild satisfaction he’d never experienced before.

He’d done it. Snuffed out the life that had taken so much from so many.

The remaining Scratchers wailed and flew off in retreat.

Jelen and Jenner, Juliska’s personal Balaton looked to their leader, but she said nothing.

“He killed the unkillable,” Jelen mumbled. It wasn’t possible, and yet it had just happened.

Catrina patted Colin gently on his shoulder.

“You did the right thing. It cannot hurt anyone else now.”

Colin’s high plummeted, reality slicing back in. The pleasure of the moment taken over by shock and guilt.

“You did the right thing,” Catrina repeated.

He nodded, agreeing she was right. The creature needed to die. But doubts cut into him. What if the Scratchers who got away reported what he’d done? What if they did have his Uncle Arnon held prisoner? What if he had just signed his uncle’s death warrant?

His body shook, and he fell to his knees. How had he done it? How had he killed a Scratcher when no one else had ever succeeded in doing so?

He remembered wanting it with every fiber of his being, almost as if he willed it to happen. And he was protecting Catrina. He looked up to see her in front of him. She kneeled down and reached out, laying her hands over his.

“It was the right thing,” she told him a third time.

It may have been the right thing, but in doing it, something changed inside him. Something had been let out he didn’t even know was there. He looked up at the Svoda who stared at him like he was either some kind of God, or had just been named the world’s most dangerous criminal. No one was sure what to make of it.

Juliska’s stare frightened him the most. She was trying to control it, but fury surfaced, dancing wildly in her pupils. Not just fury though, there was something else. Some kind of denial. Some emotion trying to surface that she earnestly tried to bury.

He wondered if her reaction added proof to the growing collection of suspicious memories he’d stored deep in his thoughts. He would add this new one as well, and think about it all later. An icy, emotion riddled, stare didn’t equal proof. And he had to make sure Catrina got through the doorway with him.

Eidolon seized the opportunity of the Svoda’s best fighter out of commission and ordered his minions to stand down. He approached with a rock crushing slither. The Svoda had to remind themselves they were still in the middle of a retreat and battle. With the Scratchers gone, they just had to fend off the goblins long enough for them to get through the doorway.

Juliska motioned for everyone to be ready to fight, or retreat, and faced Eidolon.

“You do put on quite the show,” the goblin reveled.

She ignored the comment.

He didn’t expect anything less.

“As I see it,” he went on, “you have but one option. You give me what I want, and I will allow you to live.”

“Not much of a bargain,” said Juliska tersely. “What exactly is it you want, Goblin King?”

“You know what I want, Gypsy Queen,” he responded caustically. “Don’t play dumb. It’s not your style.”

“If you know me so well, then you know I will never give it to you.”

The Goblin King responded by pounding his fist into the ground. There just so happened to be another of his minions in the way, who was reduced to a pile of pebbles with a single thrust.

The King grumbled. “You leave me no choice. I will kill you all, and claim what is rightfully mine.” He edged closer, raising his great fist into the air, ready to smash anything in his way. “Attack,” he commanded in a roar.

The battle commenced again.

“Retreat and get through the doorway!” ordered Juliska.

Three raced through to safety. Colin jumped up to his feet forcing his fears aside. He shot off a spell making a direct hit into Eidolon’s right eye, temporarily blinding him but not stopping him. His body twisted and turned, his fist smashing angrily.

A spell whizzed by Colin’s head. He turned, stunned to see Jae right behind him. He’d shot off and hit another goblin eye.

“Jae! Where did you come from? Your dad was searching for you,” said Colin, relieved to see him. He had been so preoccupied he hadn’t even noticed both Jae and his father were part of the few Svoda remaining to fight.

“Yeah, we got separated. We’re together now though.”

“Looks like you got injured, too!” noticed Colin.

“Hah! Who didn’t today?”

“Touche!”

Colin and Jae shot off another succession of spells aimed at the eyes of the goblins.

There was now just a group of nine remaining: Juliska and her two personal Balaton, Jae and Irving Mochrie, Colin (with Catrina of course), and Ivan, plus one other Balaton Colin did not know the name of. The Balaton, along with Irving, Jae, and Ivan were all exhausted. They could not last much longer. The small amount of energy they had collected during their short break was not enough.

Juliska scowled (at least that is how Colin saw it) and asked him to assist her so the others could get through. She, Colin, Jelen, and Jenner fought hard to keep the goblin bodies from closing in so the others could escape through the door. They did, which left just the four of them.

Colin hid a relieved grin when he saw Bird flutter through the doorway. Unseen by anyone but him. He’d hoped Bird hadn’t gotten lost, hurt, or killed in all the chaos.

Jelen and Jenner refused to leave their leader’s side and insisted she go through the door, first. Before she could argue or order them through, one of the goblins got too close and crushed Jelen’s foot. He yelled out in agony. The goblin shifted, releasing his foot and Jenner grabbed hold of him, holding him up.

Catrina leaned in, whispering in Colin’s ear. He listened, at the same time never dropping his guard. He shot spell after spell at the goblins with increasing speed. Juliska almost looked as though she wanted to stop and watch.

“Banon Blackwell, if I may speak openly,” he said to her.

She gave him a terse nod. 

“I suggest that you are not the last one through. The people need you. Not me!”

Her remaining Balaton agreed hastily with Colin and begged her to go through.

She glared at Colin, but conceded. Her Balaton let her go through and followed, with a warning gaze at Colin to hurry behind them. They figured he was small enough he could weave through the heaving goblin bodies and get through the door.

If it remained intact.

The Wandrer brothers stepped through leaving Colin and Catrina alone. The goblin bodies threatened to obliterate the door with all their slamming around. They darted around one bloated body only to find another blocking the path to the doorway.

Eidolon.

“I see you, little witch!” he wailed murderously. “You might be hidden from everyone else, but not me.”

Catrina just smiled at Eidolon, holding the velvet bag he so greatly desired precariously out of his reach. She leaned into Colin’s ear and whispered.

“The Magicante just told me a spell,” she told him, explaining it. Colin readied himself. The book had never steered him wrong before.

Eidolon peeled his way through his minions for one last attempt at claiming his prize, lunging his monstrous body toward Colin and Catrina.

Colin raised his palm, shaking a bit.

What would this spell do?

Perhaps he was strong enough to kill a Scratcher, but an entire goblin army?

His confidence rattled, he lowered his palm, grabbed Catrina and slid underneath the Goblin King’s airborne body. Eidolon had too much speed and flew through the air coming down with a thunderous crash.

Colin got up, dragged Catrina with him and raced for the doorway to Limbo.

He couldn’t fight the goblins and win.

He was Colin Jacoby, little brother and known target for bullies!

Not an overthrower of great armies.

A monstrous fist slammed down in front of them. Colin lost his grip on Catrina and they broke apart. She dropped the velvet bag and scurried across the ground to find it, before Eidolon.

Colin found it first. He shouted for Catrina to head to the doorway, snatched up the velvet bag, and ran to catch up. But the path to the doorway was blocked so they bounded around a goblin and ran in the opposite direction.

The ground shook behind them. An outraged roar rent the air.

They were too slow. They were not going to make it.

Eidolon would catch them and crush them with a single blow. 

Colin did the only thing he could think of. He grabbed Catrina, and used his ability to move through space to flit out of the way. He reappeared behind the goblin army about twenty feet in front of the doorway, and freedom. It had worked. However, Eidolon’s response was faster than Colin expected.

The Goblin King spun his body around and slithered at full speed to claim his prize.

At his current speed, he’d destroy the doorway before they could get through.

There was only one choice left.

Colin lifted his palm, his intent firm. His fear of failure gone. His voice calm and sure.

“Trucidebelio.” He used the spell he’d been too afraid to use a few minutes before.

The impact was instant.

A cutting wind swept across the valley descending upon the goblins, ravaging their rock-hard bodies, dissecting them piece by piece. Eidolon lunged his massive frame into the air, his intent, to fly over Colin and Catrina and destroy their only way to freedom. They watched breathlessly as his body took off and the spell caught him.

The Goblin King let out a ghastly wail, watching the lower half of his body disintegrate in mid-air. His wail died in a gurgling choke as the rest of him followed the same fate. All that remained of Eidolon was a swirling mass of sand that blew out across the valley.

Any goblins within a hundred feet fell to the same horrific end.

Colin stood in complete awe. He could never have imagined such a force coming from his own body. Yet, it did not make him feel powerful, or give him a high like it had when he killed the Scratcher. It left him bewildered.

“I did warn him,” stated Catrina flatly. She turned and squeezed Colin’s hand. He gripped hers firmly in reply, a silent message that he’d never be willing to let go.

They’d made it.

He’d saved his silver haired dream girl and kept her alive.

They jumped through the doorway to Limbo as any remaining goblins retreated in awed amazement over their fervid ruler’s demise.

##

LIMBO. IT WAS A BORING place, with no sense of time or direction. The Svoda huddled together so as not to wander off into the foggy patchwork. It took time to recover from the battle and all those who’d been injured were on the mend, but inevitably, the onslaught of questions began.

What had caused the battle?

Why had Ivan and Colin come running from inside the forbidden valley?

Where were they to go next?

How long would they be stuck in Limbo?

Had Colin actually killed a Scratcher?

Hushed conversations and a lot of gawking followed. For once, no one was staring at Meghan though, just her brother. It was attention he did not want, especially as he was hiding Catrina Flummer and had to pretend he was alone.

In pure Juliska Blackwell style, she hushed her people with one formidable stare. They quieted and waited for her to speak.

“I realize you’re all exhausted, some wounded, many of you confused. Before I explain, let us first take a moment to thank everyone who fought so hard. Everyone made it out alive, there were no casualties during the battle. It just proves how good we are at working together. Now...” she paused, all ears listening intently. “As a personal favor to me, I asked Ivan Crane as part of his Initiation, to enter the valley. I take full responsibility for the events that followed, but you should know the truth. A man from another Svoda caravan wandered into the valley and never returned. It was believed he was alive and the prisoner of the Goblin King.”

There were a few caught breaths and gasps.

“Ivan Crane graciously accepted the task of searching for this man. Unfortunately, he informed just moments ago that the prisoner was murdered at the hands of the Goblin King.”

Caught breaths and gasps turned into understanding sighs and whispers.

Catrina eyed the Banon with distrust and dislike. She eyed the Svoda with a shake of her head. “So easy to sway. So eager to believe without question.” Colin didn’t ask what she meant as Juliska called out to Ivan and brought him in front of everyone, personally thanking him for his valiant efforts.

“Life must go on,” Juliska told her people. She proceeded to Initiate Ivan Crane as a fully-fledged member of the Svoda Gypsies.

“Distractions, she’s very good at that,” muttered Catrina. She said it, but Colin had been thinking it. He looked over at the silver haired girl no one but he could see.

He had so many questions he didn’t know where to start. But Limbo wasn’t the right place. Her warm smile hit him right in the chest, making his heart skip a beat and throb when it did beat.

Colin turned away to see his sister approaching. He sucked in nervously. This was going to be much harder than destroying the goblins or the Scratcher. He had a lot of explaining to do. He was not supposed to have been with Ivan and Meghan in Eidolon’s valley. And Juliska was aware of this. And he’d hidden his quest from Meghan. This was not going to go over well.

At first, Meghan ran up and smothered him in a hug. She hadn’t seen him yet since he’d come through. “You’re okay,” she let out with a sigh.

“I’m fine, at least for now,” he said. “I know I’m probably in a ton of trouble.”

Meghan kept her mind-block firmly in place so her thoughts would not leak into her brother’s mind. Not because of him being in trouble, but because she was concerned. She tried not to let it show, but hid it poorly.

She wanted to ask him all that had happened. And just how he managed to kill a Scratcher when no one else had ever done it, but she held her tongue. Her gut was telling her it wasn’t her brother at all, but this girl he’d dragged home. But Limbo was not the place to deal with this situation.

Instead, she smiled and asked, “How did you escape? Juliska told me you were the last one through.”

“We...” he clipped the rest, unsure how to answer. “We were just able to squeeze through,” he lied.

Meghan nodded. “And Catrina? Is she okay, too?” she added in a whisper.

“Fine. Right beside me.”

“Good. That’s good. Oh, um, by the way,” she blurted out. “Don’t get mad or anything, but Juliska asked me why you were there, in the valley. I lied. You know me. I told her you had stupidly tried to follow us because you were too scared to stay home on your own. She seemed to buy it.” Meghan shrugged. “She didn’t question any further, at least.”

Colin did not know what to say. It was the biggest jam he had ever been in, and yet again, his sister had come to his rescue. This time, though, he was thankful. She could sense it and smiled back at him.

But would Juliska really buy Meghan’s story?

At least Catrina was safely by his side. That was all that mattered.

As if knowing he was thinking about her, Juliska Blackwell strode toward Colin, eyeing him suspiciously. She was stopped, however, when the entire caravan of Svoda gasped in unison as an unexpected doorway fell from nowhere. The door flew open and a scrawny looking man in his twenties bounded through. His shirt read B.O.D. Guard.

“Okay, who is in charge here?” he called out.

Juliska huffed and stepped forward to speak with the young man.

“I’m sorry. I’m afraid we ran into a bit of trouble,” she apologized, making light of the day’s previous events.

Colin watched Catrina leave his side and tiptoe closer to overhear the conversation.

“Yes, we tracked that!” the young man replied. “Um, can I speak to you privately, please?”

The man backed away a few feet and Juliska followed.

“I’m just the messenger, I don’t know all the details, but someone at the B.O.D. Guild is not happy with you right now. They told me to warn you, if any other incidents like this occur, they could take away your B.O.D. privileges.”

Juliska cleared her throat, a fiery line creasing along her temple. But she remained outwardly calm. “Thank you for the message. Please pass along to the Guild that this was most unexpected and unavoidable.”

“Yeah, they kinda wondered why on earth you’d even want to stay in the E Valley. Eidolon’s always had a bad temper. Well, I suppose I’d better get on my way now. We will be permanently closing all doorways into the E Valley.”

“Just one more thing, out of curiosity,” said Juliska as innocently as she could. “When you close a doorway, nothing can come in, or out? Is that right?”

“That is the point, Ma’am. Nothing in. Nothing out. Sure hope you left no one behind. If so, they’re stuck there for good!”

Juliska nodded, containing a grin threatening to form. The young man stepped back through his door. It lifted with the same swoosh it had arrived with, and after he was gone, she whisked away to find the members of the Viancourt.

Catrina returned to Colin’s side, looking pleased. “No one knows Eidolon is dead.”

“That’s good, right?” questioned Colin.

“For now, it bides us more time.” 

Colin wanted to ask her what she meant, and more about how she’d gotten into the valley, but his questions were interrupted by an announcement from the now conscious Garner Sadorus.

“There will be a doorway opening soon so get ready people. Life does go on.” He barked orders, although less vivaciously than normal after being injured and on the mend. Svoda scurried about to get ready.

Meghan and Jae joined Colin and the hidden Catrina.

Colin first explained to Jae that he had found her, and that she was currently invisible, but there by his side. Meghan and Colin then took turns describing each of their tales, in regards to traveling into the valley, and running into Colby.

Meghan told Colin that Colby’s voice was the one she’d been hearing. Although curious as to how this could happen, he was more concerned about Catrina and grew impatient to be alone with her.

Jae oohed and awed as they finished their tales.

“Frankly, I am both amazed and confused,” he told them as they finished.

“You are not alone in that conclusion,” added Meghan.

“I mean, how could Colby and Catrina end up in Eidolon’s Valley? Catrina being from another group, and Colby, from wherever he is from, which I’m sure is not the E Valley.”

“My thoughts exactly,” exclaimed Colin, eager for Catrina to enlighten him on this fact. Just how had she ended up inside the glass coffin? Once again, it would have to wait, as Ivan sauntered over.

“I need Catrina to tell me why I’m keeping her secret,” he demanded quietly.

“I knew he wouldn’t let it go,” Catrina sighed. She told Colin what to say.

“Catrina says your mother left her a song she had written for you. She will be able to play the song for you, but not here or now.”

Colin allowed her to tell him what else to say. After another long pause, he continued.

“She says that the most important thing about the song were the words, ‘Find my hidden treasure and you will find the answers you seek.’”

“Hidden treasure,” repeated Ivan. “My mother had no such thing.”

“Hence the word hidden, Ivan,” whispered Catrina.

Colin passed along her message.

Jae’s mother waved to him, he left them and joined his family.

Ivan frowned and stalked away. For some reason, Meghan felt inclined to follow him.

“Oh hey, Sis,” Colin called out after her. She turned. “Happy birthday.” She grinned, having totally forgotten. They turned fourteen today. What a crazy difference a year made. And in some ways, it felt more like forty, not fourteen.

Colin, trying not to look too obvious about it, turned his full attention to Catrina. He was still in disbelief that she was there, and real, sitting in front of him. He could not take his gaze away.

Meghan sidled up alongside Ivan. “So,” she called out getting his attention. “Are we officially done with the whole Initiation thing?”

Ivan turned to her and nodded an annoyed, yes.

“Thanks for not ratting out my brother, Ivan. I know Catrina has information about your mother, but thanks just the same.”

“The way I see it, it’s all part of the deal. As I said, Meghan, I will get what I want. And once I do, so will you.”

“So much business! Can you ever just relax?”

Ivan contorted his face as if he did not understand the meaning of the word. He leaned into her ear. “Business partners, Meghan. I don’t have time for anything else.”

She rolled her eyes in reply, leaving him to ponder his mother’s message. She sat down, breathing deeply, and calmly. Seeing Colin gazing at the invisible Catrina had made her thoughts wander.

“Sebastien...” she mumbled curiously. What was he doing right now? How long had he searched for her after they left Cobbscott? Had his family even returned to the campground this summer? Without even realizing it, a small spark ignited into flame, sitting dutifully in her palm. Her focus had been so intent on her friend, it somehow must have triggered a vision.

He was sleeping, although in a way it almost looked a bit like he was passed out from exhaustion. Or trying to fight to stay awake. Seeing his face was like a punch to the gut; she didn’t realize how much she missed him. His slumber was fitful and he called out her name as if searching for her.

But this was just a vision. The past? The present? The future? She wasn’t sure and there was nothing she could do to comfort her friend. Or even tell him she and Colin were okay.

She let out an uneasy breath.

How sidetracked her life had become.

Magic was taking over.

Just trying to survive was taking over.

Embracing her path as a Firemancer was taking over.

No longer were her goals just that of getting home, finding out the fate of her Uncle Arnon, and getting back to her old life.

Sebastien’s eyes opened and he stared into Meghan’s, almost as if he could actually see her. But there was a gloss over his eyes like he was stuck in a waking dream. His hand reached out, meaning to touch her. Meghan wanted desperately to call out to him, and for him to hear her. She even heard her voice calling out to him in her mind.

“Meghan?” he whispered. “Is that you?”

Had he actually heard her? Sebastien looked around as if searching for the voice he so longed to hear.

“I miss you,” she told him.

“I miss you too, more than you can even imagine,” he replied. There was a dreamy look in his eye like he thought he was hallucinating.

Just hearing his voice sent her heart strumming and her thoughts into overdrive. Her concentration failed and she lost the vision. Or connection. Or whatever it was that had just happened. She tried to get it back but to no avail.

What did this mean? Could she use Firemancy to speak to people?

Was it even real, or just a vision she created to comfort herself?

Was it possible to reach out to him, or others? Like Kanda, or her uncle if he was still alive?

There was so much she did not know about Firemancy.

Was it possible she could even use her power to return home?

More importantly, she wondered, did she want to go home?

Could she go home?

Even once they found out their uncle’s fate, she would still be a Firemancer. She still needed training. She still needed Juliska Blackwell for that.

Both she and Colin were now deeply rooted in their new lives.

Would their uncle want them to come home, or stay?

Nona rubbed her body against Meghan’s contorted face and licked away a falling tear. When she lifted her head, her gaze landed on Juliska Blackwell.

Sighing, Meghan made her decision.

She would stay.