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Lazarus stared at Professor Jacobs.
He looked the same as before, with the same short, dark brown hair and the same curious and bewildered look about him, as if he was absent-minded and smart at the same time.
Lazarus looked around him. Cindy and Grace stood close by, and also Royce, the large Grog. They all stared at Professor Jacobs and the warrior elf next to him. They didn't move for a few seconds, and Lazarus noticed there were many bodies strewn about the area.
"Professor, thank you for freeing us from our crystal prison. Are we in your time?" asked Lazarus.
Professor Jacobs mouthed the word Time, then shook his head. "Please forgive me, Lazarus. Yes, you are in my time. How?"
"That is a long tale. We will talk later."
"How long have we been asleep?" asked Cindy. She stretched her arms above her head.
Grace yawned, and said, "It seems like forever." She looked over at Royce and stared. "We should just kill this creature."
Royce growled at her.
Lazarus ignored them. "We are now in Professor Jacobs’ time. Professor, how long ago was the breaking of the Bastions?"
"It has been one-hundred years since the Breaking."
Cindy said, "That cannot be. We have not aged, and it seems like only yesterday since we fought at Austin."
Grace shook her head. "We were brought back because of the gate."
Lazarus looked up into the sky. "Can it be? Professor, do you have the amulet?"
Professor Jacobs check his pockets, but couldn't find it.
"Professor, you have the amulet around your neck," the elf next to him said.
He took it, and was about to walk over to Lazarus when the amulet floated and then sped toward him. He held up his hand, and it stopped in mid-air.
Lazarus said, "Grace, Cindy and Royce, send me your magic."
All around them the sun started to change. It was getting darker.
"What is happening?" the elf cried.
"It is an eclipse," Professor Jacobs said, "but there is nothing to worry about."
Lazarus closed his eyes. Merlin's amulet was floating an arm's width away from him. He felt Grace's, Cindy's and Royce's magic pouring into him, like waves of power coalescing. When the moon overtook the sun and the light was dim, Lazarus opened his eyes and pointed his hand to his right.
Lightning and thunder shot and grumbled at the same time as a huge wood and metal archaic gate appeared. The door slowly opened. It was as high as a tall oak tree, but silent as the gate swung open. Inside, the doorway was a pathway to another forest and a wide valley below.
"Let's go," Lazarus said.
"Wait," Professor Jacobs replied. He was kneeling next to a fissure and looking down.
Lazarus said, "Your friend fell?"
"Yes," Professor Jacobs said. "He was a good friend. His name was Erlick. He died during the battle here."
Lazarus sensed the gate was going to close. "If you want to go with us, Professor, you have to say your goodbyes and follow me."
Lazarus didn't like to be bossy, but the gate was going to close when the eclipse was over. He started walking into the gate, and Cindy and Grace followed. When he moved through the portal, he felt a tingle of energy pass through his body. Professor Jacobs and the elf followed.
***
THE FIRST THING LAZARUS noticed was that the plant life looked a little different than the forest back on the island. The tree trunks were thicker and the leaves were, red not green. He saw a large buzzing insect. It was a mosquito, but as large as his arm.
"Where are we?" Professor Jacobs asked.
"This is Middle Earth," Lazarus said. "This is where the Blessed Isles are located and where we will find Merlin."
Grace said, "Do you think we can talk to him, since we are closer to him now."
"That’s an excellent idea," Cindy said.
"Before we do anything, who’s that with you?" Grace asked.
"Oh," Professor Jacobs said, "this is Della. She is a commander for Captain Grendel."
"Captain Grendel? Marlena's father?" Lazarus asked.
Della said, "Nice to meet you, Alpha Mages." She nodded to them, and also bowed. "Yes, Marlena is her daughter. How do you know this?"
"We have a lot to talk about," Lazarus said, "but first we should find some food and shelter."
Della suddenly moved backward and a large glowing sword appeared in her hands. Lazarus saw people moving out of the forest and slowly approached them. The large gate they walked through had disappeared.
They were Elves slowly approaching them. Lazarus could tell by their countenance and movement. The leader of the group was a tall man with short black hair. His almond eyes glanced at all of them
"My name is Groton. I am in command of these scouts. You are in the elvish land of Moorpish. Who are you?"
They introduced themselves.
"It is odd to see humans, an odd beast, and an elf who is kin to us here, all together. What is your destination?"
"We are on a quest to find a mighty wizard,” Lazarus explained. “Can we talk to your leader?"
Groton nodded. "We will take you and your friends to our camp. My captain is there. Be careful, and don't stray. We are at war with the orcs."
Della said, "There are orcs here?"
"Yes, we’ve been fighting the orcs for centuries," Groton said. "Now, follow me."
Lazarus and his group of friends followed the Groton and his Elves down a path through the forest. Their pace was a gentle jog, but not too fast. He wasn’t struggling, but he saw Professor Jacobs couldn't keep up that pace.
"Wait," Lazarus said. "We need to take a short break. Do you have any food we can share?"
Groton held up his hand and they all stopped. He nodded. The sun was slowly descending to the tree line. Darkness shrouded the forest.
Groton looked around. "Be quiet," he demanded.
He nodded at two of his scouts. They rushed away into the thicket of plants.
