Secrets of Yden

The atmosphere on Dragon Isle that night was one of giddy relief, particularly on Jon's part. Sela stuck to her brother like a shadow and his mother hugged him every chance she got. Dinner became a last-minute party, with lots of people Jon knew, including Dorsit, Nedd, Ure, Wele, and Lady Marla, along with the nymphs who'd guarded the arena. He also met wizards from both Earth and Yden whom he'd never met before, and had a lengthy conversation with Wheel Merritt. Max was thrilled to discover Wheel was a Unicorn Clan wizard like himself, and Lora and Linda made Wheel autograph a basketball.

Everybody had a different story to share and a different perspective on the duel and its aftermath. Cressidia's food was hot and plentiful, and Quixoran brought out the Goblet of Ubbliton for the adults. There were a lot of different desserts, too, including chocolate-drizzled, custard-filled pastry puffs. As a wizard, Jon did his best to make them "disappear" off his plate the old fashioned way.

His father told Jon that Homa had survived, but would have a long recuperation period. Several older wizards at the party confirmed Homa had a longstanding grudge against Quixoran, stemming from their apprenticeship days. Apparently the Shark Clan wizard had never gotten over the fact Quixoran was better than he was at everything.

"Well, I'm not going to bring Homa flowers or send him a get-well card," Jon said. "He used a bullwhip on me, knowing it would draw blood and bring predators. And by setting up a transporter platform to encourage non-magical people to attend, he made sure the arena was filled with potential victims."

"I think Homa figured public opinion would blame the Dragon Clan afterward for issuing the Mortal Challenge in the first place," his father said.

"I'm sure he counted on all the wizards transporting themselves to safety and leaving everyone else there to die," Jon said. "I'm happy to say he was wrong."

Wheel called for a toast. "It's been a long while since I was on Yden. I'd almost forgotten what real wizardry looked like. So here's to the young champion."

Everyone cheered and drank, and then it was Jon's turn to propose a toast. Feeling awkward, he stood. "As you know, I didn't grow up as a wizard. I've often acquired magic the hard way, and my grandfather will be the first to tell you I still have a lot to learn."

"But there are some things that can't be taught, like bravery and courage. Homa told me that wizards seldom cooperate with one another, and I'll admit up until now history has been on his side. The way I saw wizards and nymphs working together today to save lives makes me incredibly proud to know all of you and proud to be a Dragon Clan wizard. So here's to you." Jon raised his cup. "The future of Yden is in your hands."

As he drank, Jon was glad the suns had set so nobody could see the sheen of moisture in his eyes. When he sat down, he noticed he wasn't the only one affected by the speech. Ronny had her arm around a weeping Fred and Casey was patting him on the shoulder.

"Fred had a hard day," Casey murmured. "He tried to jump into the arena a couple of times during the challenge to throttle Homa. Ian had to use a binding spell to stop him and Fred got a little… frustrated."

Quixoran cleared his throat. "Well put, Jon. I admit I wasn't altogether happy about your involvement in this Mortal Challenge. Your instinct for attracting trouble is without equal and you were not truly ready for a match against a wizard of Homa's experience. As is often the case, you were too hasty to speak and didn't consider the consequences."

Jon's heart fell at his grandfather's words. Sitting to his right, Kira reached for his hand under the table and gave it a comforting squeeze.

"Nevertheless," Quixoran continued, "as I look around tonight, I realize you've accomplished what no one has been able to do since the days of ancient magic. Never before have so many clans come together for a single purpose. Nymphs and female wizards have added to the strength of the magical community. Your methods and execution may be unorthodox, but you've shown many times your willingness to make the noble sacrifices necessary for the common good. I don't understand how a crusty old wizard like me could be so fortunate to have such a wonderful grandson. I thank you, and Yden thanks you, Jon Hansen of the Dragon Clan. I believe I speak for all of us when I say you've shown us the way."

Accompanied by whistles, stomps and cheers, Quixoran came over to envelop Jon in his arms. There was more than a little moisture in Jon's eyes at that point, but he didn't care who saw it. Privately, he felt he deserved his grandfather's criticism more than his praise, and he suspected some of the more flowery sentiments might have had something to do with an excess of Ubbliton ale. But I know my grandfather's love for me is sincere, and nothing else matters.

Sela and Jon had a few days off from school for Thanksgiving, and the Hansens were going to celebrate the holiday on Dragon Isle. Brett's parents called to tell her they were flying home for the holidays, so she planned to transport them to Dragon Isle for dinner as well. Casey and Fred were coming too, although Fred made it clear he was making a big sacrifice by missing out on Thanksgiving football games on TV. Dr. Hansen was transporting Charles and Lynn over for the day, and January was coming with Fred, Casey, and Jon. When Jon made the arrangements with her on the phone, January was so excited she was practically speechless.

"Don't you have to check with your agent?" Jon teased.

"Actually, he wants me to go to Manhattan to ride in the Thanksgiving Day parade, but I'm going to wiggle out of it."

"You're going to turn down publicity?"

"Some things are more important than publicity."

"Since when?"

"You're impossible. By the way, what are you wearing?"

Jon glanced down. "Jeans and a sweatshirt. Why?"

"To Yden." January spoke as if she were talking to a child. "What do I wear to Yden?"

"Oh. Well, it's always warm on Dragon Isle, and you might be walking in sand part of the time. I'd leave the high heels in the closet."

Charles, Lynn, and January showed up at the Hansen house Thanksgiving morning laden with boxes of pie and about a gallon of stuffing. January wore a pair of leopard-print crops and a black gauze tunic top accented with rhinestones. She looked beautiful, but she seemed less relaxed than usual. Jon took her aside for a chat.

"You okay?" Jon asked. "If you're nervous about transporting to Yden, I understand."

"I've been looking forward to this. Why would I be nervous?"

Fred and Casey arrived a few minutes later with a bag of freshly baked yeast rolls, some squeeze bottles of mustard… and a football. Fred shrugged when Jon laughed.

"Turkey Day ain't Turkey Day without football," Fred said.

When it was time to go, Dr. Hansen, Mrs. Hansen, Charles, Sela, and Lynn formed a chain. As January watched, the five disappeared in a flash of light and sound like thunder. Her face lost its color under her powdered blush and she dropped onto the sofa.

"What's wrong?" Jon asked.

Her dangling earrings trembled. "I can't do it."

Jon exchanged a worried glance with Fred and Casey. January looked petrified, almost like the scene in Immortal Soule when a pack of vampires had attacked her.

"C'mon, I'm the biggest coward around," Fred said. "If I can do it, so can you. Besides, it only hurts a little."

"Fred's making a joke," Jon said, shooting him a quelling glance. "It doesn't hurt at all."

"It's really nothing," Casey added. "You'll be on Yden in the blink of an eye."

She shook her head, mute.

"I know how you feel," Jon said. "If the first time I transported to Yden hadn't been an accident, I'm not sure I ever would have worked up the courage to do it on my own."

"I-I'll just wait here. You don't mind if I help myself from the fridge, do you?"

"I tell you what; we'll go on the count of three," Jon said. "If you still don't want to go, stop me on two."

Wide-eyed, she nodded. The four of them formed a square in the middle of the living room, and as Jon took January by the hand, he said, "One."

Jon, January, Fred, and Casey materialized on the Dragon Isle beach, underneath a deep blue sky. The ocean breeze smelled fresh and clean, and the fine sand under their feet sparkled crystal-white under Yden's suns. Jon was filled with a feeling of happy contentment.

"What a glorious morning," he said.

January shrieked in horror. "You tricked me!" She stomped her designer sandal. "You said three and we went on one and you never gave me the chance to get ready!"

Casey and Fred winced.

"See you up there, Jon," Casey said.

"Yeah. Er… good luck," Fred added.

"Cowards," Jon muttered as the two slunk off toward the garden.

"I want to go home," January demanded.

"You're here on Dragon Isle now, safe and sound. I'm sorry I tricked you, but wasn't it better to get it out of the way?"

"I'm never going to trust you again, no matter what. Take me home."

Jon pleaded with January to be reasonable, to no avail. He was about ready to give in and transport her to Lynn's bungalow when Dorsit arrived, clad in lightweight slacks and a polo-style shirt he'd purchased on Earth. The breeze lifted his long, raven hair back from his handsome face, made even more interesting with the addition of a mysterious scar on one cheekbone.

"Is there a problem, young wizard?" he asked.

January opened her mouth, presumably to tell the newcomer exactly how despicable Jon was, but when she saw Dorsit her angry expression softened into one of moony admiration. The Leopard Clan wizard often had that effect on women. Sometimes Jon found it a little annoying, but at the moment he was grateful for the intervention.

"Dorsit, this is my future sister-in-law, January Beck."

Having locked eyes with January, Dorsit's usual calm expression had transformed into one of awe. I haven't seen Dorsit so mesmerized by a girl since… well, never.

"January, meet Dorsit of the Leopard Clan."

"I love leopards," she breathed. "See? I'm wearing leopard-print pants."

"Immortal Soule is my favorite movie," Dorsit murmured.

Apparently Dorsit and January had a mutual admiration thing happening. Jon's eyebrows lifted. "I guess you two have a lot in common."

Feeling like a fifth wheel, he left them on the beach and followed Fred's and Casey's footprints toward the garden. January and Dorsit made a beautiful couple and all, but she could be quite difficult to manage. After having witnessed him fight a bearded hodyny, however, Jon was betting Dorsit could handle January with one paw tied behind his back.

Brett's eyes grew wide. "Six pieces of pie, Fred?"

"Even for you, that's impressive," Casey added.

"You've eaten more food than a gneeth on a rampage," Jon said.

Fred shrugged and shoveled a forkful of chocolate silk pie into his mouth. "What can I say? I like pie."

Jon exchanged an amused glance with Kira. "I don't think I can stuff anything else in my stomach."

"What we need is a game of flag football on the beach to work it off," Fred said.

It was super weird for Jon to watch his dad and Guinn Tanner play ball together like old buddies. Dorsit and January sat out the game, talking. My next painting is going to feature January Beck with a snow leopard. Jon had a feeling it was going to be one of his best works.

As the suns began to set, the adults drank Ubbliton ale with Quixoran underneath the tree house while the younger set gathered around the fire pit. January invited Dorsit to come and he eagerly accepted. With Kira by his side and his friends around him, Jon knew he had a lot to be thankful for. He was alive, time would march on, and he'd be best man at Charles's wedding after all.

Dorsit had told him the remaining members of the Executive Council had reassembled, but their duties were focusing less on rules and regulations and more on the advancement of the community and the study of magic. Bailey was to be released a little early from the suspension of magic dungeon and allowed to go home. The young Shark Clan wizard had shown genuine remorse at the news his uncle had tried to set up a massacre at the Mortal Challenge. Jon hoped Bailey would change… but he kind of knew better. As for Homa, when his wounds had healed, he'd fled to Earth in disgrace.

As the last golden-orange rays of sunlight faded, Adam, Eve, and the white dragon Alabaster made their nightly flight around the island. Jon figured the rest of their brood would be returning to Ylan Bay by spring, with their mates. Over the last couple of days Jon had been doing a lot of thinking about the future. Although he'd made some decisions, he hadn't shared them with anyone else yet.

"Hey, Casey, will you read my essay for Pacific State?" asked Fred.

"Sure," Casey replied. "I was thinking about putting in an application there myself."

Completely floored, Jon gaped. "Wait… Isn't M.I.T. a done deal?"

"I can still go to M.I.T. if I want, but I decided to keep my options open locally, you know, if any of you guys were going to stick around Pacific. I have some projects I'm pursuing in my lab at home. One of them involves a trans-dimensional communication device."

Suddenly the center of attention, Casey seemed a little embarrassed. He picked up a stick and began to poke the fire with it.

Brett cleared her throat. "What a coincidence. Just the other day I picked up an application for Pacific State University."

Another shock.

"I thought you had your heart set on enrolling at USC," Jon sputtered.

"I got to thinking about living away from home and how hard it would be to use my transporter cuff in private," she explained. "I want to study history and ancient languages, but I want to keep training as a wizard, too."

"When the school year ends, I'll be returning to Yden as a full-time apprentice," Kira said. "Although I wouldn't trade my time on Yrth for anything, there's much I'd like to accomplish here."

"I've spoken with several Yrth-based wizards since Jon's Mortal Challenge," Dorsit said. "Many are planning their return. This is an exciting time on Yden."

"My parents are moving to Yden in a few years," Jon said.

Sela beamed at Jon from across the fire pit. "And I'm going to start training as soon as I turn thirteen!"

"What about you, Jon?" Brett asked. "What are your plans?"

"I'd like to finish college," he said. "I'm enrolling at Pacific State, too, but I want to continue to train as a wizard. After I graduate, I've decided to make my home here." His gaze slid to Kira, who gave him a sweet smile.

"Booyah!" Fred yelled. "The gang's back together again! You gotta invent a trans-dimension travel device for civilians next, Casey."

"Actually, I've got one on the drawing board right now," Casey replied. "It's based on the atomic beam magnetic resonance of a particular type of crystal only found on Yden."

"Whatever you said." Fred squeezed Ronny's hand. "I just wanna be able to visit my sweetheart on my own every once in a while."

"Sounds good," January said, flicking a glance toward Dorsit. "Sign me up."

Not too long thereafter, it was time to transport home. Everyone gathered under the tree house to say goodbye. Casey was holding the wizard detector device he'd invented, called a magicometer. He'd stashed the instrument in the bottom of Jon's locker before he left at summer's end.

"You taking that home with you?" Jon asked.

"No, not exactly," he replied. "I have a hunch about something."

He pointed the device at January, who was perched on one of the dining tables, feeding Arielle pieces of a dinner roll. When Casey and Jon peered at the reading, the results couldn't have been clearer. As they exchanged a long look, one word went through Jon's mind.

Yikes.

Chapter Twenty-Nine