She nodded once and closed her eyes. The central glyph pulsed once. Twice. All eight glyphs burst into a blinding brilliant light. The explosion from Ashley blasted everyone flat to the deck. When I could see again, the sight I beheld was unbelievable. The flames engulfing Ashley reached for miles into the sky.

  “Ash?” called Ember. “Are you all right?”

  “I—yes,” she said. She stared at her hands. Arcs of power jumped from finger to finger, dancing like butterflies. She looked up at us. Her eyes glowed a deep red from within. “This power is indescribable.”

  “And so…a goddess is born.” D’rorthar laughed. “Now you are truly a force to be reconned with. Had we fought with you at this level, I have no doubt you would have annihilated me and everything in a day’s run.” He grinned. “Well done.”

  “Thank you,” she said. She let the power die down. Even with the afternoon sun hanging high overhead, it seemed dark. She turned to Throssec. “Thank you,” said Ashley and Ember in unison.

  “Yer both quite welcome,” said Throssec. “Till we meet again.” Ember vanished. As did all the statistics. Throssec covered the hammer and returned it to his inventory. The crew of the ship ran to and fro, cleaning up the mess her blast had made.

  “Be careful,” Luna told Ashley and the two boys. They nodded back to her and grinned.

  “We must go,” said D’rorthar. “I will meet you upon the field of battle when the time is right.”

  “We will. Good luck,” said Ashley. “To all of you.”

  37

  Taenaran

  Sai looked back and smiled. “I think we have found what we are looking for.” He held aside the branch for us to pass.

  My steps faltered, causing me to slip. Sai caught my shoulder and steadied me as I glimpsed my first sight of an ancient and decaying city. “What is all of this?”

  “I’ve always wanted to explore ancient ruins,” said Agamor. He grinned and strode into the outer perimeter of the crumbling city. Snow crunched beneath his feet.

  Sai shrugged and followed him. “Taenaran? Are you coming?”

  “I—yes. I suppose I am.” I shook my head and looked out over the ruins. Buildings in various states of decay dotted the landscape as far as the eye could see. In the center of the ruin was a large pyramid. Cracks lined the outer stones of the structure. At the entrance, two large, worn stone statues stood at attention as if on guard.

  “Did you have any idea a city was hidden here?” asked Sai.

  I shook my head. “We knew there was a mystery somewhere atop the mountains, but we never expected this!” I waved my arms around.

  Agamor grinned. “Just think, Taenaran. One of the most important historical discoveries of the millennia. And the three of us will be credited with its discovery. Is that not simply magnificent?”

  “Magnificent. Sure,” I said. “Terrifying as well.”

  “How so?” he asked.

  “We are back to redefining Elven history as we know it. Some will consider this a valuable discovery. Others will call it a travesty—something to be forgotten and never spoken of. There is a reason the queen had the drawing removed from the library.”

  We passed between the guardian statues and into the temple’s gaping entrance.

  “That is something we must deal with when the time comes,” said Agamor.

  I nodded. “Agreed.”

  “Someone has been here,” said Sai. “The doors are open, but there are no traces of animal activity.”

  “Be on your guard,” I said. We drew our weapons. Corridor after corridor, nothing was amiss. We entered a large chamber filled with tables and benches. Silverware and trays lay scattered every which way.

  “This must be a dining hall,” said Agamor.

  “Hmm…” Sai knelt next to the table and examined a carrying tray that lay scattered across the ground. “These people may not have left of their own accord.”

  “What do you mean?” asked Agamor.

  I frowned. “It is the way everything sits. It is as if they vanished in the middle of their meals.”

  Sai frowned. “How does an entire species simply vanish?”

  “That is a great question,” I said. “I fear that if we knew the answer, we would likely be more terrified than satisfied.”

  “Agreed,” said Agamor. We ventured farther into the chamber until we entered a large corridor. It led to a single doorway at the end. It stood ajar.

  “Shall we?” asked Sai.

  We entered the room. I held the torch before me. “This looks to be a defensive position.” I pointed at the weapons racks and decaying crates stacked neatly to the side of the doors.

  “Would this have been normal?” asked Sai.

  Agamor nodded. “You would have to pass through this checkpoint before being allowed into the formal sitting area outside the throne room.”

  The heavy granite doors were covered in ash. Dead vermin and insects had been pushed aside by the opening of the door. We passed through the opening and looked around.

  “This comes as a surprise,” said Agamor. He gestured to a cracked water fountain.

  “The fountain?” I asked. “Why?”

  “Does it not surprise you that they would have had running water thousands of years ago?”

  I nodded. “You make a fair point. Perhaps their culture was sufficiently advanced in their use and implementation of magic?”

  Agamor chuckled. “One would tend to agree based on what we’ve seen so far.”

  “I believe this is the throne room.” I gestured at the gaping doors.

  “Methinks that you are correct,” said Agamor. He came closer to inspect the glyphs on the doors themselves. He ran his fingers across the expertly carved glyphs. They seemed to shimmer slightly in the darkness. “Did you see that?”

  “I did.” I looked closer. “Some sort of defense perhaps?”

  “Indeed.” Agamor grinned. “To think that there are some minute traces of magic left after all this time…”

  Sai approached. He looked down and frowned. “These doors have been opened recently.”

  “How can you tell?” asked Agamor.

  Sai pointed at the ground in the doorway. “The debris has been swept away by the door. It is much thicker back here.”

  I knelt o examine the area at my feet. “And there are semi-fresh footprints in the dust and dead insects.”

  “Can you tell how long?” asked Agamor.

  I shrugged. “Very recent. Perhaps two days? Or three?”

  Agamor arched an eyebrow. “The lady we were told about at the inn, perhaps?”

  “The one with the initial V on Jondir’s instructions?” asked Sai.

  I nodded. “Perhaps. If so, she is still several steps ahead of us.” I looked around the room, taking in more of the detail. The glyph-covered doors hung open, inviting us inside the throne room. I frowned. “I suppose we should enter…”

  “After you,” said Agamor. He grinned.

  I shook my head and led them into the throne room proper. “Did you feel that?” I asked.

  “Yes,” said Agamor. “The energy is different in this room. Muted, perhaps.”

  Sai frowned. “It is as if what little magic I possess is being suppressed.”

  I nodded. “Indeed. Come. Let us explore this room that we may leave posthaste.”

  “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were slightly concerned.” Agamor shrugged. “You are correct to worry. There is definitely magic at work here.”

  I rolled my eyes and looked around. Ten onyx columns supported the ceiling. Upon them, modest braziers hung lazily from chains. I held my torch high above. Gems gleamed and flickered in the dancing light. They adorned many artworks on the oblique ceiling.

  I was impressed. “Look how the tattered carpets run the length of the floor tying together the various sitting areas.”

  “These here,” said Agamor, pointing to a plethora of plain-looking iron benches facing the throne, “would be where those seeking an audience with the royals would have sat.”

  I turned to examine the throne itself and was further impressed. It was overbearing and imposing. It was made of jade and sat in front of a giant painting of the kingdom. Around it were five rather unadorned seats, I assumed for the royal family members. Intricate symbols and glyphs covered the throne and the wall behind it.

  I chuckled. “To think, this civilization predates all of ours, and yet, they seem so advanced.”

  “Indeed.” Agamor traced his fingers across the glyphs. “It’s quite difficult to make out. Most of the glyphs aren’t any language I recognize, such as the parchment from the queen.” He pointed at a few glyphs in particular. “This glyph here, however, is similar to ancient Dwarven.”

  “And this is ancient Elvish,” I said, pointing to another set of glyphs. “It would seem that this is the city of Hygeia, the first city of the—what’s this one say?”

  “Firstborn?” asked Agamor. “I think, at least.”

  I nodded. “Then it would seem the stones are named for the city.”

  Agamor nodded. “Welcome to the lost city of Hygeia, city of the Firstborn.”

  “That is not comforting,” I said.

  He clapped me on the back. “You cannot run from history, my friend.”

  I frowned.

  “Look,” said Sai. “This carving appears to be some sort of map.”

  I grinned. “The entire kingdom of the Firstborn seems to be laid out before us.”

  Agamor opened his map and made the section we were located in much larger. He overlaid it over the stone carving chiseled into the wall. The locations appeared on his map. He grinned with satisfaction.

  “Excellent,” I said. “The stones appear to be another day’s travel due east.”

  “Shall we begin?” asked Sai.

  They said nothing while I contemplated that decision for several moments. “We shall,” I finally said. “Let us push on as far as we can this night. We will need a couple of hours of sleep before we arrive. No doubt this V will be lying in wait. We must be ready for a fight.”

  “Then let us begin,” said Agamor. I nodded. We made our way back out of the pyramid. The air outside was cool and crisp. The temperature was already dropping with more storm clouds looming in the distance.

  “That is going to slow us down,” said Sai.

  I frowned. “We will do what we can.” The trip out of the lost city was uneventful. It was sometime after midday when we reached the outer edge. I stopped and looked back at it appreciatively.

  “Amazing, is it not?” asked Agamor.

  I jumped. “Yes. Quite.”

  Sai chuckled. “I feel this will not be the last time we visit this place.” He stole one last glance and turned away.

  “I agree,” said Agamor. He turned to follow Sai. “Taenaran?”

  “I am coming,” I said. I pulled myself away from the sight of the city and followed my companions back into the dense forest.

  38

  Jack

  “What’s the logic behind this?” asked Mrs. Lennard.

  “He thinks if it’s made of fired clay it won’t burn out as fast,” said Burt.

  “It’ll work,” I said as I entered the workshop. “Or at least I think it’ll work.”

  “Here’s a question for ya,” said Burt. “Where’s the mana come from?”

  I arched an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

  Burt frowned. “Everythin’ to do with magic is about energy. It ain’t free. So, where’s yours come from?”

  “Huh…I hadn’t really given it much thought,” I said.

  Burt laughed.

  I stared and let it run through his system.

  “Oh, wait...you’re serious?”

  I nodded. “I was taught how to use it in life-and-death situations. Then my teacher was slaughtered by the very Demons we were hunting.”

  He nodded. “All right, I can see how that wouldn’t leave a bunch of time for how it works.” He turned to Mrs. Lennard. “Mum?”

  Mrs. Lennard chuckled. “Back to basics it is.”

  “Is this really necessary?’ I asked.

  She turned to Burt. “Better fetch some coffee.”

  “The strong stuff?” he asked.

  “The strong stuff.” She turned to me. “Let’s get started, shall we?”

  We spent the next several hours drilling magic theory and baking the clay totem. It took Mrs. Lennard’s and Burt’s guidance to walk me through reinforcing the sub-connections between the runes so that they weren’t obliterated by the fire.

  By the time we had finished, the three pots of Burt’s industrial-grade coffee had sent me to the toilet at least twice. Shit. I wonder if this is what it feels like to snort coffee grounds. My stomach was still fighting the good fight. Stomach cramps and gurgles aside, the totem was ready.

  “Let’s go test it,” he said.

  I laughed. “I think you’re more excited about this than I am.”

  “Maybe,” he said. “I’ve never heard of anything like this. It’ll either work or blow up in our faces.”

  “Let’s hope for the first one,” I said.

  “Out to the training lot, the both of you.” Mrs. Lennard shooed us out of the workshop while she cleaned up.

  “Do you think it’s okay to test this so late?” I asked.

  Burt shrugged. “As long as there aren’t any explosions, it shouldn’t be too big a deal.” He grinned. “Besides. What’s the worst that could happen?”

  I laughed. “Well earlier, you were worried about it blowing up in our faces.”

  “Yeah.” He frowned. “Good point. Let’s see if it works.”

  I held out the baked clay totem and focused on it. The runes lit up instantly causing the totem to grow warm in my hand. I grinned. “Well, hello.” I triggered the first rune. A flame the size of a campfire appeared on the ground before us.

  Burt gasped. “It worked!”

  “I told you it would.” I grinned. “Now let’s try the second rune.” I focused my will, and the second rune lit up. I sent a blast of fire at one of the practice dummies. Its eyes glowed red as it turned to me.

  “Peace,” said Burt. The dummy’s eyes went out.

  “Huh.” I frowned. “So that’s how that works…”

  “No one told you?” he asked.

  “No.” I focused more willpower into the rune and sent the fireball out again. This time, I flared the rune on impact. The fireball exploded, spreading flames to the other dummies. I pissed them all off. “Peace.” Being able to reset them makes testing the totem a lot easier, that’s for sure. I flared the first rune, and the campfire burst upward, turning into a large bonfire.

  “Not bad,” said Burt. “I’m seriously impressed.”

  “Thanks,” I said. “We need to find out what its limit is.”

  Burt nodded. “Hope ya know what you’re doing!”

  I willed the roaring inferno brighter. The rune on the clay totem glowed angrily. Cracks started to appear on the surface, also glowing brightly. They spread, spidering out like cracking glass. The town absolutely glowed as if it were a sunny summer afternoon. With a final push, the inferno flared one last time. As the totem became too hot to hold, I tossed it away from me. A half heartbeat later, the clay exploded. I turned in time to throw myself in front of Burt and take the blast to my back.

  The wave of fire painlessly washed over and around us. I looked around and noticed a shimmering blue arc of shield that had protected us from the blast. It shimmered once more then vanished.

  “Thanks,” said Burt. “That was close.”

  I stood there, my mouth agape.

  He poked me. “Hey, you okay?”

  “How the hell did I shield us? I asked, bewildered.

  “Huh?” He looked at me like I’d grown a third arm. “Whaddaya mean? It’s not like that was your first time making a shield, was it?”

  “No. Just the first time making one without a totem as a focal object.”

  He gasped. “You mean—”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “And—from you—”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Wow.”

  I laughed. Then I realized the training area was in shambles and the townspeople were staring at us from their open windows. To make matters worse, a full battalion of town guards was racing toward us. “We. um… We should make ourselves scarce.”

  “Oh, crap.” He grabbed my arm and yanked me into motion. “Yup. Let’s go. Right now.” He pulled me down an alley as we hightailed it out of there. We spent the next hour hiding in shadows and jumping from rooftop to rooftop.

  When we finally lost the guard, it was well past midnight. I stared accusingly at Burt.

  “What?” he asked innocently.

  “You move like you’ve done this before.”

  He shrugged. “Wasn’t always a shopkeeper, ya know.”

  I nodded. “That’s what your mom meant about turning your life around.”

  “Yup. That life is behind me good an’ proper.” He grinned. “The skills last a lifetime though.” His expression darkened, and his eyes narrowed. “What about you?”

  “Law enforcement. Also what feels like a lifetime ago.”

  He nodded. “I see, I see.”

  “No issues?”

  “Nah.” He waved me off. “If you’re good with me, I’m good with you.”

  “Good,” I said. “Do you think it’s safe to head back yet?”

  He nodded. “Yeah. And also, I’m starving. Ya hungry?”

  “With so much excitement?” I grinned. “Yeah, I could eat.”

  We had just made it into the shop when Mrs. Lennard walked in. “Are you two all right? The town is in an uproar.” She looked at me then at Burt and his shit-eating grin. She put a fist on her hip and glared. “Okay. Spill.”

  We told her everything that had happened with the experiments. As the stories went on, her worry and concern ebbed. We strategically left out certain parts just in case. No reason to worry her more, after all. I chuckled. At some point, I must have zoned out while I was eating because Burt startled me.