Deeney - Wizards Keep

WIZARD'S KEEP

James J. Deeney

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Other books by James J. Deeney

An Alien called, Robert

Alien on the run

Angels, Devils and Demons

Demon Destroyer

The Mystery of Seahope

My Witch Family

The Lost magic

Magic of the Dolphin

The Mushroom fantasy series for kids

Look for, The Workhouse Boy, if you like historical fiction. Set in Derry.

1

F or the second time that week, Feverfew, a young female elf, gazed into the crystal clear pool. Her slanted eyes searched the shallow, water. Would the Lady appear again?

The pool lay near the center of the forest, hidden within a grove of the ancient trees. The forest was a vast area, mostly unexplored by the elves of Collegian. Only the most foolish or most brave would dwell long within the forbidden place.

The elf girl had discovered the pool when out riding one day. When she thought back to how she had found the pool, she realized it had been her unicorn, Eager, who had stopped suddenly, almost throwing her off its back, right at the narrow entrance to the grove.

Grazing now on the thick, red sulic grass that grew around the pool, the white unicorn mare's spiraling horn shone in the early morning light.

If Feverfew could have seen the magical glow that pulsated from the horn, she would have been shocked. Magic was forbidden in Collegian.

Though it was pleasantly warm, Feverfew shivered suddenly. In an unbroken blue sky, Collegians twin suns had risen over the high Scallahag Mountains two hours ago.

Feverfew gave a start and her heart began to pound when she saw the surface of the water shimmer. She waited, holding her breath, for her reflection to change and there she was, the same beautiful Lady she had seen earlier that week, smiling up at her from the center of the pool. This time, Feverfew did not cry out with fear, but her heart began to pound like a blacksmiths hammer hitting his anvil. The Ladys long hair was the same color as Feverfews own, blue, almost black. She had slanted green eyes, and the small, white, pointed teeth that every elf was born with. As Feverfew gazed at the Lady, wondering for the tenth time who she was, Eager gave a sudden whinny. His long mane fell about his broad back, like a thin leaf-covered branch caught in the wind. A circle of white magic, ran up and down his horn as if in agitation, but it was a warning. Eager whinnied again. Raising his great head up and down, he stamped his feet. But its warning was unheard by the girl, who was too engrossed with the Lady in the pool.

Who... who are you? Feverfew asked, in her light, almost whispered voice, frowning as the reflection suddenly changed. In its place now she saw the Flarg beast. It was only then she heard Eagers warning. The warning was followed almost instantly by the ear-piercing roar of the Flarg. But in the short seconds it took for the beast to burst through from the outer trees, Feverfew had leapt on Eagers back. Gripping the panicking creatures mane, she instantly guided it out of the grove and onto the path.

Away Eager! she screamed. Faster!

Like a greyhound, bursting from a trap at a racecourse, the beautiful creature leapt ahead. As it raced through the trees, Feverfew squealed with excitement. She knew that not even a Flarg could catch Eager when he was in full flight. She chanced a quick glance back in time to see the beast roaring its frustration at her, its many-toothed mouth wide with anger as its tearing claws clutched at the air.

Feverfew rode like the wind through the forest for a short while before a whisper in Eagers left ear made the unicorn ease back. When the beautiful creature slowed, Feverfew could feel his heart pounding beneath her long legs.

****

A n hour later, they were riding into Collegian City.

As she rode slowly through the city, several children stopped their play to point at her. Other older children ignored her and turned away.

The city of Collegian covered an area of just over ten square miles. It was surrounded within the edge of the forest by broad, twenty meter tall stone walls. Collegian was divided into four separate provinces, each province made up of narrow, cobbled streets with tiny cottages and houses, that all had well-maintained gardens to the front and rear.

****

A short time later , as she walked Eager through Prahl, the part of the city where she lived, Feverfew wondered why she couldn't see many of her race about. Usually, the streets would be jam-packed with vendors, carpetbaggers, traders and other nationalities, even the huge mountain trolls. Everyone was welcome in Prahl, as long as they obeyed Prahl laws, laws that were set down by the Elders.

Still curious, Feverfew led Eager to the great hall that lay just on the edge of Prahl. The building was built deep into a hill. Passages and rooms in it stretched for miles and spread deep underground. Over a thousand years ago, when other tribes had threatened the elves, safety passages had been dug out. No elf, not even the eldest, knew how many passages there were, but all the elves knew, that in the deepest passages, there lived giant-size rodents called, Dawgs. These ferocious creatures rarely ventured to the upper reaches. Few elves would even venture down to where the rodents lived.

As she approached the building, Feverfew was surprised to see several soldier elves guarding the entrance to it. Normally, the soldiers would stay at their barracks near the surrounding city walls. Something has to be wrong to have brought them here, she thought. Before dismounting, she stroked Eager's head and whispered for him to wait. She was aware of the guards' eyes watching her as she walked up the three wide steps to the entrance. When she reached it, two of the heavily-armed guards lowered their short spears, barring her way in. One of the guards snapped, Halt!

Frowning, Feverfew stared into his scowling face.

Your name?

Feverfew, she replied. I...

The others are inside, snapped one of the other guards. You are late.

Feverfew checked the wooden nameplate on his chest. Arol.

I... I didnt know... she began. Sorry.

Arol glanced at the others then snapped, You can go on in.

As Feverfew walked past them, and disappeared into the hall, one of the soldiers whispered, The Special are a pain in the neck. They think they can do as they will.

Aye, agreed Arol, studying Eager now. A fine creature, he thought. As fine as Ive seen. I wonder, would she sell him? No, he snarled to himself. The Special didn't have a need for money. Everything they wanted was supplied to them. Spoiled brats, he muttered.