Wizard's Quest: Book Two Chapters Seventeen and Eighteen

All works copywrite Jay D Evans 2013

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

 

As soon as he was back on Syrus, Kahnlin started making plans. He called the best of his warriors together and from them he chose the smallest, yet deadliest, of them to take back with him to the lush, green world of his enemy, Richard Evans. Knowing that it would probably be a one-way trip for many of them, he conveniently left out that information. Every one of his soldiers would die for him, if they would not he would kill them himself, but he did not want them to show any sign of fear or give pause during the battles to come. Physical battle was their specialty and fighting magick was something that none knew first hand as it had been centuries since any real magick had been part of their lives. The fight to come would be brute force against the forces of magick and that is why he picked the smallest of them- stealth.

While at the castle he had made detailed maps of the ancient building- where all the important rooms were and any exits that could be used in an emergency. MacCorkadall’s quarters and study were top of the list for the elite force. The master sorcerer would have to be eliminated before the boy could be dealt with and Kahnlin, himself, would take care of Richard. Other rooms marked on the map were those occupied by Mary, Sean, Elizabeth and Connor plus all of the master wizard’s and the Dining Hall. Any place that anyone needing to be eliminated could be was marked and all escape routes plainly shown.

He had also made maps of the surrounding grounds and Glenfinnan. These were places that were frequented by those that the trelf wanted killed. With the knowledge that MacCorkadall could not stop him anywhere but on the castle estate made Glenfinnan a prime area for his killers. As much as he detested humans in general, he didn’t need a massacre of innocent people, just a select few. Like the Boothe’s murders had been necessary casualties to expedite his gaining Oberon’s Sphere and Sceptre, there would be more that needed to die.

The one thing that Kahnlin knew for sure- as he was making his plans to return and take what was rightfully his, Richard was making plans to leave to where ever it was he was looking for his lost friends thus making it necessary to move quickly. If Richard left his world before he could return, the chance would be lost forever. He could see that the boy was gaining power and knowledge daily and would continue his growth until there would be no stopping him. With the sphere, alone, he was almost unstoppable. With both sphere and sceptre, and knowing how to use both, he would be unstoppable. He had to get them before MacCorkadall taught him how to use them.

Standing atop a plateau overlooking the vast desert where he first met Richard, Elizabeth and Sean, the trelf leader formulated the speech he would give to his warriors. They would follow him no matter what. If they didn’t believe wholeheartedly in what they were fighting for there was the possibility that, if captured, they would turn against him.

As the sun dipped below the western horizon the sky changed from light blue to the shades of red that made Kahnlin think of blood, human blood, which was perfect for his mood. He would see blood spilled and as he watched the sunset he imagined the crimson glow as the flow of Richard’s life spreading on the snow covered ground in front of Crauford Castle. Smiling evilly to himself he finalized the words he would give to his troops. Looking into the blackness of the night sky above him the three moons of Syrus looked down upon him in mockery. Unlike most nights when Kronos, Praeus and Oberon danced across the sky playfully, tonight they were locked in a tight pyramid. Never before had they been so close together or in such perfect symmetry, making him shudder nervously. No! I will win this battle. Oberon is controlling the three brothers trying to frighten me.

Glancing once more at the sky he turned to leave. As his foot touched the step the voice of Oberon boomed across the vastness of the Great Desert.

“Kahnlin! You are a fool. You plan, still, to take that which is not yours. Angus MacCorkadall will not allow it and the boy will destroy you. Never underestimate your adversary. Richard Evans is not one to be reckoned with, whether he uses my tools or not. There has only been one other that is as powerful as he is- only one. Would you destroy what you have, destroy Syrus, just to gain personal power?”

“Oberon, you were the fool. You gave to humans what belongs to the elves and trolls. MacCorkadall has wasted the power of the sphere by not using it. As for the sceptre- its’ power has been hidden from this world far too long. Now that they are together again it is time for them to return to Syrus, to me, so that this world can be ruled as one, not divided as it has been for three centuries.”

“You divided this world by your greed and prejudice. I ruled with fairness and tolerance. Power is a privilege, my son, not a right. The people of this world do not exist to be ruled. The ruler exits because of the people. I knew that and that is how I ruled, by listening to those that allowed me to rule. You do not want that. You want complete control over this world as a supreme being- above all that you rule. You will destroy an entire world because of that greed for power. The people will not long suffer a leader such as you. That is why I gave the sphere to the wizard and hid the sceptre; placing them separately on two different worlds with only one way to acquire both- by being true, honest and moral.”

“THEY ARE RIGHTFULLY MINE!”

“No, they are not. They were made by the trolls and enchanted by the elves for me. They were mine to do with as I pleased. I know you too well, Kahnlin. I created a peaceful land, where all co-existed without violence. You would destroy that peace and the land would be decimated by war once again. In addition, you must understand that if it had not been for that peace you would not exist. It is only because of that peace that your mother and I were allowed to marry and conceive you.”

“There you are wrong. What you created was a race that has been shunned by both races. We Trelfs are half-breeds, claimed by neither troll nor elf. Your peace has made a race of slaves.”
            “No. You are as free as any other. If you are slaves it is by your own choosing. Four and a half centuries ago slavery was abolished and all were set free. Those that remained in bondage did so by choice for their own reasons. Prejudice was only in the eyes of those that still wanted the old ways. Racism was voiced only by those that wanted to be noticed and made special over any other. No one is any greater than any other. All are created equal. What wrongs were done have no bearing on what is now. Restitution has been paid many times over and the old ways are no more. Unless you gain the power you seek.”

“I only seek that which is rightfully mine.” Kahnlin stared into the starless night, the three brothers looking down on him.

“What you do not understand Son, is that to rule Syrus is a privilege, not a right. Hereditary rule does not exist here. You wish to rule as if it were your right and that the people will accept that and whatever laws you decree. Unless the trolls and elves have changed and have become sheep, which I doubt, they will not tolerate a tyrannical dominion.”

Kahnlin looked up at the three brothers. Kronos and Praeus looked down on him blandly but the shadows on the face of Oberon, the largest of Syrus three moons, looked down upon him with stern consternation. It was as if the moon, itself, was his father looking down and lecturing him as he did when the Trelf was a young boy. In a childish act of impudence he stuck his tongue out. It did not matter what Oberon thought anymore, after all the Elf King was dead. Besides, whether the crown was hereditary or not was irrelevant, he was the heir apparent and rightful king as far as he was concerned. All he had to do was get Oberon’s sphere and sceptre to prove that the crown was his.

“Oberon, all I want is to bring this world together as one. Is that wrong? No. What does it matter whether it is Elf, Troll or Trelf that is ruler? It does not.”

The silence was deafening. Kahnlin thought that his father had left him until the voice boomed across the vastness once again. “For once you are right. It does not matter what race rules. It is what kind of ruler that matters. A just and moral being must rule, not a tyrant.”

“I am done arguing.” Kahnlin stepped off the plateau and as he started down the path mumbled, “I will do what I must.”

“You will fail.”

***

Angus MacCorkadall moved into Richard’s room and waved his slender hand from left to right. What had been an empty room just a second before was now filled with a bed, dresser, nightstand and a young boy. When the master sorcerer had seen that Kahnlin wanted to get to Richard he had emptied the small area, sending the entire contents to the clock tower. Richard was not quite ready to take on the Trelf just yet, he didn’t understand, nor could control, the power in him. When Oberon’s sceptre appeared to him he was given more magick than he could imagine and until he could control it, the danger was too great.

“Why did ye dae ‘at? Ye bloody well turned me gut inside out. Next time warn me!”

“I could not warn you, Richard. Kahnlin was right there. I apologize for the inconvenience and ‘turning your gut inside out.’ It was necessary.”

“Kahnlin?! How did he get here?” Richard’s face contorted between confusion, fear and unbelief. There was no way that the Trelf could have escaped and come to his home. He knew that Kahnlin had been left on Syrus encased in granite with no escape.

“He had help.” MacCorkadall looked at his protégé with understanding. “Richard, you are wise beyond your years, yet inexperienced in a lot of ways. Knowing that, you must take extra precautions.”

“Hae can Ah take extra precautions when Ah dinnieken whit Ah’m tae be cautious abit?”

The ancient wizard smiled at the young boy. “You will learn.”

***

            The next three weeks were filled with training for Richard. MacCorkadall, Jeb and Mary worked day and night with the boy so that he could learn how to use the tools left to him by Oberon, King of the Elves. During this time he learned the basic functions of the Sphere and Sceptre. Amazed at just what they could do he showed off to Mary by playing around with them. The Sphere, which he thought was only a space/time controller, actually bent the space/time continuum making it possible to not only travel where ever and when ever a person wanted but could change historic events without being present to change them. In addition, as Kahnlin had indicated, the Sphere was a protector of whoever held it by placing a charm around that person and whomever else was near. MacCorkadall instructed that there was more that it could do but that those could wait until he was further along in his training.

The Sceptre on the other hand was much more fun for Richard. This tool had many uses. Not only was this the King’s sword of state, it was also similar to Richard’s own magickal wand only much more powerful. As he held it in his hands he could feel the energy flow through his body like electricity through copper wire. The Sceptre of Oberon could shoot bolts of lightning and flames from it’s tip. With a swing it could produce an energy shield capable of repelling any physical object. Without conscious thought, the Sceptre would cast whatever spell Richard needed or wanted and could make objects implode or explode.

Mary endured his endless displays of magick with the fortitude of a saint. She knew that he needed to learn as much as he could as quickly as he could and these displays were a waste of time in her eyes. He was not taking his training seriously and she was concerned about that but also knew, through talking about this with the Headmaster, that with his playing around his confidence was growing, becoming what it once was, and his abilities were becoming second nature, something that he would need. It was during one of these displays when the door to the room burst open and in rushed Kahnlin with several of his warriors. Instantly, without thinking, the young wizard grabbed Mary and surrounded them both with the protective shield that the Sphere hanging around his neck gave him.

It did not matter whether it was sword, dagger or arrow, nothing could harm the two youngsters, bouncing away from them as if hitting a metal wall. Screaming in rage the Trelf rushed Richard headlong, knocking him to the ground. The two wrestling on the floor for several seconds gave the troll warriors the chance to take Mary, something Kahnlin had planned to make sure that Richard would give him Oberon’s tools willingly. Seeing that his people had accomplished their mission he broke free and laughed at the boy then disappeared out the broken door leaving his enemy lying on the floor in disbelief of what had just happened.

Richard lay there staring at empty space for only a moment. Jumping to his feet he gave chase to the kidnapper of his soul mate, catching a glimpse of the group running out the main doors into the courtyard. Without conscious thought the young wizard swung Oberon’s Sceptre toward the massive oak doors just before they closed and a bolt of brilliant blue light flashed from the end of it striking the last troll warrior in the back. Without a sound the huge being disappeared into thin air. Closing his eyes, Richard, himself, disappeared from the landing and reappeared on the outer edge of the castle drawbridge facing his enemy as Kahnlin ran across the wooden planks.

Skidding to a halt just as he left the bridge the Trelf sneered. “You can have her back if you give me the Sceptre and Sphere. If you do not, I will kill her where she stands.”

“Ah dinnae think ye will. Ye will let her go and Ah’ll let ye live. If ye dornt, Ah’ll kill ye.” Richard stared hard at Kahnlin, showing only confidence in what he was doing.

“I think you are bluffing. You could no more kill me than you could your wench. You don’t have it in you, Whelp.” Raising his hands above his head and closing his eyes, the entire group, save Richard, disappeared in a flash of multi-coloured lights. Leaving the boy, once again, staring at empty space.

Kahnlin had been exactly where he needed to be to return to Syrus, just off the drawbridge on the estate side. Richard had left from this very spot twice before to go to the dry, arid world of the Trelf. Hitting himself on the head for not being aware enough to realize that, he swung his arm in a circle and followed his enemy into the warp of time and space to return to Syrus and hunt him down. Because Kahnlin had not demanded Oberon’s tools here made him believe that it would be a trap to follow but it didn’t matter. Mary was all that mattered to him at this time.

Richard reappeared not where he expected to. Instead of seeing the sand and rock covered landscape of Syrus, he saw nothing but blackness. At first he thought that he was still in the warp zone but the blackness did not dissipate. Suddenly from out of that utter darkness came a voice that was calm, soothing and familiar.  He remembered this voice from those many nights just before he went to sleep that would tell him that he would do great things. This was his mother’s voice.

“Me wee bairn. Yoo’re troubled.” The sweet Scottish accent of Carolyn Evans was like a warm, fuzzy blanket.

“Aye, Am. Ah hae an enemy that is tryin’ tae kill me. Ah hae tae dae it tae him afore he does it tae me.”

“There has tae be a better way.”

“But, Mum, he’s killed my friend’s parents! He’s been tryin’ for months tae kill me. He is dangerous and a threat.”

“But, Son, why does he want tae kill ye? There has tae be a reason.”

“Ah hae somethin’ he wants, somethin’ that was given tae me because of who and what Ah am. His own faither is agin him.”

There was a long silence. Richard was beginning to think that his mother had left him alone to ponder his dilemma. The blackness around him started to dissipate and he found himself surrounded by the snow-covered hills of the Scottish highlands. He could see the loch from the hilltop where he stood and there, standing just at the water’s edge was his mother. The scene was not reality as most would know it, he was still in Nowhere with his mother, but it was real enough to him. His only wish was that Mary could share these experiences with him. As he looked down on the shimmering green water past his mother, she beckoned to him but he could not move. his feet seemingly planted into the ground upon which he stood.

Struggling, the young boy tried lifting one foot and then the other with no effect. His feet would not move no matter what he did. Looking down thinking that his feet were stuck in the thick, heavy snow, he almost screamed in terror. His legs, covered in tree bark up to his knees, were becoming tree trunks. Watching in horror as the bark ascended his body he realized that if something were not done quickly he would become a tree, permanently affixed to the hillside overlooking the loch. Looking down at his mother with pleading in his eyes, he tried to yell to her for help only to find that his voice was gone.

Suddenly, from out of nowhere, Kahnlin appeared. Sneering evilly, he looked at Richard. “You think that I don’t know where you are all the time? You cannot escape me. Now, you will never be a problem again. Give me what I want and I will release you.”

“Never! You will never get the Sphere and Sceptre. I’ll have them here, with me, as branches.”

The thick, dark eyebrows of the Trelf arched in surprise. “As you wish. It does get very cold here when you are all alone in the dark. It is only a matter of time before you will no longer be able to make a choice. Are you sure you want to be a permanent part of this lonely landscape? After you are a tree I will then be able to retrieve what I want unheeded.”

“Ye’ll never hae them! Even if Ah become a tree. All you need tae know is that there will be others to chase you from world tae world if they hae tae.”

“Not this time, my young adversary. No one knows where you are or what is happening. On a dangerous quest, such as yours, accidents occur. Pity you won’t be around to see what happens.”

The bark had completely covered Richard’s legs connecting them into the trunk of a tree. As it progressed up his body onto his torso he found it harder to concentrate. No spell or incantation came to him to stop the curse Kahnlin had placed on him. Help would have to come seen if he had any chance at all of beating his enemy. No one knew of this place, save Mary and she did not know he was here. Pain and sorrow filled his eyes as he looked down at the lonely loch below. It was then, as he stared at the dark water, that movement caught his eye. His mother was still there. She could help.

“Mum,” came weakly from parched, thick lips. “Help.” Then darkness took over.

 

From far away the voices came. Softly at first then louder and louder. He could not make out what was being said or who was speaking. All he knew was that there was urgency in the tone of voice he heard. Not being able to move, see or speak was frustrating but not knowing what was happening was maddening. Then he remembered. Kahnlin’s curse! Had the Trelf succeeded in turning him into a tree and now he was being cut down for firewood? As thoughts ran rampant through his disconnected mind the voices became clearer.

“I think it’s working…”

“Are you sure? The leaves are turning colour. He could be dying.”

“Nae. Dornt think ‘at! He’ll be fine.”

“See that? The bark is starting to fall off. He’s coming back!”

“I don’t understand how Kahnlin could cast this type of spell. Oberon had taken this kind of power away from all that he ruled so that this type thing could not happen.” This came from Angus MacCorkadall. Richard could finally hear well enough to distinguish voices.

Several hours later the young wizard was back to himself and full of questions. “How did you find me? I didn’t know that anyone knew where this was or that it was accessible at will.”

MacCorkadall looked at his student with amusement. “Richard, have you forgotten who I am?”

“I know that you are the greatest wizard in modern history but this place is so different. I always thought it was my mother that brought me here.”

“It was your cry for help that alerted me and it was your mother that did let me know where you were. Your friends just happened to be with me at the time and demanded that they come along.”

Scratching his leg Richard scowled. “I think I have tree fleas.”

Elizabeth laughed. “There are no such things as tree fleas. You will itch for a while because of the spell. Being turned into a tree was pretty damaging to your system.”

“I think it is time for us to return to our own time and place. Nirvana has done what it can for us for the time being.” MacCorkadall gathered the group together and waved his hand over their heads. The world disappeared around them and they reappeared in the familiar surroundings of the old wizard’s study.

Sean and Elizabeth soon left to go back to their rooms leaving Richard and MacCorkadall to discuss what would be next for Richard to do. Following Kahnlin back to Syrus would be suicide at this time even with the power held by the young man. The Trelf army would be watching for him and their leader would be well guarded. Knowing him as they did it was decided the best course of action would be to wait for him to return to Scotland, that way they would have the home field advantage.

Preparing for the return of his archenemy took up most of Richard’s time for the next few weeks. The snow had melted and Spring was evident everywhere. On the hillsides the heather was starting to make the countryside colourful and fragrant. The sound of water, making its way from the mountaintops to the lochs, was soothing to the weary souls of the all that took the time to listen and the clear blue sky made the hearts sing of those that would lay back on the hills and stare into space watching the light, fluffy clouds drift by lazily. However, Richard did not notice any of it.

Since he had left Scotland and returned to Syrus, no one had seen Kahnlin or any of his minions. There had been no incidents of violence, either. It seemed as though the Trelf had given up his efforts to gain possession of Oberon’s Sphere and Sceptre. MacCorkadall, Jib nor Richard believed that he would give up that easily. Each day they would go into the old wizard’s study and prepare for an all out attack on the castle. It was imperative that Richard prepare for the coming battle, as it was he that would have to defeat him. Everyone involved understood that Kahnlin was preparing something big while on his world and that everyone at Crauford Castle would have to be prepared for whatever that was. They all did their part by focusing all their efforts on defensive magick.

Richard’s focus was getting Mary back before Kahnlin did what he had threatened. To lose her forever was not an option, he had to get her home safely and if he had to kill the Trelf to get her, he would. In that, there was no question.

 

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

 

The sun was setting beyond the mountains behind the castle, blazing the sky with a multitude of colours from deep blue in the east to a brilliant red in the west, as Richard walked toward the loch. MacCorkadall had informed him earlier that day that his training was as complete as it could be for his age and ability. His reward to himself was a swim in the cold waters of the Loch Shiel. Approaching the shore, he looked out at the reflection of the sky on the calm surface and smiled. This is heaven! It has to be.

 Lying down on the ground with his legs in the water, Richard stared up into the darkening sky. This was his favourite time of day in his favourite place. The warm breeze off the mountains caressed his naked body gently, massaging his mood from one of mild stress to complacency. Before slipping into the water he closed his eyes, bracing himself for the slap of coldness he knew was coming. Goosebumps raised as the water covered him until he was submerged to his neck, then the world of air disappeared as his head went under the surface.

Swimming underwater until his lungs felt as if they were on fire, Richard moved farther from the shore. He knew where he was going. It was just a little farther. He just touched the muddy incline heading to the beach of the tiny island as he ran out of air completely. Pushing upward with his legs his body rushed to the surface like a dolphin performing for an audience and swam to shore. He lay there on his back, breathing hard from the lack of oxygen. As his breathing calmed, he realized that he was not alone.

“Good evening, Richard.” The voice was deep and evil dripped from the words like honey from a spoon.

Opening his eyes, Richard stared into the dark eyes that were inches from his face. “How did ye gie here? Nae one knew where Ah was going.”

“I have my ways. I told you once that you have your talents and I have mine. Knowing things is one of my talents.”

“Noo what? Dae we fight it out ur jist sit here making wee gab?” Richard was becoming angry. He was ready, this he knew, but this was not the time.

“I don’t believe you are quite ready.” Kahnlin stared down at the naked young boy lying on the ground.

“Ah can beat ye. Clothed ur naked. It doesnae matter.”

Kahnlin laughed. “I’m afraid that you would beat me. Your small size is quite humorous and I find it hard to keep from rolling on the ground from laughter.”

“Mah size is irrelevant. It’s th’ talent behind th’ size ‘at coonts.” The boy stood up and faced his enemy with inches between them. No fear showed in his eyes, only confidence.

Taking a step back, the Trelf looked deep into his opponent’s eyes before saying anything. “I believe that I would be better suited to wait until another time. We will meet again, Boy Wizard. It will be just you and I.” Then he turned and walked into the dense undergrowth of the island.

Staring after the retreating Trelf, Richard wondered when that time would be and if they would truly be alone. He then turned and looked to the mainland shore and saw Kahnlin standing there holding his clothes. As he watched in horror, his enemy turned and disappeared, taking his clothes with him. Now he would have to try to get back to the castle and into his room with no one seeing him, something that would be almost impossible at this time of day.

 

Making it back to the castle grounds without incident, Richard stared at the drawbridge from the tree line. There were several students lounging against the courtyard wall just inside the gates. There was no other way into the massive old building except to cross the bridge. He could not stay where he was much longer, either. It was getting late and the temperature had dropped to an uncomfortable level for his state of undress. His only recourse would be to wait a while longer to see if his friends would go inside and hopefully not become ill, or, propriety be damned and walk through the midst of them and let everyone see him in all his glory. He waited, all the while becoming more and more chilled. Another hour went by before the gates cleared. Now all he could do was hope the courtyard, itself, was empty. He could wait in the stables comfortably until the main hall and corridors were less populated.

Sprinting across the clearing and bridge, he skidded to a halt as he passed through the gates. He had not been able to see much of the courtyard from where he had been hiding and therefore did not know that most of the students and faculty were gathered there for a party. Standing, staring, his face turned a bright shade of red with embarrassment. Everyone turned to stare at him when one of the girls whistled. Holding his head high he sauntered through the crowd toward the main doors without looking at anyone. Sean came up behind him halfway there and slapped his bare backside. Without turning or indicating that anything had happened, Richard kept going.

Reaching the massive oak doors to the castle, he pulled the handle quickly. Nothing happened. Grabbing it with both hands, he put his weight behind it and pulled again. Still nothing. A deep laugh from somewhere above told him the doors were locked. There would be no way he could unlock them without the correct spell. This castle was well over a thousand years old and the enchantments that protected it were fool proof. Even Angus MacCorkadall would not be able to get into Castle Crauford at this point if he did not know the right words to say. It was then he realized that the ancient master sorcerer was standing behind him.

“I would say that someone has pulled a fast one on you, Richard.” The kind voice showed no indication of ridicule.

“Aye. It was Kahnlin.” Richard faced the door without moving.

“I am assuming it is he that is keeping you from entering the castle then.”

“Ah would bet mah last penny oan it.” He smiled slightly as the old man placed a cloak across his shoulders, covering his naked body. “Thank you.”

“No thanks are necessary. It took a moment to find something to cover you.” MacCorkadall’s voice softened to a mere whisper. “I was not aware of his return. This is most disconcerting. It means he was managed to make himself invisible to me.”

“Ah was at th’ loch an’ he was oan th’ wee island. He could’ve had me then but he didnae.”

MacCorkadall stroked his long, white beard in deep thought. This was typical and expected from Kahnlin. He had always liked to play with his enemies making them wonder what he was doing or when he was going to do what he said. He had baited Richard on the island in the loch to see what he would do. What worried the old sorcerer was that he had not known the Trelf was here. There had never been a time that a guest, be it friend or foe, had been at the castle without his knowledge. Somehow, his old friend’s son had masked his life energy so as not to be noticed.

The torches beside the massive oak doors cast long shadows across the faces of student and teacher. The party was starting to break up and everyone was going their own way to do other things. Knowing that the doors to the castle would not open no one attempted to interrupt the two standing there. Somewhere beyond the castle gates, a wolf started to bay a lonely song to the full moon that hung in the pitch-black sky. Richard looked at the old man and knew that it was going to be long night of preparation. Just like the wolf, he was living a very lonely life at this point.

Without thinking, the young wizard grabbed the handle on the door and pulled. The door flew open so fast he fell backward down the granite steps bruising his tailbone. Standing up he rubbed his backside with the palm of his hand. “That hurt.”

MacCorkadall gave him a cursory glance and walked through the open door. “I suggest ice.”

 

The Master Sorcerer had the entire castle searched from top to bottom. Every room, every alcove, every nook and cranny was checked for Kahnlin. It was well into the early morning hours when the last of the searchers reported not finding hide nor hair of the Trelf. There was no way that he could have gotten past everyone without having been seen. He was either still hiding somewhere in the building or had found a way to transport himself out by magick, which MacCorkadall, alone, could do.

All the while, Richard was preparing for the coming battle. Knowing that Kahnlin was now back at Crauford made it easier for him to concentrate on what he had to do. During the past few months he had learned all that he could, now was the time to put that knowledge to practical use. MacCorkadall and Jib, protected by powerful enchantments, took the brunt of many curses and hexes sent out by the young wizard as if they were the enemy. By mid-morning, tired and hungry, Richard sat on the floor and fell over, asleep.

Jib stared at the boy with amusement. “How can he fight his enemy when he cannot fight off sleep?”

“Kahnlin is a formidable enemy to be sure but this boy will prevail. I know it as if it is ancient history.” MacCorkadall stared into space with eyes filled with knowledge of the past, present and future.

“I believe that we should allow him to sleep. He will need his energy in the coming days.” Jib turned to leave the room then stopped. “The entire castle was not searched, Angus.”

Understanding lit upon the face of Angus MacCorkadall. “You are correct, my friend. There is one place that no one searched.”

Turning in a circle, his wand pointing straight out from his body, the old man stopped when his wardrobe was directly in front of him. Moving slowly, Jib right behind, he approached the ancient piece of furniture, stopping just within arm’s reach. As his hand touched the knob, the door flew open and Kahnlin vaulted from the shadows of the interior, knocking MacCorkadall into the Urusk. The old man was quicker than the Trelf imagined and he froze him with a single word, “Reodh!”

Jib circled around Kahnlin, looking him over like a specimen in a laboratory. “I’ve never seen anything like this before. What is he?”

“Kahnlin El-Rhiney is what is called a Trelf. They are a mix between trolls and elves. Oberon, King of the Elves, married Kahlie, Princess of Trolls, and they produced Kahnlin. Afterward, other trolls and elves mated and a new race was created.”

Jib sneered. “I suppose these half-breeds think themselves better than their ancestors. I can see it in his eyes.”

MacCorkadall looked at the Urusk as if he had never seen him before. The comment Jib had made was completely uncharacteristic of his friend’s race. Urusks were friendly creatures, albeit lonely because of their features. To be judgmental is not in their nature and for him to call Kahnlin a ‘half-breed’ surprised the old wizard. As he looked into the eyes of the nature-spirit, he did not see the friendliness that should have been there. The wrinkled face, covered with hair and feathers, was not quite right. The huge, deformed head did not sit right on the shoulders nor was the smell of goat present as it should be.

“Jib, may I ask you a question?”

“You may, as long as it is not of too personal a nature. You should know that, my old friend.”

“I have forgotten. How long have we known each other? And where was it that we first met?”

“These are irrelevant questions, Angus. Why are they important at this time?” Jib looked at MacCorkadall with suspicion.

“I have lived a long time, my friend. Thinking about Oberon and his marriage to Kahlie has just got me wondering about other things.” He had to tread softly now or the Urusk would become suspicious of his motives.

Jib looked up into the face of his old friend. “We have known each other since before the Great War. We met on the shore of Loch Ness. You were waiting for the sea creature known as the Loch Ness Monster.”

“Which Great War are you speaking of, Jib? The war the world knows as World War Two or the Great War between good and evil in our world?” The answer to this question would tell whether this was actually Jib, or not.

“It was the Great War between good and evil. This world’s wars mean nothing to people of our world.”

MacCorkadall raised his wand. “Ceahgley.”

Instantly the Urusk changed form. From the human-like creature, with a mix of goat and fowl, it changed into a Trelf. And just as quickly was frozen just as his master was by a single word. “Reodh!”

“You were not so informed as you thought.” Turning from the changeling to Richard’s archenemy, “Kahnlin, you do not know my history as well as you imagined. There was no Great War between good and evil in the magickal world. That was something out of the imagination of an English writer.”

Kahnlin, not being able to move, just stared at the ancient sorcerer. Hatred shot from the deep dark eyes as an archer would fire darts from a bow. If he were able to move, the half elf-half troll would kill the human standing before him. It made no difference what MacCorkadall had in store for him; he would escape and exact his revenge on all the humans that stood in his way. He had not forgotten the sole purpose of his coming here- the sphere and sceptre of his father. Nothing would stop him from that. Not Angus MacCorkadall, Richard, the boy wizard, or anyone else. The current situation would have to be dealt with first, and then he could take care of the other. It would be a pleasure to kill these fragile beings that thought themselves better than most.

Looking from one Trelf to the other, MacCorkadall stroked his beard. “I wonder. What did you do with the real Jib? I don’t believe that you would kill him; he would be too valuable. With the castle having been searched from top to bottom, no one found him. Is he in this room, also?”

Kahnlin’s face showed nothing but contempt. The Trelf that had been masquerading as Jib could not control himself so easily. Although he could not move his body, his eyes told a different story. Darting from MacCorkadall to Kahnlin and back, the fear was evident. With the old man watching him closely, he could not help but glance briefly at the wardrobe from which Kahnlin had recently emerged.

“It is nothing but a small wardrobe. How could Kahnlin and Jib, both, fit inside of it?” MacCorkadall moved over to the ancient wooden cabinet and pulled open the other door. Nothing was there. Jib was a Urusk, a human-like nature-spirit. Although he was not quite as large as a human man, it would have been difficult to hide his body in too small an area. The wardrobe was only two metres tall by one and a half metres wide and half a metre deep. Kahnlin had occupied most of the interior. It was then, as he was staring into the empty space that the sorcerer heard a scrape.

Listening intently, the scrape came again, from the floor of the cabinet. Lifting one of the loose slats, MacCorkadall discovered the Urusk crammed into the small area between the floor of the room and the floor of the wardrobe, bent into a position that a human could not have achieved. Thanking the gods that his friend was not human, he reached down and unfolded Jib as he pulled him out.

“I must thank you, my old friend. I was beginning to think that I would not be found.”

“No thanks are necessary. It was only by coincidence that your impersonator gave himself away. A nature-spirit, any nature-spirit, would never make racist, or negative, comments such as he did. That is something that the Trelf, and non-magickal world, would do.”

Jib moved close to the ancient sorcerer and spoke quietly into his ear. “I fear that Kahnlin has somehow cast a spell over the castle. My psychic abilities are not functioning. I feel nothing from anywhere and I cannot communicate telepathically as I should.”

“I believe you. I did not know that he had returned and was at the castle. We must undo what has been done.” MacCorkadall glanced at the Trelf leader furtively.

With a wave of the hand, the master sorcerer released the Trelf from his spell, making him fall, face first, onto the floor. With fury in his eyes, Kahnlin stood, shaking uncontrollably. Before he could do anything further, MacCorkadall raised his hand in warning, thus stopping the intruder from further action. He knew that, for the time being, he would have to acquiesce to whatever the human wanted. This did not mean that he would cooperate fully, just enough to make them think he was beaten.

“I will lift the veil of secrecy. That is all.”

“For now, that will suffice. Afterward is what I am most concerned about. What am I to do with you? I should send you back to Syrus and leave it at that. But, you have something of great value that needs to be returned.”

“I haven’t a clue as to what you are talking about.” The Trelf looked at Angus MacCorkadall with innocence.

“You do know and she will be returned. I do not like violence but have no qualms in instituting the old traditions: the ones that your father instituted at the beginning of the New Age. Eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth kept the peace on Syrus for many generations.” MacCorkadall just stared at Kahnlin, waiting for his response.

The old wizard did not expect what happened next. As he and Jib stood there, waiting and watching, Kahnlin vanished. The Trelf had not moved nor spoke, just vanished as if he had transported out of the room. No one should have been able to do what had just occurred except Angus MacCorkadall (the Headmaster of the school is allowed so he could travel between appointments faster). Kahnlin, being half elf and half troll, should not have had this kind of magick much less use it. It was impossible for anyone to get into the school without coming through the gates because of the very nature of wizards and witches; some were good, some were bad and the bad ones needed to be kept out.