Chapter 26 :D

Chapter twenty-six-Visions

Matt showed up after study five or six hard hours of studying. He greeted Alhazred and Rowan, and then ported me back to my tent. Unfortunately, Sierra wasn’t there yet.

          “Sorry Mary, you’ll just have to wait a while.” Matt grimaced. I wonder if he was told to be overprotective.

          “I can take care of myself, Matt.” I grumbled. He nodded, then turned and disappeared in the flash of porting.

          I turned around and whisked into my tent. Everything was as it was this morning- clothes neatly in piles, books on the beds, Sierra’s mirror on her suitcase, and a newspaper.

          Actually, a newspaper was kind of odd. I didn’t know we got news around here, and it was especially strange that it was on my cot. I walked over and picked up the newspaper as if it was very fragile. There was nothing much on the headlines, just something about a woman being jinxed badly by leprechaun. I flipped through the pages, and yet nothing caught my attention. Until I saw my name.

          It was a small article, but big enough to see it:

Mary Drake- Another Malistaire or Sylvia?

       Mary Drake, a poor, petty girl, or a girl with a good-looking destiny? Let’s see what the readers have to say about this “One-of-a-kind” confused subject.

          “She’s a liar, and she’s going to all bring us to our deaths one day.” Speaks Helga Nightborn. “Never trusted Malistaire, and its terrible that the Fates bared us another little clone of his. Somebody needs to have her dealt with, that’s what I say.”

          A liar for what, you say? Well, it seems to be that this “special girl” is working for Malistaire herself. What else would she be doing, disappearing to some world or two? Robert Seaglade speaks his opinion:

          “I bet she’s killing off babies.” Tells Robert Seaglade. “She’s not to be trusted. Its total stupidity that the Headmaster gives her a chance.  We’ll regret giving her chances after she kills our children!”

          Its all true, my friends. The people have spoken- but are they all the same opinions? Let’s hear from Laura Lionwhisper (90 years old):

“I think everybody is forgetting that she is just a little girl, only 16 of age. Her own father killed her mother and sister for the Fate’s sake- why would she join the murderer of her family?”

          “She hasn’t even learned any dark magic yet.” Speaks Celtic Mayflower. “I don’t understand how she could be evil. That sort of thing doesn’t come in genetics.”

          Well, we will all learn once and for all. Is Mary Drake a liar, or innocent entertainment? We will all know soon, folks!

                                                -Sarah Lifewinder, Journalist

         

I winced. First, there was the fact that they called me Mary Drake. Then, they had called me a liar, a killer, a traitor, and innocent entertainment?

          I watched as a tear slid off my cheek and hit the paper, and I screamed and threw the newspaper on the floor. “Who the hell would leave that there?”

          Why do people keep badgering me? Why do people keep underestimating or overestimating me? Why can’t I be normal?

          Why should I be tormented daily defeated by people I don’t even know, just when I thought I’d reached the bottom of a bully’s fire.

          In a way, I felt like I was dying all over again. I put my head in my hands, trying to figure things out. I just feel like I keep falling, and falling, and falling until I realize there is no way to break out. Blurring and stirring the truth and the lies like in some big pot, then spilling it in my mind so I don’t know whats real and whats not.

          I didn’t want to do this anymore, but it was against my limits to stop. I have no choice. If I stopped now, then my sisters would die and my family will never be avenged.

          Avenged? What does that word even mean? I don’t want to follow the path of revenge. I want to follow the path of peace and clarity… So why is fighting the only choice? Why can’t my father just listen?

          “By the Fates, I can’t even trust myself anymore.” I murmured. “Oh mother, please help me… I don’t know what to do with the Seraphina-Alleyen. I don’t know how to find them.”  Suddenly, I heard a rustle outside the tent door. I jolted, realizing somebody could have heard what I just said.

          I rushed outside of the tent, and saw a flicker of fiery red hair. I suddenly thought of Rowan, but the hair was too bright, like a flame, to be her. “Whose there?”

          Nobody answered. There were no footsteps, no nothing. Perhaps it was only somebody passing by- I’m sure nobody heard me.

          I walked back into the tent, exhausted. I fell onto my cot, and pulled my blanket over my head. Slowly, quietly, I fell asleep.

         

          The sky was a large mass of swirling red wind, as demons flew in circles around a scepter as cursed as hell.

A chorus of darkness sprang around a room of onyx marble. Shadows ran like wolves around a man whose shed blood of love.

          “O’ bewitching of life, in Magic’s name I do call thee forth, cast thy blessing; I do ask, upon the magic that shall be worked here!” Spirits, demons, the man in black, sung the spell of dark certainty, like a never ending chorus.

          “O’ fine lies, in Magic’s name I do call thee forth, bringer of happy nightmares and power of flawless perfection, I ask its aid in the curse I do here work.” They sung this, raising higher and higher, making shadows of wolves, arrows, beasts, and wind.

          The man turned, and Malistaire’s black eyes glittered in joy. He had my smile, full and stubborn.

          “O’ torrents of evil, in Magic’s name I do call thee forth. Join me with your everlasting strength in performing this most powerful of lies!” Red, the color of blood, ran deep through the walls like cracks of lava. A black smoke began to form around his ankles. Power seared through Malistaire’s veins, glowing red and black under his skin.

          “O’ fairytale, deep and lovely, in evil’s name I do call the forth, that I may feel the power itself move in the roar of enchantment to disguise- which doth come to kill thy enemies-!” The shadows moved as fast as lightning towards the Malistaire, his grin bloody and horrid.

          Suddenly, the scene changed, to a dark oasis. In front of the Krokotopian Library. Stars sprung in the sky in beauty, and that little pond, so small and weak, suddenly became gorgeous in the moonlight.

Then there was a woman, whom looked 17 years of age. She was staring at the moon, illuminating the colors of her eyes- blues with a shimmer of mixed bright colors. She had hair the color of flames, pouring down her back and shoulders. She is pale as snow, with deep pink in her lips. She was absolutely beautiful.

Suddenly, a red mist began to surround her. Pooling around her knees, she looked around in shock. It seemed that she couldn’t move. I could see fear in her eyes, so similar to mine, until the red mist covered her whole. The red mist seemed to go inside of her, and she collapsed. Asleep, dead, I could not know.

Somehow, I knew deep inside that she was not the only one to fall…

I woke in the morning, hot and sweating from the heat. Sierra was reading the newspaper that I had threw on the floor.

My heart was pounding, but there was something else hot and pulsing on my chest. I looked down to see my necklace glowing. I stuffed it under my shirt, so that Sierra wouldn’t see. The hot amulet burned my skin, but I didn’t wince.

“Hey, Sierra?” I breathed out cautiously. She looked up in response. “Did you for any chance leave that newspaper on my bed last night?”

She shook her head and frowned. “No, why?”

I showed her a fake smile, to pretend everything was fine. “Nothing.”

If she hadn’t put that newspaper on my bed, then who did? Was it the same person I saw with the red hair? The woman in my dream?

I shuddered. There was something strange about these dreams; I just couldn’t put my finger on it. The fact that they are happening in real life scares me; considering that I just saw a woman die or something.

Who was that woman? I had never seen anybody like her in my entire life. I recognized her eyes, not unlike mine, and had seen Malistaire saying this kind of spell.

O’ fairytale, deep and lovely,

What was he saying?

Which doth come to kill thy enemies?

What the hell did that mean? Is that woman dead, or in some kind of sleep? Perhaps it has something to do with old fairytales.

Snow white! I remember she had skin as pale as snow, and how she collapsed in the red mist, a color of a red apple. However, such an inference couldn’t be true. I needed more proof-

No. I needed to step up, try harder. I haven’t even found one of my sister’s yet. I sighed.

After many hours, I still couldn’t get that woman out of my head. She was connected with something, and I felt like a magnet to her. Could she possibly be a Seraphina-Alleyen? I thought about this while studying in the Order. Not completely lost in hieroglyphics, books, artifacts, and history; it was difficult to perceive everything at once.

Alhazred used his clever comments all throughout the day. I was starting to wonder if that is the only way he knows how to speak. It seemed the more I stayed there, the more I wanted to learn what exactly this Order was. Why it was so secret, and why it was so important. Maybe it was something to do with Malistaire.

I was piecing everything together, and yet I had no answers. Maybe those words that I’m looking for aren’t the ones to make it better. If only I knew how to pull myself apart, I could get some answers.

The night came along once again, and I retreated back to my tent with Sierra. There, I studied the book Matt gave me, and Sierra was resting on her cot. I sighed, and an idea sprang into my mind.

What if I write to Abby? I sat up and grabbed a piece of parchment, a quill, and some ink. I had written “Dear Abby” when shouts began happening outside.

“By the Fates, it’s too dark out for people to be going chaotic!” Sierra exclaimed furiously. She sat up and rushed to the door. She stood there, looking out at the Oasis. I noticed her white skin go a shade paler.

“Sierra, what is it?” I put the quill down, sudden chills going down my spine. My citrine amulet was searing in heat.

“Mary, stay here.” I got up and tried to walk past her, but she pushed me aside and walked outside. Stubbornly, I followed.

I gasped in horror at what I saw. There were crowds of people, surrounding a small part of the pond. However, in the middle, was the woman with the fire hair and colorful eyes. Sprawled in the sand, pale as snow, eyes glued shut. Her lush, pink lips were now pale and sullen, and she looked almost thinner than in the dream. This had actually happened.

I rushed over, despite Sierra’s protest. I pushed past people, and some of them barked at me with annoyance.

I knelt over the girl. She looked about my age, sixteen or seventeen. I put two fingers under her jaw, and felt her pulse. It was slow, but still beating.

“Hey, you’re not supposed to be touching her. Get away from her, you idiotic moron!”

I felt anger flash in my eyes when somebody harshly touched my shoulder. I stood up and whipped around, my lips pursed and face flushed. “Don’t tell me what to do, or you will regret it.”

The man, scared at my identity, walked away very fast. It didn’t seem that he was in the mood for arguing with “Mary Drake.”

Then I looked at the rest of the small crowd, whispering and gawking. I seemed to be the only one who knows what happened. I glared all of them in the eye. “I mean all of you. Leave us.”

They glanced at each other, and left silently. I never noticed how much seriousness and power was in my voice, until then. Sierra walked slowly towards me, shaken, and also felt the girl’s pulse on her wrist. “She’s still alive.”

“We need to take her to the Order.”

Sierra stared at me strangely. I wondered if she knew what I was up to. “Why?”

“Because, this girl is not who she seems. We need to take her to the Order now.”

“I can help with that.” A voice sprang out of nowhere, and Sierra and I turned to see a small, petite girl with reddish-brown hair and green eyes; she stood with the moonlight glowing on her skin, and half her body covered in the darkness of shadows.

“Rowan.” Sierra whispered with a smile.

Quote :)

The Unlike is joined together, and from differences results the most beautiful harmony.
:D
Next time, i'm going to add some clips that i didnt put in the book... Unfortunately. I liked those clips. :(

Chapter 25, guys :D

Chapter twenty-five~ Order of Learning

          I woke up earlier this morning, even earlier than Sierra. Shocked to see her sleeping for once, I did not notice a parcel by the door of the tent. Only when I got up to look outside and embrace the sun, did I almost step on it and notice it.

          I picked it up. It was wrapped in light blue tissue paper, and was hard as a rock. Ripping off the paper, it was a book. The Making of Runes and Stones, by Jonathan SoulWell.

          “Go figure.” I muttered. I opened the book, and on the first page, there was writing.

          Hope you learn lots

                                -M

          I made a silent thanks to Matt, and put it on my cot.

          “What was that you had?” Sierra’s voice made me jump, alive and cheerful.

          “Thanks for startling me.” I turned around to face her, sitting cross-legged on her cot. “How did you wake up so quickly?”

          “I usually get up on the same time. However, how did you get up so early?”

          “I don’t know…” I told the truth.

          “That answer makes sense.” She chuckled under her breath. “Did you get something?”

          “Yeah.” I pointed to the book. “It’s from Matt.”

          “Mmm.” She put a white, dainty finger on her mouth. “Probably for school.”

          “Yeah.” Suddenly, I widened my eyes. “What time did he say that I had to be at this school?”

          Sierra laughed. “Relax. It’s all figured out. Matt is going to pick you up in-“She looked at her wristwatch. “A half hour.”

          “What am I going to wear?”

          “Here.” She walked towards a stack of clothes on a dresser near her cot. “He gave me these clothes to give you last night.”

          She handed me the robes. They were made out of a very soft material, soft and silky. It was a bright maroon color, with a tan trim. I didn’t quite favor the colors.

          “Why tan?” I asked, disappointed.

          “Its balance school colors.” She smirked.

          “Great?”

          “Just get dressed.”

          Twenty minutes later, my hair was put into a pony tail and covered by a maroon hood. The hood covered half my face, only revealing my eyes. Because of that, I felt less vulnerable, and more dangerous.

          Most people only need to look at my eyes to see who I am, anyways. I glance at a mirror hanging by Sierra’s cot, and I saw a glimmer of colors in my eyes. There was something else, though. Pain and fear of what comes ahead. I sighed.

           I was wearing the maroon and tan robes, which felt more comfortable then they looked- and colder, which felt amazing in the burning heat.

          And of course, my citrine amulet. Whenever I wore this amulet, which is all the time, I felt that I wasn’t alone. It’s as if my mother’s presence still lingers here, making my wounds impossible to heal.

          Right on the dot, a swooshing sound came from outside the tent, and I knew it was Porting.

          The tent door opened, and Matt appeared. Glancing at me, and then looking at Sierra. “I see she’s ready. What time are you going to be back from your appointment?”

          “Six hours, at the most.” She replied, twisting a lock of silver hair with her thumb and forefinger.

          “What appointment?” I interrupted.

          Sierra’s crystal eyes twinkled in delight. “It’s for my writing, you see. I’m going to meet with the librarian in the Krokotillian Library, and study their culture.”

          Matt smirked. “Are you sure you that you don’t want to see your little sister?”

          Sierra grimaced, while I perked up in surprise. “You mean she has a sister?” I turned to Sierra. “You have a sister?”

          Sierra did a little smile. “Her name is Rowan.  She is Life, like my father, and she is an apprentice in the Order of the Fang. You might see her there.”

          Matt looked at his watch. “We need to go, Mary. You will not obtain any pleasure being late for your class.”

          I nodded. Matt held out his hand and I took it eagerly. In a moment, Matt nodded to Sierra in a goodbye, and we hurtled into colors of wind and heat.

          After a few seconds, I felt my feet sink into the ground an inch deeper. Sand was everywhere and a huge monument stood in front of the scolding sun. It seemed to be made out of some kind of golden stone, almost gleaming in its age.

          “Welcome to the Island of the Krokosphinx.” Matt walked forward, and in the shadows of the huge monument was a large, hidden hole. Before I could figure out what the hole was, I finally figured out what the monument was. It seemed to be a statue of a lion’s body and a lizards head, with a Krokotopian crown upon its head. 

          “The architecture is amazing, here.” I exclaimed, as Matt took my arm and led me to the hole. In the mist of the haze, I noticed a ladder that went down the hole. It was all so hidden; I wondered how I could see it at all.

          “I trust that your school will allow you to see the entrance.” Matt examined the hole, and glanced at me. “All you have to do is climb down the ladder.”

          “You mean the Order of the Fang is in a hole?”

          “Yes, why?” He looked surprised at my doubt.

          “If it’s a place so sacred, then why is it in a hole, where some assassin could find it?” I stated, completely lost.

          “That’s the thing,” Matt smirked, “Only people who know true balance magic can see the entrance.”

          My mouth went in the shape of an “o”. I stared at him suspiciously. “How do I know it’s not a trap?”

          He laughed at this. “Because your Headmaster knows about this place. Why in the worlds would he send you to a trap?”

          I sighed, defeated in one quick blow. “Alright. Will you be back?”

          “Yes, and hopefully Sierra would be back from her appointment by the time you reach your tent. I will see you in six hours.” He turned and ported abruptly, leaving no trace behind. Perhaps he didn’t want to speak anymore.

          I turned, and gazed at the hole. Matt was right; the Order of the Fang wouldn’t be a trap. How could it, if Headmaster Ambrose knows about it?

          I slowly touched the ladder, and began to work my way down. The light got dimmer and dimmer, until my feet touched wood to stone.

          I turned around, staring in wonder at the room before me.

          It was almost like a library made out of old stone and artifacts. Row after row, there were books, harps, crowns, parchments, scrolls, mirrors, and more. Desks surrounded the room neatly, with one scroll on each tabletop. There were many large goblets full of this reddish-glowing liquid. On the walls, were torches of blue fire, flickering shadows against the hieroglyphic wall.

          Flying around, quicker than a snap of your finger, shot past me; pixies. They seemed to fly randomly around the room, while some were actually reading, or studying. They were tiny little things; about the size of your hand. I wondered why they were here.

          Three girls and two boys were deep in their books, reading at their desks. One other girl with light brown hair seemed to be making a potion, and a boy was reciting hieroglyphics on a piece of parchment. None of them happened to notice me.

          I walked forward slowly, cautious, trying not to disturb the students. I saw another room with an arched door in the front of the library- room, and I walked gently to that door. Once there, I peeked inside, but only saw shadows. Only one fire was lit in this room.

          But there was definitely something alive in here.

          “Hello?” I murmured. I coughed quietly, and held on to the stone wall for support from whatever was in here.

          “Come in, young witch.” The voice was dry, crackly, and a mans. However, it was gentle and kind enough for me to walk in without feeling unsafe.

          I squinted in the shadows, trying to see this man. “Who are you? Are you a professor?”  

          “A teacher? That is everything and everyone, my dear.”

          “What do you mean?” I asked.

          Something moved in the darkness. “Everything teaches, and everyone teaches to another. It’s a giant web of knowledge, a magical connection that cannot break. In the end, it shall be a cup of knowledge, never stopping, never spilling.”

          “Sounds fascinating.” I breathed out, full of wonder. It took me a second to realize that I still didn’t know who this man was.

          “However.” The thing moved again. Was that him? “I cannot teach you, if one’s cup is already full.”

          “You just said that a cup of knowledge could never be full?”

          “Ah, yes, but do you believe your cup is full?” The man insisted.

          “No.” I replied. “I wish to learn.”

          “Why are you here, young witch?” The man grunted, despite my last comment.

          “My Headmaster from Ravenwood sent me here to learn, sir.” I replied.

          “That is an answer, but not a true one. Speak why you are here.”

          Confused, I spoke, “I will speak when you show yourself.”

          “I will teach when the student is ready. Tell me, what is your breaking point?”

          Shocked, I stepped back. “I shan’t speak my breaking point until I know who you are, sir.”

          I heard a chuckle in the distance of the shadows, all scratchy and loud. “I must learn your breaking point to make you stronger. As for my appearance, I must know you’re aware of your judgments in equality.”

          “Am I being tested?” I examined warily.

          “We are always being tested, my dear witch.” Then, suddenly, he emerged from the shadows. I held in a gasp, and bit my lip.

          The man was a lizard. A large, crocodile-like lizard, standing on his hind legs. He wore silks of balance colors, and wore a headgear thin enough to show that he was bald. He bared a snout, with teeth poking out his mouth. “I, dear child, am Alhazred; member of the Order of the Fang.”

          “You’re a lizard.” I eyed him, and wondered if that wasn’t obvious.

          “Indeed I am. Now, what is your breaking point?”

          I pinched my lips together, focusing on his yellow eyes. “I will not tell. I’m not ready yet.”

          Alhazred bowed, and looked me in the eye. “You have passed the test.”

          What test? I thought. Then I realized- perhaps he was teaching me to never fall for my weakness?

          Which was what- did I even know my breaking point?

          In a way, I was tired of my body being here, while my soul was secretly hiding in the back of my mind. I wish my mother’s presence would just leave, because it wont leave me alone, not letting my wounds just heal.

          But the pain is too real, as well. I wanted my mother and Sabrina to come back. I had fought for their happiness, held their hand when they had cried. And for what? Death? Leaving me here, to fight for myself- which I had not done yet in my entire life? I didn’t know how to do this. I don’t know how to get rid of their faces which they haunt my once most pleasant dreams. I don’t know how to break the bond from the life that they left me behind in.

          Could I tell myself, or convince that they are gone forever? If my mother’s presence was still haunting me, then why do I feel so alone?

          Damn myself for such childish fears. I should know better- I’ve kept these thoughts in the back of my mind since the deaths occurred. I opened my eyes, and realized that Alhazred was watching me. Suddenly, I trusted him.

          “You had a question, and I shall answer.” I decided. “Even in death, love lasts forever. That is my decision to tell you.”

          Alhazred nodded. “And I agree.”

          I stared into his eyes. “So, will you teach me?”

          “You should do it, professor.” A young girl’s voice rung out from the entrance, and there stood a girl with dark reddish hair and green-brown eyes. She was a small thing, skinny and narrow. She looked about eleven years old.

          “Why do you think, dear Rowan?”

          Sierra’s sister!

          “Because,” She glanced deeply into my face. “You can see the longing in her eyes. She wants to learn, professor.”

          Alhazred stood there, gazing at me. “You have quite extraordinary eyes. In fact, there is something very strange with you, young witch. What is your name, child?”

          “Mary Ravengem, professor.”

          Rowan gasped. Alhazred’s expression never changed. “Mmm, Sylvia’s daughter. Yes, there is something quite the contrary with you, Mary. We will understand each other soon enough.”

          He was the only person I’ve ever met that called me Sylvia’s daughter the first time, and not the daughter of a mad man. It sent shivers of pleasure down my spine for this to actually happen once.

          He spoke again. “Rowan shall share her books with you, and you may explore this little school. Beware; however, do not try to spill your cup before it is even enough yet.”

          I nodded, and began the school of the Order of the Fang.

Chapter 24. Only doing 1 chapter per day now. :P

Chapter twenty-four- Alia, Matthew, and the Order

         

I woke up to a sudden burst of heat, even hotter than yesterday. My hair was plastered to my forehead, and a white robe hung over by my bedside.

          Why was it so hot? I looked over to Sierra’s side of the room, and she was writing at her desk frantically. Sitting up in bed, she turned her head towards me at the sound. She then turned back and continued writing. “We’ve crossed the portal to Krokotopia.”

          I gaped at her. “You mean we are here?”

          She nodded. “I suggest you get dressed- the clothes you wear are going to be way too hot. I also point out that you should wear a hood, to keep your face from the sun.”

          “I don’t understand. I didn’t feel anything.” I put my hair in a pony tail, and picked up the white robes I was given.

          Sierra put her quill down. “There is a Spiral Door in the heart of the Northern Tides. It’s a silent trip to it, but it transports us to the world of Krokotopia.”

          “That’s… Brilliant.”

          “I know.” She continued writing.

          I began pulling off my pajamas, and putting on the new robes. “What are you writing about?” I asked sweetly.

          “It’s called the Legend of the Seekers.” She replied, vaguely interested in me. “It’s about seven chosen wizards trying to fight against evil.”

          I shuddered. It sounded slightly similar to the Seraphina-Alleyen.

          “Sierra?”

          “Yeah?”

          “Do you think I’m wise?” I asked.

          I heard her chuckle under her breath. “I barely know you.”

          I stared at my feet. “Just guess.”

          She locked eyes with me, then. “As the daughter of Sylvia Drake, I would think yes.”

          I nodded. She made a frown. “Why ask such a thing?”

          Just then, before I could answer, the cabin door opened. Ronan stood there, sweating from the heat. “Its time to get off the ship.”

          I gaped. “But I haven’t packed yet!”

          He smiled at me. “Its okay, we are going to take the stuff off the ship for you.”

          “Oh.”

          We walked outside, and I was amazed by what I saw. Brilliant blue sky and a very big desert. From the ship I could see a Market, a large Pyramid, and a bridge that led to somewhere. In the middle of the land, however, was a pond. “What a beautiful Oasis.”

          I looked to my right, and saw a large building surrounded by tents. People scurried around it, going in and out of the building. It looked like a Library.

          “That’s where we are staying. In the tents.” Sierra said, recognizing where I was looking at.

          Walking to the tents, I loved how the sand felt on my feet. I loved the warm breeze and the beautiful sky staring down at me. “I love Krokotopia.”

          “Mmm.” Sierra looked around in wonder. “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

          We ducked into a large tent, our tent, to see a girl sitting in it. She had long wavy black hair, tan skin, and blue eyes. She wore robes of white and green, and held a radiating staff of wood, leaves, and magic. I immediately recognized her as life.

           “Alia, you’re early.” Sierra examined cheerfully.

          “Hey! Nice to see you. How is your Seeker story going?” Her voice was mellow and smooth and curious.

          “Serious writers block, as always.” Sierra smiled. “How’s your biography?”

          “Doing just fine as life is.” She replied.

          “I wouldn’t say that if I were you.” I sighed. They both turned their heads to me. “I’ve seen some messed up crap.”

          The girl named Alia eyed me, and then her eyes widened. “You’re Mary Ravengem!”

          “In the flesh and bones.” I grimaced.

          Sierra threw her bag on the ground. “Mary, meet Alia Lotuspetal, whose is about as famous a writer as me.”

          “Nice to meet you.” I shook hands with her.

          “You too.” Was all she said.

          Sierra cleared her throat. “Mary isn’t evil, Alia.”

          Alia nodded more belief in her eyes by listening to her best friend. However, she wouldn’t look me in the eye.

          “The Headmaster sent a letter to Alhazred. He wants Mary to learn balance magic in the school on the Krokospinx.” Sierra explained to Alia. However, I knew nothing of what she was talking about.

          Alia raised an eyebrow. “But that’s really close to-“

          “I know. However, apparently the Headmaster means business. I think he wants her to be in-“

          “No way.” Alia interrupted.

          “Could you talk to Matthew at the least?”

          “You guys do realize that I’m standing right here, right?” I exploded.

          They ignored me. “I’ll do it, but he’s probably going to have the same answer.” Alia sighed.

          “Can somebody tell me whats going on?” I asked, irritated.

          Alia fixed her eyes on her hands as Sierra spoke up. “It’s complicated to explain when you don’t know any history to Krokotopia. It’s better if Matthew explains it all.”

          “Okay, first of all… Who are these Alhazred and Matthew people?”

          “Alhazred is a very wise teacher. He teaches Balance to people here. The Headmaster sent him a letter, because apparently he wants you to learn there. However, Alhazred is also a member of an Order.” Sierra explained.

          “An Order of what?”

          “It’s called the Order of the Fang. I think the Headmaster wishes you to join.” She frowned. “But I don’t know why… Matthew can probably explain more to you when he arrives. He’s the Order’s assistant and messenger, and a scholar.”

          “What is the Order of the Fang?” I asked, still not understanding.

          “I can’t tell.” Sierra shook her head. “Only Matthew can.”

          “I will go to him now.” Alia stood up and I noticed how tiny and fragile she was. “I will talk to you later, Sierra.” Then she disappeared from the tent.

          I looked at Sierra. “When do you think he will arrive?”

          She looked at her wristwatch. “Tonight.”

          I stared. “Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier?”

          Sierra smiled a crooked smile. “I’d rather explain it with Alia firsthand. Plus, its closer to Matthew.”

          “This Matthew guy must be the boss, or something.”

          “Ha!” She laughed. “Just a messenger, but he knows a lot.”

          Just then, a shadow passed over the tent. It was a slender shadow, with a flash of red. I sat up. “Did you see that?”

          Sierra blinked. “No. What did you see?”

          I squinted. “I thought a saw a shadow… I don’t know.”

          “Probably some scholar or adventurer.” She took out her journal, and began to write. She put a strand of snow white hair behind her elfish ears.

          “Hey Sierra?” Looking back at her. “Why are your ears so elfish?”

          She smiled a dazzling sugar-sweet smile. “I’m half elf.”

          “Oh?” I looked up, surprised.

          “Yeah. My mother is elfin. Pretty cool, huh?”

          “Yeah.” I sat back down. The shadow must have been my imagination.

          We stayed in the tent throughout the day, snacking on sandwiches and chatting. Sierra spent most her time writing, while I studied books from Wizard City. I adored reading “Traps and Transformations,” a book about boosting your damaging spells and shielding yourself from upcoming opponent spells: it was written by Mariana Hallowell. It was an interesting process of types of Traps and Transformations.

          In the end, dusk turned to night, and I was still not sleepy. Anxious to meet this Matthew, I stayed up and stared at the tent’s wall while Sierra slept.

          Suddenly, I heard voices and footsteps. When I recognized one of the voices as Alia’s, I rushed over and began to wake Sierra up.

          “Sierra, they’re coming!” I hissed. She opened her eyes suddenly, and shook off the blanket. 

          She walked out of the tent, leaving me alone. I heard a conversation, but not enough to hear the words.

          The tent door opened, and instead of a dainty black haired girl or a half-elf writer, a man with straight black hair pulled into a pony tail and hazel eyes walked in. He fixed me with a stare, and locked eyes with my moonstone color. “Hello Mary, my name is Matthew. Matthew Goldstone; but you may call me Matt.”

          “Hi Matt.” I uttered weakly.

           He sat down on the bench in front of me, the lantern above our heads giving us a serious glow over our faces. “Do you know why I’m here?”

          “They told me that you’re from an Order called the Order of the Fang and that there is a teacher…” Suddenly I couldn’t remember anything.

          Matt shook his head. “So you know little. Do you know anything about Krokotopian history?”

          “No, but everybody keeps telling me that I should know it!” I bunched up my eyebrows. “Whats its history?”

          Matt put his fingers on his chin. “There’s a lot to explain, for you to fully understand the Order.”

          I ran my hands through my hair. “Why does the Headmaster want me to join it?”

          Matt perked up. “So you know why I’m here?”

          “Well, it’s rather obvious.”

          He gazed at me. “You’re in serious business, I can tell. Whatever you’re doing, the Headmaster is accepting and helping. Could you tell me what it is?”

          I shook my head. “Everything I’m doing is top secret. All I can tell you are that I’m looking for things that can help me finish a conflict, once and for all.”

          Matt nodded, but I could tell he did not fully understand. “Then I shall help you as much as I can. But first, you must know the history.”

          Then he started off. “Kroks, as we call them, are the ancient race of Krokotopia. In fact, they are an ancient race from the time the Titans still roamed freely. Yes, the Titans.”

          “They knew much of the elementals magics and were set on the expansion of their empire. They found the Manders, a different race then them, and that they had created a new kind of magic that was a combination of all other magic. The Kroks invaded and enslaved Manders to steal their magic. The Kroks knew first hand of destructive power that the elemental Titans wielded and so no need to learn about the spirit triangle- Life, Myth, and Death. This is why they only built temples to Fire, Ice, and Storm.”

          “Oh?” Surprised at the violent story. “Whats the new magic?”

          He raised an eyebrow. “It’s not quite new anymore… I’m sure you know what it is.”

          Even though confused as I was, he continued the story. “A small group of Kroks saw that this was wrong and not what balance magic was.”

          At the word of balance, I perked up. “They are talking about my element?”

          He nodded. “This small group of Kroks became the Order of the Fang. In understanding that their knowledge of balance was incomplete, they also began to understand that their Krok brothers and the war-ing ways of their people were wrong. The Order found a great balance artifact called the Golden Fang and studied it, they used the knowledge of the Golden Fang to write something called the Krokonomicon, which was to be a bridge between the elemental magic they understood and the spirit magic they lacked. With the help of the Golden Fang, they were able to bridge the gap between the two triangles of magic and use the elemental power source of the Titans to fuel the spirit magic they needed.”

          “So the Order of the Fang was a powerful group, who understood balance magic more than the others.” I nodded, finally understanding. “Were the Manders ever freed?”

          Matt shook his head. “The Kroks still rule today, in the Pyramids. Did you see the large pyramid when you got off the boat?”

          I nodded. “It was rather huge, and it looked like it was made out of sandstone.”

          Matt smiled. “You need to study your stones and gems. However, we can do so in the school of the Order.” He rubbed his temple. “The large pyramid is called the Pyramid of Fire. Its one of the elemental temples the Kroks built.”

          “That makes sense.”

          “Now that you understand the Order, you can go into the school and learn; most likely tomorrow, considering that the Headmaster of Ravenwood wants you to start immediately. However, I won’t allow you to join the Order itself.” He stared at me. “I don’t quite trust you yet, daughter of Malistaire.” 

          I winced, and he left the tent.

          Soon after that, exhausted, I fell asleep. I didn’t hear Sierra walk in later.

          In my little dream land, everything is so fragile… It’s like a play of my deepest wantings and fears…. Of beloved faces, of my mother, of my sister, of my father… Of death.

          I cannot control my nightmares, so dream I do.