Wielder of the Flame (43 page)

“The Oracle seemed to indicate the map had special
properties?”

Marc nodded again.

He willed the map to change. Mel and Drake both watched more
closely and were more interested in the working magic of the map than the
others as it was both their first times seeing it in action. Marc guided the
map to depict the room they were all standing in. Mel’s mouth fell open as each
person present in the room began to appear as small dots around the ink table
and labels materialized underneath each person.

“This is incredible!” Mel said in a soft expiration of air.

“Yes,” Drake was nodding his head, “This is perfect. Can you
return to the full map of Lyrridia?”

Marc did so in a matter of seconds. The ink of the map
swirled and changed, rearranging itself. As soon as it finished, Drake quickly
looked it over again until,

“There,” he said, “Whiteholt, that is where Puck and I got
separated. And here, one of the crystal shards just north of Whiteholt. Could
you reposition the map again, this time so we can see this indicator of the
crystal shard at a closer view?”

“It won’t work,” Marc shook his head, “We’ve tried already.
None of the crystal shards can be viewed closer.”

“I do not know why, I just have a certain intuition about
the matter, could you try again?”

Marc shrugged and did so.

To his surprise, and the others’ as well, the ink shifted
and morphed into a scene depicting three dots, two were plain black ones, and
one was a glowing light, showing that a crystal shard was there. The dots were
moving quickly down the map, moving on a dirt road. Ink trees, stones, and
grass blurred across the canvas at the motion. Under one of the dots was
written ALDOM, STEED. Under the second it read, PUCK, SALVEND of ESSORIL.

“Wow,” Marc voiced his astonishment, “It worked this time.”

“And look,” Laura chimed in, “The light, it means he has one
of the crystals on him.”

“He must have been traveling with it the whole time!”
Zildjin added.

Sesuadra was nodding his head in agreement.

Mel was still mystified by everything, she was still having
trouble not bowing on the ground every now and then since Marc finally told her
under no circumstance was she to do so in his presence.

“He has a necklace his sister gave him,” Drake said, “A
pendant hangs on a cord, and a black crystal shard lies within the pendant.”

“So he has one,” Sesuadra finally spoke, “But does he know
just how vital an item it is?”

Drake shook his head, “I do not think so. We did not speak
too frequently during our journeying together, but when we did, he made no
mention of the pendant being special, or of the Oracle, or of anything of that
nature. He was focused solely on finding out who was behind the kidnapping and
threats to his family and friends. The pendant seemed, to me, to be more of a
family memento, a good luck charm of sorts.”

Drake spoke as if he found the notion ridiculous.

“Good luck charms exists,” Zildjin leaned over and hissed
defensively at the young boy.

“We need to get to him quickly and tell him what the crystal
means!” Laura said, brushing over Zildjin’s comment.

“There is one last message from the Oracle for him,” Cydas
agreed.

“He is the first, and the last,” Marc said, trying to
impress Laura with his knowledge of literary quotes.

Laura did not, nor did anyone else seem to catch the quote.

“I just mean,” Marc clarified, “He’s the first to have a
crystal shard with him—” He paused, seeing if anyone would catch on, “—and the
last person to join our group, before, you know, we travel to the Oracle?”

They just nodded.

Marc rolled his eyes.

“We did say we would stay for a few days,” Sesuadra said,
bringing up a good point.

“True,” Marc agreed, “We could do that, right? We’ll watch
Puck and the crystal, make sure it’s Whiteholt that he’s headed back to, then
head out to meet him there.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The next day they had breakfast, or
first meal, again in the manor with the Mayor and other important leaders of
the town. 

As they were eating the Mayor stood up.

“I would like to announce, after speaking with the rest of
the town, we have decided to throw another celebration, this time in honor of
the presence of the Wielder of the Flame here in our humble place. We shall
make preparations and be ready within a fortnight’s time.”

Marc raise a hand to get the Mayor’s attention, “Could it be
possible to hold the celebration sooner?”

The Mayor paused at the unexpected request.

“But—” He didn’t know quite how to respond, “but it will not
be nearly as grand without time enough to organize things and get ready.” He
protested, “and we will have to stop construction on Drake’s memorial if we
only have a short time to arrange the festivities.”

Drake also made a motion and spoke, “That is another thing.
I will be leaving with them as well.”

The Mayor, though clearly usually a composed man of words,
was again at a loss for them, “But,” He stammered, “but, you have to be here
for its completion and dedication, we are making it for
you
, it is in
your honor after all.”

“I humbly apologize, Mayor, but this is a calling I cannot
ignore. The Wielder of the Flame needs me on his quest. A great evil form long
ago has returned and I must go and help defeat it.”

The Mayor and the rest present, seemed disheartened by the
news.

“Mayor,” Cydas said, “We need to be on the road soon, it is
of vital importance. I receive guidance from the Oracle herself, she has led me
to find the Wielder of the Flame and these others who will play a part in
this.”

“The Oracle?” The Mayor sat down promptly, mystified, “It is
true then, she still lives?”

Cydas nodded.

Marc was afraid they were overwhelming the Mayor and the
others of Terga.

“Mayor Hartshor,” He said, “All is well, we are happy to
stay for a few days. We will help build Drake’s monument,”

“We will?” Zildjin muttered.

Sesuadra, who was sitting next to him, elbowed him in the
ribs. Zildjin glared in a friendly manner but also massaged the point of
impact.

“as much as we can while we are here, and we ask nothing
more than an evening of simple entertainment with food and drink for a
celebration. You have already been more help than you think. We have found
Drake, who will join our ranks here, and you have given us more than fine
accommodations to rest our weary bodies.”

Marc sat down.

Laura leaned over and gently spoke to Marc, “You have spoken
well.”

“Thanks.” He smiled.

The Mayor looked around the room at the other leaders trying
to silently read their reactions and thoughts on the matter. Satisfied, he
looked to Marc and replied, “All is well. We shall prepare for three days only
then, and celebrate on the forth.”

Marc nodded.

“As the Wielder wills it,” The Mayor finished, “so shall it
be done.”

After the Mayor announced to the
town the change of plans from yesterday’s statement, reassuring them by
explaining everything that had been said that morning, everyone was content as
well as excited.

Marc had no experience with architecture or construction. In
fact, the closest thing to hard work he had ever done in his life was working
out at the gym. Most of his knowledge was technology based, which he quickly
realized upon his arrival to Lyrridia, was not very applicable. Because of this
he was interested to learn and to put to use the newfound physical strength he
had been acquiring since Kolima. At first the townspeople refused to let Drake
or Marc help because they claimed such menial labor was beneath people of such
high status as the two heroes. But Marc insisted enough, bringing the Mayor
into the conversation, to the point where the Master builder agreed to let them
help.

They all listened to the Master builder as he assigned tasks
to each person. Marc, Zildjin, Sesuadra, Cydas, and Drake jumped up quickly and
began to work hard with the other carpenters and builders, to complete the
building. Marc could tell Zildjin was reluctant at first. However, after a
short while, a large number of the town girls came to watch and Zildjin doubled
his effort, swinging his hammer with his chin up and chest out. Marc laughed
inwardly, letting only a small smile allude to his thought.

Along with the girls below Marc spied Laura and Mel standing
close to each other whispering to each other and looking up at him, no, not
just him, but Drake also. Drake seemed oblivious to the two girls’ stares but
Marc was not.

Without really thinking too much about what he was doing he
slowly stripped off his shirt to reveal his trim, muscular but athletic build.
He even impressed himself.
Not bad for sixteen,
he thought.
It
is
hot too,
he barely attempted to find an excuse, but he knew he was really
just trying to impress Laura. He decided that he didn’t want to take it too
far, like Zildjin, putting on a show. Instead he simply went back to work, just
without his shirt on.

I hope she’s looking.

After what, to him, felt like fifteen minutes or so, he
decided to finally take a peek. He saw the crowd of girls still gawking, but he
could not find Laura or Mel. He continued searching until finally he spotted
the two of them walking down one of the streets leading away from the town
square, their backs to him. For a moment he was disappointed, but then Laura
turned her head to look back at him. Their eyes met and she smiled shyly. He
smiled back.

“You scoundrel!” Zildjin’s voice suddenly came from over
Marc’s shoulder, “I knew you had an eye for her,” He grinned.

Marc grinned back, then shrugged, not denying it.

Marc continued to track the crystal
shard over the next few days. Its direction remained constant every time,
downwards to Whiteholt.

Finally the day arrived for the celebration.

Terga was arrayed in a fashion similar to Kolima. Marc
pictured it as a mini-Gathering. Lights had been strung up on thin rope from
building to building, all throughout the town, lighting up the place in a magical
way. There were flowers, decorations, and ornaments arrayed in beautiful
displays. Tables had been set with food and drink a plenty. The people were
abuzz with excitement once again, even more so than when they had set up for
Drake’s celebration.

“To begin our celebration tonight,” The Mayor announced, “We
will open with a song and dance that is known mostly by all throughout
Lyrridia. Everybody, grab a partner.”

Marc immediately knew who he wanted to dance with, Laura. He
turned to look at her, she returned his gaze with a shy smile.

“Uhm—” He began, but froze.

What if she doesn’t know how to dance? What if she
does
know how to dance but doesn’t want to dance? What if she does know and wants
to dance, but doesn’t want to dance with
me
?
Wait,
I
don’t
know how to dance.

A flurry of nervous thoughts assaulted his mind.

He felt like he was back at a freshman dance, always a
horrible experience for him to the few he attended.

Just put your stupid hand out and say, “Do you want to
dance?”

He smiled, confident again.

Wait, maybe that’s not how you’re supposed to ask a girl
to dance here.

Oh screw it!

He reached out his arm, palm up, to Laura.

“Uhm,” he tried again, “Laura, do you want to dance?”

Laura first looked left, then right, then at his hand,
“Well—” She stuttered. It seemed as if she wanted to take his hand but
something was holding her back.

I knew it, she doesn’t know how to dance… or she doesn’t
want to dance with me. Yikes!
He thought.
No, that’s not it, just look
at her, she’s beautiful, she’s into you! Just—try again!

Suddenly Marc felt a hand on his shoulder, it was Zildjin.

“Let me show you how it is done,” he said.

Marc stepped back, a little flustered and sort of
embarrassed.

Zildjin positioned himself in front of Laura. Then, he bowed
himself all the way down, putting one knee on the ground. He then placed both
his hands on her right foot and remained still.

Marc looked on at the odd spectacle.

It was a little odd for Laura too, since she had never
actually danced with boys, having grown up in the Order of the Leaf. But she
knew the custom, and had watched men and women dance several times before,
despite the trouble she had gotten in with the doyennes because of it.

“I am sorry Marcus,” She looked at the boy she liked in a
sort of apologetic way, “but I cannot refuse the first dance.”

She leaned down and placed both of her hands on each side of
Zildjin’s face, lifting him up with his help. Zildjin stood and they linked
arms. Zildjin smiled, but after glimpsing Marc’s face, which was not a pleased
look, he quickly changed his expression to one that in Marc’s mind translated
to
Sorry dude, I didn’t mean to steal your girl, I’ll give her right back,
promise.

When Laura looked away but Zildjin was still looking at
Marc, Marc glared at him.

“Well then! Let the music begin!” The Mayor said.

The musicians on the small hand built stage near the center
of the town began to play their instruments in an upbeat manner. They had
carefully carved wooden containers with animal hide tightly stretched across them
for drums, they also had flute like instruments and string instruments, one
shaped like a harp, the others were held like lutes and one even like a guitar.
Marc found himself slowly sort of guided to the sidelines as the dancers and
their partners lined up to dance.

With fun, joyful spirits that matched the happy tune and
rhythm of the instruments, the men and women took turns dancing in simultaneous
moves. It was like a story told through the actions of the dancers. First the
men would move, their motions more firm and solid, then the women would reply
with graceful twirls and soothing, flowing movements. Marc watched semi
enviously as Zildjin and Laura danced and laughed. He knew Zildjin had only
been trying to help but Marc wished to be next to Laura in the dance. Laura
glanced over, her whole face bright with joy. She saw Marc standing there and
she gestured for him to join.