Children of the Sun and Moon by P. D. Stewart
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Malena paced nervously. She had been trying for days to get an update on the king, but failed at every attempt. Malena knew it had to be a spell from Gillock, and was quite unnerved he had figured out one of her spies so quickly. It also bothered her that Lakin had not tried to contact her in almost two weeks. The truth was, she had never trusted him, and always assumed he felt the same. It was unfortunate she had to use him, but he was a means to an end. The fact he had not contacted her in so long made her realize, she had been the same to him. It had also been some time since Moray had updated her, but she wasn’t worried about it. He would only contact her if something important happened.
Malena stopped pacing and looked around her throne room. She had designed her castle to look exactly like the one in Keenley, although this throne room was nowhere near as magnificent, or dusty. Some days she wished she had not designed it so closely to the original. The memories would sometimes consume her, but how she longed to be back there. Balls, and servants waiting on her every need. Not like here, where she was required to do everything herself.
“I cannot wait to be free from this prison,” she shouted.
“I'm afraid that will not be for some time, my lady,” said a voice.
Malena looked about, but knew she wouldn’t be able to see the wizard. “Mordekai, what brings you to my humble home?” she asked coyly easing herself into her throne.
“You appear to be agitated, and that brings turmoil to all those in the Void. Is it something I can help with?”
Malena laughed. “Set me free, wizard. Maybe then I will not be so unhappy.”
Mordekai stepped out of the shadows to Malena’s right. “That is not in my power. I have been noticing you have been more content as of late. May I inquire as to why?”
Malena faced the wizard. He was old, wrinkly, almost bald on top and walked with a slight limp. Most would assume he was old and weak and attack him. Malena knew better. He was the most powerful of his order, and not one to be reckoned with. “The prophecy is to be fulfilled, as if you did not know.”
“Ahh,” came his response. “The twins have started their journey, of that I am aware. But know this; the second stage has not yet happened.”
Malena shot up out of her chair. “It has, I saw it myself. Eric betrayed his family.”
“No, he did not. I fear the betrayal has not yet occurred, and when it does occur, the world will not be the same.” Mordekai paused, and seeing how distressed Malena was getting decided to finish his thought. “Don't fret, your highness, it will still come to pass. The twins will finish what they've set out to start, but it may not be as everyone has thought.”
Malena was getting annoyed. “What is it that everyone has thought? And do not give me an answer in a riddle; I tire of your little games wizard.”
Mordekai smiled. “Everyone has assumed that once they have finished their quest, magic will be restored and life will continue. I know your goal is to make magic return chaotic, and it will, don't worry, but the prophecy will not be fulfilled by this one act.”
Mordekai stared at Malena, hoping he had given her enough to think about. “And one more thing, your highness. The next disturbance we will feel will be their group passing through the Void. It would be in your best interest if they were to make it to the school unharmed.” Mordekai looked at Malena with eyes which showed that although he had just revealed more than she had known, he still knew more than he was telling. “I would also be wary of your associate. I fear he does not really want to help you escape. Not anymore.”
He then disappeared into a mist and left Malena sitting on her throne, stunned and confused.
Malena paced nervously. She had been trying for days to get an update on the king, but failed at every attempt. Malena knew it had to be a spell from Gillock, and was quite unnerved he had figured out one of her spies so quickly. It also bothered her that Lakin had not tried to contact her in almost two weeks. The truth was, she had never trusted him, and always assumed he felt the same. It was unfortunate she had to use him, but he was a means to an end. The fact he had not contacted her in so long made her realize, she had been the same to him. It had also been some time since Moray had updated her, but she wasn’t worried about it. He would only contact her if something important happened.
Malena stopped pacing and looked around her throne room. She had designed her castle to look exactly like the one in Keenley, although this throne room was nowhere near as magnificent, or dusty. Some days she wished she had not designed it so closely to the original. The memories would sometimes consume her, but how she longed to be back there. Balls, and servants waiting on her every need. Not like here, where she was required to do everything herself.
“I cannot wait to be free from this prison,” she shouted.
“I'm afraid that will not be for some time, my lady,” said a voice.
Malena looked about, but knew she wouldn’t be able to see the wizard. “Mordekai, what brings you to my humble home?” she asked coyly easing herself into her throne.
“You appear to be agitated, and that brings turmoil to all those in the Void. Is it something I can help with?”
Malena laughed. “Set me free, wizard. Maybe then I will not be so unhappy.”
Mordekai stepped out of the shadows to Malena’s right. “That is not in my power. I have been noticing you have been more content as of late. May I inquire as to why?”
Malena faced the wizard. He was old, wrinkly, almost bald on top and walked with a slight limp. Most would assume he was old and weak and attack him. Malena knew better. He was the most powerful of his order, and not one to be reckoned with. “The prophecy is to be fulfilled, as if you did not know.”
“Ahh,” came his response. “The twins have started their journey, of that I am aware. But know this; the second stage has not yet happened.”
Malena shot up out of her chair. “It has, I saw it myself. Eric betrayed his family.”
“No, he did not. I fear the betrayal has not yet occurred, and when it does occur, the world will not be the same.” Mordekai paused, and seeing how distressed Malena was getting decided to finish his thought. “Don't fret, your highness, it will still come to pass. The twins will finish what they've set out to start, but it may not be as everyone has thought.”
Malena was getting annoyed. “What is it that everyone has thought? And do not give me an answer in a riddle; I tire of your little games wizard.”
Mordekai smiled. “Everyone has assumed that once they have finished their quest, magic will be restored and life will continue. I know your goal is to make magic return chaotic, and it will, don't worry, but the prophecy will not be fulfilled by this one act.”
Mordekai stared at Malena, hoping he had given her enough to think about. “And one more thing, your highness. The next disturbance we will feel will be their group passing through the Void. It would be in your best interest if they were to make it to the school unharmed.” Mordekai looked at Malena with eyes which showed that although he had just revealed more than she had known, he still knew more than he was telling. “I would also be wary of your associate. I fear he does not really want to help you escape. Not anymore.”
He then disappeared into a mist and left Malena sitting on her throne, stunned and confused.