The Twelfth Scepter

By Ephie Risho

In a race against time, the fate of the world rests on the shoulders of a group of young elementalists. With the malevolent White Queen on the verge of obtaining unimaginable power, the brave heroes must band together to thwart her evil plan. But as they face impossible challenges and formidable foes, they realize the task is far more daunting t

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Elementalists
• Release date: Nov 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9798989486519

Ephie Risho

Ephie (dad) has been writing his whole life. Inspired by his sixth-grade teacher to write a story every week, he enrolled in the writing program at his undergrad and has been writing ever since. He loves the outdoors, music, and opportunities to tell stories. He lives in beautiful Bozeman, Montana, where he works in software development and is active in various community groups.

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1

The Plant Scepter

Standing on the bridge of The Amarona, Zana felt a prick on the back of her neck. She instinctively drew her wand as she stared into the deep sky, the wispy clouds revealing nothing.

With a single raised finger, the elven elder signaled to Amora, the navigator at the helm. Ready the crew.

Fifteen elves atop the elegant seventy-foot floating Brigantine vessel moved quietly and vigorously, first lowering the two great sails and then readying the four ballistae—two on each side, with giant arrows pointed at potential targets from any direction. Others notched arrows in sleek, black, short bows.

And then, silence.

Zana slowly pulled an elegant wooden scepter from her belt, holding it and her wand at the ready. Two years of complacency, she thought. Two years, and now . . . what? She pointed the wand and whispered with force, Illuminado!

Instantly, she was in action. We’re surrounded! Elves, to your dracos. There are at least six of them.

Four elves bounded to the dragon-like flying lizards tied to posts in the center of the ship. In fluid motions, they leaped on, released the clasps holding their steeds in place, and flew up into the clouds.

Simultaneously, the tip of Zana’s scepter glowed bright silver as tiny, branched trees lining the entire perimeter of the ship grew into a protective shield.

Then the attack came.

From the starboard side, a spell of stunning. From the port side of the ship, a giant spider’s web impacted the growing branches. From the bow, a freezing blast of ice filtered through, sending elves reeling. And from the stern, a gigantic yellow dragon materialized.

The force of the attack was intense, with elves either staggering to the deck or running about frantically. Some had the wherewithal to shoot off ballista arrows as their foes came into view. One elf was partly encased in ice and toppled.

Seven wizards approached from all sides: six riding on hippogriffs, one on a pegasus. A draco with an elf atop dove at one of the wizards and was engulfed in a fireball, sending them to their deaths far below. Another draco dove at the woman on a pegasus but was repelled off by an invisible force field and sent spiraling into the clouds.

When the third draco flew toward a blue elf, a blast of ice froze them solid. The fourth draco held back, hovering in the clouds as the elf riding it shot arrows at the wizards below.

Zana gripped her scepter and strained to hold the wall of protective plants in place. But, ever so slowly, the walls began closing in on the elves. Zana clenched her jaw and willed her strength into it, but the plants were succumbing to a stronger force, calling them in another direction.

Elves scrambled. Those who weren’t stunned manned ballistae or sent arrows at their attackers. At that, the yellow dragon arose and sent the ship rocking. It ripped into the banister and the makeshift protective wall, effortlessly shattering the wood.

Zana eyed the woman dressed all in white, riding on the white pegasus. The White Queen. Her worst enemy, who had killed her brother nearly two hundred years earlier and had imprisoned her friend Sage. She was the world’s most powerful plant elementalist, a master of mind control spells, and she was after Zana’s scepter. She firmed her resolve. That couldn’t happen.

With the attackers closing in, Zana played out a dozen possibilities in her mind. The elves were underpowered. By a lot. Her scepter would be useless against the White Queen, with her incredible power over plants. Tightening the grip on her wand, she said, Obscuro!

A thick darkness flooded the ship. As Zana spoke another command—Helios!—she vaporized, turning into gas and floating to safety to view the attack from above.

Undaunted, the attackers fell on the ship with vehemence. The White Queen transformed the elves’ protective line of trees into entwining vines that snaked toward the elves.

When the White Queen drew closer to board, two arrows flew straight and true toward her heart—but immediately bounced off her force field and spiraled hopelessly downward, lost in the clouds below.

A wiry old wizard on a hippogriff lifted a scepter with a red gem in its tip and sent a fireball, engulfing the area where the arrows had launched from, killing the elves instantly.

I could use a little light, the queen said as she landed on the deck. Kirsten!

A teenager hovered close on her hippogriff, wand at the ready. Reverso! she said forcefully, and the darkness dissipated. Kirsten’s face lit up in delight.

Nicely done. Ryder, the other teenager among the wizards, clenched the tall scepter in his hand.

Now able to see, the yellow dragon squashed an elf and sent another overboard. An elf on the port side sunk an arrow into the leg of the old wizard with the fireball scepter. He quickly sent a fireball killing her and lighting up the vines. Another elf shot at Kirsten, but Ryder flew in front of the arrow at that precise moment and blocked it with his scepter.

Kirsten turned to the elf who’d attacked her: Disrupto! The vines exploded, sending spiky shards into the elf, who slumped to the deck.

Hold! the White Queen said with a raised hand as she dismounted. She peered around the ship. Where is Zana?

Two elves tried to sneak up behind her, but the blue elf was hovering behind them on a hippogriff and threw two ice javelins at once, piercing them through. Vines grew and constricted the remaining elves till they couldn’t move.

The White Queen twirled, eyes flashing, then pointed her wand at the clouds and said, Illuminado!

She turned slowly in a circle, wand at the ready. There! She pointed. A wisp of yellowish vapor hung among the clouds, not quite fitting in. Obo, if you will.

The blue elf lifted a wand from his belt and said, Ventus!

A gust of wind blew the cloud-like vapor back to the ship. A wizard hovering at the rear of the ship wearing all dark leathers said, Illusio! and a box appeared out of thin air, encasing the wispy vapor.

The White Queen folded her arms confidently. Come now, Zana. How many more of your crew must die because of your arrogance? Admit defeat, hand over the scepter, and whoever is left alive shall live another day.

She glanced around the ship. Although, I suppose there aren’t many of you left, from the look of it.

The ship was silent. As they waited, the yellow dragon dissolved out of existence at the snap of a finger from the woman in black leathers.

Thank you, Yerba, the White Queen said with an approving look. That thing was exceedingly large for this ship.

Finally, Zana shifted back into her form. The box dissolved as she stood—chin held high—before the White Queen.

The elder was a full foot shorter than the human queen, but of equal stature. They stood facing each other in silence, eyeing the other up and down.

Ryder, the handsome eighteen-year-old, walked up next to her, his Green Scepter’s gemstone glowing. He smirked at the elf, nodded to the White Queen, and stepped back.

As Zana watched the tall young man move back confidently, the reality of defeat sunk in. With power to see into the future, the scepter gave him enough edge to see every possibility. She broke the silence. Laticia. I see you are still pursuing this useless quest of yours.

The White Queen shrugged. We could always use more wizards if you’d like to join. Look around. We have elves among our numbers.

Zana sighed as she glanced at the blue elf. Maliko, your daughter would not be proud of you today.

The blue elf’s eyes blazed. You know nothing! You proud Conclave members with your high-and-mighty ways. You sit back and do nothing as our people are dying! Ours is a path with an answer—a possibility at least. What do you have? Nothing! You sit by idly and watch the world pass by. And the name’s now Obo.

Chapter 1

Zana considered him for a moment, then gestured at Ryder and the other teenager who was hovering nearby. You are recruiting younger now, I see.

Laticia cocked her head. Young but capable. I believe you know Amber, descendant of Rose. This is her sister Kirsten, and Ryder is one of her dear friends. There’s room for everyone with us. Even for you. And if you do join us, you wouldn’t have to lose your scepter.

The elder glanced down at her tightly held scepter that could control plants. She quickly considered if she could regain control of the plants on the ship and fight back. But the White Queen’s power over plants was the stuff of legends, and with six more wizards to back her up, including the Green Scepter, it would be a futile fight.

She lightened her grasp and took four steps, handing it to the White Queen. Do as you promised and let my remaining crew live.

Laticia gave a terse nod. By all means. And you, as well, can live. Perhaps with some time to think things over, you may reconsider. You know where I live.

As Laticia turned to mount her pegasus, Zana called out, Please, would you at least clear the plants and free my crew? Without the scepter, it would take me weeks.

The White Queen smirked. Always the negotiator.

The plants shriveled up and cleared the deck, even as the seven wizards flapped away into the clouds and disappeared.

Zana stood, mind racing. A full minute after they were gone, she blinked back and focused on her surroundings. How many had survived?

A quick search around the ship proved more distressing. She found Rubin, a quiet and steadfast worker who had been confused for most of the fight and knocked unconscious by a plant. After rousing him, Zana breathed in relief when they came upon Amora, the ship’s navigator and an indispensable crew member, who was only slightly injured. All the rest on board were dead. But two of the draco riders—Hana and Domo—eventually returned.

The five of them worked hard to clean up the ship. Some of the damage would take weeks to repair without magic. Eight bodies were stacked neatly on the starboard side, the two dracos eyeing them with suspicious glances. It took nearly two hours to give them all a proper burning ceremony and to say their goodbyes.

When they had finished, Zana assembled them. Eyeing them over with compassion, she breathed deeply and began. I know you want to return home. But after two long years of quiet, I fear time may be pressing quickly. I must warn Sage and the elementalists.

The elves gave each other sideways glances. Yes, my son Azarel is among them. They may need our help now. Let us commit a few weeks to aiding them. If the wizards are on the move again, we all must work to find out what they’re up to and stop them.

She turned to look at the clouds. The White Queen has most of the scepters now. But they are still stoppable. It’s not too late. That is . . . if Sage has been using these last two years to train the elementalists well. Let us hope he has. For if the prophecy is now being fulfilled, they will be the only ones capable of stopping that evil queen. It is now time for them to face their destiny. Let us hope they have taken this time to train with all their most sincere, devout, and serious attention. The whole world is counting on them.

2

The Enchanted Scroll

Basil let out such an enormous belch , it echoed off the mountains. Theo patted his back. "Now that is what I’m talking about! See? All your training has paid off."

The lanky youth grinned and proudly brushed his shirt with his knuckles as he stood, as if giving a formal speech to the others at the table. Thank you. Thank you. But I have to give some of the credit to great Pludgious Filibert the Third, without whom, and his incredible cooking, I would be a simple novice, a poor fool with no hope for such recognition.

Here! Here! Theo said, banging his mug on the table.

The others clapped. A hairy satyr with curling goat horns and a wild beard gave a nod of acknowledgement. Only the best for my young elementalists. You’ve saved me, saved my people, and saved the greatest of all wizards, Sage. He gave a flourish toward the old wizard sitting at the end of the long table, fat jiggling on his belly as he moved.

But . . . He raised a finger and nine sets of eyes turned on him. The greatest belch of all time is a story that is legendary among satyrs and passed down from generation to generation. The belch that slayed the evil ogre of Harleton!

Ha! Basil slapped his side and sat down. Now this I’ve got to hear.

Sage stood. If you’ll excuse me. He strode from the table toward the great lookout tower nearby, the only original building from when they’d arrived just over two years earlier.

Amber saw the old wizard’s wrought eyes and rushed after him as the jovial satyr began yet another of his stories.

Sage! Wait. The fifteen-year-old caught up to him and walked by his side. What is it? Over the last two years of training with him, she’d learned to pay attention to not just what the wise man said but what he didn’t say.

The old man cocked his head as they strolled, gazing toward the distant mountains. From their vantage point, they could see many mountains in most directions. What would you say you’ve learned most from your training these last two years?

Amber wobbled her head. Oh, all sorts of things. How to work well as a team. How to control my powers. I’ve certainly pushed the limits of what I used to be able to do. And I’ve even won a few of the competitions.

The wizard peered at her as if expecting more, so she went on. And . . . um . . . we built this incredible camp together. That was a feat in and of itself. Do you think we’re ready to take on the wizards?

Ready? Sage scoffed. Laticia has over two hundred years of experience. And others in her group just as much. In all your training with each other, you elementalists keep holding back. You don’t want to hurt each other. I get it, but Laticia and her ilk won’t have any restraint. You all need something more. His eyes grew wistful. What exactly it is, I still haven’t been able to pinpoint, even over these last two years.

Amber frowned. But Sage, I can sense plants from miles away now. And I can even control them at that kind of distance.

He pursed his lips and gave her a slow shake of the head. And at what cost? Show me. Control a tree on the next mountain.

Amber closed her eyes and focused. For all her bravado, it still took her great effort to find the connection between the plants through the fungus and roots. But this area, with its nearby aspen grove, was a bit easier. Aspens were all connected, and it gave her a pathway to the ravine. She found her way up the mountain to a tall pine tree, which she made wave its branches at them.

But the process was burdensome. Every mile she traversed in her spirit felt like a squeezing of her lungs and she felt like coughing. Something trickled down her nose and she wiped it, then looked at her finger.

Blood.

She furrowed her brow and looked into her mentor’s eyes. He grew soft and lifted his hand toward the far mountain. I do see the tree waving. Good work, Amber. But you see what I mean. Look at you. You’re a wreck. And that took you nearly a minute. You won’t have that kind of time when you confront Laticia. She’s been practicing her plant elemental powers for centuries. Not to mention all her mind-control spells.

Amber glanced at the intricate band on her left arm. At least I have protection from that. The armband had saved her a couple of times now, repelling any spell cast upon her.

Hmph. Sage turned to see a four-foot-six red-tinted elf standing before him. Azarel, what is it?

The elf gestured to the grand camp around them. I only wonder what our training will be today.

The wizard gazed at the camp, lost in thought. Three years earlier, when Amber, Basil, and Theo had first found Sage atop that mountain far from other civilization, the only building had been his well-designed, six-sided lookout tower with enormous windows, two floors, and a ladder leading up to it from the middle. Now, the camp resembled a mixture of human, elf, and dwarven deluxe living: well-constructed tree homes, cavernous training chambers, a frequently updated kitchen with both indoor and outdoor capabilities, and even a hot tub and shower system.

All had been designed and built by the six elementalists, working together, each bringing their own powers. Azarel had brought in fire, helping perfect the hot water systems and the deluxe culinary contraptions. Amber, with her ability with trees and plants, had done the bulk of the work creating buildings. She’d particularly enjoyed tapping into her memory to mimic elven tree homes. Azarel and Mizu, the two elves in their group, had helped her tremendously.

Mizu’s power over water had ensured they would always have a fresh spring of drinkable water available, one that gently bubbled up and also took away wastewater without any stink. Flurry, the pixie, had been most integral with her earth powers building the underwater chambers, the stability walls, and in working with Azarel, under Sage’s guidance, to create glass windows. Basil’s air powers and Theo’s animal powers had helped with the construction process. Basil was getting especially good at lifting things with more and more precision; Theo had called in all sorts of animals to help carry and hold items.

Over the last two years, since they’d rescued Sage from the White Queen’s prison, his camp had become their home and launching point for all the training he threw their way. All but Flurry lived there—she had a fairy ring and home in a tree Amber had helped her create a few hundred yards into the forest.

Sage viewed the camp, considering the targets, obstacle courses, and the entrance to the underground training facility. Then he turned to Azarel. The last competition I had you all do . . . you won. Did you learn anything from it?

Azarel chuckled. Only that everyone’s greatest efforts were silly when I could just sit by the finish line and steal the phoenix feather from Basil. Strategy wins over effort, yet again.

Indeed. Sage shook his head. And you’ve already learned that time and time again. And the others still haven’t learned how to defeat your simple tactics. He glanced at Amber, who took a sudden keen interest in her boots.

There is one method of training I haven’t done yet with you. Perhaps it is time.

Sage’s eyes fluttered shut for a moment, glazed over white and then came back into focus. Ah! Something is afoot! He brightened. Come.

He strode back to the table with the others and cleared his throat. "Attention, everyone. We have visitors. Zana returns with The Amarona, accompanied by dwarves riding griffins."

Visitors, you say? Shall I prepare a feast? Pludgious grinned, eyes wide.

Basil chuckled and gestured to the table with the remains of a scrumptious venison stew. But we just feasted!

The satyr looked indignant. "Yes. Yes. But that was lunch. Dinner, my dear lad, is a far more important meal and may take hours to get right. That ship holds over a dozen elves. And dwarves! You know their appetites. I’ll want to make sure there’s enough food. Amber! I’ll be needing some help with growing."

Sage waved him off. Go prepare, Pludgious. But leave Amber with us for now. The satyr scampered off to the kitchen, taking some dishes with him, and Sage focused again. Yes. It’s three dwarves on griffins who fly with her.

Soon enough, the floating elven ship came into view. At seventy feet long, its white body gracefully cut through the air, sails full as it rounded the trees and approached the clearing. Three griffins with dwarven riders soared ahead of it toward the lawn. The griffins had powerful bodies with lion hind quarters and eagle front halves. They landed, their eagle talons tearing up the soil, and tucked their enormous wings into their bodies tightly.

Amber’s eyes lit up. Kish! What are you doing here?

The bearded dwarf gave a big grin and waved. He dismounted, stretched, and walked over to her, the other two dwarves following close behind. The dwarves were about the same height as the elves—between four-foot and four-foot-six—but were incredibly stocky. The two men had bushy beards, and the woman had long brown braids. All three were decked out in light dwarven chainmail and an assortment of weapons.

Kish opened his arms and Amber ran in for a hug. Ah, lassie. I be looking for you for years now. When we saw the elven ship, we finally be learning your whereabouts. It be so good to see you.

Pludgious called from the open-air kitchen. Where are your manners, child? Please, everyone, come sit down at the table. I’m brewing a perfect afternoon tea at this very moment. You must regale us with your tales properly.

Kish cocked his head. That be sounding delightful. Thank you, satyr.

The name’s Pludgious Filibert the Third!

Kish said quietly to Amber. You be having your hands full with that one.

They laughed and everyone cleared the table and sat down, as the weathered dwarf began recounting his story. Over two years ago we be attacked by the White Queen with an army of goblins and ogres in the dead of night. They came with thousands of goblins and war machines capable of destroying our entire mountain city. We fought off the goblins. But . . . he gestured to the other bushy-faced dwarf next to him, Gando here be the one who wielded our lightning scepter. I believe the whole attack to be a decoy to steal it.

Were they successful? Theo asked.

Aye. Kish took a sip of tea, and his eyes grew wide. This tea be delightful, satyr.

The name’s Pludgious Filibert the Third!

Kish chuckled. Stolen by gargoyles, it was. But Gando was attacked by one of the White Queen’s vicious mind spells. Thought the scepter was burning his hands and dropped it. Then got all confused. How can dwarves like us with so little magic stand up to a powerful wizard like that?

Not easily, Sage said, grim-faced. Gando, I can see you have mana potential. You can use a scepter, which is unusual for a dwarf. I’d like to see what you’re capable of.

Gando nodded. But of course, old one.

Kish continued. Oh, Amber. We went to find you right away but had no way of knowing where you were. Over the last years, different groups of us have set out time and again, visiting some of your great human cities, like Lugo, looking for messages.

Amber was taken aback. All to find me? But why?

Kish shook his head. You and your group be the only ones we know who stood up to the White Queen and won.

We hardly won, Basil said, scowling. We survived and got away.

Better than we be faring, Kish replied. As I be saying, you should be knowing that on our last trip through Lugo a month ago, a group of four bounty hunters were looking for you. He pointed at Amber.

Me? Amber’s face paled.

Yes. I did speak with them. It would appear they be enlisted from across the sea by an emperor to find you at all costs.

Oh dear. I was afraid something like that might happen. Amber fidgeted with her fingers. Two years earlier she’d stolen the most prized possession from Emperor Malum of Huxley far across the sea: the Dragon Horn, ancient dragon magic that could turn anyone within earshot into an ally. With an empire of millions of people and vast resources, he was certain to track her down. And then what? She’d gotten rid of the Dragon Horn when they’d traded it to the Kraken. It was at the bottom of the sea now.

She pulled a hair strand nervously. Describe the bounty hunters.

Kish sighed. All four be daunting. An old powerful wizard. An intimidating swordsman. A formidable woman with an electric whip. And a mysterious wolf-person assassin. But stay clear of Lugo, and you be fine.

Fine . . . Amber echoed, sullen.

Kish shrugged. They be impressive, no doubt, but not like the White Queen. She be the real one we need to look out for and the reason I be coming to find you.

As the elven ship hovered to a stop, two small dragon-like flying lizards leaped off, carrying four elves. They glided in a single loop, then landed gracefully in the clearing. Zana dismounted from behind another silver elf and strode over.

Although she was Azarel’s mother, the pale elf bore little resemblance to her fiery young son. She stood tall and elegant, clad in spotless white clothing that matched her silver appearance. She spoke in a sing-song voice like all elves whenever they spoke the human tongue. The White Queen has attacked.

What? When? Theo edged forward nervously.

Zana solemnly lowered her head. It has been over two years since anyone has had sight of her. And then, two days ago, she and a band of six other wizards surrounded my ship, killing most of my crew and stealing my scepter.

Another scepter gone! Theo wrung his hands.

And the crew, Azarel said, his eyes glowing with fiery rage. Portial?

Dead, Zana said, stone-faced.

Azarel breathed deeply with such intensity everyone took a step back from the heat he emanated.

Theo smacked his hands together. "Wait! You said there were seven wizards? The last time we tallied them, there were only six."

Zana shrugged and counted on her fingers as she listed them. The White Queen. Your father, Mizu. Two older men. Yerba, who was Sage’s captor. And two teenagers, one of whom holds the Green Scepter, which can see into the future.

Two? Theo grew nervous. More than Ryder?

Zana glanced at Amber. The Queen mentioned it was your sister—Kirsten.

Amber’s face grew pale. What? The last time I visited home, my parents said she was off with friends working for a greater cause, just like me! Her voice trailed off, and her eyes began to enlarge.

Theo sighed. If she’s bought into whatever it is that convinced Ryder to join that evil bunch, maybe she does think it’s somehow greater.

Amber slunk down and wrung her hands. How could this be happening? Her sister was always the calculating, quiet one, with good sense, unlike her brother Patrick. The last time they’d talked, Kirsten had said she was happy to stay home. Now, she’d been out of the house for two years? Two years of that White Queen’s mind-controlling influence.

She tasted bitterness, and her stomach clenched. What would she do if she had to fight against her own sister? Or Ryder, for that matter? No. She couldn’t imagine either of them confronting her. But what about her friends? As she glanced at everyone, the pit in her stomach ached.

Theo turned. Sage, what should we do? Is it possible to steal back the Green Scepter from Ryder?

The old wizard leaned forward. The Green Scepter does see into the future, but it gives glimpses and possibilities only. It can still be defeated—it has been time and again over the centuries, especially when its holder grows overly confident. I believe our best hope lies in our pixie friends. Their scrying mirror can give us a glimpse into the others’ plans so we know how to act. Speaking of which, I’ve got good news.

He pulled out a rolled-up parchment from his billowy yellow shirt’s inner pocket. As many of you know, before sending the other pixies home, I enchanted a parchment to duplicate itself. It actually was quite clever. I was trying to figure out how to keep in communication with them from a distance. This parchment is really one and the same as the one I gave the pixies. When one is written upon, the other shows the same content. I told them that when they arrive at the mana tower with the mirror, they are to write us any updates from the wizards. Today, that happened.

Everyone leaned in eagerly as he unrolled the parchment on the table.

Ingenious, I know, he said, his chest extended. One of a kind. Came up with the idea myself. Now, let’s see. Since it’s only one piece of parchment, I’d asked them to keep it small and brief. Although I hadn’t quite imagined it to be so small.

He squinted at the text. Those closest gathered around to look, but with the pixies’ minuscule handwriting, none of them could read it.

Read it aloud, Sage, Amber urged.

Goodness. It’s so tiny. What on earth are those pixies thinking by writing so small?

Basil smirked. You did ask them to.

Theo chuckled with him as Sage pulled out a pair of spectacles from another of his countless hidden pockets and followed the words with his finger. The wizards are busy. They are gathering in the northern palace and have been assembling an army of human soldiers down the coast in Westerlye. He took his glasses off and smiled. See, isn’t that helpful?

Theo’s face grew pale. It doesn’t help at all!

Sage steeled them with a serious eye. Your time of training appears to be growing short. But be not dismayed. There is still time. We will watch the scroll carefully, hourly even, to ensure we can respond in a timely fashion. In the meantime, Zana, you and I must discuss the next step in their training. How much time do we have? I know not. Except that Laticia, after two years of apparent waiting, is now on the move. So we must choose your next challenge well. It may be your last.

Five of the six young elementalists had downcast eyes—with the exception of Azarel, who was quietly calculating.

Sage saw their expressions and softened. Enjoy this afternoon. Tomorrow, Zana and I will have individual plans laid out for each of you. We cannot let Laticia succeed in her mission. She obviously cares not for lives, whether elven or human. They’re all expendable in her quest. Up till now, we’ve had no way of knowing what exactly her plans are. However, with the enchanted scroll and the pixies’ mirror, for the first time in two years, we have an edge. And . . . they don’t know about it yet. Let us be strong and use this to our advantage. Laticia is the most calculating adversary you will ever face. This time cannot be wasted. It must not.

3

Training

Sage sat cross-legged , wearing a serious frown and muttering to himself as Zana and the six youths sat silently on the grass, watching him patiently. Theo looked longingly at the luxurious chairs next to the fire pit nearby. He glanced at the ornately patterned white shirt he was wearing and hoped it wouldn’t get dirty from sitting on the ground.

Even with all the options for lessons, none of them knew why Sage insisted they sit on the grass. Much like every other time, no one questioned him. The kitchen walls were open, since it was a beautiful day, and inside Pludgious was puttering about. The other two humans sat at a table playing Castles, with Gando watching, while Kish and Charis practiced throwing hatchets at a target.

Elemental power is different than any other type of magic, Sage began. The power comes from within, but it also comes from beyond, in the world around you. Look at this leaf.

He reached down and held up a dead brown leaf from the last season. It’s lifeless. Amber, do you sense the ability to control it?

She shook her head. No.

How about this grass? He plucked some fresh grass from the field and held it up for all to see. The grass formed into a small creature, then crawled out of his fingers and onto his hand.

Exactly. By tomorrow, it may be dead, but for now, the life is in it, which means it responds to you. So, you see, you must first tap deeply into the powers within yourselves and then reach out to the life existing in the world around you. The plants are the easiest to explain, but water is the same. Mizu, is all water easy to control, or have you found some water to be harder?

Yes, the elf replied. Water that is in motion, even in a small pond, has vitality and responds instantly. If water sits too long, it grows stale, and that is harder to work with. But I have found that it also can be revitalized.

Indeed. The wizard brushed his hands together, sending the grass pieces into the wind. Each of your powers behaves the same way. And once you’ve found that pulse of life, you should be able to use your powers just as you would walking or chewing your food with little thought and effort. Right now, all five of you expend far more effort than you need to. You’d think animals are the most obvious, but even you, Theo, have yet to tap into other creatures the way I’ve seen animal elementalists do in the past.

What do you mean? Theo asked.

Sage gazed up at a passing cloud, searching his memory. I once saw an animal elementalist heal a dog that only had three legs. She was so in tune with it, she poured her power into it to make it whole, and the leg restored.

Theo’s eyes bulged. Seriously?

Yes. But not every elementalist has the same specialty. Each has their own flavor. Let me try to explain another way. Sage brushed his hands together. You are limited by your own imagination. When you have mastered the art, you can perform it like a musician who doesn’t need written music. In fact, sheet music would be a hindrance to them creating their own masterpiece. You each have a masterpiece of your own specialty brewing inside. You need to find it. And when it comes forth, it will delight the world in ways no one could have predicted.

Azarel frowned. But how do we do that? It took me a decade to learn to create fire from the air—and so much effort and concentration. How could I do as you say without the same level of effort?

Yes. Yes. It requires effort up front, but once you’ve learned how, you can sense deeper. Azarel, what was the moment you learned to create fire from air? Explain it so we can all understand.

The red-tinted elf sat in thought for a moment. "I had been creating fire from a spark . . . and then there was one day where I created the fire before the spark happened. It was a split second before, but I knew it was different. I anticipated the spark. I knew it was coming and created the fire as if it were there already, but it was a shift. I somehow sensed the power in the air itself. I