THE ENCHANTED GROVE

Confession

The wizard's words replayed in my mind. There was something else wrong with my village and even that region.

What's wrong? Does it have something to do with my father's death and the death of those two.

I needed to know the truth. I fell back on the floor contemplating what to do next. Galdor stood still looking at the mirror which was charging with the sun while Ju-Ju climbed onto my shoulder.

The heat from the sun scorched my skin but I paid little attention. Silence hung in the air and my eyes hurt from crying.

We remained in that position for a while before Galdor walked to the the tree and once again entered it. He came back this time with a folded map.

He unfolded the map and it was as huge as a mat. It was twice as dusty as the book and I coughed and sneezed as it choked me.

" You'll need to find the truth to save your village as soon as possible. There was a prophecy that this was bound to happen. I saw it in one of my books with this folded map tucked into it. Finally the day as come. Lyra, you must be the savior of Aquaridge. "

I felt motivated by his what he said and stood up. I went to where he was standing in front of the tree and collected the dusty map from his hands while covering my nose and mouth with my other hand to prevent the dust from entering my nostrils.

I looked into the map and saw a lot of interesting places.

" The red dot you're seeing on the map is your location. You're still at the starting point and it says you have to make it within 30 days and you have spent 5 days already. You have to be very quick. " He explained pointing at the red dot on the huge map.

" But how I am supposed to pass through quickly? "

" That what makes this map even more useful. It can fly. All you have to do is sit on it and use this green marker to mark where you're going next. The map is friendly so when you sit on it, it'll take you on a ride. " He gave me the green marker and I admired it.

I placed the map on the floor and sat on it. I waited and waited and it didn't make me fly as Galdor said it would.

After a while of wait. It threw me on the ground and returned to it's folded state.
I tried to get back on it but it refused to let me. The map had a mind of it's own and for some reason, it refused to let me on it.

" I thought since you were a child you couldn't have done something so wrong. This map only lets pure hearted people on it. " Galdor picked the map up and his tone felt as if he was disappointed.

" What? I... Didn't do anything! " I once again defended myself. Ju-Ju had the ' I knew it' expression on it's face. He left my shoulder and ran to Galdor's.

" Just come clean. I sensed it from you but didn't want to jump to conclusion. " Galdor was already suspicious of me and I stepped back a little with my shaky legs.

" Okay... I..." I couldn't even complete my sentence. I felt very guilty and frustrated. I thought I could get away with stealing the mirror.

" I stole the mirror of vision from Viperis! " I told them the truth and was prepared to run away If they tried attacking me. But they surprisingly didn't.

" Don't worry. You should have been honest with them even if they wouldn't give you. It's their special object and as been with them for hundreds of years. " Galdor's voice was calm and he didn't appear to be angry.

" What should I do now? The map won't let me on it. " I had fallen to my knees and bowed my head in shame.

" Don't worry. The mirror should have charged by now. Just call Viperis. " Galdor didn't seem to know how those words echoed in my ear.

I remembered Viperis rage and the way he spit out venom when he was angry. But there was no way he could come and get me. The key was still with me and the get was permanently locked.

But I couldn't underestimate him. I weighed my options. If I didn't tell him the truth the stupid map won't let me on it. And if I told him I'd be crushed with guilt and he might harm me.

The best option was the hardest. I had to tell him and continue with my journey as quickly as possible. Time was going and it was already afternoon.

I picked up the mirror with my shaky hands and I had memorized all the spells for the mirror. I chanted it and mentioned Viperis' name. It opened and I saw the terrifying snake.

Bushytail was by his side and the palace was in ruins. He must have gotten angry again and burnt the entire place.

" You! " He finally said after a long moment of silence. His hissing voice echoed in my ears.

"I... I am sorry. " I had already said that before I realized how stupid it was to say sorry at that moment because it just made him more angry.

" Viperis, calm down. You have already caused enough damage to the city. " Bushytail tried to get him to calm down.

" I hate people like you. "

I looked back and Galdor and Ju-Ju had an expressionless emotion on their faces.

" I am so sorry Viperis for taking the mirror. I needed it and I thought you wouldn't hand it over to me because of how precious it is to your kingdom. " Pleading seemed to be the only way.

I need the mirror more than you anyways.

" It is true that I wouldn't have given you the mirror. Lyra, take care of it and bring it back safely. " I couldn't believe what I heard. He was calm already.

" But I would have been been happy to kill you If there was a way I could get into that stupid enchanted grove!!!" Or maybe not. I was right, they couldn't do anything to me without the key.

I was relieved and folded the mirror.

" Now that I have confessed, will the map let me on it? " I was already walking towards Ju-Ju and Galdor who was with the map. I wondered if they were still suspicious of me but I didn't want to have any extra problems.

The map was unfolded and I sat on it. It took me up and flew around. I could feel the breeze and it was hot all the same. The ride was very enjoyable and I saw the tree from the top. The enchanted grove was even more beautiful from the top.

With the mirror of vision and this flying map, I am good to go.