Rodrigo Zacara and the Mirror of Power

5. Garador Fortress

Rodrigo couldn't tear his gaze away from the furious sea that struck the high pillars with all its might. Despite the ground on which they walked being very solid, he didn't feel particularly safe crossing a bridge that had appeared from nowhere. He couldn't help but think it could disappear as fast as it had appeared, resulting in them falling into the sea. Fortunately, that didn't happen and, when there were just a few metres left of the bridge to cover before reaching the fortress, he heard a creaking noise and the large iron gate began to slowly open. Now that he was nearer the fortress, Rodrigo could better observe the banners that waved above the entranceway. They were dark red in colour and upon them in the centre was a golden dragon raising its claws.

'Where did this castle come from?' Oliver asked.

'It's been here for hundreds of years but no one can see it,' Adara explained. 'When Arakaz began to become more powerful, King Garad protected it by hiding it with a spell. You can only see it if those inside the castle decide to open the gate.'

Next to the gate, two men were waiting. They were dressed in red tunics with a golden dragon sewn on the front, just like the banners flying above their heads.

'We were worried about you, Adara,' one of them said. He was tall and had wavy brown hair that reached his shoulders.

'I had to follow them for quite some distance,' she replied. 'They tried hard to lose me and they almost managed it. They were very clever.'

'Maybe your abilities are waning, Adara,' the other joked.

'My abilities remain intact, dear Aldair,' she responded with a defiant smile. 'Would you like me to show you?'

'Well,' the man laughed. 'I'd love to.'

With a movement so quick Rodrigo almost didn't notice it, Adara had removed the man's sword that was hanging from his belt and, before he knew it, she had the man frozen to the spot as she grazed his face with the sword's blade.

'I reckon I should cut out your tongue from that big mouth you have,' Adara said. 'You're lucky I'm here with guests today. It would be impolite of me to make them wait.'

With that, Adara returned the sword to the man, smiling, and guided the four of them towards a stone path surrounded by gardens.

'Aldair likes to brag and sometimes you have to take him down a peg or two but really he has a kind heart,' she said. 'Now I'm going to take you to Balkar's study. Balkar is the Grand Master of our order.'

The huge exterior wall was left behind as they neared what appeared to be the main part of the castle: an impressive, rectangular building covered with large windows and surrounded by tall towers with pointed roofs, like upside-down cones. Adara ushered them through a large door which was open and free of guards, and they found themselves in an interior stone courtyard surrounded by columns. They continued on their way, crossing the courtyard, but they were forced to stop in the middle as a group of girls and boys were practising archery.

'Come on, kids. Lower your bows. What are you waiting for?' ordered a rather slim man with very tanned skin. 'Good morning, Adara and company. Welcome to Garador Fortress.'

Adara returned his greeting and continued on her way as soon as the children had lowered their bows. Rodrigo and his friends followed her but, when he passed in front of a boy with straight, shiny hair that was brown in colour the boy lifted his bow and aimed it at Rodrigo, who couldn't help but jump before he noticed the boy didn't have an arrow. The boy started laughing while Rodrigo turned red with rage.