Rodrigo Zacara and the Mirror of Power

16. The Mirror's Revelation

Rodrigo, Oliver, Darion and Aisha crowded around Vega, anxious to hear what she'd discovered.

'I just remembered!' she said excitedly. 'Irdun is the city Arakaz attacked, burning it to the ground. Erold told us about it in our history class.'

'Sounds familiar,' said Oliver, 'but what does Adara's message have to do with the battles of old Methuselah?'

'Don't you see?' Rodrigo interrupted. 'Erold said that the flames still burn among the ruins of that city. Irdun is the place where fire never cedes! That's where the Mirror of Power will appear!'

'And if Irdun is the first word, the second starts with "equi-,"' Vega smiled. 'Let's see if you can guess what it is.'

'Equi... equi... I don't know. Give us a clue!' said Aisha.

'Or better yet, just tell us!' Oliver complained.

'I'll give you a clue,' Vega said. 'What day is it today?'

Nobody knew what to say for a moment. Then, suddenly, Aisha worked it out.

'The equinox!'

'Exactly,' Vega confirmed. '"The day when darkness begins to recede." As of today, the nights become shorter than the days.'

'So the Mirror of Power will appear today in the ruins of Irdun!' Rodrigo exclaimed. 'That's what Adara was trying to tell us!'

'We need to tell Balkar right now!' Darion said.

The five of them hurried to find the grand master, who was dancing with Lady Iradis. He didn't notice them until he almost bumped into Rodrigo.

'Excuse me, Sir Balkar, but we need to speak to you. It's urgent.'

'Well, I am sure it can wait until the end of this dance, can it not, young man?'

'It's about Adara's message, sir,' Rodrigo said carefully. 'We've worked out what she wanted to tell us.'

The grand master stopped suddenly.

'If you would excuse me, Lady Iradis,' he said, bowing before his dance partner. 'I believe I should listen to what these children have to say to me.'

'Of course, Balkar.'

The grand master directed them to a remote corner of the garden.

'How have you worked it out?' he asked. 'Has she woken up?'

'No, but Vega guessed what Irdunequi means,' Rodrigo replied. 'They're the words "Irdun" and "equinox." Irdun is the place where fire never cedes and the equinox is the day when darkness begins to recede.'

'Of course it is!' the grand master cried, his eyes suddenly shining with joy. 'It is obvious now that you say it but even I had not deciphered Adara's message. I do not know what I would do without you, little ones. In just a few weeks you have achieved more than many knights do in their lifetime. If you continue in this manner, there will no longer be sufficient space on your vests in the next few years for all the medals you deserve.'

They laughed shyly and blushed.

'Rodrigo and Oliver, you must prepare yourselves for a trip,' he added. 'Tomorrow, at sunrise, we will search for the Mirror of Power.'

'Shouldn't we leave now?' Oliver asked.

'In reality, the equinox is when day and night are equal. It will be from tomorrow when the days begin to get longer than the nights.'

'We could go now and wait there,' Oliver suggested.

'It would not do to bring attention to ourselves,' said Balkar. 'In fact, I must ask you to refrain from mentioning this subject to anyone. Do not even discuss it among yourselves. We do not know how far the hearing capabilities of the enemy stretch. Act normally until I come looking for you. Try to enjoy the party.'