DRAGONQUEEN: RISE OF THE SILVER PHOENIX

Chapter 17 - The Magic Box

Rebecca makes her way out of the courtroom and returns to her bedroom. Elizabeth helps her out of the yellow dress. She dresses in something more comfortable. In her case jeans and a t-shirt.

She decides to repack her duffel bag and get her shirts and jeans washed. She orders Elizabeth to fetch some water and soap. She does not trust the laundry to treat her jeans and shirts with care. For all, she knows it might end up in a fire because they mistook her clothes as a commoner's.

She finds other essentials hidden in pockets inside the duffel bag. The strangest discovery is a small strange box that looks like a double-story office building, complete with a thatched roof. It is no larger than a ring box. When she tries to open it, it didn't budge. It is so detailed she can even see the rain gutter and the fine lines of the brick walls. It even has a garage roller shutter door.

Impressive detail.

She is still trying to open the box when Elizabeth and Rethlabilwe return with the water she asked. She dismisses the African slave with a thank you.

She points her finger to the heap of clothes and soap bar on top and sends a spell at it. The next moment the clothes start to wash themselves.

"Elizabeth, this is a strange little box I found in my duffel bag and I am trying to figure out how to open the darn thing. Have you ever seen anyone use something similar?" Rebecca asks her.

"Sorry, your majesty. I am as mystified by it as you are. Did you try to shake it?" Elizabeth asks.

"I don't think that is a wise idea. See these ruin symbols all over the walls. They mean the miniaturization of objects. But usually, the symbol is smaller and the shape of this box looks more like a brick building than a box. It is so vivid that I can even see the lines that the bricks make. It looks like a storage facility." Rebecca continues to inspect the box in greater detail. She turns it around and stares at the box in wonder. There is an electric generator built into the side of the building box.

"Okay, so this is a building. That means shaking might damage it. That also explains why the miniaturizing spell ruin is so big on it. Usually, with buildings, you also need a key and the key contains the counterspell to return it to its original size," Rebecca wonders.

"What about this metal thingy with the grooves? It's got the same symbol as the box." Elizabeth says as she points at the key dangling from the zipper of the duffel bag.

"That's it! Watch this." She unclips the key and brings it closer to the box. "As I bring the key closer to the door of the building the lock will become bigger." She holds the key close to the door. A flat silver security door lock appears. "This is the right key. I can't open the lock here. If I do it will demolish my room. It has to be somewhere that it can stand without being hindered," says Rebecca.

"What about the terrace? I mean it is big and strong enough for a few dragons to stand on.

"Perfect. Let's go." Rebecca jumps up and heads directly to the terrace. Sure enough, the flat terrace towards the mountainside is big enough and the perfect size for another building.

Rebecca holds up the magic box and brings the key closer. The box floats about one meter from the ground.

She drives the key home into the lock and in the blink of an eye a brick storage building stands in front of her. She turns the key and the door lock clicks open. The generator hums to life. She walks towards it to investigate.

"Wow! It's a rune generator! They are very expensive and extremely useful." Rebecca exclaims in total awe.

"Forgive me your majesty, but what is this rune generator?" Elizabeth asks.