Memory in the End

Chapter 15: Three Tests

It's been a little over a week since we started hunting for Ivan and no such luck. You would think that someone who controls fire would start at least one unnatural disaster, but apparently not. Regardless, we kept looking, asking around in villages and towns that we passed by but it doesn't seem like Ivan is the kind of person who likes to stay in social places. Since he isn't usually in towns or villages, finding him was going to be extremely difficult. I can already see the boys were losing any will they had to find him.

We stopped at a merchant town, thinking that perhaps the merchants would have seen someone of the sorts. Michael had us all split up and told me to go with Aru. I followed closely to Aru as he asked the various merchants, but none of them knew anything. I wish I had some more of those candies so I could take off my hood but unfortunately, we've used the last of them in the previous towns. Aru was pretty fast, that's why he got the nickname, and keeping up was pretty difficult. Of course, we never stayed in one place long enough for me to tell him to slow down. He went to ask another vendor and I was on my way towards him when someone grabs my hand.

It's an elderly man with gray hair and a matching beard. He's wearing a long dark gray robe and has a wooden staff in his hand with an orb at the very top. His glassy grey eyes look at me and then he speaks, "Arrabella Embertail.".

The name startles me, but I hide my expression behind my hood. "You must have me confused with someone else," I inform him, trying to break out his grip and looking for Aru.

"I wouldn't ever forget an Embertail," he chuckles, "Don't bother, Aru the Quick is far gone.".

"How-"

"How do I know you're with the Five?" He asks, a smile playing on his lips, "I know what's happening in the kingdom and that the Five would be your only hope. Except, you're not having luck with finding Ivan...is that right?".

"...Who are you?" I ask warily.

"I am Gahone, a wizard.".

"A wizard? I didn't know you guys still existed.".

"Well there were many of us, at least, until Victor took over," he says, angrily, "Now to keep his immense power he has to kill a wizard and absorb the life force. So you can say I'm on your side.".

"I'm sorry," I say, a little more softly than the tone I used before.

"I can help you find Ivan," he tells me, "I know where he is. I can tell you exactly where he is.".

I felt a but coming, "But?".

"But the information will only be revealed if you can pass a test.".

"What test?".

He glances around, my gaze finally catching onto what he sees, Michael and the others are looking for me. "But this test has to be done with you alone, not with the Five around.".

"If I pass, I get the information?" I ask.

He nods, "Yes.".

I paused for a moment, "and what happens if I fail?".

He hardens his gaze, "You will die.".

I have to think about this. I mean we can get an exact location to Ivan if I do the test, but then again perhaps we could stumble across on him like with Owyne. That's extremely unlikely though, and it could take months to find Ivan...we don't have months. I have to stop Victor and this seems to be the quickest way to do this.

"Let's do this," I tell him and he places a finger on my forehead at the same time I hear my name being called. Before I can even say anything, I feel a sharp pain run through my head and then his voice in my head, let the test begin.