The Honna Chronicals

Quarrel and Questions

"You're kidding, right?" Honna questioned. The weight of the strange man's words was like a cinder block on her diaphragm. " Most certainly not." Althalos chided as he straightened the room.

The walls of peeling paint were covered in books and bottles, and the room smelt of spices and burning wood. Daniel, the seeming apprentice, tended to the fire, occasionally shifting his gaze to Honna for a fleeting moment.

Honna had taken roost on the cot in the corner of the room, and watched the fire crackle and the flames dance. " How do I get back home?" She asked. Althalos plucked a book from the shelf, flipping through the pages. The worn binding was ripping from the edges, and the pages crinkled like they had dried from being wet.

Althalos seemed to find the page he was searching for and handed the book to Honna. "We can reignite the mirror when we choose to do so." He reached out, and cradled Honna's necklace in his fingertips. The jade green stone shone in the firelight. " Such a unique stone, where did you find such a thing?"

"It was my fathers, the stone at least. I found it in a crate in his office and strung it to wear it as a necklace." Honna replied quietly. It had been in a wristband when she had found it, but the necklace fit her personal tastes better. The old mans weathered blue eyes shone a little brighter.

"Could you, uh, redo the mirror thing or something? I have school, and my mom will be worried sick if she doesn't find me in my room." Honna gestured to the mirror. " Summoning's are hard work, they take hours of preparation and even then there's a small chance it will work." Daniel, who had been sitting quietly, was now standing. " Why would you bother summoning her Master?" His head snapped in the direction of Althalos.

" To be completely honest, It was not in my intentions to summon her here." Althalos murmured from his cradle of books and papers. " You had someone in mind, did you not?" Daniel questioned. " You spoke of someone before the incantation."

" I have no recollection of such things." His Master, now had his nose stuffed into the old leather journal once more. Daniel rubbed his temple in exasperation. " If you seriously think I would believe such hogwash then you underestimate me Master."

Althalos peered from over his book. " I have my reasons for not sharing my mind Daniel. Perhaps you should take a few pointers." The boy quieted. Honna took this as her chance to reenter the conversation. " Well, since I'm obviously not needed, could you all start on getting me back home?"

" I'd personally love to get her out of my cottage." Daniel sneered. " It is my cottage, you are merely a resident. " Althalos dictated, " And it would appear that is quite impossible now."

" Excuse me?" Honna inquired.

" The summoning took the last of our dragon bone powder. I'm afraid our supply is now empty."

" You're jesting." Daniel spoke tiredly.