The Oracle of Avalbane

Chapter 6

                                                                            Chapter 6

                                                           

                                                                               Elys

         The ride in the car was horrifying and added to my belief that everything moves much too quickly in the Ordinary World; there’s a feeling of terrific rushing about and I don’t mind leaving without doing more exploring.

     As the car hurtled along, I closed my eyes and let my thoughts drift to everything that’s happened in the last few days.

It has been clear ever since I finished my six years of magical training that I do not have the gift of prophecy. Of course, I am not the Oracle’s true daughter, but there was still a chance. With my real father’s talent, combined with the way I have been raised by Tathar, it was possible that I would show some promise in that direction. But such has not been the case and Tathar grows older. Now he is ill, making my mission even more important.

As soon as I crossed the bridge into the Ordinary World, I felt the pull of magic and had no trouble finding the twins. Twins are more magically powerful than any one person. I was not surprised to find that they both carry the Mark of the Oracle. Now all that remains is for us to determine if one of them is, indeed, the next Oracle. 

Something strange happened when I saw the picture of the twins’ brother. Even though I do not have the gift of prophecy, I do have strong magical intuitions about things and I have a feeling that Cole is alive. And, I also suspect, with an assurance I can’t explain, that Garrick and Tania’s arrest is related somehow to Cole. Could he possibly be the prisoner they tried to release?

We reached the cabin finally and I dared to open my eyes. I tried not to feel impatient as Zach coaxed Kate out of the car. I directed them towards the bridge and studied them closely as I followed. Such odd, abrupt little names for what I believe may be extraordinary mages. The fact that Kate could see me in spite of the amulet tells me she has great power, such as hasn’t been seen in Avalbane in a long time. Zach’s magical aura is so strong that as soon as he walked into the room I felt intimidated—and that doesn’t happen often. I’m afraid it made me quite cross because I knew at once that he is probably my father’s successor. I wonder if he’s had any dreams—if not, I imagine as soon as we get to Avalbane they will start.

“Is that it?” Kate asked, stopping suddenly.

     Her face was white with fear as she stared at what looked like a broken bridge ending in mist in front of her. I saw how she hated to let me see her fear, and it made me respect her more. She’s feisty—but this fear goes deep and I’m not sure she’s going to be able to conquer it. Her reaction was so physical that I could tell she was trying not to be sick. Indeed, she was bent over, holding her knees and taking deep shuddering breaths.

Zach looked at me, his eyes pleading. Sighing, I reached for the amulet.

     “Let’s try this,” I suggested. She looked at me hopefully and stepped closer. I led her away from the bridge and watched the color gradually return to her face.

     “You and I will try to travel together. Put your arm around me and let’s see if we can make a short jump.”

     Though she feels small against me, I can tell she has a wiry strength too, mixed with a great deal of determination. She was working hard to control the trembling and held on to me firmly. It made me smile and some of the reluctance I’d had about this task receeded. Zach took a protective stance and I reassured him that we were just going to jump to the other side of Rose’s cabin.