The Ancient Book of Power

Part One: Mage School-Prologue

Dalbreath and Deearo put on the magic glasses Islann had given them, and were staring at the eggs with a singular purpose, which was to see them hatch, hopefully before noon, when Maurinn and Mauriel would call them away for lunch. The eggs seemed to move at times, but no little cracks had appeared in the shells, no certain signs that the contents of the eggs were about to enter the outside world had appeared at all. All there was so far, was a gentle, vague, rocking back and forth, ever so slightly, just enough to give the boys a sense that something might be happening, which was that their cat-dragons might be on the verge of entering the world. Islann passed their room and laughed.

"Boys, boys, staring at them won't make them hatch any quicker. It takes time, and it hasn't been nearly long enough," said Islann.

"We both saw them move," said Dalbreath.

"And babies kick in their momma's stomach too. It doesn't mean they're coming out yet."

"The boys looked at each other. "Doesn't mean they aren't coming out soon," said Dalbreath, but not too convincingly.

"It's a nice day," they heard Maurinn holler from the living room. "School starts next week."

"And then you won't be able to go outside whenever you want," hollered Bekma from the living room.

"We're staying put," said Dalbreath. "What if they hatch and bond to a grasshopper that flies in from outside. No, thank you."

"They were created for the two of you," said Islann. "They know that, and as for the grasshopper, they would eat it."

"Still," said Dalbreath, not entirely convinced.

"Suit yourself," hollered Bekma, and that was the last thing the adults said to them all afternoon. Of course, Islann was right, it wasn't time yet, but the boys got an important lesson in frustration levels, and swore they would not stare all day on the morrow.