Fireball

Waiting

Waves crashed against the rocky cliffs and stone retaining walls. The massive castle took up almost the whole island. Just the castle, a courtyard and a small wooded area made up the land mass. The prince had built it that way making it virtually impossible to enter any way but the courtyard, from the air.

Looking out of the large window beside the tiny balcony on the second level, they saw no signs of Marcello, but the prince could feel him nearby. He knew his enemy was alive.

Alexander told Amos and Fireball they had a little time to prepare.

"The day has come, and Marcello is anxious to attack, but he will wait for a number of his allies to get here. He strives to be a superior wizard, but I sense that he still isn't confident that he is the best. We have a dozen stone guards and a few dozen wizards here to help us. Marcello will bring an army of wizards and dozens of creatures, but I am confident that the three of us can defeat him together."

Amos believed in Alexander's confidence, but he was still concerned by the number of wizards and creatures that were enroute to help Marcello.

Blinding light flashed through the windows illuminating the large study only seconds before the crackle of thunder caused the furniture in the room to vibrate. Dark clouds rolled across the sky, quickly darkening the room. The rain had not started yet but they shut the doors against the humid breeze. The sea water was warm but the light wind was cooler, causing blankets of fog to hover a few feet above the white caps of the rough waves. A storm was imminent, but as Amos looked outside he knew the prince's island was about to bear the brunt of two storms.

"Guards!" called the prince to the stone guards. "You must go to the upper levels and slow down any intruders entering from there. John, you must take a half dozen others with you to defend the main doors. The rest of us will stay here in the great room."

Alexander then led everyone else along the side of the grand staircase, right into the great room. Amos flicked his wand once in either direction and Fireball watched as two roaring fires started in each of the stone fireplaces at each end of the room.

"Amos!" said the prince. "Do you have my journal? I have one more passage to write. Later, you will need to refer to it from time to time. It will answer many questions over the years that I know you will have, but most importantly you must protect it until it is time to give it to its rightful owner. The journal will guide you to that owner."

Amos agreed and took out the journal. The prince scribbled something in the book and handed it back to his friend.

The next few hours were tense. The wizards prepared the room and Amos laid out tables full of food and water. It was difficult to just sit and wait, knowing that another attack was imminent, and a battle would soon be upon them.

Fireball had his fill of food, then flew around the room trying to eavesdrop on conversations. There were several groups of wizards talking to each other and Fireball didn't understand what they were saying. Talking with Amos and the prince so freely, he forgot that he could not understand the wizards' tongue. He thought of asking Amos to help him out but for now he knew translation was not high on his list. Today there was to be a battle and everyone, including Fireball, needed to be prepared.