Ollivander's: Leticia and Lina
"I'd like to go next," Lina said to her companions, "I've always been last or almost last so far."
"Go ahead, Lina," said Andrew, "I hope you find something good."
"May the Fates be with you, Paladin," offered Crio.
"I'll go with you," said Leticia, "Magic isn't one of my keener interests, but I want to see what an individual wand can teach me about myself."
"Come on, then," Lina accepted her.
Inside the shop, Ollivander greeted them just as graciously as he had welcomed Jim and Adria. "My fine young ladies," he said, "I think I have something for you, as well."
The wandmaker opened a drawer and handed a wand to Lina. "Perhaps this wand of chestnut wood and unicorn hair will accept you-" But then he snatched it away as it seemed to bubble out fire bubbles, if there was such a thing.
"No! It's quite curious, that a chestnut wand would reject someone in that manner," mused Ollivander. He selected another wand and gave it to her, but it produced similar results.
They went through maybe twenty wands, and everybody else was getting restless and impatient. "I can certainly say that your wand is hard to locate, Ms. Lina," Ollivander said, "But I promise you, you won't leave without a wand."
He brought forth one more box and took out its wand. His eyes widened in alarm as he noticed the wood it was made out of. "My Jove! This is an elder wand! They are very rare, and very difficult to match up with anyone! Still, as long as it is out, you might as well try it. But prepare yourself, in case it gives a terrible recoil."
Lina took the elder wand and waved it in the air. Remarkably, it actually shone with a powerful green light which shone throughout the shop. Lina stared in awe at the wand. So did Ollivander.
"Amazing, and fascinating!" he exclaimed, "That elder wand, phoenix feather core, 11 ½ inches, and slightly springy, has chosen you, Paladin! I wonder if you have an especially special destiny ahead of you."
"What do you mean, Mr. Ollivander?" asked Lina.
"Elder wands," explained Ollivander, "are very rare, and very powerful. They are scornful to stay in the company of one who is not the superior of her competition, and it takes a remarkable wizard or witch to master one, and to continue to possess it for a long time. Only the greatest may use an elder wand, and they are often set up for a special destiny. I think we can expect great things from you, Lina."
Lina blushed slightly. "Well, thanks, Mr. Ollivander," she replied, "I'll take that as a compliment. It might mean that I'm destined to be the One True Hero."
"Possibly," said Ollivander, "I wish you well on your quest."
"May I take my turn now, Mr. Ollivander?" asked Leticia.
"Of course," Ollivander greeted her. "Let us see what sort of wand would best fit a warrior woman such as yourself." He went back to the countless drawers and took out a wand.
"Here, this one might work," he said, handing it to her. She waved it once, and it cast a burst of wind which blew several papers and a paperweight off Ollivander's desk.
"No, definitely not!" he remarked. He took back the wand and offered her another one, but just before she could wave it, Ollivander shouted "No!" and took it away.
"There. I cannot imagine what sort of damage that wand might have done in your hands," he said, quite shaken.
He chose one more, and handed it over. This time, the wand agreed with Leticia, quite happily.
"What kind of wand is this, sir?" she inquired.
"Larch, unicorn hair, 13 ¾ inches, and solid," said Ollivander. "Apparently, you have some sort of hidden skills that possession of this wand might bring out in you, because these wands have hidden talents and unexpected effects."
Leticia though for a moment. "Well, I'm pretty good at strategy, especially in battles and games. Maybe this wand will help me develop those skills better during the Quest. And the wand is quite beautiful to look at, too."
"Yes," said Ollivander, "Larch wood has a very warm color, and is naturally attractive. I believe that wand will be a fairly good tool for magic use in your quest, young Leticia."
"I don't doubt that, either," said Leticia, gazing at her wand as she walked on outside the shop.
To be continued...