Chapter 2:

A few hours later . . .

The sun began its nightly descent over the horizon, painting the sky gold and throwing shadows against the pearly white buildings of Catermain. Most of its inhabitants had retreated into the safety of their homes by the time Orphen and company entered the city, and all were weary from their long journey. The streets were empty and shop upon shop lay dark, so the prospect of finding shelter looked bleak. Footsteps bounded toward them just as they turned a corner, and a scrawny figure tore right through in a hasty panic. Before he could reach the end of the street, however, the man suddenly cried out in pain, and tremors racked him like seizures. Orphen, Clio, and Majik watched in horror as he finally collapsed onto the empty pavement, his still body flooded in the dismal light of a streetlamp. No one else saw this bizarre event . . . which was very fortunate.

"I'm sorry you had to see that. Burglars like this poor fool have been troubling me all day."

I stepped into view behind the trio, a black cloak with red lining swishing at my feet. Their faces were once again full of surprise, but not exactly the good kind.

"What are you doing here?" asked Orphen in a hostile tone.

"I told you we would be meeting again. I just find it amusing that you actually came to this godforsaken place."

"We should say the same for you," he retorted.

"Yeah – are you sure you're not following us?" added Clio, a hint of fear tainting her voice as she held her pet close.

"Why don't you all come with me? It's better to explain things like this in close quarters."

They reluctantly followed to a small inn further north, and I lit a small candle as we ascended a rickety staircase up to my room. It was well furnished with a lounge, 2 bedrooms and a bathroom, and after sleeping arrangements were made, we all gathered onto the two couches so that I could tell my story.

"Just for the record, I do not work for anyone – my actions and my purpose are strictly my own."

"Well, that's good to know," piped in Majik.

I continued on. "It all started about 7 years ago, when a sorcerer named Cardan came into power near my hometown."

"I think I've heard that name before," said Orphen.

"Good—then hopefully you'll know how powerful he is. I learned how to use my gift from him, which is why you've never seen me in your precious Tower."

"O.k., so what is this power of yours anyway?" he asked.

"And what did you do to that guy out on the street?" added Clio.

"My ability is that of Sight. I only have to concentrate on magic with my eyes, and with bad enough intentions, I could kill you."

Clio and Majik looked shocked out of their minds. Orphen merely nodded his head as if to say that he understood completely.

"So you . . . killed that man . . . with . . ."

"Yes," I answered, the blonde girl's voice faltering. "I didn't even have to say a word."

"So it's just like Master and his voice."

"Exactly."

"That explains a lot," Orphen remarked as he leaned back.

"As I was saying, I learned much from Cardan. But he began to delve into the forbidden arts, and started doing dangerous and terrible things. He even went so far as to take my sister's aura and infuse it into a gem called the Star of Heaven."

"Wait – you're a Keeper of the Star?"

"Yes."

"Then how did he get his hands on it? Aren't you supposed to guard it at all times?" the male teen questioned.

I looked down at the floor in shame. "It's all my fault. He tricked me into giving it to him. He said he needed it to save my mother's life. She was so ill, I thought she was going to die, so I took it to his dungeon one night, and then he disappeared, taking the gem and my sister with him against her will."

"That's so awful!" exclaimed Clio.

"And now an apocalyptic countdown has begun. What Cardan is trying to achieve is beyond even his power, and if it goes wrong, the whole world may be doomed."

"But isn't there a way to stop him?"

"I wish it were that easy, Majik. Cardan has locked himself away underground, and the only option left is the Keeper's prophecy."

"What's that?" both blondes asked simultaneously.

I cleared my throat to recite the age-old foretelling.

"When the Star of Heaven is taken,

and the sky threatens to fall,

only a union of the Sight and of the Sound will keep the stars in place,

lest the world be consumed by darkness."

"As you can see, I possess the Sight, but the only other person who possessed the Sound is the great sorcerer Kurlancelow, otherwise known as Orphen."

"So you need me to get back the Star AND your sister AND stop this Cardan guy all before we're destroyed?"

I nodded. "I'm glad to see we're on the same page."

"And what's in it for me?"

"Orphen! Don't you want to help her?!"

"Yeah, but I'm not about to risk my life for nothing, o.k. Clio? I want to make sure it's worth it."

"As you should, Kurlancelow; I will guarantee a reward for the assistance of you and your friends should they wish to come."

"Absolutely! We'll stop at nothing to get your sister back and stop the bad guy!" Clio enthusiastically stated.

"Can I go too, Master? Please?! I want to help!"

"Fine – it looks like I have no choice. But just call me Orphen from now on, o.k.? I hate when people use my real name."

"As you wish, but now I think we should all get some rest, because it's quite a ways to my village, and I always rise early."

"Awesome! We're going to go save the world!"

"Shut it, Clio. You're not going to be saying that about 6 hours from now."

"Just because I'm enthusiastic about an adventure doesn't mean you have to rain on my parade, Orphen!"

"Whatever," he mumbled as he and his apprentice got up to head towards their room on the left-hand side.

"Don't you 'whatever' me, you selfish, conceited pig!"

By this time, Orphen had slammed the door, infuriating her even more.

"He's not worth the aggravation, Miss Clio. I suggest we retire for the night as well."

"I'm sorry about that. Are you sure that you don't want to sleep on the bed, though? This is your room, after all."

"No, thank you. I'm used to getting little rest, and I need to keep watch in case Cardan's henchmen have followed me here. I wouldn't want to put you all in any unnecessary danger."

"Oh, o.k.," she replied meekly.

Then she entered the room on the opposite side, and I dimmed the lights with a glance. No mere mortal would be able to see through the invisibility screen I put up, but Cardan and his filthy Bodes would have other ways of hunting me down.