Later that evening, Mateo sat at the large table the filled the hearth space, nursing his elbow and trying to read his grandfather's journal. His head was swimming as the words danced in front of him, their looping motion making him dizzy. Through the haze of his mind, the vision of the amulet came to him again, along with indistinct whispers. It seemed like a girl's voice calling to him, but over a distance so great that he could not make out the words.
He tried to focus back on the book in front of him. The journal was filled with his grandfather's stories about the royal family, he knew, but he could not make the words out for himself, not today, not entirely. A few jumped out at him and into crystal clear focus—Elena, amulet, and protection. He closed the book in frustration.
"What's wrong, mijo?" His grandmother asked from her position in front of the flickering fire.
"Abuela, I need to learn magic." He blurted out. His grandmother stopped her stirring and waddled slowly to him.
"I know, Mateo. But not now. In time, it will come to you, but now…" She trailed off.
"But now what, Abuela? I can feel it, simmering, but out of reach. It's… I need to."
"When you were just a baby, Mateo, we all knew you had the gift. So like your grandfather." She smiled as she touched his cheek. "Even then, the magic called to you. Strongly. Your mother and father thought it best to protect you in anyway they could. So they took you to a wizard in Cordoba, who sealed you from the magic until you were old enough."
He felt a flare of anger spike within him.
"How could they do that? They left my sisters and brother free to learn. How could they cut me off? Did they even know that I would still be able to feel it, hear it whispering to me?"
"Even I thought it was for the best. Your sisters' explorations with magic were already bringing too much attention to the family, and you were… so much more powerful than them, even as an infant." She sat next to him and tried to take his hand, but he pulled it way quickly. She sighed before continuing softly.
"It was as if the Maruvian bloodline had been reborn within you, Mateo. I knew when I first saw you that you were destined for greatness. Your mother did not want to believe it, but then, after your grandfather left, she denounced magic. Imagine my surprise when she married your father, also a descendant of the ancient Maruvians. Though much of their knowledge had been lost, their blood flowing through your veins connects you to the magic they made in compelling ways. You will see. The blocks will fade with time, Mateo, and when they do, you know where to go."
"The basement?"
"The basement. There is a reason I could not let your mother do as she wished with your grandfather's things." A twinkle flashed in her eye as she smiled at him. Mateo rubbed his elbow. It still throbbed after his fall at the cemetery.
"Abuela, something happened today. At the graveyard." He admitted sheepishly.
"When you fell?" she asked. He looked at her in shock. He had not mentioned the fall to her, or what caused it. "Mateo, you've been nursing your arm since you came back to sit with me." She stated. He felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment. She was far more observant than he had given her credit.
"Yeah. I… I saw something; a necklace. I… I think it was Princess Elena's amulet."
His grandmother looked at him thoughtfully for a long moment.
"It seems the wards may be fading faster than we thought, or that your destiny is trying to find you."
"But, Abuela, what is my destiny?"
His grandmother was just about to answer when she was cut off by the opening of the door to the house.
"Mama, Mateo? I'm home." His mother called.
"Another time, mijo." His grandmother whispered before greeting her daughter.
The dizziness continued through dinner, as did the yearning Mateo felt for the magical energy that was just out of reach. He wanted to talk more with his grandmother, but he could find no opportunity. The air in the room was uneasy, filled with a tense silence, like a guitar string that had been tightened too much. Rafa prattled on about her day in an unconscious effort to ease the tension they all felt. Mateo just ate, tuning everything else out and trying to keep his dinner down. The constant spinning of his head seemed to have spread to the rest of him.
"I… I don't feel well." He blurted out as he stood, swaying. "May I be excused?"
For the first time since she got home, Rafa really looked at her son. He was wan, and he squinted his eyes against the dim light as if it were the noonday sun. He stood shakily, one arm tucked against his side, while the other supported his weight on the table.
"Mateo? What's wrong?"
"Just a little upset stomach, Mami." His voice sounded weak, even to his own ears. He tried to smile, but it, too, was weak.
"He fell at the graveyard today." His grandmother said. Mateo sighed.
"I must have hit my head harder than I thought."
His mother helped him to the settee and covered him with a blanket as he laid down. She crouched next to him.
"Oh, my sweet boy." She brushed the long hair from his forehead. "Why did you not tell me sooner?" She took his arm without waiting for him to answer and began examining the bruising that was now plainly evident.
"I didn't think it was this bad, Mami. I'm sorry." Mateo could feel his eyes growing heavy. The whispering started again as his lids drifted shut.
"Mateo? Mateo!" His mother called urgently, as if from a distance, through the whispers in his mind. When he opened his eyes, she was looking over him still, worry etched on her face. "You must not fall asleep. Here, I will finish the story from last night."
He nodded.
"Ok."
"Hmm. Where were we?" Rafa asked herself as she paced the small room. Movement on the other side of the room let Mateo know that his grandmother had joined them for the story.
"Alakazar was just about to begin his search in the city." The elderly woman reminded her as she settled into her chair.
"Right, thank you, Mother." Rafa said before turning back to Mateo.
"Alakazar hurried from the palace and into the city, but he was still uneasy. He still had no idea what the Eyes of Madria were. He had so many questions, and the books he had searched through had done nothing to answer them. He stopped in the middle of the road as a sudden realization dawned upon him. There was one source to which he could turn—his spirit animal.
'Well,' he said, 'If there were ever a time when I needed some guidance, it is now.' So, in the middle of the road, he took his tamborita and summoned his spirit animal to him. There was a flash of light and out of it appeared a ghostly blue creature."
A small smile spread on Mateo's lips. He had always loved the idea of having a chanul to help guide him, but without someone to teach him, he doubted he would ever make contact with such a powerful being. His sister had tried several times to summon such a spirit, but had failed. Still, what his grandmother had told him earlier about his own magic gave him hope.
"The creature was made of pure light and ran around Alakazar like a dog or fox, or maybe even a ferret—I do not know; I had never seen it, personally." Rafa continued. His grandmother sat silently across the room, unusually having nothing to add to the story. Mateo made a note to ask her about it another time.
"The spirit demanded, 'Why have you summoned me?' as it sat in the air before Alakazar.
'Spirit, I have need of advice and information, if you would choose to assist me.' He asked. The people on the road kept a wide berth around the pair. It was not every day that a wizard summons a spirit in the middle of the road, after all. 'Do you know what the Eyes of Madria are? And perhaps where to find them?' The spirit looked thoughtful as it floated around him once more.
'No, I can't say that I do, but I know someone who might. Continue your search while I go ask around.' And with that, the blue spirit disappeared, leaving the space empty before him. Alakazar rubbed his hand over his face and through his short beard as he considered his plan of action."
Mateo opened his eyes as he felt a hand on his cheek to see his worried mother hovering over him.
"I'm awake, Mami."
"You better be."
"My head hurts less and belly is less… flippy, with my eyes closed." He tried to explain, but finding the right words were difficult. His mother looked at him for a beat longer before continuing with the story.
"As Alakazar stood on the side of the road, he heard the people passing complain loudly on their way to the palace.
'That man has no idea how to talk to people.' One woman said angrily.
'How he could be considered as royal wizard is beyond me.' Said another.
'He put a hole in the wall of my house! The King will hear of this!' complained a third.
Alakazar did not listen long to their conversation, but he knew that Fiero was to blame for their anger. He could not wait for his chanul to return with answers; he would have to confront Fiero for his behavior. He hurried to the city, stopping passersby on the way in an effort to pinpoint Fiero's location. He was surprisingly easy to find, as he had left quite the path of destruction and bitterness in his wake. Alakazar helped set things right as he followed his rival—using magic to repair buildings and righting overturned carts. The people he helped thanked him and wished him well in the contest before he went on his way after Fiero. Eventually, he saw the other wizard as he lifted an old man out of his seat outside a shop. He could hear the anger in Fiero's voice even before he could hear the words he spoke. Alakazar was about to stop him when the spirit reappeared.
'I've got some information for you.' It said, as Alakazar tried to look around it.
'Not now.' Alakazar replied, hell-bent on stopping Fiero, who had started to shake the old man. Alakazar raised his tamborita and sent a spell at Fiero that blew him into the wall of the shop behind him. The old man fell to the ground. Alakazar rushed to his side. He seemed unhurt, but was also unconscious.
'You fool!' Fiero spat at him. 'He was about to tell me where the Eyes were!' Alakazar turned on him with fire in his eyes and ice in his voice.
'You could have killed him!' he shouted at Fiero, his tamborita at the ready. 'No matter what, Fiero, we do not do this!' Fiero just laughed.
'Is that what you think? That they are better than us? We have the power, Alakazar, magic at our command. We could crush this city on a whim, yet you would hobble yourself for what? For them?' Alakazar backed into the square, away from the buildings, herding Fiero as he moved. The people in the streets scurried for the safety of their homes and shops." Rafa's voice grew quiet but with an intensity that underscored the drama of the events she was relaying. Mateo found the strength to sit up, suffering the the dizziness and waves of nausea that washed over him as he did so. He was compelled by the story to listen more closely.
"The two wizards circled each other, their eyes locked in a battle of wills that could not be seen by those watching. Their tamboritas were both ready and the air hummed with energy demanding to be released. Fiero tried to goad Alakazar into action.
'It dawns on me, Alakazar, that I could remove one very large obstacle from my destiny right now.'
'And what is that?' Alakazar asked.
'You, of course. You have always stood in my way, ever since Master took you to his side. Well, now…' And Fiero cast a spell at him, but Alakazar was faster and his mind worked more quickly and so he was able to deflect the curse. As Fiero readied to attack again, a young woman walked purposefully between them. An older woman called after her to stop, terror in her voice as it echoed around the square. The two men watched this curious young woman, both of their eyes fixated on her as she turned toward them. She looked at them in turn, her eyes a piercing green that reflected the green of her dress.
'You will both leave here. One in glory, one in shame. But in the end, forgotten will be both of your names. Ones defeat lies in the hands of the child of the other, but neither will perish this day.' She told them. She then walked just as calmly across the square, back to her weeping mother. It took a moment as he recovered himself, but Alakazar realized that he had seen her before, that it was her eyes he had felt cutting deep into his spirit at the palace. He started to say something as a blue flash of light brought his spirit animal to his side.
'Is now a good time?' it asked, circling around him. Alakazar looked from the girl to Fiero, who was equally stunned and lost in contemplation of the apparent prophecy they had been given.
'What did you learn?' He asked, watching his rival now, waiting for him to take action once more.
'The Eyes of Madria aren't an artifact at all. They are actual… eyes. Specifically, eyes of a person, usually girl, who has the gift of prophecy.'
'What?' Alakazar hissed as he looked from the spirit and back to the girl who was now trying to comfort her mother. He looked at Fiero, who had heard what the spirit had said. Fiero smirked at him before grabbing the girl and opening a gate back to the palace.
'No!' Alakazar cried out as the disappeared into the portal. He jumped after them just as the portal was closing."
Mateo looked at his grandmother who sat in her chair across the room, a rueful smile on her face, as his mother continued.
"And suddenly, he was back in the throne room, hot on the heels of Fiero and the girl. Fiero was already trying to explain to the King about the girl and her gift, recommending that the girl be locked away and made to use her power for the benefit of the kingdom.
'Fiero!' Alakazar shouted across the cavernous room, drawing the attention of the king, his master, and his rival. 'You must answer for what you have done in the city as well as abducting this girl. And suggesting that she be held hostage? What kind of animal are you? She is a person, deserving of freedom as anyone, regardless of her gift.' The king looked from one wizard to the next, before settling on the girl.
'What is your name?' He asked her.
'Madria. I was named for my gift.' she answered, her voice small with fright.
'Is what they say true? Do you have the gift of foresight?' He asked.
'I do, Your Grace.'
'I see.' The king looked again from Fiero to Alakazar.
'And what would you have me do with her?' he asked as his gaze settled on the younger wizard.
'Let her live her life, Your Majesty, as any would want to be free to do. If you need her gift, ask her, but let her live her life.' The king sat back on his throne, contemplating the options for a long moment before speaking again.
'Alakazar, you mentioned that Fiero had done other things in the city. What were they?'
'Ugh, well, Your Grace, he destroyed the personal property of many citizens, knocked at least one man unconscious, and otherwise frightened the populace, threatening them during his search.' The king looked back at Fiero.
'Is this true?' he asked. Fiero's face grew red.
'Ah, well, Your Majesty, you see, I may have gotten a little… overzealous in my search…'
'And then you suggest I imprison an innocent young woman because she has the gift of prophecy? Fiero, how can I trust you with the magical health of my kingdom when you will not even concern yourself with the physical health of its people?' Fiero stared up at the king in shock as he continued. 'You have great skill, Fiero, but you do not have the temperament I need in a royal wizard. You may leave.' The king's voice held a sense of finality as he issued the command. Fiero began to sputter excuses, attempting to explain himself as the king signaled his guards to remove the outcast wizard. Fiero caught Alakazar's eye as he left.
'You think this is over? Oh, Alakazar, it is only beginning. I will return for my revenge, and we shall see who is the best when the dust and ashes of the city settle.' His voice was full of ice as he ripped open a portal and disappeared. The entire room was silent for a long moment. The only sound was the shuffling of the guards' feet as they tried to figure out what to do now.
'So, Alakazar, it seems that you have won my little challenge, and that your heart is in the right place. You would honor me if you served as my royal wizard.' The king said, breaking the silence.
'I… I don't know what to say, Your Grace.' He looked up at the king, shock still evident on his face. The young woman, who had been left standing beside him leaned over and whispered.
'You say yes.' Alakazar turned quickly to her, and felt his heart jump as he truly saw her for the first time, a wry smile dancing on her lips and in her greenish eyes, her face perfectly framed by her dark hair. She nodded toward the king as if to say 'go on.' Alakazar turned back to the ruler on the dais and bowed slightly.
'It would be my honor to serve the kingdom when my master retires.'
'Excellent.' The king said, just as the sunlight passing through the throne room faded into twilight. 'But, if I may make a suggestion?'
'Of course, Your Grace.'
'First you might want to walk young Madria home.' The king smiled at the pair as the young woman took Alakazar's arm and turned him toward the door."
"And that, Mateo, is how I met your grandfather." His grandmother chuckled from across the room.
Mateo smiled at his grandmother. He knew that she had stopped sharing specific prophecies since that day, but she continued to hint at his destiny for as long as he could remember. He mother never wanted to talk about it, but he knew that she knew more that she let on.
"How are you feeling, Mateo?" His mother sat next to him, now that her story was finished, and pushed his hair back from his face. "A little better?" He nodded as she felt his forehead, checking for a fever and looked at the bruising on his elbow. He winced as she touched the tender joint.
"I'll be fine, Mami. I'm just tired." He said, weariness filling his voice and seeping through his body.
"Sleep here tonight, so I can check on you." She said, standing, and letting him lay down. She covered him with the blanket as his eyes drifted shut.