Chapter 2 -
The Riddle First
In the silence that followed, you could have heard a Night Hyren move. It was
shattered by Orwin. "The Eighth Power?" he repeated, his voice
trembling.
"Yes. The Eight Power, the Forbidden."
"Excuse me, but I really have no idea what he is talking about..."
Salafy was cut short when Orwin raised a hand.
"Who weilds it, Daronis?"
"There is only one possible Magi that could be holding it, and that is my
brother. Only those of Ancient blood can use the Powers Eight, unless they are
given away; and my brother would never give away anything so powerful."
Salafy stamped her foot. "Oh, so now you have a brother? Plith feathers,
Orwin, Gia! You truly can't believe this... stranger!"
"I am prepared to take Daronis's word on this," Gia announced.
"The ancient histories and his story match perfectly. And if he is the son
of Kyros, which I am sure he his, he is not a stranger. But... how did your
brother find the Eighth Power?"
"I don't know... All I can say is that he is extremely crafty, witting and
intellegent. The forces protecting the Forbidden Power were the strongest. If
he broke through them, it is bad for us all."
Orwin cleared his throat. "You know what I will ask you to do."
"Yes."
Orwin dug in the volminous folds of his robe, and produced a scroll, vibrant
green and smelling of rose blossoms. He unraveled it, displaying elegant,
curving, brown script. He began to read aloud.
"The first Power is born of Nurturing,
Naroomians know it well.
The Power first is Nurturing,
Guarded by the Elder of Naroom.
First find the place where
The white flower is in ever-bloom.
From there chase the setting head
As it sinks into the canyon of dread.
The canyon marks the dividing line,
Across it find the first Power so fine.
The Powers Eight are Powers strong."
With no furthurer words, Daronis pulled up his hood, wrapped himself in his
cloak and slipped from the room.
"All the luck in the Moonlands, and more, to you..." Salafy
whispered, realizing she had witnessed the Magi that held the key to the future
of their entire world.