Chapter 6

The giant protective bubble was steadily approaching the mage's house. Inside the transparent bubble, Jaelie was concentrating hard on slowly lowering the sphere in order to land on the smooth patch of grass in the garden outside the house.

The shimmering bubble landed with a soft thud onto the ground, the transparent sphere vanished so quickly, it was as though it had never been there. Ewan and the four girls cautiously began to approach the house. It was a large, well built house that blended in with surrounding environment. A grayish smoke fumed from the small chimney, perched upon the roof of the house.

The group walked up to the door, Ewan turned to face the girls and said:

"We must be very careful of what we say in front of Toran, remember that he is a very powerful mage and is known to have a short temper. Be very careful not to offend him."

"Don't worry Ewan, we'll let you do all of the talking." Responded Kiara, looking at her three sisters, signaling them to agree with her. Both Neraka and Jaelie muttered agreement, Siera however, did not. She knew that she could not agree to keep quiet, while another person spoke for her.

Ewan turned back towards the door, satisfied that the girls would watch what they said in the presence of the mage, and gently knocked on the door. The door immediately opened revealing a very handsome, young man wearing long dark purple robes, holding a long purple staff that had a glistening, deep blue crystal resting on top of the staff. He looked nothing like what the girls had expected he would.

"Welcome Ewan, son of Mevrick, and to the princesses of Avalonia. Please come in." said Toran respectfully as he invited them inside.

Toran ushered his guests to the kitchen, were the five companions were offered seats at a table close by. Outside the window, the sun was set low on the horizon and the sky was streaked with orange.

Before seating himself, Toran placed a pot of tea, six cups and a plate of fresh fruit onto the table for his quests. Ewan cleared his throat and began to speak….

"Toran the mage, I trust you received word from my father explaining this visit?" Toran replied, "Yes I received a message from Mevrick earlier, you've come here beseeching my help."

"That's correct, we need your help to defeat each cities evil guardian," Began Ewan getting straight to the point, "here with me is princess; Kiara, Jaelie, Neraka and Siera. The fifth princess, Shanalon, was kidnapped by the dark ones and she also needs help, we can't do it alone."

"I understand what you ask of me, however unfortunately I cannot help you. I'm sure that Mevrick sent you hoping that I would see the princesses and feel obligated to help." Toran continued, his voice slightly raising, "but he was mistaken, I saw the evil rising long before anyone else did. I warned the king and begged him to do something about it." "He refused to listen to me and what's worse; I was ridiculed and seen as a joke. Why should I help them now?"

"That was then, the king made a grave mistake by disbelieving you, but don't take your anger with the king out on his daughters. They are trying to save their kingdoms. Please we need your help." Pleaded Ewan, "If you could just-"

Toran interrupted furiously "No, I will not help you! They all got what they deserved."

Before Ewan could reply Siera stepped in, "Excuse me? How dare you say that!" snapped Siera. "These are innocent people we are talking about. Whatever grudge you have against our father, get over it, he's dead and now it is up to us to stop the dark ones before another member of our family dies!"

"That is your burden, not mine!" retorted Toran.

"Fine we will take our burden and go, but you should know this, you are a coward! You will stay here hidden away while we risk our lives to free the cities from its evil ruler."

Jaelie and Neraka both whispered warnings at Siera to stop making him angry but she refused to be quiet.

Ewan quickly intervened, "I sorry to disturb you, we will go now." With that the five of them stood up and left the house, leaving Toran standing alone with a confused look on his face.

Once outside Neraka wasted no time praising Siera for telling Toran some cold, hard truths. Kiara, Jaelie and Ewan on the other hand were upset that she had done that.

"Why did u have to go and say all of that to him?" questioned Kiara.

"Now he will never help us!" said Ewan.

"Some one had to knock him off his pedestal!" protested Neraka, defending Siera.

"I think Toran is a lot like you Siera," stated Jaelie. But before Siera could protest, Toran appeared at the door, his face filled with anguish.

"I'm uh….. Sorry for before. Siera was right, I was being a coward, I will help you that is if you still want my help." Said Toran relieved that his apology had been said. He was very stubborn and hated apologizing to people.

Ewan replied first, "Thank You!"