Author's Note: Many thanks to faithful reviewers Jimli and Akora17. Also thanks to Paradox Predator for favouriting this story.
It's another short chapter but as compensation I'll do my best to have the last chapter up this weekend.
THE WIZARD'S PRICE
CHAPTER 14
Time did not exist in the garden; there were no seasons, nothing to measure the passing of the year. From the day Artus and Carl had first entered the garden, they had tried to mark off the days but whatever they'd marked, however they'd marked it, the next day the mark had been gone. They had no idea how long they'd been in the garden, nor how long ago Julietta and Zita had joined them. How many months had passed since then? There was no way of knowing. There were days it seemed like they had all been in the garden forever and others when they felt they had only just arrived.
One day, when the sun stood high in the sky, the statues on the platform turned back into Carl and Julietta. They stood there, surrounded by a curtain of water no longer made of stone. Why had they been they turned back before nightfall? Was it because Carl could no longer share Artus' curse? If so, why? And what had happened to Artus and Zita? Were they still beasts? Would it be safe to try and find them?
Carl and Julietta decided to go to the house. They stepped off the dais, through the curtain of water, fully expecting to be soaking wet. To their surprise they were dry. They couldn't even find the trace of a drop of water on their clothes.
"This is really strange," was Carl's opinion. "Let's quickly go to the house and see if we can find an answer there."
Just as they reached the terrace, they heard a shout. Artus and Zita came running down the hill. Their curse seemed to have been broken as well. Then for the second time they heard a clock strike twelve. The same ear-splitting, booming sound rumbled across the garden. As soon as the noise had died down, Orelia appeared. On seeing the four friends her face lit up with a smile.
"You've made it! You've broken the curse! We were afraid when Carl and Julietta decided to stay. We didn't know what would happen, but the Wizard showed us. Apparently he'd made sure that the garden's magic would allow him an occasional look inside. Somewhat devious, but it was done so Kalanta could see her sons; it was a kindness to the woman he'd inadvertently hurt."
Then she asked them, "What happened after we left that day Julietta and Zita arrived."
They explained how the magic of the garden had continued to protect them once the fairies had left and the clock had struck twelve at midnight. How they had still changed twice-daily, at dawn and dusk as before, the only difference being that the girls had shared that fate. That now, for the first time, they had changed back at midday and the clock struck twelve again.
"I should have known that your strong friendship could influence the enchantment of the garden. Magic has many rules that those who wield it have to obey, but it also has its own laws that we can't control or even influence."
"Was it one of those unwritten laws that kept the original agreement going and turned Julietta and me into statues?"
"Precisely. Magic's laws are always accommodating to those who are willing to make a sacrifice for a loved one. And Kalanta, who once was a fairy and my sister, must have unwittingly put all her love for her sons here, for you as much as for Artus. The day the garden was created and the air was full of magic, she walked around looking at and touching everything. All Kalanta's love and hope became part of this place and its magic. Small wonder that the garden reacted favourably to all who shared her feelings. Today I was summoned here by the striking of the clock. Zita, you have spent a whole year with Artus, being a beast when he was. You have broken his curse, and love has grown between him and you."
Slowly they started to realise that they were free now; free from the curse, free from the garden. Thoughts of the world beyond came back to them. Julietta wanted to know how her parents were and feared they had been worried about her. She, as well as Zita, Artus and Carl, wondered how much time had really passed.
Orelia explained, "The garden does not know time. It has days and nights, but they can't be counted. You might have a perception of days passing, but you can't be sure how many days, months or years you were here. Am I right?"
"We couldn't even discover how much time had passed when Zita and Julietta arrived," said Artus. "They couldn't even remember their year of birth, much less how many kings and queens had ruled Eburon. Nor could they remember when the wizard had left the country. They only knew a regent represented me in Peratha, a Bernard du Montagne."
Orelia continued, "It has been hundreds of years since your parents ruled their countries. Carl, you are the last of your line but your marriage to Julietta will one day make you king of your father's country. Artus, you became king on the day your mother died. Your country has been in the care of a regent, the wizard who innocently caused all this trouble, and he has created a myth that will make your ascent to the throne easy. "
Julietta cried out, "How long have we been here? My parents will have missed us!"
But the fairy said, "Don't worry Julietta. The moment you and Zita entered the garden, its days aligned with time outside the garden. It has been only a year. Your parents were worried of course, but I personally assured them you were safe. It has been a long year for them but at least, thanks to the wizard, I could prevent them from becoming really anxious. You'll soon see them again now."
Then she turned back to Artus.
"Artus, I advise you to go to your neighbour's castle and return to your country from there with all possible ceremony. My sister Athera will notify King Xavier and Queen Henrietta of your arrival while we travel to Eburon. She will ask King Xavier to send a courier to Peratha and make your arrival official. I'll inform Quirinius, the wizard, to prepare everything for the festive reinstatement of the true king of Peratha."
Artus saw this was a sensible suggestion and agreed with Oralia's plan. Finally Artus, Zita, Julietta and Carl walked through the gates of the enchanted garden back into reality.