It had taken four days for Ruby to feel fully recovered. Four days of just eating, sleeping and taking care of an ever growing salamander, with shopping and listening to music thrown in on the side. Some of the things humans considered music, well, the less said about that the better.
Today wasn't a day of rest though. She woke up a few hours before and felt the pull of the bond between her and the Forest Lord. Today she was going to see what He wanted from her.
The sun wasn't quite up yet, which meant that there weren't a lot of people on the trails yet. That was fine with her. Fewer people meant fewer people having the chance of taking her picture and having it end up on the evening news. At least the Mighty Ducks hadn't taken the publicity as an opportunity to turn the humans against her. They had, in fact, remained blissfully silent on the matter.
The salamander came bounding down the trail toward her, ran up the mage's leg and climbed into her messenger bag. It still amazed her that something that had started out about the size of her thumb was now almost as long as her arm. She knew he wasn't tired yet, so that meant another human was headed in their direction. Ruby hoped this one didn't want to get chatty like the last one.
"You better not have been spotted again," she quietly growled.
No spot, he replied.
"We'll see about that," she grumbled.
The man came jogging around the turn in the path. Like the other humans, he was surprised to see her. She smiled and kept a pleasant look on her face. He smiled back, nodded a greeting and continued on.
See? he said smugly. No spot.
A second later he was out of the bag and off exploring again. It had taken the second day together for Ruby to figure out that he needed exercise. The trick was finding someplace he could explore that he wouldn't accidentally set on fire and he wouldn't be seen. When the fire Elemental concentrated, he could keep his fire from singeing anything. However, his concentration wasn't so good when he explored.
Her only rules were to stay away from anything that could burn and not to be seen. That last one was proving to be a bit tricky this morning. Fortunately, he did have the sense to stay on the path, so he hadn't set anything on fire so far.
A barking dog preceded his reappearance. It was amazing how fast the little bugger could go on those stubby little legs. In a heartbeat, he was back in the bag.
"So much for not being spotted," she mumbled.
Mean woof-woof, he grumbled.
A few moments later a large dog came down the path dragging his owner along. The woman wasn't very big and didn't stand a chance against the hairy brute. Ruby moved to the side of the path to let them pass, but the dog had other ideas.
He lunged for Ruby, trying to get to her bag. Luckily, the magic protected her and the bag from those sharp teeth. She gave the owner a displeased look, but said nothing. The woman tried to control her dog while she apologized. When it became apparent that the woman wasn't going to be able to drag the mutt away, Ruby asked the air spirits for help.
A few moments later, the dog had a nose full of pollen and dust. The dog let out a series of sneezes that stopped him from dragging his owner after them. The woman finally managed to pull the canine away and Ruby was able to continue her trek into the hills.
All too soon she was at the bridge and there she faced her first real problem. Not that the bridge was the problem. It was what the bridge went over that was the issue.
The river was almost white from the froth as water spirits took notice of their presence. The salamander wasn't too thrilled with the situation either. The water was starting to hit the bottom of the bridge and she knew that the longer she waited the worse it would become. She worried that a water Elemental would come investigate and then things would not be good.
Ruby stepped onto the bridge and the water spirits were not happy. She got a few steps across when she realized the salamander wasn't following her. He was terrified and she knew there would be no convincing him to cross the bridge.
She calmly walked back, scooped him up, turned and ran across the bridge. She got to the other side just as a wave crashed over the bridge. She let go of the now squirming, sparking and hissing salamander.
"Don't set anything on fire or I'll set the Forest Lord on you," she called as the salamander took off.
She stepped off the path and headed toward the area between the cliff and the river. The river was still unhappy about her being there and she could see faces in the water. There was no way she could do a quick dash to safer ground. It was too far and the ground was too uneven.
Ruby looked up the cliff. It had looked a lot steeper in the dark, thankfully. She wasn't the best free rock climber, but she was pretty sure she could get up this without falling into the water. She took a drink from her water bottle before putting it into her empty bag.
She started climbing and was very thankful that she had managed to get to a sporting goods store and got hiking boots for this little adventure. By the time she made it to the top, she was a bit tired and she could feel sweat dripping down her back. This dark red duck was going to be sore in the morning.
Just as her head cleared the top of the cliff, she came nose to beak with the salamander. He was making short work of a pine cone as he glared at her. Ruby hadn't seen him climb up the cliff and she had been watching for him.
"How did you get up here so quick?" she asked as she finished climbing up.
Short way, he stated.
She got to her feet and brushed herself off. It figured the little brat had found a short cut and hadn't told her. She left him to his pine cone as she walked through the trees to the clearing. He was standing there.
"I'm here," she stated as neutrally as possible.
Ruby wanted to tell Him off for binding her to Him. To have an Elemental joined with her was bad enough, but to have to raise another one and then have yet another bind her to him was really pushing her patience. However, he was old and powerful and ticking him off would not be good for her continued good health.
Good, He said. You will make this meadow as it once was.
The white stag turned and leaped away before she could argue or ask for clarification. She stepped out of the shadow of the trees and took a good look around.
"Oh boy," she groaned as she saw the destruction she wrought.
Wildwing grabbed several bottles of water out of the fridge and threw them in the sack with the food he had prepared. He had enough food and water for at least two, but he didn't care. He had a restless energy that he had to get out. The team was having a bad enough time from losing the mask and the game the other night. They didn't need their captain flipping out on them too.
He grabbed the bag of food and headed for the garage. Wildwing placed the sack in the storage under the seat of a Duckcycle and then grabbed a helmet. He didn't even wonder why he grabbed a second helmet and stored it with the food.
The others weren't up yet, so he wasn't worried about anyone stopping him or wanting to go with him. He needed time and space to himself to think. Wildwing had at least the presence of mind to leave them a note so they wouldn't worry and come looking for him.
A few minutes later he was out on the road, enjoying the feeling of the cool morning air. The large white duck headed toward the ocean to see if the sound of the waves would help him figure things out. He spent a couple hours there, but all he got for his time was writer's cramp from signing autographs and a need to visit the bathroom.
Wildwing got back on the bike and headed to the mountains. He hoped for fewer people as he rode through the winding roads. It was hard to think when people were taking pictures of you.
He wasn't sure why he decided to go to visit the meadow. Maybe he hoped it would give him inspiration. What he got, he couldn't have dreamed of in a million years.
With a grunt, the only normal duck at Twin Beaks brought the axe down and split the wood neatly in two. He had gotten really good at splitting wood over the past couple days. It was a good way to vent off his anger and frustration.
Ever since Ruby had gone through the portal and it had blown up, he had been stuck there. That stupid promise bound him to the tomb until the mask was returned. Which pretty much meant he would probably be stuck there for the rest of his life.
Canard tossed the two pieces of firewood into the growing pile and put another large chunk of wood on the chopping block.
Forty-nine mages were needed to open the portal. A portal that could be used to retrieve the mask, maybe retrieve Ruby and set him free. Forty-nine mages were needed and there were only forty-eight on all of Puckworld.
He took a swing at the wood and the blade deeply bit into it.
Only one more mage was needed! That was it! Just one!
He lifted the axe over his head with the wood still stuck on it. With another grunt, Canard brought them down with all his might and the wood cleanly split in two. He was tired and sore, but he still had plenty of frustration to work out.
"Canard?" a timid voice called from behind him.
They were learning. Any other mage who sneaked up behind him would have had to dodge the axe. Canard knew he couldn't hurt them, so he had no problem taking a swing at the more obnoxious ducks.
However, this sweet, timid girl didn't deserve his anger. The other mages pushed her around and she let them. It bugged him to no end.
Emily was too nice for her own good and never stood up for herself. She had told him that she didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Instead, they had no respect for her.
"Yeah?" he softly replied.
Canard had learned the hard way that being loud and abrasive around her would scare her and make her go running off. He talked quietly and moved slowly when she was with him. He had met rabbits that were braver than her.
"I brought you some food," she told him.
It was the excuse Emily used every time she wanted to get away from the others. That was fine with him. Her company he could tolerate.
"Great! Thanks!" Canard said as he carefully put the axe down. "I'm starved."
Canard hadn't lied. Splitting wood was a great way to build up an appetite. The look the pretty mage had given him the one time he had lied to her had left him feeling lower than dirt. Kicked puppies didn't look that pathetic.
The sweaty duck picked up his shirt and put it back on before turning around. It seemed she got flustered when he left it off. Amusing as that was, it usually meant she left in a hurry.
"Here," she said as she held out a plate of food.
Vegetables and unleavened bread again with some fish. The veggies and bread were normal, the fish was a bonus. Someone must have had a good fishing trip for him to get any. That or Emily sneaked some for him. She'd been known to do that on occasion.
It had taken him a bit to get used to their diet. Burgers, pizza, tacos, foods Canard thought were the staples of life, weren't served at Twin Beaks. If they couldn't make it, catch it or grow it themselves, they did without.
"Thank you," he responded as he took the plate.
Their fingers touched for a second as the plate was passed. The dish smashed to the ground as Canard jumped back when a spark of light went from her fingers and hit him in the chest. He glared at her for several seconds as Emily stood there with a stunned look on her face.
"What did you do?" he demanded loudly.
A look of absolute terror passed over her face before she bolted back inside. Canard chased after her, determined to get an answer. He had thought Emily was different and just when he let his guard down, she pulled some magic stunt.
She turned a corner with him two steps behind her. Unfortunately for him, it was two steps too many. He slammed into a stone wall that shouldn't have been there. Angry beyond words, Canard yelled and pounded on the barrier.
"What's going on?" someone demanded.
Great. Of all mages to show up, it had to be the reigning king of self important jerks. Keith was Canard's least favorite duck.
Keith was a horrible hockey player and any talent he may have had came from his powers. He was also the one who picked on Emily the most. Canard wouldn't mind flattening the guy at any other time, but right then his anger was aimed at a pretty little duck who had tricked him.
"Emily cast some sort of spell on me," Canard growled as he gave the wall one last slap.
"Emily?" Keith snorted in disbelief. "That timid little bird? She's too afraid of her own shadow to do anything more powerful than cast a light spell. Whatever she did, won't do much."
"Well, she did something," Canard snapped as he rubbed his chest as another mage came toward them. "Whatever it was, hit me in the chest and now my heart feels weird."
"Please describe exactly what happened," Elder Ross requested.
Of the seven Elders, Ross was the least maddening of them. The older duck only came up to Canard's beak and had a bit of middle age spread, but he was not one to mess with. Canard told him what happened, barely aware of the growing crowd around them. By the time Canard was done talking, Ross had a frown on his face.
"Come with me," Ross ordered Canard before turning to the others. "I'm sure the rest of you have duties elsewhere."
The crowd quickly dispersed, including Keith. One didn't become an Elder just because of age. One became an Elder because of Power. No one in their right mind blatantly disobeyed an Elder.
Ross turned to the wall and tapped it once. The stone moved out of the way, clearing the corridor. Ross walked through and Canard followed.
After a few turns through the underground passages, Canard knew where they were headed, though he didn't know why. He wanted answers from Emily and no one else.
Why did she do it? Was it because he was the only one who couldn't retaliate? Had this all been a sick game for her?
They stepped into the library and the place still amazed him. The ceiling was at least thirty feet above them and every inch of wall was covered in book cases with rolling ladders to allow one to get to the upper shelves. Even the area above the door had book cases above it. The cavern was at least three times as wide and four times as long as it was high and most of the floor space was taken with book cases that reached the ceiling. In the few areas that weren't occupied with bookcases, there were long tables with chairs around them for ducks to study at, but no one was there now. Canard knew a few book worms who would have been in heaven here.
"What brings you to my corner of the mountain, Ross?" the Librarian asked when they finally found him at his desk in the middle of the library.
"Something has happened between Emily and Canard and I'd like your opinion on it, George," Ross replied before he turned to Canard. "Canard, please tell him what you told me.
Canard repeated his tale, still not happy. By the time he was done, both Ross and George were frowning. The two mages looked at each other for a moment.
"Could it be..." George mumbled to himself before looking off into empty space. "Find Emily and tell her that I wish to see her now."
Canard was used to the mages talking to thin air. The freaky part was that even though there was nothing there, they got results. Emily had mentioned something about spirits once, but he hadn't quite grasped what she was talking about. Where ghosts helping them?
A few minutes passed before Emily finally appeared. When she saw Canard, she stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes wide with fear. He could see she had been crying and he felt a bit bad about that. However, she had still done something to him and it was making his heart hurt.
"Emily, child, come here, please," George gently requested.
Emily looked like she'd rather face a firing squad, but she did go to the nearly ancient duck with the pot belly. Canard watched her closely as she shuffled across the floor. Her eyes were downcast and she was trembling.
"Emily, did you use magic on Canard?" George asked and she quickly shook her head 'no'. "Then please tell me what happened."
"I b-b-b-b-brought C-C-C-Canard his lunch," she stuttered softly, visibly becoming upset. "When I handed him his f-f-f-f-food, our f-f-f-fingers touched and that's when the sp-p-p-park jumped out and hit me in the chest."
"No, it hit me in the chest!" Canard forcefully insisted.
A single look from Ross silenced him instantly.
"Please tell Elder Blanche that I would like to see her at her earliest convenience," George requested of no one. "Please let her know that it is quite urgent."
For the first time, Canard felt a whisper of movement in the air. Confused and concerned, he looked around, trying to find the source. Was whatever she had done to him turning him into a mage?
"Canard, would you please take your shirt off," George requested as he stood and she let out a squeak.
Canard would have found it a bit amusing as she got all flustered if he hadn't been so upset with her. He grabbed the bottom of his shirt and Emily started to fidget. He took his time taking his top off just to torment her.
"Yes, child, he is a fine specimen of a duck, but do try and control yourself," George said with amusement before turning back to Canard with a frown. "As for you, stop tormenting the girl. This isn't a peep show, just take the shirt off."
Canard got his shirt off and noticed Emily studiously staring at the floor. He tried not to smirk. All thoughts of the pretty duck left his head when the librarian's beak nearly came in contact with his chest.
"I don't see any physical damage and there's only a trace of magical residue," George mused.
"You wanted to see me?" Elder Blanche asked as she stepped into the library.
"Yes, please, tell me what you find on these two," George requested, indicating Canard and Emily. "Specifically around the heart area."
Blanche walked up to Canard first and held her hand in front of his chest. She frowned slightly and then did the same thing to Emily. When she was done, she was nearly scowling.
"There is an energy around both of their hearts," Blanche stated.
"Who's energy signature is it?" George questioned.
"That's the strange thing," Blanche grumbled. "It's a combination of the both of them."
George was across the library in the blink of an eye, which was pretty amazing considering his age. They could hear him mumbling to himself as he seemed to randomly pull books off of the shelves. A few minutes later, he came back, nearly staggering under the weight of the tomes.
He carefully placed them on a nearby table and started to spread them out. He opened a book, said a few words under his breath and then moved on to the next one. Pages of the books flipped on their own as he moved around the table.
He got back to the first book, frowned and mumbled something else. From one book to another he went. Some he rejected out right and others he set the pages to flipping again.
Finally, after more time than Canard thought he could patiently wait, George had three books left open. The rejected books sat neatly off to the side, waiting to be put back. Of the remaining tomes, George read a few pages of the first one, then the next and finally the last book. As he read, he got more and more excited.
"Ross, Blanche, please come look at this," George excitedly requested. "Please tell me I'm not mad."
The two Elders came over to the table and read the passages in the books.
"It's not possible..." Blanche started.
"The curse..." Ross continued.
"I know! I know!" George replied with excitement, picking up a book and holding it up to them. "But look at the wording. '...all the mages on Puckworld...' Ruby isn't on Puckworld anymore."
"You think she's..." Ross hesitantly questioned.
"I don't see why not," George gleefully told him. "There are other ducks there. It could have happened. It must have happened."
"Excuse me," Canard interrupted, trying to keep a civil tongue in his beak. "Would someone please tell me what is going on?"