Zephira looked at himwith wide eyes, obviously shocked at his use of magic on her, andnodded silently.
‘Good. I hope we allnow understand each other.’
There was another knockon the door, but before Aquitain could attend to it, it openeditself and in walked Featherdown and Quab. They stood side-by-sidewith glum faces. Quab looked like he had had a collision with atree trunk and sported a respectable black eye.
‘I am here to makepeace not war amongst friends. I have caused division where thereshould have been unity. I truly apologise for my errors ofjudgement,’ said High Wizard Featherdown.
‘I am truly sorry formy disgusting behaviour, Miranda,’ said Quab. ‘Please forgiveme.’
Miranda replied, ‘Itheartens me that the High Wizard should finally take responsibilityfor this folly. These people came here seeking nothing butsanctuary and you have treated them as villains. They are thegrandchildren of your friend and yet you believe they are here toupset the world. Look elsewhere for your enemies; they are not inthis room.’
‘Quab, I looked uponyou as a friend and a mentor. From this day forth those positionsare under review. If you ever dare to spy on me again, or speak tome as you did a while ago, I will rip your throat out.’
There was a shortsilence, then Featherdown spoke,
‘Good, now that we havethat matter cleared up, we have another problem. I have been askedby the Druid Council to arrest Aquitain and have him delivered tothem. However, I have already told them that he has left, and wewill begin our search for him tomorrow. That means that you willneed to disappear tonight. I suggest a hideaway of mine under anold ruin on the coast, some forty leagues to the north. It is wellprovisioned and well protected from scrying. It will act as anideal safe house until your grandfather sorts out your problem inPanmagica.
‘Zephira is welcome tostay here and act as your eyes and ears. She could remain in hercurrent position and act as liaison between us, and deliversupplies as necessary. As a measure of trust I have a list ofteleport marker locations around the world for you to memorize, andas a peace offering I give you this page torn from the Yith halfbook on the bench over there. The book was given to me to give toyou. You may also take anything from this workshop which might beof use.
‘As you have probablyheard, there is a prophecy of a time of great chaos ahead. If youhave time and the inclination, I would ask of you to translate someYith tomes that may shed light on what happened just prior to theGreat Storm. It may tell us whether we are to expect another storm,or chaos of a different nature.
‘I will leave you foran hour to decide what you wish to do, then return for youranswers. I am sorry that things have turned out the way they have.I will do my best to make amends.’
Chapter 14 The Ruin.
Aquitain turned toZephira. ‘He has a point you know. You would be best helping me bywatching my back from here. Granddad gave us two teleport rings; Iwill set up a teleport marker allowing you to visit me at any time.We will be just a thought apart.’
‘Will you be takingher?’ asked Zephira.
‘I am no one’s propertyto be moved around like a domestic animal,’ said Mirandaindignantly. ‘I will be leaving now.’
‘Wait, Miranda. Pleasehear me out before you go. Zephira is worried about my safety. Sheis worried that I am too stupid to survive in a remote location bymyself, and she may be right. I have never been alone outside atown for more than a few hours in my whole life. I would be verythankful if you could check out the dangers of the location for meand perhaps teach me enough basic skills to survive. I would alsobe very grateful if you could help me to learn to fly as an eagle.In return I will make you a magic item and teach you some mindmagic.’
Miranda considered theproposal carefully. She was afraid she might get to like Aquitainif she stayed around him too much and that might be dangerous forhim, but the prospect excited her deep down.
Zephira knew that whathe had said was true. If Miranda didn’t go then she would need to,but that would leave them blind to any potential dangers such asthe Archon. So she had to back him up regardless of what shethought about Miranda.
‘I’m so sorry Miranda.I apologize again for my rude accusations. I love Aquitain as asister loves a brother. Please help him. He will get himself intotrouble in no time if he stays in the jungle by himself, and I willspend all my time worrying about his safety.’
Miranda thought aboutZephira’s comments and remembered what had happened when he wentswimming in the sea this morning. He had been very lucky to escapewith his life then. Leaving him alone by himself in the Mudrunjungle would be tantamount to murder.
‘Perhaps you are right.He does seem a danger to himself at the moment. I will scout theplace to ensure that it is safe, and show him some basic rules forliving safely in the jungle. After that I must go, as I have myterritory to look after.’
Aquitain could hardlybelieve it, she had agreed. What incredibly good fortune. Now hecould get to know her better and she would get to know him.
‘Thank you Miranda, Iwill do my best to learn as much of your wisdom as quickly aspossible so that you will be free to tend to your territory as soonas possible. Now we must pack. Zephira, empty the contents of thoseboxes on the floor, I’ll need them for other stuff.’
‘Can I help too?’Miranda asked.
‘Of course, if youempty those sacks I can use those as well.’
An hour laterFeatherdown
