“But how will we get there in time?” Kull asked. “We’re days away from the northlands.”
“We’ll create a portal,” he said, nodding toward the staff he held. “Using this.”
“You know how to control it?” I asked.
“Yes,” he answered. “It took a bit of re-learning on my part. As you know, this was once my brother Zaladin’s staff, long ago. My elder brother and I were friends. He taught me to use it, but I had forgotten everything about it—until now. When we crossed through the portal from the dark world back into Faythander, this staff crossed with us, jarring some of my memories. I used its power to locate the both of you, and I was even able to create a portal to get us here.”
“And you think you can create another portal to get us to the northlands?”
“I’m confident I can.”
“Then we can’t wait,” I said. “We need to get there as soon as possible.”
“Don’t be so hasty,” Heidel answered. “We’ll need weapons, supplies, and warm clothing if we wish to traverse through the northlands. Although it is no longer crawling with goblins, we’ll still have the elves to contend with. This will not be an easy journey.”
“But where will we get supplies?” I asked.
“The elves will have the supplies we need here in Celestara,” Maveryck answered.
“How do you know that?” Kull asked.
“Because I’ve spent some time here, although it has been many years. The elves will aid us in our quest. I’ve no doubt of that.”
“Very well,” Kull said. “Then what? We travel to the northlands?”
“Yes,” Maveryck answered. “We travel to the northlands. And pray we survive.”
Several hours later, Heidel, Maveryck, Kull, and I stood outside the elven village. The afternoon breeze stirred the tall grass surrounding us, the sound similar to waves on an ocean, bringing with it the faint scent of lavender. Beyond us lay the shimmering dome surrounding Celestara. My heart pricked as I stared at the village where I’d been married. Would I ever return here again?
As I studied the sky overhead, the pale blue seemed dimmer, as if a shadow had fallen over the world. Maybe it was just my imagination, but was the approaching asteroid draining the light from the world? Conflicting emotions warred within me. Would I be able to stop the asteroid? Or would I do the exact opposite? I knew all too well what the prophecy said—but I also had a little knowledge now on how to manipulate it. Clutching at the necklace around my neck, I felt the smooth warmth of the bone fragment. Its presence gave me strength—that and the ring I wore. If time really could be manipulated, I knew the key to doing it lay in the pure magic of my ring.
“You seem lost in thought,” Kull said, approaching me.
I turned to him. “I was just wondering how we’re going to win this one.”
His face turned dark, but then he took my hand, and the look disappeared. “We’ll find a way.”
“You know, sometimes you’re optimistic to a fault.”
“That may be true, but that’s the natural result of always being right.”
“You’re also arrogant to a fault.”
A sly grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. He pulled me to him and kissed my head. “We’ll get through this, Olive. There’s no need to worry.” But as he said it, I heard the doubt in his voice. We knew what the prophecies said. One of us would die, killed by the other’s hand. Even so, Lucretian believed that wasn’t the worst part. Mending the rift, to him, had seemed more dire. But what could that possibly mean? And why had it caused him so much alarm?
From the city, two elves approached us. As they drew nearer, I recognized the two men as Wendolun and Eyrin. They wore dark green robes with golden stitching, and their high cheekbones and pointed ears gave them an air of mysticism.
They stopped as they reached us, and each man fisted their hands over the hearts. I wasn’t sure why they’d come. The elves had already been overly generous, donating an array of supplies for our journey, including food and heavy, fur-lined cloaks.
“We have come to wish you good luck,” Eyrin said. “May our gods smile upon your journey into the harshest of places in our world. We do not envy you in this quest. We also wish you to know that if you ever need a place of refuge, our home is open to you.”
“Thank you,” I answered.
The two elven men nodded.
“Olive, Kull, may I speak with you in private?” Wendolun asked.
“Of course,” I answered, although I wondered what he could possibly have to say. Kull and I followed him down a short path that led through the tall grass and away from the others. When we reached a shallow pond, we stopped. Wendolun pulled something out of his pocket, though he kept his hand fisted.
“I realize we have not known one another for long, but I feel a connection to the both of you. What I said at your wedding ceremony was not something I say to everyone—or to anyone—ever. I believe you to be the future king and queen of our world.”
Kull and I traded glances, and then Kull cleared his throat.
“That’s very kind of you to say.” Kull spoke in a polite tone, but I thought he knew, as well as I did, that what Wendolun said was impossible.
“I know my words must sound strange to your ears, but I feel that if you make the correct choices, you will both be rewarded beyond what you can imagine.”
He opened his hand to reveal two rings. The afternoon sun made the silver bands sparkle, and it was then that I realized they were no ordinary rings. The silver gleamed with its own light—a shimmer that was almost indiscernible—but I felt the magic in the bands causing them to shine with a dim silvery luster.
“These bands are made of celestarite,” Wendolun said. “It’s
