“Because, the power used by those who ruled Tremulac was hidden away, and most assumed it was never in danger of being resurrected again. Now, that may not be the case.”
“Euralysia plans to restore Tremulac?”
He nodded.
“But, how?” I asked.
He reached inside his suit pocket and pulled out a slim leather book. As he passed it to me, I noticed the pages were brown with age and the red and gold paint on the covering had faded. I took it from him.
“What is this?”
“It is a journal I discovered many years ago, written by Dracon, one of the Madralorde brothers of Tremulac Isle. While it is incomplete, it may be of help to us.”
As I carefully flipped through the brittle pages, I found a map and drawings of various weapons coupled with descriptions among the entries.
“Does it say anything useful?”
“Most of the entries are vague, although it does tell us that there were seven brothers, and each wielded a magical weapon of incredible power. They used these weapons not for peace, but for power. The journal does not say how these weapons were forged—a secret the brothers took to their graves. It is also missing several pages that I believe speak of the lost sword of the Madralorde.”
I nodded. “‘The only weapon more powerful than fate.’ Yeah, I remember the stories, but I’m surprised she’s looking for it. Quests for make-believe swords seem like a waste of time.”
“You only say that because no one has found it.”
“No. I say it because it doesn’t exist.”
“That’s not entirely true. I’ve come across some knowledge that leads me to believe the sword is indeed real. Also, if the queen didn’t believe she could find it, she wouldn’t be searching for it. If she does find these weapons, then she will gain the power to not only overcome me, but to control any power she chooses, including Theht.”
The waitress arrived from the kitchen with a cheese pizza, although my mind wasn’t on the food. Fan’twar eyed the pizza, then took a slice and nibbled a bite.
“Do you like it?” I asked.
“It’s acceptable. Not quite as good as the meat pies Charl prepares.”
“She cheats. I swear she adds a little magic to those pies.”
He gave me a slight grin. “Good cooking does not require magic, young one.”
“You’re right. It requires skill and luck. And I have neither.”
Fan’twar laughed. “I suppose your lack of culinary skills is partially my own fault, as we spent more time training in magic than learning to cook, didn’t we?”
“Yes, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
I took a slice of pizza and placed it on my plate as I mulled over our conversation, still curious about the story of the seven brothers and the lost sword.
“I’m confused,” I said after taking a bite. “If the seven brothers were able to harness Theht’s power, and if they used it to create incredibly powerful weapons, then why aren’t they ruling Faythander now?”
“That is a bit of a mystery. I have read the journals, researched the ancient tomes, and learned that historians agree—the brothers did indeed have the ability to control Theht’s powers. Why they were unable to complete the ritual is a mystery.”
I eyed him. Mystery was a word Fan’twar didn’t use often.
“Don’t you have any theories as to what happened?”
His eyes darkened, and—as if on cue—clouds covered the sun outside, making the room grow dimmer. “There are some who claim the castle on Tremulac Isle is cursed.”
“Cursed how?”
He shook his head, his eyes seeming to wander to a different time. “Something evil happened in that castle, although I do not know any more than that.”
I tapped my fingers on the table as I mulled over his words. Fan’twar wasn’t easily spooked. What had happened in that castle?
“In order for the summoning to work,” Fan’twar said as he took another slice of pizza, “the seven weapons will have to be restored, and the elves know this. One of the weapons—the staff of Zaladin—is now hidden in the vaults in the silverwitch’s castle.”
Silvestra, the dragon silverwitch, was not one of my favorite people. I had only met her once, but with the amount of power she wielded, once had been enough. She had taken Kull’s sword in exchange for our passage to the top of her mountain—a deal that still bothered me.
“Do the elves know the witch has the staff?”
“I am sure they must know it by now, and they have successfully stolen from Silvestra in the past, which makes it only a matter of time before they attempt to steal from her again. We cannot let this happen. You control the magic of both Earth and Fairy World. The witch controls dragon and black magic. Technically speaking, you are equals, which means you have the ability to beat her.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m very confused. You want me to beat her? Why can’t you?”
His gaze wandered, and he shook his head. “It would not be possible.”
“Is it because of a dragon code of honor or something?”
“No.”
I crossed my arms. “Then why?”
He sighed. “It is best for me to keep my distance from the dragon, for there are other dealings that must be handled. Already the elven queen seeks out the Madralorde sword. Of all the weapons, the sword is the most powerful. I cannot allow the elven queen to find it, and so I must make sure the sword stays protected. That is why I have come to you. I must try to find the sword, so you must remove the staff of Zaladin from the dragon’s castle.”
“Can it be done?”
“Yes. I have faith in your abilities.”
“Well, that makes one of us.” I stared out the window at the cars driving by and people walking past, wondering how it was that I always got myself into these situations.
“I’m not so sure I should. For one thing, my magic is still unstable. A man came for a spellcasting today, and while he’s never been to Faythander, I
