“Maveryck,” I said. “Do you know what the egg looks like?”
“It is rumored to be very beautiful. Black with golden bands.”
“Interesting,” I said. “Are there any other eggs that fit that description?”
“No. The vachonette egg is one of a kind. Most eggs take on the color of their magic, making them green or bluish-green, but the vachonette took on black magic, making it the only egg of that color.”
“So you’re saying there are no other eggs at all that are black?”
“It’s the only one. Why do you ask?”
“Because,” I answered, “I think I may know someone who’s seen that egg. And he’s in Earth Kingdom.”
Kull and Heidel stopped arguing to stare at me.
“You know where the egg is?” Heidel asked.
“No, but I think I know someone who does.”
Chapter 19
Kull, Maveryck, Heidel, and I sat in the small, one-window room in Jahr’ad’s lair. The air smelled of dust and sand. I tasted its grittiness on my tongue. There were many reasons I wished to be free of this place, but getting that taste out of my mouth was pretty high on my list.
“Who do you know who has knowledge of the egg?” Heidel asked.
“His name is Zack Zimmerman,” I answered. “He’s a weather reporter in Earth Kingdom.”
“A weather reporter?” Maveryck asked. “How would he know where the vachonette egg is located?”
“He collects rare eggs called Fabergé eggs. One in particular looked just like the egg we’re looking for. I have no idea how he would have come into contact with the vachonette egg, except that he must have traveled to Faythander and seen it.”
“Are you certain of this?” Maveryck asked.
“No, I’m not certain of anything. It could be a huge coincidence he collects eggs that look like the vachonette, but I don’t think so. I tested him, and he has been exposed to elven magic. At the time, I thought it was a fluke, but now I believe he must have come to Faythander. He must have seen the egg we’re looking for, but there’s only one way to know for sure. I’ll have to travel to Earth Kingdom and find out.”
“We’ll have to get your magic back before you can create a portal,” Kull said.
“Yes, but how?” I asked.
“Leave that to me,” Maveryck said as he stood tall, his robes rustling. “Jahr’ad has hopefully had a moment to cool down. Plus, after his botched negotiating, Jahr’ad owes me a favor.”
“You’re sure you can deal with him?” Kull asked.
“I am.”
“I disagree,” Heidel said. “Jahr’ad won’t negotiate anything unless it benefits him. It’s unlikely we’ll escape this place unscathed.”
“I give you my word that we will leave this place without injury, but you must let me deal with him on my own terms. I shall return shortly.”
He backed out of the room and left without another word. I watched him go, feeling a mixture of confusion and admiration at his brazen attitude. What made him so sure he could get my magic back and get us out of here?
“He’s a fool,” Heidel said, “and he’s more overconfident than you, Brother. Never in a million years did I think I would say such a thing.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You shouldn’t.”
Kull leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, looking barbaric with his naked torso and blood drying on his chest. I was reminded of the time I’d spent with him in Geth’s camp after he’d been attacked by a Regaymor. My heart fluttered at the memory. How was this man able to hold such power over me? Even with his injuries, he had a commanding presence, and after his fight with the venom-drake, the tales of his godlike strength would only become more exaggerated.
“Olive,” Heidel said, “since we’re alone for a moment, I thought perhaps… that is… I was wondering if you might… would you do the spellcasting?” she asked.
“I wish I could, but I can’t do it without my magic.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Can’t you at least try?”
“I suppose I could try. It might be possible to use only the mirror’s magic without using my own, but I can’t guarantee anything.”
“That is sufficient for me,” Heidel said. I went to my pack and found my mirror. After pulling it out, I sat on the floor, and Heidel sat across from me. I placed the mirror case between us.
It felt strange to do a spellcasting without my magic and here in Jahr’ad’s lair, but if Heidel truly wanted her memories back, we didn’t have the luxury of finding a more suitable place to perform the test.
“Brother,” Heidel said, “will you kindly leave the room?”
“Me? Why?”
“Just do it,” she said.
He remained in the room a moment longer, looking from the mirror to his sister, but he finally relented and stepped outside. Heidel turned to me. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and her eyes darted. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen her so nervous.
“If this works, you will not speak of what we find in the mirror, will you?” she whispered.
“I promise this will be between you and me,” I said.
“Good. I have an ill feeling about what I might learn. But I must know the truth.”
“I understand.”
I opened the case and felt a surge of energy flow from the mirror. Its electric-blue glow warmed me. Power built within me, filling the empty spaces where my magic had once resided. I wasn’t sure it was enough to fuel the spell, but it was better than nothing.
I scanned the five figurines arranged on the mirror’s velvet lining, but since we were doing the spell in reverse and I was attempting this with limited magic, I
