The Matriarch had not seen her fellow sorcerer since he departed for Thronegarden; however, they had known each other for years and they greeted one another formally. She remembered his crescent birthmark and gold pendant that always hung from his neck.
“Orion, what brings you back here?” the Matriarch posed.
“I am here to take the princess home,” Orion informed.
“She is on an important mission, not just for herself but all of Fable,” the Matriarch reported.
“I am following the king’s orders. Anyone attempting to stop me will be committing treason,” Orion threatened. “Step aside.”
“I cannot,” the Matriarch stated. “Your magic was always stronger in the healing arts, fighting is not your area of expertise.”
“We do what we must,” Orion answered.
Orion’s hand appeared to burn green moments before unleashing a powerful stream of energy towards the Matriarch who created a magical shield to deflect the blow.
“You should go now.” Eloise pushed Damselfly in the direction of the gate. Damselfly ran although she continually looked over her shoulder until the battle was out of sight. It was terrible to know that the Matriarch may get hurt because of them.
“I’m sure she’ll be all right,” Buttons comforted. “She is a great sorceress.”
Damselfly accepted the words gratefully although she had a feeling that Orion would not allow himself to be stopped.
The Magic Quarter was being pulled apart by the conflict between two equally matched magicians as Orion continued to attack the deflated Matriarch.
“You cannot break down my defenses,” she warned.
“You cannot stop me without killing me.” Orion released another bolt.
Eloise watched helplessly as the two sorcerers exchanged blows that would have killed a normal person. The Matriarch was keeping Orion at bay quite easily until they both started to see changes occurring around them. The Matriarch noticed a patch of bright colour disappear first, then blotches of blackness began appearing, leaving her vision diluted.
“We are draining too much magic,” the Matriarch cautioned.
“Let me pass,” Orion demanded, continuing his assault.
The Matriarch was locked in combat with an opponent she could overpower; unfortunately, the cost of doing so was rising with each passing moment. With no way to replace the magic they were burning through, every fragment of energy was precious, and already the Magic Quarter was showing signs of degradation. The magic barrier was growing transparent while the creatures inside the gaol were straining at their weakening binds.
“If we continue, this whole place could be destroyed,” the Matriarch exhorted.
“Move aside,” Orion cried.
Eloise, who had been watching proceedings with growing horror, could not standby any longer. Despite possessing limited magical powers, she hoped her presence would turn the tide in their favour. Unfortunately, Orion, who was the aggressor, caught sight of Eloise and redirected his next strike towards her. The Matriarch did not have enough time to react so Eloise took the blast head on, sending her sprawling to the ground.
“Eloise,” the Matriarch screamed, running over to her fallen friend.
Orion, sensing victory, tore his eyes from the carnage he had caused and began to cross the square in pursuit of his quarry.
“Orion, she’s hurt,” the Matriarch declared. “I need your healing powers.”
Orion stopped, considering his options before dismissing the plea.
“Please,” the Matriarch begged.
Orion walked over to where Eloise had fallen after the impact. Her body was protected by the Matriarch who was leaning across her friend.
“I will help the girl if you tell me where Damselfly is heading,” Orion bargained.
“OK,” the Matriarch surrendered.
Chapter 10
The Hottest of Times
The Lavagarden was a land of extremes.
Immediately upon entering, Damselfly was struck by a blast of fetid hot air and a terrible stench of rotting eggs. Sulphur-laden smoke vents brought tears to their eyes and made their throats sore.
“I don’t like it here,” Buttons whined.
“We must find Bakka,” Damselfly replied determinedly.
With the dispirited rabbit in her arms, Damselfly flew over large veins of lava that flowed beyond sight. Over eighty percent of the Lavagarden’s surface was lava. It had been partitioned off years ago to avoid damage being done to the neighbouring gardens. Three active volcanoes created an unholy trinity of destruction that kept the Lavagarden from cooling and turning into rock.
“Please don’t drop me,” Buttons wailed.
“Stop squirming then,” Damselfly ordered.
The princess was still mastering her magical wings though she could fly relatively well. Whenever it came time to change direction or land, she was still finding it a challenge. Damselfly did not worry about the Matriarch who she had left behind because she was certain she could look after herself. Hopefully Orion would be off their trail permanently, and they could concentrate on recovering Death’s timepiece without interference.
“We might never find him amongst all this,” Buttons feared.
“He is probably the only person living here; we’ll find him eventually,” Damselfly comforted.
“What are we going to eat until then?” the insatiable rabbit queried.
Damselfly flew over a large mountain range buoyed by the invisible warm currents from below. They did not encounter a single living creature either in the air or down below. There were simply not enough resources to sustain life.
“How could anyone survive here for more than a couple of days?” Buttons asked incredulously.
“The Matriarch said Bakka was here and I believe her,” Damselfly responded stubbornly.
“She can’t actually know that though because she has been living in the Magic Quarter for years,” Buttons disputed.
“You said back in the Magicgarden that you wanted to be brave. Well, here is your chance,” Damselfly offered.
Buttontail tried to puff his chest out majestically, but all he got was a disgusting mouthful of smoke and his resolve was gone.
“I think terrified suits me better,” the frightened rabbit crowed.
Damselfly was beginning to get tired and there were no suitable
