“How long?” Gerd asked, looking worried.
“Not long,” Eicewald said. He pointed ahead.
Arrain was coming toward them, and with him were several warriors.
Chapter 29
The group followed Arrain in silence, tense and worried about what the Queen might say, with Shamans and warriors surrounding them. Ona and Camu walked beside Lasgol, who was trying to reassure them, without much success.
When they arrived at the throne hall inside the Queen’s marine palace-cavern, Uragh was waiting for them on her strange watery throne. Beneath her feet they could see shoals of colorful fish which they had never seen before.
“Welcome,” the Queen said, as if all of a sudden, they were her guests instead of her prisoners. “I hope you’ve enjoyed the rest and my people’s attention.”
Eicewald bowed deeply and respectfully. “We have indeed, your Majesty. A thousand thanks.”
Uragh turned to the Mage. “Mercy is not one of my virtues, as you know well …”
Lasgol tensed. The conversation was already taking a wrong turn.
“… but one thing I am is fair. I’ve thought deeply about your situation, and I think we can come to an understanding.”
They were all utterly taken aback, not having expected the situation to take that particular turn. Ingrid and Viggo exchanged glances of disbelief, Nilsa and Gerd of surprise, and Astrid and Lasgol of hope.
“This creature has a deeply significant power,” Uragh said, indicating Camu, who stretched out his head and tail when he heard himself mentioned. “A power that can help both me and my people, and therefore can help you out of the situation you find yourselves in.”
“How can we help the Turquoise Queen?” Eicewald asked, sounding very interested.
Uragh stood up within her throne of water and raised her arms. At once the water under her feet began to rise to the ceiling in the form of thousands and thousands of tiny blue droplets, as if they were lighter than air and were able to float to the roof of the cavern.
“My power is the Magic of Life and Water, and by the grace of the Sea Goddess, I have great power which I use to help and protect my people. Unfortunately, my magic of death is not yet as powerful. It will be someday, because I am still working on my power to strengthen it.” She made a circular movement with her hand, and the droplets began to move around the hall in circles. The spectacle was charming.
“The Turquoise Queen’s power is amazing,” Eicewald said. He too was watching the spectacle with eyes captivated by both its beauty and that of the Queen. Lasgol realized that not only Eicewald but all the others were staring at the droplets and the Queen, who shone with an enchanting turquoise blue radiance when she was using her magic.
“Powerful though it is, it is fed by this place, by these islands.” She indicated the sea-bed beneath her throne. “That is why I do not wish, and have never wished, to leave my home. An enemy is threatening my realm, and in order to destroy him I must leave my land, which I am unwilling to do.” With a movement of her hand, she caused all the droplets to fall and turn back into water as they touched the ground.
“What enemy is this who is threatening the Turquoise Queen?” Eicewald asked.
Lasgol and Astrid exchanged a worried glance. Who could possibly confront Uragh and come out victorious? It had to be someone as powerful as she was herself. An enemy with frightening power – or perhaps one far enough away for the Queen to be reluctant to go and destroy him.
“His name is Olagar. He uses Magic of Death and Transformation. He cares nothing about life, only about power and death. He uses his magic of Transformation in an abominable way, and is creating an army to attack my realm and destroy me.”
“What does my Queen want from us?” the Mage asked.
“It’s simple. A simple exchange. Olagar’s head for the Star of Sea and Life.” She waved her hands. On the right of her throne of water, a circle in the ground opened and a jet of blue water rose half-way up. Above the jet, which resembled a small geyser, the precious object appeared: the Star of Sea and Life. Uragh turned her left wrist, and the star lit up with an intense luminescence of sea-blue, with flashes of turquoise and white.
They all stared at the Object of Power. They had come here to find it, and now here it was in front of them, so close, almost within the reach of their hands. The problem was that the powerful Queen, and her shamans and guards, were watching them intently. Lasgol saw Viggo beginning to lean forward, as if to reach for it. Ingrid seized him unobtrusively from behind to make sure he would not even think of trying.
Astrid was staring at Lasgol, and in her eyes he saw what he himself was thinking: they were so close, and at the same time so far from being able to complete their mission.
Star much power, Camu transmitted.
That’s what Eicewald told me. We need that power of Life and Water to defeat the Frozen Specter.
Take?
No! Don’t you dare take it! The Queen won’t let us.
If you say, I take.
Not for the moment. Stay still.
I stay.
Lasgol muffled a gasp of relief.
“Where can we find this Olagar?” Eicewald asked.
“In the Ferocious Islands, to the west of my realm: five days’ journey. There are three islands that form a triangle. That is Olagar’s realm, and from there he sends ships against my people. Go there, and bring me proof of his death. If you do so, you will be able to return to Norghana with the Star of Sea and Life, to end the frozen threat. Once that
