Chapter Fifteen

Merek nodded, and turned to the ghost, who hadn't moved from his position near the entrance.
   "King Taleus." He called.
The king was drawn out of his thoughts as he heard his name being called.
   "Hmm? Yes?"
   "Do you think we could have that clue now?" Merek asked.
The king floated over to them and studied them all one by one.
   "Ah, I see you have come to a stand still. Yes indeed young Elowen, you are not strong enough to open the wards. So here are my words to you: One alone is never enough, but two, can do what ever it is they set their minds too."
For a moment, all they could do was just stare at the ghost. Not believing that was all he had to say. But when the old ghost said nothing more, they got the gist.
   "Are you serious?" Sonera grumbled under her breath. "Oh Eleyos help us."
  "Okay so what does that mean? Any ideas lass?"
Elowen was drawn out of her thoughts when Merek waved his hand in front of her face.
   "I said, do you have any ideas what that means." He repeated.
   "Oh, well I have an idea..." She turned and studied Terryn for a moment. Drey had said he never showed the marks of a Magi, and he hadn't shown any signs of being able to see magic earlier either, but that also had to do with the fact that there was no magic on Cevlon. Which would account for why it was showing now. So the real question was, did he really just have the sight, but not the gift? Or did he have both?

   "Why are you starring at me? Do I have something on my face?" Terryn asked, getting nervous of her starring at him.
   "Would you do me a favor?" She asked, her mind made up. She'd test him herself.
   "Sure..." He answered hesitantly.
   "Hold this for me." She shoved her staff in to his hand before he could say a word.
   "What...? O-okay."
She stood back and watched, with her arms across her chest.
   "El? What are you doing?" She only acknowledged to Drey's question was telling him to shush.
   "Is there a reason as to why I am holding this staff?" Terryn asked. "I mean it's not that it's not a nice staff but..." His words were cut off when the staff began to glow.
   "What are you doing Ellie?" Terryn asked in rising horror. "Is this some spell of yours? A practical joke? Because it's not funny!"
   "I'm not doin' it." She protested, but with a slight smile on her face as her theory was proven correct.
   "But you have to be doin' it! There's no one else that could be!" Ysmay cried.
   "No one that would be doing it consciously anyways." Ellie corrected.
Ysmay was quick of wit, and had lots of smarts. Maybe even more then the boys. She caught on quick and looked at Terryn in shock.
   "Is that why he can see magic?" She asked.
Ellie nodded.
   "Okay will someone please explain what in the blazes is going on here?!" Merek shouted, getting their attention.
   "Yes please do!" Terryn squeaked.
   "You said," Ellie pointed to Drey. "that he had never shown signs of being a Magi. But what you should have said was, since you've known him!"
Drey's eyes grew huge as he understood the meaning in her words.
   "Wait, so you're saying that he...he's a..." For some reason he couldn't bring himself to say the word. But it was because of the same reason that he couldn't picture his friend and practically younger brother as that word.
   "I think I'd remember something like that Ellie." Terryn pointed out.
   "You were probably very little when it happened."
   "But why would it have happened at all? I mean I've lived on Cevlon." Terryn pointed out. Ellie cocked an eyebrow and studied him.
   "Did ya now?" She said slowly, in a tone that said 'lie to me and you'll be sorry.'
Terryn sighed and handed Elowen her staff back.
   "I have, for the past eight years." He answered quietly.
   "...Where were you before the past eight years?" Ysmay asked, her usual quiet and even tone becoming a pitch higher.
Terryn looked at her with deep sad eyes, giving her her answer. She gasped and her hands flew to her mouth.
   "You...you're a Falionite?" She whispered.
He nodded with his head hanging loosely on his shoulders.
   "Why didn't you tell us?" Merek asked, his tone quieter then usual.
   "Because! You would have treated me differently. And it happened a long time ago anyways! I tried my best to forget my past. And I did...most of the time."
   "So..."
   "No we don't have time to ask him to retell his whole entire history." Elowen cut in before any other questions could be asked.
   "The two that king Taleus was referring to, was you and I."
   "But I've never had the training! And it's never even bothered me 'til now. So how am I suppose to help?"
   "We'll just have to hope that you are a very fast learner."
Once Ellie had a goal set in her mind, she worked hard to make it happen.
   "Alright it's really easy actually, with the...uh...proper motivation. Okay come here. Let me see if I can do this right." She motioned to him with her hand a little impatiently but still encouraging.
He was hesitant but came over just the same.
Ellie took his hands her own, his were startling cold compared to hers, but she didn't have time to dwell on that.
   "There was this spell that was used in times of war and great need. It takes years to learn how to channel a Magi's power and strength to where it will actually do something. But when war came the king needed Magi quickly. They were his...well his weapons." Terryn's pulse raced. "but also his healers." She added quickly. "But that's not the point really. As I said, it takes years, and years to train to be anything useful to a king. So the masters came up with a spell that allowed them to bleed information into younger Magi. Letting them become strong Magi in half the time."
Terryn looked at her with wide trusting eyes.
   "And you think you could do this to me?"
Elowen bit her lip and glanced down at her feet.
   "Well..."
   "No. In reality, she cannot."
Everyone looked up to find the ghost standing between Elowen and Terryn.
The ghost regarded her for a moment then looked at Terryn.
   "She has neither the strength, or the experience. If she attempts this spell it will kill her, and damage you."
She groaned, furious at her own weakness.
   "Then what do you suggest I do?" She cried at the old ghost. "How else are we to get this Gem? We need it, and the wards are too strong for me to undo by myself. And Terryn needs to learn anyways, you should know what happens when a Calling is ignored."
The rest of the gang couldn't help but feel they were missing half the conversation, and only got half the meaning in Ellie's words. Terryn glanced from the ghost to Ellie, then to Dreyden and Merek. Wanting some kind of explanation of what was going on.
The ghost nodded slowly.
   "Yes, I know all about a Calling being defied." His tone was one of grief and sadness. Elowen went quiet immediately and hung her head in disgrace. Of course he knew, how could she have been so naive?
   "I know you are trying to do two impossible jobs young maiden." The ghost's tone went from sad, to encouraging and understanding. Ellie looked up at him with hope flickering in her bright green eyes.
   "You are trying to keep your friends safe, while trying to accomplish a dangerous quest. Sadly, you cannot do both."
Tears stung her eyes. This was something she didn't want to hear, but something she knew in her heart to be true.
She was just a girl.
A girl with hardly any training, and an impossible goal to achieve. How she was going to do it, she didn't know. She wasn't even sure she could!
   "So let me help you by taking some of the burden off your shoulders." The ghost finished.
Ellie watched in shock as the ghost moved over to the boy standing several paces away. He rose his hand, 'til it hovered over Terryn's forehead.
   "Let your mind go blank child." He gently ordered. Terryn's fear was plain for all to see on his face, but his eyes locked with Ysmay's. He saw the fierceness in her eyes that was so rare to see if anyone saw it at all. He wasn't sure what it meant, but he knew it was meant for him. Her face gave him courage, and he did as the ghost asked. He closed his eyes and let everything go blank.
The old ghost began to chant a spell, and only then did Elowen really see how complicated the spell was, and how much energy it would take from her.
   "How...how can he do that?" Dreyden whispered to her from behind her.
She shrugged her shoulders in wonder.
   "I have no clue actually, it shouldn't be possible, but....ghosts aren't even suppose to exist either so...Eleyos can do what ever he wants?" She suggested, not taking her eyes off Terryn and king Taleus.
For a long moment, everyone stood still and as silent as a grave.
Ysmay was gripping Elowen's hand for comfort, or just to hide the anxiety she was feeling.
It seemed the whole world held it's breath as they watched the boy and the ghost.
Finally after what seemed like years, the ghost moved away from Terryn.
   "You will be in a bit of pain for a while," The ghost said. His voice softer then it ever was before. "but you can now access your magic willingly." He turned to Dreyden and looked him in the eye.
   "My job here is done, may Eleyos see that it was done to the best of my abilities. But listen," His gaze pierced Drey's not allowing him to move.
   "The day may come when you'll have to face the things you have forgotten, and the things you wish to no longer remember. And when that time comes, you will have to take on the responsibilities it entails. But remember...you are never alone."
The king held his head high, a noble and respected air flowing off him. He clutched his sword tightly as the outline of his transparent form began to dim.
Elowen moved towards him, but stopped when he smiled at her.
   "You are his strength." said his last words, before he faded completely.
Leaving them alone once again.

Ysmay looked around cautiously but didn't see the ghost reappear anywhere.
She let go of Ellie's hand and ran over to Terryn who was standing there dazed.
   "Are you alright? How much pain are you in? Do you...feel any different?"
She couldn't help but feel like a mother, since she had acted like one for so long with these boys.
She checked his forehead but didn't find it feverish. When she touched him he came out of his daze and looked around for a moment before seeing her in front of him. He gently pulled her hand down, causing her to blush a little.
   "I'm fine Ysmay. You always worry so much. My head just hurts a little, but I'll be just fine."
   "Are you sure?" She pestered. "I know I sound a little annoying, but it seems that I'm the only one who actually watches out for you and all your stupid cuts you get from playing with those stupid little knives and -"
Her rambling was cut off when Terryn's lips crashed onto hers gently.
Ysmay's eyes grew as wide as a ywen, and she lost her breath.
For years she dreamed of actually being able to kiss Terryn, but those were just dreams! There's a difference when one's dreams turn into realities.
But shocking herself, she didn't pull back, and when she didn't Terryn smiled against her lips. Relieved he hadn't made a huge mistake.

Elowen couldn't help the gasp from escaping her as she watched what happened. Sonera just  smiled, as if she had expected this any moment.
The boys on the other hand, obviously never had the thought cross their minds.
   "Terryn and....and Ysmay?" Merek muttered. "That's just...." He was silenced when the two girls gave him a look.
   "That's....just lovely. Yes indeed, it's just fantastic." Merek quickly covered.
Ellie grinned at Sonera, who let a faint smile cross her face.
   "You should have seen it coming from a mile away," Sonera commented. "Oh! but of course! You're lads."
   "What's that suppose to mean?" Dreyden asked.
The girls chuckled as they saw how clueless they were.

Neither Ysmay nor Terryn wanted to stop, but when Elowen tapped her shoulder, Ysmay pulled away and let her hair fall into her face, trying in vain to hide her crimson cheeks.
   "I don't mean to be rude or anything, but could you do that latter?" Ellie asked, in her innocent way. "Like, say when we get this Gem and get out of here? Besides I really don't think that's going to help with his concentration."
Ysmay closed her eyes in slight embarrassment and nodded, moving away from Terryn.
   "Yes of course. My apologies." She muttered quietly.
Elowen gave her a smile, but shook her head.
   "No need to apologize. It's not something you should be sorry for, but Terryn we really need to get to work."
Terryn nodded.
   "Alright let's get over with it then, I don't like it down here."
Elowen nodded and turned to everyone else.
   "Why don't you guys go and break camp." She suggested. "I don't want to be here long, but I have to make sure Terryn's got everything under control."
Merek looked at her like she had just suggested they go dance a jig and stand on their heads for an hour!
   "Break camp?! Why would we break camp?" He asked in pure shock.
   "I have to test Terryn to make sure he has everything under control! Just because he has the knowledge, doesn't mean he knows how to use it." She pointed out, but it was easy to tell they weren't convinced.
   "Unless of course you're keen to let the wards do their job if we tamper with them wrong and then everyone will be fried to a crisp."
Once she pointed out the danger, the boys understood her reasoning.
Sonera led them to a dry area a little ways away from the pedestal, and they all collapsed on the floor, secretly glad for the rest.

   "Alright Terryn," Elowen said, turning to the dirty haired boy next to her. But she noticed he wasn't listening. She followed his gaze and couldn't hide the smile.
   "Ahem." She cleared her throat and tapped on his shoulder.
   "Huh?" He turned to her with a look of questioning. She chuckled and shook her head.
   "You sure do like her don't you? I'm just surprised it took you this long."
Terryn's face turned from questioning, to annoyed, then to embarrassment.
   "What do you mean?"
   "Well it's obvious that she's liked you for a while."
   "It is?!" He asked in alarm.
Ellie nodded and then nodded to Ysmay as she glanced over at the two of them.
   "Yeah..."
   "How?" Terryn forced his voice to go lower as he glanced back at the dark haired girl.
   "Well...I could see it in her eyes when you were...uh...wounded."
   "So I've just been blind?"
Ellie shook her head hastily.
   "No! No, no, no! That's not what I meant...." She sighed. "I'm sorry, this isn't going well. That's the thing about me is I always blow my chance by talking too much and then it's all ruined."
Terryn surprised her by laughing.
   "I think you could talk all you want, and Dreyden wouldn't mind one bit." He kindly said, only causing her to blush.
   "Right, well I think we should leave each other's love lives alone for right now and move on to more important things. Like making sure you actually know how to work your magic, and then getting out of this accursed place."