“Did that actually happen?”
“Was Nario for real?”
“But even if he was...could he have really been talking about me?”
These, along with other questions, had been replaying in Michael’s head. In the six days that had gone since he’d met Nario, Michael, who’d spent most of that time home alone, was still in shock, despite having tried numerous times to make sense of the entire night. If everything Nario had told him was the truth (and after six days of deep thought, he couldn’t come up with a good reason as to why it wouldn’t be) then Michael was a prince and a “summoner” with magical powers, who also happened to be born on a kingdom that floated in the sky.
“Um...right,” said his inner critic to this.
Michael had never heard of “summoners” before, and he certainly hadn’t pictured himself, whenever he’d imagined what a prince would look like. The idea that he had “powers” and was from a “floating magical kingdom called Avahnair” made him feel stupid every time he thought about it. Despite this, he’d spent much of the last six days, staring at the sky in broad daylight for any signs of Avahnair (or the other twelve countries that Nario claimed made up the continent of Esfaira). But so far, he’d found nothing.
There was also the business of the elite school, called Ravenskraft, that Nario had offered him a spot in. The idea itself seemed crazy. How could he, Michael Ade, the most feared and despised student in all of Loganlane Middle School go to such a prestigious academy?
The Tolliver’s meanwhile, seemed to have adopted a “do-not-speak-or-make-eye-contact-with-Michael” policy since Nario’s departure. He’d repeatedly tried to ask Uncle Terrance and Aunt Tanesha more questions, but every time he did, they went straight to their room, slammed the door, and started arguing quietly. The only time he got anything out of them was when he snuck by their door the night after Nario left and heard Uncle Terrance say: “Police?! No, we can’t go to the police Tanesha...are you nuts?! What the heck would we say?! Besides, you heard that thing...we can’t tell anyone!”
On the other hand, Taryn and Timothy, were now so frightened of Michael (more than usual anyway) that one look from him was enough to send them running in the opposite direction, hollering for their mother. Amidst the awkwardness in the house, Michael’s thirteenth birthday passed without a single mention from the Tolliver’s. The only person that remembered was Paris, who stopped by late that afternoon with a card and box containing a bright-yellow necklace.
“I hope you like it! It’s your present!”
Smiling sheepishly, Michael lifted the mustard-colored necklace from the box as he glanced at her enthusiastic face. Though his first thought had been: “You really expect me to wear this?” He decided to keep it to himself and thanked her. He also figured now would be a good time to let her know he was leaving (though remembering Nario’s warning) knew he couldn’t tell her the real reason why.
“Listen Paris, there’s a chance I may be going away soon.”
“Going away? Where?”
“Uh,” stumbled Michael. He hadn’t thought that far ahead. He decided to say the first thing that came to his mind.
“Military school...my aunt and uncle are sending me to military school.”
“Seriously Michael?!” laughed Paris. “Look, if you’re trying to talk me out of getting you back into Loganlane, it’s not going to work! Last night, I read through the entire student handbook, and it said that everyone that gets expelled has the opportunity to appeal the decision!”
“But I’m not—” began Michael, however Paris, who was already skipping down the street to her house, paid him no attention.
“I’ll see you later!” she sang, her curly hair bouncing in her wake.
It was Friday night now as Michael lay alone on his bed. From the corner of his eye, he peered at an empty duffel bag, which was wide open on the floor. Nario was supposed to be coming tomorrow, yet he hadn’t packed a single thing, despite having walked past the bag countless times in the last twenty minutes. Suddenly, there was a quick knock and his bedroom door slowly opened to reveal Aunt Tanesha, wearing her cooking apron and blotches of flour. Apparently determined to look everywhere but Michael, who was now sitting bolt upright, she strode into the room and began bouncing on the balls of her feet. It was clear she was anxious.
“Er...when I got engaged to your uncle...” she began, stopping mid-bounce to stare at him. When their eyes locked, however, she seemed to lose her nerve and quickly turned her gaze to the wall behind. “I had this whole life planned out for us. I thought we would start our own family and have our own children... just us. Then one day he tells me that his sister has died, all because of her criminal husband, and he has to take their baby in. My perfect family dream was gone...” She paced back and forth, still refusing to look at Michael directly.“I never knew about all this other stuff. If I had, I wouldn’t have been so...uh...”
She stopped pacing as though waiting for Michael to say something, but when he didn’t, proceeded to awkwardly try and wipe away a large flour stain from her foot. The uncomfortable silence was eventually broken by Taryn’s bellowing voice from the kitchen: “MOMMM! Timothy keeps putting cake batter in my hair! MOMMM!”
“Well...um...right...”
And she left the room, closing the door behind her.
As soon as she was gone, Michael stared at the blue stars on his hands...or as Nario called them, the “sovereigns markings.” Part of him had wanted to say something to Aunt Tanesha...perhaps to acknowledge her innocence in all of this, and the fact that, in the past six days, she must’ve been just as caught off guard, regarding the truth about his parents and his past. But then again, wanting to do something, and actually doing it, were two completely different things.
“Whatever,” he shrugged, laying back down again and falling asleep.
***
Michael woke at half past ten, the following morning to a dull gray sky and spots of rain clinging to his window. With the aroma of sausage hash brown casserole filling the air, he yawned and stretched loudly, before stuffing shirts and pants into his bag. This wasn’t especially difficult, since most of his things were already scattered on the floor. It was then that moment he remembered something: Nario had never told him exactly what time on Saturday he was coming back, or when he should be ready.
What if he’s already come and gone, while I was sleeping? He thought with a tinge of dread.
Quickly brushing his teeth, and splashing water under his armpits, Michael ran downstairs to find all four Tolliver’s eating silently and looking incredibly tense. Uncle Terrance, who sat at the head of the table, was devouring his food with so much ferocity, he resembled a saber tooth tiger. As soon as Michael stepped foot in the kitchen, they stopped chewing and looked up at him.
“Uh, hello...”
The Tolliver’s acted as though he were a lamp post and resumed eating.
Suddenly, the backyard door started to vibrate, and Taryn who’d had a forkful of hash brown halfway in her mouth, dropped it to the ground.
“HE’S HERE!” she shrieked, falling out of her chair in the process.
“NOT AGAIN!” cried Timothy, cowering in the corner of the kitchen with Taryn and Aunt Tanesha as the door melted into a puddle of water and the tall profile of Narioleomus Katrick traipsed inside.
“Good Morning, Your Royal Highness,” said Nario, bowing low before uttering: “How do you do?” to Aunt Tanesha, Taryn, and Timothy, who shuddered in unison.
“Novishaec.”
Nario pointed his gloved claw at the puddle. As it had done before, it formed itself back into the door.
“COULD YOU REFRAIN FROM CONSTANTLY DESTROYING MY PROPERTY?!” barked Uncle Terrance, though Michael noticed he wasn’t looking Nario in the eye when he said it.
“Yes, I could’ve Tolliver, but what fun would that be?”
“Why don’t you just leave us alone?!” sobbed Taryn, before quickly retreating behind her mother’s arm.
Although Michael was admittedly enjoying watching the Tolliver’s squirm, he still thought it might be a good idea to get Nario out, sooner rather than later. He didn’t want a repeat of last week.
“So, uh, are we leaving now?”
“Yes Prince Michael, very soon! The only problem is that I’ve circled the area a few times, to make sure no edoes would be able to see us when we do, but it seems like a lot of them are at home today.”
“Well it’s Saturday morning,” said Michael a little impatiently, “of course, people are going to be in their houses.
Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!
“Oh yeah...didn’t think about that…well no worries, we’ll just have to use these then.”
Nario reached into his shawl.
“W-wait, what are you doing?!” yelped Uncle Terrance, who slid back so fast he looked as if he were doing the moonwalk.
But, when Nario’s claw resurfaced, he was holding two silver bracelets. They were both thick, and Michael thought they looked very expensive.
“These are Invisibility Bangles,” said Nario, as he fastened one of the bracelets on his wrist and gave the other to Michael. “Put it on.”
Michael hesitated for a moment, then latched the bracelet on his left hand.
“Now, turn the dial three ticks to the right, like this.”
Michael raised his hand and saw that the bracelet did indeed have a small dial in its center. He hesitated again, but Nario winked at him.
“Just trust me!”
Michael turned the dial. He felt his body getting warmer, and as he looked down at his feet, he saw that he was slowly disappearing into nothingness until even his hands and chest had become see-through. Almost instantly he heard the Tolliver’s scream.
“THEY DISAPPEARED, MOM! WHERE ARE THEY?!”
“How’s it feel?” said Nario’s voice.
Michael looked up, and to his surprise, saw Nario standing plainly in front of him.
“Nario?” he said, whipping around to glance at the Tolliver’s shocked faces. “But, why are they acting like that? Aren’t we invisible?!
“Yes, we are!”
“But, how come I can still see you?!”
“Because the Invisibility Bangle that you are wearing is a pair with mine, so they allow us to see one another, even though we are invisible to everyone else! Pretty cool huh?”
“Yeah it is!” said Michael earnestly. It felt very empowering to be invisible to the world. Part of him wanted to draw a handlebar mustache on Timothy’s face, or go and find Mr. Grant, and throw eggs at his house.
“Now we don’t have to worry about any edoes spotting us!” said Nario, pointing his gloved claw at the backyard door and opening it. There were even more gasps of terror, and Michael then realized how strange it must be for the Tolliver’s to be hearing voices, and seeing doors open out of thin air.
“Well, um, I guess this is goodbye,” he said, bag in tow, as he got ready to step outside. The sight of his bag floating in midair seemed to be the last straw for Timothy, who then fainted dramatically into his mother’s arms.
“Oh! Timmy, baby!” shrieked Aunt Tanesha, as she cradled her son. Uncle Terrance ran over to help, but Aunt Tanesha swatted his hand away.
“Don’t touch him! This is all your fault!”
“My fault?!”
“Yes! Your fault! All your lies and secrets! Do you have any more you want to tell your family about?!”
“Tanesha! How many times do we have to keep going over...”
And they continued to argue as Michael closed the door.
“You know you could’ve just knocked?”
“Yeah...” grinned Nario, wagging his tail serenely, “but I flew here about an hour ago, and I was waiting for you to come outside. When you didn’t, I thought maybe your uncle and aunt were trying to keep you from going, so I barged in.” He then ran his claws through his matted hair, and said: “And I’ll admit...it was nice getting to annoy your uncle a bit...”
Michael laughed. “I still don’t think they’ve recovered from what you did to the door last week...and then the way you put it back together! How’d you do that anyway?”
“Oh, don’t worry, Your Royal Highness, you’ll be able to do it too eventually...with one of these of course!”
Nario raised his right claw, and Michael noticed, again, the brown glove he was wearing on it. It was the same one he’d worn last week and the same one he seemed to point at things, whenever he did anything strange. As he stared at Nario’s glove, Michael saw that it had an intricate emblem in the middle, however, he couldn’t make out what it was.
“What’s that glove you’re wearing?”
“This is a casting glove. It helps summoners or summonesses to focus our spirit energy, whenever we do spells.”
“Summoness?”
“Oh yeah, I probably should have mentioned this when we first met, but that’s what female summoners are called in our world.”
“Um okay…thanks for telling me that…so anyway you’re saying that thing is like some sort of magical glove? That’s pretty lame, and all this time I just thought you were wearing it to try and look cool!”
Nario smirked.
“We’ll be getting you one, once we get to Avahnair because you’re going to need it for school. But, I can assure you there is nothing ‘lame’ about it. Casting gloves are very powerful weapons that aren’t to be taken lightly.”
“Yeah, whatever,” shrugged Michael. He was a little disappointed that the weapon of choice for summoners and summonesses was a goofy-looking glove. “So, how’re we getting to Avahnair anyway? I’ve been staring at the sky all week, and I couldn’t find it.”
Nario looked pityingly at him.
“You can’t just look up and see Avahnair! If that were the case, edoes would be able to as well! The entire continent of Esfaira is protected by the Grand Stream to prevent such things!”
“The Grand What?”
“The Grand Stream,” repeated Nario. “Think of it, as a sort of magical portal, that one must pass through to get to Esfaira. We’ll be passing through it ourselves. Among other things, it basically exists to help separate and protect the two worlds. For example, the Grand Stream is the reason why edoe airplanes can’t crash into Esfaira. And it’s because of the Grand Stream, why edoes can’t see our home from Earth...because only those that have set foot on Esfaira and know of its existence, can do so.”
“But,” said Michael quickly, “I have set foot on it, haven’t I? I thought you said I was born there?”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness, but your case is different, because you were last on Esfaira as a baby, and don’t remember anything about it...therefore, it has never been visible to you.”
“Oh...”
The ideas of Magical gloves and Grand Streams bounced around Michael’s mind, as he eyed Nario curiously. Nario spoke as if this should all be common knowledge, and suddenly the cocky smirk on Michael’s face disappeared. He now felt very stupid for admitting he thought the casting glove was some sort of fashion statement.
“But, to answer your question, we’ll be getting there by flight,” continued Nario, “the weather’s not great, but we’ll be there in no time.”
“But I don’t know how to fly.”
“I know that Prince Michael! That’s why we’re going to use Lula!”
“What’s a Lula?”
“Lula is my Garuda bird.”
“Ga-who?”
It was becoming very frustrating to be around Nario, while never fully understanding what he was talking about half the time.
“Here I’ll show you,” said Nario, “she’s been out hunting while I waited for you.”
He then whistled twice. For a split second, nothing happened, then Michael looked up and saw that something was approaching them like a comet. At first glance, he knew it was a type of bird, but as it got closer and closer, he then realized that this was unlike any bird he’d ever seen before. Michael had just enough time to jump out of the way, as it landed in front of Nario, in a sweep of wind and wings.
He stared in amazement.
It had the body of an eagle, yet it was the size of a full-grown stallion. Its talons and beak looked razor sharp, while its eyes were fierce and alert. Its feathers were a shade of bright orange, and on top of its head, was a long tuft of yellow and red hair that extended all the way down its back. Slung around its neck, was a harness with two cords dangling from the sides.
“What is that?!” said Michael.
“This,” smiled Nario, “is my Garuda bird—her name is Lula.”
“It’s the biggest bird I’ve ever seen!”
“Yes! They have to be!” said Nario, as he petted Lula’s beak, “Garuda birds are one of the most popular ways for summoners to travel in Esfaira! I’ve had Lula here since she was a baby, and she’s how we’re getting to Avahnair!”
“You want me to ride on that thing?”
“Well of course...you’re not scared, are you?”
“No, I’m not scared!” snapped Michael, although he didn’t think his own voice sounded very convincing.
“Good! Then why don’t you come over and pet her?” suggested Nario, “That way she’ll know that you’re confident...Garuda’s can smell fear in a rider.” Although Michael had no desire to touch the giant bird, he saw this as a good opportunity to try and redeem some of the “cool” points that he’d lost earlier. As he walked over to Lula, he noticed her eyes followed his every movement, until he raised his hand, and she snapped her beak at him.
“Oh, calm down and be friendly!” said Nario, patting her side softly. “It takes her a while to warm up to new people. Here, let me see your hand, and I’ll show you.”
“You know what? I’m good on that one Nario!” said Michael, caressing his arm, and thinking of the fingers he could’ve just now lost. Lula’s eyes were still fixed firmly on him as he spoke.
“Can Lula see us even though we’re invisible?”
“She can’t see us, but she can sense our spirit energy! Even when you’re wearing Invisibility Bracelets, your spirit energy can still be sensed.”
Michael, who’d stopped rubbing his hand, gaped in awe at Nario and Lula. It was beginning to hit him, just how much there was to learn about this new world.
“Well then, Your Royal Highness, I think we should start heading out...before your uncle and aunt, or one of the neighbors, see Lula, and get the biggest shock of their lives!” chuckled Nario.
“Yeah, tell me about it,” agreed Michael, although, once or twice in the past few minutes, he could’ve sworn he’d seen a few pairs of eyes, peeping through the window blinds of the Tolliver house.
“Okay! Let’s go!” said Nario, as he clapped twice, and Lula obediently lowered her body. He mounted her.
“Climb on behind me.”
Michael, who felt as if his insides were doing cartwheels, was nervous, especially because it seemed like Lula was beginning to breathe harder, the longer she stared at him. Gathering up his last bit of courage, he slung his duffel bag across his shoulder and climbed on the great beast. For a brief moment, he thought that she might buck him off, but she didn’t. He could feel her muscular body beneath her brilliant orange feathers.
“All right!” said Nario, as he clapped again, and Lula raised her body, and began flapping her wings slowly. “Hold on to my waist tightly because it’s going to be very fast! Is there anything else you need to do before we leave?”
Michael looked around at his surroundings, the place he’d hated his entire life, with disgust.
“Nope!”
“Excellent! Now, once we’re in the air, we won’t be needing these anymore either,” said Nario, as he turned the dial all the way to the left, and took off his bangle. Michael did the same and instantly, felt the invisibility evaporate from his body. He looked down to see his chest and hands, clear as day again.
“Well then, we’re off!”
Nario lightly tapped Lula with his heel and tugged on the harness around her neck. Before Michael knew what was happening, the wind was blowing in his face, so strong and fast that it made his lips dry, as the great bird rose off the ground. And then, with one final tap, Lula took off soaring at top speed, toward the sky!
Michael was flying!