Huter, Lysandra, and Tio studied the ancient texts through the night, their determination unwavering. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows across the pages as they pored over the details of Morgana’s curse and Merlin’s involvement with the Frost Elves. After Morgana's vengeful visit, it was clear that the realm faced dire threats. Okilj, the supreme druid who had barely survived Morgana’s wrath, reached out to Merlin for help. Merlin responded to the call and, together with Okilj, devised a plan to protect the Frost Elves’ court. They encapsulated it inside the mountain's heart, hiding it from the world and making it nearly impregnable. “Merlin didn’t just leave after that,” Huter explained, his voice hushed but filled with reverence. “Okilj asked him to stay and teach his new apprentice, Hvarj, how to master Water magic. Okilj was injured and needed time to recover, while the realm needed immediate protection.” “Hvarj was born gifted,” Lysandra read aloud from one of the texts. “He could hear the Syren's Whisper, a feat not even the great Merlin could accomplish. This made Hvarj unique and incredibly powerful.” Tio leaned forward, his interest piqued. “The Syren’s Whisper… I’ve heard legends about it. It’s said to be the voice of the ancient water spirits, guiding those who can hear it.” “Exactly,” Huter nodded. “Merlin taught Hvarj everything he knew about Water magic, making Hvarj the highest Water magic priest. Hvarj took care of the realm as chancellor of the royal family from then on.

He trained the Elves in the use of Water magic, helping them create a formidable army known as the Raincallers—soldiers capable of controlling thunderstorms.” “Hvarj was also relentless in his attempts to break Morgana’s curse,” Lysandra continued. “Despite his immense power and knowledge, he never managed to undo it. The curse was made with dark magic, and deeply rooted in the royal bloodline.” They also discovered details about Huter's parents. His father had been a beloved king, deeply devoted to his people. He had ruled with kindness and wisdom, earning the respect and loyalty of the Elves. Queen Duhilen, on the other hand, was more pragmatic and politically minded. She focused on forging alliances and creating a powerful army, driven by her fear of Morgana’s curse. “This explains a lot,” Huter murmured. “My mother’s relentless push for a strong military and her insistence on strict adherence to tradition. She’s terrified of the curse and what it could do to our realm.”

The atmosphere in the Frost Elves' palace was tense, charged with anticipation and suspicion. Queen Duhilen’s spies were ever watchful, their eyes and ears taking in every detail of Orin's training and his friends' activities. Reports of Orin's progress reached the queen daily. The spies relayed how Orin's training with Hvarj was progressing at a staggering pace. His ability to manipulate water seemed almost limitless, and his control over the elements was growing stronger with each session. Orin was no ordinary mage; his powers were on a scale that few could comprehend. The spies also closely monitored Lysandra and Tio. They noted their every move in the library, their hushed conversations, and their late-night research sessions with Huter. Queen Duhilen’s mistrust grew with each report. She was convinced that these strangers posed a threat to her realm, despite their noble intentions.

Orin’s training continued under Hvarj’s watchful eye. Each day brought new challenges and lessons, pushing Orin to his limits and beyond. Hvarj taught him how to use water not just as a medium for magic but as a weapon and a shield. “Water is both a giver and a taker of life,” Hvarj instructed during one intense session by the lake. “You must learn to wield it in all its forms. To freeze it, to turn it into a blade or an impenetrable wall. To summon lightning and control the very storms themselves.” Orin absorbed the lessons with remarkable ease. He could freeze water into razor-sharp icicles and hurl them with deadly precision. He could create barriers of ice and redirect bolts of lightning, using their energy to fuel his attacks. His power was mesmerizing, a dazzling display of raw elemental force. Hvarj found himself in awe of his student. Orin’s mastery of Water magic far surpassed his own, and it became clear that Orin was destined for greatness. Hvarj felt a mixture of pride and humility as he watched Orin perform feats he had never thought possible. “Today,” Hvarj announced one morning, “we will test your combat abilities. You must learn to use your magic in battle, to defend yourself and defeat your enemies.” They set up a fighting ground, a vast expanse of ice and snow that served as a perfect arena. Hvarj stood at one end, his presence formidable and commanding. Orin faced him, his heart pounding with anticipation. “You must try to defeat me,” Hvarj declared. “Or at least block my attacks - smiling at his apprentice” The fight began with a flurry of movement. Hvarj summoned torrents of water, icicles, and bolts of lightning, hurling them at Orin with relentless precision. Orin countered each attack with skill and agility, he found himself combining Earth and Water magic creating a mesmerizing dance of elements. Orin conjured walls of ice to deflect the lightning, used the earth to create barriers, and manipulated the water to redirect Hvarj’s attacks. The battle raged on, a fierce display of power and strategy. Despite Hvarj’s experience and strength, Orin’s sheer potential and creativity began to overwhelm him. With a final surge of energy, Orin combined his Earth and Water magic, creating a massive wave of ice and rock that surged toward Hvarj. The priest tried to counter it, but the force was too great. The wave crashed into him, knocking him back and pinning him to the ground. Breathing heavily, Orin stood over his fallen mentor, his eyes wide with shock and exhilaration. He had done it. He had passed the test. Hvarj struggled to his feet, a proud smile on his face. “You have surpassed my expectations, Orin. Your power is extraordinary. You are ready for whatever lies ahead.”

Meanwhile, Huter was in the palace library, returning the ancient books he had taken from the attic. He moved quietly, aware that his every action was being scrutinized. The spies watched him closely, noting his every move and reporting back to the queen. When Huter returned to his chambers, he found his mother waiting for him, her eyes blazing with anger. “What were you doing in the attic, Huter?” Queen Duhilen demanded. “Those books are forbidden. What are you seeking?” Huter met his mother’s gaze, his heart pounding. “I was… curious, Mother. I wanted to learn more about our history, about Merlin and Morgana.” The queen’s eyes narrowed. “Do not lie to me, Huter. I know you have been helping our guests. What are they searching for?” Huter took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. “They are looking for a way to break Morgana’s curse. They believe that the ancient texts might hold the key.” Queen Duhilen’s expression softened slightly, but her suspicion remained. “Be careful, Huter. These strangers could bring danger to our realm. Do not trust them blindly.” Huter hurried to Tio's room after the tense encounter with his mother. He found Lysandra and Tio deep in conversation, their faces serious. “We have to be more careful,” Huter warned them. “My mother is having us watched. The spies are everywhere, and they are reporting back to her. We cannot afford any mistakes.” Lysandra nodded, her expression grim. “We need to move quickly. We can’t risk being discovered.” Tio placed a reassuring hand on Huter’s shoulder. “Thank you for the warning, Huter. We’ll be careful. But we still need to find a way to break the curse.” As they continued their planning, the tension in the palace grew. With the queen’s spies ever watchful and the threat of Morgana’s curse looming, the stakes had never been higher.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

The grand hall of the Frost Elves' palace was bathed in a soft, ethereal light as Queen Duhilen invited her guests to a special dinner. The tension that had been simmering below the surface was temporarily masked by the elegance of the evening. Lysandra and Tio sat at the ornately carved table, their minds heavy with the secrets and suspicions that had been festering for days. The queen, her regal presence commanding the room, oversaw the proceedings with a calculated smile. Plates of exquisite food were brought out, each dish more sumptuous than the last. As the meal progressed, a servant presented a platter of gleaming, golden apricots. “These apricots are a delicacy,” Queen Duhilen said, her voice smooth. “A rare treat from our sacred orchards. Please, enjoy.” Lysandra and Tio each took one of the fruits. The apricots were sweet and succulent, their flavor a burst of warmth and richness. But as they finished their apricots, a sudden chill seemed to pass through the room. Lysandra's eyes widened as her body grew rigid. She tried to move, but it was as if she were encased in ice. Beside her, Tio’s expression mirrored her shock. They were frozen, unable to move or speak. The queen watched with a piercing gaze as a shimmering glow enveloped the two friends. The enchanted apricots had taken effect, they were able to reveal the true nature of their powers. Slowly, marks began to appear on their foreheads. An intricate triangle on Lysandra's, the symbol of Air magic, and a hexagon on Tio's, symbolizing his abilities in mindreading and mind travel. Duhilen’s eyes widened in horror. “A mind walker,” she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger. She rose from her seat, her face contorted in fury. “A mind walker in my court!” The hall erupted in chaos. Duhilen’s fear of mind walkers was well-founded; their ability to traverse and influence minds posed a significant threat to her control and the secrets she guarded fiercely. She turned to her Raincallers, “Seize him!” she commanded, pointing a trembling finger at Tio. “Take him to the dungeons!” The Raincallers moved swiftly, their magical cuffs clamping around Tio’s wrists. Unable to resist, Tio was dragged from the hall, his eyes pleading with Lysandra. Lysandra, still frozen, felt a surge of panic. She struggled against the spell that held her, her mind racing. She concentrated, calling upon her Air magic to break free from the invisible bonds. After several desperate attempts, she finally managed to move. Her body was her own again. “Your Majesty, please,” Lysandra implored, stepping forward. “Tio is no threat to your court. He means you no harm.” Queen Duhilen’s gaze was cold and unyielding. “Step aside, Lysandra,” she said. “You have been respectful and as a supreme Air magic priestess, you won’t be persecuted. But the mind walker will remain imprisoned until his judgment.” Huter stood in shock, his face pale as he confronted his mother in the grand hall. “How could you poison our guests and imprison Tio?” he demanded, his voice trembling with anger and disbelief. Queen Duhilen’s eyes were cold as ice as she faced her son. “You have no right to ask for clemency for the mindwalker,” she retorted. “He is a threat to our kingdom, and he will be judged accordingly. I will not endanger our people because of your naive sympathies.”

Huter ran through the palace corridors, his mind racing. He burst into Lysandra’s room, finding her pacing anxiously. “We have to find a way to free Tio,” he said urgently. Moments later, Orin entered, exhausted from his day of training. Upon hearing about Tio’s imprisonment, Orin demanded a confrontation with the Queen. However, Duhilen, informed by her spies of Orin's impressive defeat of Hvarj at the training field, summoned Orin and Lysandra to the throne room. They arrived to find the Queen standing sternly, surrounded by the formidable Raincallers. Hvarj, looking disoriented, asked for an explanation, but Duhilen cut him off. “These guests are no longer welcome in our court,” she declared, “for they have brought a mind-walker within our walls.”

Orin stepped forward, trying to reason with the Queen. “Tio is no harm,” he pleaded. “He is one of the most incredible people I know. He has never hurt anyone and has no intention of doing so.” The Queen remained unconvinced and revealed that she now knew Orin’s true identity as a descendant of Merlin and Viviane. Huter shouted at his mother to release Tio, leading to a heated confrontation between mother and son. In a swift and cruel gesture, Queen Duhilen ordered her guards to chain Huter to his throne, silencing him. Hvarj, sensing the escalating tension, proposed a deal. “Orin will attempt to break Morgana’s curse,” he suggested. “If he succeeds, you will release Tio and allow them to leave. If he fails, Tio will remain imprisoned.”

Queen Duhilen, haunted by the curse and desperate for a solution, reluctantly accepted the deal. Lysandra and Orin, reeling from the recent events and the unexpected bargain, were at a loss for how to save their friend and break the ancient spell. Meanwhile, Huter, having freed himself from his bonds, resolved to join them in their quest. Facing his mother with unwavering resolve, he declared, “You cannot stop me, Mother. If you try, I will abdicate the throne.” His words hung in the air, a stark challenge to her authority and a testament to his determination to right the wrongs committed against his friends.