Eltor and Caldal looked at each other with confusion, but it was Eltor that answered.
“We are not sure where it is,” Eltor admitted. “I do know my stars, but a starting direction sure would be helpful. I am sure that we will find it eventually.”
Mobi grinned and handed a piece of paper to Eltor. The elf studied the diagram for several moments before looking at Mobi questioningly.
“We have always been friends of the elves,” shrugged Mobi. “Why would we not know where they lived?”
“If the humans have known all this time,” frowned Caldal, “why haven’t they come to Elvangar?”
“For the same reason that elves have not come to Angragar,” answered Mobi. “There was a break between our worlds. We agreed that we could never coexist until Angragar was awakened. That was the pledge made between the elves and the Qubari. That time has come. Travel safely, elven friends of the Qubari.”
Across the library, Mistake tugged gently on Rejji’s arm. The Astor turned and looked questioningly at Mistake. She took his hand and led him out of the library. Bakhai and MistyTrail followed for a short distance and then disappeared as they entered an empty room in the temple. Mistake and Rejji continued out of the temple and sat on the steps outside the door.
“I am leaving for Elvangar today,” Mistake said to Rejji.
“I suspected as much,” Rejji nodded sadly. “Emperor Marak asked me if it was alright to give the elves a ship to sail home in. Will you ever return?”
“Of course,” Mistake promptly replied.
Rejji looked skeptical, and Mistake sighed.
“I really don’t know,” Mistake finally said. “I have no idea about who I really am, Rejji. I have to go there to learn if I am really an elf. I don’t know if I belong in this world or that one. If I don’t go, I will never know for sure.”
“I understand,” Rejji nodded. “I would probably do the same if I were in your boots. I hope that things work out the best for you, whatever you decide. You are a very special person. I hope you know that.”
“Only to you,” smiled Mistake. “Before I met you, people couldn’t wait to get rid of me. I have never had anyone care for me.”
“You never let anyone get close enough to try,” Rejji smiled thinly. “You messed up with me I guess.”
“You will always be special to me, Rejji,” Mistake said with a tear forming in her eye. “I don’t know what else to say.”
Mistake wrapped her arms around Rejji and hugged him tight. They embraced for a long time saying nothing until Mistake finally withdrew and kissed Rejji. Tears rolled down her face as she turned and ran towards the docks.
When she reached the docks, Eltor, Caldal, and MistyTrail were already there. MistyTrail was loading several packs of rations onto the ship, while Caldal was up the mast checking the lines. Eltor helped Mistake aboard. He saw the tear stains on her cheeks, but he said nothing. Caldal suddenly shouted and pointed. Eltor looked towards the city and saw the crowd marching towards the ship. He watched in amazement as all of the humans lined the dock.
“It wouldn’t be a proper voyage without a proper farewell,” Rejji smiled weakly as he approached the ship.
Rejji thrust his arm towards Eltor. Eltor grasped the hand and Rejji pulled the elf close to him.
“Have a safe voyage, Eltor,” Rejji said softly. “Please take care of Mistake and her sister. Make sure that no harm comes to them.”
“I will make sure that she remains safe,” promised Eltor. “I hope we meet again. Although I have learned much about humans on this trip, I want to learn a great deal more. We have much in common.”
Rejji smiled thinly and released Eltor’s hand. Caldal dropped to the deck and announced loudly that they were ready to cast off the lines. Halman and Gunta moved swiftly and removed the lines from the dock. They tossed them onto the ship as Mobi gave the ship a hard shove. The elven ship drifted away from the dock as Caldal hoisted a sail. The humans waved farewell. The wind filled the sail and Eltor manned the rudder. A few minutes later the elven ship reached the mouth of the harbor.
* * *
“Take him to the Chamber of Horror,” snapped Vand. “I will not stand for such incompetence in my midst.”
The soldiers dragged the man from the throne room. Suddenly, the whole building shook. People in the throne room were thrown to the floor, but Vand remained firmly in his throne. The tremors lasted for a few minutes before they subsided. Aakuta helped Lady Mystic to her feet.
“What was that?” Aakuta asked. “An earthquake?”
“Not an earthquake,” snapped Vand as he rose and began pacing irritably before his throne. “That was not an earthquake. Angragar has awakened. Summon my generals,” he shouted. “Get them here now!”
Lady Mystic coyly reached for Aakuta’s hand. Aakuta turned to look at Lady Mystic. She nodded her head slightly towards the exit. Aakuta subconsciously nodded in return.
“Lady Mystic!” Vand shouted as they started to work their way out of the throne room.
Lady Mystic dropped Aakuta’s hand and turned and bowed to the Emperor.
“I want you to take over the interrogation of the Khadoran mage,” shouted Vand. “I want their communication magics broken.”
“She has not healed yet,” frowned Lady Mystic. “We will get nothing out of her in her current condition. The fools interrogating her damaged her greatly. She almost died. It will take time.”
“We are out of time,” yelled Vand. “Those fools have awakened Angragar. They do not know what they are doing. They must be stopped.”
“I will do what I can with her,” promised Lady Mystic.
“I don’t want promises,” shouted Vand. “I want results. If you cannot heal her enough to interrogate her, find me another Khadoran mage. I will have the knowledge of the air tunnel and a way to disrupt it. Leave me.”
Lady Mystic bowed low and moved swiftly to the exit. Aakuta followed right behind her, but she did not stop until she was downstairs in her room.
“What was all that about?” asked Aakuta. “What is going on?”
Lady Mystic paced for several moments before answering.
“Angragar is an ancient city on the mainland,” explained Lady Mystic. “It is the city where Vand originally got his powers. Since those days, Angragar has been sealed and hidden.”
“Sealed and hidden?” echoed the dark mage. “I do not understand.”
“Nor should you,” sighed Lady Mystic. “Vand was human at one time,” she explained. “He was a noble priest serving the god Kaltara. He became ill one day and when he recovered, he was never the same. He was thrown out of Angragar. It became an obsession with him ever since to rule the ancient city. He tried everything to conquer it, and failed each time. His last plan was to incite the elves to destroy the city. Somehow the elves and the city’s ruler put things together and realized what was going on. The city was magically sealed and hidden from everyone. Vand sent hundreds, no thousands, of people over the years to find it. None of them were ever heard from again.”
“But what does awakening mean in regards to this city?” asked Aakuta.
“It means that the enemy has found the city and unsealed it,” continued Lady Mystic. “That could only have happened if Kaltara is alive and working to destroy the other gods. The fact that it has awakened before our invasion means that Kaltara is winning. Vand will be in a rage for days. That is why I tried to get you out of his presence.”
“Get me out of his presence?” echoed Aakuta. “Why me in particular?”
“Because he thinks you are the enemy,” sighed Lady Mystic. “I have tried to tell him that you are no such thing, but he does not listen. He is convinced that you are working for Kaltara.”
“Incredible,” Aakuta replied. “Why would I work for some god that I do not even know?”
“Hmm,” mused Lady Mystic. “You sound so sincere, but I have to admit to having my own doubts about your sincerity.”
“Then why have you saved me from his wrath?” scowled Aakuta. “You make no sense. Vand is crazy if he thinks I even know this Kaltara, and you are starting to think just like him.”