Forbidden Quest, 2nd Edition Read online

  The darkness deepened, sending icy ripples of danger throughout Nicole’s petite form. She could feel the presence of another lurking nearby. Dressing quickly, she left Jack asleep on the grass and moved toward the stand of trees at the edge of the glen.

  A tall, ancient looking elf emerged from the shadows as she neared. His long velvet robes, similar to Sarah’s, flowed like silk on the wind across the low-lying mist. He was a sorcerer, yet his eyes were soft and guileless. Long white hair stretched out to encompass his shoulders and arms. His high cheekbones and pointed ears told her all she needed to know. He was with their pursuer.

  He waited patiently for her to approach. Her elfin senses found no danger. This could not be an evil wizard they wanted to avoid. Yet the suspicion lingered inside.

  She stopped mere inches before him. “What do you want from me?”

  “Freedom,” he answered, quietly. A light breeze came from behind. His long white hair flowed at its touch.

  “You are unencumbered, I see no need to assist you,” she stated, taking in his midnight blue eyes.

  “I seek your assistance none the less.” His voice was calm. Wisdom seemed to radiate from him.

  ‘‘In what way?” She hesitated, still unsure if he was to be trusted. Out of caution, she took a step backward.

  “Deliverance,” he whispered, closing the gap between them.

  Nicole held her ground, her face screwed into a knot of disgust. “You wish me to rescue you?”

  “To rescue us all.” He answered searching her eyes.

  Nicole rolled her eyes, “From whom?”

  ‘‘From the evil that threatens to consume this land and all who dwell within.” The wizard’s eyes narrowed as he spoke. “The one that sent you here has deceived you, as he has many others before you.”

  “Dr. Strong?” She smiled coldly; this character was a fancy talking, trickster.

  “Puissant, as he is called here. He is evil.”

  “You are a deceiver,” Nicole countered.

  “He was banished from this land.”

  “Just as the Elf Queen was I suppose.”

  “Queen Briees is unharmed and living in the comfort of her palace.”

  “You lie!” Nicole reached out and took hold of the front of his robes. “I am here to end your reign of terror. I will free the Queen and break your hold over her warriors. “

  “I am the Queen’s brother. I am her protector, tutor of the Prince, sorcerer, only for their protection.” His calm nature was unnerving. However, Nicole was thoroughly enjoying the repartee. He was becoming the best part of this adventure.

  “Fabricator of tales, propagator of deceit.” Nicole refused to release him.

  “You will find only death in the Cave of Sorrows. It would be a genuine pity. Your people cannot afford to suffer such a great loss. There is merely a handful of Woodland elves left to walk these mountains. You may well be the last female among them. That is why you have appeared. Not to free the creature, but to continue the woodland heritage. I see that now. My magic has worked its own will. I have made you what you are. You would have been lost as a sorceress.”

  “What?” Nicole stammered.

  “A woodland elf has been hiding inside you all of your life. The unexplained anger you have felt since birth was the elfin magic, trying to surface.” He raised his hand, and a spark lit the air. The vision of their arrival filled the ball of light before her. Nicole saw herself screaming with rage and shoving the others from her.

  “My spell shifted your transformation, freed your magic. Freed your true spirit. Only here were you able to battle your fears, ambitions and the disappointments of your real life. Only here can you be truly happy. Free the creature in the Cave of Sorrows, and you will return to a life you were never meant to lead.”

  “There is no creature in that cave. We are here to free the elf queen you have imprisoned there.” Nicole shoved him backward as she released her grip. “Your lies do not affect me, old man.” She pulled her short sword from her belt and held it to his throat.

  “Move on or die.”

  “It would be wise to listen to me,” he answered.

  “I take it by your resistance that you choose death,” she spat. Her determination to overcome his lies rose with a surge of fury through her body.

  “I will leave you, but heed my warning. Your peril begins here and will end in death if you continue toward your goal. The only way to freedom is through me.”

  “We will continue, and we will succeed.” Nicole moved toward him, watching as he moved back into the shadows.