Page 37 of Ruins of Magic

He hesitated but nodded. “As you wish. This way.”

They walked down the hall then up several staircases to what appeared to be large private quarters.

“Called it,” Valaria gloated.

Garron rolled his eyes at her.

The imp pointed to the object. It was a small stature of man. He looked of normal stature, the only thing menacing about it was the scar that covered much of his face.

“We don’t know what it is, or what it does exactly,” the imp said. “The scar is said to have appeared the same time the actual Ryze received his own matching scar. It is believed to somehow be tied to his soul. I beg you not to mess with it.”

“I have to do this,” Arion said as he reached out to pick up the idol.

Heat radiated up his arm and he screamed out in pain but refused to let go. He recognized the dark magic, stronger than any he had ever felt before. His own magic lit within him and was soon pushing back. The pain ebbed only a little. He gritted his teeth and endured it.

“Arion just let go. It’s not worth it,” Valaria cried. “We just got you back. I don’t want to lose you again.”

She rushed to his side and wrapped her arms around him, kissing him on the cheek.

Warmth flooded him and love filled his heart. His power surged until a bright light was emanating from his hand and exploded like fireworks around them.

The spell was broken on the idol and only beginning to captivate Arion. He turned his face towards her and captured her mouth with his.

Garron laughed, breaking the moment quickly. “See the old man was right. You did need your true love.” He proceeded to make kissy noises until Valaria broke away to punch him.

“I don’t know what to say,” the imp confessed. “You are of pure magic, the kind that can stand up and defeat the dark sorcerer when he comes again. You have our full allegiance when he comes. The imps always side the strongest. I can already feel our bond to him weakening as our loyalty shifts.”

Arion wasn’t sure if this was a good thing or not.

“Um, thanks,” he said awkwardly. He looked over at Valaria who blushed and looked away refusing to make eye contact with him. “I have to get this back to my people as quickly as possible.”

“That is no problem,” the imp said.

He snapped his fingers and they were instantly transported back to the edge of Keptra.

“Why wasn’t he around when we started this journey?” Garron asked.

“Anything you need, my prince, the imps will be there to support you. All you must do is ask it aloud and we will come.”

“Thank you.”

They said goodbye before turning and heading back into the woods of Gavalon to make camp for the night.

Chapter15

The journey the next day was uneventful as found their way back to the druid village and delivered the idol as promised.

Seeing their arrival with the idol, every man, woman, and child present dropped to their knees and praised their long-lost prince. It would take some getting used to, but Arion was beginning to accept that his life was not as average as it had once seemed.

Promising to return soon he left the druids to return home with Garron and Valaria. He was not about to let her face the wrath of her father alone.

They traced their steps back to the main road where they had left Ailsa and the knights so many days prior.

“There you are!” Taneth said. “We were about to send out the calvary after you three. Come on. We still have a long journey ahead of us and you know the duke does not like to be kept waiting.

The three looked at each other in confusion.

Something flashed in the corner of Arion’s eye and he turned in time to see a large troll standing next to a tree.

“I’ve been keeping them spelled, your majesty. They think you’re just coming back from the river in time for lunch. They have no idea you’ve been gone for so many days” He winked, gave a thumbs up and disappeared.

Arion laughed.

“What?” the others asked in unison.

“I’ll tell you later,” he whispered. A little louder he said, “Ailsa, lunch smells fantastic. Sorry we held you guys up. I know that duke doesn’t like to be kept waiting.

Valaria and Garron followed along with his promise to fill them in later. No one was the wiser of the adventure of a lifetime the three friends had just had, and it was probably best it stayed that way. . .for now.