Thomas came alongside Kirsten and said through the shakiness of his voice, “We should lay him to rest under Mother’s maple tree.”

Kirsten nodded, swiping her tears away with the backs of her hands, “That’s what he would’ve wanted.”

Thomas waved for Max and Bo to follow him around to the backside of the house. A short distance toward the east a narrow stream flowed down from some forested hills. The stream bypassed the farm, turning north before entering their property and spilling down the hillside to the bay below. A healthy young maple tree grew in the middle of an open grassy area along the edge of the stream. Near the base of the tree, they began digging.

When the brothers had finished, Thomas and Kirsten brought Theodor’s body over. Max offered to lend a hand, but Thomas and Kirsten insisted that they be the ones to put their father in his final resting place. Afterward, Max and Bo filled the hole under the maple tree.

“After our mother died, Father planted this tree in her memory,” Thomas began once they’d finished the burial. “He told me that when he died, he wanted to be placed here with her. He was a good father and raised us well. I will always keep a special place for him in my heart. You will be missed, Father.” He put his hand over the freshly tilled earth and walked back to the front of the house.

Britt, Max and Bo looked to Kirsten, expecting her to say something as Thomas had, but as hard as she tried, she couldn’t muster words to say anything at her father’s grave. Instead, she wept. Max and Britt left her to join Thomas inside the house. Bo offered Kirsten company in her time of grief, but she shook her head. Bo understood and joined the others as well. Kirsten stood under the maple tree, losing track of time. When at last she wiped away her tears and walked to the front of the house, she found Thomas sitting on the porch. She sat down next to him and shoulder-to-shoulder they watched the waves roll into Highborn Bay in silence. At last, they were home.

Chapter 28

Hope for a Potential Rider

Natalia and Maija arrived at the dragonrider training facilities just as Ivan, Anders and Zahara were finishing up with their first day. As the elf sisters approached them, Ivan sat cross-legged atop a boulder along the outer ring of the sparring pit. He looked comfortable, his back straightened and head tilted upward. In stark contrast to Anders and Zahara, who sat opposite him squirming uncomfortably with their eyes tightly shut, the old rider seemed relaxed and in a state of deep meditation.

“What are they doing?” Maija whispered, pointing to Anders and Zahara who wriggled on the grass several yards below Ivan’s perch.

“They’re attempting to block other sorcerers’ minds from gaining access to their thoughts. Ivan’s teaching them to build vaults for their thoughts,” Natalia said, slowing as they drew close to the others. Halting, she said, “I remember when I first had to learn how to shield a sorcerer from my thoughts. Learning how to do it well saved my life. Not all battles are fought with steel and fire.”

“How can you build a defense system for your thoughts?” Maija asked as she watched Anders wince in discomfort.

“Not everyone can do it. You must be strong mentally if you’re going to master the art. If you’re curious, the library in the training center has many books that explain the process step by step.”

Ivan cracked one eye open, noticing the two elf sisters standing nearby. Anders and Zahara’s faces relaxed nearly instantly as Ivan relented on his mental attack. “That will be all for the day; we’ll try again tomorrow,” he said, unfolding his legs and leaping down from the boulder. “Good evening, ladies,” he said as he bent to brush the wrinkles out of his pants and shirt while approaching them. “I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow,” he said furrowing his brow.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, Ivan, but Maija and I discovered something that was hidden at our parents’ house. We thought you should be the first to know about it,” Natalia held out the journal for Ivan to inspect.

He plucked it from her hand, eyeing the thin leather-bound book curiously. He examined it by flipping it over several times, clearly intrigued. “It looks like a journal,” he said. He flipped it open to the first page. They watched as he noticed the small piece of parchment pinned to the top. Eyes widening, he read the inscription. “Where did you say you found this?” he asked, his face souring.

“As we were touring through our parents’ house,” Natalia said. “Maija kept having brief, but strong, clear memories, almost visions, wouldn’t you say, Maija, as we entered certain rooms. We were admiring the tack room when she remembered our father showing her where he’d hidden this and the key to access it.”

Ivan thumbed through the small book. As he reached the end, he carefully turned the journal over in his hands, handling it almost as a precious heirloom. “Thank you for bringing this to me. This could hold secrets that will help us discover how Merglan has cultivated his power.”

“And how we can destroy him,” Natalia said coldly, her expression hardening.

Ivan held the journal firmly in his grip, “Come, we’re about to eat and tonight’s dish will be a delicious vegetable gumbo with a side of trout if you care to eat some meat. I know most elves prefer a vegetarian diet, but I prefer to eat like a carnivore.” Turning to lead them to the dining hall, Ivan called to Anders and Zahara, who had been cleaning and prepping the sparring grounds for the following day.

Ivan and Natalia lit the torches lining the walls of the dining hall as they entered. Despite Ivan’s dwindling powers, he still managed to ignite several at once with a few words. Natalia’s magic was still fresh; her access to magic had not yet dwindled with the loss of her dragon. She spoke a few words and the entire length of the dining hall on one side lit up at once. Ivan took notice. When she turned to finish his side, he waved his hand stopping her. He shook his head, “I’ve got this.” They all watched patiently as Ivan lit the remaining twelve torches two-by-two.

Anders and Zahara led them to the kitchen facilities at the far end of the dining hall. Buffered by a large bar-top serving station, the kitchen seemed unused. The small group didn’t see anyone preparing the meal Ivan had described. “Ivan, I thought you said we were having trout and gumbo for dinner?” Anders asked as Ivan lit the final two torches along the stone wall.

“Yes, we are, and it’s going to be delicious. I love the cooking here,” Ivan said rubbing his hands in anticipation. He looked over the bar-top and then back to Anders, “What are you waiting for? Grab a plate and dish up.”

“But Ivan, there isn’t anything to dish up. There isn’t even anyone to cook the meal,” Anders almost whined looking around the empty kitchen.

“Here, I’ll show you how it’s done,” Natalia said, shoving Anders out of the way.

Maija came to stand at his side, nudging Anders slightly and giving him a look of confusion, conveying that she, too, had no idea what Ivan and Natalia were excited about. Together they watched Natalia reach behind the bar, grab a plate with one hand and a bowl with the other. As soon as she had her dishes in hand a large pot of steaming gumbo and a skillet full of fried trout appeared on the bar-top. Anders, Maija and Zahara all jumped back in surprise, Zahara’s hop shaking the ground slightly.

“Where did that come from?” Anders asked, startled by the sudden appearance of the freshly cooked food.

“It’s part of the magic embedded in the training facilities,” Ivan said. “When the riders who built this place created the kitchen, they used recipes from the best cooks in Kartania. All you have to do is look at the chart in the back and select what dish you want, and the magic does the rest. When you grab your dishes, the food appears on the bar-top, ready to eat.”

“Wow!” Anders exclaimed. He shared an excited look with Maija at the magical kitchen.

“And likewise, for the beverages,” Natalia said, grabbing a mug from the end of the bar. “They fill with your drink of choice. Tonight, I’ll have a mug of hot chocolate.” She took her food and drink to the closest rectangular table and sat down.

And what about me? Zahara asked. These elf- and human-sized portions are not enough for me.

“Luckily for you, Zahara, the riders thought of that as well. Do you see the extra tall serving window at the other end of the bar?” Ivan pointed to the opposite end of the counter. “If you go there and place your hand on the countertop, a meal of your choosing will appear.”

Anders felt her fill with joy and excitement. He knew exactly what she wanted, more sheep, like the ones she’d eaten outside Mount Orena. He chuckled as he watched Zahara bounce over to the other end of the hall and collect her raw mutton.

After letting Ivan dish up next, Anders stepped back slightly from Maija’s side. Spreading his arms and bowing forward somewhat in the same way he’d seen Theodor do with his aunt before the Grandwood formal dance, “After you, my lady.”

Maija’s cheeks reddened. She curtsied neatly before taking a plate and bowl in front of Anders. Anders followed, filling his dishes with trout and steaming vegetable gumbo. Everyone followed Natalia’s lead and filled their mugs with hot chocolate, a delicacy in most parts of Kartania.

After practically inhaling their meals with little talk, they sat back in their chairs, sleepiness creeping into their bodies.

“So, Maija,” Natalia said leaning back.

Maija looked expectantly, snapping out of her relaxed state.

“You’re probably wondering what you’re doing here?” Natalia said, grabbing her mug and swirling the remaining liquid.

Maija glanced to Anders.

Anders sat up in his chair a little and shrugged as he was eager to hear her response. He’d been wondering how Maija would spend her days now that Natalia was tasked with training him.

Maija turned her attention to her sister. Clearing her throat, she said, “Didn’t you bring me here so I might remember more about my past?”

Natalia narrowed her eyes, picked the mug up and shot the remaining liquid down her throat. “That was part of it,” she said bringing the mug back down to the table with a clang. “I wanted you to come home, not only for you to accept the truth of your past, but to see if you’ve got what it takes to become a rider.”

Maija bolted upright, jaw-dropping. Her eyes darted between Anders and Natalia.

Anders grinned widely, nodding at the suggestion.

“You wouldn’t be training directly with Anders,” Ivan said, noticing Anders’ excitement. “You come from a long line of riders, your parents being two of the best the elven race has ever seen. You were robbed of your chance to join our ranks when you were sent away, but now…” he paused.

“Now it’s time we see if you’re ready,” Natalia finished.

Maija struggled to find her voice but nodded eagerly.

Natalia grinned, “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“Yes, a thousand times yes,” Maija said, finally finding the right words.