EMRYSA

Chapter Four (II)

Ciara shared with Arc, "The trees want me to sing."

Arc politely asked, "Great Rockfell Rovwick's ghost, we found Azaar's orchard. Do you mind if I ask you to sing to the trees?"

Ciara felt a mix of anticipation and nervousness. Singing in front of Prudy or the Ickies was one thing, but singing with someone else was a different experience. Gathering her courage, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and began to sing. Arc was captivated by her voice and lost track of time, only snapping back to reality when Ciara called his name.

"Arc! Was my singing that bad?" Ciara snapped him back. He reassured her, "No, you sang wonderfully. And I think the trees agree with me." His face beamed with delight. The barren trees soon transformed, bearing an abundance of fresh fruits. Arc plucked the fruits, appreciating the beauty of the song Ciara had shared. Curious, Arc asked, "The song you sang was beautiful. Did your mother sing it to you?"

Ciara replied, "No, my mother could not sing to save her life. It’s a song by my favorite band," She then showed Arc her magi-slate lock screen, revealing a portrait of the band, 'Be the Song' or BTS for short. Pointing at the image, she enthusiastically explained, "I love them all, but this is my personal favorite, Cody." She proudly displayed her wallpaper. Arc had never seen Ciara talk that passionately about anything. He was a bit jealous of the guy with long black hair flashing a gummy smile on her magi-slate.

Ciara, sensing his reaction, asked, "What? Do you have a problem with them?"

Her face bore a serious expression, expecting criticism as she had experienced in her hometown. Arc quickly deflected the topic, saying, "No. We should get back to the others,"

Mordecai, concerned about Ciara's foot, asked, "How is your foot?"

Ciara replied, "Not bad, but not good."

Mordecai offered to take a look, and she removed her shoe, revealing her swollen ankle. After examining her foot, Mordecai determined it was dislocated and informed her, "I just need to set your foot right."

Morgana handed Ciara an apple, "Here, bite or chew on this."

Ciara followed Morgana's instruction, and as Mordecai worked on adjusting her foot, she groaned in pain and bit through the apple. Morgana then applied an ‘ordinary’ balm to aid the healing process and advised Ciara, "Just don't move it too much."

They finally reached the Sea of Abalor. A hircocervus emerged from the forest. The peculiar creature, part-goat and part-stag, approached the sea, clearly thirsty. The team watched intently as it drank from the sea. However, within seconds, the hircocervus let out a cry of agony as the sea drained all the fluids from its body. It withered away and collapsed into the sea, leaving them horrified by the gruesome sight.

"Great Rockfell Rovwick's ghost, that was traumatizing," exclaimed Warwick. "I'm not a coward or anything, but I think we should draw straws to determine who will retrieve the sea water."

"No need for that. I will go. This is my quest, after all," volunteered Ciara. "Does anyone have any additional knowledge about the sea, apart from what we just witnessed?"

Mordecai explained, "There's a witch named Hephthza who appears when you are close enough to the sea. She is said to be physically repulsive and cunning. She comes with a warning, 'Only—'"

"I will take it from here, son of Gaius," interrupted a grating voice. Startled, they turned around to find the witch standing behind them. She wore tattered, dirty clothes, her eyelids melted shut, and her wrinkled skin made her truly repulsive. Her voice was ear-piercing. "I suppose we are close enough," muttered Warwick. Sage and Buttercup blacked out, overwhelmed by the terrifying sight of the sea draining the hircocervus and now faced with the witch.

"I am Hephthza, the witch of this sea," the witch declared. "Only worthy sorcerers can enter the Sea of Abalor unharmed."

Curious, Warwick asked, "What happens if non-sorcerers enter the sea?"

A smile spread across the witch's face, revealing the holes in her teeth. "The sea will rid the trespassers of all the fluids in their bodies. They will shrivel up and die."

"What do we do now?" Prudy inquired nervously. Turning to Ciara, Mordecai asked about her foot. "How is your foot, Ciara?"

"I can run, and swim," Ciara replied. "Let me go," Arc said confidently. Warwick questioned his brother, "When did you become a sorcerer? Talking to animals doesn't count."

"Actually, I believe I am, under the alias Emrys. I'll tell you about it later," Arc replied. Ciara and Arc entered the sea, relieved to find that nothing happened to them. They proceeded towards the center, where Mordecai had explained that the actual water of the sea resided. By the time they emerged from the sea, the witch had disappeared.

As the team celebrated their success, Ciara caught a glimpse of something resembling a unicorn in the trees. She slipped away to investigate. "You're back," she said to the figure. "Are you talking to me?" the unicorn snapped. "Sorry, I mistook you for another unicorn," Ciara apologized. "Mmm-hmmm, sure you did. So, what's a young lady like you doing in the Valley of the Fallen Kings?" the unicorn asked.

"Actually, I'm not alone. I'm here with my friends," Ciara explained. "Oh, okay, goodbye," said the unicorn, ready to leave. "Wait, I didn't get to introduce myself. I'm Ciara," she quickly interjected. The unicorn responded, "Cornelius. Goodbye now," and turned to leave. "Wait, my friends and I need to return to Auraton, but we've lost our horses. Can you please help us?" Ciara requested. "Listen, you seem like a decent and smart human. Now, I don't know what you and your friends are doing here, but going to Askia would be a suicide mission for my kind. How about this? We'll take you as close as we can," Cornelius proposed. "Yes, thank you," Ciara agreed.

The unicorn's horn emitted a bright glow as it sent out a signal. In an instant, an adult unicorn and two smaller ones appeared. Ciara led them back to the others. The unicorns used their magic to transport them to the borders of Askia, bidding them farewell before departing. Sage and Buttercup woke up, confused by their surroundings. Mordecai, Morgana, Ciara, and Prudy headed to the Hamptons' home, while Sage, Buttercup, and the princes returned to the palace.

Baltimore cautiously surveyed his surroundings, ensuring that no one was in close proximity to his chambers. Satisfied with the apparent solitude, he securely locked his door and proceeded to sneak away to the room he had previously visited. A loud and satisfied laugh escaped his lips, echoing through the space.“You seem happy,” The old, tired voice came.

"And why wouldn't I be?" Baltimore replied, his voice tinged with smugness. "Everything is unfolding precisely as planned."

"Never sell the bear’s skin before you’ve killed the beast,”

"Are you referring to the girl?" Baltimore scoffed dismissively. "She poses no true threat, and that bumbling wizard has vanished into thin air. Once my scheme reaches its fruition, I will have everything I have ever desired." His laughter echoed through the room, brimming with self-assured confidence.

The morning sun beamed with brilliance, its radiant rays piercing through the dining room window of the Hamptons' residence. Mordecai scanned the individuals gathered around the table, each engrossed in their own activities. “I’m getting married,” Mordecai declared. A hush fell over the room, capturing everyone's attention, except for Gaius, who remained immersed in his book. “I’m getting married after the contest is over.”

Morgana's eyes widened in disbelief as she locked her gaze upon her brother and retorted, “You must be joking. Who in their right mind would even consider looking at you, let alone want to marry you?”

“Wow, congratumalations, dude,” Dicky exclaimed cheerfully. “It's congratulations, you nincompoop,” Ricky mocked. “I know, you ninnycompoop,” Dicky retorted. “Morgana, Prudy, Ciara, take the boys upstairs, we want to have a word with Mordecai,” Hunith instructed.

Complying with her instructions, they went upstairs. Morgana, Prudy, and the Ickies, filled with curiosity, tried to eavesdrop on the conversation.“MORDECAI LYLE HAPMPTON!” They heard Hunith bellow. Startled, they swiftly retreated to Morgana’s room.

Morgana pondered, “What could they be discussing with him? A-And Mordecai has a beloved? Since when?” Restless, she paced back and forth within the confines of her room. “Two years,” Micky revealed, drawing the attention of those present. Curious gazes shifted toward him. “How did you come by this information?” Ciara cast a watchful glance at her brother, her expression hinting at a scolding for his eavesdropping.

“I assure you, I didn't eavesdrop. You know I'm a light sleeper,” Micky replied. Morgana inched closer and asked, “Can you tell me more about this beloved of his? Is she someone I know?”

"I highly doubt it. Half the women in the city have kept their distance from you," Micky retorted. "By the way, the contest fair is still happening in the city, and we'd like to attend."

“Are you trying to negotiate with me, little Micky?” Morgana said. “No. This is me negotiating with you. Ten gold coins for a sentence.” Micky said. Morgana reached for her pouch, the Ickies did a fun secret handshake. Morgana handed Micky ten gold coins. “She has blonde hair,” He said.

She handed him another ten gold coins. “Her name’s Clarice,” Said Micky. “Clarice… I think I know a Clarice. She works at… erm, at… Holy Fora, yes,” Sage recalled. Micky made a gesture for her to pay more. She exasperated and gave him another twenty gold coins. “Clarice Biggley. Lives at the end of Wilder Street,” Micky revealed. “That's all. If you’re looking for us, we’ll be at that contest fair,” he added. The Ickies cheerfully exited Morgana's room and left the Hampton home.