silvering solution,” Loran informed her mother. “Come to the mirror and see what it reveals.”
Loran guided Leanna to the full-length mirror, twelve steps from her bed. Leanna wavered on her feet. She was intoxicated by the power the stone transitioned through her, but she managed to remain upright when she stood before the mirror. Leanna waved her hand in front of her and watched the ghostly trails it produced—while she simultaneously noticed the absence of reflections in the mirror.
“This is truly miraculous,” said Leanna, and then abruptly became teary. “I can’t believe I ever agreed to deprive you of such wonder.”
Although the influence of the stone drove her mother’s emotional sentiments, Loran did not doubt her sincere regret.
“Deprived is not a word I could ever associate with my life,” said Loran, trying to comfort her mother. But as the words slipped from her tongue, Loran felt a twinge of unfulfilled desire. She did not rightly feel deprived, but she hungered for control of her destiny and her recently discovered legacy.
Leanna reclaimed command of her emotions.
“Even if Topen senses the use of his stone, it may be some time before he arrives,” said Leanna “Not because of indecision or lack of desire to do so, but due to the influences of time, in his realm and ours.”
“I don’t understand; the influences of time?”
“I’m afraid the power of this magic is affecting both my emotions and judgment,” said Leanna. “I want to thank you for this gift—for sharing your legacy.”
Leanna let loose of Loran’s hand and the mirror captured her transition to visible form. A few moments later, Loran appeared next to the table where they started. The stone she had held now rested on the table’s marbled top.
“That is the second time you have made a reference to time and Topen,” said Loran. “I remember your words to Topen as if you had just now spoken them; I am aware of no other with more insight to the passage of time . You said those words at the celebration of Rolam’s and Gervest’s sixteenth birthday.”
Leanna beckoned for Loran to join her at the mirror. When she did, they stared at their reflections while they spoke.
“I remember those words as vividly as you. Perhaps I should be surprised that you so diligently ensnared my words into your memory, but first I would have to underestimate you, and that, my daughter, I will never do.”
“Will you now explain their meaning?”
Leanna turned to meet Loran’s eyes—sparkling with expectation.
“This, I will promise; with Topen’s arrival, the meaning of those words—and so much more—will be revealed to you. Until that time, I assure you that the knowledge they convey will not alter our current course—to reverse an unnatural influence that if left unchallenged, will destroy all that we know is good.”
Chapter Eight
CONTACTS & CONSEQUENCES
––––––––
N EAR THE GATED ENTRANCE OF a wide grassy road, two rapid snapping sounds broke the peaceful silence as Daramose appeared in the sky, just above the two iron gates securing the passage. He floated downward with his momentum for several feet and then landed soundly on the tree-lined lane—that leads to a white Manor in the distance. The ghostly trails that followed his arrival dissipated just before he reached solid ground. Long, white rail fences behind the tree line edged the lush green pasture on both sides of the road, and steered Topen and Daramose to the Manor’s entrance.
Topen had the sudden urge to pull on Daramose’s reins, but the stallion stopped abruptly before the thought reached his hands.
“You sensed it too, didn’t you?” Topen said to Daramose while he patted him on the neck. “I know it has been a long day, my friend, but we must not delay our arrival,” he urged.
Daramose snorted and bobbed his head before he took off down the road at a full run. When they had nearly reached the entrance, the stable manager,
Loran guided Leanna to the full-length mirror, twelve steps from her bed. Leanna wavered on her feet. She was intoxicated by the power the stone transitioned through her, but she managed to remain upright when she stood before the mirror. Leanna waved her hand in front of her and watched the ghostly trails it produced—while she simultaneously noticed the absence of reflections in the mirror.
“This is truly miraculous,” said Leanna, and then abruptly became teary. “I can’t believe I ever agreed to deprive you of such wonder.”
Although the influence of the stone drove her mother’s emotional sentiments, Loran did not doubt her sincere regret.
“Deprived is not a word I could ever associate with my life,” said Loran, trying to comfort her mother. But as the words slipped from her tongue, Loran felt a twinge of unfulfilled desire. She did not rightly feel deprived, but she hungered for control of her destiny and her recently discovered legacy.
Leanna reclaimed command of her emotions.
“Even if Topen senses the use of his stone, it may be some time before he arrives,” said Leanna “Not because of indecision or lack of desire to do so, but due to the influences of time, in his realm and ours.”
“I don’t understand; the influences of time?”
“I’m afraid the power of this magic is affecting both my emotions and judgment,” said Leanna. “I want to thank you for this gift—for sharing your legacy.”
Leanna let loose of Loran’s hand and the mirror captured her transition to visible form. A few moments later, Loran appeared next to the table where they started. The stone she had held now rested on the table’s marbled top.
“That is the second time you have made a reference to time and Topen,” said Loran. “I remember your words to Topen as if you had just now spoken them; I am aware of no other with more insight to the passage of time . You said those words at the celebration of Rolam’s and Gervest’s sixteenth birthday.”
Leanna beckoned for Loran to join her at the mirror. When she did, they stared at their reflections while they spoke.
“I remember those words as vividly as you. Perhaps I should be surprised that you so diligently ensnared my words into your memory, but first I would have to underestimate you, and that, my daughter, I will never do.”
“Will you now explain their meaning?”
Leanna turned to meet Loran’s eyes—sparkling with expectation.
“This, I will promise; with Topen’s arrival, the meaning of those words—and so much more—will be revealed to you. Until that time, I assure you that the knowledge they convey will not alter our current course—to reverse an unnatural influence that if left unchallenged, will destroy all that we know is good.”
Chapter Eight
CONTACTS & CONSEQUENCES
––––––––
N EAR THE GATED ENTRANCE OF a wide grassy road, two rapid snapping sounds broke the peaceful silence as Daramose appeared in the sky, just above the two iron gates securing the passage. He floated downward with his momentum for several feet and then landed soundly on the tree-lined lane—that leads to a white Manor in the distance. The ghostly trails that followed his arrival dissipated just before he reached solid ground. Long, white rail fences behind the tree line edged the lush green pasture on both sides of the road, and steered Topen and Daramose to the Manor’s entrance.
Topen had the sudden urge to pull on Daramose’s reins, but the stallion stopped abruptly before the thought reached his hands.
“You sensed it too, didn’t you?” Topen said to Daramose while he patted him on the neck. “I know it has been a long day, my friend, but we must not delay our arrival,” he urged.
Daramose snorted and bobbed his head before he took off down the road at a full run. When they had nearly reached the entrance, the stable manager,
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