Summon the Elven Mage, Barbara Ferrier [ebook reader with highlighter .TXT] 📗

concentration. It’s a problem for the untrained mind. Promise me you’ll stay in good spirits. If you have any trouble, think of your wonderful nephew. He’ll remind you to put a smile on your face and make a shelter out of blankets.” Kelne smiled broadly.

“Where do people live here?”

“In the cities and the countryside, just like your world,” Kelne said. “I was just visiting Sylvia. She and her wolves run the Inn of the Outer Plateaus, over there.” He pointed across the large, steep canyon. “It’s a magnificent cliff dwelling that she’s enhanced with all her skills. It’s most comfortable.”

“Her skills?” Kris said.

“Yes, of course. In a land where you receive what you believe, it’s best to apply yourself to the task at hand, have good taste, be deliberate.”

“Your staff. What does it do?”

Kelne smiled at the question. “It helps me expedite things.”

Kris suddenly remembered the small woven eagle. He pulled it out and gave it to Kelne. “This was given to me when I was traveling with my friend. A child wove it if you can believe that. Have you seen anything like it?”

“You received this on Earth?” Kelne examined it carefully, turning it over and looking for markings, noting the foreign magic woven into the eagle.

“The woman with the deep-green eyes. She asked me to protect the ancestors. She knew my name.” Kris was bewildered. “She sang a song about time travelers or something. In another world. Do you know about that? Do you have ancestors that need protection and time travel?” Kris said.

“I hope not, but it’s always possible,” Kelne said as he stood up. He clapped his hands, and the table, tea and snacks vanished.

“I am so sorry Kris. I have a bit of an emergency on my hands. If it weren’t so urgent, I’d spend the afternoon with you. I’m glad it’s a nice day—no storms predicted. I trust you’re safe enough to travel alone for a bit. I think you’ll be comfortable here in no time.”

“Can’t I go with you?” Kris inquired.

“No. I’m so sorry. They’ve discovered some irregularities in the Ball Return that I must address at once, after I check on some people in the Black Hills.” Kelne stood. “I recommend you visit Wizandor Village and ask for my good friend Beacon. Remember his name like a beacon of light.” Kelne pointed toward a village in the cliffs. “At the top of those cliffs there you will meet many friendly people.

“Please, allow me to draw you a map to help you get around.” His staff flashed, and Kris’s journal opened to a series of maps on the pages. “Enjoy yourself.” Kelne’s staff flashed and he was gone.

Kris stood, uncomfortable with the sudden disappearance. He took a deep breath. How will I ever explain my vacation?

He picked up his journal and opened the pages to Kelne’s maps to examine them. At the top of the page, he read the word written. “Kaa-len-dra.” With the map, at least, he had a chance of finding his way around.

Feeling refreshed, Kris began his trek toward Wizandor Village. He hadn’t gotten far when the wind started to blow and felt cold on his neck. He looked at the map once more and charted his course. He put his journal in his bag, pulled his leather jacket out and put it on, just in time.

A massive gust of wind hit him hard and pushed him toward the edge of the plateau. He had to brace himself.

The wind brought a chill to his ears. While he stood on the plateau, his mind felt transported altogether. He felt fear as he stared at the F in scarlet red across the top of a spelling test. All but two words were crossed out, not because they were misspelled, but because the letters were written backwards on the page. In his head, a familiar voice said, I’m the stupidest one. I don’t do anything right.

He stood in his childhood home. His older sister stared at him in disgust. No one wants a loser like you. Only important people are invited. She stomped off.

Then he saw himself on the playground, held down by two boys while George kicked him hard in the head and stomach. You weirdo. Think you’re some genius? You’re a freak. What are you doing in our class? Hang out with kids your own age, or are they too dumb for you?

Next he saw himself hidden in the school library, terrified of George and his friends. He hid in a corner and learned, absorbing everything he read and skipped two more grades.

Kris tried to get the painful moments to stop. Kelne said I need to control my thoughts, but they have a mind of their own. How do I do that?

He could see Wizandor Village in the high cliff. Kris ran across the plateau, hoping to reach the village and make his upsetting memories stop. Then he walked to the edge of the plateau and saw that the steep canyon went for miles. He checked the map again and saw clouds in the shape of a human face that weren’t on the map before. The cloud face had a look of disgust. The label read “Winds of Doom.”

“I have not been a fool my whole life!” Kris yelled at the wind. “I graduated from college at nearly the top of my class, and five years ahead of schedule,” he said, throwing his shoulders back. “And I had a waiting job offer with decent pay. That was good.” The winds subsided a little. Kris felt better already. “Worked there for years. Got good promotions too. I’m no loser.” He smiled and kept talking. The winds quieted. “Since I left my work behind, I’ve likely gone insane. That’s all. That’s why I’m yelling at you now!” He chuckled. “Dad said never to let work become a personal prison. But I did. Besides, my dad asked me to intervene in my own life. Can you believe it? He knew I needed a