Summon the Elven Mage by Barbara Ferrier (which ebook reader TXT) 📗

measure, I’d like her to go to Earth for a little while until I get things straightened out,” Kelne said. “I have a friend who’s agreed to care for her there. I would appreciate having a chaperone who can check in on her and keep me apprised. Let’s all go together. Does your nephew live in a good neighborhood for children? That would be ideal.”

“Jaime lives in a great neighborhood for families. How can I help?” Kris said.

Kelne opened a messenger trail, and Kris, Sylvia, and Kelne returned to Ivy’s Healing Sanctuary of the Waterlands. They walked in and sat down.

“Tah,” Kelne said, winking at Sylvia.

A few seconds later, Tahendra came into the room, holding Ivy’s hand. Kris saw she was Jaime’s age, with large green eyes and beautiful brown hair. She’ll be a perfect friend for Jaime. Kris liked the idea already.

“Granduncle, are we going a long way from here? I didn’t mean to make us have to leave,” she said, shaking her head. “He made me so mad. I—”

“You did the right thing, Tah. You really did. We just needed a bigger team of people as strong as you,” Kelne said gently as he gave her a hug. “I’m very proud of you for all you’ve done.” He paused, looked at Kris, then back at his grandniece. “We have a little trip planned, Tah. I need to take this fine man, Kris Campbell home, and I thought you’d like to come with me. He lives on Earth but has promised to come back and visit often. Will you come with us?”

“A trip with Granduncle and Kris to Earth? Of course I want to go!” She jumped excitedly. “I’m already packed. Are you?” Tahendra’s big green eyes looked to Kris’s. “Are you from here?” Tahendra said.

“I … I came from Earth.”

“But you’re like me,” Tahendra said. “I can tell.”

Kris looked confused, not sure what to make of her comment as she looked him over.

“I saw it too, Tah,” Sylvia said. She turned to Kris “The Chancellor couldn’t touch you. He couldn’t even think, Kris. You protected the Wizandor Village as if you were a beacon of peace in that square. Did you know he brought an army, and they were waiting for his signal? I think they intended destroy the whole village.”

“I did what?” Kris said.

“Surely, he had a backup plan after Beacon protected the crystal in the bell tower. When you intervened, it kept him from collecting his thoughts,” Sylvia said. She looked to Kelne and Ivy.

“Of course I stepped up. He was a bully and a thief ... Who does that guy think he is? No civility or respect? Inexcusable.” Kris sat back for a minute, thinking. “You said something, Kelne, when we had tea. I made a commitment a long time ago. What did you mean? Why am I here?”

Kelne took a deep breath. “You’ve heard about the ancient shaman and the work they did to keep Kalendra strong. Kalendra has seen hard times before.

“For safety, the shaman sent one person away to live on another planet, a reliable person they knew would keep their word. They wanted someone who would grow up outside the ancient training and arrive with fresh problem-solving skills. It’s been an exceptionally long time since that decision was made. You wouldn’t remember any of this.

“I don’t remember. Are you sure?”

“Before you left, the shaman gave you the gift of learning, so that you would absorb information quickly, instantly.”

Kris stood in silence, speechless.

Ivy walked over to Kris and placed a clear blue stone in his hand, then raised his hand to his heart. She placed her hands on his shoulders and encouraged him to relax. Kris closed his eyes.

In his mind’s eye, Kris saw his father’s London ticket stub flash in his dream and set his return to Kalendra in motion. He did not choose Paris. His eight-year-old self sent him to meet the old man in the train station. Once he embraced the man’s instructions, inexplicable feelings of déjà vu began. He saw the eagle’s eye flashand heard Edwardo say, Jonea reads energy waves in the universe. It’s an ancient art. The woman with deep green eyes knew his name and led him directly to the portal.

Kris opened his eyes and nodded.

He reached in his shirt pocket and pulled out the eagle, then he showed it to Tah.

“Does this remind you of something?”

She handled it carefully. “I can see old magic on this.” she said. Kris gave the eagle to Ivy.

“This explains why you healed so fast when you were blown off the ridge. It protected you.” Ivy turned to Sylvia and handed her the eagle.

“I have this too,” Kris said as he pulled the old carved bone toy the woman had given him.

Kelne handled the carving. “It makes more sense now,” he said.

“What?” Kris said.

“Kalendrian magic was woven into the wings of the eagle. I saw it when you first showed it to me. But this carving is different. It’s from a place no longer on the map, a land that’s been forgotten for a millennium, a mythical place that has only survived in our dreams,” he said. “Perhaps it will become significant again.”

“I still don’t understand,” Kris said.

“Changes have happened,” Kelne said. “That’s why I summoned you back. We need your genius and your help. From what Sylvia and Tah have said, we also need your magic. Do you know of the Wood Elves?”

“Flanders was looking for them,” Kris said, “The Maiden of the Forest made a request.”

“Interesting that he found you …”

“Why?”

“Come,” Kelne said. “One more quick stop on our way to Earth. Sylvia and Ivy, please join us.”

They walked outside and Kelne turned to Kris, “I understand you have an affinity for this forest,” he smiled.

“I can’t get enough of Kinizar Falls, but the whole forest makes me feel alive. It’s beyond words,” Kris said taking a breath and filling his lungs.

“Good,” Kelne smiled. He raised his staff high and it burned brightly.

The world was