It was early morning now. The people of the Ice World had celebrated for most of the night, and news of the victory had spread to the other human cities of Merifin and Delary, receiving the same reaction as it did in Dezol.

 

Jedin, Taren, and Jerith went out while it was still dark, and Jedin lit a few magic lights as they rode out of the town toward the gate. The gate was only about half an hour to the north of Dezol, and there was a bit of a muddy trail developing between the gate and the city. As they approached, they could see the pale green light it gave was reflected oddly in the snow.

 

Jerith went first, and the gate rippled as he passed through. Jedin went next and was immediately blinded by the midmorning light that shone through the trees. Taren came through the gate last and gave a gasp of surprise to see himself in a forest. “Ah it’s so hot here, and the trees… they’re so big!” said the astonished Taren as a cool breeze rustled the leaves.

 

Before anyone could reply to Taren, there was a sound from behind one of the trees, and a demon sped out and ran through the gate to the Ice World, but not without dropping an envelope.

 

“Demons!” spat Jedin as he picked up the envelope and pulled out its contents. He held a letter in his hand and began to read aloud.

 

Dearest Brother,

                I have come in control of the Thunder Wand. Now as the Queen of this world, I give you this ultimatum: give me the Wand of Inheritance, and the Ice Wand.  If you do not comply with this ultimatum, all of the lands of Volerum will tremble before the power of the Thunder Wand.

                Jedin, I will not let you stop me this time!

 

Moira,

Queen of the world called Porlomase.

 

“Well Kassadea will love this one!” said Jedin as he shook his head over the letter.

 

“Which gate leads to Porlomase?” asked Taren, “No telling by the gate the Demon went through.”

 

“Well we have no time to speculate now, and it’s a good long journey to Kassadea from here,” said Jerith.

 

Jedin nodded, and the three of them rode through the wood. A small path had been cleared through the underbrush, making the journey much easier than when they had come through the first time.  As they went through the forest, Taren looked around with an expression of awe on his face, and had long since removed his coat, though Jedin found the morning air to be rather chilly still.

 

When they left the wood, Taren stopped in amazement. He had seen trees before, but never a blue sky, nor a lake, nor green wavy fields of grass.

 

To the northwest was the City of Laya, and Lake Laya lying in the expanse beyond it. Directly north was the road that led to Kassadea, and the snowcapped mountains that towered around the new capital.

 

“So this is the Volerum of Legends; it’s so beautiful! I never imagined…” said Taren to himself as he caught up with Jedin and Jerith.

 

Jedin tried to imagine what it must be like for him, but this landscape was familiar, and when he had entered the Ice World, snow had been no shock to him. But as they continued, he let himself enjoy the novelties of this world, amazed at how different this place really was from the Ice World.

 

The road to Kassadea was oddly quiet. It usually had several farmers and traveling merchants on it, but now it seemed completely dead and empty. No doubt talk of war had spread, especially with the movement of the Royal Guard through the area. Even most of the farms and homes they passed as they came around the lake seemed abandoned. The scene continued much like this as they traveled, and by the time they had made it to Kassadea, the sun was low near the horizon of the western plane.

 

There had been a sharp increase of guards around the palace since the coronation. The guards hailed Jerith as they came past the sentries. “Back from the Ice World? How fares it there?” said the guard that had addressed them.

 

“We’ve had a victory against the demons, and we are off to report to Queen Kassadea,” said Jerith.

 

“Ah, well yes, the Queen has been curious,” said the guard as he waved them on.

 

The road led them though the palace yard, past Jedin’s mage quarters, then finally up to the beautiful palace. When they entered, Maylin greeted them in the entrance hall.

 

“Oh Jedin, Jerith, and…um…” started Maylin.

 

“I am Taren of the Ice World.”

 

“Taren, yes, the governor. Well Kassadea was hoping she would hear from you soon. Right now she is hearing reports from the Guard Captains from around the Kingdom, but I’m sure Kassadea won’t mind your interruption. I’ll show you to the throne room,” said Maylin.

 

Maylin ushered them through the palace to Kassadea’s throne room, opened the door, and poked her head in. “Kassadea. Jedin, Jerith and Taren have come to report from the Ice World” said Maylin in a dignified voice.

 

“Oh, yes, bring them in; I’d like to hear the affairs of the Ice World,” said Kassadea, sounding tired, yet still happy to see them.

 

They all came in and were seated at a table that had been brought in for meeting. After being seated, Jedin looked at the Royal Guard Captains that were seated with them. There was Frinez of Eta Mor, which had been the ancient capital of the kingdom that had held the Fire Wand; it was on a peninsula to the far southeast of Volerum. There was also Verémen from Paylom Island, which was on Lake Paylom to the southeast; it had been the seat of power for the old Paylom Empire, which held the Thunder Wand before the War Between to the Worlds of old. The third Captain was Illemen from the Island of Andechas, which was the head of an archipelago off the west coast of Volerum.

 

All of the Captains wore the traditional uniform with a red, white trimmed coat, each of them bearing a saber with the Three Rose Crest at the top of the hilt.

 

“Well I’m very glad to see the three of you here, and safe,” said Kassadea who sounded even more tired then Jedin had thought before, “Tell me, how are things in the Ice World since I left?”

 

Taren replied, “Queen Kassadea, Volerum was victorious in the battle at Thainos, and we now hold the castle there. Thainos is dead, and I now hold the Ice Wand,” reported Taren.

 

“My Queen, the forces sent with Eljen arrived without problem and are working to defend the humans there from the remaining demons,” added Jerith.

 

“Good. This is all very well. As you can see, I’ve summoned the Royal Guard from throughout the kingdom to aid in the defense against the Demons. We have already received reports of demon scouts moving through the kingdom,” said Kassadea.

 

“Kassadea,” said Jedin, “I have some to report on Moira.” The Guard Captains became very still and quiet. Magic was becoming a rarer thing, and word of Moira’s dark actions frightened many people. “When we entered Thainos’s throne room, we found Moira there controlling him and using him to control the Ice Wand, but after we had defeated Thainos, she vanished.

 

“As we left the Ice World, however, a demon dashed through the gate and dropped a note near us.” Jedin produced Moira’s letter and passed it to Kassadea as he continued, explaining the letter’s content to the rest of the room. “It says that she has the Thunder Wand and is now Queen of that land, and that if we don’t turn over our wands, Volerum will feel the power of the Thunder Wand. She won’t hesitate to attack us, but giving her the wands is no guarantee that she won’t. Not with her talk of The Dark Force,” finished Jedin.

“How long do you think we have? Troops from Eta Mor are still a week or so away, and there’s no telling what kind of horde Moira has at her command,” said Frinez.

 

“I don’t know how long Moira will hold out an attack, but she alone with the Thunder Wand is still a sizable threat,” said Jedin in air of urgency.

 

  “It seems to be clear that Moira is our chief threat. As soon as your men enter the district, have them defend Laya and the road to the palace,” said Kassadea.

 

The captains nodded.

 

“Well, you’re excused then. But Jedin if you could stay…”

 

All arose and moved out except Jedin. Kassadea spoke once everyone had gone. “Jedin, I’m sure that this has been a trying week for the both of us. The reports of demon scouts has alarmed the entire district and beyond. The Captains of the Royal Guard arrived here just this morning, and I’ve been in meeting all day. As you heard, the most recent reports show that reinforcements are some days away; the closest from Parlom aren’t quite to Aljen’s Bridge and Frinez’s men are back at Chora. I would tell you I’m tired, but you’re the one who has had to fight demons and chase your sister.”

 

“No matter; we’re all exhausted. And besides, a long meeting will take more out of you than a battle,” said Jedin with a grin.

 

Kassadea gave a grin as well and said, “You always say something to make me smile, Jedin.”

 

“Well at least I’m good for something.”

 

Kassadea sniffed a laugh before she spoke again. “What are you going to do now?”

 

“Moira has probably observed our troop movements, and will attack before reinforcements can arrive. She’ll attack where she thinks it will hurt us the most, and that would be Laya. I think I will go there.”

 

Kassadea nodded. “Take Jerith with you. Taren may want to travel with you too, but it’s late now, and I am quite tired; you have leave to go,” said Kassadea.

 

Jedin got up to leave and gave a bow to Kassadea.

 

“Oh, and Jedin,” said Kassadea as Jedin turned to leave, “I know you still care for your sister, and I don’t blame you for that, but saving her from The Dark Force may not be possible; don’t let your feelings interfere with your responsibility.”

 

“Yes, Kassadea,” said Jedin as he bowed again and turned to leave the throne room. After the door closed behind him, he paused for a moment and rubbed his hands over his eyes. It was true, thought Jedin as he began to walk again. He did want to see Moira turn away from the Dark Force—he wanted to save her if he could—but Kassadea was right: the possibility of that was all but none now. Still he hoped, however, that Moira could be brought back, and that he could help her—help her be again what she was before.

 

Jedin continued, deep in thought, and hardly realized that he had made it to his mage quarters in the palace yard. He quickly changed out of his old mage uniform. It felt so good to be out of his old clothes. He wanted nothing more than to take a bath, but that would have to wait until morning. He put on a night cloak and got into his bed and quickly fell asleep.