Chapter 2


In the center of the Dead Tree forest, there lay a large open field of dead grassland. At the core of this grassland, there stood the Shadowlight Castle. In that castle, there was an enormous throne room that held a throne of gold and a man in black suede robes. He sat lazily on his throne and ran a hand through his long white hair.
The doors to the throne room opened and Sashae came walking into the room. Her dress, made of long crimson lace and linen sashes, swayed at her bare ankles. Her thick dark red hair bounced down at her back, and each time she was seen, she had the power to make men’s heart pound.
When she reached the throne, she dropped to one knee. Her sashes surrounded her long legs. She bowed her head and addressed her master: “My lord Ami,” she said. “The doppelganger has failed.”
Ami heard his name spoken clearly by his favorite servant. His name had come from an ancient line of summonors. The first part “A” was pronounced “aww,” and meant amazement; “mi” was pronounced, “me,” and meant magic.
He bent down and leaned closer to her. “I knew he would fail,” he said in a mischievous voice. “Doppelgangers always rely on their own shadow to protect them.” He chuckled. “I suppose I’ll just have to capture them myself.”
Sashae looked up at her lord. “Ami,” she addressed casually. “I saw one of these mages fight the shadow. He has power of fire.”
Ami hummed, amused. He motioned for Sashae to stand and she obeyed.
“I like the sound of that,” he said, standing up with her.
Sashae did not meet his spellbinding eyes. “Perhaps he could be turned,” she said thoughtfully as she looked to the side. “I watched as he excluded the other mages as he fought. He wanted the doppelganger to himself.”
Ami smiled cruelly. “Sounds inviting. Does this mage have a weakness you know of, Sashae?”
Sashae looked down, shook her head, and her dark crimson curls fell about her bare shoulders. “Not that I have seen,” she said.
Ami reached for her cheek and moved her head, so he found her eyes to his. Hers were red-hazel and dark, almost like wine. His was mixed like a husky dog: his right was bright green and his left was candle-lit yellow.
She met his eyes and her heart skipped a beat.
He leaned a bit closer. “Perhaps he is easily…shall we say…‘lured?’”
Sashae held his gaze in question.
“If you play your part, Sashae, then he will be turned to our side, and the last of the mages shall fall in our hands like sand.” He reached for her hand and kissed it. “Now,” he said, and met her eyes again. “Go, until I call for you. You shall see these mages again soon.”
Sashae nodded and tore her eyes away from his. When she reached the other side of the doors and closed them behind her, she disappeared, teleported, back to her room in the high tower.
~
The mages reached the Rune River and finally left the Aloof Woods behind them. They rested beside the river as the glassy moon shone down upon them, and finally revealed light around them.
“I hope I never see those woods again,” Unicorn said as he leaned against a rock.
Pix nodded and sat in the grass near him. “Ditto,” she said.
Phoenix sat under a tree by himself, and Griffin sat among the other mages near the edge of the river.
Griffin looked at Pegasus. “Why did he do that?” he asked. “Why did he risk that fight?”
Pegasus stretched out his old, tired legs and stroked his gray-blue beard. “Perhaps to spare us the doppelganger’s blade.”
Griffin shot him a look. “Sprite’s ashes,” he swore. “Phoenix did it to save his own skin if anything. He just didn’t want us to mess up, because then he would die with us.”
Pegasus hummed. “Yes,” he said. “That is the riddle among us. Do we fight and protect each other to save our own skins, or do we fight and protect each other out of care for one another?” He waved his hand on the breeze, and a long azure pipe grew out from his palm. He put his lips around the tip and hummed, amused at his words.
Griffin stared at him. “Where did you get your wisdom?”
Pegasus smiled warmly. “From experience, my mage,” he said. “From experience.” He drew a long breath in and tasted vanilla smoke in his senses. He then stood up and walked tiredly over to Phoenix.
He sat by his fellow mage and watched the river flow.
Phoenix did not face him. He stared bitterly into the streaming waves. Pegasus spoke, but did not know for sure whether Phoenix was listening: “I recall the first time I won a victory with my sword. I even showed off my final move.” He gestured with his old hands. “I faked a side-swing and my opponent moved his sword to the right. He was open for that split instant, and I took it!” He snatched a grasp of air and his hands glowed soft blue for a moment from his inner magic. He smiled at Phoenix. “And that is how you took it tonight,” he said. “That makes me proud.” He put his hand on Phoenix’s shoulder.
Phoenix glanced at him. “Thank you for your wisdom, Pegasus,” he said. “Unlike Griffin, you are modest.”
Pegasus smiled modestly. “I hoped to help.”
Phoenix touched the elder’s hand. “And so you have.” He stood up from the tree and went his way farther from the others.
Pegasus sighed as he sat alone by the bank. He finally stood and joined Unicorn, his younger brother.

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