"If that is so, then why is it hidden ?" I asked him again.
"It's because no one apart from those who are admitted into the tower can know the location.
It changes location every decade, " he continued explaining.
"But there are powerful beings in this city. How is it possible that no one noticed. " I asked, puzzled.
"Because no one is inquisitive as you are," he said irritably.
I chuckled. " That's because they have no vision and are too lazy to engage in anything exciting, anyway, show us the door ."
"Did you not hear what I said ? I explained to you that only students can go in .
" No, you didn't say that, you siad they are the only ones who know where it is located, knowing its location and going inside is not the same.
" they almost sound the same to me," he muttered.
"Who are you talking to Your Highness? " kevin asked, searching the area to see if there is someone thre that he had missed.
"You won't drop that title even if i remind you several times. Ask me in a week from today when you are able to call me like a normal friend would, and i will tell you. I siad smiling wide at him. I know his protectiveness over me will make him stop addressing m8e as his lord for this whole week, just to know who I was speaking with.
A door appeared before as and I heard the voice again as we entered, " Be careful because the kids there are mischievous. They play their pranks on whoever crosses their path."
" Then they will have it coming. I'm not that good myself either." I answered him telepathically, not wanting to speak out for kevin to worry again.
The tower looks like a dreamy castle. Golden freckles of light adorning its roofs and short purple haired creature moving up and down the glassy staircase.
"Hellooo!!!
That startled me. i rubbed my chest and looked at the short creature before me.
"Welcome to the tower of terpers. " The dwarf like creature shouted again.
" Uh.... thank you, and before you proceed, can I ask what creature you are?
" Oh, mine, he hit his forehead as if frustrated, you are those ignorant people from the other side. I am a derphine, and I go by the name chilk . We are the ones who assist the tower from generations that have come and passed." He continued speaking, hopping on his short legs like an excited frog.
He giggled when a fellow derphin rolled on the ground for losing his balance. He hopped ten steps ahead of us.
" You are a student here since you came in through the west gate." He said more like a statement than a question. But I answered "No I'm not."
"You are not a student ?" He paused in his steps and asked,"Then why are you here...No, how did you get in without the student seal? His voice rose higher than it was already.
I rubbed my ears due to his loud shouting. " I just came in," I said, hiding the fact that the rift power was the one to lead me here.
" That is ridiculous. No one can enter just because he wants to, and you seem to be hiding your powers , I can't assess it . He stomped his small feet and continued walking through the door.
"Since you made it through the door, I can't send you back , but here is where my assistance ends. He said, ushering us toward a door.
The enormous gate carved from bronze stood before us shining with runes embedded at it edges unscripted with ancient writings.
I gasped in amazement when the gate opened.
A melodious ring of a bell sounded, and shimmering light covered the walls of the tower, leaving behind golden curtains displaying beautifully . On the curtains, designs and symbols could be seen, each depicting a meaning unknown to us.
"This place is really fascinating. Don't you think so, kevin? I asked him.
"It is , but we shouldn't have come here. Exploring too much in this unknown land can add up to our current problem." He chastised.
"Cool down, bro, knowing one or two things won't hurt a fly, and we have already arrived here. You don't expect to leave everything just for safety reasons." I smiled at his annoyed face and walked up the staircase leading to a concave glass saet that was taking the derphines up and down. We had yet to see a human or any of the trainees they were talking about.
....
Walking through the fancy and lavishly decorated corridors of the tower, we came across a woman dressed in red robes sitting on a black horse . I looked at the woman on the horse, wondering why she would choose to sit on a horse other than walk when she was not even outside the towers.
She steady at me intensely and smiled. "The look in your eyes tells that you don't recognize me, Prince Iael.
Her ethereal voice and domino sparked recognition in my mind shortly.
She is the woman who called herself my guide and appeared in my room back in Avagarth.
"Why are you here? don't tell me you followed me here to ramble on about your plans." I asked her.
"Why ask me that when you are the one who came to me? She asked back, smiling as if she had won a prize.
"I am the head teacher of terpers , Ms Preda . Welcome to Lumeris. The place where all magic originates.
She turned to the drephine who had been following us since I stepped into this part of the tower.
"Take the knight to the drawing room his Liege will join him shortly.
"You can say whatever thing you want to say while he is here. A Prince does not walk alone." I said, stopping kevin from leaving sensing his reluctance to leave me alone in an unknown place.
"Cut the crap and let's move on. Have you forgotten the instances of you sneaking out of the palace? I dont think your knight escorted you on those trips, right? She asked amusement dancing in her amber eyes.
This damn woman. I cussed in my thoughts and smiled at kevin, who was giving me accusing glances . "You can leave. i will be there when she is done speaking."
"Lead the way, miss Preda," I said
" The mages are the only protectors who are strong enough to keep this city safe from the dangers that lurk beyond.
But now, as you have already witnessed , the portal separating us from other kingdoms is weakening.
You have already played a major role by awakening the drape. The shadows can now sense and trace the magic and even this city. I can guess that your journey here wasn't peaceful. " she continued explaining.
"Yes, it wasn't uneventful." I answered.
She chuckled. " There is more to come and more responsibilities to bear i am still telling you, saying to you that you need me as your guide.
" I just want to know about this power. Staying here is not part of our plans. I want to know the reason why this city was locked away and why the rift marked me that night. And getting to know that won't take more than a month. We will return to Avagarth.
She paused abruptly. " Do you think you could return to your kingdom in one piece after awakening that power? You ought to be here to shield you from being discovered until you are strong enough to protect yourself . She said, her amber eyes looking at me sharply.
"I can not leave my family and stay here till who knows when . They will search for my whereabouts. A month from now, if I don't get back to the palace, my family will think something happened to me . Because my trips never exceed a month time." I told her.
"If that is the case, then you should have told them everything beforehand.
"I was confused at that time not knowing where to start or which best approach to take. I couldn't worry my parents, especially my mother, by telling them.
She stared at me intensely. "Then utilize your time and strength. You will meet the king tomorrow, but now come to my office. You would need to have an identity to cover up your connection to the drape.
"Why is the king not trustworthy? I asked
"There are eyes and ears everywhere . It would be feasible to be cautious. She said.
She opened the door and dismounted the horse which vanished in golden light.
I entered after her. A vast space came into view. And at it center, there was a set of comfy purple sofas arranged, and in it middle was a glass table. The fireplace appeared to be like the opened mouth of a bear burning and cracking to give warmth.
She stretched her hands towards me, and blue pentagon shaped crystal gem appeared on my head . "Your room has been assigned, chilk , lead our guests to his room.
Settle in and meet me in my office at dawn.