Part 14 (2/2)

Way to make a good impression, Kanti, Cyrus hissed.

Whatever, Amba.s.sador. Why dont you turn on that magical charm youre always bragging about? Kanti retorted.

Relax, you two! Look on the bright side; well catch a few zzzs. Were not going to be much help to anyone without some sleep.

Kanti nodded reluctantly. Lets set up camp on the outskirts of the city. Then well try to suck up to that sn.o.b, Putrefus, first thing tomorrow.

Tent! Kanti called, and then, in a blink of an eye, a roll of canvas, pegs, and poles appeared on the ground beside them from their call box.

I brought it for you, Val. I know you always wanted to go camping. So I brought an old-fas.h.i.+oned tent, like the kind you use on Earth, Cyrus said with a grin.

Shouldve packed the houseplant, Kanti said. It would have grown into three nice weatherproof canopy beds in three minutes. That would be much more comfy than sleeping on the ground.

Well, I think its really nice of you to remember, Valerie said, before Cyrus could get annoyed by Kantis comment.

Hey, where are the directions for this contraption? Did you pack them? Kanti asked.

You dont need directions, Cyrus said confidently. Youve got me.

Thirty minutes later, Valerie, Cyrus, and Kanti were still struggling to set up the tent.

Forget it. Well never get this up. Lets sleep under the stars, Kanti said, frustrated.

I wouldve had it up by now, but theres a pole missing. Not my fault, Cyrus snapped back.

Look, Valerie said, pointing to the Conjurors trickling out of the huts to gather around the pool. It was just as diverse a group as Valerie had seen in Arden, but everyone wore long robes. They must be here for the ceremony.

A man with bushy, gray eyebrows made his way across the expanse of desert toward them. When he reached the group, he gave them a friendly smile. Looks like you could use some help with that.

Its no use, Kanti said, throwing the pole she was holding onto the ground.

But the man only smiled and worked quietly on the tent, sliding the poles into the canvas sleeves expertly. In a matter of minutes, the tent was standing.

See, I told you there wasnt a missing pole! Kanti said triumphantly.

Cyrus pointedly ignored her comment and turned to the man instead. Hey, thanks! That was impressive.

Leo, at your service, he replied.

How did you get so good at setting up tents? I dont know anyone who uses them on the Globe.

Leo smiled and changed the subject. You three must be here for a prophecy.

Yes. But we have to wait until dawn, after the ceremony, Valerie said with anxiety in her voice. I wonder what an Illyrian immortality ceremony is, anyway.

All of the Conjurors who live in the underwater city of Illyria are immortal. Every once in a while, they allow someone to join them and live forever. That person must enter Illyria through the Sacred Pool, he said, pointing toward the pool of water by the pillars.

Sibyl said its been more than half a century since the last immortality ceremony. What does someone have to do to be allowed to join the Illyrians? Kanti asked, curious.

Leo looked a little uncomfortable. Legend says that if a Conjuror performs one truly selfless act at great personal cost, he”or she”will be offered an opportunity to become immortal. But joining the Illyrians means leaving behind the rest of the world forever.

They can never leave? Valerie asked, intrigued. It reminded her of her own choice to leave Earth forever.

Illyria can only be entered once. If an Illyrian ever chooses to rejoin the world above the water, he will have no second chance at immortality. He will finish his life, and then die like everyone else.

Valerie looked into Leos kind eyes. The ceremony is for you, isnt it Leo?

Yes.

But wont you miss your life on the Globe?

My family is lost to me, he said, and a shadow fell over his face. I cant go on with life as usual without them. I believe its my destiny to help the Illyrians with their work.

As a keeper of the Akas.h.i.+c Records, Valerie said with reverence.

Yes, he said, sounding surprised by her knowledge. At least I may finally find the answers I have been seeking for so long.

I hope you do. And for what its worth, I think youre doing the right thing. Sometimes you have to leave behind everything youve ever known in order to really start living.

You are really very mature for one so young, Leo said. Valerie blushed. Noticing her discomfort, he changed the subject. There is one thing Ill miss. All of the light! It will be very dark in that underwater world. I can always swim to the surface, of course, but Ill miss waking up to the sunrise.

Valerie thought hard for a minute, and then her face lit up. I have an idea! Cyrus, couldnt you make Leo something to take with him? Something that would glow underwater so that he has a piece of light with him always? Cyrus made me this, Valerie explained, taking her flower out of her pocket. It always glows, night or day. Isnt it the most beautiful thing youve ever seen?

Cyrus beamed with pride, and Leo said, Incredible. I didnt know there was a lightweaver living on the Globe. What a wonderful gift!

Cyrus was already busy pulling starlight to his hands and shaping it. He concentrated, and his hands moved like lightning. Several minutes later, there was a flash. There, he said, and in his hands was a glowing orb that shone so brightly it made Valerie squint. That will stay lit for several months. Then bring it up to recharge it for a few hours. It will last a long time”maybe even forever. Cyrus handed Leo the orb. Look inside.

Leo stared, and Valerie and Kanti crowded closer to see it as well. Inside was a roaring, golden lion.

Its a lion, since youre Leo, Cyrus explained.

Leo looked up and blinked back tears. Thank you, children. I dont think you understand what this means to me.

The high, sweet sound of singing filled the air. Valerie looked in the direction of the mournful music and saw that it was Sibyl, fluttering in the air with her wings spread wide. Though the song was in a language Valerie had never heard before, she somehow knew that it described all of the things that Leo would never experience living underwater among the immortals.

The farewell song, to make sure that I dont take this decision lightly, Leo murmured. Thats my cue. I wont forget you three.

Every cell in Valeries body was responded to the poignant beauty of the music. It made her think of everything she had ever yearned for but never had: a mother to hug her when she was sick; a father to pick her up from school and ask her about her day; a family that was tied to her by blood, who loved her no matter what.

Meanwhile, Leo walked solemnly toward the pool. The orb that Cyrus had created lit up Leos face softly. The Oracles who were crowding around the pool parted to make a path for him. They joined Sibyl in song, and when Leo stepped into the water, the song reached a crescendo. A wave of emotion crashed over Valerie, and tears streamed down her cheeks.

When Leo was waist deep, the singing grew softer. He took one last look around at everyone. Then he gazed at the stars and disappeared beneath the water, leaving only a solitary ripple to mark the spot of his pa.s.sing.

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