Extract -
Tidus was crying. Tidus often cried and Zephyr wondered how best
to cheer his friend up this time.
‘It won’t be so bad, I mean we’ll be in
different schools, but maybe your magic is just getting started.’ That’s a
good approach, thought Zephyr. The tears ebbed and Zephyr thought he heard
a sniffle. ‘I’m sure it’s… taking a bit longer – bit longer than normal – but I
bet… I bet when your magic does come, it’ll be really strong!’ he
finished enthusiastically. Tidus howled. Oh no, maybe it’s not working at
all….
Barely four foot tall Zephyr was small
even for a Wisp. Covering his entire body was a thick aquamarine robe that
extended all the way over his head upon which it became a large furred cowl.
Being made of a great deal of spirit and magic, Zephyr’s face was rather hard
to see and appeared as no more than a haze, dark as midnight, punctuated by two
large silvery eyes that shone as bright as lighthouse beacons.
‘You’re just saying that,’ sniffled
Tidus, another Wisp with crackling eyes of electric blue and a full year
younger than Zephyr. ‘You’ll go to the Anchor School in a few weeks then
you’ll go to the Lunar Academy next year and I’ll be…I’ll be…’ He
hiccoughed, his whole body jolting. ‘I’ll be all on my own!!’
‘No,no,no we’ll still be friends!’ he
said, giving Tidus a small pat. ‘And you’ll have lots of fun at your new school
anyway, you won’t even notice-’
‘But
you won’t like it there,’ insisted Tidus, tugging at the older Wisp’s robe.
‘The Lunar People are all weird, the Invokers are all meanies….’ he wiped his
nose on the edge of his sleeve. ‘And
all the other Wisps are stupid.
That’s why we’re friends,’ he finished, narrowing his eyes at Zephyr as
though daring him to disagree.
‘That’s why we’re friends,’ agreed
Zephyr, thinking for a moment. ‘Not all the Invokers are stupid. There is that
one umm you know the one everyone is talking about….’
‘You mean the one from Midgard?’ Tidus
held his head aloft. ‘He won’t be any different; he’s the nephew of some
stupid Lord. He’s probably a big meanie as well! Hmph!’And with that the little
Wisp drew himself up into a ball, huffing. Zephyr began to see his young friend
wasn’t to be so easily swayed. He wasn’t entirely sure he’d convinced
himself either.
He peered into the distance to the
enormous winged gates of the Skyborn District. They’ll all be gathered for
the election results tonight, the young Wisp reflected. It would
undoubtedly be an impressive event, with no holds barred as they ushered in Gardarel’s
new ruler. There were sure to be the finest entertainment and most sumptuous
courses in all of Gardarel, and perhaps even….
‘I know what will cheer you up,’ said
Zephyr suddenly. Tidus’s sniffling came to an abrupt halt.
‘What?’ said Tidus suspiciously.
‘Well they’re electing the new Prime
Consul tonight aren’t they….’
‘Yeah, so? I don’t care about that,’
he replied, making a face. ‘Father says they’re all the same anyway…..’
‘But it’ll be a celebration, don’t
you see?’ said Zephyr. ‘Big all-out thing, like those Invokers love right? So
there’ll be food and drink and everyone is sure to get dressed up…and
most importantly at the end of the night….’
‘Fireworks?’ hazarded Tidus, faintly
hopeful.
Zephyr grinned. ‘Exactly!’
The younger Wisp straightened out the
furry cowl atop his head with a little tug. ‘But we’ll never get into the
Consul Estate; they won’t let us anywhere near the place….’
‘You just let me worry about that,’ Zephyr
replied confidently. ‘I got a plan. Ol’ Zephy’s always got a plan….’
Coming 2014
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