The Gift of One

At a time in the world, when the earth was young, there lived a Gindol. Since nowadays no one is wise enough to know about the days of old, I suppose Gindols need a description. Gindols are a small creature, but not too small. They are about five feet four inches at most, with dark curly hair and light green eyes. They have a passion for gardening, which leaves them with very strong hands; although by nature their hands are small. They are simple and quiet, with a great knowledge for nature but get quite muddled when dealing with magic, since the only kind they can perform is to linger in the air for a few minutes when jumping, then landing softly on the ground. Since Gindols are fond of nature, they wear earthy colors, such as green and dark brown, but never bright red, which they think is bad luck.

Anyways, as I was saying, this particular Gindol, though she didn't know it at the moment, was special (though most people called her unusual in a bad sense). The Gindol's parents, who had named her Mindil, were the only creatures in their hometown of Dolin who called Mindil special instead of unusual. Why was she special, is that what you ask? I'll tell you why. Mindil was special because of her looks and mind. She had straight hair instead of curly, and liked to cut it to shoulder length rather than grow it out to her waist like all the other females of Dolin. Mindil was very tall for a Gindol, being five foot seven and still growing. She loved excitement and loud noises, rather than being simple and quiet. But perhaps the thing that was most unusual about Mindil were her eyes. Instead of having the traditional light green eyes every other Gindol had, Mindil had piercing, deep blue eyes that showed more expression than her entire face did. Her eyes seemed to be hiding some kind of mystery in them though no one knew what. One evening, when Mindil was enjoying the night sky, she saw a horse in the distance. Though its rider was barely more than a speck, she could tell who it was. And since she loved excitement, this particular man on the horse caused her insides to leap with joy.

"It's Kendor!" she shouted to her mother, Elonda Gandberry, "It's Godfather Kendor!"

Kendor was Mindil's godfather, and an adventurer known far and wide. He was in fact a Gindol, but an unusual one like Mindil. He (like Mindil) also had piercing, expressive, deep blue eyes. He too also was a giant among Gindol's, being a male of six feet two inches. But he was welcome to this town, being considered just a nice, brave, fellow who was special. After all, who had gone on an adventure and brought Dolin thousands of treasures? Who always knew how much crops needed to be planted and harvested every year in order to have enough food for the winter? Who always had the best parties in the whole of Dolin? Kendor did, that's who. And for that, the creatures in the little town of Dolin were thankful.

Now, usually when Kendor arrived in town, he would arrive merrily, singing a tune. He would throw a huge party in which everybody was invited. There were always plenty of drinks and food, and everyone was entertained by all the stories Kendor told at the parties. But this time was different. This time, as he rode on the well paved roads, his brow was furrowed in worry, there was no smile on his face, and there was no tune coming out of his lips. Instead of stopping by Mindil's house on his way to his own little cottage, he rode on, muttering to himself.

Mindil soon realized that something was wrong. She went inside her own little house and sat down and thought. She wanted to figure out what was the matter, but she didn't want to go just go up to him and ask what was wrong. She finally came up with a way she could find out what was wrong. She would go to his house with a basket of cookies as a welcome back gift and stay there to talk to him. While talking to her he would probably let slip what was on his mind. Feeling her plan was absolutely foolproof, she took a basket of freshly made chocolate chip cookies and walked to godfather Kendor's house.

Part Two

"Godfather Kendor?" Mindil called as she knocked on his cottage's heavy wood doors.

"Who's there?" his voice boomed from within the house.

"It's Mindil!" she replied, "Mindil your goddaughter!!"

Suddenly, the doors swung wide open and godfather Kendor appeared in the doorway. Without as much as a hello, he pulled her in to his dark house and shut the door, Mindil dropping her basket of cookies in surprise.

"Kendor, what are you doing?" Mindil asked as she stood in the dark hallway of his house.

"Mindil," he started, "I need to tell you something. It's something I should have told you the day you were born."

"What is it?" Mindil asked.

"You-you are not a normal Gindol." The puzzled look on Mindil's face made him explain what he meant in further detail. "What I am saying is that you have powers that only few other Gindols have ever had. Ever wonder why you have blue eyes, or straight hair? Or maybe you want to know why you are so tall for your age, much too tall even for a full grown Gindol."

"Well, yes I suppose I have wondered those things before," replied Mindil slowly, a bit confused about what he was saying.

"You," said Kendor, "have a gift that is very powerful. This gift you were born with is a gift that the gods have chosen you to have. I was waiting to tell you about this gift later in your life when you have grown up, but your gift is most needed now."

"Why?" asked Mindil, who was finally beginning to understand.

"The evil Humans who live above us are planning to destroy Dolin. They have found our hidden country and do not feel safe with another species as intelligent as they are living in this world."

"But what does this have to do with the special power that I have?" asked Mindil.

"It has to do with the special power you have because your power is needed to defeat these Humans," replied Kendor.

"Are you saying," said Mindil slowly, "that I am the one who must defeat these Humans?"

"Yes," said Kendor, "that is exactly what I'm saying."

"But I don't know how to use my powers, let alone to save a town!" cried Mindil. "Why can't you go on this mission? I can help you if you teach me, but you have more experience on going on adventures!"

"Mindil," said Kendor gently, "I would go on this mission if I could, but I can't. I'm growing old and weak. You have youth on your side to help you. I am afraid that if I am too weak to defeat these Humans, the land of Dolin would be lost forever. So you see Mindil, it is up to you. I will take you to someone who will teach you how to use your powers and how you can defeat the Humans, but mostly you will have to go on this journey alone. Do you understand?"

"Yes," said Mindil now tearful, "I understand."

"Good," said Kendor, "Then I will go with you to the town of Lehtor to meet someone who will be able to help us. He will be able to teach you more about your power than I can. We must leave immediately. The armies of the Humans are preparing to invade our country as we speak. Run home and pack some food, tools, and warm clothing. Do not tell your parents of your whereabouts. Simply leave them a note that you are leaving and will return. Meet me at the Olive Tree. Go!!" So Mindil ran out the door to her home.

When she got to her house, her mother and father were sleeping. She collected everything Kendor had told her to bring, and then crept into her parents' room. When she saw them lying in their bed fast asleep, she almost burst into a wail. One hand over her mouth to muffle her sobs, she left a note she had written on their bedside table explaining everything:

Dear Mother and Father, the note read, I have gone away to help our beloved Dolin. It is in danger, and I am the only one who can save it. I am sorry, but I am not able to explain anything else. However, I promise you that one day I will return. Please do not worry too much. I love you both.

Your daughter,

Mindil

She took her sack of supplies and left for the olive tree to meet Kendor, leaving her home, her family, and her life behind.

Part Three

When she reached the sacred Olive Tree, she saw Kendor waiting for her with two chestnut brown horses tied to a wooden post. When he saw her coming, he started to untie the horses. He then put a saddle on each of the horses' backs. He was about to help Mindil onto a horse and when she asked him a question.

"Kendor," she started, "before when I was in your cottage you said to put in the note to my parents that I was coming back."

"Yes?" he said, securing her back of supplies on the horse.

"Kendor," she asked, her voice small, "Is that true?"

Kendor stopped securing the sack on the horses back and then said, "I am not sure Mindil. I am not sure." And then they were off, disappearing down the dark road into the black night.

When they reached the gates of the town of Lehtor, Mindil saw an old man in a cloak standing nearby, his face hidden by his hood. Kendor jumped off his horse and went to the man and talked to him. The man looked at Mindil, and said something to Kendor. Kendor nodded his head and went to Mindil. He helped her off her horse and told her to follow close behind him and the old man. She nodded to show she understood him and then Kendor began to follow the old man, Mindil staying close behind.

Soon they reached an old, run down shack with broken windows and a door that was hanging off its hinges. The man entered the shack with Kendor and Mindil following him. Inside the shack was a small lantern with a flame that was barely visible. The old man waved his hand over the flame and it immediately got bigger and brighter. He then walked to an old table with a drawer in the corner of the shack. He turned the knob of the drawer and then Mindil heard a click somewhere in the tiny room. The old man moved the table about one foot to the right revealing a dark flight of stairs leading down to a dark room. The old man, his face still hidden, beckoned for Mindil and Kendor to follow him into the deep, dark passageway. Mindil looked uncertainly at Kendor, who nodded at her and followed the old man down the flight of steps. Mindil, although reluctant, went after him.

After walking down about two-hundred steps, they reached a small, dark room; their only light the old man's lantern. The room was filled with books, charts, old maps, and many other recordings of the past. The man then put his lantern down and took off his hood, revealing his face. It was old and wrinkled, with a long white beard that was tucked into his cloak, and when he straightened up he was as tall as Kendor. But the feature Mindil noticed most about the old man were his eyes. They were a piercing, deep blue color that was exactly like Mindil's. The old man held his lantern to Mindil's face and then turned to Kendor and said,

"This is the child you want me to train?"

"Yes," replied Kendor, "This is Mindil Gandberry, and as you can see by her eyes, she has the power that we all have."

"Of course, of course," muttered the old man. "Well, I do believe that now is the time for introductions, since we are hidden from public eye?"

"Oh yes, of course," said Kendor, and then introduced them to one another.

The old man's name turned out to be Agmic, and he was the one who would train Mindil to use her powers. He was a Gindol, but not from Dolin. He came from another town called Gortus, where life revolved not around nature and gardening, but armies and combat. With his hood drawn from his eyes he stood taller and straighter, making him look stronger and younger than when he had the hood shadowing his face.

"Well," Agmic said to Mindil, "You had better get some rest so we can start your training in the morning. I have no intention of going easy on you for the first lesson."

Part Four

The next day, Mindil was woken up while the stars were still dancing in the skies. Although it had been a late night, Agmic was true to his word; he was not about to let her off easy. "The first lesson you must learn before I teach you how to use your power," he said sternly as she yawned, "is self discipline. I understand you have grown up in a town that lazes around all day doing nothing but sleeping, eating, drinking, and gardening. You are going to have to learn to force yourself to do things that might not be comfortable, but is for the good of your own and others. If you had grown up in Gortus, you would learn to sleep on cold grounds, work in the rain..." and Agmic continued to talk as Mindil yawned again, this time almost dislocating her jaw.

"Um, Mr. Agmic, sir?" she said sleepily, "Where is Kendor?"

"He is running errands that I sent him on today," Agmic replied impatiently, turning to take down a dark blue book with a velvet cover from a shelf, "He won't be back till tomorrow."

"Oh," said Mindil, looking a bit disappointed at this news. Then she asked, "Mr. Agmic, what power do I have, exactly?"

"Kendor didn't tell you?" Agmic whirled around in surprise, almost dropping his book in the process.

"Uh, no not really," said Mindil, "Why was he supposed to?"

"Yes he was, because now I'm going to have to waste time telling you!" Agmic snapped while putting the book on a table. Then his face softened, "Ah well, at least now that I'm telling you I know that the facts won't be messed up. Okay, where to start, where to start. Well, I'd better tell you what the power is, I guess." Agmic sat down in a plush velvet red chair and leaned back, as Mindil sat down on the floor, now wide awake with curiosity. "Your power is one that can move things with your mind. Not all things, mind you, but every Gindol who has the power can move something different. Take me, for example. I can move or create fire in any way I wish, even create fire on water or in midair. You see- "

"Mr. Agmic," Mindil interrupted, "Will you show me what you can do?"

"Well...okay I suppose an example would serve some good," replied Agmic thoughtfully. "Just something small though, it is dangerous to create fire in a small space such as this."

Agmic then closed his eyes and started muttering some kind of incantation under his breath, his hands extended out in front of him. Mindil watched in excitement, and then... a flame appeared in midair! It started out the size of a marble, and then got bigger, and bigger, till it reached the size of a large book. Then he lowered his hands sharply and the fire disappeared. Mindil's eyes were sparkling in wonder, and her mouth had dropped wide open. After getting over the shock, she said,

"Mr. Agmic, are you saying that I can do that?"

"Yes and no. You have the gift to move a certain something, but we don't know yet. That's what we have to figure out."

"Well then, let's go figure it out!" exclaimed Mindil jumping to her feet.

"Slow down Mindil," laughed Agmic, motioning for her to sit back down. "You need to understand a little bit more about your power."

Reluctantly, Mindil sat back down. Agmic started to talk again, "This gift can also be very dangerous," he said sternly, leaning forward in his chair. "If you use your power frequently and without thinking, it could lead to terrible things. So before we start our lessons, I think I need to have your word that you will listen to my advice and use your power only in great times of need. Do you promise?"

"Yes," said Mindil, "I promise."

"Good," said Agmic, leaning back into his chair. "I guess we better get started then. Go get a cloak and some comfortable shoes for walking."

"Why?" asked Mindil, now puzzled.

"Well, we have to go somewhere to start your training, don't we? You can't learn in a small place like this. Go and get those things, and return here as quickly as you can. We are going to Erothon's Plains."

Part Five

"Are we there yet?" Mindil gasped, stopping to catch her breath.

"Almost there," said Agmic, not a bit tired. He looked at Mindil in disgust, "you know, it's hardly been more than a five mile hike, and you look as if you had just run around the world. We really must get you into shape."

Mindil only groaned in response. Agmic rolled his eyes and continued climbing up the rocky passageway. He helped Mindil up the last of the rocks and then said,

"Well, here we are!" When Mindil caught her breath, stood up and looked around she gasped in wonderment. It was a wide open field, with a river cutting through the thick green grass. The plain seemed to go on and on forever, finally meeting with the cloudless blue sky. Agmic, noticing Mindil's reaction said,

"Although Erothon's Plains is one of the most beautiful places created, few people know about it."

"Why?" asked Mindil. "Surely somewhere this beautiful is known to every creature alive!"

"Wrong, Mindil. Erothon's Plains is enchanted, and can only be found by people who have the power as you and I have. You see that blue line over there?"

Agmic pointed at the sparkling blue streak of water nearby.

"That is a magical river that shows us what our power is used to control. If I look into it, I will see fire. All you have to do is look into the river, and you will see the thing that you have the power to control. Come along Mindil. We need to know what your power is so I cans start training you how to use it."

Mindil started to run over to the river, but Agmic held her back. "We cannot cause a disturbance to the waters," he said, restraining her by firmly gripping her shoulder. "If you do, the River will lose its enchantment for ten years, and we will not be able to know what your power is until ten years are over."

Then they both walked slowly over to the river. Mindil peered cautiously over the river's edge and stared at the peaceful waters. She thought that it had been flowing, but the river's water was as still as solid ice. When she looked down, she saw that a ripple was forming in the water, although nothing had stirred it. The ripple got bigger till it formed a circular frame about two feet across. It stopped and froze immediately, and images of water soon began to show in the frame. Mindil saw a picture of an eruption of water coming from the ground and reaching towards the sky. When it went about fifty feet in the air, it broke into little water droplets and hung in the air frozen for about ten seconds, then shot downwards like a shower of arrows. She also saw a whirlpool forming in an ocean she did not recognize, and water pouring down a narrow channel, churning and frothing as it went. She was so absorbed in the water that when Agmic jerked her back away from the River she jumped in surprise.

"Well, what did you see?" Agmic asked. "Wind? Dust? Clouds?"

"No," said Mindil, looking at Agmic, "I saw water."

"Water? You saw water? Well, I was suspecting something less powerful than water. That's interesting, very interesting. What did you see the water doing?" Agmic asked, peering intently into Mindil's eyes. "Well," said Mindil, remembering what she had just seen, "I saw a whirlpool in some kind of ocean, and I saw water rushing down a narrow sort of channel."

"Anything else?" asked Agmic.

"No, I don't think so," responded Mindil slowly, trying to remember if she had in fact seen anything else.

"Are you sure?" asked Agmic, looking intently at her face which was wrinkled in concentration.

All of a sudden, Mindil cried, "Oh yes, I did see something else! I saw water erupting all over the place! It seemed to be coming from the ground, but it was coming from different spots all over the ground, and when it erupted towards the sky, it broke into little drops of rain and lingered in the sky for a moment, and then shot down towards earth as fast as anything I've ever seen! It was incredible!" Mindil sighed and dreamily remembered the terrific scene. Agmic, however, concentrated on what Mindil had just said, a worried expression on his face. Mindil, noticing this, asked,

"Erm, Mr. Agmic? Is something bothering you?"

"What?" Agmic asked, startled for a second. Then he said calmly, "No Mindil, just thinking about...oh never mind. Your will learn soon enough."

"Learn what?" asked Mindil.

"Oh nothing, lets just get started on your training. We shall need to find a small pond to work with in the beginning. We can't use the River, or else no one can use it for ten years."

Mindil and Agmic both looked around for a small lake or pond till Mindil yelled, "Look! There's a small pond over there!"

"Where?" asked Agmic, shading his eyes from the sun to look in the direction Mindil was pointing. Agmic then saw it and said, "Good work Mindil. Now let's get over there and get started.

Part Six

"Concentrate Mindil! Empty your mind of all things except moving the water!!" Mindil squeezed her eyes tighter, and tighter, till she fell to the ground in exhaustion. "Please Mr. Agmic, can't I rest a while? I've been working on for more than two hours!"

"You must learn to use your power as quickly as you can!" said Agmic sternly, his expression harsh. "The army of Humans is very powerful, and the sooner you get the basics down, the sooner we can make your gift more powerful then all of the Humans put together!"

His expression softened a bit when Mindil tried to get up and then fell heavily to the ground. "Well, I suppose a few minutes of resting wouldn't hurt. In fact, it might do some good so I can talk to you about what you need to work on when we get started again."

Agmic sat down next to Mindil as she panted heavily from exhaustion. Once Agmic had settled himself on the ground, he said, "Mindil, you are being too tense. You are concentrating so hard on what you are doing, you are forgetting to relax. Let yourself feel the movement of water going through you. Remember, we are only trying to get the water shoot up a little, not an explosion of water. If you try too hard, the magic inside you will not work." He looked Mindil straight in the eye and asked, "Do you understand?"

"Yes," said Mindil, the exhaustion wearing off, "I understand."

"Good," Agmic said, standing up. "You can rest for a few more minutes while I'm gone, and then we will try again."

"Where are you going?" asked Mindil, straightening up.

"Just for a little walk around the fields. I need to rest a bit too. You're not the only one who is working hard." Mindil thought she saw his mouth twitch upwards into a smile, but before she could be sure, he whirled around and started walking towards the River.

When Agmic was out of sight, Mindil got up and went over to the little pond of water. She stood looking at it for while, starting at her reflection. She then muttered to herself, "You can do it. Just clear your mind and relax, don't be so tense." She then closed her eyes and emptied her mind, concentrating only on seeing the little pond's water shooting up to about a foot high. She could feel the water move throughout her body, cool against her arms and neck, and extended her arms over the pond, with her eyes still shut. And then, all of a sudden, a little spout of water rose out of the pond!! It was about four inches high, but then it grew, and grew, till the water was shooting eighteen inches into the air. Mindil was still in her trance, arms out in front of her and hair blowing back in the wind, her eyes closed as she felt the water, now real, spraying against her fingertips. Everything to her felt so calm yet exciting, when all of a sudden...

"Mindil!"

Agmic shook her arm, and Mindil's eyes snapped open, and almost at once the little spout of water shrunk down to nothing, leaving nothing but a pool of ripples behind. "You did it!" Agmic shouted in delight. "You have raised water and have found the magic inside of you! However, that is only the first step. But at least now we can move on to more powerful magic, like causing water to freeze in midair, or to create storms of rain!!"

"Will I really be able to do that?" asked Mindil, eyes shining.

"Of course Mindil, now that you know how to raise water out of a pond!! Well come along, we shan't waste anymore time talking about these things when we should be learning how to do them!!! Let's see if you can do anything else."

Part Seven

For many months Mindil and Agmic worked together to accomplish the goal of Mindil becoming powerful with her gift of controlling water. By two months time, Mindil was able to create rainstorms with raindrops the size of chairs, could create water out of thin air, and could freeze any amount of water in one second. By three months, she could turn a trickle running down a boulder into a waterfall as big and powerful as the most dangerous waterfall in the human world. In four months, she could raise powerful water eruptions to burst from beneath the ground with enough strength to lift a one thousand ton castle two-hundred feet into the air. By six months, she could do anything she wished with water, from as small as causing a drop of water about to fall to freeze, or causing a great Tsunami to wash out an entire village. Of course, she never washed out an entire village while in training, but she did raise a tsunami that towered one thousand feet over her head and when it was just about to collapse, she froze the tsunami and shrunk it down to a two foot wave that gently washed her leg below her knee. All this training was taught to her by Agmic, who helped her with everything she accomplished in controlling water.

One morning, Mindil got up at five o'clock in the morning as she usually did to get ready for her days training. When she had brushed her teeth, combed her hair, and pulled on a dark green tunic with brown leggings, she went to meet Agmic in the library and found he was hurrying around the room supplies into a sack.

Puzzled, Mindil asked,"Um, Mr. Agmic? Are you ready to go to training?"

Agmic looked up and said, "Mindil, you no longer need to go to training. You have accomplished many great things over the past six months with your power, more than I have done with fire in my lifetime. You are ready to go face the Army of Humans."

"What?" said Mindil, shocked at what she was hearing. Then she said, "Mr. Agmic, surely there are more things you can teach me, more things I must learn! Surely I'm not ready to go yet. It's only been about six months time since I even learned of my power!"

Agmic shook his head and put the sack on the floor.

"Mindil," he said wearily, looking straight into her deep blue eyes, "you have a great gift, and you are a smart girl. You control your gift with deftly and with much power, more power than I have ever seen in an army of creatures, much less a single person." He took a step closer to her and placed his hands on her shoulder. "The only lesson I have let to teach you, is to follow your intuition. I haven't let you do that a lot during your training sessions, so I am telling you now. If you feel something is not right, it probably is not. If anyone seems suspicious to you, don't listen to them. There are many people out there who are evil and black-hearted who would like to hurt someone like you. Do you understand?"

Agmic peered intently into Mindil's eyes until finally Mindil whispered, "Yes Mr. Agmic, I understand."

Agmic let go of Mindil and turned away.

"Good," he said with his back to her.

All of a sudden, Kendor burst into the room.

"Mindil!" he cried, "I'm so glad I caught you. I have something that might be of use to you. Here," he said, and thrust an old, crinkly, rolled up piece of parchment into her hand. Mindil placed it on a wooden table in the small room and flattened out the parchment. "It's a map to the headquarter of the Army of the Humans," he said. "It will come of much use to you, since that is your destination."

"Thank you Kendor," Mindil said, carefully rolling the parchment back up and placing it in the sack that Agmic had packed for her.

"Oh Mindil," said Agmic, turning round to face her. "I forgot I needed to explain what I have packed for you in that sack."

He took the sack from Mindil and placed it on the table. He took out the map, then pulled out a small, tin box.

"This," he said, placing the box in Mindil's hands, "Is to be your food supply." Mindil's face turned to puzzlement, and she thought, What good is a tin box going to be for eating? But Agmic went on,

"When you open this box," he said, taking the box back, "and speak the name of the food you desire, you will find that the food will appear in the box, fit for eating. Watch," and Agmic demonstrated. He opened the box while saying, "Pork chops!" loudly and clearly, and lo and behold! there was a large platter of pork chops in the tin box, which had magically grown to be the size of the platter. There was also a fork for eating with, and cautiously, Mindil took the fork, slowly inserted the fork in the pork chops tender meat, and placed the pork chop in her mouth. She found that it was hot and juicy, cooked to perfection.

"When you close the box, the food will disappear and the box will shrink down to its original size," Agmic said, then withdrew a brown, leather canteen from the bag, complete with a leather strap to wear across your shoulders.

"This is your source of water," he said, "It will never grow empty, and the water will always be fresh and cool, lest you command it otherwise. To make the water hot, all you need to say is, 'heat the water' and the water will grow warm." Agmic then reached into the bag and withdrew a long, weathered, green cloak with a warm hood.

"This is your source of warmth," he said, motioning for Mindil to try it on. "It is made from the gossamer of a spider, the leaves of an olive tree, the skin of a bear, and mixed with the warmth of fire." As Mindil put the cloak on, she found she felt as snug as if she was wrapped in thousands of wool blankets while sitting by warm fire.

"It will keep you warm in the coldest of times. In dark places it will make you invisible to any creature or beast that looks upon you." Mindil took the cloak off and gave it to Agmic, who placed it on the table with all the other items that he had showed her.

"The last thing that needs an explanation," Agmic said, "Is this." Agmic withdrew a small, silver mirror with a single A on it. "This is something that might come in use on your journey," he said and laid the mirror in Mindil's hands, the reflecting face turned down. Mindil turned the mirror over and saw her own reflection. Puzzled, she looked at Agmic, who looked back at her and continued talking.

"This is mirror might look like a regular mirror, but it can be used as a signal of distress. If you are in great need, you can hold this mirror up to the light of either the sun or the moon, and either Kendor or I will help you as quickly as possible. However, this mirror should only be used as a last resort. If used excessively, the mirror will lose its power and you will have no source of help from either of us. When you reach the headquarters, give us a signal with this mirror. Use it well." Agmic then put everything back in the sack and pulled the string tightly to close the bag.

"It is time for you to go now Mindil," he said, "Kendor will take you to the gates of Lehtor where a horse will be waiting. The horse is my own, so take good care of her. Her name is Arania, and she will be faithful to you if you treat her well. Good by Mindil, and good luck."

With that, Kendor took Mindil by the arm and led her out of the room, through the hall, and up the dark, black, gloomy staircase into the sun and light.

Part Eight

When Mindil and Kendor reached the city gates of Lehtor, there was Arania, Agmic's horse, waiting for them. When Mindil saw Arania and how beautiful she was, she gasped in surprise. Arania was a brilliant white color, with a soft white mane and large gentle eyes. Her ears were pricked up and alert and her legs were slender and strong. When she saw Mindil coming, she whinnied in welcome, and nodded her head as if to say, hello! Kendor then put a saddle on Arania's bare back and secured Mindil's sack in place. However, before he securely fastened the sack onto Arania's back, he withdrew the old, weathered map from the sack. He unrolled it and showed Mindil what road she should take.

"The road around the mountains is the best road to take," he said, pointing at a line between a large mountain range and a long river. "Simply stay on the path in between the mountains and the river and you will be fine. However, dangerous things lurk in the shadows, so take caution."

"Why can't I just take the road that goes through the villages and then through the woods?" asked Mindil, pointing at a road going through many busy cities and villages.

"Do not go there Mindil" warned Kendor, "true, those villages are friendly, but to go through those woods is certain death! Do you not recognize the name of the forest?" Kendor pointed at the name next to the wood, which spelled out the name, Forogo Forest.

"Oh," said Mindil quietly, who had not noticed the name of the forest before.

Forogo Forest belonged to a dark, powerful wizard. This wizard created many dangerous, foul beasts in his forest who protected it night and day. Many creatures have tried to enter the forest and destroy the wizard and his pets, but all who entered never came out. Nobody is certain what the wizard does to the brave creatures that enter his forest, but everyone knows that the creatures that catch the adventurers bring them to their master alive.

"The mountains and river will end about ten miles from the entrance of the headquarters of the Humans," said Kendor. "Simply walk on the road that leads north for those remaining ten miles and then you will see the entrance to the headquarters. The entrance is on a big willow tree, bigger than any tree you will ever see in your life. You will know when you have found the tree, and when you do, wait till twilight and you will see that the branches of the tree will sway a certain way, regardless of the direction the wind is blowing. Go to the side of the tree where the branches point, and you will see a small knot with a single, glowing mushroom on it. Press on the mushroom and you will see a door swing open on the tree. Go through the door and climb the ladder-steps on the inside of the tree's trunk. When you get to the top, you will find yourself at the headquarters of the humans. The rest you are to decide what to do." Kendor put the map in Mindil's sack, helped

Mindil onto Arania's back, and then said his farewell, giving her only one piece of advice.

"When traveling on the road between the river and the mountains you are sure to meet some creatures who look like friendly Gindols. Do not drink the tea they give you. It is enchanted and will cause you to sleep for one hundred years. If you are in need of advice, the magic fish of the river will help you. Go now Mindil, for we have wasted enough time." Mindil kicked Arania gently on the side as a signal to go, and Arania began to gallop away.

"Good bye Kendor!" Mindil called over her shoulder, "I hope to see you soon."

"I hope for that too Mindil," Kendor muttered as he waved farewell, "but for a mission as dangerous as this one, we can only hope that I will ever see you again."

Part Nine

Mindil and Arania traveled through many small villages full of good people who graciously gave Mindil a dry bed and supper for the night till she woke to start her journey again. Each day they traveled was pleasant, for the sun was shining and the air was warm and sweet, not to mention the road they traveled on paved to perfection.

However, Mindil soon reached lands where the roads were rocky and rough and the people there only looked suspiciously at them and would not even let them sleep in their dry animal barns. So Mindil was left to sleep under the shelter of a tree's leaves, with her cloak as her only source of warmth. Mindil was very thankful that the cloak was very warm, or else she didn't know what she would do. There was one night where it was pouring down rain, and her cloak was soaking wet. Since it did not repel water, every inch of the cloak was soaked so that it seemed to Mindil that she was sitting in a tub of warm water.

Finally, one and one half weeks since Mindil had left the town of Lehtor, Arania and Mindil reached the road leading beside the river and the mountain. It was twilight, and as Mindil stopped to look at the long road ahead of her, she something glowing in the distance. Squinting her eyes, she saw that it seemed to be coming from a bonfire about three miles away. She ventured slowly towards the bonfire, and hid with Arania behind a large boulder near the bonfire.

It was dark when they reached the bonfire, and surrounding the bonfire were small, Gindol looking creatures. Mindil would have thought they were Gindols, except for two details which were easy to miss. One flaw was that these "Gindols" had large, sharp fangs, and the second flaw was that they were carrying sharp, strong, pikes and knives which Gindols never carry (even the Gindols of Gortus, who only used swords and arrows). Still hidden behind the boulder, Mindil thought, these must be the beasts that Kendor told me about, the one whose enchanted tea makes you sleep for one hundred years. How can I get past them without having to drink the tea or having them attack me all at once? Agmic told me not to use my powers to their full extent until I reach the Human headquarters, so I can't destroy them all with flood or tidal wave. Mindil sat there and though about what to do for about five minutes, when finally she devised a plan that she thought foolproof.

Mindil got on Arania's back and approached the "Gindols". When she rode out of the darkness and into the bonfires light, she said, "Hello Gindols. May I pass you and continue on my way?" The "Gindols" looked up at her and grinned wickedly.

One of them said, "Of course, traveler. But first, have something to drink. It is a chilly night, and a bit of tea will warm your bones."

"Why thank you Gindols," said Mindil, slipping of Arania's back. "How hospitable of you to offer me something hot to drink." The "Gindols" simply leered at her and handed Mindil the tea. Mindil lifted the drink to her lips and pretended to drink it, feeling the tea dribbling down underneath her cloak and down the front of her tunic, feeling wet on her skin. After draining the cup of its contents, she pretended to fall to the ground in a deep slumber, while the "Gindols" laughed wickedly and decided how they should eat her. They were debating whether to fry her in a pan over the bonfire or boil her in a pot, when Mindil put her plan to action. Eyes still closed, she caused a heavy downpour of rain to fall on the bonfire, and put the fire out. Since it was a foggy night the "Gindols" could see nothing, and became quite angry at this weather. They cursed the sky and began to make for their shelter, deciding to leave Mindil out till the morning, when Mindil got up quickly and quietly, her cloak shielding her from any watchful eyes that may be looking her way. She went to Arania and mounted her, and began to drive her forward quietly. One "Gindol", however, saw the horse moving and lit a lantern. He saw Mindil trying to leave their camp and raised an alarm.

"Escape!" he cried, "Breakfast is escaping!" Mindil heard the uproar immediately and encouraged Arania to go into a gallop, but not before the "Gindols" came out after her, armed with pikes and knives. They ran after Mindil, hurling their weapons after her. One pike almost hit Mindil's shoulder, but missed by half an inch. The "Gindols" hurled their weapons and howled foul words at Mindil. However, one knife found its mark and caused a deep cut in Mindil's skin. She howled in pain, but rode on into the night, knowing that stopping would be certain death.

Part Ten

When Arania and Mindil had run away from the bloodthirsty "Gindols", Mindil dismounted Arania and collapsed on the ground. She staggered against a rock, holding her arm in pain. Warm, red, blood gushed from the deep cut where the sharp knife had struck. Mindil feebly caused a bit of water to fall from her fingertips to wash her wound, and then found some dry moss and patched her arm. Spotting a cave not too far away, Mindil pushed herself into the cave to rest for the night, Arania right behind her.

The next day, Mindil continued on her journey towards the Human Headquarters. Her arm was still throbbing painfully from the cut of the knife, but nevertheless, she knew she must go on. She bandaged her arm with fresh moss, mounted Arania, and set out on the road between the river and mountain.

For three days Mindil traveled, resting only when stars took over the sky. On the fourth day, she saw some creature resting on the side of the road. The creature was in fact a human, with black hair, pale skin, and thin, light pink lips. He was sleeping, and as Mindil approached him, she could see that he was starving and of poor health.

Wanting to get a better look, she slipped of Arania's back and approached the boy. As she stepped forward cautiously, the human awoke with a start. When he saw Mindil, he sat up quickly. His eyes opened wide and he said,

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" Seeing the fright in his eyes, Mindil said gently, "Hello little boy. I am Mindil, a traveler. You looked hungry, so I thought I might offer you some food." The boy leaned back again and closed his eyes.

"I am not worth the privilege of food," he said bitterly, "I have let down my family. It is because of me that they must now live a life of hardship." He opened his eyes, and although no tears came from them, his sad brown eyes were filled with water. "I am sure it is not your fault what sadness has come upon your family," said Mindil reassuringly. "First, have something to eat and drink, and then tell me your story of your family." The young boy paused for a moment, then finally agreed to nourish himself and then tell her his story.

As the two ate the food from Mindil's magic tin box, Mindil learned more about the fellow. His name was Amerin Bolerstein, and he was thirteen years old. He was human, and had grown up in the Human Headquarters as a servant. When Mindil learned this, she was indeed shocked, but did not let that show in her face.

When Amerin and Mindil had finished their meal, Amerin told her his tragic story of what happened to his family. "It all started when the humans figured out that some kind of creature had the same intelligence as they did," Amerin started, now well fed and somewhat more lively. "They were some kind of creature called Gindols, and for some reason the humans wanted their race extinct."

"Do you know why they wanted their race extinct?" asked Mindil, looking for some information in his story.

"I knew nothing of these creatures," said Amerin, and Mindil knew his words were true by his eyes. "I was only a servant boy to the leader of the men at the headquarters, and heard only bits and pieces of their meetings when I would go into the conference hall to serve the men their tea and cakes."

"What was your master's name?" asked Mindil, searching for some more clues in the boy's story. Amerin, oblivious to Mindil's suspicious questions, simply answered her question, "His name is Gordion Turming, and is very powerful among the human world. He is the Human Armies general, and a very good one at that. The only problem with his army is that they are quite stupid, and I would imagine that without him they would be completely and utterly lost." Amerin gave a hollow laugh, but Mindil had just picked up an important piece of information. The human army would be lost without him, Mindil thought, then all I need to do is get rid of that one general, and the whole army will go down to the ground. Mindil, noticing that Amerin was not talking, looked over at him. He was looking at Mindil, and said, "Are you okay? You looked as though you were staring lost in some different world."

"Oh, yes I'm fine," said Mindil. Then she added, "Well how does you family fit into this mess of wanting to get rid of Gindols?"

"Well," said Amerin, "the General is trying to get as many men as possible to join his army, at least one from each family who is over the age of twelve. To refuse to join would result in banishment from The Headquarters and your family would be stripped of any luxuries." Amerin hung his head and then continued, "Since my father is dead, I was the one who was supposed to join the army. I refused to join because I saw no real cause for this army. If there is some other intelligent species in the world, let them be! They have done nothing to us, so why should we do anything to them?" His eyes were still looking down, and he looked both sad and angry.

"Since I refused, here I am, banished from my home and my family has been stripped of every luxury given to them, even food and shelter. They now must live as farmers somewhere else in the world, away from the headquarters. My mother said that she and my two sisters would be fine, and that it was brave of me to stand up for what I believe in." Amerin finally looked at Mindil, "I want to believe that it was the right thing to do, but the more I think about it I believe that it was selfish and wrong. I'm just so mixed up!" Then he said, "Well, that's my story. Why are you traveling in these parts? I've never seen any travelers coming this way on this road."

Mindil thought for a moment, wondering if she could trust the boy enough that she could tell him about her mission. Then she said, "I'll tell you in the morning. For now, I think you should rest. The moon is settling in and you look tired." She then found him a warm cave and gave him a spare blanket to keep himself warm. When Amerin was fast asleep, Mindil found another cave for her and Arania to sleep in, for she did not trust the boy yet. He could be a spy and kill her in her sleep. So Mindil lay sleeping, warm in her cloak till dawn came, waiting for Mindil to tell Amerin her story.

Part Eleven

Mindil woke up and crept into Amerin's cave to find him sleeping peacefully. She sat down outside his cave and began to debate about whether she should tell Amerin her true means for traveling along this road. If she told him the truth and he was not a spy for the Humans, he could help her find her way to the Human Headquarters. But if he was indeed a spy and Mindil told him her true means for walking this road, he would surely kill her. As she continued to think, she remembered what Kendor had said, "If you are in need of advice, the magic fish of the river will help you." Mindil then walked to the river and called to the fish, "Magic fish of the river," she called from the waters edge, "I need your wise advice!" At first nothing happened, and then Mindil heard a response, "Who is calling and what is your business?"

"Mindil Gandberry, traveler from Dolin," responded Mindil, "I need you to help me see if I am able to trust a little boy." All of a sudden, a small whirlpool began to form in the river. It got bigger and bigger, until out came a golden catfish. It shone like a gold coin, and its voice was deep and strong.

"Explain your situation, Mindil of Dolin," the catfish said, his voice rich and strong, "And then I will give you the advice you seek." So Mindil told the catfish her mission, and who the little boy was, and everything the catfish needed to know. The catfish listened, and then held up a fin to stop Mindil's talking, "I have come up with a conclusion," he boomed, "The boy is trustworthy enough for you to tell him of your mission. I have heard that a boy was banished from The Headquarters for that cause, and I believe this is the same boy that was banished. However, first make sure he has no weapons on him, and be cautious around him. Do not tell him of your power, and do not sleep in the same cave as him. Do as you did last night and sleep in a separate cave in secret. Do you understand?"

"Yes," said Mindil, and then said her farewell, "Good-bye magic river fish, and thank you for your advice." The magic catfish then dove beneath the waters, down to the bottom of the river.

When Mindil got back, she woke Amerin from his slumber. He yawned sleepily, and then remembered that Mindil had promised to tell him about why she was here. As they ate breakfast, Mindil explained everything except the part about her magical powers. At the end of her story, she asked Amerin, "I know you were banished from The Headquarters, but will you come with me on my mission as a guide to the Human Headquarters?" At first, Amerin was hesitant. Finally, he said, "Okay, I'll help you, but on one condition."

"What's that?" asked Mindil, now a bit concerned on what his terms would be.

"I'll only go with you if I'm allowed to ride on your horse." Mindil laughed and said, "Of course you can. You didn't think I'd let you walk the whole way, did you?" Amerin laughed too, but then he became serious and said, "We'd better get started. It took me a week to get here on foot, and the General's army is almost ready. They have training for three more days, and then they are going to march to the Gindol country, or as you know it, your home." They then quickly finished their meal and then began their journey together.

Part Twelve

They had been traveling for six hours until Amerin yelled, "STOP!" He got off Arania's back and approached a sycamore tree that stretched above all others. He knocked on the trunk and listened. From inside the trunk came another knock. Mindil, puzzled and still on the horse, asked, "Amerin, what are you doing?"

"Shhhhhhhh!" said Amerin, holding up his hand. He than knocked five times on the trunk and waited for five seconds. No knock came from inside the trunk. Amerin then got back on the horse and told Mindil to walk Arania quietly. "Why?" whispered Mindil, urging Arania forward quietly.

"Monsters dwell in these parts," murmured Amerin, "I knocked on the wood to see if any monsters are prowling about now. The Warner is the person that lives in that hollow tree trunk. You knock once to see if the Warner is in there, and if he is he knocks back. Then you knock five times to see if it is too dangerous to cross through these lands. If the Warner knocks, it means it is too dangerous. If he doesn't knock, it means it is okay to go through, but there is still a risk." Mindil nodded, and they continued to go forward.

All of a sudden, Mindil head a snap. Her eyes searched the surrounding, and she could see nothing. Feeling a little uneasy, she resumed looking forward. Then, she heard two sharp snaps, as if twigs were breaking. She looked around again; still nothing. "Amerin," she asked quietly, a bit worried, "What is that snap sound?" Amerin listened until they heard another snap.

"The monsters are walking about this area," he muttered, "Keep a sharp eye and make Arania go a bit faster." Mindil did as she was told and kicked Arania a bit on the side so that she would troy quietly instead of walking. Amerin's ears were alert, and his eyes were looking left and right, forwards and behind.

They continued on their way, both of them tense, when all of a sudden, out of the trees came a monster. It was eight feet high, with the head of a dragon, the body of a wildcat, and the tail of a rattlesnake. It bared its teeth and gave a shriek of rage, then started running over to Mindil and Amerin. Mindil and Amerin both screamed in terror and Arania broke into a gallop, going as fast as she possibly could. Since the monster had the body of a wildcat, it was swift and sleek as it ran over to Arania, using all its speed and strength. In the distance, Mindil saw a small tunnel that Arania could just fit into, but that the monster would be too big to fit into. It was about a quarter of a mile off, but it was worth a try. She urged Arania to go faster, grasping onto the reins.

"Hang on!" she yelled to Amerin, who was hanging onto her waist for dear life. Arania galloped faster as the cave got closer and closer, and when the beast was just about to pounce onto Arania, she ducked and ran into the tunnel, leaving the monster behind.

Although they had gotten rid of that monster, their troubles were far from over. They had just entered the cave of the biggest vampire bat known to all living things. This bat lived alone, for it fed on all things that entered its cave, including other bats.

This bat, called Borundis had wings that stretched to fifty feet each and was as tall as twelve feet. It never, and could never, leave its cave, because the entrance was too small for it to fit into. Borundis lived in the middle of his cave, where it was roomier and more comfortable for him. There were only two exits in the cave: the opening where Mindil, Amerin and Arania had gone in through, and the second on was a small opening in the back, which was three feet high and four feet wide. Arania could not fit through the back exit, so Mindil, Amerin, and Arania were trapped between the biggest and most vicious bat in the world and one of the fiercest monsters in this part of the land.

Of course, Mindil and Amerin didn't know they were in the cave of Borundis, but as they ventured farther into the cave, they both began to feel that something was wrong about this cave. One reason was that although it was practically pitch black, they could both feel that Arania was stepping on some kind of hard, thin, stick littered the ground. The cave also smelled eerily of rotting meat of some sort, and the stench was quite unbearable.

They went farther into the deep cave, when all of a sudden a pair of beady, red eyes appeared out of nowhere. They were looking straight at the threesome. Mindil and Amerin were so surprised that they could not even scream. As they continued to stare at the monster, they heard a hiss echo all around the cave, "What is thisssss, that daressss enter my cavessssss?" went the voice, "Little demonssss they are, dissturbsss my peaccccce...well they willssss be gone soon. They looksss ready for eatingsss, and Borundis is verysssss hungry, hisssss!"

"Borundis!" gasped Mindil in fright, "We are in the cave of Borundis!"

"Yousss mossst cccertainly aresssss, little sssssnack! Borundissss cannot let food runsss away, thatsssss would be not goodssss, not goodssss at all." All of a sudden, something big, black and heavy swept Mindil, Arania and Amerin to the back of the cave. "You have awakesssss Borundisssss fom his sssslumbersssss," said Borundis, "And he is stillssss tired. Youssss wait in the back of cave, behind Borundisssssss, and he will have you for hissss breakfastssss later." And Borundis laid down to rest, blocking any hope for Mindil and Amerin to escape from his fatal lair.

Part Thirteen

Precious hours passed as Mindil, Arania, and Amerin sat in the dark. Mindil was trying to think of some way to get out of this cave. She didn't know about the back exit, and wouldn't have gone through it anyway because Arania would not have been able to get through the exit. So the three of them sat in the dark, Amerin thinking his life at an end, and Mindil thinking of a way to get out of this cave of death. She knew that she would have to put her plan into action when the bat was awake, for right now, hanging upside down, he was blocking the entire middle section of the cave.

Mindil thought and thought, until she was interrupted when Amerin whispered, "Mindil, can I have your cloak? I'm really cold, and the other cloak you gave me fell off when we were being chased by the monster in the plains."

"Sure," said Mindil distractedly, still trying to come up with a plan. "Wait a second," she said slowly, "The cloak...the cloak...that's it! We can use the cloak to get out of here."

"What?" asked Amerin, confused on how they could use the cloak to get out of the cave.

"Listen Amerin," she said, lowering her voice as Borundis started to stir a bit, "This is what we'll do..." she held a whispering conversation with Amerin, and it was all in good time, for a few minutes after she had finished explaining Borundis woke up. "Hellossss breakfastsss," he hissed, coming down from the top of the cave, "Ready to be eatenssssss?" He swooped down to the near back of the cave, looking for Mindil, Amerin, and Arania. All he found was Amerin mounted on top of Arania, with Mindil nowhere in sight. "Whatsss is thisssss?" he cried angrily, "Wheresss is my otherssss young meatssss?"

"Escaping from your lair, you mad beast!" Amerin cried, and hurled two big stones at Borundis. They each got him in his two eyes, and he shrieked in pain as he fell backward against the walls of the cave. Mindil, who was in sitting backwards on Arania behind Amerin, hurled another two rocks which hit Borundis's eyes again. She then shouted, "Hurry, we have to get out now! He can still figure out where we are by echolocation!"

"The littlessss invisible meatssss is right you knowssss!" cried Borundis, trying to use echolocation to find out where they were. He gave a shrill yell as Arania sped to the front of the cave. He flew with great speed towards them, and he was getting closer with every second. Arania was sprinting as fast as she could towards the front of the cave, where Borundis couldn't get them.

They were riding farther and farther away from Borundis, when Borundis hurled a great rock at Arania. It struck her leg and she fell, Amerin and Mindil tumbling to the ground with her. Borundis, knowing that victory was at hand, came leering down at them, about to sink his teeth into Arania's back, when all of a sudden Amerin threw a heavy rock at Borundis's mouth, knocking out one of his fangs. Borundis hissed in pain and reeled backward, as Mindil and Amerin used all their might to push Arania to the front of the cave.

They were almost there, just about a couple yards away, when Borundis started to look for them again. Now he intended to eat Amerin first. Amerin, staring up at the ugly face of Borundis, tried to scurry away towards the front of the cave, but Borundis had him cornered. Borundis leaned down to sink his fangs into Amerin's skin, but then all of a sudden his face was drenched with a blast of boiling hot water. Mindil had used her powers to stop Borundis from eating Amerin.

Amerin and Mindil both ran to Arania to push her towards the front of the cave, this time succeeding, so that Borundis could not reach them in the small part of his lair. Arania was groaning in pain as she lay on the floor. Mindil felt the leg where Arania had been hurt, but Amerin was staring open mouthed at Mindil. "What?" asked Mindil, growing annoyed that Amerin was staring at her.

"How did you do that?" he asked, eyes wide in amazement.

"Do what?" she asked, looking at him as if he was crazy.

"How did you make hot water shoot out at Borundis?"

"I-I didn't," Mindil stammered, "It, uh-it must have come out of the ground."

"Yeah right Mindil," Amerin said, "I saw you looking as if you were meditating or something right before the blast of water hit that ugly bat in the face. Why didn't you tell me about this before?" Mindil sighed heavily, then said, "I didn't know if I could trust you or not. I guess I still don't know if I can trust you now." She paused and looked at him, and she saw the hurt in his eyes, but that didn't stop her from telling him what was she was really thinking, "I'm going to have to trust you now though, because you figured out what my power is."

They were both silent for a moment, and then Mindil drew her attention back to Arania. "I think she'll be all right," said Mindil, bandaging Arania's leg with a ragged piece of linen from her sack of supplies. "It looks like she won't be able to run very fast though, so we're going to have to go slower than before."

"Well, then she's going to have to trot slowly for at least twelve hours a day if we are going to get to the headquarters in two days," said Amerin. Mindil stroked Arania's stomach and said, "Well, what do you think old girl. Will you be able to trot for twelve hours a day for two days?" Arania whinnied in reply, and Mindil laughed and said, "I take that as a yes!" They then helped Arania get back on her four legs and walked to the front entrance of the cave. They managed to go pass through the fields without getting harmed by any monsters, and then finally reached safe roads.

Part Fourteen

They had reached the road that led north that came right after the road between the mountains and the river. Amerin and Mindil took turns jogging beside Arania so that she would only have to carry one person on her back instead of two. Those two days past, and they finally reached the willow tree.

It was noon, and Mindil could barely feel her legs as she approached the tree. She sat down, gasping for breath and took a sip of water from her canteen. As she chugged down the cool water, Amerin slipped off Arania and said, "We still have a few hours until twilight. I guess we can just wait here and rest." Mindil closed the canteen and said, "First let me contact Agmic and Kendor with my mirror." She started to get her mirror out of her sack when Amerin asked, "Wait...who and who?"

"Oh sorry, I never told you about them," said Mindil, pulling out the mirror. "They are my trainers who taught me how to use my powers. When they arrive, be respectful of them. Got it?" Amerin nodded his head in response. Mindil took the mirror and held it up to the light of the sun, the brilliant rays reflecting off the smooth surface of the mirror, blinding anyone fool enough to look directly at it.

All of a sudden, there was a flash of light brighter than anything Mindil had ever seen, and she quickly covered her eyes with her free hand and yelled to Amerin to do the same. When the flash of light was gone, Agmic and Kendor were standing in front of them. Mindil let out a cry of delight and rushed to hug both of them. They returned her hug warmly, and soon Amerin became annoyed and said,

"Mindil, aren't you going to introduce me to your trainers?" Mindil laughed, "Sorry Amerin. This," she pointed to Agmic, "is Agmic, master of fire. And this man over here," she said pointing at Kendor, "Is my godfather Kendor, and I still don't know what he controls." She looked at him in question and asked, "Well, what do you control?"

"I can control wind and fog," he said, and then demonstrated by causing the wind to blow against the leaf vines of the willow, which still swayed to the east. He also caused fog to hide the noon sun, casting a dark shadow on all of them. After they had all been introduced to one another, they started talking business. "Okay everyone," said Agmic seriously, "We need to plan what we are going to do when we get in there. Any ideas?"

"I have an idea," said Mindil. "It's not fully developed, so I'll need some help from all of you."

"Okay, what is it?" Agmic asked, "And hurry, because there are only two hours left till it will be twilight."

"Well, Amerin told me that the human army has this leader named Gordion Turming, and that his army is nothing without him," said Mindil. "So I figured that all we need to do is take care of this guy, and we'd be all set!"

"Well uh, Mindil, I forgot to tell you one little detail that's going to interfere with your plan," said Amerin, a little nervous. "General Turming is guarded by fifteen soldiers at all times, and the soldiers that guard him are not stupid. And even if you did defeat those soldiers, you couldn't do it so that know one else can notice! The entire army isn't so stupid that they would let someone kill their leader. Plus, Turming is really good in combat! He also wears fire-proof armor that no weapon can pierce, and his sword is the sharpest in the entire human world! Not to mention that he can kill a fly with his bow and arrow when the fly is three miles away!" He looked really worried, but before he could go on, Kendor said, "Have you been listening boy? We can control wind, fog, fire, and water! We can make it appear from thin air, and do anything with it!"

"He has a point though Godfather," said Mindil, shaking her head sadly, "If we start a fight with those soldiers, we'll have the place in an uproar for sure. It would be pretty messy to have everyone in the whole place to start trying to kill us at once."

"Then we won't cause an uproar," said Agmic calmly, "We will sneak in and knock out the soldiers somehow."

"But how?" asked Amerin, "We can't be lugging piles of rocks all around the headquarters. We'd be spotted for sure!"

"I can knock them out with blocks of ice," said Mindil suddenly.

"Good girl, Mindil," said Agmic. "You'll have to knock out the general too, so he won't alarm the army of our arrival."

"Then we can kill him!" Amerin said.

"No, wrong," said Agmic, "We don't want to kill anyone if we can help it. Only defend yourself if they all attack. We can use the general as a hostage to make them swear never to try and bother the Gindol country again."

"So kind of like blackmail, right?" said Amerin. Agmic sighed and said, "All right, if you want to put it that way, it will kind of be like blackmail. But if they refuse to swear, then we will have to kill the General."

Part Fifteen

The four adventurers had formed a plan and just in time, for twilight was now upon them. The leaves of the tree were swaying in the east direction so they all went to the east side of the tree. They found the glowing mushroom, and Mindil pushed it in. A small door swung open right under the mushroom, and they all climbed in. Inside there was an old, narrow, wooden step-ladder, which Mindil began to climb. Everyone followed her up the tree trunk, which seemed to go on forever.

Finally, after one hour of climbing, they reached a small platform. Amerin told them to get off at the platform and to go in the door on it. They pushed open a small, wood, door covered with moss and peered into the entrance way. It was very grand, with polished marble floors, arched ceilings, and giant, gold chandeliers with hundreds of candles on each one.

While Mindil and the others (except for Amerin) gaped at how elegant it was, Amerin said, "Come on Mindil! We need to reach the general before anyone comes into the foyer!"

"Oh-right," said Mindil, and stepped cautiously out into the foyer. She made sure the coast was clear, then motioned for the rest of the group to come out. They all stepped into the great hall, and then Amerin motioned for them to follow him. They all crept down many halls, turning left and right, when all of a sudden they heard a voice. Ducking into a small, storage room, Mindil and the rest eavesdropped on the two men coming down the hall.

"Remind me again why we are trying to wipe out these Gondils," said the first one, who had a heavy British accent. The second one sighed in disgust and said, "Because they are a threat to the human society. And they're Gindols, not Gondils, stupid."

"Right," said the first one, although he didn't seem to understand anymore than before. As their voices became silent as they walked down the hall, the Mindil, Amerin, Agmic, and Kendor crept out of the storage room. They went down a few more halls, only having to hide about two more times, until finally they reached the general's wing.

When the two doors leading into the wing were in sight, they saw two guards guarding it. "We'll need a distraction," whispered Amerin. No sooner than he had spoken, Agmic closed his eyes and concentrated. All of a sudden, a small fire burst out in the opposite direction of the door. The guards ran to put it out, and at that second the four travelers sprinted from their hiding place to the two doors and crept inside.

As soon as they got inside and shut the door, they heard another soldier coming. They all hid under different pieces of furniture, not daring to draw a breath. Mindil saw the soldiers feet stop to look around, then walk in the direction of another door all the while calling, "It was nothing General Turming. Must have been one of your cats." She then saw him go into a room and shut the door behind him.

Mindil crept out from under the furniture and motioned for the others to come out too. She pointed at the door where the soldier had entered and whispered, "He's in there. Be on your guard." They all nodded, and then Mindil whispered, "Amerin, stay back. You have no weapons on you, and you don't have the power as we do. If they attack (which they probably will) you don't want to be caught in the middle. Okay?" Amerin pouted for a moment, then said grouchily, "Fine." Mindil patted him on the head, then approached the door.

"On the count of three," she whispered, "One...two...three!" she banged the door open startling fifteen soldiers and the one and only Gordion Turming. "Who the heck are you, and what are you doing in my wing?" he asked angrily, "I don't believe I asked any of you to meet with me today." Agmic stepped forward and said, "We have come to warn you not to attack the Gindol country. If you do, there will be consequences from myself and my companions."

The general simply laughed and said, "What, and you expect to take me and my army on with only two men, one girl and one boy? You must be mad." He leered nastily at them and then said, "I have no use for crazy people here, not even as slaves." He motioned to the soldiers and said, "Kill them."

One soldier stepped forward, sword raised, when Mindil caused an ice spear to pierce him in the arm. He let out a cry then fell back, holding his arm in pain. The cut began to bleed freely, staining the soldier's tunic. The General yelled angrily, "Come on all of you, kill these scoundrels!" The remaining fourteen soldiers rushed upon all of them, but not before Agmic caused a wall of fire to separate the soldiers from Agmic and his companions.

The soldiers stopped short, one unable to stop fell into the fire and burned, his screams of pain loud and long. The soldier's eyes opened in fright, and they stared at Agmic and Mindil fearfully. The general, still wanting to rid of these people no matter what the cost, screamed, "Put out the fire you idiots! These people must be killed!" The soldiers poured buckets of the water on the wall of fire trying to extinguish it. Mindil asked Agmic, "Why did you let them extinguish the fire? You could have left it there, couldn't you?"

Agmic nodded and said, "We have to get the general, and by the looks of his attitude, we're going to have to kill the soldiers to get to him, and we can't very well with the wall of fire in our way."

When the fire was extinguished, the guards, now along with the wounded one, rushed upon the four. Kendor caused a thick fog to fall right in front of the soldiers until they could not see the travelers. Confused, the soldiers jabbed their swords left and right, but they still could not see the four people in front of them. Mindil then caused a great wave of water to drench the soldiers from head to toe, and then Agmic caused fire balls to burn the hands of the soldiers, making them drop their swords.

Mindil then knocked out each soldier by causing a shower of frozen water, hard as rock, to pour down on the soldiers. Each one was knocked out within a matter of minutes, and when each one was lying on the ground unconscious, Mindil caused the ice blocks to disappear.

The general, now raving mad, drew his sword and said through gritted teeth, "If these morons can't take care of you, then I will." He drew his sword and advanced on Agmic. He stabbed and sliced his sword through the air, Agmic dodging the blade nimbly. Then Mindil saw Agmic wink at her, and all of a sudden she knew what that meant. She used her power to make a gigantic block of ice hover above the general's head, then when the time was right, she sent the block of ice crashing onto the General's head. The General swayed for a moment, then fell heavily on the ground.

Amerin, stunned at the whole combat, exclaimed, "Wow! I didn't know you could do all that! That was amazing!" Agmic smiled and said breathlessly, "Thank you Amerin. Now, we need to get this body to the great hall."

"Why?" asked Mindil, puzzled. Agmic smiled slyly at her and said, "You'll see."

Part Sixteen

In the great hall, Agmic and Mindil had put the unconscious General Turming in a no escape situation. The General was lying on a piece of ice in a giant ice bowl, which was sitting on a roaring fire. The ice bowl would never melt unless Mindil caused it to, but the block of ice the general was lying on was melting slowly by the heat of the fire. The entire Human army had gathered in the great hall, horrified at what the situation was.

"Human Army," Agmic started, "we are Gindols from the Gindol country, the place where you are planning to attack. We tried to warn your leader, General Turming that you should not attack this country and instead try and make friends with us, but he only wants violence. So my companions and I have brought our situation to you, to ask what you would like. Either to make an ally, or to continue with your plan...without your leader." He motioned at the fire and boiling water, with the block of ice melting smaller and smaller. "If you choose to go through with your plan, your leader will be exterminated," Agmic continued. "If you agree to peace and friendship with the Gindol country, we will release your general and never return. If you agree to these terms, you will have to sign this treaty before we release your leader. It is an enchanted treaty, and if you break your promise you will all be cursed." Agmic paused for a moment then said, "So what is your answer? Hurry now, you have until the ice melts."

There were murmurs from the crowd, then all of a sudden someone yelled, "CHARGE!" and the whole army rushed upon the four. Agmic yelled to the three, "Defend yourselves!" and they all rushed into battle.

Mindil cried to Amerin, "Stay behind me!" she then used her powers to make a ninety foot wave knock down all the soldiers in front of her. The soldiers choked on the water, giving Mindil some time to talk to Amerin, "Stay behind me, and use this ice sword to take care of anyone who approaches you. Do not go out into combat."

Just then, a group of soldiers rushed at Mindil again, who caused a wall of water to separate her from them. She glanced at Kendor, who was having a hard time with his fraction of the Human Army. She also looked at Agmic, who was becoming weary of fighting all these soldiers with his old age. She then thought, I have to help them. I have to make the army surrender. Agmic is too old, and Kendor's power is too weak for everyone. It's all up to me.

Mindil closed her eyes and concentrated, freezing the wall of water. She then concentrated even harder, and then all of a sudden...BOOM!!! The wall shattered into little sharp pieces of ice, each one flying in all directions. All of a sudden, strong bursts of water exploded from the floor into the air, freezing for a few seconds until they hurtled downwards at amazing speed, driving through armor and piercing human skin. Soldiers were falling left and right, the life leaving their bodies. Mindil was still in her own world; she could feel the power going through her, as if she was nothing but air and a cool, breeze was flowing straight through her. Her hair was streaming behind her, long and free as she stood motionless.

The Human army realized that these people were not normal; they were magic. Seeing themselves being defeated by this one girl scared them. As one man looked at the general, he realized that in a few minutes the general would be gone, and the whole Human Army would be dead.

He managed to approach Agmic and yell, "WE SURRENDER!" Mindil heard these words, and stopped the chaos of water. Her eyes opened, and she said, "What?" Everyone was silent, and the man said again, "We surrender. We will not bother your country and will sign the treaty for peace." Agmic smiled and said, "Very well." He held out the treaty to the man, and said, "You don't need ink. Just sign the treaty with your finger, and it will be settled." The man did as he was told, and his signature appeared magically on the paper.

As soon as this was done, Mindil caused the water inside the bowl to freeze and removed the general from the bowl. Six soldiers lifted the general up and took him to a different room. Amerin came bounding excitedly up to Mindil and said, "You did it, you did it!" over and over. Mindil only smiled and said, "No Amerin, we all did it."

Part Seventeen

"Mom!" Amerin shouted as he ran towards a small, plump woman hoeing a garden in front of a small house. The woman looked up, exhausted, but when she saw Amerin, she dropped the hoe and ran over to her son, crying the whole time. Mindil smiled as the woman swept Amerin up in her arms, crying into his shirt. "You're alive! Oh my god, I've been so worried...so worried..." and she cried some more, hugging him tight.

Just then, two little girls rushed out of the house and cried, "Amerin! Amerin! You're home, you're home!" Mindil then went to Amerin and whispered in his ear, "I think Agmic, Kendor and I better go. Thanks for you help." Amerin's mom put him down, and Amerin went over to Mindil and said with tears in his eyes, "Thank you for returning me to my family." He gave Mindil, Agmic, Kendor all a hug, then said his good bye to Arania, telling her to take good care of her leg. Arania whinnied softly in response, and nudged Amerin with her nose gently. Then Mindil, Agmic, Kendor, and Arania all set off for home, leaving Amerin where he belonged.

When Mindil arrived back at her hometown Dolin, the first thing she did was run to her own little cottage and run to her parents. They all cried and laughed, sharing hugs and kisses with each other. Mindil's mother cried and asked her, "Where have you been? We've been so worried, we thought that you had been kidnapped and murdered!"

"No, nothing like that, Mom, nothing like that," said Mindil, wiping her mother's tears. Then she said, "Mom, Dad, I think we need to go inside and talk. I have a lot to tell you."

The End