Chapter 15

"Long ago, in the Old Age, when Mages existed, there was an Order of Mages that kept harmony and balance to the world. But there was one Mage who lusted for power. He wanted to achieve immortality, to keep himself in youth forever. He hid this power in something called The White Mirror, which he used to rule over the land." Archimedes explained. "When the Mages found his plot, they shattered the Mirror, and cursed him with Blackness, so that he may never use his powers for such selfish purposes ever again." "I don't understand.", interjected Askandir. "I thought the Mages were just stories. How is this possible?" "It just is!", Archimedes snapped back, "And stories are very real, believe me, yes, stories are more real than you or I." Archimedes took a moment to settle back into his reading chair as Jun brushed his hair back. "So the Black Mage, is that the man we saw?" "A wizard capable of projecting subjective reality onto the reality of others. That is precisely what Magic is. What you saw was a projection of him, a mere memory of the Mage he once was.", said Archimedes. "So, I don't understand", Jun inquired, if the Mirror was shattered, how does he still hold power?" "Because," Archimedes continued, "The Black Mage was so overcome by despair that he hid the pieces of the Mirror in his three Lovers. The Three Lovers of Lux." Jun and Askandir looked at each other. "The Three Lovers of Lux?" "Now don't you boys know your Mythology, oh confound it." something about this topic really seemed to heat up Archimedes. "Lux is one of his names. The Three Lovers of Lux are Three Witches. Three Witches who once loved the Mage when he was a mortal man." "I see," Askandir stroked his beard. "But what does that have to do with us?" "Don't you see?" Archimedes said, "you've awoken the curse! I must take partial responsibility because my maps got mixed up, the damn kids running around, always causing a mess, and I usually have Miriam organizing my things, but oh," "Archimedes, I won't even ask why you have a map that leads to a curse.", said Askandir. Jun looked down at his hands. He felt cold. "So what do we do now?" "You must find the Three Lovers of Lux. You must ride. I will put my maps in order, but you must ride! Tonight! You must head Northwest from the village! Find the Three Lovers of Lux and conquer them! The whole land is at stake!"

Jun, Askandir and Archimedes readied the horse and got all the supplies in order. Miriam kept asking questions but Archimedes was able to handle her and help the boys out with their readiments. "All right, I believe we have everything in order. Food, maps, and your weapons are sharpened, yes?" The boys nodded. "All right. Very good." "Archimedes, I am worried. What happens if we fail?" "Don't think about that! Just ride!" The boys mounted the horse and took off for the Northwest through nightfall.