The test

Seconds later, they all met in front of an old cabin in the woods. Yrckos had teleported them. Quiado ran to throw up behind a bush. It must be said that this means of transport was unique. Even Hyra felt nauseous.

- Where are we?

- Excuse me. The urgency of the situation did not allow me to act otherwise. We are in a forest, four days from the Furya kingdom. We're not that far from Elyra now.

Lydar glared at him, retorting:

- Why didn't you take us straight there?

- The reason is simple. The twins lack training. They should be better prepared for what lies ahead. And for that, we will need a helping hand, from my old friend.

Yrckos walked over to the cabin and knocked loudly on the door.

“Yvan!!! Yvan! Get out of there, old fellow!”

A leaden silence answered him. As if this old cabin had been abandoned a long time ago. This did not deter the magician who drummed more.

“If you don't go out now, I'll come to get you!”

After a good two minutes, without an answer, Yrckos announced to the others:

- Wait for me here. I'll be right back. I'm sure he must still be sleeping, that old hermit!

- Are you sure someone lives here? Maybe you got it wrong? It happens, you know, Quiado added sarcastically.

Yrckos didn't even bother to answer him, and with a kick, he opened the door. Before entering, he turned one last time to issue this warning:

“Listen to me all! Do not enter without permission. Wait till I come back. No matter what might happen, I mean, whatever, you don't come in. You understood?”

After his departure, Brakir brought up a few seats to allow them to rest out of the scorching sun under a large tree. Lydar, Astaldo and Voronyi left them to examine the surroundings.

- Anyway, no one would like to walk into that old dump. I don't see why he makes so much fuss for so little, Quiado mumbled, stung by the wizard's contempt for him.

- Quiet Quiado, Hyrio whispered before falling asleep tiredly, as his cousin complained this time about the heat.

The two princesses, meanwhile, were happy to be alone. However, Hyra noticed her friend's sad and distant look.

- Kahelle, are you okay?

- Ah… How could I be well in a moment like this? I'm humiliated!

- What are you talking about? Why?

- While you were protecting me from this manticore, I did nothing. Just because I didn't have my sword. I feel so worthless… I would have done better to stay in Alliopyr, Kahelle concluded, hiding her tears of annoyance.

Hyra, shocked at what she had just pitifully confessed, took her hands to try to comfort her.

- How? How can you say such a thing?! Please don't say that.

- But it's the truth…

- Of course not. The truth is, since I was little, you have always been there for me, and even today. To reassure me, to protect me from being laughed at by others who didn't understand me, to cheer me up when things were wrong. I have always admired you. You are so smart and strong! I always wanted to be like you! You were my hero, and you will remain so. It’s a privilege to be your best friend. I prayed that one day I could return the favour to you, and that day has finally arrived! Thank you for being here. Your presence alone is more than enough for me, never doubt it!

Touched, Kahelle hugged her. She was very proud to see that Hyra had grown up to be this beautiful young woman with a pure heart. A rare pearl.

“If you only knew Hyra! I am blessed to be by your side. Thank you for trusting me. I won't disappoint you.”

- You know very well that it is not the magic powers that determine the nature of a person's character. But instead, the inner qualities that one cultivates in oneself. Charity, kindness, patience and so on!

- Well-spoken, Brakir agreed, coming to sit next to them. Sorry to bring me into your conversation like this. You know what, Kahelle? I have met all kinds of people, and I can certainly attest that Princess Hyra is right!

Hearing his affirmation, Kahelle smiles, appeased. Losing her parents in this terrible accident, she felt lonely. Thanks to Hyra welcoming her with open arms, that sense of loneliness was gone forever. The proof was still there, until now.

Suddenly, a loud noise made the earth tremble under their feet. Birds flew away in fear. The elves came running up immediately. The sound seemed to come from the hut, where Yrckos still hadn't returned. He kept repeating himself louder and louder.

- What do you think we do? He forbade us to enter...

- Ofyr, I'm seriously starting to regret that I followed that shoddy wizard!

Suddenly, large crows landed on the trees around them. They began to croak without stopping, watching them.

Quiado covered his ears:

“They make me nervous! Make them shut up!”

The noise was coming out of the hut, and the croaking of crows turned into a loud din. But that was not all. A thick fog invades them without delay. Lydar yelled at them to stay together. However, Hyra could not even see Kahelle standing near her. She called his name, but nothing answered. She couldn't hear anything anymore. She moved forward, worried, waving her arms in front of her.

After a while, the fog cleared to reveal a path she followed, curious. She called the others, hoping to see them again, but when she looked up, astonishment was on her face. She was standing in front of the old hut.

Yrckos had forbidden them to enter, but the door creaked to open slowly, like an invitation. What was she supposed to do? When she turned, the fog had thickened again. The only option was to go inside, already she was alone, and the cold was starting to kick in. Her turquoise silk taffeta dress was not the most appropriate at the moment.

While she was still thinking, a plaintive voice whispered from the hut:

“Please! Help! Help me!”

Surprised, Hyra thought he recognized Kahelle's tone of voice. She strained to hear better.

“Please! Help!”

It was her friend's voice.

- Kahelle! Kahelle, is that you?!

- Come and help me! I am stuck!

- How did you get in? The magician…

- Hurry up! What are you waiting for? Free me before he comes back!

Hyra had only one urge: to come in and free her friend, who seemed trapped. But she was torn by his desire to help and Yrckos’s ban. She had to make a decision, but first, she needed to understand better!

- Kahelle? Tell me, what's happening to you?

- The magician! He was the one who tied me up.

- Why would he do that?!

- It’s not the right person! He wants us harm! He is bad!

- But Kahelle...

- Stop asking questions! Are you coming to help me or not?

Hyra had no choice. However, when she got to the door, she couldn't help but hesitate anyway:

“Quickly! I'm in pain. I’m scared!”

Hyra paused for a moment when she heard her last word. Fear? Did she say that?! Her friend had never said that word since she had known her. Not once... Maybe it wasn't her. Hyra stepped back cautiously. She was right to be suspicious.

- Kahelle! I'll get some help! I will be back.

- No! Do not leave! He is going to kill me!

The same noise from earlier made the cabin shake.

“He is coming! Do not leave me! Aaah!!!!”

Her cry of terror made Hyra flinch, but she still didn't enter. Then nothing. Even the fog was slowly disappearing. Examining the scene, Hyra saw a little girl hiding behind one of the trees. Happy to finally see someone, she pulled up her dress, the better to run towards her. But Hyra couldn't catch up to her. She was running faster than her, and it almost looked like a shadow. Tired, for a moment, she caught her breath.

But the little girl was gone. Annoyed, Hyra followed the path she was on. She finally heard several familiar voices. After a final detour, she recognized Brakir and Kahelle, who came and threw themselves into her arms.

- Hyra! Oh, thank you, my God! You have nothing!

- Kahelle? I knew it wasn't you! I heard you in the cabin.

Hyra told them about her mishap. What surprised them all was that Brakir and Kahelle had experienced the same thing. The same goes for Hyrio and the elves, who arrived a few moments later. Except that everyone had heard a different voice. Lydar recapped the events:

“So if we summarize the situation well, the facts are similar, apart from the voices. For Princess Hyra, it was her friend who called her and vice versa. For Prince Hyrio, it was his sister. For Astaldo, it was Voronyi; for Voronyi, it was Astaldo. For Ofyr, it was me. For Brakir, it was Astaldo. It’s pretty clear, I think. We all heard the voices we wanted to hear.”

Ofyr supported his words:

- I agree, brother, but you didn't tell us who it was for you?

- This is not the most important! Lydar especially didn't want to admit that it was Hyra he had heard. He quickly changed the subject. It should also be noted that these voices have all denigrated this magician. We shouldn't have followed him. He takes us to a remote corner and leaves us alone, putting us in complete danger. What reckless! Oh! By the way, has anyone seen Prince Quiado?

No one had seen the young man, and he still had not returned. Lydar quickly understood why.

- That only means one thing. He entered!

- Yes, he came in. But he shouldn't have, a sweet voice whispered.

An individual stood behind them. He was so tall he must have been over two meters. His right hand held a large stick, and his left hand a book. His long black dress trailed behind him. On his shoulder was a crow. His hair and long beard obscured his face. Still, her dark eyes seemed to shine brighter than usual. And his grinning smile revealed large, sharp teeth.

“Welcome to my den, children!”