Tales of the Lorekeepers 01 - Rise of the Red Dragon

Yfel’s man than we were almost a week ago. Even worse, we still have no clue about what his real intentions are. How can we counter his plan if we don’t know what it is?”
    “Precisely! This is of much concern. I’ve actually never had something like this happen. Usually, these little rodents are pretty quick about making their presence felt and putting their dark schemes in motion. This is definitely a first for me.”
    “Lucky me! My first mission as a new Lorekeeper and I get the one time the enemy isn’t showing its face.”
    Angeline flew over to the hollow trunk where Samuel was resting and sat next to him, leaning on his leg.
    “Don’t worry, Sammy, we’ll find a solution.”
    For the next few minutes, they sat in silence, their minds working together to find answers to their questions. Samuel was getting somewhat frustrated with the lack of progress in regards to his task. His days on Metverold had been filled with adventures and they certainly did not lack for action, but he felt as if it was all part of the regular life in this world. Nothing seemed to be the action of an Yfel agent, an enemy who was reluctant to reveal itself. He almost wished his nemesis would act and put an end to this suspense. He was tired of going over every detail and searching for clues. Surprisingly, he almost wished he could confront his foe here and now, battle each other to the death, and be done with it.
    If only it was that simple. Samuel picked up a pebble and rolled it in the palm of his hand.
    “What about Myrddin?” he suddenly asked.
    “What about him?” answered Angeline.
    “We know the young boy can foresee the future and everyone playing a part in it, except those who are not from this world. You told me the Yfel’s recruit is also from Earth, from my world, since he picked up the black dice.”
    “That is correct,” replied the fairy.
    “Therefore, even though Myrddin cannot see the face of our enemy, maybe he can see his actions. Perhaps he has missed a detail, a tiny bit of information that could be crucial to us. Maybe I should talk to him some more.
    “It’s a good idea, but I’m not sure it would actually do anything. He already told you his vision was unchanged, did he not?”
    Samuel nodded.
    “Then there is no need to torment the poor boy. I’m sure that if his visions were to change, he would say something to you right away.”
    Samuel threw away the pebble he had picked up.
    “I guess you’re right. I was only hoping he—”
    “Ow!”
    The little yelp came from the place where Samuel had thrown the pebble, in the midst of a bush. Samuel immediately placed a hand on the hilt of his gladius.
    “Who goes there?” he asked.
    A few seconds later, the boy who would become Merlin stepped out of his hiding place. He must have heard their whole conversation. Angeline looked as surprised as Samuel to see young Myrddin. She was about to ask Samuel to make the child leave, when she suddenly noticed something odd about the newcomer.
    He was looking straight at her, his eyes wide with amazement.
    The little fata took off from the tree trunk and flew in circles in front of the young boy.
    The child’s eyes did not leave her tiny body for one second, his gaze following her every move.
    “You … you can see me?” she asked timidly.
    “Of course I can,” answered Myrddin.
    Samuel walked toward the young boy, throwing a quick glance in Angeline’s direction on the way. The fairy looked pale and skittish, and seemed unsure of how to react to the fact that someone else was able to observe her.
    Probably another first, thought Samuel.
    “Come, there is nothing to be afraid of,” he said to Myrddin. “She’s a friend. She’s here to help you and to protect us.”
    “Oh, I know that,” replied the young wizard joyfully.
    “And how does an eight-year-old boy know such a thing?” asked Angeline.
    Myrddin’s perpetual smile vanished.
    “I don’t know. I just do. Sometimes I just know things like that. Master Blaise says it’s a gift and that I should be careful with it. He says some people might want to hurt me if they knew I could see the bad things they do or the joys they could experience.”
    “Come,” said Samuel. “Sit with us, Myrddin. Maybe you can help us.”
    Myrddin looked at Samuel and then at Angeline. He still seemed slightly disconcerted by the winged creature and the tone she had used to question him. The little fairy stared back at him for a few moments, but then