Ancient Prophecy (32 page)

“Oh, Oscar, I knew you would come,” cried Callie.

Oscar embraced Callie. He noticed that her necklace was gone and understood why she had failed to answer his call.

Callie related the tale of the shipwreck and the loss of their baby. Callie had been badly hurt in the sinking, but had managed to grab onto some floating timbers. She wasn’t sure how long she had been adrift, but she recounted her rescue by John and the care that the netter and his wife had given her. John and every fisherman in the village had gone out searching for her baby or any other survivors for three days, but they had not found anyone.

Callie started to sob as she told the tale and by the time she got to the fishermen’s inability to find the baby, she was crying hysterically. Oscar comforted her and promised that their baby would be found.

“Can’t we use Galdan’s Crystal Ball to find the babies?” asked Alex.

“No,” answered Jenneva, “the Crystal Ball would only help if we knew where to look.”

“What about the Oracle of Estara?” prompted Alex.

“It’s worth a try,” replied Jenneva.

Wyka had returned home, so Alex and Jenneva mounted Kaz and flew to the Oracle’s cave. Once again they entered the small cave and Jenneva called upon the Oracle for help.

“Oracle, we need to know about the babies of the Prophecy.”

“There is little that I can tell you, friend of the Mage,” replied the Oracle. “The baby of Sarac and Aurora is alive and well, but I cannot see where. The baby of Oscar and Callie is alive and well as are the parents, but Callie can bear no more children.”

“What of my own child?” whispered Jenneva.

“Your child is well cared for,” answered the Oracle, “but like the others, I cannot see where.”

“Are there no clues that you can give to help us locate the children?” asked Alex.

There was a long pause before the Oracle answered. “No, if it was possible to see the children’s location by magic, then magicians would be able to locate them. Sarac would also have that ability. You must search by using whatever skills you possess. I can tell you that the Sword of Heavens will not function until it is touched by one of the Prophecy Children. Abandon your search for the jewels until you have found at least one of the children. I have nothing more to offer.”

Jenneva thanked the Oracle and the group returned to Egam’s cave. When they got to the cave Jenneva slumped to the floor in despair. Alex slid down next to her and put his arm around her.

“Don’t despair,” he offered. “We have stopped Sarac and Alutar from destroying the world. The children are all safe and he is imprisoned. We have many resources to help with the search for the children and Oscar and Callie are safe. In fact, we have done the impossible. All that is left is a simple search mission and we have the skills to accomplish the task.”

Jenneva looked at Alex and smiled. “You always were an optimist,” she grinned, “but you left out the brightest point, we have each other.”

THE END

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