Ebony and Ivory

There once was a world named Paradox. One part of the world existed in permanent darkness and was lit only by the stars in the sky. The other existed in constant light. It was a world rich in magic. One day, the Prince of Darkness and the Princess of Light were both touring their realms. Whilst passing through the Grayling region which separated their kingdoms of Light and Dark, they happened to see each other. With a single glance, their souls were joined and they knew at once that they were meant to be together. Neither could survive in the others kingdom, but both could live life together in the Grayling. They uprooted their courts and moved. After a short engagement they were married. They became King and Queen of the World. They were very happy and in time they had children. Twin girls which they named, Ebony and Ivory. Ebony took after her father. Hair as black as night and skin as pale as the moon, whilst Ivory favored her mother; golden hair the color of sunshine and olive skin that glowed. Both had eyes of richest sky blue and also the ability to live in both the Light and the Dark. The Royal family lived in happiness and were loved by all... Until…


Ivory went missing. She had disappeared from Grayling castle. An intensive search of the castle and the surrounding countryside was carried out, but she was not to be found. The King, Queen and Ebony were in the throne room. They had sent for the court Wizard, Malcolm. He was a Nightsider. Tall, thin and clothed in shadow black; dark hair streaked with grey, bushy eyebrows, a beaked nose and thin lips which never smiled.

“Where is she Malcolm? Where has she gone? One moment she was here talking with us and the next, she had disappeared.”
King Victor, a tall well-built man dressed in grey robes strode back and forth in great agitation, while Princess Ebony comforted the distraught Queen Stephanie.

Malcolm spoke with hesitation. “I have completed a casting and she is not to be found in the castle or surrounds, Sire.” His voice was deep and his words rumbled like thunder. “I do however, detect the use of a powerful spell within this room. She has been taken by magic.”

On hearing this, Queen Stephanie let out a cry and rushed over to her husband who encompassed her sleight figure in his arms. Their distress was evident to all. Ebony stepped forward and faced Malcolm.

“Where is she Malcolm? Is she still in the Gray or has she been magicked to that of the Dark or Light?” Even though scared for her twin, her voice remained steady and calm. Her training would allow no less.

“I'm sorry Princess, but the forces employed seem to be a joining of all three. I cannot judge where she has been taken.”

For the first time in the many years she has known Malcolm, Ebony could sense his feeling of failure at being unable to help her family in its time of need.

“Is there nothing you can do for us?” she beseeched him.

Malcolm was silent. He pondered the question. There was something he could do, but it was dangerous. Ebony watched the play of thoughts across the tall wizards face. She could see his hesitation.

“Malcolm,” she queried, gently.

He came to a decision.

“There is something that can be done, but you must understand that what I propose is fraught with danger and I’m afraid it can only be carried out by the Princess Ebony.”

The words seem to hang in the air before the combined voices of the King and Queen rang out with a resounding, “No!”

This was quickly followed by an equally loud and resolute “Yes!” from Ebony.

The King and Queen turned and saw the determined look upon their daughter’s face. They turned to Malcolm and indicated that he continue with his proposal.

“I can cast a spell which can send the Princess to ‘near’ the same place as where her sister was taken to. Blood attracts blood and like attracts like.”

Malcolm raised a hand to forestall the argument he could see on the faces of the King and Queen.

“There is a chance that l could successfully send you your Highness, but if Ivory has been taken to the light, you would die. The same thing would happen to the Queen if the princess has been taken to the dark. I am not prepared to risk your lives. Princess Ebony is the only one who can do it. The choice must be hers.”

Silence followed this declaration. The king turned to his daughter. Mixed emotions played across his face. He would not willingly sacrifice one daughter to save another and maybe loose both. It was a decision he could not make. He did not have to. Ebony made it for him.

“I will do it, father.”


A guard burst into the throne room and approached Malcolm. He was bearing a rolled parchment with a necklace wrapped around it. Queen Stephanie let out a low moan. She had recognized it as the one which Ivory always wore. Everyone moved across to join Malcolm. The guard quickly dropped to one knee.

“Where did you find this?” the magician’s voice rumbled.
The guard replied with more than a little fear in his voice.

“We were searching the central tower battlement, my lord and found this on the floor. I swear we had passed that way already and had discovered nothing, but coming back we found it just sitting there.”

“Did you see or feel anything out of the ordinary,” Ebony interjected.

The guard was silent as he considered the question.

“There was something,” he said slowly.” Before we found it, a chill went through me as if an icy wind had blown across the battlement. The others all felt the same. We looked around us and then saw a glint on the ground. It was the light reflecting off the necklace. We all recognized it immediately. I brought it straight here.”

The King reached across and accepted the message from the man.

“Thank you for your prompt action. You may go now.”

The guard rose, bowed and quickly left the room.
The King walked over to a torch and quickly unrolled the message. He silently read it through and the pale color of his skin became whiter still. Those watching feared what the missive said. Finally Ebony spoke up.

“Father, tell us. We need to know.”

The King took a deep breath and nodded. He began.

“We have the Princess Ivory.
She will be returned safely,
In exchange for the two Crystal Keys.
They are to be placed where this message was found.
You have till Midnight of the Second day
Her life is in your hands.”

All were silent. Each were lost in their own thoughts. Ebony turned to the King, puzzlement clear on her face.

“Father. What are the Crystal Keys?”

Unspoken messages of concern passed between the King, the Queen and Malcolm.
Victor finally spoke. Ignoring Ebony, he focused on Malcolm and in a loud and commanding voice, he issued his orders.

"Wizard, you will make all haste in preparation of your transportation spell for the Princess Ebony. This is to be your priority. We must try every measure at our disposal to get Ivory back. If we fail, the last alternative will be the Crystal Keys. God help us all."

Silently, he then turned to his family and gathered them into an embrace.
Malcolm left the throne room. He had preparations to make and the Royal family needed time to themselves.


Malcolm returned two hours later, accompanied by an unusual small looking lad dressed in an over sized patched grey robe. Intense green eyes peered out from under a thick red fringe. Freckles covered a small snub nose, which had been broken a number of times and sat crookedly above a mouth which seemed to be set in a perpetual grin. He was weighed down by a large weighty leather bag hanging over one shoulder and clutched in his right hand was an intricately carved heavy wooden staff which towered over his small form.

“This is Alfie. My spell should be able to accommodate one more person with the Princess, as long as they remain in contact. He is of the Grey Land, so neither realm will affect him.”

The King and Queen looked at Alfie doubtfully; so did Ebony.

“He is rather young and small isn't he? ventured Ebony.

Alfie only grinned at this.
Malcolm drew himself up to his full height and looked down his nose.

“At sixteen, he is the same age as yourself Princess. He may be small, but he is quick and resourceful and more importantly, he is my apprentice. He has a good grounding in magic. You will find him an asset.”

Ebony still looked dubious, but accepted Malcolm’s recommendation and assurances.
Ebony had also been preparing for the trip. She had donned top and pants made of soft leather and wore knee high boots. A dagger was strapped to one hip and a short sword to the other. Her long dark hair had been braided into a thick queue, which hung down her back to her waist. A small pack containing other necessities lay near her. She moved over and joined Alfie. Of the two, she was the more dangerous looking. Alfie dropped to one knee. His leather bag falling with a heavy thud beside him. A shrill screech came from inside it, causing Ebony to jump back in surprise. Malcolm gave the boy a disparaging look.

"I told you to leave Moki. We have no time for your games, let alone his."

Princess Ebony had regained her composure and approached the bag carefully; one hand hovering over her dagger. She prodded the bag with her foot and a small squeal came from within. The bag seemed to shudder, before once more becoming still. Ebony looked at Alfie with one eyebrow raised in query. Alfie rose quickly still grinning, a red glow lighting his cheeks.

"Princess, let me introduce you to Moki."

His voice was surprising. Low and deep; quiet and strong.
With a flourish, he opened the bag. All Ebony observed was a white streak fly from the mouth of the bag and up into one of Alfie's gaping sleeves. Alfie proceeded to jump and wriggle till what ever it was, found a comfortable position within his robe. She could make out something small moving under his clothing, up towards his shoulder. From the collar of his robe, a small white furred head emerged. Small pointed ears and large golden eyes focused on her curiously. A large mouth with sharp looking teeth, mirrored the huge grin of its master.

"This is Moki; my Were-cat and friend."

He held his arm up and the small creature scrambled out through his collar and ran down his arm to sit quietly in his hand. The creature was smaller than a cat, but far more nimble. Its tail was longer and able to wrap tightly around Alfie's forearm to steady itself. It sat upright in his palm and observed the Princess intently. She noticed that Moki's paws were actually small hands, but like a cat, he had claws which were capable of opening and retracting. Ebony slowly reached forward and gently scratched Moki behind his ears. He shivered in ecstasy at her touch. When she finally stopped, the creature threw her a disappointed look and ran back up the apprentices arm and chattered in Alfie's ear before disappearing once more into his collar.

"Moki said to tell you, that he likes you very much."

Ebony was bemused by this strange boy and his friend.
Alfie's expression grew serious, as he turned and drew himself up to his full height and faced the Royal Family.

"Your Highnesses, I am sorry to meet you under these dire circumstances. I will do all I can to assist the Princess Ebony in her task. I pledge my service and my life to aiding in the safe return of your daughter."

Alfie once more knelt, but this time with head bowed. The King was visibly moved and went over to him and placed one hand on his shoulder.

"My family and I could ask no more of you Alfie. I am sure you will be of great assistance to the Princess Ebony. Please rise."

Malcolm made a loud sound of clearing his throat. Everyone turned to face him.

"Time is growing short your Majesties.I must ready the spell."

Taking a piece of chalk from the pocket of his long robe, he made his way over to the spot where the Princess Ivory had disappeared from. Alfie bent over and retrieved various colored powders from his large sack and then joined Malcolm who had started to draw magical symbols upon the floor. A large pentagram dominated and smaller symbols were placed in the triangles. Alfie carefully measured out small portions of powder which he placed at all the points. Both finished at the same time, like a well rehearsed ballet.

"Princess. If you could grab your bag and join Alfie at the centre of the pentagram, we can begin."

Alfie had retrieved his large bag and staff and stood waiting patiently. Ebony picked up her pack and made her way over to her parents. All three hugged silently. They knew the danger of what the Princess was about to undertake. They kissed her forehead gently and then turned to Malcolm and nodded. Ebony moved to Alfie who grinned and shyly held out one hand, which the Princess grasped firmly. They both faced Malcolm as he commenced the spell. He raised his hands high above his head and slowly began to make passes and gestures with his hands. His voice which it always reminded Ebony of thunder, became louder still. The words that she could hear sounded familiar, but she could not make sense of them. She gripped Alfie's hand even tighter as the light around her began to fade. The lines of the pentacle surrounding them began to glow. The powders Alfie had painstakingly placed, now began to burn brightly and give off a dense, thick, cloying smoke. They were both engulfed and could no longer see the room. A sense of weightlessness possessed her as she struggled to maintain her grip. Then there was nothing.


In a darkroom, in a dark place, a small crystal sphere begins to glow. As the illumination pushes back the shadows, a whispered voice can be heard issuing forth from the sphere. A cowled seated figure, all in black, can be seen. The figure hunches forward to hear more clearly.

"Master. It is as you predicted. The Princess Ebony has been sent to recover her sister. She is not alone though. The Wizard Malcolm's apprentice is accompanying her. I believe he will be of no consequence. The King has decided that the crystal keys are the last option to obtain the safe release of Princess Ivory. What are your orders."

The figure contemplated the question and then answered in a low and controlled voice.

"Do what you can to obtain the crystal keys. Keep me informed of any other actions and efforts to reclaim Ivory; as for the Princess and the apprentice, I will arrange for their stay to be painfully permanent. "

With the wave of a hand, the room was once more plunged into darkness. The figure considered gleefully the trials and tribulations that were about to be placed before the two seekers.


TO BE CONTINUED...