Darien was unsettled by the reality of his expected part in the story, but he found some comfort in that he wasn't stumbling forward blind any longer. He was grateful he at least knew who was telling the truth and where everyone stood. Now, he could decide where to go from here.

"Cordin Oakstaff planned to use the amulet to conquer the serpents of the Velacian Mountains," Darien explained. "It would seem the best course of action would be to prevent their demise."

"It won't be easy," Shad warned. "Cordin and his apprentice took this town apart."

"One of the things I've learned about magic is that it's very similar to people," Darien explained. "For all its ability to destroy, it possesses an equal amount to restore and rebuild."

Darien used his left hand to cover his right fist and completely surround the amulet, closing his eyes and focusing his mind. Through the magical energy he was sending everywhere in Balocen, Darien could sense the entire city; every brick, stone, and wooden timber became known to him as if he was actually standing in front of them.

The broken stones of the walkway changed shape, similar to chunks of wax melting in a great heat. They smoothed out and fused back together until the stone pathway became completely restored. The fallen beams of the nearby warehouse pulled back up, and the debris spilled on the roadway lifted in a weightless cloud and formed to the beams to recreate the ceiling.

All around Darien and the stray children, the city of Balocen repaired itself. The ash and scorch marks on the ruins exploded off the structures, dispersing to nothingness. When the lanterns reformed and ignited, the restored city was filled with light.

Darien opened his eyes and looked around, no longer finding a ruin but a magnificent city.

"That should do it," Darien said with satisfaction. It was the first time in his life he'd built something rather than taking from those who had, and it felt better than he could've imagined.

The boys were awestruck and couldn't find their voices to say anything. They could only stare in amazement.

"I have some things to do elsewhere," Darien told them. "However, I should be back before long. In the meantime, I know of a mansion at the end of the road where you should be comfortable, but not as you are."

Darien reached out toward the children with his free hand and focused the magic of the amulet upon them. The threads of their worn and ragged clothes wove themselves back together again, closing up the holes in their garments. Dirt and soot faded away, not only from the clothes, but also from the children as well.

His work complete, Darien smiled. He could get used to this.

"I didn't even have to take a bath!" Shad said happily.

"Take care of your new city," Darien suggested. "I'm sure people will migrate here when they learn it's been restored. You shouldn't be alone here for long, so you might want to pick out where you want to live before anyone else arrives."

"Thank you!" Shad yelled over his shoulder as he ran off to inspect the city. He paused long enough to grab a drumstick from a turkey on one of the food trays Darien had provided before sprinting away.

The oldest boy was the last to leave, lingering behind for a moment. He gave the slightest of nods before joining the others in their exploration. Darien knew the boy still distrusted magic, but this was a starting point, a foundation on which to build a better future for the boys and himself.

Darien's smile faltered slightly when he remembered Lendus was still in his way. Confronting the apprentice now would be different as Darien had seen firsthand what his opponent was capable of doing. Lendus and his master had destroyed an entire city; when Darien returned with the amulet and refused to hand it over, Darien expected the worst fight he'd ever faced, but there didn't seem to be any way to avoid it.

As he walked slowly to the anchor, Darien considered his options and possible strategies for battling Lendus. Ultimately, he didn't come up with anything he liked, so he decided to try something risky.

***

The flames of the anchor's teleportation magic faded away, returning Darien to the grounds of Cordin Oakstaff. Lendus was waiting. Arms crossed over his chest and a scowl on his face, Lendus glared at Darien.

"Let me see the amulet," Lendus demanded.

Darien held it up for him, but quickly withdrew it from the apprentice's outstretched fingers.

"The Librarian wanted me to fulfill the role of Cordin Oakstaff in this tale, not you," Darien explained quickly.

"Very well," Lendus grudgingly agreed. "You shall lead the attack on the Velacian Mountains. We'll bring down the serpents at last."

"Not yet," Darien countered. He held up the books he'd brought back from Balocen. "I need time to study and prepare for the fight. We'll leave in an hour."

"Once they realize the amulet is gone, they'll start preparing for an attack!" Lendus all but shouted at him. "We must strike now!"

"You waited all this time under Oakstaff's leadership," Darien pointed out. "You can wait a little longer under mine."

Lendus clenched his teeth, the muscles tightening along his jaw and neck, but he didn't say anything else. Turning swiftly, he stormed away and slammed the door to his room.

Darien was able to breathe again. He brushed a hand across his forehead, removing a layer of nervous sweat he hoped Lendus hadn't noticed.

Going downstairs, he realigned the floor stones into steps as he'd done several times before. He quickly descended them to Naja's cell.

"You were right," Darien told her. "Cordin and Lendus burned down the town of Balocen in frustration over not being able to enter the tower. With the amulet, he could've bypassed the shield, so if I hadn't accidentally killed him, he would've gained the knowledge and powers in the tower's extensive library of magic. It would've been all he needed to conquer your people and become king of serpents."

"You timing couldn't have been better," Naja complimented. "What do you intend to do now?"

"I'm going to start by getting you out of there," Darien answered. He opened one of his pockets and removed a lock pick.

"It's magically sealed," Naja informed him.

"Alright," Darien said. He held out his free hand toward the cell, and as he concentrated, a lock made of red lines of light appeared on the door. Glowing white cracks formed on the lock, but they refused to widen enough to break the magical device. When Darien dropped his hand in frustration, the fissures repaired themselves before the lock faded from view.

"You only have the amulet," Naja explained. "Cordin had it plus his own power when he made the lock. You don't have the strength to break it, but I thank you for trying."

"I may not have the strength alone," Darien stated. "You said you were from a very important family, so I'm sure the serpents would be willing to help me free you, assuming I can talk to them before either they or Lendus tries to kill me...again."

"Your plan is risky," Naja pointed out. "If you're injured in battle, Lendus could take the amulet from you, and you know what he would use it for."

"Yes.  I know," Darien admitted gravely.  His thoughts turned to the destruction of Balocen, and he couldn't help imaging the city of the serpents in a similar state. "If you have a better plan, I'd gladly consider it."

After a moment of silence, Darien nodded.

"I guess we're decided," he said solemnly. Darien sat down on the floor with his back against the bars of Naja's cell and closed his eyes. Never before had so much depended upon him, and he felt insufficient to the task at hand.

There was no telling how many cities might fall if Lendus gained control of the amulet.  If Dairen proved unsuccessful in his efforts, Naja would either starve to death in the magical cage or be left in the murderous hands of Lendus. The fate of the serpents, whether they remained free, became enslaved, or were eradicated also rested on his shoulders.  He felt weary, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him unmercifully.

Naja slithered close and reached through the bars, her arms wrapping gently around his neck and shoulders. The chains hanging from her wrists draped across his chest, and their cold touch reached him even through his shirt.

"I wish you a safe journey," Naja bid to him, her voice a whisper in his ear.

"Thank you," Darien accepted. He didn't open his eyes but touched a hand to her arm, grateful not to be alone.

***

Darien and Lendus appeared upon the circle of stone embedded in the parched ground of the Velacian Mountains.

As they walked toward the city of the serpents, Darien kept a wary eye on Lendus. The apprentice knew he had the amulet and could turn on him at any moment in an attempt to take it. Darien fully expected Lendus to try if Darien became distracted by the serpents. Darien felt certain this meeting would be the most dangerous thing he'd done since being pulled into this world by the Book of Passages.

The serpents might not listen and attack him immediately. Lendus could try and stab him in the back, quite literally, in his bid for power.  So many ways existed for this to go badly.  Darien was used to slipping past defenders and escaping unseen. Walking into a situation where he'd be surrounded on all sides by enemies was something he felt completely unprepared for, but he didn't know what else he could do. Trying to keep his breathing steady, Darien kept walking.

A scrapping sound reached his ears, and his heartbeat increased accordingly. The serpents were coming. No sooner had the fear inducing thought registered in his mind did the massive reptiles make their appearance. Before he had a chance to speak and present his offer of peace, the serpents attacked.