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story of the Child Warrior prophecy, don’t you?” He waved his hands dramatically in the air, and a tattered piece of parchment appeared between them. “Here is the one and only copy of the prophecy, given to me by the former Gold Wizard, just hours before the Red Wizard killed him.” He turned it to face them; runes scribbled in black ink reflected in the firelight. “Within these runes lies the secret to the Red Wizard’s destruction.” His eyes flashed.
    Austyn stared at it with wide eyes, and Reina had to admit it was impressive, seeing the actual prophecy.
    “What does it say?” she asked.
    “Um, eh, em, urm…. “The Gold Wizard cleared his throat. With some fancy hand motions, he made spectacles appear in a flash of gold sparks, rubbed them clean, rubbed his eyes, and put them on. Then he met their eyes as they stared at him in expectant fascination. “I shall read: The Child Warrior, with the, erm, medallion of bravery and the, eh em, sword of ch—chivalry, shall overcome with, um, heart, the magic of the Red Wizard.”
    Austyn frowned. “But it doesn’t make any sense!”
    “That, young man,” said the Gold Wizard as he refolded the paper and took off his spectacles, “is the nature of prophecy. It is by, um, nature, obscure.” He tucked both into his robes.
    “Can I see it?” Austyn asked.
    “What good would that do?” asked the Gold Wizard, giving him a stern look. “You can’t read, can you?”
    “No, but I always wanted to learn. Please.” Austyn fluttered his eyelids and gave a sickeningly sweet smile. Reina struggled not to roll her eyes.
    The Gold Wizard flushed. “Reading runes, is um, er, a very tricky and complicated business. I don’t have the time now to teach you such an, er, circumstantial activity. Perhaps after you learn to use your magic and have defeated the Red Wizard.” His face brightened with eagerness. “Hey, how about a magic lesson!”
    Austyn’s face sagged in disappointment, and Reina didn’t think he’d be up to it. She knew how he loved to draw lines in the dirt and pretend they were runes. Little did the Gold Wizard know how heartlessly he had squashed Austyn’s eager interest.
    “He’s tired,” she protested. “You can teach him tomorrow.”
    The Gold Wizard didn’t look pleased. “It is, er … really important, little girl, that your brother learn to use his magic.”
    “Quit calling me ‘little girl.’ My name is Reina.”
    “Well, now, Reina —”
    A piercing screech split the air, ending their argument. Reina recognized it all too well, and from Austyn’s white face, she could tell that he did too.
    “Harpies!”
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    Chapter Five: On the Run
    The Gold Wizard shoved them away from the fire. “Quick, out of sight! I’ll handle them!”
    Reina seized Austyn’s hand, and they dashed under the wheels of the cart. The horse, still tied to a nearby tree, stomped and shook his head. Reina peeked out between the wheels, looking for a better place to hide. The grove wasn’t very big, and endless open fields spread out on all sides around them. In the distance, off to the southeast, stood the woods. Why did we wander so far from them? She longed to hide in the soft, damp moss again. Austyn trembled next to her.
    Six harpies, black, twisted shapes against the evening sky, swooped down toward their fire and the Gold Wizard.
    “Well, now,” shrilled the first harpy, circling him. “Did you think you could use the medallion and not have my master feel it? You’ve done him a favor and found the Child Warrior as well as giving away your own location. Hand over the child, and perhaps your death will come quickly.”
    “So, you think that’s a good deal, do you?” the Gold Wizard asked. His lack of concern at the harpies circling him both impressed and worried Reina. What will we do if they kill him?
    “Better than my master would give you, if we brought you back alive.”
    The Gold Wizard nodded. “I suppose