2 Ch2-A Dark Plan

CHAPTER 2 ADARK PLAN Ana gasped. "What an awful thing for Astrid to do! Is everyone in King Albin's kingdom still asleep?" "No," Mina replied. "But it took seventeen wizards to undo Astrid's powerful spell!" The picture in the ice mirror changed again. Astrid walked through a rainstorm. Red magic flowed from her fingertips.

"My sister told me that she wanted to become a great wizard of dark magic," Hulda said. "The best in the world. She planned to steal Maldred's secrets. She asked me to join her, and I refused. That was the last I heard of her." "She must have battled Maldred, and he trapped her in his time spell!" Drake said.

Hulda's face returned to the ice mirror. "I have been tracking my sister in my gazing ball since she has been free," she explained. "Astrid has traveled the world collecting items that are very hard to find. I fear she is preparing to cast a very dangerous dark spell." Five rare items appeared in the ice mirror. Griffith named them. "One mandrake root," he said. "A sprig of black mistletoe. The tail feather of a ghost raven. A branch from a shadow bush. The tooth of a spirit bear."

"I am not sure what spell she is working on," Hulda said. "Griffith, do you know?" "I do not," Griffith answered. "But Jayana, the Head Wizard, might." "I must stay here in the Far North Lands," Hulda explained. "Once Astrid has what she needs, I worry she may come back here. She might try to cast another spell on King Albin's kingdom. I need to protect it." Mina stepped forward. "Then I will go see Jayana," she said. Griffith nodded. "Good idea. Drake can go with you." "Thank you, all," Hulda said. Yellow sparks shot from her fingertips, and the ice mirror disappeared. Bo turned to Griffith. "Should we go with Drake and Mina?"

Griffith shook his head. "I need you, Rori, and Ana to stay here with me and Eko," he said. "There are many evil wizards on the loose besides Astrid. We must be ready in case any of them start causing trouble." The wizard turned and began to walk quickly. "Follow me, everyone!" They followed Griffith to his workshop. He scribbled on a piece of paper.

"Mina, take this list of spell ingredients to Jayana at the Castle of the Wizards," he instructed, handing it to her. "Drake, get Worm to transport you there right away." Griffith gave Drake a small mirror. "Is this a magic mirror? Like the one you gave me when I went to the Naga's temple?" Drake asked. "Yes," the wizard replied. "Use this to report to me after you talk to Jayana." "Got it!" Drake said, and he tucked the mirror into his belt. "Good luck, Drake and Mina! And hurry!" Ana said. "Yes!" Bo added. "Find out what Astrid is planning so we can stop her!"