Z-Seasonal Garden Chapter 27

Read Table of Content | +Kyla Scurchio
=======================================================================  I held up my new creation. My chess piece shined silver in the snow. I had fused together the magic of each of the separate pieces into one powerful trap. It just needed one more thing. I reached into my pockets with cold hands and pulled out a small blue feather. I felt a sudden jolt of energy rush through my body as I held it. Most wizards would kill to have one of these, and I had two. Placing the feather on the head of the knight had an immediate effect. I was glad too, for I had no living shards in my pockets.
The knight and his horse walked in circles around me before coming to stand upon my base. A base that suddenly looked feeble next to my new trap. I racked my head a bit trying to think of a new way to craft a base. We’d never crafted bases before, but there was a first time for everything.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out an old book. Runes glowed dimly on the binding and the pages whispered dark secrets of the past. It was the Forgotten Book, Volume 1. I only hoped Plankrun still
had Volume 3. I removed my explosive base gently and slid the spellbook under my trap which had gone motionless. The power in the pages should work like a charm, it lured in the best of men, why not powerful mice. The binding was strong and undamaged from time’s unforgiving past; it would do what I needed and more. I reached into my pocket and dropped my Gouda onto the base.
I smiled as I stepped back from my day’s work. I would never have used the spellbook anywhere else, but on this horrid little island I doubted I had any real reason to worry about it being stolen. As I stood there, looking down at my trap a sudden change in the temperature hit me. At first, I didn’t take it in, the warmth that brushed my cheek. It wasn’t until the snow started to melt off almost instantly that I looked around me.
Eyes wide and mouth agape, I watched my world around me change so swiftly it seemed impossible. Winter all but faded away; the bridge thawed, the snow melted and green grass shot through the cold soil. The dead tree upon the island started to sprout tiny little leaves. I let out a nervous laugh.
“Well, it’s about time!” I said grinning “I could use some good weather.” I’d spoke too soon. Rain started falling from the sky. Not pounding rain just rain, the kind of rain that you know won’t stop soon, the kind that just keeps coming, spring rain. “Oh, that’s just perfect!” I growled snatching up my trap in search of a new hunting spot.
It was clear to me now that the seasons would change spontaneously, and of their own accord. Thankfully though they each only lasted a few days. Unfortunately though, the seasons here seemed to only put out the worst of the weather. Piles of snow in the winter, rain in the spring; I could only imagine summer would have me die of heat stroke.
At least my trap worked. Not perfectly but it did the job, I had a funny feeling these mice had different weaknesses. They all had the making of tactical mice, but also showed qualities of other power types.
I sat that afternoon under the shelter of the tree trying to dry off as much as possible. I stared aimlessly at the large tower that loomed over the whole island. I was curious to find what was in it, but caution told me not to be hasty.  I kept shooting looks at it for another half hour before I shouted “To hell with it!” and I sauntered off in the direction of the tower steps.
What I forgot about was how the tower was on a completely different floating land mass. I stared up at it for a few minutes trying to figure out how I was to get in.
“Now how the hell am I suppose to get up there?” I said to no one in particular, “I may be a wizard but I haven’t mastered flying.” I grumbled and turned to walk away, a little put out. As I walked I heard a shudder come from behind me, when I turned I saw the island slowly floating down to the level of my island. It came to a stop and I stared. It was only a four foot gap between the land masses, and easy jump, unless I missed. I really hated heights.
Closing my eyes and taking in a deep breath I ran for it, when my foot touched the edge of my island I jumped to the other. I used the full strength of my legs to force my body across the tiny gap, not wanting to miss and fall to my death in the sea below. Sadly I may have been a little over zealous. As I landed on the other side I was unable to stop myself from shooting forward a bit and I smacked against the stone wall of the tower.
When my head stopped spinning I stood up aching a bit. After a few choice curse words I climbed the steps that hugged the stone wall. Up in a spire they went till I reached the top and was on the opposite side of the tower. I stood outside a door large enough for a man to enter through. Upon the door were a few runes and a metal plate with a funny shaped hole in it. It dawned on me that it was a key hole. I had no key. I gave the latch on the door a tug any how just to see, but nothing happened. When an eerie feel started to wash over me I knew it was time to leave. This place had wizard written all over it.