Ella stood with Luca Angelo, a Halrana animator, beside his colossus. The gigantic construct, as tall as the buildings around it, slumped dejectedly, deactivated. Beside the colossus, resting on a long bench at waist height, was a sword.
The length of three men, it was single-edged and sharp as a razor. The runes Ella had drawn would make it sharper still, as well as lighter, harder to see, and capable of burning with fiery energy. It wasn’t a single-activation sword; this lore would need regular chanting from an expert. Miro had told Ella that Luca was one of the best, and it was time for Ella to find out whether Luca was up to the challenge of controlling both the colossus and the sword simultaneously.
“Are you ready?” Ella said.
Besider her, Luca took a deep breath. “I’m ready.” His voice shook.
“Remember, we’re just here to grasp the sword and pick it up. Nothing more.”
Luca let out his breath with a whoosh, making his dark locks shake. “I know.”
“Enchantress.” A voice sounded at Ella’s elbow. Turning, she saw High Enchanter Merlon, looking stern in a sparkling robe decorated with a myriad of spidery symbols. “Please perform your test away from the rest of us. Do I make myself clear?”
Ella fought the urge to groan. “High Enchanter,” she said, “how do you propose to move the sword? It’s as heavy as . . .”—she looked around for inspiration—“as heavy as a block of iron the length of three men! I just need to make this simple test. When the colossus can carry the sword, we can move down to the fields.”
High Enchanter Merlon, a plump and usually jovial man with shaggy eyebrows, grunted. He finally turned and walked away, muttering and shaking his head.
Ella was actually eager to get to the fields, where she and Luca could give the colossus its first real test. At least Ella didn’t have to worry about the crystal trees, as sad as that was. The small grove of rare glossy trees in the fields below the Academy was gone. The constant explosions and ground-trembling quakes had shaken all their shards to the ground. The crystal trees died soon after.
“It’s all right,” Ella reassured the young animator. “Go ahead.”
Luca looked up at the colossus and called out. The slumped construct came to life, symbols glowing and sparking, spiraling out from its chest in a multitude of colors: crimsons, blues, emeralds, and golds. The colossus straightened, and when Luca named a second series of activations, it went down to one knee and lowered its head.
The cage on top was open, and Luca climbed the ridges on the leg, walked along the bent knee, and nimbly jumped up to the shoulder. He pulled himself into the cage, seating himself on a fixed stool and touching the tablet in front of him. The colossus once more stood tall.
Ella was mindful of the enchanters who’d stopped working and now watched. There were fifty paces of cleared space around the colossus, but she still saw one or two onlookers take several steps back.
Animator Luca touched the tablet and chanted in a sonorous tone. The colossus opened a fist and reached for the hilt of the sword.
In one swift motion the huge manufactured creature made of iron and wood picked up the sword and held it high.
Ella felt a surge of excitement run through her. Throwing all caution to the wind, she pointed at one of the gaps in the enchanters’ workbenches. “Head to the fields! That way!” she cried.
As eager as Ella, Luca took his colossus with bold strides through the gap, sending enchanters dashing to either side. The ground trembled with each step, and Ella spurred herself into motion, chasing the colossus through the grand archway and in the direction of the fields. The colossus swiftly outpaced her, and she stopped to watch.
“I wonder that you even need my help,” Ella heard a voice behind her say.
Whirling, Ella saw an old man with gray hair flecked with ginger and a soft beard. His eyes were kind and colored an intense, vivid blue.
“Evrin!” Ella said. She grabbed hold of him and hugged him.
“Careful, dear,” Evrin said. “I’m an old man.”
“Hold on a moment,” Ella said. “Luca!” she cried. “Luca!”
The animator didn’t hear her. He was busy taking huge swings at the air, joyfully waving the sword like a child playing at soldier. At least he hadn’t tried to activate the blade.
“I don’t think he can hear you,” Evrin said.
Ella laughed. “It doesn’t matter. It looks like he’s enjoying himself. Did you just arrive now?”
“Just this very moment.” Evrin rolled his shoulder to show the ragged knapsack on his back.
“Here, let me show you around. I can explain what we’re doing here, and then we can find you some rooms. Would you rather stay here or at the palace?”
“Wherever you need me,” Evrin said.
“I’m staying here at the Academy, in the Green Tower. It’s comfortable in there. You’ll like it.”
“Ella!” Ella heard High Enchanter Merlon’s voice calling her name.