Page 27 of Keeper of the Flame: Orrick

“The Eternal Flame is guarded by the Keeper of the Flame.”

“Yes, I saw that in the book. Who is the Keeper?”

“The Keeper changes, every fifty years.”

“Really? Why?”

“Because the flame is too powerful. It is passed on from one Keeper to another so that no one stays immortal forever.”

“Immortality,” she said, her eyes lighting up. “So the stories I’ve heard about it are true. And the one who protects the flame cannot be hurt and cannot die?”

“That’s right.”

“Who decides who the next Keeper of the Flame is?”

“Only the present Keeper knows who the flame will be passed to next. And when it is passed, the new Keeper gets the knowledge of the guardians who will hold the flame in the future, as it is revealed to him through time.”

“I see. So who is the Keeper of the Flame now? Mayhap I can talk to him.”

“It doesn’t work that way, Lady Hope. The guardian’s identity is kept secret. Therefore, I cannot tell you.”

“Please, I need to know.”

“Why?” he asked. “The flame is of no use to you if you don’t have magic as you say.”

“Then teach me magic. Show me how to do something – teach me how to say spells.”

“Why?” he asked again.

“Because I want to learn to be a sorceress.”

“Nay, that is not something that can be learned.” Orrick stood up, taking the book with him. He felt odd all of a sudden, and didn’t know why. Then he glanced over to the standing mirror and realized his beard was shrinking and becoming darker. His heart jumped. Without even realizing it, his body was starting to shift back into the form of Sir Rick. “You must leave now,” he told her, pulling his hood up over his head. His voice was getting lower again and he would have to strain to make it sound higher.

“Leave? But you promised to show me some magic. I’m not going anywhere until you do.” She leaned back in the chair and crossed her arms over her chest, stubbornly refusing to move.

Orrick looked down at his hands and saw the wrinkles disappearing. Then he heard the sound of his bones stretching and straightening beneath his cloak. It would only be a matter of minutes and he’d be back in the form of Sir Rick. He had to do something fast to get Lady Hope to leave or she was going to know his secret.

Picking up his crystal wand from inside a closed wooden box, he lifted it into the air, spouting a lot of nonsense that to her, he was sure, would sound like magic. If she wanted a show, he’d give her one. And one hell of a show it was going to be.

Sparks flew from the wand and white smoke filled the air, making her cough.

“What is that? What are you doing?” she asked.

“I’m doing magic, just like you required.” He made sure to keep hidden in the smoke. He thought it would scare her. But when it didn’t, he decided he needed to step it up. He felt his chin. His beard was almost gone now. He hoped she wouldn’t notice.

Next, with a flick of his wrist, her chair rose up into the air, and started spinning in circles.

“Nay!” she cried out, holding on to the sides, sounding very frightened. He hated to do this to her, but he had no choice. He needed her gone and he needed it to happen right now. He set the chair down with a nod of his head. It clunked to the ground, jerking her body around. She bolted from the chair and ran to the door, leaving the room in such a hurry, she once again forgot her pouch.

When Orrick walked over to close the door, he met Lord Corbett coming into the room, looking back over his shoulder, down the stairs.

“Was that Lady Hope that just ran past me?” he asked.

“It was,” admitted Orrick.

“What was her hurry? She seemed frightened about something.”

Orrick dropped his hood, and Corbett’s eyes focused on his face.