Chapter Five
Maggie's face clearly read shock as she thought through his statement. "I didn't know that was even possible. If it has always been an option, why did the mages just think to do it now?
"I don't know, but the same question could be asked why the king decided the last year was a good time to start working on the problems the creatures were causing. If it has always been the law not to harm magical animals, wouldn't they have been destructive long before a year ago?
Maggie shook her head. "Sorry, I guess I should have explained that. That law has only been in effect for 5 years. Up until then, we had no real understanding of where our magic came from. The people used to be much more savage. They hunted the dragon and unicorn to near extinction for their hides and horns. Griffin feathers were often used as quills for our scribes, and basilisk venom was sold on the black market and too assasins. Of course, that last one might still be happening.
The king did his best to put a stop to it, but where there is a profit to be made, people will find a way.
When the number of mythical creatures, as you call them, got dangerously low, so did our magic, and the king and his mages finally put two and two together. We spent the last four years working tirelessly to bring their numbers back from the brink of extinction, and the last year trying to maintain the status quo. Even with all that effort, the unicorn's numbers are not what they need to be. But that hasn't stopped them from running all over us, and they know they can. We can't go without our magic."
"But what is stopping criminals from killing them and selling their hides and horns on the black market anyway. As you said, where there is a profit to be made, people will find a way even if it is against the law."
Maggie nodded in agreement. "I am sure some people still do and just hide the evidence of their crimes, but 5 years ago, when we realized the truth, the king made killing any of the mythical creatures punishable by death. And even if a person was willing to die to make a dollar, the shame that would fall on his family was also a pretty good deterrent."
A word clicked into place from one of Maggie's previous statements. "Did you say there are basilisks here?" For the first time since he had embarked on his passion for mythical creatures, Justin felt genuinely uneasy. Basilisks were no laughing matter. In fact, they were often depicted as deadly creatures best avoided in most of the literature in which they appeared. It was one thing to theoretically think about their venom and deadly stare. It was another thing entirely to meet one face-to-face in the wild.
Maggie's laugh brought him back to the present. "Is that what your mind grabbed a hold of? Yes. We have basilisks here, although they aren't as numerous as other creatures. And they tend to keep to themselves in the denser parts of the forests. Only the really brave or the really stupid travel deep enough into the woods to potentially run into them. I have heard rumors that some people have standing deals with a basilisk or two. They bring them large prey to eat each week in exchange for a small amount of their venom. It is useful for those creatures who might be getting old and not able to hunt as easily as before. Most regular animals have a sixth sense about basilisks and know to avoid them.
"That's crazy! I didn't realize that they were that intelligent." Maggie looked at him with a serious expression. "Who, the basilisks or the people?" For an awkward moment, Justin didn't know what to say. When Maggie smiled at him and winked, Justin let out a laugh so loud that a group of birds in a nearby tree flew off into the distance.
"Well, looks like those guys are going to go meet up with the birds you badmouthed earlier and really let you have it." Maggie smoothed out her dress and reschooled her features to show that what she was about to say was no laughing matter. "Do you really think you can help us with our problem? I mean, do you really think that you were sent here by one of the king's mages to fix our problem? And how are you planning on doing it?"
Justin grew increasingly nervous with each question she asked. This was real. This was all really happening. He wasn't here by mistake. He was here for a reason. He had a very important job to do. If this summoning was what he thought it was, he would probably not be allowed to go home until he completed his task. But before he committed to doing anything, he had to be sure.
"Where are you going?" Justin hadn't realized he had gotten down from the outcropping of rocks until he heard Maggie's question. "I have to know." He turned towards the book and took another step before she spoke. "Know what?"
"If I were really summoned here by the king's mages, then opening the book again won't do anything. It was just used as a way to get me here. It won't take me back. I will only be able to go back once I complete whatever it is I am meant to do, and the mages send me back. At least, I think that is how it works. I admit I only know the basics when it comes to this sort of thing."
Maggie bit her bottom lip. "But what if you open the book and it sends you back?"
Justin looked up at the sky and ran his hands through his already messy hair. "Then I guess I was never meant to help you, and this was all a big mistake." Seeing the shock in her eyes, he quickly added. "Not that meeting you was a mistake. Even if the book sends me back, I will forever be grateful for having met you."
Maggie smiled softly at him and jumped down gracefully off the outcropping of rocks. Now that she was standing up, he realized that she only came up to his chin. "How old are you?" Maggie stood straighter as though she could read his thoughts. "I am 19. Why, how old are you?" Justin smiled a full-mouth grin. "I am 20. What's your last name?" Maggie hesitated for a moment before stating, "Stone, and yours?" Justin extended his hand as though meeting her for the first time. "Nice to meet you, Maggie Stone. My name is Justin White. I want you to know that no matter what happens when I open that book, meeting you has been the highlight of this adventure. I hope one way or another that we meet again."
Before she could respond, Justin dropped her hand and reached down to pick up the book. After running his hand over the D20 dice, he took 3 deep breaths, met and held Maggie's gaze, and opened up the book.