The Orphan Wars (Book One) by Shane Rowling Page A

that we weren't followed because I'm sure that Vulpes would have been able to outrun us.  Also, it didn't look like you were carrying any weapons.  You didn't stand a chance against Terazhul.  I just got assigned to you as your Guardian Spirit.  I refuse to have you die on my watch."
    " This is starting to make more sense now," replied Nemeth.  "Terazhul is the troll who must be decimated.  Check!  Vulpes is the giant wolf who must be slaughtered.  Check!  The Black Orb is the source of the corruption and needs to be crushed into oblivion.  Check!  But why did you want to bring me all the way back here to my dorm?  We were so close to the main gate which was smashed in already.  We could have escaped through there.  Oh hey wait, couldn't we just go to the Black Orb now and destroy it?"
    "Allow me to explain master," said Jaida.  "I wish it were that easy to destroy the Black Orb.  Even if you managed to get back to Serend Lake without being entangled by some sort of plant life like the others, you would still have to swim across the lake.  Serend Lake is probably filled with monsters now.  Now, even if you managed to reach the Black Orb, you still wouldn't be able to destroy it.  You must first destroy Terazhul since he created the Black Orb with his magic.  Finally, the Black Orb can only be destroyed by a weapon that is forged from Estrellium, a rare and precious metal that came to this planet from the stars above. You were ranked number one so I figured the academy provided you with the finest weapons that we'll be able to use to defeat Terazhul and destroy the Black Orb.  I'm sure you have them stored here in your room.  Please show me your weapons master."
    Nemeth gave out a big sigh and then pointed to the wo oden sword on his wall.  He then pointed to a small wooden shield that was peeking out from under his bed.  Jaida floated over to the sword on the wall to examine it.
    "This is not what I expected ," said Jaida with a disappointed tone.  "I was expecting you to already have a weapon forged out of Estrellium.  It will be difficult to kill any of the monsters that we are going to encounter with a wooden sword.  As Keeper of the Forest, Terazhul can also easily control or destroy existing objects made out of wood, so we will need to find a metallic weapon that you can use to defeat him.  Bring both the wooden sword and wooden shield with you for now.  It's better for you to have these with you than nothing at all."
    "There are several shops located around the academy," replied Nemeth.  "I'm sure they are abandoned now and we can just take whatever we need.  Hopefully we will find a weapon made out of Estrellium."
    " Master, remember that the Forestial Corruption spell continues to spread in all directions," replied Jaida.  "It would not be wise to head back toward Serend Lake.  I believe the only safe places in the academy are the areas protected by the Spiro Crystals such as the dormitories.  I also sense that Terazhul has begun retreating back to his home at the Great Temple of the Forest."
    " We should just smash open every door in this dormitory!" said Nemeth excitedly.  "We can search every kid's room!  We're bound to find enough weapons that are powerful enough to take on Terazhul!  Someone must have a weapon made of Estrellium!  But how can we tell if the weapon is made from Estrellium though?"
    "Master, we do not have the t ime necessary to do such things," replied Jaida.  "Also, you would get in much trouble taking such a drastic approach.  Estrellium isn't needed to kill Terazhul, only to destroy the Black Orb.  After Terazhul is defeated, the Forestial Corruption spell's effects will quickly start to fade.  The Black Orb must be destroyed in order to make sure the Forestial Corruption spell does not get reactivated again.  I can detect whether or not something is made from Estrellium.  It is rumored that there is at least one weapon made of Estrellium in the Great