“Now, you look after your Mother and Father, won’t you?”
She smiled, and peered up at Robin, “Can Arlie come too?” she asked.
“I’m not sure, I think he’s going to be busy here, sweetheart.”
Emily seemed disappointed, she didn’t have any siblings, and Arlie, even though he had lived for over a century, he still had the fun and energy of a child, similar to Emily’s. He was the perfect companion, even her Mother could see it.
“Is it true?” Emily asked Grimtale.
“Well, I’m afraid Arlie does have work, however, I have a new assignment for him, if he wishes to accept?”
Arlie seemed interested in hearing more as Grimtale explained, “It’s to complete your Father’s training.”
Robin looked confused, “My training?” he asked.
“You see, before the old Robin went under the wand and had his memory of magic withdrawn. Myself and Arlie took it upon ourselves to protect certain events, certain moments and knowledge that could one day be returned outside the law. Arlie holds that power, so I believe it’s only fitting that he joins you on the next chapter of your journey.”
Emily gave Arlie a hug, then clamped her arms around her Father's leg.
“Arlie must thank you, Professor.”
Arlie held out his hand, which was quickly collected by Grimtale, held firmly between the warm palms of his gloves.
“It’s my pleasure, my friend. You know what to do?”
“Arlie understands,” he nodded, giving his wand a tap as he withdrew his hand,
“We really need to disband, before we get caught in the act.” said Robin, adjusting his coat, while casting a fond farewell to those staring back at him: Lillian, Yuri, Teppi, Sachester, Magenta, and last but not least, Grimtale, who he pulled in for a tight embrace.
“We may no longer live in town, but home is where the heart is…” Robin whispered, as the Phoenix popped her head from his pocket.
Grimtale was oblivious to what Robin meant by his words - he blamed the tiredness, but he knew that time would tell, that’s for sure.
“Goodbye, Professor.”
“Goodbye, for now, Mr.Occamy.”
They both departed on one final handshake, then before there was time to dwell, Robin had cast open a charm to the mountains overlooking the Institute, where his family could say one last farewell.
Robin turned back around, for what felt like the final time he would cast his eyes on the Vinemoore institute. The sky was clear and the air was brisk, the sun was now high and had begun to shine across the mountains, illuminating the dazzling gem stones and steel work.
It was certainly a sight for sore eyes, he couldn’t help but leave it a parting gift, his farewell to what was once his school, his home, his battleground, and now, something as far from a safe house as it could ever be. He looked on at a loss, then drew his hand to his brow, saluting the past, present and future, with his head held high to balance the heavy sinking feeling that tugged at his heart, trying to bury itself in the gravel beneath him; however, before disappearing through the ripples of a newly opened Senteer charm, he smiled, then with the Phoenix safely and happily tucked away in his larger coat pocket, with Arlie and Kirsten holding tight to Emily, they travelled beyond, away from danger, some place brand new, somewhere they could make their own, without living in fear of what might be coming for them.
The fluctuation slowly shrunk to nothing once they were gone, shattering the chances of being followed as the sovereign guard suddenly began to materialise on the cliff edge, emerging from multiple charms that had opened up where Robin was stood, but no longer resided. They were too late - far too late, they realised as a rumble of thunder sounded from the heavens, rolling in on a cloud of snow that loomed on the horizon.
* * *
For Many months, the Occamy cottage remained empty. The entire town knew of the tragic loss that took place in their home, given the facts had been manipulated to fit with the town’s human population. Most would of hoped it was purely out of respect that no one went near the cottage after that, but truth be told, it was more likely that no one was brave enough to make a life where one was lost. Its boarded up windows brought only sadness as residents passed by. There was no longer any warmth or love, even the gardens foliage had shrivelled up and given in.
But not all was bad in Vinemoore.
A few weeks later, the Institute for Morient kind was ready to reopen, and welcomed its brand new students to a reformed and safe learning environment. Given it would never be the same, with the increased security roaming the corridors, and sovereign guard at every entrance - even the dungeons - the children still managed to settle and learn about their hidden talents, and what set them apart from the human residents they shared their lives with. Grimtale made sure that every child was given a fair chance, especially the likes of young Charlie Reed, who had always been extremely sensitive to the Morient movement and the magic within the towns community, but he was rarely accepted by the purists. Charlie wasn’t born into the world by Morient parents, but Robin had made sure to put in a good word, and he was quickly accepted and taken under the wing of Professor Grimtale - he even made sure that all the first year students were given human worthy homework each day, just to protect and keep things a secret from unknowing eyes.
The sightings of robed figures had never raised any concerns amongst the town’s people, and no questions were ever asked of it. Kenneth and Mrs.Jillings were given a proper burial, one on the Morient hillside, overlooking the institute. The other, at the local churchyard in Vinemoore, opposite the courtyard by an old, overhanging tree.
Even Edmond was given a grave beside his brothers and sisters barn in Shoulders Heath. He would never be forgotten for his bravery on the Black mountain - which wasn’t due an eruption any time soon, but the disappearance of the Phoenix on the other hand - that had caused a stir within the walls of the Ruby Citadel. Sovereign guard were back and forth daily at the Institute, scrutinising the professors, hoping someone would crack under pressure and reveal how events had unfolded that day. Their visits had become a strain on the classes; until sovereign Ambrax was finally ready to question a person of great interest to the enquiry. At the start of the Morient inquisition, a warrant was finally released for Professor Magenta’s arrest…
Epilogue
Time had brought much change, but the Institute remained a home and a place of comfort, after four long months of self rediscovery.
Magenta had finally settled back in to her job, teaching the students about all the wonderful creatures that inhabit the realms. Even those that sometimes found themselves lost in the Human realm - which the majority of the youngsters had come from. The children born and raised in the Morient realm were often sent further afield, to the bigger Institutions. Vinemoore was still well populated, and its students were more than happy to be attending. Professor Magenta helmed one of the more popular classes, it was a favourite, which brought major disappointment at the sound of the bell - alerting them that class was now over.
“Now, don’t forget that your next class will be taken by Miss Bilshore.”
The children moaned and groaned as they pushed their chairs under their desks and slowly made their way towards the classroom door.
“Miss Bilshore has a real treat for you, I Promise!” Ensured Magenta, as she opened the heavy door, where there stood a trio of Sovereign guard, dressed in their crimson coloured uniform and sinister gold and silver plated helmets.
“Have a lovely weekend, everyone,” said Magenta, trying to distract herself from the escort waiting outside. The children carefully and quietly made their way down the corridor, behaving subdued, somewhat out of character - as they were only too aware of the presence of the guardsmen.
Magenta was now alone in her classroom, tidying the chairs and desks as the three sovereign guard entered by the door. There was a short moment of silence, and a mutual understanding as they took their positions, watching Magenta redre
ss the room accordingly.
“Will you be coming peacefully, Professor?” said the captain, who made his way to the front of the class, leaving his entourage beside the door, ready to apprehend Magenta.
“I’m not running, if that’s what you mean,” she replied, walking over to the chalkboard.
“Then as it’s procedure to do so, I must inform you that as of now, you are under arrest by the Sovereign guard. Anything you say will be given as evidence, and questioned when mentioned in court - if this goes to court. You understand why we are here?”
Magenta yanked her fluorescent pink coat from the hat stand and glared at the Captain, whose face was hidden behind the metal of his helmet, “Procedure,” she grunted.
“Your involvement with the criminal known as Munder Mortal, but more commonly, the Count, has sparked questions. We understand you weren’t to know and we hold nothing against you, we simply require your side of how events unfolded and whatever information that might assist the search for the more recent criminal, Robin Occamy. We understand you were somewhat close?”
“No comment,” she replied, still staring with unbroken eye contact.
“You are well within your rights to refrain from answering,” the captain turned to the other guards and called them over, “Would you place Miss Aline Magenta under arrest,” he commanded, to which one of the guards drew his wand and began to cast an enchantment around Magenta’s restrained wrists. The energy was bright red, and it flowed like a river of magma, with the intention of doing great harm if broken, so Magenta kept still and followed their lead without any hesitation. It was a new experience for her, it was quite exciting, really. She knew she hadn’t committed a crime, but she played along.
“Sovereign Ambrax awaits your arrival at the Ruby Citadel.”
Magenta had known for a while that this day was coming, it had been forewarned, but with nothing to hide, and for all she knew, nothing to fear.
A Sovereign guard stepped to one side and began to tear open a bridge to the distant land where the Ruby Citadel resided. However, this Senteer charm was quite different, this charm bridged the classroom with the inner chambers, beyond the acceptance charm that fortified the Citadel within a metaphysical bubble. The guard's privileges allowed them to travel direct, being a class above the casual enforcers. The energy around the tear was pulsating with a crystalised crimson loop, which was a common trait to identify a genuine cast spell over one of an imposter, whose wand had no such power.
Magenta glanced to the Captain, who was stood at her side. She then proceeded to enter the rift, followed closely by the two Sovereign guard. The captain remained in the classroom, closing the charm securely behind them with a soft wave of his wand.
Grimtale had already put a plan in place for Magenta’s authorised absence from teaching, which meant there was nothing further to follow up. The Sovereign Captain was now free to end his day and return to his life. His family were home, anxiously awaiting his return, for each day brought mountains of worry, even though they knew he was only assigned the follow ups, after the Enforcers had given their lives for resolution. The Sovereign guard simply had to piece together the fragments left over. But with the Enforcers recent failure to capture the Phoenix and detain Robin, a greater soldier would need to be deployed. The Captain knew that changes were coming, so making the most of his day, he left the Institute with hopes of seeing his children and wife before sunset. There was still time, as the shores of Cromer settled and the violet Swans swept in. Change was coming, memories needed to be made. He knew that as he took a breath of the summer air, peering into the distance where his home sat peacefully perched on the bed of a cliff, overlooking the beach.
“Home...” he muttered, already forgotten about Magenta and the hour that had led to her arrest. It was just work, but to Magenta, it was her life.
* * *
She had only heard stories of the Ruby Citadel, so to be stood inside its walls, seeing it for the first time brought a gut curdling worry. Still unsure what was going to happen, the nerves soon returned, killing any positive thoughts and replacing them with overwhelming concern.
The room around her was very dim, lit only by a handful of torches hanging from the walls. There was a oval table at the centre, and the walls glistened a sequence of colour, like oil on a path. She moved closer to the table, watching the light refracting from the tiles and casting rainbow patterns towards the floor and ceiling. It wasn’t anything special, but the back wall had sparked intrigue as she remained stood at the centre of the room with her wrists still restrained behind her back, glowing brightly.
The entire wall was moving, like rippling tides out at sea, but vertical, defying all the human laws of gravity. It reached the ceiling which was tall and arched. There was no reflection, but it did shine and warp as if it was alive. Magenta had never seen anything quite like it before, but never had she been held by the Citadel. Perhaps it was her cell, and behind it was the realm that criminals were thrown to endure the rest of their lives, she wondered, as a dark silhouette of a man began to emerge from the wall.
The two Sovereign guard were stood to attention in the doorway as the figure stepped through the liquified mirage, then casually approached the table, moving in to focus as Magenta’s eyes adjusted to the shifting light.
The man was partially robed, with an excessive collection of gold jewellery hung from his neck. He wore a tall pointed helmet, which was also gold coated. It hid his face, but left his mouth and chiseled jaw exposed. The helmet, like the guard’s, protected his mind from any attempt of invasive manipulation. It was the pinnacle and most reliable piece of craftsmanship the Ruby Citadel had seen in recent years. The mysterious figure wore it with pride, and now he stared into Magenta’s hazel coloured eyes.
“I was mistaken in trusting the Ministers enforcers. I should have enlisted my own personal guard to the Institute all those months ago. You, however, you had a good idea of what was coming, didn’t you?”
His voice was deep, and rough around the edges, much like his appearance.
Magenta remained silent, knowing she was well within her rights, with no intention of being intimidated.
“What you know, will need to be extracted, you understand? It will be as painless or painful as you choose it to be, professor. I must stress to you the importance of cooperation.”
The figure pulled his wand, which was longer than the usual that Magenta had seen. He then waved it towards the table, and a wave of stardust spilled across the surface. It sat like a magical layer of fog, glowing red as it morphed in to the shape of Robin’s face, and the Phoenix, flapping its wings.
“Robin Occamy, your friend, has been at liberty for far too long. As we begin to draw our inquisition to a close, I know you will be most useful in finding him.”
Magenta looked unamused.
“Who exactly are you?” she asked, as her heart began to race a little faster.
The figure took a step closer, towering over Magenta, who stood at five feet tall.
“I am the supreme power of all Morient realms,” he began, creeping closer, hovering over Magenta, “- I drop the hammer on how long your friend will serve for his crimes. I am Ambrax, the ruler of the Citadel, and soon enough, the outlaws will be apprehended. You will be the one that the people thank. You can restore peace across our land. You could be known as Inquisitor Magenta.” Explained Ambrax, glorifying the role he had crafted for her.
She was now trembling, her arms were still restrained behind her back, and Ambrax was breathing down her neck. There was nothing she could do but nod, while facing away, watching the menacing red eyes that had appeared from behind the moving mirage.
“It’s ready to hunt,” Ambrax whispered, forcing Magenta’s face towards the wall.
She watched as the terrifying pale face pressed against the confines of its cell, breathing heavily: Whatever it was, it was dangerous and becoming ever more impatient to be unleashed, to hunt Robin Occamy, the remains of Munder
Mortal and the criminals that threatened the Morient realms...
The Professor and the Starlight Phoenix Page 27