Unlikely Allies

by Davina Jolley

  Each dark oak chair was ornately carved in various designs, four of which were occupied by translucent life-forms, ghosts of the past; their familiars at their feet.

  In the fifth chair sat a young woman, aged twenty-five. She watched the proceedings with growing interest. This meeting could bring her news of the outside world, a world she should have been part of, a world she had heard so much about, but only seen in books.

  All eyes turned towards Briony, who walked purposefully and directly towards Forrestiana, and respectfully gave her Primrose’s scarf, the bracelet and clasp.

  Every soul was now present.

  Holding the bracelet up to the light, Forrestiana turned it slowly and reverently. Hundreds of aromatic candles shone their light onto the silver band and lit the brightest of diamonds, shaped like a rose. As it caught the candles’ flickering flames, it sparkled brilliantly and sent shards of light in all directions around the Great Hall.

  ‘I can remember when this was first crafted. I marvelled at its beauty then; I marvel at it still. Without your sacrifice on the night of the Great Flood, Sweet Briar, Villosa would never have survived,’ Forrestiana remarked. ‘This bracelet belongs to you. Please place it back on your wrist. It will help control the Dark Magic you possess. Then you can take the other band off,’ she continued, indicating the plain silver bracelet on Briony’s wrist. Forrestiana never called Sweet Briar, Briony; she hated the way people shortened names and words.

  Briony took the treasured bracelet from Forrestiana’s hands and slipped it back onto her wrist. She then took her place within the Circlet. She remembered the first time she had seen it; Jack had given it to her on her wedding day. However, she had no intention of removing the plain silver band either. Jack had made that too as soon as he realised his wedding gift had been lost. The bracelets had helped her control the Dark Magic she possessed.

  Forrestiana sighed deeply, ‘Let us hope your idea works, Sweet Briar. Hopefully, the bracelet that Jack now carries in his pocket and the scarf you made for Evelyn can help lure her from whatever place she has disappeared to. It would mean so much to have our family back together, but I feel it is a hopeless dream.’

  Slowly and majestically, Forrestiana rose from her chair and walked gracefully to a round oak table situated in the middle of the Circlet. She placed Primrose’s scarf on a velvet cushion, coloured in the deepest of reds, and then examined the silver clasp closely before placing it carefully in her pocket.

  Forrestiana was a tall woman, her long hair was captured in a tight coil at the nape of her neck and her white dress trailed on the ground. It shimmered in the candlelight as she walked proudly back to her place within the Circlet. On her wrist, another diamond bracelet caught the flickering light of the many candles that illuminated the Circlet. Forrestiana oozed power.

  Placing her hands in her lap, Forrestiana sat down, her back ramrod straight. She studied each member seated around the Circlet. Each member had their familiar sitting next to them. Her huge, brown bear, Bruin, sat next to her.

  By her side sat her husband. There was no mistaking that Arvensis was still a tall, powerfully built man and as a ghost, he still had a formidable presence. He returned his wife’s stare with a warm smile. For all of Arvensis’ power he had the gentlest of natures. Arvensis adored his wife and his children. He would do anything for them. Felina, a wildcat, slept curled in a ball at his feet.

  Sharna nestled comfortably on Briony’s lap enjoying the fuss being lavished upon her. Briony, her eldest daughter, had a far-away look on her face. Forrestiana knew she was thinking of Jack.

  Solis, their healer, had a kestrel perched on the edge of her chair. Solis was a gentle soul, and she sat patiently as Forrestiana looked at each of them. She had been instrumental in Briony’s welfare since the night of her arrival. Solis had a big heart, a gentle voice and a kind nature. It made her a favourite to all in the Sanctum.

  Umbro, the alchemist, was the oldest soul. He was not one to sit still. Umbro had his laboratory and his work and he was dedicated to both. At present, he was feeling slightly harassed, he knew he had to attend this meeting, but his mind was elsewhere. Umbro held the food bag that Reynard, the fox, had retrieved from a bin, the same bin that Elina had thrown it in earlier. He could not wait to examine the revolting, gooey mess in his laboratory. Umbro was deeply fascinated with its contents.

  Umbro’s familiar was a moth. Forrestiana knew it was with him, even though she could not see it.

  The final member of the circle was Villosa, her dark raven-black hair was styled similarly to that of Forrestiana’s. She wore a long, richly coloured pink gown and also bore a striking resemblance to Violette. Reynard, lay curled at her feet with his bushy tail curled over his nose. Villosa was the only living human in the Sanctum, and she was like a daughter to Forrestiana and Arvensis, who adored her. She was also the most colourful as all the souls wore white.

  The meeting had been called to discuss the latest developments above ground. The kestrel, Sharna, Reynard and the moth had just returned from the Ancient Forest and had news that needed to be shared.

  The moth had returned with news that Primrose was no longer hindered by a stone foot and had started to study her Ancient Tome. While the kestrel had also returned with the welcome news that she had succeeded in her task in bringing Primrose and Elina together. She also confirmed that they had both returned to the Ancient Tree and Elina had stayed.

  ‘Tonight we need to discuss the increasing danger that threatens us,’ Forrestiana began, ‘the Darkness has greatly increased since Sweet Briar’s death. It is beginning to affect many. My biggest fear,’ she continued, ‘is that Nastarana has some sort of plan to eliminate us once more. I would be grateful for any thoughts or suggestions that you may have.’

  ‘We need to instigate contact with Primrose and Elina in order to search their minds,’ Arvensis stated, ‘We need to know for certain how powerful their magic is and which power is the most dominant. Then we need to find out how much control they have gained over their magic, especially where Primrose is concerned. It’s a lot to ask, their power is new to them, but their help with Nastarana will be invaluable. They need to be warned about him too.’

  ‘I agree. At the moment all signs are positive,’ Forrestiana said, ‘both girls are studying well and using their magic as the Tomes request. Primrose knows what will happen if she starts to use her magic for the worse. I also believe Dilly will be a good companion for her. Elina will also help curb her strong will.’

  ‘How strong is Elina’s magic?’ Solis asked.

  ‘No one knows; it is why I would like to examine her,’ Forrestiana added. ‘Both girls have the potential to become extremely powerful magicians, but I fear if they are not made aware of the danger that threatens us and them, there is a possibility they might do something extremely foolhardy, especially if they come across Nastarana or one of his drones. Those scarfs were a brilliant idea, Sweet Briar, at least they will receive a warning when something nearby is not to be trusted.’

  ‘It was fortunate that Primrose inhaled some of Elina’s magic for two reasons,’ Umbro stated in his forthright manner. He placed the bag containing the remnants of the cake onto the floor, sighing audibly. He desperately wanted to carry out a detailed investigation on the substances it contained. He ran a hand through his thinning hair. It was something he was prone to do when agitated, ‘Firstly, Elina’s magic could have flared and that could have killed her. Secondly, Primrose absorbed so much of Elina’s energy that it seems to have had a positive effect on her. Without knowing it, they seem to have done each other a massive favour.’

  ‘Although Elina is showing an unusual ability to read people and animals correctly,’ Arvensis added, ‘her magic seems to have adapted. It will be interesting to see how that develops. It was a good idea, oh daughter mine, using your kestrel to orchestrate a meeting between the two girls.’

 
Villosa grew taller at her father’s praise. Arvensis was in fact her grandfather, but Villosa considered him to be her father and she adored him.

  Arvensis looked towards the round, oak table where Primrose’s scarf nestled on its cushion. ‘We also need to get that scarf to Primrose. She might need that for extra protection. It is a lovely piece of craftsmanship, Sweet Briar, unobtrusive as well. Are we to use a familiar to deliver it safely to her or teleportation, like Elina’s Tome and bracelet?’

  Briony stroked Sharna a little bit harder, avoiding her father’s gaze. She had not told her parents about the letter she had sent along with the items.

  ‘I believe Primrose will try and make contact again,’ Forrestiana replied. ‘She nearly achieved that on her first day in the Ancient Tree. She is also not a girl that easily lets things beat her. Her curiosity will get the better of her. I am sure she will come and soon, but if she does not, we will use Sharna again, and speaking of Sharna - I would like to send her to Violette’s apartment again. I am glad that Elina decided to leave without needing a warning from her, but now it is important that we find out what side Violette is on. Umbro has made a device that will send us messages, once hidden inside the apartment.’

  ‘What makes you suspicious of Violette?’ Solis asked.

  Forrestiana took out the silver clasp from her pocket and rolled it between her fingers, ‘I know that she had something to do with this silver clasp that Sharna found at the base of the Ancient Tree, her mark is etched into the silver, but we have yet to discover how it got there. Violette still refuses to wear her bracelet. She has at times touched her scarf, but she needs to be physically touching both items for more than a few seconds for me to bring her here. Perhaps, we need to give her a scare. We could use Sharna for that task too. A strange choice for a familiar, what made you choose such a creature?’ Forrestiana asked, turning towards Briony.

  Briony lovingly stroked Sharna and smiled at the memory, but at the time she had been livid with Lettie, as everyone called Violette back then. ‘In one of Violette’s jealous rages she once called me a disgusting rat that should be confined to the sewers and shunned. I’ve always found rats to be intelligent creatures that most people go out of their way to avoid, so it seemed to me an excellent choice for a familiar.’

  Arvensis laughed, amused at Briony’s answer, ‘It’s a shame we can’t teleport her here. I for one would like to ask her a question or two.’

  ‘It is Primrose and Elina we need,’ Forrestiana said, ‘it is a shame you did not put instructions on how to use the bracelets in the letter you left for Elina, Sweet Briar. Do not think, I am not aware that you used Sharna to heal Jack’s leg as well.’

  Briony looked down at her hands in her lap, her translucent curls hiding her face. She should have known her mother knew about the letter. She had expected a bigger reaction from her; Briony realised she had gotten off rather lightly. However, the mention of Jack’s name caused her eyes to water. She missed Jack and the wolves. She knew he had been struggling with his leg and could not help give her familiar an extra task to do - to heal his leg. She also knew it was forbidden.

  ‘Using the rat was a clever idea, Sweet Briar,’ Forrestiana continued, ‘do not think that anything goes unnoticed here, but in future, anytime a familiar is sent to the other world, it is imperative that its task is discussed first… and it does not stray from it. There could have been consequences; everyone is being watched carefully above ground. This time we were lucky, so was Jack.’

  Briony looked up and met Forrestiana’s eyes; her mother’s eyes were full of amusement and love. Briony had wondered as a child at how easily her mother could read her thoughts, now she knew it was all down to magic.

  ‘So, it’s decided then,’ Arvensis concluded, ‘Sharna will visit Violette and place a transmitter in her apartment, and a message will be delivered to the Ancient Tree regarding the bracelets.’

  ‘I would rather the girls made their own way here,’ Forrestiana added, bringing the meeting to a close, ‘If one of our familiars were caught with that kind of message the consequences would be unthinkable. We will wait a few more days and see what happens. I cannot have all of our good work jeopardised.’

  Forrestiana stood up, looked towards Arvensis and held out her hand. Arvensis took it and placed it on his heart before standing next to her. Both looked at their daughters and smiled lovingly, before leaving the Circlet.

  Briony hastily picked up Sharna and returned to her room. She needed to see if Sharna had been successful in using her magic to heal Jack’s leg and she had just the mirror to do it. She couldn’t wait to see his face once more and hopefully send him a message too. She would then sleep.

  She had not realised how exhausted she had become in her other world. Maintaining a protective barrier around the Ancient Tree had drained much of her magic. In her heart, she was certain that the Tree was going to play a crucial part in safeguarding their future. The feeling had proved correct; it now sheltered both of her daughters.

  Briony’s thoughts returned to Primrose and the stone statue. It had suffered badly from her neglect. At first, the loss of her memory had stopped her from remembering how to cast the more complicated spells correctly and using the Dark Magic had scared her dreadfully, since she had forgotten how to dispose of it safely. She had feared the Darkness would eventually gain control over her, but with Jack’s help and encouragement she had learnt to use it sparingly, but not soon enough to master Primrose’s ‘Changings’. The statue had begun to crumble bit by bit and as each piece fell Briony’s guilt had grown.

  It was not until that awful day, when her eyes had locked onto the golden dust swirling around the brambles, and she had heard the struggles of Primrose trying to free herself, that another hazy memory began to return. She remembered she had had a child in her arms on the night of the Great Flood, and she had struggled hard to save it, but something had gotten in her way. The returning memory had hit her like a sledgehammer. Briony had begun to believe she had made a colossal mistake. She feared she had turned her own daughter to stone. The child she had held in her arms on the night of the Great Flood had a fuzz of dark hair, but her child had had a halo of golden curls, just like Primrose! The realisation of the truth had broken her heart!

  Tonight, at the meeting, Briony had looked at the gooey mess that Reynard had brought back with him and received another shock. She realised that Violette must have used some kind of disguising spell on both herself and Jack. Briony believed the spell must have been in the tonics or the cakes that Violette had sent them regularly. It was the only explanation she could think of that had prevented her from recognising Primrose as her own child.

  As Forrestiana and Arvensis returned to their room, Forrestiana remembered a time when all thirteen ornately carved chairs had been occupied by living relatives and friends. Now thanks to Jack following the burial ritual correctly the soul of Sweet Briar had been returned to them.

  Unfortunately, Jack believed that if he completed the list, his wife would return to him, but she knew it would take more than that for that wish to come true. She smiled slightly at the extra items her daughter had added to the list in order to keep her husband busy after her death. However, if he did manage to complete the tasks, she and Arvensis would be in his debt forever.

  Forrestiana’s thoughts drifted to the chairs around the Circlet. Five souls and one young girl now occupied these seats. Each one of these souls could now watch and influence like-minded beings above ground by using their familiars or the old magic that radiated from the Ancient Tree, but it was the other empty seven seats that gave her cause for concern. New names had been carved on two of them now, replacing the magicians that had died in the first conflict with Nastarana.

  Another member refused all contact with them. She had cut off all ties and would give no reason why. They weren’t even sure if Violette could be trusted anymore.

  Two
had been lost for many years; no news or clues had been discovered or received of their fate since the night of the Great Flood. Their souls were considered to be extinguished and lost to them forever. Forrestiana tried hard to remember the faces of her son, Darius and her daughter, Evelyn. It was a shame that Sweet Briar had lost her memory in the Great Flood. Now, hopefully, her memories would be fully restored and some clues might finally be discovered that could help solve the mystery of their missing son and youngest daughter.

  Another magician had relinquished his magic as a result of a war fought against the Darkness many years ago, on the condition that the lives of herself, Arvensis, Umbro and his daughter, Solis were spared. Jack Hugonis had made a huge sacrifice on their behalf. Forrestiana believed that Jack was also under some sort of spell cast by Nastarana or Violette or both. She could not understand why he seemed to be oblivious to Nastarana’s rising power, and his not recognising Primrose as his own daughter had been unbelievable.

  Two future members had at present no clue that they had a position within the Circlet, but Forrestiana had faith that that was about to change. Surely, either Primrose or Elina would find a way to contact them.

  The last former member would never be allowed to enter the Sanctum again, while she still lived. This magician, who believed he was the greatest this world had ever seen, had caused too much pain and suffering. Nastarana would never be allowed back in their Sanctum. Forrestiana felt his power increasing every day. She knew for certain he was planning another attack, his third, but this time she would be ready. This time they would win.