Larissa noticed her mother’s face looked tired and worn, as if she had not slept at all.
“What is all of this?” Larissa sat at the table. “It smells lovely.”
Marcaria put a full plate in front of her daughter. “Larissa, do you remember anything about last night?” Marcaria sat on the opposite chair. Her hands were twitching.
“So it was all true?” Larissa stopped eating.
“Yes,” sighed Marcaria. “I’m afraid it was. What do you remember?”
“I remember there were witches, with green eyes and silver hair. There was a boy, who was supposed to be Stuart, but he turned into a witch. Oh and Jake...or Xyth...” Larissa suddenly remembered Chantelle!
“Mum, where is Chantelle? Is she alright?”
“She is fine, just a little tired. Rita is looking after her. Larissa, I know you have many questions and I will answer everything. You deserve that much. Now, let’s finish breakfast, shall we?”
* *
Larissa donned her jacket and followed her mother to the car. Marcaria stopped, as if she had changed her mind about something.
“What is it, Mum?” asked Larissa.
“Before I take you to the Witches Council ...” “There is a Witch’s Council?” Larissa asked, wide-eyed. “Yes. We will be going there in a few minutes, but first, I
want to show you something. It is important you understand the significance of this thing. Wait a moment.”
Marcaria closed her eyes, her body tensed, and her face twitched. She seemed to be talking to someone. At last, she opened her eyes.
“Rita is re-arranging the meeting. She is good! I don’t know what I would do without her,” Marcaria said at long last.
“I can’t believe Rita is a witch, or Mike, in fact!” exclaimed Larissa. “This is amazing!”
Marcaria just smiled. “Follow me.”
She led Larissa back to the house and up to the attic. As she reached the door, she found it open.
“Oh.” Marcaria suddenly remembered not sealing the door. “Oh no!”
“Mum?” Larissa stood behind her mother, now confused more than before.
Marcaria ignored her daughter and opened the door to the attic. She sensed the box and the Crystal inside. She sighed with relief; it was still there. She cursed herself silently for not re-casting the charms.
Marcaria put her hands on Larissa’s shoulders. “There is something here and I want to see if you can locate it. This small test will show me how strong your abilities are and how mature this item is.”
“What am I supposed to find?” All Larissa could see were dusty boxes, an old wardrobe, a mirror that looked like it had stood there for centuries, and an odd treasure chest. Marcaria watched her intently, and frowned when Larissa showed no inclination to concentrate.
“Focus, Larissa. Close your eyes and feel its energy.”
Larissa closed her eyes and let her mind search the attic. She felt cool items, like old toys she used to play with when she was young, some old clothes, and some boxes of her mother’s things. The chest contained metal curiosities and that mirror; it seemed to be sending out vibrations. She didn’t think it was what her mother wanted her to locate though. She drew in a deep breath and concentrated harder.
Larissa felt an unusual warmth, an aura that turned hot, and then, like an icy burn. It seemed to be calling her. She opened her eyes in bewilderment, feeling as if someone had splashed freezing water on her face. Immediately she was drawn to the Crystal that now hovered on top of the box, gleaming yellow and silver. Larissa walked towards it and grasped it in her hand. The Crystal whispered to her.
“The Dark Witches are coming. You must be aware. You must be protected and protect...”
The Crystal stopped glowing and turned grey.
“It...it spoke to me!” said Larissa.
Marcaria had watched everything in awe from the time Larissa closed her eyes until now. She saw the Crystal float out from the box. Like Larissa, she felt its change of temperature. It glowed gold at first, sending a shimmering spectrum across the attic walls. A blinding white light then followed and flashed around the room.
“What did it say?”Marcaria asked.
“It told me to beware of the dark witches. Who are they, Mum? It said I must protect and be protected. What does it all mean?”
Larissa turned the Crystal in her hand, it glowed pale gold for a second, and then turned back to grey.
“Your power is more powerful than I imagined. The prophecy is right.”
“Prophecy?” questioned Larissa.
Suddenly, there was a loud banging from down below.
“What is all that noise?” Marcaria was alarmed.
The banging became persistent. Mother and daughter looked at each other, and then sprinted downstairs. The Crystal was still clutched in Larissa’s hand.
Marcaria opened the door. Jake stood there, doubled over and breathing heavily.
“Jake! What’s wrong?” Larissa exclaimed.
“They’ve got Chantelle, they’ve taken her!” Jake said, in between deep breaths.
“Who has taken her, Jake?” Marcaria gently brought him inside, and sat him down. She didn’t really need him to clarify, for she already knew.
“The Empire Witches...they have taken Chantelle!”
“Are you telling us that my best friend has been kidnapped? What are you talking about, that’s ridiculous!” Larissa would have laughed if Jake’s face wasn’t so serious. “Oh God.”
“Jake, start from the beginning,” Marcaria said. “Larissa,” she looked at her daughter and then at her closed hand that cradled the Crystal.
“Make sure the other door is locked and let’s check the windows too,” she told her.
Larissa understood what her mother wanted, and headed for the attic. Jake remained seated while the women secured the house. Marcaria and Larissa quickly met back at the living room, and when the two were both present, he spoke.
“I was taking a stroll this morning thinking about yesterday, and my mother...and I saw Chantelle walking along the beach. I caught up with her and we began talking. It happened so fast, I had no chance of protecting her.
Two Empire Witches appeared, flying high on broomsticks. Their cackle was loud and unbearable, so much so that I had to cover my ears. Wind and rain arrived, lashing down on us. We were forced to crouch. I couldn’t see Chantelle’s face.
Before I could chant a counter-spell, I heard Chantelle scream. Then, everything stopped. The sky cleared, and the witches vanished, as well as Chantelle. In her place, was a note...”
“Can I see it? What did it say?” Larissa almost shouted.
“The note?” he asked.
“Yes, the note, Jake. What did it say?”
“It said, only one person was permitted to rescue Chantelle.” Jake looked at Larissa. “They want you.”
“I want to see the note,” Larissa stretched out her hand.
Jake took out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket.
“Sorry,” he muttered, giving it to Larissa.
Marcaria touched the corner of the note with her index finger and the paper smoothed out.
“Thanks,” Jake said.
Larissa waited for the last crease in the note to clear itself and then began to read. It said everything he had mentioned. She turned it over, but the other side was blank. Then suddenly, blue words started to appear in front of her eyes.
Everybody gasped. Larissa read it out aloud.
Larissa, you know where the Crystal is. It is ours as you are ours. Come oh dear light one. Come to the Empire Witches, and you shall be rewarded with powers known only amongst the highest of witches. You have until the Earth’s moon reaches its first quarter. The Empire Witches of Zrotaz are waiting for you, dear child.
Larissa read the last sentence again, this time to herself.
“We need to call the meeting now,” Marcaria’s words broke into her thoughts.
It took only a few moment
s for Marcaria to organise the meeting. She communicated telepathically with Rita.
“It has been arranged. The meeting commences in twenty minutes,” she said. “We must move.”
8
Marcaria led Larissa and Jake across the moors, to the edge of Robin Hood’s Bay. The sea crashed beneath them, roaring in the wind. They stood before a large tree, whose tendril like branches circled around them. The leaves spread at their feet, in autumnal colours.
“We must hold hands.” Marcaria held her hand out to
Larissa and Jake, and they formed a circle.
“The birth of the circle, we bow in greeting. The Ray of
Solar, we say our thanks. To the Gods of Zrotaz, we bow in
respect. The Witches of the East, we hail you.”
The tree began to sway, its long finger-like branches
dancing around them. White blossom rained upon them as
the great tree became semi-transparent.
“This is unbelievable,” Larissa exclaimed. Jake nodded in
agreement.
Marcaria would have smiled, if the situation had not
been so dire. As they walked through the tree, it became
solid behind them.
“Remarkable,” Jake said.
It was spacious inside, and not circular, as Larissa had
thought. White light illuminated desks and chairs. No one
was around. Larissa questioned her mother with her eyes. “This is the study area for the witches selected for
special services,” explained Marcaria. “They will go on to
become Spell Finders, and travel whole galaxies.” “That is so cool,” said Jake.
“Their future work is extremely vital, for the
continuation of the existence of the witches here, and
Zrotaz. They report directly to the Sacred Witch of the
East.” Marcaria walked over to a bookshelf and touched a
hollow space that Larissa knew wasn’t there before. “It stays hidden until someone needs a book. The Tree
senses the wish to find a book, and it appears.”
“Why?” asked Larissa. “That’s just silly.”
“It may be silly to you, but I assure you it is imperative
for security reasons. The books will only appear for the
Witches of the East. The Tree is sworn to secrecy.” “The Tree...?”
“The Tree is the Seed if you like, that nourishes the wish
and strength of witches. Without it, the Witches of the East
would be lost. It senses, but does not speak. It is able to send
messages to all witches through its sensors. The messages
reach us telepathically.”
“Why are there no witches here at this moment?” asked
Jake.
“All the witches have been called to the meeting, which
we are to attend,” replied Marcaria patiently.
“All the witches? How many are there?” Larissa
questioned.
“I estimate a total of nine hundred, from around the
world. Many witches are from the east of Zrotaz, with a
handful from the south and north.”
Before Larissa could ask any more questions, a boy with
golden hair, draped in green satin, materialised before them. “Councillor Marcaria, the bench is ready.”
“Thank you,” said Marcaria.
The boy led them away from the study area, to a cocoon
shaped room. There seemed to be no opening. The boy
simply touched the cocoon, and it turned semi-transparent
just as the tree had a few moments before.
“Come, oh light one,” the boy addressed Larissa. Astounded, Larissa looked at her mother, who smiled
and nodded. Larissa walked through to an amazing sight of
soft blue and white light, with numerous witches bowing to
her.
“Dear Larissa, welcome. Please, take your seat,” said a
witch who sat on a tall chair, in the middle of the room. Marcaria nudged her daughter. “Go on darling. I’m right
here. You have nothing to fear.”
Larissa walked towards a chair that was positioned
opposite this witch. She seemed lovely, dressed all in white;
she had an ethereal presence about her. Her smile was warm
and welcoming. Larissa liked her. She relaxed into the seat
meant for her.
“I will begin by introducing myself,” said the witch. “I
am the Sacred Witch of the East, and I have travelled a long
way to meet you, dear Larissa. Councillor Marcaria, I thank
you for bringing your daughter here. I understand you took a
great risk in doing so.”
Marcaria smiled. “The circumstances are not great, and
so this meeting needed to be called urgently. Please forgive
me for such short notice, Sacred Witch.”
Larissa looked to her mother in confusion. What was she
talking about? The Sacred Witch turned back to Larissa. “May I see it?” she asked.
“What would you like to see?” Larissa’s voice echoed
around the audience. There was an intake of breath, and
whispers. She felt her cheeks burn.
“Your voice is melodious,” commented the Sacred
Witch. “Open your palm, dear one.”
Larissa opened her palm, and found the Crystal, sitting
there like any ordinary rock. She frowned, she was sure she
had put it away back in the box. How did it get here? “I can’t believe it,” she whispered. She looked to her
mother who was astounded, too.
“The Crystal is magical, Larissa. It follows you, and it
shall appear when trouble is near. It possesses power far
beyond that which any of us can understand. Larissa,
remember, it listens to you now.”
“But I don’t understand,” said Larissa.
The Sacred Witch clapped her hands; a shower of clear
bubbles floated down to eye level, and formed a circle. The
bubbles began to rotate, making Larissa laugh in delight.
Inside every bubble, she saw images of witches, laughing and
happy with their families.
“What you are looking at is the future, if you succeed in
your task. If not, the picture in front of you shall be reversed
to sadness and deprivation into dark shadows on the World
of Zrotaz.
“All the witches here, around you, are the witches of
Zrotaz, who were forced to flee their homes and find refuge
on this planet. The Empire Witches are becoming stronger,
and their hold on Zrotaz is causing fear, terrible fear. Zrotaz
is our planet, and all the witches have a right to live there,
away from the horror.
“The prophecy has come true, my child, and you are the
only one who will be able to restore hope for the future, to
enable these witches to return to their homes, to return to
Zrotaz.”
The Sacred Witch held out her hand, and the Crystal
floated to her. She smiled, seeming satisfied.
“You trust my words,” she said to it. “Larissa, the
Crystal will help you in your quest. It came to me, as it is a
part of you and you allowed it, subconsciously. The Crystal
will only do what you want.”
There were so many questions in Larissa’s head. Where
should she begin?
“I cannot answer all your questions, Larissa, but you will
find the answers soon enough,” the Sacred Witch
emphasised.
Marcaria stepped forward. “The Witches of the West have
entrance to Earth,” she said.
Everyone gasped, and murmurings began.
“I ask for silence,” the Sacred Witch said in a quiet tone. All chatter died down at once, and the focus was to the
centre once again. The Sacred Witch waved her hands, and
then crossed her arms over her chest. The bubbles popped
and diminished. Another wave of her hands, and Larissa
found herself floating in space. She screamed, and clutched
the ends of her chair.
“Fear not, dear Larissa. This is only an illusion. Open
your eyes, you are quite safe,” came the voice of the Sacred
Witch.
Larissa opened her eyes as instructed, and saw, to her
astonishment, the Sacred Witch standing on a star. “How? This is not possible,” she said.
Larissa found her mother sitting by the side of her chair,
relaxed and smiling. She took Larissa’s hand in hers. “Look around, Larissa,” she whispered.
Larissa saw all the witches still sitting in their seats, but
floating in space. Space debris whizzed past, leaving a
motion shimmering behind. Stars shone brightly, meteors
rocketed and golden dust fell like silent snowflakes. Two
planets were prominent, Earth and a red and gold ball, with
rings circling it.
“Is that Saturn?” Larissa asked.
“That is the planet of Zrotaz, the sister planet of
Saturn,” Marcaria said.
“It’s beautiful.” Larissa was awe-struck.
“I want you to focus on the activity on Earth’s surface,”
said the Sacred Witch. “Tell me what you see.”
Larissa looked towards Earth. An array of coloured
lights danced around Earth’s atmosphere, dust particles
filtered in, thus causing the movement of the lights to
change direction. Then, she really saw it.
“The northern lights! But...you can only see them near
Norway, and why are there holes?”
“You are nearly correct, my dear one,” the Sacred Witch
said. “What you see is the reflection of the Aurora Borealis,
the northern lights to some. This is the gateway to Earth. It
is now permanently open.”
“What do you mean?” asked Larissa.
Witch Crystal (Witches of Zrotaz Book 1) Page 6