Fishes swam in unison against the low ripples. Larissa could see right to the bottom, it reminded her of coral reefs highlighted in clear, warm waters in hot places but this was even better!
Dangling her feet into the water, the cool temperature soothed her. The fishes swam right up to her and Larissa cascaded her hand between her and the curious swimmers. They made funny noises as if they were happy she was with them.
Larissa let herself slowly enter the water. She revelled in the sensation of the water quenching her hot skin. Swimming a good few laps was easy and this surprised her. She didn’t know she was in such great shape! Feeling exhilarated, she swam for another twenty minutes without stopping.
“Larissa!”
Larissa stopped swimming abruptly. Did she hear someone call her? It sounded like her mother. Larissa hauled herself out of the water, and listened again. There was silence.
“Perhaps I imagined it,” she said to herself.
She lay on the rocks, enjoying the feel of the heat that radiated from it. Suddenly she sat up. It was winter! What was happening to her? Why was she feeling like this? Then it dawned on her...something inside had changed, something to do with her internal make up that related to her appearance. She was no longer the ordinary witch she had been before. Since opening the book, not only was the change of her cosmetic look permanent, but so was the change of her soul. There was a new sense of magic within her.
Larissa picked up her winter clothing but didn't put it on. She didn't need it. She glanced at her reflection in the river and at the face that mirrored her own, and saw the emerald eyes bright with curiosity and incredulity. She touched her shiny silver hair. Who had she become?
“Larissa!”
This time, she was sure it was not her imagination. Larissa glanced at her reflection once more, and then headed back to base.
* *
Larissa still expected to see some of the group sleeping but instead found the witches, unisus’, and the bears busy in some organised activity.
“What is going on here?” she said aloud.
Everyone stopped working and looked in her direction.
Marcaria rushed towards her.
“Oh Larissa, where were you? Why didn't you answer
when I called?” she asked anxiously. She looked over her
daughter. “This look is growing on you...”
“I'm sorry, Mum, I should have answered. I just went for
a swim,” Larissa said. What did her mother mean by the
comment of her appearance?
“A swim? Oh God, Larissa, are you feeling alright? The
temperature of the river is below freezing, it could have
killed you! ” Marcaria stopped talking when she saw Larissa
shake her head with a smile.
“Mum, look at me. I have changed, inside and out. I feel
different. Look at this.” Larissa stretched her hand out
towards the dead fire, and ignited the logs in an instant. The fire burned brightly once again. Jake and Rita, who
were standing near the fire, shouted and leapt away. Larissa laughed, “Sorry guys!” and turned back to her
Mum. “I couldn't do that before.”
Marcaria looked at her daughter in amazement, but there
was worry etched in her face. She took her daughter’s hand
and led her away from the others. They eventually sat down
under a secluded tree.
“You have markings of an Empire Witch, you always
had them when you were born,” she stated as she touched
Larissa's silver hair. “When we arrived here on Earth, your
appearance changed to the appearance of a non-magical girl,
and I have to admit, I was relieved. Now, I am scared for
you, my dear daughter.
“Is this why the High Witch wants you? No, I will not let
her take you away from me. We have kept you safe all these
years...”
“Mum, what are you talking about?” Larissa was
confused.
“You were born with emerald eyes and silver locks, you
were a beauty, and no one denied that. Nevertheless,
everyone knew you had the blood of an Empire Witch in
you. Your father's ancestors were Empire Witches. Over the
years, the witches married other clans and the bloodline
changed.
“Your father had no defined characteristics of an Empire
Witch, and so it was a surprise when you came along, perfect
with their dominant genes. No one from our village had seen
such a thing in many years and all were afraid. They knew
that you must be kept safe, away from the High Witch’s
grasp.”
“But what about the prophecy?” questioned Larissa.
“Did you know about that then?”
Marcaria nodded, “The day you were born, a prophecy
came to the Elders and was read. Senon and I were
frightened for you, so we hid you in the woods with a family.
We made sure you were impossible to find and secured your
location by every charm and spell that was known to witch
kind. We went back home and waited for the High Witch to
come for you. She didn't come herself, but she sent her guards. They had news that a girl was born to us, an Empire
Witch. They were very excited.”
“What did you do?” asked Larissa.
“We showed them a baby that resembled I and your
father. He had the bluest of eyes and the softest hair, the
colour of the palest yellow. The guards were astounded to be
wrong and insisted an Empire Witch was born here. But they
had no proof and left us be.”
“Who was the baby?” Larissa was curious to know. “It was Jake, darling,” smiled Marcaria. “He protected
you then, and he is still protecting you now...Zarina is a great
friend, it was she who suggested the idea. I just hope she is
alive and well.”
Larissa put an arm around her mother's shoulder. “She will be, Mum, I can feel it, and I am not going to be
taken by anyone. I love you, Mum. You are everything to
me.”
Marcaria hugged her daughter. “I love you too. Come
on, let's get back to the others before they come searching
for us.”
“Yes, Mum,” said Larissa as they began walking back.
“Mum, do you know that I can't feel the cold any more?” “Is that so?” laughed Marcaria. “What else can my
daughter do now?”
* *
Back on Zrotaz, the High Witch screamed. The skies above turned black and dark anger swirled amongst thunderous vibrations. The High Witch’s eyes blazed red.
“Nooooo! The prophecy...it is coming true...!”
She slashed the air with her hand, sending birds to fly away from their nests and animals to fleetheir homes. Times were changing.
23
The trek through the woods was uneventful but everyone was cautious of their surroundings nevertheless. Luille recited short poems whilst sitting on the Great Bear’s back as the group moved deep into the snow-filled mountain valleys.
“There was once a cat, who liked to yawn, though he was not tired, he still liked to bat,” the owl finished with a flourish.
“You do know that poem doesn’t rhyme or make sense?” Jake laughed.
“Perhaps not, Xyth, but the bears like it and it brings merriment to company,” the owl replied. “I used to sing to the king of Zrotaz once upon a time, I’ll have you know. He loved my verses.”
“The king? How many centuries ago was this?” Jake asked. “If I am correct, we only had one king and he reigned from 1260 to 1419. If you sang to him that would make you a very old bird!”
/>
“That is fascinating!” said Larissa. “What was the king like? You must know a lot of poems too!”
“The king was a nice man, yes, we got on very well. I am also proud to tell you that I have not forgotten any poems to date. My wife would vouch for that, but the poor soul, she died whilst eating a nut.”
“Oh, I am sorry,” Larissa sympathised.
The owl waved a wing. “Oh the wife is happy where she is, so don’t worry. She comes to visit me from the world of dead birds. She tells me it is very nice there,” “I’m sure it is,” Larissa said uncertainly.
The group now totalled fourteen. The bears walked on the outside of the group with the unisus, then Marcaria, Rita, Eveliyah and Mike circling Larissa and Jake, who were in the middle. Jake felt better to be walking beside Larissa; this was another reason he had wanted to accompany the group to Norway, to protect her. His mother sent him for that sole purpose. He knew Larissa and the Crystal, must at all costs, be kept safe.
Those were her words to him before she arranged the rocky and dangerous voyage to Earth. He remembered how he had closed his eyes for the whole ten minutes of it! He wasn’t too worried, he knew he had the best sorcerers and witches with him, and he secretly congratulated himself for protecting her from Celtiq!
Now, walking through these creepy mountain woods, he was sure danger was lurking around the corner. Larissa on the other hand was quite annoyed, why she needed protection was beyond her. Jake was taking his duties a little too seriously, especially after learning she had become a fully-fledged Empire Witch and was, therefore, prone to more attacks from the evil witches of Zrotaz, or any creatures they may have recruited. She wished the Great Bear hadn’t told anyone.
“It was necessary,” the Great Bear spoke in her head, and she baulked. What else could this bear do? She heard him chuckle.
Jake smiled in her direction, trying to reassure her everything was going to be alright, but Larissa turned her head, huffing in response.
The snow was deeper now in the sloping wood and everyone had to work hard to walk through it, apart from the bears and the unisus. Luille flew most of the time.
The temperature had dipped further and Eveliyah had to doubly secure the heat charm on all the witches winter clothing, minus Larissa who insisted she didn’t need it. In fact, she was still feeling quite warm.
The group stopped to drink and eat when they found a clearance. The path was littered with small boulders, good enough to sit comfortably.
“Ah, that feels better,” Mike sighed, stretching his legs. “My feet are killing me!”
Myeth the unisus agreed, as he sat on a patch of melted snow. “How far are we from the Earth Spirits?” he asked the Great Bear.
“An hour from now,” replied the bear. “I am able to feel their eagerness to meet Larissa.”
As am I, thought Larissa. The bear smiled. Can you stop listening to my thoughts? She telepathically told him.
Yes, so sorry, came his reply, and this time, she smiled.
After some food, the group began their journey once more. The path now tilted and the trees came in closer. The group chatted amiably with one another to keep the mood light. Mike and Jake were still grumbling at the tedious trek, as was Myeth. The females on the other hand, took the walk with grace and didn’t complain once.
Suddenly, the Great Bear halted.
“Stop!” he boomed, making everyone jump.
“What is it?” Eveliyah asked.
The bear sniffed the air. “I can smell werewolves.” Larissa could smell them too. “He is right, ugh!”
“But with the unisus here, they wouldn’t dare to attack again,” said Rita.
The bear turned to her. “You have met them?”
“If they are the same ones, then we have,” said Rita. “One is familiar with Marcaria.”
“His name is Ripaz,” said Marcaria, and Larissa could see the disgust in her face. She wondered what happened...
“Hideous creatures they are!” said Luille, flapping his wings in mad fury. “And the foulest smelling things I have ever set eyes on, you know!” He shuddered at the thought.
Larissa would have thought it to be comical if the situation was not so serious.
“How far away are they?” Marcaria was worried. She thought Ripaz would have gone, but she should have known that he never gave up without a fight.
“They are here,” said a voice in the dark.
Eveliyah, Marcaria, Mike, and Rita shone their torches into the woods. Through the haze of the yellow lights, they saw at least ten werewolves, snarling and snapping their canine teeth like rabid, common dogs. They stood tall but the bears were still taller, however, that didn’t bother them. The unisus came to stand in front.
“Your numbers do not worry us, neither do your size,” sneered Ripaz. “We have come to get the girl, on the High Witch’s orders. We don’t want any mess...or mishaps.”
The Great Bear roared, and the earth trembled beneath them.“Get out of my sight before I rip you and your friends to pieces!”
Ripaz didn’t move but turned his fluorescent yellow eyes to Larissa, whose blood was flowing with adrenalin. She stared back at Ripaz and smiled, it enraged him. Without warning, he lunged himself towards her, a growl coming from between his teeth. However, the Great Bear was ready.
Before Ripaz could sink his teeth into Larissa, the Great Bear leapt in front of the werewolf. Ripaz found himself flying into a large tree, and then falling to the cold ground. A deadly silence, then ear-splitting sounds erupted. Everyone covered their ears. The unisus sat down and buried their heads behind their bodies.
Snapping sounds came next as grey, black and brown fur leapt on them, their teeth inches away from their feast. Myeth turned just in time, kicking a grey werewolf in its torso. The werewolf fell on its back and dragged itself away, nursing its bruise.
Myeth smirked and then flew in the direction of another werewolf who was just about to bite a bear. He flapped his large wings in the werewolf’s surprised face, and disfigured him grotesquely. The werewolf howled in pain. A sound so frightening, birds from nearby trees took flight in alarm.
The fight ensued in every direction; the witches kept Larissa in the middle, away from the werewolves’ harmful claws and teeth. Red, blue, and green jets of light hovered the enemies in mid air, then sent them crashing into the woodland.
Ripaz was up again and fighting Jake, who had conjured up a shield and a sword. As he blocked Ripaz’s claws against his own skin, Jake slashed the offender’s leg. The other witches used spells to blind, throw and block the werewolves from getting any closer to them.
Eveliyah threw a perfect spell towards a rather large grey piece of fur (as he called it) who went down like a sack of grain, hitting a boulder. It was left unconscious, but not dead.
“Why aren’t they dying?” Rita shouted as she dodged a falling tree. “Every time one is down, another arrives! It’s like they are multiplying!”
“They are multiplying!” Marcaria yelled back, as the sound of a spell hitting a boulder vibrated in her skull. The boulder split right down the middle, like a clean cut apple.
Myeth, Cyle, and Quin flew above the brawl and sent painful signals into the heads of the werewolves. The werewolves crouched and howled in pain, their elongated hands covering their heads. The unisus seized the moment and rushed down, kicking their skulls in.
Jake kept close to Larissa, shielding her from every possible contact from a mad werewolf, his effective spells blasting them away. The bears crushed the werewolves with no real effort and celebrated briefly before going to the next one.
Larissa watched the fight with alarm and fear. It was all so familiar. The lights from the spells...a cackle, heat, black dragons, her fathers’ fallen form...Larissa’s head felt heavy and she screamed. She crouched blind, as the present dimmed.
* *
Where am I?
Larissa shielded her eyes as she looked at a bright and rather different landscape. Th
ere was movement in the distance. She stared, as a group of people and creatures walked towards her. She gasped when they finally stopped in front of her.
A cloaked man, smiled down at her. His face was beautiful and caring. His red hair fell loosely around his shoulders. Larissa felt like she knew him.
“Dear Larissa, I am so happy to see you, after all this time and how you have grown. How is your mother?” Senon spoke. “I do miss her so very much.”
“You know who I am?” Larissa couldn’t believe it. “Yes, Larissa, you are my daughter and I am your father,” Senon’s eyes glittered with tears. “My friends behind me are your guardians, as am I.”
Larissa looked at the small group behind her father more carefully. There was a half-naked man with wings, and a woman who wore a flowing white gown, whose features resembled an elf. She was beyond beautiful. On her side, stood a dragon, whose hard skin shone in yellow and blue hues. It had green, kind eyes too. The last creature took the shape of a great eagle, its white and grey feathers looked magnificent in the light.
“These are my guardians,” she repeated to herself. It was all so surreal. “Are you really my father?”
Senon laughed softly and opened his arms to her. She ran into them, tears in her eyes. Senon released his daughter moments later and kissed her cheek, he then looked at the other guardians.
The woman stepped forward. “You have limited time here, dear Larissa. We have called you, to help you stay on the right path and do what you must do. We are here to guide you, always remember if you need help, you can call us.”
“Anywhere, and anytime,” spoke the eagle.
The others nodded.
“But who do I call?” Larissa asked.
“We all have our skills, whatever you ask for, one of us will come to aid you,” said the man with the wings. The dragon nodded his head wisely.
“Now, you must return, dear daughter, and defeat those werewolves. Use the Crystal, it will help you,” said Senon.
“But father, how?”
“Use the magic within you and the Crystal. It will know what to do, and it will show you,” said the dragon. “We must leave now.”
Witch Crystal (Witches of Zrotaz Book 1) Page 14