by Cliff McNish
‘You do not understand, do you?’ Larpskendya said. ‘Even now you do not understand.’ He shook his head sadly. ‘Your desire to kill us is so strong that you have forgotten the laws of magic.’
Dragwena stared. His words meant nothing to her.
‘For every spell of evil there is a spell of goodness that will prevent it,’ he explained. ‘How could you have forgotten that simple law? You have been trapped, Dragwena. When you struck me with your sword we made every child in your army feel its pain and understand the evil enslaving them. They are coming now. They are coming for your blood, not ours. As you said yourself, they hate with your hate. They will show you no mercy.’
Dragwena listened, hearing the sound of thousands of children’s feet running into the caves. As they came they scraped their knives against the stone walls, sharpening them. The sound was unbearable.
Dragwena tried to build a protective barrier at the mouth of the cave, but the spell merely burned uselessly in her mind. Her powers, she realized, were gone. The children continued to rush towards them, their cries deafening.
‘Your magic has been stripped away,’ said Larpskendya. ‘You will never be allowed to rule over humankind again.’ He stared coldly at her. ‘What does it feel like to be as powerless as those you once enslaved?’
Dragwena said nothing.
‘There are many forms of death we could have chosen for you,’ Larpskendya said. ‘Perhaps we should kill you, as I know you will never change your ways, Dragwena. But all life, even your life, has some meaning. Therefore, we offer another choice. I have created a young planet for you: Ithrea. There you will be banished for the remainder of your days. Many of your powers will be returned, those to help shape the new home to your needs. But there are no creatures such as these children to bend to your will, merely plants and a few simple animals.’
Dragwena considered the Ool World, the distant planet of Witches from which she came. Surely the Sisterhood would find her in time, wherever she was sent. They would always search for her, and if she was killed they would revenge her death.
‘The Ool Witches will never find you,’ said Larpskendya. ‘The world of Ithrea is obscured from their leering view. You will be alone. Always.’
Dragwena spat at his feet. ‘You had better kill me now, Wizard. I’ll find a way back to this world.’
‘Do you think I will leave this planet unprotected?’ said Larpskendya. ‘I will give the children of Earth new gifts to use against you if they should ever be needed.’
Dragwena laughed. ‘Even you cannot create a child with the power to threaten me! I have worked on them for generations. They are weak. They can be made to obey, but have no flair for real magic. A million breedings could not make a human child with enough strength to concern a Witch.’
‘We shall see,’ said Larpskendya. ‘In any case, know this, Dragwena: my song will always be on Ithrea. If I am called, I will return.’
The Witch cursed him. ‘Get on with the banishment – before I tear out the hearts of the first children who reach us.’
The Wizards immediately held hands.
The next moment Dragwena stood alone on a new world. She looked about her. The skies were blue and the sun shone radiantly. Shimmering lakes sparkled in the sunshine and birds twittered amongst branches and leaves bursting with vitality.
Dragwena dragged her hands across her face. The loveliness of this world only enraged her. The destruction of the Wizards she had worked for, strived so long for, had been snatched away. Her hatred of them and the children who had turned against her returned, and she let out a scream of anguish.
I will return, Dragwena pledged. I will return and kill you all!
Rachel was lost inside the overwhelming hatred of the Witch. She fought to keep control, to remember who she was, but the Witch thrust further and further into Rachel’s mind until she could no longer resist. At last, deep within the dream-sleep Rachel, too, swore to return and kill the Wizards and the children. As the Witch hated, so Rachel hated.
Lying in her soft bed in the Palace Rachel clenched her fists and dreamt of revenge.
10
Awakening
Morpeth burst into Worraft, a sleeping Rachel and Eric under each arm.
‘Far too simple,’ he said, placing them on the cave floor. ‘Something’s wrong.’
‘You rescued both!’ marvelled Trimak.
‘Yes, but it was too easy to escape the Palace. There were few Neutrana, and the east door stood unprotected. You know Dragwena always stations two guards there.’
‘Were you followed?’
‘I saw no one, but Dragwena has a thousand eyes.’
‘Our scouts are close to the Palace and the cave,’ said Trimak. ‘They should be able to give us some warning if we’re in any danger.’ He looked with concern at Rachel. ‘I see the child-hope still sleeps.’
‘It’s a dream-sleep planted by the Witch,’ said Morpeth. ‘She may not awaken for several hours.’
‘What about Eric? Has the Witch been working on the boy, too?’
‘Possibly,’ said Morpeth. ‘There is something strange about Eric.’ He turned slowly towards Trimak. ‘In fact, I know exactly what is unusual about him. I sense no magic, none. There is always a trace, even in the least gifted children.’
‘Yes,’ mused Trimak. ‘Eric is different. Perhaps that is why Dragwena is interested in him.’ He looked at Rachel. ‘What kind of dreams would Dragwena give the girl?’
Morpeth grunted. ‘Nightmares, without doubt.’
‘Wake them up,’ said Trimak.
‘We can’t! I’ve no idea what will happen if Rachel is woken too soon. We must let her wake when she’s ready.’
‘No,’ Trimak said firmly. ‘I understand your concern, but you said yourself that Dragwena’s spell is intended to turn Rachel into a Witch. Even now the dream-sleep is probably conditioning the girl. We can’t give the Witch any advantage.’
‘It could kill Rachel,’ said Morpeth. ‘I’ve no idea how powerful this spell is. It is wrong to—’
‘Do it!’
Reluctantly, Morpeth placed two bent fingers against Rachel’s forehead. She moved, but remained asleep.
‘Use full force,’ Trimak demanded angrily.
‘I daren’t! If Rachel is the child-hope we can’t risk her safety.’
‘I can’t risk the safety of the Sarren, either. Try Eric first. Perhaps the Witch also put him in a dream-sleep.’
This time Morpeth placed both hands against Eric’s temple. He shot up, blinking in fright. Morpeth and Trimak studied his behaviour closely, watching as he tried to get a reaction from Rachel.
‘The boy seems himself,’ said Trimak warily.
It took far longer for Morpeth to wake Rachel. Eventually she stirred, and the moment her eyes opened she leapt on Eric, tearing at his arms, screaming with frenzy. Startled, Eric managed to stagger away. Morpeth jumped on Rachel, holding her down.
‘I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you, child!’ Rachel shrieked at Eric.
‘Stop her!’ said Trimak. ‘What’s happening?’
Morpeth pinned Rachel’s arms to the floor. ‘I told you, Trimak. I told you how dangerous it would be to wake her before she was ready!’
Eric approached Rachel.
‘Stay back,’ warned Morpeth.
Eric touched one of her kicking feet. Instantly, Rachel stopped struggling. For a moment she seemed lost, then gazed at her hands, feeling them come back under her control.
‘What’s happening?’ she asked. ‘Eric . . . I didn’t hurt you, did I?’
Morpeth stared at Eric. ‘You broke the Witch’s control over Rachel. How?’
Eric shrugged. ‘I didn’t do anything. I just grabbed her foot, that’s all.’
‘But she changed the moment you touched her.’
Rachel jumped up. She clutched Eric and moved them both away from Morpeth. ‘Don’t answer any of his questions,’ she told Eric. ‘He’s working for the Witch.’
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‘That’s not true,’ Morpeth protested. ‘I know it seems—’
‘Why did you leave me in the eye-tower with Dragwena?’ Rachel demanded. ‘You knew what was going to happen inside, didn’t you? You shut the door in my face.’
‘I had no choice,’ Morpeth said. ‘Please try to understand. Dragwena watches all her servants so closely. If I had not dragged you all the way to the eye-tower, someone would have reported it. I had to appear merciless.’
‘Why should I believe you?’ Rachel said. ‘How do I know you’re not lying?’
Morpeth swept his arms around the cave. ‘Look at this dark place,’ he said. ‘If I was a friend of the Witch do you think I’d bring you here? I’m risking my life doing this. So is Trimak.’ He told her about the Sarren and their struggle against the Witch.
Rachel relaxed slightly. She explained about the snakes-and-ladders game and the dream of the Child Army and the Wizards. Both Morpeth and Trimak listened in fascination, never having heard this story before.
‘Do you know what this means?’ Morpeth whispered to Trimak.
Trimak nodded. ‘It means the Witch has put her complete faith in Rachel. She will stop at nothing to recover the child.’
‘Indeed, no place will be safe to hide her,’ Morpeth said. ‘We must protect Rachel in another way. We must work on her magic. She must learn how to defend herself.’
Rachel considered the meaning of her dream. ‘At least I understand why Dragwena hates all children now,’ she said. ‘But I still don’t know why she wants me.’
‘The magic of children!’ Morpeth exclaimed. ‘Now it all makes sense! Dragwena has been bringing children to Ithrea for countless centuries, always testing, always hoping. From Rachel’s dream we know the Wizards imprisoned the Witch here. All this time she must have been waiting for a single child with enough strength to help her get back. Rachel is that child!’
‘But in the dream,’ said Rachel, ‘the Wizard Larpskendya told Dragwena she would always be alone, imprisoned forever on Ithrea. How did all the children get here?’
‘If your dream is true,’ said Morpeth, ‘the Wizards made a mistake, or underestimated Dragwena. She long ago found a way to bring children from Earth.’
‘The Wizard also mentioned he would develop magic in Earth’s children, give them gifts to protect themselves if needed,’ said Trimak. ‘We have seen little evidence of that till you arrived, Rachel. Perhaps he meant you. You are to be our protection. You and Eric.’
‘I can’t do anything,’ Eric said. ‘Rachel’s got all the magic.’
‘But you smashed the Witch’s control over your sister,’ said Morpeth. ‘Tell us how you did that.’
‘I don’t know,’ Eric said. ‘I just wanted Rachel back to normal. I didn’t feel anything when it happened.’
‘Mm,’ Morpeth said, stroking his beard. ‘What else do we know? The Wizard spoke about a song. What do you think he meant by it?’
‘My song will always be on Ithrea,’ Rachel whispered. ‘That’s what Larpskendya said. If I am called I will return.’
‘Called how?’ asked Morpeth. ‘Called by whom?’
They sat for some time in the dark silence of the cave, pondering this.
‘We’re guessing at what the dream means,’ Rachel said eventually. ‘But I’m sure about one thing: Dragwena will search for me. Now she knows what I can do she’ll never stop looking. You’ve betrayed her, Morpeth. She’ll kill you and Trimak. Then she’ll study Eric until she finds out how to use his gift.’ She held her head erect, trembling slightly. ‘I know what she’ll do with me – turn me into her little Witch. It shouldn’t be hard. I tried to stop her in the tower. I was useless.’
‘Not useless,’ Morpeth reassured her. ‘You need training, to develop your spells and sharpen your magic. Then you’ll be ready to face Dragwena.’
‘I might never be strong enough,’ said Rachel. ‘I know what Dragwena’s like. If she can’t use me, she’ll kill me. I’m too dangerous to live as her enemy.’ She looked fiercely at Morpeth. ‘I’m right, aren’t I?’
‘Perhaps,’ Morpeth said. ‘However, I believe that you are stronger than you realize; and I also believe that Dragwena can be defeated because she makes mistakes.’
‘What mistakes?’
‘She allowed you to slip from her grasp. That was foolish. She also trusted you with her deepest secrets too soon, when we – or Eric – could still reach into your mind and bring you back. And Dragwena does not realize I am a traitor. I’ve concealed my genuine thoughts for many years.’
‘I wonder how well you know her,’ Rachel said bluntly. ‘I doubt you could hide your treachery for long. I don’t think Dragwena makes mistakes. Perhaps she let me and Eric escape for some reason. Did you think of that?’
‘Yes,’ said Morpeth. ‘We’ve considered it, but can think of no reason why the Witch would let you go so easily.’
Rachel made her fingernails glow bronze. ‘Look at me,’ she said. ‘All this magic I’ve got. It’s so strange. If I’ve got magic here why didn’t I notice it at home? Why can’t I use it there, too? It doesn’t make sense.’
‘All children have some magic on Ithrea,’ said Morpeth. ‘Dragwena is able to sense it when she draws children from Earth, so it must exist inside them there in some fashion. I’ve no idea why it can’t be used.’
‘Perhaps the Wizards don’t allow it,’ said Eric. ‘They think it’s too dangerous to use.’
Morpeth nodded thoughtfully. ‘Have you ever seen the Wizards?’
‘No,’ Eric said. ‘Have you?’
‘No, nor anyone else on Ithrea,’ said Morpeth. ‘But I’d certainly like to meet the one called Larpskendya. I’ve got some good questions to ask him.’
Eric felt Trimak’s beard. ‘Hey, how old are you, anyway?’
‘Pretty ancient,’ sighed Trimak. ‘Have a guess.’
‘Eighty-six!’
Trimak laughed. ‘Try again.’
‘Younger or older?’
‘Much older.’
‘All right, a hundred and eighty-six!’
‘Actually,’ said Trimak, ‘I am exactly five hundred and thirty-six years of age.’
Eric gasped. ‘You can’t be that old. You would be dead by now.’
‘The Witch’s power is responsible,’ said Trimak. ‘We have a saying here: she preserves those who serve. It helps keep her closest servants loyal. Morpeth is nearly as old as I am.’
‘You were both stolen by the Witch from Earth, weren’t you?’ said Rachel. ‘You are children who’ve grown up here.’
‘Yes,’ said Morpeth. ‘Everyone on Ithrea was snatched away in a similar way to you and Eric. Dragwena does not let us grow gracefully into adults. I think she enjoys watching us get older and uglier in the same way together, until we have lost all our original features. The Witch also stunts our growth. It is as if she wishes to remind us we will always be children in her domain.’
‘How many children live on Ithrea?’ Rachel asked.
‘Thousands have been abducted,’ Morpeth answered. ‘Some live around the Palace, those with the brightest magic, directly serving the Witch. Others are scattered around the planet.’
‘But how can they live in this cold?’ Rachel asked. ‘How do they survive?’
‘They live underground,’ said Morpeth. ‘They dig tunnels. They exist as best they can.’
Eric shook his head. ‘But what do they eat? How do they grow anything?’
Morpeth grunted. ‘Nothing much grows on Ithrea. They hunt for what meat they can find. Mostly burrowing worms. There aren’t many. They cultivate a few herbs. They survive somehow on this, or die trying.’ He glanced awkwardly at Trimak. ‘Every year, from all over Ithrea, they make the trek across the storms and snows to the Palace. Dragwena insists they bring food for us.’
‘For you?’ said Eric.
Morpeth rubbed his round stomach. ‘Yes. Dragwena could easily provide all we need, but she likes to watch the others st
ruggle to bring the food here. She forces her Palace servants to eat, knowing it means all the others starve. Dragwena likes it that way.’
Rachel touched him gently on the shoulder. ‘Does the Witch ever allow you . . . to die?’
‘All the original children are now dead,’ said Morpeth. ‘Anyone who resists the Witch is killed immediately unless, like you, Rachel, they show promise. Sometimes Dragwena casts them out to the wolf packs, or she just leaves them to succumb to the cold. Perhaps those are the lucky children. Finally, the Witch kills us all, either because we grow too old to be useful or simply because she grows bored with us. No one dies naturally of old age on Ithrea. Dragwena is always there at the end of our lives, causing the final pain, enjoying the moment.’
Rachel and Eric fell silent.
‘When I touched Dragwena’s mind in the eye-tower,’ Rachel said at last, ‘I sensed there had been others like the Sarren in the past. Those who have tried to resist secretly. I think Dragwena actually wants you to rebel. I think she enjoys the challenge of letting you become a pest, then stamping you out. It’s all just a game to her.’
‘You may be right,’ said Trimak hoarsely. ‘But I’m certain the Witch has never faced a child such as you before, Rachel. She has never faced the child-hope.’
‘That again,’ said Rachel. ‘What is this child-hope you and Morpeth keep talking about? Tell me.’
Morpeth glanced anxiously at Trimak, who nodded.
‘The child-hope is a legend,’ said Morpeth. ‘That’s all. No one knows where it came from, nor what it truly means, but it has been passed from generation to generation on Ithrea, even amongst the Neutrana. It tells of a dark girl-child who will come to free us all. The legend has grown over the centuries, but the original verse from which it springs is short enough:
‘Dark girl she will be,
Enemies to set free,
Sing in harmony,
From sleep and dawn-bright sea,
I will arise—’
‘And behold your childish glee,’ Eric finished.
Everyone turned towards him.
‘How do you know the end of the verse?’ gasped Morpeth.