Folk Lore

by Joanne Ellis

  He sighed. “I know but it was nice to try. I will help you remove Keelor from his imprisonment because I want you to be happy. If the elfin does that,” he shrugged, “who am I to argue.”

  A gust blew up and in a blink Sam and Angelique joined them. Sam still kept his distance, his expression unreadable. Sera watched him as he swallowed hard and clenched his jaw. He appeared to be struggling to maintain his control. Pushing aside her hurt and despondency over the affront, Sera focused on the task at hand. Plenty of time to wallow again later.

  Jeremiah and the warlocks’ arrival completed the party and determination pushed Sera’s residual hurt aside.

  “Are we ready?” she asked them.

  They nodded their concurrence so she called up a gate. Sera walked though last and dissolved it once through. They were standing in a forest not unlike the one surrounding the gardens or Mecaldorf’s castle.

  “Where are we?” She asked Minato.

  “The edge of the swamp lands, a favourite haunt for forbidden ones. I believe this is where Cornelius would return, along with the others. They would have been recruited from here. If someone was looking for angry cast offs, this is where they would find them. Be careful a lot of dangerous folk live here.”

  “Lead the way warlock,” Sam told him, still keeping his distance.

  Jeremiah and Nermo kept vigil either side of her while Sam and Angelique walked ahead to follow Minato.

  “You both don’t have to walk right next to me,” she told them as they began to take the rear.

  “I am your protector, I stay with you,” Jeremiah replied in a smug tone.

  “I am not going anywhere,” Nermo said firmly.

  She sighed; this was going to be interesting.

  As the trees began to thin, laughter and banter echoed towards them. Apprehension rose swiftly within her and she allowed the pulses to saturate her until Nermo and Jeremiah both exhaled sharply.

  “Careful, Seraphina,” Nermo cautioned when his breath returned.

  “Sorry.”

  Minato stopped where the tree line ended and crouched down to peer through the trees. They all joined him and watched the spectacle before them. There was, Sera estimated, to be twenty odd folk and from what she could determine appeared to be mostly vampires. Several human looking members of the group she guessed to be hazers. She spotted Cornelius and two other warlocks doing ‘magic tricks’ for the group which was the source of their frivolity. Besides the vampires and hazers, the remainder of the party appeared to be pixies and nymphs. Did all these folk break the rules? Are they really all ‘bad’ or are the laws simply too stringent? Sera tended to lean towards the later.

  Suddenly several of the vampires stopped to stand rigid with the distinct swiftness that she still wasn’t accustomed to yet. She watched them lift their heads slightly before turning towards them.

  “They can smell you,” Sam bit out. “It was a mistake to bring you. Your blood is stronger than normal humans.”

  Though they were quite a distance away, the vampires who’d caught her scent remained where they were. Their fangs were bared but they seemed reluctant to move. Sera was well aware how quickly they could cover the distance to drain her blood. The question was; why were they being so cautious?

  “Maybe we can talk to them,” Sera whispered. Angelique snickered. “Why are they being careful? I thought when you caught the scent all control is lost.”

  “Mostly, but they are probably wondering why there is a human here. They go to the human world to feed. The only humans within the lands and the outer realm are princesses and protectors.”

  “Use your powers, Sera. If we can control the vampires we can attempt to negotiate with Cornelius. Without the protection of the vampires he may be more willing to listen,” Minato suggested. “The pixie and I will go in once it is safe and the rest of you can stay with Sera. Once they discover she is the source, they may send hazers out to stop her.”

  They walked a little way along the edge of the trees so when they broke through they could venture up behind the group after the vampires went down.

  Sera glared at Sam as he came to stand behind her and his retort came in a whisper, “I’m sorry, I miss you too.”

  Pushing her misery and love for Sam aside she prepared herself to incapacitate the vampires. She watched as more joined the original group and they were conferring with each other quietly, their eyes filled with bloodlust.

  “This might hurt a bit,” Sera told Angelique and tried to hide her slight pleasure at the idea. She was relieved that Sam was at least immune.

  “I will guard the perimeter to the north, the only other way through to our position, to watch for any company. I don’t think even your capabilities reach that far.” With a brief snarl she was gone.

  Sera concentrated, held out her hands and sent forth her anxiety. They almost went down simultaneously, clutching at their throats. Sera eased off a little so as to inflict minimal pain while still keeping them incapacitated. They might be rogue vampires but she didn’t like causing anyone harm. She also didn’t want her compassion surfacing either.

  Minato and Nermo approached Cornelius. The folk who remained standing looked around in confusion, trying to locate the source of their allies’ discomfort.

  “What are you doing here, Minato?” Cornelius asked.

  “We have come to speak to you regarding the incarceration spell on the elfin Keelor.”

  The warlocks bellowed in unison, obviously amused by their visit.

  “It seems I am more powerful than anyone has given me credit for. Are you actually suggesting the precious circle couldn’t break my spell?” He laughed again.

  “You know very well this would cause his death, very clever incantation.”

  “How do you know this? Did you try?” His wry grin almost threw Sera’s concentration, he was enjoying the idea.

  “No, as we were aware of the connotations. Keelor is still trapped within the spell. I must say, I have never seen any like it before.”

  “Flattery will get you nowhere, Minato, I realise how brilliant I am. I ask again, how did you know?”

  “The pixie foretold it.”

  “Who Nermo?” He shot an amused glance towards the said pixie. “Oh, of course, that was my spell too. I channelled into his psyche. Mecaldorf thought it would be interesting to see what he saw. It backfired for him in the end.” He shrugged. “So what do I get if I help you?”

  “Nothing but your life spared,” Nermo said between clenched teeth. Sera decided he didn’t find it at all funny being the pawn in a warlock’s game.

  “You really are quite amusing, Nermo.”

  A blue orb appeared in Cornelius’ hand and before Sera could do anything to help, he aimed it at Nermo. It struck him heavily on the chest and sent him reeling backwards. When he landed, he didn’t move.

  37

  Cornelius

  Sera watched in horror as Nermo lay motionless. Her concentration disintegrated along with her anxiety. One by one the vampires stood, now free from their strangle hold and as some walked in a surprisingly slow manner towards Minato, the remainder glided towards them in the trees.

  “Sera,” Sam urged. “Focus.”

  “Nermo,” she whispered.

  Her only focus now was Nermo. Compassion surged through her body and her hands were already glowing as she broke through the trees. Regard for her safety was second to Nermo’s lifeless body.

  “Seraphina,” she heard Jeremiah call her as she dropped to her knees.

  “Nermo,” she said, pressing her hands to his glowing chest.“Can you hear me?”

  He didn’t move or respond. A bellowing laugh took her attention. She turned her head without moving her hands from Nermo to find Cornelius doubled over, obviously pleased with her distress.

  “What’s so funny, warlock?” she spat.

  “Your healing powers will do little. Only spells can save the men you love.” He laughed again and anger swirled inside her.
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  “Help him, please,” she said between gritted teeth, barely controlling the simmering fury beneath the surface.

  “He will be fine with a simple princess spell, don’t worry your pretty head over it. Keelor is the one you should be concerned about.”

  The unremitting rage consumed Sera and she lost all control. Her hands spun to him of their own volition and sent rays of bright flame towards Cornelius. Unprepared he could do little to control the onslaught and within a ball of flame he disappeared in a puff of blue smoke. Sera found control of her powers and dropped her hands.

  “Where did he go?” she asked.

  “You killed him, human,” one of the vampires rasped.

  “What have I done?”

  In an instant Sam stood before her and fought off the vampires as they surged toward her in anger and bloodlust. Angelique arrived seconds later, followed closely by Jeremiah. As they combated each attack, the hazers changed to surround them while the warlocks tossed orbs of blue flame, ready for retribution.

  Sera sent her empathy for Keelor, Nermo and even Cornelius out in waves, hoping to avoid further conflict. As they all dropped their arms and gazed in amazement, Sera seized the opportunity.

  “I didn’t mean to kill him,” Sera told them. “My anger got control of me. Maybe we should leave now and take Nermo back to the lands before anyone else gets hurt. All I wanted to do was free Keelor and now we might not be able to do that and it will be my fault. Please, let us leave.”

  Sera continued to project her concern, allowing her anguish to devour her. She watched as they all looked to each other, confused yet serenely so. Sam, Angelique, Minato and Jeremiah came to stand next to her before Sam lifted Nermo over his shoulder. No-one moved or spoke for several moments.

  “You can go but do not return. You will not be receiving our help with the elfin,” a female vampire told them.

  With slow steps they backed away towards the trees and Sera waited until they were well clear before dropping her calming element. Sera summoned the gate and they went through to discover the circle members and elders waiting for them.

  They all stared, waiting, their faces filled with anxiety. Keela searched their faces with questioning eyes. Kalar stepped forward; her eyes on Nermo slumped over Sam’s shoulder. The small returning party didn’t speak so Kalar asked the questions burning on all their lips.

  “What happened to Nermo?”

  “Cornelius cast an orb at him,” Minato answered for the group.

  “Where is Cornelius?”

  “Gone.”

  “Gone? Did he inform you of how to break the spell?”

  “No, Elder Kalar, we didn’t quite get that far.”

  “Stop talking in riddles, Minato.”

  Sera stepped forward, she needed to come clean and save Minato from having to deliver her grave news.

  “Cornelius was being ... difficult and struck down Nermo. When I asked him to help Nermo, he refused, well he laughed, and I lost my temper. I’m afraid he is no longer with us.”

  The briefest of smiles crossed Kalar’s lips before she spoke again.

  “He didn’t inform you of how to free Keelor or aid Nermo?”

  “He said Nermo could be released with a princess spell but Keelor ...” She couldn’t finish. Despair over-ran her senses and tears filled her eyes as a lump formed in her throat. Sera swallowed it down and summoned her courage.

  “Let us help Nermo first then we will determine what is to be done for Keelor.”

  The princesses formed the circle, called forth their gems, followed by the book. The required spell was located and after the words were recited, Nermo came to and leapt to his feet. Relief mixed with confusion tangled his handsome face.

  “What happened?”

  “Seraphina can update you while we convene.”

  The elders followed Kalar to their chambers. Nermo turned to Sera his brow furrowed.

  “I blew it, Nermo.”

  Melancholy completely filled Sera as she knew their only hope of saving the man she loved disappeared in a puff of blue smoke.

  38

  Hope

  The calming melodic rush of the water did little to calm her tortured soul as Sera sat by the river of music. Was Keelor lost to her forever? Her mind drifted over the events of the past weeks and how much her life had changed. Keelor, her powers, her mother and a vampire, even Nermo had turned her whole world upside down. To then add the loss of her best friend became almost too much for her fragile heart to consider. What on earth was she going to do now?

  “Are you alright?” Nermo’s voice startled her.

  He stood behind her and Sera, so lost in her thoughts, hadn’t heard him approach. He sat on the mossy rock beside her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

  “No,” her voice wavered and the tears which ached to flow, now spilled down her cheeks. “I ruined everything.” She almost laughed at the petulance in her tone.

  “The elders will consult their visions. They will be shown the way.”

  “What if they’re not, he’s in that ... that bubble because of me. He now can’t get out because of me. If only I could control my emotions. I should have practiced more when Keelor urged me but I was - as usual - too stubborn to listen.”

  “Would practice have made any difference? I think not. You are passionate and volatile by nature they are your most endearing qualities.”

  “Yeah, well, fat lot of good it does me now.”

  “I am not so sure.”

  She turned to look at him, curious.

  “Maybe my vision was not accurate.”

  “But it was. The fighting in the village, my defeating Mecaldorf.”

  “Perhaps not all of it will occur as I foresaw.”

  “The only thing that didn’t happen was me ... hurting Keelor.”

  “What about us?”

  “What about us?” Surely he wasn’t trying that again on now.

  “It did not eventuate.”

  “Yeah, well, it might now ...”

  Nermo wrapped his arm around her and pulled her against his chest. “Sera, I would not, could not take advantage of you, besides I do not believe my feelings were as I first believed. I fell in love with a dream, a vision, it was not real. You need a friend and I want to be that person for you. I think what I interpreted as love was friendship, your beauty and feisty nature simply complicated matters.”

  She smiled despite her sorrow. “I’m glad you’re here. With Sam being a vampire and wanting to eat me and my Mum in love with one ... well I feel kind of alone. Thanks.”

  “It is my pleasure.”

  “Do you really think we will be able to free him?”

  “I hope so, for you.”

  “Why don’t you like him?”

  “Long story.”

  “Is it about Hallow?”

  “So he did he tell you about her?”

  “Yes, though I was disappointed when he told me. Ironically, his steadfast regard for the law both endeared and annoyed me.”

  “Ironic is the word, particularly because of his love for you. For him to break the law for you, well, it surprised us all. When I teased you about him in the beginning, I did believe it was a harmful flirtation and underestimated both of your feelings for each other.”

  “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “Yes it is because of Hallow. He allowed her to leave the land she loved and did not at all consider what it would do to her.”

  “What happened to her?”

  “She lives with a group of bandit pixies not far from where we were today.”

  “Did you love her?”

  “I still do, she’s my sister.”

  “He didn’t tell me that, I’m sorry.”

  “I still go and see her often. She has forgiven him, however, for some reason, I cannot. Hallow says she is happy, I’m not so sure.” He paused. “Then when I thought he would hurt you too ...”

  “He’s really not like that.”


  “Not anymore, you melted his cold heart. Do you see why I was concerned? I thought he would betray you as he did Hallow when he realised his feelings were not real and merely what you projected onto him.”

  Sera pulled away and scowled at him.

  “What?” he asked, a perfect blue eyebrow raised.

  “You don’t think his feelings are real?” Her hands heated with the rise of her voice.

  “Steady ... Sera,” he breathed out so she calmed herself until he could speak. “No I did not, until he went to the elders.”

  “Oh, sorry. I’m a little sensitive at the moment.”

  “The hour is late, Seraphina. I will walk you home.”

  Giving up on her fruitless attempt to sleep, Sera climbed out of Keelor’s large hammock bed. Standing at the glassless window, she looked over the lands and sighed. Since she’d come here lives, including her own, had been destroyed. Sam - though she now believed he was happy with his status being the same as Angelique’s - Keelor, Anna reconnecting with her vampire and perhaps becoming lost to her forever, innocent elfin killed and finally being responsible for Cornelius’ death. Sure he was an evil warlock who wanted to wreak havoc on the lands but he didn’t deserve to die. Mecaldorf may have carried out his plan even if she hadn’t come but the attack on the village occurred because he wanted to draw her out, so he could follow his plan of obtaining the book through to fruition. Would this have happened without her here?

  She sighed again, feeling sorry for herself was not helping anyone. Pulling on a jacket she went out into the darkness. Even by night Sera found her way to the gardens, to Keelor. His handsome face appeared serene and this at least helped to appease her guilt. His white flaxen locks fell over his closed eyes and she itched to push it back as she’d done many times. Her hand reached up involuntarily to do so until she touched the bubble, pulling her hand back when the shield singed her fingertips. She watched as her skin healed and she shook her head, astounded still. The realisation suddenly washed over her. The shield may cause her injury but it didn’t deflect her.

  Cornelius’ taunts and Nermo’s words flashed through her mind. Perhaps if she’d used her powers to free Keelor it might have cause his death but what if there was an easy way? The warlock’s ironic grin may have actually meant they could have freed him all along. Everything Nermo saw was true but because he’d stopped her from attempting to destroy the shield they’d change the course.