by Ronald Craig
‘There was one person at school, that stood out from the rest. Reg' had a gift that no one realised. We didn't even notice a little girl; a powerful spell had been cast to hide her identity. But Reg' seemed to see straight through it. It was impossible to hide anything from him. He could break spells and curses without knowing. A lot of limes were used at that school, to make spells.'
‘That's awful,' said Nina, hugging her Father. ‘I'm sorry you went through that Dad.'
Father hugged her back. ‘That's okay my sweet girl. It was a long time ago.'
‘Why is it called Echo Beach though?'
Felisha returns with a pot of tea and freshly toasted witches buns which interrupt Nina's question. The smell of currants and the sweetness of the honey fills their senses. Trudie smiles at her brother, and looking at Nina, she whispers. ‘It's your favourite dear Brother.' They are all pleased to receive hot tea buns. ‘My lovely sisters used to tell me that tea cakes are frogs, slugs and toads. All the things you wouldn't eat. I never touched them for years; he went on. 'My sisters were very mean, apart from Trudie who spent time caring for me when I needed someone.'
Nina looks on, smiling and enjoying the reunion, meeting another side of her family she has yet to know. They all taste the sweetness of the teacakes and sip hot tea to accompany the spices of the fruit. Silence prevails, and for a moment all their troubles seem to disappear. Nina's mind comes back to Echo Beach.
‘Why is it called Echo Beach?' She looks her father in the eye.
‘There's an old tale of witchcraft and the dark arts in this place. Pirates can hide their treasures although everyone's treasures are different to the beholder. In the cliffs across the beach, there are cases that are said to hide those that perish at sea, that dwell there guarding their finds. Whispers are Dark Mother's children' domain, only.' Like Trudie, she hears what they say and seems to talk to them. Nina is uncomfortable. She thinks its rude because it's like Trudie is not hearing her father.
‘I heard the whispers as I arrived,' Nina said, with a stern voice.
Realising he had not explained himself, only telling half a tale would lead to confusion.
Father continued.
‘This place has a life of its own. If you sit and listen and can hear the voices they will tell you of the past.'
‘We must leave now, and you must face what's in the cave, my sweet girl.' He kisses her head.
‘Thanks for letting us know your family Reg,' Felisha said, grinning.
They hug Nina as they leave in silence, facing an unfamiliar path ahead, as they stand on the creaking wooden porch.
Father stands as his daughter sets off, watching from a distance as she slowly grows smaller, crossing the sand towards the mysterious cave. Nina begins to tire as the fine sand fills her shoes with every step. Reaching the cave entrance which stands silently in all its mystery and horror, the fear in her mind plays tricks of what things hide in the dark. The night quickly follows her, the shadow of Nina that casts before her, as the day slowly disappears and is lost to the night. There is no choice but to take in the surroundings with a blanket of darkness and unsettling but excitable thoughts. The only light is a new moon and the twinkling stars as they show their faces in the clear night sky.
The warmth leaves the air as a damp mist rolled in with the black bottomless sea. Nina's skin feels the change. The hair on her arms stands up, and the bite of the cold on the back of her neck sends a chill down her spine. The not knowing what she would face, lurking in the dark part of her mind is what terrifies her. The whispers seem to come and go with the cold breeze. She is not able to understand them or what's happening. A sense of no control adds to her curious nature. Reaching the mouth of the cave, Nina pauses, she is only a few feet into the dark recess. Is it too late to change her mind or will she have to face what she will find? Father would not let me enter if it is unsafe, she reassures herself. All the learned witches’ tricks and spells will not make her feel safe and confident at this point. Believing the words her parents taught her, that a witch must be brave, resounded over in her mind. Nina lifts her wand makes her offerings and casts a spell as a spark strikes from its tip towards the empty void that is before her.
‘The light will guide my way,' she says confidently. Those famous words of their family entered her thoughts and seemed to fill her heart with love and a sense of strength. Her spirit is up and fighting as a force build up inside, and she becomes electric, her ears perk, sensations on her body tingle her arms and legs. She looks with a forward gaze for whatever is to be.
A deep breath. No looking back. One foot in front of the other and into the unknown. The cave entrance is cold, hard, damp rock. Nina brushes against the wall, but a strange round smoothness contrasts against the cold hardness and makes it seem less daunting. A mere twenty steps inside, the sound of drips echo in the air. As the light moves at a fast pace, Nina quickens her step, keen to keep up. The further she goes into the cave, it narrows with spikes of sharp rocks, like teeth of a dragon formed into stalagmites and stalactites. The tunnel turns downwards on a steep slippery path into its bowels. The bottom is in sight. Reaching it, the bottom, the light hangs motionless in the air as if waiting for her to return to the ordinary world again. A magical sight before her is a large black tree standing in a pool of water illuminated by a crack in the caves high ceiling. Shadows move, and a ripple in the water gives away a presence. A tall, pale man, shows his face. The new moon above lets her see a secret entrance above. The man is thin, the lines on his show his age and tell a story of a hard life, eyes sunken, a fragile skeletal figure hidden by tatty clothes. He is like no one she had ever seen or heard of before. She musters up an introduction as the man inspects her. He hooks his head to one side as if to get a better look from his flank.
Nervously she breaks the silence. ‘I'm the witch Nina! Are you the Architect?'
He walks toward a stone table with a large book on it and opens it, looking for a specific page, as he flicks purposefully. He looks up to the dark tree as if looking at the light.
‘This is a strange world; people are discombobulated and chaotic. Lives of inadequate beings’ rage and they are irresponsible to others.'
He then stops his rant and continues with his task.
‘Is that a spell book?' Nina asks, hoping for some conversation. Looking up at the dark tree he seems to ponder for a moment, then turns as if startled by her presence. He addresses her,
‘Nina' as if he is confused and just then noticing her entrance.
‘Will you tell Reg' I'm in need of some new clothes it's been a long time since he has visited?'
Nina is stunned. How does he know her father and why would he ask him to bring him some clothes? More secrets to find out she reckons.
The Architect continues.
‘Father would come here to hide from the world. He found it hard to live. He never fitted in and humans can be cruel. He struggled at school; he was so different.'
Nina wonders, but listens in anticipation to every word he speaks?
‘He went through years of exclusion from the human world. Until your Mother came along, that is a witch from the other side of the magic world. She was hidden from others in the school, with a spell, but Father was different he could see through spells and curses, breaking them as if intentional.
‘This caused your mother and her sister a lot of concern thinking he was from the dark side of magic, maybe playing tricks on your mother. But something she felt inside, a feeling of sorrow for your father seeing what he was experiencing. That's why Father would hide here for safety. The Dark Mother didn't like what she saw. He was given a spell that would turn his foes into what unspeakable things he could conjure.
Nina now realises a lot of what her parents feel and what life they had to struggle against, this makes her sad and more determined to help her brother.
He closes the book on the table and asks her to join him, with a gesture of his hand, into the damp waterlogged ground surrou
nding the table.
‘Ah, Nina it's nice to meet you.' Nina frowns, bewildered. ‘Is he mad?' ‘No that's not a nice thing to think, he's just different!' She amends her negative thoughts of this stranger. ‘I wondered which side you would choose; I am pleased you have found your way to us. All your family live here.' Nina is uncertain, unsure of the situation and the man's confusing ramblings. ‘Come,’ he urges her towards the book as if to show her something that will interest her. She steps further into the black water, and a shiver goes up to her leg as the cold damp water rises to her ankle. The title of the page reads ‘The Conjuring of a Lost Soul.' Relck enters her mind instantly. The man looks at Nina, smiling.
‘Yes, it's a gift for you from the Dark Mother. You should not be without your brother. The Dark Mother has taken you into her warm embrace; she offers you safety and protection from the things that hide in the shadows.'
Did he read her mind or know of her plight? The despondent look on Nina's face gives away her insecurities about the Dark Mother. The man doesn't smile, disheartened by her actions.
‘You never should be afraid,' he snaps. ‘Do you think Father would leave you alone?'
He shakes his head as if dismayed that she was not aware of the influence her parents had on her actions, be it very secretive. He points to the light. It stands on guard but behind it shadows move as if waiting for her. Were these here to cause her harm? Shaken, she becomes frightened; her faith begins to wane, not helped by the predicament and location of this dark dwelling.
The Architect smiles, kinder in expression this time.
‘Do you know the difference between light and dark?' He asks as if about to explain life in the magic kingdom.
He pauses, as if preparing himself, then continues.
‘The tree of life has two beeches,' pointing to the standing tree in front of them, 'and they grow from mother nature herself,' pointing to the giant roots.
‘The Dark Mother's branches hang to one side, and the Red Mother hangs on the other, all leaves are the same, they grow from the same root albeit different shapes and sizes but all the same. It's the choice and actions we make; this is what makes us different and unique.' Nina notices he speaks about others as if he's not included as a member of their species. Is he human or something else, she wonders?
‘A crocodile baby cries for its Mother. Does it not?' Nina listens intently. She assumed he is correct.
‘You know what a witch is?' Nina hesitates to answer.
‘One thing I know, a witches’ day is not empty,' she replies.
The Architect looks on.
‘You're right in a way, but the truth is your human face is a mask, so you can be whom you have to be. Do you want to act like your natural self in the world?'
‘We are not allowed, people will see us for who we are.'
Affirming with a nod, he continues. ‘You must be someone you are not.'
He abruptly turns, finished with the conversation. He walks over to the tree breaking a small stick from the lower branches. He then dips the end in the black pool and draws on the page of the open book. A light rises from the page and into the stick as if taking the spell from the very page.
‘This is the gift from the Dark Mother, use it with your spell and ease the pain in your heart'. He hands her the stick, a crooked wand. She assumes this is to find Relck.
‘The Dark Mother wants your help. An innocent is born into a world hidden. Saving her is a priority. The whispers will show you the path. She gives you this gift. Save this innocent, and you may free the missing. Your heart will be full, and a beautiful witch’s day is born. You will make the world sit up and see you for who you are.'
He then returns to the darkness. Nina takes this as her cue to leave as quickly as possible. The thought of following the light scares her. Will the shadows harm her? ‘It's not easy being a witch,' she tells herself. Deep breath, one foot in front of the other. She returns to the light and looking forward she rushes as quick as she can back to her Father.
She reaches the mouth of the cave. The adrenaline pumps her witch's heart so fast she can hear it in her head. The light of the moon dazes her as she flings herself into the outside world. A reassuring embrace of the familiar world, her emotions take hold of her reality.
Lifting the telescope, she commands, ‘home.' She arrives in her bedroom to find her Father sitting on her bed. He smiles as if knowing or feeling what she had felt and experienced.
‘You don't have to say anything. If you need to, Mother and I are here. Let's just get a nice warm bath on to help ease that feeling you have. Nina loves this. Father always knows what's needed and he doesn't judge, only offer his ear. This endless love that was there from the day she was born.
A few steps towards the landing, Nina pauses, looking at Father.
‘Is Grandma the Red Witch?'
Father smiles back. ‘I can imagine what you've been through in the cave and you ask, is Grandma the Red Witch?' Is that what you discussed with the Architect?'
‘No, but when I opened her wardrobe door the cloak and hat of the Red Witch were there. I guess it’s on my mind.' Nina's father expects her to have insight and answer her questions without his input.
‘Ask your Auntie Paulina; she will shed some light on your question.' An inflexion in his voice implies Nina is related to Auntie Paulina, but not him!
The night goes quickly as the house sleeps in peace. But once morning comes Nina is eager to prepare for her summoning. She does not wish to rush the spell. It means a lot to her and everyone she loves. The day passes, and the house is silent as thoughts and hopes enter minds.
The evening is slowly drawing in as the witching hour comes. That time before night and day, the darkness quickly taking the light. It is damp and cold outside; the rain raps its rhythmic presence on the window and leaves sway showing unfamiliar shadows on the floor of the kitchen. Different from Echo Beach. Where she had just been previously, thinks Nina, and a feeling of fear remains inside her. Home is warm and inviting, and the love and safety of her family home, seem a wise choice in the cold of the evening. Sadness and hope remain inside and a pain in her heart for Relck. She is scared that she may not be able to cast the spell to save Relck. Not wanting to let anyone down the pressure is intense and emotions run wild. Nina doesn't understand what she feels as the time is up. She must cast the spell tonight, the summoning of magic she knows not.
Nina places the black wand in her witch's pocket. Mother gave Nina an old warn red family spell book with markers on the page needed containing her spell and five summoning stones. They are small black stones covered with strange witches’ symbols. As they look out the door to the garden, the rain continues, and the dark grey sky threatens a storm. The place of green and happiness of days spent in nature now seems sad and it may never seem the same again to The Whosley’s. Nina feels the electricity in the air forcing change.
As the family entered the garden. Father places the stones in a star, as Mother and Father stand back a few steps to watch the ceremony. Full of hope. Nina begins her first summoning spell. Opening the book, she reads out aloud the spell.
‘The dark in the past the light in the now, the wind in the air will bring forth who I command. Dark Mother finds a soul trapped and brings them to the now. I offer you a wing of a bat, tail of rat and whisker of a cat. She sprinkles her magic dust from her witch's pouch onto the ground.
She lifts her wand. With a swish and a swoosh, a spark and a deafening crack, a lightning bolt shot from the tip of the black rod, into the sky.
Shocked, they wait a few seconds nothing happens. Mother and Father step close to Nina. She cries. ‘I have failed.' Mother and Father can't think of what to say to ease their daughter's pain. The sky opens, and rain soaks the family with its icy coldness.
A voice from behind them breaks the upset. There stands a figure, in a black cloak, an arm raised and who pulls back the hood. ‘Relck,' they all cry. ‘Trust you to summon a spell in the pouring rain,' he la
ughs, 'well it's a good job I'm back. I don't think you will survive much longer without me to watch over you all.' The family hug Relck, and tears of joy fall. The family are a family again.
‘Welcome home son', said Father,' as Mother hugs her brave boy and thanks Nina for being her shining light in the dark, dragging her into a huddle.
‘Are you home for good?' Nina asks hopefully.
‘I'm here to help you with The Missing, the Dark Mother has released me to my family again. But I must speak with Grandma with sadness. The black gem is a ruse to capture a witch; I will be home soon.' And then he is gone. The family make their way dripping wet to their warm home happy for the return of Relck but concern for Grandma and their family. But happy it ended in a beautiful witch’s day.
JOIN NINA SOON IN THE third book The Little Witch and the Midnight Carnival.
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Titles to follow-
The Troll Line
The Little Witch and the Midnight Carnival
The Little Witch the Boy Nobody wanted
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