by R A Lindo
“All of your father’s choices are to protect you,” Aunt Phee stated, the warm, brown eyes tinged with emotion, symbolic of the recognition that she could no longer be the idealised figure for her niece. The truth brought with it the fabric of complexity and compromise … where heroes moved in light tinged with darkness, and enemies wore multiple masks to wield devastation.
As his sister, daughter and collective comrades - old and young - sat in a row in various states of intrigue, Casper Renn begun, unbuttoning the waistcoat of his green suit in a rare gesture of nerves. He had his daughter’s judgemental eyes on him for the first time; therefore, every word would carry weight and every explanation framing Kaira’s renewed perception of him.
There was, of course, the added complication of Meyen Grayling and the perilous situation she had put herself in … something Guppy and Jacob may not be ready to hear. It was time, however, forged by the spirit of the young and the forces of fate: a fate he feared would soon rest between his daughter’s shoulders and his own.
“My father was a great man who continues to have formidable power. My feelings towards him are mixed … a strained love for the father I knew as a boy, and a feeling of betrayal towards the man who fled an investigation regarding his allegiance to a dark army.
As your aunt likes to put it, Kaira, there was never any concrete proof of your grandfather’s illegal use of Gorrah (dark magic), but his disappearance soon after established two things: a suggestion of guilt and an abandonment of his children. Suffice it to say, that my detachment from him has its roots in resentment, but the present often re-frames the past, as it has done so now.
Your grandfather began to appear on the margins of The Society Sphere, and then Society Square, as news gathered of your imminent arrival in the Society. Even before you entered, your aunt and I were entertaining the possibility of your early entrance to our secret world. Guppy, of course, had already arrived and been taken under our wing, partly due to Meyen’s difficulty in keeping an eye on her.”
Guppy smiled in recognition of Casper Renn’s euphemistic description of her mother’s neglect, a mixture of anticipation and anxiety as the fragments of information began to form into a cohesive whole. The morning had blazed into life from the moment Kaira’s dad and aunt had taken centre stage in the trading lane, forming spectacular feats of magic to quell the attack of an enemy now put to rest.
Rest seemed a distant concept now as the illustrations distracted Guppy once more - scenes that symbolised sin and sacrifice, bravery and betrayal and a singular legend invisible to even the Panorilum’s powers. Kaira and Guppy had spent the early hours struggling with the multiple mysteries - many of which they believed they had solved and some remaining unclear, including the whereabouts of Conrad Kusp who appeared to have mirrored his father’s vanishing act.
“So, to join the dots,” Kaira’s dad continued, comforted by a reassuring nod from his sister. “It began a few months before you overhead us on the bedroom landing, Kaira: the fateful night that has changed everything for you. After years of peace, Searings had begun above ground again … curses unheard of for years and, worst of all, used on above ground people. It wasn’t until the evening in question, when Smyck, Farraday, your aunt and I sat in the kitchen, that things became clear.
The Sign of the Symean was being drawn on buildings both within the Society and above ground. At first, because of Theodore’s reluctance to speak, we weren’t sure if it was something above-ground children had discovered by chance, or if it was something else. Continued attacks, plus your discoveries in The Pancithon, confirmed it to be something more sinister, leading to the death of Cialene Koll in Dyil’s Ditch … something you were unfortunate to witness.”
Kaira listened as her dad continued, mildly frustrated that he was going over old ground … information already known and reiterated in Gilweean. He seemed almost conditioned for secrecy … as if his senior role in the Society had formed a suspicion of divulging too much.
Thankfully, her aunt recognised this battle and joined her brother by the Panorilum. Immaculately dressed in a black dress and matching shoes, complimented by delicate, silver jewellery, Philomeena Renn guided the thread of her brother’s monologue away from known facts to that which needed to be revealed.
“As we know, the combination of attacks and the re-appearance of the sign links to one thing: the legend of the Terrecet. What we’ve never truly known, until recently, is whether the notorious artefact actually exists.”
“So, it does exist?” prompted Guppy, struggling to understand why adults couldn’t just get to the point.
“Perhaps,” replied Kaira’s aunt in a solemn tone.
The light continued to bounce off the windows within The Glass Arch, doing little to lighten the subject at hand.
“One fragment has already been moved to safety,” added Casper Renn - a comment which brought the expected shocked response from Kaira, Guppy and Jacob.
“Our mum’s moved it?” uttered Jacob in shock.
“No. That fragment remains in The Phiadal, beneath The Floating Floor.”
“You already knew that?” queried Kaira.
“All movements are studied within the Society, Kaira, including those of its senior members. Dishonour and betrayal come in many forms and from many places. Also, midnight movements within faculties always draw suspicion, and Meyen’s use of the Invisils charm on some visits didn’t prevent her from being seen by hidden eyes secretly patrolling The Cendryll - or those using a Panorilum which has the ability to override such charms. Few things can be truly hidden within the Society.”
“So, two have been found?” queried Guppy for purposes of clarification.
“Yes,” replied Farraday, sensing the struggle in his friend’s face. He had sensed this day was drawing near … when Kaira’s idealised view of her father would morph into something more mature … more layered, like the Society itself.
“So, where’s the other fragment?” asked Kaira.
“Somewhere safe,” interjected Smyck, joining in to manage the catalogue of expected questions they had done well to avert until now.
“Who moved it?” asked Jacob.
“I did,” came Casper Renn’s reply, the top button of his white shirt now unbuttoned as all eyes rested on him. “It was moved to The Wenlands on my recent trip there.”
“You…? The Wenlands…?” uttered Kaira in shock, remembering her aunt’s description of the shadow people that lived there.
“The people of the Wenlands - the Quliy - have an allegiance to us, as do the sky urchins who also live there.”
“Why?” questioned Jacob.
“Because our family have defended their land for centuries,” explained Aunt Phee.
“The sky urchins,” Kaira commented, remembering the flock of black, scar-ravaged figures in the sky on her journey to Dyil’s Ditch. “That’s why they were protecting you in Dyil’s Ditch…”
“Yes, Kaira,” replied her dad with an awkward smile. “And you. As we’ve all agreed to divulge our secrets, there’s no more need to feign ignorance on either side. Ivirin, the sky urchin who insisted you return to the safety of The Cendryll, informed me of your appearance in the mudlands.”
“Sorry,” interjected Jacob, somewhat perplexed by the flood of information. “So, the Quliy and sky urchins aren’t dangerous?”
“To some, but not us,” explained Philomeena Renn as she brushed particles of dust from her black dress. “They are one of the many allegiances we have beyond The Society Sphere, like our friends and family in Gilweean. As you may have gathered, Jacob, our magical world extends far beyond Founders’ Quad.”
“Do other people know you’ve moved a Terrecet fragment to The Wenlands?” asked Kaira, suddenly fearful that her father may be admitting an attraction to dark forces.
“Yes, Kaira, of course. Every act carried out by a senior Society member requires the approval of The Orium Circle.”
“I doubt my mum got their approval
to hide another fragment beneath The Floating Floor,” commented Guppy.
“Now, there’s an example of how not to do it,” added Farraday. “Your mum’s got herself in deep water, Guppy … water she’s likely to drown in, if we don’t get to stop what she’s planning.”
“Which is what?” challenged Jacob.
“The illegal storing of the fragment with a view to using it for her own benefit. Power seduces, and dark power has seductive powers few can resist.”
“So, what’s her plan?” prompted Guppy.
“If we’ve connected the dots correctly,” continued Kaira’s dad, “your mother plans to take it to a meeting point only the punished or desperate occupy: Quibbs Causeway.”
The mention of the place many feared brought a welcome pause to proceedings.
“How do you know that?” challenged Guppy, a part of her wanting to believe that her mother’s callous nature stopped at engaging with evil forces.
“We don’t,” replied Casper Renn, “but The Sinister Four visited Meyen in The Cendryll soon after Cialene’s death in Dyil’s Ditch. You came across them in The Pancithon when you were searching for books linked to The Sign of the Symean. You overheard them talking about the mess with Cialene. You then saw them again yesterday, heading up Horsel Hill, towards The Sylent: the very building Erent Koll appeared out of. It has all the hallmarks of a dark bargain.”
“Why Quibbs Causeway? Why such a dangerous place?”
“Because it’s the safest place for Erent Koll to appear within The Society Sphere. His power is weakened within our world, remember, but Quibbs Causeway provides him with a protection others don’t have: the Mantzils.”
“How so?”
“The Mantzils’ cry is something unbearable, as I’m sure you already know,” Kaira’s aunt explained, “but they also originate from the underworld … a place Erent Koll has a unique affinity to.”
“So, he’s not affected by it,” conjectured Kaira.
“That’s right,” Aunt Phee replied. “In fact, he benefits from it because, as the Mantzils’ formless shapes swarm into the mind, Koll prepares to snare his victims, leaving them cursed, psychologically unhinged and covered in blood.”
“Surely, my mum wouldn’t take such a risk,” challenged Jacob who hadn’t entirely discarded his sense of compassion for his mother. “It’s an obvious trap.”
“Not if you’ve decided to align yourself to evil,” commented Smyck, “joining an army of dark agents who can provide you with the power you’ve craved for so long.”
“So, you’re heading to Quibbs Causeway to stop her?” asked Kaira in sudden fear for her father and aunt.
“If necessary,” her dad replied. “Although, I should state that the place presents dangers far greater than Dyil’s Ditch. The Mantzils can obliterate the mind in seconds so, should any of you decide to go against our strict orders to stay in The Cendryll, you will be expelled with immediate effect. You’ve been warned.”
“Anyway,” uttered Farraday as he stood from the green, iron bench before spreading his arms out. “If Question Time’s over, The Glass Arch is where you’ll be based for the next few days. You’ll get your advanced lessons in magic here: out of sight and out of reach. The Merrymope twins control access to The Revolving Room which means you’ll have the privacy you need. Also, the glass reforms when it shatters in here which will be helpful, considering the mess you’re going to make.”
“Mess?” queried Kaira at the thought of shattering glass raining down on them.
“Advanced magic is difficult to master,” explained Smyck as he stood alongside Farraday. There are rooms in The Cendryll used for lessons, but we’re in a different season now. Secrecy is key to ensuring you enter the field with a bang.”
Kaira took ‘the field’ to mean aspects of the Society which, as yet, they had been protected from. They were evidently ill equipped for ‘the field’, as their run-in with The Sinister Four had proven.
“What about our mum?” asked Guppy, keen to ask a final, critical question.
“We’ll deal with your mum,” Philomeena Renn replied without further elaboration. “Our job is to stop her doing further damage, and yours is to learn advanced wizardry so you can protect yourself against the damage others are keen to inflict on you.”
With her aunt’s concluding statement, Kaira watched the light move in elegant strands within The Glass Arch, happy that the mystery of her grandfather was partially resolved whilst ruminating on the layered nature of truth. The shifting light around them seemed a perfect symbol of the adults present - the immovable, loving force that did everything to protect her whilst realising that greater, magical abilities would be the ultimate shield.
One final thing itched away at her memory, attempting to surface before the thought faded into the residue of fleeting memory.
“The room of clues,” she uttered as proceedings were brought to a close. “My granddad mentioned Aunt Phee’s room as a ‘room of clues’, which would help us to understand more.”
The word ‘granddad’ hadn’t been used for years as Isiah Renn’s name became anathema within the walls of 12 Spyndall Street. Recent revelations had allowed the articulation of this word whilst referencing another mysterious figure.
“We’ll get to that,” her dad replied in a more relaxed tone. “Your grandfather is convinced that another person has secrets he has yet to divulge - something he is ashamed of, nevertheless it’s critical to our next steps.”
“And the ‘room of clues’ is linked to this person?” asked Kaira, searchingly.
“Yes,” her dad replied. “Your aunt’s room is the direct link to this person, and his son.”
17
Mastering Charms
The rest of the day was spent under the strict tutelage of Farraday and Smyck in The Glass Arch. Lessons on advanced wizardry, it seemed, couldn’t wait and it wasn’t long before Kaira realised the extent of what was to be learnt. Creative charms had been easy in comparison to the numerous defensive, protective and restrictive charms being thrown at them.
The compassion Farraday had shown throughout Kaira’s upbringing wasn’t shared during the lessons - his comment that ‘enemies weren’t forgiving’ repeated as he used all aspects of The Glass Arch to display the awesome power residing in a multitude of spells.
Smyck had a more reserved teaching style, patiently explaining the subtleties of activating and manipulating magic. His more studious approach ran counter to Farraday’s grand, chaotic displays which highlighted the beauty and brutality inherent in all things.
Beauty was displayed through the Levenan defensive charm - a powerful water charm which enabled waves to flood from the wizard’s hands, bending and spiralling in a myriad of shapes and colours. Brutality was most dramatically exemplified via the Disineris charm, causing any object within in sight to explode and disintegrate: the first lesson of the day.
“So, we’re going to blow up The Glass Arch?” asked Guppy whose complex feelings regarding her mother’s fate were temporarily buried as she focused on the task at hand.
“Something like that,” replied Farraday, taking off his black jacket and brown waistcoat. The long, thinning hair and gold, hoop earring suggested a man unable to let go of his youth; however, any question that his vigour and power had diminished was about to be laid to rest.
Once reassured that the impending explosion could not be heard anywhere else, the advanced lesson on destruction and reconstruction continued. Indeed, it was not going to be a simple case of exploding each pane of glass in the light-filled arch they stood in: they would have to stop it raining down on them and shredding them to pieces.
“Okay,” stated Jacob nervously, imagining thousands of pieces of glass descending on them. “Shouldn’t we learn the charm that controls the glass falling first?”
“We’ve been instructed to teach you advanced magic,” countered Smyck, “and that’s what we’re going to do. After all, you won’t have the opportunity to ne
gotiate with your enemy, will you?”
A point well made, Jacob conceded.
“What if we can’t control the shattering glass before it falls on top of us?” Kaira asked Farraday, sensing he had a plan.
“Leave that part to us,” replied her father’s closest ally. “First things first … the importance of commitment and concentration. Once your fear takes hold, the forces you unleash become wild. Focus only on the task at hand.”
“Which is?” queried Guppy.
“Disintegrating everything in here,” replied Smyck.
The trio of friends looked up at the glass ceiling before turning their attention to the long, green, iron benches, running the length of the space. Added to this, was the steel frame, holding each pane of glass in place.
“We’re going to destroy everything at the same time?” asked Kaira a little nervously.
“That’s right,” stated Farraday as he lowered his neck before rolling his head one way, then the other - a manoeuvre which emitted a loud, clicking sound. “The essence of the Disineris charm is to imagine battle and each object as your static army, waiting to burst into action. Time for lessons on advanced wizardry to begin. Keep up because we’re going to move quickly today.”
Unlike more simple, defensive charms, the Disineris charm was a challenge to master and, despite numerous attempts to do so, none of the young trio could muster the power and force required. Guppy yelled in frustration as the minutes passed without reward, the closest she got to producing it, the humming sound of a mild force field forming inside The Glass Arch.
Kaira and Jacob had similar struggles, despite the more nuanced guidance from Smyck who reiterated that battle had to be clearly imagined, along with a conscious understanding that every object was a soldier in wait.
