Dark Tree Shining

by Paula Harrison

  Claudia went to the window. “Not just any hobgobbits either. These are twice as big as usual and probably twice as hairy. They are creatures of the forest so the Shadow magic in the Arrow must be affecting them too.”

  Laney paused by the passageway that led to Gwen’s plant house. “I can’t hear anything.” They looked at each other and crept down the corridor.

  “Gwen’s not here.” Laney scanned the empty plant house. “No sign of that shadowy spell either.”

  Claudia tilted her head for a moment. “She’s not in the house at all. There’s no sound or smell of her, and the valerian scent is weaker than it was before.”

  “Do you think she broke the enchantment?” said Laney eagerly.

  “If she did, then why isn’t she here helping us?”

  “Maybe she left another note.” Laney ran to the kitchen but there was nothing.

  “Face it: we’re on our own.” Claudia drummed her fingers on the worktop. “So what now?”

  Laney took a deep breath. “The Thorns draw their power from plants and herbs. So we need to find the right one to release Fletcher from the Shadow’s grip.”

  Claudia raised her eyebrows. “Herbs! That’s your plan? We’re fighting the most evil faerie power that exists and you want to use herbs.”

  Laney flushed. She looked inside Gwen’s cupboard and examined the jars and bottles on the worktop. “Here is it!” She seized the padlocked jar she’d looked at before. “Remember Gwen said that this was the strongest thing she had.”

  “It’s just dried ferns!” Claudia folded her arms. “This is a waste of time.”

  “No, I remember her saying that they were usually harmless, but these ones were mega strong.” Laney read the tiny label on the jar. “Moonwort from my plant house: picked on July 15th. That’s my birthday.”

  Claudia looked at the label. “It was picked this year too. Hey, do you think that means…”

  “Yeah. That’s why it’s special.” Laney stared at the delicate dry leaves inside the jar. “She picked it on the night of the red moon – the night I Awakened.” She swallowed. It seemed like everything came back to this. Why had she Awakened at the red moon? Had she been cursed by gaining her powers on that unlucky night? Not even the Spirit Smoke had been able to answer her questions – exploding as soon as she’d asked to see what had happened.

  She pressed her lips tight. If the red moon had given the moonwort plant its special strength, then fine. As long as she could use it to get Fletcher back she didn’t care.

  “We can put a few of the leaves into some elixir.” She opened the fridge and took out three bottles of green elixir. Then she poured them all into a big empty lemonade bottle from Gwen’s recycling box.

  Claudia struggled with the padlock on the jar. “Where’s the key for this? I can’t open it.”

  “There isn’t time for that.” Laney grabbed the jar and threw it on the floor, smashing it into dozens of pieces.

  “Laney!” gasped Claudia.

  Laney picked up the moonwort, dropped some of the leaves into the lemonade bottle and shook it. “The Shadow’s taken over the village. Fletcher’s been turned into a tree and your family are fighting to keep the Thorns out of The Cattery. Are you really going to worry about a smashed jar?”

  “I guess not.” Claudia eyed her doubtfully. “But you’re not the same girl you were a few weeks ago, Laney Rivers.”

  Laney and Claudia hid behind a wall near the park, carrying the lemonade bottle with its elixir and moonwort leaves.

  “We should test this stuff before we use it,” whispered Claudia. “We need to know what it does.”

  Laney spotted a black root that had burst through the pavement and was slithering towards them. She poured a single drop of mixture on to the root and they watched it transform, gradually turning back to brown and burying itself in the earth again.

  Laney and Claudia exchanged looks. “This could actually work.” Claudia’s eyes gleamed. “I’m just worried that when we break cover to give this to Fletcher, the Shadow will see us. And even if Fletcher changes back there’ll still be only three of us to fight him.”

  “Maybe if we’re fast enough we can cure a few Thorns before he reaches us.”

  Claudia shook her head. “We need a way to spread this stuff so that all the Thorns get cured at the same time. If you can make it rain over the park, then I can throw the elixir into the cloud where it’ll mix with the rain and pour on everyone at once.”

  “What if I can’t make it rain?” hissed Laney. “Or if the rain comes out wrong?”

  “Maybe it would be easier with two of you.” Claudia jerked her head towards a slim figure that had just darted into the doorway of the hairdresser’s.

  “Jessie? You’re kidding me! She’d never help.”

  “You have to try,” said Claudia. “You’re both Mists and she’s been using water magic for longer.”

  “Yeah, I bet she’ll mention that a couple of times. OK, here goes.” Laney ran quickly over to Jessie, dodging around the trees and brambles that had forced their way through the tarmac.

  “What do you want?” Jessie shrank back into the doorway. “Go away – the Thorns will hear you and come looking for us.”

  Laney forced herself to say it. “I need your help with a Mist spell.”

  “No way! I’m not staying here; I’m flying north to find my dad. My mum can’t get out of here by herself – she’s not strong enough. I’m going to make him come back and help us.” She glared at Laney. “Stop playing the hero and go back to your family.”

  “My dad’s injured, and Toby and my stepmum have been sent to sleep by the valerian,” Laney told her. “If we can free the Thorns from the Shadow’s spell—”

  “Oh, not this again! When will you learn? There IS NO Shadow.”

  Laney made a huge effort to stay calm. “I don’t have time to argue with you about it. I need to make a rain shower big enough to give all the Thorns a dose of this. I’m going to mix it in with the rain.” She showed Jessie the lemonade bottle. “Now, are you going to help me or not?”

  “I’m not,” Jessie snapped. “Unless … is that Gwen’s elixir?”

  “Why?” Laney looked at her warily.

  “I need some for my mum, you idiot! To restore her strength.”

  “Help me make it rain and I’ll get the elixir for you.” She pulled the bottle back as Jessie made a grab for it. “You can’t have this. There’s something extra in it and it’s really strong.”

  “Fine then.” Jessie looked sulky. “Let’s do this stupid rain shower. But if the Thorns catch you, I’m not coming to help you.”

  “Imagine my surprise,” said Laney. “We need to make it rain above the park first, then spread the shower to cover all of Skellmore. If we fly high there’s less chance we’ll be seen.”

  Signalling to Claudia to join them, Laney ran round the corner into the back yard of the minimart followed by Jessie. “You just need to keep an eye on things while we summon the rain,” Laney told Claudia. “Let us know if anyone’s coming.”

  “Have you got her believing in this Shadow rubbish too?” asked Jessie incredulously. “You’re all deluded.”

  “Trust me: you’ll soon see for yourself, whether you want to or not.” Claudia spread her wings. “Let’s do this.”

  They soared high over Skellmore. A blanket of grey cloud had drifted in, turning the air cold, but there was no sign of any rain. Below them, the Thorns patrolled the streets while gangs of hobgobbits practised random destruction, knocking over bins and tearing posters off the shop walls.

  Laney’s heart jumped when she saw the still shape near the great oak tree. Fletcher. She flew on, fighting the urge to go over to him. Words couldn’t help him now. He needed her to break the poisonous hold the Shadow had over the Arrow.

  Several other statue-like forms were dotted around the park. Laney wondered if they were Thorns who had tried to break free or whether the Shadow had just transfixed them for fun. O
n the far side of Skellmore a group of Thorns flew low over the rooftops and the green specks of the valerian spell glinted in the air behind them.

  The Shadow was nowhere to be seen.

  “This is high enough.” Jessie hovered, her curly hair tangling in the wind. “We need to bring the cloud closer before we release the water. It’s too far away right now. Just pull it down with your mind, a little bit at a time. And try not to muck it up.”

  Laney passed Claudia the lemonade bottle, ignoring the sting in Jessie’s words. Then she raised her arms to the sky, copying the other Mist girl closely. Patches of cloud broke away from the grey cloudbank and drifted down. Laney stretched higher, wishing everything would speed up. She knew the clouds were way above and it took time for them to float down, but every second increased the chance that someone might look up and see them.

  “Come on,” she muttered under her breath.

  “You’re hopeless, aren’t you?” said Jessie. “Your arms are too spiky. Just hold them slightly curved and then move your hands in a rhythm, like you’re an ocean.”

  Claudia raised one eyebrow. “Yeah, come on, Laney. Be like an ocean.”

  Laney tried to copy Jessie’s hand movements, but she felt like she was doing it all wrong. Streaks of cloud vapour rushed at her, wrapping their cold, clammy arms around her skin.

  Jessie scowled at Laney’s efforts as she summoned several round puffs of perfect cloud and collected them above her head.

  A high yowl made the hairs rise on Laney’s arms. Claudia thrust the lemonade bottle into her hands, her face drawn with worry. “I’m going to check on everyone in The Cattery. I think the Thorns may have broken through.” She raced away, wings at full stretch.

  Laney looked down at the crescent shape of The Cattery. There was a loud bang and figures running.

  Jessie pulled her bundle of cloud nearer so that it floated just above her fingertips. “We’re ready,” she said, then added fiercely, “but don’t forget – we’re getting the elixir for my mum as soon as we’ve done this.”

  “I know! I said so, didn’t I? How do we make the cloud release the rain?”

  “Just tell it to – and mean it.” Jessie took the lemonade bottle. “You’d better let me do this. Once the rain has begun I’ll scatter it so that it mixes in.”

  Laney’s wings fluttered faster. This was it. It was time. “After three then? One, two, three…” She stared at the cloud above her head. “Rain!”

  A water drop hit her face, then another and another.

  “Rain!” Laney called more loudly.

  “Control it!” said Jessie. “Don’t let it go wild. We want a steady flow not just a burst of rain that’s over in a few seconds.”

  Laney looked over at Jessie. The other girl was bringing down sheets of raindrops in an even pattern. She closed her eyes and tried harder. Rain. Let it rain. Her hands grew hotter and the burn mark on her middle finger throbbed painfully.

  “No! What are you doing?” screamed Jessie.

  “What?” Laney opened her eyes.

  Jessie was staring at Laney’s hands in horror. “You freak! You absolute freak.”

  A flicker of orange leapt in the palms of Laney’s hands. Raindrops fell on to her skin and sizzled. “I’m not doing anything. It’s not me,” she said desperately. “I just told it to rain.”

  “I knew this would happen.” Jessie’s low voice was vehement. Her eyes narrowed. “You can’t even make it rain properly and it’s one of the easiest Mist skills there is. You’ve never been one of us. You may have burst the water pipes at school on the day you Awakened but that doesn’t make you a true Mist. I’ve always known from the start that you weren’t normal.”

  “What do you mean?” Laney’s hands glowed hotter than ever and the glimmer of orange leapt in them again.

  “Don’t you remember the sand and water table at nursery school?” Jessie glared at her. “We were playing there together and we went for the same toy and then you boiled the water.”

  An image flashed through Laney’s head of a small Jessie crying and clutching her hands. “I scalded you. But I wasn’t even Awake then.”

  “You’ve never been a Mist. There’s something wrong with you.” Jessie’s face twisted in disgust. “I’ll get the elixir myself. I don’t want your help to find it anyway.” She thrust the lemonade bottle back into Laney’s arms and, with a blast of rain, flew away.

  “I am a Mist. I’m just still learning what to do,” Laney called after her. She looked down at her hands. The tiny glint of orange had vanished. She didn’t understand – where had it come from?

  Claudia came back from The Cattery, circling to avoid the falling rain. “My mum’s made a shell shield and it’s holding the Thorns off for now.” She stared at Jessie flying away. “What’s wrong with her?”

  Laney shrugged, fumbling with the top of the bottle. She should have known Jessie would leave her without finishing the job. But the Thorns had to be freed and the Arrow recaptured. She would throw the elixir and moonwort mixture into the cloud herself. It would work. It just had to.

  From the corner of her eye she saw a dark shape. The bottle lid wouldn’t twist. She tried to wrench it but it was stuck. At the edge of her sight, the dark shape grew larger.

  Then Claudia screamed.

  The Shadow’s cloak streamed outwards and his wings pulsed like a black heartbeat. Laney was hypnotised for a moment. Then she tore the lid off the bottle and shook it frantically. The green potion arced through the air, splitting into hundreds of little drops and merging into the cloud vapour. Laney’s heart sank as she saw the rain starting to fade and a band of sunshine sweep over the High Street. The bottle was nearly empty. Had she done enough to help the Thorns?

  “Laney!”

  Claudia’s shout forced her into action and she dodged away from the Shadow, who swung round to grab at her. She folded in her wings and let herself fall head first. The air pushed back at her but she held her course, heading for one small figure that stood immobile in the park. The growing darkness told her that the Shadow was following.

  She slowed down too late and hit the ground hard, but she managed to get up and run, her legs almost giving way beneath her. The sight of Fletcher gave her extra strength and she clutched the last of the bottled potion to her side.

  A glint of sunshine from the edge of the clouds made the rainwater glisten on the grass. The rain had at least covered the park but dark roots and brambles still lay across the football pitch. Was the moonwort leaf working?

  With a crash the Shadow landed, splitting a hole in the earth and making the ground tremble. “How dare you!” his voice shook. “I should kill you for this and I would love to do it.” He clenched one gloved hand. “But he would not like that. So, Laney Rivers, how much pain do you think I can make you feel without letting you die?”

  Laney’s eyes flicked sideways. The Shadow stood between her and Fletcher.

  He caught her look. “Ah, yes! Perhaps it would be more fun if we let Fletcher feel the pain for you.”

  Laney caught a flash of movement from above and a large metal TV aerial landed on the Shadow, knocking him to the ground.

  “Perhaps it would be more fun if we dropped stuff on your head,” said Claudia, brushing her hands together. “Ow! That was freakin’ heavy!”

  Laney raced to Fletcher, whose body was now more tree-like than ever. His skin was rough and furrowed, and for a second she wondered whether the changes had gone too far.

  “Fletcher?” She studied what had been his face. “Can you hear me? You have to try and wake up.” She poured the last drips of the elixir moonwort mixture where she thought his mouth should be and it trickled slowly down the trunk. Two deep creases above the mouth shape should have been his eyes, but they didn’t open.

  The Shadow rose with a howl of fury and let loose a great stream of red lightning at Claudia, who slumped to the ground. Then he rounded on Laney.

  Laney hesitated. She didn’t want to leave F
letcher, but what about Claudia?

  “Urrrrm…” came a deep groan. Not from the Shadow this time, but from the tree behind her. The Fletcher tree. She caught her breath.

  His nose and mouth emerged from the bumps and knots of the tree trunk. The bark thinned, warming in colour, and his eyes opened.

  “Fletcher!” Laney grinned. “It worked!” His eyes were gold-ringed with grey underneath, same as always.

  “What was in that?” The Shadow seized the empty lemonade bottle. “Tell me, girl.”

  Laney thought of the label on the moonwort jar and the fern-like leaves picked on the night of the red moon – the night she’d Awakened. “It’s something strong.” She tried to hold her voice steady. “And I bet the other Thorns are waking too because I threw most of it into the rain.” Behind the Shadow’s cloak, she saw Claudia get up and limp away. She hoped Claudia was going to get help – though there might be no one left who could help them.

  The Shadow stepped closer. “Cursed child! You were cursed from the moment you were born, right from the moment you brought your diseased magic into our world.” He worked up a ball of lightning between his hands. “But I am not allowed to let you die. However, I can kill your Thorn friend instead. The Thorns are a stupid tribe, after all.”

  “Laney,” croaked Fletcher. “Get out of here.”

  “Hurry up, Fletch!” Laney held one of his branch-arms. He was changing too slowly.

  The lightning ball crackled red in the Shadow’s hands. Laney put herself between the Shadow and Fletcher. “Why can’t you just take the Wildwood Arrow and go?” she yelled, and her hands grew so hot she had to clasp them together.

  “There is so much more the Arrow could do here,” said the Shadow. “A tree root has great power – over time it can topple buildings and break the ground apart. The Thorns’ plan, to create a place without humans, was a good start but it takes Shadow magic to truly wipe the human vermin from our land. That is a worthy use of a Myrical.” The dark hood hanging over his face moved and the rotting smell from his cloak began to make Laney feel dizzy.