Bound to Survive (The Magic Within Book 1)

by Sharon Gibbs

  ‘Brother of mine. Brother thy be. Hear my call that comes to thee.’

  Although Henry and Clarence were Brothers of the fold, they’d formed a special bond. While both were in their junior years at the Keep they’d made a pact to always be there for one another and had bought small amulets to exchange. They’d pledged their loyalty to one another and they’d instilled in the stones a small spark of their Wizard’s essence, so they’d always be able to find each other. Apart from boyhood pranks at the Keep, neither had needed to use them, until then.

  Deep within the cave, Clarence had suddenly needed to return to the portal. He’d concealed the entrance with magic and while Clarence could see out, no other could see the invisible door or see inside. As Clarence had approached the sealed portal he’d seen outside a horse, cart and a small boy who sat on a rock. He’d recognised the boy and had rushed the rest of the way to the entrance. As he’d neared the doorway, Henry had passed in front of the concealed entrance. Clarence withdrew his magic and opened the hidden portal.

  ‘Henry! I wondered if you’d ever come,’ Clarence said. Clarence had looked around for the others, but he’d seen no one else and he’d held his questions at bay. Only Christopher had been with Henry and Clarence had seen the pain and sorrow on his friend’s face and as he went to him he’d held him tight. They’d embraced but they didn’t speak and tears had rolled down Henry’s face but he’d remained silent. As Clarence had stood back he’d placed a hand on each of Henry’s arms and squeezed him firmly. ‘Come, let us go inside.’

  Henry had picked Christopher up and placed him back in the cart and then he’d led the horse into the cave as Clarence again sealed the portal. Together they’d walked deep into the cave and the torches on the walls had lit their way. The cave was high and wide enough for the horse and cart to pass through and as they came upon a nook in the side of the wall they’d unharnessed Henry’s mare and led her into the pen. The mare had been hungry and quenched her thirst and as Clarence had already tended his horse they’d secured the rail back in place.

  Henry and Clarence had then pushed the cart, with Christopher still inside, the rest of the way through the winding walkway of the cave. The path opened into a cavernous room which held many relics from the Keep. This was a sacred haven which the Wizards used to congregate for reflection, and many rituals had once been held there. The Wizards rarely used the Caves of Choice anymore and most celebrations had now spread to include the people of the villages and towns.

  Henry had then lifted Christopher out of the cart and they’d pushed it over against the wall. Henry then carried Christopher over near the warmth of the fire. The smoke rose towards the ceiling and dispersed through the many cracks and crevices that ran through it.

  Clarence had stoked the flames. ‘Are you two hungry?’

  ‘I’m fine, Clarence, but I’m sure Christopher could do with more to eat than the berries we collected.’

  Clarence had knelt next to Christopher and asked if he’d like something to eat.

  ‘Yes thank you, Uncle Clarence.’

  Christopher had wandered around and stared at the artefacts the room contained. From books stacked high on shelves to stones in glass jars, there were many strange objects around the cave and they intrigued the young boy. The far side of the cave was clear and a stone slab lay on the floor with a ring of large rocks around it. Christopher had asked his grandfather what they were for. Henry had told him they were used in rituals and celebrations by the Wizards of old. He hadn’t spoken further about them. Instead he’d told Christopher about his many visits there with Clarence. Henry told his grandson how they’d sometimes sleep in the cave when he’d come to visit.

  ‘Are we going to sleep here, grandfather?’

  ‘Yes, Christopher, for a while we’ll stay here.’

  Clarence had returned with bowls of the soup he’d made earlier that morning. There was a small area behind cupboards to the side of them where he’d prepare meals and he cooked his food over the fire. Clarence kept a store of supplies laid in for when he visited.

  They’d eaten in silence and when they’d finished, Clarence took Christopher to have a look around the room and he’d explained what most things were used for. He’d told him about the books and what was stored in the bottles and jars on the walls and then he’d let Christopher climb on the stone altar.

  ‘I’d like to go home now,’ Christopher said. He’d finished his exploration and missed his mother.

  ‘Christopher, son, it is not safe there anymore. You can’t return home. You must stay with your grandfather.’

  Christopher’s eyes had filled with tears and his lips had quivered as droplets had run down his cheeks. Clarence had taken Christopher by the hand and led him back to Henry. Christopher had climbed up onto Henry’s lap and sobbed awhile before he’d fallen asleep.

  Clarence had prepared a bed by the fire and they’d lain Christopher down to sleep in the furs. He’d been such a small boy back then and the tears he’d cried had stained his cheeks as they mixed with the dirt on his face. He’d looked at ease as he slumbered and Clarence had returned and sat near the fire.

  ‘My friend I see your sorrow, so tell me what happened at the Keep,’ he’d said.

  ‘They’re all gone. My family and those at the Keep, all slain,’ Henry had told him and tears had streamed down his face as he’d spoken about that fateful day.

  Clarence had been saddened and he’d found it hard to believe. Surely all at the Keep weren’t dead. Hopefully some had managed to escape.

  ‘My friend, I know that your heart has been torn from you, but you must stay that grief. There is great importance in what I am about to show you,’ he’d said and he rose and walked over to the many books piled around the walls of the cavern. From high on a shelf he’d removed a book. The book that the dead Hierarch had given to him to store in the caves, when he’d first left the Keep to live in Canameer.

  ‘Henry, when I first brought this book here I placed it on a shelf and forgot about it. But as time went by and I returned here to this sanctuary for rest, I spent much of my time engrossed in the books here.’ He’d handed the tome to Henry and a strip of material dangled from it. As he’d opened the book he read the page before him. ‘When I read this book, I’d noticed there were several pages that were worn, as if someone had read them a thousand times,’ Clarence had said. ‘I thought nothing of it then, other than someone had an interest in the book and the words meant nothing to me at the time. So when I’d finished with the book I put it away and forgot about it.’

  After Henry had read the page, he’d looked up at Clarence, shocked.

  ‘Yes,’ Clarence said. ‘I now believe Christopher to be that boy.’

  Henry had felt his blood rise as his anger had soared. ‘He knew. The Hierarch knew what was to befall us and he did nothing to protect us. All the people that they’ve killed, my family slaughtered, for what?’ Henry had felt sick to his stomach; the Hierarch had known what would happen. Why didn’t he warn them so they could prepare for the events that were to come?

  Clarence had understood Henry’s anger. ‘Henry, turn the pages,’ he’d said.

  Henry had flipped through the book until Clarence stopped him. Clarence had marked another page and he’d asked Henry to read it.

  If thine hand should happen to wave

  Then the One will perish in her acts of fire

  Things will be worse than ever before

  As the maker of peace shall not live anymore

  And the snake’s darkness, will riddle the land

  By doing this thing the land it will churn and upon its face the land will Forever burn

  So a sacrifice needs to be made

  For the One to survive it is to the cave, that he must go to hide

  Hide the glow that comes from his eyes

  Or like a moth to a flame the snake will arrive

  So bind him well, for him to survive

  For it shall only be one night, b
efore they arrive

  If all goes well it is to the cave

  The One must return for all to be saved.

  Henry had stared at the passage in the book and then he’d reread it. He’d known what the message meant and he knew what had to be done.

  These people had been at the Keep. If they knew Christopher was the One, they’d never stop their search for him. If they knew about Christopher they’d know he wouldn’t be alone and they’d look for the two of them. What should he do? Where should he place the boy until he was old enough to return to the cave? Then he’d thought about Eleanor’s brother Albert and his wife Rose. There he’d be with family. There he’d be safe. Albert was wise and knowledgeable and he could teach Christopher what he needed to know. Henry was sure they’d take the boy and he’d told Clarence of his thoughts.

  ‘They’ll still find him, Henry. You know his essence is strong. Even when he was born we could all see it.’ It was true. Christopher had probably the strongest magic Henry had ever seen. None other at the Keep, not even the Hierarch, could compare with his grandson.

  ‘We shall bind the boy’s essence,’ Henry had said. ‘They won’t be able to find him then. With Eleanor’s family he’ll be able to grow strong and be loved and I’ll be able to keep an eye on him until the time comes for him to return to the caves.’

  ‘How will we bind the boy? You know it takes eight in the circle to fulfil the requirements of the ritual.’ Clarence had said.

  ‘I know, but it only takes two Wizards to cast the spell. The other places need only to be filled by witnesses.’

  ‘They still have to be of the Order, Henry. If you didn’t notice we’re a little short here.’

  ‘I’ll call upon those who’ve passed on to the Other World to fill the other places. I’m sure they’ll see our need is great and come forth to help us,’ Henry had said.

  Clarence wasn’t so sure. Even in the festival of The Dark Moon the ancient Wizards didn’t like to interfere in matters that involved life. But Henry had made his decision, and Clarence packed what they’d need for their journey. When the cart had been packed, they’d gathered the items required for the ritual. A Binding wasn’t a common event that occurred within the Wizard’s community. They were usually only performed upon an individual’s request.

  Christopher had been asleep, wrapped in the furs over by the fire. In a basket Clarence had placed the candles needed for the ritual and then he’d taken them over to the stone circle. He’d blown on each wick until it had smoked and then flickered to life as the flame had taken hold. He’d placed each candle between the stones in the perimeter of the circle. The large stone slab set in the middle was the altar and Henry had carried Christopher over and placed him on it. The boy had slept on, still wrapped within the warmth of the furs, and Henry had cut a lock of Christopher’s hair and had placed it in a small dish next to him. Henry then went to the far side of the room and lifted the lid off a large glass jar and he’d removed eight small stones. They were as black as midnight and he’d carried them over to the circle and placed one small stone on top of each of the large rocks. They’d been almost ready, they just needed the amulet to call the Wizards forth.

  The ritual would require eight Wizards of the Order; two to perform the Binding and six others to make the circle complete.

  Clarence had placed the empty basket back on the table at the far side of the cavern, and he’d walked over to the shelves where Henry had chosen the stones. Near the jars, boxes of all shapes and sizes were haphazardly scattered on various shelves. Clarence opened several boxes and had looked inside for the amulet. Finally he’d opened a small metal box, of which the inside was covered with soft blue velvet. Nestled inside the cushioned interior was the amulet of the Wizard’s Order. He’d taken the amulet and placed it in Henry’s palm and then he’d taken his place in the circle.

  Henry had stood behind the stone in the south while Clarence had stood directly opposite him on the north side. Henry had held the amulet between his palms and closed his eyes. Softly he’d spoken the words to call the Wizards from the Other World. All had been quiet as he’d repeated the spell. The candles’ flames had flickered as Henry chanted the words, then their flames dimmed to an eerie glow.

  Before Henry, a green haze had appeared and slowly grew. There’d been no visible features to form a face, only a rasp echoed from the haze and had spoken to him.

  ‘Henry, why do you call the words to the Ancient Ones?’

  Henry had opened his eyes. ‘I’ve called upon you to bring forth others to fill the circle,’ he’d said.

  ‘So you’ve summoned us then,’ the voice said, ‘and what are your reasons for doing so?’

  ‘My grandson Christopher lays on the altar,’ Henry said. ‘We believe he is the One, who when he comes of age, will rid us of the foe that has invaded our land and bring peace back to our realm.’

  ‘Why would you think this?’ The voice had said.

  ‘All at the Keep have been slaughtered and who knows how many others suffered the same fate. Prophecy states the child must have his powers bound for him to survive. Or he’ll be found and slaughtered.’

  ‘You know we don’t interfere with the way of life. We know what has happened at the Keep and we’ve seen the snake as it moves its way through the lands. Who says this has anything to do with prophecy?’ the voice had said.

  Henry had been shocked. He’d never thought he’d be questioned. He’d thought they would understand and see their need.

  ‘I do!’ Clarence said with determination. He’d remembered the words written in the Prophecy. ‘I say it has everything to do with the Prophecy. You’ve just confirmed what we know. Yes, the snake travels through our lands, as it is written in the Prophecy. You’ve just confirmed it with your own words,’ he’d said.

  The Ancient One had looked at Clarence. ‘You be Brother Clarence, I see. You’ve great conviction in your words. Do you stand by your Brother and ask the same, for the circle to be fulfilled?’

  ‘Yes, I stand by my Brother. The need for the boy outweighs any needs that we may have for ourselves.’

  ‘Do you understand the consequences of what you ask? Do you know that for us to complete the circle, it leaves only you two to perform the Binding? So the same two must be present at the Unbinding of the boy’s powers. If anything should happen to either one of you, the other won’t be able to return the boy’s essence? He can never have back what has been taken from him. Do you understand the consequences of what you ask?’ The Ancient One had turned to Henry to reaffirm his words. ‘Do you understand all I have spoken of?’

  ‘I understand,’ Henry had said.

  The Ancient One spoke to Clarence again. ‘Do you agree with what your Brother asks? Are you sure you want to make this choice for the boy?’

  Clarence looked at Henry to make sure this was what he wanted for Christopher and Henry had nodded.

  ‘I agree with the choice for the boy,’ Clarence had said.

  ‘Very well then, the circle will be filled.’

  Relief had swept over Henry. Even if something should happen to either one of them, Christopher would be safe.

  The Ancient One’s green glow moved as he’d taken his place in the circle.

  ‘You may have four others of your choosing, if they agree,’ he’d said. ‘But an elder of my choice shall fill the last place. Do you agree?’

  ‘Yes,’ Henry had said.

  ‘Call to them now.’

  Henry had held the amulet between his palms. ‘I call Hierarch Jacob and Hierarch Astern to the circle. I call Brother Joseph and Brother Michael to the circle.’

  As Henry had opened his eyes, four forms had appeared behind the stones in the circle and only one place had remained vacant.

  The ancient Wizard had spoken to the others that’d arrived. ‘Do you Brothers agree with the choice Henry and Clarence make for this boy who lies upon the altar, in our great circle?’

  Each one in turn had spoken their
agreement. Then the voice of the Wizard had called forth the last to fill the circle. He was an ancient Wizard of the Order, Brother Asterly. Unknown to Henry, this ancient Wizard was from his lineage. Brother Asterly had looked at Henry and then at Christopher. Within the Other World, he’d watched as the events had unfolded and led them to this place in time. He’d witnessed Christopher’s birth and had watched as Henry began the boy’s lessons. Brother Asterly could see and feel Christopher’s essence and from the moment of his birth he’d watched as it had grown and magnified into the colossal force it now was. The light within Christopher had glowed, even as he lay asleep on the altar. The Wizards had watched the realm of the living; they all knew that one day the Prophecy would come true.

  ‘Let us begin,’ the Ancient One had said.

  Henry and Clarence had opened their arms wide to encompass the circle while the others had chanted. They’d hummed in unison and their voices had echoed throughout the cavern as Henry had initiated the spell that would bind the boy’s powers. As he’d spoken, the small stones on the rocks had begun to levitate and spin on their axis. They’d moved at a slow pace and then as they’d gathered speed, they’d begun to rotate in an anticlockwise direction around the circle. Faster and faster they’d twirled as Henry had spoken the words of the Binding. Henry and Clarence had drawn their hands inwards until their arms were outstretched in front of them and their palms had faced each other as they’d conjured the spell.

  Henry had cast this spell a few times before, when it had been requested of him. Foreman Johns had requested the removal of his essence. He couldn’t control his visions and every night as he’d slept he’d had the most horrific dreams.