by Lady Ellen
“Mom, I think I need to know more about the Orders of Magicals. Just how does that work?” Persy asked.
“The whole organization is headed up by the Magical Folk Governing Council, that’s on the visual dimension, and as I said, your grandmother Laurel is a lead member. There are three levels to the Order. The First Order is made up of the most powerful and talented of the Magical Folk, which you and I are members of. This Order has the ability and right to perform all White Magic, Time-Linx, own lower Order beings (we do that in all kindness, to teach and protect them) and we also own land.
The Second Order is composed of Magicals who can perform the majority of White Magic, Time-Linx, but they can neither own lower Order beings or land.
The Third Order are a group of Magicals with limited powers, often simple healers, local herbalists or diviners, cannot Time-Linx or own land and other beings,” explained Angelica.
“Being a First Order comes with added responsibilities. In your case, it was decreed before your birth that I was to bear the witch who would be the Magical who held the power to vanquish the evil which would come to our kind. You and I have worked very hard to educate and train you in the way of White Magic. And Benson, as you know is blessed with the memories of his previous lives to add to what has already become a part of you.”
“There are two other Magical levels of beings who rarely take physical form, the Radiants above First Magicals and the Luminescents above them. You’ll learn more about them in due time.”
“It all seems so overwhelming, Mom. I’m just afraid of letting everyone down if I don’t succeed.”
Angelica took Persy’s hand in both of hers. “You must go into this quest with a solid attitude of success. You have to see yourself victorious at every turn. Any other thoughts will bend the odds against you. As you need it, the power and information will be made known to you. Your path is well prepared and all the right people, Magicals and creatures are lined up energetically, waiting to serve your mission.”
“That’s right my little dove,” chirped Benson. “And I’ll be there the whole time. We’re going to make an unbeatable team.”
Persy looked at her Mom. Was her training enough? Sure, her powers were evolving every day. The fact that she couldn’t use them unabated in this world, was like sitting on a volcano trying to prevent it from erupting; she had a ton of pent-up energy. But that still didn’t quite stop the queasy feelings she was experiencing in her stomach.
“There is something I must do now, Persy,” said Angelica, interrupting Persy’s anxious thoughts. “I have something to give you.”
Angelica left Persy’s bedroom, went to her own. Inside her closet, with no one looking, she opened a secret door on the back wall with her wand. It slid open, revealing among other things, a purple satin box. Angelica took the box to Persy’s room.
She handed the box to Persy, “What is this, Mom?”
As Persy opened the box, Angelica explained, “It’s called a Cimaruta (Chee-mah-ROO-tah). It’s a very old and powerful Witches’ protection charm popular among the Tuscan Witches, but used more generally now. Its name actually means ‘sprig from the top of the rue plant’. In history there have been various symbols attached to its budding ends. Rue itself is an herb of protection and counter-magic to protect the bearer against the Black Arts and throw the curses back to the sender. Vervain is a magical herb which is always on this charm and connects very strongly with the Fairy race, giving the power of psychic divination and also spiritual protection for the owner of the amulet. This is particularly important for you as you are helping Fawna in her plight and your quest will bring you in contact with many of the Fae. It’s also been used in some circles as protection against vampires and counter their ability to compel.
The other branches on this one have a Rooster’s Head to dispel the forces of darkness, the Key for knowledge, the Dagger which symbolizes the arrow of Diana and protects your physical being and a Crescent Moon, another protection against the Black Arts. It’s made of silver on a silver chain which is the metal of the Moon, the Moon holds the power of the Goddess and much Black Magic occurs at night.”
Persy was stunned. She picked up the charm from its box, and could feel the vibration of its power emanating.
“Oy, there,” exclaimed Benson. “Let’s have a goggle, then.” He flit up and landed on Persy’s hand.
“Yes-sir-e-e, Perse,” Benson said. “Certainly can feel its pulse, very powerful indeed.”
Angelica continued, “Once you Time-Linx, Persy, you must wear this at all times. You are going to be very vulnerable back in Bellarya.”
“Yes, I know Mom. I will, I promise,” Persy said quietly, still staring at the charm and sensing its energy.
Then the Rue, Rooster head, Dagger and Crescent Moon combusted in her hand.
Dark Attack
A crack of light, surrounded by black, billowing smoke filled the area in front of Persephane’s window. Angelica jumped up, shoved Persy behind her, while folding Persy’s hand closed over her Cimaruta.
In seconds, a female shape, all in black, formed.
“Melanthios!” yelled Angelica. “How dare you…” She scowled and started to raise her wand -
Snap! Blue light filled the room, Angelica fell on her side to the floor. Persy’s face crunched with fury, she leapt over her Mom, holding the Cimaruta straight-armed at Melanthios.
Melanthios swung her wand to point at Persy and smirked. “Why, niece, how lovely to finally meet you. I’ve been scouring the earth for that amulet. Should have figured my miscreant sister had it.”
“Disarm,” screamed Persy, having drawn out her wand.
Melanthios easily swooped out of the way of the casting, coming back with, “Fixatious.” Persy was not about to get frozen in place, so Melanthios could grab her Cimaruta. Not happening. Not today.
Persy dropped to the floor, rolled away from Melanthios, but the casting caught her lower left leg, which now dragged on the ground.
Melanthios’s mouth twitched up on the right as she moved in for the snatch.
She didn’t see the green and turquoise, foot long vortex form behind her head. As it rose, the whirring became loud and louder. “Stopiare!” The maiming curse. Melanthios dropped like a stone to the floor, her body faded to a ghostly hue and vanished.
Benson appeared out of the vortex, fluttered like leaf onto Persy’s lap.
“Benson,” she cried. “Benson. Are you ok?”
Slowly his large composite eyes refocused. “Oy. That took it out of me, Perse. But, yeah, yeah. I think I’m good.”
Persy gently laid him on a cushion and went to her Mom, who was struggling to sit. “Mom?”
“Hey, my darling. I’m good. De-fogging,” Angelica gave a small smile.
Persephane reached for her Mom to give her hand a supportive squeeze, then the air around her shimmered. “What…?”
It was as if she was watching the whole scene again. The flash of blue, Melanthios, her Mom falling and Benson, but this time, Melanthios turned in time and cast the Death curse. “Terminata!”
Benson’s vortex vanished. A candle snuffed out. He fell to the floor, motionless. Persy screamed. She was back in her room, her time and Benson was fine on the pillow.
“What, Persy?” asked Angelica.
“I saw…I saw…I, I.”
Benson flew over, landing on her hand. “What, love?”
Persy’s eyes flicked down at Benson. “You were dead. She killed you.”
Time To Time-Linx
More Persephane Images Here
* * *
“What was that?” said Persy, her eyes bulging.
“What was what?” asked Angelica.
Persy started pacing around her bedroom. “I saw the whole thing again. Melanthios appearing, you falling, then Benson showing up like a green tornado, but in this one, she turned fast enough to hit him with the Death curse. And that was it. He crumpled to a heap on the floor. Gone.”
; “Not sure I like the sounds of that,” said Benson.
Angelica’s eyes closed. She rubbed her forehead with her fingers. “I can’t believe this. This should not be happening for months.”
“What shouldn’t be happening?”
Angelica sighed, took Persy’s hand, looking her straight in the eye. “I believe you saw a Multiverse. Another version of our world. There are infinite numbers of them.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. Remember, magic is an energy. An intense enormous energy which we Magic Folk learn to control with focus and intention. But the world, the universe and all those who live in it are energy, too. In the world of quantum physics in the Munz world, they are very close to finding out how this all works. We, as Magicals have known for all time, simply becoming more and more adept over the evolution of this planet. But it goes back much further than that. Back to the dawn of time. And throughout all this discovery, we also know there are untold number of Multiverses which exist, simply with different resonances or vibrations than ours. They exist, right beside us, right at our shoulders but mostly not apparent until we tap in. The Time-Linx is very much a part of all of this. As a Magical comes into their adult powers, it is much easier for us to alter our vibration to see and enter these other Multiverses. You saw one today.”
“How did I do that?”
“Emotion. Emotion plays a monumental role in this…the altering of your vibration and that world revealed itself to you, briefly. In time, you’ll learn to do this on purpose, when needed.”
“Cripes. We’ve touched on this in physics, but no one said anything about it being real or accessible.”
“Yes, I know,” said Angelica. “What Munz research knows and what gets to the schools to be taught is years different. What they know in quantum labs today, may not make it to school for another five to ten years. Anyway, Magicals certainly know and respect this and probably have the best access in the universe, but cutting edge Munz physicists are getting there.”
“Seen a few of these meself, Perse,” said Benson. “Scary, the first few times, indeed.”
Persy nodded, then stood by the window, staring out. “So, she just came to snatch my Cimaruta? How could she have known? And was that a different Melanthios?”
“I’ve had a protection spell over it all these years. It came with us when I brought you and Benson here. As soon as I handed it to you, the spell faded. Should have known to do a new one before giving it to you. Melanthios obviously had a tracer on it. She was furious I got away with it. Yeah, it would be the Melanthios from Bellarya that we just saw and it would appear she’s even more aggressive. The one who killed Benson would be from another, closely aligned Multiverse and by the sounds of things—darker. I’m going to see if I can connect and identify it as it may play a role in our future.”
Persy put the silver chain on the Cimaruta over her head and slid the amulet down her teeshirt. “Right. I’ll keep it hidden. How do I activate it when I need it?”
“It will light up when trouble is nearby, but if you need to use it for telling you something, on the knowledge branch, hold it in your hand and ask the question. It will point you in the right direction.”
“Got it.”
* * *
XXX
* * *
Saturday was the day. Persy and Benson were Time-Linxing back to 1669, landing near the Forest of Depravation, where Melanthios resided in the castle, Bodesnoir. That Persy was nervous was as big an understatement as when Noah said, “It looks like rain!”
“It’s today, Benson,” said Persy. “I can’t get this nervous feeling to settle down. I’m excited, too. My very first mission as a witch.”
“Don’t get your knickers in a twist, sweet-cheeks. I’ve been on thousands of these and it’s really all about keeping a cool head and thinking out every move. You’ll see,” replied Benson. Truth be known, he was nervous himself. Melanthios was one mean lady, and he used the term “lady” loosely.
Angelica came out to the back porch where Persy with Benson on her wrist were anxiously gliding in the chair.
They had an early chat with Fawna. Fawna explained they will be landing in a meadow near the dreaded forest. She would meet them there with a friend or two of hers. She wouldn’t elaborate about the friends.
“Hello, my little traveling team,” Angelica said. They both looked up at her and smiled. Slowly nerves were replaced with excitement and it helped a lot that Angelica seemed to have every confidence in them and the plans they had made together.
“Hi Mom,” replied Persy. “Just going over the Time-Linxing again. I know we go to the portal under the waterfall, walk in, and then I have to concentrate very hard on the date – 1669 – and the place – the meadow in front of the Forest of Depravation and repeat the incantation over and over ‘Totus Temporis, Totus Temporis,’ Right?”
“Perfect, it’s really quite easy...just be very focused. You’ll do fine.”
They were all up at dawn, even Robert. He usually stayed out of all things magical. There are certain times he completely let Angelica take the lead in Persy’s upbringing, and this would be one of those times. However, he’s not about to let her go off on her major adventure without being at her departure.
Persy made sure she had everything she needed; wand, Cimaruta around her neck, magical gems and herbs. These were well hidden in the multitudinous pockets of a period country dress Angelica managed to conjure up for her. She didn’t mind dressing like the times she was traveling back to, but she drew the line at the footwear. They wore those crummy leather boots with little sole to speak of. She would have murdered her feet in those, with traipsing all over hither and yon. Nope! She wasn’t leaving Dodge without her beloved skater shoes. She’d already prepared a Disillusionment Charm for them. Now they look like the gear the locals would be wearing. I mean, a gal had her limits!
It was a silent walk down the lane to the woods and on to the waterfalls. Orsina was waiting with her cub.
“Greetings to you all,” Orsina said.
Angelica and Robert walked over to the bear and chatted, exchanging plans and instructions. Persy and Benson held back a bit. Persy was afraid Orsina would launch her through the waterfalls to the portal before she had a chance to say proper good-byes to her folks.
“Come child, no need to fear,” Orsina said kindly. “We have to prepare, it’s nearly time.”
Persy and Benson went over to Orsina and Persy’s parents. Angelica and Robert hugged her firmly as Persy said her teary ‘good-byes’. Benson was heard making a few sniffing noises, but he quickly turned away when Persy looked up at him. Closet sop.
Angelica reminded Persy, “Don’t forget Silent Speak works through the Time-Linx between Magical Folk who are energetically tuned into each other. If you need me, I will hear you.”
“Ok, Mom,” Persy murmured. Robert took his turn to enfold Persy in his arms and kiss her.
“And I’ll be doing everything I can for you here. I can’t Time-Linx, but I can send great energy.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Persy tried to smile at him, but it wound up looking pretty quivery.
Orsina cleared her throat, it’s kind of deep and rumbling when a bear does that. “I’ll take her and the bug through the waterfalls to the portal and make sure they enter properly.”
“Oy, then - ’oo she calling a bug?” A personal affront was just what Benson needed to pull him out of his sad state. “She know ‘oo I am?” Definitely going into Octave 2+. “Great lump. She’d make a bleedin’ good floor covering if she weren’t so moth eaten! She would!” Benson grumbled.
Orsina could have him in one gulp if she reacted to that rant...but she knew Benson and what a haughty little mite he could be, so she simply grinned to herself, letting it pass.
Orsina and her cub turned, walked over to the edge of the waterfall, gave Persy a side glance indicating they were to follow. The two bears passed out of sight, under the falls and Persy with Benson on her shoulder stood f
or a second at the edge, turned back and gave a last little wave to Angelica and Robert. They returned the wave. Persy and Benson vanished under the water.
Under the falls, the air was cool and clear. Along the stone walkway was an opening which just looked like the entrance to a cave. Rock walls seemed to have rolled back to form an ‘A’ shaped door. Orsina and her cub stood to the left of the door, waiting patiently for Persy and Benson. When they came up to them, she spoke.
“My dear, you will walk through that opening and about twenty-five feet in, you’ll see the light change, become brighter. At its brightest point you’ll be in the Time-Linx. Remember as you walk to it and when you are in it, constantly repeat the chant ‘Totus Temporis’ over and over and focus mentally on Essex 1669, Laurel’s meadow.”
“Laurel’s meadow?” asks Persy.
“Your grandmother, dear, she’ll join you there,” Orsina stated.
“But before you enter the Time-Linx door, I’ll shift you and Benson to Bellarya’s realm. What appears to be the same Time-Linx door will be there and you carry on.”
“Alright, thank you Orsina for all your help and looking out for me all these years,” said Persy.
“It’s been my pleasure, my dear,...more than you know...more than you know,” repeated Orsina quizzically.
Persy gave her a glance. But there is no time to worry about it. Orsina butted her with her nose...time to go.
Orsina stood on her hind legs, reaching for a rock above her head. When she touched it, it transformed into a green crystal ball. “Transversus,” she muttered.
Persy and Benson faded as a mist in mid air, then quickly reformed in exactly the same place, in Bellarya.
Benson and Persy entered the cave and as they started to walk along the pathway, she noticed that instead of getting darker, the further she went, it was getting brighter. It’s as if there was a hole in the top of the cave somehow, and sun is shining through. But no hole.
