The Persephane Pendrake Chronicles_One_the Cimaruta

by Lady Ellen

  Amid all the frivolity, Francis perched on a low tree branch nearest to Thaddeus. Thaddeus looked up and stroked the owl’s feathers, softly. “Hey, fella. You’re out early. There’s still some daylight left.”

  “Had to see you,” Francis responded. “Laurel’s been telling us about your adventures, you great ape, been worried sick about you.” Francis was probably pouting. Hard to tell with an owl.

  P-C came up to nose his way under Thaddeus’ arm and tuned into the conversation.

  “Sorry to have worried you two,” Thaddeus looked down at P-C and back to Francis. “But, so far, mission accomplished. We have the Hagstone, and know where the Cimaruta is in Bodesnoir. Now, we have to figure how to get in there, grab the Cimaruta, and get out in one piece.”

  “Great...” hooted Francis, not at all consoled.

  “That’s why the meeting of the Magical Folk Governing Council tomorrow,” said Laurel. “As you know, Persy, none of us can become too involved in your mission, but we can offer assistance and guidance. Each of the nine members of the Council represents different magic, and combined they’ll make an abundant magical well for you to draw from. It’s important that you and Thaddeus understand who they are and what specialties they can offer. The planning and going after each Object is completely up to you. But, come, you must be exhausted. Let’s go to the manor, have dinner and catch up.”

  “Sounds good to me,” agreed Persy “I’m done.”

  “Here, here,” said Thaddeus.

  They lingered over a slow, sumptuous dinner and lounged around the kitchen table. P-C was curled up on the rug in front of the fire, Benson in a window corner, and Francis was out on his nightly hunt.

  “Grandmother,” asked Persy, “just what can the Council do to help us? And who’s policing whether anyone is helping us or not?”

  “There will be no hiding the energy disturbance in the magical fields when you are directly battling Melanthios or when you claim something from her. She’ll be furious and will more than likely cause a tidal wave of negative energy to rent right through to the Magical Source.”

  “What’s the Magical Source,” yawned P-C, lifting his head for only a moment and flopping it back down on his forepaws again.

  It suddenly occurred to Laurel, looking around the table that she was surrounded by very tired eyes. “Look, I think all these questions will be answered tomorrow at the meeting. We have to be up early to get to Rose Arbour as Randy and Delecta are hosting this conference. We change locations every time to avoid Dark interlopers.”

  “I’m good with that,” said Thaddeus quietly, rubbing his eyes.

  “Yeah, me too,” agreed Persy, getting up and clearing the tea mugs. Benson had already zipped up the stairs to Persy’s room and P-C’s snores confirmed he wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

  Persy and Thaddeus went up to their rooms as Laurel turned off lamps and blew out candles. They grunted, ‘good night’ to each other, shuffled to their beds and collapsed into their quilts and pillows.

  The 6:00 a.m. arousal felt like it was five minutes after falling asleep. But Laurel insisted they need time to wash, dress, eat and travel to Rose Arbour without any chance of being late. Many of the Council members will have traveled to the Council House the day before, so things are going to start on time and tardiness was not tolerated at these meetings.

  Persy, Thaddeus, Laurel and P-C walked through the meadow, turned downstream until they came to the bend in the river. Rounding that corner they stopped at the rock face covered with the flowering vines. Benson flitted along behind, touching gently on the water’s surface, hunting unsuspecting bug-prey. When he came to the rock wall, he veered up and over the cliff, out of sight.

  Laurel pulled out her wand and threw the charm on all of them. “Escendorum.” she uttered and up they went. They stood at the edge of the flower-filled, crystal rock punctuated field. The four enjoyed the rose scented air for a moment.

  “Well, wha’cha all waiting for?” Benson hollered. “Let’s get over to the oak where the door is. I even brought me sunglasses this time! Wif this many eyes, all that light down there is a sight that makes sore eyes. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!” Benson pulled out the tiniest pair of shades, which when he put them on, made him look like a bush baby with wings.

  They walked to the oak, it opened as soon as they were there. Two nymphs came out to greet them.

  “Hello,” said the first woman, who had shoulder length dark hair, laced with red and gold highlights. Her flowing dress was the colours of autumn--burnished tones of gold, copper and ruby red. “I’m Sandi and this is Violet,” Sandi pointed her hand to the woman beside her.

  Violet lived up to her name, her short blonde hair had three clumps of violets clipped into it. Her dress had flowing skirts like Sandi’s but of varying ranges of mauve, purple and silver.

  “Hi,” said Violet. “Pleased to meet you. We’re to take you to the Council House directly. Come this way.” Violet turned and Sandi stood back to allow the visitors to go first. Laurel, Persy, Thaddeus and P-C were shrunk with the ‘Vergrando’ spell executed by Laurel, and followed Violet. Sandi was the last to enter the tunnel, after closing the door in the tree.

  Violet turned and Sandi said, “We’ll need to join hands to pass the vibration test. They did and Benson sat on Laurel’s wrist. Within seconds they were clear and they saw the brightly lit main street of Rose Arbour.

  “Whoo-Hoo,” cried Benson, thrusting ahead down the main street. “I’m a cool dude!”

  Persy, Thaddeus, Laurel and the Nymphs chuckled, even P-C couldn’t resist.

  “Don’t know if I’d ever get used to the brightness of this city,” commented Laurel.

  “Yeah, sure makes you squint. I guess Benson’s got the right idea,” Thaddeus agreed.

  “It takes a while to get used to the light here, everyone visiting says that,” said Sandi. “But you’ll be surprised how quickly you don’t notice it anymore.”

  Persy closed her eyes and inhaled. “It’s the scent of the roses that I love. It’s like you’re walking in a field of them, all the time. Very cool, indeed.”

  Laurel shielded her eyes and looked off in the distance to where the aura of the Council House could be seen. “Well, that’s where we’re headed,” she pointed over the houses.

  In the blink of an eye, Persy took off at top speed, stopping in front of one of the houses half way down the road. “Hello. Hi Zeemeld.” she called.

  The old healer looked up from the herbs she was weeding and broke into a warm smile. “Persy. I’d heard you were coming for the Council meeting today. How lovely to see you.”

  Thaddeus, Laurel, P-C and the Nymphs caught up a few minutes later and exchanged ‘hello’s’ with Zeemeld.

  “Persy.” Zeemeld’s voice expressed concern, “Delecta has told me about all your shenanigans, putting yourselves in so much danger.” She also looked at Thaddeus. “Destiny...schmestiny...this seems like a lot for people as young as you two. Have you a good selection of healing remedies and herbs with you? At the very least you need to be able to look after any mishaps.”

  Persy and Thaddeus smiled. Zeemeld’s concern was heart-warming. “I believe I have what I need; Arnica, Aconite, Belladonna, Hypericum, Arsenicum.” Persy chimed off a long list of homeopathics and herbal remedies.

  Laurel, Sandi and Violet looked a little restless. Zeemeld noticed they kept glancing up to the Council House.

  “I’ll prepare a kit of the lesser known ones which you can pick up when you’ve finished at the meeting,” she insisted, waving to Thaddeus and Persy as they left.

  “That’d be great, Zeemeld,” Persy called back. “We’ll stop by on our way back. Thanks.”

  As the group walked up to the front steps of the Council House, Persy and Thaddeus recognized Sam, the satyr they had met on their first visit, waiting near the front doors for them.

  “Welcome,” he said, running to meet them when they climbed the stairs. “Delecta and Randy are inside with t
he rest of the Council Members. Come, I’ll show you the way.”

  “This is where we get off,” Sandi informed them. Both she and Violet waved and walked around to the side of the crystal building.

  Inside the main entranceway, Sam led them past the sheer crystalline walls which were tinged with either red, green, blue or yellow--right to the clearest wall. As they approached, two baseball-size patches in the crystal began to whirl in circles and two large blue eyes appeared, wide open, flicking back and forth over them all.

  Sam stepped up, staring into the eyes, announced, “Members and guests of the Magical Folk Governing Council. Here for the meeting. All are approved to enter. Open the door, please.”

  A large door, not previously evident, swung inward to allow them to pass into a cavernous room. The walls were clear crystal, but had thick wooden beams embedded in the ceilings and along the sides. Paintings, artifacts and bookshelves dotted the walls, Persy noticed rows and rows of pews on each side of the aisle, as Laurel with Sam at her side, led them down the long centre aisle to the front of the room. A few people were sprinkled throughout the pews.

  Across the front of the room was a full stage with a very long table running along it. Eight people sat there; the one unfilled seat was to the right of centre.

  The man, sitting in the centre seat, stood up smiling when he spotted Laurel. He came around the table and down the steps to meet her.

  “Lady Laurel, how lovely to see you,” he said, taking her hand and kissing the back of it.

  Laurel bowed her head slightly, “Lord Lyall, a pleasure, as always. Allow me to introduce my Granddaughter and her friends...”

  Laurel named each member of the group and in turn, they shook hands, with Lord Lyall. Benson’s acknowledgement was by way of an aerodynamic back flip.

  “Please, Lady Laurel, if you would...take your seat at the Council Table, while I introduce your Granddaughter and her companions to the other members of the Council.”

  Laurel obliged while Lord Lyall led Persy, Thaddeus and P-C, with Benson flitting in the air, up the steps to the front of the Council Table.

  Lord Lyall explained, “Each person on this Magical Folk Governing Council represents a particular magical philosophy and methodology. Some of the smaller magical ways have been grouped in with ones that are similar and hold representation on the Council, to make sure every single Magical Folk has a voice. Allow me to introduce the table to you.”

  The woman at the far left end stood when Lord Lyall pointed his hand at her. “This is Lady Elena Dragetti, Head of Italian Magic and many smaller European practices.” Lady Elena nodded and sat down.

  “Next, we have Randy and then Delecta, whom, of course you know. They represent Fairy Magic, which includes a host of the ‘little’ people such as Elves, Dwarves, Brownies, Sprites, Leprechauns, Nymphs, Satyrs and obviously..” he turned and smiled to them “...fairies. So we have two members to look after that lot.” Delecta and Randy gave a little wave each and Lord Lyall moved his hand down to the next person, a darker-skinned man.

  “Then we have Imhotep of Egyptian Magic fame. Imhotep, Time-Linxes here and advises the Council on much of the origins and roots of Magic as we know it. He is attached to the court of King Zoser, as an esteemed adviser, scientist and has overseen the building of the Pyramids.” Imhotep looked at the group and murmured “It is my honour to meet you all”, and then returned to his seat.

  Lord Lyall continued, pointing to the empty seat, “Of course, that is my chair and then your lovely Grandmother, Persephane, who represents all of Celtic/Druid Magic. Beside Lady Laurel is Magus Siphon, our emissary for Atlantean Magic--a magic few know much about, but is the most all-encompassing of Magical practices. I’m sure you’ll learn much from the Magus.

  Beside Magus Siphon is Lord Mongo, the spokesperson for African Magic.” An exceptionally tall black man in colourful robes and an intricately beaded headdress stood, smiled, flexed his head forward briefly, then he too sat back down.

  “Next and far from last is Lady Druanna who is our delegate for Tarot, Astrology and Divination. The Lady works closely with people like Vadoma, whom I know you’ve met, to help foresee your challenges and pathways through your quest.” Lady Druanna, also stood, bowed and then sat back down.

  At the end of the table, to its right were two chairs which Lord Lyall asked one of the Satyrs standing to the side to bring to the front of the Council Table. Lord Lyall walked around to take his seat, pointing to the two chairs and asked Persy and Thaddeus to sit down. P-C curled up on the floor of the stage at Thaddeus’s feet, while Benson sat on Persy’s shoulder.

  “This emergency meeting of the Magical Folk Governing Council is now in session,” stated Lord Lyall, quite solemnly. He asked that the members at the table join hands. As soon as Lord Lyall, Laurel, and the others joined hands a golden glow emanated in the air over their heads, extending about five feet above them. The Council dropped their hands and Lord Lyall said “We are here, Persephane and Thaddeus to let it be known to you how we are allowed to help.

  As you are very much aware, Persephane, you were preordained before your birth to be the vanguard--The Guardian of White Magic--in the war to stop Melanthios from becoming the All Powerful One. You have been training and evolving to this point guided by your mother, Angelica, as Thaddeus has been carefully prepared by Lady Laurel. Both of you and even your familiars have the genetic encoding to do the magic required and the youth to perform it.”

  Persy flicked a glance over to Thaddeus. Sure, she thought, we’ve both learned a mountain of spells, hexes and charms, but that didn’t allay her fears of facing Melanthios; and Melanthios was after nine different Objects, which means nine head-on confrontations with her. Would their skill and luck hold out?

  Lord Lyall continued, “Each of the Magical Council will, in turn, tell you how they can assist you, while staying within the laws of The Source Magic. Source Magic is the basis and beginning of all magic, it is the core of what we do and must be obeyed. We are allowed to aid you, but must never interfere unless the Guardian of White Magic is nearing the Death Zone--then and only then can we battle at your side. Even at that point, only three are allowed to join you at any one moment.

  Perhaps it would help if I told you of an instance when the Source was not heeded. It was during another Dark Time, about seven hundred years ago. A young wizard, of Russian descent, named Tzandor, was destined to defeat a very Dark and evil wizard Kerberos. During the height of the last battle, the boy’s Italian grandmother, who at the time was the Council’s delegate for Italian Magic, sensed Tzandor was in mortal danger and threw a very Dark, hideous curse from old Stregherian Magic on Kerberos.

  Unfortunately, she misjudged, and of course, the Source Magic knew it right away. In truth, Tzandor was nowhere near the Death Zone. The Source Magic, detecting this, swayed the Magic to the Dark side for a very short time to balance the flow of forces. Kerberos was wounded by the curse, but the result of the Magical hiccup in his favour, more than compensated for his injury. He very quickly used this influx of energy to overcome and ultimately slay Tzandor. More assistance failed to come fast enough. Tragic.

  The tides and then ripples from this lost battle unfolded in the Witch Burnings of the fifteen and sixteen hundreds. And you, Persy know personally what that meant to thousands of innocents.”

  Immediately, Persy thought of her mother and her Time-Linxing to Rockmanor to avoid the Hunts, and how she never had the chance to know her real dad, Andreas.

  “Even now, in your time, Persy, the greed, crime, pollution and illnesses can be traced back to the results of that battle. We must NOT lose this next war.” Lord Lyall finished.

  Persy stared, open-mouthed at Lord Lyall, not having a clue how to respond to this account of the last war between White and Black magic. This was not lost on Laurel.

  “Persephane, my dear,” Laurel said as she rose from her seat. “Do not let that story overwhelm you. You are never totally alone in this qu
est, and by the end of this Council meeting, you will know why. Each of the members will in turn speak to you and Thaddeus, listen carefully.” Laurel took her seat again.

  Lord Lyall got up from his chair and looked to his far left. “We’ll start with Lady Druanna.” He nodded to her. Lady Druanna’s long red hair glinted in the crystalline light as she rose. Her silver robes, heavily embroidered along the edges in metallic greens, blues and gold, helped create a multi-coloured aura around her.

  “Persephane and Thaddeus,” Lady Druanna started in a very sweet and dreamy voice. “My gift to you is this small scroll.” She extended her arm toward Persy revealing a silver scroll tied with a deep blue ribbon. Persy stood up and walked to the end of the table to accept the scroll. When she handed it to Persy, Lady Druanna continued.

  “When you are in difficult circumstances and need to know the potential outcome of your immediate future, and remember, all divination is in the realm of vibrational possibilities...remove the ribbon from the scroll, tap it with your wand and chant “Expositus”. This will tell the scroll to reveal three options for you in the next twenty-four hours, based upon your decisions. You may only use this scroll nine times.” Lady Druanna sat back down.

  “Thank you, Lady Druanna. I’m sure this will be of great value to us,” Persy replied.

  “Yes,” added Thaddeus, “we’ll be careful that it is used wisely. Thank you very much.” Thaddeus stood and bowed deeply to Lady Druanna.

  Lord Lyall stood again. “Next is His Excellency Mongo from Africa”. Mongo rose as Lord Lyall sat.

  “Persephane and Thaddeus, in my country, there are many forms of magic and many pathways used to obtain similar results. In my view, your major need is protection. I present each of you this Gbo to wear to help shield you from harm.”

  Mongo walked around the table and placed a Gbo on a cotton cord around the necks of Persy and of Thaddeus. Mongo smiled as Persy and Thaddeus each lifted the Gbo off their chests to look at it. On impulse the three of them hug and Mongo, with slightly moist eyes, smiled, patted each of them on their heads and returned to his seat.