by Jenny McKane
The light from the black candle kept flickering, illuminating the witch’s pale face. Avalon had not noticed before how dark and opaque her eyes were. They were as cold as stone, slowly raking over her.
The witch smiled. “Bravo, Avalon. You managed to defeat my creature. Your powers grow.”
Avalon took a shuddering breath. “I do not want compliments from you,” she said. “I do not admire you. I do not want to be like you.”
“Brave words,” said the witch. “So, you have made your choice?”
Avalon nodded. “There was never a choice to make,” she said. “I will never be on the side of the oppressors again. My mission is clear: to destroy you, and your power. And I intend to do it.”
The witch laughed softly. “I admire your bravery,” she said. “Although it is misplaced. A pity. It has amused me to watch you and assess what you are, but the time has come.”
The witch raised her arms into the air. The black candle flickered. A wind seemed to be swirling around her. Avalon could feel the dark energy building.
The witch was right about one thing, at least. It was time.
Avalon grabbed the amulet from her pocket and raised it high in the air. She could see the witch’s eyes widen.
The stone within the amulet started to emanate its blue glow, casting pools of light around the room.
Avalon could feel the power building within her. The Goddess appeared in the corner of the room, surrounded by her aura of light. She knew that the witch sensed her, too. Even though her arms were still raised, she glanced to the corner where the vision stood.
Mother Oda’s spell appeared before Avalon’s eyes. She started to chant slowly.
Goddess of Light, of all that is and all that was…
The witch started laughing. She raised her arms higher and started chanting. The same chant that Avalon had heard in the next room.
The strange words, in the unfamiliar language. They rose into the air, drowning out Avalon’s voice. It was almost as if the witch’s words were stealing her own. Desperately, she kept chanting. But her voice was getting lower and lower, so low that she could barely hear it.
Suddenly, she saw Skyresh. He was standing in another corner. He was bruised and bloodied. He held out an arm towards her beseechingly. Her mind was drawn to him like a moth to a flame…
“Avalon,” he called, weakly. “You must stop. It is too late.”
“What are you talking about?” she cried.
“It is over,” he said, stumbling towards her. “The witch has won. We never had a chance against her. I should have known. I have led you to your doom.” He took a long, shuddering breath. “Your only chance now is to surrender.”
“No!” she cried desperately. “NO!”
“I am sorry,” he said, falling to the ground. “I should never have tried to convert you to the rebellion. It was always a lost cause. Save yourself before it is too late.”
“Skyresh, how can you say such things?” she cried.
“I have been misguided,” he whispered. “The dark army is too strong. Everyone will die if we continue. I am already dead, Avalon. This is my last plea to you before I leave you.”
She stared in horror at his broken body on the floor. Was this real? Was Skyresh dead and appearing before her one last time to warn her that it was hopeless?
Suddenly, Mother Oda appeared. She crouched down and put a hand on Skyresh.
“It is true, Avalon,” whispered the Mother. “I, too, have been at fault. I sent you all on this mission when I knew that it was impossible. She is too strong.”
“Mother, how can you say that?” Avalon cried.
Mother Oda shook her head. “I have been living in the past,” she said. “Dreaming of the old days. I should have let it go. So many of us have been sacrificed, and there can be no more.”
Avalon started crying. “It cannot be true,” she whispered. “I have come so far, and we have suffered so much. You cannot tell me that it was all for nothing.”
“My dear child,” said Mother Oda gently. “I do not want you to die. Go to her. It is the only way to save yourself.”
Avalon shook her head. The vision of Skyresh and Mother Oda started to wobble slightly…
She could hear the witch’s chanting getting stronger. She opened her eyes. Her own arms had fallen, and the amulet’s light was dimming. What was happening?
She glanced down to where Skyresh and Mother Oda had appeared. They were gone. She stared into the eyes of the witch and saw the truth.
It had been a trick.
The witch had conjured the visions to try to weaken her. Skyresh would never say such things. Even if he were dying, he would urge her to keep fighting. She knew that. And it was the same with Mother Oda. There was no way that the Mother would tell her to give up—especially now.
She glanced to the corner where the Goddess had appeared. She was still there, but almost transparent. Her light had faded.
Taking a deep breath, Avalon raised the amulet again. The stone started to glow and pulsate in the darkness.
She had to start again. She took a deep breath.
Goddess of Light, of all there is and all that was…
Yes. She could feel the power building again. The witch was still chanting, but her voice sounded far away. Avalon could feel her own voice growing louder, breaking through.
Come to me, Goddess of Light!
Free the animals from their chains of misery
Let them remember who they once were and can be again!
The wind started howling around her. The black candle was sputtering wildly.
Suddenly, it went out.
She could make out the figure of the witch in the darkness, breathing heavily.
Had it worked?
Then, the witch started to slowly laugh. “That was very good,” she said between breaths. “You were strong, but you didn’t really think that you could defeat me with that trinket?”
The amulet flew out of her hands, landing in the corner. Avalon turned to run to it, but the witch had secured her in place. She could not move a muscle.
Despair overwhelmed her. It hadn’t worked. The amulet. The spell. It had all been for nothing!
The witch walked up to her. “It was a good try, Avalon,” she said. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You never stood a chance. I have been practicing for years, since before you were born. You are untrained in the ways of magic.”
Avalon trembled under the witch’s gaze. She said nothing.
The witch turned and walked back to the candle. Quickly, she lit it. The flame grew tall and strong in the darkness.
She glanced wearily to the corner, where Mair the rabbit was hiding. She could see the rabbit’s eyes staring out at her.
Avalon, don’t give up, implored the animal. You were almost there. Remember, her name!
Avalon gasped. She had been so caught up in reciting the spell, she had forgotten all about the witch’s name. It was worth a try, surely? She had no idea whether the word in the witch’s chant that she had focused on was her name, but she had nothing to lose, at this point.
Trust your instincts. Trust your power.
It was Mother Oda’s voice, and she knew, this time, that it was real. That the vision that she had seen before had been a lie.
Suddenly, the witch turned around. She held out her right arm in front of her, twisting it. Avalon felt as if she were choking.
She fell to the ground, grasping for air. She could hear the witch laughing above her.
“Goodbye, Avalon,” she said and turned and left the room.
Avalon tried desperately to speak, but she couldn’t even draw air into her lungs. Everything was fading to black. She could see pinpricks of light around her. Was she about to die?
Mair, the rabbit, was leaning over her, staring at her. Avalon could feel the animal’s despair. The poor thing, she thought drowsily. I have condemned the rabbit. The witch will know that it helped me, and she will kill it and its
companions.
She understood now. When Everard had said that there was always a price to pay, when someone rebelled. People suffered. People died. And the animals that had helped her would pay that price now, too.
She thought of Aberfa, the strange creature that had guarded her. She had promised it that she would liberate it. It had been a lie. She had never been powerful enough to defeat the witch.
And then, as her eyes started to close, she thought of Hansa. Was the wolf really dead, or had that been another lie? She pictured the wolf in her mind, her soft fur and yellow eyes. She was beautiful. She was glad, at least, that she had gotten to know her.
And then everything went black.
***
Skyresh stared up at the eagle, hovering above him.
The time was here. He had known that he would not get far before the eagle pursued him. It swooped down toward him, its great black claws opened.
He quickly withdrew the egg from his bag, holding it aloft.
“Stop!” he commanded. “Or I will kill it.”
He could see alarm register in the bird’s eyes. With difficulty, it arrested its descent, pulling away from Skyresh. It started to squawk in distress. It landed in the distance, on a rock, staring at him.
Skyresh smiled. “The tables have turned now,” he said.
The eagle stared at him, flapping its wings in distress.
“It is simple,” called Skyresh. “I will give the egg back to you if you promise to let me leave.”
The eagle tilted its head to the side. Did it understand him?
“You are on the wrong side,” he called. “Your mistress is evil. My people and I are trying to defeat her. If we succeed, you will be free. No one will have the power to command you.”
Suddenly, the egg started twitching in his hands. Skyresh stared at it in horror. What was happening?
The shell started to crack and split. He could see a dark shape within it. And then, a claw emerged. It pushed at the shell, ripping it apart.
He dropped it. The creature within kept pushing at the shell until it was completely free of it. A baby eagle, the size of his head, emerged. It was slick and wet and squawking.
Skyresh’s heart plummeted. Of all the times for it to happen. If he picked up the newborn, it would claw him. There was no way that it would let him take it without putting up a fight.
His bargaining chip was gone.
Sickeningly, he looked up. The eagle was still sitting on the rock. It flapped its wings in triumph.
You must return to the nest.
Skyresh heard the command from the bird clearly in his mind. It was the first time that the animal had spoken to him.
It is too late, the bird continued. Your plan has failed.
Skyresh stared down at the newborn at his feet. Should he risk picking up the bird?
Without thinking about it any further, he reached down. The bird was so wet it almost slithered out of his hands. He grasped it to his chest. He could see the great eagle’s eyes flickering in alarm again.
And then, the newborn started trilling. It snuggled up against his chest, burying its head underneath its wings.
What was happening? Skyresh stared down at it in wonder.
Little one, called the great eagle, flapping its wings. You must fight. I am your mother!
But the small bird continued to huddle into Skyresh’s chest. It shivered. Despite himself, Skyresh felt a wave of tenderness sweep over him at the sight of the animal. How could he kill it, now, if he were forced to?
Put him down, entreated the great eagle.
The baby bird trills became higher, and then Skyresh heard it speaking in his mind.
You are special, said the bird. You are on a special mission.
Skyresh stared at it in amazement. The great eagle had heard and was flapping its wings in distress again.
Little one, it called desperately. You are confused. You have just been born. The one who holds you is not our friend. He is our prisoner. Our mistress commands it.
The baby eagle stared up at Skyresh. He has been in our nest, it said. I have sensed his presence, as I grew within the egg. You are wrong, Mother.
The great eagle squawked in alarm. You do not know the ways of our mistress, little one. She will kill us if we disobey her.
The baby bird trilled. We must help him. He needs to leave. He will help defeat her. She is evil.
Skyresh stared at the great eagle. With all his might, he forced himself to speak in his mind. Listen to what your newborn says. If you help me, you will be free. Your newborn understands.
The eagle stared at them. Skyresh could sense the conflict within it.
My people have been enslaved by your mistress, and who she serves, he said slowly. There is a land that borders here. It is called Agnoria. It was invaded by the dark army, many years ago. I have been working to defeat it.
The eagle continued gazing at him. Go on, it said.
Skyresh felt a sudden upsurge of hope fill his heart. The one I travelled with is a queen of the realm before it was invaded. The last queen. She will liberate all the animals if she can defeat your mistress. He paused, trying to think what to say next. You must help us. I need to get to her urgently.
The eagle’s eyes flickered. It is risky, but I saw a woman when I was soaring the skies. She was alone and weak.
Skyresh gasped. That must be her! Where was she?
The eagle squawked. She was in the Interior, near the Tower where our mistress lives.
Skyresh almost dropped the bird that he was holding. He started trembling. Avalon had made it! She had made it to The Tower! He felt pride and relief. He should have known that she could do it, even alone.
He had to get to her. Was she planning to breach The Tower on her own? Or had she already done so? She needed help.
The baby bird that he held in his arms looked up at him. We can get you there. We can get you to her. Can’t we, Mother?
The great eagle flapped its wings. If you promise me that I can return my baby to the nest, I will take you to where she was.
Skyresh let out a whoop of joy. I promise that you may take your baby.
He walked over to the eagle and placed the newborn in front of it. The eagle stared at it tenderly. Then, it gently flexed its claws and lifted the bird. Skyresh watched as they flew high into the sky, entering the mist at the top of the rocks.
He waited, impatiently. Would the eagle return and fulfil its part of the bargain? Or had it just decided to leave him? It would have been good if it took him there, as it would be so much quicker, but even if it didn’t, he knew where Avalon was now.
He could get to her. It would take him days, but he could do it. His sense of purpose had been restored. There was hope. She was alive!
Just as he was thinking that he would start walking, he saw the eagle swoop down from the nest. It landed in front of a rock and stared at him.
Well, human? It said. What are you waiting for? I cannot leave my baby for long.
Skyresh smiled and ran over to the bird. It spread its wings out and lowered itself. He climbed onto its back, gripping tightly. He could feel his heart beating wildly.
You won’t regret this, he said to the eagle. Everything I have said is true.
The eagle flapped its wings. My baby trusts you, so I shall trust you, too. If you and your friend can free the animals, it will be worth it.
And then, they were soaring into the air. It was so high that Skyresh became dizzy. He caught his breath with difficulty. He couldn’t quite believe that it was happening.
He was in the sky, riding on an eagle’s back. He was flying! He knew, now, how the Goddess would have felt. There was simply nothing like it; nothing that he could compare the experience to. How wonderful it would be if these birds were their allies again.
He watched red sand spreading out endlessly below him, rippling like water in the wind. The sky was so blue he felt that he must be able to meld into it. He could see waterholes fr
om time to time, and then the landscape started to change.
Skyresh took a deep breath. There it was, below him. The Interior. Where Avalon was. He was almost with her again.
He frowned. He prayed to the Goddess that he wasn’t too late.
***
Avalon took a long, gasping breath. Where was she?
She opened her eyes. Memory started flooding back into her mind. She had been battling the Black Witch, and she had been dying. She had been choking. How was she still alive?
Sunlight streamed through the small window in the witch’s den. It must be the next day. She had been asleep the whole night.
She sat up, slowly, her head spinning. And then, she realized that she was clutching the amulet in her left hand. How had it come to be there? She remembered distinctly that the witch had taken it from her, throwing it across the room.
She glanced around. Mair, the rabbit, was nowhere to be seen. She remembered the rabbit had been with her when she had been choking. It must have retrieved the amulet and placed it in her hand. The rabbit had been trying to save her.
She stared down at the amulet. It was still glowing. Its power must have overcome the spell the witch had placed upon her. It had kept her alive.
But where was the witch?
She stood up, staggering slightly. Had the witch simply left her here, assuming that she would be dead? Yes, that must be what had happened.
She must focus. What was the word that she had heard? The one that might be the witch’s true name? She had the element of surprise now. If she could creep through The Tower and find the witch, she could play her last card.
The word might work, or it might not. The amulet and Mother Oda’s spell had not been enough to defeat her. Avalon had no way of knowing if the word was even the witch’s name, but she must try.
Mair, she called, in her mind. Where are you?
But, there was no answer. The rabbit had gone. Perhaps it had got scared and fled back to its burrow. Avalon wouldn’t have blamed it. It had taken a huge risk, as it was.
And then she thought of the wolf. Her beloved Hansa. Could she try to call out to her, as well?
Hansa, she called desperately. I do not know what happened to you, but if you are near, I need your help.
She waited a moment, but there was no reply. Despair filled her heart. It seemed that the witch hadn’t been lying. Hansa was dead.
