by L M Lannutti
‘’Ingraine I had a dream last night… ’’
I told her about king Dervindell and the dragon then I stopped and waited for her to say something.
Ingraine stared at the crystal ball fearfully and her face was pale.
“Only one witch could have caused such chaos’’ she muttered.
“Who?’’ I asked.
Ingraine looked at her slightly shocked but composed herself quickly.
‘’ Oh it’s nothing’’ she assured.
“Let’s continue with your training shall we.’’ she added changing the subject Ingraine stood up.
“Maywen, first you need to select your ring before you can cast magic ’’ Ingraine said.
“Why’’? I asked
“Because you have your core, the dragon markings on your arm your core is your magic. Your ring channels your magic and makes it visible to the outside world’’ she explained.
I nodded. Ingraine waved her hand and a box appeared out of thin air and levitated inside the box were rings of all shapes and colors but there was one ring that caught Maywen’s eye.
“That one ’’ Maywen pointed to a silver ring shaped like a dragon’s head with green eyes.
Maywen put it on and then a green light shot from the ring and smashed a test tube.
“Sorry Ingraine ’’ Maywen apologized.
Ingraine’s face was filled with joy.
“Don’t apologize Maywen that’s your magic and you are progressing nicely. ’’ Ingraine said
‘’Do you want to learn more spells Maywen?’’ I stood up
“Yes I do Ingraine’’ I replied
Ingraine grabbed a book from her bookshelf. The book was thick with a leather green cover. The cover read To Learn the Art of Witchcraft with a Solastroiend underneath. Then everything went wrong, I felt a strange feeling inside and I knew we were in danger. Footsteps came closer and closer to our tent. Ingraine and I stood perfectly still.
‘’Open up or we’ll torch your gathering witches ’’ a deep voice said. Then I saw sparks at the front of the tent: we were burning up fast.
Ingraine went and grabbed a bag, some food, clothes, and the Art of Witchcraft book and gave it to me.
“Call the dragon Maywen ’’ Ingraine said franticly to me.
“What dragon?’’ I asked in a panicked tone
‘’ The one from your dream’’ she answered.
KLANCK an armored fist went straight through the center of the Solastroiend.
“Call the dragon now Maywen!’’ Ingraine yelled her brown eyes swelled with so many emotions mixed together terror, anger and concern.
Maywen was terrified but she concentrated
Please dragon you said you’d come to me now I need you.
CRASH the tent ripped apart and in the middle of the burning tent was a green dragon with gold eyes, the same one from my dream. I hopped on its back.
“Ingraine you’re coming too’’ I called to her.
Ingraine shook her head and gave me one last look.
“Go Maywen ’’ Ingraine said as a tears fell down on her cheek.
“Go ’’ Ingraine said firmly.
I flew on my dragon with the supply bag on my shoulder. I looked back to the flames and smoky remains of the tent. I saw a gigantic blood red colored supernova burst from where the tent stood then I looked up at the sky and I saw a star that shined brighter than the rest of them as if it was just made and I couldn’t help but cry.
Ingraine has join Lunna and her other witch ancestors I thought.
“Do not cry Maywen, I am Melibar and I am your friend”, Melibar the dragon said to me.
But Ingraine is dead and I don’t know where to go! I thought.
“I know the way”, Melibar assured
“The way to where?” I asked
“Somewhere safe” she assured.
Chapter 4
Friends and Foes
In my dream I was back at the remains of my old home: Ingraine’s tent. I saw only ashes and remains of the guards who attacked us.
“This was where the red light wassss ssspotted ssssire. ‘’ the king’s squire said.
“That means the witches are dead sssire praise King Dervindell.’’ The squire praised.
King Dervindell stepped out of the shadows. His eyes still looked blurry as if he was in a trance but I could see the anger and a bit of amusement on his face as if he was not impressed by the destruction that had happened on the very spot he stands on now.
‘’Why do you celebrate squire?’’
“The witches are dead my lord, ’’ the squire answered.
Then the king strangled him.
“FOOL one witch is still alive!’’ the king let go of the squire’s neck, the squire fell to the ground wheezing.
“I want all my troops to find that witch!’’ King Dervindell yelled at the squire then the king turned. My dream went to black I woke on Melibar’s back at sunrise.
Troops are coming after us I told Melibar.
I know, which means you should practice your magic Melibar replied. Our communication was telepathic.
I took the spell book from my bag and kept flipping pages trying to decide which spell to try first. Melibar landed in a forest.
“Do you want something to eat Melibar ’’ I wasn’t sure what dragons eat so I grabbed an apple from my bag. Melibar ate the apple while I walked over to a nearby spring and got a drink. Then I heard a noise coming from the bushes. I set my spell book on a rock and I pointed my dragon ring to the bushes.
“Maywen ’’ a voice said meekly behind the bushes. He stepped out from behind them. He was a blonde haired boy, Maywen’s age with brown eyes a white tunic, brown vest and same colored boots with a sword drawn. Maywen recognized him: Darasin, her friend, one of Dayla’s sons from Ceraibell I recognized the blade too it was his father’s Darasin must have stolen it from his brother because his father died years ago. His eyes showed his joy.
“Oh Maywen everyone thought you were dead but I knew you weren’t I just knew it…’’ he paused to catch his breath, “I’ve been looking for you all night’’ he added.
“Why?’’ I asked.
“Because you need to come back. I thought you heard me, everyone thinks you’re dead and I miss you, you just left without saying goodbye and…’’
“Is that a dragon?’’ he asked with a shocked expression.
I nodded.
“Darasin, I can’t go back to Ceraibell. I’m a witch, that’s why the soldiers were sent to kill me. Ingraine, my mentor, died to save me’’ I explained.
“If you’re a witch then can you show me some magic?’’ Darasin asked.
I nodded.
Then a gust of wind opened the book onto a page.
“What’s this?’’ Darasin asked and grabbed the book.
“That’s my spell book ’’ I answered and took it from him.
I looked at the book and I saw a drawing of a woman with dark hair and blue eyes, sitting on a black throne wearing the same color gown, in her claw like hand was a goblet her snake like eyes glittering maliciously. Writing was on the other page. It said:
Atropos Grimhild
Infamously known as Queen of Night, sister to the late Ingraine Maeve {better known as the Queen of Day} Ingraine was the only witch who could vanquish her, extremely evil. Is the only known living Shadowcaster {a person who can create anything out of shadows} and has the power to control the minds of even the strongest willed person. Was captured and contained in crystal ball. Then at the very end of the page something that seemed newly written recently escaped her prison. Beware her evil power! Then the pages burst into black flames.
“I can’t believe it Atropos took control of King Dervindell’s mind to kill her sister ’’ I said shocked.
‘’ She was the only one who could stop her ‘’ Darasin noted.
I stood up, gathered all my emotions to say ‘’no, Ingraine’s not the only one.’’ I grabbed the book.
‘’I pledge to all the witches, all the spells and to Ingraine that I, Maywen tamer of dragon, one of the most powerful witches in the realm, will destroy Atropos for good.’’
A bright green light burst from the book and shot into the air.
“I had better leave now that light might attract King Dervindell’s soldiers ’’ I told Darasin and started walking to Melibar.
“Wait Maywen, I want to come with you’’ Darasin said.
“Really?’’ I said slightly shocked. I climbed on Melibar with a grin.
“Hop on.’’ I said welcomingly
Darasin smiled.
Chapter 5
Entering Hectamisa
It was nightfall when I realized witches have super human senses. I had felt a strange tugging in my mind but now it felt strong because I felt the presence of two things: a witch and smoke.
Melibar we are changing directions
I steered the dragon until the smell of smoke was the strongest and then came to a stop. I saw a young witch my age with an orange dress, red hair and kaleidoscopic eyes that changed color every second. A circle of fire entrapped the girl, I saw King Dervindell’s guards, and they all had torches in their hands.
“Die sorceress ’’ one of the guards yelled.
Then suddenly the witch transformed into a fox and leaped over the flame and snarled at her opponents and they ran. We landed by where the witch was attacked and there she was well as a fox.
“I thought you needed help but I can see now that you can handle these so-called executioners?’’ I said to the fox witch.
“Yes … ’’ she paused to catch her breath
“Thank you though your aid proved indispensable’’ she had now transformed into her normal human self as she spoke to me.
“Would you like to join us on our quest?’’ I asked the girl.
“Yes, I would be honored, I know of your predicament, all witches have sensed something foul in the air since she escaped.’’
‘’ I am Amersa Aoife and I am a fox spirit who trained to be a witch. I can change form from human to fox.’’
Amersa hopped on Melibar and we flew off into the night sky. Darasin was asleep when I asked
‘’Where do you think we should go?’’ I asked Amersa.
“We’ll we should go straight to Atropos even though we still don’t know where she is ’’ Amersa said.
“She has spies everywhere I can feel it.’’ I said
“So do I ’’ Amersa agreed
“Is there anywhere that is safe? ’’ I pleaded.
Amersa eyes beamed
“I know where we can stay, land right there’’ she pointed to a spot in the woods about a few miles away.
It was almost sunrise now. Melibar landed near a small waterfall, Darasin was still asleep when we landed so we did the nicest thing we could do: dunk his head in the cold water.
“AAAHH’’ Darasin screamed.
“Why’d you do that?’’ he asked.
“To wake you up ’’ I said innocently.
‘’Now where’s that safe place you were talking about? ’’ I asked Amersa in a serious tone.
Amersa stepped into the pool at the bottom the waterfall and knelt down. She raised her hand and orange spark floated above her palm. Magical orange foxes danced around Amersa as she chanted
“Ventu qua za ulta”
An orange Solastroiend faintly glowed on the water and a dark passageway opened. Amersa snapped her fingers and torches ignited on the side walls.
‘’You are about to enter one of the many passageways to Hecatamisa, the place of darkness where witches and magic thrive.’’
I walked in first; Darasin was about to follow but Amersa stopped him.
“Only witches are allowed to pass’’ she said.
Darasin looked a little excluded. I looked back at him but he changed his expression. So we walked into the cavern and it was closed.
No way out I thought but I let my fears subside and continued walking.
Chapter 6
Good and Evil
Witches, you come miles away with them only to have them leave you at a waterfall freezing Darasin thought.
Melibar flew off after the girls had left which meant Darasin was all alone. He was starting to get bored so he decided to take a walk until Maywen and Amersa came back. This was the first time he’d been this far into the woods his mother would let him go but unless he was with dad and Draco putting food on the table he couldn’t go past the river. As of now he was alone. But not for long. He heard the sound of a branch breaking and then he saw a familiar figure a few feet away dressed in dirt covered clothes and cloak on the cloak was a pin shaped like the sun the emblem of Ceraibellian royals. The man was blonde with brown eyes Darasin recognized the figure. It was Draco. His eyes were cold and unforgiving. He ran to me and then faced me.
“I found you’’ he said
“Where’s your medal?” I asked sarcastically
“Here” he replied in the same tone gesturing to his pin.
“Now riddle me this: where’s Maywen?” Draco asked coldly
“How do you know I haven’t found her?” I asked
“You can tell me willingly or I can make you” Draco said coldly
“And how will you do that?” I asked
Draco cocked his head whistled behind him.
All of the sudden Darasin heard a noise behind him Draco stepped out of the way and leaned against a nearby tree. He reached for his sword and pulled it from its scabbard but it was too late. He was surrounded, six long swords pointed around his neck. Darasin dropped his sword. It was the king’s soldiers. They separated in a U shape so a soldier on horseback could get through. Unlike the other soldiers who wore silver helmets the man wore a gold helmet and a red sash.
“Where are the witches, peasant? ’’ Darasin straightened his back and grabbed his sword.
He would not be scared. He had to help his friends: he had to help Maywen.
“You mean women of various ages thought to have magical powers used for benevolent or nefarious purposes? Often shown in illusions, spells, potions, and hexes?’’ I asked
The man on horseback nodded.
“How should I know?’’ I asked incredulously.
The soldier frowned.
“Possibly because you are a known companion of one of the witches’’ the soldier said slyly.
Then the solider with the gold helmet punched Darasin. He felt blood but he still wasn’t fearful, he’d been in the place of the victim before. He’d beaten up before by his brother and all the other older boys in Ceraibell. But he stood firm now because he was stalling, giving Maywen and Amersa the time they needed.
Meanwhile in the entrance to Hecatamisa, Maywen and Amersa kept walking unaware of Darasin’s predicament. Maywen and Amersa reached the end of the cavern and into a huge circular throne room. The room was made of black rock, gold flaming spheres levitated around a throne carved out of the black rock, but on the throne was a young woman with bright shiny black hair. She was wearing a headdress that covered most of her hair that was tall reddish violet color with golden Solastroiend in the center of it. Her eyes were brown and she wore a red gown with a staff in her right hand that had a star on its tip. Amersa bowed at the foot of the throne so I followed. The woman almost looked like …
“Ingraine?’’ I asked
The woman’s eyes gleamed with a little amusement.
“No dear I am her mother, Morganna Avalon the Elder Witch.’’
‘’Wait Ingraine is your daughter, which means Atro….’’
“Don’t say her name here!’’ she ye
lled.
