The Beginning

center>Part one

The coven/font>


My name is Magi and I was six withred  hair that was as free as I was When my mother and I joined the Eastern Coven. The leader was a wise old Wiccan named Kamilana, with long siver hair skin  a shade of bronze colored by the sun. Her eyes were the color of a deep dark blue  that could look right in to your very being. Those years the land was lush with so many shades of green, crops were  bountiful and the children grew up healthy. The Oak trees seemed to form a protective ring around My home. My Mother was a pale dark haired beauty with eyes the color of fire. Her name was Floara ,and she was the keeper of the spells and the covenents of the Coven.
I was was the youngest girl child. At first My days were filled with butterflies and flowers of Red, yellow, pink and so many other colors. All the girl children played happily together . We had great fun along with scapes and bruises and formed friendships that I thought would last forever. As I grew older The Elder Wiccans began to teach us to find our own spells and how to master the magic we had been born with.
When I entered my fourteen summer my mother told me of a secret society of Wiccans that were warriors. Mostly Wiccans are gentle women, These warriors defended the earth from Evil. They helped keep eternal darkness and chaos in the Under Realm. She started to teach me how to use a sword and how to defend myself with special spells that even the most practiced Wiccan did not know.
Of all the girl children that lived in the community there were two that no one ever said a word about. Their names were Tontra and Bethra. Tontra was as cold as she was cruel. her black hair was wild and tangled. Her eyes were like black holes. Tall and thin, Her Aura was dark and gave off a sour acrid scent. Bethra, her cronie was short and carried more weight than most of the coven. She had dull brown hair and a flat round face that her lifeless grey eyes seemed to sink into. You could always tell when they were around as they gave off a smell like sulphur.
There was not a time I remember when they were not cruel to the smaller girls and rude to the adults. They were cold and vengeful if crossed. Tontra and Bethra would change the direction of the coven and my life. During my sixteenth winter a strange illness came to our Coven and it took our beloved leader, Kamilana and some of the older Wiccans including Tontra and Bethra's mothers. Soon after Tontra started to insinuate herself into the lives of those who kept the coven's laws. Before anyone knew it Tontra had taken over the Coven Mother's role. Anyone who tried to get in her way was bullied into silence or worse. It was whispered that she born of dark magic and was dangerous. Laws were changed to suit her needs, and the ways of life here changed, but Not for the better. Mother and I continued our lessons in secret. We had to be careful so that Tontra did not find out. This was a dangerous time.
In the summer of my 21st year Mother called for me. "Daughter," she whispered. "It is time for me to leave here and go on to the next life. Perform the Last Rite." I began crying.
" Do not cry Magi. It is time to find out your true destiny. Now be a good girl and call the coven." I could not bear to see her leave. I wanted her to stay forever. But I was a dutiful daughter and did as she asked.
The funeral rite was performed that night under the stars. Just as the prayers were ending The sky turned a bright gold and out of a stream of White light stepped three pale yet wonderous beings. They were bathed in a bright Aura and floated above the funeral alter. They had white gold hair and a beauty that was so pure. They spoke as one and their voice commanded attention. "Magi, We are The Guardians here to guide your mother Floara to her place in the next life. We also have come to give you a gift. This crystal we place it deep within your heart. We have chosen you to keep all earth bound magic left behind when magical beings cross over. Hence forth you are the Keeper. This crystal will hold all remaining magic after the death of the earthly body". With the touch of their hands to my heart a bolt of fire raced thru my body. I was lifted off the ground then as suddenly I was on my hands and knees. My breathe came as if I were on fire. Tontra had been watching all of this. She was in a rage, "HER?. She never relly belonged here! I am The Mother Of this Coven! This honor should be mine!" She screamed flayling her arms . Raising their hands,
"Silence! We have chosen!" The Guardians kept their eyes on me. " But why?" as I struggled for air. I watched still unable to move.
The Elder Guardian stepped forward and looked straight into my eyes " You are our choice. We decided long before you were born." She then looked at Tontra. " She will not be harmed or caused trouble in any way. There will be no more talk of this! We know you Coven Mother so beware!. It is done."
They took my hand and placed it over my mother's heart. "Feel the magic still remaining?' I could only nodded. It was like there were a thousand bees beneath the skin. "Now call it forth."
I closed my eyes and suddenly I was in agony. I could feel the crystal glowing hot like molten glass as it took in the magic left by my mother. Just as suddenly it was gone and I had an incredible feeling of peace even as I felt exhausted. As I looked up from her body I could see her spirit smiling, standing next to the Guardians.
"You are under our protection. It is your destiny." and with that they were gone. I was weak from the strain caused by the magical exchange. Tears came to me as I touched her empty body.
Tontra looked at me with disgust and pure hatred. " You are no longer needed or wanted here. Be gone as soon as possible."
She turned on her heels and quickly left the funeral rite her dark purple robe billowing like a thunder cloud behind her. Most of the Wiccans Sisters gave their condolences but a few hurried after her. afraid of any retributions. Soon I was alone with her remains. The tears I had struggled to hold back flowed hottly and finished the rite alone. Lighting the pyre I watched the flames as they comsumed the body of my mother. As my tears touched her ashes they vanished in the mist. I promised to follow my destiny.
I was numb for days. As I went through the motions of packing our belongings my mind was suddenly filled with fear of being alone outside the coven's comforting forest. Mother's scent of flowers was everywhere just as strong as when she walked this earth. I could feel her in every corner of our home. Each item seemed heavy with memories. Some brought fond memories of late nights huddled in her bed and the silly stories she told to get me to sleep. Many brought back the times spent following the waters that ran along side the coven grounds and the treasures we would find. Like the small stone shaped like a star that she had kept.
I remember walking along holding mother's hand. The waters were so clear you could see the pebbles on the bottom. As we walked along the shore mother spied a stone in the shape of a star.
"Ha, a good luck sign for you Magi.I will sew it inside your protection talisman."
She never got the chance so I put it in my pocket.
I left the trunk beside her bed for last because that was where she kept her private things and the rules of the coven. When I finally opened the trunk there were many books and a key along with her robes. I put the key on my chain with the talisman she made for me. Wrapping the law book in her duty robe I placed it back in the trunk .That last night as I sat by the hearth I wondered. "Why me, what would happen if the crystal filled up? Where was I to go?" I slept fitfully. In dreams I saw The Guardians smiling at me. Their words echoed in my head. I WAS CHOSEN. So what was I to do with My Gift? Mother's voice whispered that I was doing the right thing I had a destiny to fulfill.SO MANY QUESTION AND NO ANSWERS.
I took the sword off the wall. I was a daughter of a warrior, and I was determined to continue the tradition.
As I placed the sword on the bed it seemed to glow. I wrapped it in a green satin sheet and hid it among the items I was leaving with.
When I awoke I found that the wagon was packed hitched and a horse was ready. Strange?


The Key
"Did you find it? Did you find the key?",Tontra stood there with a scowl on her face. Nothing angered her more than not getting her way.
"No and I looked every where. That Brat of hers must have it!"
Tell me what was left behind. Is it anything we can use to secure our hold here?" Tontra whined.
" I heard tell she had a Warrior sword. Was it there?"
"All that was left were some old robes and a few scraps of papers. nothing of any real value so I left them there."
Bethra, you Idiot go get those papers there may be some hidden information we can use . If we have to we will find Magi and bring her back her!"
With that Tontra walked out of the chambers. No book and no sword. She was angry.Her mind a whirl. What to do, She needed those spells to make sure she was the most powerful Wiccan in this coven and to help in the takeover of the rest of them. Tontra wanted to be Supreme Mother of all Wiccians and more. She wanted all magical beings to be under her heel. That Book of Spells and the key that would open it would guarantee that. But until she had it in her greedy little hands that dream would not come true. "What do I care of destiny or the Guardians. They chose that creature to hold the last vestiges of the magic left behind when one passes into the next life instead of me. But I will be the greatest of all!" she looked into the mirror in her bedchambers and saw her self in bright Blood Red robes and a ornate crown filled with Bloody jewels on her head. She laughed. It sounded like a schreeching banshee.
Bethra had returned to the hut to grab the papers she had thrown out. Outside there were a few members of the coven. They were doing a cleansing rite. If she didn't hurry all traces of those papers would disappear.So she snuck in the back scooped them up and got out before she was noticed. From her own hut she saw the cleasing fire and the hut disappearing in flames. Bethra looked at the papers and secreted a few pieces for her protection. She knew what Tontra was capable of.

A new Day.

As I drove away The wind seemed to sigh sadly thru the trees. Birds sang what sounded like sad tunes and the animals all seemed to come out into the open to say good bye.
When we had cleared the trees I could no longer see the road to the Coven. I remembered as children we all went into the village to buy goods and that the road was straight and true. But now it seemed dark, crooked and hidden in shadows. Trees seemed to hide the coven . As the wagon moved farther away from the only home I had ever known it seemed to vanish. The sky over the trees seemed dirty and dark. I could see the cleansing fire from my home as it burned. Things were changing and I was headed towards what? Suddenly I felt so hurt and angry. I was alone in this world and about to follow to where my destiny may lead. I still had not finished grieving the loss of my closest friend, my Mother. But I knew Tontra and I would meet again. I would be ready.


The Journey Begins.

I traveled for days. sitting by the fire each night I thought about my childhood.
The flames took a golden red color that remimded me of Placia, who spent time teaching me about all things magical.
She told about so many creatures like Sprities, Pixies, Fairies, Trolls and Elves. She also told of evil things that use black magic. And of creatures that haunt the night such as Vampires, Banshees, Werewolves and Gremlins. She said all these magical beings could die and their magic would be left behind good or bad. I sighed remembering In the early days that fairies would come to see the Coven mother, Kamilana along with other magical beings. Their young ones all would play with us . We would play hide and seek, Statues, a game where we would try to stand still while others tried to make us move. We had so much fun and I learned so much about our magical friends. But since Tontra has taken over They have refused to set foot back in the coven. I followed the road knowing I was alone. I passed through valleys and forests on this journey. There were cities, towns and villages but I chose to go around them . Only entering as I needed to buy food for me and my only companion the horse that pulled my current home along the roads. I had so many conficting thoughts and needed to be alone to work out my life's new path as The Keeper. My skin would tingle as I passed places that any magical being called home. It was a warm and soothing sensation that seemed to comfort me. I would call out a greeting as I passed. Sometimes they would show them selves and follow the wagon. At night a few brave beings would come to see me. It seems that they knew of my gift and wanted to see what I looked like. We would talk and I would listen to stories of their People. I would get chills when Evil beings lurked in the shadows. They would never show themselves But I knew they were there following me as a faint smell of rotten souls rode on the breeze.
A few days into the journey a Fairy came to me and asked that I follow her . She was a light forest Green. Hair the color of the clouds, eyes the color of moss, and wings the color of Corn. I left the wagon in a small grove of White Birch and followed. There laid on a bough of fresh pine was a fairy man. He was dying and his mate asked that I bless him. I told her That I would do that and I also would take the left over magic when he died to my crystal to keep it safe from evil. She understood. and I said a small blessing for those who are passing into the next life..
" To you I give the gift of happiness as you enter the next life. May you be joined with your kinsmen." With that he smiled and his soul left his tiny form. I placed my hands on his now empty body and felt the heat of the last of his magic enter me like a small bolt of lighting. I floated for a moment then fell on my knees until the sensation passed. The female Fairy thanked me for the blessing and gave me a ring made of her fairy hair as a gift to use as protection. I knew that others would hear of this and some of them would stop at nothing to take the crystal buried deep in my heart. I thought of Tontra and wondered what she was doing now? That night I dreamed that the guardians were smiling and felt that they were telling me to keep on my path . I Made a pledge to follow my heart and help those who suffered from evil be avenged.


Tontra
The coven had fallen under dark skies now that Tontra ruled. The river no longer ran clear as it passed the prayer site. No one was allowed free thought and slowly all the first members of the coven took sick and disappeared. Only those who followed Tontra were allowed to perform spells and travel. They had to bring back what Bethra called tihtings. Monies required by Tontra to keep them safe from evil. She was gaining fame as a evil and cruel Wiccan. No one dared to cross her. Those who did suffered dearly. It was said that a landownwer's wife refused to pay. They almost lost their newborn daughter to a strange malady. When the landowner paid the Tithing the girl got well. The reach of her evil knew no bounds. She twisted her claws into everything.

A Place To Rest

My heart was still heavy with grief. My whole world had been ripped apart and I was not fit company. Wrapped each night in a blanket by the fire I cried as though I might die, but I rose each day determined to carry on. There was still so much to learn. But now I had to find the answers by myself. I felt numb and wondered if I ever would feel happy and warm again. I looked at the fairy ring and felt some relief.
It had been weeks and until now I had avoided mortals. This foggy morning I saw a mortal woman walking with a crippled cow. She was tall and thin with dull yellow hair pulled tight against her head. Her brown eyes seemed filled with sadness and old beyond her time. I stopped beside her. "Tell me Mother where are you bound?"
" To the Butcher." With sadness in her voice," My poor cow has gone lame she cannot pull the plow and no longer gives milk. I hate to do this but if she cannot pull the plow we cannot feed her and my children will go hungry." Thinking for a moment I called to her as she continued on her way.
"Wait. I can heal her If you will let me. For I am a Healer. Do not be afraid."
Wide eyed, she nodded. I got down from the wagon and laid my hands on the cow's swollen joints. I could feel them heat up and the pain became almost unbearable. The cow was shaking and looking at me with eyes so wide that I thought they would pop. As the heat and pain subsided I smoothed the palms of my hands over her legs and stepped back. The cow moved closer to the farm woman. The woman watched as the cow circled away from me.
"Look no lameness!" She walked her a little ways and still the cow did not limp.
"Thank you. You are a wonderous woman. How can I repay your kindness?"
"It is what I am to help others." I said as I bowed to her. The cow walked up to me and stuck her tongue out and laid a slooppy kiss on my face. We both laughed. Something I felt she had not done in a long time. She thought a moment then removed her only adornment .
"It would give me great peace if you would take this necklace it was a wedding gift from my husband. I have no money to pay you." she said taking it and laying it in my hands. I nodded. How could I refuse.
" Where are you bound?"
"No where in particular," I answered. She thought a moment then asked me to come to the farm . I accepted as I was truly tired of being alone. We tied the cow to the wagon and I followed her directions. Her name was Geaina. She said her husband had been taken by the king's men and she was left with her five children to work the farm. The oldest was a girl named Kayla she was fifteen,then there was Bolten a boy aged twelve, Garr aged nine, Liam age seven and Dawn age four. They did their best to help scratch out a living. The children were happy to see the cow return especially Dawn, she ran over and hugged the cow who turned her head and gave her a long slobbery kiss. They were all amazed that she was no longer lame.
I learned the ways of the farm as I rested. The work was hard and I enjoyed the way it made me feel. I helped clean the barn and weed the garden. I even helped plow the fields. We all worked together and made the time go fast. The days went quickly and I felt that maybe I could stay here awhile. One evening a few weeks later we all were sitting and watching the fire in her modest home. The flames danced and the children asked if I could tell a story. So I told a story my mother had told me.
"Long ago A loney woman wanted a child. A Fairy king said that he would give her one but when the child turned fifteen summers he would come to take that child back to his kingdom because that child would turn into a fairy princess. When the child was born The woman named her Chrysta. You could tell she was different than the other children of the village. Her shin was shimmering like the pink roses in her garden. And she was small just like the fairies. When Crysta turned fourteen she began hearing the voices of fairies call to her. Her mother called for the fairy king. She begged him to change his mind but he refused. But her mother had decided when she was born that the Fairy king would not get her child. Crysta's mother went to the old Wiccan who lived at the edge of the water and asked how she could break the bargain with the King. " you must weave a rope with your child's hair and say these words, I revoke the bargain three times" So for a year she secretly kept her daughter's hair and while the girl slept her mother weaved the spell in to the rope in order to keep her from following the fairy king. Her mother would tie her ankle to the fire place. Crysta would cook and clean so that her mother could work the fields. But on her fifteenth birthday her mother went into the village to buy a present for her lovely daughter. When she returned Crysta was gone and the rope of hair lay broken by the fireplace. She cried all night and into the next day. Her father, the fairy king had come to take her to his kingdom. From that day on The woman never left the cabin. Years later as the old woman sat looking into the fire, a fairy sat on her shoulder. " Mother it is I Crysta. Please do not be sad. I love you and I miss you but this is my true self. I will come and visit often." The old woman smiled. And she was happy her daughter had returned. and Crysta the fairy princess returned often until she died." They all clappped at the ending. Kayla liked it the best.
The younger children were falling alseep and Kayla and Bolten took them to bed. A startled cry came from the loft where they slept. Geaina and I climbed the ladder to see what the fuss was about. In the corner Bolten had trapped a Meadow Pixie. She was buzzing and seemed very frightened. She was only about four or five inches tall. Her hair was the color of golden Wheat and her eyes were the brightest shade of Periwinkle. She was dirty and visilbly shaken. "Boy, back away from her." I said quitely then moved close to where the Pixie was pressed into the corner. "Do not be a afraid Pixie. I am a wiccan of some power and I will protect you. These children mean no harm. They were just as startled as you were." I held out my hand and the Pixie slowly moved and sat in my palm she was exhausted. I held her close to my heart and showed the children that she was a gentle soul. "We are sorry for scaring you." Kayla spoke for all.
" Tell me why you are far from your meadow ?"
The Pixie looked at me then told a story of The king's men riding thru the Meadow. They beat the grasses and killed many of her people. She was lucky to escape and sought refuge here. They had taken the king and Queen.
"When did this happen Pixie?
"two days ago." Then she began to cry.
" My name is Nayla. I am the daughter of the king and Queen of the Southern Meadow Pixies. "
" Who is this wicked king that takes men from their homes and kills gentle Meadow Pixies and makes prisoners of their King and Queen?"

Geaina Told me of the king called Drekkan.
Since the death of his father Kollan, A darkness had come to the castle. Drekkan had fallen under the spell of a woman who was said to use dark magic. Evil now controlled the kingdom. Times have become hard as the land no longer seemed able to grow crops and the rain no longer fell.
Nayla flew to my shoulder and sat there for a moment then," Will you help? I know that you are a powerful Wiccan. I have heard your story on the wind. I must rescue my Mother and Father."
"Of course but first we must put to rest the magic of your slain brothers and sisters. In the morning lead me to your meadow". Nayla nodded with tears in her eyes. She curled up and fell fast asleep in my hands.

I looked at The Pixie asleep in my hands and the family that had taken me in without question. I decided.
" I will go see this king and make him release your husband." I could not refuse those faces.
"And I will try to release the king from his spell. So that the kingdom can again see the light." I went to my wagon with Nayla I placed her down on the pillow. Opening The trunk I looked for a book that I could use to find a few spells that I could protect myself and the Pixie while I worked to free the king from his evil enchantment.
"Wicca, what had I gotten myself into?" I was not ready for this, yet I agreed to this Quest. At least, I thought. I had something to occupy my mind so that I did not feel so heavy with sorrow. I read into the night as The small Pixie princess slept .

The Pixie Meadow

I rode the horse that had been pulling my wagon to the meadow followng Nayla as she flew that next morning. What I saw made me cry. The field of bright green grass and colorful flowers had been trampled and there were burn marks everywhere. Flowerheads drooped heavy with the dried blood of so many pixies. Nayla and I found every small body and placed them at the base of the Tallest Oak. There I held a funeral rite for the souls of the dead. Kneeling I placed my hands over them. I was hit with a searing hot bolt of lighting that coursed through my flesh and seemed to consume me. I could not breathe as the dead Pixies' magic flowed into the crystal. I was lifted off the ground in a flash of redhot light. Then fell back to the earth. As my tears fell their small bodies disappeared into a mist.
" What was that?" stuttered Nayla her eyes wide in fear. " The Guardians made me the Keeper of all earthly magic left behind when the soul moves to the next life." Shugging my shoulders as I struggled to catch my breathe. " That is what happens as the crystal takes in the last of their magic."
Nayla looked at me and through her tears said there were still some missing. She started singing a sweet song and as it rose on the breeze from her wings there was a small rush of wind in answer to the song. There in the edge of the meadow hovered twelve or so injured Pixies. " Come to me my brothers and sisters." called Nayla. " This is Magi a powerful Wiccan, she will help us. Do not be afraid. She will heal you."
They flew to me and clung weeping with tears of sadness and relief. AS I touched each one their wounds began to heal and they floated to the ground to sleep away the pain. I gathered them up and put them in a large pouch to keep them safe. We returned to the farm and placed them all in a large bed of straw. Kayla spread s soft blanket over them and kept watch. Nayla sat on her shoulder and rested her head on Kayla's cheek. I was determined to find a way to send the evil back from where it came no matter what.
Returning to my wagon I lifted the loose board that hid the the sword. Holding it I muttered a spell.
" Sing to me, Oh warriors of the Wicca. Make me a master of this good blade.
Give me the knowledge to use it to protect good . Give me the power to repel those who are evil.
As I am the daughter of a warrior, make me one as well."
As the last words echoed a feeling of power began to rise from my fingers to my arms. Then it travelled from head to toe. I began to move with the sword in circles as my confidence grew. For hours I practiced until I was as one with the blade. Setting it down the sword called to me. "You are now one with me. Together we will defend all who are defenseless. I am called Aborea the sword of Earth. Once I belonged to your mother. You are now my Master. Your will is now mine."
When I touched the blade it glowed. I Covered the sword and placed it back in the hiding place. Then I went to the well and drew some water to wash myself. I felt more content than I had in days. I hoped that the spells I had learned would be enough, but just in case there was Aborea. I practiced the spells of protection with Nayla. Sometimes they did not hold and Nayla fell into the dirt.
"Look here Wiccan! I know that you are young and still need to learn these spells But my arse is starting to hurt" I smiled as I dusted her off.
"Sorry but practice makes perfect and I need to be the best to ensure the rescue or we will join them in chains." This went on for days . At night I practiced with the Wiccan Sword. Then one night the Guardians came to me in a dream. "You are ready for this test Magi. Remember you are the Keeper all will be as it should." I awoke with a start. I knew that tommorrow was the day I would set out for the castle. Nayla and I made our goodbyes to the Family that had cared for us and to the Pixies. Kayla, Bolten, Garr, Liam and sweet little Dawn all agreed to watch over the last of the Meadow Pixies. And the Pixies promised to behave and help the family.
That night I sat alone with Geaina. She told me of her husband Aldeen.
"He was the son of the greastest swordsmith in the land. He had learned the way of the sword since he could hold the bellows that fueled the flames. Soon he was taller than his father, Blakton the king's champion. HIs life was hard and He was a young man with strong arms. He had long flowing Black hair color of the coals that formed the swords. And his eyes were the color of the smoke that billowed out of the forge.In his sixteenth winter he beat his father at the winter tourney. Aldeen stayed four more winters, then when his father died he left the castle to travel the land. For two years he traveled. Then one day he came to our farm. My father took him in and from him he learned the ways of farming. I was in love with him at once.
When my parents died we married and he worked this farm as well as he had made swords.
He helped the village Blacksmith during the winter. After the old king died things changed.
A few months ago the kings' soldiers came and forced Aldeen to return to the castle. They took him back in chains.I have never recieved any word of him again." She cried as though she would never stop and I held her until she finally did.I knew that I must not fail.

As I fell asleep I had a vision of my mother. She was smiling and she looked more beautiful than ever Looking straight at me she spoke.
"I am proud of you, Magi. Remember that the sword Aborea is not to be used in anger. You have the knowlege to free those kept against their will. May the ancient ways Of Wicca keep you safe." Then she was gone.
When I awoke in the morning all the Pixies were sitting on the bench along the wall of the wagon. They were sitting very close to each other as if to hide something behind them. And they were staring at me, Suddenly they started to giggle.
"What?"I asked as I tried to make them move so that I could dress for the journey I was about to take. As they flew away they scattered Pixie dust went every where. There on a pillow was a new set of clothing.
" How beautiful"', I exclaimed as I laid out each piece so that I could see them better. The leggings were a dark shade of green like the forest and they were cool against my skin as I put them on. The shift was a soft as clouds white with stitching in colors of red and yellow in the symbols of the ancient Wiccans circling the neck and ending in a Vee dangerousy low between my breasts. As I smoothed the fabric I could see that is was way above my Knees. Finally was the corset. It was a bright green the shade of new leaves in the spring. and had Wiccan symbols stitched down the front in the same colors as on the shift. The cords that I used to tighten it were made with gold and silver string. As I looked in the mirror I was suprised at myself. Copper hair framed my face and flowed over my shoulders. I looked quite nice if I do say so myself . Sitting down on the bench to put on my old leather boots I watched as the Pixies started to giggle and flutter about sending Pixie dust over the boots. They fluttered again to blow the dust away and my boots were now brand new. The color of the brown bark of the Aspen.
"Thank you! for all of this." I cried wiping my tears. " This is so wonderful." The Pixies said the clothes were none of their doing.
" Then who?" I wondered. Kayla was standing in the doorway of the wagon. " It was Momma and Me", with pride in her voice. I pulled her inside an increasingly crowded wagon and gave her a huge hug.
" Your mother came to Momma in a dream. She told her that she wanted her to make these clothes for your quest. She also taught her the symbols that we stitched so as to protect you." Geaina stood on the steps holding a leather riding cloak." This is Aldeen's I have fixed it so that you can wear it. If you meet him show him this clasp. He made it to open up. Inside are the names of our children. He taught me how to write them. This way he will know you are a friend." I drew the cloak around me
As I saddled up the horse that had been pulling the wagon I noticed that He seemed to change into a warrior's stallion. He held his head up and his coat seemed to glisten in the sunlight. I settled into the saddle and wished all well trying not to cry as we rode off.
After Nayla and I had been travelling may hours She flew up and stared at me. with her tiny hands on her hips she asked,
" So Wiccan, whats the plan? I mean everything cannot rest on just spells." I looked at her and blinked. I had not really thought out what we would do. Now little Nayla was staring at me demanding a answer.
"Well, Pixie to tell the truth I thought we would figure that out when we got there." coughing nervously.
" You have got to be kidding! Magi!" she yelled. "This could be a real mess you know!" Pouting Nayla flew off sprinkling pixie dust in my face and landed on a tree limb.
I got off the horse and let him wander as I tried to cox her back down. Tired I sat with my back against the rough bark of the tree and waited.
" What the ..." Nayla cried as she fell off the limb. I caught her in my hands and looked at her face. She seemed very confused. I thought maybe to much sun.
"Did you see that?" She looked at me with wide eyes.
" See what?"
" that glow!" she whispered. Shaking my head I began looking for the horse . Getting up I began to worry as I could not see him anywhere. As I approached a clump of bushes a young man,stepped out.
"Where did you come from?" I asked as I stepped back a few paces.
He just smiled a moment.
"I am called Duncan. The Guardians have sent me to help you on the first part of your journey." His right hand swept in a gesture that started at his left shoulder and cut across his waist as he bent down.
" How did you get here?"
"you brought me, remember?" He raised his eyebrows.
"I came alone so far except for Nayla and my horse."
"I am the horse." He stated as he walked to a place near the tree and sat down.
"I don't understand?" My hear was swimming.
"My people are called Pegars. We are a ancient shape shifter race." I took a breath ,this was to much to understand. I thought I was going crazy.
"let's see you are a Pegar. How come I have never heard of your kind before?"
" The Guardians have worked hard to keep our existance a secret. We answer only to them." Nayla was buzzing all over and it was getting aggravating.
"Please settle down some where while I work this out." I waved my hand at her.
" Nayla, calm down I am no threat." Duncan use a very calm voice that seemed to soothe her and me as well. Deciding to stay the night. I set about gathering firewood to give myself time to calm down and think. Then with a warm fire we settled down and talked. I needed to learn more about him before I could trust him. Working out the questions we had for Duncan and then the course of action we needed to take to rescue Nayla's parents and Geaina husband were our first priority.The next morning Duncan had already changed into the shape of a horse.I felt really uncomfortable as I settled on his back.
"Don't worry you are not hurting me."
"Really?"
"Yes really."
" O K". I answered.
"What?" Nayla called to me as she hovered.
"Sorry I was talking to Duncan."
"I Didn't hear him say anything."
" He was inside my head." I told her. Nayla frowned . I guess she felt left out by Duncan.
"Sorry Nayla, are you ready too?" Nayla's eyes went wide as she realised he was talking in her head now.
"Wow, That's incredible. Yes I'm ready." she seemed pleased that Duncan would use his magic to talk to her. We talked of his people and of his home, a sweeping plain of wild grasses and rich grain. The sky was a Robin's egg blue and the river that ran free was pure and clear. The grass was green and rich in flavor.His people roamed hidden by a deep mist from mortals eyes. His father Ironmore was a dark coal gray stallion that was as quick as the summer wind. And his mother a gentle white filly with long flowing mane and tail.She was wise as she was beautiful. Together they rule over the Pegars. Duncan was a white Colt with coal gray spots that were the best of his parents, His mane was long and white while his tail was coal and carried high. The Guardians ride them when they travel the mortal world when they are needed as war horses. His people also are Shapeshifters that are warriors for the Guardians.
As we headed in the direction of the Castle Kolmor the land changed drastically. We saw abandoned farms and small villages that were almost empty. The landscape turned dull. And those who were still trying to work the land seemed as though there was no hope. Most of farms were worse than Geaina's. The fields were dry and untilled. Nothing was growing. The wells and ponds had dried up. I becamecould not help but be saddened and knew That the Castle Kolmor was at the core of the emptiness. Around the next hill things were quite different. The land was green and the fields were bursting with corn and wheat. The manor house was next to a large pond that seemed ever so blue. As we rested for the night I decided that we must find out why they are flourishing while the farms and villages that surrounded them were dying.
"This is not the castle but somehow it must be connected. as this is the only green for miles." Duncan had returned to a human form and was setting the wood for the night.
" How are we going to get in?" he asked as he began to make sparks for the fire.
"Well I am a healer by birth. So I thought that We would use that to gain entrance."
" sounds good but you are a little young to be traveling alone"
"I could use a aging spell so we would look older. like brother and sister."
" What am I suppose to do?" Cried Nayla.
"you my dear little Pixie must stay hidden. I do not want to risk your safety just yet. I might have need for some Pixie dust later."
" So far all I do is hide!" Nayla pouted as she fluttered about.
" I must protect you so that you can help rescue your parents." wiggling my finger at her with a stern look upon my face. With that taken care of I asked
" Can you stay in mortal form for a long time?" Duncan paused,
" For two or three days at the most." We talked and listened to each other about our fears and our hopes. Our faces were illuminated in the flickering fire. We were so different but yet we were the same.

Impressum

Texte: all words are mine
Bildmaterialien: all photos and artwork are mine
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 03.02.2011

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Widmung:
To my Husband. Who has put up with my ever changing hobbies. I love you .