Spellbound Story Hour

Roxy Xalider

Roxy stirred from her place on the floor, moaning. Someone was shaking her, a high-pitched sound was close. Her alarm? Was it time for school already? She opened her eyes to a blur of colors, in the shape of a person.

"Mom...I had such a horrible dream. Book characters, killing...ugh, it was a disaster."

She blinked and her vision cleared. Reality hurt. It was not her mom, but a different woman hovering over her. She had light brown hair worn in a braid, and her face looked concerned. Roxy turned her head painfully, to see a dog beside her with its long, wet tongue panting.

"It...it wasn't a dream was it?" Roxy sighed, peering up at the woman. She then snuggled back into a comfortable position on the carpeted floor. "Can you wake me up again when it's over?"

 

Jaye Audolf

"It...it wasn't a dream was it? Can you wake me up again when it's over?"

Jaye knew the young witch wasn’t dealing with the repercussions of what she had done, it was more than obvious. She had to help her come to terms with it and do what had to be done.

“Roxy? Sweet heart. You need to listen to me real careful like right now. You brought us here for a reason, of that I am certain, so as overwhelming as this all is you need to finish what you started. If you do not close the portals that you opened or whatever you did, more creatures and mother knows what else is going to keep jumping out of these books attacking us.”

Jaye smiled and moved to sit next to Roxy. Llop sat in front of them panting slightly with an almost comical look on his face. This was going to be tricky. She knew she had to convince Roxy to be brave and stop whatever it was that was happening and then tell they why she had done it.

“Right now you need to be really brave, like I know you can be. It shows me that you are very clever and that’s why you did this to start with, but if you don’t pull this all together I am afraid all that you are trying to do here will be lost.”

Jaye was not trying to sound harsh but she did need Roxy to understand what she needed to do.

“Without you Roxy, we will all be lost!”

 

Roxy Xalider

“Without you Roxy, we will all be lost!”

Jaye's words pricked her heart, causing more endless tears to fall. Roxy stared down at her hands while she thought deeper into the honest words the woman had said. Jaye was right, if she didn't do something; and fast, the reason why she brought them here would crumble into nothing. Her family's situation would be completely hopeless. She had to be brave like Jaye told her, but could she? This was the scariest thing she'd ever experienced, ever dragged herself into. Did she have much of a choice, though? She could either sit here and act like everything would be fine without her, or take action to do what's right. Be a hero of my own story.

Roxy wiped away her tears and felt something warm brush against her arm. She lifted her head to see Jaye's wolf, Llop, smiling at her with all his cuteness. She smiled back, giving him a gentle pat on the head. Llop believed in her and so did his owner...

Roxy turned to look into Jaye's multicolored eyes.

"I'm sorry, I've just had such bad luck today, and I want it to all go away. But, I'll be brave. For Llop." Roxy gave the wolf a light kiss on his head before pulling herself from the floor; her safety net.

She walked over to the end of the aisle to peer out at the craziness, the utter chaos. Worse things than ninjas had escaped from the books. This had to end.

She shut her eyes to focus. Words rushed to the front of her mind, as she recited the spell slowly.

"Of the stories told,
We behold the villains and plots within.
But, now we must read no longer,
We must not look, instead close the book,
Until we can begin again stronger."

Her words were simple, but even she was surprised at the confidence in her voice. A strange aura fell over the room, closing every page, of every book. All they needed to do now was get rid of the creatures still lingering in the room, specifically Voldemort. After that, Roxy knew the time would come. Her stomach twisted at the thought. For me to lead.

 

Julian Romanov

I scratched my head in confusion. Where could Voldemort have gone? There were so many people in this library who were at risk. All because of me. I stepped on the book, and something happened.

This could not get any worse.

I had to find Voldemort. He could kill everone in here with a flick of his wand. And feel no regret. He probably considers us all Muggles, and he will not hesitate to kill us. I could not allow him to do that.

But how could I stop him? Would my whispering even work on him? Probably not.

I heard the human girl called Jaye and her wolf called Llop trying to calm Roxy and help her realize what she needed to do. It seemed women do listen to women better, because eventually, Roxy got up off the floor and closed the spell.

I prayed I would be able to go home to Jenna. She needed me.

The aura that came over the library was calming. Even though there was still some fighting going on, I felt the spell close. It was like a layer of magical silence just fell over the library.

And I knew Roxy was going to do what she needed to do. Did she know some kind of spell to cease the fighting? To send Voldemort back to his book? Maybe to send all the villians back? I did not know what her plans were. But I hoped she knew what she was doing.

I was half tempted to Join the rude guy that stormed out in search of a bar...

 

Zaris Redmist

Zaris rose to his feet, and wiped the tear from his cheek, as he heard the young woman's voice.

"Of the stories told,
We behold the villains and plots within.
But, now we must read no longer,
We must not look, instead close the book,
Until we can begin again stronger."

Then a strange uneasy calm came over the room and every book surrounding Zaris suddenly shut and he looked around the room waiting to hear any unfamiliar sounds, he gently smelled the air it smelled like a war zone, nothing but death and destruction. He looked over to the area where he had last heard the young woman speak, thankfully she was fine. Zaris looked at his feet where the were-wolf's body lay, and thought to himself, as he hung his head in disappointment.

What are they going to think of me now that I did something like this? Are they merely going to say it was ok for me to transform into that monster? I can't let myself be put in that state EVER AGAIN, the last time was shear luck I was able to stay in a sloppy state of control... What if... if...

"I can't harm incocents never again..." Zaris wept, as he drew his black sword and raised it to his throat, "I can't trust myself anymore..." as Zaris went to slice his throat he began thinking of his beloved Tina who was still out there in his world and he would never see her again, and with that thought he sheathed his sword. "I won't let them win, the only time I will stop searching for you is when I am dead..."

As Zaris sheathed his sword two more of the mechanical ninjas attacked, Zaris assuming that these were the last two left here in the library, decided he should have a little fun with them and make them regret attacking him. He leaped in the air and kicked the one into the other knocking them both into a bookcase, and they leaped at him once more, Zaris saw this and ducked under them, and as they got just far enough past him Zaris grabbed them both by their necks and put his feet through their backs, and gently landed on the ground as robotic parts rained from the sky above him.

"Hmph... Child's play..." Zaris scoffed acted like nothing happened and slowly walked towards the group, hopefully they would still accept him even after seeing what he had become earlier.

 

Julian Romanov

When I saw that all was calm and that Zaris was not going to kill himself, I relaxed. I knew his mind was troubled. Anyone could see that. Hopefully he was okay now. As Zaris came to stand beide the group, with everyone looking at Roxy for answers and direction, I looked at him and nodded. I was glad he was back to himself. I would need him. We had to do two things. We had to help Roxy through this stress. She was only a girl. She may be a witch, but she was still a child. So much to learn. I found it ironic that what we needed to learn about our being here would be coming from her, a child. But I trusted that she was up to the task of helping us do what was needed to get us home. The next thing, well, actually the first thing we had to do was find Voldemort.

He could not be allowed to hurt any of these people. Including myself and Zaris.

I looked at Roxy. The spell she had just recited left her looking kind of drained. I didn't know if using their power caused them to burn energy or what, but her eyes drooped slightly and she swayed only a little. Maybe the humans did not see this, but I did. She needed to rest.

"The girl needs to rest." I told the group. "And we have to find Voldemort before any of this can continue. If we are to be able to get home, we shall have to be alive to do so. I am afraid if we do not find him, we shall all perish. He is a powerful wizard, and if you have not heard of him, be glad, for you do not know what he is capable of."

I looked at Zaris. "You and I can sense and smell things that the humans can not. But we cannot defeat him with strength alone. We need magic. And lots of it."

Then I looked at the rest of the people in the room. There was only a few that I thought knew magic. The one in the robes. He had spoke only the word "Iron" and a wolf like creature had frozen in mid-air. This man.... or wizard.. or whatever he was... he might be the answer. But could I get him to listen??? What had someone said his name was? Elder? No, Elodin? Then there was a knight in white armor, who shouted something in a strange language and whatever it was he yelled at listened. That had to be magic right?

Or, maybe the Tina girl... with her electricty... I wonder if that could kill Voldemort...

I sighed. What if none of us were able to defeat him? Was there any way we could just send him back to his book? I had a feeling that wouldn't work.

What were we going to do?

 

Comedy​

“Hello ladies and gentlemen! We have a really great show for you tonight! This one is about the little boy who didn’t know that there are some people that you just shouldn’t try to cross. Hold your applause until the end please.” I see my henchmen forcing the audiences’ hands together in a rapid motion.

“Oh you are too kind, but no seriously, it’s time to start the show.” I wave off their forced applause as I exit the stage. My welded on comedy mask forcing a smile on my face. In my last glance at the audience I see looks of shock and terror. That is how you project emotions in a play. My tragic counterpart pats me on the back as he takes my place on stage, my observers praising me.

“Great job!”

“You really knocked ‘em dead!” then to play off of that one,

“Well, he’s about to.” Then comes the shared laughter. We do have our fun around here. From the stage come screams of anguish, sounds like Tragedy has made his appearance. Now, I know what you are thinking. Whoa, this guy is just cold evil. No, no, no, you’ve got me all wrong. I’m necessary. You see, after the nuclear war, there was no police, no justice. Someone needed to rise among their peers. For this town it was me, I created a sort of “police gang”. Well, that’s a little bit of a lie. We are more of an organization that sparked from the lack of police. All that have been brought up in our ranks share a love for theatre, or fear us. We are always entertaining the folks! We grew stronger, striking down our foes, gaining complete power. Now we are the new police, although, some would argue that we are corrupt. Sure, we get what we want, but we could just as easily let this town fall to anarchy…
Oh, I got a bit distracted! It’s time for my part in the show. I run up to stage, faking a chuckle.
“Oh boy, I guess you could say that he was pretty gutsy.” I allow time for laughter, all that I hear in response is sobbing, small talk of disgust, and a little bit of vomiting. Two drum hits in succession and a cymbal play my little joke off.
“Alright ladies and gentlemen, that will show you a bit about the system. A little bit of justice too.” I leave a little bit less of a pause for laughter, same response. “Okay, go ahead. Get out of here, live your lives.” I bow, then disappear. Wait, what? Disappear? I don’t remember that part… somebody is getting fired.
“Hey, who was the idiot who forgot to tell me-“ then my stomach turns. My surroundings change. I’m not in Kansas anymore. In fact, I have no idea where I am. Darkness surrounded and encased me. Then the darkness turns into bookshelves and chaos.
“Hello ladies and gentlemen! I hope I’m not interrupting anything!”

 

Julian Romanov

“Hello ladies and gentlemen! I hope I’m not interrupting anything!”

I whirled around, and I saw a gentleman standing there. He was smiling, but you could clearly tell he was confused. Was this another villian from another book? He didn't look threatening... but I could keep an eye on him. First things first, we had to find Voldemort. If I knew anything about the Harry Potter books, he was lurking, watching, and gathering the information needed to destroy us all. Did Roxy know any locator spells? What about a spell to send him back into his book? I bent to pick up the Harry Potter book I had stepped on earlier. That had to be it. She had to do it. I looked at the new guy, wearily, then behind him, I focused on Roxy. She was resting. I know her rest was needed, but we had an important matter at hand.

We had to send Voldemort back. Since the wizard guy and knight weren't worried about Voldemort, they obviously didn't know who he was. I carefully passed the new guy and went to Roxy, gently shaking her. The wolf and the human girl still were there, protecting her. They seemed nervous about me touching her.

"It's okay. I just wish to wake her. We have to get Voldemort back into his book. Roxy is the only one who can do so." I told them. The dog just cocked his head sideways. IF we weren't all in danger, I would have smiled.

I shook Roxy gently.

"Roxy? Can you hear me?" She just groaned a little. I knew then she could hear me. "We need you to send Voldemort back. Here is his book. Can you do the spell with only his book? Wake up, Roxy. We need you."

 

Roxy Xalider

Roxy, dearie, you must find people to help you, the familiar voice of her uncle echoed in her ears and distorted images swirled in front of her eyes. A man dressed completely in black cackled, knife drawn. Her mother was there with tears streaming down her face, staring up at death. Roxy's own heartbeat felt like it was being thrown out of her chest. Suddenly, a bright light appeared, whispering gently, "We need you to send Voldemort back. Here is his book. Can you do the spell with only his book? Wake up, Roxy. We need you." She bolted awake with a gasp. A face was only inches away, worry shown within the wrinkles on his forehead. Julian. The vampire.

Roxy quickly realized she was laying on the floor again, she had fallen asleep? What had been that horrible nightmare, not a vision hopefully. She'd never had one of those, but it could've been symbolic. Death was near. She shook away the negative thought, as she scrambled to stand up. Julian held out a book to her and she took it from him without a word.

Harry Potter; it had been a while since she had flipped through this one. They were good, but not her favorite books with the premise being so unrealistic. Sure, there could be a magical boarding school somewhere, but she'd never heard of such a place. Well, she'd never left Salem, so there could be one. Roxy sighed; she was getting off track. Julian had asked for a spell, but how could she do one if Voldemort wasn't within reach?

"This might be even worse than my family situation. Curse my limited knowledge," Roxy muttered, squinting her eyes to find the the exact page that Voldemort had been pulled from. But, the entire Chapter 36 was blank. Roxy could almost feel the several pairs of eyes boring into her, as she hesitantly looked up at the characters. She couldn't do a spell to bring Voldemort to them, he was much too powerful, but a tracking spell might work. She spoke softly:

"What is lost, must be found,
A wizard named Voldemort,
We need to track him down."

Modes of light fluttered in front of her eyes, and she held out one hand as two small devices fell from thin air. A magical GPS; just what she had imagined. Perfect. She looked down at one of the screens, a dot was blinking spontaneously. While holding the book in the crook of her arm, she gave the other GPS to Julian.

"Okay, I know this is mostly my fault and I'm sorry. Voldemort is moving fast. We may need to break into groups to distract him." Roxy tried her best to sound confident, if she was going to be a leader like Julian, then she had to fake it at least.

"If we can distract him enough, maybe Elodin or Tarl can stun him or something. I can try to put him back in his book, but it would help if he's not waving a deathly wand in our faces."

 

Julian Romanov

When Roxy had awakened and cast a spell that produced what looked like two GPS devices, I sighed with relief. At least we could know where he was. As Roxy handed me one of the devices, she spoke.

"Okay, I know this is mostly my fault and I'm sorry. Voldemort is moving fast. We may need to break into groups to distract him." I watched her pause then, thinking. "If we can distract him enough, maybe Elodin or Tarl can stun him or something. I can try to put him back in his book, but it would help if he's not waving a deathly wand in our faces."

I nodded. "Yes. Groups would be better. Zaris and one of the magic men can be in one group, while I can lead the other magic man in another group. That way, whatever group finds him first, one of the magic men can stun him."

I paused.

"But what group will you be with, Roxy? If you are not in the group that finds him... I doubt he could be held off until you get to that place."

Just then, the devices started to beep. I lokked at the one in my hand.

Oh, no. The device now showed he had exited the library.

 

A beeping noise alarms the mysterious masked man, Comedy. "Well, this is quite the performance... Might I ask who the antagonist is?" Comedy ponders for a moment, "Also, when did I audition? What is my role? And how in the Hell did I get here?" Looking around, Comedy sees the wreckage... How hard did this place get hit?

 

Introducing...Silas Rivera

As he made his way through the dark hallway, muddy prints were left behind on the limestone floor. Damp air touched his bristly cheek, making him wrap his coat tighter around him. He breathed deeply; unaware of the dozens of yellow eyes watching his every move from above. Turning around a sharp corner, there lay a large hole in the cavern, dim light trailing from it. Quickening his pace, he walked nearer to rap his knuckles on what looked like a rocky door frame.

“Come in,” A husky voice called, willing him to walk into a hazy room that smelled of stale smoke. A middle-aged man was reclining on a wooden chair smoking a pipe, while looking intently into a ball of crystal. His brown eyes were clouded over, as if he was transfixed in deep thought.

“Sir, they are enclosed.” At the sound of his voice, his master tensed and released the ball on top of a golden torch. He blew out a waft of smoke, turning his head in interest, his eyes shining with a renewed fire.

“Excellent. Have they awaken, Silas?”

“No Sir. We have tried to prod them, but it seems like they haven’t gotten sleep in ages.”

His master snorted, rising from his chair. His hefty shoulders swayed as he walked to stand barely inches away from Silas. “They’ll awaken soon enough. Have you received any news about…the girl?”

Silas looked down, scratching his ruddy chin. “Sir, we haven’t gotten news back from the two who ran after her, and I don’t expect they are to be back anytime soon.”

“Are you telling me, that she killed them?”

“It’s possible.”

His master pounded his fist on the wall, while one of his veins looked like it was about to escape from his forehead. “She’s only a child, that’s ridiculous!” he yelled, his spittle landing on Silas’ lip. His many curses were muffled, as he clenched a new lit pipe between his teeth.

Silas grimaced, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. “She’s a child of magic. And, sir, if I’m not mistaken she is walking the streets of Salem this very moment.”

The man let out a groan like an annoyed grizzly bear, “Well, go have someone find her! That’s your job, am I right?”

“Yes sir, it is.” Silas said, giving his master a long gaze, before turning away. He got halfway out the door, when a belated shout stopped him.

“Silas, I’ve got a better idea! You are my second in command and I think you may be the better man for the job. You find the girl.”

Silas whirled around on his boot heel to look his master in the eye, failing to keep his tone void of disgust.

“As you wish, Sir.”

 

introducing Magnolia

Aether flowed through the air gently, it glowed red and felt warm like the noon day sun. gently it flowed through delicate hands. Tave entered the lone tree house were Magnolia now lived, she looked sorrowful almost pitiful. Almost a month ago Tave and his comrade; Shamere had found her half dead at the edge of the forest. She was stunningly beautiful even back then, bloodied and bruised, she had collapsed at the entrance of Underwood home of the elves, after barely fighting off a band of soldiers. Tave observed her, she hadn’t yet notice him come in, it wasn’t the first, Tave had walked right up to her countless times while she day dreamed and she never noticed. Suddenly her face changed going from sorrowful to embittered. The aether seemed to react to her mood flowing more quickly. Anger and hurt written all over her, a rage so powerful even after one month Tave dared not ask why she seemed so upset.

“Magnolia suppers ready.” Tave said hesitantly. She didn’t hear him, she started to weave more angrily now forcing the aether to whirl around rapidly it grew hotter, slowly turning into actual fire she cursed under her breath.

Tave sighed, humans were such emotional creatures this one even more so. Still he felt sorry for her.
“Magnolia!” he shouted trying to sound louder than the aether, which was now roared in the air with great fury. His call startled her she jumped! The spell she was weaving no longer guided went hey wire blasting flames every which way. Tave ducked as a ball of fire nearly hit him.

“Oh…Tave I’m so sorry.” She ran towards him the look of hatred melted from her face, “She would be the most beautiful woman in the world if she just smiled more he thought.”

“I’m Fine Magnolia, anyway suppers ready.” Magnolia helped him to his feet, her eye’s had lost their sight but her magic seemed to help with that if only enough so she could move around. Still they looked pristine.

“I’ll be down in a moment, I…need time to think.” Her face became sorrowful again, this girl was haunted by her past continually it was all she ever thought of.

“All right Magnolia see you soon.” Tave headed back, she had begun weaving again violent aether once again coursed the air. Weaving spells is how she vented and if it helped her, so be it he thought.
As she weaved her mind flashed back to her betrayal, the day she was dragged out of her own kingdom, thrown mercilessly into the outside world by the man who claimed to love her. She was so angry she didn’t even notice the sudden falling sensation, blind she didn’t see the world go dark, the portal opening. Only the sudden force of hitting concrete snapped her out of it. Her spell once again miss weaved sending bursts of violent flames shooting all over. BOOM, SMASH, BAM!

She crawled to her feet bewildered from the sudden drop what had happened? A Gentle breeze told her she was outside but the air, it was nothing like the home of the elves’ it was hot and Smokey. Sticking her hand in the air she weaved a spell to help get her bearings and as she weaved she frowned. The aether here felt sickly and weak it was like this part of Exzalia was, dying. Finally she cast soul sense and with limited sight peered at her world. She had landed besides a large building with strange markings on it her spell detecting several souls in side. But her attention was grabbed by another soul near to her, behind her. She whirled around and there slowly getting to his feet was a blackened soul.

This mage had been hit by one of her miss weaved fire bolts and while she knew not who he was, she could see dark magic flowing through him. “A shadow mage,” she thought, “The vilest of the magic users, no more worthy of life than the undead.” There was something else she sensed as well. Large amounts of aether was bound in a short stick he held in one hand, a stick he was waving at her.

She was blind but not stupid, she knew a spell when she saw one and quickly cast flash shield, light formed in front of her blocking the deadly shot of dark magic. He was attacking her! But the slight fear she felt left her quickly, no she would not die here. Jumping back she weaved light squall, light magic began forming in her hand she cursed again, “My spells seem sluggish in this place.” She just couldn't weave in time for his next attack and another pulse of dark energy launched at her. She scrambled to cast a shield but to no avail he was too close and the aether in this place was too sickly. She felt the pulse of dark aether rip into her soul throwing her back, crashing to the ground. The black mage turned, it began walking away perhaps assuming she was dead. To its surprise life stirred behind it, the soul turned in quickly but could do nothing to stop a ball of crazed light colliding with his skull.

Magnolia got up starting weaved again as her foe staggered about blinded by light squalls flashing effect, her magic guard had taken the hit for her, but in a place of such sick aether it wouldn’t last long.Several souls seemed to have sensed the commotion, they would no doubt be here soon, were they allies with the dark mage she now fought? Where was this? It mattered not she vowed not to die here, no not without extracting her vengeance. She raised her hand and cast another spell, anger in her heart, this mage would serve to vent her frustration.

 

Tina Sharp

The sound of commotion outside the library caused everyone to look towards the door. Without a moments hesatation Tina headed in that direction. Her Asian eyes squinted causing them to be little more than slits. That blasted magician better not be attacking some poor civilian. If he is we are gonna have words!

She stepped out into the sunlight, blinking from the transition. The first thing she saw was a beautiful woman with golden hair and a torn dress. Tina fought down the feeling of jealousy. This woman was so pretty, like her favorite childhood princess, Rapunzel; except with shorter hair. She lifted a hand with a strange looking light building up in it. It was then Tina noticed she was fighting Voldemort he raised his staff a prepared his attack. There are WAY to many magicians here. She charged a ball of lightning in her hands and timed her toss at the same moment "Rapunzel" cast her spell. Both attacks hit the black magician squarely in the chest. He fell to the ground and didn't rise again.
"If he gets up I'm gonna have to stab him." Tina said to no one in particular.

 

Roxy Xalider

As soon as Tina exited the library, Roxy quickly followed. Before making her way out the door, she called behind her shoulder to the masked character, “Your questions will be answered soon, promise!”

She ran down the steps and nearly fell when two bursts of light erupted in front of her. One was from Tina, the other from a source she couldn’t see. The target she knew had to be Voldemort. Roxy rubbed her eyes a few times, blinking them excessively to make the black floating dots disappear. She had been dumb enough to stare directly at the lights.

“If he gets up I‘m gonna have to stab him.” Tina said next to her. She shoved her way through to see Voldemort laying on the ground, unconscious. A tall woman dressed in what probably once was a pretty gown stood nearby. Roxy rubbed her eyes again to make sure they weren’t playing tricks on her. How did she get here? Was she another character? She looked like someone from a renaissance festival.

Roxy held the thought, but stared back down at the black lump not moving. That couldn’t be; Voldemort was too powerful to die and it was not in his character for him to be defeated in moments. He could awaken, they would have to act quickly.

“He will have a hard enough time when he wakes up to his nemesis.” She said to Tina, while flipping open the book still in her hands. Roxy hated to do a spell right out in the open, but it couldn’t be helped. If they moved him that could cause even bigger problems. Setting down the book next to Voldemort’s body, she whispered her spell:

“What doesn’t belong,
Say goodbye so long,
Back where you came from,
To the land of your foe,
You must go.”

She watched the villain begin to disappear, and soon the leftover particles were sucked into the book like a vacuum. Harry Potter sure had a lot waiting for him.

Roxy bent down to pick up the book and held it close to her chest. “We should head back inside to the others before onlookers start talking. Magic really isn’t supposed to exist in my world.”

 

Magnolia

The black soul was gone! Sucked away into some book, two souls stood where he was. She could sense magic flowing through their blood, magic users. Magnolia stared at the two glowing outlines of their body; though she saw no detail she could at least tell they were female. Another thought occurred to her, were they the ones responsible for warping her?

“We should head back inside to the others before onlookers start talking. "Magic really isn’t supposed to exist in my world.”

This was a strange thing to say, what did she mean magic does not exist in this world? Magic exists everywhere on Exzalia. But she didn’t focus on that, she didn’t focus on the sick aether or the choking air, no she was far too cross to focus on that. How dare they ignore her! Or was she speaking to her? That would be even worse! To utter not so much as a hello before giving her commands!

She walked strongly toward the two souls that were conversing and in a commanding voice she spoke over them, determined and clearly annoyed.
“You there Peasants!” She called to them approaching quickly. “What part of Exzalia is this? and what business have you here?” She said; her voice still echoing the sound of royalty, ordering them like she would a slave.

 

Tina Sharp

“You there Peasants!” The girl the in the tattered dress turned towards her with a frown on her face. “What part of Exzalia is this? and what business have you here?”
Tina raised an eyebrow and was about say something rude in return when she noticed the newcomer wasn't even looking at her directly. It was as if she couldn't see them but was rather just able to see only a shadow of her outline.
"Sorry girly. We arn't peasants and you arn't in Ex-a-la-la or whatever. You are kinda in a new world..." Tina looked over Roxy, "In fact Roxy still has yet to tell us why and where we are."

 

Magnolia

"Sorry girly. We arn't peasants and you arn't in Ex-a-la-la or whatever. You are kinda in a new world..."

That girl, everything about her was strange, she spoke strange and said strange things. Girly? did she just call her girly? well of course Magnolia was a girl, there was no reason to point out the obvious.Why did she feel she needed to say that? "kinda?" Did she mean kind of? this girl didn't even know the basic tenants of speech! As for new worlds thats just nonsense, everyone knows Exzalia is the only world out there. But the part that made Magnolia chuckle was this girls claim that she was no peasant. Right...as if a noble would say such folly. But she pushed that aside, there were more pressing matters at hand, she turned to Roxy.

Magnolia towered over her glaring she; in a low and embittered said, "So you are the one responsible for warping me against my will?" and then...*SMACK!* Magnolia struck her upside the head, the type of smack you would give a spoiled child or unruly servant, not strong enough to injure but hard enough to show their folly. Angrily Magnolia yelled at her. "You, stupid child! You nearly got me killed! Where do you get off just warping people against their will into the middle of battle fields!" She got more angry with each word. "You stupid, STUPID child! You could be executed for doing this to one of my status." She emphasized the word stupid every time she said it. Crossing her arms she calmed down just a little. " You are fortunate that I can not stomach killing a child." Her brow was knitted, she was still angry.

 

Jonquil: The Flight

The Earl’s thoughts were recalled from their disquieting course by Ivy’s question. “What has Aidan done that has you in such a pother?”

The aging lord’s chest puffed out with indignation. “He has gone and gotten himself expelled from Oxford again after he promised he wouldn’t. Some business involving Ferdi, Cedric Templeton and bed warmers of all things.” There was the slightest hint of wry humor in the Earl’s pure baritone as he voiced the cause of Aidan’s expulsion aloud, but the situation still rankled.

“The ungrateful whelp had the audacity to send a note to the Grange saying that he had been expelled for the remainder of the term and would be making an extended stay at the Abbey, knowing I would be displeased with him.” Taverton snorted. “Displeased is an understatement. I mean to disinherit the whelp and I mean to do it in person, so you see why I need to pass.”

Taken by surprise at the usually pensive Earl’s candid answer, Ivy and Chalmers were unable to stop Taverton from charging passed them toward the music room. Without bothering to knock the furious Earl of Taverton sent the half open door crashing into the wall. It was all the urging Beau and Belle needed to launch themselves into the fray.

With a shrill bark Beau leapt at the Earl followed closely by Belle who surged between his legs. Unprepared for the sudden assault, Taverton fell to the floor with a weighted thump as Jonquil’s faithful collie grabbed a mouthful of perfectly tailored sleeve. Belle bounced around the struggling pair with her forepaws in the air, play boxing Beau’s plumed tail as it waved back and forth.

Jonquil’s piercing whistle brought the tussle to an abrupt halt and drew the enraged lord’s undivided attention. Beau retreated to his charge’s side, Belle followed suit. Both took up defensive positions at Jonquil’s side as they felt the Earl’s belligerent glare.

Taverton heaved himself to his feet, brushing dust and dog hair from his torn coat as he did so. His dark eyes, a somber reflection of Aidan’s, bore into Jonquil’s. “You promised not to say anything. Yet from the tone of my heir’s note, I can only surmise that you have told him the complete, unvarnished truth. How long ago did you send the letter?”

Jonquil’s eyes burned with suppressed ire. “I sent no letter. Aidan found out the truth on his own.”

“Impossible, he just arrived home this morning, remained only long enough to change horses and come straight here.” The Earl replied with lethal softness. “An hour later his note arrived saying he had been sent down and would be staying at the Abbey. This entire tangle could have been avoided if you had just kept your word.”

“I sent no letter. I kept my promise.” Jonquil replied.

“Don’t lie to me, Jonquil Merriweather. You are the only person Aidan would pull such a foolish stunt for,” the Earl snapped. Beau growled. “You and your flea bitten mongrel have both gone over the deep end with this Phantom nonsense. It has to stop.”

There was an audible gasp from the doorway as Ivy, Lord Wainwright, and Chalmers approached the music room. Not since the time of Josie Merriweather had anyone spoken to Jonquil so harshly. There was no usual fiery retort from Jonquil to Taverton’s brutal statement. A bad omen.

What followed was never very clear. There was the briefest flash of crystalline tears, huge eyes dark with pain, a swirl of green skirts and dusky curls amid a moving torrent of furry bodies. Before anyone had time to speak Jonquil disappeared down the corridor, heading for the stairs.

Aidan began to follow her, but his progress was halted by the titan haired countess. “Give her a little space, Aidan. Seeing you now will only make your father’s words hurt even more. You need to see this through.”

Viscount Islington drew himself to his full height of two inches over six feet and turned his furious gaze upon his dumbfounded father. “How could you say such a thing to her when you know she has never broken a promise? Not even her stepmother accused her of such a thing.” Aidan’s soft spoken accusation was laced with the same lethal softness his father had used addressing Jonquil.

The young viscount topped his father’s well muscled six feet by two inches and was every bit as intimidating as his sire. For the first time it dawn on the Earl that his son was no longer the scraggily stripling he had grown accustomed to seeing during school holidays. His son was a grown man, furious over his treatment of his oldest and closest friend. Realizing the boorishness of his own actions and knowing his son had every right in the world to be incensed, Taverton remained silent as Aidan launched his attack.

“You had no right to say such a thing to her. You’ve known Jonquil since she was born and know that she would never tell an outright falsehood. To accuse her of going back on a promise, especially one that has been tearing her apart is the lowest anyone could stoop. I never thought it possible for you to fall so far especially after all your lectures about honor and the code of a proper gentleman. How will you be able to look Jonquil or yourself, for that matter, in the eyes again?”

Taverton’s bluster and fury died with Aidan’s words. “I overreacted a bit. I’m sure Miss Merriweather with forget the whole thing by this time next week. She knows I didn’t mean it.”

The earl’s reply was too much for Ivy’s fiery temper, which matched her vibrant hair, to handle. She stalked by her stunned husband and frozen Chalmers and planted her fist square in their neighbor’s nose, which began to bleed profusely. The growing crimson stain on the earl’s cravat was a slight balm to the other men gathered. Ivy had done what they had all been itching to do since Taverton burst into the music room.

Before the pained lord had time to react Ivy leapt to her younger sister’s defense with the fierceness of a lioness defending its cub. “Beast. How dare you abuse my sister’s honor and the hospitality of the Abbey. You have the options of either leaving now of your own accord or I’m sure Aidan and Wainwright will be more than happy to assist with your forced removal.”

“I’m leaving,” Taverton replied, his voice unnaturally high due to his attempts to stem the follow of blood from his nose. “However, I still have a right to know who informed Aidan about this Phantom nonsense. If it wasn’t Miss Merriweather, then who was it?”

Aidan was the first to reply to the query. “Lady Wainwright wrote to me from London with vague references to possible problems in Abbott’s Hollow and at the Abbey. I knew I had to find out what was the cause of the disturbances so Ferdi and I staged our prank. When Jonquil didn’t meet me at Hawkins Crest for our customary ride, I knew something was seriously wrong. I came straight here and pried the truth from Jonquil.”

The younger man paused briefly a scowl creasing his dark brow. “Jonquil was exceedingly reluctant to recount the tale of the Abbott’s Hollow happenings. You made sure she wouldn’t forget her promise not to say a word. She kept her word until I forced the truth from her at the lookout this afternoon. Next time direct your anger at the right target not the innocent.”

As Taverton opened his mouth to respond, but Aidan cut him off. “As for this business of disinheriting my, you may do so with a guilt free mind. After your performance just now, I don’t want to have anything more to do with you or the Taverton title. I will be staying with my grandmother until the start of next term. Give Angelica my regards on her forthcoming nuptials, I shan’t be there. Good day sir.” Aidan gave his father the briefest of bows and followed in Jonquil’s footsteps. No one attempt to stop him this time.

Ivy’s leaf green eyes flashed with fury as she regained her voice. “I hope you’re satisfied with your efforts today. Jonquil’s honor has been torn to shreds and your heir won’t have anything to do with you.”

Taverton glowered at the diminutive countess over his rapidly staining cravat. She paid him no heed as she turned on her heel and stalked by her husband and the still stunned Chalmers. Lord Wainwright broke the tense silence as Ivy passed. “Poorly done, Gideon. Poorly done indeed. Chalmers will see you out.”

Of all the witnesses who had taken him to task for his treatment of the youngest member of the Merriweather clan, it was Chalmers who surprised him the most as the austere butler ushered him to the door. The stalwart servant turned to him saying, “You may have just accomplished the most vile deed in the history of Abbott’s Hollow. You may have destroyed the heart of our brightest and most beloved star.”

Never before had a servant dared to voice an opinion to him, yet Chalmers had the courage to tell him just what he thought, regardless of the consequences. That action alone was more than sufficient to show Taverton the true extent of his boorish behavior.

......

Jonquil’s frantic footsteps didn’t stop until they reached the second floor corridor of the east wing leading to her bedchamber. Beau and Belle, who followed at her heels, pressed close to the rumpled skirts of her round gown. The pain caused by Taverton’s accusations was rapidly replaced by a deep seated fury that had been smoldering since the strange happenings in December and the Earl’s stubborn refusal to tell Aidan the truth. From around every corner shadows and demons loomed in Abbott’s Hollow.

Aidan and Ivy were right about one thing, it was too dangerous for her to remain at the Abbey. She had to go to London. With any luck the Phantom would follow her, giving her a chance to finally unravel the secret of the Merriweather Labyrinth. Time, she knew, was of the essence. Every moment longer she remained in Abbott’s Hollow, the more danger her friends and relatives would be in. She was leaving for London, but not in five days under the watchful eyes of Aidan and Ferdi. She was leaving tonight, alone.

....A while later...

“So you say,” Betsy replied pessimistically. “Now is there anything we’ve forgotten?”

“Not that I can think of,” Jonquil said. “I have my pin money stash and enough clothes. I will be fine. It should only be a two day journey to London if the weather holds. I’ll send for you once things are settled, I promise.”

“What about food?” Betsy asked, stalling. “You can’t go all that way with nothing to eat and who’s to look after these demon dogs of yours?”

Jonquil’s speaking eyes quelled any further questions. “Beau and Belle are coming with me. I can’t think of a faster way to alert the household of my departure than to leave this pair behind. They would have the entire estate out beating the bushes within five minutes. I wouldn’t make it past the courtyard.”

Betsy’s smile was fleeting. “That much is true. Beau is a talebearer and blackmailer. He’s also the only living thing you haven’t been able to manipulate, but how are you going to get him and this black heathen out of here without being seen?”

Jonquil’s velvet dark eyes sparkled with mischief in the golden glow of the candles Betsy had lit earlier. “One of the advantages about living in an old abbey is the fact that most of them have at least one secret passageway or priest hole. Merriweather Abbey happens to have two.” As she spoke, Jonquil strode over to the ornately carved side pieces of the fireplace, traced the intricate curves of one of the buck’s antlers and pressed. A piece of the oak paneling next to the fireplace slid back silently, revealing a gaping black chasm.

"There is a staircase that leads to the cheese room in the attic and another staircase that follows the chimneys down to the back courtyard. An invisible in and out for both me and the dogs.”

Jonquil smiled again at Betsy’s continued amazement. Taking advantage of the maid’s preoccupation, she stooped to retrieve her rucksack and a candle. Whistling for the dogs, she stepped through the panel and called back to the maid as she disappeared, “Don’t worry about food. I’ll stop at the Shepherd’s Crook on the way. Mrs. Truency will be more than willing to lend a hand. I’ll send word as soon as I reach London.”

Before she had time to reply Jonquil and the dogs had disappeared. Betsy was left staring at a blank oak panel. With a swift shake of her head to rattle her wits back into working order, the abigail set to work removing all traces of Jonquil’s recent transformation and flight. Once the room was in pristine order again, Betsy returned below stairs with the story Miss Jonquil had retired to her rooms and wasn’t to be disturbed.

.......

Aidan’s voice was incredulous and pained. “She locked it from the inside.”

Turning back to Betsy he demanded, “Do you have the key?”

Betsy shook her head mournfully. “Miss Georgi has the only key and the only other way in through the balcony doors which have been locked up tight since the murder.”

“Bloody hell!” the Viscount swore. “Why does she have to keep twisting me into knots?” His next explicative was drown out by the distinctive sound of splintering wood as Aidan’s booted heel made contact with the uninformative surface of the door.

The sound of movement outside Jonquil’s door should have been enough to bring Beau running to defend his mistress, but the room was ominously dark and still. The fire had burned low on the grate; the flickering light cast weird shadows on the walls in the fading twilight. The room was immaculate and devoid of life. Jonquil was gone.

....

Jonquil, meanwhile had finally reached the concealed door that opened onto the back garden. Beau and Belle pressed against her heels as she fought to pull the warped panel open. With a last savage groan the door suddenly gave, sending Jonquil and both dogs sprawling. It wasn't the snowy garden she landed in, however.

With the breath knocked out of her, Jonquil struggled to sit up, instinctively knowing something was off. There was no wintery bite in the air. In fact, it didn't even feel like she was outside. She drew a deep breath in through her nose and sneezed, the hood of her cloak flopping in her eyes. It smelled like a library. Pushing the offending fabric back, she blinked. It was a library. There was no sign of Merriweather Abbey.

"Oh dear..." Jonquil murmured, glancing down at the dogs. "This was definitely not part of my plan." Carefully she rose to her feet, shaking out her skirts as she did so.

"Standing about won't do any of us a lick of good. First things first. Information." Jonquil started down the aisle, making for a band of brighter light that seemed to indicate life beyond the stacks. In her hurry to gain her bearings, she failed to notice the book that had tumbled to the ground. The Angel's Flight: A Chronicle of the Darkkin

 

Tina Sharp

Before Tina could react, the haughty wizardess had smacked Roxy upside the head and was screaming at her. Tina was so shocked she couldn't do anything but just stand and watch as the woman finished her rant and crossed her arms as a haughty, all-about-me person would do. If there was one thing Tina disliked more than kids, it was kid beaters. Flashes of her time with her real dad went through her mind. The times he would come home drunk and beat whoever was in sight, still gave her nightmares. This woman wasn't him, but she was starting to remind her of him and that was bad enough. Tina stepped in between Roxy and the newcomer, charged her fingers with electricity and gave the woman a hefty shove in the shoulders. No one, not even the Queen of England, was given the right to smack and scream at a kid. This woman was about to find that out the hard way.

"Who do you thing you are, huh!? Queen of whatever world you come from!? Well, you aren't Queen here. And even if you were, that doesn't give you the right to hit and scream at a kid. You can talk to 'em, sit 'em in time-out, heck, even lock 'em in the bathroom if they're being rude enough...but hitting is out of the question.
Now, I suggest you calm down and go inside unless you want to get electricuted." Tina held up a hand with tendrils of electricity running across her palm and finger-tips. She half hoped this woman would fight back, but that was her ninja side hoping.

 

Magnolia

Magnolia had never before encountered one so defiant as this young woman right here. For a moment she was stunned; her brain struggling to remember what to do in these situations. But that's just it, she never has been in such a situation, no one has dared defy her like this. Almost instinctively she reacted in the way she always reacted to high stress situations, with either sorrow, or rage. She was leaning towards the rage part. "I not only have the right to strike her I, if I choose, would have every right to execute her her for her folly. Thanks to her I nearly lost my life!" Magnolia's face was going red, suddenly all the rage she felt for Roxy was now focused on Tina.

She roared, "And who are you to order me!? Do you know who I am, you vile peasant." Fire eather began to swarm around her growing hot like the noon day sun, it swirled all around them reacting to Magnolia's anger.

"I pray thee Hold thy tong foolish child, you know not to who you speak nor do you comprehend the power I am in command of, but." Magnolia for a moment grinned almost relishing the thought of putting this low born scum in her place. She stepped back five paces and raised her hand in a threatening manner

"If you wish to trade spells then challenge me whore goblin. But be warned, children such as your self die easy and, I will not be held responsible for any, permanent, injuries you will most certainly incur if you do challenge me." Blinded by rage she readied her self, what would this girl do? if she were smart she would back down.

 

Tina Sharp

Foolish child!? Whore!? Goblin!? This lady is going down!
Tina was just about to attack with full force when a hand grabbed her wrist. She looked down into the pleading eyes of Roxy. "Tina don't do it. Please." She whispered.
The voice of Elsie, her best friend and voice of reason, echoed into her mind. <Just cause you can beat someone up, doesn't mean you should, Tina. Sometimes you need to think of the people around you.>
At that moment in time, the people she needed to think about was Roxy and the civillians staring at them oddly. She couldn't let her ego and anger put people in danger. With a sigh and without a word, she turned and began to escort Roxy back inside.

 

Jonquil: Beyond the Stacks

Jonquil's skirts whispered, a rushed cadence, as she made her way out of the rows of bookshelves. Something was wrong. Very wrong. Dust hung in the air, books lay scattered about. Beau whined his plumed tail at half mast, even Belle was cautious, her ears pricked for the slightest noise. The trio didn't have far to go before a torrent of raging verbiage savaged the unnatural stillness.

Rounding a corner, Jonquil caught sight of source on the far side of a series of glass fronted doors. Two girls and an Amazon. One of the girls and the Amazon seemed to be going toe to toe. The rage of the Amazon was a tangible thing. She was a weaver. Fire. Damn. What was it Durr had said? In the frozen...No...Think, Georgi, think...

"In the silence the answers are found..." Jonquil kicked at the hem of her gown, frustrated. "What in the name of the Darkness is it supposed to mean? How can there be an answer in the silence?" Didn't silence, in and of itself, negate all sound and replies? Jonquil's philosophical debate with herself became inconsequential as she observed the byplay of the trio on the steps.

In the silence, the answers are found. Understanding suddenly dawned as she watched the tableau through the window. Reflection. To think before you act...The choice to stand and fight or walk away. A gust of air sent Jonquil's tangled curls fluttering across her face. Nervously she brushed them back, her dark eyes fixed on the pair of girls who had just entered the building. They had chosen to walk away. A wise move.

A wave of uncertainty washed over the young darkkin as the truth of her situation struck home. She had no idea of where or even what year it was. Her whole world had been tilted on its ear, hopefully this pair could lend a hand. Screwing her courage to the sticking point, Jonquil stepped out of the shadows. "Excuse me...I don't mean to intrude, but I was wondering if you could help me?"

 

Magnolia

Tina began to turn away and head inside with Roxy by her side. Magnolia smirked relishing the taste of victory. But suddenly her features softened, as the rage left her, her thoughts began to clear she then came to a ironic realization. Deep down, she was glad Tina had not attacked; the spell magnolia had been gathering aether for would almost defiantly injure her, badly. If she died could Magnolia live with her self? could she really take the life of a child over something so trivial? Dear god, why did she challenge a child to a duel she knew they were dangerous! For a moment a look of guilt crossed her face, her eye brows raised a little her eye's went down cast. She looked even a little sad, but she shook her head and forced a frown,

"No, I may be exiled but I am still queen and I deserve to assert my authority. I will not show signs of weakness." she mumbled to her self hoping no one could hear.

She looked up to the retreating pair unsure of what to do. frustrated by her conflicting emotions she finally she called to them as they headed for the door. "Hold thy selves peasan- I mean...girls. You can not leave me here." She walked up to Roxy but did not even look at Tina.

"You brought me here against my will, got me into a fight with a shadow mage. You now have to take responsibility for your insolence. Take me home or at least give me the directions to go there my self. But you can not leave me here." Her voice was stern but at least she was no longer yelling. She turned to Tina, "next time watch your words, especially when you meet mages whose powers you do not know. There are some in Exzalia who would beat you then enchant you into being their plaything. a fate truly worse then the vilest pits of hell. Give thanks to God I was not one of them." She then brushed passed them as a final act of dominance.

 

She turned to Tina, "next time watch your words, especially when you meet mages whose powers you do not know. There are some in Exzalia who would beat you then enchant you into being their plaything. a fate truly worse then the vilest pits of hell. Give thanks to God I was not one of them." She then brushed passed them as a final act of dominance.

Jonquil's deplorable levity got the better of her as she observed the towering blonde. Who did she think she was? The Queen of Sheba? This woman's haughtiness put Angelica's to shame. She giggled, her eyes alight with a merry glow that had been missing for months.

By now she had overheard enough to know that she wasn't the only one pulled from her orbit. There were others...How many? She wondered. Why was she even here? More importantly, where was here? She was determined to find out.

Her father had constantly lamented her incessant questions and insatiable curiosity. When she wanted an answer she always found a way to attain it. All it took was a little patience.