The families residing within Gravehaven are stirred to their windows by the unearthly sounds from outside. Fear mingles with curiosity, painting their expressions as they witness the spectacle unfolding before them. The very ground trembles beneath everyone's feet, quaking in resonance with the unleashed power. And then, with a resounding boom that echoes through the night, Janie herself becomes the epicentre of an explosion of raw magic. Imogen and I quickly grab each other’s hand and hold onto the tree, while Rum and Xander hold onto gravestones. Mister Kal is the only one unaffected, casually sitting by Janie’s feet as if nothing is happening.
We watch as waves of mystical energy cascade along the terrain, enveloping Gravehaven in a dazzling display. The force unleashed shatters the fragile glass of every window in the village, sending shards cascading to the ground like crystalline raindrops. Rum, his astonishment evident, stares at Janie with wide eyes, his voice laden with disbelief. 'Where did you learn that spell? Only the most powerful witches were able to cast it many centuries ago,' he utters, his expression betraying his shock. His gaze then shifts to Xander, seeking answers. ‘What coven did you say she’s from?’ Rum asks him.
‘I didn’t say, and I don’t intend to,’ Xander says and stiffens as he sees all the villagers watching through their windows.
Emerging from their homes, the villagers cautiously step outside, their eyes scanning the wraith-free night unfolding before them. A mixture of relief and jubilation surges through their veins, a collective cheer rising from their lips. Eager footsteps carry them toward Janie, Imogen, and me. Their curiosity transforms into admiration and gratitude. They shower us with words of praise and race to join our side.
But Xander's voice cuts through the joyous atmosphere, laden with urgency. 'Wands, we have to get out of here, now,' he says to us, his tone firm.
‘But the mystic council should know of this witch’s great deed and the spell that has been found. This needs to be celebrated,’ Rum shouts with joy.
Xander grabs Rum and pulls him behind a tree. ‘You will say nothing to no one. Rum,’ Xander warns him.
‘What’s wrong with you, Xander? Don’t you realise how great this is,’ he says.
‘I do. That’s why I need you to say nothing,’ Xander replies.
Rum stares at him in confusion, and Xander sighs.
‘The Mystic council don’t know they are here. I never got their permission, and I don’t intend on the council finding out about them either,’ Xander says.
‘These witches are not from Felderia?’ he asks.
Xander reluctantly shakes his head.
‘Stars and hexes, this is treason, Xander. What in the stars are you thinking!’ he says incredulously.
Xander leans against the tree, ‘It’s a long story, but we’re only here to collect an ingredient they need, then we’ll go back through the portal. No one needs to know they were here. Especially the mystic council.’
‘If I don’t inform the council, Xander, then I could also be up for treason,’ Rum tells him.
‘I know what I’m asking of you is a lot, Rum. We’ve known each other for a long time now. I know I can trust you to stay quiet. I need to keep Janie safe. She’s my mate,’ I confess to him.
‘Your mate? You’re hexing me?’ he says.
‘Janie is my mate. I don’t want the council to know about her. We’re here to help her friend, and then we are returning to their realm. You know just as well as I do that Janie and I could be sentenced to the dungeons or even death for bringing her and her friends here without the council's permission.’
Rum paces the ground in thought, then finally stops. ‘I won’t say anything for now, but the word might still spread from the villagers,’ he says.
‘Hopefully, by the time word reaches them, we will have sent the other two back into their world. The council don’t need to know they were here, and I can tell the council I was bringing Janie to meet them,’ Xander says to Rum, and they nod, shaking each other's hands in agreement.
As the villagers continue their expressions of gratitude towards us, I couldn't help but notice Janie leaning onto Imogen for support. The immense power she had wielded in casting the spell has taken its toll, draining her strength. Janie falls unconscious.
Xander swiftly moves to her side, scooping her up with tender care. His voice carries a sense of urgency as he turns to Imogen and me, 'We need to leave now.'
Without hesitation, Xander steps into the shadows, disappearing from sight. I stand there momentarily dumbfounded before glancing at Imogen, who shrugs in response. Sensing our hesitation, Rum, ever the jovial companion, chuckles and wraps an arm around each of our waists, drawing us closer to his side. With a confident stride, he guides us into the encompassing darkness, and in an instant, we find ourselves transported to a stable teeming with magnificent Glowhorn-stags.
Janie lay upon a bed of hay while Xander busies himself, securing Janie's bag onto the back of one of the Glowhorns, their size rivalling that of a horse. Imogen and I can't resist gently extending our hands to caress and pat these majestic creatures. As Rum swings open the creaking wooden door, inviting me to enter and ascend onto the saddle, I can't help but marvel at the antlers that adorned the creature's head. Their ethereal glow illuminates the stable, casting a radiant white light dancing like flickering lanterns. Glancing over at Janie, I notice her own Glowhorn antlers alight as soon as she settles onto the saddle.
Ever the thoughtful companion, Rum secures a saddlebag over the back of my Glowhorn and deftly stows my satchel and food inside. He repeats the gesture for Imogen, ensuring our belongings are safely in place. Grateful for his assistance, I smile at him, expressing my appreciation. 'Thank you, Rum,' I say sincerely.
With a warm smile, Rum replies, 'You're very welcome. I didn't get the pleasure of catching your name.'
'Rose,' I reply, introducing myself. 'And that's Imogen,' I tell him, pointing at her. Imogen wiggles her fingers in a friendly wave to acknowledge him.
'Safe travels, Rose and Imogen,' Rum says to us. He then scoops Janie up, passing her into Xander's waiting arms, who has settled atop his Glowhorn. With Janie cradled against his chest, Xander skilfully holds the reins with his free hand. And in a moment of enchantment, Mister Kal materialises on the back of Xander's mount in a puff of smoke.
With a swift nudge of his boots against the Glowhorn's flanks, Xander leads the way, guiding us out of the stable with an exhilarating dash. Imogen and I exchange a determined glance, and with a flick of the reins, we urge our Glowhorns forward, their powerful strides carrying us through the depths of the night.
The moon finally appears from behind the clouds, and my hood falls back. I can’t help but howl to my heart’s content as the moon casts its silvery glow upon us, igniting a surge of exhilaration within myself.