The Aurora Stone (3 page)

Eve enjoyed her morning walk through the eastern lands of Hermoria; it was not somewhere she frequented often. The flowers here were in full bloom, even her mother’s favourite orange fire lilies.
I will have to remember this when I return
she thought to herself. Wondering about how the flowers were still blooming, the season for them had passed; Eve noticed an Elder coming along the road on the left. Even from her vantage point, she could see that he appeared to be muttering to himself.
Probably going over his address for tonight’s gathering.
Eve thought, she was suddenly relieved she would not have to attend; having everyone stare at her again was not something she wished to repeat.

“Good Morning, Elder,” Eve called out with a wave and a ready smile. It was not the ‘done’ thing to be so open with an elder; however, Evangeline seemed to get away with it. As the elder drew closer, Eve recognised him as the Elder, who had performed her gifting.

“Good morning, young Evangeline, and what are you doing out so early, on what I must say is a most beautiful day?” The Elder smiled down at her; he had now reached her on the road, for an old Elf, he sure moved fast! Unsure if she should tell him her reason for being on the road so early, she decided that a half-truth would be sufficient.

“It is indeed a most glorious morning Elder; I am on my way to meet with a Witch. My Mother wishes me to give her some herbs.” Opening her pack, Eve showed the Elder the herbs and grasses. Worried that he would question her further and not being an accomplished liar, Eve gave him her best smile.

“I will wish you a good day, Elder and thank you for performing my gifting a few days past.” Drawing himself up to his full height, the Elder looked rather pleased to have been thanked. With a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, He nodded to Eve and once again bid her a good morning. Continuing on her way. Evangeline felt guilty for not confiding in the Elder; she was not by nature a dishonest person, yet something had held her back.

“I must follow my heart like Reena instructed.” Eve murmured, feeling better about not being completely honest, she began once again to ponder about the prophecy.

The sun was past its highest point when Eve decided she could no longer ignore her grumbling stomach. Wary of the now mildly irritated butterflies, that seemed to have taken up residence permanently in her stomach, she delicately nibbled at a piece of bread. Once she had finished and felt slightly fuller, Eve looked about for a stream to have a drink from and refill her water bottle. Not far from the road she saw a twinkling through the long grass. Reaching the stream, Eve had a refreshing drink and filled her bottle, drying the canister on her skirts. Eve glanced up to see a Doe taking a drink on the opposite side of the stream.

“How beautiful you are,” she whispered.

The doe’s ears pricked as though it had heard her, then to Eve’s amazement the doe looked her in the eye and bowed. Evangeline was flabbergasted, never in her whole life had she witnessed or indeed heard of an encounter like this. The doe seemed to recognise her, or so she felt. They continued to gaze at each other, the afternoon sun warming the animal’s coat to a glorious chestnut, with flecks of amber and gold. A flock of black jays suddenly took flight from the trees behind the doe startlng it, and just like that the magical moment was lost.

Completely entranced by the event, Eve did not immediately notice the thundering sound that was carried to her on the balmy breeze. Shaking herself, she followed the bank towards the sound, after and few miles the stream widened into a river. The thundering had grown progressively louder, and as she navigated through some rather robust long grass, she saw the source of the sound. A magnificent waterfall, cascading over what looked like the edge of the world. Eve was in awe of such beauty.

I will always remember this view for as long as I live
, she promised herself. Walking to the edge of the cliff, to fully admire the wild beauty of nature, it suddenly dawned on her; she was very high up. “If this is a cliff how on earth do I reach the lands beyond it?” Eve muttered. Looking out and down from her vantage point, Eve could clearly see golden hills and the continuation of the river meandering its way through the lush vista below.

“You must be invited in,” said a musical voice just behind Eve.

“OH MY LIFE!” Eve all but screamed.

Feeling quite sure her heart was going to burst from her chest, Eve whipped around drawing the small dagger she carried from her belt as she went. Now facing her would be attacker, ready to defend herself, she was surprised to see a rather tiny woman standing behind her. In fact, she was a full head and shoulders shorter than Eve. Seemingly unfazed by the dagger, the woman repeated herself.

“You must be invited in.” Smiling up at Eve, she reached her hand out in welcome. Feeling slightly foolish for being afraid of such a tiny unarmed woman, Eve sheathed her weapon and took the woman’s hand in greeting.

“I am Evangeline, daughter of Gwen. I am on a journey to Clear Water Valley.” Finishing her introduction Eve wondered if she should have disclosed so much.

“A pleasure to meet you, Evangeline, I am Violet, Keeper of the gate,” Violet replied with a smile.

Before Eve could ask, what exactly a keeper of the gate was and where the gate led to, Violet had moved to stand before two willow trees a few meters from the cliff edge. Intrigued, Eve followed.

“Please stay there,” Violet called over her shoulder when Eve was twenty paces away. Not sure what was to happen next, she did as she was bid. Violet raised her arms over her head, muttered a few words, and as the last word left her lips, she brought her hands down in front of her as if in prayer. Then palms facing outwards she drew her slender arms apart as if parting a pair of curtains to let in the morning sun.

Before her the forest that nestled in-between the two majestic willow trees rippled and sparkled. Eve watched in wonder as the woodland dissolved into a million, glittering fragments. Now, in its place was a road.

“As I said I am the keeper of the gate,” Violet repeated as she beckoned Eve forward. Eyes like saucers, Eve walked towards Violet and the road that just a second ago definitely had not been there.

“Wow!” Was all she could manage to articulate. Laughing, Violet took Eve’s hand and passed between the willows and onto the road.

“I guess you have never met a witch before?” Violet inquired while trying not to allow amusement creep into her voice. Eyes dancing, she continued to smile at the beautiful elfin girl before her.

“A witch? But that means… I made it… I made it to Clear Water Valley!” Eve whooped and did an impromptu jig, twirling and laughing. Violet was amazed to be witnessing such a bizarre reaction. Noticing Violet once again, Eve blushed as red as her hair.

“Sorry,” she mumbled.

Not passing comment, Violet just began to walk. Eve quickened her pace and caught up with her. For someone with much shorter legs, Violet could sure move fast! They walked in silence; Eve, still embarrassed by her childish behaviour, took in her new surroundings. The road was a buttery gold colour and seemed to be almost like clay; making a note to investigate its texture later, knowing that later would need to be a return trip, she continued to peruse the landscape. The trees were much more delicate than back home; with wispy green leaves that looked a lot like feathers and their bark was a silver- white.

Hmmm… like an elvish ash tree,
Eve mused.

“A bit, though the bark is vermilion when it peels, Violet informed her. Eve was sure she had not spoken her musings aloud, not wanting to make a fool of herself again, she held her tongue. Glancing sideways at her walking companion, Eve noticed the differences between them. Violet was very slight in build with willowy limbs and a mane of blue- black hair that fell to her waist in a ripple of silk. She wore a short green dress of good heavy cotton, picked out at the collar and cuffs with yellow embroidery. Her face was beautiful with a rosebud mouth and large Violet eyes that seemed to take up half her face. She noticed Eve’s scrutiny of her. Wrinkling her nose, she turned to Evangeline and asked in an exasperated tone

“Is there something on my face? You have been gaping at me for at least ten minutes, and I am becoming irritated by your lack of manners.”

Blushing once again, Eve looked at the floor. “No! There’s nothing at all wrong with your face, it’s lovely. I have never met a witch before, and I was noticing the differences between us, that’s all.” She rushed her words, quite sure Violet must think her stupid, rude or both.

“Hmm… well, we are different that’s true, however, I suggest you don’t stare at every witch you meet.” Violet advised. Nodding, Eve felt she might be remembering this leg of her quest for all the wrong reasons.

About an hour later, Evangeline got her very first glimpse of Clear Water Valley. They had just reached the crest of what felt like a very steep hill.

“Welcome to the heart of Clear Water Valley!” Violet exclaimed, throwing her arms out wide as if to embrace the view before them.

“It is a lovely view, very picturesque,” Eve replied smiling. The valley was beautiful, with dove grey houses. Their cheerful orange and yellow roofs caught the light, making them look more like copper and gold. Eve’s stomach chose that moment to let out a rather monstrous growl. Cheeks aflame, she quickly began to dig about in her bag. Hastily, she began searching for a snack before the next guttural protest and managed to knock her lump of cheese to the ground in her embarrassment. Moving swiftly, she tried to save it from becoming spoiled. To her amazement, the cheese never made contact with the butter yellow ground. Even more astounding it seemed to be rising upwards.

“How…is my cheese flying?” Eve squeaked. Chuckling, Violet opened her hand and received the nettle wrapped lump.

“It wasn’t flying, it was just a simple levitation charm,” she replied breezily. Handing the morsel back to Eve, Violet began heading down the hill towards the houses. Eve eyed her cheese and decided that floating food was not something she was ready to experience. She carefully placed it back into her bag under her apple in case it started to levitate again and hurried after Violet’s quickly retreating back.

It soon became clear that Eve was going to have to get used to objects and indeed people, behaving in ways that they usually did not.

Now in the Square, the large open area in the centre of town where markets and festivals were held, Eve had seen many things that would be hard to forget.

“Close your mouth for goodness sake! You look like you have been cursed,” Violet admonished. Rolling her eyes, Violet headed for a charming house with a bright pink front door. “Come on, before you really do get cursed by an over sensitive witch!”

Opening the door, she hurried Evangeline inside before any more witches noticed her staring.

“I am so sorry, but that gentleman was holding fire in his hand, and it was green!” Eve babbled. Sighing loudly from a room at the end of the hallway, Violet began to make tea and a light supper, with perhaps more force than the crockery deserved. Eve made her way towards the commotion, feeling foolish she kept her head bowed as he entered the kitchen.

“I’m sorry,” Eve mumbled still looking at the floor. Sighing, Violet thumped two plates of sandwiches and fruit down on the table.

“Forget it, just eat,” she replied, sitting herself down as she waited for Eve to do the same.

After a rather quiet meal, which Eve enjoyed despite her embarrassment. Violet showed her into the snug. Cosy with soft inviting sofas a wood burning stove and best of all, a book shelf positively bursting with books; it was a room Eve could be content in for hours.

“So Evangeline of Hermoria, what brings you to the realm of witches?” Violet inquired, as she gracefully folded herself into one of the armchairs, by the crackling wood burner.

Taking the chair opposite Violet, Eve perched on the edge, not sure where to begin, or how much to divulge. “The witches are our allies, it has been this way for hundreds of years,” the words of her mother floated through her memory. Deciding sooner or later she was going to have to surrender some information, or she may never find her brother, or fulfil the prophecy.

“I am searching for answers,” Eve explained. Looking at her, Violet knew there was more to it than she was likely to discover now. She waited patiently for Eve to continue. “I am searching for my brother. We were separated as babies; I want to discover what became of him,” She added a few moments later.

“Why come here, though? There aren't any elvish living here only witches,” Violet asked, to her this seemed a strange place to begin the search. Her mentor would remind her that every path has its twists and turns. Inwardly rolling her eyes at the thought, she continued to wait for Eve to disclose more.

“I was sent here by a wise elf who has the sight and my mother, as you are our closest allies they believed I would be granted safe passage through this realm,,” Eve concluded.

Feeling a little disappointed at the complete lack of detail, Violet gave up and offered Eve a bed for the night. After being shown to her room, Eve took a bath and changed out of her clothes. Violet had offered to clean them for her, which she was grateful for, as she had no idea when the opportunity to have them cleaned would come again. Taking out her book and pencil, she wrote down her experiences of the quest so far.

Waking with a start, Eve fell off the bed. Landing on the stripped floorboards. Rubbing her sore shoulder Eve was sure that this was yet another experience she was not over keen on repeating. After getting to her feet, Eve began wondering what had woken her so suddenly. Then she heard it, rain; beating against the cottage. Moving to the window, she pulled the curtains back to gaze out at the storm. Lightning flashed; illuminating the valley in harsh, white light, following the jagged fingers of lightning, the thunderstruck. A colossal booming reverberated around the valley. Awestruck by the power of nature, Eve stood at her window mesmerised. Suddenly, the bedroom door burst open, and a bedraggled Violet tumbled in.

“What happened?” Eve exclaimed rushing to Violet's side. Violet groaned as Eve helped her onto the bed.

“The square... the tower was hit, and two houses have been crushed, and many more are ablaze.” Trying to rise from the bed, Eve pushed her gently back down.

“You have done enough, stay and rest I will go and do what I can.” Dressing quickly Eve rushed into the night.

Bedlam was the only way to describe what Eve found on reaching the square. Witches were everywhere, children were screaming, it was a wonder more people had not been injured. Running towards a group of young witches, she bellowed over the storm.

“What’s happening? Why is everyone panicking, you are witches use your magic!”

It was painful to see them just standing there, a look of complete confusion on their faces. “We can’t use magic; we are not allowed to interfere with the will of nature!” Screamed one of the group. Not quite believing what she had just heard, Eve left the group and ran to a lone man, when she got closer, she noticed the girl in his arms. The girl was covered in soot and even from a distance, Eve could tell she wasn’t moving. Arriving at the man’s side a moment later; taking the girl gently from his arms, Eve laid her on the grass a few feet away. Hoping she could help at least one person here.

Eve felt for her pulse, hoping there was one. This girl was only a child, no more than five years old.

“Please live little one,” Eve begged. Finding no sign of the child’s heartbeat; Eve felt tears prickle her closed lids. Leaning forward she kissed the child on the cheek, “May you find your ancestors across the golden sea, may you find peace there,” she whispered to the child, placing her hand on the child’s chest.

She was about to leave her and find others that could be helped, Eve felt movement under her palm. Checking again for a heartbeat, Eve was relieved to find one. “You are tough, little one.” She praised the unconscious child, while she stroked her hair. leaving her for just a moment, Eve ran back to fetch the man who had been holding her. “The child, she lives! You must come, she is not yet conscious, but it would be best to have someone she knows with her.” Eve rushed. The man’s eyes lit up, and he ran to where the child lay. Eve watched as he picked up the small form and hugged her close, tears streaming down his face.

Happy that at least one life had been saved Eve went in search of a witch with the authority to end this madness of not messing with natural disasters, as nature was sure having no trouble messing with them. After dodging a falling sapling, and being knocked to the ground by scared children, Evangeline finally found a group of adults. They had congregated around the well and seemed to be in deep conversation.