"Well Welcome Cassandra to the Coven" Taline said with soft smile to the young woman. Shaking Cassandra's hand as the two greeted each other, Taline felt a wave of visions past within her. Letting go of Cassandra's hand the visions instantly stopped but left Taline grasping her breathe as she tried to take in what she just saw. The question in her head of why Cassandra looked so familiar was answered. She was Gothel's lost daughter. The one she gave up.
"Is everything okay?," Cassandra said with confusion on her face at the sudden movement of the woman in front of her.
Taline pulled herself from her thoughts when she realized the two woman were now looking slightly worried at her due to her sudden reaction. " Sorry to startled you...I remembered something important that's all. Taline said regaining her composure.
" So you said coven Right? So you guys are witches," Cassandra said as she looked around Taline's office. A huge cauldron hanged within the fireplace and multiple creepy paintings hanged around the room of people in robes and weird hats.
Yes, this place is welcomed to all witches alike who have lost their way and are looking for a place to call home. Taline said proudly, " As a young witch yourself It can be your home too if you want to stay." Looking at strange potions bottles on the shelf near the fireplace, Cassandra suddenly froze. Turning around to look back at Taline, Cassandra was once again confused.
" I'm not a witch!" Taline smiled softly to herself it was clear from her vision that Cassandra had no clue of her witchcraft heritage but Taline knew it wasn't the right time to reveal she was apart of a powerful bloodline of witches. Gothel couldn't know her daughter was here just yet she had to introduce her slowly if she didn't want to start another family war.
Cassandra I know this might be a bit of a shock to you but are a witch or a least you have witch-blood which runs through your veins. Its how you alone could find this place. Only a Witch can find this coven."
I found this place by following a wolf through the forest which vanished when I arrived here!?" Cassandra explained to the two woman who instantly gasped.
A Wolf? Rose said in complete shock. Mother superior do you think it could be.." Before Rose could finish Taline shushed her.
"What?!" Cassandra said with concern in her voice. " Do you know this wolf or something?"
Taline couldn't believe what she was hearing. The Mother of all witchcraft can take many forms but only a handful of witches and wizards have come across her. Was it a sign? Taline thought as she listened to her niece's story.
"The wolf you speak of is a spirit. An ancient spirit which takes many forms and guides lost souls to their fate or destiny, The spirit's name is Hecate and this coven is protected by her." Taline explained to Cassandra.
"So my destiny is to be here? What special about this place for me stay?! I left my home to find my own way not...this!" Cassandra was finding it hard to take all this in. She always felt different but she never thought she was a witch. This new information was turning her world upside down. " I've never known magic...how could I be a witch?!"
" Cassandra please calm down. All witches are different and you are no exception." Rose said as she Cass continued to lose her grip on reality.
" So what am I!?" Cassandra snapped at Rose.
"A dormant witch. You carry witch blood but you can not conjure spells yourself but still have connection to magical deities or spirits. If you have children it's a 50 per cent chance you can also produce witches or wizards who can conjure magic or be dormant like yourself." A quick snap of her fingers a book flew into her hand. Turning the pages, Taline handed the book to Cassandra to read for herself.
Skimming the pages Cassandra needed a moment to take everything in. Apart her wanted not to believe such foolishness but since she left Corona to find her own path nothing but strange things had been happening to her. For goodness sake she saw a wolf spirit which lead her to this place. Her legs began to feel to weak and it wasn't long before she had to take a seat as she felt her legs give way. A dormant witch Cassandra thought to herself. All this time she was a witch. " That means my...parents are magical too."
Taline only nodded. Analyzing Cassandra's facial expressions Taline could see a lot of her sister's features in her. Her eyes mirrored her sister's grey ones and Cassandra's skin complexion was the same as well. The only difference was Cassandra's hair was less curly and she had softer features when Gothel's were sharper. This was her niece by blood which also meant she was connected to Zhan Tiri too.
As Rose leaded Cassandra to her room. Taline finally had a chance to take in all this new information. She was delighted that Cassandra had decided to stay a couple of days but now she had to race against clock to come up with a plan. In order to stand a chance to defeat Zhan Tiri Cassandra needed to be on their side. She couldn't let Cassandra slips into Zhan Tiri's hands and allow him to corrupt this realm. A plan to get Gothel reunited with her long lost daughter had to be done carefully and slowly. The last thing she wanted was another family fall out during a time of chaos.
However, for now she had to keep them apart. Sitting back at her desk Taline knew this was a sign but from who. Hecate or Zhan Tiri? In her visions she saw the poor girl had gone through so much already at such a young age. She could tell Cassandra holds a strong spirit herself but so much anger still lives within her, just like her mother. Taline noted to herself sadly.
"If Cassandra was to find out her true heritage of both light and dark who knows what will be unleashed. Maybe that's what Zhan Tiri wants. Us being divided." Taline thought as she continued to ponder about her vision once more. Cassandra was what Zhan Tiri need to roam around the human world. She couldn't have this happen, she had to keep this world safe along with her family. No matter what.
As the Sun began to set Taline knew her sisters and everyone else would be back soon. Still thinking about her next move in this situation, Taline needed more advise on how to move forward. The only way for her to get some answers was from the pasted witches of the coven themselves. The Elders.
Walking to one of her bookshelves Taline snapped her fingers twice and bookshelves moved to reveal a wooden door. Opening the creaky door she entered into a candle lit room filled with a hundreds of books, plants and potions Scattered everywhere. In the center of the room a massive cauldron slowly bubbled away a potion she was working on earlier that week. However, Taline was after something much more then spell-books.
Resting on the window seal among many other things was the book she was looking for the book of ancient souls. Dusting off the book and opening it to the right page Taline cleared her mind and focused.
"I wish to speak to the Elders of House Hecate." As the words left her lips the book began to shake within her palms and within moments five Luminous spirits emerged from the book to stand in front of her. Clearing her throat Taline welcomed the spirits.
" Welcome back Ancestors...I apologize for waking you from your slumber but I'm afraid I'm in need of your help."
The Elders grumbled among themselves for a moment as they weren't too happy of being disturbed but curiosity got the better of them. The three Elders: Great-Grandmother Superior Apollonia, Great-uncle Aristotle and Grandmother Morrigan weren't the kind of magical folk to call upon for any little thing.
" What is wrong Taline?" said a tall Lanky woman dressed in black robes. Her eyes had sunken and her skin was as pale as snow as she finally took shape.
"Grandmother Morrigan, we need to talk...about Zhan Tiri."
It had been a couple of hours since Rose had showed Cassandra to her room. It was a small room but comfortable enough for her to call home for now. " Hope this room is okay for you Cassandra."
"Yes of course, Thank you." Cass said she sat down on the soft bed. Rose was drawn to Cassandra, she had never met someone who had witness the ancient wolf spirit. Only the powerful witness the Ancient spirits. " Can I ask what was it like encountering the wolf spirit... was it scary?!" Rose slightly anxious to know the answer.
Cassandra only shrugged her shoulders. " I guess. It was a strange moment but it was like I was connected to it in some way." Cassandra mind was elsewhere as Rose continued to ask her questions. Cass strangely wanted to know more of her witch heritage and had a weird feeling the woman she had just met knew more then she let on.
What kind of witch is your...Master?" Cassandra said interrupting one of Rose's question. Rose however laughed at the question.
"She isn't my Master she is Mother Superior the leader and protector of the coven. She makes sure us witches are well looked after and shield away from human harm. If you are wondering if she a dark witch, she isn't. In fact she a nature witch," Rose said factually to Cassandra.
" A Nature Witch?"
" Yes, she is connected to wildlife and plants which makes her great at potion making and wild creatures."
"Cool" Cassandra said still curious. " Is that it?"
" she also has the ability to see visions, she can see our past or future which is pretty awesome." Rose explained to Cassandra. " However her younger sister is much more Interesting as she can shape-shift into wild animals whenever she wants."
" Really!" Cassandra wondered if she could unlock her own powers if she could one day. " So Taline has a sister?"
Rose nodded. " She has two sisters, Magnolia the shape-shiftier and Gothel the Dormant witch. they live with us but right now everyone is out celebrating the full moon festival."
So Taline has a sister like me...a dormant witch? I wonder what her experience has been like with having no powers and all, Cass wondered to herself.
Meanwhile in the potion Room...
" The spell of soul Calrus is what you need to save that girl. To break the blood bond of Zhan Tiri you need to cast that spell." Grandmother Morrigan said sternly.
Taline once again looking at her books of ancient spells and shook her head in frustration. Grandmother this spell is extremely difficult. The ingredients needed are harder to come by and to get for that matter.
" You must find a way Young one or your sisters and this world will suffer when under the hand's of Zhan Tiri." Elder Aristotle said. " Look through my scrolls in the manor's archive, there you will find the locations for the ingredients.
Reading the ingredients for the spell, Taline knew this was going to be at least a two week trip to complete.
" You must hurry Taline, waste no time on this. You must get your sisters to help you on your journey" Apollonia said sternly.
" Thank you Great-Grandmother and Great Uncle Aristotle for your help, you may rest now." With a snap of her fingers the spirits returned to book. As the two ancient spirits left Taline felt the room around her become colder and felt the intense glare of her Grandmother on her. Turning around slowly Taline knew she was in deep shit.
" How in the world did that stupid woman let this happen?! I've always told you Gothel is trouble especially after she betrayed the family for that Demon!" Morrigan spat.
Grandmother Please... Gothel has always be a lost soul herself. She is family and no matter what she has done it shouldn't stop us from putting this to rest. You must for give her."
"Forgive?! You must be demented" Morrigan chuckled in disbelief.
Taline signed at her Grandmother's outburst. After Gothel's betrayal the woman had never forgiven her and the relationship between them only deteriorated more. Taline understood it wasn't easy for her little sister to grow up under the strict teachings of a witch. From the time the woman had realized Gothel was a dormant witch and had no chance of ever learning magic like her and Magnolia, she had pretty much cast her aside.
" A witch like Gothel is not valuable to this family." Morrigan said sternly to Taline. However, having enough of her Grandmother's harsh words Taline snapped her fingers.
"Enough Grandmother! Thank you for your help with the spell but l will not cast aside my sister or any other family member. You may rest now." After saying does words like the spirits before she returned back into the book.
Taking a deep breath Taline took a moment to relax her emotions. Grandmother Morrigan was intense woman with strong opinions and even in death she hadn't changed much. Rubbing her temple Taline knew her sisters wouldn't be happy about another trip. Although at least they finally had something to undo Gothel's blood deal.
Hours later...
"You want us to do what!" Gothel couldn't believe what she was hearing. Another trip into the forest with her annoying sister made Gothel's mind ache with frustration. " I would rather jump into a hot bubbling cauldron then go back out with you, Magnolia,"
Pretending to be hurt by her sister's words Magnolia playfully pinched Gothel's cheek, " You know you love me really."
"Nevertheless, you, me and Mag are leaving the coven tomorrow afternoon to get some ingredients for an important spell." Pulling out a medium side jar containing the Golden flower from the garden, Taline handed to her little sister. " Here, we are going to be gone for two weeks and Rapunzel needs to stay here to be safe."
Examining the jar Gothel was taken aback how her sister had manged to place the second golden flower into a jar, preserving it with strong magic. Taline had always been talented with botany and magic but this was a whole another level.
As the women said their good nights and retired to their chambers, a wondering young soul walked about the manor with curiosity in her heart. Cass had awoken from her sleep not too long ago and knowing she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep she decided to venture beyond her four walls of her new bedroom. This place was so extraordinary. Nothing like she had ever seen. she dared to even say this place was much grander then the palace she had grown up in.
The brown corridors she walked down were brightly lit with candles which made everything feel alluring to her. Turning the corner she was once again met with the wolf spirit, with no hesitation this time around Cass followed spirit down the corner. She was beginning think this spirit was up to something as it had lead her to a whole new room. She wasn't too sure where she was but it was obvious the spirit thought this room would be important. She was strangely connected to this ancient spirit for some reason and so far it had revealed huge part of her she never even knew. the wolf stopped near a wall which was decorated with a huge colourful tapestry of a family tree.
" The House of Hecate." Cassandra read the title of the family tree.
Looking at the masterpiece with curiosity still in her eyes she examined every detail. It was filled with so many portraits of people that dated back centuries. The woven threads were showing great aging but still manged to keep their vibrant colour but as Cass looked at the most recent branch of the tree, she recognized the three names Rose had spoke of many hours ago. Cass widen as she realized these witches were centuries old.
How could they live for so long? Cass thought as she continued to look at the family tree.
" What are you doing in here?" Rose said anxiously. Seeing Cassandra in the private lounge area of the manor she wondered how she even got in.
" Sorry I was...lead here?" Cassandra said anxiously. Hoping Rose wouldn't think she was crazy.
"By who?" However it wasn't long before Rose put the two together. "You saw the wolf spirit again" Since meting the woman Mother superior Taline had tasked her with keeping Cassandra away from Rapunzel and the sisters Gothel and Magnolia. A task she thought would be easy but if she kept drifting off with ancient spirits like this it wouldn't belong until she bumped into the others.
"You shouldn't be here Cass...in this room. Mother Superior will kill me if your in here. Why did the wolf spirit lead you in here anyway?"
" I don't know maybe It's the tapestry" Cassandra said as she turned back to view again. " I think i'm connected to this place somehow?"
Rose was beginning feel nervous. Taline could walk through at any minute as it was close to her bedroom chambers. Quickly ushering Cassandra out of the room and down the corridors towards Cassandra's room.
Hey!?
" I'm sorry you just can't be in there" Rose said anxiously however Cass was beginning feel Rose was hiding something from her.
" Why? what's in there?"
"Nothing!" Rose said with a slight high pitched voice which only made Cassandra's eyes to narrow with suspicion.