Chapter 8 Even a rose from another world has thorns

Anne followed Amity through the woods not knowing where she was being led or how much longer they had to travel. She had tried talking with her to ease her ever growing boredom and hopefully gain some answers but for some reason the purple haired witch had remained stubbornly quiet.


Amity looked down at the girl, unsure what to make of her, she had just gone out of her way to save her from the guards but… The suspicions were already building up in her mind, the possibility that this could be some kind of scheme cooked up by lord Belos wasn't entirely unthinkable. The girl seemed to be in a daze as she looked back to where the giant sludge monster once stood. In reality there was no reason to be suspicious of the stranger apart from maybe one… One question lingered at the back of her mind and with it an impossible possibility began to form in her head, one that filled her with both fear and joy.

"Human. How are you here?"

The girl broke out of her trance, meeting Amity's serious stare "Names Anne, and err… Well that's kind of a long story"

Amity pushed her staff up against Anne, the cats ears prodding her chest "We have time. Speak"

Anne swallowed her fear as she swiped the staff away "Look I don't know why your so interested, but even if you did help me out back there. I'm not so naïve to make the same mistake twice"

Amity was willing to force her to talk but there was something about her, some invisible presence that forced her to stay her hand. "Lets go" Amity walked of into the woods, not bothering to check if Anne was following behind.


Some time had passed since then and neither girl has said a word to the other, until finally…

"What the hell!" Anne yelled, utterly taken back by the site before them.

The two girls stood outside a wall of iron gates surrounding the massive mansion, Amity pulled the gate open and snuck inside and Anne slowly followed behind. The front of the building was neatly painted a dark purple, potted plants were spaced out evenly next to the steps and a sludge monster similar to the one Amity had used earlier was tending to the garden. Anne made her way over to the monster, hoping to introduce herself but was suddenly yanked away.

"What are you doing?" Amity asked in an annoyed hushed whisper.

"Introducing myself"

"First of, those things have a limited life span, they aren't intelligent enough to speak, never mind hold a conversation. Second, my parents aren't as friendly as I am"

"Your friendly?"

Amity ignored her comment and continued "Which is why we need to go round the back"

Anne was about to question her but Amity just grabbed hold of her hand and dragged her away. Amity paused, looked up at the nearby windows and once she was sure know one was nearby she crept up to the back of the house. Red roses with dangerous vines tangled around the wooden garden frame extending to the roof like a ladder. Amity grabbed hold of the frame, the vines under her hand shifting slightly, the wooden frame was built up in sets of small head sized wooden squares. The wood was old but Amity knew it was sturdy enough to hold her.

"We can get in from up there" Amity explained, pointing to a small circle window at the very top of the mansion.

"You want me to climb up there?"

"Is that a problem?"

"No"

Amity led the way making quick pace, she was used to this after all. Anne grabbed hold of the wooden frame but recoiled quickly when the vine slithered between her fingers. "What the hell!"

"Don't worry about the Drowsing Rose's, your be fine as long as you don't agitate them or touch there thorns"

"How do you agitate a flower?" Anne asked but Amity ignored her.

Anne grabbed the frame, trying her best to ignore the unpleasant slithering sensation below her palms, she moved slowly and with a lot less confidence than Amity. By the time Anne had made it pass the first sets of windows, Amity was looking down from the 3rd floor almost at the top. "Your kind of slow huh!"

"Shut up!" Anne squealed, one of the roses passed by her leg and she panicked, the whole frame shook throwing Amity of balance "Hey be careful!"

"Sorry" Anne apologised then quickened her pace.

Amity made it to the top and started moving her finger across the window as if she was drawing a picture with her finger. Meanwhile Anne was starting to feel uneasy, the roses had attempted many times to swipe her of her feet almost as if they were trying to knock her down on purpose. Suddenly, just as Anne passed the 2nd floor her grip was broken as the decaying wood snapped in half.

"Anne!"

She heard Amity call out to her but had no time to respond, her instincts kicked in and she reached out to grab anything she could find in an attempt to slow her fall. When her hands met with some kind of rope she grabbed it then quickly swung up to the 3rd floor.

Anne grabbed hold of the make do ladder then released the vine taking a moment to gather her composure. "That was close"

"Anne run!" Amity yelled, in clear distress.

"Huh?" Anne looked behind herself, the Drowsing Roses were snarling and growling at her, one dove straight for her leg and she quickly jumped up to the next platform to avoid it. The roses were out for blood and Anne was leaping up the building, neglecting the need for caution. Amity finally got the window open and wasted no time climbing inside, once she was inside she extended her hand out ready to pull Anne in. Anne could feel her eyes growing heavy, even in this deadly situation she couldn't stop herself from growing tired. The Drowsing Roses razor sharp jaw bit down on her ankle and the pain was just enough to snap her back to her senses. Anne kicked the spiteful flower away, then jumped to the next platform. Her vision grew blurry as her movements slowed and it became harder and harder to focus but then…

"I got you!" Amity yelled. She held out her staff and when Anne saw it she grabbed hold of the cats head. Wasting no time Amity quickly pulled her inside, the girl went flying into the attic but Amity had little time to worry about her, instead she rushed to the window, slamming it shut and activating the seal once more. The dowsing roses scrapped and slammed against the attic window but a magical wall kept them at bay.

"Didn't I tell you not to agitate them" Amity said, though when she turned back round, she was surprised to find Anne fast asleep on the floor. Amity knelt down by Anne, checking her over for any injuries, a few bruises and scratches probably from her scuffle from the guards early as well as a cut on the palm of her left hand. "You must have touched the drowsing rose throne, your be fine" Amity said to herself as she stood back up.

"Maybe it was a mistake bringing you here, maybe I should have just told Luz and the owl lady-I mean Eda. But I don't want to burden her with this, not with everything that's been going on lately... Still, maybe I should tell someone at least, I mean trying to sneaky like this… I could have got you killed"

Amity spent a while talking to herself in the attic trying to paint a clear picture of what her next plan of action should be. There were things she wanted to do and thing she knew she couldn't do, people she wanted to tell abut Anne and people she knew couldn't or probably shouldn't find out. The situation was complex for the young witch unlike last time she no longer lived in a world of black and whites, she had to figure this out for herself.


Authors note: Hello everyone, hope this is still entreating. Really quick, I'm adding another bonus segment to some of these chapters called; Eda's magic lessons, where I can talk about the details of certain things that appear in the story. Okay that's it hope you enjoyed, leave a review, favourite, follow and read the next chapter once its out. Take care all.


Eda's magic lessons!

Eda: Hey kids today we're gonna be talking about the Drowsing Rose.

Luz: What's that?

Eda: A Drowsing Rose is one of the many type of fauna in the boiling isles

Luz: What are the other types?

Eda: There's loads

Luz: Are you gonna tell me any of them?

Eda: Anyway, a Drowsing Rose is the most common type of fauna, a prick form it's thorns can put a person to sleep in a matter of minutes. Not only that but the head of the rose opens up to reveal a scary sharp set of teeth.

Luz: Roses with teeth, why would a flower need teeth?

Eda: How else would they eat there pry, a Drowsing Rose puts there pry to sleep with a prick of there thorns then eats there napping pry while there in lala land.

Luz: Rose's are normally a lot friendlier than this…

Eda: Witches and wizards tend to use Drowsing Roses as ingredients in potions and spells.

Luz: What kind of spells?

Eda: Sleep spells typically, in combat those type of spells can be useful in a pinch or to gain a surprise advantage against the enemy.

Eda: However, normal everyday people also use Drowsing Rose's to give of a calming effect or to help themselves sleep.

Luz: Wait if this flower is that dangerous then why is there one at the Blights manor.

Eda: Not a clue why anyone would keep one alive but if its fed regularly I guess its not a problem.

Luz: Wait what dose it even eat?

Eda: That's it for today, hope to see you next time eager learners!

Luz: Way to doge my question…


Coming soon.

Seeds of friendship begin to grow

But as pure hearts spread into the light

So to dose the kings of darkness begin to sow

To work together to reach new heights