A/n: 1st, thanks very very much to all who reviewed! I am very pleased. You guys don't know what it means to me… (tears fall down my face)
Another bit on this chappie. I've only read through the eighth book, so this might not be completely correct... Just wanted to warn ya in case you yell at my work...(shudder)
Anyway, moving on. Sorry about the long wait. This little freshman had issues with track and was too tired to write. All better!
Liam: (yawns) What are you blabbering about now?
Aurelia: She's just trying to distract the audience again, make them go away from they read her horrible work.
Dream: (offended) I am not! I'm quite proud of this one!
Aurelia: (gives disgusted look and turns away)
Liam: (offhandedly) I think she's trying to say somethin'.
Dream: Aye yai yai. Oh well. (shakes head and continues on with the story) On with the show, ya'll! Remember to review me!
Merry Meet and Merry Part until we Merry Meet again!
Chapter Five: Of Conversations and Ice Cream Sundaes
"Merry Meet,
Now that I can have a book of shadows I don't know what to write. I don't just want spells in here... I want it to be a memoir as well as a grimoire. But what is there to say? I've only just been initiated into my father's coven, and am still weak from my work. I had to cast several spells and then several rituals... and then father had me do something odd. I stood there as he chanted words over me, words I couldn't understand. I felt a rush of heavy air wash over me and I couldn't breathe. Suddenly all I could see was a dark forest against a star-lit sky, about to be devoured by another wave of darkness. Instinctively I knew it was Moon Forest, about to be destroyed. I wanted to scream, or do something to help, but I could not, and I waited for the wave to crush the forest.
But it wasn't. It was held back by a man bathed in golden light. A warm, loving golden brown.
And as soon as I saw him, I could breathe again as I felt father pull the heaviness away from me. When I saw his face it was angry, and he said, "You shall never follow in my footsteps. There is too much of you're mother in you. Too much of her clan. You shall never be of me." He walked away.
But still I wonder what he meant, and what I have done wrong.
~Dragon Starwing"
***
"So... You been practicing long?" asked Aurelia as she took a bite of her sundae. They had bought some from the Baskins-Robbins down the street and settled down under a tree across the street. Alyce had to shoo them away as a truck had come to deliver merchandise.
Morgan shrugged. "Only since the beginning of the school year, actually. I was a Catholic before then."
Aurelia shuddered. "Whoa."
Morgan took a sip of her diet coke. "So what about you? When did you start?"
Aurelia licked some strawberry syrup off of her spoon. "Early in seventh grade, actually."
Morgan looked surprised. "Really? That's kinda young, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I guess. But my family never really imposed religion on me, and I was curious about everything. and so I found a book in my library... Well you can guess the next."
"When did you start your coven?" Morgan's hair fell into her face and she pushed it away.
Aurelia took another look at her. Not really pretty, she thought, but there's definitely got something about her. That flair... She shook her head and snapped back to attention. "Oh, um... Since I was in ninth grade. Mabon, actually, so we aren't too far off from it being two years. I lead them, though I'm not a High Priestess or anything."
"Do you want to be?"
"Well, yeah, but it'll take a lot of work and time that I may not have. I'm going to college when I graduate, so I can be a teacher." Like Dragon, she thought happily.
Morgan shrugged. "Can't help you there. Sorry."
"So how long have you known Alyce?"
"Since last year. I met David first though, before..."
"He was taken away. I know. I remember." She sighed. "I really miss him, even though I know what he did was wrong."
Morgan looked at her sharply. "You know the real story?"
Aurelia met her gaze. "Sure. David got worried because Practical Magick was going to be closed up. He called on Dark Magick, and it backfired and a Seeker from the Council took him away."
Morgan tensed. "What more do you know?"
Aurelia shrugged. "Nothing really. Just what Alyce told me."
Morgan's eyes widened. "Alyce told you the real story? Why?"
"Because she trusts me."
"There had to have been more than that. She wouldn't have told you about the council unless she had a really good reason -like you were a blood witch or something."
"Not me. But you..." Her eyes were curious. "You're a real blood witch?"
Morgan nodded. "Yeah. I found out last Samhain. Life's been pretty rocky since."
"That's awesome. It must be great." She stretched out on the grass as the wind blew softly, making the leaves on the big oak rustle.
Morgan sighed. "Not really. I lost some friends, lost my family for awhile, and I'm still trying to piece it all back together. I do have one comfort though." She smiled, thinking about Hunter.
Aurelia rolled over, and set her chin in her hands. "So what's it feel like, being what you are?"
Morgan gave her an odd look. "I... I don't know. I can't really feel it unless I'm making magick. And then... it's just this overwhelming wave of power. I can't really always handle it. I used to get sick every time."
Aurelia laughed, but her face turned thoughtful. "That sounds familiar... I wonder why."
Morgan shrugged and leaned back against the tree. "I wonder why Alyce wanted us to meet? I mean, there had to be a reason, right?"
Aurelia looked at her. "I don't know. Maybe she just thought we'd hit it off or something. I mean, two students in two different covens, both practicing Wicca... Who knows?"
"But don't you think it's strange?"
"Of course I do. But Alyce has a reason for everything she does, so I wouldn't really worry about it."
"Maybe." Morgan looked unsure.
A hawk screamed from overhead, and they both looked at it as it wheeled. Aurelia shaded her eyes and sighed. It was a red-tail, female and hungry. Aurelia's golden-brown eyes didn't leave it until it soared from sight. Even then her gaze lingered. "I love hawks. They're where I chose my Craft name from."
"Really? What is it?"
Aurelia looked at her, wondering if she trusted her enough. "Skysong," she said finally.
Morgan looked at the ground. "Skysong..." She smiled. "That's really pretty Aurelia. I like it."
"Thanks. It just felt right."
"Just felt right... I'll keep that in mind."
"Hey... what time is it?"
Morgan looked at her watch. "About four."
Aurelia sat up straight. "Four! Goddess.... I gotta go."
Morgan put out her hand. "Wait!" She tore off part of her receipt from Practical Magick and wrote on it. "Here's my phone number and my email. Try to get ahold of me, okay?"
Aurelia stood up and started walking backwards. "When?"
Morgan laughed. "Whenever! Just call me or something, okay?"
Aurelia grinned in return. "Sure. Later Morgan!" She waved as she got in her car and drove off.
Morgan chuckled as she grabbed her purchases and headed to Das Boot.
***
"Hey Alyce, why are you watching those girls?" A man sat down another box and stood next to her, following her gaze out the window to the girls under the oak tree.
Alyce sighed heavily. "The Goddess has a plan for those two, Hugh." She looked down briefly to sign for the merchandise.
"Oh really? Like what?" He handed her a small package and took away the clipboard.
She rested her hands on her brown skirt, and looked at him. "Honestly? I couldn't tell you. But they have something yet to do. Something they'll have to do together."
"If you say so ma'am." He tipped his orange baseball cap and walked away.
Alyce didn't move away from the window but watched as the girls said goodbye. She waved, knowing they couldn't see her and sighed. "May She be easy on you, girls. May the path you tread be safe. Mother, bless them and keep them well. I know they are destined to fight in your name, but I also know it will be easy. Bless them." She put her hand to the window as they drove away in opposite directions.
*** Reader Responses:
Emerald Fire Fearie: Hey Rain, you're the best! Thanks a lot for taking the time to read me. I know you've been busy but thanks. You've seen how Aurelia works as a coven leader but let's see how we work together on our own!
Dancing with Lightning: Thanks for coming to read me... I had no idea you would. I would like to say that if my story's half as good as yours than I may have to go lie down to keep from fainting. I would be that overwhelmed. So yeah, thanks for coming to review me, and Keep up the good work with yours! By the way, I like your other SWEEP fic a lot! And Magical Rings is cute!
Corcra: Thank you for your compliment. I try to be as accurate as possible to both Cate Tiernan's work and the world of real witchcraft. All of the spells/rituals in this story I've written myself, and all are usable. (Trust me, I know.) So thank you for reviewing.
Saz: Thanks a bunch. I always like to see new faces on my review list, especially when the review coming from them is good! And I like people returning to see my work even more!
Xann: Though not a familiar face, thank you very very much for coming to review me!
Hands Off: As in awe of your story I am, I am in wonder that you liked mine. *Bows respectively* Thank you very very much.
Another bit on this chappie. I've only read through the eighth book, so this might not be completely correct... Just wanted to warn ya in case you yell at my work...(shudder)
Anyway, moving on. Sorry about the long wait. This little freshman had issues with track and was too tired to write. All better!
Liam: (yawns) What are you blabbering about now?
Aurelia: She's just trying to distract the audience again, make them go away from they read her horrible work.
Dream: (offended) I am not! I'm quite proud of this one!
Aurelia: (gives disgusted look and turns away)
Liam: (offhandedly) I think she's trying to say somethin'.
Dream: Aye yai yai. Oh well. (shakes head and continues on with the story) On with the show, ya'll! Remember to review me!
Merry Meet and Merry Part until we Merry Meet again!
Chapter Five: Of Conversations and Ice Cream Sundaes
"Merry Meet,
Now that I can have a book of shadows I don't know what to write. I don't just want spells in here... I want it to be a memoir as well as a grimoire. But what is there to say? I've only just been initiated into my father's coven, and am still weak from my work. I had to cast several spells and then several rituals... and then father had me do something odd. I stood there as he chanted words over me, words I couldn't understand. I felt a rush of heavy air wash over me and I couldn't breathe. Suddenly all I could see was a dark forest against a star-lit sky, about to be devoured by another wave of darkness. Instinctively I knew it was Moon Forest, about to be destroyed. I wanted to scream, or do something to help, but I could not, and I waited for the wave to crush the forest.
But it wasn't. It was held back by a man bathed in golden light. A warm, loving golden brown.
And as soon as I saw him, I could breathe again as I felt father pull the heaviness away from me. When I saw his face it was angry, and he said, "You shall never follow in my footsteps. There is too much of you're mother in you. Too much of her clan. You shall never be of me." He walked away.
But still I wonder what he meant, and what I have done wrong.
~Dragon Starwing"
***
"So... You been practicing long?" asked Aurelia as she took a bite of her sundae. They had bought some from the Baskins-Robbins down the street and settled down under a tree across the street. Alyce had to shoo them away as a truck had come to deliver merchandise.
Morgan shrugged. "Only since the beginning of the school year, actually. I was a Catholic before then."
Aurelia shuddered. "Whoa."
Morgan took a sip of her diet coke. "So what about you? When did you start?"
Aurelia licked some strawberry syrup off of her spoon. "Early in seventh grade, actually."
Morgan looked surprised. "Really? That's kinda young, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I guess. But my family never really imposed religion on me, and I was curious about everything. and so I found a book in my library... Well you can guess the next."
"When did you start your coven?" Morgan's hair fell into her face and she pushed it away.
Aurelia took another look at her. Not really pretty, she thought, but there's definitely got something about her. That flair... She shook her head and snapped back to attention. "Oh, um... Since I was in ninth grade. Mabon, actually, so we aren't too far off from it being two years. I lead them, though I'm not a High Priestess or anything."
"Do you want to be?"
"Well, yeah, but it'll take a lot of work and time that I may not have. I'm going to college when I graduate, so I can be a teacher." Like Dragon, she thought happily.
Morgan shrugged. "Can't help you there. Sorry."
"So how long have you known Alyce?"
"Since last year. I met David first though, before..."
"He was taken away. I know. I remember." She sighed. "I really miss him, even though I know what he did was wrong."
Morgan looked at her sharply. "You know the real story?"
Aurelia met her gaze. "Sure. David got worried because Practical Magick was going to be closed up. He called on Dark Magick, and it backfired and a Seeker from the Council took him away."
Morgan tensed. "What more do you know?"
Aurelia shrugged. "Nothing really. Just what Alyce told me."
Morgan's eyes widened. "Alyce told you the real story? Why?"
"Because she trusts me."
"There had to have been more than that. She wouldn't have told you about the council unless she had a really good reason -like you were a blood witch or something."
"Not me. But you..." Her eyes were curious. "You're a real blood witch?"
Morgan nodded. "Yeah. I found out last Samhain. Life's been pretty rocky since."
"That's awesome. It must be great." She stretched out on the grass as the wind blew softly, making the leaves on the big oak rustle.
Morgan sighed. "Not really. I lost some friends, lost my family for awhile, and I'm still trying to piece it all back together. I do have one comfort though." She smiled, thinking about Hunter.
Aurelia rolled over, and set her chin in her hands. "So what's it feel like, being what you are?"
Morgan gave her an odd look. "I... I don't know. I can't really feel it unless I'm making magick. And then... it's just this overwhelming wave of power. I can't really always handle it. I used to get sick every time."
Aurelia laughed, but her face turned thoughtful. "That sounds familiar... I wonder why."
Morgan shrugged and leaned back against the tree. "I wonder why Alyce wanted us to meet? I mean, there had to be a reason, right?"
Aurelia looked at her. "I don't know. Maybe she just thought we'd hit it off or something. I mean, two students in two different covens, both practicing Wicca... Who knows?"
"But don't you think it's strange?"
"Of course I do. But Alyce has a reason for everything she does, so I wouldn't really worry about it."
"Maybe." Morgan looked unsure.
A hawk screamed from overhead, and they both looked at it as it wheeled. Aurelia shaded her eyes and sighed. It was a red-tail, female and hungry. Aurelia's golden-brown eyes didn't leave it until it soared from sight. Even then her gaze lingered. "I love hawks. They're where I chose my Craft name from."
"Really? What is it?"
Aurelia looked at her, wondering if she trusted her enough. "Skysong," she said finally.
Morgan looked at the ground. "Skysong..." She smiled. "That's really pretty Aurelia. I like it."
"Thanks. It just felt right."
"Just felt right... I'll keep that in mind."
"Hey... what time is it?"
Morgan looked at her watch. "About four."
Aurelia sat up straight. "Four! Goddess.... I gotta go."
Morgan put out her hand. "Wait!" She tore off part of her receipt from Practical Magick and wrote on it. "Here's my phone number and my email. Try to get ahold of me, okay?"
Aurelia stood up and started walking backwards. "When?"
Morgan laughed. "Whenever! Just call me or something, okay?"
Aurelia grinned in return. "Sure. Later Morgan!" She waved as she got in her car and drove off.
Morgan chuckled as she grabbed her purchases and headed to Das Boot.
***
"Hey Alyce, why are you watching those girls?" A man sat down another box and stood next to her, following her gaze out the window to the girls under the oak tree.
Alyce sighed heavily. "The Goddess has a plan for those two, Hugh." She looked down briefly to sign for the merchandise.
"Oh really? Like what?" He handed her a small package and took away the clipboard.
She rested her hands on her brown skirt, and looked at him. "Honestly? I couldn't tell you. But they have something yet to do. Something they'll have to do together."
"If you say so ma'am." He tipped his orange baseball cap and walked away.
Alyce didn't move away from the window but watched as the girls said goodbye. She waved, knowing they couldn't see her and sighed. "May She be easy on you, girls. May the path you tread be safe. Mother, bless them and keep them well. I know they are destined to fight in your name, but I also know it will be easy. Bless them." She put her hand to the window as they drove away in opposite directions.
*** Reader Responses:
Emerald Fire Fearie: Hey Rain, you're the best! Thanks a lot for taking the time to read me. I know you've been busy but thanks. You've seen how Aurelia works as a coven leader but let's see how we work together on our own!
Dancing with Lightning: Thanks for coming to read me... I had no idea you would. I would like to say that if my story's half as good as yours than I may have to go lie down to keep from fainting. I would be that overwhelmed. So yeah, thanks for coming to review me, and Keep up the good work with yours! By the way, I like your other SWEEP fic a lot! And Magical Rings is cute!
Corcra: Thank you for your compliment. I try to be as accurate as possible to both Cate Tiernan's work and the world of real witchcraft. All of the spells/rituals in this story I've written myself, and all are usable. (Trust me, I know.) So thank you for reviewing.
Saz: Thanks a bunch. I always like to see new faces on my review list, especially when the review coming from them is good! And I like people returning to see my work even more!
Xann: Though not a familiar face, thank you very very much for coming to review me!
Hands Off: As in awe of your story I am, I am in wonder that you liked mine. *Bows respectively* Thank you very very much.