They walked without a word through the woods, Saffron nervously tailing the old woman in front of her.
"Excuse me," she began hesitantly, "what am I to call you?"
Without pausing the woman called back to her, "not that it matters, but my name is Yoliane."
"Why doesn't it matter?" asked Saffron, her nervousness overcome by her natural curiosity.
"Because my child, soon I will relinquish my post."
"I don't understand," Saffron replied in confusion, "What post?"
She was suddenly distracted by the appearance of several girls around her, all wearing identical expressions of confusion and being lead by an older woman. But they looked so…foreign.
The nearest girl to her had long, ash blond hair woven into a long thin plait and eyes as blue as the sky above. She was dressed in thick trousers, fur topped boots and a warm jumper she was presently pulling off over her head.
To her right was a girl with large almond shaped eyes and sleek black hair, pulled neatly into a bun on the back of her head. Her tiny feet were encased in silk slippers and she wore loose fitting peach silk trousers and top. When she caught Saffron's eye she nodded politely.
Behind her was a girl with skin the colour of chocolate brown, she had short hair just below her ears and large brown eyes and full lips. Her tall figure was clothed in a short red dress showing long legs shod with sandals.
The last of the girls wore shorts and t-shirt and was rubbing her arms as if cold. She had short hair too, light blond and slightly curled.
They seemed to be walking in the same direction and sure enough Yoliane slowed her pace so they all fell in line. From the other direction four more girls were walking towards them. These were alone though, Saffron noticed, they looked older and their steps were sure.
The foremost looked to be in her late twenties, she was dressed in a similar style to Saffron with frizzy blond hair tied back in a ponytail, a small, pert nose and sharp, intelligent eyes. The other two were talking to one another quietly in a language Saffron didn't understand. The taller of the two had olive skin with dark brown hair stylishly cropped to frame her face and the other had skin as fair as her own with light brown curly hair clipped back to show high cheekbones. The other walked a short distance behind the others her hands folded neatly in front of her as she walked. Sharp blue eyes looked out from behind a pair of glasses and a sharply angular face was hardened by the tightly scraped back blond hair. Her demeanour a sharp contrast to the others, for although their voices were low and their expressions serious, Saffron got the impression that ordinarily a smile would never be far from their lips. The other woman, however, walked stiffly and a frown shadowed her small pursed lips.
And that was another thing Saffron noticed, every girl she could see was in her own way very beautiful, she had never seen such a variety of people before, she had no idea that the world could contain such exquisite variety.
She watched the others around her as she walked, conscious that they too were looking at her, taking in her long chocolate brown hair, dark brown eyes and casual attire, they weren't expected to wear uniform upon this visit to Hogsmeade although they could if they wished. And then, for the hundredth time, she wondered what on earth was going on.
As the two groups met the woman with frizzy hair came up beside her.
"English?" she asked.
"Yes," replied Saffron in surprise, "Isn't everyone?"
The woman laughed, "No! Not at all! We are amongst the minority here," she explained, "I think, other than Yolaine, the only other English woman here is Viv." She pointed to the rather stern looking woman, who walked behind the two talking. As she noticed Saffron's glance her face broke into a small smile, banishing most of the coldness from her face. "By the way my name is Arabella, Arabella Figg."
"Saffron Potter," she offered in return, "what about the others?" she asked turning to look at the people around her curiously.
"Well, I don't know them all, but the two I came with are Eva- she's from Chile, and Courtney- she's from Seattle in America. From the process of elimination and the looks of the others I'd guess they're from Antarctica, Asia, Africa and Australia. There's always at least one representative from each continent. It varies, but usually there are between seven and fourteen of us, depending on whether at the end of their time they find the one to pass over to."
"I'm totally confused," admitted Saffron, rubbing her temples, "what exactly are you talking about?"
"Oh I'm sorry, you must be completely new to this, it wasn't so very long ago that I was myself, I can remember what that felt like. We're almost there now and things should be explained when we get there, but if not feel free to ask me," Arabella said friendlily. "Look, here we are."
Saffron looked up to find they had come to a halt beside a deep, fast flowing river. Water rushed noisily down from the top of a cliff, splashing onto the rocks at the bottom and on into the river. The older members of their group were already heading towards the waterfall.
"You should stay with Yoliane," Arabella advised, "she might need your help crossing."
"Are we going to cross the river?" Saffron asked.
"No, the waterfall," was the reply as Arabella motioned her onwards.
"That sounds like crazy-talk," Saffron muttered as she made her way towards Yolaine who stood waiting for her at the foot of the waterfall, heedless of the water splashing onto her.
"Take my arm child," Yolaine ordered, "I haven't made the crossing for years I'll need your strength."
Obediently Saffron took the woman's arm and biting her lip apprehensively edged towards the waterfall, blinking as the spray splashed onto her face.
"Don't worry, you're perfectly safe," Yoliane reassured her, patting Saffron's arm gently.
Together they stepped across several slippery stones, Saffron's heart pounding as she tried to push images of herself falling into the deep water and getting washed away downriver, she wasn't a very strong swimmer. Standing on a large smooth stone in the centre of the river, directly in front of the curtain of water Yolaine turned the two of them to face the falling water. Taking a deep breath Saffron walked into the waterfall, panic rising within her as the water pounded hard on her back and a roaring sound filled her ears, she couldn't see anything and she couldn't breathe.
Suddenly they water was gone and everything was in utter blackness, she had the sensation that she was falling faster and faster into a pit of nothingness.
Landing softly Saffron felt extremely disorientated, she was sure she had been falling but they had landed as if they had simply placed on foot in front of another. Looking behind her, expecting to see the waterfall, she saw only blackness. And her clothes, which she had expected to be soaking were bone dry.
"What?" she exclaimed.
"Calm down child," soothed Yolaine, "follow me."
And, because she could think of nothing else to say, Saffron followed. In front of her were large, white, marble steps leading upwards to a point she couldn't see. As they gradually mounted the steps she could see a large building emerge above her. It had tall, graceful columns raising up so high she couldn't see the top that ran round in a circle, enclosing a pale, stone floor in the centre. Long benches lined the sides and plump cushions were scattered all over. Several women, all with long flowing red hair, lounged around on the benches or reclining by the large ornate fountain stood in the centre, one with black hair among locks of red. There were six of them in total, with one uniform movement they all turned to see Saffron and her companions making their way up the stairs towards them.
They rose and walked to the top of the stairs and waited, brilliant, green eyes staring down at them.
Reaching the top to find several girls waiting, Saffron joined them as they waited for the last girl to mount the stairs. She looked at the tall, graceful women a few paces away and thought they looked familiar. They had the same eyes as Lily and…maybe they were Moonlit Ones as well, Huntress's of the past.
Soon she and her companions were lined up on the top stair, those who had been here before bowed gracefully to the six in front of them, herself and the others who were new hastily copied their actions.
The red-headed ladies smiled indulgently and one stepped forwards, her skin was as smooth and as pale as milk, her hair as bright as flame and her eyes as green as only the eyes of the Huntress can be, "Welcome," she said her voice rang out all around, and was heard by each in their own language, "welcome to all, to those who are new to us, and those who are at the end of their service. I, Artemis, the first Huntress do bid thee welcome." She surveyed the women in front of her and smiled, "we shall leave you all to your business and return when the sun has set." Beckoning to the others beside her she lead them away out between two pillars and into the darkness beyond.
Those left behind stood in awe for a moment as they watched the Huntress's leave before walking into the centre. Here the older women walked towards the fountain and turning to face the others drew out necklaces from beneath their cloaks. On a long, slender, silver chain hung a crescent moon.
Saffron noticed that Arabella and the three she had come with as well as the four who had awaited them at the top of the steps pulled out similar chains. The only difference was in the size of the moon, some were as large as a galleon others barely bigger than her thumb nail.
Feeling rather out of it all, Saffron stood beside the four girls she had seen in the forest as the others began to sing.
When all the world's in darkness,
No moon is to be found,
Silver hands will claim the horn
To fill the night with sound.
Then shall arise the Sleeping One,
His timeless rest shall end;
He will set forth along the road,
There waiting to be tamed.
The third shall be the hardest sign
She knows she must not fail,
But when she rides with bow in hand
Her choice will tip the scale.
And if all three that go before
With destiny a-line
The green will come and pierce the dark,
The last and final sign.
To she that stands alone,
The servant to them all,
Our mortal wants we all disown
And answer at her call
For we are always here
To wait for her to come
To guard all that she holds dear
She is our guiding sun
As the song came to an end Yolaine began to speak, and though Saffron heard her speak in English, the others also heard in their own language, for what did language mean in a place like this?
"I know that those who have never been here before must be feeling many things: confusion, fear, uncertainty. But what you all have in common is the path set before you. You all have the same choice at your feet. We who stand before you are servants to the Huntress, her companions and helpers on earth, Amazons. We are the ever present force of the Moon on earth, though the life of the Huntress will wax and wane, we are always here waiting, serving as is our right and our privilege. Living to pass on this sacred duty and teach the next generation. Not all of us live to serve the Huntress on earth, but our responsibility to the power she represents remains."
The woman next to her took over as Yolaine fell silent, she was very different in looks to Yolaine with dark skin and short hair, "This sacred duty is not to be entered into lightly and can never be forced upon an unwilling woman. If you choose to accept this duty it is binding, you can never change your mind. You are required to place your lady above all of your own needs. You must help her, support her and hers. It is a hard life, but not without its rewards. The question is: are you willing?"
Attention now switched to the five girls who stood nervously together.
A third woman spoke up, "If you wish you may look into the fountain to see what difference your choice might make upon your life. It will show you a little of the future you might have."
Slowly the girl in shorts and t-shirt walked over to the fountain and placing her hands on the rim looked down into its crystalline depths. Silence filled the hall as a series of flashed were emitted from the water. The girl gave a cry and started back, a hand over her mouth.
"No," she said, "I don't want this. I don't want to…" she trailed off her eyes drawn to the now still surface of the fountain.
"Very well," replied one of the women, "it is your right to make such a choice. Florence, take her home."
A petite brunette stood by Arabella walked over to the shaking girl and lead her to the top of the steps. Saffron watched as they descended out of sight.
"What'll happen to her?" she asked, turning to those stood by the fountain.
"Florence will erase her memory of this and she will never remember the choice that she made this day," replied Yolaine.
"Who will be next?"
The Asian girl in the silk clothes stepped forwards, her voice did not shake as she spoke, "I do not need to see, I am willing to accept the consequences of my choice. I accept."
The woman to Yolaine's left smiled and beckoned her forwards, "then I welcome you as sister to our ranks," she said lifting the pendant from her own shoulders and placing it over the young girl's head, "serve her well." She dipped her finger into the water and with her thumb outlined a crescent moon on her forehead. Then she vanished.
The two other girls both chose to look into the water and, though shaken, also accepted, disappearing just as suddenly afterwards. And then it was her turn. She felt all eyes turn upon her and she wished herself anywhere but here. She loved Lily with all her heart and even without the choice being offered to her she would do anything for her friend. It seemed like her decision was already a foregone conclusion. She could not refuse, for if she did, what would Lily think when she found out?
"It is rare when such a thing occurs," Yolaine said, seeming to read her mind, "but every once in a while it happens that the potential already knows the Huntress. But never before has one been as close to Her as you. Know then, that she will never know your choice. She is new to her powers and does not know of us yet, or the opportunity that is being offered to you. It still lies within your power to refuse."
And suddenly Saffron wasn't so sure anymore. What Yolaine had said meant that this decision was totally up to her. She could refuse. Who was she to be counted amongst such women. She was only a child. Her eyes found the fountain and knew that she wanted to see. As she moved towards the water she heard a cautioning voice.
"The water does not show certainties, it shows fragments of possible futures."
Saffron nodded and steeling herself looked down into the water.
******
A/N: Mwahahahahaha!! The evilness of me! I realise that was about the most evil cliffy ever, but well the chapter needed to be split somewhere. *innocent face* What? Alright, alright, I know but still at least I've updated right? Right? And I promise the next chapter isn't a cliff hanger.
Well that's about it, thanks for all you're reviews! They remind me to update. Oh and whoever asked, Angelstreet I think, no I haven't written all the chapters, but I am a couple ahead. I like to have it that way, it means that I don't get to a point where I post a chapter and have to say sorry guys I've run out of inspiriation. So if I'm ever a bit slower at writing I'll still have something to post.
Right well see you next chapter, 'Choices'
xxxx