Hi guys! In this chapter will have a fight scene and some magic from Cecilia.
Chapter 6
"Father!" Cecilia cried out, her father tied up to the old tree long thick vines wrapped around his body, Sam started sniffing around the vines and whined.
"Is he alright?" Leona asked worriedly.
"He's still breathing...oh father.." Cecilia choked out trying to hold back her tears, she took out her dagger and started to cut the vines setting her father free.
Cecilia got a good look at her fathers state, he was sickly pale, shivering from the cold night.
"Ceci." Leona spoke in a low voice. "We better go before-"
"Thieves!"
Cecilia and Leona turned their heads to see an older woman dressed in black rags, her hair grey and damp. Leona stood up straight taking a defensive stance, Sam growled.
"We are not thieves, we are only here to help this man." Leona called out. "Who are you?"
"I am Fira and this is my home, you are trespassers! " Fira said
Cecilia felt her father's hand squeezing her. Her eyes glanced at him as he tried to talk.
"A...witch...she.." He muttered out before passing out.
"Father!" Cecilia exclaimed. "We are not trespassers, we didn't take anything! We'll leave now,He's my father he's ill!"
"He's a thief! He tried to steal my treasure! Others tried and failed. No one else can have them Because it's my treasure! My precious flowers!" Fira exclaimed glaring at the group.
No matter what they said it wont changed Fira's mind, the other option they have was to run as fast as they could. But before they could do that they heard Fira speak in an old language, fire burts around them surrounded Cecilia,Leona, her pet dog Sam and Cecilia's father in a ring of intense fire, Sam barks wildly.
"Ceci, maybe if we-" Leona spoke but was interrupted by Cecilia.
"Don't go closer to the fire, the closer you are to it the flames will grow stronger." Cecilia warned. She gently placed her father to the ground away from the flames, she stood up.
"Extintus in flamma!" Cecilia said waving her hand steam blasted extinguishing the fire around them. From that mist Sam ran off into the bushes whimpering slightly.
'Poor Sam...he got scared by the flames.' Cecilia thought
"My trespasser is a witch." Fira said 'And she even knew how to counter my fire boundary spell at that age it must mean she's a gifted one but no matter she or anyone will not have my treasure.'
"Ceci, let's go!" Leona said already carrying Cecilia's father on her back, no one could tell that Leona is strong despite by her fragile appearance from all of her training had made her strong to carry a man twice her weight.
But they didn't run they found themselves unable to move, they tried with all their might but they couldn't move a single muscle. Cecilia knew what it meant, the witch Fira had cast a paralysis spell on them, the young witched glared at the old woman.
"I see...even you know this spell?" Fira asked
"Yes..I know it." Cecilia said
"Now...to make you three pay for trespassing! For trying to steal my treasure!" Fira hissed
Then Leona spoke up getting Fira's attention.
"Why do you want to keep your treasure safe?" She asked while struggling against the spell.
Fira hesitated until she turned her head towards the ground. "I must protect them...the rose of sharance...these are not normal flowers, they saved me from dying, letting me live..i knew that I had to take care of them to keep living, day after day I tended them kept them away from any danger..knowing that their nectar will make me whole again."
"But you weren't alone, were you?" Leona demanded
Cecilia felt her belt warm it slowly spread through her body. She glanced at her hand slightly moving her fingertips, somehow one of the gems activated and undid Fira's spell , Cecilia stood still trying to plan carefully on her next move. She listened to the conversation.
"Fira, what happened to your beloved?" Leona demanded
The old witch's head jerked aside as if Leona did a direct blow.
"My...my...beloved..he knew if I didn't have the flower i would die...he ran towards them with a torch..and…" Fira muttered
"You killed him didn't you Fira?!" Leona demanded
Fira's voice grew to a loud high whine. "I had to! He knew if I didn't have the flowers I could die!" She lowered her head mumbling to herself. " I stopped him from burning my flowers...by the time that I realized what i had done his blood spilled onto the flowers. I had manage to gather some nectar but it wasn't enough to make the potion...so i tended the flowers waiting for them to bloom again."
'Her soul is tainted...you must free her from her madness..'
"What?" Cecilia whispered softly hearing a faint feminine voice.
'Free her...she is trapped...the flowers do save you but...you must have a clear conscious and no evil in your heart to drink them…if you're heart isn't pure then you'll descend into madness..you must free her by cleansing her spirit..'
"Now Die thieves!" Fira exclaimed lunging at Cecilia with a silver dagger, Cecilia swiftly ran dodging the attack. "You can walk?! But how?"
"My magic is far stronger than yours Fira." Cecilia declared.
Fira cackled grinning while holding another dagger. "Then let's see if your magic can save your friend!" She hissed. In a blink of the eye Cecilia gasped seeing a paralyzed Leona hit with the dagger to her chest.
"C..ceci.." Leona muttered a pool of blood formed around the dagger, crimson red streaks trailed down her clothes.
"Leo!" Cecilia shouted in horror, she ran towards her friend, she saw fear in Leona's eyes pulling the dagger out of her friend using her hood to press against the wound. "It'll be okay! Stay with me!"
"You'll join her as well!" Fira exclaimed
Cecilia glared at the old witch, she stared at her friend who was fighting for her life, Fira started to chant a spell but was interrupted by Sam sneaking up from behind to bite the witch on her leg. In between that struggle Cecilia heard the feminine voice again.
'My child….use these words to stop her! You must stop her now!'
Fira manage to blast Sam, the wolfdog flew and landed on the hard tree trunk a loud painful howl was heard, she turned her attention to the young witch. Cecilia stared at the old woman and repeated the words that the mysterious spirit told her.
"Ut tibi eam: sana animam voco, sana animam eius de corruptione, obsecro, sana eam nunc tantum relinquere puritatis!" Cecilia repeated the spell a white light blinded Fira, the white light in an instant spread on her body as she screamed in pain. (Cleanse her soul I call to thee, Cleanse her soul of corruption please, Cleanse it now leave only purity.)
The young women closed their eyes as the light was too intense , as it died down they saw a pile of ashes on forest floor.
'This spell cleanses the soul its used to purify the body and mind sadly her body had wilted away long ago..only her will to see the flowers bloom kept her going...hopefully now she may rest in peace..' The feminine voice echoed
"C..ceci..look..." Leona coughed out some blood, pointing her finger at the small flowers blooming.
"The flowers! Please hold on Leo!" Cecilia panicked running into the hut to grab a bowl , she saw the flowers bloom glowing white and gold slowly dripping a pale gold liquid into the bowl, gathering about a handful of it.
"This will help you.." Cecilia whispered placing the bowl onto Leona's lips, seeing her drink the nectar.
'The nectar will heal anyone from the brink of death...your friend will be alright…..'
Cecilia saw the color back in Leona's face no longer white, the wound on her chest is slowly but surely healing thanks the the flowers. "Thank you…"Cecilia said full of gratitude to the spirit. Sam appeared limping from an injured paw sniffing at Leona, whimpering and lightly licking her owner's hand.
"Sam…" Leona croaked lightly petting her dog, Cecilia grinned hugging her friend tightly that she started sobbing she muttered under her breath apologizing repeatedly for putting her best friend in danger.
"Ceci, look."Leona said softly.
The young witch turned her head seeing a small white orb floating then shifts into a human form of a young man his dark raven hair and striking blue eyes, a strong gust of wind blew the ashes to reveal a sobbing young dark haired woman wearing a gray dress on her knees crying.
'Fira…' the man said the ghost woman looked up at him still crying.
'Peter….i can't look at you..not after what I did..' Fira said
'Fira..love, it wasn't your fault..'
'Yes its my fault! My fault that we couldn't be together to have children, grow old together...you should have left me there so that you would still be alive have a life with another woman...' Fira exclaimed in between sobs.
'It wouldn't be a life without you...i want to be with the woman i love and that is you.'
'Really? After all this time?' Fira asked
'Yes, Always..' Peter replied holding Fira's hand pulling her up placing a kiss on her lips.
"That's so romantic…" Cecilia whispered
Fira turns her head towards the small group.
'I know words won't be enough to what horrible things I did to you or anyone…but please know that I'm truly sorry for the pain that I caused you...please take what you need in my hut use it however you like sell the items, keep them even burn them..I don't need them for where I'm going.' Fira said taking Peter's hand.
When the first light of dawn hits the forest , The two spirits vanished in front of their eyes, Cecilia saw a few of the flowers blooming taking out a small empty glass vial running towards the flower gathering enough nectar to fill the vial with the pale golden nectar inside the vial.
"That will come in handy." Leona said carefully sitting up.
Cecilia held the vial. "It might, if not it's a nice souvenir." She said
After an hour of resting Leona already felt better and giving Cecilia's father the medicine from Gauis, the two women went back in the old hut, Cecilia went through and found a few salvageable books on using herbs as a natural medicine and one magic book. Leona had found a pretty silver dagger , the two made a decision on the small chest with silver and gold coins, taking it back with them to give a few coins to each family in the village.
When they got back from the village it was still too early for anyone to wake up, moving quickly Cecilia with Leona's help she had manage put her father to bed so that he could rest some more, leaving the books in her hidden compartment under the floorboards in her small room.
It took them minutes to go to Leona's home to quickly bathe and change out of their clothes. Cecilia wearing a pale brown dress with a cream colored sleeveless tunic , while Leona wore a light blue long sleeve dress.
"Are you sure you're feeling okay?" Cecilia asked
"Ceci, for the fifth time I'm okay, that flower really did wonders." Leona replied "So now that your father is back, we can relax and I can enjoy that peach jam. " Leona said
"I'll go get it for you, where is it?" Cecilia asked
"Down the hall go left you'll see the kitchen in the second pantry closet." Leona answered
"I'll be back in a bit." Cecilia said closing the door as she walked she couldn't shake off a feeling. 'Why do i feel like I'm forgetting something?' She thought
She made her way towards the kitchen but stopped halfway seeing Arthur.
"Hey..Cecilia? Where's Merlin? I've been looking for him all morning." The prince asked
Cecilia shrugged her shoulders unable to come up with an answer. Suddenly they heard a loud sound of something hitting the pantry closet door. Arthur looked at Cecilia then at the door, he opened the door seeing Merlin lazily waking up.
Arthur shook his head as Merlin bolted up looking at his own surroundings, clearly confused.
"Don't say anything it's clear to me that you went to the tavern last night. " Arthur concluded keeping a stern look. "Merlin just go tend the horses and polish my armor."
"But i-"
Arthur interrupted him not wanting another word from him. "You have a lot to do today and i don't want you inconveniencing these people for treating us as their guest." He said
Merlin glared at Arthur and stormed out while Arthur let out a sigh. Cecilia felt even more guilt for Merlin being punished, she went in the pantry to grab a two jars of jam.
"I better go take these to Leona then."Cecilia said
"Are you the one that made these?" Arthur asking his finger pointing at the supply of jam and preserved fruits.
"Yes, i made all of them." Cecilia answered "Why do you asked?"
"Barrick offered some at dinner it was nice, better than what the kitchen maids make." Arthur replied staring at the jam. "It's a shame that i can't take some.."
Cecilia stared at the prince, raising an eyebrow at him catching on his hint.
"Do you want some?" She asked
"Well since you offered." Arthur said going in the pantry closet asking Cecilia on the variety of flavors, taking four jam jars. "Well..i better go and see we have much to talk."
Cecilia held the jam jar a small smile crept up her face having an idea on how to apologize to the young warlock.
"He's an idiot." Merlin cursed under his breath irritated at what the blonde prince said. "I wasn't anywhere near the tavern, i don't even know if there is one here."
Merlin polished the prince's armor in his guest room trying to recollect on what happened last night and how he ended up in the closet. He remembered seeing someone in a robe which was suspicious, he remembered chasing the robe figure then..nothing. He heard a soft knock on the door telling the person that its opened seeing that its Cecilia holding a large basket.
"Merlin, are you hungry?" Cecilia asked
'After the commotion i didn't have any breakfast..' He thought
"I am a bit hungry." Merlin replied
She closed the door behind her placing the basket on the small table. "I helped myself in the kitchen so eat as much as you want." She said removing the blue cloth revealing a small bounty of food a whole loaf of bread, fresh fruit, some cheeses and jam.
"Thank you.." He said helping himself to a slice of wheat bread and cheese.
"How do you feel?" She asked
"Fine..i guess.." He muttered taking a spoon from the basket using it to put a dollop of jam in the bread.
"You don't look fine, i mean you are fine but that's not what i mean i just…" she stopped talking already feeling embarrassed at her rambling, Merlin let out a soft chuckle seeing the girl act different than what he's used to seeing. "What im trying to say is that..well...I'm sorry.."
"Sorry? For what?" He curiously asked looking at the brunette.
"Cecilia where are you taking me?" Merlin asked, first Cecilia apologized and then dragged him out saying that He'll soon see that made him even more curious.
"We're almost there..just wait a little longer please Merlin." Cecilia replied walking ahead. "It's easier to show you."
"Show me what?" He asked
"You'll see when we're there." Cecilia answered
'See what? First she apologizes then drags me out? For what? I don't understand.' He thought suspiciously eying the girl until she stopped.
"Here we are, this is one of my favorite spots. Hardly anyone in the village go here." Cecilia said showing Merlin the small lake around the body of water was surrounded by different colored flowers.
"Why are we here?" He asked looking around the scenery.
"Just...watch." Cecilia said softly.
The young witch looked around making sure that no one was around taking a deep breath looking straight at Merlin's eyes.
" Ventus flores spargere (Flowers scatter with the wind.)" Cecilia muttered softly.
A gentle gust of wind whirled around the small lake, the petals of the flowers being carried by the wind moving and surrounded them. Merlin looked around seeing the different flower petals around them then the winds shifted carrying the petals across the lake. Cecilia saw a look of surprise, shock and confuse in Merlin's eyes but it quickly changed to one of awe and happy seeing the numerous flower petals on the lake's surface.
"You're a witch?!...why didn't you tell me?" Merlin asked taking a few steps closer to her, very close that they were face to face.
"Like you, i was afraid...my father doesn't have magic but my mother did, she wanted to teach me before she could she died so I only know from learning through the book she had." Cecilia explained. "The only other person that knows is my friend Leona..and now you, since you trusted me with your secret i can trust you with mine."
The young witch and Warlock stayed by the lake and talked, they talked about anything they can think off Cecilia even told him of her adventure last night even at the part of how Merlin got in the pantry, Merlin forgave her saying that he would do the same if he was in that Situation. Hours went by the two didn't realize that the sun started to set, Merlin escorted Cecilia back to her home, they both stood at her front door.
"So..tomorrow is your last day here?" Cecilia asked
"Yes tomorrow afternoon, Gauis already checked everyone except your father. First thing in the morning he'll stop by to see how's he doing." Merlin replied.
Cecilia nodded her head slowly while Merlin continued to stare at her, Now he knows that she has magic like him. She doesn't have anyone to teach her.
"Ceci...would you..would you like to go back with me to Camelot? Gauis can teach you, he has more books about any kind of medicine and other types of magic, he's teaching me and-" He was quickly cut off the door swiftly opened, Cecilia's father Audric he was not happy, he glared at Merlin.
"No! I will not have my daughter go there!" Audric angrily said
'Merlin is right, Gauis does have a lot of wisdom and from what Mother wrote he is someone that you could trust and learn from.' Cecilia thought.
"Father, Merlin is right i want to-" Cecilia started but was quickly cut off.
"I won't allow you! Not after what you're mother and i went through!" Audric exclaimed he then started to cough he was still sickly pale.
"Father! I told you need to rest." She said trying to help her father, Merlin took a step to help too but Audric didn't want his help.
Cecilia got worried and went towards her father taking him back inside She took one last look at Merlin.
"I'm sorry...Just go before things get worse.." She whispered closing the door.
That's the end of this chapter! Please leave a review and tell me what you guys think! Any questions or ideas Pm me! I'm opened to suggestions!