Quoth the Raven, Nevermore
Disclaimer: See chapter 1. If we poor ladies do offend, please tell us, so we can make amends. Reviews are welcomed, flames are not. The chapter titles are from the poem, "The Raven" by E. A. Poe.
A/N: Sorry there is a lot of background in the first couple of chapters. It couldn't be helped. Also, murder was the proper term of a flock of ravens. We do not give the Ravenmaster a name or description as we do not want to offend or worse get sued.
Chapter 3: Someone Rapping
Each day saw some improvement of the fledgling in Ben's care. He was very thankful for the fact of Maggie's skill with potions. She was well known for her, 'elixirs' by those who lived and worked at the tower.
He smiled. Yes, his dear Maggie was a full blown, cauldron-stirring witch! She'd even gone through Hogwarts School for Wizards and Witches, the premiere school for young magical children in the United Kingdom.
Maggie hadn't been at the top of her class, but she was no slouch either. Upon finishing Hogwarts she'd been all set to work in her father's import/export business as a consultant. Her expertise was identifying magical things that occasionally came in. She had started doing that as a child, relying on her magic sense, or her 'witchie' powers as her brother called them. Her family was very proud of her skills.
With her muggle-born status she was unable to find a place for herself in the Magical World, so helping with the family business was a boon. That is until she met, and fell in love with, a handsome young man in a military uniform.
Back when the muggle world was fighting the Cold War, she'd been drawn to a dashing young sergeant in Her Majesty's Service. During one of their many stepping-outs, she asked him about his family. When he had finished speaking she informed him that she was a muggle-born witch. She felt he had the right to know as she was falling in love with him and she couldn't wait. It would be entirely too painful if she didn't tell him before their relationship progressed to talk of marriage. If he couldn't accept her as she was, magic included, then best they end it quickly.
Well, since she was being honest with him that night, he returned the favor. Ben explained to her that he knew of the Wizarding World, as he was from a long line of squibs. His family descended from a cadet branch of an ancient family. They could trace their roots back to one of the Founders of Hogwarts. It was a prestigious honor in the Wizarding World to be related to such a family.
However, as they were squibs, they could not claim inheritance. So his family decided to lived in Manchester, and had for generations, keeping their heads down and off the magical radar as much as possible. They tried to avoid any involvement in wizarding matters.
Ben and Maggie were married soon after that. Both knowing that any children they had could be magical. With Ben's career, the family moved a lot and their children received a hodgepodge education attending the school offered at whatever base Ben had been stationed at, at the time. They even went to Hogwarts in their later years.
Through all that Maggie had supported him and helped keep the family together. Her wages from the family business had paid for their children's Hogwarts education. Now the children were grown with families of their own. It was just the two of them once again.
Ben smiled, returning to the task at hand. The little raven was doing nicely. The tiny black pinfeathers stuck out in messy array but none looked broken. He'd have to hand feed the little scrapper for another week or so until he could get him out to the rookery for Hardey to take over the mothering.
Hardey was the matriarch of the murder of ravens posted to the Tower. She ruled the eight ravens at in residence with an iron beak and a stronger sense of mischief. If she accepted the fledgling then Ben's work would be done for the most part. Ravens normally are not known to take on another's hatchling, but the ravens here at the Tower were different. It was like they were 'Goddess-touched' Maggie always declared.
"There now, Scrapper," Ben said as he placed the little raven back into the snug nest. "All clean and fed. Soon you'll be in the rookery with the rest. Wonder what ol' Thor will think of ya?"
0o0o0o0
Now named Scrapper, because it appeared that there was some fight left in that little body, the littlest raven slept on with a full belly and surrounded by warmth.
His dreams, for once, were stilled. Every time he started to have a nightmare either a woman's voice spoke to him, bringing him out of it, or a deep rumbling sound came along with huge hands that picked him up and cradled him gently until his desperate cries quieted. Never had he felt so safe or protected.
He felt stronger too. The sleep, and the good food that was being forced down his throat, made him feel better. The disgusting liquid that he was also given seemed to help. The pain faded more each time he was forced to drink it. As each day brought him closer to full health Scrapper realized he wanted to live. He wanted to thank the Lady who spoke to him in his dreams and the man who was caring for him. He'd always wanted a family and it seemed like he might finally get his wish.
0o0o0o0
Ben showed the Ravenmaster the fledgling about a week after it had been brought to him for care.
"I see he's much improved, McIntyre," commented the Ravenmaster. "When do you think he'll be ready to go to the Rookery? It's a pity we can't find out where he is from."
"There was no missing raven at the Sanctuary, Sir?" Ben asked.
The Ravenmaster shook his head. "It's most irregular. However, we will keep the fledgling here and raise it ourselves. It's good to have a spare or two around."
"It wouldn't happen that you've had a visit from Her Majesty? Would it Sir?"
"Quite. She was most insistent that the fledgling remain here. Even the little princes seemed to have taken an interest."
Ben smiled. He'd seen the princes visit the little raven almost daily, or rather, nightly. Normally, the spirits that haunt the Tower didn't bother anyone outside the Tower itself and the greens surrounding it. They normally left the Waterloo Barracks and their residents in peace. That he and Maggie's quarters were being haunted by the little princes was a sign that could not be ignored.
There were wards around the military housing, guaranteeing that most of the more violent spirits could not enter. For that peace of mind, Ben was truly thankful. He had no desire to wake one night and find the bear standing over his bed!
The ancients wards around the White Tower were put in place by William the Conqueror's wizards. Not many on the outside knew about the magic that covered the White Tower and its grounds in protection. However, what even fewer knew was that between all the torture and beheadings that took place here caused the wards to become very dark in nature and powerful because of the blood spilled there in times past.
Rubbing his chin a bit Ben spoke. "Well, sir, if you don't mind, I thought we could call this tyke Scrapper, as there seems to be a bit o' a fighter about him. Of course, if you want to give him a more formal name. . .?"
The Ravenmaster shook his head. "No need. The name suits him. I'll mark him down on the Rolls as Scrapper."
0o0o0o0
Spring turned to summer. Tourists came and went. Life continued on. Scrapper continued to improve until it came time for him to be sent to the rookery, for better or worse. He still wasn't ready to leave the nest although he had filled out nicely. His pinfeathers still stuck out all over his small body while his primary feathers were developing nicely.
Still, the Ravenmasters were worried about him and how the other ravens will receive him. When the time came for the transfer the fledgling was placed in a small wooden cage with a nest box inside it in the rookery. The nest was filled with straw and feather down. The fledgling was given a hot water bottle, but since it was summer, it was more for comfort than warmth. The other ravens looked on with interest. The biggest one flew down to land on top of the fledglings cage, inspecting the small raven inside. His sharp beak couldn't quite fit into the holes to get at the smaller bird.
Another raven flew down, cawing harshly at the first. The two ravenmasters watched and waited. It seemed that Thor and Hardey were discussing the matter. All the two men could do was wait.
0O0o0o0
The night was crisp and warm for the midsummer solstice. The moon was in its quarter phase.
The meeting this time was on the Greens in front of the chapel. The guard patrol was on the far side of the Tower for the moment.
A shaft of silvery light shone down on the marker where most of the executions had been held. Now only a simple stone and a bit of walkway with a chain roping off the area was all that remained of the blood soaked sight. Standing just behind the marker and facing several others that had gathered was Her Majesty, Queen Anne. The two princes stood in front of her, facing the gathering. They all stood in silence,waiting.
A shaft of moonlight pierced the night, illuminating the marker as an ethereal figure formed. A woman, tall and regal, stood within the shaft of moonlight wearing a black cotehardie. The tight-fitting gown sparkled in the light like it was sprinkled with tiny stars. Long black feathers rose off the back of her gown like a high collar, providing a backdrop for her pale face and long flowing black hair. Her eyes were bottomless pools of darkness, shimmering like a night sky filled with stars. The Morrigan had answered their call.
"You have summoned me?" came a chilling voice.
"Yes, most gracious Lady," Queen Anne said with a deep curtsy. "We were graced with a new addition to the Tower. A small injured raven. . ."
"So my little raven made it here after all. Wonderful. Delightful," the tall, scintillating woman smiled as she held out her arm.
Thor and Hardey, the two alpha Ravens of the Tower landed on her outstretched arm. Normally, the ravens were locked in for the night, locked down so tightly not even the crafty cunning of an adept raven's beak could help them escape. However, on this night, the Goddess' will must be obeyed and no locks devised by man could gainsay her.
"Ah. My precious little ones. Still enjoying your stay here?" she cooed.
The two ravens cawed and ruffled their feathers.
"Excellent! I have a job for you. All of you. It will take all your skills," The Goddess commanded, turning to the gathered spirits. "I know all about the little raven. He is My Chosen and he will need the teachings only you can provide for him. When he is ready, he will take his rightful place, one that has long been denied him."
She glided across the green towards the rookery with a raven on each wrist. The myriad of spirits followed in her wake.
This would be a night to remember.
0o0o0o0
Yes, it is a lot to wade through before we can get to the plot. Just be patient.
Special mention to Cateagle who guessed where the chapter titles were from. Well done! And we didn't know that bit of trivia.
Until next time âGF and the Frau
