Chapter 17 – The Beginning Of The Trial
That evening every competitor watched from their windows as the faculty from all ten schools headed into the forest to set up the trials. Some were more nervous than others as some of their teachers weren't known for being soft, kind and upbeat, so they were expecting a good freight.
All the staff was liaising with each other, and they were helping each other get their trial set up, though Pippa had decided to hers on her own. She walked through a clearing into the darkest part of the forest which had hardly any sunlight coming through. As it was Spring and nearly summer the sun was still up, though she could barely see. She held her hands up and made a circular motion and flung what could only possibly be described as nothing, though a large light appeared under the branches of the tall intertwining trees. She had decided on this area not long after the other schools had announced their participation in the trial.
She set to work moving her hands delicately though meaningfully around the secluded area. She ensured that the ground of the forest would collapse under the students and lead into a tunnel of which they would have to find a way out from. She ensured that fresh air would always be available and that the landing would be as soft as she could make it.
"We don't want any broken bones". She whispered to herself. "This should keep them busy for a while".
Hecate and Victoria walked into the entrance of the trial.
"Oh, please do me a favour and walk into the middle,". She asked them as she removed the magical light.
Hecate and Victoria walked into the middle. They were both apprehensive though intrigued, they knew Pippa had been in there a while.
It wasn't long before the ground beneath them gave way. Hecate tensed more than she had ever done, and Victoria was shocked.
"Are you trying to kill the students?" Victoria half laughed.
"Not quite, how is the landing?"
"Not hard enough in my opinion, way to soft a landing. I get you don't want broken bones though they need a good shock to the system". Victoria responded.
"Well, it gave me a right shock". Hecate growled.
"See if you can get out like a student would".
It took the staff a good half hour to get out and some final touches were put on the trial, and it wasn't long until it was ready.
The staff made their way out of the forest and went to check on their students to ensure they were all in bed and to calm any nervousness where possible.
Pippa checked in on Mildred, who was in bed though she wasn't asleep, the others were not speaking as they were letting her rest. Though Mildred was definitely not sleeping.
After she had helped calm Mildred down, she headed to her office to sort something out quickly before heading to bed, as she did so she was in deep thought. My student should get through the trials in good timing, meaning they shouldn't be in there longer than a day. I trust them all to help each other. I just hope first to third years will be able to cope with the stress, though if they pass the trial of the times, then they won't need to take most of their exams at the end of the year.
Once in bed Pippa fell asleep rather quickly, though she was woken up by Zack at four as he had crept into her room and took Hecate's vacant bed again. She waited for him to be asleep before drifting off again.
That morning was a bit chaotic. There were students everywhere and no-one needed waking up. The Pentangle's competitors had risen rather early and met in the grass courtyard at six. Though Zack hadn't met them as he didn't want to wake Pippa up again.
They headed to the front of the forest where everyone was gathering ready to start the trial of the times. All the competitors were in their schools Gym wear and in their teams. Their school logo's were on flags that were high above their heads making it easier to spot where each school was stood. Pep talks where currently going on.
"Hecate had gathered her students together under the Cackle's Academy flag. "Right then, you were all chosen for a reason, and I want all of you past that finish line as quickly as possible. Do you understand?". All of her students nodded, they knew pleasing Miss Hardbroom was an impossible task, or so it seemed.
Pippa's approach was very different to Hecate's. "Is everyone here?". She asked as she looked around. They all nodded. "I would like as many of you past that finish line in one piece where possible. Don't try saving students from other schools, the staff from all schools will be situated around each of the ten trials and around other parts of the forest to help where it's needed. Don't be too risky and find water first.
Pippa's attention was turned to the entire vicinity and she flicked her wrist so she could be heard by everyone.
"The Trial will begin in ten minutes, all competing students will be transferred near to a trial, all trials need to be completed by all of you for you to pass the finish line. Judging by some of the trials set out yesterday evening some of you won't make it through them all. Can the forest staff please head in there, so you are ready for the start. All competing students please note that the staff situated around the forest as well as the trials will intervene were they see fit, we will be there for safety purposes. Good Luck and please all come back in one piece".
As soon as Pippa's speech had ceased, the staff that were needed in the forest headed in, the ones that had set the trials up were heading to theirs now as they knew the best ways to help any students where needed.
Pippa headed to her trial, and she was rather looking forward to seeing how the students will cope with it.
Hecate headed to a part of the forest, which was closest to the lake, though like the other staff she would be in disguise, she chose a bat to disguise as.
The students were transferred into the forest at the sound of a bell. Mildreds group had materialised in the middle of the forest.
"There is a stream near here, we can collect water and then we should be fine for a while". Martha remembered.
"Some food nearby as well, I'm pretty sure there is some berries near the stream". Worrick said.
They all headed that way and sure enough there was a stream and a few bushes of blackberries, blueberries and some other edible forage.
"As kind as Barbie is, I bet she has the worst trial to get through, she can be devious". Verity stated.
Pippa had ensured that they all had their own water bottles as it was roasting hot, and she didn't want any issues to do with dehydration. They all filled their bottles and then had some berries.
"I'm guessing it would be pointless trying to take some with us?" Mildred asked as she gestured to the fruit.
Primrose nodded. "They will only end up squished and if we have to climb or run, they will end up all over. Also, they won't taste as nice due to the heat.
"So, are we best to stay as a group of fourteen, or are we best to do this in smaller groups?" Verity asked everyone.
"Wouldn't smaller groups make sense as fourteen of us in a trial at a time might cause some problems in terms of possibly getting in each other's way?" Mildred replied to Verity's question.
"Teams of five and a four?" Martha asked.
Everyone nodded and they decided on which way they would be heading and as they did so there was a loud bang which made them all jump and look up.
"Shouldn't have let Pentangle watch The Hunger Games". Tobias stated as he saw a couple of faces come up with their school logo next to them.
"That was unfortunate". Worrick stated without thinking.
"Worrick". The rest stated at the same time.
"Like, I hope they are OK. I'm not completely savage". Worrick said with his hands held up next to him.
Mildred, Zack, Verity and Cobain headed right towards the nearest clearing, and to their horror there was some trees moving strangely.
"Don't trust anything in this forest". Verity whispered.
"Trees don't move like that". Mildred breathed.
They very quietly whilst almost tiptoeing and as a team they had the two in front spin slowly as they moved forwards. The back two would do the same but they had done it so that there was someone looking in every direction at the same time. A tree that they had passed only seconds ago, started to open what could only be described as a jagged mouth that looked razor sharp. As it opened its mouth it pulled its hands out of the soil and lifted itself out of the ground and starred at the four students in front of it.
The Weatherly's member of staff was currently invisible, and he was rather intrigued with this tactic.
The entire time that the tree had moved the four students remained calm on the outside, yet they were all panicking on the inside. They continued with the circling motion, and it wasn't long until they stopped moving. The other moving trees in the vicinity had stopped and looked at them curiously as they were surrounded.
"What exactly are these trees?" Zack whispered.
"Wondering Willows, they are definitely not friendly". Cobain whispered back.
The trees were coming closer and reducing the amount of space between them.
"Maybe not friendly but I bet they are slow". Mildred stated.
They all looked really confused and watched with horror as she ran towards the trees and as one lunged for her, she jumped out the way and dived through the gap between the two Willow's. Cobain and Verity did the same thing. Zack wasn't too sure and hesitated and knowing he had missed his opportunity he panicked. He then heard Mildred's voice.
"Come on Zack they are slow you could probably climb one quicker than they can attack, though keep an eye out on the other Willows".
Zack trusted Mildred's judgment, and she was right, they were far too slow. He ran and jumped onto one of their branches and whilst avoiding the other trees feeble attempts of attacking him, he climbed higher and jumped off. Verity spoke a three-word incantation and he was lowered in a timely and safely manner. They ran through the nearest thicket and a few more meters before stopping to catch their breath.
"That was close, thought we were going to all die in battle against some trees". Cobain laughed.
"Good thinking, Millie". Verity marvelled.
"Just breathe Zack, these trials aren't meant to be easy. We made it". Mildred told Zack in a soothing voice.
"Wondering Willows, of course there would be Wondering Willows. New nightmare unlocked". Zack panted.
"Look". Verity said as she pointed at the sky, their faces came up and a trophy symbol next to their faces.
"One down, nine to go". Cobain stated. "We have done one, I bet you anything that was one of the hardest trials".
They rested for a short while and all had a drink as well as making sure everyone was alright, they decided next on which direction to head to, and they made their way through the forest towards the next one which was right next to the lake.