Spellbound
Chapter 19

Upon the forest floor lie trees of yesteryear, fallen in storms long forgotten. The seasons have been harsh, stripping away the bark and outer layers, yet rendering them all the more beautiful. They have the appearance of driftwood, twisting in patterns that remind Penelope of seaside waves; even the colour of the moss is kelp-like. They are soft, damp, yet her fingers come away dry.

Penelope tilts her head upward, feeling her hair tumble further down her back; the pines are several houses tall, reaching toward the golden rays of spring. Birdsong comes in lulls and bursts, the silence and the singing working together as well as any improvised melody. A new smile paints itself upon her freckled face, rose-pink lips semi-illuminated by the dappled light. Before she knows it her feet have begun to walk, body and mind both on autopilot - it’s morning-time and no-one knows that she is up and exploring with Nibbles nattering away in her ear as they walk unencumbered at a leisurely pace. Nibbles asked a lot of questions.....

“Penelope....did you ever think that you would be asked to do the things that Azadarin has asked of you when you first sat the test by the river with Nathaniel?”

“Actually Nibbs I thought it was going to be a written exam and both Nat and I are really good at those from school...but as there is now magic involved it is a different learning curve altogether” said Penelope as she lazily strolled around the forest not straying to far from the log cabin.

“Are you scared of what is to come?”

“No...but I am cautious and don’t want anything to happen to Nathaniel, you or Azadarin so learning everything we are told by the great Wizard is of the utmost importance to me and also to Nathaniel”

“Do you like Nathaniel Penelope?” enquired Nibbles leaning further into her ear than she was ready for.

“Yes ...he is a gentleman towards me and I do like him...a lot” said Penelope blushing a deep red at the level of such an intimate question from her friend.

“I can tell and so can Aza...he has made mention of it several times when we talk together in the bedroom before we sleep”

“Oh he has...has he?” enquired Penelope turning to see her talking furry bat smiling back at her perched on her shoulder.

“Yep...he knows you look out for each other and after all he is a man...and can sense things that are far beyond the realms of imagination and reality” said Nibbles convincingly.

“I like Azadarin...he is not what I expected a Wizard to be like but when push comes to shove he is amazing...I only hope that Nat and I can live up to his expectations”

“You have so far...actually you both excelled more than you know, I know this for a fact because he told me”

“Really?” asked Penelope.

“Yes when you both did so well against that hellish creature in the dome he was very surprised at how you both worked as a good duo together and so was I...because I have seen so many try and they tried and failed”

“Oh dear that must have been horrible to watch” said Penelope reaching around and stroking Nibbles head gently.

“Yes it was and it is why I like coming into the forest by myself. It is to the forest I go for rest, for the serenity that flows as cool as the river waters. There is something about the sparkle upon the blue, a melody without a rhythm, music without sound. Above wave the great arms, clothed in the greens of every palate and none, the verdant hues of nature’s free dreams. In that place I become a part of that art, of that three dimensional creation of time and space, of a greater evolutionary span than my brain can fathom. It’s when I stop knowing and begin feeling, it’s when I hear with my heart the voices of these mighty trees, “Nibbles, welcome.” said a very profound Nibbles in such a soothing gentle tone as to make a very deep impression on Penelope and further cement their relationship together.

“I think we should head back and wake the men up don’t you Nibb’s?”

Nope...let them sleep...it has been so long since I have been in the company of another female I am rather enjoying this time alone with you Penelope does that make sense?”

“Yes it does you lovely Fembat...let’s sit and talk for a while somewhere nice about ‘girls stuff’ said Penelope and having said that they sat themselves down on some pine needles and began talking using up most of the oxygen in the forest because as you know...girls love to talk, even if one is human and the other is a talking furry bat.

Nibbles loved being called a Fembat.

.................................................................................

Inside the log cabin both Azadarin and Nathaniel were awake and very reflective, each in their seperate bedrooms thinking about the same thing. The Blackwatch. Waking up is no longer the pleasure it was. There was a fleeting moment when they were whole again but it evaporated faster than summer rain off the burnt earth. Then their eye lids that were drooping and leaden with sleep snap open as violently as if they had been woken by the night creatures wailing. There wasn’t anymore creatures attacking the log cabin now, but not a person or bath within the log cabin remains untouched. Both Azadarin and Nathaniel felt dispossessed, relying on their courage and determination. So by the time their eyes were open their brains has become overwhelmed all over again as if it were all new, fresh, raw. They both wished they could linger in that blissful ignorance of waking or else never sleep.

Azadrin leapt out of bed and put breakfast on the table and then peered into Nathaniels room and said in a gentle voice ....

“Breakfast is ready...there is much to do today Nat so please get up and ready shortly ok?”

Nathaniel drew back the bed clothes and was fully dressed and ready to go. This impressed Azadariin who commented on his appearance.

“Thats the spirit, now go wash and have something to eat, you are going to need it today...and so will Pen and Nibbs as well...do you know where they are?”

“No idea I just woke up ...maybe they went for a walk?” said Nathaniel with a certain amount of enquiry in his voice.

“Well I have made Smoked Olives & Mustard Omelet with Milk Chocolate Soufflé for afters so best eat while its warm ok”

“You just try and stop me Azadarin!” said Nathaniel whose mouth was now watering profusely at the sound of breakfast.

Azadarin walked to the front door opening and at once his level of alertness jumped up in a dramatic stage. He scanned the forest and stood still like a statue and listened. He could hear talking and laughing coming from behind a fallen pine tree so instead of walking he levitated himself into the air and floated, unheard, down to where the voices were coming from.

At once both Nibbles and Penelope felt a change in the air around them, Nibbles took to the trees and Penelope disappeared and hid behind a huge exposed tree stump.

“Very good you two...I was trying to surprise you and you felt me coming...thats good...now come and get some breakfast before it gets cold lots to do today” said Azadarin and he landed on the ground and started to walk back towards the log cabin.

Penelope re-appeared and Nibbles landed on her shoulder and they giggled all the way back to the cabin like school girls have want to do.

Something smells fantastic !!!” said Penelope as she walked through the door and at once Nibbles took flight to her perch and Pen washed her hands then sat down next to Nathaniel, who smiled at her, to enjoy the hearty breakfast prepared.

This morning had started so very well. Everyone was relaxed and happy. It was a beautiful day and there was much to share from Azadarin about magic, defensive spells and the use of weapons, something he knew they would take to like duck’s to water. All that Azadarin hoped for was that Blackwatch stayed away until he was better prepared...but he knew that this would never happen...he already felt the hair on his neck stand up and all his senses told him the next attack would come from Zell’s mother.

There was no time to lose.