The Dark Witch Chronicles Book One: The Curse of The Cymmerien Dragon
Chapter 1: Bloodlust

Year 1811

Verain.

An old decadent, nowdilapidated castle stands in the fore. The ramparts of this old decadent castlemake way for innumerable hutments, which line an already dusty and rocky road.All the houses are a dusty beige with large and intricate lattice windows. Itseems as though the dust from the streets is what makes the houses. Back in thedistance, a draught of wind draws up a moody sandstorm. Women hide their facesin their flowing gowns as the sand threatens to enter their eyes and nostrilsand their feet move faster in an attempt to enter into the safety of theirlittle homes. A few old men sit at their doors chewing on Hul Gil[1] and shouting across the street to talk to oneanother. A few stray children run amok as the peganos[2] with beady eyes makes his way around the impossiblynarrow streets screaming hoarsely “ice sticks! Ice sticks! Blue, yellow, red,pink, take your pick”. An angry mother slams the window of the hut he isstanding in front of in order to shun the peganos. Unperturbed, he continues to scream andwalks away along the street dragging his feet, unsettling the settled sand ashe pulls his cart along.

At the end of the same street,in a nondescript corner, two gaunt boys sit snickering, heads together asthough plotting something. The wind makes the window above them creak open andthey duck and saunter into the next street. A muffled voice is heard from thewindow that is now ajar.

“Mother! Have you seen Arion?”Amara shouted as she searched the entire house, her gown scrunched up messilyin her hands so she would not trip due to the wetness.

She had been busy stitching ascarf when her younger brother, Arion, had emptied a bucket of water onto her.The scarf, along her dress, was now soaking wet and she feared her mother’sreaction. She wanted to replace Arion so she could reprimand him but as usual, theboy had disappeared.

“Why are you drenched?” hermother, Maia – who had just entered the room – asked furiously as she looked atAmara who was soaked from head to toe.

Wonderful,thought Amara. Now I’m going to betold off for no reason.

“Your beloved son thought thatit would be funny to douse me,” she said, pushing a stubborn wet strand of hairaway from her cheek.

“But he’s been out with Leopoldsince this morning!” Maia snapped, annoyed at how clumsy her daughter was.

“I’m not lying, mother. I wasin the lawn, stitching the scarf as you had asked me to and…and he justdrenched me from my window!” Amara replied in protest.

“I would have heard him if hewere back from Leopold’s. You know what a ruckus he creates upon entering thehouse,” Maia said.

“But, mother! Do you think Ifancy getting soaked to the skin on purpose?” Amara retorted, now livid.

“You do remember how many timesI have asked you to be lady-like and poised. You are far too clumsy…” Maia saidresignedly, taking the wet scarf from Amara’s hands. “I will make sure it’s dryso you can continue working on it.”

Amara could not believe howdense her mother was behaving. She was tired of hearing that she should begraceful; carry herself off better and this and that. But hard as she tried,nobody seemed to be impressed. Is it my fault that I cannot walk elegantly? She would wonder.

Amara opened her mouth to replyto her mother when she heard someone sniggering behind her. Arion and Leo werestanding in the corner, trying to hide their laughter but failing miserably todo so. Amara flushed upon spotting Leo as she was obviously not in a state thatshe would want to be seen, especially by him. Her face flamed angrily when hereyes fell on Arion, whom she had vowed to give a dressing-down to when theirmother was not around. She huffed in annoyance, and deciding to deal with herbrother later, stomped away to get cleaned up.

Maia shook her head at her sonwho seemed to replace the situation hysterical while Leo stood there straighteninghis shirt. He had stopped laughing when he saw that Maia was present, andwalked over to her.

“Good evening, m’Lady,” hesaid, taking her hand and kissing it.

“Good evening, Leopold,” saidshe, smiling benignly. “Would you like some tea? I’ll go fetch Amara to prepareit.”

Maia began to call her daughterwhen Leo stopped her and asked her to take a seat on the sofa and as did he.

“No, I’ve just had early supperwith Arion,” he said. “But thank you for the offer.” Arion had now saunteredoff, cackling to himself.

“I should tell Arion to stopwith his jokes. Amara’s getting really livid.” Maia shook her headdisappointedly.

“He’s just a child, m’Lady. I’msure Amara understands that.” Leo gave a charming smile and Maia didn’tquestion it any further.

“I wonder would it be okay if Itook Amara out for a walk.” He asked amoment later.

“Of course! I’ll just-”

“I am not going anywhere withyou,” said Amara as she walked down the stairs, bone dry and her thick blackhair down on her shoulder in a loose braid. Leo looked up at her and sheshifted her eyes away from him in anger. He had obviously schemed with Arion tospoil one of her favourite dresses.

“Amara! You will not be so rudeto your betrothed!” Maia exclaimed, glaring at Amara who pursed her lips andbegan walking towards the kitchen. Maia was about to shoot another remark whenLeo shook his head and gestured to her to stay quiet. He smiled to himself andbegan following Amara.

“Come now, don’t be angry,” hesaid sweetly and Amara tried her hardest to ignore him. She was about to grabsomething to eat when Leo caught her arm and she swiftly turned to face him insurprise.

“Mother is right outside!” Shehissed and he chuckled before letting go of her arm.

“Let’s go and take a walk. Come,”he pleaded, smiling the charming one that made Amara melt. She resisted theurge to grin back at him and rolled her eyes.

“Alright,” she whispered,looking down and he turned around to leave. She followed him and looked for hermother to inform her that she was leaving with Leo. She knew that mother wouldnot mind.

Maia adored Leo more thananyone else. He was the son of one of Maia’s close friends, Marzya. The momentLeo had met Maia, she had pictured him with Amara and soon enough Marzya hadasked whether they could be married. Maia was ecstatic at the offer and Amarahad not protested either. Leo was quite charming and handsome, which had Amarasmitten instantly. She was only seventeen after all. She was young, and all ofher friends were to be married. Now even she had someone to talk about with thegirls.

As the both of them left thehouse after bidding Maia goodbye, Leo escorted her towards a rocky andimmensely barren enclosure nearby. He then held her hand as they entered asecluded area. Amara’s face flamed at the contact. She smiled as it was quitepeaceful where they were.

“It’s only a few weeks to ourmarriage. Father said that we shouldn’t be meeting until then,” said Amara asthey took steps ahead together.

“Your mother seemed quite happyto let us go. I think it’s alright,” he replied with a smile.

~~~

It was around eight in theevening when Leo walked her back home. He left her at the door and she wasabout to walk in when he held her arm to stop her.

“Will I see you soon?” heasked.

“Maybe if mother allows me to,”she replied shyly.

“Come meet me in the forest ofMajoricka, a week later. I have something to show you,” he said to her and shenodded in response.

“I’ll have to speak to father,”she said.

“I shall ask his permission.Don’t you worry,” he responded and took off. Amara watched him walk away andthen turned to go into the house. She was excited for the day that she wouldget married to Leo. Amara imagined of a splendid life with him. Grinning at thethought, she entered the house.

***

Year 1909

Acanthus

The night was dark; raindrops fell onto her head asthey drizzled down to the ground . . . silvery beams of the moonlightilluminated her path as she treaded purposefully along a winding path. Themoist grass under her feet felt like soft cotton caressing her bare anklesgently and the wintry sensation gave her a sense of calmness. Her black gowncascaded around her ankles making a swishing sound as she walked. As themoonlight shone upon her, her ivory skin stood out in the blackness, with herdefined jaw, and deep-set eyes that were a cold black, threatening, frighteningand dark; she had a beautiful appearance that was terrorizing and serene at thesame time. The wind running through her long tresses: black hair that fell soelegantly around her shoulders, reaching right up to her narrow waist. Herhands . . . soft yet strong enough to be able to grip a throat tight. Shepaused slightly to breathe in the rustic smells of the rain fed earth, andrested her slender figure onto a large oak tree.

She stood tall, the other hand holding a silverdagger that which had an eagle engraved intricately on its handle fell on topof the grass, making a soft sound as it touched the surface next to her feet.She pushed the fabric of her gown aside – one that was coming in the way of herhand – and stepped away from the tree she was resting herself on. Her face –that was concealed by the darkness of the night – appearing as she leaned closeto the dead body that lay on the ground a few feet away. She crouched next tothe corpse that lay there, whose throat was slit effortlessly. Blood trickledout of the slit throat and the dead woman’s eyes, now glassy and lifeless, laywide open. With a snap of her fingers, the body elevated in mid-air as shestood up picking the dagger that she had dropped on the ground. Pushing herfeet into the brown, knee-high boots, she strode ahead in the direction of herdestination as the levitated body followed her.

A few moments later, she reached the woods that weresurrounding the castle. The woods were dry, as though rain had never grazed theground at all. As she entered passing the big trees and imposing shrubs thatcovered the area, the intricately lattice carved iron gates that stood beforeher, opened noiselessly to allow her inside. In front of her was a graveyardthat covered the ground, and one had to walk past the graves to reach the doorsof the castle. Sculpted goblins and fairies lined the narrow path that led tocastle. She walked further, and the gates shut behind her. One of the sculptedgoblins bent in welcome. Ravens flew off the graves, the wind swished past thedusty floors, leaves scrunched below her feet as she walked ahead and arrivedat a large imposing pair of double wooden doors with intricate designs of theelements. They heaved open to let her in. Behind the graveyard, the castle wassurrounded with trees, making it look like there was nothing there but densewoods behind it. To a human, they would look like the deadliest woods ever.

In the land of Acanthus, humans were rarely found.But the ones who dared to enter were terrified by the appearance of thedaunting mountains that traversed the land, and the violent blue-green sea thatbordered Acanthus. Surrounded by the great mountains of Carvelli and Lunaire,Acanthus was a beautiful land. Woods protected the covens of the greatest Conjurersthat ruled Acanthus; caves of great sorcerers and lakes of valiant watersenhanced the beauty of the land. Ruled by the great King Orcus, descendant ofthe magnificent kings that had ruled before, the land was protected by guardsand goblins that made sure no human or enemy entered on their own accord. Twocovens resided here, surviving on the unspoken alliance of the coven rulers. Aninvisible and intangible uneasiness lingered around.

As custom followed, the dead body that she wascarrying had now reached into the largest chamber of the castle where everyonesat along with the ruler of their coven. She entered the great hall and thebody followed closely behind. The great hall was a circular chamber with a fewflaming torches resting on the pillars. Chairs circled around the sides,covering the large chamber and leaving space in the middle. They created apassage from the door to the throne situated at the far end of the hall, in thecentre, with a looming figure upon it.

Lord Lucifer sat with his slender fingers resting onthe arms of the throne, his shoulders stiff and the towering body that he had,propelled unyieldingly on his seat. He wore a black robe, a blood red cloakabove it that rested on his shoulders and covered his whole being. His silverhair, illuminated by the moonlight, reached up to his shoulders. His green eyesand long beard stood out in his features. Callous hands that sat on thearmrests and the veins that stood out from his skin distinctly manifested hiswarrior skills. The Conjurers of Acanthus were aware of how many wars LordLucifer had been the victor of and how his merciless killings had rendered themall speechless. His power that spread around the land was well known and thecoven that he had created, consisted of the strongest Conjurers. Lucifer wasthe most intimidating Lord one could have ever come across. His presence gaveoff a stilling aura, ultimately restoring discipline wherever he went.

"Amara."

His voice was deep and husky, and when he spoke, eyesdrowsily surveying the surroundings, it was almost to himself, as though he wasspeaking to someone sitting right next to him. Yet the apprentices could allhear him. Out of them all, Lord Lucifer trusted her the most. The covenconsisted of nearly thirty other Conjurers that Lord Lucifer had gathered inthe three-hundred-and-fifty years of his existence. All his apprentices hadproved their worth of belonging in his coven but Amara was the most loyal. Shewas devoted and had the greatest amount of respect and admiration for him. Hewas the power that she worshipped and gave the utmost importance to.

She strode assertively towards the throne, snappingher fingers to let the body on to the floor. The body gently dropped down andAmara knelt before her Lord with her head facing downwards, eyes fixed on thedead body beside her. She looked away, her gaze now resting on nothing inparticular as she began to talk to Lord Lucifer.

"My Lord," she replied, bowing her head.

"Is that what you have been looking for?” Heasked, lazily gesturing to the body that lay lifeless on the floor.

"Yes, m’Lord" She nodded.

"Ambrosius," he drawled, and another one ofhis apprentices stood up from his seat.

"M’Lord?" said Ambrosius, eyes cast on thefloor, head tilting slightly.

Raising his right hand, Lord Lucifer flicked two ofhis fingers, indicating what was to be done and

Ambrosius nodded once before looking at the body. Itrose in the above, following him out of the chamber through another door in acorner. Amara stood up and Lord Lucifer's gaze lifted itself from the floor tolook at her; it softened with the assurance that she had done the job well.Amara never defied him. He was well aware of that. Lord Lucifer trusted hergreatly, and she kept his faith in her steady by efficiently complying andimplementing all the tasks assigned to her. The body that she had just slainwas of another witch-hunter that had come to attack Acanthus. To eradicatethreats like those was a job given to her most of the time.

Silence continued its reign, as when their Lord wasaddressing Amara, it was established that no one spoke since they were inpresence of the two most powerful Conjurers in Acanthus. Amara was recognizedas the most brilliant witch that they had all ever come across. Her beauty,power, and incredible strength were well known, and no one ever tried to crossher. Powerful as she was, there was a danger that lurked around whenever shewas present. She was respected the most after Lord Lucifer.

As she stood up to leave the great hall, she began tosay something to Lord Lucifer when a loud, shattering scream interrupted her. Itpainfully pierced the ears of everyone. Amara snapped her head in the directionthe sound came from, and so did everyone else. Lord Lucifer, however, did notseem as alarmed. A new apprentice unable to adapt was a common occurrence tohim.

"My Lord?" Amara turned questioningly.

"Go,” said he. “You know what has to be done.”

Amara noddedbefore making her way to the screaming girl in the corner, who had her kneesprotectively pulled up to her chest. Amara would have felt immense displeasure hadshe witnessed this a hundred years ago. Now it scarcely mattered. Watchingpeople in pain was ordinary. The torture that Amara inflicted on them was worsethan what this girl was going through. Every new Conjurer had that experienceupon entering this world. The suddengrave and morose surroundings, the silence . . . it caused pain. Amara hadoften observed that the pain was all in their heads. To a Conjurer who had comefrom the human world without any knowledge, it was inadaptable and wearisome.

Amara presumed that this distressed girl had probablyjust left the human world. With a grasp on her hand, Amara pulled the girl toher feet and she showed no resistance at all. She was worried that if shestayed there any longer, she would lose it. And if a beautiful lady who lookedlike she had just come out of a beauty pageant of evil people was helping her,she would be all for it.

"What is your name?" Amara said when theyreached a chamber that was rather darkened; illuminated merely by a singletorch of fire.

There was a round, ash wood table in the middle; a lifelessdove lay on top of it. The girl cringed at the sight and looked away. She founda man seated on the floor, with his head hung low and a hood covering his face.For a moment, she thought that it was the man that she had seen outside in thehuge chamber - the one that everyone called, ‘my Lord’. Then she realized thatthis man looked rather different. She wondered how someone could sit on thatcold surface, which, under her bare feet, chilled her to the core. She turnedto look at the woman who spoke, her voice soft and calm enough to put her atease yet intimidating to render her restless.

"Iris," she answered glumly.

"Do you know what you're here for, Iris?"

"No. Do you mind telling me who you are?"

"My name is Amara.” Her fingertips lightly feltthe firm wings of the dove. Disgusted, Iris looked away. This was the dreariestplace that she had ever found herself in.

"What are you?" Iris solicited, andimmediately shut her mouth.

The question had involuntarily slipped out. Sheimmediately wanted to take it back even though she was curious to know whatthese people were capable of and why the place looked like it had all kinds ofdead around.

"Didn't you notice? I'm a witch," saidAmara, turning to look at her.

And asecond later, Iris was screaming again as pain shot up from her toes right upto her head, and she dropped onto the floor with her eyes rolling upwards. Allin their heads, the pain, Amara thought to herself.

[1] Hul Gil – old term for opium leaves

[2] Peganos - Local word for ice-cream vendor