Eve of the Solstice
by Morgana Shee
Part 3
Morgana and Cadal strode into the room just as Vulpecula was finishing her pot pie. She had a look of satisfaction on her face. Morgana laughed and took a seat on a red velvet setae by the window. Cadal sat across from her in an armchair.
Cadal was about to say something to Morgana when Talia entered the room, "Cadal, could you leave the room for a couple of minutes? I have something I'd like to give to Morgana."
Cadal smiled brightly and ushered Vulpecula into another room. Cadal was such a well mannered young man. But he was powerful all the same.
Talia took a seat beside Morgana on the setae, "I've been wanting to give this to you since you were tiny, Morgana." She produced a gold chain with a white stone from the pocket of her apron, "This is a star quartz. It's from a mine in Irenahl and it's very rare. It was my mother's and now I want it to be yours."
Morgana opened her mouth, "But, Talia, I'm not even in your family. Why do you want to give it to me?"
Talia smiled, "Because you are one of the most powerful sorceresses I have ever seen, and I've seen a lot. You have the power inside you already. Most other sorcerers have to practice and practice at getting their spells right, but, Morgana, you were born to be great. The stars chose you as their defender. You are the one that will save Findahl in it's time of darkness. I know this because I've seen it in my dreams. I may not be a sorceress, but I do trust my dreams to become reality." Talia turned Morgana around so she could put the necklace on her, "This stone will guide you in your times of despair. Never give up hope, Morgana, or else the whole world will be consumed by evil."
Morgana was speechless, "I don't know what to say. Oh, thank you, Talia. Today, if I win the Gold Staff, it will be for you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!" Morgana threw her arms around Talia and squeezed. Talia laughed and stroked her hair.
At that moment, Cadal and Vulpecula reappeared in the doorway. Vulpecula trotted over to Talia and Morgana and said, "It's time to get ready for the Circle."
Morgana stood up and walked with Vulpecula and Talia to the robing room to get ready. Morgana felt as if she could touch the sky.
____________________________
Morgana stood at the gates of the Circles feeling very confident. She had on a white gauzy dress with gold laced into it. Her hair was in a braid that was piled on her hair. She wore a gold circlet on her head that symbolized her youth. Morgana also wore the star quartz around her neck and played with it as she entered the arena.
Hundreds of Finderlais were gathered in the arena to watch the festivities. A number of Quislais were also in the stands. Morgana spotted Aurin Silvereye waving to her from the front section, the one closest to the Gold Circle.
Morgana waved back unenthusiastically. She didn't really care if Aurin was there or not. Morgana spotted another white dress ahead of her and ran toward the girl.
"Terzian! Good afternoon!"said Morgana to the tall, blonde haired girl.
"Oh, Morgana, I'm so nervous. I know I'm just in the White Class, but still!," Terzian wrung her hands together rapidly. Morgana took them and made Terzian look at her.
"Terzian, you'll do wonderfully. You've come a long way on your sorcery, really you have. You have nothing to worry about. Just stay calm and don't be distracted." Terzian smiled at her and the two kept walking.
As they past the judges stand, Morgana caught a glimpse of a head of black hair that glistened in the sunlight. When he turned around, she could see that he was even more handsome than she had heard.
Terzian squealed next to her, "Oh, Morgana! It's Darion Beldar! And he's looking straight at us!"
The man casually nodded his head in the girls direction. Morgana and Terzian raised their hands in the customary Findahl greeting. Darion turned back to his work and the two went on. It wasn't long before Morgana spotted her rival in the Gold Class: Thia Pendrial.
She was dress almost exactly like Morgana was except that her dress was a lower cut than Morgana's. Thia's red hair was decorated with Quislai roses and she wore a smile of cool indifference on her lips. She strode over to the two girls.
"Ah, Morgana, I see you are late." She smiled smugly.
"Thia, I'm always perfectly punctual. By being early, you make a nuisance of yourself." said Morgana coolly. Thia was outraged. She stomped off to take her seat. Morgana and Terzian found their seats on the other side of the ring just as the opening ceremony began.
Darion Beldar held up his hands to quiet the crowd, "Fellow Finderlais, we are gathered here to acknowledge these fine young people in their quest to receive a Staff of Sorcery. They have trained very hard most of their lives and now is their once in a lifetime chance to prove themselves worthy of a Staff. I am honored that I have been asked to preside over the Silver, Gold, and Red class today. These are the classes of the finest young sorceri in all of Findahl. May the best sorcerer win. And now, on with the games!"
As his speech ended, a great whoop went up in the crowd. The first class of the day was the White Class. Morgana decided to find the other sorcerers in her class so she could see the competition. She rose from her seat and made her way to the contestant's area. All the other young sorceri were looking nervous and anxious. Morgana spotted Cadal and made her way over to him. He was talking to a Quislai with black hair and green eyes: Luna Darkmoon.
"Hello, Luna,"said Morgana upon reaching them, "How are you this fine day?"
Luna turned to Morgana and smiled slightly. She wasn't much of a smiler and any attempt at it was a nod of friendship, "I'm quite well, Morgana. May I wish you luck at the Circles today."
"Thank you, Luna. Who did you come with today?"
"Oh, I came with Aurin and Elwyn. Elwyn tried to make me drink some of her tea, but I outright refused. I don't trust Elwyn when she tries to make anything edible." Luna smiled genuinely at this remark, but it was a crooked smile. At least she's trying, thought Morgana.
Cadal came to stand by Morgana, "Luna was telling me that she hopes you beat Thia royally."
"Oh, yes," said Luna, "That girl doesn't deserve a Gold Staff much less anything at all!"
Morgana and Cadal were laughing jovially when they heard the trumpet fanfare. It signaled the beginning of the Gold Class. Morgana said goodbye to Luna and Cadal would wished her luck again. The she made her way over the Circle.
The first match was between two young Finderlais that Morgana didn't know. They weren't very good, but, Morgana thought, they were better than the Silver Class. One of the two players suddenly made a very impressive circle of protection and the match was over. There were still two more rounds before Morgana's. She watched them without actually focusing on it and then they were suddenly over. It was her turn.
Morgana walked up to the official at the edge of the Circle and asked permission to enter the Circle as was customary in Findahl. The official granted her entrance. Morgana stepped onto the soft sand and watched her opponent enter the Circle. Thia strode into her starting place and sneered at Morgana.
Darion Beldar held up his hands and the whole arena went silent, "These last two competitors, Morgana Shee and Thia Pendrial, are fighting for the Gold Staff. This is their moment of truth. Please give them your encouragement." Darion raised his hand high above his hand and brought it down in one easy stroke. The match began.
Thia was already working up an offensive fire spell before Morgana knew it. She countered it with her own defensive water spell. She brought her hand in front of her and called on the water to snuff out the fire that was hurtling toward her. The fire disappeared and Morgana was awarded a point. Thia scowled grotesquely.
And so the match went on for a couple of minutes. The Thia decided to do one of the hardest spells there was: a witchlight. One had to had just the right amount of power to get it to work. If too little power was used, the witchlight would burn out, if too much, it would explode. Morgan watched as Thia mixed the herbs and began to chant. Morgana didn't work up any spell for fear that there would be too much power in the Circle for Thia's witchlight.
Thia was about done when her power swelled to quickly. The red witchlight exploded around her. There were gasps from the audience. When the smoke cleared, Morgana could see Thia's lifeless form on the ground. Shrieks went up from around the arena. Morgana ran over to Thia and turned the red haired girl's face toward her.
Morgana suddenly remembered Cadal's gift and fished around in her pocket. She produced the tiny blue flower and put it in Thia's mouth. From the judge's stand, Morgana heard Darion Beldar murmur, "Malthrum!"
As the malthrum touched Thia's lips, she began to glow with a luminous gold light. The audience was silent. Morgana saw Aurin Silvereye rise from his chair in shock as Thia began to breathe again. When the girl's eyes opened, she stared at Morgana. There was a look of gratitude in them, but it was quickly replaced by rage. Thia jumped to her feet and suddenly produced a fire spell. Morgana couldn't think of what to do. The only thing hat would save her was a circle of protection, but they took almost fifteen minutes to conjure. But Morgana had no choice.
She summoned up all the power that she had, every ounce of magic and chanted at the top of her lungs. Just before the fireball hit her, a circle of glowing blue light was around Morgana. The fireball hit the wall and disappeared. Cheers went up from the crowd and the match was over.
Darion Beldar quickly swung over the judge's stand and ran into the center of the Circle. He made his way over to Morgana and took her hand. When Morgana looked up at him, he was smiling at her, his beautiful face glowing. Morgana felt as if she would faint. Luna Darkmoon had somehow entered the Circle and was helping Morgana up. She smiled at Morgana. The two carried Morgana into the center of the Circle just as Thia was being led off screaming.
Darion and Luna set Morgana down and supported her on her feet. Darion raised his hands to quiet the crowd and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to award this great sorceress with one of the most distinguished Staffs: the Gold!"
With that a great cheer erupted from the audience and Morgana was taken over my cool darkness.
Part 4 - Coming Soon!
© 1999 Caity Ford
|The Cave|The Clearing|Forest's Edge|The Goddess|The Grove|The Hollow|
|The Meadow|Quislai Circles|The Solstice|The Thicket|Woodland Creatures|
|Return to the Lair|