Hybrid Trilogy

Chapter 23 Connections

As she stepped once again through the purple shard of light, Jasmine was at once hit with the heat, & a curious darkness, before she realised that it was night time seeing the shimmering stars & the moon in the night sky, its warmth being in stark contrast to that of middle-wood and this time found herself in a village of single story homes with thatched roofs some adorned with, hanging bunches of drying herbs and flowers and others with baskets of fruit and vegetables candle light emanated from all the homes. She was unsure about her next move so squatting down near the shard of light, and she was soon asleep, it occurred to her before sleep took her that it must be summer time here, because it was so warm. The following morning she was woken by the wet nose of a cow sniffing at her, & glanced up to see loose animals wondering about the village in search of food scattering noisily if one of the villagers walked near them, there were many people here, a huge difference compared to the loneliness of middle-wood.

Then Jasmine saw the imposing structure that loomed over the village known as White source Castle, its tall spires stretched high into the beautiful bright blue sky, emanating a bright crystal diamond sparkling white to the whole area, its ramparts festooned with vibrant vivid green climbers sporting beautiful pink roses, providing a fragrant almost sweet sent to the air. As Jasmine walked again through the village, of her childhood a little girl walked up to her as bold as brass, and tugged her sleeve, Jasmine turned and was met with a beautiful little girl of about 6 her golden ringlets of hair cascading down her back, but the same vivid green eyes, that seem to convey familiarity she wore a black floor length dress with a white cotton pinafore, "hello there" said Jasmine feeling as if she knew her "what's your name?" She asked, whilst she kept looking around nervously, expecting an adult to come rushing over to rebuke her.

"hello, miss my name is Isabella" the girl replied, "you need to go and see the lady miss." "oh, ok" Jasmine replied, the girl pointed in the direction of white source Castle then ran off without another word.

Jasmine did as she was bid, made her way to the castle, she came to a draw bridge crossing a mote of crystal blue water with golden carp swimming amongst the reeds. Across the bridge was a wall of vivid green ivy with variegated leaves that seemed to vanish into the sky, again adorned with climbing roses, forming an impressive floral wall , as she approached the variegated leaves parted to form an archway that surrounded a huge ornate carved wooden gateway, and this opened to reveal an open-air courtyard and an impressive set of stone steps leading to another set of doors, stood at the top of the steps was a woman Jasmine, recognised at once to be the lady Alcina, but then thought (she can't be she's only about 35 years old) but then remembered what Nighmearee had said (things may well be very different, time seems to jump backwards and forwards)she was wearing a full length white linen dress, she had pure white almost platinum hair that ran halfway down her back, Jasmine couldn't fail to notice that the lady had the same bright emerald green eyes as her (the second she'd seen that day) she thought her skin appeared to have an ora of  radiance so graceful that at once Jasmine felt as if she knew her and was at ease. the lady smiled warmly and bid her follow her inside, Jasmine did as she was asked and made her way up the stone steps and into the grandest entrance hall she had ever seen, all the inside seemed to be constructed entirely of white quarts, shimmers and sparkles came from every surface as the natural light bounced off it.

She followed the lady who appeared to glide as if floating on a cushion of air, up a grand set of quarts steps and into the main hall, a huge open fire roared in a fire pit, white flames leapt from a cool blueish fire, almost 20 feet into the air that stood in the centre of the immense chamber of white quarts casting light everywhere and causing it to dance about like little sprites, in front of the fire there were several crystal chairs draped in brilliant white firs, Jasmine sat in one as directed by the lady who sat opposite, she felt almost enveloped in the comfort they provided.