Hybrid Trilogy

Chapter 43 Reunited

The lady Alcina & Izabella roamed the land searching out Witches, who had not only survived but who were also still loyal. The lady Alcina had come up against one or two Witches who despite not being marked, had sworn their allegiance to Cassandra, believing that given she had killed the lady Alcina, was now the new Alcina leader of all covens, it was an allegiance born out of fear she discovered. She had battled with these Witches, but once they realised that she was the lady & that the lady Alcina lived on they had immediately surrendered. She knew that she could not face Cassandra without much support, news of Cassandra's killing of the lady Alcina & more recently that of the Witch Lotus had spread like a wild fire. Some Witches who lived in the outer territory's & had as yet been unaffected by the war had carried on, but some had fallen victim to Mandrake or his legions of Vampires during the blackout. With no humans to hunt Witches had become the new victims, some were able to fight but fear can be very crippling.

The days searching became weeks, that in turn became years 12 to be more precise. At this time the lady & Izabella entered a region known as the 3rd territory, as they walked through an area of gorse bushes they inadvertently walked into a wall of invisible magic & then before them materialised an old woman, wearing a dusty black dress with a tidy grey bun of hair, hunched over & being helped by a man of about 6ft tall sporting a long wispy beard & wearing brown floor length sack cloth cassock. The old woman regarded the lady & the child with suspicious curiosity, the years of evil domination of this land had inspired much miss trust in all, it had after all been 12 years of demonic possession that had marred her world. And many had come into their village in the early years in efforts to cause havoc & harm. It had prompted this local coven to create a forcefield, keeping intruders out.

"yes dearie, how can we help you?" Said the woman in a crackly old Celtic voice the lady looked oddly at the woman (could it be, no, surely not) she thought "hello I am the lady Alcina & I seek council with your coven" the lady replied she looked calmly at the old woman & her aid & thought (it would be best for Isabella, not to underestimate this harmless looking old lady, if she is anything like her sister) "if I could believe you dearie, but the lady Alcina was my dear friend & was slain by one of our own" the old woman began "a most unforgivable crime (occidit fratres) she thought, no Witch may kill another it is forbidden, & who is to say that you are not a follower of the dark one" she finished. The lady looked calmly at the old woman "you do not know, but you are clearly of high standing within your coven, Nighmeara" the lady started placing her hands against the invisible wall of magic. "I am dearie, & knowing my name is not necessarily any indication of trust. I am very old but I'm most definitely not frail & I am at the head of our coven, you won't get through the whole village has helped create this magical protection" Nighmeara said as firmly as she was able given her croaky voice & her clear apprehension regarding her name being known.

The lady Alcina looked at Nighmeara & smiled warmly, leaving her hand pressed against the wall that now had a hint of purple about it, she looked to the ground closing her eyes. Moving her head up again as if to look ahead her eyes opened & were now completely white, at this Isabella with a knowing look, took a step back. The lady's fingers began to omit sparks & these sparks merged with the magical field of the wall & began to flow back into her fingers, as it did the wall & its magic appeared to shrink into her fingertips. Nighmeara's aid stepped in front of her pushing her gently back, as the magic wall vanished. The lady's eyes returned to their normal emerald green & she & Isabella

stepped forward. "My fight is not with you or your helper" the lady said calmly "HIS NAME IS NIREGG & HE IS THE WARLOCK SWAN TO PROTECT ME" Nighmeara croaked sharply "he don't say much do he" Isabella piped up "I know you" the lady said quizzically to Nighmeara suddenly unsure of the situation & herself she replied "he is mute child but no less a protector" directing her statement to Isabella quietly but regarded her with interest (for one so young to be so forthright & inquisitive, is most impressive, usually someone of her age would be timid & wish to remain inconspicuous) thought Nighmeara.

As you are the head of this coven, & clearly very powerful" the lady began in an aim to feed Nighmeara's ego "then use that power & look through reality & see me for who I really am" the lady finished calmly. As she said this she released the magic from her fingers & once again the magical protection wall was back in place, Nighmeara pushed past Niregg placing her hand on the forehead of the lady, both women closed their eyes. Whilst the lady Alcina's mind remained calm, conversely Nighmeara's mind raced with doubt & anticipation, consequently she remained ready to strike should the truth be anything other than the visitor had claimed, using her mind link with Niregg she also insured he was ready. She knew that no matter how powerful the wielder of magic should be they could never conceal truth from such a connection. (could she really be whom she claims to be) Nighmeara thought.

Calmly the lady's eyes opened, but in complete contrast Nighmeara's eyes snapped open, she sucked in a huge gulp of air, staggered back & took hold of Niregg's arm "my lady" she gasped trying to kneel. "No need, no need aunty" said the lady serenely encouraging Nighmeara not to do so. Meanwhile even though Niregg helped, he made grunting noises indicating the fact that he did not understand "she is truly the lady Alcina, I have seen the truth of it" Nighmeara conveyed to him & almost instantly he fell to his knees, bowing his head, once again the lady encouraged him to stand. "I am not here to be bowed to, auntie" she began whilst Nighmeara looked at her with a bemused admiration "I am the lady Alcina, only because my mother fell to the dark Witch Cassandra, a fate I might add I will ensure doesn't happen to me or my daughter" she affirmed taking Isabella into her arms, looking deeply into her jade coloured eyes "that is of course if you would except me?" She asked Isabella softly who returned her gaze with equal intensity, this information took her completely by surprise, they hadn't discussed it but the lady had been like a true mother to her over the years & true to her word had made sure that no harm had ever come to her "do you.... Mean it?" Isabella whispered softly, the lady Alcina nodded, then nearly had her airway cut off as Isabella threw herself tightly against the lady's neck "thank you, thank you, thank you M...M...mother!!!!" Isabella said quietly as she wept uncontrollable tears of joy.