The Twilight Children//The School for Good and Evil

39 ~ The Mind Sage

. : Laura of Neverland : .

By the time shadows stretched across the floor of the Council of Magic, three more council members had arrived. Visha-- the Earth Sage, Orpheus-- the Spirit Sage, and Rosalind-- the Fear Sage, had stumbled in during the afternoon.

The eight Council members that had made it into the headquarters were sitting around the centre table. Laura sat, a chilled cup of some iced drink that Orpheus had brought with him. Atlas-- his owl-- sat next to him, his bright eyes focused on Sebastian, who seemed entirely uncomfortable with the large bird's attention.

"I hate to bring the realist," Caspian spoke, looking around the table. "But does anyone know any news of the school, or Clarissa and Merlin?"

Laura felt Sebastian's gaze snap at her. She raised an eyebrow as he mouthed Merlin. She had forgotten that Sebastian would likely have known Merlin, given his close friendship with the Heir to Camelot.

I'll tell you later. She mouthed back.

"I've heard the news of the school," Rosalind offered. "Is it true that the school master has returned? And what of Clarissa?"

Laura nodded once. "Yes, he was resurrected by Dean Evelyn Sader, and the reader Sophie of Gavaldon. I'm assuming Clarissa isn't coming. The only reason Sebastian and I managed to get out is because we were already in the Blue Forest. What do you know?"

Rosalind inhaled through her teeth, sharp amber eyes scanning the room. "You two are lucky you got out when you did. I have no way of verifying this information, but the School Master is bringing back dead villains and allowing them to get revenge on their still-living nemeses. The students that are there have been turned into soldiers, helping to make a new evil."

Visha shook his head, dark curls bouncing. "I'm as evil as they come, but we need the balance between good and evil-- not to mention the balance between the living and the dead. What is the School Master thinking?"

Rosalind shrugged. "I don't know, but the Ever kingdoms are sealing borders and preparing for war. Already, a few heroes have died."

Laura ignored the pointed glance that Rosalind directed at her. "We need to find a way to stop him."

"The whole reason this happened is because Sophie and Agatha's story was open too long," Sebastian spoke, his voice gentle. Everyone focused on him. "Is it possible that fixing the story could send the School Master back?"

Laura paused on the thought. It could work. Except for one thing.

"We don't have a way to get to Agatha and Tedros." Pandora pointed out.

"On the contrary, my dear," A long shadow near the back of the room quivered, shaping until it had taken on a solid form. "I know exactly how to get to Tedros and Agatha. The cat will show us."

Laura rolled her eyes, despite the grin crawling across her face. She'd recognize that voice anywhere.

"Merlin," Orpheus chuckled. "You are late to the reunion my friend."

Merlin-- the Mind Sage-- stepped out of the shadows, always one to make an entrance. He wore long purple robes scattered with stars, and his long beard was neatly groomed. The ugliest hairless cat Laura had ever seen appeared from his robes. Merlin smiled and marched across the room to take the seat at the head of the table-- reserved for the oldest council members.

"May we have some light?" Merlin asked. "I'm afraid my eyes are getting old."

Laura snorted, well aware that Merlin's eyes were fine, but obliged him, flicking her hand and sending bright flames into the lanterns scattered around. The cat hopped into his lap and onto the table, stalking toward Atlas.