The Four Realms

Chapter 11: Cassiopeia

During the three days it took us to get to the coven I neglected to inform Hunter that this would not be a simple mission. We would likely do more than ask for the map and be on our way. The Coven was a gated community with a silver gate stretching in a large circle. "Why did we stop?" Hunter speculated. "People from outside the Autumn Realm cannot see the village until inside of it. There is a gate right here." I informed him reaching out to the handle. Slowly it creaked open, the hinges old from lack of use. Hunter was confused and his eyes darted to find the source of the sound. "This way." I said, holding my arm out for him. I grabbed onto his wrist and tugged him inside. "Wow." was all I could say astonished at the wonder of a place I had been told tales of. The path I walked upon was flanked by towering trees that seemed to lean in, as if eager to share their tales with a visitor. As Hunter and I entered the outskirts, the first thing that struck us was the architecture. Houses of weathered stone and timber, adorned with intricate carvings of mystical symbols and crescent moons, nestled among vibrant gardens bursting with herbs and wildflowers. Each dwelling seemed to exude a personality of its own, hinting at the unique souls that inhabited them. The streets, winding and narrow, were alive with the bustling of witches draped in rich fabrics of deep purples, emerald greens, and midnight blues. Their eyes held a knowing gleam, reflecting lifetimes of wisdom and a deep connection to the natural world around them. A few cast us weary glances as we wandered through their home. Smoke gently spiraled from chimneys, carrying the scent of herbs and woodsmoke, mingling with the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread. Lanterns adorned with runes and crystals cast a warm glow upon the cobblestones, guiding my way deeper into the heart of their haven. From the corners of my vision, I caught glimpses of cats slinking through the shadows, their eyes aglow with an otherworldly wisdom. Ravens perched atop rooftops cawed softly, as if imparting messages from beyond the veil. As we entered the villages center a young witch approached us. She had gleaming black hair that fell far down her back, her eyes were a rich violet that matched her robes. "We haven't had visitors in years! Can we do something for you." she smiled. "Yes, we need to speak to Esmerelda." I asked. "Of course, follow me." The witch said with importance. 

Esmerelda is not the leader of the coven, but she is the oldest and wisest. My mother taught me that if you need something she is the one to find. I assumed she would speak Canain the language of the Autumn Realm, so I told Hunter he would not understand, and I would tell him afterwards. As we stood before the door the young witch stopped Hunter. "Are you from the Autumn Realm?" she asked unsure. Hunter looked at me to translate. "She asked if you were native to the Autumn Realm." I explained in Reges Lingua the Kings language that the King required to be taught 18 years ago. He shook his head, "Spring Plaines." The witch frowned, "He can't enter." she said. I sighed, hoping this wouldn't happen. I turned to Hunter and gave him an apologetic look. "You have to wait out here." I explained. He looked uncomfortable but agreed and sat on the steps outside the cottage. When I entered the cottage, I was enveloped in darkness and steam what warmed my nose. The windows had been shut and curtains drawn, the old witch sat on a blood red rug with colorful vials in front of her. Candlelight distorted her face as she gestured for me to sit down across from her. I waited for her to speak to me nervously. Esmerelda's eyes were shut, and she was whispering something under her breath. I chewed the inside of my lip, perhaps now was not the best time. With a jolt she opened her eyes and spoke to me. "What is it you need from me." she asked. "I need a map." I began. "Why?" She cut me off. "To find the Yogeio Katarrakti, the underground waterfall in the Summer Court." I said. "Many have come to me asking for the map to this place, but I have never given it. Why do you need it." she repeated. "I was chosen to represent the Autumn Realm to break the curse." I began again until she cut me off once more. "Silly girl you know we are not affected by the curse." she said. "Yes, I know but one of my friends will die if we don't find the waterfall. And if we do the nation will wake all year round and no one has to suffer." I explained. Esmerelda took a moment to study my reaction. "You must do a test to prove your intentions are pure." she said, reaching behind her to grab a small jar. Fear struck me, her tests were known to be brutal. I had to put my fears behind me and think about breaking the curse. She poured a clear liquid into a small glass before opening the jar and sprinkling the red powder into the glass and mixing it with a wooden spoon. "What is that?" I asked. "An illusion." she said, "Drink." She held the glass out to me, and I took it hesitantly. Starring into the glass I gulped it down in one swallow. My tough was burning like it was on fire. The room around me suddenly became foggy and I stood dizzy trying to find where I was. As the fog dissipated, I could make out the outline of my home. How had I got there? "Cassie?" I heard my sister's voice. "Anilyn?" I shouted, trying to find her. She was in the center of the living room hovering in midair.  "Anilyn!" I screamed seeing what was beneath her. A raging fire flickered upwards threatening to burn her legs. There was no way I could reach her without burning myself. A breeze of air in the smoky room turned my attention away from my screaming sister and to a map floating above another raging fire. I understood what the test was. I had the choice to save my sister or break the curse. I stood in the middle of the room torn between the two. I vowed to never let anything harm my sister, I couldn't watch her hurt and it been my fault. "Urgh!" I shouted to myself. I closed my eyes, this wasn't real. My sister was safe, this wasn't her, she was in the castle with mother. Get the map. Ignoring the sounds of my pained sister as the fire licked at her legs, I reached for the map. The fire seared under my arms as I strained to get the map. Once my finger finally rapped around the paper, I hit the a cement floor hard. Breathing hard I stood back up to take in my surroundings, the hall was dark and barely fit my body. I search the musty tunnel for my mission but was left only with the echo of my footsteps as I stumbled down the path. A grinding noise behind me caught my attention. The wall at the other end of the tunnel seemed to be coming closer, I rubbed my eyes not sure if they were deceiving me. I decided it was safest to walk in the other direction, I dragged my fingers against the cold walls Incase they began to close in as well. I felt a ripple until my hand and traced what felt like a number. "Five." I whispered under my breath. A few steps later came a three, followed by a nine and a seven. By then the end of the tunnel was nearing and the other end was growing nearer by the second. I broke into a run wanting to end the task sooner, the end was a blank walk. I dragged my hands over the surface but found nothing, panic was seeping into my chest as I banged on the wall attempting to escape. I dropped to the floor defeated and shifted uncomfortably as something pushed on my under leg. A key pad beeped and I touched each number. I was reminded of the numbers in the walls and hastily put them into the pad. The wall had caught up to me and I squeezed myself against the back wall as it slowly lowered. I gasped climbing over the gap and pulling myself backward. The room was similar to the tunnel with naked grey walls coated with mold and dirt. Three doors sat I front of me and I was posed with a challenge. I had to do this as fast as I could, however I was clueless as to what the task was. I traced the doorknob with my hands going over each groove. Standing back I observed the symbols on each door. The ruby one had a map and I was reminded of the first task, the green door had a faceless animation of my sister, and the blue was of Augustine, Hunter and Nicholas. Choose one and lose the others a sign said above the three doors. The choice was easy when I knew it was a hallucination. I swung open the red door and stepped into the darkness inside. I couldn't see where the room ended, it was an endless expanse of black. A wooden chair looked out of place in the room, I sat on the squeaky chair and waited for what seemed like eternity for something to happen. My Anilyn, Augustine, Hunter, and Nicholas faded into view and I refrained from calling to them. I closed my eyes as a heard Augustine scream, I refused to see what was happening even as Nicholas and Hunter yelled. "Stop please! Cassiopeia help me!" Anilyn screamed. I rocked back and forth in the chair refusing to give in  and look, I didn't want to see what they were doing to her.  "You are not real, this isn't happening." I whispered to myself over and over again tears welling in my eyes. My surroundings changed and the wooden chair beneath me disappeared and I felt the carpet of Esmerelda's cottage under me. Warily I opened my eyes. Something was in my hands, I was greeted by the crisp parchment in my hands. Examining it I noticed the detailing of each Realm, except for the Summer Court. Confused, I looked up to Esmerelda. "Where is the rest of it?" I asked appalled. "Not even we know where the true location of the Yogeio Katarrakti. The missing piece is in the Hidden Library, surely you would know this as your mother is one of the keepers." She said. I wasn't sure whether I was more bewildered by the fact she knew who my family was or that this wasn't the full map. Esmerelda stood and ushered me to my feet. "Goodbye now, good luck with the waterfall." she smiled as I left the cottage. Hunter eyed me eagerly. I shook my head disappointed. "I should have known it would not be that easy." I grumbled as we made our way along the path to the town gates, "Why would the map be broken in two?" I complained. "At least we narrowed it down to one Realm." offered Hunter. I appreciated his optimism. "Yes, but I can't break into the Hidden library and take the missing piece. It would take hours to find." I said twirling a strand of my hair absent mindedly. "When Augustine and Nicholas return and meet us in your hometown we can all search for the missing-" I cut off Hunter. "If they return." I corrected. Hunter's face dropped. "They are going to make it." He said. I looked at his hopeful face with sympathy. "Hunter they were surrounded, we can't get our hopes up." I replied. He shook his head. "Don't say that." he said angrily. I put my hands up in defeat, "Fine, just don't be disappointed if we don't see them there." I said, he didn't reply. We walked in silence in what I assumed was the direction of my town. I had found the river that flowed through my town and decided to follow it. The crinkled map was still clutched in my hands.  How could Esmerelda not tell me the map would not be complete. I cursed myself for not foreseeing this. The coven was known to be mostly friendly but quite deceitful. I sincerely hope that wherever Nicholas and Augustine are, they have been more successful than we have. I still believe myself a realist but a tiny part of me hopes that Augustine and Nicholas are still alive. They had been in a dangerous situation. But perhaps they were on the way at this very moment.