The Witching Hour

Ch. 24

Avalonna

The cold forest of the north was a fascinating sight to behold. The trees were encased in ice, as if frozen in time. The dead leaves on the ground shattered underfoot and the wind began to blow around Avalonna and Drow. The breeze was cold and chilled Avalonna to the bone at certain times.

"W-why on earth do the witches of the 13th C-council live h-here?" Avalonna asked, stuttering from the bitter cold. Her breath was clearly visible and the air only grew colder as they rode on.

"Maybe they have a spell to keep warm, this cold must be supernatural." Drow replied.

"Or maybe, you spent too much time in the warm south living in Pandune." Avalonna suggested with a smirk.

Drow rolled his eyes and chuckled to himself.
"Maybe ill shape shift into a bear and go into hibernation." He said.

"You can do that? I thought it was just people." Avalonna asked, rubbing her hands together to keep warm. She blew in them softly and her breath could be clearly seen.

"I can shift into any form that I have taken the time to study." Drow replied and closed his coat.

"I see, so was 'Caspian' a real person you have met?" Avalonna asked.

Drow nodded in reply.
"The name came from my father figure, the appearance was from his brother, whom I thought of as my uncle. He too passed away."

"We have known much loss, let us hope things will soon be better." Avalonna replied, looking forward through the cold and snow.

The trees began to become scarce and Avalonna and Drow found themselves in an open field full of snow. The winds howled around them and the air was frigid. Snow continued to fall and blanketed the area.

"What do you suppose we do now?" Avalonna asked Drow as they walked around the empty field.

"I'm not sure. Perhaps we-" he was cut off when they suddenly saw a small figure in the distance. It was a child, appearing to be several years younger than Avalonna or even her brother, and she was buried in the snow with a robe around herself. She had brown hair and dark clothing with worn out boots and cloak.

"We must help her!" Avalonna said, commanding her horse to trot over to the child. She lowered herself off her horse and knelt by the girl. The young girl felt cold to the touch and her breaths were slow and few.
"Drow, what can we do for her?"

"I am not sure." He stated, getting off his own horse.
"I do not even know what's wrong with her."

Avalonna looked worried and held the child close to offer her warmth.
"She needs energy... is there a spell to take energy from one and transfer it to another, but not to myself this time?" She asked.

Drow thought for a moment and then nodded.
"Yes, I believe so. The word I think is Relinquo."

Avalonna nodded quickly and cursed herself for not remembering it sooner. She had saw some of the spell in her book. It was a more powerful form of the spell she had used on Drow, and could potentially transfer the energies from anyone into any other person. However, all greater magic took a greater toll on the spell caster.

"I know the spell, Drow. It is risky but it's the only way to save the child." Avalonna responded as she looked at Drow. He hesitated a moment and then closed his eyes and nodded.

"Use my energy, yours will already be depleted simply by using the spell." He told her.

Avalonna was reluctant but agreed.
"Relinquo." She said and instantly felt weaker. Her eyes and hands glowed their familiar pale green and the child before her began to glow as well. The girl began to wake up and color returned to her cheeks.