The High Priestess of Shadows

Chapter 10

Lilly improvised a broom and swept the area clean. "To purify it," she explained catching Will's questioning look. By the time she cast all the protection and purification spells she deemed necessary, the sun was setting behind the trees casting a pink glow over everything. 

Finally she drew two large circles one outside the other and a five pointed star in the middle on the ground with a piece of chalk that she had found. "How did you draw it so perfectly?" he asked watching her place a candle on the ground carefully at one point of the star. 

"I've had years of training," she replied placing a bowl at another point. "I'll be right back she said standing abruptly and walking into the trees until he couldn't see her anymore. The chalk circles were perfectly drawn with bowls at each of the cardinal points. He had no idea where she produced the supplies from but decided it was better not to question her. After all it was Lillian Star he was dealing with here. 

She came back about ten minutes later with her hair slightly damp and wearing a black robe with hold gold embroidery on it. The hood -was down and when she walked he could see that her feet were bare. He opened his mouth to ask a question but she spoke first. 

"I needed purification to lead the Circle and I can't wear a maid uniform so I changed," she said. 

"Why can't you wear what you had on when you came?" Will asked still confused as to where she found -all of this. 

"It was dirty and everything must be pure in order to cast a proper Circle. Normally I wouldn't care that much about what I wear but we need all the power we can get if this is going to work," she said. "When are the others going to come?"

"We're here," Hadley said walking into the clearing with Mark in tow. Lilly ran up to hug her friend and they drifted away to catch up leaving the two Knights to their own devices. 

"Are you alright?" Mark asked grasping her shoulders. "I've missed you."

"I missed you too and I'm fine," she said hugging him again. "I should be asking you that, though."

"Don't worry about me I'm perfectly alright," he said. "Ross' here." She didn't miss the way his eyes lit up as he caught sight of the other man and she pushed him forward. 

"Go," was all she said before turning to greet some witches from a different Coven and give the couple some alone time. 

"High Priestess!" one witch exclaimed as Lilly approached the small group. "We're so glad to see you well. Thank you for helping the rebels and us. My name is Dawn and this is my sister, Heather." The nearly identical women bowed to her. They all had black hair and light blue eyes that looked disproportionate on their gaunt faces. They were young but years of being prisoners had aged them greatly. 

"It's my pleasure to be of service. My name is Lilly. Thank you for agreeing to help with the spell," she gave them her best reassuring smile. "Excuse me," she said spotting more of her Coven coming into the clearing. 

They spotted her heading towards them and soon Lilly was enveloped in a huge group hug. "You're squishing me," she said from the center of the embrace. 

"Sorry," Elijah said grinning madly. She couldn't keep the smile off her face even as she told them that she was fine for like the hundredth time. 

"Guys, we have to start soon," Jace said. "Let's get this over with quickly."

They all sighed and moved to stand at their places around the largest circle.  Lilly looked around at all the people depending on her to be able to cast the spell. The -witches Ari, Gabe, Jake, Mark, Sabby, Ross, Sophie, Viv, Jace, Izzy, Dawn and Heather. The Knights Will, Hadley, Thomas, David, Cadman, Alfred and Clifton -were all watching her expectantly. Catalina and Abigail observed everything from the safety a of the trees. 

She took a deep breath and began her chant. "In this place, this circle round I consecrate the sacred ground with golden light this space surround all power here contained and bound." she said walking clockwise around the circle. 

"From earth, the things that manifest

from air, the things of mind from fire, the things that motivate from water, the souls refined." She walked around once more. 

"And yet no place or time there be

between the worlds, my word and me

welcome, Ancient Ones, and see

this place is sealed, so mote it be!" She finished her third rounds and stomped her foot to signify that the Circle was cast. 

She moved east until she stood before the bowl of water. "O Guardian of the east. Master of the air. I call to thee to bear witness on tonight's rites!" She smiled as she felt a gust of wind blow back her hood slightly. 

She moved to the south. "O Guardian of the south. Master of fire. I call to thee to bear witness to tonight's rites!" The candle flickered to life as she the final words left her mouth. 

She moved west to another bowl filled with water. "O Guardian of the west. Master of water. I call to thee to bear witness to tonight's rites!"  She watched as the water churned in the bowl like a miniature sea.

She moved north toward another bowl. "O Guardian of the north. Master of earth. I call to thee to bear witness to tonight's rites!" The earth shifted slightly underneath their feet like a beast awakening from a long slumber in response to her call.

Finally she approached the crystal at the center of the star. "O Guardian of the center. Master of spirit. I call to thee to bear witness to tonight's rites!" Her heart was racing as she moved back to her place among the witches. "Great God and Goddess. We call to thee to come bear witness to tonight's rites!" 

She paused a moment to collect herself and make sure she would sound confident when she spoke. The adrenaline rush was taking over her body and she felt no fear and from the looks of it none of the other witches did either. "Merry meet brothers and sisters," she said. 

"Merry meet High Priestess," they answered.  The Knights were all gone but that wasn't exactly a surprise. As much as they claimed to accept witches they would still feel uneasy during a Circle as powerful as this. 

They all instinctively held each others hand to form another circle. "By the power of the elements and under the protection of the God and Goddess we cast our spell. Protect us from every evil we may befall. Strike down any enemies that may call. And defend us one- and all." Lilly chanted the simple spell like a poem while the others sang without words. They spun around the Circle singing without needing actual words praying that this would work. 

"Stop!" a powerful voice yelled. It took a minute for Lilly to place it. Aaron. But why would he be trying to stop them? Arrows were fired but everyone single one of them missed. The spell was beginning to activate but they weren't done yet. All of them were still vulnerable until the Circle was dismantled. 

They sped up their chant and Lilly nearly fell several times because of how fast they were spinning. She could feel all their pulses racing as they connected in the magic. There was a battle going on behind her but she couldn't assist them yet. Knights were falling everywhere, rebels and non rebels alike. At last they slowed and Lilly began the last part. "For the good of all and the harm of none," she nearly screamed, "so we will it, so mote it be!" All the witches joined her in saying the last three words and the sheer power of their spell could be felt in the air. Then everything exploded.