The Children of When (Complete)

Chapter 26: Serena

Lyricus and a couple of the other elves had placed a large round table in front of the Oracle's chair, adding some of the chairs from around the walls. Raff and Leah sat on either side of Belle, so they could offer moral support as she relayed the contents of Serena's diary. Water jugs and fine crystal glasses were placed on the table. Leah poured them each a glass of water, encouraging Belle to have a drink before she started.

When everyone was sitting quietly, Belle took a deep breath, closed her eyes and started to talk. "Well, my little book is apparently the diary of Serena, the last Mother Elf of the Forever Forest. It appears she began making entries in the diary when she was first appointed as the elven representative to the ruling Council of When. She tells lots of stories about life at court, the parties, the intrigue, stuff like that, but then everything changes."

Day 30: One of the Human council members has been found murdered, and all evidence points to one of the Dark Fey.

Day 32: Dissention within the council has resulted in the expulsion of the suspected Dark Fey members from the council.

Day 36: War has broken out, the Dark Fey are determined to destroy the races who have snubbed them.

Belle stopped, and looked at the Oracle in confusion. "I'm sure Madame Persimmons told us the war was between all three worlds. Yet Serena is saying it was the Dark Fey who attacked, and the Humans and Light Fey banded together against them."

"Hmmm, that has been the story handed down for generations. But for now, please continue child. I am eager to hear what Serena saw."

Belle closed her eyes again. "Wait, she's talking about the amulet!"

Day 60: Today I suggested using the amulet against the Dark Fey, in an attempt to end the war. I reminded the Council that it had been forged to protect the people of When. The three pieces, each supplied by a different race, were joined and then infused with the magical ability to locate and destroy those responsible for starting the war. But one of the councillors, an elf named Sardon, dismissed the idea, saying the amulet was useless unless wielded by a representative of each race. The fact we are at war with the Dark Fey made this an impossible task. Thus, my suggestion was dismissed, and the amulet forgotten.

Day 80: Sardon has come up with a plan to end the war and force the Dark Fey to surrender. One of his spies has located a secret tunnel, which runs under the capital city of the Dark Fey, and comes out on the other side.

Day 83: Thousands of troops have been sent through the tunnel, and now our troops surround the Dark fey capital city.

Day 85: The leaders of the Dark Fey have accepted their defeat, and have today surrendered.

Day 86: Earlier today, I went to Sardon's room to congratulate him for initiating the Dark Fey's defeat. I knocked and entered, calling out to him to let him know I was there, thinking he must have been in the adjoining room. When he didn't answer, I was about to leave when I saw the amulet sitting on his desk, surrounded by tools. I was appalled to discover that the stone from the centre of the dagger had been prised out of its casing. And then I heard Sardon's voice right outside the door. Not wanting him to know I'd seen the amulet, I slipped behind the desk, and crawled into the space between the chair and the front of the desk just as he entered. Thanks to the intricately carved scrollwork on the front of the desk, I had a limited view of the room. Sardon entered, chuckling and talking to himself.

"Idiots!" he was muttering "They have no idea what's going on right under their own noses."

He was standing in front of a tall, oval mirror suspended in a free-standing, solid timber frame. I watched in horror as his elven persona melted away to be replaced by an oversized white-furred fox. And then I saw the tails... nine of them! How could this creature take on the persona of another so easily? I knew it had to be a Dark Fey creature.

And then the puzzle pieces all fell into place. That was why he had talked the council out of using the amulet, because he knew it would reveal his complicity in the crime. It also explained why he was taking the amulet apart, so it could never be used again. I needed to get out of there. I needed to tell the council what was going on. But how am I to know which members of the council are real, and which are these creatures in disguise?

I don't know how long I sat squeezed into a ball under the desk. The creature preened itself in front of the mirror, muttering about its cleverness and chuckling to itself. Finally, there was a knock at the door. The creature transformed back into Sardon and answered. His presence was required at an urgent council meeting.

I waited until I knew they would be long gone before crawling out of the cramped space. My legs were shaking so badly I wasn't sure I'd be able to walk. I pulled myself into the chair behind the desk, and sat looking at the amulet. I desperately wanted to grab it and run all the way home to the Forever Forest, but I knew I needed to stay and expose Sardon. I have written everything down in this diary, hoping if something happens to me, someone will find it. I must now attend the urgent council meeting.

Belle looked up with tears in her eyes. "This next entry is her final one."

Day 86: I have just returned from the urgent council meeting. The world has gone mad. Sardon has convinced the council to erect veils between the worlds, separating the three races forever. He believes it is the best way to ensure peace, and prevent another war inspired by jealousy and mistrust among the races. The veils will be erected first thing tomorrow morning, by the strongest of the Light Fey and Human Mages. But the worst news of all is about our children. They are to be taken away at birth! All children will be raised together in 'foster-homes' run by Guardians. Any unique individual qualities will be bound at birth and until their fourteenth birthday, they will be unaware of their future, or whether they have any Gifts. On their fourteenth birthday, they will be transported to the appropriate world and taught to use any Gifts they might have in a safe and secure environment.

At least I am going home to the Forever Forest. I will tell the Oracle the truth, and he will know what to do.

"And that's it," Belle said as she opened her eyes. "Did she not come home?"

The Oracle shook his head sadly. "Legend has it they were all killed in the great battle. This Sardon must have killed them all before they left for home, declaring himself the first Elder Guardian, with no-one alive to oppose him or reveal the truth. Poor Serena, she has waited a long time to tell her story. Thank you, my child."

And then he was frowning again. "I have a question if I may? Why did you sound so excited when you spoke of the amulet? Do you know something about it?"

"Ummm, we know quite a lot about it actually," Raff chimed in. "In fact, Madame Persimmons thinks we might have two of the missing pieces."