One Crown & Two Thrones : The Dragons Egg ( Book Two)

Chapter Eleven - Room of Doors - Eveline

                                                                                      XI

                                                                         Room of Doors

                                                                         21st April 1941

                                                                              Eveline

"Place your hands over the bowl like so," Edward ordered Eveline, both of them sitting within one of the many rooms of Peel Castle. The room in which they both currently sat was filled with books, writing tables, ink pots, quills and an old cauldron which lay in the right hand corner, covered in a thick layer of dust. Wrapped warmly in a white gown and a green clock that was beautifully decorated with golden stars, leaves and moons; Eveline placed her hands over the small bowl of cold water, her golden eyes on Edward, whose face was straight and steeped in concentration. "I want you to search deep within your mind for a memory of hot steaming water, can you do that?"

"Yes," Eveline whispered as she closed her eyes and brought forth a memory of hot, steaming water. It had been during the Christmas period, two years previous when she and her war evacuee, Belle had been out playing in the thick snow. When they had returned to the little cottage, their feet, despite being well booted and layered with thick socks, had been seeped in freezing water and so upon their arrival home, Estelle had for them both, two large bowls of steaming hot water and the pair of them; their cheeks red and hearts filled with festive joy, sat for a god half hour, soaking their feet whilst the minty scent of the lotion, filled their stuffed noses. Eveline could feel the corners of her mouth turn upwards as she smiled deeply, but where love and joy had rose, soon acute pain and sadness followed

"Repeat after me," Edward interrupted gently. "Fire to ice and ice to fire."

"That is all?" Eveline quipped with a raised brow. "I thought spells where steeped in ancient verses and such?"

"And they were, but it isn't practical in our everyday existence to have to spend a good three to five minutes chanting out old verses," Edward said kindly. "So now the druids have dutifully, taking many years- shortened spells and made them more accessible to all who bear white magic."

"I see...."

"On special days, like the end of winter, the druids will perform magic in the old way and it is something to behold."

"I have already spent time this week simply observing some of the elders in the evenings, chanting as the sun sets and the moon rises- it is most certainly captivating, they seem so dedicated to the ancient ways of their people and seem almost as old as time itself."

"They are the highest in the order and have been upon their earth for many a long years that much is true, but the power you wield is much greater than their own."

"And yet I sitting here with your learning how to turn cold water into hot water," Eveline smiled nervously. "Yes my power is unequal to those around me, but in not in the way that you may think."

"You have learnt a lot in the last three weeks, much that normal white bearers would spend years in mastering, I wouldn't be so critical of your powers. Now say the words and concentrate."

"Must I say them aloud?"

"Yes, when you have mastered the art then you do not have to speak the words aloud."

Eveline shuffled her body about, her legs numbing and her back tense. She felt the muscles in her hands strain as she stretched her long fingers over the bowl, almost feeling the water below. Taking in a deep breathe, she summoned the memory of hot water.