Eleanor Stargazer

Chapter Ten

"Hold on
One more time with feeling
Try it again, breathing's just a rhythm
Say it in your mind until you know that the words are right
This is why we fight."

- One More Time with Feeling, Regina Spektor

Eleanor

"It is time." Marigold said as she stuck out her palms to the side. They were just outside the castle. Ailana had sent one of her informants, a young knight to signal them when the time was right. Ellie didn't know what to look for, but apparently the young man in the shiny grand armour, embellished in rubies and golden patterns was the informant – a very grand informant who looked too young to be a knight. He simply nodded as he marched past them. Apparently, this was the best signal some of the strongest witches could come up with. "Take my hand and hold on tight. Do not let go, unless you wish to end up in some other place than us."

The sound of a screeching eagle made Ellie look up in the sky. Ailana had sent Sky, Magnus' eagle, to the other three. It was time for them to move as well.

"It's happening." Ellie whispered, stepping backwards away from Marigold. Damian caught her eyes.

"Ellie?" He stepped towards her.

"I'm just, you know, doing my weekly freak-out." Her heart was racing and everything felt hot.

"Eleanor, love." Miss Maria's kind voice reached out. "We are going to be with you every step of the way. I made a promise, a vow, to your mother. You will be safe."

"I know. I know." She waved her hands trying to cool down her face. "It's just- I'm a bit nervous, but like in a different way, you know?" She turned to Damian. "Like these are nerves I didn't even know I had." She awkwardly laughed at herself. "I mean of course I have always had nerves, but it was I have to pass this test nerves, or I have to speak to a room full of people nerves. Not risking your life to save a kingdom you never even knew was yours nerves. You know?"

Curving lips grew on Damian's concerned face, as he took Ellie's waving hands in his. "Look at me." He pulled her closer. "You can do this. You are Eleanor Stargazer, a girl who travelled to a whole new world just by lighting a match. You can do this."

"Okay." She panted.

"Remember to breathe."

She nodded, taking adeep breath through her nose. "Okay."

Damek

They had reached the abandoned manor not far from the city. It was a secluded area, where farming land used to be. All it was now, was a dry patch of land and a forgotten manor house. According to Ailana's informant, the newly appointed knight, this was where Dmitrius disappeared to every afternoon right after his daily meeting with the king. Damek inspected the old manor with its cracked windows and broken roof.

"So, this is where he is meeting other wizards and witches in secret?" Magnus asked, reading Damek's thoughts. "It's a bit shabby."

"It is inconspicuous."

"Doesn't seem like someone is home."

"Mmh," Damek kneeled to the ground, rubbing dirt between his fingers.

"You think it's an enchantment?"

"There is a trembling in the earth." Damek said as he stood back up, an trembling that even the earth feared.

"An illusion." Magnus spoke, then grabbed Damek's shoulder, pulling him into the nearby bushes with him. "Someone's coming."

They waited only a minute for the traveller to reveal himself. Galloping feet of a horse approached, and on the pathway of the green hill, a man on a small brown horse was seen. A wizard to be exact. His green robe with the golden lines at the edges, and the sun emblem.