The sky had finally turned a deep inky blue, the half moon radiating her glow from behind clouds as stars twinkled like little jewels. Eirwen usually enjoyed the walk back to the cottage - the creatures most active at night could be heard far and wide, the small noises from the leaves rustling in the breeze and water rushing far off into the distance….. only there was no sound. The forest was still, eerily quiet - Eirwen stopped for a second the sense that something was afoot was hard to ignore. Her gut told her so and you must always listen to your gut.

Walking or even running would take too long to return - teleportation was quick, Eirwen took a deep breath in as she clicked her fingers opening a portal to her home. She kept through it - if this was her first time travelling by portal, she would have been sick and winded. Even within the protective magic - not a sound was to be heard. The usual noise ducks and hens silenced.

“Rosalie” Eirwen whispered before sprinting to the door, the feeling of dread consuming her. 

With a gust of wind magic the door easily burst open and Eirwen slid in but once she got her bearings…. Nothing. The cottage was empty, Eirwen almost fell trying to climb the wooden ladders - still empty. With a thud Eirwen landed back on the ground already casting a location spell.

“Locate - Rosalie” Eirwen said as the ground below her glowed and faded. Nothing again. Eirwen could feel a lump forming in her throat - she was not in the forest, she was nowhere. 

Terror was begging to claw at her mind, the burning sensation of anger and sorrow all at once as her mind wandered where her sister could be. 

“I’m looking for the Green Witch of Cyneric” A voice called from outside.

It was a male’s voice and it snapped Eirwen out of her panic for a brief moment. WHy was he looking for her grandmother and how did he get through the protective spell - all questions she could ask him, she was no fool to just walk out unarmed. SHe did not know who this man was yet and it was best to have a list of offensive and defensive spells ready to rhyme off.

Collecting herself she walked to the door and outside - standing not far from the garden was the ‘Puppet’ King - or so the Cyneric people called him. More questions filled her mind but she had to stay composed and ready. He was a cruel man from what she heard.

“I always thought Ceridwen was much older….. your but a child” he laughed but whether he was amused or not it was hard to tell with the mask covering half his face. 

“Ceridwen is my grandmother…… And I’m older than you” Eirwen told him clearly not amused by him.

Grim tilted his head to the side as if examining her “Is your grandmother here? I have business with her and a bargain she doesn’t want to miss”.

“She went missing five years ago, hasn’t been seen since” Eirwen spoke “What is this bargain you speak off….. does it involve my missing sister”.

Grim looked annoyed at first as his lips furrowed down, he crossed his arms as if thinking before he replied. “In fact it does…. Maybe you can be of help instead” he didn’t hesitate to reply after he collected his thoughts.

“As you probably have noticed - your sister is missing, I have her and she is well for now” Grim explained, his hands moved as he spoke. He was a very animated person by the looks of it.

“I was hoping to have Ceridwen trade the Book of Morrigan for her but if she is not here then neither is the book. So instead why not go fetch the book for me - you must know where it is being her grandchild and blood of the Morrigan” he added smiling near the end. 

Eirwen could feel the anger rising up deep within her - she could attack now but what if he was stronger than her or worse what if he harmed Rosalie because of her. As much as Eirwen hated it, she had to go find the book. Regardless of her grandmother’s warnings - her sister was more important.

“I know if I refuse you’ll threaten Rosalie….. Is there a time limit” Eirwen asked, better to get all the information from him now.

“I’ll give you half a year to find the book, plenty of time I’d say and if you are a day late - lets just say The Queen has a bad temper” with that he bowed down before disappearing with a gust of wind. 

Eirwen stood for a moment before buckling to her knees screaming from the anger - with her scream came back the sounds from the forest. 

Noya was getting ready to settle down - all candle light was out and the fire was burning its last cinder. It would be a lonely night without Lerato but she knew what she was marrying into and Noya would not begrudge her wife for doing a job she loved - or did love before the whole uprising ten years ago. 

Noya let out a sigh before psyching herself up to go to bed - she was about ready when a gust of wind blew out all remaining light. Noya leapt from her seat and panicked at first until the candles lit themselves and she found Eirwen knelt down and out of breath.

“Eirwen whatever is the matter” Noya asked going down to her friend - she knew Eirwen would never intrude like this unless there was a reason. 

Noya took a good look at her friend - her eyes looked red as if she had been crying. Her knuckles bleeding from where she punched the ground multiple times. Noya's eyes widened with worry. “Eirwen what happened?” Noya asked in a more alerted tone. 

“Rosalie…was kidnapped” Eirwen’s voice was hoarse from all the screaming she did. “That bastard took her, they want the book and grandma isn’t here and I don’t know what to do or where to start…..” Eirwen was rambling on and on - sense could not be made.

“They took Rosalie” Eirwen’s voice broke again at her sister’s name.

Noya was slowly piecing together what she could but seeing her friend unsettled and near tears again - she could only hold her friend close and smooth her. Letting her cry again but at least this time EIrwen wasn’t alone and Noya was there. 

Once Eirwen was settled and calm enough - she explained in better detail that the Queen and the Puppet King took Rosalie in exchange for the book of Morrigan that their grandmother only knew the location off. 

“Maybe Ceridwen left clues in the many journals she kept” Noya mumbled thinking to herself and out loud, “if she did, we can start there tomorrow and I know Russel would want to help” 

“I can’t ask you both to come with me after tho - it might be too dangerous” Eirwen said, she was glad her friends would help finding clues but to ask them to leave their home and travel into danger - was something she couldn’t do.

“Nonsense we wouldn’t have it any other way plus Russel is talented with a sword given his slim build and I have good aim” Noya winked towards her friend. 

“No matter what I say - you won’t listen and neither will Russel” Eirwen half smiled knowing her friends fully well but at least they have means of defending themselves. 

“You are absolutely right about that my dear - now let us retire to bed, I prepared the guest room for you and tomorrow we will begin our search” Noya sounded so calming and confident it put Eirwen to ease a little.

Both women retired but sleep would not find Eirwen so easily, knowing her sister is in the castle - god knows what happening to her couldn’t give Eirwen peace. But when she did find sleep, she dreamt of her grandmother and the tale she would tell her as a child about the three sisters and the books they protected. 

“Three sisters born by Mor hailed from Velda. Morgana born first - sister of malice daughter of night. Morgaine born second, sister of compassion - daughter of day. Morrigan was born last - sister of balance and daughter of twilight.”

“Each gifted in magic and knowledge - Born a book containing their power, creation of life and death. Curses and healing abundant, forbidden knowledge not to be obtained but craved by man. This book split into three:

The book of Morgana - holder of curses 

The Book of Morgaine - holder of cures

The Book of Morrigan - holder of forbidden knowledge”

“Our family hails from Morrigan and our duty as her descendants is to protect her knowledge from those that wish to cause harm for we must keep the harmony. Protect the balance like she had one once many centuries ago. When you reach an age will you then take over as guardian and maybe I can finally enjoy some retirement” 

She could hear her grandmother laugh at the last part. That warm earthly chuckle that could put anyone at ease and cause many to laugh with her.

How Eirwen missed her grandmother and even in her sleep she could feel a tear escape at the fondness of the memories she dreamt off.