Chapter 8 (Continued)

Age of Solstice, 16:71

Tulasquss, Drazul's Plane

As they approached the entrance, the wind rushed passed them, pushing back Whisper's hood. Startled, Whisper put her hood back on, feeling eyes upon them. Outside the entrance stood a White Witch and a priest, their conversation cut short by Drazul's presence and that of her ward. Drazul approached them, noticing their eyes stare at her ward and not her. Drazul, annoyed, stood in front of Whisper as she shortened the distance between them.

The cathedral's gothic exterior was towering over them, the light of day brightening it's beige stone and colorful stained glass. The entrance to the church was open, its doors wide and thick under a stone archway. It was a beautiful building to put in the outskirts that it felt so out of place. 

The priest stepped forward and smiled in greeting,

"My, we've never seen you before, my lady. May I ask for your name?" The priest was welcoming and friendly, but Drazul could see the curiosity crawl behind his eyes as he stared at Whisper. Drazul moved her eyes from the priest to the witch,

"My business is with my sister, priest. Could you allow us a moment alone so that I may deliver some private news?" Drazul's voice was firm and demanding. The priest knew he was not truly being asked, but being told. Understanding, he took his leave, leaving Drazul and a very nervous witch alone. Drazul wasted no time as she stepped closer to the woman, whispering harshly,

"Sister, this is a matter of great importance. Escort me to your mother."

The witch's eyes widened, unsure of how to respond. Drazul's patience was not a virtue she could confidently claim as it became more and more evident the longer the witch stood silently, "I will not ask you a second time, sister. Guide me and fulfill your purpose."

Whisper watched from behind Drazul, noticing the woman was shivering down to her boots. Whisper gently brushed Drazul's arm,

"Drazul, you're coming off rather...fierce, ain't ya?"

Drazul eyed Whisper a moment before sighing heavily. The witch glanced at Whisper, who sent a smile her way. It relaxed her a little, allowing her to gather her words,

"W-what do you want?"

Drazul's face turned dark, her glare piercing through the witch. She yelped and turned to run away in a brisk pace, nearly tripping up the stairs towards the thick doors. Whisper sighed,

"I thought you was good with people. Ya didn't treat other people like this last time."

Drazul's expression was hard, obvious annoyance written all over,

"That was because they listened when being spoken to." Her voice was cold laced with venom as she sauntered after the witch. Whisper winced, unfamiliar with Drazul's cruel spirit. She followed after her, keeping close. The witch ran into the church's courtyard, who they saw frantically whispering to an older woman. Drazul continued her pace towards them, the older witch stepping in front of her witchling.

She was the Coven's Mother. Drazul approached and as she drew closer, she could tell the Mother was now alert and being cautious,

"Who are you?" She said tersely.

Drazul replied within the Mother's mind,

'I go by many names, but High Priestess Frida referred to me as Dream Maiden last I spoke with the White Ring.'

The Mother was startled, taking a step back. A few more moments passed before realization dawned on her. Immediately, the Mother knelt down, frantically dragging the witchling with her, not caring that others might see the spectacle,

"My Maiden, we ask for your forgiveness. We had no way of knowing."

Drazul's mood brightened at the appropriate response she received. To show grace, she nodded, smiling warmly,

"You may rise."

As they rose, you could see the confusion all over the witchlings face,

"Mother--"

Before she could finish her sentence, Mother slapped her, sending the poor girl reeling. She gave the witchling a warning glare before turning her attention back to Drazul and her ward. Whisper was startled, wondering what was happening and why the response was to strike the poor witch. Drazul put her hand on her shoulder in reassurance, but Whisper hadn't expected to see Drazul so pleased. They attracted the attention of some of the other witches and Tuldar disciples within the courtyard but the Mother was unbothered, as if she could not see those within sight,

"Dear Maiden, allow me to escort you to someplace more quiet."

Drazul nodded. The Mother led them down through the courtyard, passing a giant statue of Tuldar, who was nothing but a cloaked figure with a veil draped from a circlet upon his brow. His facial impressions lain underneath but his facial features were still obscured. His statue was centered upon a small fountain and was covered in flower crowns and bouquets at his feet. The courtyard itself was covered in lush green, flowers throughout. Drazul scoffed as they passed the crowd. Whisper looked back and saw some other women help the witchling up as they left.

They were led down several corridors before reaching a set of rooms, perhaps lent by the church to the White Ring for their temporary stay. The Mother went into a room and waited for Drazul and her ward to step in. It was a large room with a desk at its center and a simple bed on the far end of the room. The colorful shards of light speckled about from the stained glass, illuminating the room in warm colors. After she closed the door, she knelt before Drazul again, waiting. Whisper stepped into the room towards the bed to take a seat before Drazul swiped her hand at the door, leaving a hot pink scar upon it. Suddenly, the room trembled. Whisper lost her footing and landed on the bed but the Mother was unmoved.

As the room trembled, Drazul began to sit and as she did, a tear opened beneath her as an armchair rose from it. The armchair caught her as she was sitting, the tear closing as she sat regally in the corner of the room. The Mother adjusted herself to face Drazul, continuing to kneel, while Whisper was holding onto the bed. After a few more moments, the room went quiet. Whisper sighed, adjusting herself on the bed. She sat on the edge, her legs dangling.

The Mother quickly introduced herself,

"I am Mother Judith of the White Ring, current High Priestess to the Mother Goddess. How may I serve you, my Maiden?"

Drazul's voice cut through the quiet, her voice conveying the utmost authority,

"You may rise, High Priestess. I have come because the Dark Fellowship lingers."

Judith rose, nodding, "I understand. It is as you say. It is why we have come here."

Drazul's brows furrowed,

"Is that so? Reveal your findings."

Judith briefly patted down her robe as she spoke,

"The Dark Fellowship has resorted to kidnapping, though we do not know why. We did notice, however, that the folk that are taken are fellow witches, whether they are our own or strays. Mainly those who live among the low-born. We are here to calm the villagers in the area and to prevent any more kidnappings across Tulasquss."

Drazul scoured Judith's mind, revealing what she spoke of to be the truth. Drazul closed her eyes in anger, making Judith nervous. 

'Of course they choose to steal away low-born witches. Who would care for a missing low-born in an aristocratic state? But for what purpose?'

Whisper swung her legs back and forth as she listened quietly, glancing at Judith a couple of times, curious. Drazul shifted in her seat,

"For how long?"

"These past few years, it seems, though it took time to learn they were the cause. Somehow, they seem different. Changed."

Drazul arched a brow,

"Different how?"

Judith crossed her arms, gathering her thoughts,

"They have gotten better at staying hidden. Somehow, we find it hard to trace their whereabouts, even with the use of our spells and assistance from the Green Circle. We also do not know their status in terms of power and members. We are finding it hard to stay at ease."

Drazul brought her hand to her chin in thought,

"I should've killed them all before this could occur." Whisper gulped, still not used to Drazul freely making herself known as some kind of murderer. Judith bowed her head,

"Do not blame yourself, my Maiden. We had no way of knowing the black sheep would grow to be a nuisance."

Drazul raised her hand,

"You speak well, High Priestess. However, this is my mistake that I will correct," Drazul stood up, her armchair returning into the tear in the floor, "and I will not fail. While I search for them, I will visit the Green Circle and see where they have failed. During this time, I want you to focus on protecting the innocent as the Ring always have. Alert your daughters across Tulasquss and do not do anything foolish."

Judith bowed,

"I will follow your word," Judith paused to glance at Whisper before continuing, "Pardon my question, dear Maiden, but who is the child? I am only asking for our records."

Drazul nodded in understanding,

"This is my ward, Whisper. They are a fellow witch and dreamwalker."

Whisper stood up, removing her hood. Drazul pointed at her eye, indicating her to remove the eye patch. She obeyed, watching Judith's eyes widen then become soft. Judith stared at Whisper a few moments before speaking,

"My Maiden, a word of warning. Do not allow those Tuldarian's to see this child."

Whisper looked to Drazul, feeling on edge. Drazul turned fully towards Judith, her eyes questioning her words. Judith bowed,

"There is a Tuldarian prophecy. It reads that a child in a mane of white shall appear as a Saint of Tuldar. If they see the child, they will demand the child to remain here."

Drazul remembers hearing of a prophecy in her old travels, however, she could not recall it in full. Even so, Drazul shook her head, laughing,

"I understand your warning, but I do not believe in such nonsense. I have yet to meet any other God to prove otherwise. However, I shall heed your warning."

Judith bowed lower,

"Thank you, Dream Maiden. I pray you are swift in bringing death to the black sheep."

Drazul bowed in grace to Judith,

"Thank you for this insight, High Priestess Judith. May the White Ring not fail in their protection."

Drazul's eyes glowed a hot pink as she said so. She said it more as a warning than a parting word. Judith, stricken with nerves, knelt down. Drazul waved her hand at the door, removing the pink scar. There was another tremble, but not as intense as the previous. Whisper put on her eye patch and hood, making sure to hide her hair before following Drazul out of the room. Whisper wasn't sure what to make of that conversation. She tugged her scarf closer, wondering if the children who had been snatched were alright.