Chapter 11 (Continued)

Age of Solstice, 16:71

Tulasquss, Drazul's Plane

Whisper stared in awe of the Mother's beauty. She had never seen someone who looked like her before. Drazul was also admiring the Mother, especially her accessories and graceful dress. This Mother was younger than she had expected. The Mother smiled in gratitude before introducing herself,

"I am Mother Xiāo. I thank you for this precious gift." Mother Xiāo turned her body towards a nearby leopard cat who approached, and just like Mother Xiāo, was revealed to be a young woman. She gently received Nature's Bounty before bowing and receding into the forest. Mother Xiāo returned her attention to Drazul, bowing again,

"I believe I have an inkling as to why you have come to visit me. I shall personally escort you to my home. Come."

Whisper held onto Drazul's cloak as the ground began to rumble gently. At the edge of the lake, vines and branches began to grow at an alarming rate, forming a bridge leading them over the heart of the lake and into the waterfall. They followed Mother Xiāo across this magic-made bridge and as they approached the waterfall, Mother Xiāo did not pause as the waterfall began to part for them. As Whisper's feet left the bridge and touched the floor of the waterfall cavern, the bridge receded back into the land. Whisper stared in disbelief as she was slowly dragged away by Drazul.

They spent a few minutes in the cavern before there was a break of light in the distance ahead of them. Once they reached it, it revealed a hidden glade within. There were red maple trees throughout the clearing, showering ancient homes in a sea of crimson waves carried by the gentle breeze. Whisper's mouth was agape, finding the glade absolutely stunning. She had no idea that there could be such beautiful places in the world.

There were ancient style homes in the clearing then a small palace at the rear of them. As they continued to follow Mother Xiāo, she proceeded to walk through a large gate into the courtyard of the palace. As they approached, the other witches around the glade stared and watched as they were led into the palace. As they entered, it appeared as a small audience room where a throne sat at the back to receive others for meetings. Mother Xiāo paused and motioned Drazul towards the throne, bowing.

Drazul took her place upon the throne. Whisper, who felt awkward standing by herself, began panicking as she wondered where her place was. Drazul smiled and beckoned her to her side. Whisper nodded and sheepishly made her way to her side, standing awkwardly. She was trying to find something to do with her hands before ultimately hiding them within her cloak. Mother Xiāo raised her head and began to speak,

"I anticipated your arrival, Dreamwalker. The Dark Fellowship has been restless as of late." Mother Xiāo took a seat in front of the throne. A witchling approached and Mother Xiāo requested refreshments as Drazul agreed. She nodded, her brows furrowed in disgust at the mention of the Dark Fellows,

"It angers me to no end to hear of their actions. I offer my apologies. I did not act before they grew so bold."

Mother Xiāo shook her head,

"We could not have foreseen the black demon's revival."

The witchling returned with tea, serving them both. Mother Xiāo took a sip before turning her attention to Whisper,

Whisper gulped, nervous to be separated from Drazul. She glanced at her as Drazul shook her head,

Mother Xiāo's brows furrowed, but relaxed in understanding.

"I understand. Then, child, sit here so that you may rest among us. You, too, have traveled far to reach us." She motioned towards a seat across from her. Whisper glanced at Drazul before Drazul agreed. She nodded to Whisper, and she obeyed. She sat down, feeling uncomfortable from the attention. The witchling standing nearby brought her some tea,leaving Whisper quite grateful. Drazul took a sip from her tea, feeling refreshed from the aroma, it tastes better than she remembers from her last visit. She put her cup to rest before continuing,

"It seems the Dark Fellows have grown in power. They have been hard to track, though I cannot say how. The White Ring has been having trouble protecting the humans as now they are even hard to detect." Drazul's hands balled into fists from anger. Mother Xiāo nodded,

"So I have heard. We received word from the White Ring and their struggles. In an attempt to assist, I've sent my daughters out to search for clues. However, they've reported suspicious folk speaking heresy throughout Tulasquss. There are priests spreading gospel of a God by the name of Jakosh."

Drazul scowled,

"A false God, no doubt. They appeared in the Mire as well. Perhaps I should take care of them."

Mother Xiāo took another sip of her tea before responding,

"There is no need. My daughters have been following them to find out more, but it seems they can escape us as well. because of this, I believe they are tied to the Dark Fellows."

Drazul's eyes widened, her anger and surprise leaving an intense wave of tension over the room that even Whisper winced,

"They can escape even your magic? Impossible--" Drazul stood up and approached Mother Xiāo, a visible anger and disbelief in her stride-- "Do not lie to me, Mother Xiāo."

"I dare not lie, Dreamwalker. They leave no trace; it is impossible to track them. We are just as dumbfounded as you. We have never seen anything like this."

Drazul paused, feeling Whisper's hand on her arm. Drazul turned to Whisper, who was signing sheepishly,

"Is it that hard to believe?"

Drazul felt her anger subside. Mother Xiāo curiously watched Whisper converse. Drazul nodded, signing in turn as she spoke,

"Yes. There is no one that cannot be found using the Green Circle's magicks. Even magic can leave a trace but from what Mother Xiāo is telling me--" Drazul swiftly turned her gaze towards her-- "that that is not true."

Mother Xiāo bowed, hiding her fear well,

"I have no words, Dreamwalker. It is we who are lacking."

Whisper cocked her head, her curiosity overpowering her sense not to interject,

"Even if they use magic to teleport? Or what of invisibility? I've read that there are magicks that can do that. Ain't they usin' that to sneak around?"

Mother Xiāo turned to Drazul for translation. Drazul relayed it and Mother Xiāo thought for a moment. The fact that Whisper's suggestion caused the Mother to pause made Drazul uneasy. Drazul knows the magick Whisper speaks of but if it can mask one's tracks, it is tied to the Green Circle. If they can use magic belonging to the Green Circle, it means there is a traitor living among them. Mother Xiāo stood up, her anger evident,

"I pondered the thought before, but I dared to ignore the possibility. If there is a dark one among us who is lingering, I will uproot them, Dreamwalker. This is my Circle. I will not allow a heathen to hide among us."

Drazul was carefully watching them all, Mother Xiāo included.

'How do you expect to find the traitor, Mother Xiāo?'

Drazul's voice growled into the Mother's mind, making her shake her head as if out of annoyance.

'I am listening to their hearts. A heart that wavers is one that is guilty.'

Drazul sighed, her impatience overcoming her,

'That would require time we do not have. I will take care of this, Mother Xiāo.'

Drazul's eyes glowed a hot pink as pink lightning began to crackle about her body. She began to hover in the air, her arms outstretched slightly as she addressed the Green Circle,

"You have incurred your Goddess' Wrath, children of Earth. I am here so that you may atone for your actions of harboring a traitor, whether you were aware or not." Drazul's mind began to spread over the entirety of the glade in the form of a pink fog exuding from her hands, dense and unaffected by the wind. Everyone screamed while Mother Xiāo attempted to order them to stand still. Drazul's body was smothered in pink lightning. It was so strong, crackling so fast, it became a sphere surrounding her. Whatever the fog touched, if it was conscious, Drazul could directly hear their thoughts. Drazul began to file between all the thoughts floating around her, listening carefully for just one thought to reveal what she searches for.

Most of them were internal screams, ideas of escape, and some were accepting their death if it were to come. Drazul scoured their minds before she finally find the one.

'I must warn Jakosh!'

This thought was quiet among the ruckus of voices, but she heard it all the same. At once, Drazul rushed forward towards the traitor, grabbing her by the neck. As she grabbed her, the fog dispersed immediately. A strong gust of wind washed over everyone, revealing the traitor and herself at the center. Everyone looked up as Drazul looked down at the traitor. Mother Xiāo was shielding her eyes from the wind before looking up and seeing the traitor for herself. The witch was the witchling from before who served them tea. She was a young woman, much younger than Drazul had anticipated the traitor to be. This witchling, a mere adolescent, hasn't been initiated yet through the trials of the Green Circle and she dared to betray them.

Drazul kept the young thing below her at arms length within her grasp in the sphere, her anger becoming harder to contain,

"HOW DARE YOU BETRAY YOUR COVEN. YOUR SISTERS. YOUR FAMILY."

Drazul's voice, laced with venom, was loud enough to be heard throughout the glade. Whisper winced, feeling the sheer power and her emotions radiate off her. Whisper ran towards her just until she was beneath Drazul. With her mind, she shouted as loud as she could, straining herself,

'Don't kill her!'

The glow in Drazul's eyes slowly faded, along with the sphere of lightning. Whisper was right. She did not have all the answers yet. As Drazul calmed down, she descended with the girl in tow. Drazul's grip, however, did not waver. No matter how much the girl glowered and shifted to escape, Drazul kept her barely breathing. Mother Xiāo ran to her side, her expression pained and holding back tears. Mother Xiāo got on her knees, her head touching the ground, imploring,

"Dreamwalker, please. She is...my daughter. Please, I ask that you spare her."

Drazul's cruel gaze turned to Mother Xiāo, understanding her meaning but she ignored her plea,

"You would forgive a traitor who has been assisting the Dark Fellowship in the murder and kidnapping of innocents!? The same innocents you vow to protect under the guidance of the Earth Mother!? Silence, before you join her! Whisper! Force her up!"

Whisper jumped but quickly ran to Mother Xiāo, desperately trying to pick her up but Mother Xiāo was surprisingly much stronger than her. Whisper could feel Drazul's heated gaze upon them and began to panic for Mother Xiāo. With all her strength, she forced Mother Xiāo to look at her face. Mother Xiāo attempted to resist before she heard the child's voice in her mind,

'Please! I barely managed to stop 'er! If she kills ya, ya'll leave your coven behind!'

Her speech was odd but sounded panicked and so young. Mother Xiāo felt Whisper's hands shaking against her cheeks, desperately trying to save her from being killed alongside her daughter. Mother Xiāo's tears were ruining her makeup and she felt the sheer weight of her daughter's crime in the pit of her stomach. Forcing back her tears, she stood up straight, struggling to accept her daughter's fate. Whisper, relieved, sighed from sudden exhaustion. Drazul, satisfied, turned towards the palace, dragging the daughter by her neck as she made her way back. The woman squirmed and screamed but to no avail; she did not hinder Drazul in any way. It was quite incredible as Drazul appeared as if she were merely pulling air. The rest of the Green Circle was simply shocked and terrified at what they witnessed and heard. Some began to weep for their sister, while others condemned her for having done such a thing as she has brought shame to their exalted Circle.

Whisper could see the pained expressions of those around her but especially Mother Xiāo. Mother Xiāo closed her eyes, her hands balling into fists as her pained emotions overwhelmed her. Whisper understood what she felt, but not even she could stop Drazul if the girl betrayed her own kind. Whisper hugged Mother Xiāo, her head resting just below Mother Xiāo's chest, feeling her pain as her own,

'I'm sorry I can't stop 'er.'

Her voice chimed into Mother Xiāo's mind, her voice somber but gentle. Her voice left a soft feeling of a petal riding the autumn breeze. Mother Xiāo embraced Whisper,

"I find it quite ironic that one such as you is a witchling of our Dreamwalker. Come, I must assist against my wishes."

Mother Xiāo held Whisper's hand as they entered the small palace. As they were reaching one of the outer halls, she told Whisper to go on ahead as she would wash up before meeting them. Whisper waved a worried glance at her but Mother Xiāo smiled in assurance. Whisper then walked in the opposite direction, leaving Mother Xiāo alone with her pain.