Chapter 34
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Chapter 34: Sorceress
Warnings: Coarse language, lol post-processing, lots of words omg!
With sims by amochan8878 , eshuff , leaths , naughtydolphin , nimi4 , remisims , shelbster93
(names have been changed to protect the innocent O_o )
Though famous for it's small town facade and being a family friendly destination with it's quaint shops, cafes and restaurants, Bluewater Village did have a night life. At the edge of the boardwalk, the town's only night club stood. Club Dante wasn't necessarily a local hangout. In fact, residents had unsuccessfully tried over and over again to have it shut down, citing various charges from excessive noise to being unco-operative with heritage zoning by-laws. Despite the eyesore of a building being hated by the neighbourhood, it still reeled in the money.
The club had a name for itself and a reputation. The wealthy and privileged ventured out of the busy cities to satisfy their hedonism here. The club that Malcolm Landgraab IV built up, invested in with his family money, was a success. He went on to open more entertainment complexes in every major city on the continent, and each of those were met with bewildering profits.
Even if the town residents showed up with burning torches and pitchforks, they'd still have to get through the Landgraab Industries legal department. There wasn't much they could do.
It was late, and Club Dante was near closing. Being a weeknight, it hadn't been particularly crowded and only those who had nowhere to be in the morning lingered behind. There were often nightly regulars though. They were as consistent as the staff, always had their particular haunts and were easy to point out.
It made Carter's job easier. Some people preferred not to be found.
It was a Gathering like no other.
Amara: You're late.
Tomaz: I wasn't notified earlier of this meeting.
Amara: What, you didn't get the e-mail?
Tomaz: E-mail...?
Malcolm: Have a seat, Tomaz. We're about to begin.
Tomaz: Haven't had one of these in a while. It must be important.
Eamon: It better damn well be important, I had to cut out on a fine date for this. And some of us need our beauty sleep.
Eamon: ... some more than others, looks like.
Wilhemina: Our Head Warlock will summon us whenever he sees it fit, Eamon. You haven't been with us long enough to show this kind of brazen disrespect.
Malcolm: Madame Wilhemina is right. You come to my meeting, you conduct yourself as a professional.
Eamon: Yeah, whatever. This isn't one of your corporate, stick-up-the-ass, board meetings.
Malcolm: It is my meeting and you were one of the privileged few I've summoned here. Feel fortunate I've chosen you.
Eamon: What for? If you expect me to actually do any work...
Malcolm: Eamon, the time for sitting on our asses is over. If you want to sit back and watch as one of the most important eras of witchdom passes you by, you're certainly free to. You can leave now if you care nothing for our Coven, our future and your place in it.
Malcolm's words piqued the young warlock's curiosity, but it was his tone of voice that made him lean back in his seat, folding his arms almost defensively.
Malcolm: We're missing one. Where's Clara?
Amara: None of us has seen little miss St. Julien in forever, Malcolm. I think she's ditched us. You gonna tell us what this is about?
Wilhemina: What this is about? Have you been blind for the past few days, child? Could you not feel it in the air? See it in the stars? Hear it in the wind?
Amara: Uh... no? What the hell are you talking about?
Wilhemina: Our master summons us here because the Heir has received her second gift!
Amara: The Heir... you mean that girl that Kimberly Cordial was protecting?
Malcolm: Listen, I understand that some may not believe in the Sorceress' legend. But as we follow in the Sorceress's teachings it is our policy to follow through on the discovery of any potential Heirs and it's true. We have found one. Kimberly had been training her and for that she has given up her life. We are grateful to our sister for her sacrifice and she has done us a great service. Much more than any of you have ever done in your entire lives.
Amara: For all we know she's died for some little witch noob who can't conjure rabbits out of a hat. So we give her the Sorceress' most treasured spellbook, and her second gift is...?
Malcolm: It isn't important for any of you to know that yet. But she has received it and it will be of use to her.
Amara: But Malcolm... your Lordship... you gotta tell me, when do we get to meet her? This so called saviour of all of witchdom or whatever. Because some days I think Clara's right... we don't need 'saving'.
Wilhemina: Selfish little girl, you should learn to take this much more seriously than you are now. This goes beyond you and your insignificant life. She will be presented to us when she is ready. When our Head Warlock deems it fit.
Amara: Oh fuck off with the asskissing already. Before big Mr. Landgraab was chosen as our leader, you wouldn't even give him the time of day.
Amara: Don't forget that if all this is true and there really is a "Sorceress" and she really does have an "Heir" that this person stands to get shit loads of magic. More than you and I could dream of. But right now, all you got is a couple of relics and a bad bedtime story, and there's a growing number of us that think that our Coven needs to be thought of a little bit more seriously than that.
Amara: And no you dumb hag, I know perfectly well that this isn't just about me. I take the fucking Coven seriously but all this shit about the Heir just brings our credibility down don't you think? Especially if it turns out to be nothing.
Wilhemina: What is it that you're afraid of, hmm? If this turns out to be nothing? Or are you afraid of it's truth and you diminish in the Sorceress' glory? Now, I've had enough of your disrespect, child, sit down!
Amara: Call me a "child" one more time....
The spell fired off before the younger witch could finish the threat.
Wilhemina: Much better. I can certainly call you something more vulgar...
Wilhemina: But it wouldn't be polite.
Murmers and mild protests rose from the table as the witch in cat form hissed and poised itself to leap onto the one that had transformed her.
Malcolm: Enough!
Malcolm: I might as well be herding cats and dealing with children.
Malcolm: Now you can sit down and listen to what I have to say, or leave and face the consequences. Because as of this moment, we serve the Sorceress and the well being of the Heir will be our first and foremost priority. This is my decree.
Malcolm: Even now, our enemies, the Circle is becoming aware of her and her purpose. We've worked far too hard for them to unravel everything and whether you believe me or not, I'm not about to fail. The Heir is one step closer to receiving her inheritance, and this is what we will now work towards. At this moment, only the Circle can and will make things difficult for us, and this is why I've called you here. You are among my most powerful.
Malcolm: We've had a long standing truce between our organizations dating back centuries. As far as I'm concerned, and for the well being of all witches, that truce is over. I cannot risk interference from them, therefore they need to disappear. I don't care how. Use any means necessary.
There was a hush among the witches at the table as they digested what Malcolm had just ordered. "By any means necessary". It was the call to arms. It was the signal to attack that they've been waiting for. The Coven had been lying low for much too long. Some witches were satisfied with this, preferring to use magic for their own means. Others had wished for more control. No one at the table disputed him. They discussed those matters through the next few hours before they shuffled off, some more excited to carry out their missions than others. Malcolm stood alone, his head throbbing. Everything was teetering on the edge. A wrong move and everything could topple over. And there were too many elements that was out of his control that he wasn't liking.
"They don't quite believe you, do they?"
Malcolm turned around, surprised at the sound of the stranger's voice.
Helene: And what is there to believe in here? We used to have everything, and now our kind have been reduced to sycophants and petty squabbling. And a leader that cannot be trusted.
Malcolm: Who are you? How did you get in here?
Helene: Who am I? My dear, young Malcolm, you were the one who summoned me here. Did you not?
Malcolm: I don't know what you're talking about and I don't know who you are. I strongly suggest you leave now.
Helene: No. Not yet. Look at me, Malcolm. You know who I am.
He took a step or two, fully intending to forcefully lead her out the door himself. But as he neared her, something stopped him. She stared at him intensely with eyes that were like cold poison, and the aura around her seemed to emanate a frost that held him in his tracks.
Helene: Once upon a time, I lead the sorcerors from the underground and for a time we ruled. We were once strong. Respected and feared. One thousand years ago, I "died" by the hands of my own sister. But knowing mortality isn't something we've quite mastered, I made sure I could return when I was needed again. And only the Masters of our people would know those secrets. You set everything in motion, Malcolm. So yes, you were the one who summoned me.
As she spoke, Malcolm knew what she said was true. Not only could he see this woman in front of him, he could feel her presence. He had waited a long time to meet her but he never expected she would show herself to him. Malcolm: Forgive me, My Lady...
Helene: Get up.
Helene: You're only kneeling before a shadow.
Malcolm: I... I am most honoured to be in your sublime presence my Lady. My people do await anxiously your return...
Helene: What you haven't told your people is that you are not prepared.
Malcolm: My Lady, I can assure you that everything is carefully planned and is going according to schedule..
Helene: You can fool them, but you cannot fool me. That girl is not ready. She has never been ready.
Malcolm: Please allow me to celebrate this night.. our meeting... in my own way. I wish you can partake with me...
Helene: There is nothing to celebrate.
Malcolm: I know you've outlined your return in much detail my Lady. However, I have had to make some adaptations for changing times. You might not have been ready to come back, but the world definitely is ready for you. We need you.
Malcolm: There are less and less of Witches being brought into the world. We are slowly disappearing, and as we fade into obscurity so too does the desire to keep powers like ours in the world. We need you more than ever. This was why I was chosen to become our Head Warlock. Because I knew I could find a proper Heir for you. I knew she would be able to hold the responsibility entrusted in her. She has been an enthusiastic pupil of magic and with more training she will learn much more
Helene: And yet she doesn't even know what those responsibilities will be. She has no idea who I am. How could she possibly accept her role when she doesn't even know what it is.
Malcolm: For her sanity and protection, we had to keep our purpose a secret. But she will know in time. And I have a feeling she will accept it. How could she not?
Malcolm: She has the second gift... the Mirror. She will soon be able to communicate with you through it... should you wish it. We've gone through many lengths to ensure that it gets to her, and we've followed your guidelines to the best of our ability. The Mirror was a challenge, but we've succeeded. My Lady, you have no idea how long I've waited to be in your presence. I knew it was only a matter of time. I can now tell you myself that we will not fail.
Helene: You just ordered the potential execution of every White Witch in this land, Malcolm. How does that aid the cause of Witches? I do not wish for the deaths of our brethren.
Malcolm: I know of your legend, Lady Delphina Helene deMorgaine. In your time, you let nothing come between you and your goals. I intend to do the same. There are an insignificant number of White Witches nowadays and most belong to the Circle. They have been a hindrance to us for far too long. It is because of them that witches have been disappearing. They oppose everything that we stand for. Everything that you've held ideal, Sorceress.
Malcolm: What I've given us now is reassurrance that our goals will be met. That your Heir will no longer be interfered with. It will bring us closer to returning you from out of the shadows.
Helene: I've risked and sacrificed so much, Malcolm. If you fail...
Malcolm: I don't wish for our kind to destroy ourselves. We will be powerful once again, My Lady. I will not fail.
Helene: And if you do, everything I've worked for... will be for nothing.
Malcolm: You have my word as Head of this Coven. You have my word as a Landgraab.
Helene: Your word means nothing. I mean nothing. If Willow does not accept her role, then I simply fade away. I have nothing more to lose.
Helene: But you, Malcolm. You can lose everything.
Willow opened her eyes and sat up gently even before she realized she was awake. She felt like she had been dreaming. She couldn't remember exactly what it was she was dreaming about. She was so used to living with nightmares, but this time, her dream seemed calm. Almost reassuring her that she would be safe. Safe from what? She thought.
The night before, she had sent Gabriel and Rowan away. She wasn't exactly sure why she did it. She knew she needed to be alone to sort everything out. The idea that she could whisk them off magically like that so carelessly worried her. She didn't even give a thought whether they made it to their destination or how they must feel about that. She never thought she could do that even to Gabriel. What was wrong with her? But she didn't think they would understand... she knew they wouldn't understand. She could barely understand it herself. This house for whatever reason was here to keep her safe. The day before
Willow had sat alone in the bedroom for the longest time, trying to decide what to do. She had explored every corner of the house, even travelled around the wooded lot, trying to orient herself by finding the road back to campus, but she found herself easily lost. She berated herself for never even thinking of buying a cellphone to call someone. She had enough of this house and the creepy mirror in the cellar. She wanted to go home.
The creepy mirror in the cellar. That mirror had something to do with bringing her here. There had to be more to it.
Lost in her thoughts, she wandered to the cellar again where the mirror hung on the wall innocently. It was just a mirror.
She didn't expect it to be anything more than that. But this was in the room that Wesley's weird key opened. It had come with her here. And she had a feeling that it was hers now.
Willow: Mirror, mirror on the wall.... She smiled, feeling a little silly. Just a stupid mirror...
She suddenly didn't feel alone.
The glass suddenly darkened, strange clouds forming within. Willow gasped and stepped back, shocked at what she was seeing. I knew it, she thought. I knew there had to be more to this.
She knew she should have been frightened, but she couldn't help be fascinated and compelled by what was happening in the glass. Soon the clouds began to form. Colours shifted into shapes. Light from within created a coherent pattern. There was something in the glass.
It was Gabriel! He was asleep in a strange bed. She couldn't tell exactly where he was, but he didn't look like he was being harmed. The image was dark and hazy but she could tell it was definitely him.
She ran forward, calling his name, lightly touching the cold glass. It still felt like a mirror with a tarnished metal frame. The image of Gabriel in the glass stirred and his lips moved. She couldn't hear if he had said anything. But other than that, he didn't respond to her. She stood there watching Gabriel in the glass for a long time. She didn't realize how comforting it felt to simply watch him sleep. At that moment, all she wanted to do was find him, crawl under the covers beside him and just be in his arms.
Willow knew what this was. She's read about it plenty of times. It was a scrying glass. Some people used crystal balls, some used pools of water. Others used mirrors, just like in the fairy tales. She had never come across one though and it was amazing. Gabriel's image began to fade out and into darkness. It bothered her a bit.. she wanted to see him again, and wait for him to wake up. But she wasn't sure if what she was seeing was taking place in another time. Some scryers after all, could see into the past, and into the future as well. It was about noon right now. Knowing Gabriel, it was perfectly possible that he was still asleep. As much as she wanted to go back to seeing him, she couldn't bring up his image again. Instead something else appeared...
It was Rowan standing in front of Sibyll's home. What was he doing there, she wondered. She knew definitely that this only meant trouble. Rowan shouldn't be there. She watched him as he walked towards the cemetary gates, contemplating his route. She quietly swore when he began to clumsily climb the fence. After that, the image faded to darkness and she wasn't able to see anything else. Willow: Rowan, you idiot!
Her shouts were futile. She didn't know what her brother was doing but she began to panic that he was no longer safe.
It occurred to her in the rush of panicked thoughts that Rowan must have been there because he was looking for her. She hadn't given a thought that others might have been worried for her, though she wasn't sure why. After all, she didn't return home the night before. If it were any of her friends, Willow knew she'd worry.
She tried to summon other images and some did appear in the dark and cloudy glass. But the images were mostly distorted, most from much too far away to see if there was anything going on. As the last amorphous cloud rippled within the glass, she turned away in frustration. Maybe this was something she just needed to get the hang of. Or maybe it was something she needed to stay away from. Don't blindly trust enchanted objects, Willow. That's what Miss Cordial used to teach her. Why was she ignoring that advice now?
But Willow had always been a curious person. She couldn't look away for too long.
Though at that point she wished she had.
How much truth did the mirror show her, she wondered as she watched the image of Jasmine and Adrian... her two best friends... kissing one another in the snow.
Willow should have felt happy for them... for Jasmine especially. She should have felt glad that Adrian would have moved on from being turned down by her. She should have been more than happy that she already had Gabriel. In the instant she saw them in her mirror, sharing something that looked deep and sincere, it made Willow's heart plummet. She hadn't expected it to, and she wished it didn't.
But Willow couldn't help the way she felt.
Present
As the sun came up, Willow roamed around the house again wondering how to start her day. She couldn't worry too much about Rowan, or Gabriel or even Wesley. They were all safe, and that was important to her. For the first time in a few hours, she ventured into the kitchen. It was surprisingly the one area of the house that frightened her the most. She was afraid to peek into the old refridgerator knowing that there had been no electricity here in years. There were a few empty cans sitting on the counter and some expired soup on the shelves she wouldn't dare touch. She thought she had mostly scared off the rats but she could still hear scurrying in the walls.
Willow was hungry. She hadn't eaten the day before.
But she knew a few spells that could remedy that.
She wasn't sure how long it would last though.
Miraculously there was running water. Willow could at least have a drink and wash herself, though she was fairly suspicious of its quality.
In the hallway there was a bookcase. She knew it was there and always thought it was definitely a strange place for one.
She was curious what kinds of books were on this shelf. She wondered if anyone still lived here at all, though it was extremely unlikely judging from the state of the place. She then wondered what the former inhabitants must have been like.
It didn't seem like anything particularly interesting. There were old out of date encyclopedias, cookbooks and mechanical manuals. There was a lot of decades old hardcover fiction, including some leatherbound classics.
She was hoping there would be something here about magic. Some kind of spellbook at least. But for the most part, except for the odd placement of the bookshelf, everything was mundane.
That book didn't pull out completely. Instead, something clicked. The bookcase began to groan and creak before it began to move.
Willow stood in the hidden room, shocked and amazed. She looked around at all the bookcases. There were papers and various other strange paraphernalia in orderly piles all throughout this room. Everything was covered in cobwebs and dust. Everything neatly waiting for her.
And many of these books were about magic. Willow knew in that moment that she would be here longer than she had thought she would.
Elf: Hello?
Willow: Hi, Mom.
Elf: Oh hi honey, this is a nice surprise. Where are you? We hadn't heard from you in a while. We were starting to worry.
Willow: I'm fine, Mom. I'm calling from the library. I... I just didn't want anyone to worry.
Elf: Well I guess it's understandable. Linden's hinted that you have a new boyfriend, so believe me I get that we're probably not going to be hearing from you for a bit.
Willow: Wait, Linden told you that?
Elf: Sure he did, but I wish I'd heard it from you. Just don't forget to let us know you're alive once in a while.
Elf: Rowan was by yesterday, looking for you too. He seemed upset, but wouldn't tell me what was going on. Left in a hurry too. I never get that guy.
Willow: Oh... well, I spoke to him already. We kinda had a falling out.
Elf: Willow, I know Rowan could be... well not to be too delicate about it, but your brother could be a bit of a jerk once in a while. But he has your best intentions at heart, so don't forget that.
Willow: I know. I'm sure I'll talk to him again, but I just needed to be left alone.
Elf: Honey? Is there something else going on?
Willow: No, Mom, nothing... well.. okay I moved out of the dorm...
Elf: Wait... what? You moved out? Willow, this is your last year, why would you do that?
Willow: I... well I was getting really distracted. There's a lot I have to study for so I just needed my own space. I... I already found a place, I just need to get my stuff and fix it up a bit. But rent is... it's really cheap. Cheaper than staying at the dorm actually. I may spend the semester break just moving in and taking care of everything, if that's okay with you.
Elf: Well sure, Willow if that's what you want. You're a big girl, I'm going to trust you on this. It's just that Linden is up visiting and it would be nice to have you over for at least a few times while he's here. And I want you to patch things up with Rowan. He needs more taking care of than you do.
Linden was straining to pick up bits of what Willow was saying over the phone. She was lying, especially in light of everything he learned about her in the past few days. Willow wouldn't just move out of her dorm without a reason. She's been there for so long, and he couldn't imagine any reason for her to just move out on a whim. Especially with Gabriel living with her.
Willow: I'll come by, I promise.
Elf: Okay, I'll hold you to that. And I want to know all about this new guy of yours. I love you, Willow.
Willow: I love you too Mom. Give Dad a hug for me.
Normally Willow would want to stay longer at the library but right now she just wanted to pick up some food, possibly some of her things at the dorm and run back to her new home. She had not heard yet about the fire that had supposedly killed three people in her dorm. Because of the semester break, the library was virtually empty. She avoided contact with just about everyone who was there. She was nervous she'd run into Gabriel... or Jasmine or Adrian. She wasn't sure she could face anyone yet. She definitely didn't want them to know that she had been spying on them.
"Yes. She's here. But she's leaving..."
"... Understood. I won't let her out of my sight."
Over the past little while, Willow had begun to start trusting those odd feelings she's had. She figured maybe her magic tuned her into some kind of weak sixth sense that told her whenever danger was close.
Whatever it was made her stop and turn around briefly.
He looked like any other student actually. But something in her told her to start running.
Willow stopped in her tracks. He was behind her and had stopped where she turned the corner. He was most definitely following her and it looked like it was with purpose. What did he want?
She decided she didn't want to know. She had to trust her instincts.
She was gone before he could call her name.
next » [ Chapter 35: Strangers ]
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Notes:
* I haven't actually done any word counts of my chapters, but I have a feeling this one may be one of the wordier ones. But it's all important to move the story along. Trust me when I say there is more going on than revealed here. Ugh, it's hurting my brain just trying to weave it all together.
* Thank you again to all that have contributed a sim -
amochan8878 (Sorbet Wobnair) ,
eshuff ,
leaths (Djor Carter),
naughtydolphin (Yolanda Qwerty),
nimi4 (self sim!),
remisims (Wes Eastman),
shelbster93 (Phineas). I truly hope that I did your sims justice, but I personally don't think I could have come up with a better Coven of Dark Witches on my own. (can you recognize 'em? :D )
* Madame Wilhemina is mine. I couldn't find it in me to "hag" up anyone else's sims and Mina Molina just fit the role so well.
* and oh yes, there will be more guest stars in future chapters.
* I totally loved having Elf back for a bit
* Thank you for reading!!!