Florisia Read online

  She started from when Belle had collapsed after leaving the canopied area. She noticed Raff had closed his eyes, as if he was reliving the story as she talked, but when she got to the part where they held hands and ran, his eyes flew open and instantly fixed on hers.

  “I remember Belle screaming, and then I was on the ground. The most disgusting beast I’ve ever seen had its massive claws digging into me. I was literally pinned to the ground, and then something distracted it, and it turned away for a second. I rolled towards the trees, and scrambled away as fast as I could. Then I saw Raff lying on the road, back in the direction we’d come from, but I had no idea how he’d got there.” She looked at Raff for help.

  Raff nodded and took up the story. “When I realised you were pinned, I just kinda saw red and ran at the monster. Stupid when I think about it, but I had to do something. Then it just turned and swatted me, like I was a bug not worth bothering about. That’s when I remembered the knife I’d bought at the village. I pulled it out and was going back for another go.”

  He scratched his head and frowned. “Now here’s where it all starts to get a bit fuzzy. The beast must have decided to get me out of the way permanently, maybe because I was the one causing it the most trouble. Anyway, the next thing I knew I was on my back, screaming at the thing standing on my chest. I remember slashing at its legs with my knife, and screaming at it to get off.”

  He sucked in a deep breath and chuckled. “Like that was gonna help! And this is the part where it gets really fuzzy. I could see his teeth coming in for the kill, and something snapped. I remember concentrating on the thought that I had to get him off me, and help Leah and Belle. I stuck my arm out in front of me and felt a huge jolt. I just thought the beast had bitten my arm off and I was dead.” He was scratching his head, looking up at Leah, waiting for her to fill in the gaps.

  “You killed it,” she said softly, squeezing his hand. The look of astonishment on his face made her laugh. She looked around at the others in the room. “It was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. Over the top of all the growling and screaming, I heard Raff’s voice boom out: “I SAID GET OFF ME.” He had his arm within inches of the beast’s mouth, and then suddenly the monster looked like it had been punched, and it was flying through the air towards the trees as if it weighed nothing. There was a loud thump as it impacted with a tree trunk, a whimper, and then nothing.” She looked back at Raff, and saw him inspecting his hands in wonder.

  “Cool… I did that?”

  “Sure did.” Her eyes sought Belle’s, who had been quiet throughout the whole story. “And then the second miracle of the day happened. Once we realised the beast wasn’t coming back, Belle and I ran to Raff. We knew he was dying. Belle was crying, and trying to stop the bleeding by pulling the skin together to close the gaping wound on his chest. We both knew it was hopeless, but we couldn’t just give up.”

  “And then… Belle’s hands started to like, glow. We both sat there gobsmacked, staring at her hands, while Raff’s skin sort-of joined back together and started to heal. Belle moved her hands around to the other wounds, and every time she touched one it started to heal.”

  Leah had been looking at Belle the whole time she’d been talking, tears pouring down her face as she relived the memories of those terror-filled hours. She nodded at Belle now, indicating it was her turn to talk.

  “I’m not sure how to explain it. I was so angry, and frustrated that there was nothing I could do to help Raff. I‘d watched him keep trying to save Leah, even though he knew the beast would probably kill him. For once, I wanted to be able to do something that would make a difference.”

  A look of wonder crossed Belle’s face. “And then I felt this tingling running down my arms, and my hands felt like I was holding them in front of a nice warm fire. I looked down and couldn’t believe what was happening. Raff’s wound was healing, and my hands were doing it.”

  Her voice had started to waver, but she cleared her throat and continued. “So yeah, like Leah said, I just moved around until I’d healed all the wounds. And then I noticed what a mess she was, and made her let me fix hers too. But I have to admit, I was exhausted. It was like healing them sapped every bit of energy out of my body, and then Dominic and Dub and the others arrived. I’ve never been so glad to see anyone.” She smiled at Dominic.

  Madame Persimmons had sat silent throughout the whole story. She’d raised her eyebrows, and her jaw had dropped a few times, but she hadn’t said a word. She was looking at the children with a deep frown furrowing her brow.

  “I am absolutely astounded by your stories. We will discuss the details of your Gifts a bit later. What I am more concerned about at the moment, is where did the beast come from, where did it go, and why it attacked you three?”

  Belle cleared her throat and gave a sheepish grin. “I may be able to help with the ‘why us three’ question. I think Midnight was trying to explain it to me.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  - The Prophecy -

  Belle burst out laughing at the stunned looks on the faces of everyone in the room.

  Raff was looking at her as if she’d totally lost her marbles. “That would be Midnight, the horse, you’re talking about? Umm, I think you’d better lie back down Belle, you’re obviously delirious!”

  Belle tried to stop laughing. She knew Raff was right, she was probably verging on hysteria, but Midnight had communicated with her. She roped her out-of-control emotions back in, looked down at her hands in her lap, and took a deep breath.

  “Well, Midnight didn’t actually talk to me. It was more like he communicated what he was thinking, by sending pictures into my mind. I was sitting in the meadow sharing an apple with him, and wondering exactly the same thing as Madame Persimmons, why had the beast only attacked us three? Then I remembered something. On the way to the village, there’d been heaps of other students close by when we went under the canopy. But we were so late leaving, because of my stupid collapse, that everyone else had already gone back. I started to think that maybe it was waiting for us.”

  “And then Midnight started nudging my shoulder and tossing his head up and down. I looked up into his eyes and then bam, the first image came into my head. It was me, standing in the portal, looking at the two doors and trying to decide which one to choose.” There were a few sharp gasps at that revelation, but she ploughed on anyway. “The next image was of a shrivelled old elf with long silver hair wearing a black robe. Then Midnight sent an image of Madame Persimmons, and started pawing at the ground and throwing his head back and forward again.”

  She looked up, and straight into Madame Persimmon’s eyes. “So I jumped up and ran all the way here. Do you happen to know what any of it means?”

  Madame Persimmons sat very quietly, then turned her head to look at Raff. “How many doors were you offered in the portal, Raff?”

  “Ummm, two. Same as Belle.”

  “Leah?”

  Leah looked at Dub, who nodded his head. “Three.”

  Madame Persimmons’ looked at Dominic, her eyes brimming with excitement. “Oh my, then it seems Mr Trotter was right after all! I never thought this would happen in my lifetime.” She was smiling warmly at the children.

  As usual, Raff was the first to express what they were all thinking. “Umm, sorry, but I think I must have missed something. What was Mr Trotter right about?”

  Madame Persimmons was obviously excited about something. She was wringing her hands together, and looked like she would break into a ‘happy dance’ any minute.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry, I got a bit carried away there for a minute,” she chuckled. “I think it might be easier if I show you, rather than tell you.” She nodded to Dominic, who dashed out of the room, his rolling gait hardly even slowing him down.

  “So… you do know what Midnight was trying to tell me?” Relief flooded through Belle. She’d felt like a complete idiot claiming her horse had communicated with her. But no-one had laughed at her, or thought her insane.r />
  “I certainly think I do, child,” Madame Persimmons replied softly. And then her eyes clouded. “But if I’m right, I don’t think the beast is going to be the last of your troubles.” Belle looked at Raff and Leah, and saw the same frightened looks on their faces that she was feeling.

  Dominic rushed back in and handed Madame Persimmons a large, black, leather-bound book. The words on the cover looked like they’d been carved into it with gold. Léger de Florisia. Madame Persimmons opened the book to a page where a small piece of paper covered in elegant handwriting had been placed.

  She carefully lifted the very old and fragile looking paper out of the book. “This book was written in an ancient language very few can still read. I had this section translated years ago, in case I ever needed to know the exact wording. What I am about to read you is an ancient prophecy. No-one knows who wrote it or when, but there are a great many people who have been waiting and hoping it would one day come true.”

  Her hand was shaking as she started to read it aloud:

  What is now apart

  Will again be whole

  When the children come

  With the blood of old.

  The tide will turn

  When three become one

  What was once will be again

  And what is now will be done.

  Belle felt Raff’s hand reaching for hers. She grabbed it, and held on tight.

  This prophecy couldn’t be about them could it? What made Madame Persimmons think they were the children who had this blood of old? Raff squeezed her hand, his eyes filled with the same confusion she was feeling. Leah was as white as a ghost. No-one said a word.

  Madame Persimmons slipped the piece of paper back into the book, and looked at them intently. A shiver ran up Belle’s spine.

  “First of all, I need to explain why I asked you about the doors. Being offered more than one door inside the portal indicates you are descended from more than one race. This is extremely rare, since the worlds have been separated for more than a thousand years. Over the years, I have only known of a few other children who may have been offered more than one door, and they have vanished soon after arriving at the school.”

  “I have suspected for a long time that the Guardian Elders are alerted when a child with mixed blood comes through the portal. Fortunately, they are unaware of the Gifts of each child, as these aren’t yet developed when you enter the portal. I imagine they would be extremely nervous when any child with mixed blood exits the portal.”

  She chuckled. “Three of you arriving on the same day certainly must have put the wind up Tyranius. He is the Elder Guardian of Florisia, and he happens to be an elf who looks very much like the image Belle described.”

  Raff was scratching his head again, and finally looked like he’d come to a decision. He blurted out the other thing they’d planned to ask her about.

  “I don’t suppose the book mentions anything about an ancient missing amulet?”

  All eyes turned to Madame Persimmons. The colour had completely drained from her face, and Belle thought the old woman’s jaw was actually going to hit the floor.

  Chapter Nineteen

  - The Amulet Pieces -

  Madame Penelope Persimmons thought she was going to have to pick her jaw up off the floor.

  How could a boy who hadn’t even been in Florisia for a week know about the legendary missing amulet? But then, why was she so surprised? She studied the three frightened children who sat holding hands in front of her. They were obviously far from normal; and if her suspicions were correct, in a great deal of danger.

  “As a matter of fact it does, Raff. The book contains details of all known Florisian legends. The amulet was supposed to have been broken into three pieces, and the pieces hidden after the Great War.”

  Penelope frowned at what she’d said. Three pieces. There was that number again! Three children, three worlds separated after the Great War and three amulet pieces, she thought. And the words of the prophecy mentioned when three become one. This had to be more than a coincidence.

  She tried to compose herself, and raised her eyebrows. “Why do you ask, Raff?”

  “Ummm… because we think we’ve got two of the pieces. That’s why we were coming to see you today.”

  Madame Persimmons’ heart was thudding in her chest. The amulet was real? And it may be within their grasp? It was all too good to be true.

  “I’ll go get them,” Leah offered, jumping up from her chair. “Is yours in its usual place, Raff?” At Raff’s nod she sprinted out the door. “Be right back!” she called over her shoulder.

  Penelope turned to Dominic in excitement. “When Trotter told us about the horses choosing these three, I should have known. I simply couldn’t allow myself to believe the prophecy might finally be coming true. Not until I knew for certain.”

  The dwarf patted her hand, rubbing his beard and chuckling. “I be understandin’ how ‘y feel. We’ve all been waitin’ f’r this a mighty long time lass. I be findin’ it hard to b’lieve meself.”

  “TA - DA!” Leah was back in the doorway, breathing hard, and holding up a small white Hessian bag in each hand. She threw one to Raff, then sat down to open hers.

  Penelope held her breath as Leah pulled out an old golden circlet. Around the edges, a soft glow emanated from the metal. She watched Raff empty his bag into his hand, and out dropped a small black egg-shaped rock that was glowing just like the circlet. The children placed the two objects on the bed next to each other, and the glow instantly became brighter.

  Penelope rifled through the book, looking for the drawing she had seen of the ancient amulet. Excitement raced through her as she placed the open book on the bed, next to what she was now certain were two of the missing pieces. She looked into the children’s eyes as they examined the picture. Raff looked excited, Leah looked worried, and Belle looked absolutely terrified.

  “Well, I don’t think there’s any doubt these are two of the pieces. So the missing piece is the winged dagger that lies across the circlet and holds the stone,” Penelope said.

  “Hey Belle; have you got the other bag on you?” Leah asked.

  Penelope held her breath again. Belle pulled another bag out of her pocket, a wistful smile on her young face. “Before you get too excited, the bag was already empty when I found it.” Belle explained how she’d found the empty bag half-buried in her backyard, and that she’d only kept it to carry her book.

  Penelope released the breath she’d been holding in a disappointed sigh. She knew they would have already told her if they’d had the third piece, but she hadn’t been able to stop herself hoping.

  “So, is that it then? No more surprises? Because I’m not sure my heart can take much more excitement today.” She looked at them and smiled.

  Raff grinned. “Nope. I’m pretty sure you now know everything we know.”

  Madame Persimmons sighed, rubbing her temple to relieve the throbbing. “Well... I’m going to need some time to have a good think about everything you’ve told me. Perhaps we can meet back in my office tomorrow morning. I’ll clear it with your teachers, and tell them you won’t be in class tomorrow as I have some jobs for you to do.”

  “YESSSS!” Raff hissed, and then blushed sheepishly as he looked at her.

  “I take it you’re feeling well enough to leave the sick-room now then Raff?” It was hard work keeping a straight face at the sight of his head looking rather like a pumpkin.

  “Absolutely!” Raff pulled back the covers and climbed out of bed. He still looked a bit wobbly, but Belle and Leah were quick to grab an arm each and link it through their own.

  Leah grinned. “He’ll be fine, Madame Persimmons. Belle and I’ll keep an eye on him, make sure he doesn’t get up to too much mischief.”

  “I’m sure you will girls. Now off you go, and try not to worry too much. You are perfectly safe whenever you are inside the school grounds. I believe your first riding lesson is supposed to be this afternoon. Are you f
eeling up to it, or should I contact Mr Trotter and cancel?”

  All three children talked at once, pleading they be allowed to have the scheduled lesson.

  She laughed, and put her hand in front of her face. “Okay, okay… the riding lesson can go ahead as planned after lunch. Enjoy the rest of your day, and I’ll see you in my office in the morning.”

  She smiled as they left the room, whispering and chortling. Children were such resilient creatures. It was hard to believe they’d nearly died yesterday.

  Dominic closed the door behind them and sat back down. Madame Persimmons looked at him, and raised her eyebrows.

  “Well, what a day! Oh Dominic, I have no idea what I’m supposed to do next. I mean, the prophecy doesn’t explain what they have to do, or how to do it. I need to know how I can help them, and most importantly, how to protect them. I’m sure it won’t be long before Tyranius finds out the beast failed. The problem is, we don’t know what he’ll do next, or when he’ll try again. The only thing we know for certain is that he will try again.”

  Chapter Twenty

  - Riding Lessons -

  Envy snaked its way into Leah’s mind as she sat with her friends in the meadow. Raff and Belle were chattering about what it had felt like when they’d used their Gifts. It was so not fair! She knew she shouldn’t be jealous, it wasn’t their fault. But what if it turned out that she didn’t have a special Gift like them? Would they still want to be her friend? She had the blood of all three races, and yet she didn’t seem to be able to do anything special!

  Frustrated, she tried for the gazillionth time to reach the annoying itch between her shoulder blades, but it was out of reach as usual. She picked up a twig, determined to reach the spot.

  “What are you doing Leah?” Belle asked.

  “I’ve had this itch ever since I woke up this morning. It’s driving me crazy!”