Witch Crystal (Witches of Zrotaz Book 1) Read online

  Sanfa pretended to be oblivious to what had just happened, and walked on. They came to a clearing, and Zleus found himself facing a vast sea. Across, he could see another island that connected to the one they were standing on, by a bridge made of stone. However, the bridge seemed to be floating; he couldn’t see any reinforcements of wire to hold the slates together.

  Zleus dared to look into the sea, and was astonished to see small fishes swimming in shallow water. He was mesmerised by the stunning stones that lay embedded on the sea floor glinting in a spectrum of colours from the rays of the sun.

  The water was as clear as glass, and Zleus speculated why there was a bridge when one could easily walk to the other side. He also wondered how the bridge floated.

  “We have used a charm to make it float,” Sanfa said. “And the reason behind the bridge is so that we don’t get wet when crossing, I thought it was quite obvious.”

  “How did you know I was thinking that?” Zleus asked. Sanfa just smiled. “Oh, I see. You used telepathy...er Sanfa, where are we going?”

  “To the island that you see over on the other side. There, we will meet the Tribe Head.”

  Sanfa and Zleus crossed the bridge with Sanfa gracefully stepping off. When Zleus tried to step off, something deflected his body, sending him crashing into the sea.

  19

  Zleus stood up from the shocking warm sea. He climbed back onto the bridge, and tried to step onto the island again, but he received another shock that vibrated through his entire body. This time it flung him a good few yards back.

  Sanfa was beside herself. She touched the barrier that was just visible through the vibration of the air, and its electricity fizzed at her fingertips. She jumped back as she felt the strong jolt, massaging her arm from the pain.

  “Zleus, are you alright?” she asked, somewhat shakily. “I’m fine, I’m just a bit sore. Why can’t I get in, Sanfa?”

  “I don’t know.” Sanfa was very worried. “It looks like someone is trying to keep you out.”

  “Or something!” Zleus’ face showed no surprise. Surrounding them was what looked like twenty-five Merpeople, their heads and shoulders visible above the waterline. He saw a few shiny, green and silver-scaled tails flicker in and out of the water.

  Zleus couldn’t stop staring at the females, who bore large angelic eyes, their long locks floating on the water surface. It seemed to change colour, glowing red, and gold alternatively. The men were not ugly either; they were very handsome. They wore eye make up that accentuated their godly features. Zleus found their expressions defiant, and challenging.

  “They don’t look welcoming, do they?” Zleus said after a while of silent observation, from both sides of the party.

  “They certainly don’t,” Sanfa agreed.

  “Merpeople,” she spoke in a firm and loud voice. “What do you want from us? Why are you not letting Zleus enter the island?”

  A Merman, dressed in a white head crown with gold chains around his neck, came forward. He held a white, ornate spear that seemed to be made of large fish bones.

  “You had no right to steal this boy or the unisus,” he said. “They were on our territory.”

  Sanfa snorted. “You have no hold on them, Raphryll. They don’t belong to anyone. You are treading in dangerous waters.” Sanfa smiled at the pun in spite of herself.

  “Let me remind you that they were found unconscious on our part of the sea,” Raphryll thundered.

  “Not by choice!” Sanfa’s eyes flashed. “It was you who brought them down, and you know it. Do not deny it, Raphryll!”

  “What do you want from me?” Zleus looked from Sanfa to Raphryll.

  “It is the High Witch’s orders,” Raphryll said simply.

  “The High Witch? Oh, I see, you have joined her legion with the dragons and God knows what other evil creatures.” said Zleus. “The Empire Witches have taken my mother and I will make sure I get her back, but I won’t be captured and taken to the High Witch, I promise you that! You go and tell her that I won’t go without a fight!” Fury ripped through every core of his body that made him want to jump at the Merman’s throat. He took deep breaths to calm himself.

  “Well, well, well, another one with a temper.” Raphryll laughed. “I hope your kind can hold their breath

  underwater.” He laughed and his kingdom laughed with him.

  Whilst the two were engaged, Sanfa was trying every spell she could think of to break the barrier charm, but it was no good. What could she do or say to stop the Merpeople from taking Zleus?

  “How did the High Witch manage to recruit you? You are a species that will not work for anyone, or for any price. The whole of Zrotaz knows tha,” Sanfa said, trying to buy some more time.

  “I have to say, that is not quite correct,” said Raphryll in a smooth tone. “However, sometimes we have to break our own rules. What the High Witch has offered was too good to refuse. Anyhow, I do not see how it is any of your business. Now, enough of this chitchat. Guards, take the boy!”

  “No!” Zleus shot two lightning flashes towards Raphryll, who barred them with his spear with no effort at all.

  Zleus was about to try again but the Merpeople were quick. Two ropes flew through the air towards Zleus, binding his hands behind his back. Two more ropes flew to his feet that made Zleus fall and crash onto the bridge. Next, a large net trapped him completely.

  “NO!” shouted Sanfa. “RAPHRYLL, free him this instant! When the Tribe Head hears about this, he will be far from happy. His wrath will crush you!”

  However, the Chief Merman just laughed and disappeared under the sea, as did all the other Merpeople.

  “I will free you, Zleus!” Sanfa promised, as Zleus slid towards the edge of the bridge pulled by invisible ropes and fell into the sea.

  * *

  He was able to breathe, how was that possible? Everything was clear under the sea, Zleus could see for miles. A city of emerald houses and a red castle lay ahead in his line of sight. Merpeople swam before him. It was enchanting and it left Zleus speechless. A group of small Merchildren came to a stop a few yards from him. They looked up at him and smiled. Zleus smiled back and tried to move towards them, but he found he could not. He was encased in a bubble! This was no ordinary soft bubble, but one that was hard cased and stayed rooted in the golden sand.

  Zleus began to panic, and banged his fists on the casing, but it made no difference.

  “Help!” he yelled, “Someone, let me out!”

  The Merchildren looked startled and swam away.

  “No, wait!” Zleus shouted. Could they hear him? Would they be able to understand him?

  Rainbow coloured fish of small and medium size swam between stones and coral. The sky above reflected in the water, sending spirals of light into the small bubble pockets. It was truly mesmerising, and distracting!

  “Help!” Zleus shouted again.

  He pressed his palms on the bubble, and tried to push it out but it stayed permanently in its location. Frustrated, Zleus slammed his fists against it and then to his surprise, the bubble turned soft and jelly-like. It gradually thinned, and then it popped!

  Zleus was free but his eyes began to burn, and the scene around him clouded over. He couldn’t see anything! He couldn’t breathe!

  “Help!” he croaked, but no one heard him, and he heard no one.

  His mind became confused, and foggy...he fell into unconsciousness.

  * *

  A whooshing noise filled his ears, like a rushing waterfall. Zleus opened his eyes to find himself lying in between large rocks that towered before him. He could smell salt air. Scrambling to his feet, he peered through a gap and saw he was on a beach. The whooshing noise was a waterfall, silver sheets cascaded into white foam at the bottom. It was marvellous!

  On another side, the pink sea lapped gently on the sandy beach...but where was the danger? Was he not encased in a dangerous bubble just minutes ago? Zleus couldn’t be certain. Unexpectedly, the sand began to give way
underneath him. He lost his balance, and thought he would bang his head on one of the rocks, but to his astonishment, they rose and moved away from him! One picked him up from the sand hole he was standing in, and moved him to another spot.

  “Aghhhhh! Help me, I’m being attacked!” he shouted out in sheer panic.

  One of the rocks laughed...er...what?

  They focused their stony faces on him. Zleus thought he was seeing things, when one spoke!

  “Sorry, we ‘ave orders, we aint allowed ta let ‘ou out,” said the first rock in a deep but scratchy voice.

  “What ‘is saying, is true,” said the second rock.

  “Who are you?” Zleus asked, somewhat perplexed.

  “It’s dee orders, see. We‘re your guards, I mean, we are guarding you and keeping you safe from ‘em,” said the first rock. He pointed a thick finger towards the end of the beach.

  “Who?” asked Zleus. “I can’t see anyone else here apart from you. Who are ‘they’ and what are you talking about?”

  “Dee Merpeople o’ course,” said the second rock, as if it was a dumb question. “We are keeping you safe from ‘em. The elves had a ‘ard time getting you out of the Merpeople kingdom, let me tell ya! Dey was brave, yeah, very brave, you see. Dee Sacred Witch an’ dee Tribe Head ‘elped as well.”

  “We aal sow it, it was amazing!” said the second rock.

  “But then, why am I kept prisoner? Where is the Sacred Witch and the Tribe Head?” asked Zleus.

  “Dunno ta be ‘onest,” shrugged the first rock. He moved his shoulders that seemed like it was about to fall off and crash down on Zleus. He covered his head with his arms just in case.

  “We aint gonna ‘urt ya,” laughed the second rock. It was loud and gruff.

  “Well, that’s good at least,” said Zleus. “So, am I just supposed to wait here?”

  “Sorry, mate,” the second rock said. “We forget dat ya must be ‘ungry.”

  “And thirsty!” said Zleus.

  The rock pushed a box towards Zleus.

  Zleus peered inside to find a fine collection of edibles and refreshing drinks. He realised he was famished and very dehydrated too.

  “Can you tell me how I came to be here?” he asked, as he dived into a crackle sandwich.

  It was one of his favourites, a basic green leaf and chalky cheese combination with red berries in between two salty, large square slabs of rustic bread.

  “Sure we can,” said the second rock. “We were minding aw own biz, doin’ nuthin but sharpning ar weapons and stuff, and den we see dee Head Tribe gallop towards us wid ya on ‘is back. Dee Sacred Witch was right beside ‘im. She was flying withou’ a broomstick. We never knew she could do tha’!”

  “Neither did I!” Zleus took another bite of his sandwich and gulped down some juice.

  “Right! So dey put ya down ‘ere, an’ told us dat ya were rescue’ by dee elves from dee Merpeople but ya ar’ still in danger. Dey left dee box of food an’ ordered az to luk after ya until dey got back.”

  “That’s all? There must be more, didn’t they give you any details?” Zleus was disappointed.

  “Dat’s ale, mate,” said the first rock.

  * *

  Zleus ate and drank whilst waiting with the rocks. They didn’t surround him now but sat beside him, talking to him at times and sometimes talking amongst themselves. They were excited about seeing the Sacred Witch and the Tribe Head. They told him it was not a normal occurrence and it was a privilege to meet them.

  They were very interested when Zleus told them of his adventures, from the time of falling off the unisus to finding himself with Sanfa, then being dragged into the world of the Merpeople, and finally finding himself here.

  “Merpeople, dey ar’ evil tings. Ya be best ta keep clea’ of awl of ‘em. Dey luk pretti bu’ dey aint,” said the second rock.

  “You said elves saved me, why would they?” Zleus asked.

  “I leek elves, dey so tiny an’ coote. Dey ar’ kind too, bu’ ya ‘ave ta be carefool. Dey small bu’ can snap ya in ‘alf if ya geet an dee wrang side of ‘em,” the first rock butted in. “One ting I know abou’ dee elves is dat dee owe dee witch community somefink deep, an’ that’s meybe why dey saved ya.”

  Zleus contemplated on this fact, and as the day went on, he became very sleepy and dozed off. The rocks gathered around him, sheltering him from the chilly night wind that began to blow their way.

  20

  EARTH

  Larissa shook him vigorously by the shoulder, “Mike, wake up!”

  Mike said something incomprehensible in his sleep, and then went back to snoring. Larissa looked wildly towards Jake for help. He immediately reached for a glass of water that had been sitting on the table, and threw it on Mike’s face.

  “Wh...What was that?” Mike, startled, gaped like a goldfish as he sat up.

  “It’s Mum and the rest. They are in trouble. Come on, Mike, get up! We must go at once!” Larissa grabbed Mike’s right arm and Jake took the other, and they hauled him up.

  “We need to put our coats on and make sure the heat charm still works,” advised Jake.

  “Okay...if you say so,” said Mike. He seemed to be confused of his whereabouts. “Why are we flying?” Larissa was already waiting outside. Jake rolled his eyes, and helped Mike into his winter coat and boots, and then pushing him forward into the cold. Mike suddenly became fully alert.

  “Feeling better?” asked Jake.

  “Sorry,” said Mike. “I don’t know what came over me.”

  “Just a little too much drink,” mumbled Jake.

  “What?” asked Mike.

  “Nothing,” Larissa said quickly, giving Jake an annoyed look.

  “So what happened?” Mike asked.

  “I’ll tell you on the way,” said Larissa.

  “On the way to where? Do you know where we are supposed to be going?” Jake asked.

  “Oh, I almost forgot!” Larissa rushed back inside. Moments later, she came out with their backpacks. She was glad that her mother, Rita, and Eveliyah had taken theirs.

  Larissa threw a backpack each to their owners, and shrugged hers over her back where the Crystal was stowed away safely.

  “Mum showed me a waterfall and a river when we talked telepathically,” Larissa said, looking at the inky black sky. She took out her torch. “Keep close.”

  * *

  The trio traipsed silently in the thick snow. Larissa thought she caught glimpses of a few rabbits in her torchlight. When she swayed her torch back to the spot, the rabbits had disappeared. She concentrated on listening to the sounds of the waterfall or the river, and advised the others to do the same.

  An owl hooted. It seemed to be close by. She looked up into the trees but couldn’t see a thing.

  “Did you hear anything?” she whispered to no one in particular.

  “No, did you?” asked Mike.

  “I thought I heard an owl. Perhaps it was my imagination,” said Larissa. As an afterthought she said, “I am going to try and contact Mum again.”

  “That’s probably a good idea,” Mike said. “I don’t think any of us know exactly where we are going.”

  Jake suppressed a laugh that was bubbling inside him. Larissa ignored that remark and closed her eyes, letting her mind connect to her mother instead. She waited. Nothing happened. Larissa tried again.

  Mum, can you hear me? Please, speak to me.

  A few seconds later, Larissa heard a faint crackle.

  “I can’t hear her!” Larissa sat down on the cold ground, frustrated and angry.

  “Maybe it’s the satellite signal,” joked Jake. “I don’t think there is any reception here.”

  “Oh ha ha, Jake. What do you know about phones and reception? You’re from Zrotaz!” Larissa got up and stormed off.

  “I think you hit a raw nerve there,” Mike watched Larissa’s retreating back. “Let’s get on; we mustn’t lose her, for our safety as well as hers!”

  Larissa kept o
n moving forward, lost in her thoughts. Perhaps Jake was right, like a mobile phone needs reception to connect to another phone, maybe there needs to be a power surge, like reception, for telepathy? However, she never had any problems at home and she was always able to connect to her mother. There could be a block, thought Larissa. A block that could weaken her magic. However, who or what would do that? No, she must not give up. She must try again!

  She found a fallen tree whose trunk was just visible under the freshly fallen snow. She sat down and touched her temples. Closing her eyes yet again, she concentrated as hard as she could. She tried something she hadn’t done in a long time-creating a vision. Slowly but surely, Larissa began to see pictures. They were vague at first; she could make out dense but hazy shapes that were unusual. The pictures began to come into focus and Larissa saw some figures sitting around a jolly fire. Were they bears sitting with her mother? Larissa looked closer and saw Rita and Eveliyah. The unisus were standing behind the witches. They all seemed to be talking animatedly. Larissa tried talking to her mother.

  Mum, if you can hear me, please, please speak to me.

  “You won’t be able to do that here,” said a voice.

  “Who said that?” Larissa jumped up, her heart drumming.

  Just then, Mike and Jake arrived.

  “Gosh Larissa, you are fast, aren’t you?” Mike said, quite out of breath. He lent on his back. “I’m not as fit as I used to be.”

  “What’s wrong Larissa?” Jake asked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost!”

  “I heard a voice,” Larissa said.

  “Oh, did you connect to your mother then?” Jake said.

  “No, I didn’t. I wasn’t able to.”

  Jake and Mike exchanged puzzled glances.

  “You’re not making any sense. Are you feeling alright?” Mike asked gently. “Do you want to rest?”

  Larissa shook her head.

  “I can’t explain it. When I was trying to communicate with Mum, someone else spoke. They said ‘you won’t be able to do that here.’ What does that mean?”

  “Do you think someone else is trying to talk to you, you know, telepathally?” Jake suggested, grinning.