The Doomspell Read online

‘What’s up?’ Trimak asked, quickly shutting the door behind him.

  ‘It’s the girl, Rachel,’ said Morpeth. ‘She survived the box.’

  ‘What! Did you see it happen?’

  ‘Of course not! Dragwena does not allow me in the chamber at such times. But she could not contain her excitement. She intends to turn the child into another Witch.’

  ‘Let’s be careful before we act,’ Trimak said, struggling to remain calm. ‘This could be a trick. It would not be the first time the Witch has questioned your loyalty.’

  ‘No, I’m sure this is not one of Dragwena’s games,’ said Morpeth. ‘I tested Rachel earlier. She changed into a feather and shape-shifted from the Palace to the shore of Lake Ker. She did both effortlessly.’

  ‘Then she is the child-hope,’ Muranta whispered.

  ‘Did Dragwena see everything you saw?’ Trimak asked.

  ‘She must have done,’ groaned Morpeth. ‘You know how closely the Witch observes during the trial period, especially gifted children. Once I realized Rachel’s strength I tried to lead her to the mountains, but Dragwena drew her to the eye-tower.’

  ‘You let her fly near the tower!’ thundered Trimak. ‘How could you let the Witch get so close?’

  Morpeth lowered his face.

  ‘Never mind,’ sighed Trimak. ‘I suppose if Rachel survived the box Dragwena knows everything anyway. Where is Rachel now?’

  ‘In the east wing,’ said Morpeth. ‘Tomorrow morning Dragwena is moving her to the eye-tower.’

  ‘Then we must act tonight, before it’s too late.’

  Morpeth nodded.

  ‘I will call the Council of Sarren,’ said Trimak. ‘We will decide together what must be done.’

  It was late in the kingdom of Ithrea. Steady snow fell across the whole night world, refreshing what little had melted during the day. Most of the slaves of the Witch – the Neutrana – were already asleep, enduring the troubled dreams of Dragwena, awaiting her commands. Amongst the Neutrana lived a few who had managed to free themselves from the Witch’s control. They called themselves the Sarren, after a man now long dead who supposedly was the first to refuse to obey the Witch. Morpeth was one of the Sarren, as were Trimak and his wife Muranta, Fenagel, her father Leifrim and several others. They met rarely, communicating through special signs, obeying Dragwena’s endless duties, while keeping watch – keeping watch on all the new children who arrived and, where they could, trying to help them.

  Trimak sent the alert by personal messenger – extremely dangerous, but the circumstances demanded it. Gradually over the next hours stealthy, coded taps on window and door awakened Sarren close to the Palace. They knew the danger call and slipped quietly from their beds. Each headed for Worraft, the guarded secret cave deep under the foundations of the Palace.

  Within an hour over thirty of the Sarren had arrived.

  Trimak glanced around, counting as shadowy presences hurried to find places on the stone seats along the walls of the great cave. He noticed Fenagel struggle in with Leifrim, pushing him along on a kind of wheelchair-stretcher.

  ‘It’s time to close the door,’ said Trimak. ‘We can wait no longer.’

  Morpeth traced a circle on his forehead, and a wall of rock came down from the ceiling of the cave, blocking the entrance. No one could now enter the cave or leave it. The meeting could begin.

  The gathered Sarren murmured nervously. They were concerned and with reason: no such conference had been called for many years. Trimak clapped his hands and silence descended.

  ‘Why have you called us so recklessly, without warning, Trimak?’ demanded a voice from the dark.

  ‘In haste there is danger,’ Trimak agreed. ‘The reasons will soon be clear enough. Let Morpeth speak.’

  Morpeth arose from his chair and addressed the assembly. ‘I have important news,’ he announced. ‘I believe we have found the child-hope!’

  Uproar broke out in the cave. Morpeth told them everything he had seen and Dragwena’s plans for Rachel.

  ‘Even if this is the child-hope,’ someone called out, ‘what can we do? Dragwena already has command of the girl. We are surely powerless to assist her.’

  ‘We have a slim chance,’ said Morpeth. ‘Rachel has been left in a chamber I can reach. We can sneak back to the Palace and kidnap her.’

  ‘Too dangerous,’ snarled the same voice. ‘Her spies will see us coming.’

  ‘If many attempted the kidnap that would be true,’ said Morpeth. ‘But Dragwena trusts me. I can get safely back into the Palace without anyone noticing. If I’m seen I will say I am on the Witch’s business. Everyone knows who I am. No one will dare to question me.’

  Another voice said, ‘What if this girl refuses to help us?’

  Trimak stepped forward. ‘I have considered this possibility.’ He looked out boldly at the Sarren. ‘If Rachel refuses to help us – then we will be forced to kill her ourselves.’

  An awful silence fell on the cave.

  ‘Trimak! Remember our pledge!’ bellowed another Sarren. ‘The shedding of child blood is the dark work of the Witch and her Neutrana slaves. I, for one, could not do this. How can you even suggest it?’

  Several voices muttered their agreement.

  Trimak sighed and held up his hand. ‘I understand your fear,’ he said. ‘Do you think I have come to such a conclusion easily? Think: if Rachel will not assist us she is too dangerous to leave alive. We may hide the girl here for a while, but in time Dragwena will surely find and transform her. There will be no escape for us if this happens. With their strength combined they will quickly find and slaughter all Sarren.’

  ‘And will you kill Rachel yourself, Trimak?’ someone asked. ‘Would you be prepared to do it?’

  ‘I will do it if it must be done.’

  ‘It should not come to that,’ Morpeth said. ‘If the child survived the box she has an innate strength Dragwena will not easily conquer; and remember, the Witch has had little time to work on Rachel’s mind. If we act at once I am certain we can persuade her.’

  Fenagel spoke up. ‘Dragwena is so powerful. Is Rachel strong enough to fight the Witch? She seemed just like an ordinary, friendly girl when I was with her today. Even the simple magic of the Palace dresses came as a surprise. Imagine what Dragwena could throw at her! I think you’re expecting too much, Trimak.’

  ‘It’s hard to argue against what you say,’ said Trimak. ‘But consider: for hundreds of years we have spoken about the legend of the child-hope, the girl who will defeat the Witch and free us all. I know at times we have all felt foolish, clinging onto this idea.’

  Within the cave most heads nodded.

  ‘But if we are to have any chance of defeating the Witch,’ continued Trimak, ‘then aid must come from the world outside. We all know this. Morpeth is our best weapon, but even combined with all our magic he’s not strong enough to confront Dragwena. I can’t promise any of you the child-hope is real. However, from what Morpeth tells us Rachel possesses magical powers far greater than any we have witnessed before. She may be the child-hope. No one among us has ever mastered skills she has developed in a single morning of play.’

  He paused, to ensure that his next words were understood by everyone. ‘Let me warn you all: if we do not try to use this girl’s power to help us you can be sure Dragwena will not hesitate. She will take Rachel and turn her into an enemy whose ferociousness we can hardly imagine.’

  He gazed at the faces in the darkness. ‘Remember we speak now for all Sarren, many of whom cannot be here. To waver in our decision would deliver them all to Dragwena. I believe we have no choice. We must grasp the girl tonight, while we have a chance. If we wait even a few hours it will be too late.’

  He peered around the cave. ‘Are there any more questions? Does anyone have a different view?’

  The cave was silent. Trimak waited several patient seconds before closing the discussion – the decision so grave everyone must have a chance to speak.

  ‘In tha
t case,’ he said, ‘I take it we are agreed. Morpeth will kidnap Rachel from the Palace tonight and bring her to Worraft. Now I ask you to return quickly and quietly to your homes. It will be noticed if you are away for too long.’

  Morpeth again used his magic to open the door of the cave and the Sarren left rapidly, whispering to each other.

  Once they were alone, Trimak noticed Morpeth deep in thought.

  ‘What is it, my friend?’ he asked. ‘You have a trial ahead of you. Are you worried Dragwena may be lying in wait?’

  Morpeth shook his head. ‘I am not concerned for myself,’ he said. ‘Something you mentioned earlier has been gnawing at me. I wonder whether Dragwena does suspect I’m a rebel. She’s certainly bored with me. It’s obvious she wants a new, younger slave to replace her old guide.’ He rubbed his chin. ‘Perhaps, after all, this Rachel is not the girl she appears to be, merely one of the Witch’s spies. Dragwena can make a creature look and behave as she wishes. Perhaps she transformed a Neutrana into the shape of a girl and gave her some extra powers just to tempt me.’

  ‘Didn’t you see Rachel arrive from Earth?’

  ‘What I saw means nothing. Dragwena could have set me up. My heart tells me to trust Rachel, but Dragwena could easily have deceived me.’

  Trimak bowed his head thoughtfully.

  ‘There is more,’ said Morpeth. ‘Rachel has a brother who came with her through the Gateway. I must try to rescue Eric, too. Dragwena is bound to kill him if Rachel escapes.’

  ‘Too dangerous,’ replied Trimak. ‘You must only worry about yourself and Rachel.’

  Morpeth shook his head. ‘We already ask so much of Rachel. Do you think she will forgive us if we do not try to save her brother?’

  Trimak paced the cave, his expression anguished. ‘Your safety and that of Rachel are too important to risk. I hate to be so merciless, Morpeth, but forget the boy. We have waited hundreds of years for this moment. We will lie to Rachel about Eric if we must.’

  ‘That may not work,’ said Morpeth. ‘I have already sensed how quickly Rachel’s magic is developing. If we lie, and she discovers this, she will never trust us. Never.’

  Grudgingly, Trimak said, ‘Oh . . . very well. But surely someone else can plan Eric’s rescue?’

  ‘No. Only I know the commands to lead them both safely from the Palace.’

  ‘How will you bring them here?’

  Morpeth grinned ruefully. ‘A boy and girl over each of my handsome shoulders, I should think. Dragged here on my tired old legs. I daren’t use my magic so close to Dragwena. She knows my pattern too well.’ He met Trimak’s solemn gaze. ‘Time to leave, I think. If Dragwena is preparing a welcome at the Palace, it would be rude to keep her waiting!’

  He hugged Trimak and rapidly strode out of the cave.

  Trimak now stood alone in the deep silence of Worraft. He thought about the work ahead for Morpeth and shuddered with fear. Have I sent my best friend to his death? he wondered. Could Rachel be a spy, or already under Dragwena’s sway?

  He knelt on the cold floor and, while he waited, felt the pressure of a small knife against his hip. He unsheathed it and deliberately held the blade towards the light, forcing himself to look at the sharp edge – to consider what might have to be done.

  9

  The Child

  Army

  While the Council of Sarren debated Rachel slept. Her body lay slumped in the east wing of the Palace where Morpeth had left her, breathing slowly and peacefully at first. Then her pulse quickened as the dream-sleep of the Witch gradually took hold. The dream would spare her nothing – only by feeling Dragwena’s own desires and hatreds could she be transformed into a Witch.

  Within the dream-sleep Rachel experienced the past life of the Witch.

  Rachel saw things she would rather never have seen. She saw lakes and streams; when Dragwena touched them they turned to ice. She saw a snake, slithering from Dragwena’s neck in a silent attack. She saw a boy no older than Eric being hunted by a pack of wolves. She witnessed children of Ithrea long dead whom the Witch had killed. Dragwena forced Rachel to gaze into their faces and know their names. For a moment, Rachel even saw Morpeth as a young boy newly arrived on Ithrea – a boy with sandy-coloured hair and big blue eyes. ‘Ready?’ he asked. He opened his clenched hands and a tiny bright bird, no larger than a penny, flew into the air. ‘I did it!’ he gasped. Dragwena stood there, gazing fondly. ‘You are my favourite child, Morpeth,’ she said.

  This memory, like all the others, lasted only a moment. Rachel could do nothing to stop them or shut them out. They streaked by as Dragwena selected all the memories of her past she needed Rachel to know, forcing her to watch, faster and faster, until each image became a blur of pain.

  At last the memories stopped and Rachel, still in the dream-sleep, stood side by side with Dragwena herself in the eye-tower. The Witch’s skin oozed its blood-red brightness, and Rachel watched spiders crawling beneath her teeth.

  ‘Do I frighten you?’ Dragwena asked softly.

  ‘Yes,’ said Rachel. ‘You want me to be frightened. Why have you shown me all this? The things you have done . . . make me hate you even more than before. I’ll fight you if I can.’

  ‘You don’t understand yet,’ whispered Dragwena. ‘I do not wish to fight. I already know that if I threaten Eric you will do anything I ask.’

  ‘Yes,’ said Rachel. ‘I’ve seen what you do to children.’

  ‘Children mean nothing. When you have as much power as I their lives are meaningless. You will soon have that power and feel the same.’

  ‘I’ll never feel that way. I don’t want your power, Witch!’

  ‘I would like to show you one more thing,’ said Dragwena. ‘It contains my most terrible memory, one that shames me. Do you want to see it? If you can resist my worst memory I will know that I can never use you. Then you will be free.’

  ‘No. You’ll kill me and Eric. I know you will.’

  ‘This memory holds a secret I have shown no one else,’ Dragwena said. ‘It will also show me at my weakest. That could be useful if you need to fight me. Perhaps you can save yourself and Eric after all. Surely you want that chance?’

  ‘Show me, then!’ Rachel shouted.

  Instantly, Rachel found herself thrust back in time. She gasped, realizing that she was no longer on Ithrea. She stood outside an enormous cave. The cave was surrounded by thousands of savage-looking children, each carrying swords and knives. Their faces were sweaty and ferocious.

  ‘Where am I?’ asked Rachel. ‘Who . . . are these children? What have you done to them?’

  ‘We are back on your Earth, in an age forgotten thousands of years before your birth,’ Dragwena’s distant voice answered. ‘See how the children loved me then.’

  Earth!

  Rachel watched the Child Army standing with swords erect, chanting the Witch’s name: ‘Dragwena! Dragwena! Dragwena!’ they cried with one great voice, adoring her. As the children called out Rachel saw Dragwena appear from a cloud. She swooped like a swallow over the army’s raised swords, tenderly brushing the sharpened tips.

  ‘What was this army for?’ Rachel asked, trying to remain calm.

  ‘I fought a battle against three Wizards on your planet,’ Dragwena said. ‘Always we have waged this war, Wizard and Witch, across many worlds and across all time. I had no interest in the children, but I knew the Wizards would come to protect the most fragile creatures on your world. They always do. But I had many years to prepare each child before they arrived, and when the Wizards came at last I surrounded myself at all times with my loyal Child Army. The Wizards did not dare attack me directly – they were afraid of injuring the children. That was their weakness, and I used it. I sent the children themselves to slaughter the Wizards. They hid underground. My children followed. I raised an army of a million, taught them my ways, and sent them deep inside the world with shields and swords of magic to seek out the Wizards and kill them.’

  Rachel saw the s
hining look on each child’s face as it held a sword aloft.

  ‘They worshipped me,’ said Dragwena. ‘Each child would have killed with its bare hands if I ordered it. Their minds were full of hate. They hated the Wizards as I hated. They killed as I killed: without hesitation, without guilt.’

  Rachel shivered, but also felt defiant. ‘Do you think by showing me this I will do what you ask?’ she scoffed. ‘These children are twisted. Everything about you disgusts me!’

  ‘Watch the final battle with the Wizards through my eyes,’ said Dragwena. ‘I have trapped them within the deepest cave in the world, and I go now to destroy them.’

  Rachel felt herself inside Dragwena’s body. She soared into the cave mouth. Inside, all three Wizards squatted in tattered clothing. One Wizard stood up shakily when the Witch entered.

  ‘Get on your knees, Larpskendya, leader of three,’ Dragwena snarled. ‘Kneel and beg. Or I will make the pain of your death last longer than this entire war.’

  Larpskendya gazed calmly at her. ‘You cannot harm us,’ he said. ‘Put down your weapons. You have already lost.’

  ‘Lost?’ Dragwena answered scornfully. ‘How pathetic you are! This is where your great magic has left you – hiding in your rags! Will you stop me, Larpskendya? Will you take my sword and strike me down?’

  ‘Not I, you fool,’ he said.

  Larpskendya turned to his companion Wizards and they all laughed at Dragwena.

  Instantly, she uttered a spell of evil over her sword and thrust it into Larpskendya’s heart. As it pierced his flesh a radiant blue light flashed from the wound. The light sprang from the cave and poured into the hearts of all the children waiting outside. Each child felt Dragwena’s sword enter its own chest and howled in agony.

  Dragwena stared in shock at the Wizards.

  Lazily, Larpskendya plucked the sword out of his chest. The wound vanished. He met her disbelieving look, his eyes sparkling with many-coloured light. Then he touched his tattered robe.

  Dragwena was brought to her knees, barely able to lift her face.