ENCHANTRESS OF LOS OCEANA CHP 6
Chapter 6
Diamonds and Pearls
Hope raced to her brother’s office early the next morning. She rapped hard on the door, praying he would be there. It was a grayish sky outside and the snow clouds were already thick overhead. She rapped again, her blue robes billowing in the slight breeze from the draughty corridor.
“Come in!” A gruff voice came from within the office. Pushing the door open, Hope sped inside and took a seat, her hands folded in her lap. He looked up, an element of surprise on his weathered worn face. “Hope? It’s rather early for you don’t you think?”
“Thawson,” Hope had been unable to sleep after what the Ava had told her. “The animals are at war, in the woods and I want to know why?” His eyes widened and his lip tightened.
“Who told you that?” He sounded frightened as though that information had been top secret. He scratched his dark beard while glancing nervously into her young face.
“Aerora,” Hope told him. “The Ava!” He frowned and stared harder at her, willing an explanation.
“I went into the woods last night, by accident!” She quickly explained. “I was flying and some wood creatures pulled me into the forest. Lobo and Aerora saved me but she told me never to venture into the woods alone because the animals are angry and at war with one another, but why, Thawson?” Her voice was hurried and slightly high pitched. She had been concerned and aerora’s words were imprinted on her mind.
“Lobo? The wolf? And Aerora told you all of this?” Sighing he leaned back in his chair, scratching his chin thoughtfully. “Yes, the animals are at war, and not necessarily just with themselves. some creatures are blaming us for their problems. food’s short and the winters haven’t been as cold of late and the snow leopards, the siberian tigers and the Arctic fox along with other winter like creatures have been angry and blaming humanity for their problems.”
“Is it our fault?” Hope asked sternly.
“Well, yes and no!” Thawson told her gently, standing to pour some tea.
“Would you like a cup?” She nodded and waited for his further explanations. Thawson had been awoken, that was clear from the blue towelling robe that he was wearing and the sleepy look upon his face. Placing a cracked yellow cup in front of her, he took his seat once again and sighed gravely.
“Your predecessor was not a gifted witch. Many of Loso Tierras were angry with the ancients for even appointing Violet. But the biggest problem was that she hated winter! Hope, you must know that elementation will be an enchantress’s greatest subject in one so young. You, have the abilities to control the natural flow of things which no other has the right to mess with. True, we teach elementation but you are the only human that can control the entire weather of Los Oceana. Without your magic, plants would die, flowers would never flourish, and the trees would forever be in winter. And if you chose to keep Loso Tierras in Summertime constantly, then the animals we need for hunting and keeping our world stable would die from heat exhaustion. Here, in Loso Tierras is the only place exotic creatures and Arctic creatures may exist along side each other. The snow falls all but two days of the year, the Ostara dates and that is for many reasons. The animals believe it to be the two days, none of them are impaired to find food or shelter and they can begin to build their winter and summer homes. The Arctic animals move further up into the mountains during the sumer time while the exotic animals come closer to the river. On the winter Ostara, the Arctic animals move further down hill while the exotic creatures hibernate or make underground homes where they can keep warm. Violet did not believe in winter so the cycle of weather confused the animals and caused many of them to die. That is why they’re angry with us. Themselves? Who knows. Sometimes, I suspect it has a lot to do with Stigma, he believes he is the emperor of the animals. Many differ on that opinion but he is greedy, unkind and slowly is killing off the non magical animals. So, yes, the animals are warring but your warriors are attempting to keep things in order. so you have nothing to worry about.”
“I am the enchantress!” Hope said severely, glaring at him. “I know i’m new at this, thawson, but I need to know these things. How do you think it looks when I have to be told from a creature I didn’t even knew existed that the animals of Loso Tierras are warring under my nose?” He nodded apologetically and rested a hand on the old oak desk. Hope was both fascinated and disconcerted by what he had told her but he had made reassurances so what choice did she have but to let him get on with it. “If there’s any developments, I want to know about them!” Hope stood abruptly from the table and Thawson nodded. As she reached the door and placed a hand on the door knob, he called her back.
“Hope?” Turning, she saw he was smiling broadly. “You will make a wonderful enchantress!” Nodding gratefully, she headed down to breakfast and the commencement of her day’s classes.
breakfast was a quick event and Hope was preoccupied with her previous conversations with the Ava and Now Thawson. It seemed that Loso Tierras was in more trouble than most of its inhabitants were aware of an it was now Hope’s duty to make sure that this didn’t turn nasty. Sighing, she picked up her schedule and stared, Elementation. That was her first class. Wonderful! She stood, not even realising Chelsea, summer and Marietta were still eating and headed out of the dining hall.
Inching along the forever ending corridors, she finally found a wooden door with the peeling letters of Library written in white paint upon its ageing panels. Pushing the door open with a creak, she wandered inside to find a squat old man sitting behind the desk. He had a rounded red nose that appeared to be running with moisture and grey rimmed glasses perched upon it. His eyes were grey and almost transparent as she looked at him. Walking quietly, she smiled broadly at him, praying he was friendly. A name tag read: Mr Livre.
“Good Morning, mr Livre,” She smiled generously as she rested her hands on the old oak desk. “I am looking for some books.”
“You came to the right place,” He chuckled friendly. Relieved he was kind, she nodded.
“I’m looking for a book on animals native to Loso Tierras, and maybe a history book encountering previous enchantresses?”
“Trying to learn from your predecessors, Miss Hope?” The man’s grey eyes lit up in enthusiasm. How did he know? She wondered as she looked him up and down.
‘How? How did you know? no one is meant to know until Friday,” She said quietly, amazed by his knowledge.
“My department is knowledge Miss Hope, and I make it my business to know what is going on,” his expression was friendly and warm as he emerged from behind the desk. “In truth, I have been waiting for you to come to me. Didn’t think your forte would be books? I heard you had opened Rose tower, not Jasmine tower.”
“Ah, the characteristics,” she sighed desolately. “Well Mr Livre, I believe each sister contributed to the success of Rose. Without knowing where her sisters went wrong, she would never have known where to go right. I still know very little about this place and as enchantress, I believe I should know what I can to arm me to carry out my duties successfully.”
“You are very wise,” He was holding a pile of books in his arms, far more than she had requested but it was almost as if he had been waiting for her for days. “I have never heard a young woman speak as you just did, maybe the ancients are right, maybe we should expect great things from you after all!” He placed the books into her arms, picked up a feather duster and headed to some shelves. It seemed apparent to her that this conversation was over and she took the books carefully, deciding to drop them in her dorm room before heading to Sun Tower for her first class.
Professor Solomon was very sweet and very good at her job. Hope was learning fast and she knew she had to do this class very well now as the animals were depending on her to balance out the ecosystem. Staying behind for a few minutes, she asked Professor Solomon if they could possibly do a few more lessons.
“Well of course Hope,” she spoke in a very airy tone that almost resembled the light summer breeze. Her green eyes contrasted remarkably with her soft, musical tones in their dark and sharp appearance. Hope would have said Professor Solomon was a pure mix of the elements herself. Her long golden hair resembling the beautiful sun which equalled the fire. Her soft breathy tones as the air around her. Her green eyes the cold earth in which they all lived but where the water was, Hope was unsure. Maybe in the fluidity in which the woman walked.
“Thanks, Professor,” Hope smiled gratefully. “I want the balance back for the kingdom of the animals.”
“I think you to be very wise,” She smiled warmly. “How about tonight after classes have ended?” Hope nodded and with her plan falling into place, she skipped off for the rest of her day’s classes.
Over the next couple of days, Hope barely hung with her friends, achieving homework time, personal study time and extra classes with Professor Solomon, she barely had time to eat and sleep let alone socialise. Before she knew it, Friday had come around and she had to leave at five to White Rose castle. Only Chelsea and members of staff knew why. She had barely seen her brother to ask him a few questions about Mr Livre that she suspected he was more than just a wizard but with her new schedule, she had little time to do anything.
Taking a book on the relationships of the many animals in Loso Tierras with her, Hope stepped onto the unicorn slay with Thawson and headed off to White Rose castle. Thawson knew most parents were coming to collect their children for the grand ball of the new Enchantress and he also realised there would be a lot of skepticism surrounding Hope’s appointment, especially after Violet’s terrible attempts but he had to make this clear to Hope. She seemed preoccupied with her book so he thought to wait until she had met with the ancients, changed and was ready for her grand entrance as Enchantress of Los Oceana.
Hope hurried up to Rose tower once disembarking from the slay and found Flora waiting patiently for her in the round room which Hope vaguely remembered to be her own. Could it have really been only a week since she was last here? It felt much longer and as she stepped inside the sweet smelling room and smiled down at her personal assistant, Hope realised this was it! Everything she had been brought to Loso Tierras for, taken away from her home and mother and friends was finally here.
“Hello, Miss Hope,” Flora squeaked excitedly from the desk by the door. “How is school?”
“school is great! Hard work but it is truly wonderful! So, Flora, what am I to do? I’m a little unsure how this works?”
Flora giggled a tinkling laugh and flew toward the stair case.
“You’ll know!” She commanded Hope to follow to which the young girl responded.
Flora helped Hope to dress, or more like Flora did dress Hope in the white enchantress gown after Hope had bathed and Flora had done her hair beautifully.
“the enchantress must look beautiful for her grand entrance,” Flora said gently as she looked at hope, the final stages of their make over complete. “And you Miss Hope, look like a dream!”
“Thank you, Flora,” Hope said graciously as she looked around her and suddenly the pink light glowed and she could hear their voices.
“Hope, come to the opal room, we need to meet!” The ancients commanded and Hope obediently walked down her staircase to the living room, out of her tower door, down the stone tower steps and along several corridors, down more staircases and finally she found herself outside of the opal room. As she pushed the door open, a thunderous applause met her ears. Smiling bashfully she walked calmly and modestly toward her throne.
“Welcome, Hope, Enchantress of Los Oceana,” Theodore smiled behind his grey beard. “We’ve been hearing wonderful things about you from your teachers,” He looked to Jessica her eyes dancing with excitement.
“Yes, absolutely wonderful things!” She agreed.
“Truly magnificent,” falsetto wiped his bright blue eyes that were streaming with tears. His long silvery hair pinned back from his face as he wiped his red cheeks and red nose with a handkerchief.
“O Falsetto, pull yourself together man,” Calcinum chided as he looked on with severe brown eyes.
“I can’t help it! it’s such a joyous occasion,” Falcetto commented blowing his nose hard. Hirmira and Jessica laughed.
“Welcome Hope!” Hirmira smiled. The woman who reminded Hope of the statue outside of their dorm room, that had only appeared after the first night, stood with her full beauty now and held Hope’s hands. When the ancients touched Hope, it was not as she had ever suspected it would be. she thought it would be icy cold and as though the ancients were ghosts but they had a warmth that could never compare to human touch. Hope smiled broadly as Rose held out her own hands.
“Welcome Hope! Are you ready?”
“Yes!” She said with pure confidence. “I want to do what is right for Los Oceana. I want to protect our land, our magic, our animals, whether that be from themselves or outside forces. I am ready!”
“Good!” Theodore’s wise eyes smiled knowingly at her. “Then it’s time!”
As Hope ascended the grand stair case in the Crystal Foyer, she felt an arm around her and turned to see her brother. His warm eyes conveyed pride and concern.
“What is it Thawson?” Hope asked gently, her blue ocean colored eyes trained perfectly on his.
“I just wanted to wish you luck and remind you that the people of Loso Tierras may take some time to get used to your appointment.”
“I can understand why,” She smiled warmly.
“You will make a wonderful Enchantress Hope,” He smiled broadly, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smile. “You already are!” Walking closer to the door of the diamond ballroom, hOpe realised that some guests were already present. Ray stepped out from the gold dining room and pulled her inside.
“Not quite yet,” He told her. “A few more minutes”. He was standing by the table that was already decorated for the dinner. Luna and Erida were standing behind Ray and many fairies were dancing around happy at their work. Luna wore a pale blue dress while Erida was clad in a dark purple dress.
“You all look beautiful!” Ray wiped a tear from his bright blue eyes and looked across to his son.
“It’s time Thawson!” Hope turned and Ray and Thawson along with her two sisters walked toward the diamond encrusted double doors. Luna, Erida and Thawson entered first. The music stopped and heads turned toward the doors.
“I will introduce you, you will walk in and smile warmly at each person as you walk down the path, step onto the diamond platform and sit in the golden throne. Once you are ready to speak, stand and the ancients will guide you from there!” His instructions were clear and concise and Hope trembled nervously as he entered the room.
“Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! Creatures of Loso Tierras, please rise and greet your new enchantress! Hope Ostara Midway!”
The crowd’s exhilarated applause followed as Hope slowly but confidently entered the room. Sure enough, many people were seated at tables, leaning against pillars or lining the walk way she was about to travel down. Their faces expectant and wondering. She saw some of her class mates, Summer Jenkins and Marietta with their families. Drew Alexander from eighth year stood alongside a blonde headed girl who she assumed was his little sister. Magical creatures were there too, elves like Dempi from school, lots of fairies that seemed to hover everywhere. Headmistress Heartley stood with some of the other professors and Hope felt her cheeks flush with the thousands of eyes upon her. She did as her father had advised her, smile as she walked and as she reached the platform, she felt nerves rip through her stomach.
Stepping onto the glistening platform, she turned slowly and saw the crowd all stand in silence, all of their eyes on her. All except one pair. Erida’s. Smiling nervously she took a deep breath. but a pink glow began to emit from her and she instinctively knew the ancients were about to speak.
“We the ancients of Los Oceana welcome you all. We called this ceremony to formally introduce your new enchantress. She stands before you today and has pledged to protect your world and guide others to maintain it as it should be. Hope Ostara Midway is your new enchantress of Los Oceana. Place trust in her, honour and protect her, and she shall repay those courtesies. Please welcome her to the throne.”
“sit down Hope, dear,” Rose whispered in her ear and she obeyed, grateful to relieve her jelly like legs from their shaking.
The crowd cheered and clapped and Hope felt amazed! This was incredible. Her tummy felt as though thousands of insects were flying around and her face blushed crimson at their adoration. “You may speak,” Hope heard Rose whisper, amazingly over the crowd’s din.
standing, nervous as she was, Hope cleared her throat and taking a breath that felt as though she had led in her lungs, she began to speak.
“Welcome, Ladies, Gentlemen, boys and girls, creatures of all kinds!” Her voice was hoarse with nerves. “I, Hope Ostara Midway stand before you as enchantress and will do so until I am needed no longer. i pledge my love and loyalty to this world and will do whatever is within my power to stabilise its existence. Have faith, believe in me, and we shall work together!” Another uproar of applause as she took her throne once again and watched as guests began to mingle. Smiling as her father walked toward her, a proud smile upon his gentle features, sparkling in his clear blue eyes, Hope rose and stepped from the platform.
“Congratulations!” Ray whispered in an emotional tone. Leading her into the crowd. Smiling and greeting everyone, hope felt so amazed by her own confidence. spotting Chelsea, she hurried over.
“You did brilliantly, Hope!” She cried happily, hugging her friend. The pink glow had disappeared now and Hope stood in her white dress mirroring the image of an angel.
“How do they like me?” She whispered to Chelsea. Her brunette friend nodded eagerly.
“Most of them are a little dubious, obviously, but they’re willing to give you a chance. So that is a good thing.”
A tap on Hope’s shoulder startled her as she and Chelsea talked animatedly about the castle. Turning, Hope looked up into the dark face of a young man she recognised. Zyre Porterio!.
“Hope, may I have this dance?” Zyre seemed confident, certain of himself at school but something now showed her he was all of those things and more. Standing at around six foot five, his dark skin smooth like coffee, his eyes light like butterscotch, she almost melted under his gaze. Chelsea giggled behind her and Hope wanted to kick her best friend but merely smiled at Zyre in response. She wasn’t certain she’d be able to talk even if she could think of something to say, what with her throat suddenly becoming dryer than Tamorik amidst a blazing sun.
“this way,” He took her arm, hands warm and masterful, stride so perfect and demeanour warmer than she’d witnessed before. He was a gentleman to say the least. She felt eyes upon her now, aware that the new enchantress was being given her first dance by the Porterio kid. Zyre’s family was well known in Loso Tierras, dating back thousands of years, always having a member of a generation in the warrior army. Zyre’s great grand father had been general warrior, like Thawson was now in the beginning of the last century. The Porterios dated back probably as far back as the Lexons did. Pure blooded but with no desire to isolate those of non pure blood. Many of the pure blood families regarded their status higher than any other in Loso Tierras but Zyre’s family had always accepted any level of magic, not even harbouring dislike for non magical humans like most of the pure bloods did.
‘respect all, and all will respect you!’ Was written in an ancient language on their family crest. Zyre’s father, Gabriel watched on with pride as his only son guided the new enchantress upon the dance floor. Gabriel knew his son could be the biggest pain in the ass but watching him now reminded Gabe of the man Zyre was growing into. He hoped that he’d become a warrior too, although Zyre seemed to have little or no desire to follow in the family footsteps but Gabriel Porterio could hope right?
Zyre pulled Hope into his arms and placed a huge hand on her small waist with ease. Hope looked up into his handsome face and her breath caught in her lungs. He was even more handsome than any of the others could have described. Perfect features defined with the symmetrical bone structure enhanced greatly by the darkness of his skin. His butterscotch eyes danced in his face, lighting it up as though a fire burned behind them.
“You look beautiful!” he sounded sincere as he stroked her long blonde hair. “a image of an angel!” His lips barely moved s he admired her exquisite appearance. She was beauty that was matched to his own and yet the complete opposite. fair skin, tanned recently by the sun, long blonde hair that was straight as a needle and ocean blue eyes that sparkled as though the sun shone upon them.
“Thank you,” She struggled to exhale as she spoke. He looked down at her, not sure why she was thanking him.
“I’m Zyre Porterio,” his voice was as smooth as velvet. “I’m in eighth year. I’ve seen you around. You hang out with Chelsea Hubbard, right?”
“Yeah,” She felt her chest tighten again as she spoke. “I know, I know who you are. I’ve seen you too!” She confessed but regretting never have seeing him this up close before. His presence was almost monarch like. She felt as though she should worship him in a way that she’d never worshipped a boy before. Turning as they danced to the light tango music, Hope wondered how long she could respectably stay with him without being rude to her other guests. If she didn’t care, all night would still not be long enough. Love at first sight was something she had never believed in before. but she had never believed in much that she now believed in before coming to Loso Tierras.
He spun her, twirled her like a professional dancer and Hope was fast realising that he was more than what the other girls in her year had said. He lived up to the handsomeness they spoke of, even the apparent arrogance, but he was in possession of a magic she was uncertain of. Whatever he possessed had her mesmerised. Looking up to his dark face, taking in his defined features, Hope found herself gasping for breath.
“Are you OK?” He was nothing but a gentleman as he stopped the dancing for a moment to check on her. Shaking her head, he lead her from the dance floor and took her to stand beside an open window.
“You look a little flushed,” He smiled respectfully at her. “I’ll go and get you some water?” he asked, raising his eyebrows in hope that was indeed what she wanted. Nodding slightly at his question, Zyre left her leaning faintly against the diamond encrusted wall. The cool air from the evening flowed across her hot cheeks calming her fluster.
“Someone is in love?” Chelsea’s teasing voice was in her ear now, low tones but high enough for Hope to recognise the taunting.
“shut up!” Hope hissed through clenched teeth as the air swirled around her, causing her shoulders to shiver from the cool breeze.
“Hope, you can’t lie to me remember?” Chelsea’s plump face beamed with child like teasing. “He’s so much, much more than you guys said,” She whispered hastily, crossing her fingers that he wouldn’t come back too soon. chelsea was her breast friend, someone she could confide in about everything, not that she ever needed to open her mouth to do that. Nevertheless, Chelsea was the one person who would understand. Sighing and shrugging her shoulders dramatically, chelsea looked across to where Zyre was coming back toward them.
“He likes you too,” chelsea whispered and dashed off to find summer and Marietta.
“here,” He held out a crystalline goblet filled with water and rested an arm upon her shoulders. “You’re looking better.”
“Thanks,” Hope smiled gratefully, taking the glass as her heart pounded in her chest. It was hammering away so loud she could almost hear it amidst the din of the ball room.
“You sure you’re OK?”His eyes, light and caring watched her tentatively.
“I’m fine,” She smiled gently sipping the water gratefully. “I guess all the strain of this week just caught up to me.” He nodded and leaned idly against the wall beside her.
“Guess it was pretty hard keeping this a secret,” a playful smile crossed his dark, plump lips. “Although, Chelsea would have know, eh?” He nudged her playfully with his elbow and she giggled, lowing the goblet from her lips and smiling gently at him.
“Yes, of course,” She leaned against the wall too, something about him drew her to him. “She’s been very supportive.”
“Good,” His eyes fixed on hers again as he took the water from her hand and led her back toward the dance floor. People parted and Hope had to pinch herself. A gorgeous guy wanted to continue to dance with her and she was Enchantress of an entire world. How was this real and happening to her? Taking her into his arms, Zyre twirled her proudly around the dance floor, under the watchful gaze of his father and Hope’s. Thawson was smiling while Erida scowled. How dare Hope attract a boy from one of the purest blood families in the whole kingdom? the horrible little girl! At that moment, Erida stormed from the room to consult some of her fellow wizards and witches who had already begun to plot against the beautiful new enchantress.
The party continued throughout the night and slowly the guests diminished. Chelsea left with her father Amos around twelve-thirty and Zyre was beckoned by his father to retreat not long after that.
“Well, Hope, I will see you at school on Monday?” He looked confident that whatever he deemed would occur between them, would indeed happen. Waving warmly to Ray and Thawson, he left with his father Gabriel.
“So?” Thawson beamed at Hope. “How do you think it went?”
“I think it went amazingly!” Hope beamed and bid her farewells, knowing she had several duties to perform in the morning.
January 29, 2010
MJ Phoenix
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The Phoenix's Quil 