The alarm ripped me out of my slumber, and sat up rapidly. I blinked as I recalled what happened last night and looked down. I was alone in bed, Julian was gone, but there was a dent where he lay beside me. Was it real or all a strange vivid dream?
Suddenly I hear a soft croak and tug at the hem of my shirt. There was raven Julian. I smiled and stroked his head. "Morning Julian, hope you slept well?" I opened my hand, and he hops onto it, climbing up to my shoulder. I giggled as he snuggled at my neck. "To be honest, it is hard to believe what happened last night and seeing you now, but I hope it won't be long like this. Best getting myself ready for our search near the bus stop."
Julian croaked softly and flew to the chair as I walked towards the bathroom. Within the hour, with a thermos mug of hot tea in my hands, we arrived at where we first met. "Lead the way, Julian."
Julian croaked and flew off, heading out onto the open grass fields. I followed him close and paced to keep up as well, waking myself up and getting warm against the crisp autumn air. A thin carpet of fog hovering around the dewdrops of the grass leaves, giving a mystic atmosphere, but I loved it.
Suddenly Julian flapped in front of me, croaking wildly and tugged with his talons at the sleave in a different direction. "Easy, Julian. What are you trying to say?" I spoke softly.
Suddenly there was a firm tug around my ankles. The moment I looked down, there was a strong pull, sweeping my feet off the ground and pulling me across the field at high speed. Quickly as I could muster the strength, I looked down at my feet. They were tied to green branches of ivy and kept crawling their way up to my knees beside pulling me at great speed. I was still holding tight to the thermos mug of hot tea in my hand, to my surprise. Rapidly I unscrewed the lid and poured it over the branches. They withered and retreated from my ankles with a high pitched shriek.
Quickly I got up to my feet and looked around me. Despite being on the open field not too far from the bus station and road, all was quiet as the grave. So still that I heard my own heavy breathing and heart throbbing at the ears. I was tensed and ready to sprint if another attack came.
"Moira! You must leave! It's not safe!" Called Julian in his raven form, his voice was crystal clear as he swooped in.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOSja6fVh4
"I agree, Julian, but then again, I have a feeling that what we seek lies here nearby." I blinked. "Wait! Since when can you talk in raven form?"
"I don't, but now that you mention."
I walk after where I last saw the roots retreating.
"Don't!" Julian swooped in front of me.
"I think the tea did its trick for now. Roots don't move or grow like that in this world, so it means there's magic nearby and hopefully some answers to our questions."
Julian perched upon my shoulder. "Well, putting it like that, I guess there's no other way to convince you to turn around."
"Seeking for the truth has always been a strong motivation for me, and we're together in this." I walked on. "Secondly, I've handled the roots pretty well for an amateur, see, not even a scratch."
Julian's silence didn't feel agreeable.
"You took risks to save Vesuvia. Freeing you from the curse will have its risks too." I reminded.
"But I don't want you to get hurt. Not that I doubt that you can take care of yourself."
"My love, do you hear yourself talking and witness the scene with the roots grabbing me?" I asked. "No world is free of danger, not here nor in Vesuvia."
"But you don't know things of my world and its magic."
I smiled. "Isn't that one of many reasons why we are together? To help each other?"
Julian sighed and leaned his little head against my cheek; soon, he chuckled. "You're just as stubborn as Pasha, and you're right."
"Pasha is your sister; I bet she's waiting for you with a hug and a hearty lesson at the same time."
"My, that sounds like you know her personally!" Julian laughed.
"Well, here, your world and people are fictitious, existing in a game which I've played multiple times. Your story and Pasha's are my personal best." I winked while pacing in the direction I last saw the roots retreat. The fog began to grow thicker and engulf us. I felt Julian's talons grip slightly tighter to my shoulder, growing just as uneasy as I am. Soon my ears met sharp whispers of a language I'd never heard before. For a moment, dread had my heart clutched, but for wanting to know the truth and free Julian, I swallowed my fear. Still, my palms grew sweaty as I walked on closer to the source of the voice.
"Moira!" Julian whispered and tugged at my hair as I walked on. "This feels wrong. We should best leave. Moira!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5ukDie4qp
I clenched my teeth and ignored his words. Hairs at the back of my neck stood up as the whispers grew clearer and louder of a woman's voice. Slowly from the thick fog emerged before us, an elderly lady with curly silver hair to her elbows and has a glowing green leaf floating in her hands. Roots crawled over the grass like snakes but what had me petrified was the roots came from beneath her long skirt.
"So, the confident Magpie and brave Raven have found each other." Spoke the woman calmly and rapidly clasped her hands together. The glowing leaf dissolved into bright green dust and merged with the fog. She looked up and smiled warmly as if expecting us.
I blinked, speechless of the sight and her intense emerald eyes.
"So sorry about before, but it is a rarity to have guests visiting me. I guess I got a bit over-excited of your presence, especially two magical ones."
"Eh, you said two, but I'm cursed, and I think Soroka here is the braver one." Corrected Julian nervously.
"Hmm, I see what I see, and it may not be the now, but what might come." Her smile broadened.
"My name's Moira, and this is Julian. Sorry that I poured hot tea over you. We're here-"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGs4zcgeTk
"To find answers about the curse and how to return? And about the tea, don't fuss about that Magpie." She waved a hand as if throwing away the worry.
"Sorry, but why are you calling me Magpie?" I wondered.
"Why indeed? That's what you are."
"Don't tell me you're about to curse me as well?" I gave sarcastically and crossed my arms.
She giggled. "Your mind is sharp, but no." She wandered like an octopus to a wooden table that I hadn't noticed before. The table was littered with glass jars, containers, boxes and plates filled with many things but not food. Slowly I'm getting the impression that she is some sort of witch. I looked down at Julian. He looked up at me with the same question.
"What's your name, if I may know?" I asked cautiously.
"What? Oh silly me, you may call me Etus. A close servant of the great Cernunnos." She laughed and continued with her search among the containers.
Slowly I dared to approach closer. I know Cernunnos from the Celtic gods and am here in Ireland, so nothing wrong there, yet it all feels unique. Etus began to mutter and snarl at times that looked fierce, and the roots snapped like whips around her. I maintained my ground.
"I admire your courage and persistence but use it wisely as there will be danger on your path. People that meet me retreat quickly from my power. Now, where is it? You'll need it when the time is right. Ah-ha!" She grabbed something that wriggled like a worm or an insect and cast some spell on it that made it turn into some violet-blue glowing dust. Before I could take a closer look, she blew the dust into my face. "That will help you on your path."
I winced with an arm held up to defend and blinked while Julian flew towards Etus. Soon my nose tickled, which resulted from me sneezing. I heard Julian accuse Etus and looked up. The fog wasn't as light grey as before but filled with a shimmering sheen like opal; strangely, I felt confident it was magic and good magic. As I faced Etus, she was haloed with a shimmer of green, and her tentacles had turned to legs. Strangely now I notice a unique tattoo upon her forehead, which reminded me of a tiara shaped with horns, twigs and leaves.
Although Julian was in his raven form, his shadow looked human.
"I don't see what the fuss is about, Raven? I've helped Magpie sharpen her abilities." Gave Etus calmly and confidently, eyeing at me.
"Sharpening my abilities, meaning I have magic?" I blurted out, surprised.
"Of course, you were born with it. Aren't the visions in your dreams sufficient proof? Your strong intuition with reading people?"
Julian turned at me speechless of surprise with an open beak.
I blinked at Etus. "That-that's a magical ability?"
"Of course!" Etus laughed as if I were joking. "Did you think it is normal to have these abilities? That anyone else can have them?"
I knitted my eyebrows to the thought.
Etus smirked. "You'll need all the help you can get Magpie to liberate Raven's curse. The very reason being here proves you have magic within you, same with you, Raven."
"What? Me? But I'm no magician-"
"How were you able to get the deal that resulted from the curse?" Asked Etus.
Julian opened his beak but then shut it as he reconsidered.
"Etus, I appreciate your help greatly, but I can't help wonder why?" I stepped closer.
Etus smiled. "Wouldn't you have done the same if you were in my shoes?" She paused. Julian perched upon my shoulder. "What would you have done when meeting two people who are in a similar situation like you?" Etus asked.
"I see." That was all I could muster. "Yes, would have helped them however possible."
Etus smirked broadly. "The very reason that you two stand here is that you listen to your magic and your heart. Keep listening to it. It will lead you to the answers you seek."
Before Julian could remark, Etus spoke in the unique language and twirled her arms and hands to a flowing motion. Soon sparks of white light lit within the fog, multiplying and surrounding us like fireflies. I was too dazzled to be frightened of the light. "Stay true to your paths Magpie and Raven, and may Cernnunos and Caer lead you true." Called Etus.
Her voice echoed as the light began to slowly dissolve and hear nearby the road and its traffic. I blinked as the fog cleared and noticed the bus stop in the distance.
"Well, that was unexpected, and it left us with more questions instead of answers." Noted Julian.
"Hey, you can talk now!" I scoffed, surprised and looked at him.
"Or is it the magic within you working?" Wondered Julian.
"Don't know, but I agree. I always felt drawn to stories with magic." I looked down at my hands.
"Apropos, you never told me that you get visions or have an intuition to read people."
"You never asked, and it never crossed my mind it could be a magical trait. But now thinking, my mum has it too. Differently than mine, but she denies it."
"Huh, then it runs in the family. What's her name? Where does she live?"
"Susan and she's with my dad in another country. I was born there, but it never felt home after growing up abroad and hence decided to try Ireland."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ528Sf7y5FP
"Sounds like you've travelled a lot in your past, like me."
I giggled. "Yeah, but-"
Suddenly in the distance, I hear a church bell toll the ninth hour. "Damnit! I'll be late for work! Sorry, Julian, our search will have to wait until lunch."
"That's alright. Go ahead, I follow you." Julian flew off. I sprinted to the bus stop and returned home 20 minutes later. Julian was waiting patiently at the door, and work went as usual. Once I looked over to Julian and noticed him asleep while perching on the back of the chair. I bet he didn't sleep last night, and that's well, Julian.
As the lunch hour came, I silently made a sandwich and a cup of tea while Julian slept. He needs his rest for what is to come. It was also a good moment to ponder over the things on my own. What Etus said about magic and the curse. Indeed there will be risks ahead of us, and I am willing to face them. Strangely, I feel it can only be done together despite the dangers and other challenges. Yet where do we continue from here? Looking again on the fields tonight? It sounds stupid, but what else have I got? I'll ask Julian what else he remembers as soon he's awake. Will the magic within guiding me from here on? I closed my eyes and listened closely to myself, letting my mind go empty and hearing the stillness engulfing me. Soon I felt around me a white whisp dancing. It danced in the room around me, past sleeping Julian and soon it floated out the window into the sky up to the clouds. As it began to descend, I recognized the environment. It was St. Stephan's green park in Dublin, at a half-covered trail towards a large tree, an ancient oak to be precise. It was haloed with a gentle yellow light, and within the bark, I noticed strange lines-
"Hello? Moira, can you hear me?" Cut in Julian's voice.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98LlsT9Ivx
I opened my eyes and blinked. Julian was on my lap.
"Did you fall asleep?" He wondered and hopped up to my shoulder, brushing my hair with his beak.
"Not exactly. I-I thought over things about this morning."
"You too, huh?"
"Julian, what else do you remember on the day it happened?"
"Hmm, hard to say. I was struggling a lot with flying and paid less attention to where I was heading to. I only have the field we visited today clear in my mind."
"Ok. I've decided to feel out my magic one way or another, and it showed me an old oak in a park in the city centre. I have a feeling this is our next clue."
"Will that next clue answer our questions?"
"Hope so, but I'm no visionary."
"Then what did Etus tell you? I did tell you that you'd know more about magic than me." Noted Julian and heard the smirk in his tone.
"Charmer," I muttered, annoyed.
Julian chuckled.
Suddenly the phone rang and a reminder I should get back to work. Time flew by as I was focused at work and realized how late it was as I felt a hand upon my shoulder. "Don't overwork yourself, my dear." Julian stole a kiss.
"Blimey, is that the time?" Came out of me and looked out the window; it was dark. "I was hoping we could go to the park during daylight. But I think it will have to do with sneaking in since the park is closed now." I smirked.
Julian sniggered and cupped my cheek. "Sounds like an idea."
After a quick bite, we headed out to St. Stephan's green, strolling hand in hand. Julian burrowed a jacket and scarf of mine since there was an icy wind gnawing at our bones. To my astounding, the coat I gave him was the largest I had. It fitted him well, only the colour wasn't his, but fashion is one of the minor concerns at the moment, and it's dark. From afar, I spotted police officers patrol the gates and streets. In hidden corners on walls, I noticed the cameras. Either sneak in with great stealth with a bit of luck or use magic? Magic would be the easiest, yet what are the consequences, nor do we know our full abilities.
"Julian?"
"Moira?" He faced me.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIbMs7o3eC
"Are you able to communicate with ravens, crows and other birds?"
Julian blinked at me, surprised. "I haven't thought of that. As a raven form for sure but now-" Julian trails off into the silence of uncertainty.
"Usually birds sleep when sunsets, but could you give it a try?" I wondered, looking up pleadingly to him. "Make them turn that camera away from the park or block the screen for a while." I pointed up to the camera.
"I see. Why don't you do it with your magical powers?" He smirked.
"I don't think it will work with me when it comes to birds. Plus am curious to know what your abilities are aside from changing form."
"Cheeky." Julian chuckled. "Alright, let's give it a try, but if I only knew how."
"Why not try with what you think feels right?" I suggested.
He took a deep breath and held up his hands to his temples as he closed his eyes. Soon he made further lavish gestures with his arms which reminded me of a dance.
I first noticed then a strange round marking at his throat, but before I could look closer, a loud caw of a crow made me look up. Slowly one by one, more crow assembled around the camera and picked on it. I laughed, surprised with joy and pride. "Julian! You're doing it! It works!"
"Well, what do you know you-" Suddenly, a hooded crow landed on Julian's shoulder and cawed. "Hello there." Julian greeted it.
It bobbed its head curiously to Julian. "Could you turn away the camera up there or at least cover the front part?"
The crow gently pecked at Julian's hair, gave a caw and flew up.
"Impressive," I whispered as I followed the crow and saw them trying to turn the camera away with tugging, pulling and pecking.
Rapidly Julian swept me off my feet in a dance-like twirl. "Moya Soroka, you did it!" He beamed from ear to ear. "You showed me I have magic."
I laughed. "I never doubted that."
"Hmm, I can say the same with you." He kissed me, slowly dipping me.
A splash of guano nearby reminded us of the moment and paced to the tall stone wall from across the street. None of us alone can reach it. As I was about to suggest giving a leg up, Julian knelt with his hands knitted together for me to step on. Gently I stepped on, and I nearly flew over the wall to my surprise of Julian's strength. I looked down at him with a hoarse huff and reached my hand while holding to the stone. In one leap, Julian caught my hand and lifted him with all my strength.
We both panted as we were inside the park; all was dark. The dry leaves softly rustled under our feet. The wild caws of the crows and ravens couldn't be missed while my eyes got adjusted to the darkness.
"Moira? You alright?" Whispered Julian and felt his hand at my arm.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKY9p89XfC
"Fine, you? Can you see, or do you need a torch?"
"Wait? You can see in this darkness?" He whispered, astounded.
"I'm no vampire if that's what you think." I fished out the torch and handed it to him.
"Thank you, my dear. Although I would have loved you still if you were one." He smirked rakishly and leaned his face closer to mine.
I kissed him on the nose. "Charmer," I smirked.
"Aren't I?" He kissed me, cradling with one hand my skull and the other rested at the small of my back. The wonderful weightless feeling blossomed from my chest. Without thinking, I threw my arms around him. Julian groaned pleasurably in our kiss. My heart began to race, but I winced as I felt his cold hand digging under the coat and hem of my jumper. I yelped and stiffened.
Julian giggled into the kiss. "You're easy to tease, darling." He merely whispered.
I giggled but said nothing. Since we've met, there hasn't been a moment's peace for each other. Either busy working, Julian in raven form or like now seeking a solution to undo the curse. I took his hand, interlocked our fingers and led him on. "I love where this going, but it'll have to wait for now. Maybe return with a tease." I smirked and winked.
Julian sniggered and followed me with a torch at hand. "All work and no play, is it?"
Suddenly there was a rustling sound of leaves and flaps of wings, followed by a hoarse caw of a crow above us.
Immediately we halted and looked up; a hooded crow landed upon Julian's shoulder. "Alright, Twigg, we'll move on. Thanks for your help." He stroked its head with a smirk and faced me.
"What did he say?" I wondered.
"Just reminding us to move on. Apparently, his mind and mine are linked due to magic now. He knows my thoughts, and I know his."
I squeezed his hand reassuringly and kissed him on the cheek.
Julian sniggered and kissed me on the forehead. Soon Twigg hopped over to my shoulder and nibbled at my coat and ear gently.
"Twigg likes you." Julian smiled broadly.
"Hello, Twigg, and I like your name. Many thanks for the camera. Are you going to stick around? Mind you, it will be dangerous where we're heading." I stroked its beak and head.
Twigg cawed and ruffled his feathers.
"He's sticking around alright." Assured Julian.
"I'm honoured, Twigg and appreciate it." I giggled.
Julian beamed at me that looked like a mixture of pride and joy.
We walked on in silence, hand in hand. As we neared the old oak that I remembered in my vision, its bark began to shimmer in yellow with strange markings littered all over, and the leaves were like glowing fans. I looked at it, speechless of its magic and beauty as I gapped.
"Are you seeing this?" Gasped Julian just as awestruck as I am.
"Yes, this is it. Our next clue." I took a step closer to touch the bark, but before I could, a branch lowered down like an arm, presenting a small oval-shaped amulet with a chain.
Gingerly I took it as Julian nodded me to take it.
The branch returned to its natural pose, and the glowing ceased, leaving us in the darkness.
Twigg flew up and cawed at the branches of the tree.
The round amulet looks like it is made out of silver with a long chain as a necklace. I felt in its touch magic humming, but what sort or for what purpose I couldn't tell. I tried to open it, but it won't budge yet. I don't want to damage it.
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