Spellscape
Chapter 1
Minta sighed as she looked out at the rain pattering down ferociously. It teamed down the gabled roof of Arcwilder and pooled in large pondish puddles near the door. Minta heard a faint rumble of thunder in the distance. Rebecca, the mouse, who at that instance was sweeping a rather small patch of the window room floor, looked up. It was seven. She put away her broom and apron, and crawled up onto the window seat next to Minta. It was a large seat, with room for two, possibly three. Plenty of room for a witch and a mouse together.
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They watched as the butterflowers in the yard whirled around, trying to find shelter from the sudden rain. It had been drizzling all day, and now all of a sudden it had started to really bucket down. Minta and Rebecca watched as Binxi, one of the pixie horses, fluttered around the yard chasing the butterflowers. An indignant faerie was chasing after her, waving her delicate shining wand menacingly. Minta also had a wand, but it was a witches’ wand, dark and weaving. Not at all delicate, as witches had a tendency to drop things.
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Minta lived in Arcwilder, short for Arcwilder House, which was on a large estate in the middle of the realm. Its’ main inhabitance had been witches, but they had slowly dwindled down a bit, and the house had been taken over mainly by Magic Mice, such as Rebecca. There were still plenty of witches, just not in Arcwilder, with its’ forty something rooms. It was a grand old place, and was well taken care of by mice and witches from the inside, and faeries on the outside.
Minta sighed and stared at her sketchbook, trying to see in the dim light. she gave up, and, closing the book, swiveled around and got up, carefully minding she didn’t squash Rebecca.
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Making for the door, she reached out her hand for her wand, and half ran half stomped down the stair, placing her wand on the rack near the door.
Rebecca hopped down from the window seat and ran to one of the many holes in Arcwilder’s walls. She polished her small glasses with a little piece of fleece rag, then straightened them on her pointy nose.
Lily, who had finally caught up with Binxi, grabbed the reigns and led the offending mount to the stables. A lightning bolt suddenly clashed nearby. Lily jumped. Binxi
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reared and shook herself. “hmmf,” The horse grumbled. Lily led her to a stall. “In.” Was all she said. Binxi went in and made herself comfortable. She shook herself and tucked herself up under her colourful, butterfly like wings.
Minta was cooking with Nina in the kitchen, it was soup, which is really very easy. All you had to do was say all the ingredients aloud while waving your wand. But still, somehow Minta messed it up. “Minta really, you should be more careful then that. What if you waved in the wrong direction?? I don’t want to be covered in duck soup. Lucky it was the poor floor and not me.” Nina grumbled as she went off find a towel.
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But it wasn’t clutziness that made Minta miss the bowl completely. “Look,” she said in a hoarse whisper. Nina, still grumbling a bit about the mess, looked. She went pale under her greenish skin. “But that isn’t possible!” She gasped.
Gin, on the back of Minx Dragon was riding wildly in the storm. “For goodness sakes!” He raged, striking the dragon, which yelped. “That way! In that direction! Honestly.” The dragon grumbled to himself about mean Page 6
masters who didn’t keep their hands to themselves, and that maybe poor innocent dragons should maybe perhaps accidently drop their horrible masters. But he kept these thoughts to himself. This was better then being chained in Hisbuild, the hall where Gin lived.
Blanca, the other Minx Dragon, was still chained there. Gin took in turns which he used, often preferring Blanca for longer flies, as she was more diligent. “Down!” Roared Gin all of a sudden, and the Minx had no choice but to obey. He swooped low, over Arcwilder, and caught a glimpse of movement in one of the windows. Gin saw this too and his eyes gleamed. “Aha, there is someone or something there!” He growled. “Aim for the lawn.” The dragon swooped down with a graceful thud.
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Nina grabbed Minta and pulled her away from the window. “We gotta get outa here!” She hissed, sparks flying from her eyes. Sparks always flew from Nina’s eyes when she was distressed or angry. All witches had something. Minta’s ears poured out thick black smoke. At least lightning didn’t come out of her nose, she once thought the first time this happened. Nina tugged Minta up the stairs, but Minta pulled free, dashed back down to the kitchen and grabbed Rebecca, who was in the pantry, and had missed all the commotion. She snatched the wands off the stand by the door and dashed up the stairs where Nina was waiting with flames in her eyes. They dashed upstairs, Minta clutching Rebecca for dear life.
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Nina unbolted the door to the safe room, Cora was already there with at least twenty mice, the entire stable of Pixie horses, and the faeries. Binxi was shaking. “What is it?” she whispered. “shush,” Cora said quietly. Binxi snuggled Lily and Storm, another mount. Rebecca wiggled out of Minta’s grasp and danced off to the other mice. A small mouse-baby, let out a quiet sob before its’ mother shushed it. it was dead silent outside. Gin had broken into the kitchen via the large seated window. He stomped about a bit in the larder, but could not find a single thing. Then he spotted something, a flourily witch footprint. So someone was here, they were just hiding. Gin noisily banged up the stairs and stopped at the first door. It was unlocked.
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All the doors were, one after the other, Gin wrenched them open. After the eleventh disappointment he howled in rage, before stopping at the door number twelve. This door was locked. Gin rattled the handle, then banged the door, finally bashing it in. The room appeared empty.
Minta stifled a small yelp as the door banged against her uncovered shin. Nina glared at her from behind a large crate, full too the brim with mice. Binxi and Storm twitched slightly behind the curtains. Cora and Lily held their breath from the ceiling. Gin glanced about the room fervishly. He turned over a table, crushing Minta’s leg slightly. She couldn’t help it…
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Chapter 2
“Ow!” Minta’s hands flew to her mouth, but it was too late. Nina gasped and choked slightly on some carpet fluff. Gin grunted and turned to see a very bruised witchy leg. He grabbed the leg and yanked out the witch it belonged to.
“Reveal yourselves!” He shouted, and started to twist Minta’s arm painfully behind her back. Cora quickly thought of a plan. What was the use of them all getting captured? Before anyone could do anything, she jumped from the ceiling. “Here I am!” She announced. “Please don’t hurt her!” Gin stopped twisting Minta’s arm to grab Cora. He dragged them both out to the waiting Dragon.
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Flame grumbled at the extra weight of the witches. Gin had tighed their hands and feet to Flame, so there would be no “tricky business”. Gin hopped in front and yelled, “Com’on Flame, ya!” To get the Minx Dragon to soar into the air. Minta looked down at Arcwilder, wondering what the others were doing. Cora hoped Minta would be sensible, but who knew?
They landed outside the most miserable castle you had ever seen. Above the portcullis was an old mossy plark with the word “Hisbuild” embossed on it.
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There was a loud scrapy-screechy noise as an ogre pulled the chain that raised the portcullis. Flame walked stolidly into the main hall, where as soon as Gin was off his back with the witch girls, he was led away down a corridor by some goblins. Gin had tied the girls’ hands behind their backs, which he now tied around a post. He glared at Minta and Cora in turn, wondering what to do next. He spat on the ground near Minta’s feet, and glowered. Cora glanced at the peculiar pattern on the ceiling, wondering. “Well, guess there’s not much to do, ‘s there? You girls better come along, and no peeking at the strange sights.” He growled. He untied their hands and led them down the same hall Flame had vanished to with the goblins. Cora sneakily glanced around, but Minta kept her head down, watching the pattern on the floor. Something was scratching at the back of her head…
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Gin threw the girls into a crumbly, smelly room. “The Wizard will see to you.” Was all he said, and left the room.
The remaining residents of Arcwilder were in despair. Rebecca and all the Magic Mice were sobbing, Lily was the glummest and greyest looking Faerie you ever saw in your life, Binxi and Storm and the other mounts were going crazy, and Nina was wailing and shrieking softly, if that is possible. After a bit Rebecca went over and stroked Nina’s head. Nina looked at her “I must do something.” She said. Rebecca made soothing noises while shushing the other mice behind Nina’s back. One by one they stopped crying. “What will you do?” The petite little mouse asked Nina kindly. Nina shook her head. “exactly,” She whispered. “What?”
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Minta slowly got up from her position on the floor, Cora did the same. “Well, well, well, new witches I see.” Crowed a very growly old voice from a corner. “Spiffy ones too, I dare say.” Minta hissed softly. “Who’s that?” Cora called out. An old, old gentleman walked into view. “Gumwart, at you service.” He said with a smile. Cora looked at him. “What are you going to do to us, Gumwart?” She asked suspiciously. Gumwart chuckled. “A great many, many things, my dear. But the first, is to suit you up for this place.” Gumwart revealed an old cracked wand, with what looked like mold growing on it. Minta wrinkled her nose in disgust.
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Gumwart waved his wand and tapped it against his hand a few times. The wand came alive and shone like a sunset but more golden and concentrated. Gumwart waved the wand. “Abrika boo!” He yelled. “Dabrika doo!” Minta began to tingle. As did Cora. Their clothes, muddy, torn and disgusting, changed completely to drab, thick robes. Gumwart the wizard chuckled. “You will find these comfortable and serviceable. But not,” He added, “Not pretty or nice.” He turned and marched back to the corner he had appeared from and sat down. Minta followed him. “But where are we? Who are you? Who was that great big ugly fellow? What is all this?”
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Gumwart sat back and closed his eyes. “A story,” He began. “A long, long story, and I don’t have time for stories. You will be expected to do your duty. I must go now, but to summon me, just knock.” Then the wizard disappeared. The witch girls looked at each other, “What was that?” Minta whispered to Cora. Cora looked at her with wide eyes, “As if I’m supposed to know!” She scoffed. “We are stuck here, in this place, and I am supposed to know what I going on!” Minta blushed. Cora shook her now heavy robes. “Let’s get out of here,” She said, making for the door. Minta followed her tensely. Cora boldly pulled the door handle. To both of their surprises, it pulled open easily. Cora stepped cautiously into the hall, with Minta anxiously peering over her shoulder.
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Rebecca was stalking the room, with Nina watching her from the window seat. “The way to fix this,” The mouse finally decided, “Is with a spell.”
Nina scoffed. “That’s the best you could come up with in an hour? What else? What sort of spell?” Rebecca glared at her. “I have not quite decided on that point.” She sniffed. Binxi was chewing her tail in a corner. Storm nickered softly as Lily stroked her soft, blue-with-pink back. Rebecca took off her specs and frowned at them. “I disguising spell, a good one.” She said after six-and-a-half minutes of glaring at her glasses. Nina opened her mouth, “What about Minx Dragons?” Rebecca frowned. “Yes, that could work, we do, after all, see on occasion, a flock of Minxes fly over the realm, don’t we?” She thought a bit. “Yes, it is a very good idea Nina.” Nina grinned.
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“But,” Rebecca furrowed her brow again. “Do you know of such a spell that would work? That would do that?” It was now Nina’s turn to think, hard. “Yes.” She said, “But it is a little risky.” Rebecca eyed her meaningfully. “How much is a little?” Nina gulped. “Risky enough that if I don’t get it right, we are stuck bloomin’ Minxes.” Rebecca nodded. “Good.”
Cora glanced around the hall, before taking a step. As she did, a loud shout rang from the end of the passage, and a shape galumphed towards them. Minta closed her eyes tight shut and braced herself. Cora shielded her face, and waited.
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Chapter 3
Minta gasped shallowly as the creature stopped centimeters from her face. Cora slowly opened one eye, then shuddered and opened the other. “What,” She said, “Are you?!” The creature bowed politely and unexpectedly. “I,” he said, “Am Zlyde, a troll, ma’am. And you?” Minta couldn’t help grin at his posh accent and noble attitude. “Why are you here, Zlyde?” She asked. “I am gardian of the magic hold.” Zlyde replied. “Anything, Minx Dragons, Wands, and any prisoner with just a hint of magic,” He eyed the two witch girls. “Is kept here, locked up and safe. The Wizard, Gumwart, takes care of all the knick-knacks that end up here.”
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Cora nodded, it made a bit more sense now. Minta glanced at Zlyde’s face, it was ugly, that was undeniable, but yet, with the smile and the look of knowing and wisdom behind the eyes, it was one of the kindest faces she personally had ever seen.
Nina stood out in the yard with Binxi, Storm and Lily, ready to perform the spell. Rebecca was to stay behind and in charge, because really, it would be a very silly thing to turn everybody capable of doing something into a Minx Dragon. Minx Dragons had terrible tempers, and were reckless,
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so Rebecca was to stay and organize a strong hold, with enough supplies for everyone to live in it for at least a month, as it was best to be prepared, even though they only thought the whole thing would last a week at the very most. Nina had them all lined up on the front lawn. She was at the front of the line. It was difficult to perform a spell on one’s self at the best of times, let alone such a hard one, plus having to do others too. A potion would be easier, but that required essence of a Minx Dragon, which they did not have.
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So Nina was using an ordinary wand in the front yard. “Arikea speaky deaky. Nary Pary woo!” Nina felt foolish speaking gobble-de-gook, but it wasn’t to be helped, those were the magic words. A yellowish mist formed around them. “Sparika!” Finished Nina, in a now hissish voice. All of them now sported large wings and a rainbow of scales. “Off we go!” Nina cried, and they took off.
I told you they were impulsive.
Cora glanced at the hall. “Are you supposed to be, you know, attacking us?” It was the worst thing she could have said, she though, kicking herself. Zlyde glanced around, “Not you,” He said. “Because Gin wants you.”
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Minta looked at him quizzically. “What do you mean, ‘Gin wants us’?” Zlyde blushed. “Gin keeps his more special captives as slaves.” He said. “You are magic, so you stay here.”
Nina shook her head to get the mane out of her face. It was drizzling, and that left an unpleasant sting on her face. Lily looked like she was going to be sick. Suddenly, Nina changed back into a witch girl with a snap. Lily, Storm and Binxi snapped back too. But they could fly, Nina was plummeting to the ground. She was breathless. She closed her eyes as tight as she could.
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Then curled into a ball and braced for impact. Storm and Binxi raced to catch her. Lily tor her hair out, knowing that there wasn’t a chance she could catch Nina herself, and hoped that the Horses would reach her in time. Cora looked Zlyde in the eye. “Will you help us?” Minta glared him down. Ziyde answered, “I will help to the length of my ability, if you take me back to Gilderdash, the troll kingdom.” Cora nodded, this was reasonable. “Deal.” She said. Zlyde escorted her and Minta back to their room, so’s not to get in trouble with Gin, that would really, really blow their chances of escape. Minta glanced at Cora, “What now?” Cora looked at her, a glint in her eye, “Now. Now, we think of a plan.”
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Nina was plummeting to the ground, Storm and Binxi were trying as hard as possible to catch her. Binxi caught hold of Nina’s blouse and gave it a tug. Nina had stopped falling but she was too heavy for Binxi to hold. Storm quickly grabbed her collar and they gentle flew Nina down to the ground. She collapsed with relief in the damp grass, gasping. Lily flew daintily out of the sky and landed near Nina. She looked at her, anxiously. “You okay?” She finally asked.
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Nina nodded and sat up. She patted the ground near her and suddenly sat up straight, eyes wide. “My wand!” She gaped. Nina patted herself down and looked about in the long grass. “I can’t find it!” She said, hyperventilating. Lily tried to calm her while Storm and Binxi joined Nina in searching for the wand. “I must have dropped it when I was falling!” Nina groaned. Lily paled a little. “I can’t do the spell I need without it!” Nina nearly past out from hyperventilating. Storm and Binxi took off from the ground and circle the past kilometer they had come from, but they could not spot it anywhere. “We will have to use mine,” Lily groaned. “And I am not sure if a faerie wand can withstand a witch’s magic.”
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Minta sat watching Cora pace the room. She yawned, quickly snuffling it out when Cora glared at her. “Whaat? I’m tired.” She protested. Cora rolled her eyes. “Could you at least come up with some ideas?” Minta got up and flung some hay at Cora. “If I came up with something, you would just tell me it was a load of rubbish.” Cora grinned. “You have a point.” Minta collapsed onto her knees and rolled over on the hay. Cora watched her. Minta closed her eyes, she was almost asleep when they snapped back open. “Hey! I’ve got a pretty good idea!” Cora grinned at her, “Really?” Minta rolled her eyes at her. “Duh really! Wanna hear it?” Cora sighed, then slumped onto the hay next to Minta. “Fine, sure.” “Well,” Began Minta.
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Lily handed over her wand to Nina. Nina held it gingerly, it was a beautiful wand. White and shiny, like non-transparent glass. It had intricate carvings all over it, in a swirly sort of pattern. Nina waved it gently in the air. “Abrika doom!” She cried, testing the wand. She needed to see if it could hold witch magic. “Abrika zoon!” A whirlwind and heavy rain came, lasting for about five minutes. “It worked!” Yelled Lily, clapping her hands. Nina’s face broke out into a grin. She pumped her fist. Storm nickered and Binxi let out a full blown whiny. “Onward to Cora and Minta!” Lily yelled, slightly mad from all the celebration in the air.
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Chapter 4
Cora nodded as Minta finished explaining. “You know what? That just might work!” She grinned. Minta’s face broke into a smile. Suddenly she frowned. “We forgot Zlyde!” She groaned. Cora groaned too. “What implications it would imply!” Minta flopped back and banged her head against the flagstones. “Yow!” She rubbed the sore spot.
Lily and Nina treaked on with Storm and Binxi zooming ahead. Suddenly Nina stopped. The tracks they had been following had stopped.
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Allow me to explain: Flame, Gin’s Minx Dragon, [Blanca too] Had chains around their tails. It just so happened that Flames came loose and dragged, but unfortunately Gin noticed and pulled it up into the saddle with himself.
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Nina let out a howl of despair. Lily whimpered, but held it in bravely. Storm was about to flop on the muddy ground when a something caught her eye. She stood up straight and stiffened. Then she took off like a bullet towards the something. When she got there, it was a horrible building, fallen into disrepair, but not unused. It was an ugly sight. Storm blanched as she saw probably the most hideous creature in the realm. She turned to go back but stopped. Had one of the goblins who were on top of the tower just called the hideous beast Gin? Storm strained her ears. Yes, he had! And he mentioned prisoners too! Storm set off, charging back to Nina, also Lily and Binxi.
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Cora thudded her head against a beam, rhythmically. Minta snored from the hay. Suddenly, as if by magic, which obviously, it was caused by, the beam began to shimmer, and the indignant face of the Wizard Gumwart appeared. “Do you mind?!” He grumbled. Cora was taken aback. “What do you mean?” She growled. Gumwart sighed impatiently. “I mean, you were knocking on my door, it is two in the morning! Have you no decency?” Cora stared. “I was whacking my head on a post, not a door, you silly old coot!” She yelled, waking Minta up. Gumwart’s eyes flashed. “The post is my door, nitwit!” And with that, he vanished. Cora grumbled and settled down in the hay. But sleep was not to come. Cora had a brainwave. “Minta! I’ve got it!”
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Storm was flying so fast she nearly flattened Nina. Nina grabbed hold of the Pixie Horse and held her still. “What is it?” Storm gasped for breath, “Well,” She told them everything she had seen and heard. “Hisbuild, it’s called, and it’s just over there.” Nina hugged Storm tightly. “You’re a genius!” She cried. And set off running towards Hisbuild. When they got nearer, they ducked behind a very convenient clump of bushes. Nina gulped. “Don’t fail me now,” She whispered to the elegant little wand. “Ashrieka rune! Cobrilica moon!” The wand did it’s job, instantly, the four of them looked just like goblins. Nina shuddered. Then, they set off up to the gates of Hisbuild Hall.
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Minta nodded as Cora explained the last details to her, she pulled her thick blue hair thoughtfully. “Just one thing, how do we convince Gumwart to let us out, after you yelled at him like that?” Cora grinned. We don’t have to. ‘summon me’ he said, first time we saw him, remember? While he shimmers into view, we can all jump to the beam, which he helpfully said was his front door, so we should, -fingers crossed- all end up wherever he is.” Minta looked slightly alarmed. “What if it is an unfriendly territory? Like Ashuka?” She gulped. Ashuka was the territory of the Nymphs, [Niads and Driads]. And they could be unfriendly to say in the least. Cora sighed, breaking Minta’s train of thought. “Well, let’s do this; Zlyde! Come get us you fat ugly lump!” She hollered.
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Cora was not very good at cutting insults. She caught Minta off-guard. They were leaving now. Who knew what was on the other side of the door? Zlyde appeared in the doorway, looking very annoyed. But his expression changed immediately when Cora beckoned him into the room. They all held hands in a row, and then, “WIZARD GUMWART!” Cora shrieked. Zlyde felt his left eardrum pop and he flinched. The wizard began to shimmer into view. “Now!” Cora, Minta and Zlyde jumped towards the beam.
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Nina and the others marched up to the front gate, and were let in. Lily let out a sigh of relief. Once they were in, they studied the map that had the convenience to be pinned to the wall in the first room. “Here.” Nina pointed to a hall labeled ‘Magic, mounts, prisoners, potions and weapons. Wands too.’ Lily studied the map. “We need to go left, right, double left right.” They then set off in the direction of the hall.
Minta felt like she was being tickled with one thousand feathers for about three seconds, then it stopped. She got up from the floor she had landed on and blinked. It was grassy, and all signs of a door had disappeared.
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A cottage nearby held the sign ‘Gumwart: Potions and spells’ It was sunny, and warm enough. Cora let out a groan from the ground, Zlyde rolled over and leapt to his feet, helping Cora to her own two feet. Minta pointed to the sign. “Look.” Cora glanced at it. “We need to get outta here, in case he comes back.” Zlyde nodded in agreement. They took off in a southerly direction, because Minta and Cora both knew Gilderdash was in the south, having had it forced into their brains when they were nine.
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Chapter 5
Lily led Nina, Binxi and Storm up to the front door of the cell marked ‘Witches’. “Here.” Nina carefully opened the door. Inside was not two witch girls, but a very angry looking Wizard. “What are you goblins doing?” He demanded. Binxi lowered her eyes, “We were sent to clean it,” She mumbled. Gumwart grumbled, then disappeared in a shimmer. Suddenly, there was banging at the door. Lily jumped. Gin himself appeared in the door. “What? What!” He roared. “Where are my witches?!” Nina’s eyes bugged. She could feel the disguising spell bein to fade. “Your witches?” She hissed. “YOUR WITCHES?!” Gin was taken aback for about five seconds, then he growled. “YES! MY WITCHES! WHERE ON THIS WORLD ARE THEY?!?!?!?!?” He roared. His evil eyes gleamed. Lily nearly passed out.
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Storm nickered furiously. Gin lunged at Binxi, but she skipped away to the ceiling, shinning wings flapping. Storm aimed a kick at Gin, but he grabbed her by the leg. She sunk her teeth into his arm, trying to break free. Gin let out a howl of pain. He made a grab for Lily, clutch hold her wing. She screamed and grabbed hold of his scraggly yellow-brown hair, pulling ferociously. Binxi aimed a good kick in the chest. Gin roared. Nina grabbed Lily’s wand, which happened to be lying on the floor.
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Minta and Cora were practically being dragged along by Zlyde, who had appeared to be recognizing his surroundings. Then, when they reached the top of a hill, puffing and blowing, he let out a shout, “My home!” He cried, throwing his hat in the air and whooping for joy. “Thank you so so much!” He gushed. “Goodbye girls!” He cried, and leapt off the side of the hill, running for his homeland. And that was the last either Cora or Minta ever saw of him, which is a good thing, because they had plenty more dangerous adventures, and he deserved a quite life, that poor troll. The witch girls watched him go up to the front gate, then they turned. “Well, back to Arcwilder,” Said Minta. Cora nodded. “Good old Arcwilder.”
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Nina pointed the wand at Gin’s chest. “Alika tune! Magista lune!” She screamed. “Rodika nune! Leacha croone!!” Suddenly Gin stopped thrashing, and began shrinking. He kept on shrinking, shrinking and yelling, until he was the size of a pea. Nina picked up the yelling thrashing monster, then, “Alixa vune!” And a neat little cage appeared. Nina deposited the now tiny Gin in the tiny cage and waved Lily’s wand at it once more. “Magiska hune!” The cage disappeared. Gone forever. Nina collapsed on the floor, exhausted.
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Minta and Cora let themselves in the front gate. They were greeted by a mob of very excited mice. But the mice stopped cheering as soon as they saw it was only them, the others had not returned. Rebecca turned white. “Where are Nina, Binxi, Lily and Storm?” She asked slowly. Minta looked surprised. “Why?” Rebecca shuddered. “Because, they went after you. Did you not see them? Didn’t they rescue you?” Cora snorted in surprise. “Rescue? We escaped.” Rebecca shook her head. “Oh dear. Oh dear, dear, dear!”
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Lily shook Nina awake. “We’ve gotta leave, Nina, gotta go.” Nina nodded and stood up. The world spun, and she collapsed again. Lily was letting out fast, sallow breaths. “Binxi, can you and Storm carry her? Please say you can!” The horses nodded. Storm took Nina’s Collar and Binxi the elastic of her pants. Then, Lily opened the door. They hurried out as fast as they could, but they didn’t meet a single goblin. They had all vanished with Gin. They did hear a roar in the corridor. Lily turned. There, chained up, were two of the most beautiful Minx Dragons she had ever seen. “Oh my goodness,” She murmed. Quickly, she let them free. “Binxi! Storm!” The Pixie Horses turned, nearly dropping Nina in surprise. “Quick!” Ordered. Lily, and they were. Lily and Nina were soon on Blanca, Lily holding Nin tight and Blanca even tighter. Binxi and Storm were leading Flame, as they took off towards Arcwilder.
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Rebecca was crying, as were loads of other mice and faeries. The Butterflowers looked depressed. Cora hugged Minta. “They’re alive. We need to go find them.” She said firmly. But Minta wasn’t listening. She was staring, open mouthed, at a speck on the horizon.
Lily flew Blanca gently over Arcwilder House. And landed gently. Nina stirred and sat up. She groaned. Flame landed slightly less gently nearby, with Storm and Binxi alighting near the stables. Minta squealed. “Nina!” Cora just stood in shock. The Magic Mice immediately stopped crying and started dancing for joy. The Faeries were doing cartwheels in the sky. The Butterflowers started shinning and flapping about the yard. Nina stood up uncertainly. Minta and Cora helped her into Arcwilder, and lay her down on the lounge bed.
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“Where were you?” Minta demanded. Nina grinned. “In your cell! And don’t worry, we won’t have to worry about Gin ever again.” She closed her eyes, and had a good long sleep. When she awoke, feeling much better, everything was back to normal in Arcwilder. More or less, there were still two Minxes in the yard, and a brand-new outbuilding for them to live in.
It was all very well at Arcwilder, the sun was glinting off the backs of Storm and Binxi as they careered around the sky. The Faeries were singing. As Minta sat, finishing her book on the window-seat. Rebecca looked at the clock. It was four. She left her sweeping to go snuggle with the witch girl. Minta smiled. Cora burst into the room, covered in flour. Her golden-brown hair completely covered. Rebecca sneezed.
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“You gotta come help me, Minta! Nina is super cross!” Nina could be heard yelling in the kitchen. Minta giggled. She followed Cora down to the kitchen. It looked like a tornado had exploded in there. Nina’s Dark Purple hair was caked with batter, and she was fuming. “I will never be able to teach either of you to cook! You are hopeless!” These last words ended in a ghaffaw. Cora smiled. Minta began laughing. Nina grinned, Blanca was purring in the background, while Flame was soaring above Arcwilder, short for Arcwilder house. Everyone sighed in contentment. Life was good. Very good.
The End
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Here is the book, all ready to be emailed!
