Witches Snared

Dan knew it was the sensible thing to do for his Mother could return unexpectedly. He always felt impatient, but excited, on a Dream Cane night. He brewed up the chai tea as usual and carefully served Raj who was reclining in his favorite armchair. “OK, tell me what you know,” said Dan raising his cup of steaming hot tea to his lips.

  Raj looked at the boy and wondered how much he should share. He was still so young but he was not that far from Raj's age when it started for him in India. He had to tell him; he had to be honest. Raj smiled for he knew they’d come too far for him to feel cautious anymore - he had to trust him. “I’ve visited this realm before, several times, and always as a Ricar. Bardonia is the sixth realm but don't be deceived, it’s always been a dangerous place - it seems to be under the constant threat of evil forces trying to drive a wedge of dissent between its inhabitants. Evil wants to feast off the negative energy and strive, and ultimately take over this realm. The Ricars, Elfen, Wood Sprites and other creatures of the forest try to live peacefully, harmoniously, but evil will always try to find a way to ruin this harmony.”

  Raj shook his head resigned to the fact that this important fight would be destined to be eternal, “It appears that evil forces have found an easy way to penetrate this realm, for over the ages they’ve tried relentlessly to convert Bardonia to the dark ways. There’s a place high in the cloud-covered mountains of Haitden, deep within the third realm where enlightened monks study in the Monastery of Light - they make it their life’s work to fiercely protect this, and other realms, from the dark forces of evil.

  The monks possess a deep spiritual sense of enlightenment; they study ancient practices and the most enlightened, armed with specific chants, can travel between realms. Our friend Kaan, in the village of Autumn, was an enlightened Haitden monk - a traveller who can shift between realms. The sixth realm has received many a visitor in an ongoing effort to thwart the violent advances of these evil forces. We’ll return to this realm shortly but it’s vital that we quickly establish why the Dream Cane summoned us to Rinii forest and why someone has stolen our flagon? I suspect the answers to these two questions are related and that’s for us to find out.”

  “I have a suspicion too,” said Dan observing the surprised look upon Raj’s face.

  Raj tilted his head slightly, “Oh - and what’s that?” he inquired.

  “I’m kind of mad at you right now - if I’m being honest, because you haven’t been absolutely honest with me! We’re not acting like a partnership, because you hide things from me. In many ways you remind me of my Mum; when it suits you, you tell me things but when it doesn't suit you, I’m kept on a need to know basis. I'll give you some examples; three prominent Ricar families, silver Brion fern leaves, the battle of Walmorden, you mentioned them all so casually yet any knowledge of these facts were a total surprise to me.” Dan leaned back feeling satisfied with him self that he’d mustered the courage to air his feelings.

  Raj studied the young boy’s face; a feeling of irritation spreading quickly as he quietly sipped his tea. “You’re right, I’ve not been completely honest with you. You’re a young boy and you’ve still got a lot to learn. How could I begin to tell you everything about the Dream Cane? It’s a lot to take in - with different realms, strange creatures and the real life dangers that come along with this. I've agonized over this - could I trust you? You could’ve bragged about this to all of your friends. I took a big risk trusting this knowledge to you but now I realize, I’ve been a fool - haven’t I?” Raj paused to see if Dan was listening. Dan nodded and looked down at the floor. “The Dream Cane selected you for a reason, it knows you’re the right person and I should never have questioned that.” Raj reached for his tea again and sipped it carefully.

  Dan raised his eyes from the floor, “I can understand why you want to protect the Dream Cane but you have to know by now that you can trust me.”

  “I do and I’m sorry. I’ll tell you everything I know, every detail of every adventure, but we’ll have time for that later. Tonight we have to stick together, you know, as a partnership,” Raj smiled.

  Dan scooted onto the floor where he crouched upon his haunches in front of Raj, he raised his chin and with a determined stare met Raj’s watery tired gaze, “Let’s find that flagon and try to figure out why we’ve been sent to Bardonia.” Dan placed his hands upon the Dream Cane’s shaft as Raj gripped the top of the Cane; it started to shake violently followed by the crimson lights and the spinning globe.

  * * * * *

  The Sixth Realm - Bardonia

  Chapter 5: The Quest.

  Rinii Forest, Bardonia

  “A fox is a wolf who sends flowers.”