Page 195 of Castings & Curses

“Well done, Princess,” cried the wizard. Bellatrix looked up to see Eryx sitting on a nearby log. His bewildered expression showed he did not find this method of transportation amusing. The princess stumbled over to him and seated herself at his side. Blood rushed to her face, and tremors wound their way freely throughout her body. Her lungs cried for air, and she bent forward to rest her chin in her hands.

“Woohoo! That was fun!” called Jinx from inside the satchel. “I haven’t transported in forever! All this excitement has made me sleepy. I think I will take a nap. Wake me when you have found Jaiyana.”

“Are you alright?” asked Eryx.

“I feel ill,” replied Bellatrix. She looked over at her beau. “Are you well?”

“I find this method of journey quite eventful. Strange but a divine method of travel. I believe I could get used to this. Bravo, my darling.”

Jaiyana!

Currents of air whirled around the trio, bringing attention to the strangeness of a place that seemed to be filled with enchantment. Looking around, she saw the shadows that had been in her vision. She realized they were on the east side of the mountains. Jaiyana's tower was not far away.

Feeling a renewed sense of strength, Bellatrix rose to her feet. “I know where we are. Come on, my sister is close.” Taking the lead, the princess walked off with Grün and Eryx close behind. Following a well-hidden path, the princess brushed aside the briars that attempted to snag her gown.

Jaiyana!

She could feel her sister’s soul calling out to her. It had been almost a year since they had become separated, and in a few moments they would be reunited. The path cleared, and discovery lay just beyond the edge of mystery. Within the blink of an eye, a tower stood high above the ground as if competing with the trees for stature over the wilderness. It was made of stone and surrounded by flowers and bushes. Smoke puffed out of the chimney, and there was a delicious aroma that floated from the open window.

“This is it,” she whispered, “this is where Jaiyana has been living for the past year.”

Elated with anticipation, Bellatrix made a move to run towards the tower when Grün’s firm hands pulled her back into the safety of nearby thorn bushes.

“Another piece of advice: be aware of your surroundings. When the mind is not focused, it allows for danger to creep in,” Grün pointed towards the front of the tower. Standing before the door was an immense grizzly bear. Lumbering about and sniffing the ground, the great beast’s back arched, and its teeth bared as it snorted and huffed.

Bellatrix’s heart fluttered, and she grabbed Eryx’s arm. “What are we going to do? Can I use magic to remove the bear?”

“No. You need to rest a bit after our demanding flight spell. You are still learning, and too much magic could cause you to exhaust yourself. Eryx and I will take care of the bear. You are going to find your sister.” He pointed toward a trellis of ivy and roses that stretched along the backside of the tower from the ground to the window.

Bellatrix nodded understanding the plan.

Leaving the princess to her own devices, the two brave companions headed toward the bear. Grün waved his hand and sparkles of light flickered between his fingers. The bear picked up his head and stared at the two men curiously.

During the moment of distraction, Bellatrix ran out of the woods and leaped onto the trellis. Using all of her strength, she began to pull herself toward the open window as her goal. Avoiding the thorns that clung to the tower stones, she began to climb as fast as her slippers could take her.

At her hip, the satchel stirred, and Jinx began to wake.

“W-what is going on? Where are we? Why are we climbing?”

“To get to Jaiyana” replied Bellatrix

“We couldn’t have just knocked on the door like most folk do?”

The princess ignored the feline and concentrated on her upward struggle. She felt a thorn prick her hand, but she bit back the pain.

At last the open window was within reach. Its wooden shutter waved back and forth in the gentle breeze. With one final push, Bellatrix grabbed the sill and launched herself forward. A grunt escaped her lips as she tumbled into the room.

She blinked, and her amber eyes took in the small living quarters. There was a bed on one side of the circular chamber, and a fireplace on the other. A rocking chair held a comfortable place close to the crackling fire. Stirring the pot on the flames was a cloaked figure who turned around at the sound of Bellatrix’s thud into the room. Stunned by the entrance, the figure froze. From beneath the hood, Bellatrix could see irises that glowed with amber lights exactly like own. Dark locks escaped from the folds of fabric, cascading down to the slender waist. Resting against the bricks beside the grate, the golden staff told her exactly who was cloaked by the hood.

“Jaiyana!”

“Jaiyana!” called Jinx

“Bellatrix!” replied Jaiyana.

Dropping her ladle into a delicious savory stew, the chamber inhabitant raced to her sister. The twins threw their arms around each other in a tight embrace, reunited as one. Jinx jumped out of the satchel and wove in between their ankles, purring and rubbing against them.

“Jinx!” cried Jaiyana, as she picked up the cat and nuzzled him against her face. “I cannot believe you both are here.”

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