"Never!" Cornflower whispered back. The new girl hadn't said a word the whole way, Cornflower was beginning to worry.
"You okay?" She asked. The girl nodded. Holly however stopped.
"Lady Kristel is behind us!" She cried with glee. She rushed back through the bushes and screamed.
"Holly!" Cornflower shouted as she ran quickly through the undergrowth. The new girl sighed and followed after them.
Lady Kristel had stopped following Cornflower when she had felt another presence. The House of Dreams was popular today. In fact, usually they only got about two disturbances a month, and that was mainly ignorant people going for walks on a pretty mountain. But this wasn't a presence like there's. It was powerful and dark...
Lady Kristel cloaked her aura, no one would know she was there...
In the near by forest clearing stood a figure in a long black cloak. It shadowed her face, it was a woman, because of the dress. Lady Kristel saw her kick something at her feet. It was a boy, about fifteen, who had been an initiate to the Dreamer's Academy two years ago. Phew, how time passed. He was however on his back.
The woman laughed, a cold laugh, a laugh that was that of a demon. She picked up the boy by the scruff of his shirt.
He was bloodied and obviously weak because he didn't resist her.
"Night night," The woman said. She bent down, about to kiss him. Lady Kristel had a bad feeling this was not a loving kiss and let her aura cloak and invisi-shield down.
Holly ran in from the other side of the clearing. Shortly after Cornflower followed, then the new girl.
"Ah, so the Lady comes to meet me in person," She said with a mocking smile. "Do not think I am foolish enough to believe that your House is here. I can see a trap from a mile off. Where are your little faeries then?" The woman asked. Lady Kristel smiled.
"As you said, it is a trap. I shall let you go, if you tell me your name and that of your master," The woman hissed, an inhuman hiss.
"I am Baroness Tami Schinkia, my master is your enemy!" She fired a ball of darkness at Lady Kristel. The Lady ducked and fired at it with her own Light magic.
"Do not think that you scare me Baroness Tami, but be warned, the House of Dreams is no pushover, do not think that if you kill me you destroy me. Go!" Baroness heard the last word and disappeared in a ball of darkness.
"My lady!" Cornflower cried as she ran forward to meet her.
"They have grown stronger than the last time Cornflower, ten fold..." Lady Kristel looked at the new girl on Stormwing. "You would be?" The girl dismounted and bowed. She was wearing boyish clothes, that partially concealed her figure.
"I am Miri, I have come to seek your guidance, my lady," The girl said.
"Your guidance you shall have," Lady Kristel replied. It was the initiate that needed attention now.
The boy was in pretty bad shape. He had cuts and bruises all over his face and body. He had ben beaten badly by this "Baroness Tami". Lady Kristel saw the cuts begin to heal and the bruises turn yellow. She looked around.
"The boy is a healer, Holly, Cornflower, make sure he gets to the House," Lady Kristel left.
The boy stirred. He lifted his head and saw Holly and Cornflower and laughed.
"Of all the rescuers I could have had!" He said, jokingly. Cornflower helped him up. Most Guardians made students call them 'Miss' or'Sir' but Holly and Cornflower had taken a more relaxed appraoch to students.
"They didn't rescue you," Miri said. The boy looked at her.
"Who did then?" He asked.
"Lady Kristel," She walked over to the boy. "Miri, pleased to meet you!"
"Jinxes, I'm sure the pleasures all mine," He had a mischieveous face, as the name suggested. He wasn't handsome, he was cute. He had spiked up blonde hair and blue eyes. He seemed like the kind to be a class joker.
"C'mon you two! Let's get back! I'm sure that you want some food already!" At this both turned and ran for Stormwing, who proudly bore them both.
Sally listened to Lady Kristel's story with troubled eyes. Yes, she had heard it before. Yes she had sent dreams with the news in already. No, she didn't think that the Baroness was the only problem. The questions went on and on.
"Kristel, please, slow down! Do not forget that in a few days time students will arrive at the Dreamer's Academy! We need to think of ways to get them to the House wihthout making it obvious, or letting them get attacked. Please Kristel, sit down and think about the things you are asking!" Sally was Lady Kristel's Guardian, as well as the Guardian of the House of Dreams and just Dreams in general.
"Oh, Sally, what am I to do? I wish there was something I could do alone, but Goddess! Was I like this last time?"
"No, you weren't as panicky, you were just scared," Sally held up her hand to silence Lady Kristel.
"My lady?" said a voice, muffled through the door. Kristel wiped her eyes. Had she really been crying? Sally sank back into the shadows.
"Come in!" Lady Kristel called. Cornflower, Holly, Miri and Jinxes entered the room.
"My lady, I have come to explain why I was early," began Jinxes but before he could finish Sally stepped out from the shadows.
"Ah, Jinxes! I supppose you received your dream then! You may go. You too Miri, I know why you are here. Cornflower, Holly, I shall go with you. I think my lady wishes some time to think," Sally had told Lady Kristel their excuses were both dreams.
Sally had sent a dream to all the students to make them want to come back to Academy early, so they could control their numbers as they entered. She had told Lady Kristel this. Also she had sent a dream to Miri, a Princess from a southern country. But it was up to Miri to decribe the dream to Lady Kristel, as dreams were not meant to be shared.
Sally left and headed to her office. No one knew that Sally was Lady Kristel's Guardian and Sally would rather keep it that way. In the mean time she would sleep. What would she dream about tonight?
Salem was talking to Evangeline when Psyche came in. She smiled weakly, and looked nervously at Kaptra.
"He knows that you won't attack him now, don't worry," Salem assured her. She continued to eye the snow leopard nervously though, whilst she delivered her message.
"Lady Kristel needs to speak with you. You will have to leave this room, I'm afraid and after you speak with Lady Kristel then we'll take action accordingly," Psyche finished what was, obviously a memorized speech.
"I would go now, many interesting things have happened today that may concern you," Evangeline told him. Both women said they'd pack his things, but to take Kaptra with him.
Outside he realised he'd never left his room before. Maybe Psyche had forgotten? Well, he'd have to find it himself.
"Kaptra? Have you ever been in Lady Kristel's office before?" Salem asked him. He was growing fond of the large cat and his peculiar and perfectly logical ways.
"Once, when I was a savage beast... But I don't really remember the way...Maybe we may bump into someone who will help us?" Salem doubted it but still followed the cat. Kaptra had that 'Live for the moment' logic. It was the kind that, although it did not mean your future was secure, meant you lived what life you had to the full. Salem liked this, although he knew that Kaptra's logic was probably mere animal instinct.
A figure stepped out of a door to the side of the corridor.
"Excuse me!" Salem shouted. The figure turned, she wore a long white dress. Salem realised with a shock that it was a wedding dress. It didn't seem like she was going to get married though...
"Yes?" asked the bride.
"Um, I'm looking for Lady Kristel's Office?" Salem said, hopefully. Kaptra sat down and began to, all too cat-like, purr. This caused the bride to look at him.
"Ah, a familiar? Yes...Well, I guess you must have been summoned. I am Eden Guardian of Happiness and techer of PSE at the Dreamer's Academy. You are?" She started to walk away. She certainly didn't look like to Guardian of Happiness, she looked really sad...
"Salem, er, I don't know who I am yet..." That sounded stupid from the moment it had left his mouth and he heard Kaptra snigger behind him.
"Most people do not know who they are before they come here, but that is what the House of Dreams is, a place to find out things. Many people fall in love with this place. Or it's Lady..." She stopped and added a mischieveous smile. "and don't say you haven't thought about her looks. She isn't interested... Infact, I don't think that she has ever fallen in love..." Eden trailed off. They reached a huge ornate door.
"This is where I leave you. Travel through the hall, believe you are meant to see my lady and you'll be fine. Knock three times. Understand?" Salem nodded and Eden departed. What did she mean by "Believe you are meant to see my lady and you will"?
Salem opened the door and peered in. It was pitch black. He stepped inside and let the door shut behind him. As the door slammed the lights came on. Kaptra growled at the air beside Salem's head.
"What's wrong?" Salem asked him.
"Can't you see it? The Phantom? It is a terrible looking thing, but they must be harmless enough... I have never been hurt by one," Salem didn't find that too reassuring. He saw the doorway. He became nervous as Kaptra's gaze moved and darted about, as though there were lots of Phantoms. The door became further away.
"No! These won't hurt you. You are meant to go and see my lady remember? Think that!" The leopard ran forward. Salem followed him, believing he was meant to get through this. Suddenly he ran through the door. What?
"An illusion to deter the weak-minded. Guess we passed..." Kaptra said, he carried on into what appeared to be a room.
The walls were black, and where the lamps and light shone it turned purple. Plants grew up the walls, entwining themselves with various diamond chandeliers. In the center was a multi-coloured patch of light, it shone with lots of colours, like a rainbow.
In the center of the room there was a desk, it was extremely tidy and well used. Behind it was a curtain, made to look like a starry night.
Salem heard the swishing of silk. Lady Kristel must be here. He realised she didn't know he was here because he hadn't knocked on the door. He banged on the inside. Better late than never.
"Ah, Salem. Sit yourself by my desk, I shall be along shortly-"She stopped, there was another swish of silk and a quiet curse.
"Um Salem? Could you come here and aid me?" Lady Kristel sounded unsure. Salem wondered if she was ever really unsure. Maybe she was? It made her seem more human, and less immortal.
Salem went behind the curtain and saw Lady Kristel standing in front of a mirror. She beckoned him closer.
"Could you help me do up my corset?" Salem blushed. "Oh, my apologies, I should have known that you would be embarrassed..." Salem shook his head.
"It's okay, I'll do it," He pulled the two strings tight. Lady Kristel stood there, until after a while of fiddleing about with the cord she said, "It is tight enough now." Salem tied the corset quickly and was shooed out while the Lady put on her over-dress.
"That is two tests you have passed," said Lady Kristel as she pulled back the curtain. "The first a test of the mind, the last a test of strength-" Salem made an alarmed noise.
"Strength? I only tied a corset up!" He looked down at his shoes, blushing a bright red.
"I was making it harder for you with my magic. Now a final test, a test that envolves you and I together. You will use magic to bond with Kaptra, to make him your familiar and a part of your soul, will you do this?" Lady Kristel looked deep into Salem's eyes, as though searching for something. Salem took a deep breath.
"Kaptra? Do you want to-to be- my familiar?" Salem asked the cat. Kaptra tilted his head for a while and thought for a moment. Salem waited...
"Yes, I think it'll be a definate up in the food chain," Salem laughed, he looked up to see Lady Kristel smiling as well.
"Very well then. Follow me please. We shall need to move some of my furniture," She pointed to the desk. It shot away, into the far wall. The curtain fired back and everything moved as far away as possible from the center.
"My furniture has learnt not to be any where near me when I cast a spell since I set my bed on fire," Lady Kristel said, a hint of mischievousness in her eyes.
"You two stand in the circle," Salem hadn't noticed that underneath the desk there was a circle. It was divided into four equal sections, with one circle in the middle. The outside sections were each coloured according to an element. Shadow, Light, Fire and Water, Earth and Wind, and the circle in the middle, which was a mixture of them all.
Salem and Kaptra stood in the center. Salem looked around stupidly. Now what? He thought.
"Touch the center of Kaptra's head, and chant the phrase, Sengari and Shytium, they are two Deities who you may find helpful, Sengari being the fire Goddess and Shytium being her husband the water God," Lady Kristel took a place outside the larger circle. Salem touched a spot in the middle of the leopard's ears.
"Sengari and Shytium. Sengari and Shytium. Sengari and Shytium," He began to take up a rhythm, soon he heard Lady Kristel's voice ring out, over the top of his chants.
"Sengari and Shytium, please, help this boy begin his way on his path!" Nothing spectacular happened. No flash of light. No pretty magic. Nothing except for a special feeling that he was not alone.
"You can stop chanting now," Lady Kristel looked a little tired. Salem stopped chanting and bowed. He intended to leave now.
"Salem? You owe me a debt," Salem's blood froze. There was no way he could repay her. She had given him so much, and he didn't have enough money to ppay for it all!
"My lady, I-I have n-no m-" Salem found the words had buried themselves deep inside him and wasn't in any hurry to make the climb upwards.
"I wish for you to stay here and train. Eventually, you have the talent to become a Guardian," Salem couldn't believe his ears. The Lady continued, "It usually takes five Guardians to help a new student get their first Familiar, you have done it with me alone. You are powerful Salem, but I fear that is only a curse. Will you stay here in my House?" Salem found a lump in his throat. He had never imagined that to pay off a debt you could do something you loved.
"I would be honoured my lady," Salem bowed. Lady Kristel clapped her hands and smiled.
Miri had had the same dream for months now. She would see a flash, as though illuminated by lightening, and a forested mountain would appear. It would go dark again. When the lightening next struck a boy with dark blue hair appeared. He always wore the same horrified expression. It all went dark. Then slowly little dots appeared, as though she was looking at the nights sky. She would walk to a cliff, the boy beside her. It went dark, flash, the boy was falling...falling...falling...She awoke.
That dream had visited her again, she wondered why the dream kept recurring. It wasn't anything gory but when she awoke she felt her stomach turn to ice. It was the boy, who she felt she knew, or was going to know. He always fell, he always looked so sad.
"Damn!" She muttered under her breath.
"What're you damning?" asked a male voice beside her. She looked beside her and saw the boy who they had found, when Lady Kristel had challenged that woman.
"My dreams," Miri replied, tonelessly.
"Oh... Dreams shouldn't be damned, sometimes they tell us things we wish we had not known, but whilst you are in the House of Dreams, well, I suppose you're not stupid, being a Princess and everything," Jinxes seemed so serious. Why? She'd thought him a joker...Perhaps not?
"Right then, I'll write it down, no more damning dreams-" She stopped abruptly. She screamed. Jinxes sat up as fast as he could.
"What the?" He turned on his bedside light.
"Aaaaaaaaah!" Miri screamed. Jinxes however seemed amused. Miri saw the tiger begin to wake. It heaved itself up and walked up to where Miri sat.
"Hello, my name is Shinkokami, it is a pleasure to meet you!" The tiger said. Miri fainted. Jinxes pressed the alert button, as they were staying in the hospital ward. He saw a boy walking passed with heavy boxes.
"'Scuse? Could you help me?" Jinxes called. The boy dropped the boxes and ran over. Jinxes saw that he had an overlarge snow leopard. Perfect for carrying the Princess to Daphne.
"Jinxes the name," said Jinxes offering a hand to the boy, who was probably about a year older.
"Salem. Well?" Jinxes looked at the new boy.
"Din't see you last year?" Jinxes rested a hand on the Princess' forehead, causing Salem to look at her.
"I wasn't here last year," replied Salem. He had seen this girl in his dreams. It sounded soppy even in his head but it was true. She was beautiful, and she had visited his dreams often. She walked in a field with him, there was a flash, he fell, leaving the girl behind.
"Who is she?" Salem asked. Jinxes raised an eyebrow.
"Princess Miri of some place or other," Jinxes thought it best to send the boy away before he got any ideas. "Could you get Lady K? Um, we're gonna need to bond these two sooner than expected."
Salem ran up to Lady Kristel's office. He delivered his message to a servant or Guardian of some kind and went to his new dormitory.
He sat on his bed by the window and looked out at the moon. How lovely everyting was tonight, yet how dark, how dark...
