The kings proclaim
“Sisters of the Virani, I have gathered you all here today because we have an urgent matter that troubles our very existence, the barrier the last wizard created for us 200 years ago has weakened drastically. That barrier was our shield, our protection, we’ve never had an attack during those times we were covered by the barrier, but now I fear that time will soon come to an end, the minute the humans find out that we no longer have our protection, they will march here in their armies in attempt to end our kind. We are the only ones left, and we have to continue fighting for our continuation, no matter what.
“Three weeks ago, I sent my only daughter out on a dangerous journey that concerns this matter, I sent her because I believe she is now the strongest amongst us, and I was sure that she would be able to carry out the task I gave her. Were it not for the death of Priya, she would have returned with the ingredients today. Notwithstanding, we must find another alternative; we must create a weaker barrier with the available resources we have.”
Mumbles were now being exchanged amongst the Virani, before Gabrielle called them to order.
“I know. I know that you are all worried. I know that you might be asking yourselves, what kind of barrier do we wish to create without a wizard and without a very powerful spell? We don’t have a choice, we must have something to protect us, even if it is the weakest form of shields. I want you all to know that where there is life, there is hope, these might be challenging times for us, but if we pull through and fight, we will survive, the Virani will thrive, and for now, we should not have anything to worry about so long as the humans do not know about our secret.”
One of the Virani sisters, Martha then spoke up.
“How sure are we that we are safe o great one? You know we look up to you, and your wise words have guided us all through the plenty years we have lived in the drawls.”
“The humans are not aware that the barrier is weak Martha, the humans do not know that we no longer have any protection, hence we are still safe. We are still safe if the humans do not know that the drawls are now vulnerable to attacks, and so long as the humans have no knowledge of this secret, we will be safe for now until another form of help comes to our aid.”
After their leader had spoken, all the Virani sisters bowed before retiring to their cottages. Susannah was about to enter inside before Gabrielle called her.
“Susannah!”
“Yes mama?”
“I want to thank you once again for your bravery, to be honest I was uncertain if you would make it back, I had no other choice but to trust that you would return.”
“I know mama.”
Gabrielle held her hand as they both walked back in the direction of their cottage. “There IS one more thing I forgot to ask you when you came.”
Susannah nodded before Gabrielle continued.
“Did you tell anyone about your powers while you were in Bandaria? Did you tell anyone that you were a witch?”
Susannah froze, this was a question she knew very well her mother might ask, a question she’d hoped that she would be prepared to answer.
“Susannah?”
“Um… no mama, I didn’t tell anyone.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes mama, I am certain that no one there knows about who I really am.”
Gabrielle patted her shoulder. “That’s good, I’m very proud of you dear. I know that you will make a great leader by the time my reign will come to an end.”
“Don’t say that mama, you’re still going to rule us for many centuries to come.”
“I am, but I am not the creator dear, and I know in my heart that very soon, I will join the souls of our departed sisters.”
“That time is still far mama, for now you will still stay here with me. You won’t leave me, let’s not think about that time now, please mama.”
Gabrielle chuckled. “Ok my dear daughter, if you say so.”
**********
***A YEAR LATER***
In the kingdom of Bandaria…
The town crier went round all villages and market places, sounding the handbell and announcing the new proclamation from King William.
Ding-dong ding-dong….
“Hear ye! Hear ye!
“The king has announced that any man; royal, nobleman or peasant, who can help him capture the last remaining witches that inhabit the drawls, will be given the mightiest of rewards. He will succeed King William as the King of Bandaria after his reign has come to an end, and he will have the hand of the Kings daughter, the beautiful maiden Princess Arianna in marriage.
“Hear ye! Hear ye! This proclamation has been delivered.”
The town crier didn’t need to go far, as the news spread fast amongst all villages, both in and out of the Kingdom of Bandaria. Everyone knew of the king’s deep hatred for the mystical creatures, so they understood his desperation, more so importantly because another witch showed up and disappeared in this town a year ago, just after the execution of the witch Priya, they all knew the king feared the witches might spring an attack on the kingdom one day.
The position of the king was a very much coveted position, and of course, this was an opportunity that many young able lads would have sought to take, but the home of the witches was a no-go area for any human as their home, the drawls was protected by a powerful barrier that with a single physical contact with its forces, any human would immediately be burnt to ashes. It was a good offer, but many folks said “no, thank you.” After all, it is only an alive man that can be king, but in the whole of the kingdom of Bandaria, there was only one lad who knew of the witches’ secret, only one lad who knew that the barrier was now penetrable, same one lad who loved gold, silver and lots of other shiny things that would be at a king’s disposal, that one lad that would give anything to be king.