The bearers of magic

The meetings

Over the two weeks before school finished up Gem took to pen and paper to write all other bearers of magic instructing that herself and Tib would be out to visit them over the next six weeks to discuss a matter of urgency. The only group to reply had been Angel, Queen of the Fairies and users of Nature magic who had replied on sweet smelling paper to say although unusual she understood that only a matter of urgency would bring about the want for this visit. The fact that no one else had replied did not fill Gem with hope.

Although there were only three other groups to visit, the vampires, the werewolves and the nature folk, they were spread far and wide and it would take Gem and Tib time to get round them all, time to convince them to talk before heading onto the next group.

The end of the summer holidays were here before Gem and Tib knew it, school was out and teaching was done for the time being. Two more meetings had been held with both the Witches and Wizards in attendance as travelling to speak to other magic bearers had not been done for a long time and there was much planning to do and things to prepare.

There was tension and nerves clearly visible within the meetings and fear for the two leaders who were taking on such a responsibility, but it has to be them that travelled to the other magic communities, they had to represent and show how strongly they knew that a truce had to happen and all who held magic had to stand as one.

Gem had offered to drive so on a Sunny Monday morning she drove across Town to pick up Tib. It was going to be a good summer with nice weather. Gem had seen many, many summers in her lifetime and she wondered if this would be her last. Such was the warning she had received from Charisma, it had left Gems heart cold and her future in doubt. Tib was waiting at the curbside, a small suitcase sitting at his legs. Gem laughed, human men or high wizards, men always travel light. Gem had a much larger suitcase shoved into her boot containing stuff for the trip she will never need but couldn't leave behind.....just incase. Even though she could probably conjure up anything she needed with magic, these thoughts were of the old way, magic was used with caution now.

Tib put his suitcase into the trunk and folded his tall frame into Gems car. He smiled a tight smile at Gem, they both knew that this was no easy task or small ask. They had to be granted the access to the archives, to just go would initiate a war and they could not afford to fight among themselves at a time like this.

It had already been discussed and the first stop was going to be to see Jackson, leader of the werewolves, then the vampires and finally Angel and Piccollo.

The werewolves farm was about a 3 day drive from where Gem and Tib stayed. In a slightly cooler area where there were trees and Forests to help cover when they wanted to shift, run and hunt which was in their nature. The car was hot, small and cramped for the tall bearers of ancient magic but other than stopping for food at night and to sleep they pressed on, making good time as they crossed the country.

The farm was on a patch of land owned by the pack and was worked only by them. As Gem and Tib pulled up the narrow dirt road that led to the main house just 72 hours after setting off they never even made it to the top of the road before a hulk of a man stood in the middle of the road blocking their path.

Tib got out of the car first to meet the Werewolf who blocked them from going any further.

'Greetings brother, it has been a long time since we have crossed paths'. Gem and I are here to speak to Jackson about some urgent business, may we proceed to the packhouse'.

'I am Tyler, head of training and Beta to the pack, I have been sent to meet you, I am here to ensure that you have come alone before I allow you onto our land'.

Tib was too polite to say it but if Tib and Gem WANTED onto their land they would get onto their land but they weren't here to cause upset.

Tib nodded and gestured for Tyler to approach the car. Tyler walked over to the car where Gem rolled the window down and gave him a dashing smile which Tyler ignored. Instead he sniffed the interior of the car looking satisfied that he had found nothing concerning.

'I do not smell any use of magic and the car only carries both your scents. I am happy, for now, for you to proceed. I will run ahead, please drive to the packhouse, Jackson is expecting you'.

Gem drove the car slowly up the road towards the main packhouse, passing couples houses and werewolves working the land as they went. All looked on at their passing with suspicion and curiosity.

Jackson was a BIG man with shoulders that would put athletes to shame and a rugged profile that would have you imagining he could chop down a tree in seconds. He stood at the pack door, completely filling the frame with a deep scowl on his face. Gem registered this on the slow drive up the drive way. A side glance at Tib showed he was seeing the same greeting being radiated from Jackson's dominating presence and so the challenge begins, thought Gem.

Gem and Tib got out of the car and made their way over to Jackson. It had been a long time since either of them had seen him let alone spoken to him. Werewolves did not have the lifespan of Witches or Warlocks but they lived longer than humans and aged differently from them. Gem was thinking that time had not touched Jackson very much at all other than a couple of silver hairs glistening in his beard that had not been there the last time they met. A warm welcome, a hug and pat on the back, these things would have been lovely, none were offered. Instead Jackson's scowl did not leave his face as he moved aside and gestured for Gem and Tib to move through the house and into the kitchen where a sturdy kitchen table and four chairs were waiting, one was already taken, it was the large werewolf who had blocked their path when they arrived. Tib and Gem sat.

The silence was getting uncomfortable so Tib coughed and said,

'Jackson, I was saddened to hear of your father passing a few years ago, he was a good man with good morals".

Jackson stared then almost sighed,

' Thank you, he was a good Alpha and taught me well but I need to know, what the hell are you doing in my territory".

Gem rolled her eyes, Werewolves! They were all the same, this is my territory, that is my mate, see my mark, so possessive, she was glad she was born a witch and had none of that nonsense to deal with.

Gem leaned forward, clasping her hands on the table.

' Jackson, did you get the letter I sent?'

Jackson did not reply.

' Did you read the letter I sent?'

Jackson looked away and out of the window, a glimmer of guilt on his face.

Ok thought Gem, let's take it from the top. Between Gem and Tib they filled Jackson in on the feelings that they and their covens had and the visit from the dead sister witch but when you said it out loud, it did not sound like much to go on.

Jackson sat for a moment, considering all that had been said. All magic bearers knew that Witches and Warlocks 'feelings' were not to be taken lightly.

Then he spoke, ' Ok, so how does this affect me, why now?"

Tib answered,

' We need into the Archives, we need to unlock our history, our united magic and we all need to work together'

One word....'No'.