07 - Determined Is Her Path

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The School Of Necessary Magic

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What do a few stolen books have to do with the end of life as we know it? More than you would think. Drow princess Alison Brownstone begins her senior year ready to finally graduate and start her new life, fully trained and ready to kick ass. But still reeling from the attack last semester, and the absence of her best friend, Alison is desperate for some kind of distraction to make the days pass quicker. And trouble in paradise with boyfriend Tanner makes it even more vital. When books start disappearing, she can’t resist digging deeper. After all, no one should be able to penetrate the gnome’s magical protection. But going down the rabbit hole leads to truths far more dangerous than petty theft. Without Izzy by her side, can Alison defeat the greatest challenge she’s ever faced before more lives are lost?

TSONM 07/01 THE NEW STUDENT As Alison was exiting the train station, returning from summer vacation, (now wearing her new magical glasses so she now has visual contact) she noticed a swirl of magic, containing thick, crimson lines, worried pink and anxious gray soul energy. She looked around, and saw a young girl casting a spell. There was no malice in it, and it was totally illegal to do so in public. She had been looking for the School, and as she talked with Alison, her energy changed to calm pale blue with flecks of gold excitement. She was a new student. Looking for TSONM, and Alison accompanied her there. They ordered lattes as the exited. No magic on the bus. No Izzie, but it had to be that way.

TSONM 07/02 BACK ON CAMPUS Alison looked for and met with her friends, Emma, Kathleen, Aya, saw Tanner, kissed him, and they went onto the grounds, toward the mansion. Saw devastation from fight with dark magicals. The renovations were mostly completed, but the building still bore the scars of the huge fight against the dark magicals. The east wing was bare and exposed where workers were busily plastering the new brick under Horace’s watchful eye. They knew the darks would return, not if, but WHEN, was the question. Tanner had been working on developing his magic skills. Peter had also been working on some additional magic gadgets. A walking suitcase, filled with six silver and black swirled orbs. Vibrant blue and yellow magic clung to the edge of the orbs like a thin armor laying in even plates. Peter reached in and picked up an orb before he closed his eyes and pressed his own royal purple magic into the orb. Alison watched raptly as the magical plates slid apart, and delicate blades slowly emerged. To Tanner’s eyes, it looked like a deadly translucent shrunken. “They’ll slice through anything from dragon hide to actual armor. Emma had met a new boyfriend, a shifter, and had gotten a new rosewood wand.

Mara meets with Professor Xander Powell, her former boyfriend, and Izzie’s great grandfather. Mara had pit Izzie, Leira and Correk again on the run, in the way of danger, and he was very disturbed over that.

TSONM 07/03 CLEANING UP Everyone started the school year off with a game of Dodgeball, to clear out the cobwebs and get their mind focused. The teacher held onto the large, red rubber ball and pushed burgundy magic into it. Alison watched as the burgundy slowly swelled within the ball and formed a large star shape. The teacher struggled to hold onto it as she finished imbuing it with the last bits of magic. The ball turned from burgundy to navy, mocking them, as they tried for it. Alison was distracted by her new vision, by the solidness of her schoolmates, and missed the ball when it chose her.

TSNOM 07/04 Leo Decker, Head Librarian, and his helpers find that three books were gone, stolen, during the fight. They attempt to return them with their finding spells, and could not even sense them anywhere, as if they were In-Between. Two on Oriceran, and one on the history of elves. Alison went to the Library, and found a gnome standing guard at the doorway. Librarian Decker paced near the check-out desk with a dark expression on his face. His soul energy was full of livid reds, coppers, and oranges showing just how angry he was. Alison saw a clear seam of silver showing shame where he felt it was his fault. Alison and Christie searched the shelves, looking for clues, and found a few faint fingerprints and a few threads that a spell had been used, but no energy colors.

TSONM 07/05 RELAXING Alison and Tanner go to the colorful kemana, to relax with each other. They decide to go to the Scroll shop (conducting a sale), then to pizza (best pizza for miles). The Shop was a special place for Alison, as she and Izzie had set up a secret mail correspondence account there. There was a message from Izzie.( She had fought, and fought well, had run with a pack of wolves, was doing well with her magic, was moving around a lot. Miss you. Hope all is well. ) It was a month old. She and Tanner penned a message, and the shopkeeper went in back to prepare it for delivery by the gargoyles. It made secret notes far easier than trying to use the main mail system.

Classes started, the first one being Fowler, with plants (defensive potions being the topic – transparent defensive bubble - holly berries, ground oak, and sage).

TSONM 07/06 Unable to sleep, Alison takes a midnight walk. Misses Izzie – has to go alone. She left her glasses behind. She wanted the familiarity of seeing the magic without the distractions of seeing everything else too. Worried about Izzie. Nothing was the same since the big fight. There was a small glimmer of slate grey present within all the teachers, a concern that gnawed at them. As she walked into the forest, she saw a book lying between two trees, with a trail of magic orbs she could follow. She followed it, and was led back to where she found it. She tried a spell on the book, to find if it had been spelled, and found one page missing from it. She went to Horace’s cottage, to see if he might have any ideas. Dorvu was there. Along with Estelle. She found Dorvu and the humans were in a behavioral crisis, so she went back to the School.

Alison and Christie meet in a hallway the next day, Christie telling her that Dorvu had frosted the teacher’s windows and doors the night before. They discussed the book theft again, and Christie suggested it might have been a test run for something more serious. A good thought.

TSONM 07/07. FIRST LOUPER GAME OF THE YEARFirst Louper game of the year, Cardinals against the Wichita Lions. Luke was team captain. Missed Izzie. Game started. Yukon Territory, They saw something gold glistening atop a snowy outcropping, with the Lions already rushing toward it, so they took off running. Magical bear attacked them, disappeared with use of their magic. River, with stones to cross. Got over before trap got any of them. Climbing East side of outcropping, cold, numb, but Ethan, with Shannon’s help, reached out and grabbed the disk. They’d won the first match of the year.

TSONM 07/08 Hudson’s History of Magic Class. She quizzed them as to what they knew about Easter Island, and the stone statues, then told them the truth. After discussion, they all saw how quickly any disagreement could be turned into “Them against us.”

TSONM 07/09 After a visit to the Library, and learning that the books had to do with Transfiguration, Alison and Tanner decided it was someone who had clearly wanted to change themselves, and that there could be more than one person involved. 

Alison was going to try out for the school Musical this year, Wicked, and missed Izzie being alongside of her. Alison would try out for Elphaba, a good witch. Kathleen was trying for Glinda, and was awarded the role. Christie tried out for the pivotal role of Madame Morrible, and got it. Alison was awarded Elphaba. Alison’s comments on her new glasses: When asked what the world looked like, she said, “A beautiful kaleidoscope of color. Everything has its own specific color. I often feel as though it’s everyone else that’s blind.”

TSONM 07/10 SNEAKING OUT Alison, Emma, Ethan and Luke sneak off, into town, and are met by the group of normal kids they had known before. The normal had tried to do something magical, had failed, and now needed help in repairing the damage they may have done. They had apparently gotten an artifact, a and had opened it. It turned out to be a malevolent spirit, and they needed Alison et al to make it disappear before it became too strong in the Earth world. They did so, but Alison was upset. Something about the the wisps of thinner magic that had formed around the edge of the cloud reminded her a little of the odd magic she’d seen in Christie’s magical aura. Any connection? Any connection to the missing books?

TSONM 07/11 New Professor at the School, Professor Heineken, on cars and magic, and that he was from San Francisco. Alison and Aya went for a midnight walk, like she and Izzie used to do. Alison has made up her mind that she wants to be a bounty hunter, like James, to help both humans and magicals. Everyone deserved to feel safe and to know that there were people out there watching out for them. And Shay had helped over the summer. She said if I wanted to follow in Brownstone’s shoes, then I had to be prepared. You can’t always depend on your magic.” Aya wanted to do something to smooth out the inequalities put on people. (Shifters, magicals, normals). “I want to make the world a little better.” Alison and Aya stop by Horace’s, and Estelle warns them about Christie. But won’t tell them what she might have seen to watch for. He

TSONM 07/12 Horace, watching Alison and friends sneak off to town again, sent Dorvu to spy on them. He remained high in the sky where the bright sun would hide him. His silvery scales shone in the bright light and made him look much like a painful sunbeam if anyone were to glance up at him, eating quails he had flushed as they flew past him. He saw Alison et al meet with chase’s group, and go off for coffee at Mel’s. They each explained their beliefs. “You have powers to control the elements and summon things. You change the world around you." Magic looks so cool. It’s like something from the comics. Our parents say that magicals are just freaks who can’t be trusted though. They say that you’re all just biding your time before you take over the world and make us your slaves or something. Do you do big blood sacrifices?” Alison’s group was shocked.

TSONM 07/13 A second Louper Game, between the Seniors and the Alumni had been scheduled. The location unfolded, a dark, foreboding forest surrounding a small hill with the ruins of a castle at the top. A thick fog rolled over the thin grass and wove its way between the heavy boughs of the trees. The canopy had fallen for the year leaving the pale grey sky overhead exposed. It felt as though something dark had swallowed the color around them leaving a dull grey landscape. A snake burst out and attacked one of the alumni, who, along with another, dispatched it with magic. A pack of hounds attacked the Seniors, and were defeated. Neither team saw the gargoyles circling above with sharp claws ready to plunge into whoever dared enter their domain. They defeated the Gargoyles. The Seniors found a bobby-trapped path through the castle, but Shannon’s magic showed them the right path. They came into a kitchen and were attacked by the pots and pans, so they ran downstairs into the basement, and saw the Alumnae had the chest with the disk. The alumni team had won.

TSONM 07/14 The Homecoming Dance was tht might, and all of the Seniors were primping and glamouring their outfits. They had asked Christie to join them, as Izzie wasn’t there, and she did. The boys came to pick them up, and they all went out, looking fabulous. The Hall was, as usual, decorated to the theme, a New Orleans Masquerade. All danced, flirted, and had a good time. Luke went off to run with his pack. At breakfast the next morning, they reviewed the evening’s high points, and Aya offered Peter the chance to copy her homework that he had forgotten to do. The class was about “the different characteristics of short distance vs. long distance portals, and the roles they play within our world.” But they were all much more interested in the night before.

TSONM 07/15 As they left a classroom, Alison heard a slick clicking sound as Christie went by her, and again saw the slight grey on her forehead. Alison felt the shimmer of the lie that Christie told her, and decided to ignore it. Then Alison heard whispers from a group of Juniors passing by. “Did you hear? More books went missing! Straight from Professor Powell’s own collection I heard!” It was true, and he was at a loss as to how they had done it. His office was heavily warded and locked when he wasn’t in it. His personal collection of books contained many tomes that were entirely unsuitable for students. He didn’t practice dark magic any more, but that didn’t mean that he had stopped studying it. His collection contained everything relating to dark magic, a little on portals, history, and the delicate art of transfiguration. “The thief took three books. Each of which was on the topic of transfiguration. One was on the hypothetical concept of changing one magical type with another. It was merely a thought experiment. The other books tied into transfiguration too. The thief clearly planned on transfiguring something and potentially a person.” Mara burst in. They had taken two books from her collection, as well. “They were two books on the intricate make-up and nature of a person’s magic. They detailed the theories on how our magic is woven into our beings, and the effects it has upon us.” Alison asked to examine the areas, was granted permission, and found no trail leading out past the door. Alison, Kathleen, Aya, Emma and Christie went to the kemana, to show it to Christie for the first time, and to purchase gifts for friends for Christmas. They were looking for focusing bands to give to Ethan, to help him better control his magic. Kathleen finally found what she thought would be best, four slender, braided leather bracelets with small black gems joining them. Tanner and Luke are also in the kemana,. Tanner wants to find Alison a book she remembered from her childhood, The Tales of Arashi. They found the book – not cheap. It would take most of Tanner’s savings, but she was worth it. He bought it. They split up again, to buy something for Kathleen (earrings, a dwarven hand-crafted set of rose earrings. The more sensitive members still felkt something a little “off” about Christie, and no one could determine why. Still no progress on the book thefts.

TSONM 07/16 Multi-dimensional class. They learned how to use their magic to get them out of sticky situations. Earthquake situation today for Rachel, basement of a house. Using her magic, she saved herself. Good work. Ben was caught outside, with ground cracks opening alongside of him. He used his magic to cause the life-force of the trees and bushes around him to grow and protect him from debris, and to grow to form a bridge across the cracks for him to walk on. Aya was climbing a disintegrating building, and Kathleen was caught in a tsunami. All survived. Alison approached Tanner with the idea of talking to his dead parents on Halloween, that she could help him do it. He expressed a vehement NO, and didn’t want to talk about it.

TSONM 07/17 Louper Game, up Against the Kentucky Wildcats. The city of Prague popped up around the team. They had to get the golden disc from the chariot of a moving God, Victory. Luke jumped, tinming it exactly right, and with the help of his team-mates’ magic, captured the disc. The Cardinals won.

TSONM 07/18 The Halloween Dance was here. Black and orange theme, each girl accenting it in her own way – make-up, fabric, style/cut of dress, etc. The School was decorated, also – thin mists, eerie dark forests, gothic castles, spooky ! Shadows crawled along the walls as the students danced. Small black cats could be seen out the corner of people’s eyes. As the night went on, pumpkins slowly appeared around the edge of the room and along the corridors leading to the hall. Over the course of a few songs, their grim expressions slowly became darker and more malevolent. Alison was sure that she could safely help Tanner speak to his parents, so he went along with it. But it didn’t work out well. He did not enjoy seeing his parents again, Some of the dead escaped onto Earth, and Tanner was going to have to corral them, and get them back to the In-Between. Alison, all of the seniors, Mara Berens, the professors, all helped get the dead back into the In Between, and were all exhausted by the time it was accomplished. Tanner was furious at Alison for doing it, leaving her feeling alone for the first time in years.

TSONM 07/19 Alison awoke early the next morning, upset over the night before. At least, they had managed to corral the dead quickly and stopped them from wreaking mayhem on the town. The humans wouldn’t have known what to do with that. She walked outside, watching the dawn arrive. A walking meditation. Then Alison saw and picked up a missing page from one of the books – a transfiguration spell, with some of the ingredients altered. A trap? Her Drow magic allowed her to see a magic trail, leading back to the School, and she followed it, right back to the Girls’ Dorm. She saw Tanner, tried to talk to him. He put her off, walking away, not wanting to get involved in her stupid book hunt.

TSONM 07/20 Everyone was talking about the disasters the dead had caused. “The gnomes are livid. The library is a disaster. They’ve been trying to get the books back in their places all morning, but their spells won’t work. Every time they think they have it straightened out, the books spring back off the shelves into untidy heaps everywhere.” Alison had felt the way the veil affected her own magic and the power within her veins. She knew what she was and what that entailed but feeling it had been something else. She wasn’t a malicious person, but there were a darkness and potential for harm within her. Professor Powell must have understood that feeling. They all enjoyed the gossip, and soon were laughing. Alison became more persistent in trying to find th book thieves. The only oddity she’d noticed was the smudge in Christie’s magic. It had become more persistent, and the girl had been evasive when asked about what was bothering her. She knocked on Professor Powell’s office door. As the dark magic professor, she hoped that he would know something about the potential transfiguration spell she suspected the thief was trying to commit. Maybe if she could figure out the spell, she’d be able to find the thief that way. She went to Professor Powell, to consult with him, the Dark Magic teacher. I suspect that the spell in question involves dark magic. The books that have been stolen so far were all linked to transfiguration and the nature of a person’s magic. I believe someone is trying to change their own or someone else’s core magic type. “ “Yes, that would be dark magic. I’m afraid I don’t know any spells that do that specifically. I can, however, tell you that such a spell would require a lot of magic. I would expect the person to make use of one or more artifacts unless they’re working with a group of other magicals. The type of change they’re trying to bring about will obviously have an impact on what they need.” She was one step closer to finding the thief she just knew it. They needed a dark artifact, so now she needed to find out where they could source such a thing.

TSONM 07/21 Thanksgiving. The year had flown! The cafeteria was decked out for the feast, each table with a different theme, all in Fall colors. After dinner, each diner gave a toast of Thanks for their special favors this semester, and in their lives. The Faculty did much the same thing, in their dining room.

TSONM 07/22 Tanner and Alison finally were able to talk about Halloween. The images of his parents haunted him. His mouth went dry at the memories. Alison talked about what she wanted to do after Graduation. “I’m thinking about taking a gap year and becoming a bounty hunter like Brownstone.´ “You know I can’t join you on that.” There was no way around the fact that her choosing that path would keep them apart for the year. “I’ll see you later,” Tanner finally said. . He wasn’t sure what he was going to do with his own future right then. Alison enjoyed the support and comfort of her friends. She felt her assurance and confidence coming back as she realized it was just a small argument. She had her friends around her. No matter what happened, she’d never be alone in the world. In the Musical rehearsals, Christie was totally distracted, and slipped out early. Alison wanted to go after her, but had to stay in the rehearsal, with the group. When rehearsal was finishes, Alison went looking, and found her in an empty classroom where Christie was moving her hands in a rhythmic pattern required to weave a spell. The dark smudge in her magic had grown into something darker, and there was a heather grey wisp of magic forming between her hands. When Alison entered, Christie gathered her things and ran out the other door, saying nothing. Alison was beginning to suspect that Christie wasn’t as naive and delicate as she initially appeared. It wouldn’t be the first time a dark magic student had been planted in the school.

TSONM 07/23 They arrived in Professor Powell’s dark magic class and settled down in their usual seats. No one could focus with the end of term being so close, and the last thing on anyone’s mind was studying. Xander looked at them, gossiping, and thought, they were training to keep the world safe. Safe from the likes of me. The dark magic would always be a part of him. It called to him during the long cold nights and tempted him during moments of weakness. These students needed to understand what was out in the world. Another look around the classroom at the gossiping students hardened his resolve. He was going to push them and make them really work. The days were ticking by, and they needed to be ready for whatever the world threw at them. “ We will start today’s class with a sanity attack. Aya, prepare yourself.” Whatever spell Professor Powell had cast left the girl terrified and unable to move. Professor Powell had been teaching them defense against attacks, ranging from fire and shadow through to vicious spells that ate at bones and would stop a heart dead if you weren’t quick enough. This was something new for them to learn. It seemed to be attacking Aya’s mind, and that shook some of the students. Professor Powell was disappointed that it had taken Aya as long as it did to break his spell. If she had been out in the world, she could have been killed. He made a mental note to add more mental defenses to his list of spells to teach. Professor Powell threw a dark spell at Stephanie. She put up a hasty mental protection spell and fought with the dark magic. It was a writhing mass of pure darkness. She had done better than Aya, but it was still sloppy, and he didn’t appreciate her attitude. He split them into three groups, and Xander sent a small swarm of blood-thirsty sprites at one group. He formed a shadow spell that acted much like quicksand and slowly pulled the middle group down into the floor. The final group received a slavering hell beast. He formed small barriers, so each group was truly separated, and the creatures couldn’t leave the classroom. They had to be returned to where they were formed. Could not imprison or kill them. Alison killed them with a bubble that enclosed them in a fireball.

TSONM 07/24 Alison again tries to talk with Tanner. Tanner was an amazing guy, but she wasn’t going to allow their differences to ruin her year. “I’m sorry. I should have respected your boundaries. When you said no, I should have left it at that.” “I know you didn’t mean any harm. Next time when I say no, just listen. I had accepted a long time ago that they were gone, and I got on with my life. Then they were right there, and all of those old, ancient wounds reopened.” They talked more, and straightened things out. She told Tanner about finding the missing page, and following the trail back to the Dorm. “We need to speak to Christie and find out what her role in all of this is.” “Agreed.”

TSONM 07/25 A Big Louper Tournament against one of the Cardinal’s biggest rivals—the San Francisco Sandpipers. The crowd was buzzing as everyone was sure that the Cardinals would win this game and go on to the international tournament. Peter gave Alison a bag of orange candies, touched with magic to keep out the chill. She was glad to be living in the world full of magic where life was a little easier. Then she saw a dark, malignant figure standing on the other side of the field, and Christie running toward it. Alison and Tanner tried to stop her, but she was caught on the field, and would, therefore, be in the Louper Game. Luke saw her in the game, and made the decision to keep her in it, not to “kill” her to get rid of her.” We’ll win the right way, without harming anyone.” The game continued. Christie knew she was slowing the team down, and hated it. They lost the game, and Christie disappeared, with everyone looking for her.

TSONM 07/26 She might be in her room, 89. They went back there, Dorvu above them, amusing himself by blowing puffs of icy air into various shapes from hearts to perfect circles. Alison and Tanner burst into 89, looking for Christie. “She might be in trouble, and we want to help her.” “She wanders down to the stream sometimes.” Christie was in the woods, next to the stream. A deep growling voice spoke to her, telling her , “You failed. Your friends will make fine sacrifices.” He stepped forward revealing a bare torso covered in muscle. His hands were tipped with sharp wolf claws, but his face was what made the words slip away from her. What had once been a handsome man had been transformed into a monster. His jaw was caught between that of a wolf and a man, and sharp teeth were on display when he pulled back his thin, black lips. His short hair clung close to his skull and revealed pointed ears. Christie ran, coming out of the woods and meeting Alison et al, who ran after her. “What’s going on, Christie?” Alison stood in front of her blocking her escape. “We can’t stay here. Please. I’ll tell you, just somewhere safe.” Christie told them of her problem – sick Mom, old spell books, special pendant a guy said he would help her with to heal her Mom. A handsome shifter, who wanted better from life than it was giving him. “We couldn’t find the books he needed to make the transformation, but we found out that this school did. So, I managed to transfer to this school so I could get the books. He used an ancient artifact to unleash magic that he said would help me achieve our goals. It linked me to him, I think. I can feel him. “When I went to take the books, he took control of my body. The shifter used me like a puppet, but we were so close. He was going to help me make the pendant, and then everything would be okay. The artifact started to corrupt something within him so what little magic he had wasn’t enough to finish the transformation. It pulled his wolf side out. It stopped, and now he’s stuck in this awful in between state and he needs help from a magical to fix it. . He said he’s going to sacrifice my friends unless someone helps him finish the transformation.” We need to find and stop this deranged man first.” “His name is Scott. He was thrown out of his pack because of some disagreement with the alpha. All he wanted was to be respected, and he had kind brown eyes.” They wanted to find the artifact, in the root cellar Scott had been using, so Luke shifted, they all shifted to night vision, and started off to track the artifact, Dorvu watching from above.

TSONM 07/27 With Luke as a wolf, and Tanner with Alison, Christie walked with Emma and Aya. Christie could feel Scott lurking somewhere. There was a sense of him watching, but the bond had never been very good at locating him. It was something he used to control her, and she didn’t know of a way to turn it to her benefit. They stepped through the boundary at the edge of the school grounds, and the security it provided. They were on their own now. Something was very wrong. Luke’s hackles rose when he heard an unfamiliar footstep and the sensation of being stalked coursed through him. Scott smiled. They were going exactly where he wanted them to, to the artifact and the sacrificial zone. Soon, he would be the wizard he should have been. They came to a dark clearing. A bush rustled behind them, and they turned around. Scott stood over six feet tall with broad, strong shoulders and thick heavy muscle. His torso was bare and lightly covered with grey and tan fur. Long, black claws tipped his curved fingers, and his thin, black lips pulled back to reveal long white teeth. His once soft brown eyes were now a dark amber that glistened with malice and fury. Alison looked at the thick layer of magic that surrounded Scott. It sat in plates much like armor and was dark silver in color. She tried to find any chinks or weaknesses. Unlike physical armor, it didn’t need gaps or such to allow for the wearer’s joint movements. Scott tried to attack Alison, and was met by the group’s magical production of bright light. It blinded him, threw them all off of their feet, and he crashed where Alison had been. Luke attacked him, and was thrown against a tree. Dorvu roared, trying tpo get down into the forest to help his friends, blowing a blast of freezing air that stopped him for a moment. There were cracks in the magical armor now. Luke again attacked, tearing at his leg, and was again thrown away, Scott already beginning to heal. The grop gain hit him with agonizing light, which tore through his protection. The group’s magic was weakening, and as Scott again approached Alison, she grabbed up a branch and drove it into an eye. He screamed, breaking their focus, and started toward the group again. Kathleen used her magic to again attack her, Alison adding a blow to the side of his head. Alison dropped the branch and called her magic. Scott dropped to his knees, his torso a bloody, ragged mess. Alison engulfed him in her Drow magic, snuffing out his life and making sure that he would never sacrifice anyone. Now they had to find the artifact, destroy it, and make the pendant to save her Mom. Christie described the artifact. They found the cellar, the artifact, and the pile of sacrifices alongside the altar. They destroyed the artifact with concentrated light, and the artifact destroyed the cellar with it’s energy, leaving a pit in the ground. They were sure Powell would be proud of them. They had gotten out alive!

TSONM 07/28 Alison tried to dig into the ground, to find the books that were buried, and aya remembered the spell the Librarians had taught her, on how to retrieve books. She gave a flick and a slow sweeping motion of her wand. To everyone’s delight, the books all flew toward Aya then stacked neatly at her feet. The group took the ingredients from Christie’s pouch, and made the pendant. Alison saw the black magic of it escape into the woods, and didn’t say anything about it. The pendant was a pure healing stone. As the group made their way back to the school, Horace saw them. He knew that this was a group that would not only help the world, but would change it. He, also, had seen the darkness escape into the woods. That pendant was made with the intent of saving a life, but everything must balance. A darkness emerged into the world to balance the life that would be saved. There was nothing much to be done about it at that moment. Who knew where the darkness had gone, or even what exactly it was. He might have a quiet word with Mara and Xander about it, without mentioning the students. Estelle still had doubts about Christie. “That Christie girl isn’t all sweetness and light, you know. She likes to bend the rules a little too much. This won’t be the last of the trouble she causes.” Horace knew it, and thought that being with the group might influence her for the better. She was on the cusp. “Let’s hope she sees that for herself and makes the right decisions. The group returned the bools to the back of the Library door, then went to the dining hall, hoping for something to eat, even if it was late. To their relief, a generous helping of meatloaf with mashed potato soon appeared. Luke dug in the moment immediately. He was absolutely ravenous. The pixies sighed and shook their heads. These students really had no manners at all.

TSONM 07/29 The last Christmas dinner before vacation. The Dining Hall was again fully decorated, and everyone had bags of gifts to distribute after dinner. Each was given a thoughtful gift that they liked immensely. Goodbyes were said, as all went off to their vacations, the jitney surrounded by ethereal reindeers and Santas. When Alison boarded her train, at the magical station, she saw a dark shadow lurking at the very edge of the platform, far from any other commuters. It could have been an oddly shaped shadow cast by the magical lights over the platform. It could have been, but Alison knew differently.