Jack’s family settled down for the night. Lucy drifted off first. In her dreams she slipped across silent seas of silver and climbed over mountain peaks that moved and shimmered under magical moons. Melting through the odd, eerie silence like a shadow, she came upon somewhere she recognised - A special place under the old oak tree where Caspar sat waiting for her.
Unlike her usual meetings with him, tonight much of his speech sounded very faint. The older, wiser cat wished to tell more, but neither could hold the fading connection for long. This wasn’t surprising the sheer amount of time and space between them.
“How long has it been?”
“Very little princess. Move quickly, dawn will soon be upon you. The evil banishing spell has been cast only once before. Back then a layman tried to reverse it without knowing the true cost. He didn’t fare well; he didn’t have the correct item. You have less than three days before the spell sets for good. We are few here, but there our number will be many. Search well, for our friends hide in shadows, shunning those who would ensnare or destroy them.” Lucy barely had time to thank him as without warning her beautiful golden spirit spun back into her body. For the rest of the night she slept soundly.
Despite Lucy’s company and being amongst the friendly family, Lawrence felt a little lonely. He recognised the odd natural landmark on the way, but this wasn’t truly his village. He’d never stayed away from home since dad passed, preferring to stay close to mum like he’d promised.
Faced with such a big problem it was only to be expected the boy’s head would be filled with such questions. They were in such a fix. How were they ever going to get out of this? Witches held sway here. In fact there’d be more of them than ever in these darker days. Brandice - would she remember him? He couldn’t even begin to think up a plan if she turned up. Things started to sound even stranger and very complicated. In the very early hours the tired boy’s eyes slowly closed to the tiny fire flickering in the middle of the hut - quite dangerous he thought, in a house made of wood and a roof made of straw...
Hours later Lawrence woke from a deep sleep to the haunting cry of wolves howling on the outskirts of the dark woods. Jack sat at the door, gripping a strong stick firmly. He whispered softly, “Soldiers won’t kill them at night for fear of witches. Witches won’t kill them either. Too useful to hunt and frighten people, see? Go to sleep lad, I’ll wait up.”
Before he fell asleep again Lawrence sleepily remembered where he was. Of course - humans hadn’t killed them all yet! Wolves were clever – they’d probably survive a little longer.
Back on earth a very shocked Mr Davis and his wife stood helplessly by the worried oak tree. Only a few minutes had passed since Lawrence and Lucy had been taken.
“They’re just far too powerful. I’ve got in way too deep, what can I do now?” the distraught man repeated over and over. His troubled wife held her head in her hands. Ten long minutes crept by before she could even speak. “It’s up to them now Thomas,” she croaked weakly.
“Its ten thirty now Maria. How long should we give it before we tell...”
“We daren’t leave it much longer. Who knows what may be happening to them.”