Chapter 13: The Darkness Amongst the Light

TLDR: OK. So. Because its been AGES since I updated:
Robin lost his memory and has hated Maria up until she kissed him.
Richard got seriously injured by our villainous bird and almost died.
Jane realized she liked him and they may soon begin a courtship.
Henry and Lizzie have been playing secret detective buddies.
Cat and David have been chilling(TM) watching the drama unfold.
Maria found out everyone lied and was super mad.
Robin finally got his head out of his ass and managed to make amends with Maria.
Now, Easter break is over, everyone's back at school and getting ready for the spring ball. The villains meanwhile have been brewing evil stuff.

A/N:... I know... I was late. AGAIN. :'(

Emerging from the forest, the cloaked figure took the sight before him. Ever foreboding, the De Noir Castle stood majestically on top of the hill. The full moon now directly above them did nothing to lighten the castle, its dark stone blacker than the night sky, only the few flickering lights provided any sense of shape or form to the imposing structure. Most of the castle windows were dark, perhaps the inhabitants had long gone to sleep, tired from the Easter festivities. He curiously noted the stark lack of guards. Well no matter, their ignorance was his fortune.

The sounds a of a second galloping horse slowed to a stop behind him and he rolled his eyes. A grumble of complaint escaped from him before he could stop it. Whether the rider heard or was aware of Charles' annoyance towards his presence, he said nothing. Silent and watchful as always, he was like the human manifestation of Coeur's hawk, always there, watching him and Althea. Sent by the captain himself, the horseman always reported back. Charles didn't even know who this horseman was, or his name. Yet now that he thought about it, he didn't know the Captain's name either. Captain, that's all anyone ever called him.

Althea landed beside him. She looked over the horseman and clicked her beak in annoyance. Althea already hated having Charles sent along with her, she must hate the other man's presence even more.

All three stood silent for a few moments, watching the lights of the castle flicker out.

As the last light faded, Charles thought of his family, it's been so long since he's seen them. He would never admit the small pang that threatened to pulse through his heart. Afterall, it's not like he had any need for them. They were all too willing to let him rot in that cell. The worst was Maybelle who betrayed him… and Cecille what good did she ever do to him. He couldn't believe he ever had feelings for that girl. She was too soft for the world. Charles eyes fell, betraying the sentiments that he himself denied.

"Homesick?" Althea leered.

"Not a bit."

"Good, we have work to do." Althea kicked up the dirt and flew back into the sky. Charles dug his heels onto his horse and galloped behind her. Tonight, they had no business with Moonacre's residents.

Althea flew over a corral, eyeing the delicious sleeping sheep locked within. Perhaps if they had time, she could have a quick bite to eat.

She circled over the hill that used to be her home, where she and her sisters once lived watching over Moonacre. She looked down, satisfied to see the old monastery now in ruins. Althea landed by the well. The water used to be free flowing, emerging up from the hill as if by magic, and spilling down its side into a small pond surrounded by tree and flowers. That pond no longer existed, covered by the stone path that circled around the hill. Only a few old and withered tree stumps remained. It was at the pond that she and her sisters used to pray to the gods above. Althea pointed her glare to the moon. What good did praying ever do? For all their devotion, the gods let mankind run amok, slaughtering them all.

"Do you have it?" She asked Charles. From the corner of her eyes she saw the silent rider at a distance. She couldn't see his face, but she felt his eyes on her. A cold chill ran down her spine and she crumpled her hands in anger. She wasn't a pet to keep watch of. She was ashamed to have been reduced to working with humans. Sly and malicious creatures, she didn't trust any of them.

Charles reached into his saddle bag and brought out a large circular object wrapped in black fabric. He handed it to Althea. Gently, her talons removed the fabric, revealing the splendid silver basin. It was engraved with symbols from the witches of old. Althea admired it, satisfied. It took them months to find such a basin. Such magical items were lost and difficult to find. The one good thing about working wit the captain was his network. He had heard of such a basin deep within the deserts of Africa. To think they were almost ambushed by the leather clad human friends of the Moon Princess. Althea smirked.

"Remove the grate," She commanded Charles. It was made of iron, a metal that burned her.

Althea dipped the basin into the well and filled it with water.

Charles wondered about the water's significance. He knew it, Moonacre's so called Holy Well. The pearl too was from Moonacre, the last few places on earth with magic. Or so Althea said. He wondered what she was up to, but knowing her, she refused to tell him.

Carefully she took the basin to the center of the hill where there laid an old stone that was once the foundation of a table. She centered the basin and watched with satisfaction as the reflection of the moon fell into the center of the basin. Althea looked up to the moon. The air stilled and she took a deep breath. "The first full moon of spring. The cold dark days of Hekate are truly over."

She uttered a spell and casted a purple glow onto the basin. The water within stilled, as did the reflection of the moon.

"Perfect. Bring me the bottle."

Charles held an opaque bottle and his breath caught as he watched Althea pour the iridescent silver water from the basin into the vial. Althea corked the bottle and handed it, along with the basin back to Charles who stored it away. She looked to the silent horseman, still a distance away. Its shrouded face looking right back at her. Her neck feathers stood on end. She had a horrible feeling about him. As if he knew too much.

"We will be back before he returns," Althea's voice came out in a whisper.

"Did he say where he was going?"

"No."

"Do you trust him?"

"No, much like I don't trust you. Let's go, we still have one more thing to do."

Before leaving Moonacre, Charles turned back to look at the silhouette of the De Noir Castle. For a brief second, he almost missed his sister and her nonsensical prattling. He almost missed Cecille and her never-ending faith in others.

He looked away. Althea still fast in flight, but the horseman had stopped to watched him. Like invisible chains, Charles felt the pull and urged his horse back into a gallop. There was one thing he didn't miss, the sense of fear from the man who picked him from the dungeons that fateful night. The man he only knew as 'Colonel' or 'Captain'. No, that was a memory that still stuck deep in his heart.

He took off on his horse, running from the feeling that warned this would be his last time in Moonacre.

"Miss Maria, you're back. Perfect. Come with me to my office, I need to speak with you."

Inside Maria stiffly sat down in the chair. She had no idea why Mrs. Watson would need to meet with her. She had already worked with Charlotte to prepare for classes which would resume the next day.

Mrs. Watson took off her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Maria, as you know, you're bound to finish your schooling in a couple of months."

Maria could do no more than nod. Though this was true, she didn't speak about it with her family over the Easter Holiday. It was the last thing on her mind.

"At first, I'll admit, I was a bit taken aback by your enrollment into this school. When I heard you were an orphan, well, I'm sorry to say this but I believe you know how I felt." Maria's mouth twisted. She knew all too well what she meant. Society wasn't fond of orphans, especially female ones. "I was afraid your uncle sent you here to be rid of you."

Maria's mouth opened, ready to retort, when Mrs. Watson raised her hand, asking her to listen as she continued.

"Though cruel, unfortunately, yes, that is what happens to many orphans. Without any money or connections, orphans are hardly seen in good society. Then, with your obsessive tendencies to read fantasy novels, and your tongue often spilling into a very country-like vernacular, I was worried you'd bring nothing but trouble. Fortunately, I can say you've proved me very wrong."

Maria stilled at the indirect compliment.

"Now, I didn't bring you here to criticize or praise you, but because it has dawned on me that despite your uncle's care for you, he has failed to mention a very important detail about the terms of your schooling. For I'm sure if you knew, you would have protested before this academic year even began."

Maria frowned and shook her head, confirming Mrs. Watson's suspicions. "At the start of this term, your uncle informed me he wants you to remain here after you finish your schooling."

Maria sharply inhaled. "Excuse me—he what? He never mentioned that to me!"

"Yes I cannot say that I am surprised…he believed it was best to keep you in London where you were safe from your family's atrocious rivalry. He asked me to guide your tutelage towards becoming a governess, or even a teacher at this school. He wants you to remain here after you finish."

Putting her glasses back on, she continued, "You have proven yourself to be an excellent mentor and lecturer. I have secured enough funding to admit more girls into this school. Seeing how well you've grown, I've been considering opening the school to allow a few orphan girls as well. Those without any money will be paid for by the school. If you stay, I'd love to have you personally look out for them. You'd be an excellent role model. However, because I want you all to be independent thinkers, I have chosen to tell you this so that you may the rest of your time here to decide for yourself."

Maria nodded her head. She was left speechless by the information.

"Perfect. That was all for now, I understand it's a lot to take in. If you'll run an errand for me though, please go to Rutgers's and deliver this letter regarding the upcoming Spring ball. Make sure to take someone with you. I'm sure the walk there will help order your thoughts."

"Oh, and one more thing," Mrs. Watson added. "If you'll allow me to add my opinion, I do believe you'll do well here in London. There is no better place to grow your connections and social standing than in a city such as this. I am sure you'll have no problem finding suitors here either. I've heard from Sebastian that young mister Henderson has grown quite fond of you. If you remain here, I'll be happy to oversee any courtship deemed appropriate."

Maria, now bright red from the mention of William, slowly stood up and mustered a response, "Yes, thank you Mrs. Watson. I—I'm sure Mrs. Heliotrope and my uncle will be happy to hear that." She then tried to change the conversation. "Where will the ball be held this year?"

"Princely, you should know considering we've kept the same rotating pattern for a very long time. Oh, and Maria, if you see Sebastian please remind him that his father and I will be expecting him for dinner."

A distant howl of the winds tripping over and in between the trees marked the passage of the clouds high above. Dark and cumulus, the winds tore them apart, letting the round moon break through and light the forest glade below.

Suddenly, what seemed to be an empty forest now revealed the figures lurking amongst its remaining shadows. The glade was cut in half by a rushing river. The river sounded panicked, as if it couldn't get away fast enough. The light that reflected off the water bounced in all directions, faintly illuminating the surrounding trees and pushing back the darkness. Only one figure fought against the light. Stepping into the clearing, the moonlight that met Althea's golden feathers seemed to disappear, absorbed by the magic around her. She was joined by Charles who held the basin before him.

Althea looked around her. The look of distaste was sharp in her eyes. She had wanted to do this alone. Every inch of her protested being made a spectacle. Human's shouldn't be here; they didn't deserve to watch such a ritual. She ruffled her feathers, making herself seem larger. She wasn't happy, but she didn't dare protest.
He was watching. She couldn't see him, but she sensed him. Hidden from the moon's light in the darkness, he watched her from behind. Only the silver glint of his sword told her of his location. She hated that sword. Too many times she saw it cut down lives. It reminded her all too well of the sword that was used on her sisters.

Althea stepped towards the river. There was a large stone rock with moss in the shape of a circle. She stepped into the water, unaffected by the cold, and placed the basin on the circle of moss. She took the vial from Charles and poured its contents into the basin. The moon's reflection rippling in the center.

Charles' brow frowned. He looked up. The moon in the sky was newly waning , but the reflection on the basin was that of a full circular moon.

Althea looked up and stretched her magnificent winds. It was the third day of the full moon. A day filled with energy as the waning moon prepared to give its light, its magic to the earth.

She smirked, at least the humans wouldn't understand this, she thought as she began to chant in an ancient language, "Brekken Muur ekuxe…Blessed Moon above, I call upon you to once more light my path and lend me your powers. Heal that which was once whole. Fill the emptiness of void."

The wind started billowing, the clouds moved swiftly over the moon, engulfing it in blackness. The forest once more became black and the men gasped as those in hiding took a step back. The reflection of the moon in the basin remained. A wisp of dark purple smoke floated from the water. A growing dark orb encased Althea. Her beak was fixed. Her light erased. And in the center of the basin, was a single black and purple pearl.

A/N: Hi everyone... So... I know I said I would update in December... but after I made that post I freaked out and kinda just wanted to hide... As many of you have said, it was definitely sharing a lot. And I really did want to be honest about what was going on, but then after I did, there was this mortifying feeling of OMG. There's no turning back. Its now online for the world to see. Even though there is still this anonymity shield since y'all just know me as just this story's author, this is still very much apart of me and feels incredibly personal. So yeah. I'm ashamed for running away again. I'm sorry. :( (for anyone who is new and is like whats going on, feel free to message me!)

Thank you for your patience and understanding. And most importantly, thank you all soooo much for your kind word feel so touched and have been crying all night. I literally didn't read them till tonight, I was avoiding this like the plague. So this update goes to all of you amazing, kind, and wonderful readers. It was your words that finally made me realize it wasn't as bad as I thought and that I can in fact still keep doing this. I know this is a short update, and a bit of a cliff hanger, but I hope its still better than nothing. *heart*