Chapter one of; The Search for the Stolen Treasures
On this fine morning,
Ole Sol saw Pitch standing on the small veranda of her cottage that was located
in front of the Tar Pits. The cottage
was made of bluestone, a type of sandstone with a bluish cast. The roof was made of slate, a deep dark grey
with seep angles, and a spiral peak. The
front façade had a strong oak door painted red with an oval shaped window on
either side of the door giving the cottage a face. You could never be sure if the cottage was
alive or not. But Pitch knew and often
carried on conversations with her home which came in handy when cleaning or
when unexpected guest arrived.
This crisp morning in
Pitch’s small front yard, butterflies and honeybees fluttered amongst the deep
blue of the Larkspur, Pitch’s birth flower, which lined the cobbled stone path
leading to the front stoop. The cottage
was encircled with a low stone fence that had a solid wooden gate for its entrance. A lone Holly tree grew just to the right of
the cottage, the Holly sported a nearly white trunk with its dark green
foliage, and bright red berries. It was
Pitch’s birth tree and the berries were often used in charms.
Phantasyland
sparkled, as millions of drops of morning dew, acting like prisms, broke up the
light spectrum into tiny rainbows. This stimulation
wouldn’t last long, after Ole Sol was well above the horizon this illusion
vanished.
But even so, the land
remained one of vibrant colors. There
were trees with purple leaves and red trunks.
Flowers of every imaginable color, flowers that never wilted and should
you walk by, they often wished you a pleasant day. No one ever picked the flowers for to do so would
destroy the small sprite that gave the flower its life.
“Good day to you,
Miss Pitch!” Ole Sol was the first to
speak, his voice accented with a low roar as his core continued its nuclear fusion,
the energy that sustained, not only the Earth but also the entire Solar
System. Ole Sol was one busy star.
“A very grand morning
it is, thanks to you old friend,” replied Pitch. “Have we any visitors to Phantasyland this
fine day?”
“Ho, ho, ho,” chuckled
Ole Sol. “I rose a bit too early for
them this morning, none made it. But
they do try. I do wonder how they
learned of the secret to entering Phantasyland.”
“Oh that is easy, it
is written in the Mystic Manual. Most
mortals take it not seriously, but some do.
Well, have a pleasant trip across the heavens, my friend,” said Pitch.
“Indeed, I shall,
good morning to you then,” Ole Sol nodded his sphere, for he had no head, no
body, just his sphere but he did have many arms, the rays of light that he threw
towards the planets, he could be quite animated.
Just then, Pitch felt
the murmur touch of a gentle breeze and knew the South Wind was flowing across
Phantasyland. She heard the whisper,
“Morning oh Sister two.”
The South Wind was
always demure unlike her older and vociferous brother, the North Wind. He was the one that blew in the gales; the
North Wind wasn’t always a welcome visitor.
“My sentiments to you
as well, good breeze. How goes your
day?”
“Oh, it is as it is,”
whispered the South Wind, and without further flutter, sailed away.
As Ole Sol proceeded
across the sky, and the South Wind kissed her cheek adieu, Pitch Potter turned
about to prepare for a visit from her four sisters.
►
The five sisters
usually met at least once a month at one another’s home. Sometimes it would be for brunch, or lunch or
even dinner, today it would be brunch.
The sisters stayed in contact for they were very close, being reared by
a loving mortal mother. Their father was
a Mystic; a union unaccepted by either world resulting in the separate
habitation of the sisters’ parents. They
knew little of their father, only that he had fiery red hair, a quick temper and
that his profession kept him away for long periods. The sisters were oblivious to the special
powers inherited from their father until each reached the age of eighteen. When the youngest sister, Quitch had
completed her worldly training, the five sisters were then told that they should
leave the mortal world to continue their studies in the mystical world, or the Mystical
Realm but the inhabitants knew their home as Phantasyland.
On the same morn, the
five sisters jumped into the blue flash of light and vanished from the mortal
world. They would return for only brief
visits, they came to know their mystic father as he now took over their
education. The next four years was spent
in a crystal palace with a small fairy, Queen Sleyvia. Each learned of their special ability and how
to use it. After their education, their
father arranged for each to have a home of their own and the sisters were left
to their own devices.
►
A chorus of loud laughter
warned Pitch that her sisters had arrived.
No need to answer the door, for the cottage greeted them with a hearty;
“Hello!” with the frame of the door acting as its mouth. The sisters knew they were expected and
entered the modest hut; a three-room structure, one large living room with a
kitchen and bedroom at the rear. They
called her as they entered. Pitch was
prepared with a brunch that she knew her sisters would love.
“Good morning,
Sisters, what’s all the ruckus about?
What news have you?” Pitch knew
something was amiss but she had no clue as to what it might be. Pitch wore an A-Line straight skirt with a
matching hunter green and burgundy plaid shirt with rolled up sleeves, and a
pair of black ankle boots. Pitch wore
her dark brown hair short cut in a wedge in back, and full loose waves that
accented the single white streak. She
also wore a pair of rubies earrings and the skeleton key dangling down the
front of her shirt.
“I had a visit from
Dragonfly a few days ago,” spoke up Switch.
Switch was donned out in an emerald green jumper with a violet flora blouse. Her long reddish blond hair was pull back
from her face is a half ponytail, which she secured with a crystal clip. Her amulet swayed slightly as she spoke, “He
said that there were mortals in the Enchanted Garden and now the garden is
dying. It looks as if winter has set in,
a first for the Enchanted Garden. The
poor queen is all titter and knows not where to turn for aid.”
“Have I missed
something while I was away to the Icy Mountain,” ask Mitch. She wore her dark blond hair in the classic pageboy
ending just below the ear and parted just left of center. She had on a lilac paisley sundress, and upon
her head was an oversized red sunhat and her attire was complete with her
favorite red high heels sandals, she furled her parasol and hooked it over her
arm.
“Hi all, what is this
about mortals in Phantasyland?” Flitch
wore forest green Bermuda shorts and a white pull on tank top with hot pink
trim and a pair of hot pink sneakers.
Flitch sported her honey blond hair, long and straight, and parted down
the center with thick bands. She leaned
slightly on her silver cane.
“This is news to me,”
said Quitch as she now entered the hut.
Quitch’s dark auburn hair, which she, like Switch and Flitch, wore long,
nearly to her waist but for now, was pulled back from her face in a double ponytail
leaving wisps of bands framing her face.
Quitch had on a purple shirtwaist morning dress with brunt orange slides
and the bronze rope tied loosely at her waist with the Book of Charms swinging
on her left side.
By now, the Potter
Sisters were settled at the table and Pitch interrupted. “A prayer before our meal, if you please! Agreed?”
“Agreed,” the four
chanted together.
It was customary for
the hostess to lead the blessing, so Pitch began. Standing around the table, the Potter Sisters
held hands and bowed their heads.
“Oh glorious Heavenly
Father, we ask your blessing upon this meal and thankful are we to have such abundant. Bless all that gather here, in Christ name we
pray. Amen.”
“Amen!” echoed the
Potter Sisters.
As they began
self-service of the meal, Mitch continue as though she had not been interrupted,
“I had a great time at the Icy Mountain…
Didn’t meet a prince while there though,” Mitch frowned showing her
disappointment at not seeing one. Mitch
was always on a quest for a suitor “…but did see a few frogs.” Mitch was inclined to talk rapidly, never
pausing to end a sentence as if she had to get the information spoken as
quickly as possible. “I was worried
about my sisters…what’s this about the humans back in the garden? Is that why the garden is dying? Oh, I found this broom on the way back. Does it belong to any of you?”
“Calm down Mitch,”
soothed Pitch. “I have it on good
authority that the mortals have been sent back across the Rift and Ole Sol was
confident they would not make it through the flash should they attempt to enter
again. I don’t think their presents had
any bearing on the garden. There
something else afoot I fear. The broom
might be the one the Wind carried away without me on it; I was forced to
enchant a pencil to ride on. Was most
irritating as the point kept breaking, so I kept sharpening it. Now, it is only a stub, way too short for
flying. It will only glide across the
floor. Can’t get anywhere with it like
there.”
“I heard that Queenie
fairy had a new treasure……A crystal……Oh yes, while at the Icy Mountain, I saw
Lady Fairy……she tells of a new wizard over at the Mountain Pain ……got a quick
look at him……he’s sorta cute.”
The Sisters looked at
their sister in amazement, but that was Mitch for you.
“It’s nice to see you
Mitch,” said Switch, “I have been tending my little golden fishes; their pool
is so pretty, even the mermaids think so.
The mermaids tell of a dragon that lives on the summit of the Mountain
of Fire. I think we should check on the
wizard and the dragon!”
“We are glad you had
a nice trip, Mitch. That is news of a
wizard and a dragon in Phantasyland. I
agree with Switch, we should travel there as soon as possible but we have more
pressing business this afternoon, the Queen has summoned us to the Crystal
palace!” said Pitch.
|