In order to let Pablo get his rest, Diane lodged with Mrs. Goldman while Alyssa and Gabriel were out of town as part of their compromise. After school on Friday, the day Gabriel left for New Lycan with her sister, Diane went to the garden after school and helped out as much as she could till the sun went down. After that she enjoyed a nice meal with Mrs. Goldman, and read a book while the old lady was working on something. She was sewing something together but Diane couldn't make out what it was. She tried to look above the brim of her book to peek as it.
"It's a surprise dear," the old woman called out, "The only person you hurt by spoiling it is yourself."
"Okay," Diane said as she resumed reading her book.
She didn't bother the old woman for the rest of the morning, even when they were working in the gardens. Diane stuck to her garden duties and didn't say another word until Mrs. Goldman was ready to let her know what the plan was. She led her downstairs to the basement and the secret room that she had shown Alyssa and her friends only days earlier, and Diane walked in with a look of amazement on her face. She walked up to the large black pot into the middle and looked into it. The solid thing was empty and looked like it hadn't been used in years.
"Is this what I think it is?" She asked the old woman.
"Yes," Mrs. Goldman confirmed, "Your mother and I used to run this cauldron together but it hasn't been active since she passed. In order to run smoothly and without incident, you require two witches to run a cauldron. Now that you're here and learning, I thought we could get this started again to keep the town safe."
"Safe from what?" Diane asked.
"The ghoulish things outside our gates," the old woman answered, "An active cauldron has an effect on them and they tend to steer clear of them. So, once we get this running again, then we won't have anymore incidents with herds brushing past us."
"I like the sound of that," Diane admitted, "Will this be hard?"
"Not for you, dear." Mrs. Goldman said, smiling. "Just take my arms around the pot and we'll get started."
As Diane took the old lady's arms, a small glow started to emanate from within the black cauldron. It was dark at first and then it started to change into various colors, and kept changing as if there was a wheel spinning inside the dark bowl. It was during this process when the bowl was glowing that the guardians all started to appear around the two witches. Diane looked around as they all started to appear from the shadows and surround the cauldron. There had to be a least a hundred cats when they all stopped gathering, and watching as the cauldron was getting brighter.
"This is normal," Mrs. Goldman called out. "Guardians love to be around for the lighting of a cauldron. What isn't normal is the sheer number of guardians we actually have here."
"That isn't normal?" Diane repeated.
"It's unheard of," the old woman answered, "But they do like to be around a new cauldron because it gives them heightened powers that can last for months."
"How much more power?" Diane asked.
"It depends on the Aura," Mrs. Goldman replied, "But based on how many are here, they are expecting a very heightened cauldron. From what I've witnessed thus far, they're not going to be disappointed."
When the cauldron had finished spinning, it settled into a bright golden hue and vapours from it started to travel throughout the room. All the cats that were sitting there, inhaled the gas that was going around and all their eyes started to glow the same bright gold that was also in the cauldron.
"What just happened?" Diane asked.
"This is a heavenly cauldron," Mrs. Goldman answered, "The first I've ever laid eyes on, and the first I think there's been in centuries. These guardians are also pledged to you Diane, as the witch with the heavenly aura. The power they feed from your aura and the cauldron make them dedicated to you, and you alone."
"Whoa," Diane said looking around, "That's a lot of cats. Do I really need this many guardians?"
"You might," the old woman answered honestly, "The other witches, and possibly the other monsters might feel your presence, and feel threatened by it."
"What is your aura?" Diane asked her.
"Darkness," Mrs. Goldman answered, "But don't feel threatened. You mother had an aura of light... and that made for a very nice cauldron, as opposites make for a better match. Like fire and water, wind and earth. A cauldron of light and dark is very powerful, but your aura is so powerful that it cancelled me out."
"I'm sorry." Diane said, feeling bad.
"Don't be," Mrs. Goldman replied, "It's very rare for witches to be able to maintain their own cauldron, but for a heavenly aura it's not that uncommon. An aura that powerful doesn't play well with others but it still takes two witches to light and maintain it so I'm still needed."
"So this cauldron will keep us safe?" Diane asked.
"It did before," Mrs. Goldman replied, "I can't see why it wouldn't now."
"What was with all those colors?" Diane inquired.
"That was the different kinds of auras." Mrs. Goldman answered, "Since you have a heavenly aura, you are able to access all six of them; those being Fire, water, wind, earth, darkness, and light."
"And heavenly makes seven," Diane added.
"Yes, it does." Mrs. Goldman said with a smile. "The heavenly aura is like having all of the above and if you practice, you can learn and cast all six of the auras and use them to their fullest potential."
"That's a lot more studying than I was hoping to do," Diane admitted, "I was hoping it would be a one and done situation."
"I'm afraid not," Mrs. Goldman said, "But you're in a unique position. Most witches, especially in Salem, like to mingle amongst those who share their own aura. Because you can access them all, they will all welcome you as their own. Every witch in the city will want to be your friend, and that can be good and bad sometimes."
"Learning all the auras is going to be a lot of work, isn't it?" Diane asked.
"Yes," Mrs. Goldman said, "But if you're willing to work on it, I'll help you as much as I can to learn them. If there is something I can't teach you, I know some other witches that owe me a favor that might be able to fill in."
"Thank you," Diane said, relieved to know she wouldn't have to do this all by herself. The task seemed daunting enough.
"Now comes the tough part," Mrs. Goldman said, taking a deep breath.
"What is that?" Diane asked.
"We need to cast a spell," the old woman answered, "It connects us to Salem and let's them know that our cauldron is being run by witches that were properly trained in Salem and not being cast by amateurs that could cause problems."
"Why is that a problem?" Diane asked.
"They will sent a witch to confirm it," Mrs. Goldman answered, "Our cauldron will get their attention, especially since it's being run by a heavenly aura. I don't anticipate any problems but by doing this, we will have Salem's undivided attention."
Diane thought about it for a moment and then remembered the numerous guardians that were present in the room. She felt confident that the guardians, Mrs. Goldman and even Gabriel would be enough to keep her safe.
"I'll be alright." Diane said, "Let's connect with Salem and follow the rules."
"Well said, Diane." Mrs. Goldman said, reaching out with her hands again. "All you have to do is same the same spell I first taught you. The one witches use to greet each other, but this time over the cauldron."
"Okay," Diane replied, "I remember."
The two women held hands and recanted the line a few times and as they did the cauldron was glowing a bright golden light. The cauldron kept glowing and even popped a few times which scared Diane. A few minutes further the glow died down, and all was well again.
Diane looked back up at Mrs. Goldman. "Did it work?"
"Oh yes," Mrs. Goldman answered. "We got their attention."
"So someone will be coming out?" Diane asked.
"Given that it's a heavenly aura," Mrs. Goldman said, "It's almost assured."
"I'm not worried," Diane said, "I look forward to meeting more witches, especially if they are nice as you."
"There are many who are much nicer than I," the old woman confessed, "But there just as many who are bad, and might want to take advantage and use the power of the heavenly aura for themselves. So be careful when that witch arrives until we know their true purpose."
"Understood," Diane replied, "I will follow your lead."
Diane then looked around at the sheer number of cats that were around them, and they were all making sounds and speaking to one another.
"What is it?" Mrs. Goldman asked, as she could see the concern on Diane's face.
"I don't have to take them all home do I?" Diane asked, "Don't get me wrong, I like cats but my room isn't that big."
Mrs. Goldman laughed. "No dear, you don't have to take them all. Most of them are going to sleep here and guard the cauldron. This aura is like a warm fire in the middle of a cold storm. The closer to it they are, the better they feel. That works for me because their duty will be to protect it. Isn't that right, boys?"
Most of the cats meowed and growled to indicate they understood.
"So which ones are coming with me?" Diane asked.
"Tell Smokey to select a dozen or so to join him." Mrs. Goldman answered, "And leave him in charge of your personal security. Most of them will hide in the shadows and you won't even see them."
"What about you?" Diane asked.
"I have enough guardians," Mrs. Goldman said, "But I will take a few more as well just o make sure no one tries to get to you through me."
"Thank you," Diane responded, as that's what she was thinking too.
Later that night when Diane was going to sleep in Mrs. Goldman's guest bedroom, she looked back at the grey cat that was lying on the other end of the bed. He opened his eyes and looked back at her.
"What is it, little one?" Smokey asked her.
"How many guardians are in the room?" She asked him, "I mean besides the five that I can see lying on the floor."
"There are twenty more in the shadows." Smokey answered.
"Wow," Diane answered, "Do I need that many?"
"Probably not," Smokey answered, "But I wasn't taking any chances until the witch or witches from Salem pay a visit."
"You think more than one might show up?" Diane asked.
"It's possible." Smokey replied, "Witches usually travel in groups of two. Odd numbers are very rare. Given the rarity of your aura, I felt it was wise to be cautious."
"Alright," Diane said, as she laid her head down to rest. "Do what ever you feel is right and I trust you."
"Thank you, little one." Smokey said, "Sleep well."
It didn't take Diane long to fall asleep, but when she did one of the other cats walked out of the shadow and up to Smokey.
"What is it?" Smokey asked her.
"Why did you lie to her?" The other cat asked.
"I didn't lie to her," Smokey replied, "I just gave her a simple answer, and left out key details."
"You know what happened the last time there was a heavenly aura," the other cat continued, "It nearly tore the city apart. You know they're going to send a lot more than two witches. I wouldn't be surprised to see a whole delegation."
"There are over a two hundred guardians here," Smokey said, as he and Oscar had counted them all himself a few times over. "The only place that has more in one spot is Salem itself. They are also all loyal to the heavenly aura. So unless they send an army of witches, she's quite safe."
"Alright," the other cat said, unaware of the true count. "Do you know what you're doing?"
"Oscar has more experience with this," Smokey admitted, "He used to command the guardians of Salem, so he knows how to work with a large number of guardians and I'm following his lead. We will be fine so long as no one panics."
"I get your point," the other cat said, "Thank you for hearing me out."
"Get some rest," Smokey ordered, "The next few days are going to be very interesting."