Sebastian, Alex and Isabel had successfully managed to brew the invisibility potion as proven by their lack of physical presence. It was fascinating watching them disappear into nothingness, but when Seb's turn came Gwen's stomach churned and her heart ached watching him vanish into thin air. Just as she was about to drink the invisibility potion and follow them, the Principal's assistant came in. Rowan his name was and not much older than her. She had always seen him wearing expensive suits, he always looked very presentable and professional. From his dark brown eyes flowed maturity and seriousness and something else that she could only describe as sadness. He was pale and had a well kept beard adorning his face. Looking at him she thought to herself that he would look good if only he smiled a bit more. Those thoughts were quickly replaced by shock and confusion when he quickly took the vial containing the potion out of her grasp and said seriously:
"Miss Richards, the Principal would like you to see him in his office, privately. Come I will accompany you." he turned his back to Gwen and started walking away. Gwendolyn followed trying to understand what she might have done to be called to Mr Greenwood's office but she couldn't find anything. She walked absentmindedly and managed to trip over the red carpet in front of the Principal's office. An invisible hand caught her and she felt the distant whisper of Seb's voice near her ear:
"Be careful, we are right behind you, don't worry it's probably nothing.." he then sqeezed her hand to show her that he will be near her even if she couldn't see it. Rowan was already in front of the wooden door that led to the Principal's office and opened it for her to pass through. The room was circular and small, or at least smaller than what she remembered. It was a two story study, at the center were two beautiful staircases that led to the actual office. The walls were replaced by bookcases, and the only light came from three big windows positioned behind the study. To her left she could see a fireplace with some fire going, a big comfortable couch in front of it and a little tea table next to it, with some tea already served. Principal Greenwood was nowhere to be seen so Gwen stood there waiting for him to show up. He suddently appeared at the top of the stairs, looked at her and smiled kindly.
His full name was Percival Greenwood. His own age was on the older side of completely indeterminate. If you picked a number at random, he was probably a little older than that, but- well, it was impossible to tell. The old man's deep wrinkles seemed to carve a map of his life on his still agile and mobile facial features. His twinkling eyes were framed by thick white eyebrows and on his stubbled chin were white whiskers. He was tall, a bit round, and moved with ungainly restlessness, even if he had long since forgotten what it felt like to have joints that moved freely, without pain. Always accompanied by his trusty walking cane. When the Principal would describe his life, everyone was instantly transported to another place and time. His memories both warmed and haunted him, sometimes drawing a smile and other times a tear. His voice was slow and he stumbled on his words at times. Sometimes he was overtaken by emotions that had been buried for decades and he would have to pause. When he gesticulated it was with the creak of age in his bones. At times he would seem excited to tell a tale. Other times he seemed like he was honouring a solemn duty to remember the fallen.
"Gwendolyn, my child, how are you? Come here, have some tea.." he gestured towards the little table on her left. Gwen sat down and looked at him innocently, waiting for him to explain why she had been summoned. He looked over her shoulders, smiled and said:
"I see you have brought some company.." he raised a hand and magically made Seb, Alex and Bella reappear.
"I knew you three would have followed but I didn't expect an Invisibility potion, good job." he said and laughed heartily. The three friends looked at him half smiling, hoping that it wouldn't have any serious concequences.
"Hello Mr. Greenwood, how have you been?" Alex said and smiled genuinely. He then went and stood near a bookcase, further away from them.
"I have been doing great, but I have a serious matter to discuss with you all." he said seriously.
"All of us?" asked Izzy. She sat on the chair next to Gwen and squeezed her hand trying to comfort her. Seb just stood behind them and listened carefully.
"Yes miss Young, I am afraid it can't be delayed anymore, you are all mature now and it's time you learn what has been going on in the Magic kingdom since before you were born.." he raised his hand once more and a book flew from a bookcase to his palms. He flipped the pages and started narrating:
"Many years ago, when Alfred Oswald and his twin brother Henry lost their father, King Anthony, one of the two had to take the place on the throne of the Fairië, or as you may know it, the city of the free-folk. The two brothers had to compete on different levels and complete different tasks better than the other. They had to let their people decide who was best at ruling. But like twins, alike in their looks so they were on their abilities. Since they couldn't decide who was best they let the most beautiful elf.." he was cut short by Bella when she asked:
"Why the most beautiful elf?" her face showing her confusion. The Principal looked at her annoyed because she had cut short his tale, but answered quickly.
"You see, it was tradition that the King had to be a great warlock and the Queen a beautiful elf. It symbolised two cultures coming together and helping each other for the common good, for the peace of every magical creature in the kingdom. Now where was I? Ah yes, they had to let the most beautiful elf decide who was better and the one she chose she would have to later marry and become his queen. When Amaryllis chose Alfred, Henry who had been for years in love with her was left so heartbroken, that he left the citadel and decided to declare war to his former home. He has been since then joining forces with every magical creature that craves power, cyclopes, chimeras, giants, pixies, gnomes, goblins. Every creature with impure intentions followed him. Last night I saw in a dream that they are finally ready, their numbers are great and the only thing that can stop them is a jeweled talisman, given to me by Amaryllis all those years ago. It was one of her tears that she transformed into a diamond hexagon that has a lot of power on it's own but can give even more power to the person wearing it. It instills power, confidence and positive energy. Talismans as you may know are natural amplifiers that lead a person to the right thoughts. This talisman can only be used once in a time of great need. Queen Amaryllis trusted me with it for safekeeping. I had it in my personal library, a place that can only be accessed by me until recently, this morning when I went to check on it, it was missing."
"And what does that have to do with us?" asked Seb.
"Not you exactly but Gwendolyn. She must have seen the diamond in her dream, I knew she had as soon as I found it missing." he explained looking at Gwen.
"What do you mean? I was supposed to see that dream?" she asked, millions of questions flooded her mind.
"Yes, only you can take it to the citadel before the war wages on. It was meant for you. You were chosen by Amaryllis before your birth for this mission." he explained.
"But it cannot be, I am nobody, I don't even know who or what I am, who my parents are. How could I have been chosen for something so big?"she asked panicked.
"All in good time my child, I will explain everything to you but now you have to wait for the talisman to come to you." he said calmly.
"That sentence, it was in my dream, that means it was a premonition and that this is all real." she said and put her hands on her face, trying to absorb every information. Mr. Greenwood felt such sorrow for his favourite pupil, the girl that he helped raise from day one, that seeing her like that almost brought him to tears. He put a hand on her shoulder and said the next words with a pained voice:
"Of course it is. I have to express another fear I have, I think the enemy knows about the talisman and if he does he probably knows I have it, he will probably come for me, us and the diamond itself. The good thing is that he doesn't yet know of your existence. As I said, we will have to wait for the diamond to present itself to you, but as soon as it does we will have to leave the Institute and take refuge in the forest of Lacrimand, east of the Institute. There we will have to divide into 2 groups. Gwendolyn, Sebastian, Alexander and Isabel, you four will go together while the rest of us will create a diversion. I will give you a map and show you which way is quicker and less dangerous. With me I will take every boy, girl and professor older than 16. I will have to ask another favor from you Gwendolyn. Every child of this Institute will have to travel with you at all times. We don't have a safe place built for them and if the enemy comes to the Institute and finds them they will die, I can't let that happen. They are the future of this kingdom."
"What do I have to do? How will I carry them?" she asked accepting her destiny.
"I will give you a spell that you will have to perform on each child individually that will make their soul slip into the diamond and travel with you at all times. When that happens the talisman will drain some of your energy to keep the magic inside of it intact, which means that during your journey you will have to take frequent breaks, stay hidden and rest. The important thing is to not let the talisman fall into enemy hands. Fortunately you will have your friends by your side to help you with every obstacle, so trust only each other and no one else. Now go, we will talk tomorrow. Be careful." he said and smiled confidently at them.
They left the room confused but knowing that even through all the difficulties they would stick together since the future of the kingdom depended on them.