They entered the hall and everyone rose to their feet. Students and professors alike. She walked with her friends and stood at Greenwood's side and then the soul ritual begun.
Gwendolyn tried to show bravery and courage, she wanted to instil in each child some security. She hoped she could make it, get everyone safely to the Capital and manage to come out of it alive. She knew many lives were at stake and that her responsibilities had grown by the day.
The principal clapped his hands to get everyone's attention and then spoke sternly.
"My dear students, as you probably already know, there is a war raging on outside of this castle, beyond our lands, a war that would put every last one of us in grave danger. You might be wandering what will happen to you, how can we defend ourselves.. and why is Gwendolyn Richards standing here with me.. I need you to trust me and listen to me very carefully. We are unfortunately unable to defend ourselves in this castle, we have to leave at first dawn and take cover in the forest. Where we will remain hidden for as long as we can while marching towards the Capital. There will be dangers in our way but we have to do it so that our friends can complete their special mission. Miss Richards has been tasked with a very important task by our queen, she has to take something of great power to the capital and with it keep safe all the younger students of our institute. That is why me, the other professors and every student older than 16 must act as a diversion. Just like Gwendolyn will keep the youngsters alive well, I will do the same for you." murmurs could be heard everywhere, concerned looks where shared amongst the students and anxious beating hearts joined as one. Gwen knew she had to say something, she had to calm her fellow companions. She slowly walked and stood in front of the Principal and tried to put her jumbled thoughts into words.
"Hello, I am Gwendolyn Richards, every last one of you knows me, not because of my high social status or my smarts.. You know me as the girl who always puts others before herself, I have helped many of you in countless occasions and I have never asked anything in return. I am not particularly liked nor am I famous, I am the quiet orphan who has never left this castle, I consider this place as my home, my only home and I would do anything for its' safety, as I will for every last one of you. I know the responsibility on my shoulders is huge but I hope I can do it.. I hope I can make you proud of me, even if it means I will meet my end." She spoke truthfully, she hoped the people in front of her would trust her with their safety. There was silence then few claps here and there. Her eyes shone, tears pricked her eyes, she had been accepted. She felt a strong hand pose on her shoulder. It was the Principal, he looked upon her like a proud father would. Clapping could be heard all over the room and for a moment that night everyone was connected through hope. The uncertainty on peoples faces now gave way to proud smiles or cheeky grins. The feeling Gwendolyn felt was indescribable, she felt her beating heart freeze and then start again even faster. Excitement raced through her veins even though she could feel the dangers lurking not far from her.
The principal then rose his arm and silence discended upon the hall. He then looked at the faces of his students and asked if anyone had any questions or if they didn't understand what would happen.
A shy little kid, named Theo stood up gingerly. Gwendolyn knew Theo because once or twice he had asked for her help with potions. He was a werewolf pup and even if not many of his kind went to the academy his parents wanted him to explore his magical abilities. Every creature in the realm, small or big had magic inside. There were creatures more perceptive to their inner magic, that could tap into that pool almost instinctively and others that needed to study and practice to hone their abilities. Theo needed that extra help with the more practical side of magic but he over compensated by reading every book in the library and memorizing every useful detail. For example he knew that when someone died in the realm he or she gets reborn in the human world as a simple mortal. They would have no recollection of their past life and they could choose to live their life however they wanted to. It was a way of remembering that no one is really gone. He started to speak as loud as he could and asked.
"I am sorry professor, but I remember reading in "History of our Realm" about portals. Can't we just go through one and shorten significantly our journey?"
The principal looked proudly at his student but his face turned to a frown. He started walking between his students and his voice started to narrate stories of old times.
"Young Theo, you are right, portals do exist. In the beginning there were four of them, placed strategically though the kingdom. They were placed in secluded areas, far from buildings and were very dangerous to use. There is one in the forest of Lacrimand not far from here, one in the land of the giants, one in the Enchanted Eden and the forth one is rumoured to have been destroyed and has since then been forgotten. The portals are heavily guarded by the enemy troops and only the one in the Enchanted Eden is still under the protection of the kings guard. That is why we decided not to approach them and we deemed necessary to take a longer route. I am sorry I must put you under that much danger but it's the only way.."
He returned to the platform and sighed heavily. He sat down on his chair and started talking again.
"We can now begin with the ritual.. Gwendolyn are you ready?" She nodded determined. She knew that from now on her fate was sealed and everything in her life would change. She didn't think about the peril, her heart was filled with bravery and a sense of calm invaded her body. She stood in front of the children on the podium and smiled before her. The first kid to stand in front of her was Theo, he smiled and said.
"I believe in you Gwenny" Gwendolyn thanked him and then recited the words the principal had told her.
"Dona mihi animam meam" which meant give me your soul. Theo dematerialised and all that was left behind were thousands of tiny blue and gold specks rising towards the ceiling. One by one all the kids followed and with each passing moment she felt her energy slowly leaving her body. Her whole body pricked and her feet could hardly let her stand. Gwendolyn knew that was normal. Talismans like the one on her neck are objects that hold magical properties that provide power, energy and other specific benefits to the possessor. Although that is true, as always, you must give something to gain something else. In this case, the diamond necklace, laced with great power, enough to defeat the enemy, asks for the owners vital energy to keep itself intact and not release that power all at once, caotically.
When the last kid dematerialised she felt her senses leaving her, she had exerted herself, she felt her knees giving out. But before her body could make contact with the ground Seb raced towards her and caught her in his arms. She looked into his eyes and whispered with what was left in her body.
"Seb, don't leave me please.." and she fell into a deep slumber filled with the faces of the children she had to protect.
----
Seb picked her up, excused himself and said that he was taking her to her bedroom. The principal nodded and he left making his way up her room. Every once in a while he looked at her. She is so beautiful, he thought. Her cute face was so calm and relaxed now and he felt so good having her on his chest and hearing her breath on his neck. He would protect her at every cost. He wanted to share the responsibility that was on her shoulders and he would do anything to see her smiling once again. Things were changing so fast he was scared he would never be able to reveal his feelings to her now that everything was so unsure. Plus he wasn't sure that Gwendolyn felt the same way about him. He surely didn't want to lose her as a friend by saying something he shouldn't.
They had reached her room and he gently put her down on her bed and took a seat next to her, watching over her.
----
When Seb and Gwendolyn left, the principal turned to Alex and Isabel.
"You should probably start packing your things and prepare, we will leave at first dawn. Be brave my children and be careful of one another." he saluted them and then turned to leave.
"Come on" said Alex putting his arm around Izzy and guiding her outside towards the gardens. He knew that even if Isabel was strong and wanted to seem tough she was actually very much scared about what tomorrow had in stock for them. He could feel her breathing quicken and see her fingers fidgeting. He took her under a tree and made her sit on the soft grass. From there they had a clear view of the sky and its stars but they were also hidden from everyone else.
He took her hands in his trying to calm her down. When she finally found the courage she looked up in his eyes and whispered.
"Alex, I am scared.. I know I must be strong to be able to help Gwen but this is all moving so fast. I can't even begin to think what is going through her mind." Alex caressed her cheek and said.
"Hey, I know how you are feeling and believe me I feel it too.. but we have each other and together I know we can make it. Trust me I will always be by your side." he pushed a strand of hair out of Isabels face and smiled kindly to her.
Out of pure instict Isabel reached out grabbed his collar and pushed him towards her. Her lips touched his and the passion that came alive made everything else disappear, the fear of uncertainty, the danger, it was all gone. It was just them in that garden, Alex, Izzy and their heavy breaths, then reality hit them and they pulled back from each other.
"I am sorry, I should not have done that.." Isabel said apologising. She didn't know what had come over her, just that deep down she wanted those perfect lips and curious hands all over her body once more.
"It's okay, I know it was because we were both vulnerable. It was the moment, nothing else." Alex said trying to still his quickly beating heart. Hearing those words Izzy tried to fight off a frown and repeated after him.
"Of course, it was nothing else." but inside she thought "Am I that bad at kissing?" She decided it would be better to not over analyse everything and she just stayed there with him , enjoying his company and watching the stars over her head.