Chapter 12: Gathering Ingredients
Lena and Jasmin woke up together in Lena's cozy bed, the sun shining brightly through the window. They stretched their arms and legs, feeling relaxed and rejuvenated after a good night's sleep.
"What do you want to do during the spring holidays?" Lena asked Jasmin as she sat up in bed.
Jasmin yawned and snuggled into the blankets. "I'm open for suggestions as long as we stay in bed for a little longer today." she said with a mischievous grin.
Lena agrees with Jasmin's request to stay in bed for a little longer and they snuggle up, enjoying each other's company. They talk about their plans for the spring holidays, and Lena suggests that they could explore the nearby village of Castlehaven. Jasmin loves the idea, and they decide to get ready and head out for some adventure.
The girls got out of bed and got dressed, making their way to the dining hall to get some pancakes and coffee. As they ate, they discussed their plans for the upcoming week, both excited to have some time off from school and explore the magical world outside as well as inside of Castlehaven.
When they made their way outside the dining Hall Lena spots their names engraved onto the 1st year Duelling Trophy and she smiles proudly while following Jasmin outside and through the majestic wooden Gate of the castle's main entrance.
The air outside was refreshing and the sun was just about to peak over the top of the trees starting to throw a warm golden shine on the grass fields around the castle. To the north of Castlehaven, the dense forest begins to thin out, giving way to a sprawling valley that stretches out towards the horizon. The valley appears to be a natural wonder, its gentle slopes and undulating terrain seemingly sculpted by magical forces. At the edge of the forest, a magnificent old tree stands sentinel, its gnarled branches reaching out to the sky.
The two girls remember the old tree and avoid getting to close to it, especially now knowing the power and recklessness of Dante who was probably angry about losing the duelling final.
Just beyond the tree, the valley opens up, revealing a picturesque village nestled in its heart. The village is laid out in a haphazard fashion, with narrow streets winding their way between rows of quaint cottages and shops. Smoke drifts lazily from the chimneys, and the sound of laughter and conversation drifts on the breeze.
"So, you stay at Castlehaven over the holidays?" Jasmin asks while they make their way over the stone path through the friendly Valley.
Lena turns her head, slowly as she admires the view down into the valley and looks at Jasmin with a smile. "If you stay, I will." She grins and grabs her hand and they walked closer to the village entrance. Jasmin really feeling happy about Lena's response feels this exciting tingle in her stomach again as their hands slide into each other.
As Lena and Jasmin almost arrived, they saw a sign at the edge of town with the name of the village written in bold letters: "Raven's Hollow."
Raven's Hollow is a quaint little town located to the north of Castlehaven, nestled snugly in a valley between rolling hills and surrounded by lush forests. The town is small but bustling, with cobblestone streets lined with charming shops, cozy pubs, and quaint cottages.
One of the most popular attractions in Raven's Hollow is the Raven's Nest Inn, a cozy and welcoming establishment that serves up hearty meals and warm drinks to travellers and locals alike. The inn's warm fireplaces and rustic decor make it the perfect place to escape the chilly winter winds that often sweep through the valley.
Excited to explore this new place, the two friends quickened their pace, eager to see what the town had to offer. As they entered the cobblestone streets of Raven's Hollow, they were immediately struck by the charming atmosphere and quaint buildings that surrounded them.
Lena and Jasmin made their way down the main street, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling village. They passed by a row of colourful storefronts, each one beckoning them to come in and explore.
The scent of freshly baked goods wafted from the bakery on the corner, and the sound of laughter and chatter could be heard coming from the nearby pub. Lena and Jasmin were filled with a sense of excitement and wonder as they wandered deeper into Raven's Hollow, eager to see what other delights the town had in store for them. They didn't have to walk far as their eyes got attracted by a bookstore that is a towering stone building with a large sign hanging above the entrance, featuring a beautiful illustration of an open book with magical symbols floating out of it. Lena and Jasmin are intrigued by the sign and decide to venture inside the Enchanted Pages Bookstore.
The Enchanted Pages is divided into different sections, each decorated with its own unique theme. Lena and Jasmin explore the section on magical creatures, marvelling at the stuffed phoenix perched on a high shelf and the dragon's egg nestled in a glass case. A mischievous-looking Quill scurries by, giggling to itself. Suddenly, they hear a rustling noise from behind one of the bookshelves, and a woman steps out, her curly hair bouncing around her shoulders. "Hello, my dears! Welcome to The Enchanted Pages," she says warmly, with a wide smile. "My name is Beatrice. What brings you here today?"
"Oh, hello there!" Jasmin replies. "We're just passing through town and we thought we'd pop in and take a look around."
"Well then, I hope you find everything to your liking," Beatrice says. "Uhm actually, aren't you students from Castlehaven?" She asks looking curious at the two girls.
Jasmin looks surprised. "Yes, we are!"
"Is that so? I would assume 1st year students?"
"That's right, but how did you know?" Jasmin answers.
Beatrice smiles again. "I'm here since many years and have seen many students come as young, excited children and leave as focused and educated adults." She says, "and you two really glow with this, adventures vibes you give off."
"Thank you," Lena says shyly. "Can you recommend anything special for students at our stage? We are first year students at Castlehaven and will soon enough have to face our first exams."
"Certainly," Beatrice replies. "One of the best ways to improve your knowledge is to read a good book, and I definitely suggest this one. It's called 'The Art of Transfiguration.' You can find it on the second shelf, fourth row, third book from the top."
"Oh, I've actually been working on transfiguration quite a bit lately, and I feel like I've got a pretty good handle on it. But I'm always looking for new techniques and tips." Lena says and Beatrice looks at her in slight disbelief but then she notices the Mist colours in the dimly lit room and grins.
"The book on transfiguration is a good start," she said, "but it won't teach you anything beyond the basics. If you're looking to truly master the art of transformation, you'll need to go deeper. Follow me upstairs."
Beatrice led them up a narrow staircase to a small loft area filled with rare and unusual books. In one corner, there was a section dedicated to transmutation and transformation magic. Beatrice explained that this was her personal collection and that the books contained ancient knowledge that had been passed down through generations of witches and wizards.
"But there's something even more special that I'd like to show you," Beatrice said, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "It's not in a book, but it's something that I've been studying for many years. It's a technique that allows a witch or wizard to transform themselves into a unique animal chosen by their spirit. It's not easy, but if you're willing to put in the work, the results can be truly magical."
Lena and Jasmin were intrigued and couldn't wait to learn more. They knew that this was a rare opportunity to gain experience from someone who had dedicated her life to the study of magic, and they were eager to see what secrets Beatrice had in store for them.
"We'd love to hear about it," Lena said as she looked around the small library, "but first we should probably get out of these robes."
"Of course," Beatrice replied. She took out a pair of scissors and began cutting away their robes. As they removed their clothes, Beatrice explained that this was a secret ritual that would allow her to show them something truly remarkable.
"Before we begin," Beatrice said, "I must tell you that this is very dangerous, and the consequences could be quite severe.
"When you transform, you merge with the animal spirit and become a part of it."
Lena and Jasmin listened attentively as Beatrice explained the process of transformation and the dangers that come with it. Beatrice handed them each a book on the topic and suggested they read up on it before attempting anything.
"As you study the material, you'll come across several ingredients that you'll need for the ritual. Some of them are quite rare and difficult to find, but I have a few ideas on where to start," Beatrice said.
Lena and Jasmin thanked her for the advice and left the bookstore, eager to begin their quest for the ingredients. As they walked through the town of Raven's Hollow, they made a mental list of the ingredients they needed and where they could possibly find them.
"I can't believe we're actually going to try this," Lena said with a hint of excitement and fear in her voice.
Jasmin, who was always the more impulsive of the two, grinned and said, "I know, right? This is going to be amazing!"
They spent the next few days searching for the ingredients and studying the material in the books. Lena was cautious and thorough in her approach, while Jasmin was more daring and adventurous. They complemented each other well and made a great team.
"It seems we require Fae Dust from a Forest Fae and Moonhair from a Mooncat." Lena concludes.
To collect the Fae Dust, Lena and Jasmin would have to venture into the heart of the forest where the Forest Fae reside. The Forest Fae are mischievous creatures and can be difficult to find, so Lena and Jasmin would have to be careful not to anger them. They would have to bring offerings of sweet berries and honey to gain their trust.
As they gathered some sweet berries from within and around Raven's hollow, they found a Shop with a sign: "You need it, we've got it!" on it. It had a magical appeal to it and when the Girls checked if they could see something inside, they were surprised to see basically only Honey Jar's. As that’s what they needed right now. So, they decided to open the door and after entering they stood in a small room with one small jar of Honey on a wooden post in front of them even though the building looked way bigger from the outside.
The Girls exchanged a confused look at each other but after shortly discussing the situation they decided that the Room might be magical enchanted to provide those who enter with what they need, but only as much as they really need and they decide to take the Jar of Honey.
As they closed the door behind them and felt the evening slowly arrive Lena suggests to get something to drink and wait for the night.
They found a nice little cafe and enjoyed their drinks and started chatting. "I'm not sure if I've told you yet, but my birthday is in two days." Lena says. Jasmin looks at her and smiles while putting down her drink. "You haven't told me yet, but I'm glad you do now, giving me two days’ time." She grins at Lena. "I had mine just before the start of the School year." Jasmin adds making Lena smile at her and they finished their drinks as the night settled it and started to walk towards the forest and finally stepped between the first trees.
The girls cast the spell Lumos on their wands to create a soft glow and began to make their way through the forest. Lena leads the way, her Wand in hand, as they navigate through the winding trails. Jasmin follows closely behind, clutching the jar of honey and the bag of sweet berries with her free hand. The sweet scent of the berries filled the air as they walked, their steps light and cautious on the leaf-covered ground. The trees towered above them, their branches reaching out to one another, creating a canopy of leaves that blocked out the moonlight. The forest seems to come alive at night, with the rustling of leaves and the chirping of crickets creating an eerie but calming atmosphere. As they walk, the girls keep their eyes peeled for any signs of the forest fae, hoping that their gifts will entice the elusive creatures to reveal themselves. Then finally they saw a faint light in the distance, and they knew they were close to their destination.
The Light started to move towards them and they could see the forms of a child monkey-human looking moth and figured that this must be a Forest Fae as her body was looking to be made out of branches and leaves while their short feet looked like roots hanging underneath them.
Jasmin slowly puts her wand away and opens the Honey Jar and holds it in one hand and the Bag filled with sweet berries in her other hand and holds them open for the Forest Fae. The Fae looked intrigued and hovered closer to Jasmin and picks the bag of berries and the Honey Jar with her root like feet out of Jasmin's hands and starts to eat from the Berries and the Honey while Lena and Jasmin just watch and observe, careful not to make sudden moves or noises. The magical creature seems to enjoy the tasty gift and lands between the two girls on the ground.
Looking down on the Forest Fae, they both spot the shimmering dust on the back of the Fae and Lena carefully pets the Fae which causes the dust to fall into her other hand which she holds smart where it would fall down to the forest ground.
The Fae seems to enjoy it and Lena manages to get her hand quite filled with this mystical shimmering Fae Dust and also sees the now empty Honey Jar, which she uses to put the Fae dust inside.
Jasmin watches and observes Lena and the Forest Fae as well as their surroundings as she feels unwell being here deep in the forest in the night even though they had an important task to do here.
"Lena, can we hurry?" She asks whispering and Lena looks at her friend then quickly at the Forest Fae before back at Jasmin and then nods before getting up and slowly backing off together with Jasmin until they felt comfortable to walk normally back the way they came from.
"That was amazing!" Lena whispers and has trouble holding back her excitement.
Jasmin grabs her hand and smiles at her, "It was truly magical!" she replies, "but there's still the Mooncat hair we need." She adds and Lena nods and starts to look upwards into the trees. "I haven't seen any yet but I know that they are really hard to see." Lena says and they both walk back to the edge of the forest and look around in the trees and on the grass field at the forest edge for moving shadows that didn't belong to the moving trees in the wind.
"This is impossible!" Jasmin groans, "Can't we just go to bed? I'm tired and there's no way we're going to catch one." she says louder than she wanted to. Suddenly quite close to Jasmin a big shadow like creature jumps up and starts to run away.
Jasmin already tired of spending so much time on this takes out her wand and aims at the running Mooncat. "Arresto Momento!" she speaks with a strong voice that reflects her emotion of slight anger and frustration. Lena quickly runs to the Mooncat charmed by Jasmin to almost freeze in time.
Lena literally pets the Mooncat until her hand is full of this deep black hair. She gets off and steps back as quickly as she ran to the Mooncat back to Jasmin.
They look at each other Jasmin relieved they got everything and could get some rest; Lena still thinks about how Jasmin's voice sounded and hopes that Jasmin isn't mad. She hates it when Jasmin is in a bad mood as it directly affected herself and how she feels.
They arrive back at Raven's Hollow and enter the Raven's Nest that was luckily open at any times.
Lena and Jasmin sit down on one of the tables resting their heads on their hands and arms as the Barkeeper walks over to them.
"You two look like you could use some sleep." He says while looking at them with a friendly smile.
They both lift their heads from their hands and Lena nods while Jasmin replies with a tired "Yes we do."
"Upstairs, third door to the left, I can't offer you a room each but if you are happy with that feel free to sleep there for tonight, free of charge." he says and bows slightly.
"Thank you very much! We'll take it," Jasmin says with a smile and takes Lena's hand and leads her up to the third door on the left.
She opens the door and the two girls entered a cozy modest room mostly made out of wood and some stone, with a really comfortable looking bed that can easily fir the two of them.
Jasmin sits on the edge of the bed and looks around to find something to put their things and sees a big empty chest and so they decide to put their things inside and then their robes on the lid of the chest to make themselves ready for bed.
Lena crawls in first and holds up the blanked for Jasmin to join her.
Jasmin crawls into bed and lays her head on Lena's shoulder.
Lena smiles and hugs Jasmin tighter and whispers in her ear "I'm glad we are back outside the forest that was creepy."
"Yes, it was, I got scared in there in the middle of the night. It was so dark." Jasmin replies and they wish each other a good night of sleep before they drifted off into their own dreams.