Starfell Willow Moss and the Lost Day (Starfell #1) - Dominique Valente Page 0,18
with him. She could hear Oswin grumble. ‘Jes sayin’ …’
Moreg gave the High Master a thin smile. ‘Fascinating. But you see there are rules for me as well. Rules that I too must follow. Rules about fairness, about freedom, against bullying … Rules in short that protect those in my charge.’
Above their heads thunder shook the sky, which turned instantly dark. The noise was deafening, and very close to where they were standing a bolt of lightning shot down and scorched the ground.
The High Master jumped. There were burn marks from the lightning on the ends of his robe. ‘See here,’ he said, gulping, his eyes wide, ‘you were about to enter Beady Hill. I have no choice; I have to take you both.’
The witch stared at him for some time, her black eyes glittering in the sudden gloom. ‘I think you’ll find that even in the darkest, most hopeless of times there is always a choice when you look hard enough. Even if that choice is simply about how you will act. For instance, if I were you, I would choose to take only me. This is a choice, that I for one would have no cause to –’ she waved a hand, and all of the Brothers flinched – ‘make a fuss over.’ There was a ghost of a smile about her lips.
The High Master cleared his throat. ‘But I have to—’
Thunder ripped the sky once more, and a second bolt of lightning shot from above, leaving a fiery burn inches from the Brother’s feet. He didn’t jump, but his portly cheek flexed in anger, and he made a low, almost hissing sound.
‘I beg your pardon?’ said Moreg.
He looked at her. ‘I suppose we can let the child go … with a warning.’
The other Brothers agreed.
Moreg nodded. ‘I think that’s best, yes.’ Then, straightening up, she said, ‘Very well,’ and the darkening sky turned to dusk once more, and the sound of thunder died instantly, as she stepped forward so that they could arrest her.
Had Willow looked down at the StoryPass in her hands she would not have been a bit surprised to see that the needle was currently indicating ‘Turning Point’. But she was far too busy staring at Moreg and the Brothers in horror.
‘What? No!’ exclaimed Willow.
The High Master stepped forward and quickly fastened the glowing manacles on to Moreg’s wrists.
‘Y-you can’t let this happen!’ Willow shouted.
The Brothers were clearly wary of Moreg, and she’d just turned the world dark and made thunder and lightning strike! How could Moreg Vaine – the most powerful witch in all of Starfell – allow herself to be captured?
Willow shook her head. ‘I’ll come with you – maybe we can break out? I doubt they could keep us there long …’
‘No! I will be going – you will not,’ said Moreg, her voice fierce, brooking no argument.
Moreg bent down and whispered into her ear. ‘I’m sorry, I’d hoped we had more time. Find the Sometimes house in the Ditchwater district; it’s one of the oldest magical houses in the area. They have moved on now, as all oubliers do, but look for clues to where their son, Nolin, has gone.’
‘How can you be sure?’
Moreg’s eyes were hazy for a moment, then they focused on Willow, and she blinked. ‘Trust me. Look for the house with the yellow door; find the strange garden … It’ll lead you to him, I’m sure.’
‘Now, witch!’ called the High Master.
Moreg nodded. She looked at Willow and said, ‘You can do this,’ and she started to walk away, followed by the Brothers.
‘Wait!’ cried Willow, her heart thudding painfully in fear as she rushed after her. ‘I can’t do it without you!’
Moreg lifted a hand to pat Willow’s shoulder, and one of the manacles popped off her wrists. ‘You’ll be fine.’
A Brother behind Moreg gasped. Moreg looked at him with what almost seemed like sympathy, shrugged, then popped the manacle back on where it remained unfastened. ‘Never mind, I can just hold it in place.’
Willow’s mouth fell open. ‘They don’t even work on you!’ she gasped. ‘Why are you going with them when you could fight this?’
‘Sometimes you just have to do what’s right,’ said Moreg.
The High Master seemed to inflate with pride at this. ‘Quite right.’
‘But this is wrong! It’s their stupid rules, not ours! We hadn’t even entered Beady Hill yet, so it’s not like we broke any rules! How can you just agree to this? How can I go on without you?’