Anna Grayson and The Order of Merlin
Family Reunion

“Mr. Wendell, you have beencalled here to receive this court’s verdict on your actions of Novembertwenty-fourth. Are you prepared to hear our decision in the matter of thiscase?”

“I am, Madam President.”

It was two days after the race,and while Anna lay unconscious in the hospital recovering from her injuries, astudent court had been assembled to review Michael Wendell’s role in Anna’sfall in the Shadowed Forest. Nancy Dodimayerwas presiding over the court. She was seated high in the center of acrescent-shaped set of benches on her left and right, which contained all ofthe Union Knights of Castlewood. Seated at another desk below her was theCaptain of the Crimson Guard. There were raised bleachers on both sides of thecourtroom, which contained witnesses both supporting Wendell to one side, andthose who had testified against him on the other. Wendell’s supporters to hisleft looked unusually small compared to those seated and standing on the right.

“Very well,” said Dodimayer,rustling through a stack of parchment. She finally looked down at Michael whowas standing alone at a podium below her. There was a very large audience ofspectators seated on the other side of a black railing to the rear of thecourtroom. “Mr. Wendell, we have heard from a number of witnesses regardingyour actions on the day in question, and we have now called you here to answersome of your accusers. As it is our tradition, we will open the floor to youand those in the court to debate your culpability. As President of the StudentCounsel, and leader of the Castlewood Knights, I will begin.”

She paused to write some notes,dropped her quill, and then stared down at him. “Mr. Wendell, I replace youractions on the Vollucross field on November twenty-fourth absolutelydespicable!”

“I beg your pardon?” Wendellreplied, surprised by both Dodimayer’s tone and her accusation.

“You heard me, Michael. Yes ––I listened to your account of what happened, and I found it quite amusinglistening to your version of the race and how Miss Grayson supposedly attackedyou.”

“She did attack me!” Wendellshouted defensively. “I was kicked in the face –– she drew first blood!”

“Only after you shot her in theback with an illegal hex and then split her head open with your riding crop,”growled a Knight from the Server Union seated to Dodimayer’s right. It wasKaren Scott.

“I told you that was anaccident! I was trying to move her mount out of my way after using legal levelsof magic to block her path. I shot no less than a dozen spells prior to herbeing hit. It wasn’t my fault she flew into my beam.”

“Rubbish!” bellowed JeremiahKingston from the right witness gallery. “Anna was flying straight and level,”he added angrily. “Flew into your path, indeed! You’re still lying to thiscourt, Michael. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

“I believe Grayson did fly intothe hex!” argued a standing girl supporting Wendell from the left gallery.

“Are we admitting, then, thatit was a hex?” retorted a Laborer Knight in front.

“I did not hex the girl!”Wendell seethed, glaring at the girl trying to support him; she nervously satback down.

“You showed a total disregardfor Anna’s safety from the very beginning. I didn’t see anybody else trying tokill the other riders with swinging trees,” said a stern looking ArtisanKnight.

“Oh… come on. We were toldbefore the race that we could create barriers to bar our opponent’s path.”

“Barriers? Is that what we’recalling it… creating barriers? And what would you have said had you taken her headoff? That it was her fault for not ducking quickly enough? It’s a good thingLannete Cobstone knew enough about your tactics, Michael, or we would befishing her body out of the lake too.” Wendell glared back, searching angrilyfor the correct response.

“I saw you shove Anna into thetrees after the first pole!” shouted a voice from the right gallery.

“So — what?” Wendell snarled.“Those who know anything about our sport understand that a rider is allowed toprotect his position. Doctor Pearl, wouldn’t you agree?”

The Vollucross Steward stoodamong those in the right gallery. “You should not call on those to your rightto help your case, Michael. I cannot in good conscious walk across thiscourtroom to join your supporters on the left. I warned you before thebeginning of the race that I would be watching you closely. I saw what youdid,” she growled. Nobody in the courtroom could remember seeing Pearl so angry. While sheappeared outwardly calm, there was an unmistakable rage behind her guardedfaçade. “In my mind your actions were disgraceful.”

Wendell sighed. “Yes — yes — soyou’ve told me several times both immediately following the race and then againtoday. But my question was… am I not, by rule, allowed to hold my positionthrough the air?”

Pearl glared angrily at him from under herlowered brow and then turned to the bench. “He is quite correct… the courtshould understand a rider is allowed to hold his space and position through aleading turn. Mr. Wendell did nothing wrong when Anna was shoved aside. I amsure, that with experience, Miss Grayson will be more cautious in regard to hertactics when trying to pass.”

“Huh! You see?” Wendellshouted, pointing the bench Pearl’sway.

“However,” Pearl continued, her jaws were clinchedtight, you could see the muscles in her cheeks flexing beneath the skin, “thatdoes not excuse you purposely cutting her away from her harness!”

Wendell dropped his head invisible frustration. “As I said before, I didn’t cut her loose. I was trying toreinforce the strapping on her harness clip after I heard it giving way. Ididn’t mean to see the girl fall.” There was a long murmur of discontent withinthe courtroom.

“Just another misunderstandingon the part of all those who witnessed what you did, Michael?” asked a SearcherKnight on Dodimayer’s left. Wendell glared back without answering. “But youstill haven’t explained why we all saw a red flash from your wand when yourspell hit the clip. It certainly looked like a cleaving spell to me, not at allthe repairing charm you claim here in your sworn statement. I’m still waitingto see you produce a repairing charm with a red flash, Michael.”

“I didn’t cut her loose,”Wendell growled. The gallery started to grumble back incredulously.

“May I say something?”interrupted Captain Dunning, who was slowly rising to his feet. The crowd inthe courtroom fell silent as the captain stepped around his desk to stand inthe open area between Wendell and Dodimayer’s bench. “As you know, it’sdifficult for me to say anything about what did or did not happen during therace. Unfortunately, I was busy working at my desk in the castle at the time inquestion. I can, however, offer some information about the behavior of MissGrayson during her short time here at the school.”

“Oh… here we go again…” Tenchawhispered to Dowla.

“As many of you know, most ofthe students here at Castlewood have spent their entire time with us without ahint of scandal on their record. They’ve never caused any trouble, in no wayharmed anybody, and never gave the guards a reason to report them to this bodyor my office. Fewer still have ever had detention.” He paused to circle theroom with his hands clasped behind his back, choosing his words both carefullyand purposefully.

“The testimony against Mr.Wendell is highly egregious, and many here today won’t be satisfied withanything but the harshest penalties affording his deeds. However, I would benegligent in my duties if I didn’t point out Miss Grayson has not always beenthe most innocent of students in her short time here at the school.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”retorted Gwen from the right gallery.

Captain Dunning did not lookup, but merely directed his response to the bench. “Miss Grayson has been sentto detention twice since September, once for threatening a fellow student infront of witnesses, and a second time for attacking the same student andbreaking her nose. It would seem the girl has a need for violence that mostwould replace…”

“That’s a lie!” yelled Gwenagain. “This other student you’re taking about is your sister,and I was there when Debbie Dunning threatened Anna in the hallway first. Andthis attack, as you called it, happened in a fair fight in the dueling hall,which you yourself forced Anna to participate in against her will.”

“Captain Dunning,” Dodimayerinterrupted, gaveling Gwen into silence, “I am at a loss to understand what anyof this has to do with Wendell’s case?”

Dunning smiled coyly. “I simplywish to make the court aware of the fact that Miss Grayson has proven to beless than the ideal student in her short time here at the academy, and weshould consider the very real possibility the girl did lash out at Wendell ashe stated in his testimony.”

“I was in the stadium to seewhat happened, Captain,” said the Laborer Knight in response, “and while I haveheard all the talk about Grayson’s brilliant retaliation in flying over hermount to strike at Mr. Wendell, I for one, give it very little credence. Shewas whipped around her horse in the middle of a turn and struck Wendell on theway down. To think her actions were somehow premeditated is giving herfirst-year skills much more credit than they deserve. In my mind the whole ideais rather ludicrous. If we’re to blame anybody for the contact, it might aswell be the horse who threw Anna on top of Michael.”

“I saw her face as she camedown,” Wendell related, angrily. “She looked…” he suddenly stopped. The boy’seyes seem to be reaching back to the scene in his memory. “She… was staring atme and bearing down –– it was no accident. She knew what she was doing!”

“My point is,” Dunningcontinued, “the Graysons have a talent for creating trouble. Anna Grayson’srecord this year reinforces that opinion beyond any doubt. With the court’spermission, I could open the files on the other members of the Grayson familyas well. I believe this would show a pattern of…”

“Keep us out of this, Dunning,”Dowla shouted from behind the back railing. “This trial is about Wendell andnot your sister’s swimming lessons with the grindylows!” Everybody in thecourtroom began to laugh.

BANG-BANG-BANG!

“That’s enough…” Dodimayerscowled, setting her gavel back down. “Please continue, Captain.” Dunning bowedrespectfully.

“In summary, the Graysonfamily’s record of detention, violence, and rule breaking must be aconsideration when trying to get to the truth in this matter. While I cansympathize with the pain and injury Miss Grayson sustained in her fall,” theman tried but failed to hide a smirk, “we cannot allow this to blind ourjudgment of the facts before us. We must mind our biases here. While many wouldnaturally wish to take the injured party’s side in a case like this, itbehooves us to understand the history surrounding the individual involved. IfI, for example, were to let my prejudices preside over reason, I would fall toWendell’s side without regard to further testimony if the other party inquestion happened to be a Grayson.”

Dunning made his way backaround his desk where he finally sat. There was a murmuring rumble growing inthe courtroom, which quickly fell silent when a lone figure stood to the rightof the bench. It was Eric Grayson. He addressed himself to the court.

“My apologies, Madam President.I know I have excluded myself from these proceedings in all but my physicalpresence, but I feel it necessary now to speak. Since it was my sister who wasinjured on opening day, I know the court expects me to abstain from any voteput before it, and I accept both the spirit and principle of these rules ofetiquette.” Eric then turned to face Captain Dunning. “I will not, however,stand by and silently listen to a fellow officer of this court attack my familyname. If the captain believes the presence of my family at this school hasbecome a detriment to the Academy’s honorable goals, then I would be happy totake these discussions up with him privately. His views regarding my familyhave no bearing on the case before us.”

Captain Dunning stood again toface Eric. “The Graysons are a menace to this school, and now Anna Grayson haslent her part in continuing the havoc started by her sisters.”

“HOW DARE YOU!” screamedTencha, who then leapt to her feet. Eric stopped his sister’s outburst byholding up his hand. He was scowling at Dunning.

“You, sir, are out of line, andyou seem to forget your own family’s part in the matters in which you speak. Icould detail for this court the circumstances involving your sister in each andevery incident in which you blame my family. All, that is, except for the mostrecent occasion when you had Anna arrested without cause, and embarrassed moreby having her escorted from the Server Hall under Crimson escort. My family isstill waiting for a proper explanation from your office as to how such amistake could have happened, Captain.” Dunning spun around to reply, but Ericcut him off. “I say again, the dispute between the members of your family andmine have no bearing on this case.”

“Don’t presume you can defendthe evils done to this school by your family as being something personalbetween us. This is not a Dunning-Grayson problem, but a problem withinCastlewood in allowing you to stay. And that, in my opinion, goes to the rootof this case and most of the others brought to my attention since I was firstplaced in post here.”

“Doesn’t that confirm what Ijust said, Captain?” Eric replied, trying desperately to remain calm. “I’m sureif we check the record, you won’t replace any Grayson problems until theday your sister arrived. I think this goes to show the problem…”

“How dare you suggest that mysister is the cause of the havoc your family brings into this school? Shedoesn’t have anything to do with this!”

“Really? Let me understand you,then. It is your belief that the damage done here wasn’t caused by anythingWendell might have done, but simply because the Graysons are allowed to stay atthe school?”

“Circuitously or directly… theGraysons are the largest part of disorder on the grounds today.”Dunning’s response showed an accumulating anger that was quickly building.

“And you believe it best forthe school if the Graysons were sent home?”

“That’s right!”

“Including me?”

“Absolutely!” Dunning spatangrily. He didn’t notice the stunned gasp from the crowd or Nancy Dodimayer’srecoiled frown. Eric’s expression remained flat.

“And what of my brother, DamonGrayson? Would you have him sent home?”

“YES!”

“Why?”

“WHY?” Dunning hollered inbewildered amazement, “Because the Graysons are known troublemakers. Every oneof you should be as far away from this place as possible. Your family is…” hesuddenly broke off, realizing that Eric had pressed him into revealing far toomuch about his personal feelings. In his seething rage, he had proven Eric’spoint entirely.

Eric took a calming breath. “Ibelieve, Captain, that my brother and I have never given this school pause toreprove us in any way, let alone subject us to any disciplinary action.Speaking of my brother,” Eric continued, leaning over to place a hand onDamon’s shoulder next to him, “Damon has never broken a school rule, nor has heever done anything to bring down the standards this Academy expects from all ofits residents. I hope my brother will forgive my boldness on his behalf, buthe’s one of this school’s top academics this year, and has distinguishedhimself in sufficient sum to be honored and posted as a Knight. Yet, for somestrange reason, you would see him leave.” Eric sighed, shaking his headremorsefully. “It is obvious there are issues here that need our fullattention. Again, I would suggest we remove ourselves from this case andchallenge our resolve to own the problems between us in a more private forum.”

Dunning hated nearly everythingabout the Graysons, but most of all… he hated this, what he called the Grayson highspeech; the voice they adopted in public gatherings. Through their father’stutorage, all of the Graysons were trained to forever shine with a high degreeof conviction when speaking in public about their family. Whether the qualityof their words was meant to be an instrument for protecting their so-calledfamily honor or to project an arrogant sense of aristocracy didn’t matter tothe captain; he hated it either way, and could barely contain his personalloathing at hearing Eric’s speech.

“You prop yourself far toohigh, Grayson,” Dunning grumbled back. “As Captain of the Crimson Guard, Iwouldn’t waste my time conversing and debating with one who hasn’t lived longenough to understand how a person’s actions reflect his true nature. We are notthe great unwashed you attempt to patronize here. We who are wise enough tohave lived and survived on our wits in the real Wizarding world are notimpressed with your brand of narcissism.”

There was a long pause as the two men staredfixedly at each other. While many in the court could barely understandeverything being said, the knife-fight in their eyes served as interpreterenough. There was a level of hate here that few had ever recognized.

Eric’s response was carefullycontrolled. “I can respect your position, my dear Captain,” he said mournfully,“and I apologize for rising above my station in representing my family incouncil with you.” Eric’s repentant response seemed to take Dunning back.“Fortunately, the opportunity to lay aside our differences is still availableto us. I only ask that you allow me to work with your office to replace an appropriatetime tomorrow where I will be better prepared to offer you a more suitablerepresentative of my family’s interests in this matter.”

Dunning cocked his head in atired, almost bemused way. “And who would you have calling upon me to embodyyour family’s views?” he said, in a bored tone.

Eric smiled. “I believe myfather… would be more than happy to oblige you, Captain.”

Dunning’s eyes suddenlywidened. “Your father? Your father will be here… tomorrow?” The abrupt changein Dunning’s tone made Tencha and Dowla grin eagerly. Even Nancy Dodimayerfound something amusing in the captain’s surprised response.

“That is correct, Captain. Ireceived an owl from Californiajust this afternoon. As you can imagine, my father is very concerned aboutAnna’s injuries,” Eric replied worriedly. “He will arrive at noon tomorrow withthe Grayson family healer.” He straightened. “I hope this meets well with yourrequest for a more… seasoned Grayson representative.” Eric’s rather genteelsmile suddenly turned cold as he leaned forward on the railing in front of him.“And I can assure you, Captain Dunning, my father will not patronize you in theleast.”

Dunning’s worried look suddenlywent rigid. “Fine. That will do, Grayson. Check with my office for anappropriate time, then,” the captain replied, and then sat down. Eric gave aslight but respectable bow toward Dunning, and then a quick wink to Gwensitting in the gallery. There was another pause while the rest of the courttried to reclaim the business at hand.

“Mr. Wendell, are you ready toreceive this court’s verdict?” called Dodimayer. Michael startled at hearinghis name again. He turned to face the bench and straightened his robes.

“I am, Madam President,” hereplied confidently.

The Student President turned toface the Union Knights around her. “I now ask my fellow Knights if the debatewe’ve heard this morning changes your views already given to me.” Nancy looked at each andevery Knight around the bench. One by one, they all shook their heads and thenstood. Dodimayer and Captain Dunning also stood.

“Very well. Michael Wendell,this court replaces you guilty of malicious intent and your actions directlyresponsible for a fellow student’s injury.”

“WHAT…?” Wendell yelped, “Youcan’t be serious?”

“The court before you is infull agreement,” Nancyreplied.

“But that’s not fair; she drewfirst blood!”

“Even if Anna Grayson’s actionswere somehow deliberate, Michael, she was bleeding from your whip before shestruck back, and you could have killed her in your response. The only realdebate we had was in the matter of your proper punishment. You should know somestanding in judgment before you wanted the harshest penalty possible. But inthe end, I think what we’ve finally decided is fair and equitable to all.” Thecrowd in the court drew a deep breath.

“The court has decided to deferyour punishment to the Vollucross Steward of Castlewood. The Steward will begiven full authority over the final wording in your case, and she will beallowed to offer whatever punishment she feels appropriate and within her powerto bestow.” The crowd let out a gasp as everybody’s eyes immediately turned toDoctor Pearl.

“What?” Wendell blurted out.“But Pearl hastestified against me in this case, and now you’re going to let her sentence me?This is — outrageous!”

Dodimayer scowled down atWendell. “Doctor Margaret Pearl’s wisdom and discrimination, sir, are trustedand beyond reproach in this courtroom. Regardless of her feelings about theevents leading up to your standing before us today, the court was unanimous inits decision to allow her to decide your fate.” With these words, Doctor Pearlreluctantly stood up and walked down the gallery steps to the front podium.

“This is absurd!” Wendellsnapped.

“We are unanimous, Mr.Wendell!” Nancyretorted.

“But…”

“Shut up, Michael,” Dunningsaid dully. “You had your chance to speak and argue your point. While we mightforever debate the circumstances leading up to what happened, Doctor Pearl is afair person. Trust me… you’re getting off easy.” Wendell looked shocked. Heglared at Pearlangrily and then hopefully. Pearlstood at the podium and took a deep breath. She seemed very ill at ease withthe power just given to her.

“I appreciate the court’s trustin my ability to exorcize my feelings in this case. But, in all honesty, I’mnot sure this is wise. You… perhaps… give me more credit than I merit. I saythis because I cannot set aside the belief that Michael’s actions representeverything the sport of Vollucross is not. It’s not about winning at any cost.It’s not about showing off a rider’s talent or the beautiful creatures we fly.It’s not about the cheering crowds or the newspapers, or the odds-makers, oreven the Chancellor’s Cup. It’s about tradition, fair play, and most importantof all… it’s about honor.” Pearl’seyes locked onto Wendell. “What you did out there was absolutely shameful…despicable!”

“Doctor… please…” Wendellstarted to argue, but Pearlraised her hand to stop him.

“I’ve heard all your excusesbefore, Michael, and year after year I’ve given you far too many chances toshow me you’ve changed your ways. My opinion is not only based on what you didthe other day, but what you’ve been doing since the day I first let you in asaddle. In truth, I’m just as much at fault for what happened on opening day asyou, because I let you fly. I put you up there. I trusted you!”

Pearl paused and then looked up at Dodimayer.“I can see what the court is doing here… and I suppose I should applaud youringenuity.” Wendell glanced up at the bench with a look of worried confusion.“Don’t you see, Michael?” said Pearl,motioning toward the judge. “They couldn’t agree on your punishment. So theyleft it to me to decide, knowing full well I don’t have the authority to expelor even suspend you for what you’ve done.” Pearl’s expression then turnedangry. “And trust me; if it were in my power to do so, I would see you leavingCastlewood today!” Her words hit the boy like a blow delivered with the back ofher hand. Michael staggered a bit, looking truly hurt. “As it is, I can only dowhat I will do, the only thing left within my privilege.”

She paused again and tookanother deep breath. “Michael, as the Vollucross Steward of Castlewood Academy,I have it within my power to ban you from our noble sport, and that’s what Ifully intend to do.” The crowd gasped.

“What?” yelled Michael, “No…please… don’t! Doctor Pearl, I beg you. You can’t…”

“Mr. Wendell, I do hereby banyou from the sport of Vollucross… forever!”

“No!”

“This means you will not beallowed to participate in our noble sport.”

“No!”

“You will not be allowed toapproach another mount in the care of any magical school.”

“Please!”

“You will not be allowed toenter the stadium ever again, or watch another match. While you are here atCastlewood, you will serve detention under guard alone in your room if everthere is a match in progress. If any other Vollucross rider is caughtdiscussing the sport with you, they themselves will be subject to the same ban.If any inquiries come to me about why this ban was placed upon you, I willpersonally tell them of your dishonor and disgrace. Do you understand what I’mtelling you, Mister Wendell?”

Michael looked up at DoctorPearl with tears welling in his eyes. “No… contact…?”

“BANNED!” Pearl shouted, smashing a clinched fist ontothe podium. Even Captain Dunning flinched. “You tried, with malice in yourheart, to kill another rider! I know some here might disagree and think my conclusionstoo simple, but I believe this truth with everything that I am.”

“B… banned…” the boy whimpered.He stumbled back, replaceing his chair pressing against the back of his legs. Heslowly sat down as Doctor Pearl turned again to the court.

“As I said before, the sport ofVollucross is more than what you see outside. As I tell my riders before eachand every race, it is the embodiment of the traditions we hold most dear.Honor, respect for life and magic, and the principles that have been entrustedto us throughout our history. As Steward, I have sworn an oath to keep ournoble sport above any individual who might seek to tear these standards down.”She looked at Wendell again. “I am truly sorry, Michael. Not for the sentenceI’ve placed upon you, but because I believe your actions have put your immortalsoul in jeopardy. I can only hope that you will take the time to think aboutwhat you’ve done, and honestly ask yourself if you had Anna Grayson’s safetyfirst in your mind as you lowered your wand upon her. I believe you still havemuch to answer for, to a much greater judge than those in this court today. Iwill pray for you.”

Wendell did not look up. He wasslumped over his knees with his hands covering his head. Doctor Pearl roundedthe podium, walked passed Wendell through the gates of the railing behind him,and then out the door.

“Let the record show… thesentence given…” Dodimayer said, somberly. “We’re finished here.”

BANG!

One by one, the crowd slowlywithdrew from the room until only Michael Wendell was left sitting in hischair. After a long while, he slowly rose to his feet. “Banned…” he whispered,in a long and disbelieving drone. He turned, stumbled slightly, pushed throughthe gates, and then out the oak doors into the hallway. The corridors werethankfully empty as he staggered almost drunkenly down the center of the stonepassageway contemplating his fate. Then, from out of the shadows, a voicecalled out to him.

“Tough break, ay Michael?”Wendell looked up and saw a short figure stepping from out of the darkness. Itwas Debbie Dunning.

“What do you want?” Wendellanswered gruffly.

Debbie shrugged. “Only to say,as a fellow Defender, how sorry I am and how unjust I thought your sentencewas.”

“Really…? And why would youcare?” he replied, turning to walk away. He took another three steps beforeDebbie spoke again.

“The Graysons can do prettymuch whatever they please around here, knowing their daddy can always get themout of trouble.” Wendell froze, but did not turn around as Debbie whined, “It’sall been done before. You won’t be the last person to feel that family’s wrathwhen something displeases them.”

“Mind your own business,Debbie,” the boy said, still not turning to look at her.

“Fine… but tell me this,Michael. How did she look?”

Wendell spun around angrily.“How did who look?”

Debbie smiled and then steppedforward. “How did Anna Grayson look when she flew herself down to kick you inthe face?”

Wendelllooked puzzled. “I don’t understand… what are you talking about?”

“Oh — I think you do. You mighthave put the thought out of your mind. At the time… you might have even thoughtit was a trick of the light.” Debbie took another few steps toward him. “Whatdid her face look like when she came down at you?” Wendell frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“Her face, idiot, did you seeher face?”

Wendell thought about it andthen realized what Debbie was saying. For a moment, Michael did rememberthinking he had seen something terrible in Anna Grayson’s face just before shestruck him during the race, and he almost remembered it again in the courtroomduring his questioning. Was it anger he saw in her that day? Yes. Was it determination? Certainly. Butthere was something more. What was it?

Debbie’s eyes widened. Shecould see Wendell’s mind struggling to relive the moment. “What did you see?”Her words seemed to snap him out of a trance.

“Nothing… it was… nothing,” hesaid, resignedly. He turned again to leave.

“She’s not human, you know,”Debbie blurted out, and Wendell stopped once more. “I’ve seen that face myself,Michael. I’ve seen the fangs, the soulless, black eyes. You weren’t justimagining that when she kicked you in the face. She’s keeping a secret, thatone, maybe even from her own family, and I intend to replace out what it is. Imean to see her thrown out of this school.”

Wendell didn’t say anything. Hewas still trying to focus on the face he saw coming down at him from out of thesky. Did he really see what Debbie was describing?

“I could use your help,Michael. We could help each other. We both could pay Anna back for the painshe’s caused us. It would be so easy, you know.”

Wendell thought about theopportunity the girl was offering him, and then he sighed. Maybe it was DoctorPearl’s words about his soul being in jeopardy that stopped him from fallingfurther into Debbie’s maniacal embrace.

“Everything they say about youis true, Debbie,” he said flatly, without bothering to look back at her. Hestraightened, and then strode away. “I don’t need or want your help, Dunning.Just… stay away from me.”

Debbie scowled as she watchedhim leave. “Think about it… that’s all I’m saying,” she called out, before heturned the corner and was gone. “Coward!” she whispered angrily.

“I’ll be watching you, Grayson,and when I replace out what you are… I’ll have you and the rest of your herd outof Castlewood for good!”

She turned and huffed away inthe opposite direction. Only the flickering torches were left casting their dimglow across the stone passageway. And then another figure appeared from out ofthe shadows.

“You’s is not going to hurt myAnna,” said a tiny voice. “I is here to protect mys family, and Iz will bewatching you too, missy,” Gabby said angrily, snapping her fingers with a sharpspark. She waddled after Dunning, staying close to the walls and in theshadows.

TWO

Anna’s eyes slowly flickeredopen. One would think after being unconscious for five days it would have takenher a while to remember where she was laying at that moment. She groaned. Sheimmediately recognized the pictures of the horses on the other side of thewall. In the hospital again, she thought miserably, closing her eyesagain. She stretched her legs and felt the residual pang of soreness in themuscles of her left leg. And then it all came back to her in an instant, therace, the fall, the forest floor, and the terrible pain. She tried to rise up,expecting another bolt of pain to stab her in the chest. It didn’t happen.

“Hey you…” came a gentle voicesitting next to her. It was her sister, Tencha. “How ya feeling?”

“I… don’t know,” Anna grumbled,trying to clear her throat. “Hospital again, huh?” she said, looking aroundagain.

“Fraid so.” Tencha leaned overto place her hand on Anna’s forehead. “Pearlsaid she’s going to put a reserved sign on this bed for you.” Anna smiled andclosed her eyes again.

“Wait til daddy gets the bill.He’s not going to be… happy… about this…” Anna said, groggily.

“I’ll be right back, okay?”

“Uhhh-huhhhh…” Anna groaned,before drifting off to sleep again.

THREE

“Anna? Can you hear me,sweetheart?” Anna jerked awake and looked up at several people standing aboveher. Somebody seated on the bed leaned forward. Anna squinted, forcing hervision to clear.

“Daddy?”

“Yes, honey, how do you feel?”

Anna closed her eyes again.“Tired…” she moaned drearily. Her eyes popped open again.

“Daddy!” she shouted, tryingdesperately to rise up.

“Whoa… whoa. Easy now… becareful.” Anna reached up frantically, grabbing at her father. They hugged eachother.

“I’ve missed you so much…” shesobbed.

“Oh, I’ve missed you too,sweetheart. It’s so good to see you awake again.” He finally pushed her backonto her pillow. “How do you feel?”

“Okay, I guess… how long have Ibeen sleeping?”

“Five days,” Eric reported,standing with the rest of the family on the other side of the bed. DoctorNelland, their family healer, reached in to take Anna’s pulse.

“Five days!” Anna recoiled.“I’ve been sleeping for five days? How is that possible?”

“You were busted up prettybad,” Tencha answered. “Doctor Pearl was beside herself trying to fix you up. Idon’t think anybody’s ever seen her so concerned.”

“Vell, I am happy to say thedoctor of Castlevood has had absolutely astonishing results,” said Nelland, whowas inspecting Anna’s legs. “Doctor Pearl is von of the best I’ve ever met ––very, very good! Just look at Anna’s legs. You vood never know how badly damagedthey were.”

“I’m going to be all rightthen, Doctor?” Anna asked, apprehensively.

Nelland covered Anna’s legswith the blanket and stood back. “I do not foresee any long term problems to beconcerned vith. You vill have to use a cane for a vile, until the bones in yourright leg strengthen a bit more, but I think you vill be fine.”

“And why not?” came a stouthearted voice somewhere behind them. Doctor Pearl was bustling over, carrying atray of heavy flasks filled with a variety of colored liquids. “I am well readon the newest healing drafts and I have a very strong patient.” Pearl set the tray downwith a rattled clink and then straightened to stare at Anna. “Well now… I seeyou’ve decided to rejoin the living again, Miss Grayson. Good! Glad to see it.You’ll need to take your drafts for me this morning.”

“Doctor Pearl, I can’t thankyou enough for what you’ve done for Anna,” said Mister Grayson. “Doctor Nellandand I both agree… Anna’s recovery is nothing short of amazing.” Pearl smiled proudly.

“I should not have botheredmaking the trip,” Nelland said with a shrug.

“Thank you, Doctor,” Anna said,reaching out to grip Pearl’shand. “I can’t believe I survived that fall.”

Pearl smiled sympathetically. “Now… don’t youthink on it another minute, my dear. You’ll be up and flying again in no time.In fact, I’ll have to ask you to make your way down to the stables at yourearliest convenience. I have another patient there who hasn’t come out of hisstate of invisibility since the accident. I’m afraid that mount of yours isn’tlistening to my positive reports about your recovery.” The woman sighed. “He’sa stubborn fool, that one.” The doctor leaned down at her and grinned, “He’llbe so happy to see you again.” Anna smiled and nodded.

“How long will you be here,daddy?” Anna asked her father, hopefully.

“I’m afraid I’ll be catchingthe first ship back in the morning, now that I’m convinced you’re out ofdanger.”

“Oh… so soon? But… I only justwoke up, and…”

“Doctor Pearl has assured usthat you will be allowed to join the family for dinner tonight,” her fatherinterrupted her, lovingly. “We’ll see you then, all right? Right now, I mustsee the Chancellor and thank him for his hospitality.”

“And you need you to finishyour drafts,” Pearladded, sternly.

“But daddy — please — stay withme. I want to hear about home. How are Widwick, Cookie, and Mr. and Mrs.Porchdow? What’s been happening at the Ministry? What’s going on with the…?”

“Later…” he interrupted. “Wecan catch up after you’ve rested. Besides…” he leaned in, narrowing his eyes topeek over in Pearl’sdirection, “I have learned not to get in Doctor Pearl’s way over these last twodays.” He kissed her forehead and straightened. “I’ll see you tonight.” Annalooked to protest.

“Not another word, young lady,”Pearl demanded.“You need your drafts, and you’re already two and a half minutes late in takingthem. Everybody –– out!”

“You see what I mean?” MisterGrayson said jokingly. He turned to Pearl.“Thank you again, Margaret, for everything you’ve done. And please, think aboutmy offer to join us sometime during the Christmas holiday at the estate. It’llgive me an opportunity to thank you properly.”

“It would be my pleasure,Mister Gray…” he frowned, cocking his head reprovingly at her, “I mean… Boris,”she finished, shaking his hand. She looked at Doctor Nelland and smiled. “Maybewe can pry some of that rare vintage out of his cellar again?”

“In your honor, Madam,” MisterGrayson replied, kissing her on the hand. The doctor blushed.

The family filed off thehospital floor as Anna settled back in the bed and reluctantly coughed down Pearl’s smokingconcoctions.

FOUR

That evening was a joyouscelebration. The entire Grayson family was together again for the first time inthree months and they certainly were making the most of it. Mister Grayson hadmade prior arrangements for Sarah Bell and the rest of the Castlewood Guardiansto join them for an exceptional feast. There were three new Guardians presentat the table that Anna had never met before, and she was told they had beenannounced to the school in the days following the Vollucross race. MisterGrayson was very happy with Eric and Anna’s progress in gathering so many newGuardian recruits, and the discussions throughout the evening were dominated bytheir future role in the Wizarding world.

Anna’s father was incrediblyinformative to the group, thanks in part to his on-going research on theGuardians at home. By the end of the evening, everybody came to understand whatthe Guardians would be doing in protecting the elements of magic were far moreimportant than just some noble cause. They began to see themselves as part ofsomething continual and yet vitally important in its timing. These feelingswere reinforced further when Mister Grayson suggested the Guardians’ arrival inthis period in Wizard history was not a random occurrence.

“Let me ask you all aquestion,” Mister Grayson said to the group. He was wearing very formal robesof black trimmed with white satin. “Why do you think the Mirror of Enlightenmentselected you to be Guardians?” He looked around at the faces staring back athim. Nobody seemed willing to volunteer an answer. Mister Grayson prodded themfurther. “Obviously, you must have thought there was something special aboutwhat you saw in the Guardians to decide to try.”

“For me…” a fifth-year girlfinally answered at the far end of the table, “it felt like something wasmissing in my old union.”

“Now that sounds interesting,”replied Mister Grayson straightening in his chair. “Did any of the rest of youfeel that way?” Nearly all of the students raised their hands.

“It was only after I went toone of Eric’s presentations that I started to see what the Guardians were doingmade sense to me,” added a third-year student next to the first. “The strangething is — I wasn’t surprised at all when I was selected to join them. It wasalmost like I expected it before I scheduled my appointment to reenter themirror.”

“Yeah… me too,” said anotherboy. “In fact, I was so confident I would be a Guardian that I packed all mystuff before leaving to go to the mirror. It was like I knew beyond any doubtit was going to happen.”

Mister Grayson thought for amoment. “I’d like to ask you another question? How did you all feel about theTriwizard Tournament?” The abrupt detour of his question seemed to surpriseeverybody at the table. There was a long pause of silence before somebodyfinally spoke.

“I thought it was terrible!”said one of the first-year Guardians.

“Terrible? What are you talkingabout?” said Damon impertinently. The young girl didn’t back away from heropinion. In fact, she almost seemed to be waiting for the opportunity to saysomething about the subject.

“I mean — I thought it wasabusive.”

Damon frowned. “What? Abusive…how?”

Suddenly, the girl seemed toexplode forward in unexpected anger. “The way they treated the dragons wasdisgraceful. They took nesting mothers away from their home, and hexed them fortravel to England…and for what? To amuse us? I thought it was disgusting.” Damon rolled his eyesas he looked back at his father. Anna and Eric looked at each other and smiled.

“I felt the same way,” saidanother student, and several others nodded their agreement.

“How many here felt what theMinistry was doing with the dragons was in some way wrong or inappropriate?”asked Mister Grayson. All of the Guardians raised their hands, and so did SarahBell.

“You’re kidding?” said Tencha,looking over at Dowla in surprise. Her sister shook her head and then shrugged.

“Daddy — did you feel the useof the dragons was wrong?” Dowla asked.

Mister Grayson leaned back inhis chair to think. “Not necessarily. Oh… I’ll admit, I think I rememberfeeling somewhat uncomfortable when I read about the loss of some of the eggs,but honestly, I don’t think I’ve given it another thought since then.”

“I haven’t thought of anythingelse for the last five days,” said a sixth-year girl. “It was shameful, andcompletely unnecessary to use those wonderful beasts the way they did.”

“Wonderful beasts? Wait a minute,”said Tencha, incredulously. “We’re not talking about fluffy-little puppy dogshere, you know. We’re talking about very big and vicious animals.”

“So?”

“So, frankly, I wouldn’t mindseeing them gone altogether,” Damon said, finishing Tencha’s thought for her.

“What?” Anna snapped. “What areyou saying? That just because these creatures scare you, they should bedestroyed?”

“Something like that,” Damonreplied with a shrug. “Yeah… why not?” There was the roar of dismay around thetable directed at Damon. Watching the group’s reaction, Anna couldn’t helpfeeling a twinge of satisfaction.

“Forgive my brother,” she said,scowling back at Damon, “he’s a barbarian.” Damon smiled and then lifted hiscup in a mocking toast back to her.

“Interesting…” repeated MisterGrayson. “Very interesting.”

“What’s interesting, father?”asked Eric.

“Well, it would seem many ofyou already had some very strong feelings about protecting magical creatureslong before you ever heard of the Guardians. Tell me, how would you feel if Itold you I wanted to tear down this Rotunda for the sake of building something…say… bigger, grander perhaps?”

“I’d say, great…” answeredDamon, now callously trying to get a rise out of the group. “The bigger thebetter. Progress is a good thing, right? Maybe we should expand the Union Hallswhile we’re at it and get more foreign students to come over from Europe.”

“And I’d say, no,” Eric repliedardently. “This is a special place of great historical and magicalsignificance. If we need more room, there’splenty of unused land out on the plateau to expand. Tearing this building downdoesn’t make any sense.”

“Here-here,” agreed severalothers around the table.

“And what if I wanted to takethe Mirror of Enlightenment with me when I left to go home tomorrow? Would youhave a problem with that?” asked Mister Grayson.

“What in the world would you dowith it?” asked another student in surprise.

“Oh… I don’t know. I could usea bigger mirror in my bathroom when I shave in the morning. I might somehowreplace many ways to modify it to suit my personal needs.”

“Then I’d say, no!” answeredanother Guardian unequivocally.

“No? And why not? Are we notwizards? Can we not undo what we ourselves have done? We made the mirror,didn’t we? Can’t we change it to suit our changing purposes?” Mister Graysonasked them challengingly. There seemed to be a buzzing storm building aroundthe table with each word he was saying. Damon, Tencha, and Dowla sat astonishedand confused by the group’s reaction. They couldn’t understand why thiscollection of students was roiled by their father’s harmless suggestions.

Anna sat quietly, listeningintently to the conversation. Although she could have been the most vocalagainst what her father was saying, she knew him well enough to keep silent.Every once in a while, she would catch him glancing her way, suggesting astronger point was soon coming. If she understood him correctly, he was tryingto make an impression on the group and it wouldn’t be long before he revealedthe true purpose of the debate.

Finally, after suggesting theWizarding world might be better off without most of the magical objects knownto them, Mister Grayson leaned back to witness an angry roar of rebuke by theentire group. Everybody at the table was getting upset. Talking at once, eachseemed to be building on the emotions of those around them. Even Eric seemedshocked by his father’s words. Anna watched the group’s reaction in utteramazement and then sought to end the chaos. When the group took its collectivebreath, she finally spoke.

“Daddy… what are you doing?”Her father looked at her and slowly smiled.

“What do you mean, sweetheart?”he replied casually, a relaxed look of innocence breaking free on his face. Hetook a sip of his tea and leaned back in his chair. His eyes seemed to sparklewith contentment.

“You don’t really believe allof this stuff. What are you trying to tell us?”

Mister Grayson chuckled, andthen looked at the group around him. “My apologies… for ah… turning what wassupposed to be a relaxing evening into a brawl. I hope you understand I wasonly trying to test your resolve and… a theory.”

“A theory? What do you mean,Mister Grayson?” asked one of the students. Anna’s father surveyed themwonderingly, suggesting both amazement and satisfaction that something he hadsuspected was indeed true.

“Don’t you replace it interestingthat you all share the same side in this debate?” They looked at him withvarying levels of confusion. “You know, I’ve asked the same kind of questionsof several test groups before coming here to Castlewood. None of them have comeclose to the reaction I’ve seen in you tonight.” He stared at them, waiting fora response.

“I don’t understand what you’resaying, daddy,” Anna replied. She looked at Eric who was smiling at theirfather.

Mister Grayson turned to her.“The chances of a random group holding to such similar and some would sayextreme beliefs is far too great to call it a coincidence. You are of asingular mind on many things. You felt it was wrong to use the dragons in themanner in which the Ministries did during the tournament. You all fought me onthe idea of changing this magical place, and modifying or doing away with someof its magical objects. My other children didn’t wholly agree with your standon these subjects,” he said, motioning to the twins and to Damon.

“Hey, I didn’t say I agreedwith Damon about tearing down the Rotunda,” Tencha answered coolly. “I justdidn’t think it was a big deal to use the dragons in the tournament.”

“Neither did I,” replied MisterGrayson with a shrug.

“What are they so concernedabout?” asked Tencha, motioning to the group around the table. “I don’t getit.”

“Exactly! And that’s my point.We’re not supposed to get it, because we’re not Guardians.” Mister Grayson tookanother sip of tea. “Look… you all have so much in common in your feelingsabout how the things of magic are used and sometimes abused. I believe themirror picked you to be Guardians because you already had a conservative natureon such things. The mirror didn’t change you when it chose you. It chose youbecause of who you already were. And if you think about it, this distinction isvery important in understanding and defining your mission when you leave thisschool. You should think seriously about your role in this mission because…frankly… I believe there is great danger here.”

“Danger? What you mean, MisterGrayson?” Sarah pressed him. She suddenly looked worried.

Anna’s father glanced aroundthe table in a manner that unexpectedly made him look fearful. He sat his cupdown and folded his arms. “Who here believes your answers to my absurdsuggestions would have changed depending on who asked the questions?” Nobodyraised a hand. “What if the Minister of Magic told you she wanted to cage everydragon known to the Wizardry world? Would you have said yes to such an idea,just because it was the Minister of Magic who suggested it?” Again, the groupremained silent. “I didn’t think so. And I doubt you would allow any Wizard,regardless of who it might be, to tear any part of this castle down.”

His eyes darkened. “And that’swhat I want you to understand, because that’s going to be a problem for you.It’s not going to matter who it is that tries to do these things, whether youmight describe them as good or evil, saints or demons, chancellors or darkwizards. All are going to feel your protest for the sake of magic. Like thesword between those two dragons we see on your Guardian crest, you could replaceyourself between everybody in this cause.” There was a long pause, as many ofthe students looked around the table at each another.

“I never thought of it thatway,” said a young girl sitting next to Anna.

“Let me read to you something Ifound in my research,” Mister Grayson continued. “I think this summarizes someof the concerns I have for you. It’s from one of several old Ministry sourcesI’ve come to depend on in my study of the Guardians.” He opened a piece offolded parchment and began to read the hand written scrawl printed on it.

1. Thus, in the darkest days,

The evil sorcererHonszoil stood unmoved,

And the forces ofgood and evil didst fight

In mortal combateach with the other.

2. Death and destruction held rule

O’re all the landsof the world Wizard,

And all, calling unto itself magic,

Was in greatest periltrue.

3. An observer to many battles, where wood and field

The innocent creations of magic contained,

The Guardiansstood watch,

Sentinels to protection’s cause.

4. Tears streaming from moving eyes,

The Guardianswatched in horror

Their fathers and brothers slain;

By thickest red waters, mothers cry

Their echoedlament o’re the ground,

Where the blood of their fruit lay gathered.

5. For their sister’s sake, the Guardians didst weepbitterly,

But still theywould not act.

They, of strongest will, stir nothing in opposition

To the evil joined with and against their kin,

Leaving unguarded and forsaken the things of magicnaught.

6. Fewest sentinels didst feel the power of Honszoil,

Like a sceptered herald’s call, to join him on yonder blazedhill

And share inconquest’s glory.

Some willed to go, to share in evil’s victory, but still

They stood unmoved for the sake of the elementsinvisible.

7. Many ere the battles the Guardians didst fight,

And many in purple slain.

But where banners of black clashed with white,

Between two dragons the order and sword of magic set.

8. Where two armies didst collide,

The Guardians madethree,

And there the protectors of magic would die battling bothsides,

Brother against brother, father against daughter,

Their blood and seed destroyed, all to salvage

Some part of color amidst the savage chaos.

9. And there I, their repentant leader stood,

Praying mercy’s pardon for our inaction

In the greatesttimes of need, for killing to save,

And leading thesebrave and outnumbered souls

Unto the jaws of death against evil and their kin alike.

10. See, Father, what terrible wrongs men do

For the sake of greed, and in the name of justice?

Surely, into the pit for evil’s part their souls are cast,

But what of the Guardians?

11. Those who kill to protect that which was created

But by thine own same loving hands?

What will be their fate for watching

Their brothers diein agony without temper to help,

But by the sword to end their cruel suffering?

12. And what of their leader?

He who is mindful of the Creator’s gaze

Through his Ghostsent?

What punishment the soul who perverts the nature

Of a man’s being to protect his own awaits?

13. If be there a pit below the lake of fire,

I fear but one net to enter below its never-quenchedflames,

Where even the fetid demons dread,

In whosepunishment turn Satan himself to vomit.

14. Whereon no foot may light upon the threshold

To such a place for none but God to see,

Locked with the bolts of ageless eternity,

Where tortured screams awaken the foulest beasts

In hell above their slumber.

15. And what name shall be etched above this door, but myown?

There, my name Merlin will be.

Mister Grayson finished thepoem, carefully folded the parchment, and placed it in the pocket of his robes.He then looked up at the group, his lips struggling to form a smile.

“My God…” Anna said, shakingher head. “Brother against brother; father’s fighting their daughters?” Shelooked at Eric and her father seated next to each other. “Is it all worth it?”

Mister Grayson took a deepbreath. “I’m afraid that’s what each and every one of you will have to askyourselves. I wish I could sit here tonight and tell you the writings of Merlinwere from different time, far removed from where we are today, but I can’t helpwondering why magic has brought the Guardians to us again now. I fear darkerdays are on the horizon. I don’t mean to frighten you, but to simply warn you,and put your mind in the proper place for the sake of clear reflection. Thefact is, it might seem exciting and even romantic to start a new Union, but you must be mindful of what it all means. Youmust consider the worst case scenario.”

Mister Grayson had given themall a lot to think about that evening, and as they made their way upstairs totheir beds, the Guardians were quiet, locked away with their own worriedthoughts. Even Gwen, who never missed an opportunity to tell everyone howstrange it was to enter the Server Hall after being an Artisan for so long, wasquiet as they made their way to the fourth floor. She was now sharing a roomwith TJ Wangstaff across thehall from Anna and Sarah, which made for late evenings and less homework, butit was nice having Anna’s best friend so close.

“Is your leg still bothering you?” Sarah asked Anna, watchingher struggle up the stairs on her cane.

“Oh… just a bit. Doctor Pearl said the stiffness should go awayin a couple of weeks.” She was grateful to finally reach the fourth floor.

“That was some discussion we had with your father tonight, don’tyou think?” asked Gwen, who was waiting for them between the doors of theirrooms. “Strange how all the Guardians were almost of one mind on thosequestions… really weird.”

“Oh… I don’t know,” Anna shrugged. “Sarah agrees with us andshe’s not a Guardian yet.”

Gwen smiled and looked at Sarah. “That’s right; but maybe weshould put that to the test. Maybe it’s time Sarah walked through the Mirror ofEnlightenment again? Who knows… you might be the newest Guardian in waiting.”

Sarah looked at Gwen in surprise and then slowly back to Anna.“I ah…” she stammered nervously. It was obvious the thought of walking throughthe mirror once again was frightening to her. Anna was quick to come to herrescue.

“When you’re ready, Sarah. All in good time, ay?” she said,patting her friend on the shoulder. She turned to enter their room.

“I … already did,” Sarah said shyly, avoiding Anna’s stunnedexpression for three full heartbeats before looking up.

“What? You walked through the mirror again… and you didn’t tellme?” Anna said, in shocked surprise. “When did you do that?”

“A couple of days ago… I’m sorry, Anna. The mirror said I wasstill a Server.” The little girl looked at Anna mournfully.

“Oh… well… that’s… that’s okay,” Anna said, trying hard to avoidshowing her disappointment. She always thought Sarah was her ace in the whole,a sure bet to be a Guardian if she could just summon enough courage to reenterthe mirror again. Sarah’s thoughts and opinions aligned so well with her own thatAnna was sure it would just be a matter of time before she changed Unions. Sheforced herself to smile at her roommate.

“Listen… after everything we heard tonight… I’m not so surewearing purple is a good idea for anybody.” She opened the door to their roomand Sarah reluctantly stepped inside. Anna looked back at Gwen with a sorrowfulgrimace and shrugged. She looked up at the clock above their door.

[Guardiansneeded to sustain the Union:]

[24]

Barely half way there,Anna thought to herself. Suddenly, getting to fifty Guardians seemed much moredifficult than ever before. She followed Sarah into their room and closed thedoor.

FIVE

Thenext day, Mister Grayson was saying goodbye again to his family on the docknext to the Allegheny Pride.

“At least it’ll only be threeweeks this time,” he said, hugging each of his children in turn.

“We’ll be home before you knowit, father,” Eric replied, longingly.

“Considering I miss youalready, I seriously doubt that.” Their father smiled at them. “Remember what Itold you before you left home: With my trust comes the responsibility to honoryourselves and your family. Good luck, work hard, and return safe. I’ll see youin three weeks. I love you,” he said somberly, gathering them once more in hisoutstretched arms. The family hugged each other as one before their fatherturned to leave.

“Take care of them for me,Gabby,” Mister Grayson hollered as he lifted his robes and walked up thegangway. The Grayson house elf scampered forward.

“Ohs — yes, sir. Iz will, sir,”the elf said, determinedly.

“Oh… and Eric, please pass onmy apologies to Captain Dunning. Tell him I’m sorry his schedule wouldn’t allowfor our meeting together. Perhaps on my next visit…”

“I’ll tell him, father,” Ericreplied, with a note of cynicism in his voice. The twins started to snickerbetween themselves.

“Daddy and Captain Dunning weresupposed to have a meeting?” Anna said, grabbing her brother’s arm. “Whatabout?”

Eric smiled. “The good Captainthought it important to speak to our father about the disruptive behavior ofthe Grayson children at the school.” Anna’s mouth dropped.

“Yeah — but for some reason,Dunning couldn’t replace the time to meet with daddy in the three days that he washere,” Tencha explained, grinning wickedly.

“The man’s a coward!” Damonretorted.

“Dunning wanted to talk todaddy?” Anna repeated, disbelievingly.

Dowla recognized Anna’s worriedlook and then grinned. “Yep — and it’s all your fault — all because youdeliberately tried to kill Michael Wendell during the race.”

“WHAT??”

The rest of the childrenlaughed and waved to their father as his ship sailed out of sight.

SIX

As Eric had predicted, the nextthree weeks went by quickly at Castlewood. The anxiety of the end of termfinals were upon them so swiftly that most had totally forgotten they wouldsoon be sailing home for Christmas.

But as the students workedthrough their remaining classes, the atmosphere at the castle slowly started tochange. The voices in the corridors were a lot louder and filled with much morelaughter than usual, and soon the hallways were decorated with garland andenchantments of every sort, celebrating the joy of the season. Of all theteachers, Professor Titan was the most exuberant in his application of holidaycheer. He was seen decorating nearly everything within the castle that didn’tmove and even some of the things that did, including the demon-like gargoylesnear the Rotunda. The winged creatures screeched in protest as Titan wrappedthem in gold and red-satin trim.

“Oh… simmer down,” Titanscolded them, as he set Christmas candles in their claws, “it’s only once ayear!”

The student’s nervousness soonturned to relieved excitement as the last day of testing finally arrived. All,that is, except for Sarah Bell. For a time, Sarah was convinced she would bestaying behind at Castlewood over Christmas, that her family wouldn’t want herto return home. Anna even considered sending an owl to her father, asking forpermission to invite Sarah to the Grayson Manor over the holiday. But all ofthat fell away on the last day of the term.

As Anna and Sarah were leavingTitan’s class, a massive eagle owl suddenly appeared, zooming up the corridorstoward them. Several of the students yelped and had to duck below the owl’soutstretched wings, which seemed to fill the entire hallway. Anna smiledamusingly at the approaching bird and raised a forearm hoping to get a closerlook. To her surprise, the owl abruptly tilted back and flapped down upon herwrist. Anna beamed with delight.

“Wow… he’s a lot heavier thanhe looks,” she said, untying the small envelope from his foot.

“No owl deliveries in thecorridors, Grayson,” warned a Laborer Knight from the other side of the hall.

“Sorry…” Anna replied, lookingat the letter. “It’s for Sarah Bell,” she said, frowning. “It says, ChancellorPost?”

The Knight looked skeptical asshe walked over to them. “Let me see that,” she said, curtly. She took theenvelope and studied it closely, her eyebrows rising in surprise. “Wow… onlythe most important dispatches are allowed to carry that post mark. It means theChancellor has given special permission to have it delivered directly to youinside the school. I hope it isn’t bad news,” she said, handing the letter toSarah.

Sarah took the envelope andlooked at her roommate. “Open it…” Anna said, excitedly. Sarah did, and beganto read through the handwritten pages. Moments later, Anna could see tearsspilling down her friend’s cheeks as she turned the final page over to read theback. Finally, she looked up at Anna and smiled.

“I’m… going home… home forChristmas,” she said disbelievingly.

“That’s great! Is… everythingall right?” Sarah wiped her eyes and nodded happily. Anna hugged her, and wassurprised when Sarah placed the letter in her hand to read.

Dear Sarah,

I hope this letter reachesyou. A huge owl showed up at our house this morning, carrying a letter fromyour Chancellor. It was nice of Professor Thordarson to take the time to sendus a message about you. He told your mother and me how well you’ve been doingat school this year, and wanted to invite us to visit you since he thought youmight be staying in Pennsylvania over the holiday.

Thordarson’s letterdescribed your life there and how you’ve managed to replace so many new friends.He said he was proud of the way you were able to travel to school on your own,and replace your way so well since your arrival. His letter reminded me of thelittle girl I once knew before all of these changes began to happen in ourlives. It made me realize how much I truly miss you and how stupid I’ve been insending you away. The Chancellor has taken the time to fully explain your giftsto us, and how there might be a simple way to keep you from vocalizing yourdreams while you sleep. It seems everything can be managed in a way that makesyou and the family comfortable.

Sarah, I can’t reallyexplain why I reacted the way I did after what happened. It was probably fearof my own mortality that drove me to push you away. I am truly sorry now forhurting you the way I did, and can only hope that you will forgive me. I’vetold the Chancellor that your mother and I won’t be coming to Castlewood,because we were hoping that you will decide to come home to be with your familyover Christmas. I hope you’ll think about it, because your mother and I missyou dearly. Please come home to us. I need to see my lovely baby-girl again.

Love, Daddy

Anna handed the pages back withtears in her eyes. “That’s a beautiful letter,” she said to Sarah with a smile.Her roommate sniffed and nodded, placing the envelope lovingly inside the coverof one of her books.

“Is everything all right, MissBell?” asked the Laborer Knight who was watching her.

Sarah wiped her eyes and lookedup. “Everything is wonderful,” she said happily. “I’m going home for Christmas.”

SEVEN

Soon, the weather on theplateau turned cold and windy. It howled like wolves around every corner of thecastle, and the windows shook from the ebbing pressure outside. The days weregray and brisk as lakes of formless clouds passed indistinguishable in theskies overhead. Everything in the forest seemed to be bracing itself forwinter’s touch, and soon the talk of snow was in the air.

Anna had never experienced awhite Christmas, and she longed to see the snow before leaving Castlewood. Her Southern California home was known for its warm beachesand beautiful weather, and although she yearned to return to her father, theimages of a traditional white Christmas were always prayerfully on her mind.Sure enough, on the day before their departure, the Pennsylvania Mountainssurrounding Spellsburg were covered in thick blankets of white and carolerseverywhere were gathering in song.

As if by appointment, Anna mether brothers and sisters outside, and soon Gwen, TJ, and Sarah Bell were takingpart in Anna’s first snowball fight. Once Sarah had shown her the correctmethod for packing and perfect ball, Anna was wickedly hurling snow at nearlyanybody who moved.

The yelling and laughter lastedall afternoon as several friends who came to join the fun were quickly chasedout of sight with pelting waves of snow. The flow of the battle gave itsattention to each of the Graysons in turn, as alliances were made and quicklybroken, depending on whom they thought looked too dry. Anna was ruthless in herapproach, not realizing until it was too late that such battles didn’t enduntil all had received their fair share in retaliation. She finally learnedthis lesson when the words, “Get Anna!” finally rang out over the plateau, andshe was rudely chased down, pummeled with snowballs, and buried outside thecity gates. It was more fun than Anna could have ever imagined. Soon they werestaggering back, cold and soggy toward the drawbridge, and looking forward tosteaming mugs of hot chocolate. They stopped only to watch the grindylows in the moat, who wereglaring hungrily up at them through the ice, and the rest of the eveningwas spent sitting by the tower fires reliving the afternoon’s fun.

The next day, their trunks werepacked and magically moved down to the ship waiting to take them home. Anna waslate in arriving on the dock due to her insistence that she stop at the stablesto check on Swooper one last time. It had taken her a full week to convince himto come out of his depressed state of invisibility again. After insuring heunderstood she would return after the Christmas break, Anna finally headed downthe tram and boarded the ship.

In short order, the studentswere sailing through Neptune’s Veil aboard theAllegheny Pride and looking forward to the fleet of little boats that wouldfinally take them home. Three hours later, the cold weather had given way totropical sunshine and colored birds, and soon the Graysons were leaving Loon’sLagoon aboard the BB-5 with Reye at the helm. Anna was wearing the mate’s hatand running about the boat to the Captain’s shouted orders.

“Look alive there, MissGrayson. Stowthat gear properly, or you’ll replace your bloomers full of wet before they seethe next port!”

“Aye, Captain,” Anna laughed.Eric smiled as he watched his sister hustling about the boat, seeing to thedetails for keeping them under way.

Before long, they were enteringthe marina and unloading their trunks for the drive home. Leaning on eachother, the twins were holding their churning stomachs while Damon whined rudelythat he would never again get on a boat captained by Reye. Gabby, who wasunable to swim, had disappeared during the trip, but was soon found hidingbelow deck and praying for dry land.

Anna hugged Reye. “Take care,Captain. We’ll see you in two weeks,” she said, giving his hat back to him.

“Ahh… and you’ll be a finesight for these tired eyes to see, Anna,” the old man said, leaning in to giveher a kiss on the cheek. Whispering into her ear, he said, “And make sure yerdaddy doesn’t forget about his old pal on the leg out, ay?”

Anna laughed. “I’ll be sure toremind him to send what keeps the Captain’s heart warm, sir,” she said with agiggle. The man smiled as he watched her turn and head toward the waiting cars.

“Merry Christmas!” he bellowedat them happily. “Ah… there ain’t no finer mate in any man’s Navy,” hewhispered to himself as he watched Anna leave, “none finer anywhere.”

The drivers helped the Graysonsload their trunks into the cars and before long they were heading off. An hour later,the cars were pulling into the iron gates of the Grayson estate. Anna lookedout the window at the galloping ornaments and smiled. She was finally home.