Kara8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVIztFTmwF 維尼
The warlock walked three paces ahead of me. I didn’t trust him enough to blindly lead him to where we camped. Who knows what tricks he had up his sleeves? As we trekked through the woods I took time to study him. His face had a familiar feel about it and I thought hard about who he looked like, but I came up blank. As I studied him I could only imagine what type of person he was. He dressed like no other warlock I had met. On his head, he wore a black top hat; he wore a red velvet coat that fell to his knees; his pants were black as well as his knee-high leather boots; and around his waist was a red sash in a bow. He wasn’t dressed for the cold of the White Mountains but warlocks had all sorts of spells that could keep them warm.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wRuNjJGTe 維尼
We had walked in silence for a short time before we reached the road. It was quiet and no one was around. I dashed across the road and stopped just inside the cave. I slid to a stop. It was empty. Tiara and Daniel were gone. Where they were, I had no idea. Why would they leave without me? I was too astounded to notice the warlock behind me.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡod5fpJcYOE 維尼
He cleared his throat. “Your friends seem to be gone.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡSep7rSaWgq 維尼
Turning around, I frowned at him. “Yes.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3ybavgz7q 維尼
“Would you like help tracking them down?”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6CSwOiJz4 維尼
I walked back past him out of the cave. “No, I’ll be fine.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB39lTG3SM 維尼
“Are you sure?” he said.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzLb0yzhsb 維尼
I turned away from him and examined the ground. There were no tracks from any animals and no scent seemed to linger in the air. It was almost like they had never been here.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHgi7fuR8i 維尼
“It seems like they have left no trace.” He stepped forward and picked up a clump of snow.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwfmaY2GO1 維尼
“There should be footprints. It hasn’t snowed since last night.” I walked forward and tried to find any trace, nothing.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3KyLc76J6 維尼
“It is possible that this top layer of snow slipped off the mountain and covered their tracks.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJctxBRAse 維尼
I turned to look at him. He had a point.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx4wR7l08d 維尼
“See how the snow isn’t flat.” He dropped the clump of snow and ran his fingers across the ground.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4uXM4jon0 維尼
“I guess it’s possible.” If he was right, then it was probable that if I followed the road I would find tracks.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjXAEKlV55 維尼
“Even if you can find tracks, is there a way for you to know for sure if the tracks are from your friends. This road is the main route through the mountains.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QwDNWgkwh 維尼
“What do you suggest then?”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWIfHMnkj5 維尼
“I have a spell that can track your friends but I need something with a connection to them.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWasRI6Xra 維尼
“I don’t have anything.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdar07SOAH 維尼
“You said that one of them is your bond mate.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGtA73Jb8z 維尼
I nodded.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBTxeLFr1g 維尼
“Then I can use you.” He stepped towards me.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqP3bWdhpR 維尼
I stepped back. “I don’t think so.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4ddfaHY2D 維尼
He smiled. “Don’t worry, it won’t hurt or have any lasting effects.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRU1dCGxoa 維尼
“How am I meant to trust you? I don’t know who you are or your name.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBALqXhKoI 維尼
“Let me rectify that. The name is Jasper Nayda, warlock and friend to all those in the White Mountains.” He removed his hat and bowed. “And I solemnly swear that I shall not harm you or your friends, if we find them, in any way.” He placed his hat back on his head.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVK5uA54MB 維尼
“You could be lying.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EY2Gqq4nc 維尼
His smile slipped from his lips. “You are a paranoid one, aren’t you?”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fUWbG7GTV 維尼
“I’m a familiar. In the world, we live in, it pays to be paranoid.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡueqlKDaY8b 維尼
“Fair enough.” He placed his hands behind his back. “But what other choice do you have but to trust me.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCj8rfvNZv 維尼
Taking the chance that I found their tracks was risky. Jasper Nayda could have all sorts of motives, but he had done nothing but try to help me so far. Giving him the benefit of the doubt could be stupid but it was the best course of action. I needed to find Tiara and he was the way I was going to do it.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgHRd1rWGF 維尼
“We have a deal,” I said.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBdbsH7wYS 維尼
His smile returned. “Excellent. We will need to go back to my house and get what I need for the spell.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q9YvcCZ3i 維尼
I frowned. “That will waste time. Who knows how far they will get and what sort of trouble they will find.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq0yyiDiER 維尼
“I wasn’t planning on doing any spells when I left this morning, therefore everything I need is at home. If you want me to do the spell you are going to have to come with me.” He gestured back into the trees where we had come from. “It won’t take us long to get there.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fX9AXoCHc 維尼
There was no choice. I walked past him and off the road. “This better be quick.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tEib8rKNm 維尼
He clapped his hands and followed me.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡckpoS89Jpy 維尼
***8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiSXZT3wq3 維尼
Thirty minutes later I was still following Jasper to his home. I was ready to turn around, and try to find Tiara on my own, but I no longer recognised my surroundings. The trees were closer together and the snow wasn’t as deep. There was a warmth in the air that I had never felt while being on the White Mountains.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡZurNGaXnOh 維尼
Jasper stopped suddenly. He placed his hand on the trunk of a tree and said “Open.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLFTeYIIOy 維尼
I felt the buzz of magic, and looked around. All I could see were trees.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡepxzhMup6H 維尼
Jasper stepped forward and he was gone. He had disappeared. Not a single trace or him anywhere.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡB76y1xsSXH 維尼
Moving towards where he had stood I could feel the buzzing of magic increase. I reached out my paw past the tree Jasper had touched. I felt a pull and my paw slipped through rippling air. It was some sort of magical door.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTgB7H032c 維尼
Before I could decide to step through on my time, a hand grabbed my paw from the other side and yanked me through. I stumbled through and landed on my side. Jasper was standing beside me looking down at me.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TM90zFaKo 維尼
“Sorry about that, but the door is on a timer. Take too long to step through and it could cut you in half.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMEUsyW7Hz 維尼
I stood up. “You could have explained that before you just disappeared in front of me.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvuRhfbSso 維尼
“Yes, I could have.” He dusted off his hands and spun around.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjSsM1jsvz 維尼
I turned to follow him and froze at the sight before me. On the outside, the cluster of trees looked like nothing more than trees. There was no way anyone would ever think that a house was hidden inside. But here stood an extremely large home. Built from old stone and wood, the house looked like it had only recently been built. Vines and flowers covered every inch, and it was surrounded by a large meadow filled with wild flowers. The colours seemed to shine in the sunlight that was filtering through the trees.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjwmCaSwhv 維尼
Jasper stopped on the wooden porch and turned to me. “I thought we didn’t have time to waste?”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbC4WgFSWm 維尼
Shaking off my amazement I ran up the cobble path and stopped beside him on the porch. “No, we don’t.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgGCOVZNXZ 維尼
Jasper opened the door and inside his home was just as beautiful as the outside. It felt warm and cozy. We passed through the entrance hall and on either side, large arches opened into a living room, a dining room, and a kitchen. A set of double doors, that sat slightly ajar, led to a study. Jasper pulled the doors shut as we walked pass. He led me pass the staircase and into a large back room.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxE1HPYgZG 維尼
The room looked like a study. Books filled the shelves that lined the walls. A large table in the middle held books, plants and ingredients sorted into jars. The room seemed an organised mess.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YokLbKa1y 維尼
Jasper removed his hat and coat and threw them on a chair in the corner. He rolled up his sleeves and jumped on a ladder. He grabbed a book from the shelf and flipped through the pages, as he climbed down. He read in a mumbled voice to himself before he began grabbing things. He crushed them all inside a small pot. The way he moved around the room appeared as if he was dancing. A look of joy filled his eyes. It was clear that he loved doing spells.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8MoXf11Gk 維尼
Jasper suddenly stopped and smacked the book shut. He picked up the bowl and walked around the table so he stood in front of me. He smiled, and said, “I promise this won’t hurt or have any side effects. Just stand still.” He scooped the mixture from the bowl and held it in his palm. He held it in front of me and blew it into his face.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkiOhGsLZu 維尼
I coughed and blinked to get the dust from my eyes. I shook my body hoping to get it all off. “What the hell!” I glared at him.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0L6I1t620 維尼
He frowned. “Shh!” He held his hand over my head. “Show us the way.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U76RkCxHF 維尼
My body tingled and I felt a pull in my chest. I turned and followed the pull, it was leading me out the house.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBMSersPFI 維尼
“Do you feel it?” said Jasper.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYBdM1lZz8 維尼
I nodded. “It’s like a pulling in my chest.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡChOiVpBfmQ 維尼
He smiled. “I’m glad that worked.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H5UPbDVgL 維尼
“What do you mean?”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgWShbyHZd 維尼
“I’ve never tried that spell on something alive before.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡZboofF2UZR 維尼
“You mean to say that you used me as a test?”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr4LGtT95q 維尼
“Not intentionally.” He clapped his hands together. “No need to worry though. The spell was a success and now we can find your friends.” He grabbed his coat and hat.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡACXAB7oxdL 維尼
I followed him back down the hall. “You said that this spell would have no side effects.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIfbeVuaNs 維尼
He shrugged. “It shouldn’t.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrYfZPtCxJ 維尼
“Shouldn’t isn’t the same as none.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqgUduM9pc 維尼
“Well, there is no excitement in life if you don’t take some risks.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYYBy6rSx2 維尼
“This wasn’t meant to be a risk!” I yelled.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡkG9u42lddg 維尼
He shrugged again and turned into the kitchen.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuyViXYM1Y 維尼
I stopped and sat. I was sick of following him around. Jasper seemed completely insane. He had lied to me about the spell but I could feel the tugging in my chest, it seemed to have worked.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q7kZr2sqc 維尼
The front door opening brought me from my thoughts. I turned my head and there stood a young man. He wore a pair of brown slacks and a white shirt that was covered in dirt. Over his shoulder he was holding a sack. He frowned at me and dropped the sack.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFhA9bOg9l 維尼
“Jasper!” he called out. “You here?”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡlx9iouSi1D 維尼
Jasper’s footsteps echoed as he slid out of the kitchen. “Theo, you’re back.” Jasper smiled. “Were you successful?”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡON410WVg0h 維尼
Theo dropped the sack on the floor. “Yes and no.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMSWYa2O5g 維尼
“What do you mean?” said Jasper.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHzA8wYWJx 維尼
“Well, Mr Dawson didn’t have his usually supply of items. He was stopped by Queen’s guard on his way from the capital. They confiscated all the things you required.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxmbpnPROY 維尼
“Oh,” said Jasper. “So you went and found them yourself?”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8E9g5rc7r 維尼
Theo slowly shook his head. “No.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKP51bNDeR 維尼
Jasper’s smile slipped into a heavy glare. “Please tell me that you didn’t go and find the guards.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVxHW94hc0 維尼
“Okay, I won’t.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsTa0iYBax 維尼
“Theodore!”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BTk1PwSTS 維尼
“I know, okay, I know. But you said that we needed it, and Mr Dawson has a family to feed. I was helping more than just myself.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3SVSxrFTW 維尼
Jasper sighed and rubbed his hands across his face. “I understand that you wanted to help. But you know why you can’t just go running into the capital. If someone recognised you-”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RvSUkVjAU 維尼
“They would have me arrested and killed. I know.” Theo crossed his arms over his chest. It was clear in his eyes that he didn’t want to disappoint Jasper. “I promise not to do it again.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡTowQ57UjTs 維尼
Jasper smile returned. “Good.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡnad4QXvhNA 維尼
“Now do you want to explain?” Theo gestured at me. “I thought your days of bringing home random animals was over.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aiz53RXL4 維尼
Jasper laughed. “She isn’t a random animal. She is a familiar. I’m simple helping her get back to her bond-mate. They got separated.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQbZlrxJbf 維尼
Theo slowly nodded.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPPvXfdXGM 維尼
“Theo let me introduce you to-” Jasper frowned. He thought for a moment, then looked at me. “I don’t believe I know your name.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6iFeBmLk8 維尼
“It’s Kara,” I said.8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡGekCWdEer5 維尼
“What a wonderful name.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIVX3cnL3d 維尼
I smiled. “Thank you.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbqXzb5vNq 維尼
“Kara this is Theo, my apprentice. Theo this is Kara.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2sWfKSQtc 維尼
Theo looked at me strangely. “Hello Kara.”8964 copyright protection515ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQVi7ZvfX8 維尼
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