Chapter 0ne - Night-Time Capers
So late at night, the vast library at Dolphindo's was largely empty. The few people that were around were either bent studiously over haphazard piles of ancient tomes and sheets of scrawled notes, or wisping silently along rows upon rows of bookshelves bulging with books on every subject imaginable. There were books on anything from advanced sorcery to flower arranging, all sitting in neat lines along the dusty shelves.
At the very centre of all this silent hustle and bustle sat a long thin girl bent over a book, lost, like so many others both past and present, in the flights of fancy the author presented to her. Any observer would certainly think from her posture she was unlikely to stir from her current position for many hours to come. But they would be underestimating the disruptive powers of air conditioning and hair. For, sure enough, after very few minutes Callista burst out of her chair with a disgruntled 'Chuff' and started searching the pockets of her tight jeans with the distracted air of someone who has far more important matters on her mind than playing with hair.
Discovering only pocket fluff, Callista rubbed her forehead, grabbing a thin golden wand and twirling it experimentally between delicate fingers before tapping it tentatively on the desk. Before her sceptical eyes a brown rubber band appeared. Sighing she picked it up and twined it through her silver-blonde hair. 'Not quite what I wanted but . . .' Plonking ungracefully onto the padded chair she focused her attention back on the book that had so captivated her attention.
It was, many say, mainly due to the heroic, if stupid, efforts of a renegade band of enchanters and magicians that the battles of the South Eastern regions did not continue for years beyond that that they did. In an account of the aforementioned battles in 'The Sun Herald' Mr William Hathers commented that, '. . .although we may hate to admit it these . . .[people] really did save the day.'
The renegades, aptly named the Wolves, were formed when, having deserted their battalions for unknown reasons, they met in a gully off the coast somewhere below Twofold Bay, NSW. Although little is known about the majority of the group, it seems that the most important members were well documented by journalists of that time. Notably all the members of the Wolves were under the age of 25 at the commencement of their time, a major reason, some think, why they were so successful. Thinking them ignorant babes, they were grossly underestimated by opposing forces.
Seven teenagers and young adults escaped from the 20th Mage Battalion, lead by a Michael Jacobs, aged 19. One of the teenagers being the Governor's son, they were pursued and were, as thus, the original reason the whole saga was so well publicised. Apparently dissatisfied with 'the way things are handled' John Leven originally defied his father by joining the enemy forces then deserted again with the other future Wolves. It is unknown if he himself was a mage.
The other scandalous member of the Wolves was Eliza Furrow, fiancée of Mage leader, Karmel Grous (covered in previous chapter). Nothing is known about her sudden desertion other than there appeared to be no disharmony between the two after peace was declared. She was followed by several of her husband's Captains and closest companions.
Legend has it that this unlikely band was led by a mystery girl, supposedly only seventeen or so, by the name of Lacey Pullman. She turned up out of nowhere and turned the group around and brought them to victory in an almost fairy tale-like ending to the horrendous years of wars formerly plaguing the 'lucky country'. Little is known about Lacey, except the obviously embroidered stories of her great deeds in the wars. In these tales there is only one recurring detail: immediately after the peace treaties were signed and finalised, she disappeared and was never heard of again.
Scholars have studied these events and researched the stories and no more information has been forthcoming. Over the years it has become generally accepted by the educated that the chances of Lacey being a real person are very slim. However, a little known fact is that it was found, in earlier years, that a girl matching Lacey's details did exist, or was at least born. There is no record of her death, although that may mean nothing for in such days there were many dead unaccounted for. The important thing is that, real or not, Miss Pullman is an important figure in the history of Australia and, as such, should receive the recognition she deserves.
Callista leaned back and sighed gustily. Stretching her arms back behind her head, she let her eyes close as she thought. But, as you do when you're very tired, she fell asleep and stayed that way until one of the librarians found her. Jumping at the soft touch on her shoulder, Callista smiled at the librarian.
'Sorry, I must've dozed off.' She yawned.
'Well, you have classes tomorrow, you'd better go.' The man pushed her out of her chair and propelled her towards the door.
'Oh, hang on. The book.' Callista grasped it. 'Do you mind?'
Shaking his head the man left her.
Callista's footsteps echoed loudly as she shuffled across the marble Foyer, dimly lit by the beams of moonlight lancing across the shiny floor. She had to push the double glass doors to the stairs open by turning her back and leaning on it until it began to move. Grunting, she clumped heavily up the stairs to her room, with her arms tightly locked around the heavy book.
The door to her friends' room was open. Everything was dark except for a faint glow emanating from under the curtains surrounding her friend, Miea's bed. Smiling she crept quietly past, not wanting to stay awake much longer. But Miea's head popped out from between the velvet folds and beckoned her over.
Callista clambered in and saw that her other friend, Ehmber was also in Miea's bed, grinning mischievously from the other end, her head firmly lodged in a fluffy pillow.
'We're talking about deep and meaningful things.' Ehmber said.
Callista settled herself. 'What, like why isn't phonetically spelt phonetically?'
'No, but that's a good idea.' Miea said. 'Actually, Ehmber's Laprix was playing up.'
'Again!' Ehmber interrupted grumpily.
'So we're going to head to toe.' Miea finished. Ever since the time the Laprix had almost killed Ehmber with sleeplessness and worry over Angelo's coma, Callista and Miea had decided to look after their friend and watch her at night. Whenever she appeared fretful, they'd wake her up and either stay awake with her or calm her or whatever else she wanted. This had only happened twice so far, once the night before Miea fell out of a tree and nearly broke her neck and the other time their friend Angelo had nearly been stuck as a toad because he fell asleep while transformed. Although Ehmber had been a Laprix Mistress for almost seven months now, she still couldn't seem to control it or understand what it tried to tell her.
Callista draped an arm over Ehmber's shoulder comfortingly. 'Any idea what it's about?'
Ehmber raised her eyebrows. 'Come on! Since when has it ever actually told me straight out what it wants? All I can tell is it's something to do with someone I've never met. A girl, with dark brown hair tied back in a ponytail and a deep gash down one cheek. I can never remember what she's doing.'
'Hang on,' Miea interrupted anxiously. 'How many times have you had this dream?'
'About five times,' Ehmber admitted sheepishly.
Callista and Miea looked at each other in exasperation.
'Honestly, Ehmber! Could you tell us next time?' Miea exclaimed in a loud whisper.
'Where have you been Callista?' Ehmber quickly changed the subject.
'In the library.'
'Looking up that Pullman girl again?' Miea said.
'How did you know?' Callista asked suspiciously.
Miea waggled her eyebrows mysteriously. 'You talk in your sleep.'
'I do not!' Callista protested.
'Why are you interested anyway? She's dead and gone.' Ehmber intervened quickly.
'There's just so many mysteries surrounding her. I can't believe that she could have disappeared so suddenly. And, if she did so many great things, like end the war that brought magical peoples acceptance, how could we know so little about her, or have lost her so suddenly?' Callista stopped for breath. 'I'm just interested.'
'Yeah, I know what you mean. I'd never even heard of her before I came to Dolphindo's.' Ehmber agreed, thoughtfully chewing a strand of glossy black hair.
'Well, I'd heard of her but I had no idea what she'd done. I just knew the name.' Miea murmured, her sharp pixie-face eerily half lit by the feeble light of Ehmber's Laprix feather.
They were silent for a moment, listening to the soft snores and mutters of the sleeping room. An owl hooted nearby and Callista jerked nervously awake.
'That's the second time I've dozed off. I think I'd better go to bed.' Saying soft goodnights, she padded across the hall to her bed and changed into pyjamas. She drifted off to sleep as, across from her, the light dimmed in Miea and Ehmber's room. They must have stuffed the Laprix under the covers or something Callista thought absently.
So late at night, the vast library at Dolphindo's was largely empty. The few people that were around were either bent studiously over haphazard piles of ancient tomes and sheets of scrawled notes, or wisping silently along rows upon rows of bookshelves bulging with books on every subject imaginable. There were books on anything from advanced sorcery to flower arranging, all sitting in neat lines along the dusty shelves.
At the very centre of all this silent hustle and bustle sat a long thin girl bent over a book, lost, like so many others both past and present, in the flights of fancy the author presented to her. Any observer would certainly think from her posture she was unlikely to stir from her current position for many hours to come. But they would be underestimating the disruptive powers of air conditioning and hair. For, sure enough, after very few minutes Callista burst out of her chair with a disgruntled 'Chuff' and started searching the pockets of her tight jeans with the distracted air of someone who has far more important matters on her mind than playing with hair.
Discovering only pocket fluff, Callista rubbed her forehead, grabbing a thin golden wand and twirling it experimentally between delicate fingers before tapping it tentatively on the desk. Before her sceptical eyes a brown rubber band appeared. Sighing she picked it up and twined it through her silver-blonde hair. 'Not quite what I wanted but . . .' Plonking ungracefully onto the padded chair she focused her attention back on the book that had so captivated her attention.
It was, many say, mainly due to the heroic, if stupid, efforts of a renegade band of enchanters and magicians that the battles of the South Eastern regions did not continue for years beyond that that they did. In an account of the aforementioned battles in 'The Sun Herald' Mr William Hathers commented that, '. . .although we may hate to admit it these . . .[people] really did save the day.'
The renegades, aptly named the Wolves, were formed when, having deserted their battalions for unknown reasons, they met in a gully off the coast somewhere below Twofold Bay, NSW. Although little is known about the majority of the group, it seems that the most important members were well documented by journalists of that time. Notably all the members of the Wolves were under the age of 25 at the commencement of their time, a major reason, some think, why they were so successful. Thinking them ignorant babes, they were grossly underestimated by opposing forces.
Seven teenagers and young adults escaped from the 20th Mage Battalion, lead by a Michael Jacobs, aged 19. One of the teenagers being the Governor's son, they were pursued and were, as thus, the original reason the whole saga was so well publicised. Apparently dissatisfied with 'the way things are handled' John Leven originally defied his father by joining the enemy forces then deserted again with the other future Wolves. It is unknown if he himself was a mage.
The other scandalous member of the Wolves was Eliza Furrow, fiancée of Mage leader, Karmel Grous (covered in previous chapter). Nothing is known about her sudden desertion other than there appeared to be no disharmony between the two after peace was declared. She was followed by several of her husband's Captains and closest companions.
Legend has it that this unlikely band was led by a mystery girl, supposedly only seventeen or so, by the name of Lacey Pullman. She turned up out of nowhere and turned the group around and brought them to victory in an almost fairy tale-like ending to the horrendous years of wars formerly plaguing the 'lucky country'. Little is known about Lacey, except the obviously embroidered stories of her great deeds in the wars. In these tales there is only one recurring detail: immediately after the peace treaties were signed and finalised, she disappeared and was never heard of again.
Scholars have studied these events and researched the stories and no more information has been forthcoming. Over the years it has become generally accepted by the educated that the chances of Lacey being a real person are very slim. However, a little known fact is that it was found, in earlier years, that a girl matching Lacey's details did exist, or was at least born. There is no record of her death, although that may mean nothing for in such days there were many dead unaccounted for. The important thing is that, real or not, Miss Pullman is an important figure in the history of Australia and, as such, should receive the recognition she deserves.
Callista leaned back and sighed gustily. Stretching her arms back behind her head, she let her eyes close as she thought. But, as you do when you're very tired, she fell asleep and stayed that way until one of the librarians found her. Jumping at the soft touch on her shoulder, Callista smiled at the librarian.
'Sorry, I must've dozed off.' She yawned.
'Well, you have classes tomorrow, you'd better go.' The man pushed her out of her chair and propelled her towards the door.
'Oh, hang on. The book.' Callista grasped it. 'Do you mind?'
Shaking his head the man left her.
Callista's footsteps echoed loudly as she shuffled across the marble Foyer, dimly lit by the beams of moonlight lancing across the shiny floor. She had to push the double glass doors to the stairs open by turning her back and leaning on it until it began to move. Grunting, she clumped heavily up the stairs to her room, with her arms tightly locked around the heavy book.
The door to her friends' room was open. Everything was dark except for a faint glow emanating from under the curtains surrounding her friend, Miea's bed. Smiling she crept quietly past, not wanting to stay awake much longer. But Miea's head popped out from between the velvet folds and beckoned her over.
Callista clambered in and saw that her other friend, Ehmber was also in Miea's bed, grinning mischievously from the other end, her head firmly lodged in a fluffy pillow.
'We're talking about deep and meaningful things.' Ehmber said.
Callista settled herself. 'What, like why isn't phonetically spelt phonetically?'
'No, but that's a good idea.' Miea said. 'Actually, Ehmber's Laprix was playing up.'
'Again!' Ehmber interrupted grumpily.
'So we're going to head to toe.' Miea finished. Ever since the time the Laprix had almost killed Ehmber with sleeplessness and worry over Angelo's coma, Callista and Miea had decided to look after their friend and watch her at night. Whenever she appeared fretful, they'd wake her up and either stay awake with her or calm her or whatever else she wanted. This had only happened twice so far, once the night before Miea fell out of a tree and nearly broke her neck and the other time their friend Angelo had nearly been stuck as a toad because he fell asleep while transformed. Although Ehmber had been a Laprix Mistress for almost seven months now, she still couldn't seem to control it or understand what it tried to tell her.
Callista draped an arm over Ehmber's shoulder comfortingly. 'Any idea what it's about?'
Ehmber raised her eyebrows. 'Come on! Since when has it ever actually told me straight out what it wants? All I can tell is it's something to do with someone I've never met. A girl, with dark brown hair tied back in a ponytail and a deep gash down one cheek. I can never remember what she's doing.'
'Hang on,' Miea interrupted anxiously. 'How many times have you had this dream?'
'About five times,' Ehmber admitted sheepishly.
Callista and Miea looked at each other in exasperation.
'Honestly, Ehmber! Could you tell us next time?' Miea exclaimed in a loud whisper.
'Where have you been Callista?' Ehmber quickly changed the subject.
'In the library.'
'Looking up that Pullman girl again?' Miea said.
'How did you know?' Callista asked suspiciously.
Miea waggled her eyebrows mysteriously. 'You talk in your sleep.'
'I do not!' Callista protested.
'Why are you interested anyway? She's dead and gone.' Ehmber intervened quickly.
'There's just so many mysteries surrounding her. I can't believe that she could have disappeared so suddenly. And, if she did so many great things, like end the war that brought magical peoples acceptance, how could we know so little about her, or have lost her so suddenly?' Callista stopped for breath. 'I'm just interested.'
'Yeah, I know what you mean. I'd never even heard of her before I came to Dolphindo's.' Ehmber agreed, thoughtfully chewing a strand of glossy black hair.
'Well, I'd heard of her but I had no idea what she'd done. I just knew the name.' Miea murmured, her sharp pixie-face eerily half lit by the feeble light of Ehmber's Laprix feather.
They were silent for a moment, listening to the soft snores and mutters of the sleeping room. An owl hooted nearby and Callista jerked nervously awake.
'That's the second time I've dozed off. I think I'd better go to bed.' Saying soft goodnights, she padded across the hall to her bed and changed into pyjamas. She drifted off to sleep as, across from her, the light dimmed in Miea and Ehmber's room. They must have stuffed the Laprix under the covers or something Callista thought absently.