"Hemlock, foxglove, nightshade three - /
Shield me from catastrophe. /
Silent lungs and final weeps. /
Send my monsters back to sleep."
Olden World, c. 1866: Shy Callum, the Seamstress's son, is an easy target for the village bullies. When Callum ac...
Should have watched him like an owl, Painfully regret that now...
Armoured spells Imogen sewed Deftly into Callum's clothes Were supposed to guard against All demonic instances. As for doves who congregate At Cal's favourite meeting place, Imogen had charmed them too — Winged protectors, summit's view.
...When did everything go wrong? ...Broken magick? ...For how long? ...Demons breaching covert doors? ...This has not happened before...
Could the Demon Hawk have cleaved Magick Imogen had weaved? By what means, she cannot tell — Possibly with cosmic spells Fiercer than she's ever known. Imogen must recompose.
...How does one repair a shield Once its secrets are revealed?
Serpents snatching careless mice, Rabbits gripped by eagle-vice — Humble hearts, kind to the core, Bow and bleed for carnivores. That is nature's brutal way — Some are simply born as prey. ...Not today. Not today...
"Hear me, demon parasites, Maws who stole my husband's light, Plucked his childhood away, Plagued him till his dying day — I won't let you do the same To Cal's mind, his heart, his name!"
Whispering to Stars of Luck, Spectre Dove Clans flaring up, Imogen dares conjure Might With her seamstress tools of sleight — Calling threads of ember silk, Chanting words of dragon milk, Weaving dreamscapes as she sews Triple magick all aglow, Focusing her energy For the looming rivalry:
"I invoke the astral blest Daughters of the Searingness. Let us fly to kingdoms higher — Doves reborn with phoenix fire. Thrice I charm this hallowed nest — Cunning flames and ancient crest, Veiled fury fortified, Hex defence and sacrifice! Blazing wings and bursting shrieks — May we slay all demon beaks, Shatter all bedevilled jaws, Venomed fangs and carnage claws! Husband gone — my son shall stay, Star-bright as he comes of age, Golden soulscape, force of life, Soldiering through storms of strife. Raptor in elusive prowl — I can sense you closer now. When I hunt you down at last, You shall die in phoenix-grasp! Sword ignited, strength untold — I dare burn the bonds you hold, Sever every hawk-string spun Cast upon my rising son. If by fatal clash I'm done, Cal still fights till kingdom come!"
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Imogen looks to her yard, Where young Cal does not stray far, Folding little paper birds As he chants the Baneful Words.
PS: I've been told this ending is too abrupt. Will add an epilogue PART X: Firebrand
