A Dangerous Mission

By C.M Ghilchrist

In part two of the Odwin story, Ben is shocked to discover a gold medal in his back garden which looks like it came from Odwin. Who could it belong to? How did it get there? The witch's power has grown stronger and Jack and Tilda go to The Forest of the North to spy on her. Tilda is kidnapped by the witch and placed in her cave. A daring rescue plan is put in place. However, the rescue party barely escape with their lives as the witch chases them out of the forest declaring she will come to Odwin and destroy it with fire.

• Language: English
• Publisher: C.M Ghilchrist
• Release date: Oct 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463891483

C.M Ghilchrist

C.M Ghilchrist lives in Edinburgh Scotland. She is originally from Ireland. She has a degree in geography and sociology and a post-graduate diploma in primary education. She spent a number of years as a primary school teacher and has worked with kids in various settings including theatre.She is currently writing a trilogy of fantasy fiction for kids called The Odwin Chronicles. Book 1, Guardians of the Veil was published in 2016 and the next book in the series, A Dangerous Mission, will be released in November 2017. She has also worked in the field of complementary healthcare and spirituality. She has published a book called Wild Women Rising under her name Clare Gately. This book is a call to all women to step fully into their power in order to bring a balanced and healed feminine presence on the planet.

Book preview

The Odwin Council Meeting

Oswald took a deep breath and began .

All of you know why you have been called here today. The witch Mandra has escaped from The Forest of the North. Not only that, but she has managed to get through the veil protecting our school. Thanks to the very brave and unselfish efforts of one of the new students, Ben Richards, Mandra did not make it to the school. We should all be very grateful to that boy.

Everyone nodded and quietly praised Ben for his efforts.

However, there’s no doubt, the witch will be back so we must act fast. We have no idea how she got through our veil. Four powerful creatures, one of whom was Samuel, created the veil. The only guess we could possibly make at this point is that one of these creatures has betrayed us.

Everyone looked at Samuel. A low murmur went round the group.

I am not, of course, blaming Samuel, said Oswald, glancing over at him. Samuel bowed gently to Oswald but said nothing.

Oswald continued. We also have the matter of some dead grass at the edge of the forest. I have checked it out and it is not caused by anything natural. There is magic at play here, dark magic.

Oswald paused for a moment.

My dear creatures I have no answers for you. I cannot even tell you that all will be well. We have called this meeting to share the latest information with you and all your ideas are most welcome. Maybe together we can come up with a plan.

All the creatures looked at each other, in hopes someone would say something helpful.

I have a question, said a red squirrel sitting on a nearby branch.

Yes, by all means, said Oswald who was glad that someone had spoken.

Could we please know who the other creatures were who helped Samuel create the spell for the veil? As you said Oswald, perhaps one of them has betrayed us.

A good question, thank you, said Oswald. He turned to Samuel. Is it OK to share who the other creatures were, who helped create the spell for the veil?"

Samuel stepped forward. Normally I would prefer to keep the identity of the others a secret but, given the circumstances, I think I can reveal who they were.

First of all, let me say that I brought magic with me from my home world to weave into the spell for the veil. A magic that does not exist anywhere else. Each one involved in making the spell brought magic from their home world. We spent several days and nights mixing the magic together. Finally, after four days, we made a spell that worked. We only shared that spell with Azra and Oswald. As Guardians of the Veil, they are the only other creatures who know the spell.

The other creatures who helped create the spell were The Great White Eagle, who brought magic from The Bird Realm, a white witch called Merlina from The Lands of Zarsona and a dragon called Aberon from The Fire Lands of Eastern Carthora.

Each one of these creatures are all greatly respected in their worlds and it is very difficult for me to believe that any of them would betray us, said Samuel.

A badger stepped forward and said, Oswald, I was wondering. I don’t mean to blame anyone or suggest that anyone here would betray us, but is there any chance that any of the trees could have told the witch the spell? I mean, is there any chance the trees beside the veil might have overheard you and Azra reciting the spell?

A nymph stuck her head out from a nearby tree and said. This would not be possible. All the trees in Odwin are connected. If any one of them betrayed us, the others would know. Then, we, the tree nymphs, would also know. I can assure you none of the trees have betrayed us.

I didn’t mean to… began the badger looking a little embarrassed.

Thank you Badger, said Oswald, that was a good question.

Azra, who was being unusually quiet on a nearby toadstool, finally spoke.

I think the most important thing right now is to make sure the veil is protected. We can figure out later how the witch got out from The Forest of the North and got through our veil. We can’t ask the other creatures who helped create the first spell, so I think Oswald and I will have to make a new spell and quickly. Hopefully this will keep her out for the moment, at least until we come up with a better plan.

All the creatures nodded in agreement with this suggestion.

You are correct my friend, said Oswald. That is indeed what I think our first move should be.

Mr Rabbit, cleared his throat. May I speak?

Certainly Mr Rabbit, said Oswald.

Under the circumstances, I think the children’s training needs to be hastened a little. We never know when we will need their skills. Already one of them has had to defend himself and the school. Most unfortunate.

I agree, said Oswald. Mr Rabbit, you can perhaps come up with a revised programme of training given our new circumstances.

I most certainly will. Also, I think it is a good idea for everyone who comes to the school to enter by the front door using the password. I know all of you have access to the school without it, but we can’t take any chances.

That is an excellent idea, Mr Rabbit, said Oswald.

Thank you all for coming and thank you to our fairy friends for allowing us into your space. When we have a new spell in place for the veil, we will let you all know.

In the mean time, be careful as you go about your day. Perhaps it’s best not to leave your homes unless it’s necessary. And, perhaps, it would be best not to go anywhere on your own until the veil is protected again.

All the creatures left the meeting, shuffling off quietly. For the first time in ages, Oswald could feel fear in the air. When everyone had left, he turned to Azra.

I think we should go to Orogon’s house to speak with him. We will need his help. We cannot call on those creatures that made up the original spell, in case one of them did indeed betray us. Hopefully, the three of us will be able to come up with a new spell that will keep the witch out for the moment. There is no time to waste. Let us hurry.

Orogon’s House

When Oswald and Azra arrived outside the entrance to Orogon’s house, Oswald said, We have a problem .

What is it? asked Azra, hovering in the air.

We need a wand to get in. We don’t have one. Orogon has always met me here. I have never arrived unexpectedly before. We will just have to wait until he comes out.

What? But that could be hours, days or even weeks. We can’t wait that long, said Azra.

While Oswald was a patient fellow who was used to sitting on branches for hours on end, Azra was not. The thought of having to wait until Orogon appeared was a most unsettling idea.

Could you not tap with your beak or something? suggested Azra.

No, I certainly cannot, replied Oswald, sounding most annoyed at that suggestion. It needs to be a wand. We will just have to wait. Oswald flew up onto a branch opposite Orogon’s house and settled down to wait for him to come out.

Azra flew about trying to think of another way. There had to be another option besides waiting for Orogon to come out of his house. What if he wasn’t even in there? What if he had decided to go on a vacation? Azra was desperate to come up with another solution.

Suddenly, he got an idea. He called up to Oswald.

I have an idea. I will be back soon.

He zoomed off before Oswald could question him further. Azra wasn’t sure if his plan would work but it was worth a try. He didn’t want to tell Oswald what it was, in case he disagreed with him. Anything was better than waiting until Orogon appeared.

Azra decided to go and check if there was a wand at the school. It was the only place that might have one. When he got to the Oak tree, he tapped three times on the soft spot and waited. Mr Rabbit opened the door and got quite a shock to see Azra there.

Oh, hello Azra, what are you doing here? Is everything all right?

I need your help Mr Rabbit.

Of course! Of course! Come in. But, oh, I’m very sorry Azra I will have to ask you for the password. Can’t be too careful these days with everything going on, you understand.

"Of course Mr Rabbit, I understand. Too right, there cannot be any exceptions. The password is Caradon Prunella."

Come in, come in, said Mr Rabbit, shutting the door as quickly as he could behind Azra. Follow me.

He led Azra down the stairs and through the breakfast hall. A number of little fire dragons were lighting lamps getting ready for lunchtime. Mr Rabbit led Azra through a green door on the left. Azra took this to be Mr Rabbit’s office. The walls were covered in shelves stacked with books and jars with various objects in them. He had a desk that was covered in papers. Azra saw something move out of the corner of his eye.

That will be all for now Sammy, said Mr Rabbit you can take an early lunch. There is a fresh bowl of hazel nuts sitting in the kitchen.

Azra saw a flash of the squirrel’s red