Mandra Reveals Her Secret

By C.M Ghilchrist

There is panic spreading throughout The Forest of Odwin. The Fire Bearer has a disturbing dream that may foretell disaster for the forest. The witch and her army are on the move and Mandra finally reveals who she has been hiding below her cave. This final book in the Odwin series is filled with suspense, surprise, danger and a battle that will require everyone to work together to save their school and the forest.

• Language: English
• Publisher: C.M Ghilchrist
• Release date: Oct 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463729465

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

Stolen Magic

In the Forest of The North, Mandra the witch stomped angrily home towards her cave. What magic was in that girl’s wand that made my broom powerless? I should have killed her when I had the chance, she muttered to herself, as she strode through the trees.

The witch was hoping she wouldn’t meet anyone on her way home to her cave. She did not want the creatures of the forest to know that all the magic had been taken from her broom. Suddenly, out of nowhere, one of the large slugs in her army, slid onto the path in front of her.

Oh, your greatness, I didn’t see you there. Please do excuse me, said the slug, moving to one side to let her pass.

Call a meeting, hissed the witch. We will gather at the swamp at dawn tomorrow.

Yes, your greatness, said the slug, glancing at the broom in her hand. He didn’t dare ask her why she was walking, instead of flying. The witch caught him looking at the broom.

Go now, you stupid creature and tell everyone to gather tomorrow at dawn.

Yes, your greatness, said the slug, slithering off into the forest as quickly as it could.

It took Mandra another hour to get home. When she arrived at her cave, she was exhausted and angry. She wasn’t used to walking. She sat on her stool for a rest and began to plot her next move.

I have a potion here somewhere that might just put the magic back into my broom, she said, as she ran her gaze along the shelves in her cave. Then she noticed that there was something unusual about her jars. Something is not right. What is wrong with my potions? she growled. She jumped up and grabbed one of the jars off the shelf. She opened it and stuck a finger into the liquid inside and tasted it.

WATER, she roared. She swiped her broom off the floor and knocked all the bottles off the shelves in anger. That stupid girl and her magic wand. How has she done this? There is no spell that I know of, that would have turned my potions back into water. What kind of power is in her wand? What else has she done? That elf should have kept a closer eye on her. Elf, where are you? screamed the witch. There was no reply.

The witch grabbed her book of spells off the shelf. At least I still have that spell that gets me through any veil, she said gleefully. She leafed through the book to find it. It was there somewhere. She was sure of it. She had placed it between a freezing spell and a spell for growing carbuncles all over the body. She turned the book upside down and shook it, waiting for the spell to fall out.

Did that stupid girl steal my spell too? I will deal with her first when I get to Odwin, screamed the witch, throwing the book on the ground. Now, where is that elf? she snarled.

The witch ran out of the cave. Elf, where are you? He’s never around when you need him. Sleeping somewhere I suspect. The lazy creature. I am too soft on him. I will deal with him tomorrow at the meeting if he doesn’t show up before then, she muttered to herself.

The witch stormed back into the cave and began pacing back and forth. Her plans were beginning to fall apart. Her broom no longer held any magic, all her potions were useless, and now her spell for getting through a veil had been stolen.

However, I have one weapon that no one has discovered yet. I don’t need potions and I will have help getting through the veil in Odwin. The time has come, said the witch gleefully clapping her hands together. There is only one way forward now, and that is to reveal my secret to everyone, she grinned.

Oh, what fun we shall have in Odwin, and what destruction we will do, she cried, rubbing her hands together. I can’t wait to see the look on their faces when we arrive and surprise them. And I shall take great delight in killing that young witch who thinks she is so clever, snarled the witch, squeezing her hands into fists."

She turned to the back wall of the cave and placed her hand on it.

Oledra Canifton.

The wall parted in two, revealing a set of steps that curved down deeper into the cave. A wave of heat wafted up from below and surrounded the witch.

Wakey wakey, my dear. Your time has come, said the witch, walking carefully down the secret steps.

Oswald is Troubled

G ood morning Oswald, said Azra chirpily, landing on a branch beside his friend. Isn’t it a lovely morning?

Oswald had not noticed that it was a lovely morning. He was troubled. He was thinking about what Ben had shared after returning from The Forest of the North, the night before. The witch’s words were spinning round in Oswald’s head.

‘I am coming to Odwin to destroy it with fire.’

Oswald remembered his grandfather telling stories about The Great Fire, which nearly wiped out Odwin, 100 years ago. He couldn’t help wondering if Mandra’s family had something to do with that.

Oswald took out the piece of paper Tilda had given him with the spell for getting through a veil. Who knew such a spell? wondered Oswald. Tilda had said the handwriting was different from the handwriting in the rest of the book. Had the witch stolen it from somewhere? Had someone given it to her?

Oswald had not told anyone else what Ben had shared. He hadn’t even told Azra. He had wanted everyone to enjoy the party.

Azra was in such a good mood, he hadn’t noticed that Oswald was quieter than usual.

What a great party it was last night, wasn’t it? said Azra, clapping his hands together. However, I think I ate too many mushroom pies. I have a bit of a belly ache this morning, he said, rubbing his tummy.

That’s hardly a surprise Azra, said Oswald raising an eyebrow.

What’s that piece of paper you have there Oswald? asked Azra, zooming in for a closer look.

I have something to tell you, said Oswald, shuffling a little uncomfortably on the branch. When the students returned last night from The Forest of the North, Tilda told me something troubling. The witch’s last words were that she was coming to Odwin and would destroy it with fire.

WHAT?? Exclaimed Azra, turning pale.

We knew, of course, she had a plan to come here, but if she is going to use fire that is going to be very difficult for us to deal with, said Oswald gazing off into the distance.

Oh, this is terrible news, said Azra, rising off the branch and buzzing round. I remember my grandfather telling stories of The Great Fire 100 years ago.

Yes, I was just remembering my own grandfather’s stories about it, said Oswald. It was a terrible time for Odwin. In fact, the whole forest was nearly destroyed. Thankfully, the rain came and fell for three days and put the fires out.

What are we going to do Oswald?

I don’t know yet, but I think we should have a meeting with the forest council members before we tell all the rest of the creatures of the threat. Perhaps we can all come up with a plan.

What about the students? Do you think Ben, Jack, Tilda and Phillipe have told the others what Mandra said?

I asked them not to tell anyone, for now. There are dangerous times ahead Azra, but we have to be careful not to scare everyone too much.

Azra was quiet for a few moments then he blurted out, Oh Oswald, I am scared. Not for myself of course, but for my family. How would I keep Una and the triplets safe from a fire?

Oswald turned for the first time, to look directly at his old friend.

Now Azra, do not upset yourself. There is no immediate danger and I am sure we will come up with a plan. The witch has lost the power in her broom for now, so she won’t be arriving here anytime soon.

Go tell all the council members we are going to have a meeting. I will ask the fairies for permission to hold the meeting in the fairy ring. Off you go Azra, that’s if you can fly after all the mushroom pies you ate last night said Oswald, trying to cheer his friend up a little.

Azra flew off, happy to have something to focus on, rather than worrying about the safety of his family.

Oswald sat for a while longer on the branch outside his home, gazing round the forest. He was afraid a day would come when Odwin might be a very different place. If Mandra had her way, Odwin could become like The Forest of the North. A place where nothing new grows. A place where darkness hangs overhead.

A place, where all magic has died. She could destroy everything.

Oswald tried to enjoy the sunlight warming up his feathers, but he kept thinking about the witch. He wondered if the students were ready for what lay ahead. No one knew exactly what they would have to deal with. Had they received enough training? And what about all the creatures in Odwin? How would they defend themselves? All these questions spun round in his head as the sun rose higher in the sky.

After warming himself in the morning light, Oswald flew off to the fairy ring to ask the fairies for permission to hold the council meeting. Shianna greeted him when he arrived.

Oswald, what can we do for you? she asked, looking surprised to see him.

May we hold a council meeting here, please Shianna. We have some disturbing news for everyone, I’m afraid. I will share everything at the meeting.

I see, said Shianna, looking concerned. Are the students alright?

"Yes, but Ben, Tilda, Jack, and Phillipe brought home some disturbing news from the Forest of the North.

Of course, you can hold the meeting here Oswald. I will go and tell the other fairies immediately.

Thank you Shianna.

Oswald flew to the veil to wait for the students to arrive. No