Pandora's Christmas

By Michael Macdonnell

This book will widen your knowledge about wizards and witches and where magic came from. It tries to tell you how third hand knowledge can politicians and other media can do. Knowledge is a route to meglamania.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookTrail Publishing
• Release date: Mar 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9781637670538

Michael Macdonnell

Michael McDonnell always loved books, both making them and writing them. He is also an avid nature-lover and he includes this appreciation in his books. He used to play badminton but now sticks to chess and scrabble.

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Copyright © 2021 by Michael Macdonnell

Paperback: 978-1-63767-054-5

eBook: 978-1-63767-053-8

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This is a work of nonfiction.

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BookTrail Agency

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Kansas City, MO 64114

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Well of St. Celynin

Chapter 2: Mystery Begins

Chapter 3: The Lost Saviour

Chapter 4: The Whores Domain

Chapter 5: The Children of Mystery

Chapter 6: Eves Wand

Chapter 7: The Past Never Dies

Chapter 8: Shunned

Chapter 9: Cold Toast

Chapter 10: Bad Vibrations

Chapter 11: Hell’s Signature

Chapter 12: The Lost Gene

Chapter 13: The Awakening

Chapter 14: Mystery’s Legacy

Chapter 15: Countries New

Chapter 1

The Well of St. Celynin

Elizabeth smiled as she came indoors and showed her mother Annie her latest creation. She loved pottery and she made a vase it had a beautiful painting of Angel fish on it. She just finished a gilded line creating a border for the fish.

It’s my leaving present said Liz with a certain amount of pride.

Thats wonderful thank you. Have you finished packing, what you are going to do about Paddy? Said Annie.

Nothing if we can’t see him then I’m sure no one else will see him. He will not actually get in the bath but occasionally he will wipe some condensation of the tiles. Paddy was an Irish Flocat, it was slightly larger than an ordinary house cat. A couple of weeks ago they went on holiday and they went and had a picnic after Annie’s’ latest search for fossils in Ireland, Annie had a pation with fossils and collected them one of her best finds was the toe and claw of an Utahraptor. Liz was on a cliff top and Annie said Quickly look at that you have a Red Admiral butterfly on your arm. You know they say in Greek mythology that Red Admirals only land on women who are strong yet feminine.

I don’t know about that but I like it up here the sight of the sea the beauty of the animals I’m so happy we came up here and of course your sandwiches.

The hotel made them. Your too honest

Alone together they saw a bit of a commotion and then saw some birds fly away from the cliff. It was a cat hunting for birds but by this time it was on top of the cliff eating, but the thing is they could not see it, it had the ability to blend into the background like a Chameleon.

They were black headed terns. Ann and Liz just thought it was birds flying out to sea to get there meals. Then the cat came up and sat right next to them without any idea it was there. As it rested after its meal he changed his colour to a dark ginger with a ring of fine of white feathers around its neck. Then he put his head on Lizzie’s lap without a care in the world.

O.M.G. It’s a Flocat. Oh dear. Said Annie. What do you mean?

I mean you have a permanent friend whether you like it or not, he will follow you where ever you go. It will eat virtually any meat even old meat. In fact they will follow you into the shower into bed everywhere you go he will follow. Once they show there true colours you are stuck with him, the fortunate thing is no one else will see him. And he will eat your left overs he is a bit of a scavenger.

Why?

Because you said those nice things about this place. So he understands us.

Yes, but like ordinary cats they are very quiet. You will forget he is there. Ireland is a wonderful place so I’ll call him Paddy.

Then he just moved his head and disappeared but she could still feel his head on her lap. Elizabeth did not mind in fact she would welcome him.

Everyone had just come back from there holidays and eager to get on at the University of Anglesey. Generally accepted throughout the world as the best University for witches and wizards. But some individuals are not all they seemed.

Taking a degree in chemistry, Oliver is an overzealous cocky individual who listens to no one and speaks to everyone without really putting any kind of brain cell into action, but when he is put in front of someone who is actually quite stunning he will listen, but he had an inventive nature and liked to help the more good looking rather than the intelligent and it was his inventive genius that earned him a place in the university. Alexandra was good looking and court the eye of Oliver.

Oliver said We have a new professor at the University today. She is over 120 years old and still looking good just like you.

Yes, good for her. Anyway we will soon find out what she looks like when we go to my biology class said Alexandra.

No, our chemistry class said Oliver.

I thought she was a specialist in magic in a marine environment and geology. Said Alexandra. Alexandra is the doubting Thomas of the class and will question everything but never in a malicious manner. She is the outgoing one who likes to go clubbing every weekend. A straight ‘A’ student in practically everything she does.

Look, here she is now says Alex as she turns her head when she hears a bus come, and starts to run over and says Hello Helen how are you?

Helen just gets off the bus. Hi Alexandra, Fine thanks, did you have a great holiday?

Lovely thanks. Did you go anywhere? Asks Helen’

Nowhere special but I do want to go around the world when I graduate said Alex naively.

Oliver got up and shouted Hi Helen! but waved because he was a bit lazy Oliver shouts to them Can I come? when he hears her say what she would like to do.

Only if you pay for me and Helen said Alex.

No chance. Helen, Alexandra tells me you know our new professor shouts Oliver.

Yes, she’s my step mum said Helen. You’re winding me up Says Oliver. No says Helen.

Is she good looking? shouts Oliver.

Ignore him he is all mouth and trousers he will end up being a sad fat lonely man says Alex quietly.

Well, put it like this, she is very old, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder so she would be just right for you shouts Helen.

How old? says Oliver.

More than 50 years older than you says Helen.

Alexandra smiles and looks at Oliver and says. Actually I think she is bloody good looking for her age, but you don’t want to get on the wrong side of my step mother.

Oh yeah like I’m worried she must be at least 70. Anyway what has happened to your real mum and dad? says lazy Oliver.

My mum died when I was seven. My dad’s gone mental; they sent him to someplace in Coventry, but he is all right now if really must know says Helen.

Alex said Do you see him?

No way, he done this scar on my face said Helen looking at Alex. When did you last see him? said Alex concerned that she really was

not seeing enough of him?

April last year said Helen and then paused to think about it. Oliver buts in and says Not a paedophile is he?

Ignore him, he just a pain in the arse said Alex.

No, he’s not! shouts Helen. Your right though Alex, I think I should go and see him. He is a schizophrenic. It is very miss understood disorder. He did not hurt me sexually. Schizophrenia means you find it hard to understand your own feelings and it is very confusing so he found it hard to relax and he hurt my cheek. When my mum died it almost destroyed him. So I will visit him. Do you want to come? Actually he is a very nice man said Helen remembering some good times when her mother was alive.

No thank you, but I think we should go and see this new professor, don’t you said Alex excitedly.

They walked down and into a very old building made mostly made of local stone, but this is the newer part of the building because they had to increase the capacity so they could take on more students. The older building to the right has a gymnasium, and a swimming pool as well as most of the class rooms in the old part of the university made of finely cut and sculptured marble inside by the entrance but local stone on the outside, it was expertly crafted so the old and the new looked in harmony. The old entrance had Education for life written in a language called Caliburish which is the language of the dragons and it led to the reception and then through a maze of corridors to the gym and swimming pool at the back, it had a line of marble pillars going down to another marble tiled floor corridor to the changing rooms and on the far side of the swimming pool was a huge aquarium containing many rare fish, snakes and other creatures of the deep, part of it was specially designed for very deep dwelling fish and even had black smokers, apart from the head of the university the keeper of the aquarium, ‘Professor Martha Davis’ is the second most important person in the university, no finer knowl-edge of sea life exists amongst witch and wizard world. Some of the creatures were unknown to leahmen (Non magic folk). All students have to learn the ways of the seas, it was considered very important to learn so they made that compulsory. Behind that are seven classrooms each designed for the teaching of marine life. If you looked out of the window at the end you would see Falcon’s Forest named after Gwyneth Falcon, the designer of the first university. On the other side was the great hall made at the same time as the gymnasium, where they could dine and a huge tower a little further on which is the library and bindery. The head binder Barillium Ordaepheus Beau and deep friend to Professor Marcus T. Auralius the head. He was affectionately known as Bob, a man of unbridled character and wit, always joking and jesting. With many other buildings, tunnels and pathways round the back. They walked down to the class and saw a woman in there. With beautiful eyes and a figure to turn the head of any man. Dressed in a dark blue suit. With a face without any blemishes. Her hair soft and gentle swayed in the gentle breeze of an open window.

Hey miss, where is the new professor? Said Jerry.

And what’s your name. She said from those pouting lips and pristine teeth. Jerry he said.

Well, that would be me Jerry.

He gasped and turned his head to look at Helen.

I was told you are over 120 years old but you don’t look over 30 said Jerry shocked with amazement.

Why thank you Jerry it’s the best compliment I’ve had all day, but certainly well over 120 by many years old. Right then my name is Professor Hycinta V. Pendragon but you can call me Vicky. First I would like to congratulate you all to Anglesey University because now you are now in the top 2% of all witches and wizards. The control of your abilities within the law is now paramount. First I would like to tell you about dynasties and how law came into being, you may ask what has dynasties got to do with chemistry, but some laws are there to protect life and therefore your chemistry. If law becomes a heavy burden, people will dislike it and distort it between cultures, one rule for them and another for us, fortunately it is more united through the wizard community. Because you lot are my first class in this University I’ve decided to treat you and take you to see Emily who knows more about it than anyone. You will have seen there are broomsticks next to your chairs these will make you feel uneasy when you are on them because you will not know where you are going, Emily won’t let anyone know where she resides but me, and it is an honour indeed. Don’t try to put any kind of spell on it, it will not work. Emily will find out because she has control of these. Believe me you don’t want to upset her. She’s a bit of a softy really and she would like to give you a present each. Which one of you is Elizabeth Brooks?

That’s me miss she said with a beautiful Welsh accent. She bounced up eagerly waving her hand.

Vicky asked her Did you know Ethan Brooks?

Not personally, all I know that he died sadly, but I did speak to my granddad, and he told me he has a V.C. Did you know him? wondered Liz.

Yes, he was the first wizard to receive a V.C. Merlin his grandfather was very proud of him. How much did he tell you about it? said Vicky.

Not much Elizabeth said.

He had this saying ‘you can’t become a hero until you piss yourself before hand,’ stressful situations can create a mental trauma echo that can last a life time, and is something you don’t expect it to last but it does, he tried to jest about it but he was lucky if he had 2 hours sleep even though he had counciling. Later he said what helped me was respect he got from others when he got the VC, and thats why it is so important" said Vicky. The class were amazed at how frank she was.

Elizabeth just looked at her shocked at what she just heard. Elizabeth may I have your permission to go? asked Vicky. She sounded a bit surprised that she asked her.

But, of course said Liz.

When I got more time I will tell you more about him and how he got it. Truly a very brave man. There is a fine line between fools and heroes but he was definitely a hero, he was a silversmith before he went into the army, his story is long so I will tell you when we have time. Right then all the first wizards and witches were very old before they died, they learnt how to cheat death, they observed jellyfish that had an ability to go back to what they were when they were born and they tried to do the same thing, but then around 250 million years ago a mass extinction occurred and nearly killed us all, we did not know it then but this affected our soul and our ability to evolve. It was about 150,000 years ago when apes started to walk upright and started to look like us and we started to enjoy there company. Basically life shaped humans into what we look like, some of us feared another mass extinction and gifted some human families with magic for showing character and using their own minds to help others, a rare sight back in those days. They were one of the first social animals, but unfortunately those first wizards are nearly all dead, now they average the same age as leahmen or non-magic folk .

And who were they? Elizabeth asked.

The Pendragon’s, the Beau’s the Davidson’s and of course the Brooks are remaining names of those first wizards and witches’. Some first wizards are about but they will all want to remain anonymous, we agreed that there power was to be kept a secret. Some wizards had children with non-magic folk but most of them don’t notice any magical powers, but some evolved and got stronger. The famous one was of course is Arthur Pendragon but he was not a wizard but we believe the Pendragon line is still about. Because his father hated wizards and because his brother ‘Edward’ was a wizard he fled to a place in Somerset. Merlin tried to help Edward with some things but Arthur always got in the way, Edward lived longer and should have become King. He was the unknown king and the true line of royalty. Merlin will never forgive himself because he feels he let the next in line to the throne down. Any way we must move now so get on the broom sticks and we will go, it won’t take long. Mmmm I must change into something more appropriate said Vicky. And with a wave of her wand she put on a leather jacket a blouse and blue jeans on"

Vicky waved her wand said Oxygen de tour and they all left.

They went across Snowdonia and passed the Old Church of Llangelynin, and went into the Holy Well of St. Celynin down into the well and close to the water they found a hidden cave just above the water at the bottom. There was a well used path, leading into another part of the cave Vicky stopped and said When you get your present just stroke the back of her ear it’s just a way of saying thank you to her.

They walked through and saw a dragon looking into a fish tank waving her claw around in it saying Now then George you must be careful you don’t want to annoy Jane she will eat you.

She came over and looked at Vicky and said Hello Hycinta, long time, no see. She was trying to wind Vicky up by calling her Hycinta.

Hi Emily, good to see you said Vicky ignoring her attempt to wind her up. This is the rabble then said Emily to Vicky.

Yes,

Hello all! My name is Emily. I would like to give you a present each, a marble Err a marble Said Alexandra as though it was of no value.

She looked into a small bowl and picked up a small aquamarine coloured marble out of a bowl she had next to her. This one helps you speak Whale and this one Latin oh and that yellow one helps you speak snail, they do gossip a lot though, very fast language that, you could quote the whole bible in about two minutes. So I want you to have a language in mind said Emily.

What about Ant or Greek languages? Said Alexandra.

Greek is a human language, just a creature language. But ant is an excellent choice said Emily.

Alexandra stroked Emily’s ear and said thank you very much. All the other students came and got their marbles. And Elizabeth last but certainly not least. What would you like? Says Emily.

Got something that has excellent vision said Elizabeth.

Well, the best are Unicorn’s vision but rare animals that. Try Virgil’s Falcon. Fast small and very hard to see. Millions of those about. They can see a mosquito from two miles away said Emily.

Never heard of them, but it sounds good thank you said Liz. Related to Velocerapter you know, falcons that is said Emily. Yes, I know said Elizabeth.

Looking at everyone Emily said Right then let’s talk about dynasties. Jerry butted in and asked What is that in the fish tank?

Oh you mean Excalibur, would you like to hold it? Don’t try to dry it Emily said insuring they would not cut themselves.

Oh yes said Jerry.

He put his hand in the fish tank and tried to take it. I can’t lift it said Jerry.

Emily put her claws in and lifted it out as though it was as light as a feather. Oh your useless hear you are. She gave it to him and it fell right through his hands. "Now you put a hole in the ground. Does not like you I suppose. Never mind. I’m glad you brought up Excalibur, this is the start of all royalty it is older than me and I’m very old. Made from the egg shell from one of the first dragons. I think the stone in the end is a pulsar but I maybe wrong. It was added to it just before it was given to the royal family. It is spinning round about 40,000 times a second. Usually it releases a bright light but in this case it’s direct down the length of the blade.

The handle is made of dragon skin. Only the stuff of dragons can with stand the force that is exerted by that stone at the end of the handle. We are not sure what it is" said Emily.

It’s very smooth and shiny said Jerry. Rub a bit harder said Emily. And he did so carefully.

Ah that’s it. See that. She pointed at some writing appearing down the length of the blade. This is carved with pure energy in the language of the dragons, ‘Caliburish’ and that is how it got its name Excalibur. It could only be written by the first few dragons because pure energy was being locked up in mass. The sword was handed down to the royal family in this solar system after the demise of another solar system. It has a mind of its own and only those of royal blood may weald it. It’s just that Jerry is so far from royalty he found it very heavy. Sorry Jerry. Don’t be misled royalty is so distorted on this planet. The real King does not know who he really is, except for two. There are twelve in line after him. If you go and tell him he is a King or his relations they won’t believe you because everyone around him is misled. It’s like religion and gossip it always gets distorted from one person to another. Faith in a deity often means you lose faith in your kin. Along with that, law becomes an Ass and a burden no one should carry. Now Elizabeth what do you need in life? said Emily.

Err, money said without really thinking about it.

That’s disappointing. Oliver what do you think said Emily. Women The ever one track mind of Oliver is all he would say. Very good and? said Emily surprised but pleased.

Love said Oliver.

Ah, the action of your souls, but beware, no trust, no love. But really you should have said children. The more you love your partner though the better the children, but children are very strong and soon they will be thinking for themselves. Alexandra what do you think? said Emily.

Food and water she said as though it had to be obvious. Excellent and what do you like to eat? said Emily.

Well, I like Octopus, it is something I tasted very recently and it surprised me how nice it really was said Alex.

It’s all right I suppose, and it is the law of the jungle to go forth and multiply within your basic capabilities, you don’t want to kill more than you can eat and that’s why Excalibur is a sword, a sword for your needs like food and water, a sword to protect life. All other laws are misleading, misused and downright disgusting in some cases. Law became law when the first man learned to eat too much for himself and then got greedy. That showed what their kin should eat and it became like gossip ‘corrupted’ the only law should be the law of the jungle and that should be the only one; faith in this is faith in your King not your God. Religious laws are misleading and make things much more complicated than they should be. No matter how well intended the laws are meant to be. It really is a guidance for your faith. You should never order faith and belief on others because it is for the individual choose, and the individual to implement and trust in someone they see and know, and must not be dictated. Wizards believe that if you can’t trust someone it is in the activity of water you must trust and have faith in; after all, life would not exist without water. It is the mover of solids. Things would lay flat and infertile without water, water made you and you evolved through growth and movement to what you are now. Each wand holds a few droplets of pure unblemished water of witch you lay your trust in and it will almost do what you want it to. Good wands are rare they must trust you if they do not they will not do their best for you. A good bloodline often helps but not always. So if you have a good blood line the better chance your magic will succeed. Of course all dynasties have their bad times even royalty. The real religion should be I believe water made me. Ideas came after that and so did laws. Knowledge came with telling your kin what to eat and the best way to get it which should be the most basic. Everything you eat was alive once. Killing for the sake of killing is like an eye for an eye it only makes the whole world blind and sterile. If you can pick a plum off a tree don’t ask someone else to do it for you. If you can’t catch a Cheetah with your own hands then you were not meant to eat it and I’m quite sure you were told to eat what your parents tell you. Thanks everyone I have enjoyed your company. Said Emily.

How is Pandora? Said Vicky.

She is fine doing well at school it won’t be long before she leaves now, her brother has gone potholing but he will not be back for long time yet, because setting up a martial art school, but the main reason I asked you to come over is Martine is on the move said Emily worried.

Vicky shuddered and said Does that mean I will have to get Nathan?

Yes, you got four days you don’t want Mystery walking around for too long it could become the end of human and wizard kind alike, he will give you some idea of what to do said Emily.

Vicky spoke to the students and said Now listen we must leave now and quickly, I must go to the Natural History Museum in London. Just get back on your broomsticks Emily will make sure you get back safely. Bye for now. She zoomed out as quickly as the broom would take her.

Emily said One moment everyone, I would like to say a few more words now Vicky has gone. She will need your help. Why’s that said Oliver?

"There is a creature, a creature of unbridled evil. With seven heads and seven characters her name is ‘Mystery’ because only one head is visible so take care of your marbles they will keep you sane should you see it. Mystery is the base unit of evil on this planet it has been around for nearly 65 million years. This thing is a distortion of all life; it rots life from the inside out and disturbs free will, at the moment she is in hiding in the sole of Martine Llewellyn, it just needed to be awoken by a very rare cosmic event which happened yesterday. Martine was a very nice person until then, she came from a long line of good witches and wizards. She was a natural and caring person. If you see her she has a mark on one of her feet, it looks as though you can see seven maggots crawling about inside her but actually they are heads digging into her. Martine will be dead in four days she would be a shell of what she was, but she will appear to look even more and more beautiful from the outside and the mark on her foot would have faded away, but inside she knows no good. Many years ago just after snowball Earth, wizards evolved but they all died in the great mass extinction except for a very few of which Vicky, Nathan and his highness the King and Elizabeth are the only descendants left. One of them gave me a Christian name. Vicky named me Emily, I loved it and now nearly all dragons have names now. There can be as many as 190 or more dragons in the universe. Each one has an element as a surname. There are two dragons for each element one male one female there are 92 naturally occurring elements so there are at least 184 of us around all the time, but we also go forth and multiply so if another Oxygen is born and if it is a girl I will give up the ghost and die not straight away though I will go around saying good bye to everyone and make sure the young one is doing okay, no need to but I would like to, with the time that’s left it will be about a week. We are usually named by the colour of our skin mine has a lot of red in it because it has a lot of oxygen in it; each element makes our skin vary in colour a little. Vicky christened me Emily; she said we can’t have 2 dragons with the same name so she called me Emily. I loved the idea it so much I treated her with a bit more power of magic and she was the very first witch and her loved one Nathan was the third after the king who became wizards. Soon a few others being gifted and it started to go to some of their children and soon became a gift some were born with. Virgil thought I should not have given them extra magical powers it was terrible thing to do, some of us liked it and some didn’t he got angry and caused a mass extinction that virtually killed all witches and wizards by throwing what is now Pluto at Uranus causing a sudden shift in the gravitational