Part Five: Gathering of the Protectors
The wind whispered through the trees, carrying with it a chill that lingered in the air. In the heart of the cemetery, Grimble stood by the ancient lantern he had lit hours before. The faint glow flickered in the darkness, a signal known only to those who understood its meaning. The Protectors were coming.
Grimble’s hollow eyes scanned the shadows. His skeletal hands fidgeted nervously, his decision weighing heavily on him. He had summoned the Protectors before, but never for something like this—never for outsiders.
A rustle of leaves caught his attention, and slowly, figures began to emerge. Mirelle Moonshadow was the first to appear, her wild hair tangled with twigs and her oversized glasses perched precariously on her nose. She gave Grimble a crooked smile as she approached.
“You don’t summon us lightly, Grimble,” she said, her voice sing-song and curious. “What’s got you so spooked?”
Before he could respond, more figures arrived. Nova, the enigmatic guardian of night and stars, stepped forward, her midnight cloak blending with the shadows. Nova moved with a fluid grace, her presence cool and commanding. Known to appear when the night was at its stillest, she watched from the darkness, guarding the celestial magic that coursed through the village.
Next was Marnie Wrapp, the ancient librarian of Hallowvale. She carried a tome under her arm, her sharp gaze sweeping the gathering. As the keeper of Hallowvale’s most dangerous and secretive texts, Marnie’s knowledge ran deep, and she had noticed the Scholar probing her restricted sections—a fact that left her uneasy. She tightened her grip on the tome, anticipating the discussion to come.
Finally, Cinders arrived, fluttering silently with his bat wings folded neatly behind him. The ever-loyal butler of Hallowvale, Cinders wasn’t merely a servant. As the primary tender of the manor house on the village’s edge—a structure shrouded in mystery and long untouched by outsiders—Cinders had a unique connection to the village’s secrets. His discreet observations and access to private conversations made his insights invaluable, though he rarely spoke unless necessary.
The Protectors had gathered.
Grimble swallowed nervously, his fingers twitching as he addressed the group. “The visitors,” he began, his voice low and hesitant. “They’re asking questions. Too many questions. They’ve been poking around the cemetery, asking about the village’s foundations. They’re… looking for something.”
Marnie’s eyes narrowed as she listened, her fingers tracing the edge of the tome she carried. “The foundations?” she repeated softly. “Few outsiders would know to ask about that. The Scholar has been in my library, and I’ve seen him with restricted texts—volumes that touch on the village’s original construction. But those books won’t give him what he’s truly after. They hint at the old magic, but the key details are scattered through other works, harder to find. They’re getting closer… but they’ll hit a wall soon.”
Nova’s gaze remained fixed on Grimble, her expression unreadable. “They seek the magic beneath the village,” she murmured. “They are more than curious travelers.” Grimble nodded. “The Scholar’s been asking about rituals. The Merchant has been probing for information from me, and the Apothecary... they’ve been spending too much time with Dr. Gloom.”
Cinders, who had remained silent until now, gave a small flutter of his wings and stepped forward with a graceful bow. His voice, soft yet clear, carried a quiet authority. “I’ve noticed the same,” Cinders said, his wings folding neatly behind him. “Dr. Gloom has never been one for discretion, but the Apothecary’s influence has changed things. Their discussions have become more... intense. Gloom may not realize it, but I fear the Apothecary has a hidden motive.”
Cinders' observations carried weight. His role as the quiet observer at the manor, a place of whispered secrets and forgotten history, had provided him with insight few others had. His presence in meetings was often understated, but never without importance.
Nova’s eyes gleamed darkly. “The Apothecary is different. They don’t seek knowledge for the same reasons as Gloom.”
Mirelle frowned and cast a glance toward Nova and Cinders. “This isn’t idle curiosity. They’re after something deeper. Something dangerous.”
The group fell into a contemplative silence. Nova’s gaze remained fixed on the sky, as if drawing energy from the stars above. “We must be cautious,” she said, her voice cool and measured. “The magic they seek is old—far older than most here realize. If they uncover it, the balance will be disrupted.”
Marnie’s fingers tightened around her tome. “There are texts they cannot be allowed to find. They’re probing places that should remain hidden. The volumes they’ve accessed offer hints, but none of them contain the full answers. If they keep searching, they’ll stumble onto something dangerous.”
Cinders fluttered his wings gently, his expression thoughtful. “Dr. Gloom is clever, but he’s easily swayed by ambition. The Apothecary has been steering him toward something dangerous. I overheard them discussing the village’s magical foundations. They seem eager to manipulate Gloom’s experiments.”
Grimble, despite his nerves, spoke firmly. “We can’t let the visitors get any closer. They’re already asking too many questions about the magic beneath the village. If they find something they shouldn’t…”
Mirelle smiled at him softly. “You’ve always been cautious, Grimble, but you’re right to be concerned this time. I think they’re after more than just a passing interest in the village’s magic.”
The group exchanged glances. Nova stepped forward slightly, her form seeming to melt into the shadows. “We will observe them closely,” she said. “They won’t know they’re being watched.”
Mirelle’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “I have a few tricks of my own if we need to scare them off.”
Cinders nodded in agreement, his wings fluttering as he considered the situation. “We need to keep an eye on Gloom as well. His trust in the Apothecary has made him vulnerable. They’re leading him into dangerous territory.”
Marnie’s voice remained steady, though her tone was resolute. “We’ll watch over the places where the oldest magic sleeps. If the visitors get too close, we’ll act.”
Nova nodded. “We aren’t powerless. The night will protect what belongs to Hallowvale.” Grimble, despite his anxieties, felt a flicker of reassurance. The Protectors would keep their silent vigil. But he knew it wouldn’t be long before the visitors pushed too far.
As the meeting concluded, the Protectors began to dissolve back into the shadows. Marnie lingered near the cemetery gates, her eyes sweeping over the gravestones as though reading hidden stories etched in each one. “You did the right thing calling us, Grimble,” she said quietly. “But this is just the beginning.”
Cinders, his bat wings folded neatly, fluttered up beside Grimble. “I’ll keep a close eye on Gloom. He’s more at risk than he realizes. The Apothecary is leading him down a dangerous path, and we can’t let them succeed.”
Grimble nodded, though unease still lingered in his bones. He had done his part, but the true challenge still lay ahead.
Nova remained on the outskirts, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon. “They’re searching for something they don’t understand,” she murmured, her voice barely audible. “But we do. And we’ll be ready.”
The Protectors disappeared into the night, their silent watch just beginning.
Learn more about the characters of Hallowvale and purchase exclusive merchandise at loreandlatitude.com