New Beginnings
Chapter 2

Helga, Rhiannon, and Modron rode in silence through the night. It was well into the next day before they finally stopped in a meadow to rest.

“Helga,” Rhiannon said, rousing the girl from a light slumber, “You can get up and walk around. We’ll have something to eat.”

Helga wiped the remnants of sleep from her eyes. “How much longer until we’re there?” she asked groggily.

“We still have a long while,” said Rhiannon, “But don’t worry we’ll get there eventually.”

“Where are we going exactly?” asked Helga.

Modron snorted in disgust. Helga cowered a bit. But Rhiannon gently said, “We’re going to the Glen. It’s been the home of the Priestesses of the Raven ever since they came to this land thousands of years ago. It’s an ancient forest, very beautiful.”

“I don’t understand,” said Helga, “Who are the Priestesses of the Raven?”

Rhiannon put her arm around Helga’s shoulder and led her off the cart, away from Modron’s glare.

“Helga,” she said as they sat down on a thatch of thick grass, “The Priestesses of the Raven are an order of warrior witches formed long ago by the Amazons to fight Dark Wizards and monsters. We are the only ones left. You’ll learn the history soon enough. Would you like something to eat?”

Helga nodded. Rhiannon took out her wand and waved at the cart. A loaf of break and a flask of water floated into her hands. Helga ate quietly, all the while studying her aunt’s features. Like Helen, Rhiannon had brown eyes and brown hair that curved around her face. Rhiannon’s hair was a bit longer though. Her face was thinner too. Helga marveled at how much she looked like the two women.

“Aunt Rhiannon,” began Helga, but she stopped abruptly.

“What do you want to ask, dear?” Rhiannon said.

“Am I going to be a servant?” Helga said hurriedly.

Rhiannon paused for a moment. Then she stroked Helga’s cheek. “Of course not. Why would you think that?”

Helga looked at the ground. “Last night I heard my mother say I was going to be Rowena’s servant. Who’s Rowena?”

Rhiannon laughed. “Rowena’s my daughter. She’s eleven too, but a few months older than you are. You’ll be her friend, I hope, but not her servant.”

Helga shyly smiled. She never had a friend before. “What’s she like?”

Rhiannon chuckled to herself. “Rowena is… hard to describe. She’s one of a kind.”

From the cart, Modron called out, “Rhiannon! Come here!”

Rhiannon pursed her lips. “You stay here, Helga. I’ll be back.”

Helga sat and watched Rhiannon hurry over to the cart. The women started to talk. Despite being a good distance away, Helga heard their conversation. She tried not to let them know, so she looked ground.

“What is it, Mother?” Rhiannon said.

“I’ve been using the Sight while you’ve been playing with the girl,” said Modron.

“She’s your granddaughter, as much as Rowena is,” snapped Rhiannon.

“I suppose, but that’s not important,” said Modron, “A new Dark Wizard has emerged from the pack. His name is Salazar Slytherin and he comes from the western fens in the Britons’ country.”

Rhiannon sighed. “And what are we supposed to do?”

“Nothing yet,” said Modron, “As long as the Gryffindor clan rules from Hogwarts Castle, the Dark Wizards are no threat to us. But I’m warning you now, we’ve turned our attention away from the outside world for too long. That must change immediately.”

“Yes, Mother,” said Rhiannon.

“No, girl, you don’t understand,” hissed Modron, “Your fool sister was so determined to be out of my influence that she moved into unprotected territory. Neither the Gryffindors nor I have any authority here. I want us to leave now so that no one notices our presence. And no more stopping until we reach the Glen.”

Rhiannon went to fetch Helga. “We have to go,” she said.

Helga did not argue, nor did she ask questions though she was afraid. As she walked back to the cart, she noticed a badger burrowing into a small mound. It looked exhausted. She threw the remains of her bread near it. The badger stopped digging, turned around, and ate the bread.

Modron took control of the cart and urged the two horses into a gallop. Every few hours, she murmured some muted words and the tiring horses regained their strength. All throughout the night Modron repeated the spell. By the next day, late in the afternoon, the three travelers arrived at a forest that Helga was certain only they could see.

“This is the Glen, Helga,” said Rhiannon. “I imagine Rowena is waiting for us.”

Helga followed her aunt and grandmother out of the cart. The horses were unhinged and cooled down. They disappeared into the trees. The cart itself vanished almost as soon as the horses were out of sight.

Together the three travelers entered the forest. Helga looked around. I’ve seen this place in my dreams, she thought to herself, I think it’s home.

As Helga was led further and further into the Glen, she looked around to see the forest animals staring at her. Birds flew around Modron without fear and the smaller woodland animals curiously sniffed at the newcomer’s feet.

“They won’t hurt you,” Rhiannon said, “They’re just curious.”

Helga spotted a small hut amidst the trees.

“Are we going to that house?” she asked.

“Yes, Helga,” said Rhiannon. “That will be your home for the next few years at least. Don’t worry. It looks small, but it’s quite comfortable.”

Helga stared in awe. As they approached the hut, Rhiannon cupped her hands to her mouth and called out, “Rowena! Come out here. We’ve returned.”

Helga felt the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. At that moment she hated all flying things.

A figure emerged from within the hut and Helga gasped to catch her breath. She assumed that Rowena would look like her, Rhiannon, and Helen. But the girl standing before her looked nothing like what she had imagined. Rowena was tall and slender, she looked far older than eleven. Her long, flowing black hair contrasted starkly with her fair skin and white robes. Her green eyes seemed to see through everyone, and there was a haughty look on her face. Even Modron seemed less regal in Rowena’s presence. Helga thought she was the most beautiful girl in the world.

Rowena stared at Helga, who instinctively edged behind Rhiannon.

“Who is she?” Rowena demanded in an icy tone.

“This is your cousin, Helga, my sister’s daughter,” Rhiannon said, “She has the Gift too, and she’s going to learn with you.”

Rowena narrowed her eyes. “I don’t want her here,” she said, “Take her back.”

“Rowena,” said Rhiannon, “She needs to be here.”

“She doesn’t belong in the Glen,” Rowena responded.

Modron stepped forward. There was rage in her face. Helga was certain that Rowena would back down, but the girl just stared into her grandmother’s eyes.

“She stays here, and you will live with that,” said Modron.

The two women stared at each other for many moments. “Fine,” said Rowena angrily. But she continued to glare at her grandmother. In the end, it was Modron who turned away. Rowena went back into the hut.

“Give her time to adjust to the change,” whispered Rhiannon.

Helga was crestfallen. She had hoped Rowena would be a friend. Now she just wanted to return to the Broad Valley and her parents’ house.