The Warlocks Chair, Shropshire 1734.
Part way down the meadow that fronted Ravengaard Manor was a small copse of willow trees and a thick growth of low shrubs. Hidden within was a pool of crystal clear water. Its gently sloping banks were ringed with soft grass and clusters of tall reeds and irises grew around its edge. Water lilies dotted the pond's smooth surface, and the bowing fronds of the willow trees tenderly kissed the water.
The pool had been there for as long as anyone could remember. No one knew for sure why, but even in the hottest of summers, it did not dry up. Nor in the harshest of winters, did its surface ever seem to freeze. Some suspected it was nourished by a warm spring somewhere deep underground. Others warned of eerie cries and lights that plagued the area. Blaming magic and witchcraft, they stayed clear of the pool and its surroundings.
But for all that was said, be it the heat of summer or the cold of deep winter, an abundance of wildlife used the leafy shade of the willow trees to shelter from the elements. Spring saw birds using the overhanging trees and thick foliage to build their nests and raise their young. While beneath the pools surface frogs spawned among the strands of pondweed and tadpoles wriggled and tried to hide from the mouths of the many hungry fish that swam in its depths. In the soft earth amid the roots of one of the willows, a family of foxes had made their den and in the cool of the evening, the cubs could be spied playing catch me around the tree trunks and bushes.
It was mid-morning on an early summer's day; the rain of the previous days had given way to bright sunshine. Young Henry Harcourt shielded his eyes against the glare of the sun and squinted back towards the house. He saw his father deep in conversation with another man. Henry thought the man was in charge of the workmen who were putting the finishing touches to the renovation of the building. The original house had been almost destroyed by fire, and his father had brought the land relatively cheap. Now a new three-story house stood on the site, risen from the ashes of the old building. Its elegant limestone façade dazzled in the bright sunlight. It would soon be finished according to his father, and then they could all move from the bustle of the city and settle in the quiet of the country.
They had travelled from the city at the beginning of summer. Now they were staying at lodgings in nearby Coblynbridge until rooms in the house were completed so they could move in. Mother had stayed in the city making the final preparations for the sale of their home and the removal of their belongings from old to new.
Henry turned away from the house and gazed out over the valley stretching away in front of him. His eyes followed the dirt track from where he stood beneath the gate posts, down to the stone bridge that spanned the River Coblyn at the bottom of the slope. It sparkled, flowing off into the distance. The main road—after the recent rains—little more than a deeply rutted muddy trail, followed the course of the river towards the market town of Ludlow. The densely wooded slopes of the Wiccanhyll rose up almost opposite the house and to either side, the trees of Whytewytch Wood spread their green canopy almost as far as the eye could see. Farther out, he could just make out the figure of Farmer Price and his dog rounding up some sheep. He watched for a while seeing the dog zig and zag across the field in response to some unheard commands until the sheep were gathered into a tight pack flock.
Innocent laughter dragged him from his reverie. He turned and caught sight of his sisters chasing each other across the remains of the rose gardens.
They raced up to him. 'Come on Henry,' Dorothy breathed heavily. 'Join in, we are having fun.'
Dorothy was his older sister. At twelve, she was two years older than him. Slim and pretty, she was dressed in a simple cotton dress and petticoats that reached almost to her ankles with a pair of ornate slippers on her feet. A lace cap covered most of her mousey brown hair which was pulled back from her rosy-cheeked face.
The country air was doing her some good, he thought.
Dorothy or Dotty has he liked to call her, had been a sickly child. Life in the city had not been good for her, it had been part of the reason Mother and Father had decided on the move.
Alice joined them. She was dressed almost identically to her sister, except for the lacy cap. Ringlets of blond hair framed her freckled face. At nearly eight years old she was the youngest member of the family.
'I'm thirsty,' she called out eagerly. 'Can we go and get a drink?'
'Yes, of course. Come on, there's bound to be fresh lemonade in the house.' Dotty replied with a smile.
'But what about Father? He strictly forbade us from going into the house while the building work is going on.' Alice reminded her.
Dotty shook her head. 'I am sure he will not mind, given the heat of the day.'
'I have a better idea,' Henry put in. He pointed towards the small clump of trees part the way down the slope. 'There is a pool, cool water, all you can drink.'
Dotty shook her head again. 'Father said we were not to leave the gardens.'
Henry looked across to where his Father was still talking to the foreman, gesticulating towards the building as if pointing out some work that still needed doing. 'He seems busy, I do not think he will miss us for a moment,' he smiled. 'Come on.'
The girls hesitated for a few seconds; then giggling they followed their brother out into the meadow.
Henry skipped on ahead, his mop of dark curly hair bouncing in time to his movements. He wore a pale linen shirt and a pair of brown breeches that reached his knees. White stockings and black buckled shoes completed his outfit. He had discarded his waistcoat earlier when he had started to feel hot. It was now hanging somewhere in the garden. I must remember to pick it up when I get back, he thought.
Henry, the voice called out, startling him. It was so loud he instantly thought someone was stood beside him. He stopped and looked around, no one was there. His sisters were still some way behind him and he realized it had not been them calling out to him.
Henry, I have need of your help, the insistent voice came again.
'Who's there?' he shouted unsure if he was really hearing the voice. Maybe it was the heat, he thought. He had been out in the hot sun for a while.
'Whatever is the matter?' asked Dotty coming up beside him. 'You look like you have seen a ghost.'
'I do not know. I thought I heard someone call...' he started to say.
Children, hurry, I have need of your help.
Alice jumped at the sound. A look of nervous fear crossed her face.
'What is the ma...?' queried Dotty.
'You both heard it,' Henry whispered, interrupting her.
'Well I would not say I heard it...the voice...it appeared to be in my head,' Dotty answered a little hesitantly.
Do not be afraid, I mean you no harm.
Dotty was right, there was no sound, just a faint buzz that accompanied the mysterious voice.
Dotty spoke, trying to keep her words steady 'Who are you? What do you want?'
Come to the water, I will explain all to you there.
'No,' she shouted. 'Quickly back to the house.'
Dotty took hold of Alice's hand and turned to run, hoping Henry would follow. She had only taken a few steps when she sensed her brother was not with them. She turned back. To her horror, she saw Henry had continued his walk towards the trees. An odd stiff-backed walk, like he was no longer in control of his body.
'Henry,' she cried, running after him. She grasped his arm spinning him around. 'Henry, what is the matter?' she asked again.
She looked into his eyes and was met with a strange vacant expression. Dotty knew her brother no longer recognised her. He roughly pushed her aside, with greater strength than he should have possessed, and continued on.
'What have you done with my brother?' she called out.
Henry spun towards her. His eyes flickered, turning as black as coal. She stifled a scream.
His mouth opened.
The voice did not belong to her brother, instead, it was soft and sibilant. 'No harm will come to him if you do as I ask,' it warned.
'How do I know you are telling the truth when you are controlling his mind?'
'You must trust me. Come to the water's edge, I will explain everything.' said the voice.
Dotty was torn between running back to alert her father and staying with her brother. If she left Henry who knows what would have happened by the time they returned? She looked down at Alice who was still clinging to the skirt of her dress.
'Alice,' she whispered anxiously. 'Do you think you can run back and fetch Father?'
'Why? What is wrong with Henry? He is scaring me,' Alice said softly, her small face pale with fright.
Dotty forced a smile. 'He will be alright,' she told Alice. 'Go now quickly.'
'No, I cannot allow that,' hissed Henry.
Dotty looked at him a puzzled expression on her face. 'Why ever not? What are you going to do if she does go?'
Henry's black eyes fixed on her once more. 'It will be easy for me to stop her. But I would rather not...' the sentence was left hanging.
'Henry, please,' she shouted trying to break through whatever malady gripped her brother's mind. 'Please come back to us, it is Dotty and Alice, your sisters.'
He smiled reassuringly and for a moment Dotty thought she had reached him. But the dark eyes still surveyed her. 'You will soon have your brother back, unharmed, just come to the water.'
Dotty could see no other way. She could not risk going back and alerting her father, not with the unfinished threat hanging over them. Neither could she leave her brother on his own. She would have to trust whatever controlled her brother's actions. Trust that it would keep the promises it had made.
Henry continued his extraordinary walk towards the copse and the pond that was hidden in its midst.
They reached the trees and discovered a pathway that led them through the tightly packed shrubbery and brambles. The pond lay before them. It glistened in the sunlight that lanced down through the branches of the willow trees. Henry walked to the edge of the water and stared silently out across its smooth surface. Dotty and Alice stood beside him wondering what was about to happen. A movement caught Dotty's eye. She swung towards it, but it was just some dragonflies flitting around the reed beds. She looked down, pond skaters scudded between the patches of water lilies, and beyond them, even deeper in the crystal clear water she thought she saw something moving rhythmically. A flash of quicksilver. She looked again, trying to see past the reflections of the surrounding trees and bushes. Yes, something was down there, deeper than she thought possible in such a small pond. It appeared to be large and sinuous, and it was heading their way.
Dotty took a step back pulling Alice with her. She tried to tug Henry away from the pond's edge but even as she reached out to grab his arm he wrenched it away from her.
Then the surface of the pond exploded outwards. Large droplets of water showered them, soaking their clothes and blinding them for a second.
Dotty wiped a sleeve across her face, clearing the water from her eyes. She glanced briefly at Alice who had tripped and fallen backwards. Alice lay open-mouthed indicating towards something out in the pond. Dotty turned, following her sisters pointing finger.
She gasped.
There, its scales glinting bright silver in the dappled sunshine was a dragon.