Chapter Text
CHAPTER 28: THE WUNDROUS SOCIETY
Morrigan wore dark purple pyjamas with slippers and a robe to bed. She lay on the top of the bed reading. She must have fallen asleep because the next thing she knew she was standing in the dark in the cold. She gasped. Cadence said, ‘It’s okay Morrigan, we are here too’ Morrigan’s heart was racing. She looked around. Hawthorne, Cadence, and Noelle were with her.
The other children looked at her confused. The tall redheaded girl that fought a troll said, ‘I am assuming this is the inauguration ceremony’ she looked at Morrigan ‘Why are you here?’ Morrigan said ‘I am sure they will explain. I was accepted as a tenth member of unit 919 before the trials started’ Hawthorne said ‘Morrigan is special. You will understand that soon. Shall we go in, its cold out here’ They nodded, and Hawthorne opened the gate.
It was strange. Society members were perched in the trees chanting the words to the brothers and sisters for life pledge they all had to learn. They saw an elephant and a dragon wrote all ten of their names in dragon fire. They headed up to Proudfoot House and Morrigan was relieved to see Jupiter standing on the steps with the other patrons and the Elders. Baz Charlton was looking furious. Morrigan smiled at Jupiter. They recited the oath.
Elder Quinn said ‘We welcome unit 919 officially to the Wundrous Society. I am sure you will have all noticed that unit 919 has a tenth member?’ They all looked at Morrigan. ‘Morrigan is a very special person. The W imprint on your fingers indicates that you are a member of the Wundrous Society. Morrigan’s turned up at the Wundrous Welcome Picnic’ there were gasps from some of the patrons. ‘People like Morrigan have always been automatic members of the Wundrous Society. Morrigan is a Wundersmith’ There was muttering and gasps. Some of the children looked terrified.
An older woman came up to Morrigan. ‘How do you know?’ She grabbed Morrigan’s face. Morrigan slapped her hand away. She said to the Elders ‘Shall I do some fiery birds?’ Elder Quinn smiled ‘Go ahead Morrigan’ Morrigan called wunder and the children backed away from her. She sent her fiery crows flying around. Hawthorne clapped ‘That was amazing!’
The older woman said ‘But she is clearly dangerous. Why have her in with the other children?’ Elder Quinn said ‘Hesta, Morrigan has more right to be here than any of us. The school of Wundrous Arts is reopening after being closed for over one hundred years. If any child wishes to relinquish their place in unit 919, you need only hand over your W pin. There will be no hard feelings and we will wish you luck in your future endeavours’.
No one stepped forward. Elder Quinn said ‘The fact that Morrigan is a Wundersmith needs to remain a secret for now. Anyone who is found to have told someone will be removed from the Wundrous Society. Scholar or patron!’ Baz looked murderous. Morrigan used truth veil. He hated Jupiter and was jealous that he was the one that had found Morrigan.
Noelle put her arm through Morrigan’s and smiled at her. Cadence hooked her other arm. Baz looked shocked. He said, ‘She’s influencing my scholars!’ Noelle laughed ‘She’s my cousin you doofus, and Cadence and Hawthorne have been friends with her all year’.
Patrons took their scholar’s home. Morrigan and Jupiter stood and chatted. Cadence and Noelle reluctantly went with Baz. Naan looked at Morrigan and smiled ‘Wundersmith, I didn’t expect that! I heard the angel Lucifer is teaching you piano and voice?’ Morrigan smiled ‘He is’.
Morrigan asked ‘What time does school start?’ Elder Quinn answered, ‘Your transport will pick you up at 8am’ she said, ‘I am sorry about all the fear Morrigan’ Morrigan nodded ‘I will just have to show them that they don’t need to be afraid of me’.