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Excerpt From: The Templar Knight, Book One: A Witch Spell by jangeo Pinkerton Chapter Fourteen All Hallows Eve
He remembered Alpin’s warning the night before. Harboring such thoughts, Bret wanted to stay in a sober mood. But could he? "All Hallows Eve—my birthday—and the new wine all awaits me," he said. He supposed the wizard was at his cottage studying his divination, and natural magick of the heavens and earth. Alpin’s voice went through Bret’s mind. Beware, on this night, the veil between the physical world and spiritual world will be at its thinnest. Bret felt the presence of someone, then heard a voice. “‘Tis known among the ancients that on the night of Samhain, the dead walks through the veil to enter our world.” Alpin said. He appeared magically beside Bret. Josephus, Bret's kinsman, carried two silver goblets, and a small platter of pastry. Two skins of sack draped over his shoulder. He handed Bret a goblet. “Why all this talk of the dead, Magick Man? Have the spirits got you restless on this eve?" Josephus bit into a strawberry tart with his strong teeth. Bret reached for a tart. "Um, tasty," he said. He reached for the skin of sack to pour some wine. “’Tis nothing here to concern spirits. Nay, Magick Man. The dead have no business here,” Bret said. “Agreed my knight—but demons and devils do! Indeed they do! They are always busy, going about to stir things up, wicked things,” the wizard replied. He raised his head to the sky. He pointed to the heavens with his staff, and the blue crystal ball lit up. Roman, his dog barked loud. “Aye, a sign from the Merlin! See before you now, a sign of great trepidation!” Bret and Josephus studied the sky at the wizard’s request, and saw only the first star of the night breaking through the dim sky to reveal its tiny light. “’Tis the first star Wizard. Nothing more,” Bret said. Unconcerned, he reached for another pastry. “Nay, Sir Knight. ‘Tis the last star of the night appearing as the first. ‘Tis not Phosphorus, the evening star. Nay, this is the last star to appear on the night sky—and lo there.” The wizard took a breath. “The Dog Star, Sirius, moves beside it now. Can you not see this?” he asked. “Oh, dear me, the whole land of Egypt will be out of order this night.” The wizard’s eyes grew big , and his voice trembled. “This night is hexed, and I fear this whole village is cursed.” Alpin the Wizard, turned, and clutched his staff tight. “I must make haste to the cottage to act upon me alchemy." He trotted away from the knights. "I fear the witch Zarelda is behind this,” Alpin said. “Oh, indeed she is.” “By the Greek gods!” Josephus declared, with his mouth full of pastry. “Fear not,” Bret assured his kinsman. “Alpin loves to be surrounded by his written works and chemical mixtures.” Bret laughed. “’Twill make his evening more exciting.” Bret turned to face the tiny twinkling stars, and felt a sudden knot tighten inside his gut. What was Zarelda up to now? he wondered. Nevertheless, she was not that powerful. Bret doubted she could handle more than a few simple love potions, or could she? Josephus spoke. “Remember that night at Zarelda’s cottage? A demon, in the form of some dark spirit was summoned up.”
© 2000jpinkerton
To read more about Bret de Colville you can order the book, The Templar Knight, Book One: A Witch Spell, at the following: Contact Author @ jcamdenpink@embarqmail.com
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1302 October 31 
