“You are a cold…monstrous…bully! You don't care about anyone except yourself. You're an evil brat!” he screamed as he slammed the front door.

Shaman Lumos threw his cloak onto an overstuffed chair and tossed his walking stick against an end table. He slumped into the soft fabric. Taking off his brown hat, he rubbed the top of his head and stared at the quiet fireplace. After a few moments he reached for the engraved stick and shook it at the stack of logs. Crackle sounds filled the room and sparks flew up the chimney. The magical staff fell to the rug below.

Twenty minutes later, he was still focused on the fire. The wrinkles on his face deepened as he whispered, “I understand the need for power the Order wants. I wish the rest of the Brown Hats could realize this. This time…this time…Dark Sisters have gone too far. Demanding that our community grow crops for them for free. Who do they think they are? They are lazy. They think that their connection to the cosmos makes them more powerful than me. Ha! The joke is on them. I can and will use the spirits. I get it that not everyone understands there is a difference between the women who wear purple hats. Some are kind and caring. The rest are in the Order and are evil.”  

Rising out of the chair and picking up the magical stick, he went over a large round oak table and sat down. In the middle of the table were several objects. He grabbed a stone the size of a man’s fist and placed it close. Engraved in its middle was the rune of Pluto. Holding the stick over the stone he closed his eyes. Softly, he began to chant in words unknown to most while moving the stick back and forth. Then he gently tapped the stick on the floor three times and called out, “Spirits from my past, speak now!”  

A smoky haze developed and swirled around the room. Several voices began whispering through the air. It was difficult to tell how many there were or if they were male or female.
The haze separated into three clouds that floated around. One was green and gave off a juniper odor. One was bronze and smelled of vanilla as it floated. The third was a dark amber color and gave a scent of burnt wood. 

A moment of silence was broken by a voice announcing through the green mist, “Not surprising, here we are again.”

“I completely agree with you Trebus,” replied Jatzeka, in a deep raspy voice coming through the amber cloud.

A female voice calmly said through the third cloud, “Lumos dear, you need to remember to stay in control. It does you no good to explode.”

Trebus chimed back in, “Yes, Calasa he needs to manage his emotions. We must expect the Order of the Dark Sisters to have some kind of retaliation. I think he went too far with his insults.”

Shaman Lumos frowned and answered, “Sure, but you all have to admit that Head Sister Buvessa gets on everyone's nerves. She is such a narcissistic brat.” 

Trebus said, “I concur, but Lumos, you called her that and much more in front of the entire Order. She will want revenge.” 

Calasa replied, “I am worried about your safety.”

Shaman Lumos asked, “What does everyone think the Order is planning? It can’t be good.”

Trebus responded, “Yes, knowing Buvessa likes to use fire. I think she will burn something.”

“My guess is they will go after the crops around the Brown Wizard Delta,” answered Jetzeka.

Caslasa chimed in, “They will probably try to do something to Lumos first.”

Jatseka said, “I agree, he needs to protect the farms and himself. What spells do we recommend he use?” 

The spirits and Lumos argued back and forth until Trebus announced, “Yes, it will be fun to watch them bounce off an invisible wall and then forget what they are doing. This will be fun. The decision is settled then. You should get ready and leave soon. The Order will not be sitting around.”

Jatzeka explained, “We will be at your side, but you must produce most of the power. Be prepared for anything.”

Calasa chimed in, “Be careful, my dear.” 

“I will mom,” Lumos answered. Before he could say anything else, the room filled with a haze and was silent. 

 A long exhale was released into the room and Lumos got up and went over to a cupboard. Holding several items he came back. Moving a marble mortar from the middle of the table, he put it next to the rune of Pluto. Several kinds of dried leaves were dropped into the bowl. Then he added some purple powder and some sand that glittered like gold. Using a pestle he crushed everything together. Then he picked up the large stone and placed it on top of the mixture. His stick moved over the objects as he muttered some words that seemed to come out of his soul.

The entire mixture turned dark brown like the color of rich soil. Looking down at the bowl, a slight smile came across his face. The stone was placed back on the table. After pouring the contents of the bowl into a small sack, he tapped it with his stick and it tied itself shut. 

Looking over at his bed, he gave a high-pitched whistle.  A brown rat came out from under the bed and sat up like a dog. He was wearing armor and had a sword engraved with ancient woodland fairy symbols.

“Nix, I know you have been listening. I am going to need your help with these spells.”

The rat nodded and said, “I am ready. Let’s go.”

Standing up, Shaman Lumos grabbed his walking stick and went over to put on his dark green cloak. Out into the darkness he went. The rat followed close behind. 

After a few steps, the smoke hit their senses before they could see the fire.