A Scary Tale - Part Three

All Hallows Eve.... Time is Up!

It was the Very End of the Afternoon, Dear Readers, when Guard Ian set off from the Castle with the Children. He carried them astride Ghost Rider, the Stoutest Horse in the Stables. They rode like the wind as the day drew to a close.

They passed a Dark Forest and continued on, ever on.....

As Dusk closed in around them.....

Heading for the Gates of Time.....

Where Guard Ian must Go No Further.....

And the Children Must wait Alone!

For the Forces of the Ages were Stirring, this All Hallows Eve! 

A Storm was Coming.... the Winds were Rising.....

And the Veils of Time were Opened Wide!

Travelers Must be Wary ..... or Find themselves Lost amid the Years....

With No Guide Home.....

Even as the Children Reach the Gates, 

Deep in the Caverns below the Castle, 

The Wizard and Old Meg are Casting the Spell....

Dipping the Chalice of Time deep into the Simmering Waters

And Pouring it into a Crystal Phial.....

"And with the Phial take these Three seeds.... 

they must be dipped in the waters of the phial and fed to the Child....." said the Wizard.

"It is Essential that she eat all three seeds for the charm to take effect! 

The Creatures will be able to feed them to her and she will remember them no more!"

It is completely Dark by the Time Clarence and Snowy approach the edge of the woods where the Gates of Time are Open! Clarence has no Idea that such a place exists... but he has complete Faith that Snowy will track the Children down...

Tommy is looking anxiously for any sign of his Father arriving... 

but at first when he sees a light approaching in the distance.....

He thinks for a Moment that ......

A Horrid Specter is approaching.....

But then Caroline cries out "Papa, Papa...We are here!"

And suddenly There is Snowy leaping on him and Papa with a Lantern... 

and Tommy is Sure that everything will be alright...!

But then Papa says "Where is Beatrice...?"

And Caroline bursts into tears!

But Snowy is racing ahead of them and Barking.....

So there is no time for questions or explanations.... 

they simply Must follow him as quickly as they can!

Meanwhile at the Cottage, Hazel and Agatha have gone to Summon Help!

They stand by the Garden Fountain and gaze into it's depths....

This is the Mystical Fountain of Seeing... 

where the stars are reflected in the waters...... 

even on a Starless night.....

And that which you Think you see......

Is that which you WILL see.....

They gaze into it together and think of Old Meg....

And they are Not at all Surprised when she is suddenly With them!

Old Meg takes the Crystal Phial and pours the Potion over the seeds....

Carefully letting the Charmed Water fall back into the Fountain.....

Then she takes the seeds.... 

and follows Samuel Whiskers and Anna Maria to their Home in the Tree.....

Where she finds Beatrice cozily seated in their kitchen....

She gives the seeds to Anna Maria.....

Who Very Politely asks Beatrice if she would Please eat the seeds...

as they are Sure to help her feel better....

Beatrice is Not so Sure.... she doesn't think Anything can make her feel better... 

she just wants to go home to her own little bed.... 

but she doesn't want to refuse such a kind offer...

So she takes the seeds....

And she eats two of them 

before she remembers that she probably shouldn't be eating Strange foods from even Stranger creatures....

So she pretends to eat the rest but really spits one out.....

And then Old Meg calls her to come outside to sit with her....

Where her Father will be able to find her.....

 And Beatrice thinks that would be a good idea....

And she won't mind waiting in the dark if she is not alone....

Old Meg says not to worry... nobody can see her..... 

And before they can even get tired of waiting... 

Suddenly there is Snowy jumping up and licking her face...

And in another minute there is Papa with a Lantern.....

And he picks her up and holds her close......

and Beatrice Knew there was no better feeling in the World than her Papa's arms....!

And then Tommy picked up the lantern and they set off for home.....

With Snowy leading the way.....

His white tail waving like a flag in the wind....

The Storm was coming...... But they would make it home in time...

Because This All Hallows Eve.....

They had Time on their side!