The Vanished Flame

Spot of goose feather, the snout of a pig, the skin of a turnip, the bill of a duck, a hint of heather, warts of toads, silky worms, and sacred bark from a tree show the magic of the flame, wields its power as it may. All the witches chanted in the circle as they have always done.

The Penta Coven was filled with since the secret flame first glowed in the coven. The first chosen witches were performing their magic to start. This has always been their home for their magic.

Suddenly, this day, the light went out. All started to panic as the secret flame snuffed out as it started. Their magic was gone.

Rowena, the head witch, screamed, "Grab the candles so we see now, witches."

All scattered for the smaller candles and felt around for the matches. It was pure darkness, and many feared spirits lurking for them.

Each bumping into the other finally found the supply room and gathered candles and matches. The first light was more useful as they came out to bring the remaining candles. This coven had been around for some time, and the flame had always been their guiding light, but now the mystery had begun.

Flames appeared in the darkness as the thirteen looked around. The lack of light was one of many problems. Their spell had not worked, and the magic was gone. The room was lit by candles as they searched for the compound. Each room for its elements had not been touched, and a small chant produced no more magic. The room filled with fear, and they entered the coven circle again with their burning incense to bring back their mighty light. The candles flickered in the ring as they started to chant. The mixing of such items was put in the caldron as they made pleas to the light to return.

The tail of a snake, the tooth of a shark, the tongue of a cow, a strand of horse tail braided, some drops of ginger, and the legs of a spider may bring back the magic flame and send it bursting forth. All chanted, yet the flicking was the only light in the room.

Their faces turned white as they were confused in their predicament. Only if the truth could be found in the minds. All sat in their circle, looking at each other, but no one could speak. The silence was felt around the room as Rowena started to collect her thoughts.

"We need to consider what had turned out our light of magic," Rowena commented.

Another witch, Willow, replied," It could be one of us who has cursed our magic and brought this ill fate upon us."

"You can be right, and a traitor might be among us in this coven," Cassandra accused the group.

All looked around with accusatory stares at who could have destroyed the magic they all loved. Each started screaming at the other with their accusations. It was the loudest in the glow, and many were threatened with violence against each other. Rowena yelled at the top of her lungs to calm the ladies down.

"This is not the behavior condoned in this place," Rowena exclaimed. "Each witch will be interrogated for this loss of the magic."

Samara was first put in the center of the circle with the many questions, but she broke down wailing. "I have nothing to do with this; I have always been faithful to this coven."

Endora was in the circle and held her own with competent answers but swore she had nothing to eliminate the target as she revealed her oath to them.

Cordelia was the defiant one but held her position, but many did not believe her, but it was another's turn.

She was proud and refused to answer the many questions of the other witches.

Sybil started begging for mercy and quickly answered their inquisition. She was falling all over the floor and was barely believable to some. Each said they had not destroyed the magic that bound them. Sybil did beg the most, but the rest of the coven needed help finding the interrogation profitable.

"No one is going to admit they were the one, no matter who is in the circle," retorted Morgana.

"She might just be right, and without our magic, the lies are too difficult to see," Rowena answered.

"Let us try another chant to find the traitor," Agnes replied.

All gathered their candles and rejoined the circle for yet another chant.

Wax of candles, rain from clouds, spruce from ash from the volcanic mouth, blood from a horse's heart, flecks of gold for the king's crown, where there is a disturbance in the magic realm to find the traitor among us. All sang, but still no answer or might magically flame.

The witches' faces were starting to realize that it was not coming back so quickly. The candle's wax dripped as the objects began to disappear. Some more were brought out, and the witches sat in their circle pondering.

Celeste declared, "Maybe it is not one of us but a cursed object that has taken our magic away."

"She might just have a point, and maybe we can search our rooms for such an object," Hazel spoke.

"I do agree it might be a cursed item in our midst, and we should split up to look for it," Rowena concluded.

Sabrina and Lydia climbed on shelves while Willow swept a broom under the tables. Each search to find the horrible thing that stole their power. Many rooms were filled with magical items for centuries of use. Some newer, yet some older, were studied, and yet nothing out of the ordinary was found. The supply room was barely lit, but still, the compound was secure. The draperies and books were studied to the last nail on bookshelves.

Each searched their section to the best of their ability, yet the light never reappeared. The tears were there as all reported back to Rowena with the bad news.

Lights appeared in the circle again after many hours of searching. The magic loss was actual, and yet it had lasted so long. If it did not come back, what would the coven do with all the great power it once wielded. The witches whispered to what else could cause such a disturbance.

"Maybe another chant is all that is needed in this dire time," Rowena choked on her words.

Pearl from the ocean, the eye of man, tears of a phoenix, breath of ghost, hair of centaur, liver of goat, slither of wood, sea glass from the beach, the core of a peach, may the magic please return and end this concern. All the witches sang the chant again.

The candle stood still with no light from it again. The voices became shaky after the resolve could not be found to find the cause. The place was searched with nothing to show. Even the pentagram was examined by Rowena herself. The magical elements were listed, and yet, no one could not find anything wrong with them. Lydia was sitting with her eyes on the ground. Her mind was wondering about the events of the day.

She stood with her melting candle and announced, "Remember Juniper before she mysteriously died, threatened to exact her revenge on this coven."

All looked scared of the crazy witch who was found dead. Her cause was never determined and yet was forgotten. The faces became more nervous as they thought of Juniper's revenge. All knew of that unstable witch and her plans to hurt others. All had forgotten the time of disturbance. Her will was evil, and her actions cruel. After her unforeseen death, it seemed that that curse had been over. Now, with the magic gone, it was not boding well with her spirit roaming. Each just sat in the circle, hoping the light would turn itself right on. If that evil witch had taken the magic, there was nothing that they could do.

"Maybe we could look at her resting place and magical elements and make sure they are not cursed," Cassandra responded.

"That is a good idea to check anything of hers," Rowena insisted.

That room was searched and between the dust and wood. All the elements were examined by Rowena herself. Each was chanted over with no resolve. This day has been a long one with burning through many candles. Her chamber was searched, but nothing out of the ordinary. The awful draperies hung in disarray as they all gathered in the circle again for one last try for another chant.

Scales of fish, wings of a bird, pomegranate seeds, stinger of a bee, shells from the sea, beard of a goat, tail of a fox, guts of a beetle, white sands aglow, bubbles blown, what is the curse here being person or thing. Please show us the destroyer of the coven force.

The flame flickered and then went out without regard to the pleas. All shuttered but could not hold their fear. The quiet room was eerie as the witches gathered and gave up for the day. Everything they tried did not work. Nothing could bring back their magical flame as they had spent the day with their melodies. The flames were still flickering, but it was another day to try to get around the magic.

The magic went as it came as a mysterious flame. It came from where it came. It may return someday. When will it come back as well? No one can tell.