Chapter 21 ~ The Second Meeting.

Blinking, Karil sat up sleepily before thoughts began rushing into his head. Then, in a flurry of movement, Karil found himself, standing in the domitory with a dressing gown and shoes on. He was so tired his instincts seemed to have dressed and readied him for his night walk. Ly dragged his friend downstairs, Karil shaking his head to clear his mind on the way. Once outside the common room, however, they both became silent, padding along the stone corridors and down the creaking staircases like hunting cats.

They'd been watching Maurelle each evening for a month, carrying out Ly's previous plan by taking turns to hide behind a cabinet in the common room each night in case she slipped out to meet Mirror again. For ages they hadn't got anything, Maurelle seeming to have lost contact with the Mirror, and that night Ly had almost fallen asleep at his post due to lost hopes on the matter. But now, their waiting had apparently been worth it.

Karil hadn't spoken much at all with Maurelle over those last four weeks of spying. Whenever he saw her a blush rushed to his cheeks and his heart rate seemed to increase. Not that he'd said anything to Ly, which was unusual for Karil but necessary - otherwise his best friend would goggle at him in shock and speak those alarming words that came often to Karil's brain.

''You fancy her!''

Once again forcing the statement to the back of his mind, Karil ploughed on to over take Ly and open the small back door that lead to the short, rolling meadow that bordered the Forbidden Forest. Fuelled by annoyance at the self-accusation still echoing in his mind, Karil gained quite a speed as they followed the faint red-cloaked figure that was Maurelle.

Not a word was spoken between the two boys as they crossed the frosty plain and slipped into the forest. Perhaps it was the intruding feeling that followed the boys in a guilty cloud, or maybe simply the weariness of them both. The silence still hadn't been broken by the time they were safely hidden in the trees and watching the meeting between the two young women take place.

''Maurelle my sister, you need not doubt me.'' Mirror addressed Maurelle. A shiver ran down Karil's spine as the inevitable sibling name rang round his head. Mirror was Morgause all over again, desite the sisterly address being inaccurate, seeing as Maurelle was technically centuries older than Mirror and only related distantly.

Then he paused as he watched Maurelle's expression. She was unsure of Mirror's plans. Was there a glimmer of hope to be seen?

''Many of my witches are workers at the ministry, even now at least one will be working on the plans to take down many of this county's defences. Quite a few are very close to the minister, helping him by corrupting the laws.'' Mirror seemed to be trying to assure Maurelle that all plans were progressing well. The bad knows was that Maurelle was believing it. 

Karil did. Mirror wouldn't make these claims without reason. It sent more panic into Karil. This was getting serious. It wasn't just the death of Merlin that could occur, the slaughter or enslavement of many others may happen also. If Mirror's information was true, then it meant ultimate disaster for the country. 

Maurelle was now smiling slightly, sending more alarm into Karil's system. ''I know you do not lie sister. And these statements being true brings joy to my heart.'' Mirror was now smiling also, and Maurelle went on in her villainous fashion; ''When do we make a move?''

''It will have to be after Christmas, at New Year. The ministry is lazy after Christmas, unaware. It is the optimum time to strike.'' Mirror informed Maurelle, who was nodding.

''It seems sensible.'' She then looked regretful. ''Though I had hoped to arrange a little visit to Merlin before then.''

Mirror nodded. ''I understand your hunger for his blood, my feelings towards him are the same. But we must wait. I will accompany you there on New Year's Eve, and after his death we will attack the ministry in the evening.''

Maurelle was smiling that chilling smile. ''It sounds like a plan.''

Karil was watching with ultimate horror. It had happened. Maurelle had changed into the beautiful, twisted, cruel villain her mother had been. The whisper of love for her disappeared as a hug between the women followed. That was it. She was the villain now. She had either revealed her true self or been influenced by Mirror. Why hadn't he seen it coming? She was the daughter of Morgana le Fay, what else would have happened?

Sick at heart, Karil turned to walk away, pulling Ly with him. Karil'd seen enough. He needed to go.

However, Ly unexpectedly tugged him back. Karil turned on his friend, about to get angry, but Ly was already speaking. ''Hang on.''

Shutting his mouth, Karil forced himself to turn his head and look upon the two women, who were now out of their embrace. Mirror was speaking very deliberately to Maurelle.

''The way you can help me, Maurelle, is getting rid of Minerva Mcgonagall. She is dangerous, more than you can ever imagine, a threat to us all.'' Karil's insides quaked. No, no, no! Maurelle could not kill Mcgonagall! She wouldn't, she wouldn't she-

''You want me to kill her?'' Maurelle seemed to have not trouble uttering the terrible words. Karil closed his eyes in horror and shock. He didn't want to see anymore. Unfortunetly  for him his hearing was not impaired.

Mirror shrugged. ''Kill or hurt her. Just get her out of the way for New Year.'' Mirror smiled at Maurelle. ''Thank you, dear sister. I do not know what I would do without you.'' 

And with that last sentence ringing in his ears, Karil opened his eyes and turned to bolt silently through the forest and out of the trees, Ly following him in surprise and confusion.