In The Beginning by Gail Daley (top 100 books of all time checklist .TXT) 📕

"Lela," Catrin said firmly. "It won't happen. I won't allow it. But if someone threatened you, I want to know who it was. Now, tell me.”

Lela wiped her eyes and nose on her sleeve. Catrin rolled her eyes and gave the girl a clean cloth to use. "Don't use your sleeve. I taught you better, I know. Use this."

"That new teacher, the young one. I was going to put some of the new soaps we had made in the washroom and I got turned around and ended up in the tunnels. When I approached to ask him how to get back, he said if I told anyone I had seen him down there, I would be punished."

Catrin's eyes narrowed. "Can you show me where you were when you found him?"

Lela hesitated. "I think so."

"Come, show me," Catrin told her. "And don't worry about anything Serle tells you. He has no authority over who goes or stays in Ironlyn. If he threatens you again, tell me, and I will deal with him."

Lela took Catrin to one of the tunnel offshoots leading deeper into Ironlyn. It was apparent to Catrin that Serle had been exploring the tunnels. While there was nothing inherently wrong with this, the fact he wanted it kept secret bothered Catrin, so she mentioned it to her sisters.

"I don't know what he is looking for, but it occurred to me he might be attempting to find the Gate," she said.

Rebecca frowned thoughtfully. "Supposedly, the Gate can only be opened by one of us, so it wouldn't do him any good if he does find it, but I don't like it. I think I will set up a few Wards around the tunnel access and over the Gate itself, just as a precaution."

"And another thing," Catrin said, "Could someone tell him he isn't to threaten my staff? He told poor Lela he would see she got thrown to the Proctor's men if she told anyone she had seen him down there."

"Did you tell Grandpa about this?"

"No, I wanted to speak to you first. I thought maybe you could tell him."

"Grandpa needs to know because Serle can't go around threatening our people, but it will be better if it comes from you; he already thinks I'm unfair to Serle."

If Lewys spoke to either Serle or Mort Corkian about Serle's behavior, it wasn't mentioned, but Rebecca's new Wards seemed to have put a damper on Serle's explorations or he was more careful not to be seen.

Several days after Owen had left with the drovers, Catrin announced at breakfast she wanted Rebecca and Selene to help her test a new protection amulet.

"It occurred to me after McTavish hit Grandpa and Owen from behind with his spell, that we all should have something to protect us against Magi sneak attacks. I found a spell in the grimoire I discovered in the lab. I want to test it.

"Why does it need tested?" Rebecca asked.

"I want to know how effective it is," Catrin explained.

"Why can't Lela help you test it?" Rebecca demanded.

"It's a reflective spell. She isn't strong enough. The book said the more powerful the attack was on the person wearing it, the more powerful the rebound effect would be. Lela just doesn't have enough power to test it."

When Rebecca and Selene arrived at the dispensary, they found Catrin and Lela looking through a bowl of colored crystals.

"This is what we will use as a focus for the Spell," Catrin explained. "The crystal can be wrapped in gold or silver wire and attached to a chain, or put inside a leather pouch. Today, we will be making several of these; one for each of us and one for Andre, Owen and Grandpa."

She held out the bowl, "Selene, you first. Pick the one that appeals the most to you."

After several minutes, Selene finally settled on a stone with an opalescent cast. "This one feels warm when I touch it, is that what you meant?"

"It will do," Catrin assure her. "Lela will show you how to wrap it, so it can be worn as a necklace. She handed the girl a silver wire strand, and pushed the bowl at Rebecca, who picked out two crystals, one blood red, and the other a deep black gemstone with a rusty sheen.

"The black one is for Andre," Rebecca explained. "After this last week, I want him to have protection if we run into another enemy Magi."

Catrin nodded understandingly. "I'm making a second one for Owen," she said. "Selene, would you like to make one for Grandpa?"

Selene looked up from wrapping her first stone. "How do I pick one for him?"

"Think about him while you are looking through the stones," Catrin encouraged.

After a little fumbling, Selene selected a dark blue stone. "This one, I think."

Catrin opened a large, well-worn book on the counter. "Okay," she said. "This says making the amulet is harder when it's made for someone else, so let's start with the one we are doing for ourselves first."

"Prick the tip of your finger with the hand you don't write with and pick up your stone with your other hand. This is your Spell hand."

She demonstrated on herself, and waited until the others had completed this step.

"Now, allow a drop of blood to drip onto the stone and let it dry."

"Why it disappeared!" Selene exclaimed in wonder.

Catrin nodded smiling. "Yes, that means you have successfully completed the first step. Concentrate on the stone, and visualize a bright, warm light surrounding it."

"Does it matter what color the light is?" Selene asked, fiercely concentrating on the stone in her hand.

"I don't think so, it doesn't say the color matters. Now concentrate on seeing the circle of light expanding until it surrounds you completely. Got it?"

"Yes," they answered.

"Okay, repeat these words after me: Life Creators I ask you to empower this stone to defend she who holds it. Reflect all attacks back to the attacker, three times three."

Different colored orbs of light