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.
. . Suddenly, before the remaining bats could regroup, the sphere
fired a beam of intense white light towards Alditha and Harper.
Protecting the night travellers from further harm, the light
dissipated to create an unseen force field around the broomstick.
Released from the vortex of power, the witch manoeuvred the broom
down onto the forest floor. Still protected by the invisible force
field, they watched the sphere from the cover of the trees.
Within moments, a further detachment of bats had joined the attack.
Fierce and unforgiving, they scoured the woodland for signs of their
prey. But they were no match for the sphere, whose programming and
intelligence was controlled by those for whom The Garden was more
than a passing curiosity. The spheres were works of perfection. They
possessed no earthly boundaries or enemies. They were the eyes of the watchers.
Flashing with alternating purple and green lights, the sphere began
to rotate. Faster and faster it spun, until, bewildered and
disorientated, the bats fell to the woodland floor. Stunned and
defeated, the creatures were now an easy target for the sphere.
Sweeping the forest with a wide arc of crimson light, the sphere
attacked. Steadily, its death light became brighter, more intense.
The focus of its energy was considerable, and, within seconds, the
bats had been totally disintegrated. Free from danger, the force
field protecting Alditha and Harper was lifted.
Returning to its earthly keeper, the sphere descended towards the
witch. Wounded and bleeding, Alditha held out her hand to the glowing
object. She placed her fingers onto its smooth, silvery surface and,
closing her eyes, communicated with those who guided it. In response,
the sphere passed a beam of diffused yellow light over Alditha's
injured body. Momentarily, the witch's slender frame was silhouetted
against the forest's dark wall of trees. Seconds later, released from
the sphere's penetrating gaze, her wounds were miraculously healed.
Such was the power of the spheres and those who guided them.
Alditha turned to where Harper was still hiding amongst the leaf
litter and ferns. She stretched out her hand to the owl, allowing him
to climb up onto her arm . . . |
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