Chapter 35: 35: The Gatekeeper of Randall Gorge

Nolan had decided it was time to find a proper gatekeeper for Randall Gorge. The number of foolish intruders trying to sneak in over the past few years had become unbearable. When he brought up the issue to Felicia, she waved it off nonchalantly. "Isn't that easy? Just go find one," she said, not even bothering to lift her head. Felicia had recently become obsessed with Muggle nail polish and was entirely focused on experimenting with different colors for her long, elegant nails. Felicia's casual attitude toward such matters was something Nolan had grown accustomed to. Realizing he wouldn't get any practical advice from his sister, he stopped wasting time and began making his own plans. On Christmas Eve, Nolan set out to find a suitable gatekeeper. He left Randall Gorge accompanied by Miss Theresa and Miss Nancy. In recent years, with the increase in hunting activities across England, vampires had become less inclined to take long-distance flights in bird form. The Von Draugr family, with their affinity for Muggle innovations, preferred traveling by car. Miss Theresa drove the small car to a remote area in Yorkshire, navigating through withered trees into an isolated swamp. They hadn't gone far when several skeletal soldiers emerged in their path. These skeletons, wielding swords and shields, clattered their jaws as though trying to speak. Skeletal soldiers were peculiar magical constructs, created from Muggle bones and reanimated from the underworld. Despite being dead, they often forgot this fact and attempted to speak. However, lacking vocal cords and tongues, all they could do was chatter their jaws noisily. After some futile jaw clattering, a woman's voice echoed from the swamp. "Enough already. Let them through, you idiots." The car drove another twenty seconds or so before a crooked wooden hut came into view. Standing in front of it was a young woman dressed in black. When Nolan stepped out of the car, she greeted him warmly with an embrace. "Nolan! I'm so happy to see you. I thought you might be later. Felicia didn't come? I made some delicious blood jelly for both of you this year." "I'm happy to see you too, Stephanie," Nolan replied, nuzzling into her embrace. He spoke softly, "Felicia likely won't come. She's been utterly distracted by all kinds of Muggle novelties lately. If you want to see her, I suggest visiting Randall Gorge during Christmas." Stephanie led Nolan, Miss Theresa, and Miss Nancy into her hut. Once they were seated, a skeleton in a tailcoat appeared beside her and began pouring tea. Stephanie handed a cup to Nolan but, after waiting a while without receiving a second cup, grew visibly annoyed. "Sebas! You idiot! How many times do I have to tell you? If we have guests, brew more tea!" The skeleton chattered its jaw in response, prompting Stephanie to wave it off impatiently. "Ugh, enough! I can't understand a word you're saying, and you know that!" Nolan observed the interaction with great interest before suddenly asking, "Stephanie, were you a witch before you became a necromancer?" "I was born a necromancer," Stephanie replied, pouring herself a cup of tea and sipping it with elegance. "I'm a hybrid. My father was a necromancer, and my mother was a witch. When I was eleven, I received a Hogwarts acceptance letter, just like you. I was so proud and excited. But I quickly discovered I was far better at necromancy than at wizarding magic. The wizarding world had no place for me, so I dropped out." Nolan said softly, "I think you would have been an exceptional Ravenclaw." "You're right, I always was," Stephanie replied, a hint of pride in her tone. "Nolan, are you staying for a few days? I could take you to see the migration of the trolls. I've been wanting to drive those smelly neighbors away for ages. They've been fouling up my swamp, and I've had to create skeletons specifically to clean up their mess..." Nolan gently patted the necromancer's hand. "I'm sorry, Stephanie, but I can't stay today. I'm here to find a suitable gatekeeper for Randall Gorge. Do you have any recommendations?" Stephanie thought for a moment before disappearing into the crooked interior room. She returned with a thick book, its cover adorned with the skull of a rabbit, exuding an eerie aura. Flipping through the pages rapidly, she muttered, "Hmm... a suitable gatekeeper. For vampires, the best choice would be gargoyles. Unfortunately, there are no gargoyles left in England. Most of them moved to Bulgaria after the wizarding purge three centuries ago. Oh, and no, I wouldn't recommend a three-headed dog. Those big mutts sneeze fire when their noses itch, and that could easily turn your carefully maintained garden to ashes. Besides, you and Felicia keep cats." Miss Nancy indignantly slapped the table with her tiny paw, protesting vehemently, "I am no pet!" "How about a succubus?" Stephanie suggested. "They excel in mental magic and can drive away unruly Muggles." Nolan shook his head. "Those creatures are filthy. If they weren't so weak, they would undoubtedly be our mortal enemies. Oh no, Stephanie. If it were just about keeping Muggles away, I could cast a Muggle-repelling charm over the Gorge, just as you've done with your swamp. I need someone who can handle uninvited vampire hunters. You know the type—those self-righteous mercenaries only in it for the money. Dealing with them daily is tiresome." "Then how about a dark elf?" Stephanie tapped a page in her book and read aloud, "Dark elves are fallen forest elves who often ally with dark creatures. They won't disdain you for practicing necromancy. They're skilled gardeners and can help nurture your beloved garden. They're also excellent archers, perfect for driving off unwelcome guests. If you need a gardener or a ranger, a dark elf is your best bet." Nolan's curiosity was piqued. "What book is this?" "A Guide to Managing Necromancer and Vampire Homes: A Compendium of Dark Creature Hires. Why do you ask?" "I think it's wonderful," Nolan said softly. House-elves, known for their aversion to dark creatures, rarely served anyone outside the wizarding world. Thus, necromancers like Stephanie often had to hire others to handle their household chores. "Dark elves, then. Stephanie, where can I find one?" "Elves in England all live in Ireland," Stephanie replied. "You should try your luck there. Or maybe you'll find one or two for sale on the black market—who's to say?" She paused, thinking. "But dark elves can be quite expensive. You know, they're often purchased by dark wizards as lovers because of their beauty." Nolan set down his teacup. "It seems I'll be taking a trip to Ireland. Thank you for your hospitality, Stephanie. I'll look forward to seeing you at Randall Gorge this Christmas." ~~~---------------------- Patreon Advance Chapters: patreon .com / HPdreame