The Witching Hour

The next morning was a loud affair as Miva and Ivy got into a heated debate on whether Pancakes or Full English was the better breakfast. It was all good-natured, though. After breakfast, we went onto the porch. The sun was baking in the sky, and we could hear the buzzing of insects, the chirping of frogs, and the twittering of birds. It was as idyllic as always.

A warm breeze passed us by as I sat down on my favorite chair while the others scattered around the landing itself. Soot and Winter were trying out the birdbath for a spell. Miva was giving Midnight loving pats over at the small corner bench filled with pillows, while Ivy was using one of my wind chimes as a swing.

After his bath, Soot flew over and landed on the back of my chair. He gave me an affectionate little headbutt. “Say, Mistress, you ever miss your old life?” I reached over and began scratching him behind his head. “Sometimes, I get nostalgic about it. But it’s a moot point, since I can’t go back. Besides, I have a good life here. I dare say my life here is better, since I actually have time to relax.”

I looked up towards the birdbath, where Winter was still washing herself. “Besides, if I were to travel back, there is no way of telling how that would affect us. Worst-case scenario, the familiar ritual would come undone, and who knows how that would affect the three of you. Or time would suddenly catch up with the fact that I have lived longer than two human lifetimes, and I’d just keel over, dead. Nah, better stay here with my friends and family.”

I reached up and grabbed Soot, then placed him into my lap as I began stroking him like a cat. At first, he resisted, rather indignant of the treatment, but soon he was cooing in delight. “Alright everyone, should I resume the tale, or do you want to have fun on your own?”

“I’d like to hear more, Mistress.” Soots’ voice was low and drawn out as he was busy enjoying his pats. Winter looked up from her bath. “I’d like to hear more, too, Mother.” Ivy flew down from the wind chime and began circling my chair. “Story time, story time!” and was soon after joined by Miva in that chant.

“Alright, alright, I get it. Calm down now and I’ll continue. Let’s see… right. We just met the Fauns of Appleridge. Hmm, then that should mean it's almost time for our four-legged footpad to join the story… So let’s see…”

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“That all of it, alright. This quarter’s payment has been received in full. Great work, as always, Alder.” Appleridge was expanding. Even though it was still just Faye and Alder, the Orchard grew every visit, and so did the various fields. I already gave them permission to clear some of the forest to expand the operation, and it wouldn’t be long before the entire hill would be part of the now aptly named farm itself.

The Faun gave a wide grin, only to get distracted as Myrtle and Arim ran past, almost knocking over a sack of potatoes as they went. “Hey, watch it, you rascals!” He turned back to me and just shook his head. “Sorry about that. The kids are quite energetic these days, probably because winter’s approaching fast.” Kids, huh? Funny that they were considered that still at age 20, then again, I didn’t have the foggiest clue about how long Fauns lived, as I never got to that part of the tome, and they were all still no larger than six-year-olds, so I suppose that was correct.

Well, it honestly didn’t matter, so I just waved him off. “It’s fine. It’s not like it bothers me any, anyhow. Besides, no harm done. At any rate, I should probably get going, have some other errands to run before I go home. Have a wonderful day and say hi to Faye!”

I stashed the produce into my pouch with a satisfied grin. The Midsummer gift from Ivy was coming in handy for transporting all that produce. Sure, my old bag was nice, but it only contained a fraction of the storage space. This pouch, however, no large than a money bag, could hold… I didn’t even know the limit. According to Ivy, it depended on the mana capacity of its owner. So who knew how big this thing was now.

As I took off, Soot landed on my shoulder. “Ugh, I’m hungry. Think we could stop by that small place that opened up and is selling food, since where headed into Nekkal anyhow?” I glanced over at him. “Well, under normal circumstances, I would say that sleeping through breakfast is your own fault, as I did wake you…” I could see his see him open his beak to protest, but I cut him off. “However, you are in luck, as I wouldn’t mind some lunch myself. Besides, I am to blame for your lack of sleep, so it would be cruel of me to say no. Thanks for monitoring the potion until late into the night, by the way.”

I reached up and scratched in just below his beak, earning delighted chirps. “Thanks, Mistress. I appreciate it.” I leaned over and gave him a gentle hug. “Don’t mention it. Honestly, you should have said something sooner, and I’d have taken the trip to Nekkal first.”

As we exited the forest and approached Nekkal, I could scarcely believe its growth over the last three decades since I first encountered the place. Nekkal was much larger, so much so that I would say it was now a proper village. In a few more decades, the place might even be considered a small town if it kept this up.

The place was probably not that impressive by the standards of civilization in this world, but I could already foresee that this would change if the town kept growing at this pace. The village now was encircled by a palisade wall and the two entrances to the village proper were guarded. I took a wide turn and made my arrival known to the guard, more to not cause a commotion inside the village more than anything.

The last time I bypassed the walls, it caused the guards to throw a fit and the leadership to get nervous. Sure, every time I entered town because I wanted to buy or sell something, the guards always became nervous. And they always sent some poor fool to keep an on eye on me without me noticing. Not that they could hide from Soot, however. Few things escaped his perceptive gaze.

The place Soot was referring to was a small and rather new eatery that opened up a few years back. The people who ran it were nice enough and their food was pretty good. Not to mention, their prices weren’t bad either. They were also some of the few people in town that wasn’t outright terrified of my presence, given the stories of my first arrival, as well as a few minor incidents later on.

That, however, didn’t seem to faze the people who were running the eatery, as they were always polite and friendly without it appearing forced, even under Soot’s scrutinizing gaze. I placed an order for some bread and some roast chicken. A simple, lightweight, but satisfying lunch that would keep me tidied over until dinner, but let Soot get his fill as well.

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“We were just about finished with our meal when it happened.” Miva and Ivy looked at me, enraptured by my tale. “What happened, Morgana, tell us!” I glanced down at Midnight, who even this many decades later looked uncomfortable. “We got robbed.” I leaned back in my chair while keeping my gaze at the two.

Miva and Ivy gasped. “Who’d be crazy enough to steal from you, Miss Morgana!” Ivy’s viridian light was taking on a slight golden hue because of Ivy’s excitement. I leaned back, and let the three stew a bit more, Miva and Ivy in curiosity and Midnight in dread…

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I was just about to grab the last bit of chicken to put on my plate when something small, black and furry jumped up on the table and made off with the meat. “Woah!” I blinked as the small furry thing took off down the street. Soot, who just finished his own meal, locked on to the thief and set off in pursuit. “I got it!”

I grabbed the last piece of bread and stood up before hurrying inside. “Sorry to be rather abrupt, but something came up, and I need to go. How much is it?” I hurried to pay and thanked them for the excellent meal. They must have seen what happened because they were quick to get the payment done, despite the other customers.

As I hurried out down the street, I cast a tracking spell that would lead me to where Soot was. That small thief might have been fast, but there was no way it was getting away from Soot. To my confusion, the spell took me out of the village. A bout five minutes of light jogging later, and I finally found Soot inside a small thicket near the edge of the forest, and he wasn’t alone either.

Next to him on another branch was a small girl with a box on her lap and, and he held the small thief in his beak. Underneath the three was a group of hungry-looking wolves. Two of the beasts were eagerly baying up at the trio, and thanks to my blessing, I understood full well their intent. “Food, food, food, come down food.” I am sure Soot would have a witty remark to that, but given his beak was preoccupied…

“Oy, you beasts, pick on someone your own size.” The wolves turned towards me instantly and wasted no time in encircling me. “This one looks ill. Just look at her skin color.” “It doesn’t smell sick.” “I smell magic, strong magic, hmm danger?” “Who cares? We rip its throat out before it can use it.” “Good idea. Let’s tire it out, then feast.”

I glanced at all of them. “At least one of you has a brain, considering none of you could leave as much as a scratch on me.” The wolves froze for a moment, then one of them jumped at me. It’s first, and final, mistake. Having hunted game since my arrival in this place, I was not averse to killing. The moment it got within reach, I grabbed it by the neck with one arm, and with the other, caved its head in with a single bone-shattering slam.

The remaining wolves froze at the sight as I nonchalantly stashed the wolf’s corpse into my bag. I’d collect the pelt and meat later. Waste not, want not. “So, is another of you going to become my prey, or are you going to back off?” I glanced around at the remaining wolves.

One of them took a step back, its ears flattened and tail between its legs. “Not prey, danger!” “Flee?” “Do we flee?” “Yes, we flee!” “Hurry!” The remaining wolves backed off, then turned tail and ran. An understandable reaction, Wolves never attacked something they perceived as dangerous unless they were absolutely desperate.

I didn’t pursue them as they disappeared into the forest. Considering the direction they ran, I’d be getting a few more furs during my next visit to Appleridge if I was lucky. And if I wasn’t, the Fauns would put them to good use. Either way, the pack was in for it.

With the immediate threat dealt with, I looked up into the tree. “You alright up there?” In response, Soot flew down and dropped the small black bundle he was carrying into my hands. A kitten. It looked up at me inquisitively. “Here’s your thief, Mistress, and she was lucky you sent me after her, or she’d be wolf chow.” I nodded absentmindedly. “You alright up there?” The reply wasn’t immediate. “Um, I’m fine. I’m just pondering how to get back down again. It was so much easier to climb up when those wolves arrived, than down now that I’m getting a good look at how high up I am.”

An understandable standpoint. “I can help you out, if you like.” The girl nearly fell off the branch as she grabbed the trunk of the tree. “That’d be grand.” I gestured up at her with my one free hand and channeled some magic. A few moments later, there was a gasp from above as the kid slowly levitated off the branch and down to the ground, still clutching the wooden box she was carrying.

She was rather small, redheaded and covered in freckles, with deep blue eyes that sparkled with excitement after what she just experienced. “That was remarkable!” she took a few steps towards me, then hesitated. “I… thank you, Lady Witch” She bowed her head.

I waved her off. “No need for such formalities, kid. After all, you have done nothing to get on my bad side.” She seemed a bit lost for words for a moment before she seemed to gather her thoughts again. “I still owe you my thanks, though. Oh, I know, you wouldn’t be in the market for a kitten? That little one you’re carrying there is the last one who still hasn’t been given a loving home, but she is a bit of a troublemaker, so I haven’t found a good place for her. Normally, there would be a small fee for it, to ensure you’re serious about taking care of her, but I’ll waive it as thanks for saving my life.”

Most of the spiel was obviously rehearsed. But her expression was genuine, almost pleading. “I take it there would be consequences of some kind should the kitten not find a home?” She hesitated for a moment. “Mom really doesn’t like her because of all the problems she’s causing. I fear that if I don’t find a suitable home for her today, she might do something… drastic. I was hoping grandma could take her in. But I ran afoul of those wolves before I could get from our family homestead and into town.”

I looked down at the kitten in my hands. Who was still looking up at me with all the patience in the world. “And what do you think about that, then?” The kitten blinked a few times, then began purring and closed its eyes, clearly content. I’d take that as a yes. “I don’t see why not. The kitten doesn’t mind, it would seem.”

The girl seemed to deflate a bit out of sheer relief. “Thank you again!” she walked over and reached up with a finger and gently scratched the little kittens’ head. “Take care now, little one.” the kitten gave a small meow and playfully pawed at her finger for a bit, before curling up in my hand and going to sleep.

The girl waved and ran off towards the city, still carrying the wooden box in one hand as she did so. Soot pulled out a loose feather as he watched her run off. “Quite a courageous kid. Few would be fine mere moments after being set upon by a pack of Wargs.” That gave me pause. “Wargs? Not wolves?”

Soot tilted his head for a moment to look down at me. “Wargs are distant relatives. The two species branched off long ago. Wargs are highly intelligent and even and can learn human speech, not that there is much worth listening to among their inane drivel, given their insatiable appetites. It’s strange, though. They keep away from settlements under normal circumstances. So seeing a pack attacking someone this close to town is… disquieting, to say the least.” Well, that was concerning. If I knew, I’d have dealt with the entire pack then and there.

I looked down at the sleeping kitten and gently tucked her into the right-side pocket of my cloak. “Well, there isn’t much we can do about that now. I’ll warn Alder and Faye about them on the way back, so let’s get the reminder of the errands done so we can get going.”

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Soot landed on my lap and sat down. Followed soon after by Midnight. “Not a fan of remembering those, eh?” Neither of the two said anything, only snuggled in closer to each other even as I gave both of them some calming and gentle strokes down their backs.

Ivy, Winter, and Miva looked at the two. “What made them react like that?” Miva looked quite flabbergasted, given Midnight’s usually utterly fearless demeanor. I looked down at the two, then back up at the confused trio. “Those Wargs served a rather vicious Fae whom I have a feud with to this day. As for why, the two reacted like that. Soot nearly got his head bitten off by one of them, and another… killed Midnight.”