The Witch's City

by M. Gregg Roe

  “No. Am I being sent somewhere else?”

  “Priestess Siljan,” began Alessandra in a stern voice, “you are leaving tomorrow morning on a good-will mission for this temple. You will travel to the north and west, visiting several woodland villages. You will tend to the villager’s injuries and afflictions to the best of your ability. You will provide advice and counseling to those in need. You will be polite and courteous. You will not belittle the villagers or insult them because they live simply and are poorly-educated. You will do your duty and do it well or the next trip you will be taking will indeed be back to your home in shame. Do you understand?”

  Siljan bowed her head, trying desperately to look penitent. “I will be happy to undertake this mission for our temple, Head Priestess. Do we have maps or other information on these villages that I can study?”

  “Ha!” exclaimed Alessandra, causing Siljan to look up in surprise. “I’m sending you with an expert guide. It is someone skilled in tracking, hunting, fishing, and foraging. Someone who is a skilled warrior and will keep you safe even at the cost of their own life. Someone who is familiar with that region of the Devilwood.”

  Siljan gave Alessandra a droll look as she asked, “It’s Bianca, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. The two of you will either learn to get along or kill one another. It is your choice.”

  Siljan felt ashamed. And worried. “I will do my best, Alessandra. Thank you for giving me a chance. I’ll go start packing.”

  “Good. The two of you will depart at dawn tomorrow.”

  Siljan went back to her room and thought things through as she began to pack. The trip wasn’t going to be fun, but it probably wouldn’t be any worse than some of the trips she had been on with her friends. And nothing could be worse than having to spend decades listening to her father drone on about how disappointed he was that she failed to become a cleric.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  Siljan sat on the dirt floor inside the pathetic excuse for a tent that the villagers had provided for her and Bianca to stay in. It was a forest village whose name she had already forgotten, because frankly, she really didn’t care. They all sounded the same and she was just tired. Incredibly tired.

  The crude wooden bowl sitting in front of Siljan held what passed for food in the village—some kind of vegetable stew with no seasoning other than too much salt. A chunk of the village’s dark and rock-hard bread was half submerged. That was a necessity because she had nearly broken a tooth trying to eat it dry. She pulled it out and took a bite of the wet portion. It was still tough and chewy but the taste wasn’t half bad. Siljan quickly finished the moist half and then dunked the rest, using the wooden spoon to keep it completely submerged. She needed to eat every bit of food to keep her strength up because she had completely exhausted her magical energies tending to the villagers that afternoon.

  Siljan fished out the softened bread with her fingers and quickly consumed every bite. Then she cleaned out the bowl and licked the spoon clean. She felt full, so she simply laid down on one of the gray wool blankets. Bianca had eaten with the villagers and by now was probably well on her way to having sex with one of the village men, something that still amazed Siljan. She suspected that some of the young men there were fairly cute, but it was hard to tell because of how dirty and poorly-groomed they all were.

  She heard the tent flap being pulled aside and sat up as Bianca stooped to enter and then seated herself on the other blanket. “What’s the matter, Bianca?” Siljan taunted. “Wouldn’t any man here have you?”

  Bianca frowned. “Is that what you think of me? I just enjoy being with men is all. And no, I didn’t find anyone this time. It’s not always easy for me. I’m not good-looking like you.”

  “I like men too, but I prefer to know them for more than a few minutes before having sex with them.” She called me good-looking. Yeah!

  “That’s because you’re looking for a boyfriend, Siljan. I’m not. I’m just looking to have fun. I don’t care what he thinks of me or if I ever see him again.”

  Siljan sighed. “All right. I’ll need to do some more healing tomorrow morning but then we can leave. Where to next? Treetown? Leafville? Acorn City?”

  Bianca laughed heartily. “That’s funny! No. There aren’t any other villages around here. We’ll head back. And I found a woman here interested in working at the winery. She’ll come with us. We should be there by sundown if the weather holds.”

  Siljan grinned. “Now that is good news! I will finally be able to take a proper bath. Streams and ponds just aren’t doing it for me.”

  “I’m with you there. I’ve always loved that big tub. You should have been there when we first got it working. It was wild!”

  I’m sure it was. “And as soon as we’re back, you’ll be reporting to Alessandra so that she can decide my fate.”

  Bianca smiled slightly. “I’ll tell her whatever she wants to know, but she’ll be asking you about me too. She’s still worried about Morton hanging on to my skeleton. I’m still worried.”

  Siljan sighed and laid back down. “That never did make any sense, but Morton often acted kind of strange. I really don’t think he was sane there at the end.”

  Siljan heard Bianca lie down. “I want to meet this Aliva and thank her. Is she as pretty as everyone says?”

  “She’s absolutely gorgeous! And amazingly curvy. She’s like the personification of what males lust after.” Siljan frowned and pursed her lips. “And if someone offered to remove her demon half and make her fully human, she would agree instantly even if it meant giving up every bit of her beauty and special abilities. She’s not very happy.”

  There was no response so Siljan relaxed and closed her eyes. The trip would soon be over. That, at least, was good news.

  “Siljan,” said Bianca suddenly, “do you remember anything about the time you were dead?”

  “No. The last thing I remember was being really, really cold. Then I was in the Witch’s City after Preston resurrected me with the LifeStaff.”

  “At least you weren’t surrounded by people ready to kill you.”

  The despair in Bianca’s voice startled Siljan. “Uh … no. My parents were there.” The sight of their happy and relieved faces had filled her with joy. “But your friend Isadora was there,” Siljan pointed out.

  “She would have killed me too if necessary. And we’re not friends. Even as children we didn’t get along.”

  Quick! Change the subject. What were we talking about? “Do you remember anything from your year off?”

  “No. Nothing. The last thing I remember was being stabbed through the heart by a close friend. It was actually a changeling, but I had no idea.”

  Now she’s going to tell me how she failed the temple and failed Kyran. “If it makes you feel any better, our first clue that changelings had taken over the temple was when they started trying to kill us. And Morton almost did kill me.”

  Bianca laughed in her harsh fashion. “That actually does make me feel better. It’s also nice to know that I’ve got a second chance.”

  “That’s true. Maybe Kyran still has plans for you.”

  “I hope so. Siljan, were you really dead for a century? I’m having trouble believing your story. Growing up, I didn’t think there was anything outside of Andoran’s Realm.”

  “It was actually a hundred-and-three years, and I really wasn’t planning on being brought back considering that the entire continent was being frozen solid. Of course, I was only five-years-old.”

  “And you don’t remember anything?”

  Siljan frowned. That had always bothered her. “No. I don’t know if there was an afterlife and the memory was erased when I was resurrected, or if I really wasn’t anywhere during that time. It’s a mystery.”

  “Yes, I guess it is. That actually makes me feel better too.”

  Siljan waited for Bianca to say more, but instead heard her breathing relax as she nodded off. Siljan closed her eyes and tried to relax. This trip is my secon
d chance—my final chance according to Alessandra. It definitely hasn’t been fun, but I do enjoy the thanks I get when I heal people. I still don’t really like Bianca, but she knows what she’s doing and I trust her. That’s good enough.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  “And that is why I think that Bianca is not some evil entity planted by Morton to exact his revenge from beyond,” concluded Siljan as she strolled along next to Alessandra through the vineyards. It was mid-morning, hot and humid with low dark clouds that threatened rain. Occasional dull claps of thunder sounded from the south and it was definitely getting windier.

  Alessandra laughed and smiled. “That was actually never in any doubt, but I admire the thoroughness of your report. I spoke extensively with Bianca earlier and she was very complimentary. Although she did mention you were slightly rude in the first village and that you become irritated easily. All in all, I am pleased.”

  “So I can stay?” asked Siljan eagerly with a silly expression.

  “Yes, but do not think that this is a license to revert to your previous behavior.”

  Siljan scowled and shook her head. “I know! I know! I’ll do better. I’ll do my assignments. I won’t sleep in until noon. I won’t flee in terror when someone mentions work.”

  “I will be happy if you manage even part of that. You have great promise, Siljan, and I expect great things.”

  “So do I, but I keep disappointing myself.”

  Alessandra laughed again. “In a month or two, we would like to send you on another trip.”

  “Where to? More villages?”

  “No. This is a recruiting trip to find cleric candidates. We need some new acolytes.”

  Siljan thought about it. “That makes sense, but there are hardly any spell-casters around here.”

  “True. You will be doing your recruiting where we know there are spell-casters.”

  “You’re sending me home?” she asked hopefully.

  “Yes, but only temporarily. You are the proper choice because of the people that you know in Rohoville and in the Witch’s City.”

  Siljan raised both her arms up. “Hurray! I can’t wait! I’ve got lots of places I can stay for free, and all I have to do is find some female spell-casters who are interested. And don’t mind lots of sex. Not that I’m complaining.”

  Alessandra closed her eyes briefly as she laughed. “I have always enjoyed your sense of humor. You do not need to limit your search to females. Males may also become clerics of Kyran, although they are much less common.”

  “Really?” asked Siljan. “That’s even better. Maybe I can find a candidate and a boyfriend at the same time.”

  A bright flash was followed by a loud clap of thunder that Siljan could feel, and the wind was starting to gust. Alessandra abruptly stopped and turned around, heading back towards the winery, and Siljan did the same.

  “One step at a time, Siljan,” said Alessandra, speaking loudly to be heard above the wind. “Just find us at least two solid candidates. Romance can wait.”

  34

  ‡ Valwyn ‡

  “I want to see Gabriel today! I love Gabriel!”

  Valwyn started edging away from Petra, whose face was turning bright red as she began to cry. It looked like a full-blown tantrum and Valwyn wanted no part of it. She went from edging to rapidly striding as her mother walked up and took Petra by the shoulders. Valwyn didn’t stop until she was at the back of the ship. What do they call this? The stern or something?

  Summer had barely begun but it was already oppressively hot. Valwyn glanced up at the taut, light blue canvas sails. There was a good breeze driving them upriver toward the Witch’s City, but it wasn’t providing much relief from the heat. She had really been looking forward to this trip, but things definitely weren’t looking good.

  Valwyn sighed and looked out at the ship’s wake. It’s such a waste. If I looked like her, I would be dating a different boy every night. But Petra is only interested in Gabriel. And it’s like her brain falls out when people mention him.

  “Well, this certainly isn’t going well.”

  Valwyn looked to the right as her mother joined her at the railing. Branwyn looked nervous, but that was her nature. And she certainly had a lot to be nervous about at the moment. “We probably should have seen this coming,” Valwyn said to her. “She is wearing her date dress.” And it really did look slutty in Valwyn’s opinion.

  Branwyn shook her head. “I tried, but Petra claimed it would wrinkle if she packed it. And she may be right. I decided to just let her have her way. I will take her to the Witch’s Castle to see Gabriel, assuming that he’s there. I want you to go on ahead to the mansion and tell them that Petra and I will be there by dinnertime. I hope.”

  “I will go straight there and tell them,” declared Valwyn.

  Branwyn narrowed her eyes. “No stopping for sweets on the way to the mansion.”

  So much for that plan. “Okay,” replied Valwyn, trying to look very disappointed.

  The rest of the trip was uneventful. Petra was now smiling and happy. And remarkably quiet. Valwyn suspected she was busy thinking about what she was going to say to Gabriel. If only there was some way to warn him! Petra might think she was going to marry Gabriel some day, but it wasn’t going to happen. Valwyn had made Gabriel promise to marry her when she was six (and he was nine), and she was planning to hold him to it.

  As they approached the Witch’s Castle, Branwyn turned to her and ordered, “No sweets. Straight to the mansion.”

  Valwyn made a grumpy face. “Fine.”

  She headed off and was soon walking amongst the huge houses that dominated the wealthiest area of the Witch’s City. All of them were far nicer than the house she lived in, and they probably all had servants. Oh, to have servants! But she would be spending the next two nights in the biggest house of all—Draymund and Almera’s preposterous mansion. She was definitely looking forward to it, even if they didn’t have servants, which Valwyn still thought was just crazy.

  The iron gate that gave entrance to the grounds was closed, but Valwyn simply opened it, walked in, and then closed it behind her. She started strolling amongst the curving paths, deciding to head for the east kitchen door since Almera would probably be there cooking dinner. She approached the vegetable garden and saw someone squatting in it pulling weeds. She thought it must be the day for the gardeners and maids, but it was odd that she hadn’t seen anyone else on her way. It looked like a teenage girl of eighteen or so doing the weeding. She might be new, unless …

  Valwyn grinned as she walked up and asked, “Are you Saxloc’s girlfriend? I’m Branwyn’s daughter.”

  The girl smoothly rose to her feet, showing no signs of surprise, and Valwyn knew that her guess had been correct. She matched the description, and she looked like one of Grasapa’s students, all poised and trim and calm. She was better-looking than Valwyn had expected.

  The girl smiled mischievously. “I am. But where are Valwyn’s mother and Ermizad’s cousin?”

  She’s playing along! I like this girl! Valwyn paused a moment to think. “Ermizad’s cousin threw a fit when Valwyn’s mother told her that she wouldn’t be seeing Mardan’s son until tomorrow. Valwyn’s mother finally gave in and took Ermizad’s cousin to the Witch’s Castle. Valwyn’s mother told Branwyn’s daughter to go on ahead. So Branwyn’s daughter came here,” she concluded and then bowed.

  “Well done. It’s nice to meet you, Valwyn.”

  “Likewise, Audrey. Are the others inside?”

  Audrey put a hand on her hips and a finger to her chin. “Let’s see. Almera is out doing some food shopping, Draymund had a meeting at Novox, and I think Saxloc is downstairs polishing his armor or something.”

  “That sounds like Saxloc. My mother took Petra to the castle to see Gabriel, but they should be here for dinner.”

  “That’s good. Let’s go inside and I’ll show you to your room so you can clean up.”

  “Okay, but I’ve been here before. We’re always in t
he first guest suite.”

  “Ah,” said Audrey, now looking sly, “but your father isn’t here and Petra is. Almera and I decided to give you and Petra each one of the smaller rooms.”

  That was even better. She would actually have some privacy. Audrey started walking toward the kitchen entrance and Valwyn followed along next to her. “So where is this guest cottage you live in?”

  “In the southeast corner.”

  Valwyn glanced over that way, but she didn’t see anything. “You can’t see it from here,” explained Audrey. “Although you probably will be able to see it in the Winter.”

  Audrey led Valwyn through the kitchen and then into the guest wing and down the hall to the third door. “Here you are, Valwyn. My former home.”

  “Former home?”

  “Yes. I lived in this room as a guest for months, but now I’m a tenant. I put in fresh linens and towels this morning.”

  Valwyn cocked one eyebrow. “You say you’re a tenant, but you seem to be their live-in maid and gardener.”

  “I cook too,” said Audrey with a sly smile as she turned and walked away.

  Valwyn laughed and then opened the door to the guest room. She definitely wanted to spend more time with Audrey. That girl is fun.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  “You were certainly right about Valwyn,” said Audrey as she seasoned the mashed sweet potatoes. “She’s quite a character.”

  “Yes,” replied Almera. “She’s a handful according to her mother. And now Branwyn has to deal with Petra as well. Those two still aren’t back. Well, we’re not going to wait. The five of us will eat as soon as everything is ready.”

  “Okay. The potatoes are ready. I’ll go ahead and pour the wine.”

  “Make sure you water down Valwyn’s. And only water for Petra.”

  Audrey carried the bowl of potatoes into the dining room. As she filled the goblets, she could hear voices from the parlor, where she knew that Saxloc, Draymund, and Valwyn were sitting and talking. Alerted by approaching footsteps, she looked over as Branwyn and Petra appeared at the entrance to the dining room closest to her.