by Taki Drake
They were both safe. Tears ran down Zhanna’s face when she looked at her Baba. She could see that the delicately-wrinkled, beloved face of Bolormaa was equally wet. The old woman’s hands fluttered over her granddaughter. The tactile feedback reinforced the seer’s vision of her grandchild’s survival. Face, hair, body. Her daughter’s daughter was alive and had come through safely.
For the young Witch, the emotions were just as turbulent and strong. Until she had seen her grandmother, until she had held her in her arms, there had been the fear that she would never again look into the eyes that had been her safe haven for her entire life. Only now, safely reunited with the woman that had raised her, could Zhanna relax.
Chapter 36 – Settling In
Her Baba had everything prepared for them. That manifestation of foreknowledge had been part of Zhanna’s childhood, and she took it for granted. The mercenaries and the Hidden Folk, on the other hand, were startled and extremely impressed.
There were breakfast rolls, hot and waiting, just out of the oven. Seven places set for humans at the table and a sheltered setup for food outside in the garden for the Hidden Folk. Making sure that the Hidden Folk knew that they were welcome in the house, Baba insisted that everyone eat and relax.
The smell of the sweet bread and intriguing aromas of stew drew the mercenaries into the kitchen like a thundering horde. Consciously on their best behavior, the men all washed up in the warm water before sitting down and waited for their hostess to start.
“Please, eat! I know that you probably did not have much of a morning meal and you all have to be hungry. There is plenty of food, and I’ve made coffee and tea. Eat while you tell me everything that is happened. Please, please don’t leave anything out. I’ve been dying of curiosity and worried about you all.”
“Baba, sit down, please. We can serve ourselves.”
“Absolutely, not. You have been the ones fighting battles, while I’ve been sitting at home worrying. Let me wear some of that worry off now by making sure you are fed. If you still feel like you have to contribute, you all can clean up and do the dishes.”
A spiral of laughter ran around the room and Zhanna, and her team sat down to eat with good appetite. A chaotic recounting and many helpings of food later, everyone’s stomach was full, and Bolormaa had heard the entire tale.
The old woman smiled and addressed her question to her granddaughter, “It sounds like we will have new neighbors. Did you have anything specific in mind?”
“No, Baba. We promised them that they were welcome here and I think they need to recover and explore before they can decide exactly where they want to build new homes. In the meantime, I’m not exactly sure what needs to be done to give them shelter immediately. I will have to ask Noma and Tisha.”
Nodding approvingly, Stefan said, “We will help where we can. You realize that the people of the village cannot be told about the new neighbors. Most of them won’t believe that they are real and the others will try to hunt them.”
Noma piped up from where he had come to sit by Dascha, “Yes, we know. However, we spent many years being hidden. That part of our life will not be any different than it has been. However, we now have a team that has humans that believe us and believe in us. This is special and part of the reason that we moved here.”
Kasha had been silent through most of the conversation, attentive but not saying anything. He chose that moment to speak, “I would like to help. Nothing is keeping me in Barsilov. I could move here and find a room. Then it would be possible for me to assist with what is needed for our small allies and perhaps provide some help to Stefan and Mikhail. I can do many things and would like to be part of what you are building.”
Tolya and Pavel stumbled over each other’s words in a rush to agree.
Zhanna was shocked into speech, “I thought you were part of Dov’s group. Pavel, you are one of his subcommanders?, Right?” Looking helplessly at Stefan, the young Witch pleaded with her eyes for him to say something, anything, to help her understand.
The older mercenary said, “You knew this was going to happen. We need this to happen to re-establish the honor that our Russian Witches and mercenaries need. Or are you stepping away from the path you have chosen already?”
Zhanna’s back straightened, and her eyes flashed in anger. No longer looking like a frightened girl, the Witch pulled the cloak of her convictions around her and responded, “No, I am not stepping away from my path. I just do not want to be dishonorable in my dealings with Dov.”
Pavel interjected, “Dov and I spoke about this before we left. We had already decided that if the mission was even halfway successful and if you showed the honor and commitment that you talked about, that we would join you.”
The Zhanna’s eyes widened, and she stared from one of the senior mercenaries to the other. Her mouth opened in astonishment and she was speechless for a split second before continuing, “I somehow didn’t expect it to happen this quickly. I had a feel for what was necessary and a vision of the end. However, I’m not totally clear on all the places in between.”
Stefan laughed, and after a moment the other mercenaries joined him. The two women waited while the men’s laughter ran its course, only to hear Noma say, “The Hidden Folk are here as part of your group also. You have the vision that has been missing. Let others help with the in-between spots.”
Stefan took over, adding, “After all, isn’t that why God made officers?”
The room rang with laughter and shared humor. Inside of Zhanna’s brain, there was an audible click. Immediately turning serious, the young Witch cast her eyes around the room looking for the source of the sound.
Noticing her sudden alertness, all the mercenaries searched also. Kasha got up and went to the doorway looking out to check the yard, Zhanna happened to look over at her grandmother and saw that the old seer had gone glassy eyed. “Baba! What do you see?”
In a strangely hollow voice, the old seer said, “Your destiny. One piece at a time.”
In the sudden silence that followed the words of prophecy, a clear ringing tone of dropped metal resonated through the room. Warned by the vibration and the noise, Zhanna looked down onto the table in front of her. Still vibrating from the impact of the table, she saw what looked like a braided, bent piece formed from different types and colors of metal. It was as long as her hand, and the hook turned 90° and extended as wide as her wrist. Reaching out for it with a hand that noticeably trembled, Zhanna picked up the strange item just as Dascha shouted in her mind, << Wait! Look at it first! It will…>>
It was too late. The Magic that the Familiar had seen wrapped all around the piece of metal exploded over Zhanna’s body and twisted around each of her limbs in a display of multicolored lights, visible to all. The young Witch felt moving streams of heat and ice awake her body to an intense awareness just before the Magic finished tasting her skin and dove into her flesh via the glyphs in her arms.
Pain! Agony so intense it stole her breath and made it impossible for any sound to emerge from her racked throat. In the depths of that cataclysmic event, Zhanna knew that the shredding of her body and soul took only a split second, but the intensity made it seem like it took forever. Her awareness snapped back into here and now in time to hear the end of her Familiar’s frantic warning.
<<… change you. It looks like that nasty-tempered god that you said acted like a two-year-old! >>
Nobody moved for a moment. It was as if time had stopped in the room until Bolormaa darted around the table and cradled Zhanna’s head against her chest.
“My poor little one. Was it terrible? Is the pain gone?”
In a stifled voice, Stefan stammered, “You knew this would happen? You saw this in her future?”
At the old woman’s nod, the mercenary heatedly continued, “How could you not let her know?”
Bolormaa answered in a voice steely with the agony of long experience, “What must be, must be. Any attempt to change it makes things even worse.”
<
br /> While the seer and the mercenary had been talking, Dascha had jumped up onto the table and gone over to comfort her Witch. Purring against the young woman’s chest, Dascha proceeded to thoroughly sniff and investigate Zhanna’s forearm.
<< You smell all right, although the lines on part of your arm are now darker. They would be readable if I could understand the language. However, there is something different in your Magic and in our bond. >>
<< I don’t feel any different, Dascha. Other than my nerves are still jingling from that huge bolt of pain. Can you tell what’s different? Has something damaged our connection? >>
As Dascha answered, Zhanna tested their bond, looking for damage or defect. She was unable to find anything. She could tell what her Familiar meant, because there was a different, subtle feel to the connection between Witch and Familiar.
<< There isn’t any damage. In fact, if anything it is stronger. When I look at it, I see a protected cable instead of just a connection. Like something has made our bonding stronger. >>
<< Okay. Since we probably couldn’t do anything about it right now anyway, I’m glad to know that it won’t be an immediate danger. I still think we are going to have to talk to my mentors at Blagogarsk about this whole thing. >>
<< Agreed, but you’re forgetting something. >>
<< What? What have I forgotten? >>
<< Are you going to pick up your new toy? After all, you’ve paid for it in pain. >>
Reminded, Zhanna looked down at the table and saw that the bent piece of metal was lying exactly in front of her. This time, looking at it with the Sight, Zhanna saw that it glowed a deep blue, luminescent and unwavering. She could see the same color echoed in the glyphs on her arm. Hoping that her intuition was right, the young woman reached out her right hand and picked up the piece of metal again. The indrawn breaths of the others at the table told her of their fear, but she was strangely calm.
There was no secondary explosion, no echo of pain. It merely was a warm and strangely comforting piece of metal in her hand. Speaking aloud, Zhanna asked, “And what am I supposed to do with you?”
Noma was the one that answered, “Keep it close.”
Chapter 37 – Traveling Near and Far
Moving swiftly, some of the people cleaned up the kitchen for Bolormaa while others went out to check on the rest of the Hidden Folk. Zhanna and Dascha remained at the table. The young Witch was thinking deeply, wondering what all of this meant. The Familiar watched her, worrying about the dangers and the responsibility that was heaping itself upon the slender shoulders of the young woman.
Pavel came hurrying back into the room. He broke into excited speech, “I just got off my phone with Dov. Vadim left word with him that we should come back and pick up your share of the money. He says he doesn’t feel comfortable keeping that much money with him. The old man also has a lot more news for you.”
Stefan was following closely on the heels of the subcommander and added, “He also warned about the group that Maxim hired. They haven’t found that nasty Magic user, but the four mercenaries that he controls have been looking around, waiting for you, Dov thinks.”
The kitchen was quickly filled again as the conversation continued. Zhanna asked, “When should we leave? We don’t want to keep Vadim in danger, and he wouldn’t have mentioned the news if it was unimportant.”
Stefan answered, “There is no we. Mikhail and Kasha will stay to protect you here along with the Hidden Folk. Pavel, Tolya, and I will take the vehicle and collect the money and the Intel from Vadim.”
Zhanna was confused, asking, “Why this strange task split? Shouldn’t I be the one to go there?”
“That may be exactly what they are hoping for. Right now, our enemies don’t know where you live, and we would like to keep them confused about that for as long as possible. Remember they tried to follow us before, and only the Hidden Folk assistance allowed us to cover our tracks.”
Pavel added, “Between Stefan and I, we should be able to cast enough of an illusion to shake any pursuit. You should stay here and be ready to protect us if we come in with enemies close behind.”
Mikhail chose that moment to contribute, saying, “Of course, they will eventually track us down and probably attack. But for now, this gives us some extra time that we need.”
Zhanna felt overwhelmed like things were moving too rapidly for her to absorb. She felt trapped in a situation that was beyond her ability to plan and see a pathway through. Her feelings must’ve shown on her face because Tisha added her voice into the conversation, saying, “We will help to confuse those that would harm. We are good allies as you know, adding strength and abilities that you do not have. It is only fair considering all that you have given us.”
Bolormaa laid her hands on Zhanna’s shoulders and pulled her granddaughter’s head back against her soft chest. Gently, she said, “Dearling, you do not have to do everything yourself.”
Reluctantly, Zhanna agreed and a short time later saw the three mercenaries head off on their errand. She knew it would take time for them to return and that she should expect to see them the next day. She hoped with all of her heart that the trip would go well and that they would come back to her unharmed.
<< <> >>
The young Witch tried to keep herself busy. She didn’t want to stand there and worry about the three men in the big SUV driving into possible danger. To take her mind off everything, Zhanna exploded into a flurry of activity. Straightening things, thoroughly cleaning her body and clothes, she worked until she felt much better. Going out to check that the Hidden Folk were settling in left her cheered and more than a little relieved.
Zhanna came inside to help her grandmother prepare the next meal, only to find that two of the Hidden Folk females and one of the mercenaries, Kasha, were happily chattering in the kitchen and cooking food. It was apparent that she didn’t need to help them, especially since the busy kitchen filled with a press of bodies.
Feeling at loose ends, the young Witch wandered back out into the garden. The lure of a concealed bench drew her, and she headed for the cozy nook that had provided her many a moment of serenity. Rounding the last bend in the trail, she was surprised to see Dascha sitting on that same bench and staring blindly into the small pond in front of it.
The young woman sat down next to her Familiar and they shared a companionable moment together. When her normally talkative companion was still silent, Zhanna asked, << What is wrong, Dascha? Have I done something that you are upset with? Or are you hurt? >>
<< It is not that. There’s something that is a problem and I don’t know what to do. >>
<< What problem? I tell you all of mine, why would you not tell me yours? >>
<< I don’t want to add to all of the burdens you already have. >>
<< Tell me. >>
The small cat turned her head and stared at her Witch with an inscrutable look that somehow carried a fog of worry with it. After a moment, she continued.
<< You have heard me talk about the other Familiars that I met at the Familiar Trials. >>
<< Yes, your friends Stinky, Jack, TT, and others. Are any of them a problem? >>
<< You know that TT was hurt in the battle with the wolf? What I didn’t tell you was that she was worried that her Witch would not want her because she was no longer perfect. >>
<< What?! Why would that make a difference? >>
<< I don’t know, but TT was very worried that her Witch would repudiate her. >>
<< That would be horrible! I can’t believe anybody who’s truly bonded with a Familiar with ever do that. >>
Zhanna was incensed, eyes bright and anger resonating across the companion bond. Dascha was strangely comforted by that reaction and continued her tale.
<< I didn’t think that she was worried about anything real, but I have been increasingly concerned about her. The next Familiar Trials is coming up, and I had thought about skipping it because we have so much going on here. I didn’t want to leave you for the da
ys of the Trials when you need me. However, the feeling that TT is in trouble has been growing on me, and I’ve been having strange dreams. >>
<< I have many others to protect me right now. I know that if something horrible came up that I could call you and you would come. Just like I have to do my training, you need to grow in your own powers. How are you going to do that if you don’t go to the Trials? >>
<< I just thought I could wait. I haven’t even been doing the training that I really should do before I go to the next session. So now here I am, worried about TT and leaving you, plus I haven’t done any preparation. >>
The young Witch laughed, suddenly focused and feeling oriented. This part she understood. Smiling widely at her Familiar, she said, << That tells me what we’re going to start doing tomorrow. You need to prepare. It’s going to be a crash course in whatever skills you need to practice. >>
<< Zhanna, there are so many things that I would’ve had to practice that I didn’t. I’m not sure there’s any chance of me catching up that quickly. >>
<< Is this coming from the Familiar that laughed at me when I complained about sore muscles? That teased me unmercifully when I flubbed spells and basically clawed me in the backside to make me try again and again until I got it right? I am not putting up with this. If the discipline is good for me, then it goes double for you! >>
<< But… >>
<< I mean it! We start tomorrow. You will go to the Trials and if your friend TT is in trouble, you bring her here! >>
Suddenly cheerful, Dascha started to purr, sending a flood of thankfulness and love over the companion bond. << Yes, my Witch. Tomorrow, we will begin. >>
Chapter 38 – Donations and Volunteers
The next day was the main market day for the village. With all of the extra mouths that needed to be fed, Zhanna decided to do some serious provision buying. Setting off as soon as the sun was fully up, the young woman was quickly walking at a rapid but comfortable pace, accompanied by Dascha.