The Lost Witch

by David Tysdale

  She saw movement. The black dog was regaining consciousness. Getting to her feet, she raised her staff high, and inched close. Teeth bared, the dog lifted its head but remained silent. For a long moment she stood poised and ready.

  When the dog didn't move, she prodded it. It snapped at her staff and struggled to its feet.

  "Go on. Get!"

  The dog looked hard at Runt before turning and staggering off.

  "Back on top, Runt," Carole said as she crouched. "We've got to get out of here."

  Finally, a good thirty minutes later, she could go no further and collapsed in an exhausted heap onto the ground, letting Runt tumble unceremoniously off her back. As she lay there gasping, he sniffed, testing the air and listening for further signs of pursuit. Satisfied that the pack truly had given up the chase, he ambled over and asked for something to eat.

  "You...stomach...on...legs. Root...around...for...greens...'til...I...catch...my...breath."

  Snorting indignantly, he went about finding his own breakfast.

  Eventually, feeling less winded, Carole tossed Runt an oat cake. After finishing one herself, she got to her feet. Thankful that Runt was again at her side, she was also worried. Worried that she was leading him into greater peril.

  "Remember what I said last night?" she said, as they started down the trail. "About meeting the werewolf? Well, that's not the half of it. I really need your help, Runt, but what I've got to do is likely to be extremely dangerous. I want you to know everything before you decide whether to come along."

  Runt cocked his head to one side and stared inquisitively.

  "It began right after you and Smoky headed down the trail..."

  Twenty minutes later she shrugged. "So you see what I'm up against."

  "Wreet?"

  "No, he didn't mention how, or even what it is that you will do. He just said that familiars naturally know. I suppose that's how you knew the werewolf was real. Maybe it's instinctual with you brainy animals. Maybe your ancestors came from The Hub. Could be you're a multitasker, too."

  Runt agreed it made sense, given the fact that Hub students trained with familiars, which clearly proved that such animals lived on that world. He lifted his chin and swaggered into the lead.

  "What's with you?" Carole giggled.

  "Rit ret!"

  "Oh, multitasker Runt, is it? Perhaps, but I won't know for certain until I get back there."

  "Reet wreet."

  "Sorry. Until we get back." She stopped and stared. "You still want to come? Despite the danger?"

  Runt told her that as far as he was concerned, Beatrice was far scarier than any werewolf could ever be.

  "Oh Runt." Carole gave him a hug. "You're the greatest!"

  "Reeeet!" He was grinning from ear-to-ear.

  "Yes, you're absolutely right," Carole said, letting him go. "We'd best get down to the business of finding that connector."

  "Reet, Reet?"

  "The tunnel was rainbow colored. As for the connector, your guess is as good as mine. Unless of course you know what a 'woo' is."

  "Reeet?"

  "A woo! The last thing Philamount said was that most connectors resemble a woo."

  "Rit, reet."

  "Well, let's hope we'll know when we see it."

  Runt shook his head doubtfully.

  "Hey, you're the one who wants to be a multitasker."

  The remainder of the morning passed pleasantly. Carole continued to practice soft-walking until it was nearly second nature to her, though she didn't press too hard a pace so Runt could keep up. Towards midday the ground became hillier and rockier, and travel grew more tiring. The forest also began to change, clogging up with brambly thickets in some places, opening into tracts of scrubland in others. "I guess the ground's too poor to grow anything decent around here," Carole remarked, as they passed yet another derelict farm.

  Not only was the route becoming more difficult, but the path itself was becoming harder to identify, often little more than a rabbit trail through the trees, if not altogether invisible. Consequently they spent less time chatting and more time scanning the countryside. Even so, the small farm caught them both totally by surprise.

  The homestead was ringed by a thick patch of forest, but it looked nothing like the played-out farms they'd been seeing all afternoon. One field had obviously been cultivated last year, and near the center of the clearing was a small patch of newly-tilled ground. The cabin itself was so well camouflaged amongst a grove of shade trees that it was easy to miss, though it looked to be in very good shape. Someone was definitely living here.

  Someone wishing to be left alone?

  As soon as she realized what they'd stumbled upon, Carole dropped to the ground and wormed over to the nearest tree. She lay there for a while, studying the area. Unfortunately, it appeared that the Boar's Head trail ran right past the front door.

  "Two choices, Runt," she said quietly as the pig bellied up beside her. "Sit tight 'til dark and skirt around the fields, or detour through the forest and hope we don't lose the trail altogether."

  Runt opted to wait until sundown, pointing out that going through the woods seemed like a lot of extra work, especially since they'd been on the go all day without any real break to speak of.

  "I agree. Let's catch a few winks. We'll make the crossing shortly after sunset."

  They selected a wooded knoll that offered protection as well as a view of the surrounding area, and settled down for a short but well-deserved snooze.

  * * *

  - 15 -

  Carole rose from the damp ground, chilled and stiff. "Oh, I ache from head to toe," she said while stretching.

  "Rr-r-t," Runt muttered, barely opening an eye.

  Carole saw the moon was well along on its nightly journey. "Holy cow, it's been dark for hours."

  "Rit ret."

  "My fault? Yeah, right. Come on, before the night's totally wasted."

  A little later, she and Runt were crouched at the edge of the farm watching two skinny kids work the ground directly where she'd been hoping to cross. "I suppose we'll still be able to skirt around, if we're quiet enough," she whispered.

  "Rit."

  Carole studied the curious scene a little longer. "They aren't really trying to turn that whole field with shovels? That'd be crazy!"

  "Reet reet riit?"

  "All the way out here? I doubt it. Besides, they look kinda small to me. Just a couple of kids."

  "Ret rit!"

  "No, we'd better not risk it."

  "Wret ret?"

  "Are you serious? What if they're not alone? What if they've got dogs? What if their folks are still up? Besides, there's still a chance we can catch up with Smoky."

  "Reet, ret!"

  "I know, but I'd like to give it one more day." Instead of walking away, Carole continued to stare. "What are they up to? Let's move a little closer."

  "Rit rit reet?"

  "I know what I said, but this won't take long."

  Carole crawled to just beyond the range of their lantern light and listened with fascination.

  "...no use Zack. We can't do it without Millie. Besides, the crops should've been sowed weeks ago."

  "What choice have we got? You want to get split up...to...to never see each other again? Those thieving cops. We'd have been all right if it weren't for them."

  "Even if we had her, even if we did, they know we're here. They're just going to get us anyway." The girl sat heavily on the ground, buried her face in her knees and started sobbing.

  At this the boy dropped his defiant stance and knelt, putting a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, Lil, don't cry. Maybe you're right. Maybe it's too late for crops, but we can still gather roots from the woods and sell them like before. We can make the crafts Grandpa showed us. Remember he even showed me how to make a cedar strip canoe, and one of those might bring in ten or fifteen."

  The girl sniffed, "You've never made a canoe in your life. Only helped him once, and that was years ago." />
  "Still, I know--"

  At that moment Runt let out a gigantic sneeze.

  The girl gasped with fright. The boy sprang to his feet, gripping his shovel like a weapon.

  "Wh-Who's there?"

  "Way-ta-go Runt," Carole said under her breath.

  "I said who's there?" The boy lifted the lantern high.

  "Sorry to startle you," Carole got up, trying to sound casual. "We... I was just passing through when I saw your light."

  "In the middle of the night? No one passes through here. No one even lives around here," he said, squinting into the dark.

  "Over here." Carole stepped into the light.

  The boy let the tip of his shovel drop to the ground, apparently reassured by her not looking any older than he was.

  "I'm not from around here. I was hiking along the trail that runs past your place."

  "Alone?"

  "Not exactly."

  Runt stepped out from behind her legs.

  "The pig path?" The girl had recovered from her shock and was staring hard at Runt. "You're taking the pig path?"

  "What's the pig path?" Carole tried to push Runt back.

  He had other ideas. Sidestepping Carole, he trotted over to the girl.

  "Grandpa called it the pig path," she said, as she gave Runt a good scratching behind his ears. "He said it was special because every so often there were signs that a large hog had passed by, even though there aren't any working farms within miles of here. And the tracks always went in the same direction, east."

  Carole's heart beat a little faster. "Have there been any recent signs? Has a hog been by within, say, the last couple of days?"

  "As a matter of fact, yes. Just yesterday--"

  "That's all fine and dandy," the boy said, "but you still haven't told us who you are!"

  "Don't be rude, Zack. Look at her. She's no better off than us. Besides, this is still our home, and she's a guest, so mind your manners! I'm Lilly Deville, and this is my brother Zack."

  "Pleased to meet you. My name's Carole Sylphwood, and Runt here's my best fr-- He's my pet."

  "Would you like to come inside for a bit, Carole? We don't have anything fancy, but there should be enough to go around."

  "Wreeet!"

  "What about your folks?" Carole said, giving Runt a mind-your-manners stare. "I can't imagine they'd be very pleased at having strangers drop by in the middle of the night."

  "Not a problem. It's just me and Zack."

  "I don't know..."

  "You won't be able to see the path in the dark anyway," Lilly said. "The bush is near impossible for miles on that side of the farm."

  "Oh. I suppose it'd be okay if we came in for a bit."

  "Hey, what about the crops? And what about her wandering around at night? Who goes hiking at night?"

  "Leave it be, Zack. I told you before, the crops are a waste of time. Come on, Carole. You too, Runt."

  The girls started towards the cabin with Runt sandwiched between. Zack stood a moment before calling, "Hey, wait up!"

  The cabin was cozy and warm, but Carole still felt uneasy about being inside. As she waited for Lilly to dish up four bowls of soup, she couldn't help but notice Zack wrinkle his nose when he sat next to her at the table.

  "It's because of the pig barn."

  "What is?"

  "I know what I smell like, Zack. It just doesn't come off."

  "You raise hogs?" He took a bowl from his sister.

  "That's how we made our living, tending the stock and looking after the farm, but no more. Runt and I've left for good."

  "It wasn't your place?"

  "I was hired help. I'm going to try to...to try and find my parents."

  "They weren't farming with you?"

  "No, just Hal."

  "Who's Hal, another relative?" Lilly sat across from Carole.

  "Yes. No. Sort of. He's my father-not...er my foster father. We were waiting for someone from home to contact us and just recently they did."

  The twins looked at each other with eyebrows raised.

  Carole knew she'd never be able to explain, so she just said, "It's kinda complicated. But what about you? What are you doing out here in the middle of nowhere without your folks?"

  "This was our home," Lilly said quietly.

  "Is!" Zack slapped a hand on the table. "They can't take it from us."

  "They can, and they will. We don't have any parents either, Carole. Not for a long time. We lived here with Grandpa 'til he died. And now they're trying to get us." Tears welled up in Lilly's eyes.

  "Who?"

  "The authorities."

  "But they won't." Zack said. "They can't get us 'cause they can't find us. We hid out in the woods 'til they gave up looking, but they went and stole our mule out of spite."

  "They'll be back." Lilly sighed. "Look how easy it was for Carole to catch us unawares, and she wasn't even trying."

  Zack rapped his spoon against the table.

  "You know I'm right."

  Something clamped hard on Carole's foot. "Oww! What'd you do that for?"

  "Reet, reet reeet wret reeeeet!"

  "Forget it. They've got enough on their plates. Besides, it's not exactly like we've any great ideas."

  "Reet!"

  "Besides that."

  "Reeet reet."

  "Suppose it doesn't..." She suddenly realized what she was doing.

  The twins were staring, open mouthed.

  "You c-c-can talk to pigs?" Zack said.

  "No, of course not. I--"

  "I saw. You were having a regular conversation and he talked back. That pig was talking back."

  Carole stood up. "Don't be silly. Thanks for the food, but I really should be going."

  "We won't tell, Carole." Lilly caught her hand and squeezed. "Your secret's safe with us."

  "What secret?"

  Zack snorted. "Come on Sylphwood, do we look that stupid? Besides, we're a couple of orphans hiding out from the cops, remember? Who do you think we'd tell?"

  "I guess."

  "Honest Carole, it's okay. At least stay long enough to finish your meal," Lilly said.

  Carole sat, on the edge of her chair, ready to bolt should the need arise.

  "So what's the scoop?" Zack said.

  "About Runt? Oh it's nothing much. He's always been a very vocal pig, you know, grunting all the time, and I guess after all these years I learned to understand him some. That's all."

  "Yeah, right."

  "Zack!"

  "They were having a real conversation and that pig was using pig words."

  "So what? If Carole wants to keep it to herself, that's her business."

  "She knows all about us." He folded his arms across his chest and looked mulish.

  "Because we told her. She didn't pry into our affairs, so we won't pry into hers."

  "But...?"

  "Zack!"

  "Fine!" Mouth clamped tightly shut, he glared at Carole.

  "You wouldn't believe it," Carole offered, after a few seconds of silence.

  "Try me," Zack said.

  "It's pretty bizarre. I'm not even sure how much to believe myself."

  "Can't be any stranger than talking to pigs."

  "Oh yes it can."

  "Reet!"

  Carole scowled at Runt. "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you."

  Fifteen minutes later she'd finished both her soup and her story. The twins had appeared totally spellbound throughout. Carole waited for them to say something, and wished she had just walked away earlier, when she'd had the chance.

  Lilly spoke first. "Can I see the soap? The bar of wolfbane soap?"

  "Sure." Carole rummaged through the oatcakes, before finding and pulling out the neatly wrapped bar.

  Lilly turned the package over in her hands like it was treasure. She held it to her nose and inhaled deeply. Her eyes immediately began to water. "Wow, powerful!" she coughed. "Nothing like this grows around here, Zack. See for yourself."

 
; Her twin took a whiff of the bar and sneezed. "No wonder it keeps werewolves away."

  "You believe me?" Carole was stunned.

  "'Course we do," Zack said. "You talk with Runt easy as pie. You got the soap, and you're the one who's been sending pigs down the pig path, I mean the Boar's Head Trail, all these years."

  "Yes, but--"

  "Grandpa always said that path was a kind of magic," Lilly said, "and that there was a lot more to life than what people normally believed."

  "So did White Cloud," Zack added. "And he could see into the future."

  "White Cloud?"

  "An old Indian friend. Grandpa said he was a powerful shaman."

  "And just before he died, Grandpa got all strange and mysterious-like," Lilly said.

  "Spooky," Zack agreed. "Kinda like White Cloud. Like he was seeing into the future."

  "He told us not to worry because help would be coming along the path. And, well, here you are, pig and all!"

  "I don't know about all that, but I agree the path is special."

  "Reet ret!"

  Carole gave Runt a push with her foot.

  "Reet ret writ wret."

  "What'd he say?" Zack said.

  "Oh, he's just agreeing about the path."

  "Wreeeet!" Runt snorted, stamping on the floor. "Reet ret writ wret."

  "You sure that's all he's got on his mind?"

  "Well, there's one other little thing. It's some crazy idea about you two helping us look for the connector."

  "But we can't go to The Hub," Lilly said. "Isn't that what caused The Conundrum thing in the first place? Someone like us? Monobrains?"

  "I told you it was crazy."

  "Not if we were to help without actually going to The Hub," Zack suggested. "That'd still be pretty neat. Besides, like you said, Lil, we're just sitting ducks if we hang around here much longer. Sooner or later the cops are bound to get us."

  "That's true," Lilly said.

  "But I don't even know what the connector looks like, or where it's at," Carole said. "And who knows how long it'll take to find it or where I'll end up looking."

  "Maybe the multitaskers could help us out in return," Zack said, "sort of as a reward. You think they might, Carole?"

  "What?"

  "Help us out?"

  "Who?"