by G. S Tucker
Hmmm… like an elvish ash tree, Eve mused.
“A bit, though the bark is vermilion when it peels, Violet informed her. Eve was sure she had not spoken her musings aloud, not wanting to make a fool of herself again, she held her tongue. Glancing sideways at her walking companion, Eve noticed the differences between them. Violet was very slight in build with willowy limbs and a mane of blue- black hair that fell to her waist in a ripple of silk. She wore a short green dress of good heavy cotton, picked out at the collar and cuffs with yellow embroidery. Her face was beautiful with a rosebud mouth and large Violet eyes that seemed to take up half her face. She noticed Eve’s scrutiny of her. Wrinkling her nose, she turned to Evangeline and asked in an exasperated tone
“Is there something on my face? You have been gaping at me for at least ten minutes, and I am becoming irritated by your lack of manners.”
Blushing once again, Eve looked at the floor. “No! There’s nothing at all wrong with your face, it’s lovely. I have never met a witch before, and I was noticing the differences between us, that’s all.” She rushed her words, quite sure Violet must think her stupid, rude or both.
“Hmm… well, we are different that’s true, however, I suggest you don’t stare at every witch you meet.” Violet advised. Nodding, Eve felt she might be remembering this leg of her quest for all the wrong reasons.
About an hour later, Evangeline got her very first glimpse of Clear Water Valley. They had just reached the crest of what felt like a very steep hill.
“Welcome to the heart of Clear Water Valley!” Violet exclaimed, throwing her arms out wide as if to embrace the view before them.
“It is a lovely view, very picturesque,” Eve replied smiling. The valley was beautiful, with dove grey houses. Their cheerful orange and yellow roofs caught the light, making them look more like copper and gold. Eve’s stomach chose that moment to let out a rather monstrous growl. Cheeks aflame, she quickly began to dig about in her bag. Hastily, she began searching for a snack before the next guttural protest and managed to knock her lump of cheese to the ground in her embarrassment. Moving swiftly, she tried to save it from becoming spoiled. To her amazement, the cheese never made contact with the butter yellow ground. Even more astounding it seemed to be rising upwards.
“How…is my cheese flying?” Eve squeaked. Chuckling, Violet opened her hand and received the nettle wrapped lump.
“It wasn’t flying, it was just a simple levitation charm,” she replied breezily. Handing the morsel back to Eve, Violet began heading down the hill towards the houses. Eve eyed her cheese and decided that floating food was not something she was ready to experience. She carefully placed it back into her bag under her apple in case it started to levitate again and hurried after Violet’s quickly retreating back.
It soon became clear that Eve was going to have to get used to objects and indeed people, behaving in ways that they usually did not.
Now in the Square, the large open area in the centre of town where markets and festivals were held, Eve had seen many things that would be hard to forget.
“Close your mouth for goodness sake! You look like you have been cursed,” Violet admonished. Rolling her eyes, Violet headed for a charming house with a bright pink front door. “Come on, before you really do get cursed by an over sensitive witch!”
Opening the door, she hurried Evangeline inside before any more witches noticed her staring.
“I am so sorry, but that gentleman was holding fire in his hand, and it was green!” Eve babbled. Sighing loudly from a room at the end of the hallway, Violet began to make tea and a light supper, with perhaps more force than the crockery deserved. Eve made her way towards the commotion, feeling foolish she kept her head bowed as he entered the kitchen.
“I’m sorry,” Eve mumbled still looking at the floor. Sighing, Violet thumped two plates of sandwiches and fruit down on the table.
“Forget it, just eat,” she replied, sitting herself down as she waited for Eve to do the same.
After a rather quiet meal, which Eve enjoyed despite her embarrassment. Violet showed her into the snug. Cosy with soft inviting sofas a wood burning stove and best of all, a book shelf positively bursting with books; it was a room Eve could be content in for hours.
“So Evangeline of Hermoria, what brings you to the realm of witches?” Violet inquired, as she gracefully folded herself into one of the armchairs, by the crackling wood burner.
Taking the chair opposite Violet, Eve perched on the edge, not sure where to begin, or how much to divulge. “The witches are our allies, it has been this way for hundreds of years,” the words of her mother floated through her memory. Deciding sooner or later she was going to have to surrender some information, or she may never find her brother, or fulfil the prophecy.
“I am searching for answers,” Eve explained. Looking at her, Violet knew there was more to it than she was likely to discover now. She waited patiently for Eve to continue. “I am searching for my brother. We were separated as babies; I want to discover what became of him,” She added a few moments later.
“Why come here, though? There aren't any elvish living here only witches,” Violet asked, to her this seemed a strange place to begin the search. Her mentor would remind her that every path has its twists and turns. Inwardly rolling her eyes at the thought, she continued to wait for Eve to disclose more.
“I was sent here by a wise elf who has the sight and my mother, as you are our closest allies they believed I would be granted safe passage through this realm,,” Eve concluded.
Feeling a little disappointed at the complete lack of detail, Violet gave up and offered Eve a bed for the night. After being shown to her room, Eve took a bath and changed out of her clothes. Violet had offered to clean them for her, which she was grateful for, as she had no idea when the opportunity to have them cleaned would come again. Taking out her book and pencil, she wrote down her experiences of the quest so far.
Waking with a start, Eve fell off the bed. Landing on the stripped floorboards. Rubbing her sore shoulder Eve was sure that this was yet another experience she was not over keen on repeating. After getting to her feet, Eve began wondering what had woken her so suddenly. Then she heard it, rain; beating against the cottage. Moving to the window, she pulled the curtains back to gaze out at the storm. Lightning flashed; illuminating the valley in harsh, white light, following the jagged fingers of lightning, the thunderstruck. A colossal booming reverberated around the valley. Awestruck by the power of nature, Eve stood at her window mesmerised. Suddenly, the bedroom door burst open, and a bedraggled Violet tumbled in.
“What happened?” Eve exclaimed rushing to Violet's side. Violet groaned as Eve helped her onto the bed.
“The square... the tower was hit, and two houses have been crushed, and many more are ablaze.” Trying to rise from the bed, Eve pushed her gently back down.
“You have done enough, stay and rest I will go and do what I can.” Dressing quickly Eve rushed into the night.
Bedlam was the only way to describe what Eve found on reaching the square. Witches were everywhere, children were screaming, it was a wonder more people had not been injured. Running towards a group of young witches, she bellowed over the storm.
“What’s happening? Why is everyone panicking, you are witches use your magic!”
It was painful to see them just standing there, a look of complete confusion on their faces. “We can’t use magic; we are not allowed to interfere with the will of nature!” Screamed one of the group. Not quite believing what she had just heard, Eve left the group and ran to a lone man, when she got closer, she noticed the girl in his arms. The girl was covered in soot and even from a distance, Eve could tell she wasn’t moving. Arriving at the man’s side a moment later; taking the girl gently from his arms, Eve laid her on the grass a few feet away. Hoping she could help at least one person here.
Eve felt for her pulse, hoping there was one. This girl was only a child, no more than five years old.
She was about to leave her and find others that could be helped, Eve felt movement under her palm. Checking again for a heartbeat, Eve was relieved to find one. “You are tough, little one.” She praised the unconscious child, while she stroked her hair. leaving her for just a moment, Eve ran back to fetch the man who had been holding her. “The child, she lives! You must come, she is not yet conscious, but it would be best to have someone she knows with her.” Eve rushed. The man’s eyes lit up, and he ran to where the child lay. Eve watched as he picked up the small form and hugged her close, tears streaming down his face.
Happy that at least one life had been saved Eve went in search of a witch with the authority to end this madness of not messing with natural disasters, as nature was sure having no trouble messing with them. After dodging a falling sapling, and being knocked to the ground by scared children, Evangeline finally found a group of adults. They had congregated around the well and seemed to be in deep conversation.
“Excuse me, Excuse me!” Eve yelled as she ran towards the group. Looking up they were stunned to behold an elfin maid, running toward them, russet hair flying and with such a determined look on her beautiful face. Lighting cut across the sky illuminating Eve. The witches gasped as her eyes flashed with green-gold fire.
“So it is true,” the youngest member of the gathering, whispered.
“Please, use your magic to end the suffering,” Eve begged, skidding to a stop before the group. She looked each member in the eye, hoping that one would see the folly in abstaining from magic when their Kin were dying.
” We never interfere with nature's course young elf,” snapped a witch with hair the colour of iron though her face was plump with youth.
“People are dying!” Countered Eve, completely enraged that these people would not act, knowing they could. “You are cowards! Children are dying! People are losing everything. And you stand back, feeling no guilt because you won’t interfere with nature’s course! I am very sorry we may be allies, but no Elf would stand by and let their kin die, and I will not stand back and let these people die now.” Eve blasted.
Turning to the well she began to draw the pail up. If only to slow the inferno and give them a chance to get away, she thought. Unhooking the bucket from the chain she ran to the flames closest and soaked the wall to its left, she continued this for what seemed like forever. The witches looked on with expressionless faces and hands behind their backs.
It was dawn before the rain began helping to douse the flames. Eve had worked tirelessly all through the night and no one helped her. The anger and disappointment she felt towards these people was swallowing her whole. Returning the pail to its chains, she slumped down resting her back against the rough stone of the well. Closing her eyes for just a moment, she was bone weary and filthy. Violet, was Eve’s last thought before she drifted into exhausted oblivion.
Chapter Four
Two days later, Eve was reading in Violet's snug, a steaming cup of sage and honey tea was on the table beside her. Coughing, she placed her book down and took a sip of the savoury –sweet brew.
“Ugh, I don’t think this will ever be one of my favourites,” she grimaced.
“Maybe not but it will make you feel better,” Violet assured her. Taking the chair opposite Eve, Violet looked at the elf with new eyes. That terrible night when the storm had hit, Eve made a stand and helped people she had never met, risking her very life for others and a town she had no ties to.
“Thank you for everything, I cannot begin to express the gratitude I feel,” Violet said. Looking at the painting her great- grandmother had left her she continued, “The fire, the blood… I couldn’t be near the blood.” She admitted sadly, Eve placed the unpalatable tea back on its saucer.
“That is nothing to be ashamed of; many folks cannot bear the sight of blood. Indeed, my mother turns a wonderful shade of green if she gets so much as a paper cut. There is also no need to thank me. What I did that night was what I was able to, nothing more,” she stated.
Getting up Evangeline stretched, then deciding that a walk was just what she needed, she headed for the hall to retrieve her cloak and shoes. Opening the front door, Eve stepped out into the late over- cast morning. Half way down the main avenue, she heard feet pounding against the road, a muted thud, thud, thud gaining on her fairly quickly. Eve stepped aside to let whoever it was past.
“Thank the Goddess you stopped! I haven’t run like that since being chased by an angry goose four years past.” Eve turned to see a young man doubled over clutching his side. He seemed familiar to her; most likely she had seen him the night of the storm.
“Can I be of some assistance to you?” She inquired.
Straightening up, the man looked down into her mysterious eyes. “I just wanted to meet the woman who stood up for what she believed; and look once again, into your extraordinary eyes,” He complimented. Unsure whether this witch was trying to court her or just had a funny way of saying thank you, Eve smiled and responded politely
“I did only what I could, I will be on my way now if that is all, I feel the need for a walk.” Turning, Eve was about to continue on her way; when a hand gently touched her forearm. Turning back, she once again looked up into the young man’s eyes.
“Please, I would very much like to walk with you, if you are not averse to this?” He asked. It was only now that she noticed this witch had eyes as extraordinary as her own. His were were blue, but not just any blue they were the blue of the sea with flecks of silver that seemed to swirl like the crest of a wave breaking on the rocks.
“If you like; my name is Eve. It is a pleasure you meet you,” Eve introduced herself and offered her hand in greeting. Taking her hand, all the time looking into her eyes the witch replied.
“It is my pleasure, Eve; I am Caleb.”
They walked for a while, Caleb telling Eve about Clear Water Valley, pointing out historical landmarks and introducing her to any witch that passed them. After about an hour Eve was feeling a bit tired, though she would never admit it to Violet, she was still feeling a bit run down. The chill she had caught the night of the storm had almost gone, but it had left her drained of energy. Heading back towards Violets’ home, Caleb became aware of the sickly pallor of Eve’s skin.
“Are you feeling alright, Eve? you are looking a little pale.”.
“I am just tired, a sit-down and more of Violets awful sage tea shall set me right I am sure,” she replied wearily. Not liking the colour her skin, or the light sheen of perspiration that followed her hairline; or the way she swayed as she walked, Caleb mad a suggestion.
“My home is close by; my father is there and my sister. I will take you there, make you some tea and you can rest for a moment. I will escort you home after you have some colour return to your cheeks. How does that sound?” Caleb coaxed.
“I think that may be a very good idea Caleb, thank you,” Eve said weakly and swooned. Panicked, Caleb caught Eve and lifted her into his arms, and ran the remaining quarter mile to his home.
“I am so sorry, Caleb, I am not making a very good impression here,” moaned Eve as she sat drinking a cool glass of apple juice. She had come around as Caleb had entered the cottage.
“Oh, I don’t know, you have made quite an impression on my family,” he smiled. A small girl skipped into the room when she caught sight of Eve on the sofa she began hopping up and down,
“My angel! Daddy, Daddy my angel is on the sofa talking to Caleb!” She squealed. Eve was quite sure she was not an angel but the child seemed so pleased to see her, then it came to her. The girl covered in soot without a pulse. Could it be her? This child was beautiful with blond hair that caught the light, shining in gol
den tendrils around her face, eyes as green as emeralds and the most glorious smile Eve had ever seen.
Her inner musings were confirmed when the girl’s father entered the room. “Hello, my name is Robert, and this is my daughter, Grace. I see you have already met my son,” Robert smiled. Eve was speechless for a few moments, then remembering her manners she rose to her feet and held out her hand.
“A pleasure to meet you, my name is Eve, I am so very glad to see you both again, and under happier circumstances,” she beamed at them.
After finishing her juice and having to promise to come back and see Grace again, Caleb and Eve left for Violet’s house.
“Why didn’t you tell me you already knew who I was?” Asked Eve and fiddling with the hem of her cloak.
“Well, for one thing, you would have thought I only wanted to thank you for saving my sister. Also, I am not proud of our first encounter, so I hoped that if we met and you were unaware of the connection, we already had, that I might be able to make a better second impression,” Caleb hurried. Puzzled by this, Evangeline took a moment to think where she had seen Caleb and how it could have been a negative encounter. Then it came to her, the gathering by the well.
“You were the young man with the group of cowards at the well,” she responded an accessory tone entering her voice.
Looking her in the eye, Caleb answered. “Yes, I was there, having the same argument as you had with them.”
“Then why didn’t you speak up while I was making a complete fool of myself?” Eve countered.
“I couldn’t, I was busy trying to stop a tree falling onto the Mathews house, four houses down from where we were standing, which is not easy when you are…never mind.” Not wanting to have an argument about this on the street or say more than he should about certain things, Caleb took Eves hand and hurried her up to Violet's door. Once they were sat in the sung, and very sure Violet was out, Eve wanted answers.