Freya’s carved wooden chair creaked as she eased back, her mind reeling from everything she’d heard. She was a witch. She’d always known she was different. It had been mentioned once or twice throughout her life in jest but who really believes in such things. It’s a story in a novel or a series to binge watch. How could she, they, all these people sitting around this table be witches? She felt an overwhelming urge to consult her tarot cards.
‘Do you think she’s okay?’ Dominique leaned over and whispered to Penelope.
Penelope observed Freya, eyes closed, her hands in motion as if she were turning cards.
Freya jumped and eyes wide she stared at Drakon who had slammed his cane sharply on the table, the ruby gem shimmered.
‘Drakon.’ A warning note from Penelope.
‘It’s alright, Penelope,’ Drakon sounded almost bored, ‘It’s not going to work that well if she really is a witch and part of our coven.’ He paused, ‘I mean I know I’m irresistible…’
Kasha groaned and Dominique stifled a laugh.
‘… but she can resist me, can you not, Freya.’ Drakon arched his eyebrow.
Freya detected the challenge and smiled. Despite everything, she felt the connection with these strangers and felt part of something, a group she didn’t realise she needed. The gaping hole left by her sister would never be filled but this was something.
‘You are my leader and I will follow your every command.’ Freya delivered her reply, her voice monotone.
Freya saw the briefest of a flicker of worry cover Drakon’s face before the mask of indifference fell once again. She smirked and everyone apart from Drakon laughed, even the dog barked which sounded as if it knew Drakon had nearly been fooled.
‘Oh, you are definitely staying,’ Kasha stated, lifting her glass, ‘cheers everyone. Here’s to our newest witch.’
They all chinked glasses, even Drakon. He tilted his head ever so slightly to Freya and she raised her glass slightly to acknowledge him.
‘I have questions,’ Freya stated, putting down her glass.
‘I expect nothing less.’ Penelope replied, ‘ask us anything.’
‘I am not quite sure where to start but you said we all have different powers so to speak but how do you know what our powers are? I don’t feel as if I have anything like your powers.’
Freya looked at Penelope, ‘You say that you can conceal and hide your environment so that others cannot see them. How do I know that you’re not doing that to me right now?’
‘A good question and learning what it is to be a witch cannot be told or learnt in an afternoon but before we move onto you joining our coven, we will all try to convince you we are your friends.’ Penelope replied, ‘Weaving spells as we would call them,’ Penelope continued, a wry smile at the word, ‘it takes a lot of energy and connection to the earth. I cannot just conjure an illusion without a lot of preparation. There are certain herbs which take more years than a usual human span to learn.’
Freya interrupted, ‘wait, sorry. ‘How old are you all?’
Freya could almost hear the unsaid words between them. How much to tell her so she didn’t jump up and run away.
Kasha spoke up, there wasn’t much point in her being known for her blunt manner and then not seizing the opportunity to say something. If Freya was going to take part in the ceremony they needed to get a move on, ‘I’m 72.’ She answered.
Freya thought she might end up with a repetitive strain injury if her jaw kept this up, ‘but you look about 30,’ she exclaimed.
Drakon rolled his eyes, ‘I’m the oldest. Somewhere around 250 years old but one doesn’t bother to keep count. My sweet younger brother is a couple of years younger. I must point out that we only share a father and I, of course, have the looks and brains of the family.’
Somewhere in the back of Freya’s mind, which wasn’t thinking ‘what the actual hell’ , she had wondered why the brothers looked so different.
‘Our Penelope is the big hitter though,’ Drakon continued, ‘she tops the scales at somewhere around 300 hundred.’ He dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, ‘although it’s not polite to mention a woman’s age.’
Freya broke the silence knowing she should say something, ‘but how do you all look so young?’
‘I’m afraid we don’t know everything about life as a witch, despite the fact we are witches. Some witches do live just a normal human lifespan. It is one of the many questions which is still unknown.’ Penelope informed her.
‘So, I won’t know if I have the same ability?’ Freya asked, wondering if that was the right word and what she thought about living so long. Outliving her parents, her friends Ali and Alex. Alex, her heart fluttered. What if something did happen and then she stopped aging? How would she explain that? Freya looked around at this unlikely group and realised what a bond they must share and what toll it must take on them.
‘No, I’m afraid not. There have been others…’ Penelope started as Kasha took over.
‘We have lost witches over the years. Some have died naturally and some have been murdered by the witchfinders.’
‘As in the witch trials? I know a little bit about the horrific trials from Pendle?’ Freya asked not quite able to take it all in, but she could see them all visibly flinch.
‘The trials haven’t stopped Freya,’ Penelope said, with so much sadness in her voice, ‘this is why you are here. We need to stop them once and for all but to do that, we need a full coven.’
‘But I thought you said you needed six people? Unless you’re including Aland and if I passed this test, ceremony thing, it would still only make five of us.’
Dominique quiet so far leant forward, ‘We need all five to find the High Priestess, the sixth witch. Despite Pen’s powers, this isn’t something she can do alone. She found you but it required the connection of us all and it’s dangerous.’
Kasha huffed, ‘Don’t put her off completely. We are trying to talk her into this, remember,’ Kasha reached over and squeezed Dominique’s leg and smiled, to ensure he knew she was only partly joking.
‘Listen,’ Penelope said, standing up. ‘Let’s have a break. This has been a lot to take in and…’ she held her hand up to Kasha, ‘I know time is of the essence but remember how you felt when you joined the group?’
‘I’ve still got the scars.’ Dominique said and grunted when Kasha punched him in the arm.
‘It’s up to you Freya. Would a break be useful or do you want to carry on?’
Freya’s brain was telling her to get up and run but another part of her was excited and wanted to know everything. What was this danger they were talking about and this ceremony they kept mentioning?
‘It’s okay. I want to know as much as you can tell me. You keep saying we have limited time and I already feel I don’t want us to be in danger. What is this ceremony and why is it dangerous?’
‘You have a fifty-fifty chance you will die.’ Drakon said, his gaze direct and challenging.
***
Mary had never slept so long in her life. Despite the lack of sunlight her limbs told her they’d been curled up for a long time. She stretched and groaned as her limbs popped but it felt good.
The night before she had barely managed to eat the food Tobias had insisted he serve her, along with what she thought was stronger than the usual thin, watered down mead. She’d had a split second when she wondered if had drugged her but dismissed it. She could trust him and what was the alternative? Go back to the life she already felt had been lived by someone else. Not find out who she could be. Not make her father proud.
‘Breakfast is ready, Mary.’ Tobias called.
Mary could smell the glorious bacon and fresh bread as she gathered her shawl around her and pulled back the tapestry which covered the bed. There must be some ventilation to allow the smoke out from the fire. She’d not really thought about it yesterday. She wondered why the home was underground and how the smoke was concealed so someone couldn’t find them above. Her stomach flipped at the thought of being caught.
She looked up to see Tobias smiling, ‘Don’t worry. We are safe.’
Mary blushed, ‘Can you read my mind?’
He laughed softly, ‘No. If only. I know how I would feel if my life had changed in such short a time. Come, have some food and then we will start.’
Mary wanted to skip the food but her stomach growled and she perched on the chair. No one had ever made her food before and here she was, being served twice in as many days. How jealous her mother would be. She picked up a warm slice of bread and smeared it in butter. Would they have realised she’d disappeared by now. Had her body been found? Had the villagers believed their story. She would ask Tobias but not now.
Breakfast finished, Tobias refused her help as he cleared the table and made some fresh peppermint tea he said he’d gathered that morning. Mary had never tasted anything like it.
‘Are you ready to find out who you are, Mary?’
‘Yes,’ Mary answered firmly with no trace of anxiousness.
‘Where to begin, ‘Tobias said and set down his cup.
‘You are the Guardian of the witches,’ he glanced at the book she had smuggled from the library, ‘that book has the names of all the witches.’
‘But how do they get there and how are they crossed out? I know that means they are dead. Greta..’ Mary hesitated. She trusted Tobias but how much to share and how much did he know.
Tobias sighed, ‘Poor Greta did not deserve that fate. We tried to do something but the Witchfinders arrived too quickly and we couldn’t be seen to interfere. The covens are getting weaker and it’s dangerous to show ourselves.’
‘You’re a witch?’ Mary exclaimed, thinking how stupid she was to think only women were witches.
‘Yes,’ Tobias confirmed, ‘Greta was…’ he stopped choking with emotion.
‘Oh goodness, Tobias. I didn’t think to look at all the other names.’ Mary reached over and gripped his hand, ‘I’m so sorry, Tobias. Gerta was a friend. A good healer.’
He smiled, as tears tracked down his face. Mary wiped them away with her fingers. Feeling overwhelmed at his grief.
He nodded and sighed, ‘She was special but this is why it’s so important we try and stop them.’
‘Do you mean these witchfinders? Who are they?”
‘I need to tell you about the book first,’ Tobias frowned, ‘Put simply there are witches called scribes and when they meet a witch or find out about a witch they perform a ritual. This can be from anywhere in the world. They use blood,’ Tobias held up his hand, ‘I promise to fill in the details but this is the very short version.’
He took another sip of tea before continuing, ‘They scribe the name and it’s either entered or crossed out in your book.’
Mary felt a thrill of excitement. Her book. She held back her questions and allowed Tobias to talk.
‘This used to be the only book in existence but then someone made a copy and the witchfinders have one.’
Mary gasped, ‘So they already know many of the names?’
‘Yes. No-one ever thought another witch would do such a thing.’
‘A witch made a copy and is killing their own kind,’ Mary was aghast at such evil, ‘why would they do such a thing Tobias?’ ‘Again, I have much to tell you but I wanted you to know how important the book is and why it needs protecting. We are hoping that you have the power to stop them.’
(Please note: this story is just a bit of fun and writing practice for me. It hasn’t been edited so if mistakes send shivers down your spine, then don’t read it 😉)
C.L. Peache 