Reign of Witches

by Brooke Smiley

  I turned to look at the beautiful, shiny lights that were fluttering about up high. The wands seemed to shoot beams of bright white rays that they were chasing through the air. My lips parted as my mouth dropped wide open. I probably looked like a fish. A bubbly giggle lifted out of me. “What are you laughing about?”, Tay asked, looking at me with a huge smile. “I’m just in awe, that’s all.” I replied. “Come, Anna. I want you to meet my father.”

  Tay and I hastened with enthusiasm with each step into the foyer. The fairy king was sitting on his throne which looked to be a rock. It did seem to be a lot taller than a rock, though.

  “Tailya!” A huge, roaring sound from the king. Without hesitation, Tay flew straight up to him. “What have you gotten your wings into this time?” “Father, this is Anna, my new friend. We met by the stones. I was in the middle of gathering up some berries when I saw her.”

  The king rolled back in his throne and let out a loud chuckle. “Splendid! Oh, I just become a bundle of joy when meeting new fairies. Come here, little one. What tribe are you from? You can call me King Trailyon,” he said with kind eyes. “King Trailyon?” I asked with a gasp. “Yep. King Trailyon Epus Oarion IV. Your Majesty or King Trailyon will do just fine.”

  With a deep curtsy and bow of my head, I lowered myself toward the crystalized floor and said, “Pleased to meet you, Your Majesty.” I rose up to an appeased-filled king. With warmth in his eyes, he said, “So, my dear Anna, what tribe are you from?” “Tribe…?”, I thought. “I am not from a tribe, Your Majesty.”

  The moment the words left my lips, Tay’s pleasant smile dropped into a panicky frown. “Tailya!!” The king’s voice was thunderously scary. “Yes daddy?” Tay answered innocently. “The truth! Now! And do not leave anything out!” King Trailyon was furious with Tay, that much I understood.

  Knowing she was about to get it, I sunk my head down into my hands. I wanted to scurry away, but I didn’t want to anger the king any more than he already was.

  “Your Majesty….er…Sire?” Tay called her father, I guess trying to butter him up. But he wasn’t buying it. “Father, I was gathering berries as I said. But I was shielding myself with my light. I was not paying attention, and well…Anna spotted me. She looked so sad, Daddy. I couldn’t just leave her. So, I went into hum…” “You did what?!” The king’s thunderous voice shook the whole foyer, stopping Tailya in mid speech. “Human form,” she gasped.

  The king was livid with Tay. With a wave of his hand, he shouted, “Take her back to her world! And you are to never see her again! Is that clear?” “Yes, my Lord. Come, Anna, let us go.”

  I didn’t understand. What was the big deal? So, I am human. Why is that a problem? If it’s a secret to not tell, I am brilliant at keeping them. So many questions were running through my mind. I had to ask, but when I focused back to reality, I saw the look on Tay’s face. I didn’t say one word.

  Both of us full of dolor, we trudged out of the giant diamond. “Back to my cruel, cruel life,” I murmured. “What was that?” Tay asked with hope in her piercing blue eyes. “Hey, Tay, let’s still be friends,” I said with childlike wonder. “What do you mean?” she asked with curiosity in her voice, meeting me face to face.

  “I won’t tell anybody about you or your world. Tay, you are my very first friend. I don’t want to lose you. We just met.” Focusing on the water that was running down my cheeks, her eyes began to glisten. Not being able to look at me anymore, she turned away and I was staring at her back.

  Both of us needed to get it together, so I proceeded to act out what I was thinking. We needed to get control of our sniffles and collect our thoughts. “Now, what were you trying to ask? What is the plan? I don’t want to lose you either, Anna.” With two huge sighs rising from our bellies, up to our throats, and out of our mouths, we flopped down onto a log.

  Pulling me out of deep thought, I heard the queen shouting my name. “Annalise!!” Oh no! She sounds disgruntled. With a shockwave of fear tiding over me, I shot to my feet. Chills filled my entire body. “Annalise!!” Another shout. I had to go. “Tay, I need to go. Can you turn me back?” “What about…” I stopped her. “Meet me here every day after my studies. That’s when you will be picking berries.”

  Lifting her wand, she gave it a flick and POOF, I was no longer a fairy. Time to face reality…

  We said our farewells and went our separate ways. “ANNALISE!!” Now Mother was yelling my name at the top of her lungs. I knew I was in for it.

  Running through the forest as fast as my legs and feet could carry me, while jumping and hurdling over every stick and log, was not easy to do in this burdensome dress. With every leap, I quickened my pace. I began to see light. Right as I peeled out of the woods, I heard my name shouted for the fourth time. “Where is that worthless little leach?” Working my way up the bridge slowly, while breathing in deep trying to catch my breath, I hollered, “Here I am Mother.” “Do not address me in that manner!” I didn’t understand what she was implying.

  Tilting my head to the bridge below me, trying not to make eye contact, I muttered, “Yes, my queen.” “That’s better you ignorant little scab. Now get inside. I have a mind to teach you a lesson.”

  My body tensed up and felt sluggish all of a sudden. I knew what was coming. Crying hysterically, I tried to plead my case to her. But, nothing. No mercy. She wrapped her hand around my hair and dragged me to the stables. She ripped the back of my dress open so my bare skin would be vulnerable.

  “Let’s see…I think I am going to give you lashes for every minute you were late. I think thirty will do quite nicely, don’t you? This is for making me have to yell for you, you little roach!” She shouted words at me that I didn’t even know.

  Completely horrified, I closed my watery eyes, gritted my teeth and hugged a bale of hay as I drifted off into a memory that would take me away from this tragic moment.

  After she did her worse, she leaned over my scourged back to whisper in my ear, “You deserved every bit of this you ungrateful wench.” No remorse for what she’d done. I even heard her chuckle as she paced away.

  Still hugging the bale of hay, unable to move from the pain in my body, I let out a horrendous wail, realizing my mother was truly evil, and she did not ever love me.

  Finally, able to move, I wiped the blurred vision and fiery sensation from my eyes. Beginning to focus and steady myself, I traipsed back to the castle. As I was attempting to slide through the door, it slung open, almost making me lose my balance.

  “Anna! Where did you go off to?” It was my little brother, Kedron. With a shadow of worry on his face, I had to show him everything was fine. A small tweak that formed my lips and a bob of my head let him know I was tired, but ok. As he turned away, I watched him skip down the hall, full of love and light.

  I started to feel that same tiny bubble of joy in my belly rising up. It was exactly what I needed after what I had endured. Hovering over the stair rail, slowly taking each step, I made it up the clockwise tower to my room. Opening my door, my eyes began to sting as my face became drenched in salty water.

  I threw myself on my bed and smashed a pillow to my face to drown out the overly loud sobs as I cried myself to sleep.

  Opening my eyes to the light of morning, the sparkles of the sun made me realize it was a new day. A grumble in my tummy also made me recognize I had gone to bed without dinner. Rolling out of bed, my hair in knots and crunchy to the touch, I decided I needed a bath. After cleaning up, I put on my sky-blue dress. Every time I wore it, I felt like a bird flying in the sky just soaring in the clouds, not a care in the universe.

  “Annalise!” Shocked out of my happy place, my queen was calling to me with a scorching sound in her voice. Pulling my hair back to a braid and throwing on my brown shoes which were unappealing with holes and scuff marks all over them, I made my way down the staircase. Hastily stepping my way through our great hall and into the kitchen, getting ready to raise her voice with fire as she began to shout my name,
I dropped myself into a low curtsy at her feet.

  Groveling made my mother over-joyed. I think it made her feel superior or something. All I knew was I was not looking to get on her bad side this morning. Hmm… That’s more like it. I looked up to meet her eyes, squinting an evil glaze at me. She snarled at me in disgust, flicking her hand back and forth for me to get out of her sight.

  Getting ready to post haste out of the kitchen and away from my mother’s chilling presence, I turned to the basket on the table. Just as I began to grab a delicious pastry, she asked, “What do you think you are doing?” My mouth started to fill with saliva. I bowed my head and answered, “Please, Mother, may I have this? I’m so hungry. I forgot to eat supper.” My belly knots were becoming more like shooting pains from the smell of the inviting treat encased in my fingers. “Take it and go. Do not forget to do your chores after your studies. There will be fury to pay if you disobey me!” I bowed down to show I understood her wrath.

  As I left the kitchen through the great hall and out the door, I began to enjoy my sugary breakfast and headed off to complete my studies.

  CHAPTER 3

  Prancing down the dirt road, I thought to myself, “I wonder what studies we’ll learn today? Will Mother ever accept me? I hope I see Tay today! Do I dare tell the King?” With the questions spinning in my head, I realized the sugar was doing its job a little too well! Allowing a deep breath in and hard puff out, I sighed.

  I nearly face-planted into a tree while lost in my thoughts, not putting my eyes on where I was journeying to. A glowing shimmer hit my peripheral vision, stopping me in my tracks.

  I knew Tay and I weren’t to meet up until after my studies. I felt panic come over me like a dark gray cloud as the glimmering light spoke. “Hello, Annalise. I have heard much about you. My Tailya cannot stop talking about you for one second. She speaks of how she cannot wait to see you again. In all her rambunctious rambling, I had no doubt I needed to meet you myself.” Speaking gracefully, she continued, “I’m Queen Lindy. It is so pleasing to meet the child who has my Tailya light-hearted in her every stride.”

  I began to show respect, lowering my head as I smiled. Queen Lindy bowed her head down at me as well, with a genuine gleam in her eyes.

  “You are much brighter than all the other fairies, Miss…er…um…I mean Queen Lindy.” She giggled blissfully and I could not control the glee that penetrated through my heart. The cheerful warmth I felt from her, I just knew she held Tay’s and my friendship in high regards.

  Both of us letting out chuckle after chuckle, wonderment overpowered me. It was a feeling of love and comfort I received from Queen Lindy. Something I had never experienced before.

  “Well, Anna, might I ask what you and Tailya have planned later today?” A cold sweat came over me as I began to lower my eyes from her gaze. “Oh, goodness, dear Anna, you have not one thing to fear from me.” The cold sweat immediately left my body and I felt safe. A sigh of relief leapt out of me and my eyes once again fixated on Queen Lindy’s gracious gaze.

  “Tailya and I were just going to pick some berries and play in the forest by the stones. I would really like to show her all of my favorite places I have discovered. Would it be alright to do so Queen Lindy?”

  “Of course, my child,” she replied with so much joy in her eyes. “I expect you two in before dark. Shall I set up a plate for you?” Her kindness overwhelmed me. Could I eat with them? Do I eat what they eat? What do fairies eat?

  The stripes on my back started to sting, reminding me to not forget my chores. I didn’t want another beating. “Can I ask for the dinner invite to be extended?” I asked with my fingers twiddling around one another. A smile appeared on her lips, giving me consent for what I had just asked. “It would be our pleasure,” she said. Beautiful sparkling dust floated in front of me as Queen Lindy fluttered through the sky. “Nice to meet you, Queen Lindy!” I yelled.

  After rubbing the water from my eyes from the sting of the bright light, I noticed she was gone.

  Entering through the gates of my school, my mind started up again. “No Anna!” I said to myself with frustration. “Time to use your mind for studies.” Silencing my thoughts, I turned my ears and eyes to the teachings of Madam Bell at Bristeria Bellarium’s Tower of Enchantment.

  I didn’t see how enchanting it was. All I learn is how to read, write and spell things. Lots of enchantment there… Madam Bell makes my time here exciting, though. She never shows hostility the way all the other professors do. Madam Bell always has a glitter in her smile and gentleness in her hugs. Although, if you did not know her, looks could be deceiving.

  Her hair, messy as a bird’s nest, bifocal lenses that covered almost half her face, and stitches splitting apart on her clothing. Others might take Madam Bell for a beggar. One of those people who sit on the steps asking for food. Not to me or the rest of the class. We all adored Madam Bell, and she adored us.

  Madam Bell made learning come easy. If we didn't comprehend the lesson, she would demonstrate it for us to give us a better understanding.

  I made my way through the classroom, to

  see my desk and chair waiting for me, so inviting. But the lashings on my back were still really tender and sore.

  I moved my chair out of the way to be able to kneel in front of my desk. Looking down at my paper on the table, I saw we were putting letters together today. I found it exciting. I thought about my meet and greet with

  Queen Lindy as I began to write. Learning how to put letters together was fun. I formed something. I spelled Tailya!

  Astonished with myself, a loud giggle left me and drew Madam Bell's attention my way to see me kneeling on the floor. I watched her make her way over to me. "Annalise, why are you not in your chair like the rest of your classmates?"

  She asked with concern.

  My moment of happiness was interrupted by a question I didn't even begin to know how to answer. The lacerations on my back started to flare up from the sudden chill that rose through my body. I couldn't answer her, no matter how sweet she was.

  Telling her was not an option. All it would do is create something fiercer in my mother. Madam Bell placed her hand gently on my shoulder,

  then slowly lifted it to pat me on the back. I flinched. The burn on the inside of my body from my lashings was almost unbearable.

  My answer was a small line of wetness trickling down my cheeks. The thought of lying to my favorite teacher was eating me up inside and

  I was starting to feel the shame of not being able to tell the truth about my situation. I put my hand quickly over the drop of water that landed on my paper, hoping she hadn’t seen it.

  She was clearly confused as to why I was crying. But instead of pressing the issue, she decided to quietly walk away.

  The second lie out of my mouth made me feel icky.

  After class, I found a tree to climb under. Lying to my father and now to Madam Bell was causing my heart to break into pieces, bit by bit.

  I welcomed the feeling of regret with open arms. Placing my hands over my face, feeling the wetness from my eyes, I stayed put and brought my knees to my chest. Allowing my memory to flow caused me to lose track of time. I picked myself up, wiped my eyes and headed home to do my chores.

  Coming out of the forest I could see all the chickens waiting to be fed. I walked over toward the stable and noticed mine staring at the bag of bird feed. When I came into their view, they started circling me and clucking. I knew they were happy to see me. Deciding to feed them first, I reached into the sack to grab a big handful.

  Unhanding seed after seed vertically to the ground, my chickens Lucy and Elsie started to fill their stomachs. Lucy, white as snow with a bright orange/red beak, was my plump girl. She would always bully Elsie and steal her food.

  I think Elsie just didn’t want to fight. Plus, being small and meek like she was, I didn’t think she would win. Thinking to myself, a loudness circled the air, startling my chickens. As I chuckled, both Lucy and Elsie glared
at me. Bubbles of laughter whooshed through the air as I skipped down the meadow.

  Knowing I wouldn’t be able to see Tay this evening, I focused on other things to bring me joy. Looking up from the stables, Sampson came prancing down to me. “Sampson!” I yelled. My little boy sprung up into my arms, his copper gold fur tickled my neck. Flipping over for me to stroke his grayish black chest, he looked up at me in pure bliss. His sun-kissed eyes began to close. “You like that, don’t you boy?” I said while scratching his belly.

  Hopping out of my arms, his little red face turned toward mine. With a swipe of my hand over his head, I said, “I’m almost done boy.” I could tell he was ready for me to come in and snuggle. Curling up next to Sampson was like having a warm blanket that never allowed you to feel the coldness in the air. Except when he would jerk up out of his sleep from a dream, whacking me in the face with his bushy white-tipped tail. Maybe it was a nightmare?

  Finishing up for the evening, I darted off to the castle. The queen was not home when I came in after my studies. Knowing her every move in the village, it could only mean she was at Renard’s, having a glass of that stuff that looked like blood.

  Running across the bridge and into the door, I felt safe. No encounters with Mother tonight. Walking up to my room, climbing all those many steps, unfailingly made me feel detached from my family. My room was just so far away. Yet, being separated from my mother was definitely an upside. It meant I could stay out of the line of fire.

  Tiptoeing down the staircase, I saw a glimmer glowing in the hall. Holding my stomach with both arms crossed, I began to hunch over. My body was telling me to feed it. Sneaking through the hall, the glowing beam was getting more radiant. It was coming from the kitchen. My thoughts started tangling through my mind. Then the door began to move.