The Phoenix and the Witch

by H. M. Gooden

  Zahara paused long enough to have a sip of her latte and waited for questions. Both Cat and Evelyn gestured for her to continue, so she spoke again.

  "As a highwayman, he'd also murder people for their belongings. The story went that in order to hide the bodies, he used his skill as a tanner to tan the skins and then by eating the meat, he removed all traces of his many victims. This apparently went on for over twenty years, until the number of people who had gone missing began to grow. Sawney Bean and his wife were said to have had numerous children together, fourteen I think, who then went on to have incestuous children of their own."

  "Oh, gross!" Evelyn said, putting down her banana bread and pushing the plate away. Cat felt her own lip curl at the story.

  "Ugh. That's totally nasty. Then what happened?" Cat needed to hear the rest, although she didn't know if she could handle any more.

  Zahara leaned in and spoke more quietly, as Evelyn's outburst had drawn the attention of the people sitting nearby. Cat and Evelyn leaned in so that they could hear Zahara more clearly.

  "By the time their children grew to adulthood, they'd begun to ambush larger and larger parties, until one night, they attacked a couple returning from the fair. They pulled the woman off her horse and disemboweled her even before her husband was attacked. He was a trained soldier and somehow managed to fight them off, escaping just in time for another, larger group of fairgoers to come across the scene. The Sawney Bean family was outnumbered for the first time so they ran away, escaping back to their caves."

  Cat leaned back. "That is possibly the most disturbing thing I've ever heard."

  Zahara bit her lip and nodded in agreement, but held up her hand. "Oh yeah but wait, it gets worse."

  "How's that even possible?" Evelyn asked, incredulously.

  "Well, this time they'd been discovered in the act. They were said to be demons or maybe witches, so the news immediately came to the attention of King James, who was known to be intolerant of witches at that time. He arranged for an army of 400 men to storm the caves, accompanied by dogs and locals. The dogs followed the smell of rotting meat into the opening of the cave, where they found human flesh hanging and drying on the walls like meat in a butcher shop, with piles of old clothing and discarded bones in various places on the floor."

  "You're right, that's way worse."

  Cat shuddered at the idea of human bodies in various states of dismemberment. She couldn't even watch zombie movies and this was supposed to be real people that had eaten them. That was infinitely worse.

  "The fight was brief, with the family completely outnumbered by the force of the army. They took forty-eight people to face trial in Edinburgh. Because the case was considered so shocking, the normal trial system was abandoned. Twenty-seven men were dismembered and left to bleed to death in front of the women, who were then burned at the stake for witchcraft."

  Zahara leaned back, taking another sip of her drink while she waited for their reactions. Cat looked at Evelyn, who looked as grossed out as she felt.

  "What's the connection here? Why would the ghost of a dead doctor want to tell Evelyn a story about a tree near a cave with a story of cannibals? How are they connected?"

  Zahara pursed her lips. "Beats me. I've always loved the details of that legend, though. A lot of people say it probably never happened. Historians completely disagree with the details, but believe the story was first written down in England years after it was supposed to have happened. There aren't a lot of contemporary records, so for historians that often means a story that isn't true, or it's apocryphal. Some also say it could have been propaganda, lowlander versus highlander smearing, you know the drill. Us against them, all highlanders are the devil sort of deal. It could also have been because of the Protestant versus Catholic tensions, which were high during the time when most of the accounts were documented. There was a lot of made-up stuff with all that nonsense going on back then."

  Cat nodded, but remained skeptical. "The part that interests me the most about this is the location. What if we assume that there really was an evil cannibalistic family living in the caves? Why were they there? Maybe it has something to do with the tree we've been seeing. Evelyn, what do you think?"

  Evelyn narrowed her eyes, then looked off into the distance, her gaze blurring into a place where the others couldn't follow before she returned to them.

  "The tree is part of it. We will need to go to Bennane Cave to see if the story of the family is true. Parts of it must be, based on me hearing this story from a ghost today. The tree is part of the truth. We need to talk to Robin for guidance before we make that trip, but I think we should wait for Vanessa and Mai to get here before we do anything at all. We'll need all the power we have together for our safety."

  Cat felt her blood start to bubble and could sense that her inner phoenix was awake and eager for battle. She tried to push the sensation down, but it lurked impatiently, waiting for the moment when it would be allowed to fly free again.

  CHAPTER SIX

  They passed an enjoyable weekend as tourists, with Zahara introducing the girls to all the wonders of Edinburgh. Cat felt at home and couldn't help imagining her ancestors walking down the same streets, living their lives before they'd moved to America. She found it amazing that they'd been able to leave such a marvelous place, but when she voiced her thoughts to Zahara, she'd laughed in Cat's face.

  "Edinburgh was the dirtiest, most cramped city in the United Kingdom. Anyone with any money tried to escape whenever possible to the country or the seaside. It didn't get much better even after it was transformed from 'auld reekie' into the Athens of the North' during the 1750's to 1800's, although the architecture improved immensely." Zahara looked down at the sidewalk, gesturing to a discarded burger wrapper. "As you can clearly see, litter is an ongoing problem."

  Cat shrugged, still thinking it was a pity her people had left, but the reminder of what life might have been like before indoor plumbing meant she couldn't blame them for leaving. The people they passed on the streets came in the same variety of sizes, shapes and colors she was used to seeing at home, but their accents were so different. The occasional sound of Gaelic spoken on the street made her wish her father had spoken it with them at home so that she knew what the locals were saying. But all maudlin thoughts aside, it was a great experience. Zahara was the absolute best guide that they could have wished for and was quickly becoming a good friend. It was with disappointment the girls returned to their lodgings later on Sunday evening.

  "I wish we didn't have to go to school in the morning," Cat groaned.

  Zahara smiled at the girls, as Evelyn joined in.

  "Yeah, me too. But on the bright side, maybe it'll be interesting? It won't be full classes all day, after all. I think Mr. Grayson said that we'll have morning classes, then an afternoon study period. We're supposed to work on some sort of project to present at the end of the six weeks, so maybe things won't be as stuffy as they'd be at home."

  Cat glumly dropped down on the bed.

  "Yeah, maybe. But between all the amazing places I want to visit and the unknown looming evil, I'm just not thrilled that tomorrow is Monday."

  Zahara lightly patted her shoulder.

  "Cheer up. I know for a fact that your teacher is very interesting. Dr. Robert Brown is highly regarded and I think you'll have a great experience with him. I'll be back at eight sharp to pick you up. Or eight-thirty, if you don't want to stop at Starbucks first." said Zahara, offering them a later start.

  "No, eight's good," said Evelyn. "I'll need a coffee, what with the early start and the ongoing jet lag."

  Evelyn looked at Cat, who nodded.

  "There's no way I'll make it through the day without having coffee first. Have a good evening and we'll see you at eight."

  Zahara got up, waving goodbye at the door before leaving the girls to get ready for bed. They said goodnight to each other, then turned out the lights. They lay quietly in the dark, content to not speak for a long time befo
re falling asleep, their minds full of thoughts of the sights and sounds of the city and the information that Zahara had given over the weekend.

  WAKING UP WAS EASIER than expected and the girls were ready and waiting by the time Zahara came to get them. They stopped to purchase large coffees, but still had plenty of time to walk leisurely to Dr. Brown's office. As only Cat and Evelyn were participating in what they still thought was a made-up study abroad program, they'd be doing most of their work either in his office or in the library at the university.

  Zahara led them to a beautiful building rich with dark woods and marble flooring, knocking on a door with frosted glass that read Dr. Robert Brown, English Studies. The door opened with a slight creak and an elderly man with snowy wild hair, a brown tweed suit that hid a diminutive statue, and glasses with twinkling eyes glowing behind them merrily waved them in.

  "Come in, my dears! How lovely! I assume that you are the students from abroad? Catherine McLean and Evelyn Baptiste?"

  The girls nodded and smiled shyly back.

  The man noticed Zahara and beamed happily. "Oh, how lovely to see you again, my child! How are your parents? I trust everything is going well? No disturbances of import?"

  Zahara smiled and gave the man a hug.

  "Yes, Doctor, things are well with them. They send their regards and are disappointed they haven't had a chance to see you more often in the last little while."

  Dr. Brown waved away her words. "Please let them know I'll come by this weekend, if I have a moment. I always enjoy visiting them and their lovely garden. Have you been working on your gardening?"

  Zahara shrugged her shoulders, looking away guiltily. "Not recently, I'm afraid. I've been showing the girls around and haven't been as connected as I should be."

  Cat realized that Zahara and Dr. Brown were very well acquainted and discussing her earth magic openly in his office, with the door open. It wasn't in an obvious way, but Cat was surprised at how comfortable they were, as though they were talking about practicing an instrument. Which in a sense, she guessed maybe they were.

  Dr. Brown ushered the girls further into the comfortably appointed room, shutting the door behind them. A large desk dominated the area by the window and bookshelves covered every available wall. Two cozy armchairs stood beside a fire place, a perfect spot for someone to sit down with a good book to spend a long rainy day. Cat felt herself becoming excited. She loved reading and this looked like a great place to pass some time while in Scotland. Maybe she'd enjoy this experience after all.

  "Let's get started without any more ado, shall we ladies? Zahara, you're welcome to stay of course, although you're not technically part of the program, or even a student any longer for that matter."

  "Thank you so much for the offer, Dr. Brown, but I really should get back and practice my gardening, as you've just reminded me." Zahara turned to Cat and Evelyn. "You'll be in classes here with Dr. Brown from nine until one every day, Monday to Friday. Afternoons are to be spent in personal study, so if you're okay with it, I'll meet you back at the library at five so that we can go for supper."

  Cat and Evelyn nodded, before Dr. Brown elaborated on the plan.

  "Thank you, Zahara. Yes, the basic study course is six weeks, with four hours of instruction in the mornings and your afternoons set aside to use the libraries resources, and of course any books in my office that are appropriate, to draft and complete a twenty-page paper on the topic you've been given."

  Cat felt her spirits sink, until he told them what the topics were going to be. She felt herself becoming interested, despite her lack of love for school.

  "Catherine, you'll be working on a paper about the influence of folklore on Shakespearian works. Evelyn, I'd like you to focus on the influence of magic and psychic abilities as found therein."

  Both girls looked at Dr. Brown, then to each other and back again. He caught their amazement and laughed.

  "I guess I should go back to the beginning and explain myself a little more. As you may know, I am Dr. Robert Brown. I am a rather, erm, senior tenured professor at the university. They are completely unable to get rid of me at this point in time, much to the chagrin of a few of the board members."

  He looked over the small round spectacles he wore with a smile. For the first time, Cat noticed that the shape of his eye was more similar to that of a cat than a human. The twinkle that she saw in them was also beyond what his words should have caused. As she examined his appearance more closely, she saw that he wasn't a large man, and he was dressed completely in brown. At first she'd just assumed it was because he was elderly and Scottish and that tweed was his thing, but now she wondered if he wasn't quite human either.

  "Excuse me, Dr. Brown, but now that we're alone in your office, would it be considered improper or rude if I were to ask a question?" Evelyn asked, as usual getting right to the heart of her curiosity.

  Dr. Brown smiled and Cat observed teeth that were slightly more pointed than one would expect for a man who appeared to be at least in his seventies.

  "Of course, my dear! Go right ahead."

  Evelyn took a deep breath before asking the question that Cat also wanted to know the answer to. "What exactly are you, sir?"

  Dr. Brown went behind his desk and removed his glasses while Zahara stood to the side, smirking like an older sibling who knew something the younger kids didn't. Dr. Brown took a deep breath, clapped his hands, then began to shrink in on himself. Cat blinked and an instant later saw her new teacher standing on top of the desk, no bigger than the size of a large house cat. He was still mostly human in appearance, but much smaller. The answer hit her and Evelyn at the same time.

  "Are you a Brownie?" asked Cat and Evelyn.

  He bowed deeply and with a flourish before straightening back up, still at his perch on the desk.

  "I am indeed! I've known Miss Zahara's family for many, many years, as they are all skilled in earth magic and we have much in common. I am also good friends with some others that you know. Mr. Grayson and I come from the same area, and of course, there's Master Robin, whom we all serve with pleasure."

  Cat and Evelyn smiled at each other.

  "I knew it," Evelyn said, with a smug nod.

  "Well, this puts a different and much more interesting spin on our study program," said Cat. "Is this by any chance a crash course in literature involving the history of magic in the British Isles?"

  Cat was finding it difficult to take Dr. Brown seriously now that he was in such a tiny form. He nodded before changing back to his previous size as magically as he'd shrunk down.

  "Yes! Robin thought it would be useful if you ladies knew more about your powers and the legacy of magic that surrounds you. As you will be matriculating soon, what better way to learn than to have it taught as part of your final year's course work? Hopefully, it will prepare you to be out in the world on your own, dealing with who knows what around you better than you'd otherwise be able to."

  Cat sat down in the maroon chair to the right of the fire, still facing the desk. Her body felt tired and revved up at the same time. This truly was a fantastic opportunity and she didn't want to waste it, especially if it was entirely at Robin's whim. He always knew well in advance what was happening, but as usual, left her with more questions whenever he was involved.

  "Are we going to see Robin while we're here?" Cat asked. It would probably fulfill her dad's fondest wish, knowing his daughter had seen the king of the earth on his traditional grounds.

  Dr. Brown scratched his chin and squinted out of one eye.

  "Hmmm, that might not be a bad idea. Let me work on it." He suddenly snapped back from contemplative to energetic. "Let's get started, shall we? You've much to learn!"

  Zahara left the girls shortly afterward, professing the need to practice. With energy levels that Mr Grayson would have had problems keeping up with, Dr. Brown then gave them a quick lecture on Shakespeare. Apparently, the playwright had been human, but had many friends who were not, which explained
many of the truths that could be found in his plays. From everything that Dr. Brown taught them, Cat surmised that most of Shakespeare's plays were based on fact and not fiction like she'd assumed before she'd entered into this hidden world of magic and mysticism.

  By the end of the morning's seminar, both girls were interested and feeling challenged. Instead of Shakespeare 101, they felt like they'd dropped into a Magic 101 class and been sent to read what they could for the rest of the day. At least Dr. Brown laid out a more detailed class plan for the week, leaving them with ample time for self-directed reading. Once they'd done that, he'd review the parts that they needed help to understand. Cat was shocked to see it was already lunch time when they were hustled out of the office by their new teacher with orders to get food, then head to the library to continue what they were working on.

  THE FRESH AIR ON HER face made Cat happy. Mentally, she was still stuck inside the office, her mind whirling with everything their new teacher had discussed, but she could feel the wind scrub away some of the fog. Her mind began to wake up again after a few minutes of brisk walking. Evelyn had suggested they see what type of lunch facilities were available on campus, which was how they'd found themselves in a large food court area that resembled a mall instead of the smaller high school cafeteria that they were used to. They each bought food then sat at a small laminated table that reminded Cat of plastic fast food restaurant tables from home.

  "So, what do you think of Dr. Brown?" asked Evelyn, as she opened her sandwich wrapper. She took a bite while she waited for Cat to answer.

  "He's not what I thought he'd be, but it makes sense that he's not a regular teacher, given how we got this 'scholarship' in the first place."