The Witch's City

by M. Gregg Roe

  Marryn adopted a friendly smile and walked up to meet Audrey’s mother for the first time.

  38

  ‡ Marilee ‡

  Audrey placed a cup of pear juice in front of her mother, who was seated at the small round table in her cottage’s dining nook. Marilee smiled, took a sip, and went back to looking out the two small windows. Her blond hair was longer than the last time Audrey had seen her two months earlier, and Audrey thought she looked a little thinner, although still decidedly plump.

  “I still can’t believe you’re here,” said Audrey as she sat down opposite. “I’m so happy!”

  Marilee smiled and turned her head. “And I’m happy to be here. You look good, Audrey. And this place is even better than I’d thought. Almera was really determined that you not get away from her.”

  Audrey laughed. “Could be. I’m certainly happy I didn’t end up moving away. I just love it here.”

  “And I think I can manage living at the mansion for a while,” her mother quipped.

  Marilee hadn’t wanted to give any details while they were at the market or on the way back, but Audrey was desperately curious as to why her mother had come. “Did you leave father?” she asked.

  “No, but don’t think I haven’t been thinking about it. I’m still thinking about it. I just needed a break from him is all. I paid for my trip with the silver he’s been hiding out in the barn. Like I didn’t know about it! I told him, but I don’t think he really believed I was leaving until I got in the wagon.

  “Audrey, I came here to see you. You’ve visited us, but I haven’t been here since our first visit.”

  “I’m really glad. It must have cost a lot to get here. Do you need some money?”

  Marilee smiled gently and patted Audrey’s hand. “There’s no need. I don’t mind Almera looking after me while I’m here. She says she owes me for letting her take care of you. Almera and Draymund both really care about you, Audrey.”

  “I know, Mother, and I’m very grateful. According to Cinda, I’m the luckiest peasant girl there has ever been.”

  Marilee laughed. “That’s one odd girl, but I like her.”

  “So, how was your trip?”

  Marilee grinned. “Exciting! We were attacked on the way, and afterwards, there was all these arrows sticking out of the wagon.”

  “Was anyone hurt?”

  “Not so much. The goblins with us scared off the attackers, and one of ‘em even healed a Novox guard that got hit. I didn’t know goblins could do that.”

  “Some goblins are spell-casters,” Audrey explained. “Some are even clerics … like priests or priestesses.”

  “I didn’t know that. Well, they look nasty, but they were real polite and friendly. I’m glad they were guarding us.”

  “Me too. This is going to be fun. There so much I can show you. And people I want to introduce you to. How long are you staying?”

  Marilee looked uncertain. “Almera said I could stay as long as I like. Truthfully, I don’t know. Until I can stand to be with your father again, I suppose.”

  Hearing that made Audrey feel sad. “I see. You two really aren’t getting along.”

  “No, Audrey,” said Marilee gently. “We aren’t. That’s just how it is sometimes.”

  “I know, but it does bother me.”

  “It bothers me too. But I want to forget about Anton for a bit. I want to see the Witch’s City and have some fun!”

  “Then that, Mother, is just what we’ll do!”

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  “I really wish I could have seen your reaction when you saw your mother sitting next to my mother,” said Saxloc as he gazed at Audrey’s joy-filled face. Because it was a hot day, the two of them were seated in the coolest corner of the mansion’s parlor by an open window.

  Audrey shook her head. “Just ask your mother if you want details. She’ll describe all my crying, slobbering, and inane babbling in great detail.”

  “I may do that. Where is your mother now?”

  “Taking a hot bath—her second today. She says that she is going to take as many as possible while she’s here.”

  “That brings me to the big question, the same one I had when you took up residence here: Now that she’s here, will she ever leave?”

  Audrey burst out laughing. “Now that is funny! But there’s an obvious answer: If she won’t go, then we’ll build her a cottage.”

  Saxloc smiled slightly. “It wasn’t strictly a joke. Did your mother actually leave your father? For good?”

  Audrey started chewing her lower lip. “She said not, but I just don’t know. I think she’ll probably stay about a month and then go back to Farmerton. But if my father doesn’t mend his ways, then she might just gather her things and come right back.”

  Saxloc could see how concerned Audrey was. “Have you made any plans yet?”

  “Yes. She wants to go to Dymar and see Violet and her family. We’re going tomorrow.”

  “You’ll have to skip your training,” he pointed out, causing her to frown.

  “I know. But I want to spend as much time with her as I can. I’m already committed to teaching eleven more woman’s self-defense classes.”

  “Couldn’t Grasapa find someone else?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “You wouldn’t get paid. Forget I suggested it.”

  Audrey scowled at him. “I’m not that bad. I may get someone to fill in for one or two of the classes. I want to take my mother to Rohoville for a few days.”

  “Didn’t she and your father stay there on their way back home after you first came here?”

  “Yes, but I’m sure they didn’t visit the king and queen.”

  “When she does decide to leave, you could travel there a few days early and show her around.”

  Audrey thought for a while, once again chewing on her lip. Finally, she nodded. “That is an excellent idea. And it’s a way to force her to think about when she wants to go back to Farmerton. I’ll wait until we’re all sick of her and then mention it,” she finished brightly.

  Saxloc loved it when Audrey was silly. They chatted for a while. Then Audrey went to check on her mother and he went back to his rooms to work on his latest boring assignment from his grandfather.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  Draymund glanced at Marilee as he walked beside her along the Endless Way. Like her daughter, a few days of living in the Witch’s City had transformed her. Almera had bought her all new clothing, as well as taking her to have her hair trimmed and styled. He thought that Marilee now looked quite good for a woman her age, although she was still a little heavy. Audrey had also been that way when she had first arrived.

  Audrey had been spending a great deal of time with her mother. The two of them traveled all around the Witch’s City, as well as making two trips to Dymar to visit Violet. Almera took charge of Marilee whenever Audrey had to teach, but this morning she had asked him to look after her. Draymund wasn’t really certain what to do with Marilee, so he decided to start by giving her a tour of the Novox building.

  “Draymund,” said Marilee suddenly, “I still find it hard to believe Audrey learned to do that … martial arts. It’s just not something I would have ever expected of her.”

  “Almera and I were surprised as well,” he said as he nodded at a pair of Novox insurance collectors. “But Audrey truly loves her Shorinken training. She is already assisting at Xlee’s Martial Arts Academy, and I am certain that she will eventually become a full-time instructor there.”

  Marilee nodded, but Draymund could see that she was still troubled. He made a decision and guided her down a smaller street to their left. He was going to take her to the West Lake. It was a relaxing place where the two of them could sit and talk while watching the people and wildlife.

  “Audrey went and showed me her school,” said Marilee. “It was really impressive the things those people could do. One girl could kick higher than her head.”

  “The people who study there are impressive,�
�� he agreed. “But they are also keeping fit and learning useful skills. I believe that the woman’s self-defense course that Grasapa offers—the one that Audrey is teaching at this moment—is of great benefit. It can help those who take it to defend themselves, and also builds confidence.”

  “Audrey always stood up for herself, but I can see what you mean. I know she can take care of herself much better now. The last time she was home, she dealt with this bully that’d moved there. Everyone was impressed, and we haven’t seen him since.”

  Marilee still sounded sad, and Draymund wasn’t certain what to say. They walked along in silence until they arrived at the wooded area that surrounded the large circular lake. They found an empty bench under a large elm and sat down. There were dozens of people either walking around or simply sitting and relaxing. A couple sitting on a nearby bench were holding hands and gazing at each other.

  “I’m worried about that demon girl that Audrey’s working with,” said Marilee. “I met her in Farmerton and she seemed okay, but I was always taught demons were bad.”

  “Most of them are. Aliva’s mother was a full demon—a succubus—and she was certainly evil in her younger days. But she changed. She married a human wizard named Albert and gave birth to Aliva. She was a good mother, and he a good father. I don’t think that there is any evil within Aliva. Lately, she has been obsessed with helping others.”

  “That does make me feel better. Aliva’s always friendly, and I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful.”

  “So what would you like to do this morning, Marilee?” he asked.

  Marilee moved her gaze to the lake. “I’d just like to sit here a spell and watch folks. Audrey and your wife have been running me around everywhere and I need a break.”

  “That’s fine with me. And later, why don’t we go over and surprise Audrey when she finishes teaching? I’ll take the two of you out to lunch wherever you like.”

  “That sounds fine.”

  There’s still something bothering her, but I’m not sure what it is. Maybe she is just finding the Witch’s City too overwhelming. I found it that way myself when I first came here. I’ll mention it to Almera later and see what she thinks.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  Almera watched as Marilee fixed breakfast. Audrey’s mother’s cooking skills were decent, but she was unfamiliar with many of the foods available in the Witch’s City and knew little of proper seasoning in Almera’s opinion. Almera was teaching Marilee much as she had once taught her daughter. She was already assembling a package of herbs and spices for Marilee to take home with her, including seeds that she could use to grow more.

  For days, Almera’s concern for both Marilee and Audrey had been growing. The two of them had been deliriously happy at first, frequently spending time together as Audrey showed her mother around, but the two were barely spending any time together now. Audrey had even stopped coming over for breakfast.

  “Marilee, talk to me. What is wrong? What is going on between you and Audrey?”

  Marilee abruptly stopped stirring the rice porridge. Almera could see her chewing her lower lip as she thought. Marilee let go of the spoon and turned to face her, looking glum.

  “No offense, but I think it’s time for me to go on back home. I love Audrey, but she’s just so different now. I feel like I’m visiting your daughter, not my own.”

  Almera smiled gently. “Children change, Marilee. They grow up. They become adults. That’s all. You just weren’t here to see it.”

  Tears ran down Marilee’s cheeks as she smiled. “I know. I wish I could’ve been here to see it. Audrey left Farmerton a girl, but now she’s a woman. And I missed it.”

  “I was privileged to be able to witness the changes in Audrey, but it was you and your husband who delivered such a promising young girl to us. I’ll grant you that Audrey has changed a great deal, but she has also changed us and enriched our lives. I will always be grateful for that.”

  “Thank you for saying that, Almera. I’m thankful to both you and your husband. I’ve had fun here, but I’ve decided. I’ll start getting ready to leave.”

  Almera nodded. “I will ask Draymund to look into the ship and caravan schedules.”

  “Good. Get me to Rohoville a couple of days early. Audrey still wants to show me things there. The castle and some dress shop run by a friend of hers.”

  Marilee turned back to the stove and resumed stirring the porridge. Almera busied herself cutting up some fruit and cheese.

  I understand now. Marilee feels as though I took part of her daughter’s life away from her, and she’s right. I took charge and helped shape Audrey into what she is today. And I have no regrets about that whatsoever. Audrey’s life would have been utterly wasted in Farmerton.

  I will ask Draymund to arrange it so that Marilee can use Novox transportation without charge so that she can visit here whenever she likes. I had been planning to hold a large going-away party for her when she left, but that’s clearly not appropriate. I’ll keep it small. Just my family and her, with Audrey to tie us together. That is as it should be.

  39

  ‡ Encounters ‡

  Audrey looked over at her mother, now sleeping peacefully on the bench beside her. The two of them were on a ship headed to Rohoville. They were going to spend two nights at the castle before Marilee departed with a Novox caravan. That would give Audrey one full day to show her mother around Rohoville and introduce her to people.

  The last few days of Marilee’s visit had been trying. Audrey could tell that she was unhappy, but she didn’t know why and her mother denied that anything was wrong. It was only after Almera had told her what Marilee had said that she understood. Audrey really did feel like a completely different person than the one she had been in Farmerton.

  The previous night’s farewell dinner had been pleasant. Audrey had been thrilled when Almera told Marilee that she could return whenever she liked and that she wouldn’t have to pay. She had also noticed that the caravan schedule had abruptly changed to match her mother’s needs. That had clearly been Draymund’s doing, taking advantage of his influence with Novox.

  It had been cloudy all morning, but sweltering. Audrey suspected that it would be raining later, maybe even storming. That was common this time of year. She just hoped that tomorrow would be rain-free.

  A man walked by the benches to her right heading toward the bow of the ship. Audrey stared at him in surprise and amazement. It had to be him. He looked exactly the way that people described him. Exactly.

  The man was tall and stout. His dark hair and neatly-trimmed beard were beginning to gray. The glimpse she had gotten of his face revealed a large nose, weathered cheeks, and a slight smile. She sometimes saw people in the Witch’s City wearing robes, but not purple ones. Add in the fact that Aliva was currently in Rohoville visiting Stanley, and there was no doubt in her mind that Aliva’s father had finally arrived.

  Audrey stood up and walked slowly toward the front of the ship. He was standing at the starboard railing near the bow, gazing outward with a distant expression. He glanced at her and frowned as she walked up to the railing next to him.

  “Uh … excuse me,” said Audrey, trying to look friendly.

  “What is it?” he snapped in a deep and irritated voice. His eyes narrowed as he continued, “I’m not looking for company.”

  “I’m not offering it,” she countered as she matched his frown. Audrey knew that she wasn’t mistaken because what she had at first taken for a sheathed knife on his belt, was, in fact, a wooden wand. It might even be the fabled Wand of Wonder that Medea had told stories about.

  “Then stop bothering me. I’m busy.”

  “Doing what?” Audrey smiled slightly. “I thought Oljot was the grouchy wizard.”

  He smiled broadly as he turned to face her. “I apologize. My name is Albert, but I suspect you already knew that. What can I do for you, young lady?”

  Audrey couldn’t help but feel relieved. “I’ve been wanting to meet you
,” she explained. “My name is Audrey. I’m a friend of Aliva’s.”

  Albert nodded. “I recollect Medea mentioning that my daughter had started a dress business with someone. Are you her?”

  “Yes. I’m also one of Grasapa’s students. And if Saxloc was complaining about some girl the last time he was at your keep on Kaldir, that’s me too.”

  Albert burst out laughing and patted her gently on the right shoulder. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Audrey. Saxloc was complaining about someone as I recall. Are you still annoying him?”

  Audrey smiled and shrugged. “Sometimes. We’re dating now.”

  “I see. Is my daughter really dating a cleric? That strikes me as rather odd.”

  “He’s not a cleric anymore,” she explained. “He’s very nice.”

  “I see. Then I look forward to meeting him.”

  Audrey suddenly realized that she needed to speak up about something, for fear that Aliva wouldn’t. “Albert, Aliva still can’t fully control her succubus powers. She can’t have sex with men without killing them. She wants to have a normal life. She needs help.”

  “You really are my daughter’s friend,” he said seriously. “Thank you for telling me. I will discuss the matter with her.”

  “I really hope you can help her.”

  “I will do what I can.”

  The two of them stood silently for several minutes. Audrey noticed that the wind was starting to come up. She could actually see that the ship was now moving slower due to the headwind.

  “I was not really surprised when Aliva chose to return here,” he said, sounding a bit sentimental. “She decided to move in with me following the death of her mother. That was a great comfort at the time. But there is simply nothing near where I live to keep a young woman occupied. Even the nearest town has barely a hundred people. I am certain that she will be much happier living in the Witch’s City or in Rohoville.”