by Sarah Noffke
“Gillian, you disappeared into the mist,” Ever pointed out.
Gillian turned and regarded the area behind him and then spun back. “So I did. I don’t actually see the purple mists. As I mentioned, it doesn’t work on me. Sounds like you two had better stick with Queen Azure.” He lifted his gaze and looked at her. “If you hold the crystal ball out it will repel the mist. Once we take our next turn, you should lead the way. You’ll be the only one who knows where we are going.”
“Where is that again?” Monet asked, again fishing.
“Straight into my fist if you don’t stop asking,” Azure said, striding forward to follow the gnome. “Keep up, boys. Those lost in the mists will be left behind.”
Chapter Eighteen
The group took a left at the next fork and Gillian urged Azure to take the lead. She studied the amethyst orb in the palm of her hand. Smoke swirled inside of it, but there was nothing she recognized. Over her shoulder, she felt Monet spying.
“It won’t work for you. Only Queen Azure can see what’s in the crystal ball now,” Gillian warned, his voice edgy. He was probably more forthcoming with Monet just because he enjoyed disappointing the wizard.
“Well, I had to try because that’s the kind of guy I am. In our next life, when I’m king, I’m going to do all the cool things and leave you, Azure, in the dark,” Monet said, his voice terse. “What’s more, I’m going to assign a gnome to follow you around and hint at knowing important details but refuse to tell them to you.”
“I think you could do better than that,” Ever said, sounding amused.
“Okay, fine. Next life, I’m king. Azure is in charge of picking up fairy poop. I’ll give her the tiniest broom and dustpan. And she’ll wear an apron that says, ‘Official Pooper Scooper of Virgo.’” Monet spread his hands wide, as if picturing the words running across the apron.
“Your next life might start soon if you don’t shut up. I’m considering murdering you,” Azure said, squinting into the ball. There was something there—an image she could barely make out. It was a tree, maybe, but a strangely shaped tree. Its trunk was a perfect wave, stretching high into the air. It resembled the weeping willows they had in Virgo with long sweeping branches draped from the trunk, hanging low enough to touch the ground. But the branches weren’t just covered in thick leaves, like the weeping willows. Long white crystals hung from the tree in places, making it shimmer.
“Wow,” Azure murmured to herself.
“What have you seen?” Gillian asked, his chin held up and his eyes on her.
“The Howling Willow, I think,” Azure said, still studying the crystal ball.
“The tree all our wands come from?” Monet asked, sounding intrigued.
“Yes,” Azure breathed. She held the ball up to clear the mist and it backed away, giving her a glimpse of what lay ahead. The vegetation was thicker here, but still she saw no tree. She turned, holding the ball out and watching as the mist retreated, which granted her a view of her surroundings. She was just about to make a full rotation when something at the corner of her vision caught her eye. A shimmer.
Azure spun back around, catching many shiny objects in the distance. The wind swayed through the trees and the sound of a chime rang through the air. She followed the music, allowing her ball to light her way as she walked toward the shimmering lights ahead.
“Queen Azure, you’re off the path,” Gillian said at her back.
Azure turned back and noticed that she’d walked several feet into dense brush. She couldn’t see her feet since the grass grew to knee-height. “Well, it looks like we blaze a new trail here,” she said with a shrug.
The guys exchanged looks of hesitation, but one by one they stepped forward to follow her. Azure continued following the music and the light. A moment later she found herself humming to the gentle rhythm of the chimes. The combination of the lights and music seemed to be trying to put her in a trance. She shook away the enchantment and trudged forward, only stopping when they’d come to a clearing.
“Holy Mother of Merlin!” Monet stepped forward, seeing what had been in Azure’s head all this time. The purple mist was absent from this space, making everything in the clearing visible. “Is that…”
“It’s the Howling Willow,” Azure said, staring at the tree. It waved in the wind, the crystals hanging from it making a soft, melodic sound. There was nothing about the noise that resembled a howl, but Azure was certain that this was the tree she’d heard about all her life. She knew that because her wand, which was in a pocket in her robes, warmed and glowed, which caught her attention.
Next to the tree was a three-story house. The bottom level was round, the middle one square and the third was a long rectangle. A short fat triangular roof sat on the very top.
“I do believe we’ve arrived,” Azure said, her breath skipping in her throat.
“Arrived where?” Monet asked, sounding impatient.
“Why don’t you knock and find out?” Gillian said, a bit of mischief in his voice.
Azure turned and gave the gnome a mischievous look. However, she turned back to Monet and agreed with a nod. “Go on then. Knock at the door. Hold out your hands and say, ‘Trick or treat.’”
Chapter Nineteen
Monet walked importantly across the grassy lawn in front of the strange house. The round bottom story of the cottage was orange stucco. The middle square was red brick. And on the top sat a blue-paneled rectangle. Candlelight burned behind white curtains in every window on every level of the house. Azure noticed then that the sun was going down, casting the house in darkness.
Monet nearly stepped on a bed of wildflowers but paused, holding his foot in the air.
“Moonflowers,” Azure said from just behind him, describing the flowers he’d nearly trampled.
Monet backed up a step and eyed the strange white flowers. Azure turned to find the two moons hanging full and high in the Oriceran sky. Well, if this wasn’t an ominous time to knock at an ancient witch’s door and demand answers, then she didn’t know when was.
“Go on,” Azure urged, pushing Monet forward.
“Right.” He seemed to gather himself. “And how do I address the person who answers this door?”
“Sir or madam, depending,” Azure said, a laugh in her voice. She stared down at Gillian, who was hiding a rare grin. It was an evil trick to play on the unsuspecting wizard, but it had been coming to him for quite some time.
“Thanks a trillion, Queen Jerkface,” Monet said, turning to the door in front of him.
Gillian was trying so hard to suppress his laughter that he didn’t even reprimand Monet for the show of disrespect.
Monet’s sleeve fell to his elbow when he lifted his hand. His fist paused a few inches from the old redwood door, and then he rapped twice.
Azure took a step back, wondering what Mage Lenore would do to the person who had interrupted her after hundreds of years of solitude. After she took out her anger on Monet, Azure would sweep in and ask her questions.
The door swung back and a tall woman with large hips and broad shoulders to match stared at them. Her skin was flecked with wrinkles and age spots, and her warm brown eyes were reminiscent of cinnamon. She wore a broomstick skirt that touched the ground and a button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. And by the look of her frizzled gray hair she’d been working hard on something, or was simply too busy to corral the flyaway strands back into her bun.
Mage Lenore clapped her hands in front of her chest and let out a squeal of delight. She threw her arms around Monet and wrenched him in tight. “Queen Azure, it has been too long!” she exclaimed, and held Monet out at arm’s length, looking him over. “Now let me get my eyes on you. Well, well, well, you’ve aged a bit differently than I expected you would. Your hair did a strange thing too, didn’t it? And wow, you’ve got no boobs at all. Must have been cursed or something. But I’m sure you’ve still got your brains. Isn’t that right, honey?” The witch elbowed Monet in the ribs
. He had drained of all color and looked about ready to lose his lunch on the threshold.
“Uhhh…who are you?” Monet asked, taking a step back.
Mage Lenore’s head tucked back on her thick neck. “Well, honey, I’m Mage Lenore. You know that, though, because you made your way to me. And only a person who seeks me with a true purpose and a bit of magic can find me.”
“Right! Mage Lenore. Now I remember,” Monet said, throwing his hands triumphantly in the air. He swiveled and poked his tongue out at Azure. “Oh, and Mage Lenore, I think you’re referring to this deceptive young lady. This is Queen Azure.” He leaned forward and whispered in Azure’s ear, “You were thinking she was going to fry me, weren’t you?”
“I’m still holding out hope,” Azure whispered back. She straightened up and lifted her chin, staring straight at Mage Lenore.
The ancient witch wiped her hands on her apron and shook her head, all delight gone from her face. “I don’t appreciate being tricked. The one who raps at my door must be the one who seeks my council. How dare you send your servant to do your work, Queen Azure?”
“Servant! I’m no damn—”
“I’m sorry, Mage Lenore,” Azure said, cutting Monet off. She took a step forward and bowed low to her. When she rose, she looked deep into the woman’s eyes. “My friends and I have come a long distance and faced many obstacles to seek your advice. I didn’t mean to start things off poorly.”
Mage Lenore considered Azure, her mouth tight, and she swiveled her eyes to take in Ever and Gillian. When she brought her gaze back to Azure, she nodded. “I’ll give you one more chance, since you were able to find me and keep your group intact in the process.”
“Thank you, Mage Lenore. What I need—”
She stopped Azure by holding up a large hand. “Oh no you don’t. No questions tonight, child. For one, you need to prove to me that you’re worthy of the advice I offer. Secondly, you must be patient when seeking wisdom. And lastly, it is getting late. The moons will soon ride high overhead, which means I’ll need to harvest branches from the Howling Willow. Come in and get fed, then you’ll all sleep while I work. Tomorrow, if I deem it time, I’ll answer your questions.” Mage Lenore held the door wide for the group, standing back as she did.
Azure turned to Monet, who looked eager to enter the old witch’s cottage. She glanced at Ever and Gillian, who were both wearing curious expressions.
She fixed her gaze back on the witch and nodded. “Yes, thank you. We appreciate your hospitality.”
“Oh, you won’t thank me when I have you cleaning dishes after supper. I made a feast to celebrate your arrival. And I’m glad you made it, or I’d have had to eat the turkey all by myself,” Mage Lenore said with a howling laugh.
Chapter Twenty
The smell of sage and thyme wrapped around the group when they stepped into the living area. It was a circular room with oversized couches and chairs covered in crocheted blankets, as if to disguise the many places the cats had clawed the fabric. In several places those felines could be found curled up and snoozing. The room was large, as if a big family often gathered in front of the fire to share stories from their day.
Mage Lenore bustled through the house to the dining room, grabbing her wand off a side table. “Now, you go ahead and make yourself comfortable. Let me just set the table and then we’ll eat.” She flicked her wand at the long table and it shrank to accommodate five chairs. A lace cloth draped over the surface and a candelabra popped into place in the center. Blue dishes appeared on each of the place mats.
Smiling at the table, Mage Lenore nodded. “Well, that looks just about perfect, but we’re missing something.” She tapped her wand on her temple, thinking.
“Could it possibly be food?” Monet dared to ask.
“Yes, that’s it!” Mage Lenore waved her wand at the table, and a roasted turkey appeared. Next to it sat several covered dishes.
“Dinner is served. Please take a seat and dig in,” Mage Lenore said, gesturing to the table, her voice warm and inviting.
Monet didn’t hesitate, dashing for the nearest seat and plopping down. Gillian and Ever joined him a second later, both hungrily eyeing the turkey, which was currently being carved by a floating knife and fork.
“Go on, Azure,” Mage Lenore said, urging her to one of the chairs.
Azure took a step and then hesitated. “I’m grateful for the meal and you welcoming us into your home, but I’m confused. We were told by Sari, the queen mother, that you might not want visitors. That you’d made the deal that you’d deliver wands if you were left alone.”
A wide smile stretched over Mage Lenore’s face. “Oh, Sari—she’s still one of my favorite witches. You know she was born during an eclipse? All of Virgo was cast into total darkness for two whole minutes when the moons joined up and passed in front of the sun. That was the exact time Sari was born. I knew she’d go on to do great things.”
“By great things, do you mean ‘be a total pain in the ass?” Monet asked through a mouthful of turkey. He took another large bite from the drumstick, which was almost as big as his face.
Mage Lenore let out a hearty chuckle. “Oh Monet, you were born during the largest meteor shower in a thousand years. That’s how I knew you’d go on to great things.”
“We’re still waiting to find out what that is,” Azure joked, still standing awkwardly in the living room.
She nodded and pulled out the chair next to Ever. A gray feline lazily lifted his head and looked at her from the seat.
“Oh, I’m sorry to disturb you. May I please have this spot?” Azure asked, tucking her chin into her chest and looking earnestly at the cat.
He let out a long yawn and took his time stretching to a standing position before hopping down. Beside Azure, Mage Lenore was watching approvingly.
“Some would have just shooed Holiday away,” she said, indicating the cat and taking her own seat. “And to answer your first question, Azure, I do crave my solitude. My work can’t be done if I’m bothered. However, when I made the agreement, I meant that I didn’t want to be bothered by pesky concerns like grimoires that have gone missing or potions that have gone awry. However, the potential that a majority of Virgo could lose its magic is of great concern to me. Your gran was right to send you to see me.”
“So you’ll help us?” Azure asked, filling her plate with a spoonful of green beans and slivered almonds.
“Of course I will. But not tonight. Tonight, I harvest. Tomorrow I will tell you how to cure your people.” Mage Lenore took the serving platter from Azure, filling her own plate.
Relief flooded Azure’s chest. Tomorrow she’d have answers. Everything was going to work out.
“There’s milk in the mashed potatoes,” Mage Lenore said, a gray eyebrow raised at Monet. He froze with the spoonful of fluffy mashed potatoes hovering just above his plate.
“And so? Why does that matter?” Monet said, about to slide the mashed potatoes onto his plate.
“Oh,” Mage Lenore chirped. “You don’t know yet. Never mind.”
Monet narrowed his eyes at the old woman before tapping the potatoes onto his plate and going back for another spoonful.
“Mage Lenore, would you please explain the Mountain of Truth to us? Did you create it?” Ever asked, leaning forward with curiosity.
“Of course, but first, I almost forgot.” Mage Lenore pointed her wand at the table and goblets of red wine appeared in front of each of their plates. “Let’s toast Queen Azure. She is both cursed and blessed by her human and witch heritage. Long rule Queen Azure!”
“Cheers,” all but Azure chorused.
“Did you just say cursed?” Azure asked, laying her fork on her plate.
“I believe I did, but right now I’ve promised to answer Everett’s question.” Mage Lenore wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin, bringing her gaze to the Light Elf. “Many falsely believe that I enchanted the Mountain of Truth with the different levels. However, I’m merely the on
e who was asked to live at the top of the mountain. It is the Howling Willow which is responsible for the mountain’s magic. You see, many centuries ago, howling willows covered Oriceran.
“Many do not know that the trees were sought for their magical properties. The wood from the tree can be used to create wands, but while that’s the smartest use of the wood, it can be used for anything. A home built using howling willow wood will never be cold nor hot. Furniture made from it is incredibly comfortable. Anything constructed from the material will be durable, of top quality, and have a magical property.” Mage Lenore took a long sip from her wine as all eyes rested on her.
After she placed her wine glass down, she turned her eyes to Monet and Gillian, who had both emptied their goblet. “Where are my manners?” She picked up the wand beside her plate and flicked it at the table, and a decanter of plum-colored wine appeared. “Please help yourselves”
“Azure, I’m going to need you to learn that spell. Manifesting wine will be your chief task from now on,” Monet said, reaching for the decanter.
“Now, where was I?” Mage Lenore eyed the ceiling, thinking.
“You had said that the wood from howling willows was of supreme quality,” Gillian said, taking the decanter from Monet to fill his own glass.
“Right, right. Thank you, Gillian the Third. My memory isn’t as good as it used to be.” Mage Lenore took a bite of her fresh-baked roll, closing her eyes to enjoy the taste. Softly she opened her eyes, gazing around the table. “Well, needless to say, howling willows were chopped down all over Oriceran. Most didn’t know how to properly harvest the wood, so much of it went to waste. They were all destroyed, over time. All but one.” Mage Lenore held her arm out, indicating the giant window between the living and dining room where the Howling Willow could be seen gently swaying in the wind outside. Not just the long branches of leaves swayed, but also the trunk. And inside the house, the strings of crystals could be heard making their gentle music.
