by Diana Rivers
When I had changed Maireth’s dressing for the last time and laid her back down again, she took hold of my hand. “Promise you will come back Tazzi. In the name of the Goddess, promise you will not leave me here to rot.”
“I promise Maireth, I promise I will come back.” I was shaking. Who could say what would happen there? How could I promise her anything at all? Surely she must feel my doubts.
“Bring me some fruit from the market if you can. I think it would help carry me back to life to taste some fresh fruit again.”
“I will bring you some peaches,” I assured her, hoping this was not a rash pledge. Truth be told, I would far rather have stayed there nursing her than to be riding back into that town again.
As it was, I tried to leave everything she needed within easy reach and gave her a last drink of amairith before we left.
“Remember,” Pell told me as we set out, “do not panic and run. That is a good way to lose your power. Run only when it is necessary and you have chosen to do so. Keep your head clear. Watch everything all the time. Never become so engrossed that you neglect what is happening around you and especially behind you. And always keep in mind touch with me. We do this quickly, no more than an hour or so in and out. Whatever we have not found by then can wait till next time.”
As we came closer to town, we rode apart, strangers, merely going in the same direction. This proved no problem since soon there was a whole throng headed for market. No one gave us more than a glance. Though we did not speak or look at each other I could feel the mind connection between us as strong as braided cord. As you can well imagine, for that whole ride I had been dreading the sight of the tavern. I thought to see it standing scorched and gutted on the corner. Instead, as we approached, I found it sound and whole, though apparently deserted. The windows were boarded up and no one went in or out or even lounged in front of it. Some of the tied ends of reins still flapped from the pole where Pell had cut them. I wondered where Renaise’s uncle was or if he still lived.
The market was large and noisy. It overflowed the market square on all sides and looked to have been in progress for some time. Even without Jhemar’s unshielded openness to minds, I found it bewildering. Uncertain, I wandered from booth to booth, trying to get the feel of the things and always very conscious of Pell over my shoulder. I knew I must begin somewhere and soon, but fear held me back.
The smell of a fish stand caught my attention. There were several large fish on display. I lifted one, brought it near my nose and gave a snort of disgust. “Pha! You call that fresh? I would not feed that to my dogs. I could catch fresher fish in the sewer that runs through my village.” I stepped back quickly seeing I had overplayed my hand for the fisherman gave a roar of rage. He seemed about to leap over his stand and lunge for my throat.
Quickly I threw up my hands, “Only jesting, only jesting, Goodman, a thousand pardons. My grandmother has beaten me many times for the same sort of wit.”
“Wit!” exclaimed the man next to me. “Witlessness more likely. Never mind, Oranth, he is nothing but a farm dolt. What does he know of fish? He likely cannot tell the difference between fresh fish and pig dung. The smell is probably on his own hands.”
“A thousand pardons Goodman, I have the devil in me that will come out at the worst of times. Now these I know to be fresh,” I said turning to the girl next to me who carried a basket of peaches. I selected four and bargained loudly for them. Then putting the other three in my pack, I took the choicest one and laid it down on the fishseller’s counter, saying with a nod and a grin, “That is to sweeten your day, Sir.”
Next I turned my attention to the eggseller. Taking three eggs from her basket, I said, “My old grandfather taught me this trick.” With that I made a clumsy try at juggling. Instantly the eggs fell to the cobbles with a loud crack, splattering the nearest shoppers. I was quick to pay for them, bowing and apologizing several times to all those I had offended.
Now I had what I needed. A small crowd had gathered around me. They pronounced me the greatest dunce they had ever seen and called to others to witness my folly. People were turning to look. I tried to keep touch with Pell, and hoped her work was going as well. With all eyes upon me, I backed away, still apologizing, and bumped into a pottery stand. This set all the pots to rattling. One dislodged itself from the corner, but I was able to retrieve it before it hit the ground. The red haired potter, a large burly man, had jumped up from his seat and was staring angrily at me with his hands on each side of the table to steady it. “Sorry, so sorry,” I mumbled hastily. I had no wish to mix with this man who reminded me so much of Kara’s father, and no wish to pay for anything else we could not use.
In this way I went through the market, moving from one small disaster to the next. I tried to keep my eye on Pell though I dared not look at her directly. In my quick glances she appeared more portly each time I saw her. Once she was standing before a fruit stand munching an apple and another time she was in earnest discussion with three or four other stout gentlemen who were similarly dressed. I was not sure if I had glimpsed a gathering of gentleman farmers or successful thieves.
I actually bought some food stuff that was needed, and made a clumsy attempt to pilfer more. My fumbling attracted a market spotter who approached and demanded that I turn out the contents of my pack. It was, of course, all honestly come by. He gave a snort of disgust. “Put it all back now and just remember we have our eyes on you.”
“Yes sir, thank you sir.” I scuttled away but not so fast they would lose sight of me. In this manner I fumbled up and down the aisles playing my part. In spite of the danger I was beginning to enjoy this little game. I thought I was even acquiring some skill at it, I, Tazzia, who had been so painfully honest all my life. Having a price on one’s head changes many things.
When I thought enough time had passed I began heading for a way out, trusting that Pell was with me. The last stop at the far edge of the market was a booth of trinkets and baubles. I saw nothing of worth there, but the old woman sitting at it looked as if she might be easily fuddled. I hoped that Pell was nearly finished. For myself, I was worn out with this act and wished to be done. Also I was worried for Maireth and wanted to be heading home. Why I even stopped at that last booth I could not say except that I seem to have been drawn there. These were certainly not things I fancied, but I pretended to be much taken with a necklace. I started to turn away as if to slip it into my vest. The old woman had been staring off into space. She seemed only partly in possession of her wits, but before I could complete my turn, she reached out and gripped my wrist with such surprising force that I dropped the necklace back on the table. Then she leaned across to whisper in my ear with a hiss, “Well, girl, you are not nearly as clever as you think, you and your friend over there. I have been watching you for some time and trying to draw you here.” I twisted in her grip, terrified since she held me against my will and clearly had seen past my disguise. The market spotter moved toward us, but she waved him away with her other hand.
“Do not struggle so, Little One. It draws attention, and we need to talk. I am not what I appear to be any more than you are, and have no intention of giving you away. In fact, I wish you no harm at all and perhaps much good. Both of you are in need of help and guidance.”
I could sense Pell watching this scene, but keeping her distance. The old woman went on with her harsh whisper, “Bargain loudly with me for these beads while your friend finishes her business here, then go separately to the quillof stand for it is the closest one to the woods. Buy yourself a mug of quillof, but do not drink much of it. You are already two young fools. I do not wish to deal with two young fools who are also sotted. Meanwhile I will close up my business here, such as it is. When I pass the booth, you will follow me into the woods. Keep separate from each other and not too close to me, though if any notice you following they will probably think you go to rob a helpless old fool and not concern themselves too much. When we are well into the woods you will follow clos
ely. I have secret paths and am quick about it. Once at my hut we can talk freely, but not before.”
With those words she released my wrist. I stepped back and rubbed it while I watched her, ready for any sudden move. I had only that moment and no more to decide whether or not to trust her. Much in our lives and safety might hang on my choice. I tried to enter her mind and met only darkness there. Then curiosity added itself to the question. How—by what force—had she drawn me to her and held my wrist? How had she seen through us? There was something here worth exploring. With a quick glance I touched my eyes to hers and gave her the slightest nod, then I picked up the necklace again. She gave me a slight nod in return and told me an outrageous price for the beads.
I drew back as if in surprise and said loudly, “What!? For this trash! They are glass most likely, not even real stones and poorly made at that. I have far better at home. It is only that the light on their color caught my eye. I thought to have them for my little sister, but not for that much money, old woman.”
“Go away,” she screeched at me. “Would you cheat an old woman of the food to her mouth, you worthless scum. Glass are they?! These are the last of my families’ treasure. You would have me give them away and starve, eh? Put them back then if you cannot pay a decent price. Put them back I say!” By now we had all eyes on us. Many were jesting and jeering and urging on one or the other of us. All this time I sensed Pell going on about her work and thought her coat must be full as a store.
At last we settled on a price. I put the beads in my pack, pushed through the crowd, and sauntered off to the quillof booth as if quite pleased with myself. There I ordered a quillof, though I had no taste for such stuff. Behind me I heard the woman muttering and complaining to all who would listen. Pell came soon afterward, but did not speak to me or take any notice in my direction. Instead she struck up some talk with a group of men from the market. This talk, directed by Pell, soon turned to the strange fire at the tavern and the mysterious disappearance of the owner and his star-brat niece as well as two strangers and quite a large number of horses. Those men had several interesting explanations for all this. Some arguments even broke out on the matter. While I listened to this talk, I rubbed my wrist. It still hurt where the old woman had gripped me.
Soon afterward the old woman herself passed by us, trundling all her belongings in a small cart. Secretly I gave most of my quillof to a thirsty plant that grew next to the booth. Then I raised my glass, pretended to drain it to the bottom, and set it back on the counter, all a waste of our good coins. I hoped to get back the money for the beads as surely I had no use for them.
It was hard to keep the woman in sight. She certainly moved fast for one so old and encumbered. I had mounted quickly and ridden off. Soon I could sense Pell riding behind me. I knew she was trying to draw me back, pulling at my mind, but I was set on a course I could not alter. The way branched several times. Soon I was hopelessly turned around. Not even for my life could I have found my way back. I hoped Pell was not so easily lost. This road or path was narrow and even more twisted and overgrown than the one to Pell’s shelter. After a short way I was forced to dismount or be swept off the horse by branches. Several times I lost sight of the old woman in the tangle ahead. Just as I was sure we had been abandoned in that strange forest, I would catch one more glimpse of her back.
After a while the nature of the forest began to change. The trees grew larger and had less underbrush to bar the way. When I was able to mount again, Pell rode up next to me and said with barely restrained fury, “What is this madness, Tazzi? All this way I have been calling you to halt. You never even turned to look at me. You just go on following that old hag as if your life depended on it. Have you lost your senses? Are you bewitched?”
“Pell, up till now I have followed you everywhere. I have done all that you said. Now, for a change, I am asking you to come with me. But let me tell you clearly, I go to meet with her, whether or not you choose to come. This is something I must do for myself. Listen, she knew who we were and did not betray us. I believe she is a Witch. There are things I need help with where you are no use at all. She may be that help for me.” So strong was the pull that I said all this without stopping or even slowing much.
“She is indeed a Witch,” Pell shouted after me. “I have no doubt of that. And she had laid a compulsion on you. Witches have no liking for our kind. We may be riding right into some sort of trap. Why should we trust her?”
“I trust her as I trusted you that night in spite of my fear, and for no other reason but what I feel. Go back if you do not wish to be here. I can go on alone.” It was amazing that I was talking so to Pell, but at the moment I hardly noticed it.
She rushed to catch up again and laid a hand on my arm to stop me. “By the Goddess, Tazzi, you certainly are like one bewitched. No, I will not let you go into this alone. Two are better than one, and I can more easily resist her charms.”
“Please yourself,” I answered. “Come if you wish, but do not try to stop me.” Feeling so strongly pulled, perhaps I was really charmed as Pell had said. But I had no intention of turning back now, not after having come so far, and certainly not for the sake of prudence. “Now see what has happened with all our talk, we have lost her again.” With no more words, I rode on. Witch and wagon had vanished while we argued. I threw an angry look back at Pell and was met by her sullen glare.
Soon we came to the edge of a large clearing, ringed by a circle of the tallest trees I had ever seen. From beyond it I could hear the sound of running water though I could not see its source. Right at its center was something that appeared to be a shelter or, if looked at in another way, was only a thicket or perhaps some confusion in the natural order of things. I was sure we had lost the Witch until by circling this ‘thicket’ I saw her wagon. It lay hastily concealed, tucked under some bushes. Pell sat on her horse, her face full of mistrust, while I dismounted. By the end of my second circling around I understood that this strange growth in the center of the clearing was a ring of very large stumps. They had been haphazardly roofed over and were surrounded by a thick growth of brush, ivy and thornbushes. It was then that I noticed a thin wisp of smoke rising from somewhere in the strangeness. Whichever way I looked, however, I could see no door or entryway till a dark-haired woman stuck her head out though the tangle. She beckoned us in. After some groping about in her direction, I found the way. I had to push aside ivy with both hands in order to duck in through a low archway made of twisted branches. Pell came in after me. She stood staring about suspiciously, as if ready to back out again at any moment.
Somewhat fearful myself now, I looked around. The house—if indeed such a thing could be called a house—was in no way reassuring. In my little village of Nemanthi most houses were one or two rooms, often with a blanket hung between for privacy, and sometimes a loft above. All was easily seen; there were no dark, hidden corners. This one was all hidden comers and darkness, and nothing was easy to see. The huge stumps jutted out into the central space, some appearing to be used for storage and some for rooms. The spaces around them and behind them were full of dark places. There was scant light from outside. What little came through had a strange, greenish cast from the leaves. Light from the single lamp threw twisted shadows about in that uncertain space or suddenly flared up, catching some odd detail so that it leapt forward with startling effect. Now I, too, was full of uneasiness. Remembering Pell’s warnings, I thought perhaps I had led us right into a trap with my willful haste.
“Where is the Witch?” I asked the dark-haired woman. I could see no one else there. Of course, someone could easily have been hiding in one of the dark corners or one of the stump chambers that spread in all directions.
“What Witch? As you can plainly see, there is no Witch here. Have you lost your way? You should be more careful in these woods. They are not kind to strangers.” The woman had come to stand before us. Her long black hair, streaked with silver, stood out around her face. When she shook her head it appe
ared to have some life of its own, like a tangle of snakes. Her face, though deeply lined, had a sort of agelessness about it which seemed to shift and alter in that flickering light. “There are many Witches in this world, none of them easy to find. What is her name, girl? Why are you looking for her here?” Her words, and in fact her whole manner, seemed full of challenge and mockery.
“She never said her name. She only said we needed to talk. We followed her through the forest to this place. I know her wagon to be hidden in the bushes outside.”
“There is no wagon here that I know of. I think you were careless and did not pay attention to the way.”
I could feel Pell’s anger rising. She stepped in front of me and said, loudly enough for anyone to hear, “Enough of these games, woman! Where is the Witch? Let her show herself if she wants to speak with us, otherwise we leave. Personally I have no wish to be here at all and no desire to speak to her. I came only because of that one’s foolishness.” Pell turned and pointed disdainfully at me.
At that moment I happened to glance at the hearth and saw on a bench beside it, a patterned kerchief with wisps of white hair attached, as well as a ragged shawl and a cane. I poked Pell and nodded in that direction. “Perhaps we have not lost her after all,” I said boldly.
“How observant of you.” The woman laughed and bowed. “Ah, yes, welcome to my home. I do not have many visitors here, and so you must excuse my poor manners.” Then, looking directly at Pell, she added, “And, yes, I am indeed a Witch. What else would I be? Surely not the witless old hag you saw at the market. And you, young woman, are both rude and not so good a thief as you think yourself to be, not if these old eyes can spot you so easily.”
Pell shrugged. “Perhaps those old eyes are sharper than they seemed to be or not so old after all.”
“Perhaps so. Well, now that you have found me out, sit down and make yourselves comfortable. Let me pour you some tea.” She was suddenly as full of good humor and bustle as any ordinary housewife. While she went to poke at the fire, I sank gratefully onto a pile of cushions by the hearth. Pell continued standing with a frown on her face that drew her brows together in a single dark line. After a few minutes she began to pace about, saying, “What do you want of us, woman? Why did you bring us here?”
