Awethology Light

by The Awethors

  * * *

  It took a long time for the sorceress to warm up to Max in the way she really should have, and even then, she kept a wary eye on him. He worried her, even at the best of times. He was a reasonably useful roommate, cleaning the house when she asked. He even picked up on some of the more bizarre chores, such as sprinkling pine dust into the garden (which he often got confused with pixie dust, causing many outbreaks of pixies to come buzzing around the hydrangeas). She did her best to be patient with the boy, but she simply wasn’t used to having someone else around. Not only was he obedient, he was overly kind as well. Sometimes it was shocking.

  This was evident one particular morning when the sorceress returned from the forest with a bundle of herbs in her hands. She strode into the kitchen only to find a large basket already filled to the brim with herbs and greenery. Her mouth hung open in surprise and confusion, when she was met with a light kiss on the cheek.

  “Surprise! I got as many as I could, and I’m pretty sure I remembered all of the herbs and plants you said you were going to get. I even got some that looked good enough for a meal!” He babbled on giddily, rocking back and forth on his feet while he waited for her to say something.

  In the stunned silence, she approached the basket tentatively, lifted up a couple of leaves of lettuce, and peered inside.

  “Oh, and don’t worry, I made sure I didn’t get anything that was poisonous or smelled funny,” he added with a bit of a giggle.

  The sorceress blinked as she peered at the mouthwatering haul. And here she was thinking that she was the one with a great affinity for gathering. “And how can you be so sure of that?” she asked, not bothering to hide the surprise in her voice.

  “I’ve been living with you now for almost a year, my lady. I’ve taken the time to notice the things you do.”

  She turned to look at him for a moment, and was surprised to see he looked a little different. She didn’t pay much attention to him nowadays, but she remembered what he looked like the first time she saw him. He was almost a year older now, and still just as foolish, in her opinion, but a bit taller. Just a bit.

  “Well, don’t look so shocked, my lady,” he said with a bit of a blush in his face, “Take a look in there for yourself. I got all the best. Anise, chervil, oregano, parsley, chives, basil, coriander, lavender… oh and some peppermint… At least, I’m pretty sure it’s peppermint.” He giggled nervously, and still she stared at him. This boy was growing up fast.

  After a moment she snapped out of it and returned to her original placid stare. “That’s very good of you, Max,” she said to him. “Thank you.” Just the right amount of praise, with no extra words of kindness. She had to remember her place, after all. She was not the boy’s mother; she was his teacher, his guardian. Nothing more.