Witch

5. Shadow forest

Priestess didn't think much about the abilities of little witch sleeping now again hidden inside the temporary bag made of scarfs tied around her upper body even when she shouldn’t be able to manifest them yet. She came to the conclusion that Sybil was simply under deep pressure since she was affected by the shadows' feelings and her life essence just reacted to protect her. But what was occupying her mind was Sybil’s fire. To control fire and use is not special among magus but except one person no one ever had the blue fire.

The next night of their travelling across the wasteland went smoothly without another visit from shadows. The priestess was surprised, she was expecting them again since they had no chance to be fed yesterday but in the end, they lost many of them and that's maybe the reason they avoided their small group the second night. Not that she was complaining about it. She wasn't sure about the Sybil and her power if they would work again or not and she was sure her own body wouldn't withstand the surge of power from moon third day in a row. The skin around her crescent moonstone was still sore and burned from yesterday.

After oracles, the witches are the second most powerful creations of Moon Goddess thanks to their direct association and communication with the Moon. Their power usually radiates from all of their body so they are using the moonstones to channel their power more precisely. That is also the reason for various kind of accessories decorated by moonstones in their wardrobe from head to toe. It always depends on the spells or rituals they need to perform and wear the accessories based on those needs.

But as every living creatures, even those immortal can die. If their life essence is drained completely they will become mortal. To replenish their magical pool there has to be at least a single drop of magical essence. And of course, they can die by overusing the power. If they accept a bigger amount of power than their body can actually withstand, they will burn from inside. Each of them has different limits. The only exceptions are animals since they never use their magic by themselves but instead live in a narrow circle with land and let the energy circling from them to land and accepting it back. Like this deer in the forest literally had the grass growing from under their hooves same as others. But that was long ago when the land was flourishing with life. Nowadays especially if travelling through dead land they are slowly losing their own essence which stays locked inside the land.

Next stop at the Shadowfang Rock went in the same routine as previously. They eat and sleep. Today evening they will arrive at shadow forest and this dead area will be finally behind them.

The priestess was planning to stay at least one day there resting and replenishing her magic. If she would have to stay in this forsaken land she would most likely empty her magic. But in the forest, she can hunt for meat and get a little bit more rest before they will continue on their trip. So when they finally saw the edge of the forest she felt relieved.

The moon was still up providing enough light guiding them through the thick forest. Alistair couldn't run here otherwise he would be risking that his mistress will be catapulted back by one of the branches. He walked slowly as the priestess was avoiding the branches one by one to clear the road and tried to avoid being slapped. Time to time they met fruit tree and priestess collected some fruits offering them to Alistair as a reward and feeding herself too.

They were already at the south area where is no snow winter. Temperature is dropping only at night and it is still warm enough to sleep with just small blanket beside the firestone feeling nicely warm. Shadow forest was offering a different kind of fruits all year long. It is actually a beautiful place overflowing with life. Last place in this mortal land with so many different kinds of fauna and flora.

No one understands what power keeps wasteland and Shadow forest separated and leaving this area not affected by desert at all. The trees growing at the edge of the forest are different than those insides. The branches reaching to dead land are withered showing the trees like half-dead yet right after this first line of trees there are no more signs about death thou the desert is only like one meter behind your back, and you already feel you are in another world. The power of life essence inside this forest never stopped amazed priestess.

They walked slowly through the forest enjoying the forest long after the sunrise. But none of them complained or asked for rest. Priestess comfortably sitting in her saddle leaving the direction on Alistair since he knew where they are heading. Little Sybil softly poking priestess's breast as she was moving during her sleep and Alistair was finally relaxing since he could feel the power circling across his body back to land and replenishing all his vitality. Just walking in this forest made him feel that he is foal again.

It was almost noon when they finally arrived at a clearing beside the rock with the small lake and the waterfall from up of the rock. The priestess jumped off Alistair’s back taking off of him the saddle leaving it on the grass aside and taking off the harness also. The first thing he did after his full freedom was restored was going to the edge of the lake and literally jumping inside while happily nickering. The priestess laughed at his childish behaviour but she also understood that he needed to cool down his body temperature after all of this travelling since for more than a week he was always wearing all the equipment without any proper rest.

She meanwhile settled small camp. She tightens few fabrics between two trees at the edge of the clearing and connected them with two other sticks in front of the trees building a small covered area with loosened canvas towards the lake as an entrance. It was tight enough that from the other three sides no one could enter unless he cut the fabrics. She covered the ground inside with more thick canvas creating a more comfortable place to sit and sleep. She checked her work all around and as she felt satisfied by their new temporary house she headed inside and untied the scarfs around her places softly the sleeping child down. Sybil was eating like one hour ago and it didn't look like she needed to be changed either.

She untied her cloak taking it off. Taking off her clothes wearing just tight shorts and crop covering her chest which she wore as her undergarments and headed out to the lake to Alistair. She took a piece of fabric with her heading to Alistair starting to softly rubbing his skin, cleaning all the dirt and sweat. When she finished Alistair's black skin was now beautifully glowing at the sunlight. She gave time to herself as well before she went to fishing. It felt unfair for the fish since the moment she saw one, letting the fish jump out of the water directly into her arms with a simple spell.

She caught two, cleaning them and using few spices to give them taste and leaving them on the sticks stacked in the ground near the firestone she took out before and slowly grilling them. She cleaned the insides of the fish removing gallbladder which she buried under the ground and the rest of the insides she placed on a big leaf leaving in on the other side of the clearing behind the first row of trees as an offering for animals.

She sat down beside the fire watching the fish being slowly grilled and was thinking about all what happened since she left the temple. It has been already nine days since she left and still she will not be there before the sunrise of eight-day from now. Thanks to the detour at the wasteland she added half-day to her trip.

For now, she was enjoying the beauty of this place, warm meal since the last one in her home and was waiting for Sybil to wake up so she can feed her before going to rest too.

* * *

Priestess woke up in the middle of the night when soft cool breeze entered the tent and played with her hair. She checked Sybil, who was now soundly asleep, covered herself with her cloak and left the tent. The sky was clear. Moon was shining brightly despite not being full anymore as the priestess was admiring the starry sky. She lost herself in the view and didn't notice the breeze playing with her hair again. It literally needed the strong pull of her hair to snap her out of it and bring her back to reality.

Invisible power was pulling her towards the lake and when she saw warm light rising up from the surface of the lake she didn't resist. Even opposite she fastens her walk. She sat down on her legs leaning a bit forward to look at the water surface where the moon was mirrored. "Warm moon is shining down, to the water being drawn, show me who wants to see me now, in front of you let them bow." She whispered quietly while her fingertips gently circled the image of the moon in the water. Once she finished the water surface changed directly showing face instead.

"Hello Azriel. What do you need?" Priestess asked as she irritably frowned.

"Good evening Eleanor." Azriel replied politely "please forgive me my intrusion but we wanted to know if you have the child." The curiosity literally radiated from her eyes and the tone of her voice.

Eleanor just sigh and shook her head "Did you dare to doubt me you?" She said trying to pretend to be insulted.

Azriel on the other side quickly shook her head in denial and swiftly tried to apologize "No. Of course nor, but..." she couldn't finish because Eleanor stopped her by lifting her hand above the water mirror.

"Don't worry I know we had not much time even I wasn't sure if I could be on time. But Goddess was on our side and yes I have her." She explained and gave Azriel soft friendly smile.

"Azriel?" She looked directly into Azriel's eyes and now worry was fully readable from her expression.

"What is wrong Eleanor? Something happened?" Her voice revealed the worries that started to grow inside her as she was watching Eleanor's face.

"She has Sybil's eyes" she replied after a while thinking how else she can say it but then she realized she is talking to her sister. The only person who really understand what is inside her mind even without saying it.

Sybil was a great witch. One of the biggest and strongest to live, even a long time before the great war. But the war changed her.

Azriel understood why was Eleanor so worry. For this thousand of year, many new magus were born here at the mortal real same as in magic realm but no one ever was born with the moon eyes.

"You named her Sybil didn’t you?” She suddenly asked her sister. 'Of course, she did' she thought for herself. Azriel didn't need to ask this question. Already how she said that she has Sybil's eyes meant she named her the same as their late third sister.

"Yes, I am sorry." Eleanor apologized. She should ask Azriel first. It was the name of her sister, yes, but also Azriel's'. It was selfish of her not thinking about her feelings but it is already a thousand year, yet none of them forgot.

"It is alright. It is just the name." Azriel reasoned with Eleanor. "When you will arrive home?"

Eleanor looked back to her sister a little bit relieved that Azriel is not angry. "I guess 8 days should do." Was her simple reply and Azriel noticed again that something is still bothering her older sister. Something felt off.

"What is it!" Her voice was more like a demand than a polite question.

First Eleanor froze on the spot before she realized again that she is talking to her sister. She was never able to conceal anything form her. Eleanor was always like an open book for her. She gave this time defeatist sigh before she continued.

"She can use blue fire." This time it was Azriel's time to freeze on spot. This can't be an only coincidence.