Fantasy Life's a Witch

[Malibu]

Hear now the words of the witches,


The secrets we hid in the night,


When dark was our destiny's pathway,


That now we bring forth into light...

Mysterious water and fire,


The earth and the wide-ranging air,


By hidden quintessence we know them,


And will and keep silent and dare...

 

[Malibu]

Please add location to posts and tags when necessary


Date/Time| Mid-September, early morning, before the first cataclysmic event

Spoiler

@Effervescence @AyyyLmao @CrystalClear @LilyannaGaming @CrystalGoblets @Uxie

 

[Malibu]

Location: City wall


No matter how hard she tried, Salome could never seem to get herself to sleep past sunrise. Maybe it was easier to sleep in the city where citizens didn’t have the surrounding nature and early morning bird song to interrupt their happy dreams and awaken them to the cool, misty September morning. Of course, most citizens probably didn’t have an insistent little starling perched on their windowsill, chirping and hopping frenetically until they had no choice but to get up just to shoo the pest away. Salome lifted her head from her pillow, tangled coffee-dark hair pooling around her shoulders. “Lear,” she moaned futilely, throwing her pillow at the cracked window and an arm over her eyes. The tiny bird dodged the blow and resumed his twittering. After a few more minutes of incoherent grumbling, the young witch sighed and threw off her blankets, wincing as the cool air touched her warm skin. Satisfied, the starling chirped a final note and flew off in search of breakfast.


The fire in her hearth had dwindled over the night and only a few sputtering sparks remained. She knelt, working to revive the flames and bring back the warmth as soon as she could. When a tiny blaze ignited, she sat back on her heels, allowing the warmth to slowly permeate her bones and ultimately her tiny little homestead. Whether she liked it or not, it was better that she was up early anyways. Today was the day she designated to go to the market and sell her goods. The earlier she was at the city gates, the earlier she could enter Denver and find a stall to set up on. Ignoring the cold floor against her feet and clearing the last bit of sleep from her eyes, she moved stiffly around the small house, washing her face in the water basin, yanking a comb through her hair, and sorting through the freshly washed clothes for something suitable for the weather. The air was just starting to turn towards autumn, the brisk coolness and crispness and sense of damp settling over the land. She settled for a pair of fitted denim pants, a thin pearl grey sweater, and a heavy, oversized flannel shirt to wear while it was still cold.


Umber eyes peered out the window. Dawn was fast approaching. If she hurried and loaded her cart, she might have time to brew a cup of coffee before throwing herself into the frenzy of the city proper on Market day.

An hour or so later, Salome had hitched her cart, loaded it with the burlap and carefully stitched canvas sacks of all her spices and herbs and the newest pile of blankets and throws she had been working on, and steered her horse towards the worn dirt path that would bring them to Denver. Her horse plowed dutifully along, their pace brisk, but not hurried. The young green witch did live a fair distance from Denver but hated to work her horse to exhaustion, especially since she was sympathetic to the animal’s thoughts and emotions. As she sat on the bench, she could almost feel the powerful legs striking the earth, feel the dust tickling her whiskers, feel the moderate burden of the laden cart and the strain of muscle beneath hide. But Loxie was a mild-mannered and hard-working dappled grey mare and had yet to let her down or be overburdened thus far. King Lear had alighted and sat on the bench beside her, his liquid dark eyes swiveling between her and the cultivated land around them.


Several miles out from the city, where the farms were thicker, the traffic increased and Salome ran into more carts and carriages and foot travelers. She nodded and waved at a few of the familiar faces she recognized, some human, some witches like herself. Surreptitiously, she leaned toward the side, bending closer to the tiny bird perched at her side. “Better hide in the back, Lear, before you attract too much more attention,” she murmured, keeping her voice pitched low but loud enough to be audible to the creature above the road noise of carts and chatter. The animal cocked his head, twittered an agreement and hopped along the rim of the cart, floating down to rest in the bottom in a small pile of straw that Salome had reserved for his use. Though her familiar was small and hardly much to attract attention, a wild bird perched so calmly beside a human was not something often seen in these times. She thought it better to be safe rather than sorry.


Before long, the looming walls of Denver appeared on the horizon. The thick stone walls were massive, taller even than the tallest hollowed out skyscraper in the city. Up close, the walls extended for miles, completely encapsulating the entire city within its sturdy borders. Eventually, the stream of traffic slowed as she neared the walls. In the distance, she could see the litany of guards, there to check her identification, record her arrival and goods, before allowing her into the city. The gates always opened at dawn and closed at nightfall and if you weren’t out or in before then, you would be spending the night away from home, so highly regimented was city traffic. The line of people looking to enter the city, either for work, for leisure, or for the market like herself, stretched back a few miles but was moving at an even enough pace. Whoever was at the gates was remarkably efficient.
​

 

[ChoasMaker]

Location: City Wall

Yavanna didn't have time to wake up after sunset or evening at sunset. She had a lot to accomplish and so little time to do it. About an hour before the sun began to rise over the horizon her familiar climb on her bed and began to suck on her nose. It hurt a little but that was it's way of telling her that it was time to get out of bed and began her daily chores, starting of course with giving the poor little creature some food. She rubbed her eyes and gave her little friend a gentle nudge to get it to stop sucking on her nose. "Good morning Love, sleep well?" The turtle waited patiently for her to get up and feed it. The turtle usually sleep with her since it would be hard for it to get into her bed by it's self so the only way for it to get into her bed was during the night before when she helped it up.

Yavanna slowly rose out of her bed pulling the covers off of her and felt the rush of cold air against her skin. She then stretched her arms into the air and let out an almost silent yawn. She reach onto the night stand by her bed and pull off a scarf to cover her shoulders and arms. "Alright Love can you get down by yourself or do you need help?" Instinctively she held out her hands for the turtle to waddle into so that she could place it on the floor. Together they walked into the kitchen and she pulled out a fresh tomato from a basket on the counter. The basket on the counter was waiting for her to begin the process to preserve it so that she would have it through the cold season because it would be hard to grow food, especial since she still wouldn't use her powers out in the open when it might draw suspension. Yavanna cut the tomato in to cubes and place it on a wooden plate which she then set on the floor for her friend.

She still wasn't ready to begin on her real chores since she was still very tired but she picked up a basket from by her front door and walked out side to her garden to begin collecting fruits and veggies for the market. By the time she was done tending to her garden she began to load up a wheelbarrow which she would have to move by herself all the way into town. She placed the basket of freshly picked foods into the wheelbarrow and then began to load more baskets that she had weaved the day before in as well. She also placed a special basket in that she would use to store supplies that she would by in the market. The fire that was trying to keep her house warm was nearly burnt out and she placed several large logs on the fire to ensure it would still be going when she got back.

It was now at least thirty minutes past sunrise and she had another thirty minutes that she could spend to her self. Seeing how she would be spending a better part of the day in the sun she drew up a bath. She started by heating water over the fire and pouring it into her tubs. After she had enough and it had time to cool down to a descent temperature she bath for thirty minutes.

The last thing she had to do before she could begin heading to town was to load Love in to the chart. The chart was sneaking in the fact that she had made it to conceal her familiar. It was thicker all the way around to look as though it was made by a novice that didn't know what they were doing. However, at the bottom there was compartment that was luxurious for a turtle. After Yavanna place Love in the wheelbarrow and concealed it she began her long journey into town.

She dress had been dragged all the way into town and when she got home she would have to mend it back to it's former glory. Lucky for her she had a lot of practicing doing things like that. She look at the line in front of her and saw the long line to get into the city. It was going to be a while before she got home and she was doubting if she would be back before that same time the next day. 'Well I guess I should pass the time some how.' Yavanna saw another women manning a cart and she approached her. When she got to her she set her wheelbarrow on the ground to get a quick rest and tapped the women on the shoulder. "Hello there, I couldn't help but admire your beautiful hair. I love the way the sun reflects off of it and I love it's color." She had a large smile on her face as she was saying exactly what she thought. "I am sorry, I just realized I didn't introduce my self. My name is Yavanna. Would you delight me by telling me who you are?"

@Opalescence​

 

[DeadnotSleeping]

Location: city water maintenance control, solar pool​

Cain Brooks was awake since sunrise, although not entirely by his choice. It was true that he would be slowly able to sleep less and less nowadays, but this time, some of his workers came a-knocking on the small building’s door that he occupied, slightly after the sun rose.


He was wide awake from the first words.


Bodies in the solar cleaning pool.


The blue witch hated even the idea of polluting the water, and those words were shaking him awake in a matter of seconds. Even more so since the other plant manager was still on her way to check the water channels on the city. So he dressed up, worried, and now he was staring at the dead animals in the pool.


It was horrifying. Especially since the bodies were torn. Cain pressed his hands to his temples for a moment, before turning to Paul.


“Would you be a dear and check out a diving equipment for me? I should go down and look at the propellers. I’m afraid they are damaged…” he said softly. He wanted to be left alone for a minute; thankfully, the worker chose to obey without a question, and Cain was alone as he wished.


Good.


He knelt down, touching the surface of the water. The bodies were too deep in for pulling out with the handheld net, but the witch still wanted to pull them out. It was filthy. It actually hurt to watch at them. At least the workers had the sense to immediately switch off this pool, and treat the water with some extra chlorine as soon as possible, but…


Cain pulled out the blue ribbon from his long hair, letting it loose. The simple ritual helped him a bit, letting his power flow out, just as he clenched his fist around the aquamarine medallion.


The water rippled, and the sudden, low waves threaded its surface, washing the dead bodies closer to him. Not entirely to the edge, the blue witch was careful, but he could get all out easily with the net, piling them together. The smell was terrible… he held in his breath for a moment, then he raised a finger, and blow on it. He didn’t have to command with words for something this small for ages… Cain smiled, as the smell died down.


The water was tainted now, he knew for sure. Since this was only one pool from many (sometimes redundantly so), all of the water supply wasn’t dirty, most likely the other stations filtered out the possible germs. The last one was a chemical filter designed by Cain himself, so he was fairly confident that the city wouldn’t get any of this tainted water, but it still bothered him.


Rabbits and dogs. Even a small deer. No way this was just an accident. This was sabotage, and the possibility made his blood run cold.


By the time Paul returned with the diving outfit, Cain braided back his long hair, and pulled out some tools, including a small, hand-held chlorine applicator and a chemical light which would work under the water. The young man looked at the manager hesitantly.


“Boss, are you sure you want to do this? I mean… alone… you should wait for the other divers. Henry went to call them, too.”


“It will be okay, Paul” the witch reached for the outfit, smiling. He understood the concern in his worker’s voice. According to his papers, he was fifty-three, six years older than in reality, and usually people stopped diving over fifty. But then again, Cain was never one of those people. The diving equipment was mostly for show, although it certainly helped.


“I mean, I can pull up the other one and go down with you…”


“Paul, I’ll need a spotter here. Besides, you should make sure that no one could turn on the turbines again. Anything happens, you should go for help. Oh, and if someone tries to turn it on, for God’s sake, punch in the emergency panel, then his face, in this order.” The older man smiled, and took the mask, too. “Did you hear me?”


“Yes, boss” the youth swallowed. He might have been younger than his own son… Cain grinned at him.


“Hey. I’ll just check on those propellers. No reason to worry” he said, and in that moment, he realized he is lying unintentionally.


Something will happen. Something bad. An evil presence lurked around there… the witch’s grin became bitter.


This wasn’t the same feeling as before, back home. This felt… deeper. Maybe this wasn’t aimed against him, but the man still knew this will hurt him, too, if he won’t be careful enough. Cain nodded to himself, tucking his braid under the hood.


“So, if someone tries to push in that button…”


“Punch that panel in. Then his face. Then kick the son of a bitch until he stops moving” the boy tried to joke. He still looked worried. Maybe he had some precognition, too – or just gut feelings. Sometimes even normal humans could get those moments.


For Cain, these moments were clear like water.


He will go inside the pool, dive down to the bottom, fix the turbine… and then, if he won’t be careful, something dreadful will happen. But if he doesn’t repair the propellers, the infection stays and spreads, and his concoctions won’t be enough to stop it. Not even with all of the other practitioners in town.


Cain sighed, sitting down on the edge, reaching for the pipe; he checked the ancient valve. All were in order.


Even if it were faulty, it would still not count.


He wished if he knew what was happening exactly. He only felt this was evil. Maybe a curse laid on the place. Maybe…


…could a city get possessed?...


The blue witch cleared his head, then raised his thumb, and slid into the water. The seemingly dark liquid was clear and cool around him, cleaning out any doubt.


This was his element. There was no reason to worry, truly. Luck, Air and Water were at his side.


He will have to play carefully, that’s all…


Cain sunk deeper into the pool, reaching for his chemlight, looking for any signs of damage or taint…

 

[Iniquitous]

Niklaus had been awake far before dawn, watching as the earth slowly blossomed into hues of blue and yellow peeling away its cloak of stars. He sat at his kitchen table, a book in one hand, a cup of coffee in the other, enjoying the silence of his morning ritual, but eventually his cup was drained and his leisured time had come to its end. As a member of Denver’s security force, his presence was required far before its citizens roused themselves from their beds. He adjusted the lapels of his uniform and headed outside, smoothing his hair away from his face with a free hand. His trusty companion was already waiting for him, Atra, a Grey wolf who decided to abandon his namesake, his coat a deep onyx. They had been companions since Niklaus was a child, when his mother was still alive and they would venture into the forest just after midnight to collect ingredients. He had stumbled upon Atra as a pup accidentally and against his mother’s wishes. It was a common story, the hunter rescuing the hunted, but it had resulted in an unbreakable bond that had spanned over a decade.


He stared at Niklaus now with a pair of keen blue eyes. They exchanged greetings in silence, Atra watching as Nik mounted his horse, a chestnut stallion he had acquired through his work. Atra and Nik weren’t master and pet, but rather two companions in possession of a mutualistic relationship. They existed both separately and together, Atra always available should Nik require his aid. He wished Atra well, whipping the reins and taking off at a gallop. The road into Denver was unsurprisingly sparse, a few people making their way towards the gate by foot. Some waved as he passed, others too focused on their feet gently stirring the ground with their footsteps. He placed his stallion in the stable with the other horses and walked towards Denver’s walls, an impressive height of mortar and cement. He was greeted by his fellow guards, men and women, all in identical uniforms. They were a cheerful group, at least at a surface level, made so by the drudgery of their work. They were responsible for every person who entered and left the city, making tables and lists of all of their belongings. It was stressful, but Niklaus had built a rapport with many of the citizens, familiar faces in a sea of bodies.


They filed in gradually. First came the ones on foot, those who couldn’t afford other forms of transportation. They arrived tired and dirty, having traveled far to each the epicenter, they greeted Niklaus with kind reservation, afraid of what he could do should he deny their entry. They were in desperate need of business, like most of the people on the path into the city, but their want was palpable, concealed behind tired eyes. Next were those that came by bicycle, then horse and carriage. He was more familiar with these people, most having steady business within the walls. They exchanged brief pleasantries, about the weather, the steady flux of people, and the harshness of the times. He would move them along with a firm hand, careful to keep the movement of people at a steady pace. Although he wished to chat longer, peer deeper into the lives of others, he had a job to do.


There was one expectation to this rule, however, a fellow witch with dark hair and expressive eyes. Whether through fate or by chance, he always found himself ushering her through the gate. He knew little about her, other than the nature of her business and the items her cart contained, but there was something about her demeanor that was comforting—a brief spark in an otherwise monotonous day.


”And how are you on this fine day, miss?” He stroked her mare’s broad nose, feeling her breath pool the palm of his hand. ”Here to sell your goods, or are you taking a much needed break?”



​

 

[Malibu]

Location: City wall

Spoiler

@Effervescence

The line had come to a brief stop once again, the person at the gates dutifully handing over their paperwork and identification to the guards working the city entrance. Salome slackened her grip on the leads, letting them rest loosely in her lap. Her horse nodded and whickered, when a voice to the side of the cart caused the beast to turn her velvety dark eye to the side to peer curiously. Salome turned her head, spotting the young woman. Hers was not a face that she recognized and she was sure she would recognize the petite frame and fall of pale white blonde hair. She was young and most likely new to the Denver area. The young witch inclined her head politely. "Ah, Salome. And, thanks, I grew it myself," she quipped. Her fingers drifted unconsciously to touch a chunk of her hair at the young girl's remarks. "Your hair is..." What was the appropriate word to use? Plentiful? Shiny? Blonde? It was beautiful, but Salome had never been very good at vocalizing those kind of sentiments. "So bright," she finally finished.


Lifting her brown eyes for a brief moment, she spotted the young girl's wheelbarrow and noticed the dusty condition of her dress hem. She cocked a brow, her face puckering in incredulity. "Did you wheel that thing all the way here?" Salome dismounted from her cart and strode confidently and quickly to the contraption. "I have extra room in my cart. You can load some of this stuff in there until we get to market. At least, I'm assuming you're going to market," she finished, fishing in the wheelbarrow and scooping up bundles of crops, still fresh with the smell of earth. Tucking them under each arm, she hoisted them into her own cart, mindful of the the little corner where Lear watched her curiously. She put a finger surreptitiously to her lips before turning for another load. In between trips to the wheelbarrow and her own cart, she occasionally had to nudge Loxie along, not wanting to keep the line hanging while she aided the young girl.


Finally, her cart lumbered to the head of the line and a familiar face came to greet them. Salome turned, watching as the blonde-haired witch came up to her cart, gently nuzzling Loxie. She nodded, the corners of her lips twitching up a fraction. "Good morning, Officer Idzik," she greeted, tripping over the unfamiliar name on his nametag. "Unfortunately today isn't a leisure day. Girl's gotta make a living," she intoned, patting the edge of her cart. "Ah, my papers are in here somewhere," she murmured, reaching in to fumble around with the contents of her cart. "Oh, and this is... Yavanna here with me. I'm helping her transport her own goods. Hopefully that won't be a problem?"

​

 

[ChoasMaker]

Location: City Wall

Yavanna's eyes blinked with shock as the women loaded her goods into the women's chart. She was surprised how the women was going out of her way to help someone she had just met. She hardly had to lift a figure as the women effortlessly moved her goods from her wheelbarrow to her chart. Yavanna picked up a few baskets and placed them into the chart eyeing a bird hiding in the corner. That sparked a question but she would have to wait to ask it now. If only witches had a secret way of asking each other if they were witches. She knew that back some where in history people used to made a mark in the dirt and if the other person was of the same mind as them they would mirror that making a fish. Then once they both knew they were of the same mind they would whip their foot across the dirt to hide the marking.

In the middle of moving her products she grabbed a tomato and cut it up like before eating half of it so that she didn't draw attention to her self and then she leaned in the chart and lifted the fake board to give Love some more food. As quickly as she had grabbed the tomato she set the board back down. She walked up to the front with Salome. She still hadn't had a chance to answer to the women questions and she didn't know if it would be an appropriate time to do it now. "Yeah I did wheel it all the way here, I live in the forest. And thank you for everything." She mumbled underneath her breath.

She looked at the guard not know what to do since it seemed as though everything was already being taken cared of for her. Yavanna had once in her life lived in Denver before so she know where everything and she knew of all the laws and customs but she didn't feel comfortable. 'I guess I should just stay quiet while she takes care of everything. Maybe when they were in town she could ask Salome if she was a witch and if the bird was her familiar.'​

@Effervescence

 

[PressureCooker]

Jack woke up with a massive headache. He raise his hand and looked out the window at the orange-red sun rising over the horizon. Jack then attempted to get out of bed, but succeeded in rolling over and landing face-first on the floor. "Ah, shit", he muttered and unsteadily got to his feet. Stumbling to the bathroom, he remembered the details of the last night. Nothing too out of the ordinary, he had only gotten ridiculously drunk again. A small shelve stood between Jack and the bathroom. Small vials of blood sat on the shelves, and Jack grabbed one on his way. In front of the mirror, he let a drop fall on his hand, mixed it with some water, and poured it on his face. Immediately, his head cleared up, and Jack felt nice and refreshed, albeit a bit aggressive. Quickly, he dressed and washed up for his day-job, which was the glamorous job of a farm-hand. The pay was ok, at least, it was enough to live on. The air outside was cool. The sun, now a more golden-orange color had fully risen above the horizon. Jack got into the back of his small sedan, took a moment to admire the woods surrounding his house (more like a shack), and drove off.


The Jensen family farm was a medium-size farm that grew all sorts of crops, as well as produced meat and other animal products. By the time Jack got there, men were already hard at work in the fields. One of the workers waved, and Jack waved back. His employer, Tom Jensen himself was waiting for Jack in the farm's small parking lot as he pulled in.


"You're late"


Damn. Jack had hoped that if he was fast enough, he could avoid this. Tom Jensen was a stickler for the rules, and a minor infraction got his blood pressure up. Oh well, he would just have to go with it.


"Well you know, I had a rough morning."


"Oh yeah? and why is that?"


Jack decided that the best thing to do was to put it like it was.


"I went through 2 bottles of wine last night"


Jensen frowned, but didn't push any more. Jack had been a reliable employee, and one that could be relied on to do the less desirable tasks on the farm. "Just don't do it again", Jensen chastised, "We're barely meeting our quotas for the month. Any delays are going to cost us a lot". Jack merely rolled his eyes. "Anyway, we've got another pig ready for you in the back". For some reason, many of the other farm hands were averse to blood, but not Jack. He rather enjoyed the job, although not because of the slaughter of animals, or at least thats what he tells himself.


A lone pig of impressive size was held in place by the time Jack arrived at the farm's slaughter house. It was making the typical pig grunting noises, and was seemingly unaware of what was about to come to it. A blood-spattered wooden table sat against the right wall of the slaughterhouse, on it, sat a rusty knife. Jack picked up the knife, and with the deftness of a skilled assassin, cut the pig in the neck, right where the jugular vein was. In a previous age, he would have provided the pig with something to take away the pain, but now, such materials were unavailable. However, the wretched squeals of the dying pig did not move Jack whatsoever, as he had heard it many times before, and he quickly retrieved a vial from his pocket. He then held the vial to the site of the cut, and watched as the thick scarlet fluid filled it up. He then corked it, and placed it back in his pocket and took the pig's carcass to the appropriate receptacle. Jack did;t know if it was him, but he could feel the warmth and vibrance of the blood, freshly drawn from a living host, against his skin as it sat in his pocket. Blood was fascinating, and potent, and could be used to unlock immense power. When he wasn't getting drunk off of cheap alcohol, Jack was busy experimenting with new magick, to either great or terrible results.


Jack returned to the front of the farm, where a pickup truck loaded with vegetables sat idling. Jensen was waiting. "Take these supplies up to market, and hurry, you've still got plenty of work to make up when you got back". Yeesh, Jack was only 5 minutes late this morning, but he might as well not have shown up for a week. Regardless, Jack didn't say anything and took the keys. A few minutes later, he was in the front of the pickup as it rattled down an old dirt road, the crates in the back jumping to and fro. The pickup stopped shaking as Jack drove from the dirt road onto a smoother, paved road. He drove on, and spotted the stern grey walls of detroit approaching in front. He observed for a little while, and continued to drive. As far as Jack knew, the walls were pointless, there was no more danger out here then there was in there, although, he supposed that it did make people feel safer. The sun, now a brilliant yellow, sat perched just above the top of the wall, and peeked down at Jack as he continued to drive.
​

 

[DeadnotSleeping]

Location: city water maintenance control, solar pool


Cain sunk deeper and deeper into the water, letting his powers whirl around him. Under the dark, cool surface he didn’t have to worry that someone would see it, and he needed the water’s embrace.


He took small, even breaths, searching for any signs of anomalies. He was sure that at least some part of the bodies sunk at the bottom, but he couldn’t find any. This was strange.


Hm. The smell. Last night when he checked on the pools, there wasn’t any bodies in the water. How came that those were this rotten already? Something evil was in work. Enthropy magic. This sounded so impossible in his head. This city’s witches were all nice souls, none of them would be able to do anything against the people. This sabotage would have placed all of Denver at risk. So no human. Maybe a monster? But why a monster should act now, and why this way?...


The blue witch carefully inspected the small machines in the edges of the pool, finding only minor damage, and a rabbit’s feet wedged into one of them. He removed it carefully, placing that to a small bag on his belt, then went on fixing the damage, fingers moving in a familiar pace.


Under the water, there were no distractions, only peace, but even the caress of his element did nothing to diminish the slight worry as he slowly realized there was no way the rabbit could get down there by itself, and the small propellers couldn’t suck the carcasses or living bodies down there. Even the great ones were only dangerous when one was already nearby them, under the water. Someone or something dragged down a bunch of animals to the turbines.


What kind of monster could have done this?...


…he will have to seek out the others…


When Cain finished the repairs, he checked on his mechanical wristwatch. He already spent quite a long time down here… he should go up soon so Paul wouldn’t worry. But first, he wanted to check on the main turbines by the great drain. It was the most important part of the system in this pool, an intricate mechanism which moved and filtered the water down to the next cleaning pool. It was surely damaged if it stopped working – the worker who checked on the pool at dawn stated that it wasn’t moving by the time he stopped the system.


The blue witch swam over to the main turbines, shining not only the chemlight, but (touching his medallion through the suit) a small spell on them, too. He jerked from the unpleasant, dirty sensation as the magic provided the asked details.


There was something inside what jammed the mechanism shut. Something filthy. The man sighed in thought, and reached for his tools. He needed to open the security panels which should have prevented things like this.


The grate came loose easily. Bad sign. Someone or something pried it open. Cain cocked his head, peering inside by the light of his spell.


It looked like a hairy limb. Not human, thankfully. Maybe a full leg, looked like it was a dog’s, half grinded into the gears. Eww. The witch reached in, yanking it out easily, then he pushed that into the bag, too. Then he took the chlorine tank and carefully disinfected the mechanism, cleaning out the tatters of flesh while working. The filter was untouched for normal eyes, but the spell showed something black and still thumping inside. Sheesh. Cain touched it gingerly, closing his eyes for a second, feeling around its edges.


This won’t be easy. And that’s when the danger comes.


The blue witch smiled, almost touching the wheel of fate with his mind. How was that sentence? ‘Winds of destiny, change…’


The physical repairs first. The man carefully straightened everything out, fixing the small injuries, bending back the propeller’s wings to their place, removing the bone splinters from the mechanism. Once he was sure everything was in working order, he checked on his watch again.


Oh hell. Too much. He still needed to take care of the darkness – he was fairly sure that once he climbs out, the others won’t let him back in. It happened before, but that was some minor failure he could fix the next day without problems. This one shouldn’t be left alone.


There was still some air in the tank – besides, he hadn’t need it.


Cain conjured up the spell easily, without speaking, his amulet glowing with a warm blue light in his chest. The blackness dissipated slowly, and in the moment it vanished entirely, he felt the danger awaken. Maybe it was a magical spring trap, intended to punish the one who dared to remove the curse…


He should have known this will happen. Maybe he knew.


Poor Paul…


…the wheel of fortune turned. In the moment the propeller came into life, luck stood to the witch’s side, and while his arm slipped into the mechanism, sucked it by the motion, he turned and twisted aside just enough to avoid any damage, turning the tool held in his hand to protect his fingers, his body moving with the current. It was just his right arm, his more agile left hand stayed free…


The man stayed calm, even when he realized he couldn’t pull his arm immediately. He moved slightly, with the slowly turning turbine, breathing evenly while flexing his arms. He inched out his arm, carefully, conjuring a spell up with his free left hand, enveloping himself in a soft water shield. He still had time before the turbine sped up.


The wheel of fortune shook in his mind. Cain jerked as the sudden movement sucked his arm deeper in, and instinctively pushed himself back. It hurt like hell, felt like his shoulder was pulled out of its socket, the shield dissipated from the pain…


…and the wheel turned again. He felt a pair of arms around himself, and the other diver freed his arm. The one holding him swam upwards immediately, and Cain realized that his aqualung’s pipe was broken – so he will have to cough and choke as soon as they reached the surface, less they realize that something is off…


He reached back with his mind, seeing without eyes as the second diver, a big hunk of man shut the grate closed and headed for the surface, too. The turbines worked properly again, the black filth disappeared from the water. The blue witch smiled.


Okay, this was worth it. Even with the scolding that will follow suit…

 

[Iniquitous]

Location: City Walls


For whatever reason, Nik hadn’t noticed the other witch seated alongside Salome. She appeared much younger—long blonde hair tumbling down her back in waves. He hadn’t seen her before, but she seemed reticent, comfortable with Salome’s direction. She was much brighter than the dark-haired witch, as though all the color had been rung out of her body. She looked nervous, so Niklaus smiled at her, removing his hand from the mare’s nose.


”Of course, I’d be surprised if anyone had time to enjoy themselves these days.” He clicked his pen and began to walk around Salome’s cart making an itemized list of everything her cart contained. He lifted blankets, opened bags, and counted the herbs, marking everything down with a quick scrawl of his pen. They were high quality items, blankets expertly woven from soft fibers. He had checked her cart numerous times but was always impressed by her skill. He would have to visit her shop when he had the time, which with his job was a rare occurrence. Life as member of the government security force was a hard one, long hours with few breaks. Luckily he enjoyed his work, the conversations, the authority, it gave him a feeling of satisfaction, something he bad been lacking as on late.


”No problem at all. In fact, it makes my job easier.” He walked around the caravan and stopped back alongside Salome. ”I just need to see your papers, and know what kind of business Yavanna is planning to conduct. Then you two can be on your way.” He looked down at his clipboard, then back to Salome. ”Could you save me one of those blankets? I promise I’ll stop by on my break. I don’t think I’ve ever seen something of such high quality. They’re beautiful.”



​

 

[Malibu]

Location| The Market


Cities were so loud. The buzzing drone of chatter, the lowing and snorting of livestock, the moderate banging of industry created a cacophonous symphony around him, a music he didn't think he would ever get used to. Grey had spent nearly his entire life on the far outskirts of town, attending schools and camps and gyms that were off the radar, often surrounded only by the sounds of open sky and earth, his family, and his superiors in the Order. He had been assigned to Denver only a few short months ago and, as much as he hated to admit it, he hadn't adjusted nearly as well as he had hoped. The city still made him tense, nervous, his dark eyes flickering at each flutter of movement or pealing laughs and screams. The rigidity sat in the stern line of shoulders, the tight set to his jaw. Perhaps it made him look that much more unapproachable, which rather suited the young man just fine.


It was a cool morning, the sun barely cresting over the tall walls of the city to warm the earth and tight alleyways. He had reported to work, a carpenter's shop right in the heart of downtown and positioned right in the middle of the hubbub of the Denver Marketplace. There had been now new homes ordered for construction and the few other minor repairs or projects that had come into the shop had been assigned to other teams. So, instead of going home to enjoy a day off, Grey had offered to stay with the shop, watching it during the day and being available should anyone come by to place an order or schedule an appointment and the manager had happily agreed, seeming relieved to spend a day away from the shop. Finding a pot of bitter black coffee in the back room, Grey had poured himself a steaming cup (adding copious amounts of sugar and cream to the bitter brew) and made himself comfortable at the small table and set of bony chairs set out underneath the canopy, and waited.


He got to observe the citizens of Denver rolling into the Market. Some were clearly there on business, rushing over to a stand or a stall to stake their claim and unloading wares, while others were clearly there for leisure, moseying around the crowds, drifting by shop windows, clutching their coin purses with anticipation of the beautiful things to be bought on this beautiful fall morning. This was what Grey did best, what his job entailed: observing. He had always been comfortable being the silent watcher from the sidelines despite his family's attempts to bully him into more action. It had never suited Grey, even though he was certainly physically fit enough for the position.


He took a swallow of coffee and grimaced. "Ugh," He grimaced, making a face. It seemed no amount of sugar or cream could save the poorly brewed pot of coffee. He set it resignedly to the side and instead went inside to grab a small block of wood and returning quickly to his post. Withdrawing a small knife from his pocket, he rolled the piece of wood in his hands, looking at each vein and knot, noticing the small fissures or natural cracks in the wood, taking in the natural shape and weight of it in his palm. Carefully, he took the sharp blade to a corner and lopped off a chunk, subsequent shavings falling to the ground after. Grey was good with his hands and whittling was a favorite hobby of his when he wasn't practicing with the sword or playing the fiddle. His calloused fingers seemed to have a certain delicacy with the wood and he was always proud of the little figurines and baubles he was able to pull from the wood and the minute details he was able to carve into their exterior. The shop owner had even sold a few of his trinkets, something that had made him flush with a strange sense of pride. He had never thought of his creations adorning the houses and mantles of others, never thought of turning a profit from them; they were a product of enjoyment, nothing more.

​

 

[Malibu]

Location| Her shop, inside the marketplace

Beatrice loved mornings, especially when they dawned cool, crisp, and clear. Her apartment, lofted just above her shop, was built with a multitude of tall, wide windows, always giving her a spectacular view of the bustling downtown corridor below, the tops of other buildings, and finally the dull grey stone of the wall in the distance. Her apartment wasn't tall enough to see over the wall; none of the buildings in the city were. But, sitting by her bedroom window, bejeweled fingers grasping a painted ceramic mug of strong green tea, legs tucked under and wrapped in the soft fleece of a blanket, she could watch the sky just above the line of the wall start to turn colors. It started with the dark navy of night, turning slowly to a bruise-like purple at first light. And then the explosion of color started; the sky shifted to a pale violet, then to lavender, to a soft heathery pink shot through with veins of dewy orange and gold, and finally to the pale slate blue-grey of a fall morning. It was beautiful, nature's poetry, Bea thought with an inward smile. The glow of the sun teasing at the seam of the wall meant that it was time to move from her comfy spot in the chair and get herself ready for a day in her shop, though.


Slowly, she rose, setting her mug on the kitchen counter on her way to the bathroom. She showered and brushed her teeth, fluffing her damp flaxen hair around her shoulders before disappearing into the depths of her closet, emerging several minutes later in a stylish grey sweater dress over mulberry colored tights, feet slipped into delicate mary jane heels tied with a tidy little bow. Her jewelry was kept relatively simple, sporting a delicately crafted charm studded with aquamarine and moonstone on a long, thin silver chain, simple moissanite studs in her ears, and thinly beaten silver and gold rings on her fingers, the only stone the teardrop shaped carnelian on her pointer finger. Bea grabbed her house keys and disappeared down the narrow stairway that led from her apartment to the back room of her shop below. Emerging onto the main shop floor, she threw open the windows allowing the early morning to flood the quaint little shop and lighting the wall sconces in the remaining dark corners.


Bea took great pride in her shop. The walls were papered in midnight blue damask, veined with a silvery sheen, and edged with dark mahogany wood. The counter was another solid mahogany piece, paneled with glass on the sides to showcase the wares inside. Stuffed charcoal grey settees and sitting chairs were dispersed about the room, grouped together in intimate little circles and the floors were paneled in beautiful, polished mahogany. Large pots contained leafy green plants and small bundles of flowers and towards the far back corner of the shop, just beside the window, a trellis has been set against the wall, the black wrought iron tangled in green ivy and climbing flowers, a small decorative fountain and pond set into the floor just in front of it, all nestled between a comfy grouping of chairs and lounges. Beside that was a cart where Bea kept copious amounts of lemonade and iced tea and pitchers and usually a small plate of delicately iced cakes she had delivered from the nearest bakery in the mornings. Even if people didn't come to her shop and purchase an item, she still enjoyed talking with the people that crossed her threshold, enticing them with sweets and refreshments and learning about them, their likes and dislikes, how their day was going, laughing over a funny event they had witnessed just the other day, before sending them on their way smiling. It brought her great joy to socialize with people, especially since she never could venture very far from her shop during business hours or her home once the sun set. The people that came into her shop (and the gossip they brought with them) was often her only interaction with the world just outside her beautiful little shop, positioned by the bright colors and aromas of the marketplace and she savored it.


Unlocking the front doors, Beatrice pivoted on her foot, crystalline gaze taking in the quiet splendor of her shop. "Hmmmm," she murmured, stepping over to one of the nearest pots and holding a leaf delicately between her fingers. "Plants are looking a little wilted today," she mused aloud, going to each of the plants in her shop and pinching their leaves and petals carefully and inspecting. She'd have to flag down one of the green witches at some point today and see if she couldn't cajole them into giving her plants a little "boost". Beatrice was horrible with plants herself, but she loved the way they looked, and the openness they brought to her shop. Plus, there were plenty of witches in and around Denver, including herself, and usually there was always one who stopped in and attended briefly to her plants for her.
​

 

[Malibu]

Location| City wall

Spoiler

@Effervescence @ChoasMaker

Salome stilled, ceasing her rummaging through her small knapsack at his words. She blinked, lifting ochre brown eyes to meet his gaze. The young officer had a soft expression on his face, not quite a smile, but something tentative and pleasant and achingly sincere. She spared a quick glance at the pile of brightly colored woven blankets in the floor of her cart and then back at him. "Of course," she offered gently, a flush suffusing her freckled cheeks at the high praise. "I'd be glad to. Though, I think there will still be quite a selection left tonight. It's not quite cold enough yet to have any real need for blankets." She chuckled quietly, finally procuring her thin stack of identifying papers from her bag. She handed them over and clasped her hands in front of her as Nik went about verifying her identity and papers and crossing another box off on his clipboard.


While he went about his duty, Salome once again found her eyes drifting to Yavanna. There was something slightly familiar about the girl, though she couldn't quite place it. Perhaps she had seen her at one of the Circle meetings? The witches of Denver had just held a massive, secret celebration for the equinox only a few days prior, deep in the woods that surrounded her own little hermitage. Perhaps she had seen her there, though she looked very young, and was probably only just come-of-age to attend Circle meetings and events. Or perhaps she wasn't a witch and it had been in town? If the girl was a merchant of crops and food, it was very possible that Salome had seen her at the marketplace where Salome also peddled her goods. She was very good with faces, not so much with names, so that was a very distinct possibility. But she didn't have too much time to dwell on it. She smiled and nodded as her papers were handed back to her. "Thank you." She stowed them in her bag again, just as Lear suddenly took off from her cart, suddenly overwhelmed by the amount of people hovering over it. She watched his departure from the corner of her eye, knowing the little bird would crest the wall and return to her soon, perhaps after finding some tasty beetles or worms to eat. Salome cleared her throat and alighted on the seat of her cart. "I suppose I'll see you a bit later then," she said, glancing at Yavanna and waiting for her to hand over her papers and engage in the same identification process

​

 

[DeadnotSleeping]

Location: City Water Maintenance Control, solar pool
​

The water plant manager couldn’t decide whether he should be happy or exasperated. He started to distinctively feel the latter, even if sensing the other’s worry and proof of care made his chest warm.


“I am all right, I can assure you! I am not harmed!”


“You have been sucked into the drain!” snapped back Henry, the gigantic man, a father of four, still not letting him go. “Your shoulder is slightly off. Even there are no visible injuries, I can see that it gives you some pain. I am sure you managed to pop it out of the joint.”


“And it is very lucky that this was only this much” added Frank, patting the crying Paul on the back. “Hey, kid, try to drink this, and stop the waterworks. You reacted quickly.”


“But there was no one! It just turned itself on! And…” the black-skinned boy looked genuinely upset, tears dripping down on his face, big brown eyes still wide from fear.


“Nothing ‘and.’ Do not worry” Cain said softly. “I was already finishing up the repairs. Maybe the display went awry. Not your fault that the equipment is old. It is prone to some malfunctions.”


“But… but boss… you’ve been down there… and you are injured now… it is my fault!”


“I was the one who said I shall go down myself. Please, Paul, stop crying. It is not really important; men should only cry when it is serious.” The blue witch smiled, sincerely. His shoulder was really throbbing with pain, but considering where he was just a minute ago, that felt quite a small price for the earlier stunt.


“I would say this is serious” said Henry quietly. “My heart almost stopped when we saw you down there. All kind of horrors made a scene in my head. I am happy that you weren’t crushed, you are bloody lucky, boss, but I still insist that you should go and see the doctor. Not alone, even.”


The gigantic man glanced over to the other two.


“Maybe, if Frank supervises this… boss, we will escort you to the doctor. I can carry you if you pass out, and Paul will be calmer, too.”


“If you insist, I can go and visit the doctor by myself” the elder man blinked, somewhat annoyed. He really intended to go into the city, more than half of the practitioners were there on a market day. Maybe he could catch a familiar face and notify the witches without drawing attention to themselves. Besides, sadly, Henry was right, he was quite sure he managed to put his shoulder out. This was still better than being turned to big chunks of mincemeat, still…


“No way we are letting you to go alone!” snapped back the giant. “You were stuck in the drain for minutes, with a torn equipment, and sorry for saying this, but you are bloody old for this! You shouldn’t even go down there alone! So now, as punishment, we are going to take you into the city.”


“I can go by myself.” insisted the blue witch, and stood up, so he can peel off the diving suit. “Don’t forget that I control your paychecks!”


“And you are way too nice to do something like that” chuckled Henry, and leaned over to help. “That’s why it is not Frank but Paul. I have four kids and he supports his mother. So you wouldn’t be able to bring yourself to kick us out.”


“…you know me way too well” sulked Cain, jerking as the suit came off his bruised shoulder. The joint really looked out of place, and his arm and side were bruised… great. He really should ask one of the practitioners for herbs. If his memory served well, at least two dabbled in healing, and one was surely talented with herbal crèmes. “But there is still work to do! I cleaned out the propellers and repaired them, but you still should go and…”


“I’ll take care of that, boss. It only takes one man” Frank interjected, smiling. “Dress up and let the others escort you; if not for anything else, for the kid’s sake. He almost died from fear when we saw the equipment switching on. If he sees everything is all right, maybe he would stop shaking…”


The blue witch sighed.


“All right, all right. I’ll go to the bloody doctor with you…”


The others were sometimes too kind. He will have to come up with something inside the city, maybe flag down one of the other witches… he could send them back to the plant, claiming that they are old friends, and they would escort him…


For now, he accepted their help, even if Paul’s shaking hand meant it hurt more as they put Cain’s injured arm into a makeshift sling. Henry helped him with his clothes, then looked at the manager.


“I will bring what you need from your home…”


“My bag is on the corner shelf. I even brought my lunch” the blue witch sighed. “But seriously, I am fine. My shoulder hurts a bit but that is all. Nothing more. If you insist on escorting me, I might only take Paul. Frank might need you here, Henry; if you want to fix the display, he wouldn’t be able to deal with those rusty gears. I promise I won’t black out. Deal?”


The giant looked hesitant. The young worker was already back with Cain’s bag, and he smiled.


The wheel of luck turned again, and the kid nodded, confidently. The other’s smiles were kinder now, and not so hesitant.


“I will take care of the boss, Henry. Promise. And I can act as a cushion if he falls.”


“All right, all right…”

Location: city wall

​

So it came that half an hour later, the blue witch calmly waited in the line to enter the city, accompanied by the young worker. His shoulder was still aching, but that was nothing he couldn’t bear; besides, as soon as he managed to find one of his kind, Cain fully intended to send back Paul to the water plant, or looking around the market. Judging from the passed carts and the massive line outside, it will be a very versatile market indeed.


“Are you sure you are all right, boss? Don’t want to sit down? Do you need water?” the boy was anxious again. Cain smiled, shaking his head.


“I’m all right. Don’t be so worried. Nothing serious, I swear, and in no way was this your fault. So please, calm down, or I’ll send you back now.”


“I won’t leave you here alone! You were in an accident, and it looked so bad…” the youth looked like he was about to cry again. The man sighed, putting his unharmed hand on Paul’s shoulder.


“But I’m here, with nothing but scratches. I know it looked scary, but these things happen. Besides, the others arrived in time to help me…”


“But what if not?...”


“That’s what we are not talking about, and you shouldn’t think about that, either…”


The line slowly started moving; Cain sighed. He rarely went into the city, especially using the main gate… but with Paul’s impatient worry, this will be a longer wait than it should be. The boy was already fidgeting, and asking people around for a pass to skip the line. Great, he was telling everyone that Cain had an accident… the blue witch sighed, with eyes closed.


This will be a long day…

 

[ChoasMaker]

Location: City Walls

Yavanna waited patiently while the guard went around inspecting all of the goods, she was happy that her cart was empty since he had no reason to look in it, it lowered the likely hood that anyone would find Love. The poor thing having to be locked up in a secret compartment. She wished she didn't have to do that her friend but it was completely necessary. Nik was right, the blankets that where in the cart were just simply amazing, no doubt about that. She completely admired the artisanship that was put into them. She would mostly like trade some of her goods for one of the blankets since she was already going to go into town to trade for some because she already felt the cold bite of winter in her little cottage. It would be beneficial to her if she had more things to keep her and Love warm. Maybe she could also ask Salome for a hand at home and they could put up a green house together. It would be nice so that she could grow crops all year round with no suspicion.

Finally Nik said something and she reached into the special basket that she was saving for her self and got out her paper work handing it to the guard. "I am going into town to sell my freshly harvested crops and my woven baskets to trade for some goods I need such as a few blankets and tools for around the house and such. I might also go in and visit my parents, I haven't seen them in a while but that is only if I have time to." Yavanna then waited patiently for the guard to reply and give her permission to go through. She would hate to be turned back without the supplies she needed. Normally she wouldn't want to see her parents but it had been a while since she had last seen them and they would appreciate seeing their daughter from time to time.​

@Effervescence

​

 

[Neri]

Light chirping of the songbirds tickled her ears and stirred her mind out of consciousness. The streams of sunlight danced against brown skin in the softest caress to make her eyes flutter open and realize that it was morning. Morning. Andrea laid on the floor of the forest, arms clasped in front of her, dark strands of hair sprawled about against the small pallet of leaves she attempted to make into a pillow. She blinked once, twice, and on the third blink she rose her upper torso from the mossy ground. Arms outstretched over her head, her fingertips danced against one another until they intertwined and with a soft groan and the sound of her back cracking, she gave her body a stretch and dropped her arms lazily to her side. A hand rose up to her hair thick locks and found them in the same unkempt state she had left them in but now they were accessorized with a few leaves and the morning dew.


“Mm. I lost track of time.” She spoke to no one but herself as she slowly rose to her feet, brushing the back of her dark green cloak off. It had been a slow night before and she closed p her tailor shop and didn’t bother to open her night business. Lately her mind had been amuck with thoughts that didn’t sit with her well with her. She needed to clear her mind and found herself walking about the woods to bring her soul to a calming state. Her mediation went deeper than she expected.


“Come Tima.” She called out to her favorite critter, the sound of his light chittering alerted her that he was close behind. Drawing the hood of cloak over her messy waves of hair, she began her familiar trek back to her home.


The sun was up, and Andrea felt refreshed once she stepped into her home, the familiar scent of filling her nostrils and invading her lungs. As she walked towards the front of her shop, her fingers twitched with delight and reached out instinctively to caress some of the fabric she had laid out the night before for her customers. She had no sign to announce if she was open her closed, instead she kept her door open and propped a small bolder against the edge to keep it in place, anyone was free to walk in and out as they pleased, so long as she could keep a watchful eye on them from her usual position behind the counter, or in the back room where she allowed no passerby to enter. Removing her cloak, she hung it behind the counter on the rack. The sounds of footsteps turned her attention back to the door, deep eyes staring intently at the stranger who just walked into her store.


“Can I help you?” She asked, her accent thick and tone sharp when she watched them reach out to take ahold of a piece of fabric. She was particular about what hands roamed about her material, especially the hands of a passersby.

 

[DeadnotSleeping]

Inner Denver


The doctor smiled at the little girl, taking off the stethoscope.


“Great news! Only a few more days in bed, young lady, and you will be right as rain! The worst has passed. You can eat what you want now, but I still recommend mommy’s chicken soup. That would do you good.”


“Thank you!” the child smiled, showing a few missing teeth. Her fever was really gone, and her lungs sounded better now, her throat was clean and open… Nate grinned back at her, patting her head and handing her a lollipop.


“Do you like lemon? I only have these…”


“I do!”


“Well then, here you are. We will see each other in a couple of days, okay?”


“Goodbye, Doctor Wellbraid!”


The old man smiled and left the small room, with the little girl’s mom in his heels. Outside, he turned around, taking the woman’s hands in his.


“Ma’am, there is no reason to be afraid anymore. You were taking care of her so perfectly she is on the way of healing. Cook for her. Love her. And be happy. Your daughter will be strong and naughty again in no time…”


“Oh doctor, how could I…”


“Csst. Could you bake me a cake, perhaps? Or crépes, if you may” Nate chuckled. He could have asked for a lot of things, even valuables, this was really a difficult one; the diphtheria usually killed children. Now the danger had passed.


The doctor still bathed his hands in the fire and the prepared solutions, to kill off any remaining bacteria. The house was under quarantine…


“Anything you wish!”


“Crépes, then. I’ll pick it up in three days when I come visiting again” said the old man with a gentle smile. “Meanwhile, take care of Louise just like before… there is no better medicine than a mother’s love, believe me. It wasn’t my knowledge but your love what saved her.”


The woman smiled like an angel, kissing the doctor’s black, thorny face. She gave him a small basket, with a grateful pat on his hand, too.


“I’ve prepared lunch for you, doctor. As a thank you.”


“It is I who should be grateful, ma’am.” Nate smiled, smelling the basket. A vegetable soup, with savoury scones… lovely. “This might be the biggest blessing for a bachelor like myself. You are my saviour, too…”


The old man stepped out to the street, putting on his fedora. He directed his steps towards the market, his face losing his jovial expression step by step.


He didn’t get any reports. From none of them, although in their last meeting, he provided the younger hunters with a list, with no less than five suspicious individuals.


He was sure most of them were witches. The signs were there. Amulets they didn’t want to take off. Third nipple. Red hair. Mythical tattoos. Way too loyal and loving pets. And fire seemed to damage one boy’s hand immensely. His witch-sense was tingling every time he approached those. They are witches for sure; they only need some proof to judge and execute them.


Maybe that God damned lazy kids didn’t even try to track them. He should ask as soon as he meets one; he still had time for a round on the marketplace before he should have headed back to his office for the day. He usually made a round, visiting his patients early in the morning, then enjoyed a walk. He collected several suspects under his walk, especially in market days. One day, he will find a witch this way for sure.


Nathaniel scowled.


Today, if he manages to find one of the younger hunters, he will ask questions… and he will expect answers, too. Maybe this will be the day something good happens, for once…