Any Witch Way (7 page)

“Sadie,” said Alroy as his hulking figure came from around the side of the house.

He’s gotta stop doing that.

Being unsure how to greet a troll, she didn’t want to offend so she smiled and did a curtsy.

“Haven’t seen curtsy since King Arthur was around,” said Alroy. “Your kind still do such things?”

Embarrassed for the third time this morning, Sadie felt sure it wasn’t the last. “No, I…um, I didn’t know how to greet you,” she stammered.

“How ‘bout hello?” Alroy said matter-of-factly. “Seems to work for everyone else these days.”

Sadie chuckled. “Hello, Alroy, how are you today…I mean, this evening?” she asked with a smile.

“Hungry. Want to go walk?” he asked the girl.

Sadie felt so small next to this goliath of a, well, troll. Though he was a troll and her first encounter with a troll had been less than nice, she felt safe with Alroy. Stifling a nervous giggle, Sadie took in the reality of her situation. She was about to have a conversation with a troll before beginning her magikal lessons and, probably the craziest thing of all, she was a witch. She tried to think about what all of this could mean. She also began to wonder about Cranberry Grove, her foster family, and exactly what was going on back there. She had a quick, fleeing notion about the possibility of getting even with all of those kids at school who tormented her, but tucked that muse away for later. As all these things raced through her mind at breakneck speed, she looked back up at Alroy who was still waiting patiently for her answer.

“Okay,” Sadie replied as he picked her up and put her on his shoulder.

“Travel faster you up here,” said the troll.

“Understood,” said Sadie and the two set off in the direction of the pumpkin and gourd patch which, incidentally, only took a few steps for the massive giant of a beast.  

Alroy set Sadie down on a pumpkin the size of a park bench and picked up a slightly smaller one and popped it between his jaws. He began to throw pumpkins, hand over hand, into his large cavern of a mouth with all the ferocity of a determined machine. It reminded Sadie of how fast she could throw miniature marshmallows into her own gob. Bits of orange pumpkin juice dribbled down the sides of his chin and then splashed to the ground. Before long there was the start of a puddle about the size of a bathtub. When Sadie thought he had slowed down enough to talk without choking, she began to speak.

“Alroy, may I ask you a question?” she queried.

Between chomps he garbled, “Yes.”

“Why am I here? I mean, who decides who becomes a witch…and why? I just want to know these things. And what about my mother, she was a witch, too? How? How did all this come about? Can I fly? Will I make magik potions? Do all cats talk? Are there other creatures out there besides the ones I saw?  Where do they all live? I mean, I’m so confused, I have a thousand questions, and I just want….” Sadie looked at Alroy who sat motionless.

She realized that though the creature had some limited speech, he was clearly confused by her fast paced ramblings.

“Sorry, Alroy, I’ve just got so many questions. How ‘bout I start with one easy one?”

Alroy nodded, wiping his hands on his juice-stained shirt. He sat down clumsily in the dirt next to Sadie, squashing many, many pumpkins in the process. He crossed his legs and laid his hands on his knees. When he looked to Sadie as if to say I’m ready, he let out such a belch her hair blew back from the gale force winds it produced.

Green with nausea from the stench (troll burps were nastier than rotten eggs), Sadie formed the words, “Why are people trying to kill me, Alroy?”

The troll seemed to think hard for a moment. His brow furrowed into trenches deep enough that if they were on the sides of the road, the state would fill them in. He put a big calloused hand to his chin and closed his eyes. His other hand rubbed his head. This went on for several moments, and Sadie thought for sure she would get all the answers she needed from the determined and stoic look on Alroy’s face. When at last he put his hands back down on his knees and a few moments later opened his eyes, his giant lips quivered as though he couldn’t wait to speak.

Then they opened, slowly, and in his deep troll voice Alroy said, “Don’t know. But Alroy sure it be Syndicate that after you.”

Sadie exhaled a sigh to rival the troll’s own loud breathing.

I’m not going to get anywhere with this big lump.

As she looked up from her despair, Alroy had begun munching on more pumpkins. Sadie thanked him kindly for his time and decided she should ask Tara if she was going to get any real answers. The troll nodded acknowledgement as he continued shoving the great pumpkins into his even greater mouth. Sighing again, she wiped the garden dirt off of her pants and began the walk back up the path to the cottage.

I guess things aren’t easy in any life, whether it be a witch’s or normal human’s.

Realizing she was absolutely famished, her walk turned to a trot; she reached the door to the cottage in no time. As she turned the handle, she had that familiar feeling she always gets in her stomach when something’s about to happen.

What could happen here?

And then the door flung wide open as what sounded like a hundred voices shouted, “SURPRISE!”

The main room in the cottage had expanded three-fold to accommodate what looked to be at least 200 creatures and people. All were smiling and staring at Sadie as if she would say something utterly amazing. When she found her voice, all she could choke out was, “Wow!”

Tara took her by the arm and led her to the familiar table by the hearth. A dozen or so fairies flitted around her head and five brown-skinned elves hopped onto the chairs surrounding her. A gnome, one Sadie thought to be either Whistle or Elgarbam, sat in the seat next to her after pushing one of the elves out of the way. Floating in a bubble of water, three sprites drifted over and began to hover above the table in their water filled sphere. All three were looking down at Sadie with love.

The knitting circle of ghosts Sadie had met yesterday was chattering to her all at once while several satyrs played the Happy Birthday song on their flutes. Presents began piling up on the table in front of her as creatures of all sorts said “Happy Birthday, Sadie,” in every type of voice. Sadie was beleaguered and looked up for some support from Tara, who was setting a pink and yellow wrapped gift in front of her.

“I couldn’t let you not open mine first,” said Mrs. Felis as she jumped onto the table beside the gift. “I’m sorry our birthday party yesterday didn’t go according to plan.”

The old cat finished as she licked her paw and ran it over her head, only stopping to straighten her glasses.

“Mrs. Felis?” asked Sadie.

“Abigail Felis at your service,” the cat replied, “as I once was in your mother’s service. I used to be her cat you know. Since her dea…since the accident, I just work for the Guild now. And, Sadie, please don’t be mad with me for not telling you my true nature. I simply couldn’t do it before you went through the change.”

Mrs. Felis looked at her and even though she was seeing her as a cat now, Sadie could see all the love in her eyes that the old woman always had for her.

“You see, I was sent to keep an eye on you and to help bring you through the change since your dear, sweet mother is no longer with us. I was sent because I belonged to your mother long ago when she still lived in our realm; like I said before, it was before the accident. I was attached to you even before you were born. It’s always been that way and always shall be.

“I guess in a way, I’m kinda your cat now. Well, once you’ve become a full witch. Please try to understand though I know you’re probably still reeling from all that’s happened. Oh, your mother was a stubborn one. I should have known, with what the Syndicate did, that she probably was holding out on telling you what you really were. But we’ll get to all that in time; right now, we celebrate your party, and tonight should be all good times.”

“Sadie, my love, I was hoping you weren’t on to me. I wanted you—we ALL wanted you to have a wonderful birthday party despite all that’s happened. It was actually Mrs. Felis’s idea,” said Tara as she nodded to the cat. “We’re all here to celebrate your thirteenth birthday AND the fact that you’ve gone through the change without incident. We’ll party tonight, and then tomorrow start your training. So, without further adieu, let the gift unwrapping commence!” shouted Tara whilst clapping her hands.

As she did so, confetti and balloons rained down on Sadie and the guests as the music started up again. Then Tara leaned in to speak more directly to Sadie.

“Oh…and, Sadie lass, we only have a cake without candles this time. You see, making a wish and blowing out the candles is a form of magik, if only those humans knew….” Her melodic laughter added to the flutes played by satyrs. “Since you’re a witchling now and know nothing of your powers, it could be quite disastrous, me little friend, if you were to go about making wishes on flames. Candle magik is very powerful, and I’m sure you won’t be wantin’ to hurt any of your friends here tonight. Accident or no.”

Sadie looked around at everyone there to celebrate with her. Creatures and people she didn’t know that actually wanted to be around her, patted her on the back, or kissed her cheek.

Is this what it’s like to have friends?  

She felt happy and filled with so much joy and delight she thought she might cry. Sadie couldn’t really believe there were that many people in the world that wanted to celebrate her birthday.

I guess I do have friends.

And the presents. The table was quickly filling up with gifts of all sizes. Trying to catch her breath, Sadie couldn’t believe this was all about her. No one had ever made such a fuss about her before. Well, her mom did, but not on this scale.

And NONE of it has to do with Halloween.

Sadie wondered if this was really happening or if she were dreaming, yet again.

“Yes, Sadie, this is all for you,” said Mrs. Felis as she nudged her present closer to Sadie with her nose.

When the last wood nymph was leaving the party, somewhat drunk on pumpkin wine, Sadie sat at the table staring at her gifts. Tara helped the inebriated creature from flying into anymore walls and ushered him out the door, trying not to laugh at his silly behavior.  

The gift table held a huge varied array of items from seven league boots and magikal monocles, to a hair brush that was enchanted to brush hair all by itself. There was also a sweater that made you look thin no matter what you weighed. Mrs. Teak, the shorter and definitely rounder one of the original three ash-covered women from the bookstore, had told her in the attached card: all girls should have one “because you never know.”  

Sadie continued un-wrapping the remaining presents. Ripping through the paper and tearing off the lid to the box, she was somewhat surprised. This one looked nothing like all the magikal gifts she had received. Someone had given her a rather opulent, ornately decorated silver box. Taking the gem out of its packing, she lifted the lid to peer inside. A rather loud “OH MY” escaped her lips when tiny musicians floated up and out, playing a delicate tune on their miniature instruments.

Little ballerinas danced to the music, in circles, around her head. Their pale pastel outfits sparkled when the firelight hit them, and the twinkling melody caused Sadie to begin to sway in her chair. With a smile on her face, she closed the lid; and when she did, all of them disappeared. She opened it once again, and they were back. Closing it quickly, they vanished once more.

This is the best music box ever!  

Looking for a card, she found none and made a mental note to ask Tara to find out just who gave it to her. She just had to thank them for this.

Grabbing the last gift on the table, she saw that on the plain brown wrapping paper someone had handwritten something.

Dear Sadie, I hope your second birthday party is all you ever dreamed of. I also hope you never need my gift. Love, Zeno.

 Her heart skipped a beat.

What kind of present would someone not want you to use?

As she untied the string, her mind raced at the possibilities.

It’s too small to be a sword. Oh, maybe it’s a dagger or knife; if it is, I also hope I never have to use it.

Removing the paper from the parcel, she found a cardboard box, much like the wrapping paper—plain and handwritten on.

Relic only can be used once. So use wisely.

Now her curiosity had reached its peak, and she ripped off the lid to reveal the present inside. What she saw in no way belied all the messages and warnings she had read through to get to it. Snuggled amongst wads of brown tissue paper was just an ordinary ring. But it was a pretty ring. It was silver and gold with a large onyx stone as the centerpiece. The stone was fixed on one side with large silver clasps which looked similar to hinges. On the other was a single prong. Odd way to adhere a stone, but I guess jewelry is made differently in the magikal world. I’ll have to ask about it and thank Zeno for this.

She slipped the ring on her finger and slid the discarded wrappings to the pile on the floor.

Sadie admired all that she had received and was thinking how she never had so much attention, good attention at that. She wanted to write each and every creature and person there a personal thank you note. Her heart was filled with happiness—a happiness she hadn’t felt in about three years now.

If only Mom could see me now. I’m not such an outcast anymore.  

Sadie sighed long and deep. When she did, leaves fell from the potted plant by the door and three candle flames fizzled out.

“What’s wrong? Tired, lass?” asked Tara.

She was surveying the damage done to three of her chairs by some woodland dwarf children. Apparently when a dwarf child teethes, they really teethe, and they do it on anything available. Three of Tara’s big comfy chairs had been literally eaten down to the springs. With only the half-devoured wood frames left, it looked as if giant termites had stopped by for a snack.

“I guess I am. I’m mostly shocked at everyone who came to the party. And I’m really shocked at all the gifts I got. I have to thank everyone, as soon as possible, especially Zeno. I need to ask him what his gift is all about,” replied Sadie through a yawn as she brushed her long, brown hair from her face.

“Oh, there’ll be plenty of time for that later. Right now, why don’t you go to sleep so we can start lessons fresh in the morning. Remember, you’re going to be learning quite a lot and you’ll need a clear head,” Tara said with a wink as she spun widdershins three times with her hands in the air.

As she did so the mess from the party began to spin with her as bursts of multi-colored light popped in the air like miniature fireworks. Within minutes, the entire cottage was clean and fresh, as though there had never been a party. The three dwarf-eaten chairs were right as rain, the cauldron was bubbling over the fire, and the house smelled of cinnamon and honey. Amazed, Sadie smiled at Tara and spoke.

“Boy, I coulda used that magik all the times I was told to clean my room,” she said. “I absolutely HATE to clean—anything. Do you think I could learn that?”

With a smile that was more a giggle on her face, Tara replied to Sadie and tried not to let the girl’s burgeoning sense of humor take over her.

“Sadie, you don’t ever have to worry about foster families again, I told you. It will be your choice if you ever want to return,” Tara replied. “You’ll have so many decisions to make soon enough without that to worry about. Plus, we’ve taken care of the Argyles—the whole town actually, just in case.”

Sadie felt a pang of fear surge through her body at the thought of the Argyles and the whole town “being taken care of.” They had been nice enough to her, and she definitely didn’t want any harm to befall them, any of them. And she actually liked her small town of Cranberry Grove—from the ridiculous way they celebrated fall with a squash festival, parade, and Squash Queen competition to the summer time swimming at Miller’s Pond—what they considered their community swimming pool.

She felt a lump in her throat at the thought of what some magikal creatures might be able to accomplish given full leave of their abilities. The look on Tara’s face told Sadie that she had read her mind once more, even though she promised to try not to, and Tara choked back yet another laugh.

“Sadie, I didn’t mean it the way you’re thinking. I simply meant we put a memory spell on them, on the whole town really. They won’t remember you were even there until we change the spell to fit our liking. And let me tell ya, lass, it took lots of energy to do so. The apprentices assigned to carry out the task slept for the whole day. Calm down, nothing bad has happened to anyone, lass. If I didn’t know better, I’d say your special gift was compassion,” Tara said to Sadie.

That’s right. I get a special gift. Being a witch might not be so bad after all. I have friends, even if they are ”different.” I mean, I’ve always been different. And I get special powers, heck, I get powers!

Sadie pondered these ideas as she started to pick up her gifts.

“Let me,” said Tara, “I’ll take care of this.” With a quick snap of the fingers all of Sadie’s gifts disappeared.

“Hey, wait a minute…” responded Sadie.

“Don’t worry, Love; they’re in your bedroom.”

“But which is my bedroom?”

“Whichever one you choose. The gifts will always be in your bedroom. No matter which door you pick, you’ll always end up in your bedroom,” Tara said with a wink.

Sadie, amazed at the whole idea of it, immediately tried the door opposite her.

Yep, presents are there.

She then turned and ran across the room to the door opposite the one she had just tried.

Yes, there, too!

She tried one more door, the one farthest from her, and to her chagrin the gifts were there as well.

“But how?” asked Sadie, genuinely wanting to know.

“Magik, my sweet little witchling. You’ll soon learn that magik is only the power of belief. You’ll also be made well aware that magik will do wonders for anyone if she practices and does the right thing with it,” Tara said.

She spoke as if someone other than herself and Sadie were in the room.

As Sadie turned and started to head to her bedroom (she chose the door opposite the front door), Tara suddenly shouted, “BE STILL!”

Sadie froze immediately.

What have I done now? The last thing I ever wanted to do was make Tara mad; she’s been so good to me. Leave it to me to screw up.

Instantly, very sad and a little frightened, Sadie ever so slowly began to turn and face Tara. What she saw made her cringe a little inside. Facing Tara was a grey skinned, wart covered, bony creature about three feet tall. It had tufts of greasy dark grey, wiry hair sprouting from inside its ears, and its spine jutted out and ended in a long, twitching bony tail to compliment its emaciated physical features. It was barefoot and had long yellow nails on each toe, except for the left foot pinky toe—it was missing. All it wore was a sash made from what looked like human hair, all different. There was a scar that ran from the corner of its cracked and bloody mouth all the way across its cheek ending right by its left ear. Its teeth looked as though it ate concrete blocks for snacks.

As Tara stood facing it, pointing three fingers at the creature with her left hand and her right hand in the sign of a W over her heart, its yellow eyes glared at her full of hatred and revulsion.

“I see that the turncoats sent their most disposable goblin,” Tara said, still frozen.

“They sent their best, sent their best, hag,” said the goblin. When the goblin said the word hag, it enunciated it with the utmost disgust.

Neither witch nor goblin moved, just stared at each other as the long slimy stretch of drool on its lips that Sadie had been watching finally touched the floor though still connected to its mouth. Even though she found this utterly repulsive, she didn’t dare say so, much less move.

“I’m not sure how ya made it through my magik walls, ya filthy beast, but you’re here nonetheless. Now, I’ll be havin’ to deal with ya, you nasty fiend. Do you prefer death or eternity in the dungeon?” quipped Tara, no fear at all in her voice and looking fierce as ever.

Sadie wondered where on earth a dungeon would be in this house. Then just as quickly she shrugged it off, remembering all the bedrooms. She also noticed how unafraid Tara seemed and hoped that one day she could—would be as brave. From the looks of this goblin, Sadie doubted she could ever face one with no fear whatsoever. Then, as if it knew she were thinking about it, the goblin slowly turned its warty, bony, pus-covered head to look directly at Sadie.

“I see you have the human child we’re after,” said the creature. “The human child.”

“She’s not human; she’s a witch,” said Tara.

Sniffing the air and apparently sucking up much snot, the creature began to cough a little before speaking again. “I can smell the human in her. She must be witchling. Still, not hard to kill, not hard to kill. Your lies won’t work on me, Tara of the Isle. I have more power now than you. It was a gift from…let’s just say, a friend, a friend. It’s a good thing I got here when I did, when I did,” the repugnant creature said as it pointed a crooked finger at Sadie. “She’s beginning to stink like witch. But still has some human stench within her, so killing her will be easier than I thought, easier than I thought. Working for the Syndicate, I tend to lose track of days, I get so involved in my carnage. She must have turned…what...a day ago...the sooner I murder her the better, the better,” it said matter-of-factly while flicking a piece of meat from between its snarled, broken, and decaying teeth.

Sadie tensed.  

I don’t want to die!

Her body seized up with fear.

YOU WON’T DIE IF YOU LISTEN TO TARA!

 There was her mother’s voice once again, clear as crystal, yelling instructions at her.

In the deepest, most sinister voice Sadie had ever heard, the goblin spoke directly to her. “I’m going to wear your skin, girl, wear your skin. The best part—you’ll still be alive to see what a beautiful fit it is.”

“Sadie, run into your room and don’t come out ‘til I say, lass,” said Tara as though she was exerting great energy.

“No, I want to help!” shouted Sadie.

“Do as I say witchling, I can handle him,” Tara responded through her set jaw.

Sadie began to back into the closest door, never taking her eyes off the nasty goblin. She backed right into her room and didn’t stop until she had backed onto her bed. When this happened, the door to her room flew shut; she heard a great commotion on the other side of it.  

The sound of wood splintering combined with glass breaking and grunts and groans and moans from who knows was all Sadie heard for the next twenty minutes. Her muscles began to ache as she realized she was tense and holding her breath. As she exhaled and relaxed a bit, the fight noises reached a crescendo. Then, with one thunderous boom, all went silent.

Releasing her grip on the bed, Sadie inched towards the door. Everything remained quiet except the sound of her heavy breathing. She inched closer, straining her ears to hear.

Nothing, not a sound.

She inched closer and closer. The sound of a glass shattering broke the silence and caused her to squeal and jump a little. She quickly put her hands over her mouth and waited for something to happen. Nothing. As Sadie reached the door, she somewhat shakily put her hand on the knob. Slowly and a bit reluctantly, she began to turn it.

Tara said wait for her to come out.

Sadie kept turning the knob.

Where is this courage coming from?

Sadie asked herself. She stooped to pick up the umbrella she had received as a birthday gift from one of the ghost knitting circles. It was the only weapon she thought she had, not that an umbrella was all that much of a weapon. She didn’t even know how to use it other than as an umbrella.  

Out loud she said, “I’m either becoming very brave or even more stupid,” and she flung the door wide open.