CACKLE- Book 1

Chapter Seventeen

"You can't be serious."

Anna's voice rang through the cottage. Remi stirred from what had been a hard, deep sleep that she most definitely needed. Being around Anna was like being around pure light. Radiant and joyful, it was contagious. Though Anna's voice right now did not sound light, it sounded irritated. Remi pitied the recipient; Anna could be very intimidating. Small frame aside, her words could be used to make her more ferocious than a flier's bite.

Remi crawled forward and peaked over the edge of the loft. She could just make out Anna's figure by the front door, but the person she was talking to was hidden from view. All she could see were their hands ringing a straw hat nervously.

A voice that was clearly mail stuttered in response, "My deepest apologies, Madam Vikroth, p-p-please... I..."

"Give me the list! You get the trunks. Oh, and we'll need another horse."

"A-Another?" The man asked.

"Yes. I'm bringing my niece with me. Will that be a problem?" Anna snapped.

"N-No. Not at all. Yes, madam. I'll get another horse for you. Right away." What Remi could see of the man disappeared as Anna slammed the door, muttering to herself as she reviewed a piece of parchment.

Remi pulled on a dress and boots, scurrying down the ladder she was about to greet Anna when Anna turned to look at her. "Oh, your hair is a mess. Let me just..." Anna didn't finish her sentence. She pulled a small vile off the shelf, uncorking it and dispensing the pink, liquid contents into her hands. Rubbing them together she fluffed her fingers through Remi's hair.

"Much better. Now go wash your face, we'll have to leave much earlier than I had planned. Apparently, her majesty had an additional list of supplies she wanted me to provide and we had no warning. None at all! This will take me some time to gather. Pack up anything you found that will fit you and stuff it in that trunk. There are packs you can use in the basket if you run out of space." Anna pointed to several areas around the cottage as she spoke.

Remi didn't hesitate, it felt like she was back home. When Anna gave orders, it was in ones best interest to not doddle. Anna was swishing her finger around, bottles, jars, boxes and vial's danced off the shelves and onto the kitchen table.

A knock came from the door and Anna scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Remi, can you get that? If it's Elio, tell him I'm not ready. Maybe yell at him. It's fun." She snickered. "He's terrified I'll turn him into a toad or something. He has no idea that transfiguration is not a skill we witches possess... but don't tell him that." She pointed a finger in the air to punctuate her remark, unfortunately a little green jar whipped across the room as she did. "Oh Goddess help me." Anna groaned. "I wasn't talking to you!" She snapped at her shelves. Several glass jars trembled in response.

Remi rushed to the door and straightened the pleats on her dress before she opened it. She didn't see the pants or hat of the man Anna had been speaking with before. Instead she saw a man dressed head to toe in black, with a small emblem embroidered on his sleeve in green and gold. It was the crest of Eloricia. His eyes were a dark brown and slanted. They reminded Remi of cherry tree wood, just like Anna's table. His hair was as black as the wings of a raven, it was a little shaggy around the contours of his cheeks. He was, very handsome.

He smiled broadly at Remi and she completely forgot how to greet another human. She tilted her head and asked, "Elio?"

The man laughed, a deep and melodious sound. Remi's cheeks burned in response. A little flutter of heat ran through her stomach and down her legs.

The young man gave her a small bow, "My name is Huxley, dear lady. Elio is that man over there, trying to negotiate for another horse." Huxley pointed at an older gentleman across the way, speaking with a woman who was holding the reins of a large brown horse.