The Magician's Witch

Return to the Future Part 1

Sanaz began to settle in gradually. Eilis, Laleh, and Bakhita hovered around her, making sure she felt safe while walking her through their routines. Laleh, Bakhita, Malid, and Dara postponed their departure for a few days, wanting to ensure that Sanaz was comfortable in her new environment before they left for good.

Erik kept his distance, knowing that Sanaz was still distrustful of him. He occupied his time sketching out upgrades for the house, working on projects in the shed, working on his composition, or playing with Aria.

One day, Malid, Dara, and Erik went down to the village for supplies—nails, paintbrushes, a new blade for the ax, a wedge, candles, oil, beeswax—when Erik spotted a familiar face.

Nadir was on his way to Tehran; his period of mourning was over. He stood apart from the servants he traveled with, paying the blacksmith for the horseshoes being tacked onto his horse's hooves.

Erik gestured to Malid and Dara to move into the shadows.

Dara frowned as he obeyed, standing just behind Erik's shoulder. "Why are we hiding from him," he asked.

"Nadir doesn't know what happened in Tehran," Erik explained in a low tone. "It is better if he does not see us—see me—here."

Nearly an hour later, Nadir and his caravan moved off toward the city, and Erik, Malid, and Dara breathed sighs of relief. They stayed in town a little longer than they had planned, giving Nadir a wide berth before they started for home.

Erik told Eilis that he had seen Nadir in town when he got home.

"I hope the Shah doesn't punish him," Eilis remarked, worried.

"I do not believe he will," Erik assured her. "He will most likely be required to head up the investigation and search for us."

Eilis' forehead creased with concern. "Do you think he will turn us in? I know he is your friend, but he is also bound by his sense of duty."

Erik shook his head. "No. He was only loyal to the Shah because of Reza, keeping his income and estate for his son's sake. Now that he is gone, Nadir has no motivation to continue with such a farce."

Eilis pursed her lips, not entirely buying Erik's reasoning. "Well, we'll see, I guess. I hope you're right."

The atmosphere around the tiny homestead was a mixture of excitement and impending heartache. As much as Laleh and Bakhita yearned to rejoin their families in their own time, they both took turns lamenting their decision to leave the here and now.

Nevertheless, their minds were made up, and soon—far too soon for everyone—the day of their departure came.

The night before they were to leave, the household went all out with food, drink, and entertainment. It was a beautiful Spring evening, so they took the party outside, setting themselves up around the circle where the tripod usually stood. Food was brought out; Erik brought his violin.

They sat around the fire talking and reminiscing much as they had done the evening Erik and Eilis had gotten married. Eilis was feeling nostalgic and bittersweet about this union, this collection of people who she would never see again. She wiped a tear from her eye, not wanting to ruin the night with dispiritedness.

Eilis and Erik took turns bouncing Aria on their knees. Erik handed Aria off to Eilis, reaching around for his violin. When he played the first notes, Aria's face lit up with joy. She sat transfixed listening as Erik coaxed the sweetest, liveliest vibrations out of the strings. Laleh and Bakhita got up and danced while Malid and Dara clapped along. Even Eilis got up and bounced Aria around; Sanaz sat and watched, smiling shyly. At one point, Laleh tried to beckon her over, but she shook her head.