The two soldiers, followed at a distance by curious villagers checking if 'the rumors were true', returned to Verina's house the next morning. What they found, in front of the cottage, was a modest wagon half-filled with all sorts of books and peculiar items. The open door let everyone there hear the witch's groans and imprecations while deciding what to do with all her stuff.
The Sorceress was, indeed, moving.
A few courageous youngsters went to ask her about it. Responding much like she did with the Alderman, assured them she would return from time to time.
Reporting the news to the other villagers waiting outside, agitation grew. Despite her contacts with the people being scarce, limited to the few times she visited patients, some evenings at the tavern and local festivities, her presence and abilities were a staple of the community, not only of Tardeburgo, but of the other villages nearby.
The soldiers asked if she needed any help, but she refused. Half of the items were too delicate, and she would need to transfer them to her 'portal dimension' a few at a time, and the others needed to be selected by her; no brute force required.
An hour later, they were ready; the wagon was attached to the carriage, the witch made her house disappear with a snap of fingers, and they left the glade.
In Grelona, Verina instructed the drivers to bring her belongings to the castle and wait for orders there; she had some affairs to attend to in the city, their presence wasn't necessary.
Firstly, she got something to eat. After fetching a few thick panisses, she started walking towards Lok's shop, consuming them on the go.
Once she reached the blacksmith, Verina left the precious materials she promised to deliver and a couple of panisses for the hardworking friend. Invited to stay longer, she refused; she had one more person to visit before returning to the Princess.
«Is there... anyone here?» she asked, entering the desolate shop, unable to locate the owner from the door. She looked around, eyeing a few interesting objects from all over the Surface and the Depths; she always loved shopping for magic items.
An old woman replied from a dark room in the back «I am, I'm coming.»
Appearing from the shadows, her little eyes brightened at the sight of «Verina!», making her hurry to welcome her old friend.
«It's been a while, Teri!» greeted the other, with a large, nostalgic smile.
«Ugh... I feel so old every time we meet!» Teri passed the counter and went in for a hug; Verina, a bit uncomfortable, didn't oppose. «What are you doing in Grelona, darling?»
«I'll live here from now on, apparently.»
The old woman smiled brightly «Splendid! You will come to visit me from time to time, right? I have yet to introduce you to my family...»
«I will, I promise, Teri. But this once...» Verina paused, summoning her coin purse «...I came as a customer.»
Teri, with an inquisitive look and a funny smile, replied: «Everything you see can be bought! No discounts, though.»
Verina chuckled, while, not waiting for the other to finish, was already fetching items here and there from all around and positioning them on the counter. Teri looked at the choices; «Verina... do you have an apprentice?»
The witch winked «Isn't that obvious?»
«Isn't private teaching a bit obsolete? Everyone goes to University, nowadays.»
«This is a very special case, Teri. I will tell you more in the future...» Verina pondered for a moment between two similar crystals, before putting on the counter both «...who knows... one day, I might need to introduce her, when I finally meet your family...» she stopped, now slightly embarrassed at the thought.
Teri poorly imitated a shocked expression, while counting the amount due. «Can't wait, darling!»
The witch reached her new 'residence' by foot. At the gates, the soldiers of the afternoon shift were the same as the previous day: at the sight of the woman, they straightened their backs and let her in, avoiding looking at her directly. Despite the embarrassing situation had been explained by their superiors, informed of the bare minimum, they still felt like, after having witnessed yesterday's display, there was an axe pending on their heads, ready to fall at any moment.
On the other side of the gates, two carriages occupied the way. One was Verina's: her old wagon was still there, guarded by the drivers, waiting for her disposition. The other, identical, had stopped before hers, and departed as she arrived, to be deposited until further notice.
Wondering who might have come in the carriage, her heart skipped a beat noticing, at the beginning of the white stairs, Princess Kara waving at her in a long, frilly dress.
Hasting her pace, Verina traversed the path, ignoring the wagon. It was once she was able to hear her name being called by the young girl, that became aware of the presence of a second person, right at the princess' side.
"...I almost forgot about her" she thought, decelerating, and adjusting with a quick magic her hair. Kara left her position and went to encounter the witch mid-way: «You're finally back!» she exclaimed, almost colliding with her; she took her hands and lifted them, at the height of her chin.
«As I promised, dear Kara...» replied sweetly Verina, whose attention kept wavering between her new protégé and the woman that was silently approaching, just behind her.
«Mother,» said the princess, now facing the Queen «allow me to introduce you to...»
«Her Excellency, Verina of Tardeburgo. We have already met, once.»
Queen Lizàr's expression was sharp like a knife; while Verina instinctively bowed her head lightly -something she hadn't done with the husband, the day prior- she continued, looking at the two's hands, still joined «My daughter... has been put under your care, apparently.»
Verina squeezed the princess' hand, trying to stay calm. Lizàr, despite her cold beauty, resembled her daughter in many ways; her stern stance was indistinguishable from the one the girl used against her father; and that, made fear insinuate in her heart, instead of the admiration she felt for Kara in a similar situation. «It will be my duty to protect her and treat her ailments to the best of my abilities.»
Kara laughed, looking at the two women in that nervous setting «Oh, Verina, don't be so formal!» she got closer, now holding her hand with both hers, whispering a few centimeters from her ear: «You weren't so formal with me yesterday...»
Verina blushed, incapable of reacting to any of the two. The Queen stayed still for a few moments, a gaze that felt capable of shooting arrows.
«So...»
Lizàr's façade broke, as she couldn't contain a small, lively laugh.
«Lady Verina, you are the passive one, eh?»
Kara started laughing together with her mother; Verina almost fell to her knees, devastated.
"What a family.........!"
YOU ARE READING
A Curse and A Kiss - Volume 1
RomanceA simple and sweet sapphic romance between a young princess and the powerful witch entrusted with curing her from a dark curse. A soft, medieval fantasy slice of life... with dark clouds on the horizon. Now available on Amazon ^^ https://www.amazon...
