BAD CROW MOUNTAIN (Lesbian)

CHAPTER 23 Trophy witch (part 1)

"Good luck to you, Zil."

In the distance, behind the ancient trees, looms the old tower of the academy, built by the first humans.

"Aren't you coming with me?" Zil asks sadly. "Everyone would be so glad to see you!" Like Terra, he hopes I'll accompany him.

"You just want to show off your trophy witch," I tease him. "Just kidding, just kidding!" I quickly add, seeing his shy expression. "It's a very tempting offer, but I'll decline."

"Forgive my boldness, but may I ask why? You're a living legend at the academy. The most successful battle witch. An example for many young witches to follow in your footsteps and become not just herbalists and potion-makers, but battle mages. Since your graduation, more and more girls are taking up training in battle magic, preparing to fight the darkness. It's all thanks to you."

"There's no merit of mine in this. It's just luck. The teacher saw something in me, maybe I reminded him of his late daughter..."

"You're wrong – I've seen you in action: during tournaments, practical exams, once I had a chance to watch you during one of your missions in finding a shadow beast in capital. You fear nothing, yet you're a responsible witch with the right moral values and principles. You didn't go with Madam Terra, even though you wanted to, instead you chose to escort me to the academy and make sure everything would be fine with me. Believe me, on my journey both within and beyond the academy, I've encountered many mages, most of them didn't even notice me or were blatantly indifferent to a practicing mage."

"You know very little about me."

"And you don't know anything about me either. But you've always been kind to me. Madam Terra said you were kind to that traitorous mermaid too."

"And how did all that end?" I sigh.

"Though we are mages, we are not gods. Even gods make mistakes, if we believe the sacred scriptures of various religions that I've studied. The main thing is that we continue to believe in those who need our help no matter what. I'm sure that if you meet someone else in trouble, you'll give your last coin just to help."

I shrug. The boy perplexes me, "I hurt Terra."

"I have a feeling she hurt you too, but perhaps we'll learn from our mistakes and move on."

"Those like you should rule the country."

"More like those like you, Madam," the boy says, looking around.

"She'll show up, your kikimora. You've piqued her interest. A non-aggressive man is a pleasant find. Give her a couple of days and go to the White Swamp behind the southern wing of the academy castle, there's excellent marshland, they say it's the best place to drown if you fail the exam. She'll definitely like that place."

"I tried, it didn't work out after a very unsuccessful exam in basic combat magic," Zil says with a laugh. "Maybe you'll still come with me? The teacher will be glad..."

"Imagine being the star of the academy and everyone prophesies a bright future for you as at least a court mage, and you return in an old jacket given to you at the same academy and torn pants with not a single copper in your pocket." When we said goodbye to Terra, I was so upset and bewildered by our parting that I quickly left without even remembering my fee. Although I didn't deserve it – the world hadn't seen a more irresponsible bodyguard yet.

"That's not true, Madam..."

"It is, Zil, and I'm sure everyone knows it. Worst of all, I let down my first mistress Malva. I'm sure you've heard about the Mills family tragedy?"

Zil nods uncertainly. It's hard to tell from his face how well he's informed about the events of that tragic day. Perhaps the teacher made every effort to keep my name as rarely mentioned in the case as possible.

"If you change your mind, I'll be glad to see you at the academy."

"Thank you, Zil."

"Madam, what should I do?"

"About what?"

"You understand that everything is about to change. The world we knew before will no longer be the same. Madam Terra will pass information to the elves, and they will somehow act to restore the rightful ruler to the throne."

"Zil, listen to me, boy, elves are no better than the people of Westlandia. The servile kingdom of Woodland is too mired in bribes, illiteracy, and the intrigues of the queen and priests. It will take years, maybe even centuries, for our homeland to even slightly resemble Westlandia, the elven kingdom of Sapphirus Lacus, or even the small independent county of Losí Rokle, where the count and his wife know every resident and aren't shy to greet them with a handshake.

If you think the elves want justice, you're mistaken: they have their own vested interest. With the arrival of the queen (a native of Westlandia), they've completely lost control of Woodland. They've lost their say in the council, they're no longer part of the trade guild, they can't buy wood, lumber, and magical goods as cheaply as thirty years ago. Now Westlandia rules our poor Woodland, making its residents think they're independent, proud, and decision-making, when in fact all the resources that should belong to the people are flowing into the pockets of the nobility and the people of Westlandia.

Elves are just the lesser evil, that's all. If they put poor Imor on the throne, our country won't suddenly become independent and open-minded. Just instead of Westlanders, elves will be in charge of affairs again, and then someone else will come. Woodland will always be a milking cow for the cleverer kingdoms."