Crown Quest: A Beatles Adventure

Chapter Four

    The thought of leaving the village was almost too much for John to handle. He was practically bouncing off trees as they walked, talking like he was on a sugar rush. Paul was beginning to send him annoyed glances, but George joined in on the chattering like it made his day.

    "I think we should make a quick stop before we leave for good," John said.

    "Where?" Paul asked cautiously. He didn't appear to trust them, giving them suspicious looks out of the corner of his eye.

    "My aunt lives near here, and she can also give you some pointers on your dragon-selves."

    "I don't need no tutoring!" Paul cried. "I'm perfectly fine by myself, thank you!"

    "Paul," Ringo said gently, "you just learned how to tap into your dragon form today. I don't think it would hurt for Mimi to help you just a little."

    Paul huffed, and Martha, who was concerned, licked his hand in reassurance.

    "Is this aunt of yours a Dragon Knight too?" George asked excitedly.

    "Yes," John said, nodding. "And she also tinkers with potions. And the occasional magic spell . . . "

    "Wait," Paul said, stopping, holding a hand up. "Your aunt is a witch?"

    "I never said that!" John exclaimed.

    "She's not a witch," Ringo agreed. "She prefers sorceress."

    "Certified sorceress, spell entrepreneur, dawdler with potions, and real estate agent," said a voice from the shadows. Their heads whipped around in the direction of the voice, and Mimi slowly emerged from the darkness.

    "Mimi! We were just talking you," John said with a smile.

    "Yes, I heard," Aunt Mimi said, casting a careful gaze on George and Paul. "I also sensed their arrival in the village, so I decided it would be best to come and meet them for myself."

    "There you go with your voodoo again," John said, rolling his eyes.

    "She is a witch!" Paul cried, pointing an accusing finger at her.

    "It's not polite to point, dear," Aunt Mimi said sternly.

    Paul lowered his index finger and scowled at John, then Ringo, and back again. "I'm having no part of this. I don't associate with witches. My mother was a strongly religious person, and I don't feel comfortable being in the presence of Satan worship — "

    "Now, now," Mimi said, coming nearer to him, which caused him to take a few steps back. "I am no witch, Paul McCartney, and I know from personal experience that your mother had no problem being in my presence."

    Paul's mouth dropped. "How —  Did you — You don't know — What?" he sputtered.

    George was gaping as well, but not in horror; his face was mask of awe. "Oh, my God, you are a sorceress." He practically collapsed to the ground and started bowing to her feet.

    John stared at him in disbelief and Ringo rolled his eyes.

    Mimi shoved George's head away with her foot and scowled down at him. "Now, if we can forget all the nonsense that has taken place within the last five minutes, please follow me."

    Paul, who had been repulsed by her, now seemed mesmerized, following blindly behind her like a dog. Martha even noticed the change, looking up at him to see if he was all right.

    "Wow," George said dumbly, and followed too.

    John shook his head. Ringo leaned over and whispered, "I thought you told her to tone it down a little when she makes first impressions."