I awaken slowly with the soft early morning sun shining through my flimsy curtains. Stretching my aching joints I feel a quick flash of confusion about where I've awoken. I quickly realise that I'm in my new house and climb out of bed with a bright smile growing on my face.
I pad across the cold floor of the house to where I left all of my stuff. Everything looks like it requires more work to set up than I originally thought last night, but I'm not one to back down from a challenge. I pick out everything I need after spending an embarrassingly long time choosing an outfit and make my way to the bathroom.
After filling the tub I murmur a soft spell under my breath and steam starts to rise from it. I take out a small sachet of bath salts and upend it into the water. I inhale the floral scent as I let my shift fall to the floor with a soft thud. My toe dips lightly in the water as I secure my hair on the top of my head and after murmuring another spell to further heat up the water I slip in.
A soft moan slips out as I leans against the edge of the bath. My breathing slows as I close my eyes and the heat envelopes me. After allowing myself to enjoy the bath for a little while longer I begin the tedious process of opening my mind. A picture of the house's interior fills my mind, from the smallest nook to the largest crack. I've never been any good at domestic magic, something which often torments mother, but I try nevertheless. I feel my inner self separate from my body until I hovers just above my head. After recovering from disorientation I make a note to spend more time brushing the back of my head which even tied up looks extremely tangled. To stop myself from finding more faults with my body I push away from my body and go to the front door.
I hover in front of my numerous trunks and fling my hands up causing they slam open. With a quick motion the clothes fly up the stairs and fold or hang themselves up in the closet. The shoes line up on the closet floor and the empty trunk moves itself into a corner.
I make quick work of the rest of the stuff and once the last of the empty trunks are stacked in an corner I float back to my body. After quickly checking myself out I allow my mind to reconnect with my body.
The water is now freezing cold so I quickly hop out immensely proud of my amazing multitasking. I take stock of how much magic I used up as I dry off. It isn't as much as I thought it would be but I should probably stick to plant magic for the rest of the day so I don't tire myself out.
I slip into a day dress I don't mind messing up as I plan on getting a lot of work done today. I run a brush through my hair paying careful attention to the back before securing it with just a few locks framing my face. I lightly rub cream on my face, slip shoes on and go to get my day started.
***
My feet ache from all the walking, but I don't let It bring down my mood. I've accomplished a lot today. I bought a lot of stuff for the house that should be delivered soon and met quite a few nice people. All that's left to do is to go check up on my new shop.
After having to ask for directions multiple times I finally find it. Its small, about two stories tall. Its in great condition, all it really needs is to be swept. It has a small bell that rings softly as I push the door open and step inside. There's a beautiful mahogany counter with some shelves behind it perfect for storing herbs and the rest of the room is empty except for giant windows lining the walls.
The stairs standing beside the shelves creak softly as I climb up. The room looks like it was mainly used for storage, but has a small overstuffed couch sitting dead center. Its the perfect room to go to if you need a break from working.
I smile as lock the door and decide to treat myself to a pastry from the bakery nearby. I realise with a shock that I haven't eaten anything since the day before. Father always says that all herbomancers need to survive is some sunlight and it rings painfully true. Back home my parents had timers set to remind themselves to eat. We could last a long time without a proper meal but it made non-herbomancers really uncomfortable so we tried to eat as regularly as we could.
The bakery has its name hand-painted on a sign hanging over the door next to another sign showing its specials. I push the door open and the smell of fresh pastry and cake makes my mouth water. There's only two other customers inside and they're having a very loud discussion at one of the back tables about whether or not a croissant was bread or dessert.
The woman behind the counter smiles brightly at me and says, "Welcome to The Queen of Tarts. I'm Maggie and you must be the new girl we've all been hearing about. We don't get many fresh faces around her so we're all real happy to have you."
I smile back at her. I've heard a couple hundred different variations of this same speech from everyone else I've met today, but when Maggie says something you have to believe her. She's young about a couple years older than me. She's got thick curly hair and a smile that makes me want to bare my soul to her.
"I'm Ilana. Its really nice to meet you. Everyone here has been extremely welcoming here, an man even offered to repaint by whole house for free!"
"Oh yeah, that'd be Tommy. He's a sucker for a pretty face. How're you finding everything here, you're probably thinking its all so small and unimpressive compared to where your from?"
"Not at all. Everything I've seen has been so beautiful especially that big forest you have, back where I used to live it was all buildings and shops. I'd be in paradise here if only i could find my way around."
"I'd be more than happy to give you a tour." I notice that the whole time we've been talking she's been boxing up exactly what I wanted without having to ask me. She's probably a telemancer, they're psychic. Its not often you come across a telemancer they usually prefer to live in isolation
" It would great if you could give me a tour," I says with a smile, happy to have finally found a friend.
We talk about when and where we'll meet for the tour tomorrow as I pay for my cherry tart and saying goodbye I exit the shop and make my way back to my house.
***
The house is awash with the soft pinks and blues of the sun starting to set when I finally arrive. I fill a watering can from a stream nearby and water my budding plants one last time before going to bed. Opening the door i wonder how the days seem to be passing so much faster here than back home. But then again i never did much back home and here i never seem to stop working.
Lying on the floor just inside the door is a beautiful invitation. It has the crest of a terramancer family splayed across the top.
You are cordially invited to the annual summer Solstice ball. It will be hosted by the honourable Arden family in the town square.
The dress code is formal and the theme is summer. The ball will commence at sundown.
Sincerely,
Lord and Lady Arden
Oh wow, and I thought coming here would mean I didn't have to go to any more balls. I don't usually stay up very late. I'm usually up at dawn and asleep by sunset, but i don't want to appear rude. Besides its still a week away i'll have time to prepare.
Pleased to have sorted everything out I start to get ready for bed, excited for my tour with Maggie tomorrow. I fall asleep immediately still with a smile on my face
YOU ARE READING
Bewitched
FantasyThis is a story that has been told since the first cavemen in the first cave. It's one of love and of tragedy but that's no surprise as they usually go hand-in-hand. This is the tale of a man with the power to break the earth in two, but whose hands...
