Calytrix is a young witch who just turned 20. As is customary for all witches of her age, she must leave her home village and explore the world. She journeys to find her own place within it and a purpose, but magic is declining and only a few witche...
I accepted Taavi and Taavetti's offer. The fire spirit and I hopped into a horse-drawn carriage. With no delay, we departed once we agreed. I didn't even have the time to check the carriage or look at the horses. They were in a rush. I decided I would pay them for the ride once we get there and we'll happily part our ways, but I'll tell them about the changes of plans when we arrive. It was unusual to find a carriage going where I wanted, so I made the most of it.
A large, sturdy, old cloth covering the cargo area where I sat obscured my view of the outside. All I saw above was a dirty orange-white mixture, not the sky. While Taavi and Taavetti managed the horses, the fire spirit and I found a comfy spot to sit amongst the trade crates.
Leaning against a large crate, I contemplated potential outcomes. Rheya was surely up to no good. She'll definitely subject girls she gets to a dreadful experience. What's going through her mind, I wonder? What are her plans?
Ancient texts on magic sometimes described human sacrifice as a necessary component of black magic. To prevent her from doing something very ominous, I'll intervene. I won't let Rheya tarnish the good name of witches. There are bad ones and good ones, just like regular people, but I like to think that we're all inherently good.
All of a sudden, the fire spirit cuddled against my cheek. It did it from time to time when I got lost in thought.
"I'm fine. I just had unpleasant encounters with Rheya and neither of us ever convinced the other of anything, but I believe I'll be able to stop her this time. We shouldn't let her do as she pleases," I said.
I explained everything about Rheya to the spirit and although it said nothing back; it mimicked some gestures while we were riding the carriage of Taavi and Taavetti. We had a conversation of sorts.
"Everything alright? Did you say anything?" Taavi said from the front of the carriage as he looked back at me.
"Everything is fine. I didn't say anything."
"I must have imagined it," Taavi said and turned his gaze back to the road.
I was relieved he wouldn't think I was a self-talking lunatic.
"The road ahead is hazardous; it's riddled with potholes and rocks. The ride will be bumpy, so hold on tight and if you can stop our merchandise from falling over, we'd be very grateful." Taavetti yelled from the front. He was controlling the horse with rains and couldn't spare a moment to look at me.
"I'll try," I said.
Moments after Taaveti's warning, the carriage jolted violently, causing the merchandise to spill everywhere. Stopping it with my hands was impossible, even if I'd tried.
"Movens subsisto!" I chanted a spell that halted the movements of the surrounding things.
Looking towards the back of the carriage, Taavi saw his possessions frozen mid-air, where I sat. A smile quickly replaced his shocked expression.
"Calytrix, thank you for protecting our merchandise," he said.
"It's nothing," I answered.
The bumps in the road didn't stop for a while, but keeping my focus on the spell was easy.Despite the discomfort, it was preferable to ride rather than walk the entire distance.
Judging by their carriage and wares, Taavi and Taaveti weren't wealthy merchants, but they managed to survive. Cracks marred the old wooden carriage in places, but its main support pillars remained strong. Though carefully boxed, the items weren't heavy; they were small things—jewelry, glasses, plates. The spells required little energy because everything was lightweight.
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