When Magic Speaks - NaNoWriMo 2020✔️

25

15 years ago...

Spring mornings in the Huralian valley were a sight to behold. For as long as she'd been here, Marma would welcome the first signs of spring by baking a fresh strawberry pie. Not only did it smell enchanting but the magic of the brand new season seemed to bask in it too. The birds seemed to chirp a louder song, the wildlife drifting closer and closer to the orchard. As Marma baked with a song in her heart, she watched as a doe and her wobbling fawn emerged in the distance. It made Marma think about her own children, about how much her son and daughter-in-law would've loved these picturesque sunrises. Had they not turned out to be heartless cowards. Marma now shifted her focus to Wiss who sat near the tree in the back, happily talking and playing with...seemingly no one. Oh how that girl's imagination gleefully wandered. If only that were the truth.

As the elder Quilm walked through the kitchen to the back door, her eyes glued on her granddaughter, she saw it. A small shadow just beyond the tree, facing Wiss. Had it been her own shadow Marma would have thought nothing of it. She bit at her lip as she watched...them. Never did she imagine she would find herself in this particular scenario. This was beyond her. What to do, what to do...

Marma slowly turned back to the kitchen table...to the letter. The torn envelope still sat there, the lavender wax staring at her as if it were Piri herself. Sighing, Marma sat down as she picked up the parchment, her eyes scanning over the neatly handwritten ink:

My Marma,

I know it has always been your dream to become a grandmother - I hope you are basking in that glow. She's beautiful, I can see her from the spot where I pick flowers for my crowns. You two burn bright like the sun. 

I also know that when we were together, you wanted children...and I said no. But maybe those were the words of fate. For had I said yes, you would not have Wiss. And while my answer at the time wasn't the one you had hoped for, my mind has changed about raising a child. I now have my own - Kitt. I gave him a heart of shimmering gold, a mind of sheer whimsy and a smile of warm honey. He is a child of dreams, of wishes and possibilities, just like Wiss. I wish not to control him, to plan his future, but when the day arrives that I rest one last time, I do hope that he and Wiss meet. He is magical, as is she - if it's meant to be, it's meant to be. Then when you and I hand over this world to them, they will not have to face it alone. 

As the days progress, I fear my magic is not strong enough. Nay, I fear it is too strong. I am very weak. I've been growing weaker every day since I created him. I do not blame Kitt, nor would I ever - I regret nothing. Nothing except the ending of Marma Quilm and Piri Pethran. 

I know you cannot forgive me now, but I do hope that one day you will. I hope you will accept Kitt and find comfort in the fact that their magic will pull one other into their lives. Just as ours did for you and I. In a perfect world, you and I would be together. You know it, I know it. But alas, this world is not ready for our combined majesty. I know you believe not of life after death but maybe one day we'll return to this valley as seeds and plant our roots once more. Together.

I love you Marma Quilm, and I always will. I'm sorry for letting you down, I'm sorry for being unworthy of earning your trust. I wish you every happiness, my darling.

Love, your lavender witch.

Marma was quick to fold the letter back up again and stuff it into her apron pocket. She did care. She just...she couldn't put Wiss in that position. She couldn't. Kitt could be living with Piri's darkness, and she couldn't allow it to consume her granddaughter, she couldn't. She wanted to help Piri, to hold her and to comfort her and to tell her everything would be alright...but she couldn't. Marma was afraid, though she'd never in a million moons admit it. 

The elder Quilm had a choice to make, it had literally been handed to her. But she couldn't bring this into her granddaughter's life. Eventually she would discover her abilities and until that day arrived, she would know as little as possible. It was...for the best.

Marma got up from her chair, fighting to wipe the image of Piri from her mind. I love you, I do. But....

As she moved back to the window and watched her granddaughter stomp around in the mud with a cheek-pinching grin, Marma smiled. Wiss occupied her mind, reminded her that she now had a job to do - raise her granddaughter. Her granddaughter who would live a life of mystery and illusion and deception. That seed had been planted the moment her parents turned their backs on Hural, Marma knew that. This trail of unknowns was not her doing, it couldn't be. Otherwise, the guilt would haunt her forever. 

While Marma couldn't be persuaded into believing in an after life, she had always firmly believed in fate, destiny. If it was written in the stars, it would be so. But for now...destiny would have to wait.

Marma swung the back door open as she emerged into the yard, the young morning's dew tickling her bare feet. She gave him a moment to scamper off before she advanced. Marma knew the second he had left - at one point Wiss's posture hunched and she slowly turned her head to look at her grandma.

"Hey sweet pea," Marma hummed. Her poker face was unbeatable. As she glanced around the base of the tree she whispered, "who're you playing with?"

"The Caterpillar King!" 

Marma watched as Wiss's gaze turned to the horizon, as if she were watching him run off. But Marma saw nothing. "You know, as fun as imaginary friends are...they aren't as fun as real friends."

"But he is real!"

Marma licked her lips out of impatience as she glanced at the castle. She had told Wiss time and time again not to ask about the castle. By now Wiss knew that it upset her grandma so thankfully, she avoided it. More often than not, the castle was covered by thick clouds anyway, much to Marma's delight. 

"Taun always asks to play, why don't you go play with him?"

Little Wiss avoided her grandmother's hovering gaze as she mindlessly fiddled with the blades of grass beneath her. "Because he doesn't like my games. And I like the Caterpillar King."

Just then, a booming sound swam across the valley. It sounded very far off at first, then it grew louder and louder until it rippled through the field. It was the sound of a strong but somber horn blaring from beyond the forest. Marma knew. She knew exactly where it came from and its exact purpose. Immediately, Marma clasped her hand over her mouth as her heart sank into the dirt of her soul.