“Morell! Get up! You did it! You’ve cured the blight.”

  “I…hurt.” The boy croaked. “Everything hurts.”

  “Sshhhhhurrriiimmmmpphhtttuummmmm.” Said the Brambillions.

  “What was that?” asked Atticus “What does ‘shrimphtum’ mean.

  “They say I’ve been poisoned, and they don’t have antidote.”

  “Well, isn’t that a cold plate of gratitude!” Atticus fumed as he pointed his sword at the closest Brambillion. “That’s awfully opportune now that he’s taken care of your blotch, ya nasty ol’ cabbage!”

  “Shhhhooooonnnnfffuuurrrttthhhhhiiikkkkktt!” the Brambillions said together.

  “What was that?” asked Atticus again. “What’s that mean?”

  “They say they’re grateful and will show us the way out in any direction we want to…to...go.” Morell looked woozy and his eyes rolled back in his head.

  “Morell?!” Atticus shouted as he ran to his side. “Morell! Wake up boy! What’s their word for North?” Morell groaned. “Morell! Tell me the word for north!” Morell’s eyes didn’t open but when Atticus put his ear close to his lips he heard the one word lingering there. Upon hearing it, Atticus stood and faced the closest plant monster. ”Shoortaah!” Atticus yelled at them as he made crude hand gestures trying to depict walking. “Shoortah!”

  “Shhhooorrrttaaahhh!” the Brambillions rattled in unison as they looked at one another. “Shuurriiinttheennggteebbbmorrrraalllllshhhooorrtah!” And with that, the Brambillions closed in and scooped up all three of the humans with their big leafy hands. It was awkward but no one protested the act of being lifted and carried presumably out of the bog. Morell lay in Loxo’s lap as he sat. The pirate didn’t know what to do for the boy. With no means to provide medicine or aid he provided the best he could manage in stroking his red hair and offering soothing words.

  “What are we going to do Atticus?” he asked, his face uncharacteristically a grimace of worry.

  “When they deliver us to the edge of the mist we’ll try and make our way back to Oldvale.” Atticus scowled. “With luck, we won’t be hindered by scouts and Ignatius or one of the twins will be there with witchly magic to stop the poison.”

  “If they aren’t?”

  “Then…” he looked upon the boy laying limp in the pirate’s arms. “Then you and I may find ourselves digging a grave.”

  Meanwhile, all of Spellvale was abuzz with news and rumors of the new lightning witch. Chores and duties were neglected as each member of the witch community stopped to speak with the others hoping to learn something new about the bubbly reincarnation named Siouxsie. The phrases “did you hear?” and “I heard that…” were on everyone tongues. By mid-morning, A line of colorful cloaks had created a que outside of Vickiri’s home where Siouxsie sat at a table and met with each witch as she was offered gifts. Everyone seemed overjoyed at the opportunity to meet her. The first person in line was so nervous that she tripped over her own feet and dropped the cake she’d baked just for her. The cake spilled upside down upon the table and a look of abject horror appeared on the girl’s face as everyone looked upon the wrecked treat. Not wanting to be rude, Siouxsie reached out with her bare hand, picked a pinch off the bottom (which had now become the top) and shoved it in her mouth.

  “Delicious!” Siouxsie smacked her lips. “Won’t you have some with me?” the witch did as she was asked and picked off a piece to try it. Even Robert stepped from behind his sister to grab a mouthful helped himself. “It’s a fine cake!” Siouxsie said in between smacks. “Thank you for bringing me some of your treats!”

  “I’m oh so glad you find it satisfactory.” The witch said in a humbled manner as she took off her hat. “I’m so glad you’re back with us once again.”

  “It’s good to be back.” Siouxsie said, sticking her hand out for the girl to take. “What’s your name?”

  “Sybelle, great lightning witch.” She said as she took Siouxsie’s hand and bowed her head. The girl’s hand practically trembled at her touch. “M-my name is Sybelle.”

  “That’s a lovely name, Sybelle.” Siouxsie told her. “Just call me Siouxsie. I hope we can be good friends. Thank you again for your gift.”

  “I-I could make you another if it would please you.” The girl stammered.

  “Or maybe we could make one together.” Siouxsie offered.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “I would enjoy that immensely!” Sybelle said, backing away a step at a time while still bowing her head. When she was far enough from the table, Vickiri motioned for the next person in line to approach.

  “What’s wrong with these people?” Robert whispered to his brother. “Why do they act so strangely around Siouxsie?

  “Behave yourself,” Ignatius said as he spoke out of the side of his mouth. “What you and I must remember is that we were raised in a time where the Lightning Witch was a mere myth, a fable. Here in this place the Lightning Witch has always been present. We ourselves would behave much differently if a demi-god lived amongst us, yes?”

  “She was barely a vegetable.” Robert huffed. Ignatius looked down at his brother with a scowl and spoke through clenched teeth.

  “I…am…not…to hear you utter another sour thing like that again.” He told him.

  “But you saw her too.”

  “Yes, the flesh was giving out, but the power was there just the same and it will be held in high regard; the same regard you hold our sister now who has become the vessel of said power.”

  “I don’t see what all the fuss is about.” Robert fumed

  “Whether you see it or not is entirely besides the point. You will keep those sour apple little words of yours behind those lips or I will throw you across that table and tan your buttocks in front of every witch in Spellvale.”

  “You can’t give me the belt. I haven’t broken any rules.”

  “No, but as your guardian I may dispense corrective behavior in the form of swackins if I deem it necessary, and none of these witches would dare object or interfere on your behalf.”

  “You wouldn’t dare.” Said Robert “You’re bluffing.” Igntius paused and bent at the knees to look Robert in the eyes. He even went as far as to reach out and remove Robert’s hat so there was nothing between their gaze. Robert looked deep into the dark grey wells of his older sibling’s eyes and found no trace of humor.

  “In front…of everyone.” Ignatius said with a sideways glance to the long line of faces looking at all of them. Robert tried to hold his composure but in the presence of the burning stare he could already feel his underside feeling a little heated.

  “I-I think I’d like to go for a walk.” Robert said nervously.

  “I think a walk might do you some good. Come back in a little bit; I‘ll need you to watch your sister while Vickiri and I have a talk of our own. Ignatius grabbed Robert by the back of the neck and kissed the side of his head. “I love you, Robert.” he told him as he put the pointed hat back. “Stubbornness and all.”

  “I love you too.” Robert said, moseying off out of sight. As he departed, a witch family of four showed up and the children presented Siouxsie with a brand-new broom and freshly picked flowers.

  “We hope you’ll bless our home and our crops great Lightning Witch.” The husband said as the rest of the family bowed their heads. With a bit of pageantry, Siouxsie stood from her chair, took the broom and made an arcane shape in the air with her finger.

  “It is done!” Siouxsie smiled. You and your crops are blessed indeed!” The children cheered and the parents bowed their heads and backed away as they thanked her. And so it went for the rest of the morning; bowing of heads and cow-towing and Siouxsie just trying to be nice to everyone. When the last person left Siouxsie was practically drowning in gifts of brooms, treats and cloaks of every color. What am I supposed to do with all this stuff?” she asked Ignatius and Vickiri. “There are more brooms and clothes than I could ever wear or ride.”

  *AHEM* “Yes.” Vickiri said. “It can seem like a lot but please consider that each person wanted to give you something of themselves. I agree no one should need such excess.”

  “But it would be rude to refuse such offerings.” Ignatius added. “They can all be used in time.”

  “This knife is my favorite.” She said. The other two witches looked to see her unsheathing a knife with a blade almost as long as her forearm from its handmade sheath. “This is going on my belt for when I have to skin my next deer. What am I going to with the rest of these items?” she asked the other two. “I don’t have anywhere to put all these things.”

  “I’d be happy to keep them in my home in the meantime until your home is rebuilt.” said Vickiri.