Any Witch Way (15 page)

“Well, I know who the spy is,” said Sadie. For the first time in a long time, she didn’t babble on.

Tara jumped from her chair, put her hand over her mouth as if to stifle a scream, and ran to Adrienne. She stopped just short of her, looked at Sadie standing in front of her, and then grabbed them both in a hug to rival that of a grizzly.

“Well, if that ain’t the darndest thing,” said Elgarbam. The little gnome waddled over and, trying to hide the tears in his own eyes, joined the group hug.

“‘Tis a good thing to know your daughter’s not the crazy loon we once thought. You really are still alive, Adrienne. I mean, it’s really you, right? I’m not trusting me eyes like I used to with all this ‘new magik, new glamour stuff’ going around,” he said as Adrienne scooped him up.

“Ooch! Put me down, woman. I’m a proud gnome with dignity, and I’ll not be tossed around like some child’s toy,” said the annoyed gnome.

Adrienne laughed and set him down. All the pain and suffering Sadie had been holding in for three years was released at hearing her mother’s laughter once again. She cried silently to herself, but these were tears of joy.

“It’s good to know I was missed. It’s even better knowing my daughter never gave up hope on my still being alive, unlike some of you friends of mine.”

(Adrienne winked at Tara and Elgarbam.)

“What I want to know is why no one listened to her. I mean, we’re witches; it’s not entirely inconceivable to imagine I had lived through the Syndicate’s attack on me,” said Adrienne as she hugged Sadie again.

“Adrienne, we sent out magikal tracers, we sent out spies, we did everything, but found no sign or you or source of your magik. What were we to think? Plus, Sadie didn’t even know she was a witch. What were we supposed to think? We certainly didn’t believe you’d go off and get yourself killed without telling her of her heritage. When we used to watch her, we just thought she was crazy, like the human world assumed, for thinking you still alive,” Tara explained before turning to Sadie.

“You said you knew who the traitor was? Who is it?”

“It’s Hannah,” said Sadie.

“Hannah? But she’s just a witchling in training—handpicked by the Three themselves. Are you sure? How do ya know, lass?” Tara seemed rather agitated at this news, and all the butterflies and birds that usually sat on her or encircled her immediately fluttered or flew away.

“Oh, she’s right, Tara, no doubt about it. We’ve got to get word to the Guild, more specifically, the Three. Tell you what, take care of Sadie and get her to explain things to you while I’ll pop over there and explain things to Ms. Cabot. We’ll meet at North Wind’s Cave when we’re done here and there. I can’t wait to see the look on ol’ crotchety Cabot’s face when I appear, apparently back from the dead,” said Sadie’s mother, but as she threw her arms up to magik herself away, Sadie ran to her and begged her not to leave.

“Sadie, it’s okay Ladybug, nothing will separate us again if I can help it. Tara will keep you safe.”

(Elgarbam cleared his throat.)

“Excuse me, Tara and Elgarbam will keep you safe ‘til we meet up again. I won’t be long, promise. I must go if we’re to stop the Syndicate from destroying all we know.”

Sadie reluctantly pulled away from her mother, knowing she was right and watched as she disappeared into thin air. Letting her go again so soon almost hurt as badly as losing her the first time. When she cleared the lump from her throat, she turned to face Tara and Elgarbam.

“I don’t suppose a gnome could get something to eat before he’s called to action?” asked Elgarbam. He held onto his stomach as though he were suffering great pain. “A great warrior such as I am has to stay full of nutrients and protein to be able to battle as I do.”

Tara laughed and Sadie smiled as the gnome truly looked like he might faint from lack of sustenance.  

“Elgarbam, we have to leave right now, lad. The Syndicate could whisk Sadie away again at any moment if they know where she is and my guess is—they do. You can eat at North Wind’s. Now c’mon, folks.”

She reached for Sadie’s hand.  

“We’ve got to…Sadie, what is that in your hand?”

With all the commotion, Sadie had forgotten about her talisman. With a sweaty fist, she slowly opened her balled fingers revealing the raven skull with the emerald eyes. The smooth bleach white surface sparkled in the glow from the fire, and the sharp beak had left a small bloody dot on her palm.

“If that don’t beat all, you got it back. If I didn’t know better, Sadie lass, I’d say your luck really turned around for you today. Not only do you get your mother back, but your talisman as well even though everyone’s magik seems to be changing. Now, hold tight to it and the Ataraxia Heart, and all should be turnin’ in our favor,” said Tara.

“But I don’t have the Heart, and I forgot to ask Mom where it is,” said Sadie.

“No worries, lass, you two can work that out when we all meet up again. Now, are we ready to go?”

Tara swept her arms into the air and began to spin widdershins. Sadie felt tingly all over and got goose bumps on her arms, but she decided she would much rather feel this way when transporting than she had all the other times when bad magik had moved her places.

The room began to shift and spin, slowly melding from Tara’s little cottage in the woods to a glistening snow field with giant mountains of ice jutting up here and there throughout the landscape. The wind blew fiercely down on the threesome, and Elgarbam had to hold on to Tara’s skirts to keep from being whisked away.

“Hold on to me; the entrance is just over there beyond that lone pine tree,” shouted Tara above the winds.

Sadie scanned the landscape and, sure enough, in this vast icy desert was a lone tree almost completely bare of any needles and bending with the airstream. They all held hands and trudged along on top of crusty, crunching ice and snow ‘til they reached it. Sadie couldn’t see anything resembling an entrance and hoped Tara wasn’t mistaken. It was extremely cold, and she was beginning to feel as hungry as Elgarbam claimed to be.

A low, slow rumbling turned into a mountainous roar and a voice strong, loud, and mean enough to scare several evil trolls shouted, “Who goes there?”

Sadie felt Elgarbam tremble, and she gripped Tara’s hand tighter herself.

“It is Tara of the Isle, North Wind. I’ve come for your help, and I have visitors with me. Let us in,” replied Tara.

A small rip started in the ice behind the tree. It cracked, splintered, and grew to become an opening large enough for Gur or Alroy to fit through. Tara led them inside where they stood before a vast door carved from ice. It had intricate winter scenes impressed upon it; the door handles themselves were giant reindeer antlers. Sadie began to wonder if she really wanted to meet whoever lived here. If his voice were any hint at his presence, he must be fierce.

Slowly, with much creaking and groaning, the doors opened to reveal a huge inner sanctum. The floors were blue ice covered in polar bear skin rugs, and the walls seemed to be in perpetual motion with snowflakes raining down from nowhere to nowhere. The furniture was carved from thick dark wood, and stars seemed to twinkle in the ceiling like an endless sky. Rows of bookcases reaching into the sky-ceiling lined the left side of the room and, on the right, sitting areas arranged in orderly fashion.

From behind a particularly fat-large bookshelf, too wide for most regular sized people books, popped a tiny little man just a head smaller than Elgarbam. In a voice that sounded like someone had sucked all the helium out of a balloon, he said, “Welcome to my cave. Sorry about all the theatrics. You never know who’s poking about out there; come in, come in, make yourselves at home.”

Elgarbam snorted to himself. “All these legends of the fierce North Wind, all this fright about him and this is what he is—a little man with a little voice. He’s no bigger than me one good leg.”

Tara quieted him.

“Elgarbam, do not be rude to our host. North Wind must put on a show or else summer would never concede to winter, and the balance of nature would be upset.

“North, I apologize; you know how gnomes can be when they’re hungry, especially Elgarbam here. Not to mention, he’s got pride to boot. This is Sadie of the MacDougall clan and a new witchling at that. Things seem to be quite a mess for us right now, and I’m to meet Adrienne MacDougall, Sadie’s mother, here at your cave. So might we have a bit to eat while we wait? I’ll fill you in on what I know about our situation in the meantime.”

A chair that had previously been facing backwards to them spun around, and a light blue skinned man wearing white clothing dropped the book he had apparently been reading, or at least pretending to.

“Adrienne MacDougall!” he exclaimed, “I haven’t seen her in what must be ten years. She used to make me the prettiest flower garlands, and I would turn them all to ice, much to her delight.” The blue skinned man crossed his arms over his chest as though he had said something very profound.

“Well, if it isn’t Jack Frost. I thought you’d be busy down on earth what with winter comin’ an’ all. Your latest work ruined Gur’s eastern pumpkin patch; let me tell you, it’s not easy to feed that goliath. No, you know what? I know you were down there; the frost had been staying on the ground a little later in the day than is usual. You do relish gossip and scandal. As if I don’t already know what brings you here,” asked Tara.

“Just stopped in for a chat and some gossi…I mean, I heard through some elementals that you were having trouble again with the Syndicate, and since everything is carried on the wind, I thought I’d come to the source for my information,” Jack replied. He stood with his arms crossed over his chest as if he were a man of great importance.

“Everyone have a seat, and I’ll get you all something good to eat, something that’ll warm your southerly bones. You can explain everything to me," Jack Frost cleared his throat, "to us I mean, while we feast and wait for Adrienne to show up,” said the wee little man with the big reputation as the North Wind.  

“Such a windbag, he is! I’ll bet he used that deep, scary mountain troll voice to ward you off, didn’t he? If this book about sea dragons weren’t so interesting, I’d have listened more closely to his show.  Come, sit with me and tell me everything,” said Jack Frost.

Jack Frost, North Wind, Sadie, Tara and Elgarbam sat around the large feasting table discussing all that had been going on. They ate, talked, and shared a few much needed laughs together while waiting for Adrienne to meet up with them. After several hours of this reveling, Sadie began to get a bit antsy, worrying about her mother and not enjoying herself anymore.

“Do you think she’s okay? I mean, she should be here by now right? Maybe something’s happened,” Sadie said to all at the table.

“I’m sure she’s fine, Sadie. Your mother is a very powerful witch, and I’m sure she’ll not make the same mistakes as before. Being held by the Syndicate is enough to make anyone change their protection habits and spells. She’s probably gathering up reinforcements, and I’m sure she’s tormenting Ms. Cabot a bit. Who can resist teasing that old bat? She’s got more wrinkles than a hundred-year-old forest brownie and her personality is lacking in…” started Jack Frost, but his musings were cut off by Tara.

“You stop it right now, Frost. ‘Tis not nice to tease little girls no matter what or who it’s about. Sadie can attest to that from personal experience,” she gave Sadie a wink and a smile. “What we need to do is try and figure out what exactly we can do to help our situation. We need to figure out why our magik is not working properly and how it’s come about. Oh, if only we knew what was going on! Our very lives depend on it. Plus, Sadie and Adrienne were able to use the magikal…problems…to their advantage and get away from the Syndicate, so maybe we can, too.”

The five sat with newfound energy, bouncing ideas off of each other, proposing theories as to how the Syndicate was gaining power, guessing at why all of their magik wasn’t working quite normally, and who was to blame. While they did, Sadie grew increasingly impatient. When she couldn’t stand it anymore, she stood up and began to pace the vast room. All eyes were on her as she wandered the bookshelves, wringing her hands and twisting her hair between her fingers. Finally, Elgarbam could take it no more.

“If ye don’t sit down, girl, I’m going to get indigestion. I hate to have me meal ruined by indigestion,” he said. He had more of a twinkle in his eye than harshness in his voice.

“I’m sorry; I’m just so worried. I can’t lose my mother again, not now. I just want….”

A loud rap at the door caused all in the room to jump slightly in their chairs. Sadie shot an anxious glance at Tara and ran to the wooden behemoths that stood between her and her mother. She just knew she was on the other side, not that she could open those heavy things by herself.

The North Wind hopped down off of his chair and waddled as fast as his two little legs could carry him to a table beside it. He stared into a snowball perched upon a stand of ice, glowing blues and greens of extraordinary brilliance. With his miniature little hands he rubbed it delicately, it began to glow stronger and even more brilliantly until it’s radiance eventually encompassed the whole room.

“Answer the door! Please,” she added, remembering herself, “I just know it’s my mom.”

And she really did just know.

“In due time, dear. I know she’s out there, but there’s someone…several someones…with her that I just can’t, well, see, in my magik snowball,” he replied. “This could be a trick. She could have been captured and the people or things with her could be Syndicate forces. I think this calls for some more of my ‘enhanced voice’ and a bit of magik.”

He lowered his mouth to the glowing blue orb and began to speak.

“Who goes there?” Sadie giggled at the sight and sound of such a tiny man with a giant’s voice. He shot her an annoyed look and continued. “…name thyself, all of you beings on the other side of my door, or be doomed to spend eternity encased in an ice crypt at the bottom of the coldest sea in the known world and beyond!”

“It’s me, Adrienne MacDougall, and I’ve brought some friends. If you don’t let me in, North, I’ll make it so you spend your summers with the Heat Wave family and their numerous offspring who have pyromania tendencies. This is no time to play games, and I KNOW you’re expecting us,” replied Adrienne.

She sounded forceful, yet Sadie could detect a hint of play in her voice.

The North Wind conceded that it was no trick and waddled towards the doors. He waved a little wand he kept secreted in his trouser pocket, and the usual sparkles of light began to appear, except his dissipated in snowflakes. The vast doors began to creak and groan as they opened to the cold frigid air. The sky on the outside was a deep azure blue and matched the one inside. From the light of the moon behind them, several figures were outlined in the night. It looked more like a mob than some casual visitors.

In the middle, Sadie recognized her mother’s normal sized stature, well, what she now believed to be normal, after all that she’d learned over the last few days. All around her and behind her were shapes and figures of creatures, some Sadie thought she recognized, most not. They all came into North Wind’s abode with Adrienne leading the way and spread out in a semi-circle behind her. Sadie ran to her mother and flung her arms around her.

“I told you I’d be back, Ladybug; no need to worry about me anymore,” she said, reciprocating the hug tightly.

“Did you tell mean old Ms. Cabot I’m not a traitor? Have you all come up with a plan? What are we gonna do? I’m not sure that….”

From behind Adrienne stepped the curvy and very fashionable Miss Bruja, the rotund and motherly Mrs. Teak, and slowly, from behind them, came old Ms. Cabot. The Three had come as well. Sadie’s cheeks went hot.

“Dahling, everything has been explained. That is, once we recovered from the shock of seeing her,” said Miss Bruja as she pointed to Adrienne.

“Oh, and I thought me eyes were deceivin’ me. Nearly fell off old Arthur. And I must say, that chair sopped me skirts with all his tears o’ joy. ‘E always did ‘ave a fondness for Adrienne, ever since she got ‘im out from under ‘enry the Eighth. Can’t say I blame ‘im, ‘Enry was such a large King,” said Mrs. Teak. “‘Ave ya got any tea, North? ‘Tis a bit chilly up ‘ere.”  

She moved towards the table where Jack Frost, Elgarbam, and Tara still sat.

Ms. Cabot came to the forefront, staring at Sadie with her piercing raven eyes. She walked towards the child, making her nervous, and stopped just short of three inches to her face. She cupped Sadie’s cheeks in both of her old wrinkly hands and bent to stand eye to eye.

“I am truly sorry for doubting you. You must understand we didn’t yet know about Hannah, and were not sure exactly whom we could trust. I hope you can forgive me. I will make sure you and your mother spend an exorbitant amount of quality time together after this war and before you begin your training. Please, child, do not hold this against me or the Guild. Even though we are witches with great powers, we are truly human and make mistakes; we cannot and do not know everything.”

Sadie smiled and without hesitation she hugged the old woman tightly. Ms. Cabot stifled a smile and laugh, but returned the hug awkwardly. It was obvious she wasn’t used to such displays of physical contact.

“Enough, child, you may melt my icy exterior yet, plus, we’ve got work to do,” Ms. Cabot said as she released Sadie, somewhat reluctantly it seemed to those watching.

“I’m the only one truly with an icy exterior, plus I’ve got….”

“Enough, Jack, we know all about your attributes,” said Tara. “Let Ms. Cabot start the meeting.”

Jack begrudgingly gave up the spotlight and settled back into his chair. Ms. Cabot cleared her throat and began.

“Now, some of you know each other; some of you don’t. I’d say introductions are in order before we all sit to plan our strategy. I want each of you to step forward, state your name, and take a seat at the table.”

(She turned to face the table.)

“Tara from the Isle I’m sure you all know.”

(She motioned towards Tara as she said this and Tara nodded.)

“Elgarbam is a mountain gnome from the Scottish Highlands, Whistle was his long time companion and dear friend. I’m sure he’ll give us all he’s got in the way of fighting if not for Whistle’s memory, then for our cause. Jack Frost, everyone knows; he makes sure of that. And shouldn’t you be at work? I don’t like the shirking of responsibility, but if you’d like to join our fight, you’re more than welcome.”

Jack Frost leapt from his chair and bowed deeply at the waist, flaring out his coat tails in the process.

As he slowly rose, he began to speak. “Ms. Cabot, I would love to join your ranks, but being aligned with the Elementals, I too have taken a vow not to get involved with the goings-on of you mortals. I apologize for my inquisitive nature, but my job can be so boring at times. Snow here, ice there, blizzard up north, freezing rain in the south, same thing, every year, all around the world.  

“I do enjoy your drama, but as you say, I have work to do farther south. I think I’ll be headed to Vermont, New Hampshire and, of course, Maine, if you would like to keep me posted on the war. If we can somehow keep it from Mother Nature, I will do what I can to help, should it be absolutely necessary. I’ve grown a weakness, I mean, fondness, for the MacDougall child. Such a sad little life she’s had so far and I….”

“Enough, Jack. Thank you for the offer; if we REALLY need you, I’ll call. I can’t imagine your mother would be too mad at you, or us, knowing what rides on the outcome of this battle. Now, let the other introductions begin,” said Ms. Cabot as she took a place at the head of the table.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Sadie’s mother came forward and introduced herself quickly, assuredly. Looking down at Sadie when she finished, the girl realized it was her turn and stated who she was. Though she sounded a bit uncertain of herself and her place amongst these magikal people and creatures, one reassuring look from her mother and all felt well with her again. Adrienne took Sadie by the hand and walked with her to the table. They both sat next to Tara and let the preamble continue.

Stepping from the crowd assembled at the door, a large bulky beast of a man carrying a battle axe came forward. It glinted and shone in the light, enough to make Elgarbam look down at his own little weapon and sigh. He wore a Viking helmet and leather garb. His beard touched his belly, which was very large, and a number of muscles bulged from under his clothes. The top button on his tunic looked as though much had been asked of it, as it strained to contain the hulking man’s broad chest.

“I am Sven the Strong, from Valhalla, come to assist in the battle against Evil. I pledged my loyalty to the Guild my first time on earth and do the same this time as well. The gods of my world have seen fit to give me one more span of time on earth to assist in this battle, as I am such a noble warrior. I am and always shall be the strongest Viking to ever live in Valhalla and on this planet. Plus, my magik isn’t too shabby either.”

The giant man took a seat next to Elgarbam. The little gnome fidgeted in his chair and stroked his beard in apparent jealousy of this new, larger version of himself.

“I am Zeno and will bring my centaur brothers to arms with the Guild, as always, and vow to protect the MacDougall clan in the process,” said the centaur. Sadie shot him a huge smile, and the centaur nodded before his clacking hooves took him to stand behind her and her mother. Sadie turned and hugged him from her chair. The centaur smoothed her hair and looked down on her tenderly.

Gliding forward, as if floating on air, swept a woman holding a small harp. Her stunning looks caught the eye of every male in the room, and their breath as well. She was easily the most beautiful woman Sadie had ever seen. Even Tara seemed average in her presence. This woman’s moves—fluid and graceful, her looks—timeless. She made modern day supermodels look pale in comparison. Everyone was captivated. Everyone’s attention clung to this beauty, waiting for her to speak.  

She opened her mouth, slowly, deliberately, but out came the most horrible-sounding string of notes Sadie had ever heard. She put her hands to her ears and scanned the table to see if the others reactions were nearly the same as hers. The other women in the room seemed a bit annoyed, as well, but the men seemed to gush even more at this strange, ethereal woman. Elgarbam grabbed his heart. The Viking had drool sliding from his slack jaw. Every man in the room was in awe.  

“My song powers are obvious to the men here, as well as the women, I see.”

(She looked at Sadie with a knowing smile.)

“I offer my song in bringing down the Syndicate, at least the men of that evil group. I will do what I can to protect the innocent from danger and destroy all wicked and malicious powers that be.”

Elgarbam had unknowingly begun to stumble in her direction as she spoke. When she stopped, the little gnome shook his head and looked confused.

“Don’t worry, Elgarbam; most men are entranced by my voice. I’ve brought many a battle ship to crash upon rocky shores, for I am the Lorelei. I promise not to speak anymore, lest my voice be needed in assistance. I do offer a spell that will protect you all from my charms if anyone is willing or in need. I can see the gnome will be the first in line.”

A small round of laughter escaped from some of the room’s inhabitants. Elgarbam blushed and returned to his seat. Sven smiled at the little guy and whispered in his ear. Whatever he said seemed to relax the gnome and a bond seemed to be forming.

There was a shuffling sound and from the very far reaches of the entrance came four very small, very cute, furry little creatures. They looked similar to hedgehogs, except smaller, and Sadie thought they’d make great pets. She wondered to herself what they could possibly do if anything, and she assumed they belonged to someone in the group, possibly the Lorelei. She fidgeted in her chair. The largest of the four little creatures stepped forward to speak, catching Sadie off guard.

“We’re Blaze Bellowers from deep within the magikal realm. We don’t oft’ come here to the human world, but felt our services might be needed in a time like this. If the magikal realm itself were not threatened, we would have stayed put, but it seems as though our services could be a welcome addition.”