B1C15: The Wicked Witch of the Howlwind Forest

The witch was cornered, her bony fingers clutching at the edge of her workbench with nowhere to run. Her eyes darted toward the back door, but Nolan followed her gaze. “Don’t even think about it,” he warned her, and that was when my eyes went sight-seeing.

The candle-lit room was a neat clutter of strange trinkets, vials, charms, and gems. On tables were plenty of jars of minerals in different shapes and sizes, pickled tongues, dried herbs, and other unlabeled specimens. This lair had more bones than a graveyard, hanging along the ceiling, hooked on the walls, and more on shelves and cages. It also had more smells than my senses could take. One particular smell was coming from a beaker filled with what looked like molten silver bubbling on top of what looked like a Bunsen burner, but the odor coming from it was very fleshy, like rotten pig meat.

My face scrunched at the thoughts that came to mind. I didn’t want to know what this dark witch was brewing, let alone be on her bad side by instigating. That foul smell was in competition with more delightful ones wafting about, like the clusters of dried herbs hanging from rafters, their sweet, earthy smell permeating the air.

Every wall my head turned to was lined with shelves, crammed with dusty old books and scrolls, each with cryptic symbols embellished on their cracked leather spines. One section of the room was dedicated to the preservation of plants, both familiar and alien. Further down was an entryway to what looked like a greenhouse filled with potted leaves, vines and flowers.

I blinked once, noticing the starfish plant with the big teeth smiling at me.

I never thought a plant would leave me feeling uncomfortable!

I darted my eyes away and to the corner of the room, where an ebony cat sat regally on an ornate pillow, its gold eyes unblinking and focused on Nolan. Casually, it licked the back of its paw, immune to the fact that its owner was looking down a double barrel of death.

Maybe the witch should invest in getting a guard dog?

There were a lot of fascinating and disturbing things hitting me at once, but I found my way back to the witch, who was a fragile looking thing.

Though, I knew more than anyone that looks could be deceiving.

She was no taller than 4’9, with stringy hair cascading in tangles and knots down her waist. They curled around her stout frame, gray and frail. Her back was hunched, from years of bending over potions and spellbooks, I guessed. She wore a ragged black robe that had seen better days, with frayed fringes that coasted the ground just above her skinny ankles.

Her skin looked like parchment paper that showed every year of her life. An upturned nose sat in the middle of her pronounced features, and I was taken by how young it looked. At first glance, it looked like she had a nose job between her sunken eyes and her chappy lips. She was focused on Nolan the entire time, until I pulled away from his shadow, causing the witch to finally spot me.

Nolan towered over her when he took a few bold steps forward, the witch uttering a word, “Dragon?”

Immediately, Nolan fired a warning shot that flew past her ear, the tats on his arm not glowing this time. It must have been a simple shot, nothing imbued with magic. The witch winced, and when she opened her eyes again, she was livid.

The sound of shattering behind us from the shot ticked her off.

“Hey, I said no talking.”

Her gaze went dark. There was an undercurrent of power weaving through her now. She wasn’t beaten yet. In fact, a smirk found her face, the witch putting her hands up as if she were surrendering.

I backed away unsure of her intentions, bringing myself under the threshold of the door.

“Come now, you’d really shoot your own mother?”

I gasped. ‘Mother?!’

“Shut your mouth, wench,” Nolan hissed.

“My, have these perilous roads turned you into something rotten!”

He scoffed. “You’re one to talk.”

And here I thought I had family issues….

“I see you’ve taken on a rare pet….”

“You must not know what shut your trap means,” Nolan retorted. “One more word, and I’m blowing your head off!”

The air was tense. The first thought that crossed my mind was to [Inspect] her, but when I did, my codex didn’t bring anything up.

“You tossed me in that tier five dungeon, expecting I wouldn’t come back,” Nolan said as he kept a distance from her. “That was a poor call on your part, now, wasn’t it?”

“Only because you survived,” the witch taunted, that smirk on her making my skin crawl.

Nolan fixed his finger on the trigger but the witch was unbothered. “I should have done this a long time ago.”

‘Nolan, wait,’ I insisted. ‘Don’t kill her, not yet.’

‘Give me a good reason not to.’

‘She’s a witch,’ I said. ‘And, I am to be a skilled mage. I need to ask her some questions about this necromancy business.’

‘We have options. She isn’t the only witch in Etheryn.’

‘Yeah, but she may be one of the strongest, right?’

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Nolan hesitated for a second, considering my words. Which meant my assumption wasn’t entirely off. The witch jumped her eyes between Nolan and me, her curiosity apparent. She had to have a hunch that we were talking telepathically, and it was confirmed when she randomly chimed in and said, ‘Smart girl.’ She nodded. ‘I’m liking this lizard already!’

‘Whoa!’ I jumped.

“You don’t have permission to speak to her on that plane,” Nolan grunted.

‘Oh come now, I want to be part of the conversation! After all, it is about me, isn’t it?’ She turned to look at me. ‘I believe it’s high time for introductions, wouldn’t you say, sweetheart? My name is Wilna, keeper of the Howlwind Forest. The pleasure is mine.’

‘Oh, um, my name is—’

‘Freya, yes, such a beautiful name for a gorgeous dragon!’

How did she—

“You’ll continue this conversation out here,” Nolan spoke, keeping the barrel on her still.

She rolled her eyes. “Very well.” She snapped her fingers and suddenly two armchairs emerged from her wooden floors behind us. “Please, sit. Would you like me to brew the both of you some tea?”

I looked up to Nolan for instructions, and he immediately said, “We are standing.”

“You know, it’s impolite, keeping that rusty shotgun in my face like that,” she sassed.

“I wouldn’t have to keep my guard up if you weren’t a distrustful old turd from a village orc’s ass,” he fired.

“Oh, grow up. Are you honestly still bitter from my silly little gag?”

“I lost a fucking eye because of you.”

“And you killed your uncle Beolauph! I’d say your punishment was under served!” she hissed.

“That dirty bird cast a werewolf spell on me!”

I was so confused…

I blinked, looking between the two of them as their bickering unfolded. I wrapped my tail around myself for comfort. Then I turned my eyes to the cat—could that be his aunt?

“He was just trying to bring out your true potential,” she replied airily, brushing off the weight of his actions. “It wasn’t my fault you couldn’t control it!”

Nolan glowered. “This isn’t about me. We’re here for her.”

I tilted my head to the side and perked my neck up.

“Ask your questions, and when you’re done, I’m blowing her head off.”

Leave it to me to get in between family affairs.

Despite what she’d done, I didn’t agree with Nolan offing Wilna the Witch. But right now, I didn’t voice my opinions. I had questions that needed answers.

With the age on her, I figured she knew more about Necromancy than Nolan did by a long shot. I couldn’t let this opportunity pass me. So I asked, ‘I was given the path of dark mage. How do I build up my necromancy proficiency?’

I couldn’t keep inducting living creatures forever. My codex said that my system preferred the undead, as it came with perks. My learning the dark arts could help me build my army of thralls faster, and more importantly, stronger.

Wilna’s eyes gleamed with curiosity at my question, her lips pulling back into a sinister grin. “What an interesting question from such a young intelligent dragon. Looking to dip your tail into the waters of the dark arts?”

‘I am.’ I replied firmly, trying not to let her mocking demeanor get to me.

The witch cackled harshly before sobering up quickly. She tented her fingers and studied me closely. “Necromancy isn’t something you just pick up and put down, dear. It’s much more complex than that.”

‘Then explain it to me.’

“I’d need something in return for this service,” she said, looking over to Nolan.

“I’m not sparing your life,” he retorted.

“No, not that. I want insight on her codex.”

“Absolutely not,” Nolan retorted instantly.

“Then no deal.”

“Guess you’re dying a few minutes early,” Nolan said, fixing his finger firmly on the trigger.

I wondered why she didn’t bargain for her life? Instead, she wanted to look at my codex?

Out of desperation, I tweeted, ‘Yes, you can.’

What was the harm in it, right? She was about to die anyway….

‘That’s not smart,’ Nolan countered. ‘She can’t be trusted. Besides, you’d let her see your codex, but not me? I can’t blame you for not understanding the type of shitty person she is, but the witch is the last person you want poking her head where it doesn’t belong. We don’t need to bargain with her.’

‘If you’re going to kill her, I don’t see a problem with it.’

Nolan paused for a second.

‘If you’re giving it this much thought then I know she has the answers I need. This could be my one chance to understand what I’m supposed to be. Besides, seeking her wisdom is my third quest.’

Wilna raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest. “Oh come now Nolan, you make me sound like some sort of monster.”

“That’s because you are one,” he said darkly.

“I prefer the term, misunderstood,” Wilna replied with an airy wave of her hand. She then turned to me, her gaze softening. “A word of caution, dear dragon,” she began in an almost motherly tone that sent chills down my spine. “Once you delve into the world of a blood-thirsty mercenary, there is no turning back.”

“Shut up.”

“You think I can’t be trusted? Before you is a man who once was a close kin, now ready to spill my blood over an old feud. Who is the real monster here?”

“So, we’ve matured to lying now?”

“Who has lost his humanity, blinded by vengeance and betrayal,” she continued to grill Nolan. “You only see what he wants you to see.”

I looked at Nolan, searching his face for any sign of deceit. His expression was hard, unreadable. I didn’t want to believe her because of the rap sheet she had. However, everything Nolan had told me thus far could be seen as one-sided. Should I consider that and listen to her side of their story?

Then again, I had to ask myself if the witch’s tale could be construed for her own selfish gain?

She could be trying to bridge our growing relationship by putting these thoughts in my head.

I didn’t want to think about it anymore. I just wanted my answers.

‘I have given you permission to see my codex, but I don’t want you in my party,’ I replied.

She snickered. “That won’t be a problem. That is of course, if your keeper allows this?”

‘He isn’t my keeper. And I allow it.’ I retorted. ‘Satisfy your curiosity and then cut the channel.’

Her eyes pulsed a soft glow of white, and just as instantly, that smirk on her face faded.

She tried to hide her frown, but there was no fooling me. My stomach dropped as she cleared her throat and faked a thin smile, then brought her hands lower, looking less defensive. “Well, now I believe you won’t be shooting me dead for a while. We have much to discuss. So please, remove that filthy weapon from my face so I may have a conversation with this young woman.”