IV

A Witch in Great Shrewsbury

The wound in my back started aching again. I do not know if it was because of the heat, or the continuous walks we had. Either way, it was worrisome because if it started bleeding, my friends would notice it. 

They were still not aware of the torture I had experienced.

However, my mind had shifted its attention when we finally reached the entrance of the town. There was a massive wall in front where a huge, embedded sign can be seen. It spelled Great Shrewsbury, the name of the town.

There are two guards upfront, wearing a Prussian, blue-colored uniform. Their shoulders were broad and straightened, their huge arms were protruding from the tight clothes they were wearing, while they stood quietly at the center of the gates. 

The prince looked small compared to them, and it made me realize how tiny I must have looked from their perspective. And how thin.

How could they have such huge muscles? 

"We would like to enter the town." My attention from the guards' sizes shifted to Henry's voice. 

"Let us check your baskets, first." 

Without hesitation, Henry opened the baskets we were carrying for our travels. The guards checked every crooked and canny before looking at each other. It seemed like they were speaking with one another using their gazes.

It only took them a minute to open the huge, gigantic, metallic gate out front; and as they did, excitement rushed through my body, the pain in my wound subsiding. The noise inside crashed over my ears as my vision was covered with numerous people; some were yelling their products’ name to attract buyers, some were chatting and laughing, some were asking for prices, and children were playing, running around, and calling voices. 

It was not like in the kingdom where people wore fancy and expensive clothing, but they were as noisy and as lively.

It's entirely different from the peace and quiet of the Moors, but something about the chaos made me enthusiastic about this visit. 

"We should find a lodge for Farrio first before we gather new supplies.” The prince’s serious tone made me realize that we are not here for a visit, but for a quick re-supply. "It would be wise for us to take separate ways if we want to get supplies faster. I will oversee tools, while you will oversee our meals," he continued.

"Yes, of course," I quickly say, a bright idea coming into my mind. If I would be getting food supplies, might as well explore and roam around the town as I do.

Henry's green eyes squinted. "Are you certain? Or should we just go together?" he asked.

"I am certain."

He stopped to think for a minute before he replied, "If you are, then, I would take Farrio for lodging and we should meet at this spot later." The way he spoke made me smile a bit. He may dress like a commoner, but the way his mouth rolls out words were with elegance and finality, like a true prince.

"Of course, Your Highness, your wish is my command," I say, adding a little humor. 

A ghost of a smile appeared on his lips.

Henry gave me a couple of circular, metallic coins, which seemed to be money, before he spoke, “Be careful.”

“Likewise, Your Highness.” He let out a chuckle before he started walking away.

Once the prince and Farrio were out of sight, Scylla burst as we walked through the crowded road ahead. "You should have not followed that man's plan, Cola! I know it's your first time visiting a town. We should, at the very least, explore and have fun."

“Scylla is right. It would be okay if we’d have a few hours,” Kalare agreed. He was sitting comfortably on my right shoulders, while Eos was on my left, as I kept on walking. 

The people around were giving me a glance; what for, I do not know. Still, despite the looks, it was fun to look at different people, and to walk this path. The smell of fruits and freshly baked breads mixed in the air, giving off a pleasant smell. 

Eos flew in front of me, fluttering his white wings to get my attention. “Honestly, do not worry about that prince, Cola. If he gets mad, I am willing to attack him for you,” he sincerely spoke.

A giggle escaped my mouth. “I know, Eos.”

Men in their velvet cuffs and boots paraded down the sides of the streets, getting my attention. There were tables spread out in front of the, while things of various kinds were placed atop. They were things that I had never encountered nor seen before. 

“A ruby necklace for a fine young woman?” The man in front asked, smiling, showing his incomplete teeth. “This will surely fit with you,” he added, showing me the necklace lying on the table.

It was a silver one with lots of curves and waves in the pendant, while a red gem hides inside. It looked… perfect.

I never had a necklace. I had dreamt of it, of course, of owning jewelries, but the lack of money and ability to buy one had always hindered me. 

“That would look beautiful in your neck, Cola!” Scylla shrieked excitedly. “Buy it! Buy it! Buy it!”  

“I should not…” I started to say, but the elegance of it made me want to wear the necklace, to test how it would feel in my skin. 

The man grinned sincerely. “Come on, dear, try it first.” He shoved the necklace in my hands. With hesitation, I looked at it closely. The curves were not random ones, but patterned, every line was precisely drawn.

“Go on, try it,” the toothless merchant urged. 

Heat filled my cheeks. “I do not know how to,” I whispered. There were no instructions in books on how to wear a necklace; it just says that fine women wore it on their necks for decorations. How could I know how?

The toothless man raised his brow. “What?”

“Do you see the clasp, Cola? You should unclasp it and place the two ends over your neck,” Eos guided. 

Following his instructions, I managed to place the ruby in my neck. It was hard to clasp it back together, but Eos guided me expertly. When it was safely tucked, the toothless merchant put out a small mirror, facing it in my direction. He was grinning widely as my face was covered with amazement.

It does look amazing. The heavy feel of the cold metal in my neck somehow gave me fulfillment and satisfaction.

“I told you it would look beautiful.” Scylla smiled.

“You should buy it, Cola,” Eos encouraged.

I looked at my friends, my brows knitted worriedly. “Should I? This money is for our travel meals,” I uttered, torn between buying the necklace and saving the shillings for a much important thing.

“Eos and I can hunt for our meals, Scylla does not take much portion, and Farrio can eat grasses. The meals that we currently have are enough for us to last a week,” Kalare argued, but even with his rational explanation, my pesky mind could not help but doubt.

The money is not mine, after all. It was just given by the prince. It would be unwise to buy something using this money without his permission; it would feel like stealing.

With a deep breath, I finally made a final decision. I slowly unclasped the necklaces and gently placed it back on the table and smiled at the merchant. “I apologize, but I could not afford such beauty. Thank you for letting me try it,” I announced.

However, instead of disappointment, a baffled and flabbergasted expression was written all over his face. His expression confuses me for I do not know why he was gazing at me like that. 

Before I walked away from his table, I heard the toothless merchant speak to another. “That girl was talking to animals! She must be out of her mind! What a screwball...”

A sigh escaped my lips as I continued walking further, passing by merchants with far prettier necklaces, jewelries, and tools. However, I forced myself to get past them without looking, even if they were calling me to look at their products. 

The toothless man's words kept on echoing in my ears, no matter how hard I tried to ignore it. 

Is it that bad to talk to animals? Was it not possible in his mind? Witches and Godmothers were possible for them, how could talking to animals be not?

When the streets of merchants were replaced by a food market, I started choosing fruits, vegetables, and bread. The first lady merchant was a plump woman with a little neck. She looked terrifying, especially when I touched the green apple that she was selling.

“Are you going to buy that?” she asked, her black eyes were feisty.

I gulped at her deep, and scary tone. “Um, yes,” I quickly replied. She did not say anything, but her eyes remained watchful as I took five green apples with nervousness. 

“Do not be like that to our buyers, Mother. You will drive off everyone with that tone of yours,” a young man beside her scolded. Like the other merchants, he was wearing a cuff and shoulder pads. 

“It is justifiably right, Antonio. Thieves are always lurking around; we must be careful.”

“She does not look like a thief to me.” The man and I locked eyes. He gave me a beautiful smile and my stomach fluttered in a sudden.  

The mother ruffed loudly. “Thieves can dress like anyone. Do not be fooled by anyone’s innocent face.”

“This woman, ugh! Why is she so… judgmental?” Scylla hissed. I wanted to reply to her sentiments, but the toothless merchant’s words a while ago came echoing in my thoughts.

After paying for the apples that cost one shilling and eight pence, the man placed it in my basket carefully. He smiled before speaking, "I apologize for my mother's rudeness. I hope you and your pets have a good day, young miss." 

A sheepish smile crossed my face before walking away. He did call my friends 'pets', but the kindness he has shown was above the toothless merchant and his mother. 

"Did you see the way he looked at you? And his smile!" Scylla heaved a deep breath. "He's so charming."

He was, indeed, charming and kind. Still, his facial features do not stand a chance against Henry's. Albeit it does not really matter whether who was more charming.

"Do not give her any silly ideas, Scylla," Eos scoffed.

"What? I just said he's charming!"

"Your tone implies something else!"

The two started another session of their banter with Kalare's occasional comments as I continued looking for various kinds of breads, smelling.

It would be nice to taste something else other than white bread. It was the only bread I knew how to bake; the lack of ingredients and spices always prevents me from cooking distinct kinds of food.

Oh, how much I miss my little kitchen.

Once I had finished restocking our food supplies, I made my way back to the spot that Henry and I agreed upon. The sun was slowly setting, and the exhaustion from our long walk was already taking a toll on my body, making my wounds ache again. 

A part of me hopes we could stay here for the night and resume our journey at dawn. However, it would be impossible since it would cost money, and I am not certain whether Henry carries a lot of it.

When I was nearing the meet-up spot, I could make out Henry’s silhouette. He was standing straight, his aura screamed confidence and authority despite his ragged clothing. We were still a couple of feet away from each other, but his emerald green eyes can be seen, making him stand out above others in the crowd.

He waved his hand when he spotted me. 

I was about to do the same when someone grabbed my basket in a sudden and ran off with it. 

“Hey!” 

However, the man who stole my basket continued running, and so without a second thought, I did. Eos and Kalare immediately opened their wings wide, flying to stop the man.

“Scylla!” Eos screeched.

The wound in my back was aching but it was not the time to feel the pain for Scylla was inside my basket. Scylla’s terrified face as she peeked through the basket’s hole and found a stranger made me run faster even more. 

The thief stumbled upon merchants and carts, but not even one dared to stop him despite the trouble he had caused. Anger was rising up through my chest as I witnessed how men just watched as I followed the thief.

Would they not help? They can clearly see what was going on! I could not believe this!

Kalare and Eos caught up with the man, but he easily shrugged off my friends as he entered a narrow alleyway, one where there was too little space to fly in. 

With my burning feet, I followed the man inside. The towering buildings and roofs covered the alley with darkness, but it did not stop me from running, and neither did the thief. Hope slowly escaped my mind as the man continued to gain speed while my legs were slowly giving up.

“Cola!” Scylla’s call for help reverberated through my ears.

With the frustration and anger pent up in my chest, I raised my hands and softly waved it through the air, mustering up the energy residing within me before speaking of a spell, “Petrifakcia!”

The thief abruptly stood frozen in his spot; his feet were like the roots of trees glued in Earth. He was a middle-aged man wearing the clothes of a merchant, his fright-struck face was as innocent as a child, making me regret the spell I just did.

 The basket fell on the ground when his hands froze too; the fruits and bread rolled while Scylla came rushing out with a panic-stricken expression. 

“Cola!” I came forward to meet her in my arms, holding her tight.

Scylla may look and act tough, but she was just as soft as anyone. Seeing her cry in front of me made my heart melt and my eyes teary, as well.

“Are you alright?” I inquired, but she could not speak clearly, instead, she just nodded her head as she clung unto my shoulders tightly.

Our little reunion was cut short when the thief suddenly screamed, “Witch! Get back! She’s a witch!” 

At first, I was confused but when Henry came into view, I already knew the thief was talking to him, warning him to stay away. Farrio can be seen behind him, at the entrance of the alley, together with a horse I am not familiar with.

“How…” Henry started to speak, but his words got caught in his mouth.

“A witch! There is another witch in Great Shrewsbury!” the thief continued to scream. If he could move his body, he would probably run away as fast as he could and spread the news around the town.

“Stíšenie,” I whispered, and the thief suddenly lost his voice. He tried speaking but no sounds came out. His expression was so struck with fear that I could not bear to look at him.

It was against my will to use my magic against humans, but if the people would hear his words, I am certain that I would end up dead before King Stefan could even end my existence. 

I have read what people do to witches; they would burn them alive or put a stake right through their heart. Of course, they would not think that I am a Godmother, just like what Henry had thought, for Godmothers could not hurt a person, only a witch can. 

“You are a…” Henry cannot seem to continue what he was saying. He was so baffled by what was happening that he cannot even say the simplest of words.

“I am not a witch. Even though it may seem like it, I am not.” 

Despite my explanation, doubt was still evident in his eyes. Henry was not a friend of mine, however, it still pained me to see how afraid he looks. 

With a reproachful tone, I spoke, “We should go before anyone sees him.” I slowly picked up the food that had rolled out and placed it gently on the basket. 

“We could not just leave him in this state.” 

“My magic will wear off once we leave this town. Do not worry, I would not bring him into any harm.” I would not dare hurt anyone. I have just done this once for a reason, not just to harm.

I am not a witch, I wanted to say again, to make the prince believe, but it would be unwise to explain myself to someone who was already believing otherwise.

The prince was hesitant to follow when I started walking down the path. My mind was filled with unfathomable and confusing thoughts to the point that I don't even know what to focus on first. 

But then, a sudden realization dawned, and made me walk back to where the thief stood still.

“Cola! Why are you going back?” Henry followed again in a hurry; his voice was alarmed. “What are you going to do?”

Does he think that I would hurt the thief? 

I condoned the prince’s queries with silence. Silence because his actions inflicted disappointment and pain. We were travelling together for four days already. Does he really believe that I could do such a thing?

I stopped in front of the thief; his eyes were fearful as I took a step closer to him.

“I would bring back your voice, but promise me you would not scream,” I begged the man to which he immediately replied with a nod.

“Reverzné,” I spoke briefly. “You shouted a while ago. You said that I am another witch. What do you mean by those?” 

The man spoke in a trembling and hurried voice. “T-there was another witch yesterday. She bewitched the horseman in the lodge and took his horse and meals. I have seen it with my own eyes.”

“What does this witch look like?” Henry questioned. 

“She was wearing a pink gown, a ragged one, her hair was golden and long.” 

Golden hair… a pink gown...

Princess Aurora had already been here. 

And she has successfully acquired a horse.