Plague Stories

" . . . that is an absolutely beautiful name." the old woman says warmly.

"So then, , Charcorn tells me you're all the way from Puddlewick? That explains the blonde hair. What are you doing this far away from home? Couldn't you find anywhere closer to settle for your apprenticeship?" I let the question linger, deciding I don't want to answer truthfully. But when a wave of tears comes the truth does, too.

"I tried. But over and over again this entire year I've been turned away after finding work for a few days. I always mess up and break something, or can't grasp the concepts quick enough, or annoy everybody." before I realise it I'm sobbing through my words.

"Sounds rough. But you're eager to learn?"

I wipe my eyes as her question lingers. She hands me the bowl, evidently a lovingly prepared chicken soup, which I don't hesitate to begin consuming, my appetite back in full force. As I ravenously consume it to satisfy the previously frost-exacerbated gnawing in my stomach. "My apologies, I never did introduce myself. You can call me Rina; and this is my home." She fans her arms out, directing my gaze around the room.

After a short time I've consumed the entirety of the soup, and I swear it begins to work healing magic upon me. I ask her "So . . . the little guy's name is Charcorn. Where is he? I want to thank him. He saved my life."

"Why, he's at work. He's right there." she says, directing me to look out the window and up at the moon in the night sky. From my comfortable position on the bed I turn my head and take in its silver brilliance, for a moment astonished that this incredible object is part of our world, and I swear I see the moon gently 'blink' as though covered by a blanket for a fraction of a second. "Whenever you're consumed by doubt for yourself, just look up at that scrappy furball. He'll guide you right, if crassly so."

The next morning I wake up, feeling better rested than ever before in my life. Once again the pleasant smell of something cooking in the next room invites itself into my senses.

After an amazing breakfast in bed, I have enough energy to stand for the first time since Rina and Charcorn brought me here. I spend the rest of the day with the two of them. Rina invites me to her library, and educates me on some of the great but little-known-of witches and wizards in our history.

When night comes once again, Rina and I sit on an upstairs balcony sipping tea whilst silently taking in the night sky, watching Charcorn do his duty. The combination of the sight of the stars, the soothing scent of tea, and fresh wintery air induce a peaceful slumbrousness in me. I fall asleep next to Rina in my chair.

When my eyes open again, it is morning and I'm back in the bed; Rina must have carried me back inside.

As I look around the room, for the first time I really take in what a cosy house this is. The immaculate wooden fitments that are simultaneously rustic and highly sophisticated.

I see the door to my room open slightly, before opening fully. "So, child. You're awake! Eat fast. We move for town shortly."

"Town? That's right. I was looking for it the other day, but got totally lost. I couldn't find it anywhere" I rise from the bed and follow her out into the dining area.

Preparing to set breakfast down on the table in front of me she explains "Well, for that I must apologize. You see I'm quite to blame" she's practically juggling the three sets of plates and glasses as she fills each one up with food and drink "You see I don't much like company these days. Helps if my house, and the mountain it sits atop of, move around a bit."

Now this is interesting. I had heard of powerful witches and wizards who could near instantaneously move themselves or an object across great distances . . . but a whole house? A whole mountain? Just who is this woman?

A little overwhelmed by what I just heard I lamely ask "Who's the third set for?" and she quickly retorts "For Charcorn, of course!"

And there is absolutely no lie in her words. As if on cue, Charcorn leaps onto the table seemingly from the air itself. At this moment I sit at a table eating a breakfast of a certainly magical porridge and toasted bread, with a comical number of spreads to choose from, directly across from a squirrel. He tears small pieces of the bread off with his tiny paws and stuffs them into his mouth in rapid succession, interspersed occasionally by lunging his head forward and munching directly on the whole pieces. Despite this display, he drinks his juice in a relatively refined way, gently tilting the glass back towards him until he can reach his head over and sip at it slowly. It is incredibly cute. Despite the four pieces of toast each being as large as him, he finishes eating long before me and Rina. Afterwards he reclines on the table using his own bushy tail as a cushion, looking a bit fatter.

After all three of us have gotten a bit fatter I eventually speak, "So why are we going into the town now anyway?" Hoping she won't say what I think.

"To get you placed in an apprenticeship, dear." I try to look happy, but can't conceal my disappointment as I respond "I was really hoping I could become your apprentice, Rina . . . the past two days here have been amazing" she seems to understand my disappointment, but informs me of her perspective.

"I'm very sorry to disappoint you. I'm taking you to town because there you can find much better people to learn from than me. It's the best thing for your future."

Charcorn weighs in somewhat snarkily, stroking his belly has he does so "And besides, look at her! She's a total hermit up here" he laughs "You're too young for all that. You should be down there, learning about life right where it is" he gestures out the window with one of his little paws.

Their words make sense, and I can tell she's being genuine. It makes it easier to be strong, knowing that it's for my own good and not to condemn me as a burden and abandon me.

With a satisfied clap of her hands, from a gust of wind that somehow finds it way indoors, Rina produces an extremely wide-brimmed hat, places it on her head, and turns to ask me and Charcorn:

Continue to Chapter Three →