The Witch of the Western Gate: Dragon's Gift (12 page)

Raveen turned her head away, now ignoring Stella.

“I’m glad you girls are talking it out, about Talon. Just remember, love can’t be forced, and neither can it be denied.” Grandpa Lou pulled up in front of the high school and the Buggymobile gave off a loud, smoky bang. Since it ran on magical aether, like the mechanical cockroaches, it sometimes acted up around large crowds of mundane folk. All the kids lingering outside looked over and a few started to giggle at the buggymobile.

"One more thing, Raveen, in case it is not clear to you, Stella is under the protection of myself and the Iron Wolf Clan."

"You favor her as a prospective mate for Talon over me!"

"Nothing to do with that. Stop jumping to conclusions. You must control your emotions. Stella has been under our protection long before Talon arrived here, due to her friendship with our Clan and other associates." Grandpa Lou looked over at Blue.

"Stella is not to be harrassed or harmed in any way by you or anyone else. If there is choosing to do, let Talon do it. But remember, Stella has her choices to make as well, and she may not accept him as a suitor."

Raveen looked somber and turned away from Blue and Stella as they clambered out of the Buggymobile.

“By Papa, thanks for the ride,” said Blue, subtly giving Grandpa Lou and Raveen the werewolf salutation, as did Stella.

Blue could see Ivy chatting with a group of popular kids. Two of the girls belonged to the local country club so Ivy already knew them from there. One of the boys in their circle, Kevin Moore, hollered at Blue as she walked past, “Catch any rats lately witchy girl?”

This was followed by the usual guffaws and giggle. Ivy turned her back, pretending not to see Blue and Stella. They ignored her right back. As Blue and Stella were walking past they saw Brandon Wheatfield, Co-Captain of the football team, look Ivy over from head to toe.

"Not bad, not bad, except she's flat as a board," he finished, in a cutting tone.

Ivy didn't miss a beat. She barely glanced at Brandon, as though he were beneath her notice, and pronounced "At least I'm not a big boob like you. Then she turned and gave him an amazing smile, her blonde hair glittering in the sunlight." Brandon stopped in his tracks, mouth hanging open.

Stella and Blue scuttled into the school, hands over their mouths to stop the giggles.

"That Brandon is such an idiot," said Blue.

"I hate to do it," said Stella. "But I have to give Ivy credit where credit is due. Not only does she have nerves of steel, even on her first day in a new school, but she sure knows how to put that mean streak of hers to good use. At the same time, Brandon Wheatfield now adores her."

"Yes she does know how to work it," said Blue, admiringly. "I don't think I've ever heard anyone put Brandon Wheatfield in his place. That was rich," asked Stella. “Why do you think she blew us off this morning when we went to pick her up?”

"My guess is she thinks we're bumpkins."

"Bumpkins? Does anyone even say bumpkin anymore?"

"I think Ivy does," replied Blue. She doesn't like moving here. She doesn't like the country. She hates the Buggymobile."

"She clearly doesn't think much of us either," replied Stella. "Didn't even say 'hi' or apologize for blowing us off. Didn't even try to make up an excuse. She simply doesn't care that she used us. You know, I think you are right about Ivy afterall," said Stella.

"Finally, you start to see it as I do," replied Blue

"The part I don't understand," said Stella, "Is how Ivy puts herself higher than us, thinking that she's more sophisticated and more cultured, because she comes from a big city, and Uncle Basil has money. Then it turns out she is so intolerant and rude to other people. Doesn't sound very cultured to me."

"I agree," replied Blue. "I think we underestimate just how irrational most people are. I also find it interesting how you always change the subject whenever Talon is mentioned. Don't think I don't notice."

"It's just overwhelming to have all this thrown in my face so suddenly and to hear people talking about courtships. I mean, really, I'm not even thinking of the spring dance yet. I don’t want anything serious with a boy until I’m in college. It’s just all too much."

"I know what you mean," replied Blue.

"Blue, come see me tonight around 7:00. We'll talk some more. I'll have to work parking for a wake, but after that I'm free."

Chapter 10

Next stop was Aunt Violet’s. Grandpa Lou pulled up in front of The Grey Owl shop.

“Here we are! He and Raveen got out of the car and walked in. Raveen was immediately taken back by the delicious smells of herbs and fresh baked goods.

“Pop, you look well this morning,” greeted Violet, kissing him on the cheek. Raveen looked on curiously.

“Have some coffee with me, if you have time, the raspberry scones are just coming out of the oven.”

“Sure,” replied Grandpa Lou.

“You must be the young woman Momma, er I mean Grandma Lily called me about last night,” said Aunt Violet, turning to Raveen.

“Yes, I’m Raveen Moon.” Raveen gave the werewolf greeting to Aunt Violet.

“I thank you for your hospitality. I have a personal matter to clear up, then I will be on my way.”

“I’m happy to help. You're welcome to stay with me until your baby is born and your personal matter is resolved. I offer the protection of the Escarpment Witches,” replied Aunt Violet, bowing slightly.

"I thank you," nodded Raveen.

"Also, I offer you my protection and that of Iron Wolf Clan," said Grandpa Lou.

"Really?"

"Of course! You are here on our territory as a guest, and as a member of an important allied clan. We will ensure your safety and wish you good fortune."

"Thank you," replied Raveen simply.

“Today is one of my days off from being a visiting nurse, so I’m here in the shop all day. Have some coffee Papa, and hot cocoa with extra milk for you Raveen,” offered Aunt Violet. The three sat down and enjoyed fresh coffee and scones at a sunny table, where the winter sun shining through the window was bright and warm. Grandpa Lou left to go about his business and the rest of the day Aunt Violet and Raveen busily worked around the shop. Raveen had many questions about the Mantooth family and the Escarpment Witches.

"So, I know your mother, Grandma Lily is a witch and married to a Wolven. But what relationship does the Escarpment witches they have with the Mantooth family?"

"Theres always been an unofficial alliance between the Mantooth and the Escarpment Witches," Aunt Violet explained. "Each group has lived on the same patch of neighboring farmland for many generations, the only two houses down Smokey Hollow Road, which dead-ends at little Myrtle Grove Cemetery."

"Why would the Wolven suffer Witches so close by? Usually we dislike any but our own kind."

Aunt Violet laughed, "Clearly Grandpa Lou found something to suffer about a Witch, since he married one and they had three children." Then she became serious. "I would guess that originally the relationship between the wolven and the escarpment witches was mutually beneficial. The Witches set up wards to keep prying eyes away from the Wolven property. They need privacy for, you know, shapeshifting and hunting. Also witches are good healers and the Wolven avoid mainstream human medicine. The Witches ability to dress wounds, make salves and medicines, and do spellworking is very useful for the Wolven. For the Witches, they are happy for the Wolven's protection."

"What are escarpment witches?"

"There are different types of witches, like there are different wolven clans with different specialties. Also, I'm sure you know that witches are matriarchal, also like wolven. Grandma Lily's family took their name from the dolomite that forms the Niagara escarpment aeons ago."

"Escarpment?"

"The escarpment is a thick band of hard rock hat goes across upstate New York and Ontario, Canada. Niagara Falls rests on the escarpment. Escarpment witches gain power from this rock. Paranormal activity is often associated with dolomite. Escarpment witches have watched over the Niagara escarpment for generations, for nearly 400 years."

"This is very different for me," replied Raveen. "I've mostly been with my own kind, deep in the Canadian backwoods. Some of us get jobs in town of course, so I am accustomed to humans, but not witches. I found Grandma Lily to be unexpectedly powerful, especially for an old lady."

Aunt Violet laughed, "That she is. She can certainly get her point across and defend her boundaries. But her specialty is scrying. Mine is healing. Also, both Grandma Lily and myself are excellent midwives."

Raveen nodded, "What about Blue?"

"I'm afraid that Blue has the makings of a battlemage. She can do the usual witch tasks of scrying, spellcasting, astral travel, healing, but destructive spellcasting is her strong point."

"How about the spirit girl, Stella? She is not a witch. But there is something funny about her. She is not just an ordinary human. What can she do?"

Aunt Violet grew silent. "Here's the thing… We don't talk about Stella. There are reasons why not, but I am not free to explain. You'll just have to trust me that they are good reasons and ones you really do not want to know."

Raveen looked dissatisfied with this reply but nodded politely. Aunt Violet changed the subject.

"Now that my parents are growing older it's nice having the Mantooth closeby. They look in on Grandma Lily and Grandpa Lou and help them out when the weather is bad. Rafe’s father, Torolf Mantooth, always plows their long driveway, at no charge. Grandma Lily sets up wards of protection around the Mantooth's house, barns, and land and Grandpa Lou is always there to help the Mantooths with any big projects they started. So the arrangement works out."

"Is your father a Mantooth also?"

"No, but both the Mantooths and Grandpa Lou Stone belong to the Iron Wolf Clan."

"Your parents have a nice property with their tree farm and orchards."

"Yes, they do and they enjoy it very much. They tend their orchard and small gardens carefully. Also, they grow and harvest blue spruce for the Christmas tree market, so there are several acres of up and coming fir trees. At their age, trees are much easier to handle than livestock. Every fall there are orchards, herbs, grapes, and other crops to be harvested at both my parent’s farm and the Mantooth farm. So every year some of the remote Iron Wolf Clan members arrive to help."

"I've heard of that," replied Raveen.

"Most move back north into the wilds as soon as the harvest is done."

Chapter 11

After school Stella had to stay late for gymnastics practice, so Blue walked home alone.

"Stop by my house around 7:00 p.m. tonight and we can talk more," whispered Stella. "I work parking for the Butterfield wake early this evening, but after that I'm free."

"Will do," Blue promised.

With a half-formed idea in her head, Blue stopped at the Salvation Army and bought a used child's snowsuit for three dollars. "I think Took would fit in this," she mused to herself. Then Blue decided to stop in at the Pink Pony. Aunt Violet was there minding the shop and Raveen was helping still. The front display areas had a variety of Newage gifts, books, and jewelry. A lot of the books and such Blue found very amusing, like
Read Auras in 30 Days
,
Change Your Luck Find Love and Wealth
,
Unmask the Beauty Within
,
Palm Reading by Numbers
. These books were stocked to please the tourists and other customers, and not actually used by anyone who knew about esoteric arts. The serious work of the shop consisted of the teas and charmed bake goods. Aunt Violet always included special herbs and spellworking to infuse the baked goods with health, wealth and good fortune. There also were special blends of teas, some of them also spellworked and some ordinary medicinal teas. People drove for miles to buy Aunt Violet's Happy Momma Fertility Tea, her Arthritis Be Gone tea, and her Lucky Money tea.

Aunt Violet's usual store helper often didn’t show up. Cousin Daisy meant well but was very disorganized and often scrambled up her schedule. Nonetheless, Aunt Violet tried to employ the least fortunate of the Escarpment witches. Fortunately Raveen had been there all day to help. She’d been busy unpacking and shelving stock and wrapping online orders for shipping. Half of Aunt Violet's business was done over the internet, so a lot of shipping was involved. She did a brisk business with her parent’s crafts too, selling Grandma Lou's needlework and Uncle Lou's carvings. Blue often stopped by to help, and to visit with Aunt Violet. Blue finished unpacking and shelving a few boxes of new merchandise, bells, jewelry, books, goddess figurines.

”There’s not much to do here today.”

“No, there’s not. Raveen has been a tremendous help here today. You really know how to work girl!

"She’s done more in a few hours than Cousin Daisy does in a month,” Blue laughed. Grandma Lily and Aunt Violet tried to take care of their more eccentric and less functional witch relatives, giving them money and helping them to find shelter and jobs. Cousin Daisy was too eccentric to hold a regular job, so she helped Aunt Violet in her store and did light housekeeping at the McChesney house.

"I hope Raveen didn't tire herself out, you know, with a baby on the way."

"I didn't let her lift anything heavy, and I made her sit with her feet up while sorting the mail orders."

"I had more rest here than I've had in weeks," said Raveen. “I’m happy to help you, Violet. You and your family have been very kind to me. Even if things don't work out the way I want, I shall remember your family's kindness.”

"Honey, when it comes to love, things rarely work out the way we want," Aunt Violet sighed. "But keep faith and you might end up being one of the lucky ones afterall."

Blue recalled the furtive whispers behind Aunt Violet's back. She had been in love once, a long time ago, and her beau mysteriously disappeared a few days before they were to be married. There had been no one else since.