A Witch's Life

After a few hours, Tama had recovered enough to put the hat on and straighten herself. “Thank you, Thal. I wouldn’t know what to do if it wasn’t for you.” She smiled toward them, patting their head.

The spider—now humanoid— hummed in delight to the pats. “Anything for you, mistress.”

She chuckled. “Now, I’m sure there is a human town nearby. Do you want to explore it with me?”

Thal jumped up happily, but it was replaced with confusion after a moment of thought. “Did you not say earlier that you wished to not converse with the humans?”

“I did, yet after my… incident, I think it would be best to see if they’ve changed. Perhaps I’ll be more interactive with them this century.” Tama’s gaze darkened with the mention of her breakdown, but it brightened at the thought of an improved human society.

The last time she interacted with humanity did not go too well. She and her wife were hunted for being witches. They learned quickly that witches were not to be trifled with, however.

When she thought of the times of Alv and her running around and being hunted, a bittersweet smile formed on her face. A simpler time, yet full of constant fear and anger.

Tama chuckled at a time when they were cornered, and to escape, they kissed. Considering it was around 1700, the humans were shocked. Thankfully, it was a great distraction.

She sighed and waved her right hand, causing any issues with her hair, face, or clothing to be instantly fixed. “Now, to see if those humans are still set in their bigot ways.” Tama hummed, walking out of her cottage. Thal jumped into her hair, excited to see some new faces. After walking some ways away, she disappeared when she passed a tree.

Nearby a relatively large village— it even had an adventurers guild— a witch and her familiar walked out of the forest and onto a road. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been around civilization. Hopefully, they won’t suspect me and hunt me.” She giggled slightly at the thought of being hunted. Perhaps she’d get some excitement!

Tama sighed, however. “I do hope they’re friendly. I’d hate to go into hiding again or remove some pests.” When she said the last part of her sentence, her voice distorted, the air crackled, and her mana leaked out. It disappeared instantly, but Thal shook their head slightly, afraid for whoever brought her wrath upon them.

Walking up to the large gates, she was stopped by two guards. “Stop! Where did you come from, and why are you here?” Tama sighed yet again but answered the two guards politely.

“I’m just visiting some in-laws, and I come from somewhere in the Wisteria Forest. I have a small cabin near the entrance of it.” She lied through her teeth. Tama had no intention of telling them where she actually lived. Let alone telling them she lived in the Spider’s Enclave.

“Ah, alright, but do you have any proof of identification? Or adventurers card?” The right-most guard spoke, reaching out for the card or papers.

Tama’s eyes flashed when she heard that, knowing she had no such identification. She looked into both of their eyes and whispered something under her breath.

Both guards eyes glazed over. “You may enter.” They spoke in an emotionless tone. Her will is their command.

“Thanks, boys. I’ll be sure to remember you!” The witch waved and walked right past them. When she was out of their hearing range, they appeared normal again.

“That was almost a scare. Thankfully there is no protection against magic here.” Unluckily, someone overheard her.

“Magic? Did you say magic?” A young woman’s voice spoke, coming out from behind a tree where she was picking fruit.

She was a slightly chubby woman with semi-long auburn hair. She had freckles sprinkled across her face. She wore a brown tunic with an olive green belt tied around her waist. She had black pants on with small white flower patterns on them. In her hand was a picnic basket with fruits inside.

“Uh, No, I did not,” Tama whispered a short spell under her breath again, yet the young woman appeared unfazed.

“I clearly heard you say something about magic.” She said with her hands are her hips, a stern look in her eyes.

This time Tama snapped her fingers, yet again the woman remained unfazed. ‘What is going on?’ She thought, becoming slightly unnerved.

“Did you just snap at me?” The woman spoke again, her face showing signs of anger.

The witch, tired of her spells not working, decided to chant the spell. “Quae audisti obliviscere, ne aranea tibi veniat.”

The spell almost worked this time, having little effect. The woman only forgot the last few seconds— nothing more. “Did… did you just try to cast a spell?” She muttered, utterly confused. Finally, realization dawned on her. “Oh, oh, oh! You’re a witch!”

“Shush! Don’t let the village hear you!” Tama yelled, about to silence her— one way or another.

The woman quickly slapped her hands over her mouth before smiling. “Yes! My first witch encounter!” She exclaimed, much quieter than before. She grabbed on small pouch filled with herbs with magical properties.

Tama’s eyes widened when she saw the inside of the pouch. “No wonder… you have dill and vervain, one for witchcraft and one for evil spells.”

The woman laughed excitedly, “yay, it does work!”

Tama sighed, “you must belong to a family of witch hunters then,” her eyes widened again. She looked down and cursed. Witch hunters were unrelenting. If they knew one was still alive, they’d reinstate the trials.

The young woman nodded excitedly. “Yeah! We’re the Vanhels. I’m Chrystella Vanhel. It’s a wonder to meet you!”

The age-old witch gasped in surprise. “You’re no witch hunter! The Vanhels were very connected with witch culture. Why do you call yourself a hunter?” Tama was incredibly shocked. The Vanhels were great allies to witches, even marrying into ancient witch households. Hell, her late wife was a Vanhel!

Chrystella had a thoughtful look plastered all over her face. “One of my ancestors had convinced my family to begin hunting them after his wife left him for a witch. They never had children and managed to get another wife, so I don’t know why he became so hateful.” She had found her great, great, etcetera grandfather an awful person when she learned of this. Chrystella had always loved witches, so she had often fought against her family about their views of them.

Tama rolled her eyes when she heard that. “So the bastard got that upset at me for that? It wasn’t my fault Alvina fell in love with me.” After saving her wife from a witch hunter and learning that she was a Vanhel, they befriended each other and eventually fell in love. Alvina’s husband was a terrible person that neglected her constantly, so she ran away with Tama.

“You must be Tama! Oh, that man did his best to demonize you. Our old manor was covered with paintings depicting your corpse. It was rather unsettling.” Chrystella repressed a shutter at those paintings. She had burned the one in her room when she woke from a nightmare and saw the corpse staring at her.

The witch laughed at that. “Alv would have found that hilarious. She always did have a dark sense of humor.” A sad smile fell on her face.

Chrystella awkwardly stood there before speaking up. “Well, you don’t have to worry about me telling them. I’d never sell out a witch, especially an elder!” Elders were witches who lived for at least a thousand years. Tama was a well-known elder to witch hunters.

Tama released a sigh she didn’t know she was holding. While she could most definitely deal with witch hunters, she’d never hurt a soul in the Vanhel family. They can thank Alvina for that.

“Thank you, dear. I won’t forget this.” She bowed and kissed Chrystella’s hand, causing the woman to blush.

“I-it’s no issue, lady Tama! It’s the least I can do for one such as yourself!” She stuttered out, barely managing to compose herself.

Tama giggled, “you remind me much of Alvina. I’m glad some of her family are still good people.”

Chrystella smiled at her. “Thank you, you have no idea how much that means to me.” Her eyes glistened with delight.

“You’re welcome, dear now I must be going. I had planned to explore this village as it has been ages since I’ve last visited humanity.” She snapped her fingers and picked up some extra fruit out of reach of Chrystella. “Here, a gift.”

“Ah! My lady, thank you again! But, if you want, I can show you around. Only if you want, though!” She blushed slightly, her heart weirdly beating rapidly in her chest.

“That would be lovely. I’d love for such a wonderful person to show me around.” Tama smiled, extending her hand. “Let’s see what you’re lovely village has to offer!”

Chrystella grabbed her hand in earnest. “I’ll show you everything the village has to give.”