Welina-Grace and the Forest Uglies

WG - Chapter8 - Another Witch

Indeed, Duskin was right again. Rissa made way for Zinah to gain very close access to the Queen. It seems her personal assistant became gravely ill and the Queen needed a replacement. Zinah to the rescue! The Queen knew that Duskin had brought Zinah to the castle and had seen her on many occasions peeping around the corner to get glimpses of the Queen.

“Cook, the Queen would like a word with you….NOW!” General Gorak bellowed as Duskin made haste to the Queen.

“Your Majesty, you called?” Duskin said with eyes averted

“Yes, I noticed that you sometimes have a young girl accompany you in the kitchen. I need a new assistant and want her. Please have her come to the castle first thing in the morning”, the Queen ordered.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Duskin said and left,

***********

“What does an assistant even do?” Zinah asked as she and Duskin ate breakfast the next morning.

“Assist, of course! Whatever it is the Queen asks for, you go and do it. No questions, just do as youʻre told”, Duskin said.

“What about Crimson? Who will care for her while I am at the castle?” Zinah asked worriedly.

“Iʻll watch her,” Duskin said matter of factly.

“I donʻt know, Duskin. I want to be a part of her life in these early years” Zinah was exasperated, but she knew it was the price for concealing and keeping her safe.

“Well, look who decided to grace us with her presence?!!” Junie bellowed.

“Just go running off when Duskin here tells you to and not even bother to say anything or even ask if it was alright with me!” June continued.

“J-u-n-i-e! What did I tell you?” Duskin slowly said.

“I donʻt care what you said, I will say my peace! You are NOT to leave this camp unless I say so. And that means even helping Duskin in the castle! You are not…” Junie was about to continue when Crimson started babbling

“What in the heck is that?” Junie said as she finally noticed the squirming bundle on the rug.

“That is my daughter,” Zinah said, carefully watching Junieʻs reaction.

“Your daughter?! But when? How? Who have you been with? What kind of hybrid is it? Is that why youʻve been sneaking out? To be with a boy?” Junie accused

“Junie!!” Duskin hollered but Zinah had heard enough. She wrapped Crimson up in her blanket. Grabbed her bag and stuffed what little clothes she and Crimson had and headed for the door.

“And where do you think you are going?” Junie screamed.

“I am wanted at the castle. If you have a problem with that, you can address the Queen directly”, Zinah countered and walked out the door, leaving Junieʻs jaw dropped to the floor.

“What is she talking about Duskin?” Junie asked her brother,

“Exactly what she said. Zinah is now the Queenʻs new assistant”, Duskin said with a smirk.

“But, but, but….” Junie stuttered but Duskin followed Zinah out and headed for the castle kitchen.

**************

Zinah arrived at the castle and headed for the throne room

“Your Majesty, my name is Zinah. You requested I be here”. Zinah bowed

“Ahh yes. Wait, well now, this is a surprise. I didnʻt realize we had a witch in our midst. Your powers must just be coming in or I would have known when I saw you hanging around with the cook. AND what the heck is that?” Queen Dessa asked and Zinah was caught off guard by the Queenʻs statement. Zinah guessed her aura was showing what she was.

“This is my daughter, Your Majesty. I will not allow anyone to care for her. She is my responsibility”, Zinah said defiantly.

“Really now, you donʻt say? I could easily squash that little worm and then you wouldnʻt have any responsibility except to me” Queen Dessa teased as she watched for a reaction. But Zinah was tired, irritated, and currently on her period. She was not in the mood.

“Really now, you donʻt say? Do as you wish, but be sure to take my life as well”, Zinah challenged

“Do not tempt me, child, I do not play nicely” Queen Dessa said as she felt herself heightening in irritation at the disrespectful girl in front of her and her squirming worm.

“Either accept both my child and me or allow us to be on our way, Your Majesty” Zinah challenged yet again.

“Oh, Iʻll accept you both. But Iʻd advise you to watch your mouth, otherwise, you and your worm will have none”, Queen Dessa chided as she threw a bolt through the air, aiming at Zinah.

Without a second thought, Zinah caught it as she let it dance around her fingers. At first, amazed but thought quick not to let the Queen see her reaction.

“Well, now thatʻs interesting. Did you know….Iʻm.Also.A.Witch?” Queen Dessa said as she rose and approached Zinah, who was now feeling less than magical but surprised at the information the Queen offered. Zinah had no idea the Queen was a witch.

“Tell me, from what coven do you belong?” Queen Dessa prodded.

“I do not know. I was abandoned when I was a baby. I believe my parents to be dead”, Zinah lied.

“There are ways to find out. Tell me, have all of your powers come in yet?” Queen Dessa asked.

“No Your Majesty, I am just seeing some here and there. Until just a week ago, I had no idea I even had powers or that I was a witch”, Zinah said.

“Well then, how do you know youʻre not a fairy or an elf? What makes you so sure youʻre a witch?” Queen Dessa asked.

Well, I have no wings like fairies and I donʻt have a pull for them or the elven. So the process of elimination would point me to being a witch”, Zinah said confidently.

“Yeah, your aura definitely says youʻre a witch, but you do know right that there are other species as well that possess magic?” Queen Dessa said as Zinah shook her head no, but not before Zinah saw a twinkle in the Queenʻs eyes that didnʻt sit well.

“I think Iʻll make you my protege” Queen Dessa declared.

Zinahʻs stomach did backflips. Oh gosh, protegeʻs to two witches. She didnʻt like where this was going but replied with a lie, “I would like that. Thank you, Your Majesty”

“Liza!” Queen Dessa called out and a tiny fairy appeared “this is my new assistant. Get her AND her child fitted and clothed and tell your sister to get her room ready”

“Yes Your Highness,” said the little fairy and gestured for Zinah to follow her,

Zinah was taken to a room where clothes were made. Liza asked her to put Crimson on some pelts and took the babyʻs measurements while she oohed and aahed over the beautiful little girl.

“Well, arenʻt you a beauty,” Liza cooed. “we are gonna make you the cutest little outfitʻs. Yes we are!”

Crimson was loving the attention she was getting as she giggled in her cute little way. Other fairies came to adore her, as well as take Zinahʻs measurements.

When they were done, they played with Crimson for a bit while the seamstress worked her magic. Within a few minutes, Zinah and Crimson had their first outfits done, matching, of course. The seamstress also made sure to supply Zinah with a long piece to swaddle a carrier so Crimson would always be with her.

“We will work on the rest of your wardrobe and have it sent to your room. My sister Lisa will show you to your room so you can get yourselves cleaned up and try on your outfits. Let us know if there are any adjustments that need to be made, but most likely not” Liza said as she smiled and Lisa prompted Zinah to follow her to her room.

Her room was not immaculate but definitely an upgrade from what she had with Junie. A large bed, a crib for Crimson, a closet, and a bathroom. Being in the Queenʻs working court wasnʻt so bad after all….