WG - Chapter5 - Rissa
1740 Words
Zinah continued to follow the black cats. Crimson finally got ahold of a tail and was trying to put it in her mouth. Didnʻt even phase its owner who continued to walk ahead.
Slowly something large and looming came into view. When Zinah looked closer she could see a huge outcropped rock wall. It had what looked like windows and an entrance. The big cats continued to walk and went inside. Zinah followed with Crimson who refused to let go of the cat’s tail.
They continued to walk inside which was totally opposite of what Zinah was expecting. Zinah was expecting to see a dark dungeon-type castle. Black with no lighting and bats flying everywhere. Jars with toadstools, eyeballs, and the likes. Instead, what she saw was a well-maintained interior. Yes, the walls were made from the rocks but the color was light and airy. Animal pelts covered the floor and couches and chairs were spread out for sitting. Toward the back, Zinah could make out a large kitchen and to the right was a large dining area.
“Not what you were expecting I suppose?” came a sultry voice from Zinahʻs left that made her neck crick when she turned quickly from the sound of the voice
“Come closer child, I wanna get a clear view of you,” the voice said and Zinah shakily obliged though she still had no idea where the witch was
Out of a side door came a shadow of a woman, she came into view when she passed the doorway. Oh my gosh, this witch is beautiful, thought Zinah as her eyes raked the witch from her head to her toes.
Rissa was wearing an off-the-shoulder shimmering and tight-fitted deep blue gown that went all the way to the floor. It had slits on each side that traveled to her upper thigh then laced on each side from thigh to armpit. It left nothing to the imagination. Her jet black hair fell in natural curls all the way to her knees and her curves were voluptuous, to say the least. She could slay a man with just her beauty let alone the aura she brought forth. Her skin was pale like porcelain, with smooth features, high cheeks, and full lips in black lipstick while her eyes were as blue as her gown hidden beneath full and lush lashes. Looking at her Zinah felt a familiarity about her but couldnʻt place it. Maybe in one of the magazines, Duskin showed her. Rissa wore a black crown faceted with black diamonds and deep blue opals that seem to be set a little forward on her head, almost as if something came between the crown and her forehead. However, she wore it beautifully and looked more like a Queen instead of a witch. At the front and center was a large opal in the shape of an upside-down teardrop surrounded by what looked like wings on both sides. It was a beautiful piece.
“Donʻt stare child, itʻs rude” the witch barked
“I apologize, itʻs just Iʻve never seen someone so beautiful” Zinah whispered
“Yes, well I do have that effect on people, but thank you,” the witch said
“Are you Rissa?” Zinah asked
“The one and only” Rissa said as she nodded in a royal fashion “Whom may I say has graced my presence?”
“My name is Zinah, I was sent here by Duskin…” Zinah began
“Duskin! Tell me, how is that old fool?” Rissa chimed and Zinah felt the heat rise in her cheeks at the old fool comment
“Tsk, tsk! Never you mind being mad at what I say about Duskin. He and I go waaaay back. But please tell me, how is he?” Rissa asks again
“He is fine, Ms. Rissa. He treats me well and teaches me things” Zinah says
“Ms. Rissa! Hmm, I like the ring of that. I think Iʻll keep it” Rissa says
“Now tell me, did Duskin tell you not to trust me? That I speak in riddles? That you need to read between the lines?” Rissa said and Zinah ʻs eyes came wide at the comment
“Girl, I was just testing you. Itʻs something that Duskin and I do when sending someone. By your reaction, I know that it was indeed Duskin that sent you. Canʻt be too careful these days” Rissa said and Zinah was starting to feel more comfortable but quickly remembered she was in the presence of a witch and to keep her wits about her just in case.
Crimson began to wriggle as her little hands still clung to the panthers tail
“Aww, how adorable! Can I see it?” Rissa said as Zinah pried Crimsons fingers from the cats tail and unwrapped her
“Oh gosh! Itʻs an Ifrit!” Rissa said shockingly “I havenʻt seen one of them for a very, very, very long time. Let alone a baby one! She certainly is a beautiful one and will be more so as she grows!!!”
“How did you come to have her? And sheʻs imprinted on you hasnʻt she?” Rissa asked as Zinah nodded yes
“I found her one evening” was all that Zinah offered
“Mmm. No parents? They usually never leave their offspring unattended unless….” Rissa looked at Zinah as she put her head down and nodded
“I believe her parents may have been killed. When I found her, her swaddle was soaked in blood” Zinah explained
“The only thing that can kill an Infrit is another Ifrit,” Rissa said matter of factly
“Anyway, why has Duskin sent you here?” Rissa asked
“Well, he said you could help me to hide the child” Zinah stated
“He did, did he? Did he also tell you, this task wonʻt come free?” Rissa said
“He did,” Zinah said
“And you are willing to pay whatever I ask,” Rissa said
“If it can keep Crimson safe? Then yes” Zinah said
“Crimson, you named the child. You know….when you name something, it becomes yours” Rissa
“I do, and I have accepted the responsibility of being her mother,” Zinah said
“And so young, very admirable. You have a great ally in this little bundle here. She will protect you always” Rissa said
“Ok, well letʻs get back to business shall we,” Rissa said and Zinah liked that Rissa was straightforward. Zinah was worried about having to decipher riddles as Duskin had mentioned
“We are going to need to hide this child in plain sight. In order for me to cast that spell, I will need a vial of blood from each of you” Rissa said and Zinah looked worried as she glanced at the child
“Zinah, you will need to collect the blood from Crimson. She will not allow anyone else to do it” Rissa said. Zinah was relieved that she assisted Duskin with such things
Rissa gave Zinah the tools she needed to fill the vial. She took her blood first making sure Crimson was up and watching her do it. Then Zinah carried Crimson for a bit as she sang her motherʻs melody. Showed Crimson the needle and vial and to her surprise Crimson allowed her to draw her blood. When the task was completed she handed the two vials to Rissa
“Can you tell me how this will work?” Zinah asked softly not wanting to offend Rissa with her concerns
“I will cast a spell while mixing both your blood together. You both shall drink it and be forever connected. Simple right? Crimson will take on human features to hide her identity. As she grows, her powers will come into itʻs own. Keep a close watch on her. She may not realize that her power is being displayed, you need to teach her to keep it hidden” Rissa tells Zinah
“But how will I know when she uses her powers?” Zinah asks
“Some powers will be obvious but others wonʻt. But youʻll know how to recognize them” Rissa stated
“How can that be?” Zinah asks confused
“Because in this spell, You Zinah will also become an Ifrit” Rissa stated with a sly smile as Zinahʻs eyeʻs widen
“Child, you both are sharing each otherʻs blood. What would you expect? Youʻll both take on the human features but possess Ifrit powers” Rissa continued
“You both will be able to shift but Crimson only when she turns 10,” Rissa said
“Shift?” Zinah asked. Irritated Rissa shifted into several different species, including an Ogre. But no matter the species, she was still beautiful in whatever skin she shifted into. Zinah was floored
“Can you show me what an adult Ifrit looks like?” Zinah asked excitedly
“You would wanna see that wouldnʻt you. But no. Iʻm not here to entertain you, child” Rissa cut in
“Well I guess it is a small price to pay to keep my baby safe” Zinah said as Rissa laughed
“Oh no child, thatʻs not the payment. Your payment is to get close to Queen Dessa. Gain her trust. Infiltrate her castle and all of her secrets and report your findings back to me as well as a little sumpʻin sumpʻin” Rissa said as Zinah was shocked at what she was hearing and wondered what the little sumpʻin was that Rissa was talking of
“Then what?” Zinah was afraid to ask
“Annihilation of course!” Rissa said slowly
“But why?” Zinah dared to ask
“That, child is none of your business. So what will it be, hide your child or be hunted?” Rissa asked
- Writer
