《Thorned Moon》

Chapter 3: The Dance of the Moon and the White Goose

“A powerful woman seems to have lost all her magic.” This was the thought that lingered in Lady Amber’s mind, though she was too drunk to voice it clearly. Her magical prowess, once unmatched, now seemed fleeting and ungraspable, much like the ethereal nature of the goddess she followed. Yet, in the midst of her haze, a more pressing issue caught her attention—her familiar, the great white goose, had transformed from a revered creature to one of avoidance.

Every morning, villagers carrying water would find the plump, round body of the goose occupying the water channel. Its pristine, snow-white feathers shimmered with the morning dew, and its once peaceful demeanor had been replaced by an aggressive protectiveness. The moment anyone made a move, the goose puffed up its chest, flapped its wings, and rushed forward, pecking and biting, trying to turn heads into its nest. It had become a terror in the village, particularly for the house cats, who were often seen fleeing in panic as the goose pursued them.

Elowen, however, had found a peculiar peace with the creature. While the villagers shied away, Elowen found herself drawn closer. The great white goose, once feared, had become her companion, its gentle nature soothing her. She loved holding it close, its round body a comfort to her troubled heart. Whenever she felt down, she would pet the goose, feeling its soft feathers under her hands. Its calming presence was almost magical, and Elowen began to realize that the goose had more to offer than just protection—it was a balm for her soul.

“This is a gift from the goddess, isn't it?” Elowen said, placing fresh greens into a basket. The goose, for a moment, seemed to soften, its wings fluffed gently, looking almost docile despite its usual fierceness.

Amber, who had witnessed many magical creatures, stared in disbelief. She had never seen such a dramatic shift in the great white goose. The Moon Goddess was known for her volatility—her creatures were loyal but often carried the wrath of their goddess. Black cats, white deer, and now the goose—each symbolized different aspects of the Moon Goddess, but none of them had been as unpredictable as this goose.

Lady Amber’s mind wandered to the past, recalling the wrath of the Moon Goddess and her fierce protection over her domain. She wondered if this fierce behavior had been passed down to the goose, as if the goddess’s wrath had seeped into it. But still, Amber couldn’t help but feel that there was something more to this. “Wait, you named it ‘Wu Jing’?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Yes, doesn’t it fit?” Elowen replied with a faint smile, satisfied with her choice.

Amber’s lips curved into a small smile as she remembered the name. “Elowen and Wu Jing. It almost sounds like a dish—‘Elowen with Roasted Wu Jing White Goose.’ That will make the werewolves salivate.”

Unable to keep the conversation light, Amber grew serious. Her protective instincts kicked in, and she turned away, opening the window to clear the thick, oppressive air. It was then that Elowen began to work on a potion—the “Witch’s Fire,” a courage elixir capable of warding off evil spirits. Following the instructions from an ancient tome, she carefully blended the ingredients—dried sheep heart, scorpion venom, devil’s pepper—and stirred it clockwise. The spicy, pungent scent soon filled the room, and Amber’s stomach growled in response.

“Make it with your eyes closed, I’m sure,” Amber teased. “Though that smell doesn’t exactly help your case.”

Elowen wasn’t particularly interested in her potion's flavor, so she swiftly sealed the windows and doors to prevent any curious onlookers from sniffing the concoction. Amber’s response to the rich scent, however, was to grab the steaming bowl of soup and drink it down, clearly more focused on alleviating her hangover than on the magic itself.

The two witches settled into the moment, sharing the spicy lamb soup that Elowen had so carefully prepared. As Amber drank, she remarked, “Once the Blessing Ceremony is prepared, Perrin will be heading back to the Green River.” She paused, then burped softly before shrugging and taking another sip of soup.

Elowen, still unsure of her place in the grand scheme of things, recalled how she had spent several nights at the tavern with Amber and Perrin. It was in these moments of mundane tasks—closing the windows to avoid Amber catching a cold, sweeping the floors—that she felt a sense of belonging. Yet, she couldn’t deny that there was more for her beyond the walls of Miller's Valley. Her heart yearned for more—adventure, perhaps, or even a purpose.

“Are you preparing a farewell gift for Lady Perrin?” Amber asked, half-sober now. She squinted at Elowen, her sharp green eyes reflecting both amusement and something deeper.

Elowen’s excitement flickered at the prospect of leaving. She had never ventured beyond the valley, but the idea of traveling with Perrin filled her with an eager sense of possibility. “Yes, of course!” she exclaimed.

She hurried to pack a small leather bag with herbs and supplies, using the portable medical kit Amber had given her years ago as a gift. The kit was originally a damaged Eastern-style shrine that Amber had cleverly repurposed. Elowen had grown fond of it, despite it not being what she had originally wanted. It was one of the few things she had received from Amber that felt like a true gift.

Elowen clutched the great white goose close to her chest as she whispered softly, “But I need to wait until the Blessing Ceremony is over. I don’t want the Moon Goddess to think I’m running away. Perrin might have to carry me herself if that happens.”

Amber’s eyes narrowed, studying her young apprentice closely. She let out a long breath before responding, “If you want to leave, go with Perrin tomorrow night. I’ll handle things here. No one will know, not even the Moon Goddess.”

Elowen’s eyes widened at the unexpected offer. Before she could respond, Amber placed a hand on her aching head, clearly not in the best of condition after so much wine. She seemed to be bracing herself for something, but the moment passed quickly, and she turned to handle her headache as Elowen processed the gravity of what had just been said.

The goose, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, honked loudly and flapped its wings, drawing Elowen’s attention back to the present. It waddled back to Elowen, nipping at Amber’s hair playfully. The shift in its demeanor was undeniable. It had come to represent not just a companion but also a protector, a symbol of the goddess’s unpredictable wrath and grace.

Elowen’s heart swelled as she stroked the goose’s feathers. She whispered softly, “I’ll never betray the Moon Goddess.” The words were more of a reassurance to herself than to Amber. It was a promise—one she wasn’t sure she fully understood but knew deep within her that she had made.

The path ahead was uncertain, but Elowen was ready for it. Whether she was a fledgling witch or a chosen one of the goddess, she had taken her first steps into a world of magic, mystery, and the unknown.