The Sorceress and the Tapestry

Chapter Two-1

Chapter TwoThey traveled along the road with the vast expanse of fields. Amethyst noticed a few farmers working on the grounds and stopped skiing, for she did not want them to recognize it was her, so they walked the rest of the way. While they traveled on foot, Lilith played her flute, a few birds and lizards came twirling and spinning behind them.

Amethyst turned to see the creatures dancing. “Lilith, stop playing. Someone might see them dancing.”

Lilith rolled her eyes but did as she was asked. They journeyed for most of the day until Amethyst became hungry and told Lilith they should eat. She pulled her bag in front of her, and searched for food, but saw that she had only brought extra clothing.

Amethyst made an unhappy face and sighed. “Oh no, I forgot to bring food.”

“How can you forget about it?” Lilith shook her head. “This isn’t your first time running away, you know.”

“Yeah, I know, but I thought you were going to take us there and be back.” Amethyst kicked the dirt. “I should’ve gone to the kitchen and taken a few pieces of bread and cheese.”

“Well, no use going back and wasting time. Look around from something to eat.”

“What about you? Aren’t you hungry too?”

“Nope. So, go on,” she waved her hand. “I’ll wait for you here.”

While Amethyst scavenged the area, Lilith leaned against a tree and played her flute. An elderly woman appeared down the road, and Lilith looked at her and sensed something wrong. She lowered the instrument and studied the woman’s skin, which was an odd complexion. It was not a natural old, but magical. She called to Amethyst and pointed to the woman.

“Hey, there’s an old lady. She looks strange.”

“Strange? What do you mean?”

Amethyst came back to where she stood and peered at the woman in the far distance. The woman’s hair was white and flowed to the ground, dragging behind her. The dress she wore was made of old rags stitched together by rusty pins. They stood there waiting, and when the woman reached them, she grinned. Her teeth were white and appeared healthy. Amethyst thought it was weird, so she heated her hand and was about to fire when Lilith grabbed her arm.

“Hey, I thought you were trying to hide? Why risk it?” she whispered.

“If she’s dangerous, then I’ve got to test her,” Amethyst said without looking away from the old woman.

“If you say so.”

Amethyst lifted her hand and shot at the ground near the old woman’s feet. She did not react to it as she stood there grinning.

“Who are you? Are you following us?” Amethyst cried out.

“I’m just heading the same direction as you two. Sorry if it seems like I’m following you.”

“You’re right,” Lilith whispered. “she might be tricking us. That shot would’ve scared anyone, but she’s just grinning.”

“Are you a spy of Lord Dragon or Eris?” Amethyst called out.

The old woman just smirked and started to move closer. Amethyst shot another fireball, and the woman stopped.

“Hey, are you hard of hearing, lady?” Lilith asked, “She asked you—”

“I heard her, and I know you two are heading east. I need to go there as well, and I might be able to help you both.”

“Amethyst, I don’t trust her.” Lilith leaned close to her. Her eyes moved, examining the woman from head to toe. “There’s something wrong with her and—”

“If this woman’s going to help us, why not let her?”

Lilith was surprised by Amethyst’s statement and tilted her head. “Are you that crazy, or do you just like getting into trouble?”

Amethyst did not answer the question as she studied the old woman then noticed her pulling out a walking stick from behind. It was bandaged in the middle and had a small green gem on the top. One of her hands was wrapped in bandages, which were soaked with dry blood. “Did you cut yourself?”

The old woman glanced at her hand and nodded. “Yes.”

“How?”

The old woman shrugged, then tapped the stick on the ground and coughed.

“Let’s just go.” Lilith turned around. “We shouldn’t waste our time with her.”

“What’s your name, and why didn’t you react to my fire?” Amethyst persisted.

“My name is Priscilla, and I know you are the little princess of magic.”

“How did you—”

“That name doesn’t suit you; also, that white hair looks fake,” Lilith replied with caution. “You should’ve used something else.”

“Thank you, my dear. That is so kind of you.”

“That wasn’t a compliment. You, wacky old woman. Come, Red. Maybe she’ll tire out and stop following us.”

They continued onward as the old woman asked them why they were heading east. Lilith said nothing to her, but Amethyst had no problem making conversation. She told her why they were going there, and the woman was moved by her story.

“You are such a good daughter. Going to a strange new land and not knowing what you might find over there. So, who is this person you are seeking?”

“A Sorceress.” Amethyst looked at her.

“Oh my, you are a very courageous child.”

Lilith rolled her eyes as she walked farther ahead.

“I am amazed someone like you would go see someone like her. Most would not dare ask for aid from a Sorceress.”

Amethyst rubbed her chin. “Why not? Is she an evil person?”

“No, not this one, but most Sorceresses are not friendly. If they see you are up to something, they’ll cause harm to you—and everyone around you.”

“And how would you know this?” Lilith shouted without looking behind.

“I have been to many places.” Priscilla glanced at the fields.

“Yeah, sure.” She stopped and turned around. “I met the—I mean I was with one. She was nice to me.”

“You mean Eris?” Amethyst asked. “But she tricked us and—”

“Yeah, I know, but she was a good person.” Lilith gazed at the mountains. “She took care of me, gave me a place to stay, taught me a few tricks, and other useful spells.”

The old woman stared at Lilith as Amethyst realized that Lilith was upset.

“Are you homesick?”

“What? Of course not.” Her voice shrieked as she stared at Amethyst. “I’ve got a new home, and I like being around you and Goldie. It’s kind of nice to have friends who are the same age as me.”

“I see that you have changed.” Priscilla passed them.

Lilith shook her head and walked faster to pass the woman, and Amethyst smiled as she chased after them.

“So, what boat are you two going to use to head east?”

“That’s none of your business, nosy old hag,” Lilith whispered.

“You shouldn’t be so mean to her,” Amethyst scolded.

“Sorry, Mom.” She marched ahead with her arms over her head.

“I’m sorry about my friend. She acts this way when she doesn’t like someone.” Amethyst sighed.

“It is fine. The child must have a hard life.”

“I didn’t have a hard life. My parents didn’t—” Lilith grinned at the old woman. “Oh, I see what you want me to do, but I’m on to you. I’m not going to say a word about my life past. I’m not those types of chumps who blah to a stranger about their hardships and all that.”

“Such a silly child.” Priscilla shook her head then looked at Amethyst with a smile. “It is good you don’t act like her.”

“Well, Mama taught me to respect those who are older than me,” Amethyst replied.

“Then your mother is worth the risk to save.”

They walked until sunset and stopped to sleep for the night. Amethyst built a small fire while Lilith found some food for them to eat. They sat around their tiny camp, and the Priscilla told them about her life. Lilith was bored out of her mind as the old woman repeated the same thing over and over, so she got up and went to explore the area.

After she had hiked for a bit, she spotted a fire up ahead. She transformed into a fox and went to see what or who it was. Voices could be heard in the distance, so Lilith dove under a bush and peeked through its branches. Several men were seated by the fire, with two small rabbits being cooked over it. Lilith recognized them to be part of Lord Dragon’s band of men. She looked behind her to see if Amethyst was following her. There is was no sign of her, so Lilith transformed back and walked to them. The men drew their swords, ready to attack when one of them ordered the others to lay down their weapons.

“What are you doing here?” Lilith asked the men in their native tongue. “I thought you left with Dragon.”

“We stayed behind to make sure nothing happened to you.” One of the men said. He was short, and his face covered in dirt. His head was shaved and had a small beard that looked more like whiskers. “And to make sure Eris did not follow them. And what about you, Biyu? What are you doing here?”

“It’s Lilith.” She frowned and crossed her arms. Some of the men laughed at the name, and Lilith snorted steam from her nostrils. “What’s so funny?”

One of the men slapped his wooden leg then sat down. His head was sheltered by a dirty rag, and his round face also covered with dirt. “That name is not of our kind, but of theirs.”

“Yeah, well, guess what? I’m here, and I need to blend in with everyone.” Lilith wiggled her finger at the man. “Using a fake name is better and doesn’t make me look suspicious.”

“Still, you should not forget who you are.” Another man said. He was lean, and his armor covered his small frame. “You should not behave like the people of this land, as you are not one of them.”

“Yeah, I’ll make sure to tell my mom when I see her.” Lilith shook her head and examined each of the men. “So, you all here to judge me or what?”

“Lady Biyu, we’re only resting for the night then leaving in the morning. There is nothing for you to fear from us.” A man spoke in the far corner. A straw hat covered his head and face.

“Don’t call me, Lady.” She gripped her hand. “Anyway, I’m heading east with Amethyst as she was told by Dragon to go find the Sorceress.”

She looked at some of the men who began to eat the pieces of the rabbit with rice. The smell of it reminded her of home, and she was about to ask for some when she heard Amethyst shouting for her.

“I’ve got to go. Don’t you follow us.” She stomped her foot.

“We won’t. We were instructed that Hui-Ying would take you home.” The man with the straw hat said.

“Great.” Lilith lowered her hat over her eyes and shook her head. “Is anyone else going to meet us at the docks?”

“No, the others are waiting at home for your return.”

Lilith sighed and turned. “Oh, by the way, the old hag, is she who I think she is?”

The men glanced at each other than at her without saying a word. Lilith gazed at their face and understood, as she shook her head and sighed again.

She went back to the camp and sat to listen to the old woman’s dull stories. Amethyst had fallen asleep, and Priscilla gently lay her down.

As they went to sleep, Lilith heard a voice in her head speaking to her.

“Where did you go?”

“Be quiet.” Lilith thought. Then she opened her eyes and stared at a tree.

“Did you find them cooking their meal?”

“Shut up, or I’m going to—”

“If you were going to tell her anything, you would have said it. Why are you protecting her? She has the right to know.”

Lilith sat up and stared at the Priscilla, who was smiling. Lilith frowned as the woman nodded then winked at her.

“Just shut up and let me sleep,” Lilith growled, then lay back down and closed her eyes. “Plus, mom said not to say anything to her.”

The next day, they were up early and headed to the port. Lilith told Amethyst to use her ice powers, but Amethyst insisted on not leaving the old woman behind.

“Come on,” Lilith complained as she kicked the rocks in front of her. “If you want to return home, we’ve got to go there faster.”

“I know,” Amethyst turned her head and looked at Priscilla, who had a smile on her face, and her eyes closed, “but we can’t just leave her on her own.”

“You worry too much about other’s well-being.” Lilith kicked more stones.

Amethyst laughed and kissed Lilith on the cheek then ran ahead, giggling as Lilith shouted and chased after her. It took them about half a day to reach the edge of a mountain. The afternoon sun beamed its warm colors over it as they climbed over. When they reached the top, Amethyst glanced down below to see the anchorage. The seaport was vast and had several cranes to lift the cargo. Many shops ran down from the entrance all the way to the pier. Around the bay was a large wall with guard towers and cannons aimed out to the sea. In the middle was a clock tower made of metal and stone. A grand lighthouse overlooked the town from high above the cliffs. Amethyst was amazed at the sight, for it was the first time she had ever seen the port. It was a busy day, and many ships unloaded their cargo of fish and other items while others prepared to leave.