Memories of the Deep

The West.

Just as her mother had said, the two were ready to teleport the entire house to the west... and Mara could already listen people talkin about how Duke Arman had been ordered to return to the capital. However that wasn't the end of it, a scandal broke out about him having affairs with two married noble ladies, causing his family to lose all of their honor, the name Arman was now mocked and looked down by everyone.

But this wasn't enough for Mara, she needed them to dissappear for good. So, she kept playing the innocent little girl, talking to herself and thus letting Valerie in to some of her "thoughts". The spy knew that Mara was too powerfull even though she was only a child... and having such a powerfull witch on your side was an advantage that few could resist.

Eventually, her plan, brought to her front door the first son of Duke Arman, Cail... and Mara couldn't help but feel entertained as he pretended to be a kind, considerate man. He was sixteen but his speech and mannerisms were similar to that of an adult. Upon seeing Mara he gave her the most warm, gentle and fake smile he could master. Mara, hid behind her mother "scared" of the stranger, her mother though seemed unfazed, like seeing this boy was more of an extra chore, rather than the visit of a welcomed guest.

"I heard my father and little brother were too pushy with both of you... I sincerely ask for your forgiveness... I can't understand why they were like that."

"Do not act like a good person in front of a witch, boy. It won't end well for you."

Cail's eyes widen as he looked at them. However, his shock turned to the most sickening expression of worry.

"Miss... I don't understand what you mean by that."

Mara knew what her mother meant, as a witch that was mostly connected to the earth, she could see the energy a person exceeded, Mara couldn't do it because she was closer to the sea... meaning that there had to be something similar for her. 

"Let me make one thing clear, lying to an earth witch, is pointless. The energy that comes of you is filled with malice, greed and cruelty. Your father and younger brother had the same energy... it might as well be called toxic."

Cail's facade dropped immediately after that, his eyes turning sharp and his expression twisted, a hellish grin on his face, it made even Mara anxious. THAT was the real Cail, the one that took years for Mara to see.

"It seems there are a lot of things that your kind can do that we are not aware of. Interesting... it makes wonder about the little one here."

At that Mara looked at her mother and decided to step out and make her mother proud.

"I'm not scared of a bad person like you! I'll fight you if I must!"

"Aww, isn't that adorable... I would rather have her as a sibling rather than simpleton brat." He said and Mara huffed.

"I wouldn't want a big brother like you!"

Mara's mother sighed and looked at the boy annoyed, this was getting out of hand and it had to stop, the house of Arman wanted trouble and she wanted the exact opposite, that much was clear.

"What is the purpose of you coming here? The scandal regarding your family isn't related to witches, nor do I plan to get myself and my daughter involved."

"I had forseen that much, my lady. What I want is actually quite simple. I want you to help get a potion to make someone fall for me. Naturally, I'll pay you for it."

"Hopefully you've found another witch to achieve that goal of yours. Creating such a potion demands a special permission not only from the elements but also from elder witches, unless you have an elder witch to back you up, you might as well give up."

Mara smilled at that, when she first became an elder witch, around the age of a hundrend, thousands of young witches came to her, asking for her to back them in the creation of love potions and the use of much more dangerous aspects of their elements.

"I am well aware, as I am also aware that you know not one but three elder witches. So, I believe you can achieve what I ask of you."

"No!" Mara said angrily causing both to look at her suprised.

"Mara?"

"You're a bad person! Making someone fall in love with you by force! You're a coward!!!"

Cail's expression didn't really change, his smile however became larger, making him look like some sort of demon, his eyes held unbelievable anger that was still concealed by amusement...but Mara knew all too well what he was feeling.

Cail always had a superiority complex, when he was younger, he tried to become a wizard but no element ever connected with him. Later on he tried to become an expert with the sword but after an accident caused by his own arrogance, he wouldn't be able to use a sword again. 

Now, he could only hope for a good marriage... but after what just happened, no matter how charming he was, no young lady of noble birth would look at him. And his superiority complex would probably be quite dangerous at this point. 

In the past, gaining immortality made his complex just as dangerous as he viewed everyone as things he could use and manipulate to his wish... and that's how he originally made everyone hate Mara. Later on there were many more who made that hatred more dangerous.

"Little girl, you really should be more carefull with words. They might get you into trouble in the future."

"But in the present, the one that might get into trouble, is you. Now leave." Mara's mother said harsly, making Cail frown a bit.

"I'll come by tomorrow, I won't give up that easily."

Mara giggled at that and looked at her mother who also smiled at that. They waited for Cail to get out before they casted the teleportation spell,  the house was engulfed in a brownish light as a weaker, blue light appeared here and there and then as both lights exploded, the house was gone. 

Upon completing the spell, both heard the sound of waves, walking outside the house, Mara walked outside with her mother, her eyes wide with excitement. It had been so long since the last time she was this close to the vast sea, the tones of blue and green changing under the light of the sun, the unique scent of the sea in the air made her relax, a sigh of relief escaping her lips as she finally felt safe and relaxed.

"It seems your element has the same affect on you as you have on it."

Mara turned to her mother and smiled. This was to be expected, the ocean always remembered, even as the centuries went by, it would always be there, it's depth's hiding secrets that humanity would have to work hard if they were ever to uncover them.

"I didn't know I can affect the ocean."

"The element that has bonded with a witch sees her as a part of it's own existence. Your happiness will be reflected on the sea, your sorrow too."

"Really?"

Mara's mother nodded, Mara smiled and turned to the ocean, this time neither the sea, nor she would be taken for granted, no one would toy with them.  This time, she would prove that she was as strong and free as the sea and just as dangerous. 

On that note, she had to continue her training, now she had to focus only on that, the next big event would appear once she was thirteen, meaning she had to be twice as good as she used to be. She had the knowledge, she had the power... so now she had to cultivate it.

"Mom, can we start my training? I feel like I can do anything with the sea so close to me."

"If that's what you want. But you have to work hard on your control, at some point, I won't be able to do much since our elements are different, okay?"

"Don't worry mom! I'll do my best!!! I promise you!"

And after that, Mara and her mother went back inside to work on their skills. Mara had left the South and that meant that for now, the people that were after them for now, would have to think of a new way to approach.

That would give her more than enough time to prepare, her schemes were still a bit shabby, which wasn't good. Her opponents were cunning and powerfull, meaning she'd have to think of every possible outcome.

But for now, she'd train with her mother as much as possible and bond with the sea like she used to all those painfull, years ago.