Ginelle was eager to learn from Margorie and listened carefully as she watched the witch make the second meal of the day. She and even felt that her mother would have been proud to have someone like her mentor the young girl after fleeing the city as abruptly as she did. While the chaos magic was vastly different from what she was used to, Ginelle expressed a desire to practice her original trait she was working on with her mother in the city, as it would be easier for her to use both to her advantage. When asked why she was doing that by Margorie, Ginelle has replied by saying she thought the rules didn’t count anymore as chaos witches. Margorie loved her response and patted her on the head as she walked by.
“You are correct, dear.” She said, “Rules are what got us into this mess and on the run from the authorities, so you do what you can to survive. If you want to learn every magic there is, I will not discourage it.”
“I think I’ll stick with these two,” Ginelle said, “I want to use the water magic as a cover so I can hide my true strengths from people that I don’t trust.”
“That is very wise,” Margorie said, as she agreed with her idea. “Other witches are to be feared if they knew the truth, almost as bad as the kingdom and their fear of our powers.”
“I understand,” Ginelle said, also thinking it was a good plan.
“Very good,” Margorie said, “Now get into the dining room and start setting the tables for lunch. I’ll be here in the kitchen.”
“I’ve never set the table before,” Ginelle informed her.
“That’s alright,” the older lady called out from the kitchen, “Richard will show you how to do it.”
“Who is Richard?” Ginelle asked.
“I am,” a voice called out, “Welcome to the dining room.”
Ginelle looked around to see where the voice was coming from, but she couldn’t see anyone else in the room. It was if she were speaking with a ghost, something Ginelle didn’t believe in until that very moment when she started to hear voices in the dining room.
“Who said that?” Ginelle called out.
“Down here, little one.” The voice called out.
Ginelle looked and there was a small white mouse standing on his hind legs and looking back up at her.
“I’m Richard,” The mouse said to her, “Pleasure to meet you.”
“Margorie!” Ginelle called out, “How is this mouse talking to me?”
“Oh dear,” Margorie said as she strolled into the dining room, “Witches have the ability to communicate with animals, but not many of them actual do it. Those ignorant city witches act as if speaking to creatures is taboo or something. You can hear Richard because I’ve got charms all around the building to make it easier for any witch to hear them, which prevents some awful creatures from sneaking up on me like bears or snakes.”
“I can see how that might be helpful,” Ginelle conceded.
“But the more you speak with animals, the more natural the ability will become to you.” Margorie explained, “Soon you’ll be able to hear them wherever you go after speaking to Richard here long enough. He’s been helping out for several years, so he knows his way around. Show her how the set the tables, Richard. I’ll toss in some extra snacks for your efforts.”
“Thank you, my dear.” Richard said, taking a bow. “Come along, little one. We have tables to set.”
“I have a name, Richard.” Ginelle said, with her arms crossed. “I am Ginelle, and I don’t respond to any other calling.”
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ginelle,” Richard replied, “But if we’re going to be chummy; you may call me Dickie rather than Richard.”
“Very well, Dickie.” Ginelle said, “Let’s start setting some tables.”
The mouse was indeed very helpful that afternoon, as he showed her where to find everything as well as the proper settings for the tables for when the men returned from working out in the forests. While they were setting the tables, Dickie was able to give Ginelle some background to how long the lumberjacks had been in the area, and even how long Margorie had been working for Harrison and his men. Turns out Harrison according to Dickie was the man in charge, the foreman as you would say. Yet for some reason, he always acted like Margorie was in charge and let her make all the decisions about what happened at camp while he took charge while the men were out and doing their work. Dickie believed that Harrison found his work easier to do if he left the witch in charge of what happened at camp. Delegating the matter made him and his crew better at chopping those trees down.
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“That is rather fascinating,” Ginelle noted, “I realize why Margorie isn’t in the cities, and that’s to her credit considering what’s going on there now.”
“I’m sorry to hear about your mother,” Dickie said, trying to be sympathetic. “I can assure you, both Margorie and Harrison will never allow anything to happen to you. They are a loyal bunch around here. Almost like a family if you ask me.”
“That’s good to hear,” Ginelle said, sighing in relief. “I was afraid that I’d be running for a while. It does feel good to be somewhere and not have to look over my shoulder for who might be coming after me.”
“If you help Margorie take good care of this men,” Dickie added, “They will take good care of you. Many of them treat Margorie like the mum they never had and wouldn’t respond kindly if those royal people came for her. Imagine having hundreds of men welding axes angry at you.”
“That is a good point,” Ginelle agreed. “Let’s get back to work.”
Ginelle spent the majority of the day, setting tables, serving the food, and then cleaning the tables while Margorie and her projections did most of the work in the kitchen. The older witch however loved having the extra hands around, like Harrison had predicted, and was even enjoying the new company despite how young she was. When the day was over, Margorie led her to a small room that was located at the back of her house. The room which was stuff full of supplies had been cleaned out by some of her projections during the day, and a small cot and desk was placed in there. There was a small window at the back of the room, but it was too high for Ginelle to look out of. She looked around the room and then back at the old witch.
“This is wonderful,” She said with a smile, “Thank you.”
“It is I who should be thankful,” Margorie said, “It was nice to have someone around that wasn’t a projection or an animal. Keep working as well as you did today, and we’ll look into expanding this room and sprucing it up a bit. For now, though, this should work.”
“It’s fine, and greatly appreciated.” Ginelle insisted, “It is a lot better than the tree I was sleeping in last night, I can assure you.”
“You are safe here, Ginelle.” Margorie reminded her, “You have nothing to fear while myself and Harrison still breathe.”
“Thank you,” Ginelle said, “It’s been a while since I’ve felt this safe. Even with my mother in the city, we were afraid of people who harassed us, called us names and even tossed things at us. It was pretty bad long before the law came after us. For some reason witches were never well liked as far as I can remember.”
“It wasn’t always that way,” Margorie replied, “But the church has been able to promote their dislike for witches and women who do anything they don’t approve of since a sympathetic royal ascended to the throne. That’s why I left the city, I didn’t feel like fighting them and my own witches at the same time.”
“So how did you get here?” Ginelle asked.
“Very similar to how you did, actually.” Margorie answered. “I was traveling to another town and our wagon broke down and so we stopped her for the night. I met Harrison and actually helped cook supper that night. The men had enjoyed the food so much, Harrison offered me a job almost immediately. He knows I’m a witch, and what I do in here. He’s okay with it, and knows I even use it to his advantage.”
“How so?” Ginelle asked.
“I use witchcraft to make some meals extra energizing.” Margorie said, “I’ll teach you how to make normal food as refreshing as a healing potion. The only meal I do this for is lunch. In the morning, the men are naturally energized and good to go. I give them a boost after they work hard in the morning, and that boosts production until supper. I leave supper alone as well because the men need to settle down so they can have a proper rest. Magic can’t be overused, but it used the right way it can be very helpful.”
“My mum used to say that too,” Ginelle said, “You can’t live off magic, you have to use the natural ways, or you could become addicted to things that are not good if used too much.”
“She’s right,” Margorie confirmed, “You need to take your natural rest, and it cannot be substituted by anything we can make. Interfere with that process can affect the mind and cause people to go crazy. That’s why I only fix things up with their lunches, so they are not given too much and are still more productive in the afternoon.”
“That’s quite interesting,” Ginelle said, “I look forward to learning that.”
“Not tonight,” Margorie said, gesturing to the young girl’s new room. “Right now, it’s time for you to get your natural rest. Tomorrow is your first full day as my assistant and pupil, and I can assure you that you will be very busy. Get as much rest as you can, little one. You’re going to need it.”
“I will,” Ginelle said, as she leaned over and gave Margorie a big hug. “Thank you for this opportunity. I won’t let you down!”
“I appreciate your enthusiasm,” Margorie noted, “That will help you get through what isn’t going to be an easy process.”
“I shall try my best,” Ginelle said, “Good night.”
Margorie watched as Ginelle walked into her room and closed the door. She good a deep breath and started to walk to her own room. Halfway to her own quarters, Richard was standing by the door with his arms folded.
“Are you sure this is a wise idea?” the mouse asked her.
“Of course not,” Margorie said, “But I’m no spring chicken, and Harrison seemed to really like her. She might make a very good replacement should I happen to abruptly leave this mortal world.”
“That’s true,” Richard conceded, “But what if the royal guards come looking for her.”
“I’ll burn that bridge when I get to it,” Margorie said, “That’s something we might not have to worry about for a while. The cities are keeping their hands full for the time being.”
“That won’t last forever,” Richard retorted.
“I know that,” Margorie said, “I’ll think of something. You’ll be the first to hear it when I do.”
“Fair enough,” Richard said, “Good night.”
The mouse scattered off, and Margorie took another deep breath. She knew he was right, and her time was limited with Harrison and the men too. The last thing she wanted was for her boys to clash with armed soldiers. She would need to come up with a plan sooner rather than later. Her and Ginelle needed it just in case the King and his men came for them both.