The train pulled in at the harbour , from here there was no track going their way, so they stepped onto the beach and started to walk. Not for long of course, after 5 minutes on the beach Mary took off, Rowe smiled and let her.

Since dad had passed it had become a rare sight to see her acting like a bairn, and Rowe had no desire to stop her. She was already growing up too fast as it was. So she enjoyed the sight of her sister playing, racing the waves, and hopping along the rocks. Of course every once in awhile she had to be called back from the cliffs, they were an almost irresistible climb for any bairn. But they weren’t exactly stable. The eroded earth had given way multiple times in recent years. Off in the distance they could see the next town over, and the Dene just before it.

Soon enough they turned off at some carved stone steps, they had seen better days but the alternative was miles and miles of roads if they’d gone the land route.

By this point even Mary was slowing down and it took a lot to tire her out, but the witches cottage was up ahead. Surrounded by honeysuckle looking out to sea, she really had picked the perfect spot.

Rowe knocked and was eventually greeted by a kind looking woman in a long dress. She had dark wavy hair and kind eyes, hardly what most people think of when they hear the word witch. If it wasn’t for the brownie sat in the corner practically glowering at the intrusion Rowe would have sworn she had come to the wrong place.

The brownie bounded over and sniffed curiously at Rowanne, long ears pricked while Mary stood gaping at the strange sight.

“hmmm it seems ye really dea have business here after all. Best ye come in, I’ll get the kettle on.” The newcomer ,who could only be the witch eyed her halfway between amused and curious,

“it’s not often I get guests after mair than a poultice, so haway in, and if ye have any iron on ye I’d thank ye to leave it out there, I’ll na have it stinkin the place up.”

With that she lead the way into the living room, around the walls were stacks of books. More than Rowe and Mary had even seen at school. She stepped out returning with some tea. Then made a gesture to the brownie who clambered up onto an empty shelf out of the way where it could keep an eye on things.

“now let’s mek this easy, may I ask why I’m suddenly being visited by yan with the blood of the Gentlefolk? Apart from Scamp ower there that is.

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“would ye mind closin the curtains miss? I mean nea trouble, but I canna show ye the cause of mi problems reet near a window like that, nea offense meant miss, but I knaa how villages work, ye fart at one and and some bugger at the other end hauds their nose.

That elicited a chuckle as the witch rose and closed the curtains, “fair enough lass, now none of this miss nonsense, mi names Sophia, if ye want any others I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint ye. Now suppose ye tell ous what this is all about?”

Rowe slipped into the passage and returned with her tail exposed.

“curious, now may I ask why ye did that?”

“ah could dea that , it would be nice ta knaa where the thing came from for a start, I did na have yan at all last week, also I would appreciate learning what on earth this “awakening” the voice spoke of is”.

That made Sophia sit up and pay attention. “where did ye hear those words, na usually ones a mortal or halfblood learns.”

It took quite a while to tell the tale from start to finish, Sophia winced when she talked about Cutty. “alreet lass did that thing injure ye anywhere?”

“aye he left a few scratches on mi back, divvent worry though, I got iodine on em as soon as I got hyem.”

“That will na dea the job here, give ous 5 minutes alreet?” Sophia left for the kitchen, after a few minutes the brownie grew restless, and crept closer to Rowe, examining the….or should she say her tail for a moment, before giving it a curious tug.

“SCAMP I divvent care how big ye are , try that again ye’ll gan ower mi knee, ye knaa better than to insult guests”. Properly chastised the brownie clambered back to his perch with a snicker, it was always a mystery to him how Sophia knew when he was acting up. But she always did.

After ten minutes or so Sophia returned with a small bottle. “ Sea water and lavender brew, it’ll sting a bit when ye apply it, but it’ll keep the taint of that damned creature from turning ye into something nasty. Now let’s get back to the story.”

With a gulp Rowe told the rest of her story interrupted only once more when Sophia gave a snicker. ” Should have guessed they would interfere, never could stand tainted beings harming mortals, and afore ye ask na I canna tell ye what he is, too many names and nea bugger alive knaas who they truly are.

As for your little problem there? Fairy market in 3 days At the aud village just near Barnard castle. Divvent give neabody your name, accept nea gifts, and offer none. Tek a sprig of rosemary , and some coin. But divvent expect everything there can be bought that way, and dea na haggle, trying to get a cheaper price than they offer will na work out in your favour, the price ye get that way will be yan ye can never pay. Also divvent eat food there.”

“thanks for the advice” Rowe said, getting more nervous by the minute.

“divvent thank ous yet lass, mi help does na come free and the tincture certainly does na. Now let’s discuss business. I want ye to collect summat for ous from the market, a bottle. it can be collected from Sikes just tell him I sent ye, he’s a redcap, ye canna miss him, runs about riding a big aud dog. dea that and we’re square.

Divvent worry about bringing it here though Scamp will show up at your place to collect, I divvent trust the little oik at the market. That said I’ll even hoy in some advice.

“I can na tell ye for sure what ya are, ower many of the sidhe tek human form, and ye wouldna believe how little a tail narrows it doon. I wea have a few theories though.

Ye want answers, look under the groond, gan to the places man forgot and ye’ll find the truth. But tread careful lass. Just because ye have mixed blood doesna mek ye safe.

They talked for awhile longer, with Mary of course becoming friends with the mischief maker of the household, and seeming eager for the little Brownies visit. But soon enough the day started drawing in and they were quickly shown out before it became too dangerous for the pair to travel home safely.