“Impossible.”

This was the only thing Esadora could think or say. No, it couldn't be right. She should not be able to have a child. Not here, not now. She had taken so many steps to prevent it. It's true recently she had given herself a little youth, but it was more so that she would be in appropriate physical form for her station. She was after all a matron of the Grand Coven. No small feat. She had made many enemies to get to her position. And her enemies would no doubt use this most recent event against her.

“I can't possibly have a child.”

She rolled bones, then again and again.  Not only this, the signs were there. The subtle changes in her body that any ordinary woman might miss, she caught immediately. She had been alive long enough to learn complicated magics and swaying powerful spirits, the very instant an egg became fertilized she simply knew. At the moment she looked pale and not just because she was the matron of death. Her lips were naturally a darker color, the pigment in her hair was long gone. Her face had some signs of youth, but tired gray colored eyes could tell even a mortal that she was an ancient being. She had lived over a couple hundred years. Her figure wasn't a voluptuous one and she would worry most by how thin she was. Her fingers were long and skin stretched across the bone. There were many unhealthy signs of  about her, to the point where she wouldn't be the first choice of many men to bed. Not that they'd have a choice if she wanted one. She could have her pick of the prisoners of the Grand Coven. Few would stop her and even fewer could. The father was sacrificed as part of a ritual to increase her power. Or rather keep it as strong as it was. The power of a matron required constant maintenance and she kept herself young. The reason she stayed young was for strength and magic was taxing on the body.

“The potion!”

Esadora's near dying white hair looked as if it might fall off with how fast she turned her head to her coffer. She observed the remnants of the potion she took. She inspected it carefully. Gave it a smell then began casting an incantation on it. Muttering silent words and dripping a piece of it onto a freshly lit candle. The candle lit blue as the small drop on her finger touched the fire. Her eyes widened and teeth grit. That potion was not the one she made. No. It was far more cleverly made. By someone with extensive knowledge of science and alchemy. Further someone with magic enough to fool her. This was beyond human merchants that might visit the outskirts of the Brushbog. No, the materials were selected when they were brought to her. She made the potion herself. This potion was not the result. Someone switched it out. An enemy? One of the other matrons?

She gripped a set of teeth and bones with strange markings. She lost no time in tossing them into a ritual bowl that looked like it normally used for mixing. It was time to consult the spirits.

“Am I currently carrying a child?”

The bones rolled very high. It was certain.

“Was my potion tampered with without my knowledge?”

The bones rolled very high. There was no doubt.

“Will I survive should the matrons learn of this?”

The bones rolled low. A chance, but the odds were not in her favor. She considered the rules of what questions she could ask before continuing. There were laws of magic few could comment upon when consulting spirits about current events or the future. She simply could not ask who did it. But there were other things she could ask.

“If I kill the child, will I be found out and punished?”

The bones rolled very very high. Fated should she take that route. The witch paced in thought and considered her options. She did not have much room in her cluttered little home below a tree. The limit was 10 years. She could ask that.

“If I leave this place... will I survive over 10 years?”

The bones rolled high. Very likely.

“Will the child survive over 10 years if I leave this place?”

The bones rolled high again. Just as likely.

“Will the child live if I stay.”

Bones rolled very high. Near certain.

“Will I live if I stay and offer the child to Hayketay.”

The bones rolled low, but bordering the middle. It was uncertain, but unlikely.

The situation was grim. A child, which for most women would be both natural and a good omen, was instead to her the mark of death. The other matrons would no doubt use that child against her. They could use the child's blood in rituals to impact Esadora. They could threaten the child. Esadora was strong, but she couldn't protect it from all of them. Which one was it? Who was it that sabotaged her potion that prevented a birth. In fact if she was looking at the potion right, it made her more fertile, not less. Perhaps she should have kept an older body like Maud? No. She needed every bit of strength she could manage. A younger body healed faster and had more stamina. She needed it. There were few witches that could sneak into her home. Even fewer that could make her drink a potion that was wrong. Even if she wasn't paying a great deal of attention she still should have noticed. It gave all the signs of being made by her hands, but the ingredients were wrong. Who was it?!

While unlikely, there was the Witch of Void, Malumbra could easily have done such a feat.  Her body was covered in portals to another world that served as a substitute for clothes. She could create tears in reality itself and call otherworldly beings to consume all that faced her.  Her magic bypassed most wards and physical barriers. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she could kill all of the matrons easily. She was the Grand Matron for a reason and many considered her magic heresy.  Even among the corrupters and dark rituals, Void magic was of particular note. It could damage reality itself if used incorrectly and bring otherworldly threats that could cost far more than the user could imagine. Even by using the magic Malumbra risked madness.  But her power was enough where she could have easily have swapped out the potion. The only issue was she had nothing to gain and if she wanted to influence Esadora she need only force her to grovel. Malumbra was not to sort to involve herself in the games of other matrons.  She kept the peace and served the goddess directly. Any who opposed the goddess would soon find Malumbra ready and able to crush them. Why would she have made Esadora pregnant? She simply wouldn't. Even if she could.

The first and most likely was the Witch of Thorns. A matron who wore a barbed mask which stabbed deep into her own face. She was a master of binding magic and sewing beasts together. She controlled many powerful monsters or mortals she had bred to use magic. There were many who were impaled by spikes that could shoot out of earth or tree, hardened and petrified to match most metal. There was no doubt she had many servants and with her skill in binding magic, she could make even Esadora's allies possibly turn against her. The Witch of Thorns was her greatest rival. Currently below the Grand Matron with Esadora. They had constant cold wars with one another vying for information and power. But the Witch of Thorns was always watched. There were many spirits that should have warned her if the Witch of Thorns tried something like that. Even with minions or using who Esadora trusted there wasn't many ways she could do so.  But it was possible she could... and she migth be willing.

Further the witch of Thorns had little reason. If it came down to it if Esadora had a child this would lead to a battle with the witch of thorns. Esadora would almost certainly her her mightiest death curse on the Witch of Thorns should she fall. The fight between the two would have no real winner even if the Witch of Thorns managed to fell her using cunning. Esadora knew her enemies well enough to know that they'd fear crossing her in this blatant manner. Even using her own child against her would cost them greatly and they'd know that. Still, it was possible the Witch of Thorns had some unknown method or perhaps had some other plan.

Next there was Tabitha. A Matron who baked goods for the vast quantities of prisoners and the many thralls of the Grand Coven. She was constantly cooking in an apron overweight and with a traditional outfit one might expect a housewife in a cabin to wear. Humming and pouring baked goods into a cattle trough for the humans to eat out of. The baked goods were often laced with chemicals and magics that made them obedient and docile. She had made many allies, in fact she was the most connected of the witches who held power in allies more than combat ability. The sheer number of her servants would make her a difficult opponent and the number of allies would make it possible for someone under her service to tamper with the finesse necessary.  She could have done it. But there was little reason.

But even Tabitha would not be so foolish as to cross Esadora. No, she might have done so if she were assisting the Witch of Thorns, but it made little sense. Esadora might be manipulated by a child, she might even die because of it. But Tabitha knew well enough that Esadora would bring death to her and her allies before it came to that. What's more Esadora would become enraged and unpredictable. Tabitha might have done it to get an alliance with someone greater, but ultimately she would be loser in any real battle and she was wise enough to know this. Tabitha would never do something so blatant.  Especially fearing the death curse of Esadora. No no, it wouldn't be her unless something greatly changed.

Finally there was the possibility of allies.  There was Maud and there was Elizabette, both members of Esadora's triad.  No other under her command could have done this. In fact Elizabette was a brute, while physically powerful and durable.  Using her power would cause her to grow in size and muscle. Hunters and witchblades would not face her directly and bands of mortals would be fools to make the attempt.  What Elizabette lacked in greater witchcraft she made up for in simple blunt methods. By devouring flesh she could temporarily gain strength and size until she was beyond any mortal opponent.  Hunchbacked and with mishapen arms that were too large to be proportional. Her face was warped and old. She had many warts and little in the way of hair. While she may have access, Esadora felt safe to assume Elizabette would not betray her... at least not willingly.

Maud was very much the opposite of Elizabette.  Maud was an expert of hypnosis, often defeating opponents before battles even began.  She looked as an old woman, and she was. Her forehead drooped down and covered a portion of her eyes if she bowed her head.  Often pretending to be weak, when she was powerful enough to a matron under most other circumstances. Maud kept a single eye of glass hidden under hair which her enemies would only see by the time it was too late.  Her movements and words could put many sensible sorts into a trance often while pretending to grovel. Her usefulness was undeniable, but she would not fare well against a powerful witch. Which is why Esadora was a member of her triad.  They had been old friends, but even Esadora knew to always suspect all possibilities or assume the worst. Her hypnosis far exceeded the strength of all known witches save perhaps the goddess of witches. But all lived under her protection in the Grand Coven.  None could expect to match a goddess in any contest of witchcraft. She could have done it, but didn't have an obvious reason.

Esadora chose first to deal with Maud.  She was close and if she managed to clear Maud's name she would have a worthy ally in her search.  The one who made her have a child would need to be found and punished. That is if it became clear who did such a ruinous thing to the Matron of Death.

Esadora stepped through the brushbog and there were all manner of swamp creatures that skittered about.  Ancient trees that bent and curved full of moss and disease. The water was polluted with a green unnatural color.  Even in a swamp it could not possibly become the way it was by normal means. Witches hurried about, there must have been hundreds of them in the main clearing.  Which was not surprising considering the size of the Grand Coven. They were expected to have a thousand strong in a dozen years or so. The younger witches kept their heads low and their spirits humble.  Quick to move out of the way of the Matron of Death. Esadora did not need to make any threatening gesture, in fact she appeared little other than pleasant to all who she passed by. She greeted them and their pets.  Making her way through the muddy ground and dirtying the black tattered robes that near served as a dress. It was her fancy to pretend to be as a grandmother looking after grandchildren.

She came upon Maud's tree.  It was small. But not many could manage the acquisition of space that Esadora had.  It was crowded with the numbers they had. What's more there were changelings, thralls and witchspawn.  It was certainly a problem. So much of one they resorted to setting up tradeways with mortals. They needed the food and supplies so badly they were willing to trade with mortals.  How foolish and how unlike a Coven. But it was the will of the goddess and there was little to be done of it. And it was necessary now. With numbers of that size the bog simply could not sustain the numbers.  Which Esadora might be able to assist with if her plan went well.

Maud knew who entered, since few could pass her wards so easily.  Maud was busy working on hypnotizing a particular thrall that kept snapping out of other witches control.  She intended to modify his memory a bit to make him more docile. "Greeting matron. I will be done with my task in a moment."

She cut bits of his hair and spoke the true name of the victim.  Pricking his arm and drawing a drop of blood. She whispered words and the hair burned.  She then looked him over with a glass eye, "Whom do you serve?"

The man who once had gritted teeth and strugged hard against his binds quietly relented, "The Coven... I serve the Grand Coven."

Maud had done her work.  "Good. Now you will serve and obey.  You will report to kitchen where you will work.  Go now."

Esadora waited for him to leave and Maud read the moment well enough to strengthen the wards.  "We have privacy."

Esadora began, "Someone has swapped out one of my potions..."

Maud considered the situation a bit.  At first she was confused, until the realization of the question who could have done such a thing.  She did not know which potion, but she could very easily clear her name. "My matron. I make this vow under threat of losing my power.  I did not tamper with the potion you speak of, nor have any part of in the plot. I neither willingly nor unwillingly betrayed you. Nor do I know who did."

Esadora muttered words of magic.  The vow was good. And she didn't suspect Maud to begin with.  The vow was powerful magic. In general any bargain made with a witch had magical bindings to it.  Which is why witches were careful not to bargain with one another. They did not often lie, but they often deceived.  In this case Maud made it ironclad. It was certain she did not do this. And now they could begin to act.

Esadora could speak freely now, "It was a potion which prevented birth.  I have tested the bones many times. I am pregnant. The potion which was to prevent birth instead increased fertility."

Maud's face scrunched, "Clever!  Too clever for Elizabette and none in our charge would do such a thing.  This could only be the witch of thorns. Having a child... here? You will die.  Your enemies will use it. But I will die before you. They will remove your servants.  Even if I servive the child cannot be protected. Should you kill the child? Hayketay will know.  Malumbra will be upon you. The Grand Matron would not let magical blood like that go to waste, Hayketay will demand the child for her own.  Without a doubt the child will born with power. She will be a target long before she can defend herself . Nor can you hide the child. Nor your pregnancy.... It will kill you.."

Esadora considered this of course, but had some small element of a solution.  "I could... leave the grand coven."

Maud did not think they would allow it, "Only with permission.  As inconvenient as it is for me, I too would go. I would die here.  Even if I joined another matron they would think me a spy and end me.  If you ran away you would be found and you would die."

Esadora had a different idea, "I plan to ask to create a coven.  One that serves the Grand Coven, but is elsewhere. Somewhere hidden.  Somewhere far."

Maud considered, but did not know what their response would be.  "Malumbra would have to approve. But... it is possible. It would lessen the crowds somewhat.  Even if only a little. If you were away... yes you could survive. As could I. I would prefer to remain in the bog, but there seems to be little alternative."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Esadora beckoned Maud walk with her.  None would hear with Maud at her side.  "I believe this is the goal of whoever swapped out my potion."

Maud considered, "Simply removing you?... That is possible.  But you would remain a threat wherever you go. Your enemies should want more than simply a displacement.  Without you here the witch of thorns will be the most powerful matron. Yes... many would join you in your journey.  They would certainly let us take changelings or thralls for less mouths to feed. The younger witches of course who volunteer.  The young witches are plentiful, many would come."

Indeed they would.  Esadora still had to deal with the issue of speaking to the Grand Matron.  Malumbra was powerful, but she was also unpredictable. If she suspected treachery it would be the end of Esadora.  And Esadora did not intend to remain completely faithful. Just mostly. With luck the goddess would allow her to leave.  But no doubt they'd expect something in return for allowing her this.

As they walked none could hear. Maud continued to talk aloud. Although none seemed to hear them thanks to the magic.

“This is most likely a power play, something to get you to go along with another objective.  Or perhaps there is a party of which we know nothing. It is best to assume the worst and imagine this is the work of the witch of thorns.  She is the matron that would be the most troublesome.”

Esadora considered simply ending the life of the child in some way they might not see, but it was impossible.  Even unborn the witch goddess would know of any witch dying. Born or not, the goddess protected all witches and in exchange she took power when they passed.  In theory Esadora was supposed to present her child before the goddess and the grand matron. Once presented the child would be ritualistically bound to the goddess and all at once protected.  Should any kill her before she came of age? Esadora need only watch them die by the hand of Malumbra or other matrons. Hayketay had become a goddess using this system, controlling powerful witches and binding all witches to her coven: the Grand Coven.

Esadora was the Matron of Death.  She knew the risks of creating a new coven in time she could be a traitor. In fact she was one of the first Matrons they’d send to kill a traitor.  With undead and ghosts she’d hunt them down. With bones and magical rot she’d kill them and consume their power as their soul attempted to flee to their grimoires.  Esadora could offer witches true death. Many could hide their souls in books or artifacts and in theory come back to the world of the living. But Esadora was an expert on spiritual magic and the draining of souls.  She could take bites out of any soul that dared try to escape her wrath and consume vast power if not the entire soul. Their spirits would be added to her own and slowly merged until her very inward being was an amalgamation.

But even as an amalgamation, even as leaving the Grand Coven might later become an accusation of treachery. Even if Hayketay betrayed her she looked at the bog. The grand coven was getting crowded.  Something no witch would want. They were even resorting to trade with mortals in order to get supplies enough. The bog grew more and more, but it could not sustain the numbers. With all the thralls, witchspawn and witches themselves there was always demand for food and flesh.  This was no place for her, no place for her coming daughter.

Maud knew that Hayketay was a treacherous thing. As the goddess of witches would be.

“You will most likely die.  Perhaps you will make it past the Grand Matron.  Perhaps you will even find a place the goddess cannot see you.  Perhaps you will make wards and defenses that would protect you from the many eyes of the coven.  Perhaps even you will gain a following of witches. But you will eventually die for this. Hayketay will find you sooner or later no matter where you hide.  That is if mortals or the witchblades do not kill you first. They are crafty and are a threat even to the mightiest.”

Esadora knew of course.  She was well versed in what risks there were.  But she simply could not allow the goddess to have her child, to have her.  She would rather rule for a few short years and die than an eternity of servitude.  This place was to her something warped. It was something that went against all nature of witchcraft.  Witches were meant to hide, to form small groups and to use cleverness or spellcraft to stay hidden. Witches were meant to fight mortals and the witchblades that came for them.  Spread out across the world where it would be impossible to find them all. Here and now? There were so many witches that most major cities knew of the, even if they did not fully grasp their numbers.

“I will go.  I will have to.  I will find some place for us to hide.  Some place none would think to look. Distance is a powerful defense. “

Maud agreed of course.  It was the very simplest and true tactics that works in near all situations.  Put enough distance between you and what hunts you and they will never attack. Maud turned the subject to the present.

“Whoever did the simple act of allowing you to have a child, must have deep understanding of the implications.  They must have considered you leaving, not only this they must have considered that I too would leave. Effectively removing us as rivals or threats… Considering the situation they may even have prepared a trap for those who try to flee.  Although whoever arranged to have a trap made would reveal them. Whoever is prepared is the guilty party. Should you fall in your attempt to travel, it would cost them far more than simply letting you go. I doubt even the witch of thorns would face you directly.  Your death curse would be significant. It would ruin her and she knows it. My own death curse would be no simple hex. I would cause them great suffering and misery.”

Should a witch die, they could as their last works do one last spell.  Every witch could do mild hexes, but death curses were so powerful they could never be removed.  It was commonplace for experienced mortals to kill witches before they got a chance to speak, for if they did it could very well lead to their ruin, even if they were victorious.  Witches typically could expect a death curse if they killed another witch, so it was not likely they would do so lightly. Even if you used another to kill or an agent to kill them, so long as they spoke the words and directed at the one who had a part to play in their death the death curse would be in effect.  The witch of thorns had many agents, but she would be the one to receive the death curse from Maud or Esadora. Only Malumbra or Hayketay could really be expected to kill without expecting a death curse. Even so, witches still did kill one another.

Esadora had considered it might be a witch who simply wanted to leave the coven as the one who switched out the potion, but none came to mind.  The simplest solution was often the correct one. It was a power play.

It was touching a way that Maud would come with her. Maud was already in a bad position.  Maud did not want to be branded a traitor and die. Maud was the type that would do what was logical and did not mind living in the bog.  She had plenty of thralls to use and she would doubtless have to start from scratch. She was taking the situation well, but the irritation was difficult to miss.

“We can find a way to leave.  See what witches would form a colony.  Let us see if I can obtain the blessing of the grand coven before we depart.  They would likely allow us a small number of witches who are crowded in the bog, they would have use for an outpost.  The grand coven would grant us safe passage should we simple pledge to never attack the goddess.”

Maud was pleased with this idea.  It held risk, but there was merit to it.  Should they create a new coven with the blessing of the goddess, they need not fight their way out.   They need only travel. Esadora was strong enough to rule a small coven, she had proven that much. But few dare approach Malumbra.  Should she suspect treachery and she often did. Malumbra would simply kill all who dare to defy the goddess. Esadora intended to get permission from Malumbra.

“Remember… if you make a bargain with her…”

Esadora already knew the risks of course.  But she didn’t see a better option.

“Yes, I cannot break any bargain made with Malumbra.  But I have power enough where it would a deal would not be impossible. If I promise never to attack the grand coven, I cannot. Even if they attack me.”

Maud need not remind her who she was up against.  She could only wait as Esadora continued up the hill to speak to the Grand Matron.  Only matrons were allowed audience with her. Or at least a matron needed to have a reason to bring an extra. Currently there was no such reason.  Esadora would have to bargain with Malumbra alone.

Approaching Malumbra was often perilous in of itself for several reasons.  First she was a witch of notable power which of course was the first of many reasons why most avoided her.  The second reason was that she had full authority by the goddess to kill as she saw fit, even matrons. The third reason which mortals might have difficulty understanding was the type of magic she used was heretical.  The way the mortals saw it, all witch magic was often heretical. They were right to think so, it often involved human sacrifice, corrupted nature or even summoned beings to the realm that had no place. They could call back spirits or undead like Esadora.  They could hypnotize important figures or their children across vast distances like Maud. They could enslave populaces like Tabitha or they could warp beasts into one another creating chimera’s of rabid beasts like the witch of thorns.

But Malumbra was heretical even among witches.  Her power extended from the realm beyond and threatened reality itself.  She summoned outsiders and those were beings that simply should not be. She could create portals or tears in reality itself to call beings or teleport herself.  Weapons could go through her or she could send parts of them off to the void. She could summon tendrils with mouths that devoured all, friend or foe. The creatures could not be bargained or reasoned with.  Malumbra may have served the witch goddess, but it was doubtless she had other masters. Masters who sought to turn the world into a monument of nonexistence. They did not ashen fields, death or pollution. They wanted a complete emptiness. Witches were attuned enough to feel Malumbra’s masters and their desire to end all things.  Her rifts damaged magic itself and disrupted the flow of subtle energies throughout the world. Her magic could bypass most defenses, because most defenses applied to this world. Most wards stopped magic or trespassers from the realm, not the void.

As Esadora approached dressed as a reaper of death's might, tattered black cloak and head bowed hiding the pale and boney face.  She already knew she was before Malumbra before even seeing her. Malumbra had jet black hair and smooth olive tanned skin. She might have been considered beautiful once as she had an attractive shape of her and signs of health.  She wasn’t particularly tall, nor did she seem imposing based on build. She wore no clothes though one might have trouble actually seeing most of her skin. Void patches danced around her body covering her with a second skin. A skin that was indeed a part of her and was very much a portal to another world.  The void patches danced around her face moving as they pleased in a slow manner. If one attempted to touch the dark blotches of portal on her body it might very well try to pull you in. Or if one attempted to cut her, the void splotches also functioned as armor. Covering most of her body with an otherworldly portal that could send most blades into the unknown or simply pop out the other side of her harmlessly.  It covered her well enough where it might as well be clothes.

Esadora could at least somewhat relate to the void witch.  As the matron of death she herself had an unpopular choice of magic.  Generally taboo around most magical circles and few mortals would accept it. But it was far from the same and it was far from something Esadora could accept.  Malumbra was a heretic and without the goddess the other witches would have long ago slain her. Still, she was doubtless powerful. Few could face her.

“I come seeking audience.  It is time to discuss the Grand Coven and how our land is being worn and stretched thin.  We must discuss food and we must discuss expansion.”

Malumbra stood in the darkness seemingly speaking to nothing and no one.  Her head turned revealing that half her face was lost to the void.

“These are things worth discussing, Matron of Death.  You are not one who complains idly without offering solution.  Speak.”

Esadora began with her head tilting up now.  “I offer myself as volunteer for a colony of the Grand coven. I propose to move some witches to another place.  One which could be expanded upon if the time is right.”

Malumbra did not seem to consider, “The goddess has spoken to me.  She would allow such a colony. As a matron you have strength enough to protect a small coven.  Who would you take?”

This was going surprisingly well.  Just like that? They’d accept? No, something was amiss.  Even so she was not going to question the providence.

“I would take Maud as an aid.  As well as Elizabette from my Triad.  She hungers often and there is not flesh enough here.  She often complains about the space and the clearings not enough to move about.”

Malumbra did not need to think on it, her answer was immediate and clear.

“This we will allow.  The goddess has spoken to me.  It is time for another Coven to be formed.  She has said that the witch of death would be allowed to create a coven.  That or the witch of thorns. You may take a small number of witches with you, the purpose is to grow.  To take refuge near a location where new witches can be taught. To a place where babies can be taken or humans may breed more thralls.  This I have no doubt you can do.”

Esadora was glad it was going to be so simple.  Of course she could. It seemed that the Grand Matron had already noticed it was overcrowded.  That it was an issue that could be easily solved. The more restless witches could be moved. Even 10 or so would ease a lot of pressure. Every witch had thralls and witchspawn.  There were changelings or other minions every witch had in their possession. While it might seem like the brushbog was endless, it would take time to mastering trade with the nearby smugglers and another coven was ultimately a boon upon the Grand Coven. That was of course so long as Esadora remained obedient.

Malumbra no doubt had some conditions.  Esadora was most certainly willing to make the first and most obvious requirements.

“I and the strongest of the witches can make a pledge never to oppose the grand coven, to grow and to teach our ways to the young.”

Malumbra did not smile nor make any noticeable change of expression, “Such a pledge will be made.  So long as you agree never to oppose us and that you agree that when you die your power will eventually go to the goddess, she will allow it.  Are you willing to offer it?”

Of course she was.  She could prevent death itself and was ageless.  If she was dead she’d have little care where her power went.  And to never oppose the grand coven, this was fine. She intended to hide from them.  Which no doubt they expected, but it mattered not. They would benefit long term and the goddess was patient after millennia of witchcraft.  Even so this was something Esadora could accept. The main issue was staying hidden and finding a new place to live. Further there was little doubt the witchblades could strike.

 “We would be willing to make such a pledge. I make it on my behalf.”

This was better than she expected, arguing with Malumbra would be impossible.  The only means would have been to somehow convince her that this was what the goddess would want.  This would require convincing the goddess, which would require offering the goddess something she’d want.  Esadora had cleared the main obstacle, but then a thought occurred: had she?

There was the witch of thorns and Esadora considered the situation once again.  This was an easy way to remove Esadora and eventually it was the means to kill Esadora.  There was no doubt other matrons might send traitors or spies along with her, she expected as much.  But what if this was the goal? What if this was the surest and simple way to remove her. What did she need to be removed for?  She supposed it would soon be none of her concern, but suspected it more as a means to remove a powerful matron from the chain of command by having her be elsewhere.  Perhaps one of the remaining matrons agreed to it together? Had they expected her to leave? Or were they hoping for her to grovel and offer her child before the goddess?  No matter. She would begin the preparations. She had her pick of the changelings. She found a smarter one that served the goddess many years to take charge of the other changelings.  Jink she believed his name was. Although all changelings could take whatever form they chose.

“A new coven is to be formed, by permission of the goddess. Make ready for a journey.  It will be long and require many days of rest. Travel with necessities, but little else.  Greatly limit the artifacts the witches wish to bring. Make clear that much will be left behind should a witch choose to join a new coven.  Know that there will be many dangers and we will travel by no path. We shall travel as witches, through wood and the night sky.”

Jink obeyed, ordering a number of changelings to begin making ready.  They were creatures used by witches often as trickery was a common theme in witchcraft.  With the help of enslaved changelings it was possible to replace humans or elves that were kidnapped by witches.  They would hunt populations little by little until about a fourth of a town’s population was taken. Then witches often went to other towns using the same tactic.  Whenever ordered the changelings could disappear in numbers enough to cause town guard to look for them. Whatever adventurer, mercenary group or town militia it was easy to set up an ambush.  Changelings could even replace entire towns and the witches would force humans to breed. Those who showed magical potential were often bred with others with magical potential. The witches would take that child and make her a witch. Rituals were often done to exhaust the parents magically so they would have powerful children.  Often the parents were made useless after 1 or two births, thus the need would come where they would be made to meat to feed the witches. So long as none knew the witches existed, the witches could thrive.

But should the mortals learn of them?  Well, that spelled doom to all witches.  They needed to wander and grow strong. Remain secret and silent.  Using changelings was only a part of the strategy. The most important part was using caution and not getting overly ambitious.  A patient witch could feed on the dead after they were buried. A patient witch could slowly bargain with leaders or important figures to become pawns.  A patient witch would move before vast forces attacked. Esadora was patient and she knew the threats mortals posed. Should the witchblades come, they would doubtless call skilled hunters to command large groups of humans.  While unskilled soldiers were no great threat, a witchblade leading them would turn the ignorant masses into worthy threats.

Witchblades had a great deal of knowledge of demons, spells and cultists.  Witches were no exception and they often had many weapons that would give pause to even the mightiest of witches.  But a matron was more than a match for any witchblade, even groups of them.

The true strength of the witchblades was their own patience and discipline. They remained unseen until they struck and they’d strike hard.  Using cowardly tactics to fell much more powerful witches. They were a force to be reckoned with when they were cowards. Witches understood.  Every witch and every hag was had to be cowardly. Even Esadora who was relatively powerful had to grovel and hide from other more powerful witches in her youth.  She had not yet forgotten how frightened the younger witches could be. Still she had little choice but to be the voice of confidence and absolute power. She was a matron of a coven now.  She could not have them doubt her strength. But at the same time she had to hide it.

Her opponents were mortals, witchblades and most of all her own coven.  There was much to attend to. But Maud would prove invaluable in the journey.  As the leader of a Coven there would be no witches in her company with the strength to harm her child.  Within the walls of her own Coven none would dare challenge her. However that did not mean the child was without peril. There were many things Esadora would have to teach the child.  Also she feared the young one would be so powerful she would lack the usual cleverness needed to survive and become a matron. She would teach her such thing with a harsh hand. She smiled at the thought of being cruel to her child.  Forcing the little one to grovel and give her opponents more difficult than she should be expected to face. The little one would be taught magic and the ways of the matron. Of course she didn’t expect her child to use the very same magic as herself. All witches had a magic all their own that needed to be mastered and controlled.  It couldn’t be expected to use the same sort of spells in entirety.

The journey she planned would be far, far enough where she could lose contact with the grand coven and wards would keep their location hidden even from the eyes of the coven.  They would doubtless see that as treachery, but in the end Hayketay did not mind. The witch goddess cared little so long as she gained Esadora’s power in the end. To that end she would simply say that she made wards strong enough that spies within the Grand Coven could not find them. The strong wards would even keep her rivals from keeping tabs on her. It would be complete isolation.

Esadora looked over the coven carefully.  Mostly younger witches who had too few artifacts of value to travel with them and not strong enough to want to stay.  They were tired of groveling; many had made enemies or simply wanted out of the bog. The potter could not ask for better clay, she would mold them. They needed to fear her and they needed to obey.  Many were young and likely wanted children of their own one day. Yes, it would be easy to control them. For now she needed them to suspect little. She looked to Maud and gave a sweet smile hiding malice.   Maud already knew what she wanted. Maud would play the part of the devil. While Esadora would play the part of an angel.

“You have been chosen to be a part of the new coven. But do not think this changes the way of the coven.  You are young and weak, you have little use to us. You are unrefined and untested, you will be thrown into the fire and made tools for the Matron of Death.  It is important to understand that you are still nothing. It is also important to understand that your foolish thoughts are not your own. Yes, children I see through your minds.  I see many things. I can tell by your faces, eyes and even the beat of your heart that you plan treachery. You plan on running away. Foolish, you will die should you run. Such thoughts must be punished!  It is time for a demonstration!”

Maud made strange movements before all before her began falling under a hypnotic trance.  Too young and too foolish to know to avoid it. The older witches that stood with the matron already knew what was about to happen.  Maud had them under hypnosis and they all began to cry out in pain as the old woman made a strange dance of gestures and chants.

Maud hurt them for what must have been a dozen seconds before at last Esadora stepped out to Maud.  Maud ceased causing pain. Pain so severe they shook even though it ended. “My dearest friend is right about many things.  But please. Such thoughts are only natural for a witch. I have grown to expect them. In my name you are pardoned of such thoughts.  I will only cause you pain based on your actions and plans. I will not hurt you for thoughts. Do not do so again Maud.”

“As you wish my Matron.”

The sigh of relief from the little ones made the situation clear.  They were not to disobey and there would be no issue torturing them.  Disobedience would not be tolerated.

“As you wish my matron.” Some repeated.

“I will be protecting you from all threats, be it the witchblades or other enemies.  Should you have concerns you will speak to me. I will deal with all threats of mortals, you need only learn and obey, you will become strong with time.  You will be able to create your own home and have students of your own away from the bog. There will be more opportunity for food and learning magics in privacy.  I believe there is much you can gain. But you must obey or you will die.”

All repeated, “As you wish my matron.”

Good, they were learning to respond with speed.