Chapter 273: Ashlynn’s Return
Heila spent the next two days in deep study with Talauia and received a few lessons directly from Amahle as well. Both witches worked to build Heila’s understanding of natural forces. The little bit of knowledge that Heila had gained from Zedya about sorcery helped her to shape her will and at least complete the simple exercises that she’d been given, even if she wasn’t able to touch the energy of the earth to use true witchcraft.
"Now I understand why Madame Zedya spoke so highly of the lessons she received here," Heila said on the third evening since Ashlynn’s departure. "You both see the slightest mistake with incredible detail. I feel like I’ve made more progress in two days than I did in two weeks before coming here."
Zedya’s lessons had focused on practical activities where a little bit of sorcery could make up for things they lacked on the journey. Using a bit of energy to draw water out of clothing they washed but didn’t have time to hang to dry, or creating a breeze to keep insects away while they rode through the night were practical lessons that gave her ways to practice using her energy without straining herself or risking the sorcery raging out of control.
The lessons she received in the Briar, however, were much more in tune with harnessing natural energies to do specific things. The formal incantations made it easier to focus her will and achieve greater effects.
Today, she’d stimulated the growth of several vegetables that now sat on a chopping board in front of her, ready to form the base of a salad weeks before they would have ripened naturally. The process had been a little draining, but Talauia assured her that once she was able to harness the power of nature, she would be able to use the energy of any weeds growing in the garden to fuel the growth of the plants she wanted to cultivate while removing the ones who intruded where they didn’t belong.
"It ain’t so exaggerated as that, sugar," Amahle said as she puttered around the hearth with two of her four spider-like limbs helping her tend to different pots. The rich and savory aromas of seared catfish rubbed in a complex blend of spices mingled with the soft, almost grassy scent of an herbaceous rice dish to create a tantalizing scent that left both Heila and Talauia eager for their evening meal.
For someone as sensitive as Amahle, with her webs extending to every corner of the Briar, it was impossible to miss the moment that Ashlynn’s trial had ended. As soon as she realized that her little sister would be returning, she planned one of her best fish dishes to welcome Ashlynn home. If she had timed things right...
Suddenly, the two witches in the room paused in their work, turning to look at the front door. This close, even though Jacques kept his presence restrained, it was impossible for a witch to miss the ripple of energy that flowed through the air carrying an evergreen scent that belonged uniquely to Ashlynn.
"Right on time, on time," the Thistle Witch said, rubbing her hands together while her wings fluttered behind her, humming with excitement.
"Lady Ashlynn is back?" Heila said, standing up eagerly from the salad she was assembling.