Spoiler Note: This story is based on the three manga volumes already out in Japan, so if you have only read the first volume in English there will be some spoilers. The events occur after Chapter 19.
Disclaimer: All characters, trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their respective author, trademark and copyright holders.
"Come on Ruth," called out Chise, "lets go." Grabbing a basket and her canteen, the pair was just about to head outdoors when Miss Silky held out a lunch bag. "Oh, thanks," smiled Chise as Ruth grabbed the bag in his mouth. "We'll be sure to pick a lot of mushrooms today!"
Elias watched from the living room window as the pair walked down the lane toward the forest. Suddenly, a broom in the corner fell over. 'Mmm…' thought the Mage, 'it appears a visitor is coming today.'
Both Chise and Ruth were enjoying the fresh spring morning. The pair turned off the lane and took a narrow footpath into the forest. Under the trees the air was cool and clean, dew clung to the ferns and grasses giving the forest a light shimmer in the morning sunshine. As they made their way through the trees towards a small verdant glade, Chise could hear someone singing: "Sing a song of sixpence, pocket full of rye, four and twenty black birds baked into a pie…"
As they walked into a clearing, kneeling in the middle of the long grasses and plants was a slim woman with long black hair and russet colored skin. The woman wore a red and white flannel button-up shirt, denim jeans, and a cowboy hat. Braided into her hair was a thin beaded rope with a couple of orange and yellow feathers. Seeing the pair, she stopped singing and stood up and waved.
"Good morning," said the woman in a friendly tone as she walked towards them. "My name is Maria Lozen." Chise could feel Ruth's wariness toward the stranger as his body became tense. Up close she noticed the woman appeared young and her almond shaped eyes were gold with some orange specks.
"Oh, uh, my name is Chise Hatori," said the young girl, surprised to see someone in this isolated glade.
"How do you do?" asked Maria. "It's a pleasure to meet the Thorn Mage's apprentice," then she winked at the large black dog, "and her familiar."
"Somehow it seems like the whole world knows about that," mumbled Chise.
Laughing Maria replied, "The magical community is small now a days so news travels quickly." When she smiled Chise saw she had a one-sided dimple and white, even teeth.
"Err, so you know Elias?" asked Chise slightly dazed at Maria's beautiful face.
"Yes, I consider him an old friend," replied Maria nodding her head. "I was on my way to his home when I got distracted by the purple thistle and mugwort in this glade." The woman opened her leather shoulder bag and revealed a variety of herbs and plants. "I'm a mage who specializes in healing and a lot of these plants don't grow where I'm from."
"Well, Elias should be home today if you're planning on visiting with him," replied Chise adjusting the basket on her arm. Ruth noticed the traveler's face softened when Chise said the word home.
"Are you gathering today?" asked Maria gesturing at the basket.
"Yes, I was going to pick some mushrooms," answered Chise.
"Ooh, wild mushrooms are just what I need!" exclaimed Maria cheerfully. "Do you mind if I come with you?"
"Not at all," said Chise. She could feel Ruth's exasperation at letting a stranger come with them into the woods.
'It'll be okay,' thought Chise, 'she seems nice enough.' Ruth just flicked his tail smartly in response.
"Great! You lead and I'll follow," said Maria happily.
As Chise lead the way further into the forest, Maria chatted congenially alongside her, "I heard on the wind that Elias gained a new apprentice. Which was a happy coincidence because I had been meaning to make the journey to England for a while now."
The trio began hiking up a gently sloped hill. "Where do you live?" asked Chise.
"I live in the American Southwest," answered Maria. "It's a Sonoran desert so not too many traditional herbs and medicinal plants grow there. Unlike England where everything is green and squashy."
"I don't think I've ever seen a desert," said Chise thoughtfully.
"Some people think it's barren and ugly but I love it," said Maria warmly. "I love the wide open land and beautiful blue skies. I love how the rocky landscape changes colors throughout the day. I even love the heat!"
The slope leveled off and the group walked into a little clearing that had tall grasses and some fallen logs. "This is usually where we gather morel mushrooms," said Chise gesturing around them.
"Hey, I found one!" said Maria reaching down for a yellow, honeycombed shaped mushroom. "How many do you need to gather?"
"Hmm…about twenty or so," replied Chise.
"Okay," said Maria putting the mushroom she found in Chise's basket, "I don't need that much, maybe about ten." Smiling she said, "Well, let's get to work!"
The two ladies set about looking for mushrooms. Ruth stood guard silently next to Chise, keeping an eye on the traveler. Maria seemed not to notice the familiar's watchful gaze and instead was absent-mindedly humming to herself as she searched through the grasses. Somehow the atmosphere felt calm and both the apprentice and her familiar began to slowly relax.
After a couple of hours Chise had filled her basket. She looked around and saw Maria sitting on a fallen log, basking in the sun. Ruth was also sitting nearby. Grabbing her basket she walked over.
"Hey," greeted Maria, "it looks like we picked what we needed." Nodding in agreement, Chise sat down next to her. "So how's your magical education going?"
Thinking for a moment Chise answered, "I think it's going okay. There's a lot to learn but right now I'm learning about medicines and basic enchantments."
"I see," said Maria. "And what of Elias, how're things going with him?"
"Um, we're doing okay," stuttered Chise slightly embarrassed. "We get along."
"So no big arguments or fights?" asked Maria with slight amusement. Chise shook her head. "That's good he can be pretty stubborn. You know I remember once, and I can't recall what started it, but Elias and I got into a huge argument that led into us shouting at each other. It ended when I accidentally set him on fire."
"I see," said Chise in surprise as she watched Maria laugh at the memory.
Suddenly, Maria's stomach growled. "Oh," she exclaimed putting hand over her abdomen, "Sorry about that! I didn't have breakfast this morning."
"Oh, well, would you like to share our lunch?" asked Chise reaching for the lunch bag Ruth brought over.
"Are you sure?" asked Maria.
"Yeah," answered Chise opening the bag, "the Silver Lady usually gives us large portions." She pulled out two Cornish pasties and handed Maria one.
"Thank you," said Maria with a smile, "I really appreciate this." Unwrapping the wax paper she took a bite. "Wow, Silky really knows how to bake a delicious beef pasty."
"You know Miss Silky, too?" asked Chise as she gave Ruth half her pasty.
Nodding Maria replied, "Yes, we share recipes and she let's me know how Elias is doing."
Chise thoughtfully nibbled on her food, "Can I ask how you met Elias?"
"Of course," said Maria, "it's kind of a long story is that alright? Chise nodded her head. "Well, it began when I fell into darkness."
Author's Note: I have been enjoying the manga so far, especially watching the relationship between Elias and Chise. Like the mangaka, I am also a huge fan of fairy tales and folklore. I hope to incorporate or refer to some American Indian stories in this tale.