Confidence and Control

Chapter 25: Walking is Good for the Soul

With Mildred up and mostly out of bed but still not fully physically back to full capacity, Hecate had loaded on the work and banned her from even thinking about transferring until she said so. Mildred didn't mind too much though, as much of the textbooks handed to her were to do with the theoretical side of transferring, teaching her the constraints but also the possibilities of her new power. It made getting through her potions and spell's coursework harder though, knowing she had more interesting reading sitting there under her papers, but Hecate had been meticulously checking that all work was completed and Mildred felt a strong desire to please her.

Hecate seemed in good spirits and had even allowed Maud and Enid to bring up sandwiches so that the girls could catch up on the events with the masikim (Enid had said 'cool' about one hundred times), before she had ushered them out with folded arm after a couple of hours.

Hecate had then transferred them both to her office as she gave Mildred a textbook containing door-unlocking spells, making her stand at the end of her desk and recite the different words of the spells and the types of doors they would work on until she could no longer stand it. She had glared and pouted as the potions' mistress sat down in her chair watching the girl earnestly, muttered that she was missing valuable time catching up with her friends, complained of tiredness, even of having homework to complete, but Hecate simply snorted at the last comment and did not relent until she had felt clear Mildred had indeed mastered the spells.

xxx

"Grab your coat," Hecate suddenly appeared early a couple of mornings later, which was to be her last day off to recover. Mildred eyed her wonderingly for a moment, hesitating about leaving the comfort and warmth of her bed in a draughty room.

Hecate sighed impatiently, turned over her hand, forcing the cover to fly off the girl. Another flick caused the mattress to tumble to girl onto the floor. Mildred glared at her with all the force she could muster as she sat shivering from the cold flagstones.

With a sadistic grin on her face, Hecate moved her hand over the girl's head, causing a warm sensation which pulled at Mildred's hair into a far-too-neat side plait and changed her pyjamas into a warm jumper and her favourite jeans, her boots as tightly laced as possible.

"Could you teach me that?" Mildred raised her brow at the transformation.

"No," Hecate replied simply.

"Why not? I'd never be late again!"

"I have no doubt Mildred that you would indeed still manage to be late, seeing it as an extra opportunity to remain in bed for longer," Hecate replied dryly.

Hecate then turned to leave with the incredible confidence of someone whose orders were always followed. Mildred sighed before grabbing her coat.

"Where are we going?" she questioned, almost skidding on the staircase to keep up with the woman's brisk pace as she tried her best to ruffle out some strands of the tight plait.

"Out," she said simply, enjoying the exasperated look Mildred gave her at her ambiguous answer.

"Helpful," the teenager quipped.

They reached the arched doorway that led the castle into the grounds. Hecate used the biggest key from the chain at her belt to open the door, stepping aside to let Mildred out. She began walking, her feet crunching on the icy ground as she did. Mildred hastened her pace rather bemused.

They walked silently but companionly, the winter's morning sun hitting their pale faces as cold air tickled any exposed skin. Reaching the end of the school fields, they continued on the path through the heavily wooded trees, oaks jutting out limbs like arthritic fingers and dappled light poking through the undressed canopy in a multitude of colours.

Hecate slowed for a moment when they reached a clearing of some kind, her face softened by the natural lighting but eyes rather imploring as she turned to the girl next to her.

"Mildred.. I do just want to say how proud I have been. The way you have handled yourself, how diligent you have been with your studies and how you have actually listened to me about gaining your strength back before transferring again."

She continued, "It can be very easy, once one learns to transfer, to transfer everywhere and to forget about the beauty of being in places like this."

"You're concerned I'm going to transfer everywhere?" Mildred raised an eyebrow.

"Forever a concerned form-mistress," Hecate raised a sardonic eyebrow. "I am aware that transferring will seem thrilling for a while... I am aware that you will no doubt be getting up to mischief as soon as you feel my back is turned. I have worked you hard the last few days, some; yourself included, might say that I have worked you too hard and I know you are rightly wanting to test out the freedom and limits of your new skill, but I wouldn't want you missing out on some of the things life has to offer, obtained by simply walking."

"So you're saying to sneak out after lights-out the old-fashioned way?" Mildred grinned cheekily.

"Amusing," Hecate shot her a look that should have, but didn't, stifle her giggles.

"Can I try now?" Mildred queried.

"Yes," Hecate murmured simply with a curt nod of her head.

"Really?" Mildred's eyes widened, she hadn't expected that.

"They say no time like the present," Hecate replied with a smirk. "and it is clear you are back to full physical capacity. To that tree over there, straight back though - you're not cutting the walk short."

Mildred let out her held breath, closing her eyes she felt the magic rush through every pore in her body, memory in her muscles practically fizzing, a jolting sensation hitting her as she landed with a clumsy thud near the tall silverbirch that Hecate had gestured to. She cheered and whooped, punching the air with happiness. Repeating the process, she felt her leg give way as she collapsed into her teacher, Hecate using sturdy arms to hold the girl up before placing her right. Mildred looked up grinning sheepishly and apologetically.

"Inelegant as always," Hecate rolled her eyes. "But bravo."