Chapter Three

The day passed by slowly as I walked, carrying Sarah in my arms. She insisted upon walking a few times but gave up when I refused her requests. I did not know if we were being followed, I had to keep moving. The more distance I put between us and whoever else, the better. In sleep last night, I dreamt of a village I heard a taller image tell me about. Trusting my dreams that this was the image of my late mother, I followed my instincts. Slowly I tried to retrace the route I had taken as a younger girl, and successfully found my way.

"Where are we going?" said Sarah once we had stopped to take a break.

She leaned against a tree in the middle of the greenest forest I have ever seen. If only I knew the names of such trees or the names of this wood, it would make finding this village so much easier. I snapped back to my senses when I saw Sarah shift from one foot to another, growing impatient.

"We are getting as far away from the people who are trying to change me and possibly take you." I said quietly.

Her eyes rose questioning, "Why must you do that? They will not harm us."

"I do not know who these people are, or if we are being followed. All I know is that my gut instincts are telling me, this is what I need to do." I said firmly.

"How can you say that? You do not know me, but yet you take me with you."

"You are different. I was meant to find you. I cannot explain things clear enough dear. I'm sorry. Give me time to figure this out."

Sarah shrugged and kicked the dirt on the ground, "Okay as long as you won't leave me."

I took her in my arms, "There is nothing that would ever make me leave you. We are forever."

With this comfort she smiled, "Can I call you mom?"

"I would be honored if you did"…I more than stammered…

Sarah laughed at my expression and jumped from my arms and landed upon the stump, "I'm not helpless you know. I am seven after all."

I laughed, "I can see this. But, still I am to watch over you."

Sarah looked to the sky and said, "Watch this."

With an inhuman whistle, the clouds that casted over the sky began to drift so the sun could shine. Out of nowhere a broom zoomed down from the sky. I shook my head in disbelief as the broom zoomed down from the sky and into her awaiting hand. Sarah smiled, "See mom, we are Witches."

"How did you do that?" I stammered.

"It's rather easy." Sarah laughed and handed the broom to me.

I took the broom and looked it over. It looked study. A name engraved upon it made me almost jump out of my skin. My name glowed upon the handle of the broom in a bronzed gold lettering. A smug look came upon Sarah's face, "See the people you were talking about are trying to show you they are not bad."

I looked at Sarah and slowly began to understand, "Did they leave you in that clearing so I would find you?"

Sarah looked at me in bewilderment, "No. I was just left there. I have no idea who or what happened. All I know is that I awoke and I was there in the clearing alone. The only thing I remember is my name and the symbol on my neck, then you came and saved me."

"How do you know about the others?" I stammered.

"By the acts of kindness we have been shown. Who else would leave us food, or have a broom made to speed up our travel?" said Sarah with sheer clarity.

"How did you know about the broom?" I said quickly.

"I had a feeling that there was something close and it was for you, so I just had a feeling I should whistle, so I did. That's it." said Sarah sadly.

I put the broom aside and held her, "I'm sorry, I never meant anything by this. I just want to protect you."

The child nodded and snuggled even closer. She put her head on my chest and listened, "I love that sound, it sounds like a grandfather clock."

I chuckled, this child never ceased to amaze me, "Yes and so does yours."

Sarah smiled and said, "Mine sounds like a tea kettle boiling, take a listen."

I took a listen just to amuse her and to my amazement she was right. Smirking yet again, she gave me a quick hug and ducked from my arms.

"Time to fly." She said green eyes blazing from excitement.

I laughed nervously and picked up the broom. She climbed in front of me. Within moments we were hovering off the ground. Flight came natural to me; it was like I had been born with a set of wings.

Sarah giggled as we gained altitude, "Not to high now, we do not want to be seen by the wrong people."

"Yes ma'am." I managed to choke out before bursting into laughter. I quickly descended our altitude and kept close to the range of the trees.

"You never told me where we are going mom." said Sarah.

Her words took me by surprise. But nonetheless I answered, "We are going to a village that I travelled to when I was just your age. I believe in this village, there is someone who will be able to help us."

"What is their name?" said Sarah curiously.

"I am not sure; this is why we need to go there, so I can find out." I said quietly.

"What if it is a trap?" murmured Sarah.

"My instincts are telling me this is what I must do." I said.

Sarah's little red head bobbed in agreement. Her attention wandered back to the green foliage flying past our feet, "If we are being followed, I hope it is by our kind."

"Who else could be following us?" I asked.

"Possibly the people who destroyed our village or something much worse. I am not sure mama, I just have a feeling that we should not land in these woods." murmured Sarah.

I nodded, "I have the same feeling, but fear not my daughter, and I will protect you. Nothing will ever hurt you."

Sarah snuggled once more in my lap, slowly she fell asleep as I kept the broom steady and hummed a low lullaby only her ears could hear. Once she fell asleep I gained a few more feet and became hidden by the shelter of the clouds. I took a deep breath and began to relax. No matter what tomorrow may bring, I would concentrate on today and protect my child until my last breath. The day passed by slowly and all to soon I returned to my thoughts, but remained focused on the world around me, and the new world that laid curled up in my arms.