"They ruled once; They shall soon rule where man rules now.
After summer is winter, and after winter summer.
They wait patient and potent,
for here shall They reign again."
-H.P Lovecraft,
The Necronomicon
Chapter Four: Cherry Pies and Grimmoires
I do not know how long I sat on the floor of my cottage, could have been minutes, hours. Calcifer slinking away from the caress of my fingers and pawing at the glass on the floor jolted me from my thoughts. Muscles protesting I rose on shaky feet and surveyed the damage my home had taken, the lower shelves on the wall I had rattled with my impact had suffered the most damage. They held the most commonly used of my ingredients, most easily replaced by a trip to my own herb garden, some of the dried specimens would require digging into my coin purse.
Salvaging what I could, placing the separate specimens into small cloth square, I swept the rest outside of my doorstep. Calcifer, tail swirling lazily behind him, meowed for my attention as I swept the last of the calendula, which I would need to replace quickly in order to keep a promised delivery date. Still miffed at my familiar I turned a stony gaze to him. With the same haughty air he had always possessed Calcifer inclined his head toward the bubbling caldron. Abandoning my cleaning I rushed for the forgotten chasteberries, there was still time to save this batch from ruin.
Using a thick coarse cloth I pulled the heavy caldron from the fire, the sweet smell of chasteberries began to overtake my cottage, this was one of the more pleasant smelling concoctions that I brewed, for which I was grateful, I wasn't sure how much more unpleasantness I could handle this night.
Stirring done I left the mixture to its cooling; the familiar work had given me a brief reprieve from my thoughts.
With only a fortnight to devise a way to come out of this situation mostly intact, I wasn't a fool to believe that the Imp wouldn't be successful in taking some gain from this situation , if not most or all of the gain.
Before letting myself become immersed in this problem, I had another to solve. The dryads were terrified, I could feel their apprehension, loyal creatures that they were they had not left me still, their power lingered in the air around me. Waiting to aid me should the threat I called them to help keep at bay returned. I must visit the Glade, reassure the dryads of my safety and hopefully put their fears at rest least they decide to break our covenant.
But even that visitation would too be stalled. I needed to break the Imps advantage, his Seer eyes.
I needed to visit Old Magpie, the Soothsayer.
"Ms. Edoras, I would say it is a pleasure to see you but the ringing in my ear prevents me from engaging in pleasantries."
One side of his mouth curled into a grin, white teeth peaked out from under his thin lips. Out of all the Diner's patrons I had to head butt this one didn't I? Of course I did, the Sisters Three just love to mess with my threads.
"There was a ruckus."
'There was a ruckus? Real smooth Anabelle, you don't sound like a halfwit at all.'
"A ruckus you say?"
Furthering my grand demonstration of I.Q I nodded stiffly, it wasn't fear that fuelled my rigidity, it was a healthy dose of apprehension, every story that I had ever heard concerning Mr. Gold began with "I was alone when…" and despite the continuing symphony of clattering objects in the back room, I felt very much alone with him.
'For such a small guy he sure takes up a lot of this hallway.'
I shifted the heel of my right foot, a small nervous tick; his eyes flickered downward, following the movement and his grin widened. He was amused, great; I was once again playing the role of fool before him.
"I think Ashley is trying to be useful back there."
The words came pouring out of me, I felt my eyes widen at having let such a comment slip. It wasn't that there was no camaraderie between Ashley and I, it was just that her inability to be of any use grated me her constant sniveling. A woman who was about to be responsible for the life of another being should not be so consumed my romantic woes as Ashley was.
His laugh was brief and deep but pleasant to the ears, a flick of his head placed his hair back into proper order, his hands crossed on top of his cane, his stance was alert and solid. It was as if he had startled himself with a sudden realization and recomposed himself as if guarding for battle.
"Yes, Ms. Boyd, she is the reason I find myself here."
My brows creased into a frown, what could the pawnbroker want with the pregnant teen?
"What could you possibly want with Ashley?"
His eyes flashed with an unpleasant emotion.
"I fear my dear that is simply none of your concern. Good day."
Taking small sure steps he maneuvered himself around my indignant form and walked down the corridor towards the backroom. He never glanced back.
'Well wasn't that a tender moment.'
Leaving behind only ruffled feathers to mark his passing I couldn't help but think I was one of the luckier people to survive an encounter with the pawnbroker.
Taking a sip out of my water skin, quenching my thirst, I took a small break on a fallen log. The sun was threatening to crest over the horizon; soon I would not have the stars to guide my path. I'd have to rely solely on Calcifer to lead me to the Seer's home. I'd traveled for most of the night; I should be about an hour's time from the cabin. My black furred companion butted his head against my knee, he too thirsted. Cupping my hand, taking care to leave no small spaces I poured water into my cradled palm. His pink tongue tickled the delicate skin, but I could find no spark of joy in this. A few moments later saw me continuing my journey, Calcifer leading the way old memories consumed me.
Old Magpie.
The woman was as old as she was mad, her visions and magic had consumed her mind, she spoke in broken riddles, which would only be understood once her visions came to pass, and they always did. I had only ever met with her once before, after my parents' death, my grandmother brought me to her. A superstitious old woman my grandmother was. She feared my eyes— she was the first of many.
I had been lead into her cabin alone; the fickle old woman would share no one's future with another present. Magpie had proclaimed me one of the Gifted. Gifted she'd said, when I repeated it to my grandmother I may as well have used cursed. Before I had left the haggard old woman gifted me with a treasure of untold value, her grimoire.
"It won't answer my call anymore, not enough of me left to channel it. Use it well; pass it on, should it ever consume you. Now be gone little amethyst, I grow to weary to bear."
I hadn't understood her words then, I wouldn't understand until I began to struggle through channeling my own magic.
A grimoire was a sorcerer's most priced possession; it held within it all their spells, potions and wisdom. Magpie had no children, so she passed it on to her magical kin. Throughout the years I had revised and improved many an entry in the grimoire but without Magpie's knowledge I would have been a danger to myself and others
I still was.
It was a leather covered book, as thick as a man's hand from finger tip to wrist. My little arms could barely hold under its great weight. Too much weight for a seven year old girl, both figurative and metaphorical, I took a beating to keep it. My arms had imprints of my grandmother's fingertips and nails for days from her attempts to pry it from me.
That was the first time I displayed magic to such a degree, it rose to defend me and surged through my grandmother, she'd fallen unconscious in the carriage. I had been terrified I'd killed her. I hadn't, a physician claimed it was exhaustion, but I knew better, I had felt it. She'd slept for an entire day, plenty of time for me to hide my gift.
If it had been up to her, I would have been sent to wander aimlessly in the woods after that. My grandfather, a spry elderly man, who recalled tales of Old Magpie from when he was as much a youth as I'd been would not stand for it. He had loved my mother, whose spirit he said I'd possessed, and he would love, protect, and encourage my talents until he died nine years later.
Calcifer stopped, through the thick branches of the trees I could just make out the cabin. We'd arrived, glancing down at Calcifer I nodded and we continued our way to question what lay in the unknown.
"I'll never forgive you for this Anabelle. That was simply cruel."
Pouting and frowning my dinning companion's misery was exactly what I'd needed to raise my spirits after my encounter with the pawnbroker.
"Then whatever shall I do with that batch of Valerian tea I had planned on gifting you?"
"You fight dirty."
"Only way to win sometimes Em. So, he huffed and he puffed, but did he finally ask you out?"
"He seemed to start, but then contemplating the circumference of Ruby's ass seemed to require his undivided attention."
I couldn't contain the roar of laugher that left me, I startled several patrons, and across the room the scruffy town sheriff tilted his head and lifted his brown in silent amusement at me. Mary Margaret grinned and I knew I was forgiven. Wiping the tiny drips of tears from my eyes I giggled to myself.
"Oh, thanks Em, I needed that after my encounter with Emperor Palpatine on my way back."
She blinked in confusion.
"Emperor Palpatine, manipulative, powerful overlord of the Sith?"
The blank look she gave me cemented the fact that at some point I had to sit Mary Margaret down so she could know the joys of the trilogy. Ruby placed our treats before us, mine with a little mound of whip cream on the side, Mary Margaret's with a scoop of ice cream. The waitresses red clad bum planted itself firmly in the booth seat next to Mary Margaret, she knew better then to be near me when food was involved.
"Red, you are the Goddess of the hearth you know that?"
Gleefully I pick up my fork. Ready for the warm taste of pastry to invade and conquer my senses.
"Say's the woman who can out cook me with a blindfold."
In a show of melodrama I brandish my fork like a sword towards her.
"Blasphemy! I am not worthy to even be mentioned in the same breath as you."
With a smug smile and a tilt of her head Ruby basked under the shower of my praises. I was a decent enough hand in the kitchen, make no mistake, but when it came to pie, no one topped Ruby. We ate in silence while listening to Ruby's account on her Grandmother's health. I made a few mental notes of some of the new symptoms; I'd incorporate some new ingredients in her tonic for next week.
The bell attached to the door jingled and in walked the Mayor, cool and composed in a grey skirt and black short sleeve blouse. Despite the warm summer afternoon air that blew in the Diner seemed to have dropped temperature in her presence. For a moment everything was quite, and then the activity picked up again in a much more sedated pace.
By the small quirk of her lips she had noticed her affect on the Diner's patrons, and enjoyed it. She made her way to the counter, shooting a glare in my table's direction. Between Mary Margaret and me it was a toss up to whom the glare was for.
"Somebody alert the lollipop guild, mission house-drop failed."
Mary Margaret gave an unlady-like snort and Ruby flashed some pearly whites. I couldn't help it, being a smartaleck was in my nature. I knew that someday it would come back to bite me in the toushie, but until then I'd put this particular skill to use. Sighing Ruby gave us a shrug and rose to go take care of the Mayor, after all, money was money.
With all of my great tact I voiced a question which was burning on the tip of my tongue.
"So, what's Regina's grudge against you?"
"I have no idea."
We both ate pie, our previous relish was marred slightly but pie had a way of making everything better after a while. That and from the corner of my eye I saw Mr. Gold approach the counter. Mouth still full, I grinned at Mary Margaret and subtly jerked my head in the counters direction.
When Madam Mayor and Mr. Gold clashed it was a glorious sight to see. Like watching a hawk stalk a snake, except you never knew which would come out on top.
Whatever Gold was saying Regina was not happy about it, her previous smug air crashed down around her. I could have sworn Gold's thin lips formed the word baby.
Digging a leather wallet out of his suit pocket Gold fished out a few bills and handed them to Ruby, whose black lined eyes were wide. Damn, where was super hearing when you needed it.
I took a particular vicious bite and my teeth clanked on the metal of the fork.
"The fork is not edible Anabelle."
Mary Margaret punctuated her small jab by taking a dainty bite of her pie. I fought down the childish urge to stick my tongue out and turned my attention back to the counter. Just in time to watch Mr. Gold limp his way out of the Diner. The Mayor, coffee in hand, followed hot on his heel. Well, that was new, usually when one walked away in victory the battle was over, both living another day to fight the war.
"Ahh Em, you made me miss the grand finale."
The teacher rolled her eyes at me but I noticed the discreet craning of her neck as she tried to see through the blinds. It was to no avail, the terrible duo had taken then show somewhere else.
'Sometimes I wish life came with subtitles.'
Gnomes.
Magpie had a pack of gnomes roaming around her house. Pesky little creatures, they must not be getting their offerings if their risking being out this close to sunrise. To keep prankster gnomes at bay one simply needs to leave a small bowl of fresh cream as offering to appease them.
As I approached they dispersed, they were creatures of shadow and trickery, cowardly by nature.
Taking a few moment to breath deeply I lingered at the Seer's doorstep. A sudden burst of wind blew the door open. Calcifer's hackles had risen, he was poised for attack. A voice from within rasped out a greeting.
"Come in little Enchantress, creeping at door ways is considered rude."
Bracing myself, I stepped into the darkness of the cabin.
Next Time One Ties That Bind: Anabelle has an unexpected guest at her shop and gets a call to treat a very precarious patient. Mean while Amora has her encounter with Mad Magpie who seems to provide more questions then answers.
A/N: A thank you too my new Beta Polaris-Lolita for undertaking the challenge of making my grammar coherent. As you may have noticed this chapter is entirely in first person. I have resolved the tense issue by editing the entire story into First person. Gratitude for those of you who reviewed and placed this story on alert. Appreciation makes me happy, like any author critiques are looked forward to as well as expressions of enjoyment.