A Plan Unveiled, A Trap Unsprung

The following morning, Bloom was startled awake by the persistent knock on her door. She moaned as she struggled out of her blankets' tangled grip.

She staggered to her feet and murmured, "Coming, coming."

Her hair flopped wildly in all directions as it exploded in a frenzy of curls. At the back of her head, she felt a huge knot twisted. She quickly tied her hair up with a handkerchief and gave up the fight as the knocks became more frantic. She shuffled to the door after putting on a simple linen dress.

"What?" She peered into the glaring glare and snapped, her voice sharp.

Gail and her husband Finn lingered behind Julian, who stood there with one eyebrow raised. Bloom's eyes burned from the sun when she blinked.

Julian stated that the meeting would begin shortly. "Were you interested in going or not?"

With a colorful curse, Bloom snatched the final scone from the table and her cloak before running back inside. With a quick twist of the key, she locked the door and slammed it behind her. She couldn't risk attracting unwelcome attention by being late. She refused to be so stupid, even though it would mean tragedy. She needed to arrive exactly on time.

She ate her scone quickly in an attempt to catch up to the three of them. By the time she got to them, Julian was smiling, his eyes gleaming with laughter.

He smiled and continued, "I'm sure your grandmother didn't teach you that word." "Where did you get it?"

Through a mouthful, she mumbled, "Guardsmen in Roddingham."

His laugh was effortless and warm.

She felt a knot in her gut as they approached the town. Like a wave, the weight of what she was going to do swept over her. It had just dawned on her then that she was, in a sense, throwing herself to the wolves.

Julian whispered, "Calm down," in a steady, low voice. "You'll be alright. The worst case scenario is that they will discover your presence. Even though it won't happen, we have a strategy in case it does.

"Oh?" Breathing heavily, she whispered. "And what is this ambitious plan?"

"I hope you won't have to find out. Look well.

They arrived in the town plaza, where the gathering was scheduled to take place. With her heart racing, Bloom walked cautiously approach Rory after spotting him close to the rear of the assembling crowd. Finn and Gail separated and slipped off in different directions.

Her voice was laced with panic as she shouted, "Where are they going?"

With a calm and mysterious tone, Rory whispered, "That's all part of the plan."

Despite her best efforts, she was unable to maintain her composure. The dandelion seeds and grass between the cobblestones appeared to sense her restlessness and come to life. As though to comfort their companion, little roots emerged from the crevices and unfolded. Desperate to hide the strange development, Bloom forced herself to relax.

In order to get the attention of the gathering, Mayor Jonah Pickett ascended a wooden box and raised his hands. "Please pay attention!" he said, his voice breaking over the clamor of voices. Suddenly there was silence.

"I gather you here today with great sorrow," he said, his face solemn. "This is a really important topic. Has anyone looked into the witch's whereabouts?

"I have!" From the crowd, Gail's voice could be heard. It's true—I actually saw her. She is sound sleeping in her bed and completely oblivious to what is going on in the town.

“Great, great,” said Mayor Jonah Pickett, nodding in agreement. Bloom's gut tightened as she frowned.

The mayor went on, "Then let's move forward." "There have been four killings in the last two weeks alone, all of which were found in peculiar ways. I'm sure you're all aware of this. To put an end to this terror, we must act.

"The witch did it!" A shout came from the front. It was her who did it!

Shouts overlapping in passionate agreement, a chorus of agreement erupted. A few townspeople around Bloom looked curiously at her group's subdued reaction. Her throat was dry as she nodded weakly.

The mayor raised a hand to stop the rising flood and remarked, "Yes, yes, I think we can all agree it points to the witch." "But without evidence, we cannot act."

"Death her!" a voice cried.

"Stake her to death!" Another person sobbed.

"Take down her garden!"

“No, look for magical tools in her house!”

"Enough!" yelled the mayor, his voice rising above the din. Bloom shuddered, shocked to learn of their animosity. She was unaware of its depth. "Without proof—actual, substantial proof—we won't take any action. I also refuse to accept evidence that has been falsified. We will not dishonor this place.

"But she might hit again!" Behind Bloom, a woman let out a piercing cry of terror. "My daughter might be the next one!"

The mayor firmly replied, "Then we'll put a watch on her house." "We'll place guards at the wooded entrance to her hut. We'll know each time she stirs.

Cheers and shouts of success broke out from the throng. The poison in their tones immobilized Bloom as he stood rooted. An unfamiliar man gave her a strange look before his eyes brightened with recognition. He started to yell, but before he could get anything out, a cry rang out through the atmosphere: "Witch! She will be arriving soon! Come home, everyone!

"Later today, I'll assign the first watch!" The resulting commotion was roared over by Mayor Jonah Pickett. "I may still get back to some of you!"

The crowd broke up into a desperate disarray. Bloom was pulled into a dark alley by Julian, who grabbed her hand.

With an anxious tone, he commanded, "Remove your cloak." She gave it to him in compliance. "Now run—act like you're just getting to town!"

Bloom's feet pounded the dirt as she ran down the alley. After darting onto the next street, which was still empty, she doubled back as though she had just arrived in town and circled back to the main road. The townspeople had returned to their daily routines by the time she arrived at the square, but their disdainful glares still pierced her. Under their inspection, she felt herself contract.

A voice snarled behind her, "Witch, what are you doing here?" Startled, she turned to confront the baker and his wife, Anne, whom she had earlier regarded as kind and cheerful. As a child, Anne had slipped her free apple fritters. They were now unidentifiable in their fury, their faces twisted with hideous venom.

Anne spat and stood shoulder to shoulder with her husband, saying, "Yeah, get out of here."

In a chilly tone, another stranger said, "We don't want you in our town anymore."

Bloom looked about her for signs of sympathy, but she couldn't find any. With a single glance over her shoulder, she turned and marched back to her home. They blocked her way back, standing like a wall.

She remained calm until she was out of sight, at which point she broke down in tears and ran to her garden. In a gentle attempt to console her, green beans uncoiled from their poles and twined about her face and hair. As they surrounded her, she forced a small smile. "I'm fine," she muttered. "No, return before someone notices."

"Bloom?"

The only three people who knew her secret were standing there as she turned: Finn, Gail, and Julian.

With a voice full of appreciation, she said to Gail, "Thank you." "I was going to get called out by that man."

Gail gave a gentle smile. "Don't be concerned. The strategy called for that. Finn was on guard and let me know when someone seemed overly interested.

Bloom gave a nod. "You had better leave before they find out you're here."

A comforting hand was placed on her shoulder by Finn. He said politely, "I'll let you know the watch schedule." After that, the pair left.

Julian sat next to her on the grass and said, "They seem devoted to you." "What did you do?"

Bloom looked off into space. They were imprisoned in a noble's dungeon after being wrongfully convicted of stealing. I set them free. Gail now takes a quarter of the profits from the plants and herbs I grow. Everyone thinks Finn is the gardener, yet he remains at home and tinkers. People swarm to the Pizaris' garden to purchase their famous teas, fruits, veggies, and medications. I can't tell people that I'm the one growing it all, even though I've earned a good amount. If they did, they would cease purchasing.

She let out a deep sigh. I am now unable to leave my home without the entire village finding out. When I attempted to return, they drove me away.

Julian answered softly, "I know."

"I'm not even sure if I'll be able to see Grandmother."

His tone had a humorous edge as he snorted. "At this point, you're just making excuses."

Bloom made a weak, wet laugh. "You're correct. I can go the back route. However, she is unaware of it, and I no longer wish to see frequently.

Enjoying the soft embrace of the earth, she took off her boots and sank her feet in the sun-warmed soil. She shuffled the bean plants back to their poles in a low voice.

Three horses were grazing languidly in the orchard outside her fence when she heard a faint clopping. An apple tree reached out to her with a loaded branch, and she grinned. The animals eagerly munched on the three ripe apples she had plucked and presented them to them.

"Are you a rider?" As he observed the horses savoring their gifts, Julian inquired.

"Yes, I can," she answered.

He pointed to a golden mare with a white blaze encircling her eye and said, "This is Spot." She served as my father's mount. I own the grey one—Duck.

"Duck?" she repeated, her laughter sparkling.

The way he walks is the reason. Additionally, I've never seen her before, so that one is new.