Chapter 4

"Weren't you supposed to throw her out? Why is she still here?"

The cat glared at her. It had been several days already, and despite what the witch had told herself, Ren was still here.

"She's helping with cleaning."

"But you don't need someone to clean, you can use magic for that."

"But she's... amusing."

The witch turned away from his stare. She hadn't been able to throw her out. Every time she tried, she heard the reason Ren wanted to learn magic, and her resolve failed her. She couldn't explain it to the cat, it was before his time. He had only ever known her as the Witch, not as a girl...

"So when is she going?", the cat pressed.

"She will"

"When? She should go now. Who cares about her?"

The witch murmured something and left the room. She knew she couldn't keep up with this. Sooner or later, the cat would demand she made her choice, and she couldn't choose the girl above him. But she couldn't throw her out either. She stared out the window and into the misty landscape outside. What had become of that girl she once was, wanting to learn magic? She hadn't known what she said yes to then, and once she did, it had been too late. She shook her head.

Time, that's what she needed. Time to think, and enough time to not have the cat keep pressing her all the time. And she knew what would get her that. She walked into the room where Ren was cleaning.

"You're done cleaning. Tomorrow you will go and collect herbs."

"Herbs?"

"Yes, stupid girl! Herbs! Why aren't you listening?"

Ren mumbled something in reply.

"It will be a week's journey, I will show you tomorrow."

She left. That would occupy her for long enough, she thought. Now she would have time to think, at least, without the cat nagging at her. And maybe Ren would realise that she didn't want to learn magic and find a village on her way where she could stay.

The witch woke her up the next morning before the sun had risen. Ren looked around dizzily.

"Get up!"

The girl climbed out of bed.

"You will have signs to follow, they will lead you right."

She handed her a basket.

"This will give you food every day."

"Where...is the place?"

"It's in the wilderness, far from any civilisation. You will know when you're there because you will have a mountain shaped like a cat in front of you and flowers looking like cups."

She led her down the stairs and out the gate.

"Don't make a mess", she said before closing it.

She returned to the kitchen.

"I've sent her away now", she said to the cat.

"For real?"

"She's gone to pick herbs."

"So she's not coming back?"

The cat glared at her.

"I... Maybe she will run away."

"Maybe? What do you mean 'maybe'? Did you send her away or not?"

"I don't think she'll be coming back."

The cat glared at her before leaving the room. It was the best she could have done. Now Ren had a chance to escape if she wanted, and she would have time to think what to do if she didn't. She called out to the cat,

"I'll be in the cellar."

She didn't wait for an answer.

When the witch was away, the cat went into the potion room. He wasn't as well-versed in magic as the witch, being a cat had its limitations, but at least he would be able to do something.

"Stupid witch, he murmured to himself. Why can't she just let her go?"

He poured a bottle into the cauldron and started the fire.

"I will at least make sure the girl doesn't come back. Lost, that's what she will be."

He had almost finished cooking when the witch came back up and put her head around the corner.

"What are you up to?"

"Just finished a brew."

She looked at him suspiciously but didn't say anything.