Chapter 31

Part 1

(Oh right…I’m still on this table.) It’d been a long time since I felt so sick. Mud swirled in my stomach and fire was lit along my spine. Properly resting was impossible anyway, but the small commotion out front was unignorable.

“Ya’ really gonna’ to stretch on my lawn like that?” Arnold’s voice, and I could only assume he was speaking to Anesha.

Stretching first thing in the morning was a part of her routine. “It is a part of my routine.” One of many things she adamantly maintained. The sensation of my bare stomach pressed against the laminated wood of the kitchen table was uncomfortable, and irritating. I pushed up with heavy arms, and with sluggish legs, walked toward the front, desiring a stretch myself. “You have awoken?” In black and red pajama shorts, a matching top, and long raven hair pulled into a ponytail, Anesha greeted me. Legs split across her yoga mat; she leaned onto her elbows and grinned with that gorgeous face. I was affected by the sight, but not Arnold, not at all; I envied him for that.

(I hate having to remind myself of how much I hate this bitch. I wish she wasn’t so good looking; things would be a lot easier that way.) At some point during our travels, my eyes began to track Anesha’s sculpted form, appreciating where defined muscle met softer points. She wasn’t built like any woman I’d known before, hardly like any I’d seen on television even! “…I’m still sore. Uh…I can’t see, but how does the wound look?”

The burning lessened overnight; however, discomfort unlike any I’d felt until then hadn’t. Nausea constantly bubbled around my back and into my stomach, making me acutely aware of the wound left by the Pukwudgie. “Turn around, let us see it.” I gladly did so, any excuse to avert my eyes. “Hm…as expected. The healing has slowed drastically.”

“Why?”

“As stated, the seed shall work to clear toxins from your system to the best of its ability. Lo’ we cleaned it with haste, it would seem poison still circulates throughout your body.” The witch stood up from the mat, bent at the waist and lurched into a full-on forward bend. “Coupling that with the injuries you sustained whilst fighting the Ogrekin, the seed likely endeavors to heal your entire body.”

“Should I use more mana or something?”

“No! I am regulating the mana you are outputting at the moment, and Bramble is still busy cleaning up after you in the cavern. Simply allow yourself to heal under the seed’s power.” From the front bend, Anesha suddenly launched up into a handstand! Effortlessly, lowering to balance on her elbows, she dangled her legs over her back to deepen the stretch. The amount of flexibility and body control astounded me, even if it shouldn’t have by then. “If you endeavor to stretch with me, I’d suggest you keep it to a minimum. Having that wound reopen would impede the healing process.”

“Right…”

“Look, that’s nice and all, but can ya’ kids do that somewhere else? Don’t want two half-naked young people stretching on my front.” Point made by Arnold.

“Please…” Somehow placing her feet onto the ground, and performing a perfect front walkover to a standing position, Anesha met eyes with the old hunter! “Your home is so isolated, I’ve yet to see another human even come within a mile of this dwelling.”

“I like peace and quiet.” Arnold climbed into his beat-up blue truck and started the engine. “I’m heading into town.”

Anesha thought to herself. “A wonderful idea. I shall join you.”

“Oh god…” Arnold rolled his eyes.

“Lo, I cannot allow Fate to sit by his lonesome, so naturally, he shall come along. Purchasing healthier groceries should be made a priority!”

“What ya’ made last night was bland enough, think I’ll find some actual fixins’ myself.”

“Hmph! It was the healthiest I could manage. You have mentioned your wife; I can only assume, despite your cantankerous nature, that she would prefer you alive upon her return. Thus, I shall extend her a kindness, and assure you do not eat yourself into an early grave. Be grateful.”

“I’d be grateful if ya’ put on some clothes so we can leave.” Anesha left to change, and I followed in search of a shirt.

Part 2

Many older Indigenous people strolled Gold River’s relaxed streets, casually chatting in the growing summer humidity. Fishermen lined the embankments on both sides of us with hip high reedgrass nearly concealing them. Behind the foliage, the men’s day-drinking was obvious, they were more concerned with that and idly chatting than actually catching fish. Out on the clear water, boats floated near a bridge connecting Gold River to Whispering Hills. I could make out both sides of the river from the back of Arnold’s pickup, seeing the land fanning outward as we drove into town.

Arnold turned off the paved road onto a dirt path without warning, nearly catapulting me from the truck bed! Most streets running north could only fit a single vehicle at a time, so the rust bucket was perfect for just hopping on and off roads. Fortunately, the dirt paths were surprisingly well maintained, with tree branches and weeds cleared away. “Hey, we’re heading to this strip mall up ahead.” Arnold said, suddenly jumping onto the street, rocking me to the other side of the back again! Anesha taking shotgun was a good choice, if only so I wouldn’t have to worry about colliding with her.

One store at the far end of the strip mall had lights on. Along the complex, all other shops hadn’t opened yet, though grocery store seemed ready for business. Another older man, likely the shopkeeper, tied up his blue apron and walked over to the truck just as we parked. “Arnold, buddy, how is it?” Wrinkled but smiling face, ash gray hair braided down both sides of his head, and a sunny disposition, the grocer gave off a disparate aura from Arnold. His brown eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw Anesha though! “Oh! Do I need to tell Moo you’re stepping out on her, with a white girl no less?”

“Shut up, ya’ old fart. These kids are tourists; I’m taking them around.” Arnold climbed out of the truck and gave the man a hug. “Brother, I’ll need some good deals on some good meat.”

“I always have good deals.”

“Ya’ always got good meats, but prices…eh…” It was the most talkative and animated the curmudgeon ever appeared. “Hey, introduce ya’selves.” Throughout the adventures just a night before, he hardly cared about our names.

“Anesha Kyteler.” Said with more restraint and less audacious gestures than usual, clearly Anesha was trying to stay low profile. Even with that considered, her goth-punk clothing and overall looks stood out everywhere.

“Exotic!” Anesha just rolled her eyes at the forward older man. Another person swooning at first sight. “And you…you’re Indian, right?”

“Half…on my dad’s side. Anyway, Fate Isley. Nice to meet you.” I extended my hand, and he reciprocated with a firm and gruff shake.

“Peter’s my name, running the best grocery store this side of Gold River, that’s my game! Come on in, you’ll beat the others.” Into the store we walked. “So, what you kids in town for?” Peter inquired as both Anesha and Arnold shopped, leaving me alone to construct a lie.

“Oh, uh…a video on Gold River’s…river and the hills nearby.” They did catch my eye on the map immediately, and if I were with the club we’d have investigated them anyway.

“Lots of people been swinging by lately, wanting to take samples of the water, or search the Hills. Probably because of all those monsters and spirits in the news, but I haven’t seen anything. You guys looking for that kind of stuff?”

“Yeah!” My genuine enthusiasm leaked out a bit. “What was…in the news?” Neither Anesha or Arnold paid me any mind, too engrossed in their argument over the health benefits of eating beef rather than pork.

“I’m not really into that kind of stuff, but you hear about the punkwedge?”

“Pukwudgie.”

“Yeah, that thing! When I was younger, the old folks in town would say ‘don’t go out at night, otherwise the pukwudgie will spirit you away’ or something. Just yesterday, my wife said that she heard it roaring throughout the ridge!” I could only laugh awkwardly, knowing the truth. “I didn’t hear it, but some of the police in town say they did too.”

“Wish I could’ve heard it, we just got here! Maybe we missed it!” I still wanted to avoid too many prying eyes and was sure Anesha agreed. “I’m into all type of cryptozoology. Me and my friends have a website and post on it. Here, check it out!” Again, enthusiasm took hold, and I was already showing him our website on my phone before I knew it! “Oh! Perry must’ve updated it!”

“Says something about fairies and pixies…? World’s gone crazy since we were kids, huh Arnold?” Peter called to his friend.

“No way. Too expensive for a single bag of vegetables!” He asserted, snatching the bag of eggplants away from Anesha!

“You old fool, this will help with your heart. I can only assume one, such as yourself, does little to care for their blackened, cholesterol filled heart.” She snatched back the veggies from Arnold!

“My wife takes care of the cooking. My heart’s fine!”

“My wife this, my wife that, do you know nothing of how to care for yourself aside from patching up wounds and firing your gun?”

Part 3

In the end, Arnold acquiesced, and we acquired plenty of healthy food based on Anesha’s preferences. The witch haggled a deal with Peter, somehow netting us all the items for nothing. “Once we return, I shall fix a meal that will boost both your health and hopefully speed up Fate’s healing.” Despite that, I was still left carrying the groceries.

“Hey, Anesha…” I could barely see over the bags piled up in my arms, just looking down at the feet of my companions on our way back to the truck. “How did you even pay for these? You didn’t use my money, right?! I’m basically broke, you know?” She didn’t answer right away. “No, seriously, I know you want to maintain your and my health but–” Without warning, Anesha suddenly stopped walking! I put the brakes on so hard; I felt the heat raise up through the soles of my sneakers, trying to avoid colliding with the witch! “What’s up?! Are you mad?! Sorry, it’s just, I’m really broke!” Around the side of the bags, I could tell something had caught her eye. Tracing her line of sight, Anesha looked to a metalwork shop. “Everything alright?”

“Huh?! Yes, absolutely! Enough of your prattling, let us return to Arnold’s dwelling.” Even Arnold was taken by surprise. Anesha almost seemed to blush with embarrassment while hustling over to the passenger side of the vehicle. “What halts you two? Make haste!”

“Bossy. Kid, ya’ got some odd tastes.” I wanted to correct him, but it seemed the jeering would continue regardless of how I felt.

We took off and drove back to Arnold’s house. Almost immediately upon arriving, Anesha ordered me to take the groceries to the kitchen, where she started making breakfast. While we cooked, Arnold sat in front of his television, half-awake as a football game played. Locating all of the pots, pans, and cutlery, Anesha tasked me with cutting and cleaning the veggies while she prepared the stove. “You know; I can cook if you want.” I offered.

“Absolutely not! You value flavor over health benefits, and I will not allow another grease slathered sugar-coated morsel crafted by you to plague my palate!” And yet, she valued the exact opposite. I wondered if it best I inject some flavor into the meal, but she basically guarded the stove with her life.

The meal ended up being…palatable. It wasn’t like the cardboardy bland meals the witch normally brewed, so I managed to stomach it. Arnold didn’t complain, just ate his food and then got up. “Thanks. It was ok.” He turned off the television, and walked through the front door, grabbing his weed trimmer along the way. “I’m going to fix the lawn.” Not much lawn to fix, but he seemed determined.

“Wash the dishes.” Anesha ordered. “I made your meal; I shall not clean the dishes.”

“I offered…” Arguing wasn’t going to solve anything. Just as I left the table, hairs on my neck stood straight up! I could sense something incoming, and clearly, so could Anesha. She extended her hand to halt me from transforming!

“Bramble, enter.” In through the window over the sink, the unnaturally bulbous, red furred, and slug like dogman plopped down onto the counter.

“Bramble, shit! You okay?” I was just able to catch the corpulent familiar, but without the seed’s strength, my screamed holding the dogman! “Whoa…y-you’re so heavy now!”

“He’s yet to internalize the seed’s mana. Let him down.” Under Bramble’s dense body, the floor ebbed as I lowered him. “Allow Bramble some time, he shall be fine. Now, dishes.” Fur radiating heat, vibrating, filling the air with crackling electricity, Bramble was nearly overstuffed with mana.

“Ok…” Anesha took a seat, as Brambled lumped over to lay at her feet. “How long is he going to be like that?”

“Not for long. Internalizing mana takes time, even for a Magekin such as myself. Bramble possesses many an ability, some of which other complex familiars do not. Despite that, he shall be like this for some time.”

Though she attempted to assuage my worries, the heavy wheezing coming from behind as I washed the dishes drew my concern. “Why’s he like that? Bramble’s absorbed the mana I’ve left before.”

“Because your output was vastly beyond what he is used to.” Flipping through that tome of calculations again, Anesha rubbed the dogman’s aching stomach with her foot. I wasn’t sure it was because she was trying to sooth him, or just a bit of fiddling while she thought.

“Internalizing it, right? I’ve never internalized mana before; how does it work?”

“…” She sighed, rolled her eyes and leaned back in the wooden chair. “Are you just trying to fulfill that lust for knowledge of yours?”

“I mean, if we’re just sitting here…”

“So be it. Humans rarely need to internalize mana, as their output is so low; different from Magekin, as we have, can output, and absorb, a far higher quantity. That internal mana reservoir, we refer to as a ‘Mana Cache’. Think of it thusly…” She closed her book and grabbed two glasses from the sink. “Humans can only maintain, absorb, and output but so much mana.” She reached over to the table and retrieved some apple juice I’d purchased. After placing the smallest glass onto the table, she poured the juice, immediately reaching the brim. “Magekin, some familiars, and certain creatures are different.” Filling the other cup to the brim with juice, she stopped. “For Magekin, they will tap into their cache, combined with running numerous calculations, and sometimes employ other instruments or gestures, to cast spells readily. That uses up different amounts of mana.” Pouring varying amounts of juice out of the cup. “Obviously, different spells use different amounts of mana.” Again, emptying the glass at different rates. “It’s possible for a Magekin to quickly and forcefully absorb mana from the world around them to replenish their mana cache, however…” Reaching past me, she began refilling the cup representing a Magekin’s mana cache with water, leaving a mixture of water diluted apple juice. “That becomes diluted, and difficult to manage. In some cases, if a Magekin uses that mana absorbed without internalizing it, it can cause them great stress and harm their body.”

My mind wandered back to the Jasontown swamplands. During our battle with the spoursis, Anesha needed to absorb mana from the surrounding area to cast a massive spell, and though I was only semi-aware, I saw she’d passed out for a bit afterwards. “So, then the body will just internalize that mana over time?”

“Yes.” She poured more apple juice into the cup until there was no noticeable water left.

“What about those British people from before? Lucas, Gregor, and Pearl, they used magic and mana pretty readily.”

“There are exceptions, obviously. I know only a little of the techniques used by humans to control mana, as it is not something we in Graewood have much experience with.”

“OK, I think I get it. How come you never trained me to fight Magekin with the idea of lowering their cache? Seems like that’d be a pretty good idea.” Her silent glare cut deep, causing me to just go back to washing the dishes and lament over my lost apple juice.

“Foolish. As I stated, there are exceptions with humans, and far more with Magekin. The amount of mana a Magekin can absorb, and their cache varies between persons. One should never guess such things. For instance, I possess what is known among Magekin as a medium cache of mana, lo’…” That sudden pause was followed by a myriad of lip, nose, brow, and eye twitches. Whatever Anesha was about to say, congested her chest with conflicting emotions. “Lo’!” Abruptly beginning her explanation once more. “My mana control…is considered exceptional, above even what is considered high for Magekin!” Brimming with confidence, Anesha boasted about how great she was, as always.

Part 4

Letting time get away from us, Arnold and I ended up doing chores around the house all day. We swapped out a set of tires, the oil for his old truck, raked the freshly cut lawn, and repaired part of the front door. “I want to put new hinges on and a cover over the threshold. Let’s head back into town.” With Anesha in tow and Bramble finally back to a state of lucidity, we returned to the strip mall, riding through the summer evening. Chilly air pleasantly wafting off the river, seemed to agree with the townsfolk, as far more littered the streets. Lampposts on the corners began to light up and, almost copying them, fireflies flashed their tails while hovering over the tall grass along the riverbanks.

We arrived. “OK, off to the metalwork shop, right?” Arnold nodded, and I looked to Anesha, expecting a frown or complaint, but she didn’t. Anesha just handed Bramble off to me, and followed in behind Arnold, seemingly eager. “What’s up with that?”

“Oh…young Fate…how are you?” Freshly awoken, Bramble asked and I quickly covered his face!

“We’re in public!” I reminded him. Cracking his face back into the Shar-pei, there was a noticeable scoff while the familiar concealed his identity. Unsurprisingly, the young Native American store owner looked up from her phone at the front counter and I could track her disbelief. For Arnold, a disinterested glance, me, confusion at an unknown guy caring a fat dog, Anesha, clear befuddlement.

“Libby, door hinges?” Getting right to business, Arnold was pointed to a shelf full of hinges. The old man went about examining them closely, while something once again caught Anesha’s eye.

“Hey, you!” The counter girl called! “Yeah, you, dude! Come here.” She waved me over. “You new in town?”

“Yeah, I’m Fate. Nice to meet you.” She was a bit more intimidating up close, looking down on me with dark eyeshadow from the raised counter. Several nose piercings, and arms covered in tribal tattoos, with high cheekbones and expressive eyes, gave her an edge that shook and intrigued me.

“Libby.” She extended her hand for a shake, and after shuffling the lazy dog into my other arm, I reciprocated. “Who’s the goth chick?” Alluding to Anesha, obviously.

“Her name’s Anesha. We’re just in town to study the local legends and cryptids.”

“Cool. Anesha seems interested in the weapons.” Libby walked around the desk, revealing her style wasn’t too dissimilar to Anesha’s own. Starkly dyed red fringes reached down to her shoulders from beneath a black trucker’s cap, and more tribal tattoos covered Libby's legs, glimpseable between the shredded fabric of cutup blue jeans.

“Weapons?” Somehow, I hadn’t noticed the wall of weapons on the far side of the store. Propped up on black racks, multiple ornate weapons; axes, swords, knives, spears, bows, arrows and guns, were all displayed proudly. “Wow! Those are cool!”

“Right?” Libby slid in beside Anesha, charmed by a massive battleax. “Hey there, miss. Like the battleax?”

“Hm? Oh, yes. Quite the spectacle.” The stars in her eyes, Anesha was taken by the polearm.

“Want to hold it?”

“May I?” Grabbing a stool from the back, Libby attempted to lift the gigantic steel polearm off the hooks. Barely managing, she nearly tipped over when handing it over to Anesha, who received it with no problem. “Oh my…” The double-sided heart shaped steel head was larger than Anesha’s torso. It was adorned with a gold ram’s head etched into the metal and a similiarly colored snake winding around the leather haft down to the foot. “Such a lovely piece.”

“Wow, you’re strong!” The admiring shifted from Anesha to Libby, witnessing the witch’s physical strength. For someone who didn’t know how strong Anesha was, seeing a woman wield an ax nearly as tall and wide as her was obviously astounding. “You must work out a ton.” Beneath the black leather and chains across Anesha’s coat were defined arms leading down to an exposed midriff, showcasing perfectly cut abdominal muscles; all direct results of the witch's dedication to working out. “You said you guys are here to study the area, sure you’re not just workout influencers?” She joked.

I awkwardly laughed along. “She just likes to stay in shape.”

“So, Anesha, you like it? Want to buy it?” Having a sale in mind, my funds bawled at the sight of the price tag hanging off the ax.

“Hmm…” The thought piqued Anesha’s interest and sent a chill down my spine right into my wallet. “Maybe we can work out a deal.” She slung the ax over one shoulder and fished through the pockets of her shorts. “For this piece…how about 2?” Opening her hand, two shimmering silver coins were revealed.

“Uh…” That explained how Anesha was affording things! That offer threw Libby for a loop too, clearly. “You…wait, wait, wait! Are those real silver?! What kind of currency is that?!” Examining the coins, tiny letters were printed on them encircling the image of a woman with a halo. “…These are real?” Anesha nodded confidently. “…Hang on.” Swiftly jumping down from the ladder and retreating behind the counter, Libby phoned someone.

“Anesha, how long have you been handing those out?” Whispering into the witch’s ear made her distance herself, taking up the ax and pointing it in my direction!

“Do not do that! You already know how I feel.” She lowered the weapon. “Regarding my currency, for some time. It is how I procured my clothing, food, and many other amenities. Bartering skills among humans is pitiful.” Smug as always. Libby returned to us, phone still in her hand.

“My boss is saying to come back tomorrow so he can discuss it personally.”

“Fair enough. Until then…” Anesha climbed the ladder and reset the ax.

“You kids done?” Arnold, basket full of nails, screws, and hinges rejoined us as well. “Libby, ring me up, will you?”

“Sure!” He paid for the items, and we left the metalwork shop knowing I’d be dragged back on Anesha’s hunt for a new weapon.

“Anesha, are those other weapons on your waist also just regular weapons shrunk down?” I had to know.

“Some. Others are masterworks of ‘Magesmith’ Celeste Zappa.”

“Magesmith? That’s one hell of a title.”

“I envy those born with practical talents; forging mage’s robes, brooms, and weapons. If one’s life is determined by the circumstances of their birth, how will they fair when born under an unlucky star?”

“…Make do with what they have.” The answer just kind of popped into my head. Anesha didn’t exactly know how to respond, it seemed.

Walking through the parking lot, more people were out and enjoying the evening. Some kids in the distance argued around a multi-colored canister with one waving around a lighter. “Oh yeah, the 4th’s coming up.” It slipped my mind completely. “Ya’ kids going to stay around my place all the way till then?” Arnold asked.

“We will leave as soon as Fate has fully recovered. Why must I repeat myself?” Arnold and Anesha bickered on, while I appreciated the night sky.

Out in the valley, under the starry July sky, I’d almost forgotten about our situation. People around us enjoyed themselves, traversing the town with joyful chatter filling the air and buzzing from summer insects. Just as the fireworks shot off far to the side of the parking lot, something just barely grazed my ear. It was faint, almost missed as the teens all cheered, and the old folks chastised them. Again, it went right by my ear, but I could tell then, it was a person’s voice. When I turned, chasing the sound, I was met with those memorably deep brown eyes of confusion.

“Fate…? It is you.” My father.

End of chapter 31