Sampling From the Witch’s Cauldron

Her sudden arrival brought with it only questions. What business did she have with me? Why hadn’t my servants announced her? Perhaps most importantly, why was she angry?

“Yasutake Chika, it’s wonderful to see you again. Can I get you anything?” I instinctively reached for the bowl of vitafelars on my desk, intending to offer her one in an attempt to placate her, but then I remembered that she was the only person in the world who wouldn’t appreciate the gesture.

“No time for pleasantries. The Myrindori traders are leaving this evening, and if I can’t come up with enough money, they’re taking my special order of turmeric back with them.”

“Turmeric?”

“It’s a spice. There’s a Myrindori word for it, but I don’t remember. Point is, nobody else in this city buys it, so they take most of the payment ahead of time. I showed up at the docks this morning expecting to pay the rest, only to find that they’re now charging me double, thanks to a rumor that I conspired with the Caelorian Empire to conquer the city.”

The Witch of Aelirynth used a spice that was unknown outside the Kingdom of Myrindor. It didn’t explain how she survived without vitafelars, since the Myrindori ate them too, but I made a mental note to investigate. Perhaps it was a small piece of a larger puzzle.

“So you came to ask me for treasure?” In truth, I still felt that I owed her my life. Repaying that debt with gold or gems was a bargain, but I didn’t yet know exactly how much she needed, so I decided to prod her for more information.

“It’s only fair, isn’t it? If it weren’t for that rumor, I wouldn’t need it in the first place.”

I understood then why she appeared so angry. I had inadvertently interfered with her business. Though I had started the rumor in an attempt to protect her, I had never considered how she would feel about it. Even so…

“If it weren’t for that rumor, the soldiers would have hunted you down out of fear.”

“Soldiers who wouldn’t even be here if you hadn’t advised the emperor to invade, Lord Thelian. No matter how you look at it, this is your fault.”

“I thought you wanted the empire here, in order to grow your industries.”

The anger on Chika’s face gave way to surprise. “Let me make one thing clear. I don’t have industries, and I stay away from politics. The last thing I need is to make enemies.”

“You’ll never gain allies if you’re unwilling to take on some adversaries.”

“Fine by me. I don’t need them. It’s better if everyone keeps their distance.”

Did she really not understand how many people in this city were fond of her? “That sounds like a very lonely life to me.”

“Are you going to help me or not? I don’t have time for a lecture.”

“As far as the Empire is concerned, you already owe us compensation for using our supplies to accomplish your mission with the vormarnok.”

“Would you rather I left you to die?”

“Not at all, but the fact remains that you were rewarded for eliminating them, but we bore the cost. That’s the official position, but personally, I could be convinced if you were to tell me more about this turmeric.”

“Follow me.” Before I could protest, she grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of the room. Never before had I known a woman to be so forward, but I found I didn’t hate it. Wherever she was leading me, I knew I was guaranteed a novel and interesting experience.

My servants, finally noticing that something was amiss, came running. They followed us to the outskirts of the city. We arrived at a small hut with a fire pit out front. Releasing my arm, she produced one of her fire twigs and ignited the kindling in the pit. Retrieving a small seat for me from within the house, she placed a cauldron over the fire and filled it with a small amount of water. Over the next half hour, we made small talk while she dropped ingredients into the pot.

“The last of my turmeric,” she announced, pouring a powder in alongside some vegetables. After stirring the concoction and allowing it to simmer, she once more entered the hut, returning with a wood slat which, in a quick, practiced motion, she twisted in midair, transforming it into a table. The sudden display of magic caused my servants to recoil in fear. Setting it down before me, she dipped a bowl into the cauldron and placed it on the table. “This is called curry. It’s a dish from my homeland.”

Cautiously, I dipped a spoon into the bowl and took a bite. The taste was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It wasn’t bad, but the unique flavor didn’t agree with my palette. I couldn’t imagine why she was going through so much trouble and expense for it. Then I saw her bring a spoon up to her own lips, and her scowl melted into an expression of pure bliss.

“I suppose it tastes better to those not accustomed to the taste of vitafelars,” I guessed.

“Maybe. I like it because it reminds me of home. Not the same without with rice, but I ran out weeks ago.”

“Where do you come from? I’ve never heard an accent quite like yours.”

“A faraway realm called Earth.”

“Never heard of it. It must be very far indeed. Is that why you never made the return journey?”

“I… can’t go back.”

Little by little, I felt like I was beginning to uncover the mystery of the Witch of Aelirynth. In many ways, she was like a commoner, lacking in manners and cooking for herself. But she kept herself clean and well-groomed, and despite being a woman, she was clearly educated. Perhaps she was a noble from Earth who had been exiled. If so, it meant she had precious few friends back home, and she was in danger of repeating the same mistake here.

“Whether you realize it or not, your presence has had a profound impact on this city, Yasutake Chika, and now that Aelirynth is set to grow in political importance, so are you. You need allies, even if you don’t want them.”

“I never intended to interfere… I just wanted to be comfortable, to be left alone.”

Dropping her gaze, she returned to her meal, and I did the same. I was halfway finished when she spoke up.

“You don’t have to force yourself to eat it.”

“It’s growing on me. Besides, after seeing all the trouble you went through to make it, I can’t let it go to waste.”

The smile returned to her face, along with—if I’m not mistaken—a modest blush.

⁂

The sun had already set when the two of us left the market. Chika was pushing a strange, one-wheeled cart filled with sacks of rice and turmeric. In contrast to her reserved and sullen mood earlier, there was an upbeat spring in her step and a bewitching smile on her face. As we neared her hut, she put the cart down and turned to face me.

“Thank you. I never would have been able to purchase so much without your help. I’m sorry for how I acted earlier.”

“We all have our bad days. I’m glad I could be of assistance.”

“I still can’t believe that you negotiated them below the original price. I don’t get it. They were upset by a rumor I was helping you, but when we showed up together, they gave us a discount?”

“Like I said earlier, it helps to have power and connections. My door’s always open if you decide you want allies after all.”

“I… I’ll consider it.”

That was a more positive response than I expected. If anything, the day’s events revealed that she was a lone wolf, even when it was to her detriment. Not wanting to push my luck, I bid her farewell.

“Good night, Yasutake Chika.”

“Just Chika.”

“Hmm?”

“My name. You can just call me Chika.”

Assuming that Yasutake must be a title, I nodded in agreement. “You can call me Thelian then.”

Even after we parted, I remained ignorant of the true meaning behind our exchange. In the nine years since she left Earth, I was the first person she allowed to address her by her given name.