Coven Mother

Even though Saratoga and her little rind friend were allowed to rest their weary bodies in cozy comfort, the witch couldn’t sleep until she knew what about that elderly woman made her so curious.

Showing off her explorative side while Moliugas was asleep, she perused the house in search of secrets. Many strange items, especially a cauldron of bubbling blue liquid, reminded her of her alchemy lab back home, which was actually just her messy bedroom. It brought a familiar warmth to her heart, also hinting the true identity of the elder woman.

“Anything catch your eyes?” The old lady spotted her in the act, but showed no signs of disdain toward her investigation.

“Are you a witch?” questioned the younger witch.

The elder woman saw fit to confirm Saratoga’s allegations by snapping her finger and spawning a large green hat over her head.

“Guilty as charged.”

At the realization that Saratoga was in friendly midst, she smiled, losing any prior doubt that she’d be safe here. After all, there was no greater bond than that of a fellow witch sister.

“Trickery and deceit, the average person we may cheat… But there is no greater love than those among the witch's coven.”

Both sang together, cackling and snorting all the while. What fun they had.

As a further peace offering, the elder witch brewed the young Saratoga tea. She happily drank it as they both reclined in a windowed living room with skull decorations all over. Natural light pierced through the foggy morning to flood every corner.

While they both relaxed, the elder witch probed into the reason why Saratoga had decided to journey this far out from her home, especially with the witch hunting lux constructs roaming about.

“I seek to cure my mother of her curse,” said Saratoga. “Which is why I must find the Teardrops of Life.”

“Those may only be obtained in the mountains.” the elder witch seemed surprised. “You’d go to such great lengths to save your mother?”

Saratoga nodded, knowing it was her duty to rescue her mother from this cursed fate that befell upon her.

“Marian,” the elder witch said. “That’s your mother’s name, yes?”

“How did you know?”

The elder witch’s face crinkled with a smile.

“She was my finest pupil. A bright one with a thirst for knowledge. I remember her face like it was my own, and you share it with her. It’s…” she sniffled and weakly brushed a tear from her face, “...it’s good to know she’s still alive.”

Saratoga had known the witches around were slain by the lux, but she didn’t know her mother was one of the lucky ones to escape that fate.

“She was on the fast track to becoming the coven mother…” the elder witch sighed. “I don’t think anyone would have questioned her taking my place once I retired. She was truly incredible. But you say she was cursed?”

The origins of this curse were unknown to all who tried to inspect it. It took the inquisition of a wise man from beyond the village to even decipher the curse at all. In fact, it was his counsel that provoked her to seek out the Teardrops of Life.

“I see…” the elder witch stroked her aged chin. “I wish there was something more I could do for you, but I’m far too old to offer much aid.”

“You’ve done plenty by letting us rest here this morning,” Saratoga smirked, sipping gracefully from her teacup. “We won’t burden you much longer.”

“Oh I’m sure, dear.” the elder witch waved a hand. “Never consider yourself a burden. I’m practically your grandmother after all.”