A Mother’s Touch
I awoke the next morning to my little brother’s round face. He smiled, turned and ran away.
“Hey mummy, she’s awake.” He shouted.
My eyes adjusted to the scene, the light peaking around the edges of dark red curtains, the pale rough old growth wood of the walls and of course that light scent of maple. My mum came into the room lagging behind my brother.
“Oh, your awake.” Mum exclaimed. She knelt down beside me.
I tried to sit up, winced and noticed a sticky goo on my body. It was a clear and orange hue.
“Thats brumlo, love. It helps burns.” Mum answered my unspoken question. “Just what happened to you?” Her expression changed to a much more melancholy one.
“I, uh, hit a draca nest.” I replied. I wanted to keep it simple yes, I was much more surprised by her worry.
“Why didn’t you just zap them?” My little brother interrupted.
“She doesn’t have that kind of ability, dear she isn’t a warrior.” Said Mum.
My body tensed up in anger and I let out another wince. ‘Can’t let myself get so upset.’ I thought to myself.
“Lets leave her be.” Mum said to my brother as she turned back to me. “I’ll make you some breakfast. We can discuss more later.” Both left the room.
Breathing in pain I turned my head looking around for the backpack. It was no where to be seen. I sighed, staring straight up at the ceiling. My eye noticed some cob webs in the corner and turned away.
Eventually I decided to try and sit up again; scooting my body back up against the wall using my legs. My back burning every inch and over every crease in the sheets. When my head made contact with the wall I brought my arms down and began to push. My torso curled, causing sharp pains and the higher I got, the more the skin on my arms stretched a bit. Finally I was upright.
Taking a look around there was still saw no backpack in view. Well, I needed to be upright to eat anyhow. I thought.
Some minutes later mum came back with one of my favorite meals, Daybreak Elinowe.
“Did you happen to find my backpack?” I asked with caution.
“We did, its in the closet.” Mum said still looking downwards.
I began to breath easier and enjoy the meal. The combination of the sweet, smoky daybreak spice and salty meat pleased my palette. Mum and I spent time talking and joking around long after I finished eating.
“Mummy, I can’t find my shoes.” Little brother hollered from the other side of the home.
Mum grabbed the dish and jumped up to leave the room.
“Thanks a lot mum; I really appreciated that.” I said with a loving smile.
Mum froze for a beat, having been taken aback. “Any time love, just please be more careful from now on.” She replied, closing the door.
Feeling satisfied and relaxed for the first time in a while I started practicing some basic magic and focusing skills, while healing in bed.
The next few days passed by much the same, the break was great. No one to bother me while practicing, studying and writing about magic in all its forms. I enjoyed my family’s visits throughout the day; I hadn’t been this close with them for quite a while.
The wounds had healed a week and 3 days later to where I could move around comfortably. It was a beautiful morning; Pisle was just peeking over the rolling hills, the smell of flowers blowing through the window and the maumares wailed in the distance. I got dressed, grabbed the bag and headed for the front door.
I still needed the tooth of a deep cave beast and the glow of a berry. The former gave me worry. I knew I needed help, however there wasn’t any other witch who was gonna help me… or even allow me in a cave. Theres even less of a chance now with the draca run in.
I needed an excuse to get the right location, namely a cave and one that went deep.
“Your heading out already?” Mum asked.
“Ya, got some stuff to take care of.”
She showed a confused look on her face. “You can’t leave already, your wounds aren’t healed.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“No.” Her brow furrowed.
“Alright.” I went back to my room and threw my backpack down.
“And stop using magic in there.” I heard from beyond the doorway.
She knows? I thought to myself. My muscles tensed up, sending pain around my body. I ignored it and ran back out. “I wasn’t doing it in public.”
She pointed at me with a furious look while pushing me back. “Listen, I am sick and tired of you disobeying me. Your going to bring a curse on this family or even the tribe. We don’t need another Rupture. I’ve treated you well over these past couple weeks while you’ve been sick.”
My back hit the wall and I felt as if I was turning red. “No one even knows if that happened and I have done nothing to hurt people. Magic could help us all to live easier.”
She threw her hands up. “Get back to your room. Your an embarrassment.”
I did exactly that and glared at the walls.
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I snuck out my window and took a stroll through the brief changing of the stars, passing by homes most made from wood and grass. The faint glow of both Losungtlv and Pisle peeking around the mountains cast opposing shadows.
I didn’t like needing to use magic for such violent things. If I was going to get that tooth, there was no choice now. Even if it meant swallowing glass fulls of pride.
If she says magic is so evil I’ll need to be just that.
The scavengers crew was my way to get there. I just needed to give them a reason to visit a cave.
I reached the root cellars, walking in between looking for a particular kind of vegetable. I finally came across the etums, and with a twinkle from my finger cast a little water in.
“Sorry.” I muttered as I walked away.