Thirty Six: The Mother's Healers

Purda read my lips.

"I accept."

And her wrinkled face spread into a grim mask. She nodded.

All the while, the crowd had exploded in sound. Arguing. Joy. Shouting. Alarm. Surprise.

A weathered hand grabbed my arm and I paid Mila my full attention. I couldn't hear her over the crowd but her intent was pretty clear.

"Go!" I could barely hear Noda, who had turned to us as well. "I'll settle them down. Go with Purda for now."

Mila pulled me toward Purda, and then the three of us walked off as fast as Purda's old bones could go toward her cabin, which was closest. Eyes definitely followed us, and more than a few familiars tried to tag along to eavesdrop. Mila sent them running back to their masters and eventually we made it to Purda's door in peace.

"You just had to raise a ruckus," Mila snapped at Purda, but she was fighting to keep a grin off her face.

Purda shrugged. "Isn't that what they've wanted me to do for all these years?"

Mila laughed. Actually laughed. My eyes were about to pop out of my head, and I leaned against the wall to stay upright. Puko was still on my shoulder, he hadn't left my side. But now he flapped away, going to set on the back of a chair. Purda watched him, then walked over to take an empty seat at the table.

"You should explain things to her properly," Mila said.

Purda waved a hand. "I will. Just let me catch my breath first."

A knock at the door had us all turning our heads.

"It's Schula and Nassir," I said, having felt them coming only a moment before they reached the door."

Purda nodded. "They can come in."

Mila opened it for them.

"What's all this about?" Schula asked, concern written on her face as her eyes bounced from me, to Purda and back again.

Purda raised a hand, still breathing a little hard from her rushed walk. "Settle in and you can hear it when I tell Wren."

Schula looked up to Nassir, and he just placed his hands on her shoulders and steered her to a corner where a couple empty stools sat. "We will be as bugs in the grass. Pay us no attention."

"But-" Schula started.

"Bugs in the grass, Schula. We are not of their people, we are guests in this valley." Nassir sat down and gestured for Schula to do the same. She finally made a bit of a pouting face and sat.

"A marvel, to be so old yet your youth never leaves you," Mila sighed.

Purda chuckled at her words. "The nature of the fae will forever be a rolling tide of emotion."

"That it is." Nassir grinned.

"Wren," Purda said, capturing my attention with a more serious tone. "Do you know what my role among the witches is?"

I swallowed and nodded. "You are regarded as the most knowledgeable healer. The one that is tasked with ensuring enough new healers are trained, and to preserve the knowledge of all the healing arts of the witches before us."

"And I am one of the few roles that must ensure a line of succession," Purda finished. "Wren, I should be taking on apprentices. They have been on me for years to name one. But few stand out as both powerful healers and capable leaders."

"But, you named me," I said. "Even though I'm so new to it."

"If I died tomorrow, you would do. Untrained as you are, I believe you are smart enough to figure it out, if need be. However, I don't believe the Mother will be calling me any time soon. I have time to name other apprentices, replace you as heir. What is most important right now, is that as my heir, you have access to the knowledge that came before us."

"The forbidden tomes," I said quietly. "I can find the books of the witches who were there!"

My heart felt light, like it would float away. Finally, finally some answers. That is, until I realized what it would mean to be her replacement. A sadness washed over me, and a numbness as I placed my hand over the pendant that sat under my tunic. "Purda, I'll have to stay here, won't I?"

"While it is true that I would need you to reside with me for the duration of your training, I will be continuing my search for the best replacement," Purda said.

"So, I may still not be the one to take your job?" I asked.

Purda shrugged. "Who knows what the Mother's will is? All I can tell you, is that I am still searching. But Wren, your hope is not lost. I know you have a journey to continue. I can stall your training as long as one year, but after that time passes I must have you back here with me."

"Unless you've gotten a better replacement," I said.

Purda nodded. "Unless I have found an alternate apprentice."

I took in a deep breath, and let it out slowly. "Alright. If this is my best way to the information I need, then I guess I have no other choice."

My eyes watered and I clutched my chest. A whine from the side of the room had me turn to Schula who was in some distress herself.

"Wren," Mila reached out a hand and placed it on my arm. "It will work out as the Mother wills it, and I have never seen her to put a daughter in such a position that did not want it. She has Her plans, and all we can do is watch."

I nodded, letting out a slow breath. "Alright, one year from now I will come back to you Purda."

Purda held up a hand. "Now, hold on. I said only that you would need to reside with me. Nothing is stopping me from going to where you are, provided you have found a safe space for a witch to reside."

A glimmer of hope.

"But, don't you need to remain in the valley?" I asked.

Purda huffed, a sort of laugh. "No, only the keeper must stay here to protect the valley. My only obligations here are the gathering once a moon."

I bit the inside of my cheek, mulling it over. It's possible I could remain somehow in or near the Wyldes then. The trip to the valley once a moon cycle would be difficult, but perhaps I could still find a way.

"For now, it will have to do," I said. "Purda, thank you for this opportunity. I will use the knowledge from our sisters well."

Purda nodded with a smile. "Very good. We will need to bind you to the agreement, but then you will be free to read the tomes. Take them with you if you must. And do not stop your studies. There is a very real chance you will be called upon to take up this mantle."

"Thank you, Purda," I said softly.

"I will call Noda to bind it with me," Mila said.

"Noda will be busy right now," Purda said. "Is it wise to remove her from the gathering?"

"It would be better to conclude this tonight," Mila warned. "And have Wren gone from here before sunrise."

"Before sunrise?" I asked, my heart beating fast. It was all moving so quickly now. The acumulation of weeks of waiting, followed by a rapid gathering and a hasty escape. That's what it was starting to feel like, an escape under the cover of the new moon.

"I will collect our things," Nassir said. "Schula, stay with her."

Schula nodded and Nassir left.

"I will fetch Noda," Mila said and she slipped out the door.

"Purda," I said. "Is this alright? I mean, it feels as though we are using the situation with your apprentice to my advantage."

"Aye, we are," Purda answered. "Yet it is not without good cause. You are right to seek the reparation of the barriers. Those were placed there for good reason and for the peace of mankind. But know this, Wren, I am just as serious in your apprenticeship. My time in this world has its limits. At some point, I will need a replacement. I trust I will find another before the time comes, but if I fell under the Mother's will tomorrow, I believe you could figure out what to do. You do not know it, but you are very much Lark's daughter."

My throat tightened. "Was she really so wonderful?"

Purda gave me a soft smile. "Her magic was strong, her will was adventurous. Whether she wanted it or not, she was looked to as a leader among the witches of her age. In many ways she was a terrible witch, but a wonderful person."

I swallowed hard and nodded. I guess that's something I would never see for myself.

After a few minutes, Mila returned with Noda. We all watched eagerly for news of the gathering.

"It is back under control," Noda said. "The news of the intruder was a shock. Actually, the news of Lark's daughter was also a shock. After you left, they began questioning Gelwyn about the fact that she withheld the dangerous information of the fae cursing witches in the valley."

Schula snorted. "Serves her right."

"Gelwyn made the decision she thought was best," Mila said.

Noda hummed. "I agree, which concerns me. The keeper of the valley should keep the people's safety in mind, but also their right to know what is happening in the valley."

"We can address it with the elders," Mila said. "But that is for another time. This night, we need to bind Wren as one of the Mother's healers, and show her the tomes."

"Very well." Noda nodded. "Wren, I wish I could have gotten to know you under less urgent circumstances. I trust you will have to leave quickly to achieve your goals before returning to Purda?"

"That's right," I said. "Even if Purda finds a more suitable replacement, I will be back someday. I am a witch, after all."

Mila smiled. "But you are also Lark's daughter, and you will wander as your heart pleases. Do not worry about your role here for now, child. Let us get your on your way."

"Wren," Purda said. "Stand with me here and take my hands."

I did as I was told. Noda cleared her throat and I turned to see her speak.

"Mother, surround these daughters as they embark on a journey together as teacher and student." Noda placed her hands under ours.

"Guide them in your wisdom, and may Wren heal many children under your light," Mila finished, placing her hands on top of ours.

"It is done," Purda said. "Now, someone with younger bones than mine, please take Wren to the tomes. I will be along shortly."

I held my tongue, wondering if Mila or Noda were much younger than Purda. But if nothing else, they looked more able to go somewhere right now.

"Come, we will take you," Mila said, then turned to Schula. "Go with Nassir and meet us at the south western corner of the valley. When Wren is ready, you can leave."

"As you say, Mila. It was nice to meet a mentor of Wren's. I hope we meet again." Schula gave me a hug before she left, with a whisper for only me to hear. "Be strong, we are with you and we will bring you back here someday."

I nodded into her shoulder and she let me go. Once she left, Noda and Mila gestured for me to follow.

We walked from Purda's cabin and up the slope. The new moon mad the progress slow. While I had no problems seeing where I was walking, Noda and Mila didn't have my eyes. The crickets were out, singing their evening song as we walked in silence. Puko had come, of course, and was sitting on my shoulder once again.

We reached the walls at the eastern edge of the valley. Noda and Mila seemed to know where we were going, but I couldn't see where we were headed other than a solid wall.

"Um, Mila," I started.

"Hush, child." Mila and Noda stopped at the valley wall and were running their fingers over the rocks.

I shut up and observed. It took them a few minutes before Noda grunted and grabbed a jagged piece of rock from the wall, yanking on it.

"Here it is," she said, removing it from the wall.

I watched as behind the rock, a wooden handle was reveled. Mila reached and and pulled it down, pushing inward to reveal that there was a door with rocks attached to it this whole time.

"Oh..." I breathed, impressed. Lighting torches on the wall with purple witch flame, Mila and Noda ushered me inside and closed the door behind them.

"Here we are, Wren," Mila said. "This is where we keep the forbidden tomes."

I stared down the hall as they lit more torches. It was a room, a comfortable room about the size of Thain's sitting room. There were shelves and tables and a small fireplace with a simple shelf of supplies for making tea. The perfect place to sit and study.

"Come, Wren," Noda urged. "It's time to find your tomes. The barrier awaits."

I went to the table while the older witches pulled book after book from the shelves. Finally, finally, my answers were here. I hope.