Just north of Tinderwick Hela observed beautiful red flowers scattered next to the road. In only a month, this place had become a popular tourist destination. The large blood rose at the center made many people want to come and visit. It was bringing money into Candlewax Kingdom.
There were several gift shops off to the side of the road. Hela walked up to one of the small stands, gazing at the gorgeous wooden carvings. She grinned at seeing a familiar witch with a black hat.
The shopâs owner was a little old lady with graying hair. The woman smiled quaintly at Hela. âItâs rare to see an elf around these parts.â
Hela didnât bother correcting her about her thinner bloodline. Instead, she pointed to the carving of Eerie. âHow much are you charging for one of these?â
The old woman grinned. âJust 5 copper coins for it. Are you interested in the story of this meadow?â
Hela placed a hand on her chin. âWow, so cheap? These are very well designed though.â The half elf placed the 5 coins on her table and put the Eerie idol in her satchel.
âWhy, thank you, miss. It feels nice to have youngsters complimenting my work. Iâve been doing wood crafting for a while. Though, most of the tourists seem to be interested in the story-tellers or the dolls.â
Hela nodded. âItâs fine handiwork. Did you come from Startour Port?â
The old womanâs eyes widened. âHow could you tell?â
âYouâre not exactly hiding the fact. Come on, the wood used to make this is from the trees around here. Besides, most people would not be wearing those sandals if they didnât come from the beach up North. And you look like youâre not with any guild.â
The old woman laughed heartily. âI like you, girly.â
Hela smiled. âYouâre not so bad yourself. If you want, I have a story of my own Iâd share with you. Provided you have the time.â
âGo on, this old Edna would listen to any travelerâs stories these days. Once you get to be my age, youâll listen to anyone to stave off boredom.â
âGreat, Iâm Hela, by the way. And the story that I want to tell actually relates to this meadow of beautiful red flowers and the origins of that big rose.â
And so, the half elf recalled her journey with a silly witch. She remembered how the witch effortlessly cast a spell that sent flower petals blowing in the wind. How the bandits were dealt with in a fraction of a second. Despite all of this, the witch seemed to have no clue about anything. She acted as if everything around her wasnât real.
By the end of the tale, Edna was grinning from ear to ear. âYour story is much better than the one they tell around here. Theyâve tainted it with their tales of valiant witches. But, it turns out, this witch is just like the rest of us.â
âOh, what makes you say that?â
âThink about it, maybe the witch acted strangely to close of her heart. Iâve seen my fair share of heartbreak, or maybe she was simply driven mad? Nevertheless, she remained a good soul. Much like yourself.â
The half elfâs face turned red, along with the tips of her ears. âThank you. Thatâs very kind.â
///
In TinderwickâCandlewax Kingdomâs capitalâa little girl ran around with fliers. Her father trailed behind her, trying to get his daughter to stop running.
âPlease wait!â Duke Granford called after his beloved little Grimore. âNot so fast!â
The house maid responded from his side. âI think it would be wise to let her run along, my lord.â
He sighed and stopped his pursuit. âI know, but I just got her back. I want to protect her.â
âYou canât protect her from experiencing life, my lord. Besides, just look how happy she is.â
Grimore smiled and handed a flier to yet another teacher. The little girlâs voice rang out in the hallway. âSir, if you have time, please come and see the Witch Goddess play!â
The old man smiled. âWitch Goddess, is it? Well, I just might be able to make time for this, and what role will you be playing?â
âEerieâThe Witch Goddessâof course!â
âOh? Then youâll be the star of the show.â
âOf course! I begged for the best part! I can still feel it inside of me. I wish I could have been awake to see the magnificent green circles!â
And such interactions continued. The little girl ran through the halls handing fliers to anyone who accepted them. She dragged her father around the city, even making him visit the king along the way.
All of it made the old Duke feel a little lonely. His daughter had found some inspiration, clinging to the idea of Eerie.
Even at the manor, sheâd clutch her expensive Eerie doll in her arms. She would run around the property with it chanting how she would become the witchâs apostle.
And indeed, a new religion began spreading around the city ever since that day. Ever since the heavens parted, and green light healed many people of their ailments, the Witchâs Church started spreading.
Foreigners who visited were always confused how a religion could pop up spontaneously, but the king decided to take advantage of the moment, dedicating the day as a national holiday. They called it Witchmas: The Day of Grand Healing. The first celebration would take place in the coming year, and people were already preparing for it.
They held auctions for items crafted in her image. One of them even decorated the fireplace mantle in the Dukeâs mansion. It was a large green spire, and the silver loops wrapping around it rotated. This magic item had costed Duke Granford a hefty penny, but then again, his daughter demanded it.
///
The Goddess, Kreah sighed. She didnât want to watch this cult any longer. That witch was no goddess!!!
Kreah bit into her pillow and sobbed tears of frustration.
An angelic maid handed her some divine tea. âMy lady, why wonât you simply punish that mortal?â
âIf only it were that easy...But that woman...No, that witch is no mortal! Sheâs not even human! Sheâs not even of this realm or any realm! Gah! I canât take it anymore...I need to descend personally.â
The angelâs eyes widened. âWill you really do that? Itâs been many millennia since you did such a thing. At least take me with you.â
âFine, we shall leave tomorrow. I will simply send down a projection at that time, and you need only follow.â
The maid bowed. âAs you wish, my lady.â