The Ether Witch Volume 2

"Hm." Kasim Jelani nodded his head slowly, his arms folded over his chest, as he remained relaxed in his seat despite listening to Tam's harrowing adventure from start to finish.

He had even confided in the earth witch the dreams he had been experiencing.

There didn't seem a point in leaving those out.

After taking a moment to silently sift through the long tale, Kasim's judgeless gaze met with Tam's. "You have nearly succeeded in taking on the fate of the devil."

The words hung in the air as heavy as a swollen rain cloud.

"How do I take it all?"

Kasim stilled. He didn't look surprised, but he did look sad. "You cannot take a fate like that without a key piece."

"And what is that piece?" Tam pressed patiently as he carefully removed the pot of stew from the fire and set it carefully on the cooking table.

"It needs to be willingly given to you from the one that originally held it."

Tam locked eyes with Kasim.

He felt his desperation well up in him. "Do I have to tell him what I'm asking for?"

Kasim grimaced as he leaned forward once more. "I do not know, but that is not the fate due to you, Lord Tam."

"I think it is. Remember, my da was told by the Gods one of his children would help a being dear to them."

Kasim tutted and shook his head. "You are admirable, but that does mean you are about to greet Death once more."

Hearing it said aloud made it difficult for Tam to hold Kasim's somber stare, but he did. He revealed all he felt.

"I see." Kasim's voice was soft. "Your father and mother will suffer more than you can ever imagine, but… I do know in the same position their choice would be the same as your own."

Tam managed a smile. "Thank you for not trying to talk me out of it."

Kasim uncrossed his arms to rest his hands on his knees. "Your path is not for me to walk. I only ask you to indulge me in one thing."

Tam straightened.

The earth witch smiled. "Come with me to the courtyard. I wish to see something with your power."

Blinking, Tam arched an eyebrow. "I won't be able to do much, I need to conserve a lot of energy for moving everyone out of the void."

Kasim raised his hand. "I suspect it won't cost you much at all." He then stood, and proceeded toward the castle door, his hands clasped behind his back.

Before following, Tam placed a lid on the stew, and ensured the bread rolls were somewhere Kraken couldn't easily access. His father's familiar had been in a downright nasty mood ever since he had woken from his nap the day Tam had whisked away the castle and realized what Tam had done. The familiar had barely spent any time with him, though he did often sleep near Eli's feet as she recovered.

The two witches made their way out to the only span of grass and greenery that had survived the move to the void.

With the eerie overhead light with its unknown origin, and no breeze to rustle the plants, the formerly peaceful space felt like an illusion of what it normally was.

While Tam had expected the earth witch to take him into his beloved greenhouse, instead Kasim turned to face Tam in the middle of the courtyard.

"You described feeling a part of the forest in Zinfera when you fell apart in your void. Did you hear the life and earth you joined in these times?"

Tam balked. "Uh. Not really. It was closer to what I'd call torture, and so I was a little preoccupied."

If Kasim found this detail disturbing, he didn't relay that in his face. "When an elemental witch requires nature to shift its existence for their will, it is a conversation. When you force it upon them, it uses more magic," Kasim explained simply. "When I speak with my plants," he began while crouching down next to a pink cyclamen. "I tell them what I need and why. I hear their voices speak to me in response. Your father isn't as adept at hearing the plants in his home, but he does sense their desires, and they work cohesively to that end. I am most curious to know what kind of conversation you would have."

Tam glanced around at the greenery, suddenly feeling rather bashful. "Are they angry?"

Kasim chuckled. "No. Confused. Intrigued, and a bit worried. They miss the roots of the King's Forest. They all speak together through their soil," he explained, his dark eyes falling to the plants fondly.

"Does stone or air speak?" Tam wondered aloud as he stared at the walls of the castle.

"My sister-in-law, Sky, may she rest in peace, said the winds would speak to her. They were her close friends. As for stone…" Kasim trailed off, a thoughtful smile on his face. "I only hear rumblings, but I would not be surprised if you heard a word or two."

Silence eased between the two men as Tam stared around the beautiful courtyard. He wasn't entirely certain why, but he was feeling rather nervous. "I suppose I should probably try this sooner than later. Asher is a banshee when he's hungry."

Kasim chortled a little, but didn't try to hurry him along.

Closing his eyes, Tam reached out with his abilities.

It was odd having the castle already be a part of the void. Similar to the feeling of wearing a tunic inside out. However, it did allow him to feel the plants without the need to dissolve.

As usual, Tam felt the materials of his surroundings, the cool leaves, and rough stone… It was quiet without the wind so he did not hear any rustling leaves, but their smell remained as earthy as ever.

Hello? He called out in his mind, already doubtful that he would hear anything the way Kasim described.

Quiet continued to reign; there wasn't even a shudder of life.

"Friend?"

Tam jolted in shock at the whispery voice that responded in the hush.

"New friend?"

"Funny!"

"Strange."

"Goddess? No. Hi!"

Tam's heart raced as the voices grew in number, he struggled to think of what to say, and the longer he took to find the words, the louder and greater in number the voices became.

"Look! Look!"

"Magic!"

"Smelly."

"Quiet human!"

"See you!"

Tam was vaguely aware that despite there being no breeze, that the plants had begun to rustle around him in waves.

I hope you don't mind, but… I'm the one who made the sky dark. He finally managed to sputter out mentally, his disbelief bringing a tremor through his fingertips.

There was another pause amongst the voices.

"Sky dark!"

"Why?"

"Sun soon?"

"No!"

Tam flinched as the rush of voices echoed more loudly than before, and it continued to whirl around him, forcing his awareness to back itself away, only when he brushed against the stone he heard a sonorous low groan add itself to the cacophony of sound.

Snapping himself free of the awareness, Tam found himself panting. The flood of noise had made the very air he breathed feel smothering.

"I take it you heard them?" Kasim asked lightly.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Tam swallowed and nodded.

Kasim smiled knowingly. "It is as I thought. You described your power as everything and nothing. So it stood to reason that everything, included everything. You are the ally to all of nature. You are the most powerful witch I have ever met. In a way, you embody your coven's motto better than any other. Nature is all, without it we are nothing."

Tam recalled reading that phrase on the stained glass window in the archive room. The words had needled deeply into his mind…

"I still don't know that I can recharge my magic without rest, and besides… I'm not sure that being incredibly powerful with the elements and void will be as useful in this particular situation."

Kasim strode a little closer to Tam. "I don't know about that. Someone of great power like yourself often has a great deal of options at their disposal."

"You mean like threatening covens and people to forgive me for abducting them and taking away the castle?"

"Mm," Kasim sounded out with a look of disagreement. "More that you might offer your abilities to help the world in exchange for leniency."

"Indentured servitude?" Tam asked bitterly.

"Being indentured makes it sound as though you have no choice. You would have a choice, and you may even be able to help the world become better."

Tam considered this. It was a valid point.

As his mother would say, he needed to play the hand he had been dealt to the best of his ability. And right now, he had quite a few powerful cards in his hand. The only issue was the price of using those cards could cost Tam what he wanted:

His peaceful life with Eli and their family.

Then again, perhaps he should focus more on the matter of his imminent death before considering how to handle his legal troubles.

"I see you have much to think about," Kasim interrupted Tam's musings while bowing ever so slightly in order to catch his eyes. "However, I do have one final question… And that would be if you wouldn't mind signing a letter I plan on sending home to Lobahl in the near future relaying the details of your time with the young pair Bes and Hamil."

At this, Tam hesitated. "Er… Why?"

Kasim didn't hide his seriousness. "They should not have left Lobahl. They did so illegally, and as a result have relayed far too much about our kingdom. I am glad it is you who has heard it, and not another, but all the same. This serious offence needs to be reported."

Tam winced. "I did coerce them a bit."

"Lobahlan's are trained not to crack under the kind of mental and verbal traps you used," Kasim informed him sternly. "I understand you feel guilt for your part in this, Lord Tamlin, however, as Lobahlans, they are taught from a young age how severe an offence it is. They should have gone through the proper channels to leave Lobahl."

Clearing his throat in discomfort, Tam turned toward the castle doorway whilst rubbing his neck. "If you say so."

The two men gradually meandered their way into the castle. Tam stowed his hands in his pockets as they walked. He turned over the new discovery that he could interact with the elements the same way elemental witches could, and how making requests as opposed to muscling them into doing what he wanted would consume less power…

A new question occurred to him.

"Why could I not hear the voices of the plants before? Wouldn't I have felt some pull from the elements earlier in my life?"

Kasim allowed his eyes to drift upward pensively. "I cannot know for certain, but my guess would be that you hid from your power and shut it off for years. You are only now becoming acquainted with it, and as all witches are advised, you would need to spend time with your element, and questioning what it means to you." Kasim looked at Tam. "What does everything and nothing mean to you?"

Tam gave a wry half smile. "Pretty sure the answer is in the question for anyone."

The earth witch continued staring at Tam expectantly. His answer was evidently lacking.

Letting out a sigh as they rounded the corner to the kitchens, Tam gave the question a bit more consideration.

"Everything feels overwhelming. And loud. I'm not someone who really enjoys excess. I like my privacy and space. So I guess I find nothing… freeing."

"Well, this power is rooted in who you are as a person, Lord Tam. So perhaps ask yourself is it possible to find joy in a life, or world, of everything? Is it possible there is an everything place you simply haven't found to center yourself in?"

A deprecating laugh escaped Tam's mouth. "I've never been in the right place."

"Says who?"

At this, Tam opened his mouth and closed it, then cleared his throat. "It's no secret that I'm the black sheep of the family. Even my sister and parents have told me to change, or try to be different."

"Is it that they wanted you to be different, or that they wanted you to feel happy and to no longer fear yourself?"

At this, Tam couldn't quite bring himself to answer. He considered all the times his parents had encouraged him to meet people, or to have friends. To talk to them about what was happening, or to stay a little longer for a family meal…

"However you leave this world, Lord Tam, I do wish that you leave it knowing you have always had a very important place here. And to see that it is possible to find a balance of answering a calling, and being happy."

Tam felt emotion declare war on his throat, and so it took him a little longer than normal to form his next words. "Thank you… Kasim. Can I ask why you never joined the king's inner council? Even Hamil and Bes indicated you were incredibly important back in Lobahl."

Kasim's reaction to this reminder of his past in his homeland resulted in a rather unique expression from the earth witch that was a mix of a smile and a grimace. "I imagine you will understand me better than most, Lord Tam, when I say that at home, bureaucracy got in the way of what I wanted to do. Here? I tend my plants. I see my family. I have the funds to do whatever I please. I try whatever I wish to try with my work. Here in Daxaria is where I found my own freedom."

"Do you agree with what the covens are trying to do in separating from the monarchy? I heard Lobahl isn't that different in how its government is set up. Hamil and Bes mentioned sects?"

Kasim shot Tam a rather dry look that indicated he wasn't going to be as easy to prod answers out of as the two young runaways had been, which made Tam grin roguishly and issue a boyish shrug.

Despite this look, Kasim did answer the initial question. "I think having a safe place for witches to train and to examine where their talents would best settle is not a bad idea. However, for there not to be fear mongering, and discrimination, I think the coven's approach of severing their connection with the kingdoms and its people has been sloppy. My understanding of it is that the first witch is in a hurry to see this through."

Tam turned over this opinion in his mind, then went on to say, "I was surprised at how cavalier both Bes and Hamil were at the mention of the first witch and the devil. It sounded like the children of the Gods lived amongst the Lobahlans for a long time."

Kasim did not comment on Tam's observation.

By this time, they had reached the kitchen, and unsurprisingly, the two men found that it was occupied by none other than the three princes, and Luca. All who were sniffing the air and watching the pot of stew with great interest. Asher was on his knees on one of the stools leaning over the table, while Antony was at his side already hoisting the lid off the pot.

Luca and Charlie stood a short ways off, watching nervously.

Tam couldn't keep the smile from his face. "I leave here for a moment and you raccoons are already ready to eat everyone's meal!"

Asher leapt out of his seat as Antony set the lid down with a clatter, and both Luca and Charlie whirled around with wide, nervous eyes. Their anxieties melted from their faces however, when they noted the way Tam grinned at them.

Luca came forward and threw his arms around his father's waist.

Tam's hand came down, and ruffled the silky black mop. "Where's Penelope?"

"With Eli," Luca answered before releasing Tam and stepping back.

Tam nodded and made his way over to where the bowls and plates were kept.

"Alright, I need the fastest boys I know to tell everyone dinner is ready. Which of you do you think will tell the most people?"

"Me!" shouted Antony, puffing his chest out. "I'm the oldest!"

"Not anymore!" Asher shrieked in delight. "Luca's older!"

Luca blushed and inched closer to Tam. "I-It's fine, I want to stay here and help my dad."

Asher and Antony shrugged and bolted from the kitchen.

Tam regarded Charlie expectantly, but when the boy didn't take off like his brothers, his good-natured expression dimmed.

"Charlie, would you like to help Luca and I divvy up dinner?"

The prince nodded.

Tam shared a knowing look with Kasim who quietly made his way over to the bread box, and began to distribute the rolls.

Tam wished he could do more to help Charlie through whatever darkness he was still struggling against following his time with the coven, but unfortunately…

He didn't think he had much time left.