Page 17 of Wandering Witch

“If I had to guess, the location means there’s a fourth place I must go. And since it was originally marked differently, it could even be where I have to be to do the breaking. As for why a star? I think it’s meant to be the basis of a pentagram. It would also explain the colors.”

“Like the compass points referenced in that teen witch movie from a couple of decades ago?” I had no idea what film he was talking about, but I was at least aware that some witches used something similar in their spells.

“In a way, yes. Some covens call to the directions and their respective elements in order to cast. The grimoires that have been passed down in my family don’t really call for them to be used. But when they had to cast something that needed a strong foundation they would use a pentagram,” I explained.

“Don’t think I missed that you dropped that you actually have grimoires because we will be coming back to that at a later time. But mind walking me through the elements used in your big spells? As I said, I’m more familiar with the compass and fire, water, air, and earth.”

“It’s really not that different. What I’ll probably have to do when we get to the last place is draw my pentagram and place something for all five major elements down. Earth, water, fire, air, and spirit. Spirit, since I just know that’ll be your next question, is considered to be the most important of the elements and the one that binds everything together.”

“So, cosmic super glue?” he asked.

“No, and yes.” I groaned. Why was this so hard to understand? “I guess if you really dumbed it all down, that's one way to look at it.”

“I wonder if that is why after you find what you’re searching for, each location takes on an animal? Could we, Locke and I, be two of your important things to call your elements to your magic star?” he mused as he rested his chin on my shoulder and stared at the woods ahead.

That turned into the longest period of silence we’d had while awake with Roan.

I used that quiet to really think about what he’d said. Could he be on to something with linking them to the pentagram? If that was the case, I guess I should be prepared to deal with whatever fire was waiting at the end of this winding mountain trail.

Farren

It took us about another day to reach what would be the edge of where the map wanted us to go next. Since our heavy discussion, Roan has been oddly quiet. I was the first to admit I was concerned for my ghostly friend as we dismounted and unpacked our camp for the night.

“I’m going to scout the area and make sure there aren’t any other travelers nearby,” he called as he floated away.

Locke waited until he was sure Roan was out of earshot before commenting, “Is it me, or has he been off lately?”

“Yeah, but maybe he’s just getting homesick?” I really didn’t want to let my worry over Roan seem too obvious.

Locke shrugged as he stepped away to gather wood for the fire. I focused on setting up the tent. The nights were steadily getting cooler faster the further north we went, and with what looked to be rain clouds overhead, I for sure was going to want shelter.

One of the nicer things since Roan had joined us was that Locke was back to being cuddly at night. I mused as I finished putting the stakes down. Of course, the downside was that he’s also being extra cautious about touching me when Roan is in the tent with us. Was I asking too much in hoping that he would eventually make up his mind about what direction he wanted to take our relationship?

I sighed as I hauled our packs inside and unrolled the sleeping bags I’d picked up for Locke and me to share. He calls me his mate, but ever since that morning, it's like he’s been terrified of touching me. I was startled when I woke to find him touching me so... intimately.

Maybe all my time on the run had consequences that had finally caught up with me. Maybe it was time I admitted to myself that I’d spent too long being afraid of losing myself to the curse that I refused to really live.

A commotion outside the tent caught my attention as I finished laying out the bedding. When I peeked out past the canvas flap, I saw Roan had come back and was pestering Locke.

The ghost had grabbed one of the longer sticks and was waving it around like a sword at Locke. I held back a giggle as Locke tried to dodge Roan’s blows as he tried to build a fire without getting stabbed by a stick. However, as soon as he had the wood placed how he wanted, he grabbed what would have been better described as a small branch than a stick.

Armed with his own mock weapon, Locke whirled around and blocked the blow that was aimed at his head. I saw my bear grin evilly as he rose to his impressive height and proceeded to parry a series of strikes Roan had launched at him. Roan, for his part, laughed when he realized he had himself a playmate.

My smile widened as I settled in the safety of the tent to watch the boys’ mock battle. It was very impressive to see how fluidly they both moved and how well their differing fighting styles blended so smoothly.

Roan moved in what I would guess would be a sort of back alley, self-taught sword technique. Locke on the other hand, swung his branch like a war club as easily as he would wield one of his massive paws when in bear form.

Eventually, I had pulled myself from my thoughts enough to realize they were speaking as well as fighting. What I thought was just playful taunts and jabs from Roan were also being returned in kind by Locke. In between those, I heard Locke offering critiques on Roan’s form.

Looks like my boys are finally getting along. I thought as I enjoyed watching them bond from the comfort of my place in the tent.

Roan

My scouting of the area came up with nothing other than some wildlife that clearly didn’t feel threatened by the presence of a strange predator in their woods. So I chose to return to where I had left the others to set up their camp for the night.

It was strange to think there were actually people waiting for me to return to a campsite. After so many years alone, I finally was a part of something bigger again, and this time I would not take it for granted.

When I got back, Fare was in the tent getting it ready for the night. I would join them, of course, but that was just so I could pretend I was a firm part of their group.

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