Chapter 418 418 Flying South
Chapter 418 418 Flying South
True to her word, Cassie took off with Priya and a load of magical items first thing in the morning, just as the sun began to light up the flat spot that they were using as a runway.
The twin-engine model was pure luxury compared to the little one that they used for village deliveries, which would be commandeered by the twins today, as they were going to make some essential supply drops in the area on their days off from river protection duty.
Cassie took the plane well up into the sky, passing through low-lying clouds and wondering about the way that the atmosphere dropped in temperature as their altitude increased. They were above the mountains now, and the air was thin and freezing cold, but she was learning new things about the nature of the world, which was helping her understanding of Witch Magic.
It was probably something that was taught in school, and she had just forgotten about it as she grew up, but her memory of atmospheric effects was vague at best.
“The GPS unit is giving proper readings now. According to this, we are into Sylvan Territory already, so keep your eyes open for enemy troops while we head for the coordinates that Wolfe sent last night.” Priya reminded her from the copilot’s seat.
“I’m on it. But you had better start thinking of a really good line to get Wolfe to help us out when we arrive. The bags that you brought are great, but they’re not complete unless we can get that gravity inscription added to them to lighten the load placed inside. Without that, they’re a bargain item that any good witch could make.” Cassie reminded her.
That wasn’t strictly true. The self-repair charm and the protective charm on them were far beyond what most witches in the swamps could make these days, but her version of what was normal was influenced by spending most of her time after awakening her powers among exceptional people.
“Don’t worry. He will do it. They’re the perfect item to sell to travellers and patrol teams. Who wouldn’t want a pack that made all their gear weightless?” Priya chuckled.
It was a hard one to argue against. The idea was brilliant, and the Witches back home were looking forward to getting Wolfe back so they all could add them to their regular gear.
“Oh, I have a great idea. How about we have him create patches or amulets with the charm so that they could be applied to wagons as well? I bet the farmers would love that. Charge it up, and the wagon would ride like it was empty all the way to market.
I remember as a kid that the trading wagons would always get stuck in the spring when the ground was muddy. Then they’d have a Witch use Air Magic to lift them out of the mud, but if they had a Gravity Amulet, they wouldn’t have to do that in the first place.”
“We’re almost there already. Flying makes things so much better.” Cassie laughed, then pointed toward the village in the distance, where they could see the blue lights in the trees that marked the sides of the runway.
They had been installed that very morning and were flashing a welcoming beacon for the expected flight, so there was no mistaking that they had found the right village.
Cassie banked the plane and lined it up with the road, then lowered the flaps and brought the plane in for a slow landing, using Air Magic to keep them aloft and barely moving as they glided in the last few hundred metres.
Wolfe and the others, along with a pair of Witches that Cassie didn’t recognize, were waiting for them at the end of the runway. They were standing next to a group of older Witches and human soldiers, so the two younger witches must be with Wolfe’s group.
“He’s collecting more of them again,” Priya muttered.
“We need to have a talk with that man. It’s bordering on hoarding what he’s doing. He can’t just keep taking every witch he finds interesting.” Cassie agreed.
“What do you want to bet that they were in desperate situations and he ‘benevolently rescued’ them, so now they feel indebted to him?” Priya asked.
“The little one, for sure. But the other one looks at him like he owes her money. There’s definitely a story there. Maybe she was with an enemy group or something, and he’s taken her prisoner with a Favour spell.” Cassie laughed.
The clearing fell silent as Cassie glided the plane to a stop in front of the groups and cut power to the motors, stopping the propellors.
As soon as it was safe to get out, she hopped down and straight into Wolfe’s arms, covering him with kisses.
“I missed you. Now, tell me what you’ve been up to that needed me to bring some random village in the middle of the woods all sorts of trade goods?” Cassie demanded.
“It’s a long story, but they’re willing to serve as a trading post for the region and a middleman to sell our products in Morgana Coven. So, you’re bringing us the first batch of samples. what do you have for them today?” Wolfe replied.
“Well, we brought the obvious ones. Better bows and swords, plus fashionable armour charms cast by Rank Two Witches for both men and women. We have Garden Charms, also created by our Rank Two members, top-quality healing potions, and fertility charms.
We also have a small selection of magical textiles, enchanted for self-cleaning and repair, made by our students, who are quite proud of themselves. And to finish it off, I brought along fifty blessing charms.” Cassie replied with pride.
The Elders looked very happy about that, but Wolfe didn’t know what sort of blessing it gave.
Priya noticed his confusion and explained quickly before Cassie could continue. “A blessing charm breaks any curses or evil magic in the area where it is placed. Put mana into it, and it will keep your house curse-free while you sleep. It’s quite effective if you fear sneak attacks or attempts to wither your crops and cause you misfortune.
And before we forget, I brought along a new product that needs your finishing touch. Enchanted backpacks. All they need is for you to put a Gravity Charm on them so they don’t gain weight when you load them. They’re already enchanted for everything else.”