The Devil’s Cursed Witch

After crossing half the distance, Erlos decided to take a stop at a place by the riverside as he didn’t want to tire Ember too much. He was mindful that her human body was not used to such a long journey and that too on horseback.

“Miss, how about a short break by the river? You should stretch your limbs while we let the horse feed,” Erlos suggested as they had already lowered their horses’ speed back to a slow trot.

Ember almost let out a cheer. She was glad that she could give rest to her hurting bottom from the constant jerks. “Please, let’s do that.”

When they found a good spot by the riverbank, Erlos easily jumped down from his chestnut horse while Ember had to struggle to climb down that large white horse who was far much taller than her. Climbing it seemed easier than getting down from it.

Her struggle continued until Erlos reached her side. “Miss, let me help you.”

Ember looked at him with an awkward gaze. “That….”

“Miss, it’s fine. Let me help you so it won’t be difficult for you.”

As he said it, she nodded. He held her at the waist while she put her hands on his shoulder for support and easily stepped down the horse.

“Thank you, Erlos.”

“My pleasure to help you, Miss,” he led her way closer to the water towards the rocks to sit on them.

“Miss, would you like to eat something?” he asked as Ember sat on one rock and he passed her wooden water carrier.

She first had water and felt less tired.  “Do you have something to eat?” she asked, she in fact felt that she needed to fill her stomach.

“I don’t have but I can prepare. Just give a moment,” he said and walked towards the river.

She watched him removing his boots, folding his pants up before entering the water. ‘What is he doing?’

Just as he reached a little ahead in the water, he looked down at that flowing water for a few moments and then…

Splash!

Ember didn’t realize when he bent down to put his hands in the water and when he caught that big fish long upto his elbow in his hand. She shook her head and rubbed her eyes to see if she had seen something wrong.

‘How can he be that fast?’

Erlos turned around and retuend to her with a fish and wide smile on his lips, “Miss, I will cook it right away. I am sure you will like it.”

“I didn’t know one can catch fish like this,” she commented as she watched him gathering some dried twigs around with the magic as they gathered in front of him in one place.

“Not everyone, Miss. I am just too good,” he laughed a little as he praised himself.

She didn’t deny his claim. “You are really amazing.”

She stood up from the rock and walked towards him, who was kneeling on the stony surface and was adjusting the fish to one stick and hung it horizontally over the bunch of twigs to roast it after putting fire. Just as he was about to ignite the fire, Ember stopped him.

“Wait, let me try it.” She wished to check if she could do what her teacher Helia had taught her.

Erlos agreed as he understood what she meant. Ember kneeled in front of the bunch of twigs and inhaled deeply and exhaled through her mouth first to calm her nerves.

“I hope I won’t burn this, especially this poor fish.”

“Don’t worry, Miss. Even if you burn, I can catch hundreds of fish so you can keep trying till you succeed.”

Ember looked at him. How sweet he was to encourage her like this. “Fine, I will try now. You step back a little. I don’t wish you to be hurt.”

“I will be fine, Miss. You can try,” he said and rooted to his place, without worrying about getting hurt.

Not for the sake of fish but for the sake of Erlos, now Ember needed to be careful and control her powers. Ember closed her eyes and focussed on her energy core just as Helia had taught her. Few moments passed by and then she opened her eyes which looked like they had fire burning in them as she looked at the bunch of the twigs and…there was a small flame for fire inside that bunch of twigs.

Ember blinked her eyes in a shock as she heard Erlos’ cheerful voice, “Miss, there is it. There is that tiny flame. You did it.”

Ember smiled, in fact she laughed happily and clapped on her own success, “It really did work.”

“Let me make it bigger,” he said and fanned that flame so the other twigs caught it too and soon they had their natural fish roaster ready. They roasted a fish and both ate it happily.

Once they were done and rested for a while, Erlos spoke, “Miss, if you are ready, we can leave.”

Ember nodded and they climbed the horses to resume their journey.

“Erlos, it was fun, I never experienced these things.”

“I know, Miss. But now you are in Agartha. Here you will experience everything and will always be happy.”

“I wish the same,” she said and looked at him, “I loved the fish you roasted.”

“Ah, that. Sire had taught me. When I was a child and most of the time I used to be upset after losing my family, he would bring me out like this and even catch fish like like this and roast it for me.”

“You mean Draven?” she was surprised at the revelation.

“Hmm!” he nodded, “I didn’t have family or any relatives so he did his best to raise me not to let me feel lonely,” Erlos then lowered his voice and mumble to himself, “That is the different thing he is taking everything back by making me work for him.”

Ember didn’t hear his mumbling and said, “It’s hard to believe.”

“I know. But he just look tough on outside, but he deeply care for people around him. As long as he is not angry for real, he is an angel.”

“Does he get angry?” she asked.

“Not so often as no one has the guts to do so. But only one person can do that.”

It didn’t take time for her to realize who that must be, “Morpheus?”

“You are quite an observer, Miss.”

“I only saw him talking to Draven without caring for his status as a king.”

“That eagle really got some guts but it’s because Sire takes it lightly as well and let him do as he wished.”

“Because of what happened in the past?”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Isa? Draven raised her as well. Why is she not like you?”

“Miss, she is not really bad but just a spoiled one.”

“Shouldn’t Draven correct her?”

“Sire did but if someone is being delusional enough, one can not do anything. Just because she was the only female close to Sire, she has her own delusions.”

Ember frowned, “He must have led her to have those delusions.” Aftetall he was a male and who would not want female’s attention?

“Sire?” Erlos laughed, “He was the one who never thought about having a mate and let alone misleading anyone. It’s your arrival that changed him, Miss. And about Isa, he didn’t care what she thought as it didn’t matter to him. Even after Sire had a mate, she acts the same, then it’s her fault. Sire never led her to anything. I have been with him since I was young and I can vouch for his behavior. She is nothing more than just a responsibility to him, his best friends sister who he owed something in the past.”

Ember understood. “Maybe she would understand one day.” Ember sighed and mumbled, “But that won’t make me like her.”

“Same thoughts, Miss,” Erlos added as he heard Ember clearly.