“Please forgive my brother’s ignorance.” Ignatius said with a scornful glance down at him. “He sometimes speaks without thinking.”

  “No, no.” said Aman in a similar hushed voice. “This is a good thing. Every attendant who has ever seen to her care has kept a record of anything she might say. But one of the few things she’s ever mentioned more than once is the arrival of three strangers and a lightning user who she would bestow a boon upon!”

  “Boon?” asked Robert. “What’s a boon?”

  “A gift of some sort!” Said Vickiri excitedly. “Who knows! But it will greatly help all those in Spellvale!” No one heard the footsteps approach but the blanket across the threshold was thrown aside and Siouxsie appeared.

  “We’re done.” Siouxsie smiled. “She just wanted a hug.”

  “Did she say anything else to you?” asked Vickiri.

  “She said she wants me to come back just before the witching hour tonight.”

  “She said that to you?” asked Aman.

  “Yes. She said she was happy to see me and asked if I would come back to visit her just prior to midnight.” The girl’s face twinged a little and she gave out a long, long yawn. “But I don’t know if I’m going to be awake by then.” She lazily rubbed an eye. “I feel very tired all of a sudden.”

  “I’ll see that you get some fresh umbra tea to keep you awake for later.” Said Vickiri who was practically dancing with glee by now. “I’ll boil the pot myself! If sister has requested your presence, then you must come!”

  “Must I?” she asked.

  “Absolutely!” said Vickiri as he seemed almost ready to jump out of his own skin with joy. “Siouxsie, this is a moment that many of us have been waiting scores of decades for! Don’t you see? Sister has hardly ever spoken before let alone requested the audience of anyone! My dear, this is cause for celebration! Let us go and tell the others what’s come to pass!”

  “Should we?” asked Ignatius. “It seems premature to get everyone excited or even anxious about Siouxsie visiting her. Would they not be disappointed if they all gathered to learn that Sister and Siouxsie have had a pleasant chat?”

  “That is true, my love.” said Aman. “We have no idea for what purpose sister has summoned the girl.” Vickiri took in her words and his eyes shifted back and forth in thought as he weighed them over.

  “No, you’re right.” He said, his mannerisms finally calming down. “Perhaps I’ve overreacted. Well thought, Ignatius.” Vickiri raised his eyes to him. “As much as my hopes are raised, we mustn’t be quick to jump to conclusions. Let us change clothes and find you three lodging for the night ahead. We’ll all want to be rested in the event that should good news, which is not guaranteed, come tonight.”

  “A sound conclusion.” nodded Ignatius. When they were done changing, Aman bid them farewell and embraced Vickiri before they left. Outside, the day was bright and they started back down the long hill toward Spellvale temple. Siouxsie and Robert walked ahead while Ignatius and Vickiri lagged a few steps behind.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Such a fascinating girl.” Offered their host. “The boy is the same age? Twins?” he asked

  “Yes, Siouxsie was born first, followed shortly thereafter. I was only a handful of summers old myself when they were born. Had I paid attention to the signs I would have known their abilities.”

  “How so?”

  “My parents told me it was a dark starless night and that a terrible storm raged outside. Father said that lightning struck the tree nearest to our home just as Siouxsie was being born and the tree became consumed with fire and burned to the ground as Robert entered the world.”

  “Truly marvelous.” Said Vickiri. “I’ve never heard such a story. Are your parents well?”

  “They are no longer amongst the living.” Ignatius said looking away to the horizon. “A terrible fiery mishap within our home several summers ago. The three of us survived and I have been the guiding force in their lives to keep them presentable. I believe I’ve done a fair job despite my brothers abhorrent table manners and sharp tongue. Siouxsie seems to be the more sociable and quicker learning one of the pair.”

  “He seems a precocious youth,” Vickiri smiled. “But which witchlings aren’t full of spirit at their age?”

  “They’re on the cusp of adulthood.” Said Ignatius as he looked upon the pair. “I hope I’ve done enough to prepare them for the trials of life ahead. In times where I have not been able to afford them finer things for them, I’ve always supplemented those instances with love and laughter.”

  “Then I would say you’ve gifted them something more valuable than gold after all.”

  “Perhaps.” considered Ignatius. “I am grateful they have one another.”

  “And you?” asked Vickiri “Do you have someone to give your time and attention to?”

  “No one for certain.” Ignatius smiled with a bit of a blush. “But there is someone I do think is special.”

  “He fancies Hoxley!” Giggled the twins in unison. This surprised the older two as they didn’t think they were listening. Siouxsie spun about but kept walking backwards as they travelled. “Ignatius heart has been ensnared by a lovely faun, a good friend of ours!” Ignatius’ blush deepened but he didn’t shrink from the truthful accusation.

  “Ahh.” said Vickiri. “Fauns are quite lovely, aren’t they? Headstrong they usually are. And where is your dear Hoxley at this moment?” he asked

  “I wish I knew.” He answered. “We were separated and the others. As grateful as we are for your hospitality, I fear the time may draw near when we will need to depart to seek them out.”

  “Leave?” said Vickiri with some surprise. “But you just got here! Sister is awake and speaking! You can’t just arrive, awaken her and leave! So much is happening now! More than has happened in my entire lifetime!”

  “I suspect that’s very true, but all of your people are here and accounted for. Our companions are still out there in the wild and we cannot rest until they are found.”

  “Then by all means, Ignatius.” Vickiri said with renewed interest. “We will dedicate our own numbers to helping you find them. We have many capable fliers, even my own son will aid you in finding them. Let us waste no time. While we wait for night to fall, I will recall all flights and together we will discuss a plan to canvass the lands.”

  “I would be grateful for your assistance, Vickiri.”

  “Then let it be so. We shall allow Siouxsie and Robert to take some leisure while you and I plan the best method of finding your companions.”

  And so it was that the trio were taken back to Vickiri’s hut. As promised, he cooked a special tea that when sipped took away all of Siouxsie’s fatigue and kept her awake. Robert devoured another three honeycombs and half of another hen before he kicked back in a chair and fell asleep. Vickiri called all the witches he could manage and had them listen to Ignatius description of each of the people he claimed had been lost. Each witch listened intently and memorized their characteristics before a large map of the land was unrolled upon a table. Vickiri divided up the witches into four groups and planned the areas they should canvas. Once the plan was understood the witches departed and took to the sky, flying away into the air in their red and orange and gold sashes like scattered autumn leaves. In time, night fell. And before the witching hour approached, Siouxsie Robert and Ignatius were led back up the long, long hill once more. But just as they approached, Aman was waiting ten paces away from the lightning witch’s hut.

  “Is everything alright, my love?” asked Vickiri

  “Perfectly fine.” she said. “However, Sister has requested that you all wait here in this spot outside while she visits with the girl.” Everyone made a quick glance to Siouxsie who looked as surprised as anyone.

  “Is that so?” he asked. “All of us? I’ve never known her not to receive any of us!”

  “That’s true.” she said “But this time she bade me to obey her. Siouxsie?” the woman held out her hand. “Would you come with me?” Siouxsie looked unsure but with an affirming nod from her older brother she stepped forward to take Aman’s hand. She led the girl away and closed the outer door behind them while the three stood together in the night. Robert magically made a fresh pear from within his cloak and noisily munched it.

  “Why do we have to be here if the lightning witch only wants to visit her?” Robert asked in between chews.

  “It seems important if she would summon Siouxsie in the middle of the night.” Ignatius thought aloud as he crossed his arms. “If it wasn’t, she could have spoken with her at any point in the day.” The three waited a short time before Aman reemerged alone carrying a bucket.