"You've never been properly trained, have you? I can see it, you have that spark in your eyes, that little flame all young witches have that says you have no idea what you are doing... Shall I teach you, darling?"
Liam growls even more at her, not fond of that proposal. I'm a bit confused, all of a sudden. She is definitely weird, but I can't feel any ill intent from that woman toward me. I have to tell myself she was still fighting Liam until minutes ago because I can't tell from her words and actions.
She tilts her head.
"Little lady, you look a bit lost. Is that really your home city?"
"Yes, and how about you leave it alone!"
I don't have as much spite as I tried to make it sound. I am a bit confused, and she doesn't even seem upset at my answer. She crosses her arms, gauging me with an amused look.
"You're a feisty one. A Fire Witch, aren't you? You are all always so hot-headed. However, you'll get burned if you don't learn how to really play with fire, darling. All witches need training, and you don't seem like a trained one."
I frown and light my fire in my hands to show her. I'm getting annoyed with all her nagging and belittling me. I may not have been trained by a witch, but she'll be the burnt one if she keeps insulting me. I raise my arms, the fire dancing in my hands with some deep red flames. She raises an eyebrow.
"Impressive..." she whispers. "Still, mastering your element is only the beginning, young lady."
She does something with her fingers, agitating them like someone would play air piano, and suddenly, big roots emerge from the ground. She has them mimic her finger movements, and I have to admit, I am impressed. She can really master those at a level I am far from... I'm still at the stage of not trying to injure anyone. I must have let my emotions show because she chuckles.
"You're cute," she says. "I was glad to have finally found a city, but it turns out it's not witch-less, just wrongly taken care of. Shall I teach you, then? Who is your mother?"
"...I don't know," I admit.
She suddenly loses her smile, and the roots fall down to the ground.
"...You don't know?" she repeats. "Interesting... Although, that explains why you're roaming around like a child and playing with fire. Well, I am Ravena, daughter of Cathleya. Do you at least have a name?"
"...Mara."
Maybe I shouldn't have given her that, but I had a glimpse of hope that this woman might know something, and react to it. She simply nods.
"Well, Mara, I am an Earth Witch, but a wiser and older one than you are. I won't pursue this city any longer... if you properly claim it."
"How do I do that?"
"Learn your powers. Assert your dominance over the wolves, and... keep greedy ladies like me at bay. I don't mind killing a wolf or two, but I am not really desperate to steal from a child. Earth Witches like me are not the confrontational type, but some of our sisters are. Like the two other ones roaming around here..."
I frown. So there are other witches looking to get into Silver City, as Liam said! Damn it... Ravena chuckles, shaking her head.
"So interesting. You're really lost, aren't you? You can't even sense them?"
I feel a bit ashamed, but I can't. I can't figure out who the other two witches are, or where the hell they are. I don't like knowing we have two enemies hidden around here, waiting for the right time to attack. Ravena shrugs.
"Oh, well. I will probably stay around a little while longer then. I don't like fighting, but maybe I won't have to if you guys kill each other first."
Wow, talk about not being confrontational, this one sounds more like some vulture! I glance down at Liam, but he is still growling furiously, probably not giving a damn about whatever that witch says.
"...Why aren't you even trying? You even offered to teach me," I ask.
"Witches are selfish, but we also have strong maternal instincts. We are not as many as we once were, either. It is a bit of our duty to protect the little ones like you... especially when it looks like they are in trouble. This city is crowded with wolves, isn't it? I can tell. We can't have a little witch get killed by werewolves, it would be a loss for us."
"So you're only fine with me dying as long as you guys do the job?" I mutter, a bit annoyed at these weird witch rules.
Ravena hesitates for a second, but she smiles.
"Sort of? Well, it's better than dying by the fangs of werewolves. Personally, I don't like those dogs, considering they betrayed us long ago. You should be thankful you met me before you met the other two. They wouldn't have let you or that dog go back alive. I just happen to be the laziest and weakest of the three. I am not interested enough in a city infested with werewolves to dispute it with a Fire Witch."
I realize she's probably aware that, as untrained as I am, I'm still probably stronger than she is as a Fire Witch. She would be at an obvious disadvantage, fighting both me and Liam. So her giving up is not just about goodwill, but she is also smart enough to not provoke me. Maybe her little talk from earlier was also to test if I would be able and willing to fight back or not...
