A Tale of Witchcraft... Page 10

  “I don’t know,” Brystal said with a shrug. “There’s so much to be happy about, but lately, my mind only focuses on the bad stuff. There’s a voice in my head that constantly reminds me of my failures and gives me reasons to fear the future. Every effort feels pointless, every accomplishment feels temporary, and every bump in the road feels like the end of the world. No matter what I do, I can’t get it to stop. I’m worried I’m going to be miserable forever!”

  Madame Weatherberry knelt beside Brystal and stroked her hair. Even though Brystal couldn’t feel her apparitional hands, she could feel the fairy’s empathy.

  “The only thing in life that lasts forever is the fact that nothing lasts forever,” Madame Weatherberry said. “Just like the weather, people have seasons, too—we all go through periods of rain and sunshine—but we can’t let a particularly rough winter destroy our faith in the spring, otherwise we’ll always be stuck in the snow.”

  “This doesn’t feel like a winter, it feels like an ice age,” Brystal said. “What if this isn’t a season? What if it’s more than just a phase?”

  “Either way, it’s up to you to change it,” Madame Weatherberry said.

  “But how?”

  “Misery is like an animal, it needs food to survive—so starve it. Surround yourself with art and beauty that brightens your darkest days. Listen to music and poetry that always fill the cracks of your broken heart. Read quotes and passages that can soothe and motivate you when you feel the most discouraged. Spend time with people who make you laugh and distract you from your troubles. Nourish your soul and hopefully the mind will follow. However, if you find you can’t help yourself, there’s no shame in asking others for help. Sometimes asking for help is just as heroic as giving it. There are treatments and therapies and counselors that you could benefit from—but no one finds answers if they’re too afraid to ask the questions. Don’t let your pride tell you otherwise.”

  Brystal groaned. “It sounds easier said than done.”

  “Changing hearts and minds is never easy, especially our own,” Madame Weatherberry said. “Sometimes, changing how we think and feel are the most difficult transformations a person can make. It takes time and effort like nothing else. You have to discipline your thoughts before they dictate your mood. You have to control your reactions before your reactions control you. And most important, you have to ask for help when you need it, despite how vulnerable it makes you feel. Take it from me, if I had learned to handle my emotions, and if I wasn’t too embarrassed to ask for help, the Snow Queen wouldn’t exist.”

  Brystal shuddered at the idea of another Snow Queen, growing inside her.

  “That’s why I’m here,” she said. “I need help and you’re the only person I can talk to.”

  “Well, no wonder you’re so distraught,” Madame Weatherberry said. “Every hurricane seems endless from the center of the storm. That’s why it’s so important to talk to people—getting a different perspective can be just as valuable as finding a solution. Now tell me about the things that are troubling you. I may not solve your problems, but I might change how you feel about them.”

  The cavern was so cold Brystal’s tears were frozen to her cheeks. She wiped the ice off her face and got back to her feet.

  “All right,” she said. “The progress we’ve made is incredible, but I’m afraid we’re going to lose mankind’s approval. They changed their opinion about magic so quickly I worry they’ll change their minds again. And magic may be legal now, but what if a king or queen amends the laws in the future? What will happen to us then?”

  “It’s all possible,” Madame Weatherberry said. “But you’ve already accomplished the impossible, Brystal, so have faith that you’ll handle the possible as it happens. If mankind changes their minds, then you can and will find a way to win them back. And if people love magic as much as you say they do, then a sovereign would be foolish to deny their people of something they love—that’s how revolutions start. If the time comes, it wouldn’t hurt to remind them of that.”

  Brystal went quiet as she thought about Madame Weatherberry’s advice. Like the fairy said, talking about the issue didn’t solve it, but hearing someone else’s assessment made her feel slightly better.

  “That’s helpful, thank you.”

  “It feels wonderful to be helpful,” Madame Weatherberry said. “What else is on your mind?”

  “Well, there’s also a witch who opened a school of witchcraft,” Brystal said. “Her name is Mistress Mara and she came to the Fairy Territory to recruit students. She convinced my friend Pip to join her, and now I’m worried other fairies might leave the academy and become witches, too.”

  “I know it’s difficult to hear, but this is a good thing,” Madame Weatherberry said. “For the first time in hundreds of years, members of the magical community have choices over their own destiny. Thanks to you, witches and fairies get to be whoever they wish, whenever they wish, even if it’s against your wishes.”

  “I think the witches are up to something,” Brystal said. “Mistress Mara gave a big speech about wanting to help fairies embrace their inner darkness, but I don’t trust her. Since when do witches care about anyone but themselves? What if she tricked Pip into something dangerous?”

  “If so, your friend will learn a valuable lesson, and the other fairies will have more reason to trust you in the future,” Madame Weatherberry said with a shrug. “That’s the most difficult part about being in your shoes—you have so much authority but are completely powerless over other people’s choices. So don’t blame yourself for your friend’s mistakes—that’s the biggest mistake you can make.”

  Brystal sighed. “I suppose you’re right,” she said. “Thanks.”

  “This is quite fun for me,” Madame Weatherberry said. “What’s next?”

  “I’m afraid I’ve saved the worst for last,” Brystal said.

  She removed the handkerchief from inside her coat and unwrapped the red arrow. The glowing arrowhead filled the cavern with crimson light. Just like Mrs. Vee, Madame Weatherberry had a visceral reaction to the arrow. Her cheery disposition faded, her eyes grew large, and she slowly backed away from the weapon. Brystal didn’t have to ask her—clearly, Madame Weatherberry knew exactly what the arrow was.

  “Where did you get that?” she asked.

  “I was attacked by the Three Thirty-Three,” Brystal said.

  Madame Weatherberry stared off into space and fearfully shook her head.

  “So they’re finally back after all this time,” she whispered to herself.

  “What do you know about them?” Brystal asked.

  “I—I shouldn’t say anything,” Madame Weatherberry said. “You came to me for encouragement and it would only burden you with more—”

  “Madame Weatherberry, you have to tell me!” Brystal insisted. “They’ve already tried to kill me once and I suspect they’ll do it again! Whoever they are, wherever they came from, I need to know everything I can so I can stop them!”

  Madame Weatherberry closed her eyes and winced at the request. She quietly paced around the cavern as she found the words to explain.

  “They call themselves the Righteous Brotherhood,” she said. “They’re a thousand-year-old clan that’s obsessed with something known as the Righteous Philosophy. They believe mankind should dominate the world, and anything that poses a threat to that should be exterminated. Naturally, the Brotherhood’s greatest threat has always been the magical community. For hundreds of years, they hunted witches and fairies like animals, and they spread vicious lies and rumors to validate their hatred of us.

  “The Righteous Brotherhood is the reason magic was outlawed in the first place. Six centuries ago, they manipulated King Champion I and his High Justices into criminalizing magic in the Southern Kingdom, and soon the other kingdoms followed their example. Champion I gave the Brotherhood permission to enforce the law, and the clan carried out the biggest massacre in world history. The Righteous Raid, as it was called, alm
ost annihilated the magical community completely, and the survivors went into hiding. After that, the Brotherhood faded into the shadows, but I imagine the legalization of magic has brought them out of retirement.”

  “Why did Mrs. Vee refer to them as the Three Thirty-Three?” Brystal asked.

  “Because there’s never more or less than three hundred and thirty-three of them. The duties have been passed down from father to eldest son in three hundred and thirty-three families in the Southern Kingdom. Traditionally, the clansmen swear allegiance to the Righteous Brotherhood on their father’s deathbeds. They devote their entire existence—this life and whatever may come afterward—to upholding the Righteous Philosophy. The clan is so secretive the clansmen never reveal their identities to each other, making it nearly impossible to find them or predict what they’ll do next.”

  “How did they create weapons like these? Where did they find a stone that defies magic?”

  “It’s called bloodstone and no one knows for sure,” she said. “Of course, over the years there have been plenty of theories about its origins. Some say the stone fell from the stars, others say it was forged in the center of the earth by demons, and some claim it was a gift from Death himself.”

  “Death himself?” Brystal asked in disbelief. “You don’t believe that, do you?”

  Suddenly, a noise echoed through the cavern. Brystal and Madame Weatherberry turned toward the entrance and heard footsteps coming from down the tunnel.

  “Someone must have followed you here,” Madame Weatherberry said. “I have to go. If anyone finds out I’m part of the Snow Queen, it could ruin everything you’ve accomplished.”

  “Madame Weatherberry, wait!” Brystal said. “How do I stop the Righteous Brotherhood? Please, tell me what I’m supposed to do!”

  Madame Weatherberry was the most optimistic person Brystal had ever known—she was always equipped with a promising plan or an empowering metaphor. However, Madame Weatherberry had no words of encouragement to give her. For the first time, the fairy looked down at Brystal with nothing but hopelessness in her eyes.

  “Just keep everyone safe for as long as you can,” she said.

  Madame Weatherberry disappeared from the cavern like a fading rainbow. Brystal didn’t know what to think of her mentor’s parting words—it was almost like Madame Weatherberry was admitting defeat—but there wasn’t time to analyze it. The footsteps echoed louder and louder as the stranger traveled closer and closer. Brystal wrapped the red arrow in the handkerchief and tucked it inside her coat. She hid in a corner of the cavern and pointed her wand at the tunnel, ready to defend herself from whoever or whatever was approaching.

  “Freeze!” Brystal ordered.

  “I’d say that’s very likely given the temperature!”

  “Lucy?”

  Brystal was surprised to see Lucy stumble into the cavern. Her friend wore a thick coat of dark goose feathers but was still shivering from the cold air. She was breathing so heavily her warm breath looked like smoke venting from a chimney.

  “Finally! I’ve been looking all over the Northern Mountains for you!” Lucy said.

  “Were you following me?” Brystal asked.

  Lucy nodded. “Call me crazy, but I was a little concerned after you snuck away in the middle of the night. I thought you were going to that Ravencrest joint to talk sense into Pip. I didn’t want the witches to gang up on you, so I tagged along in case you needed backup. Had I known you were going to the North freaking Pole I would have stayed home. Gosh, I know you appreciate your alone time, but couldn’t you find a quiet spot closer to the academy? What’s so special about this cave?”

  Lucy walked around the cavern, giving it a thorough inspection. Brystal moved with Lucy and tried to block the frozen Snow Queen from view.

  “Nothing—absolutely nothing,” Brystal said. “You’re right, I came all the way up here for some time alone. I appreciate your concern, but as you can see, I’m perfectly fine. Now we should get back to the academy before anyone else tries to find us.”

  Brystal grabbed Lucy by the shoulders and directed her out of the cavern. As she pushed her into the tunnel, the red arrow slipped out of her coat and fell to the ground. Once again, the glowing arrowhead filled the cavern with flickering crimson light.

  “What’s the arrow doing here?” Lucy asked.

  “Oh, look at that,” Brystal said with a nervous laugh. “I must have forgotten it was in my coat. I should be more mindful when it comes to dangerous weapons.”

  Lucy crossed her arms and gave Brystal a suspicious gaze.

  “Brystal, what the heck is going on?”

  “Nothing! Why do you make such a big deal out of everything?”

  “A big deal? I just found my best friend in a cave a thousand miles away from civilization with a lethal weapon! That is a big—” Lucy suddenly glanced over her shoulder. “Wait, are you alone? Or is someone else here?”

  “What? No—of course not!”

  “Then what’s that over there?”

  Lucy pointed toward the back of the cavern. Despite Brystal’s efforts, she knew it was pointless to hide the Snow Queen from Lucy—her specialty always compelled her to wherever the most trouble was lurking.

  “There’s nothing over there,” Brystal said.

  “You mean besides that seriously creepy shadow in the back of the cavern?”

  “You’re just seeing things! I think you’re dehydrated from the journey! It’s getting late, anyway. We should really head home before—”

  Brystal tried to stop her, but Lucy pushed her out of the way and headed for the back of the cavern. She wiped the condensation off the icy wall and then lunged backward when she saw the frightening face that was frozen inside.

  “Holy icicle bicycle!” she gasped. “That’s the Snow Queen, isn’t it?”

  Brystal panicked and didn’t know what to do or how to explain it. Lucy looked back and forth between Brystal and the Snow Queen like a mystery was unraveling before her eyes.

  “Ooooooh, it all makes sense now,” she said. “This is why you haven’t been acting like yourself lately! You discovered where the Snow Queen was hiding! You didn’t want us to worry about it, so you kept it to yourself! And tonight, you snuck out of the academy and brought the red arrow here to finish her off!”

  “Huh?”

  “Brystal, this is fantastic! You became a hero just for sending the Snow Queen into seclusion! Imagine how the world is going to react when they hear you’ve finally killed her!”

  “Lucy, I didn’t come here to kill anyone!”

  “Why not? The Snow Queen murdered thousands of innocent people and covered the entire planet in a blizzard! And she’ll do it again if she gets the chance! Let’s defrost this witch and stick the arrow through her heart while we can!”

  “We can’t—it’s not that simple!”

  “Ooooooh, I get it,” Lucy said. “You’re worried about protecting your image. People won’t think the Fairy Godmother is very kind and compassionate when they find out you killed the Snow Queen in cold blood—no pun intended.”

  “Ummm… yes,” Brystal said. “You see right through me, don’t you?”

  “Fine, you keep your hands clean. I’ll kill her!”

  Lucy grabbed the red arrow and charged toward the Snow Queen.

  “No!” Brystal yelled. “Don’t do this!”

  Lucy was too determined to listen. She placed her hand against the wall of ice, and just like the Western Dam, it started to crack and crumble.

  “Lucy, you have to stop!” Brystal screamed.

  “Don’t worry, she won’t feel a thing!” Lucy said.

  “I can’t let you kill her!”

  “I have no problem doing your dirty work!”

  “IT’S MADAME WEATHERBERRY!”

  At first, Lucy had no idea what Brystal was talking about. She gazed up at the Snow Queen’s hideous face, but then, slowly but surely, Lucy started to recognize Madame Weatherberry’s features under the
witch’s frostbitten skin. She removed her hand from the icy wall and backed away before the damage exposed the Snow Queen.

  “No!” Lucy gasped. “This can’t be real!”

  She was in complete shock and dropped the red arrow on the ground. Brystal let out a long, heavy sigh and tried to comfort her.

  “I didn’t want to believe it either, but it’s the truth,” she said.

  “Is Madame Weatherberry still alive?” Lucy asked.

  “Part of her is,” Brystal said. “But she’ll never be the same.”

  “How long have you known?”

  “Since the Tinzel Palace. Madame Weatherberry thought the only way the fairies could get the world’s acceptance was to create a problem that only the fairies could solve. She turned herself into a villain so we could be the heroes.”

  Lucy turned to Brystal with wide, heartbroken eyes.

  “So you’ve been lying to us this entire time?” she asked.

  Brystal was taken aback by the remark. “I—I promised her I wouldn’t tell anyone,” she said. “Madame Weatherberry was afraid you and the others would lose faith in the academy if you knew the truth.”

  “But I’m not just anyone—I’m your best friend!” Lucy declared. “What else have you been lying to me about? Is your real name Brystal Evergreen? Are you a natural brunette? Do you even like to read?”

  “I haven’t lied about anything else! I swear!”

  “I don’t know what to believe anymore!” Lucy said. “How could you do this to me, Brystal? You kicked me out of the Fairy Council for making a mistake, but meanwhile, you’ve been doing something way worse all along! Well, who’s going to hold you responsible? Who’s going to punish you for lying to everyone you know?”

  Lucy stormed out of the cavern and raced down the tunnel. Brystal tried to follow her, but Lucy was moving so fast she could barely keep up.

  “Lucy, wait! Where are you going?”

  “As far away from you as possible!”

  “I thought I was doing the right thing! Please, let’s talk about this!”

  “No! I’m done talking to you! I don’t ever want to see you or speak to you again!”