Capturing the Wind

“Alright, all graduates, please line up in the order that we agreed upon,” Master Tinsley, the potions instructor, said to all her former students. “That’s correct, my little witches. Now, shoulders back, chin up, and look proud for the Grandmaster!” Master Tinsley smiled at all eight of the graduating students. “My, my, I’m so proud of you all! Oh no..! I mustn’t cry!” She frantically fanned her bejeweled hands in front of her face.

“Would you like to use my handkerchief, Master?” Natalia Melody Nightsong offered, fishing it out of her uniform pocket.

“Oh, thank you my dear!” The potions master gratefully accepted the lacey pink handkerchief and dabbed at the corners of her eyes. She took a deep breath, “okay girls. Remember to bow to the audience! No laughing, giggling, or any form of mischief. Remember that before the Grandmaster speaks, you give her a gracious bow as well. Do you all remember?”

“Yes, Master Tinsley,” the girls said in unison.

Music began to play from the auditorium. “This is it girls! Okay, when the wind instruments start, we walk.” Master Tinsley placed her hand upon the door, her long green bell sleeves from her fancy emerald robes hung down. The girls held their breath, with their hearts pounding, waiting for the moment the wind instruments began. “Now!” The potions master whispered urgently.

The doors flung open in a dramatic fashion, and the audience stood. The eight graduates marched out guided by the potions master. When the students were front and center they turned towards the audience and bowed to them all. The audience was made up of mostly residents of the witch isles, all former students of the academy and their spouses. In the very front were the families of the graduating class, proudly beaming. Up in the rafters were the younger student body, there to witness their upper classmen take the next step in their futures as witches.

Nova’s hands shook. Graduation was nearly upon her. Her best friend, a girl with two thick brown braids and thick glasses went first to stand before the Grandmaster, bowing graciously before awaiting the Grandmaster to speak. “Teresa Lynn Lordlake. You come from a long line of honorable fortune tellers. I have seen, and recognize, your potential in the craft. Now. With your head held high, announce with confidence what you shall pursue as a witch henceforth.”

Teresa, whom most referred to as Tessa, quivered with her nervousness. She gently cleared her throat, “I shall become a fortune witch, like my mother before me, and her mother before her!” She proclaimed with all the confidence she could muster. Tessa’s family cheered, while others in the audience clapped. Tessa smiled to everyone, relief that that part of the ceremony was over and done with.

Nova looked into the crowd, quickly finding her parents and great grandmother had gotten a front row seat. They looked excited for her, waving with enthusiasm when she caught their eye. Nova hastily looked away, dread welling in her chest as her turn came ever closer. One by one, the other witches stood before the grandmaster, proclaiming how they would spend the rest of their lives. Nova knew that she had a chance to change her mind. She could easily become a kitchen witch, a potion master, or even say she wanted to dedicate her life to servitude to the grandmaster. Servitude would be less crazy than what she had been planning for weeks.

Nova was so engrossed in her thoughts she nearly jumped when the name of her other best friend caught her attention. “Natalia Melody Nightsong. You come from a very long line of Song witches, with a legendary witch in your bloodline, the great Lumina Viola Nightsong! Now, announce with pride the life you shall pursue henceforth.”

Natalia seemed to hesitate, but quickly squared her shoulders, “I shall continue my family line, and seek to become a powerful Song witch.”

Nova clapped with enthusiasm for her friend, briefly making eye contact with Natalia before she went to stand next to Tessa. Natalia smiled back at her, but her eyes conveyed a sadness that only she and Tessa could understand.

Nova did not have time to think about her friend's plight, for her turn was upon her. She stepped in front of her grandmaster, whom also just happened to be her grandmother. The presence of the grandmaster was powerful. A legendary witch, one who had captured all the elements and commanded them at will. Her grandmother was beautiful in her dark attire, long vibrantly red hair flowing behind her. Her scepter floating beside her, and her graduation book hovering before her. Her purple feathered pen that held purple ink in hand, the grandmaster was eager to write down her granddaughter’s future. Nova wanted to look down at her feet, but forced herself to continue looking her grandmother in the eye.

“Bellanova Grimm Wil Mystia,” she stated Nova’s full name proudly, “you come from a long line of assorted witches. Noble kitchen witches, expert broom flyers, potion makers, and others.” Nova briefly felt irritated that her grandmother left her own profession out of the list. “I have seen your abilities, and they are most admirable. Now. With pride and confidence, tell us all what profession you shall seek.”

Nova lifted her chin, “grandmaster. I shall become an elemental witch, just like my grandmother!”

Silence filled the auditorium. Nova bit her lower lip as she watched her grandmother's smile falter. She dreaded the looks on everyone else’s face, and hated the feeling of so many eyes on her, judging her decision.

Her grandmother suddenly closed her eyes, and in a forced pleasant tone she tried to persuade Nova, “surely I have misheard you, child. Did you not wish to become a kitchen witch, just like your mother?”

The butterflies in Nova’s stomach disappeared, replaced once again by irritation, “no, grandmaster. I have never said I wanted to be a kitchen witch, and it is not a path I wish to take.”

The crowd behind her began to murmur, as the grandmaster’s brow furrowed, “Bellanova,” she half growled, “do you have any idea what such a path entails?”

Nova wanted to snap at her grandmother, but contained herself, “no, grandmaster, I do not. You have refused to tell me,” she stated calmly. “But despite that, no matter how hard the path may be, I still want to pursue it.”

Grandmaster Elodie Til Mystia looked like she wanted to break her favorite pen, as a slight breeze began to blow through the auditorium. Whenever Nova’s grandmother became angry, her elements would stir, believing a quarrel was about to break out. Nova’s Grandmother took a deep breath, “this path you so curiously wish to tread can be full of dangers. Are you sure this is the path you seek?”

Nova noticed the candles around the auditorium became brighter, their fires strengthening. But Nova ignored this, as well as the wind brewing. “Yes, grandmaster. I will work hard to become an elemental witch!”

The auditorium became silent once more. Grandmother and granddaughter had their eyes locked on to each other. They stared each other down, waiting for the other to do something, to do anything. The tension in the room became so thick, it felt as though they were both being smothered.

“AH, for witches sake!” Nova’s great grandmother hopped up, pointing her finger at her daughter, “she’s made up her mind, write it down, already!”

Elodie sneered, but quickly straightened her face, recalling she was being watched by many esteemed witches, and her own students. “Very well,” the grandmaster said. “Bellanova, if it is the path of the elemental witch you desire, you must leave home on the next full moon, six days time. Do you accept?”

“So soon?” Nova whispered. She had known she must leave, but she had not thought it would be that promptly.

“Is there an issue?” Her grandmother looked smug.

Nova angrily squared her shoulders, “not at all. I accept!”

Her grandmother fought off a scowl, “then let it be known to all, that Bellanova Grimm Wil Mystia shall dedicate her life to the elements, and shall not return home until she can command all at will.” Grandmaster Elodie quickly scribbled down her granddaughters future path, dotting it so hard it was as if she were trying to mortally wound her own graduation book. She looked up at Nova, her eyes had become red with fury. “Wait for me at your mothers home,” the grandmaster hissed. Before Nova could protest her grandmother snapped her fingers, and Nova landed with a hard thud on the sofa in her family’s sitting room.

The little witch felt her lower lip beginning to tremble and tried to fight off her emotions. She laced her trembling fingers together and patiently waited for her family. She had known that her grandmother would be angry, but she was not so sure how the rest of them would take it. She briefly felt regret in her decision, knowing how easy it would have been to choose what was expected of her like her good friend Natalia had done. But even as she felt that bit of regret, her desire to go on an adventure and become just as great as her grandmother outweighed any form of guilt she had.

“Nova!” Her mothers voice cried as she entered her home and business. “Nova? There you are!” Her mother spotted her on the sitting room sofa.

Nova stared at her mothers feet as they approached, “yes, mother?” A hand grasped her shoulder from behind. She looked up to find her father smiling at her gently. “Hi, daddy.”

“Nova, what are you thinking?!” Her mother exclaimed. “I don’t understand, I thought you wanted to be a kitchen witch like me?” Nova’s mother was dressed nicely, in a black house dress, and red lace shawl draped around her shoulders. It was unusual to see her mother not wearing her apron.

Nova smoothed out her pleated skirt with the palms of her hands, “well… no, I-I… I never said that,” she looked away into a vacant corner, “everyone just kinda… assumed that’s what I’d like to do.”

Nova’s mother, Evanora Testa Don Mystia, had spent her life happily making baked goods that contained enchantments. Kitchen witchcraft was Evanora’s passion, and from a very young age she helped Nova excel at the craft. And since she had shown promise, her mother naturally had thought this was what her daughter would pursue. “Nova… I’m sorry. I always thought you loved what I did as much as me.”

Nova’s father squeezed his daughters shoulder, “Eva, she didn’t say she hates baking or anything.”

“Daryl,” Evanora looked to her darling husband. “Well, I know she didn’t say she hates it. I just thought…” she hung her head, “I just always thought we would run the shop together someday. As a big family. And maybe my granddaughter would join us, too.”

Those words stung for Nova, her eyes welling with tears, “I… I’m sorry, mama!” Nova jumped to her feet, burying her face in her mothers chest.

Evanora wrapped her arms around her daughter, as Daryl came up from behind Nova to hug them both. “It’s going to be okay, Nova,” she said in a soothing tone, “calm down, now. You shouldn’t call me mama anymore. You’re a big girl now. You just graduated!” She pushed her daughter away a little to look her in her puffy blue eyes while brushing strands of her dark red hair out of her face, “I’m not mad at you. How could I be mad at such a gorgeous, brave girl? Aww,” she embraced Nova close to her again, as Nova tried hard to stifle her sobs. “Daryl, could you fetch something to calm her down a bit?”

Nova’s father kissed the top of his daughters head, then his wife’s forehead, “not a problem. I’ll be right back, ladies. Pardon me, mother.”

Nova knew her great-grandmother had entered the room without looking. Her father only called Isadora Grimm Von Mystia, “mother.”

“How’s our little graduate doing?” Great-grandmother asked as she tapped Nova on the shoulder with the handle of her broom.

Nova turned her head to look upon her great-grandmother. Isadora had changed out of her fancier clothes, and was instead wearing clothing best suited to broom flying, the trait she was best known for. Her great-grandmother was still a beautiful woman, with silver hair down past her shoulders, and fine lines around her eyes that deepened when she smiled. “I’m sorry, great-grandma-“

Isadora flicked her wrist and sealed Nova’s mouth shout, “button it, baby girl. You need not apologize to me.” As Nova struggled to try and unseal her mouth, her great-grandmother wrapped an arm around her granddaughter, pulling her in close, “I aught to thank you, my dear child!”

“Mmf?!” Nova tried to ask what she meant.

“That look on her face was simply wonderful!” She shook Nova as she let out a hearty laugh, “ah, child! Her smug face dissolving into outrage was the best thing I have seen in years! Bravo, my girl! Bravo!”

“Grandma, maybe you shouldn’t talk about mother like that… what if she heard you?” Evanora laughed nervously.

“Oh, what is she going to do about it? Kick me off the isle? I’d like to see her try!”

Nova’s mouth unsealed just in time to see her grandmother angrily march into the room, “g-grandma!” Nova gasped.

Before Elodie Til Mystia could say a single word Daryl hurried by carrying a slice of buttered bread, “I brought you a slice of the brioche bread, infused with a calming spell your mother made this morning.”

Nova took the bread slice from her father nervously, feeling her grandmothers icy glare fixated on her, “thank you, father.” She began to eat the slice slowly as the other adults began arguing.

“If you think you’re going to torture my great-grand baby you have got another thing coming, missy!” Isadora glared back at her daughter.

Elodie made a noise of disgust, “mother, I think you have humiliated me enough for one day. I just want to have a discussion with Bellanova!”

“Oh, we all know what you mean by a, ‘discussion.’ A long boring lecture, with bits of guilt laced in!”

Evanora ignored her mother and grandmother arguing, smiling to her daughter, “are you calming down?”

Nova only nodded. She could feel the spell taking effect as her heart rate slowed to a normal beat and her hands quelled their shaking.

“That’s good. Ah! And your father used the butter infused with confidence magic, I see.” Evanora had said this in a low tone so that only Nova could hear.

Nova looked to her father who smiled at her gently. She smiled back, and quickly ate the rest of her bread.

“LOOK!” Elodie shouted. “I get that you don’t want me to make Nova feel worse, but it’s necessary that I speak with her about what she must do if this is the path that she really chooses to take!”

“And I’m telling you,” Isadora’s voice stayed calm, but her tone contained a sharp edge, “you do NOT have to do that right now! She isn’t leaving right at this moment, so it can wait!”

“FINE!” Elodie threw her hands up, “you win! Dammit, when are you going to stop treating me like I’m a kid?!”

“Never!” Isadora snapped, a smug smile spreading across her face. “You’re my kid, and that’s how I’ll always see you, like it or not. I don’t care if you’re a powerful witch that can burn me to a crisp if you wanted to. I know you won’t! Because I’m your mother!”

No one had noticed Daryl had quickly left, and suddenly reappeared with the loaf of brioche. “Ladies, let’s all partake of my wife’s spell-bread and calm down, shall we?” Without a word everyone sat down and allowed Daryl to slice the bread up for each of them. Isadora ate hers slowly, focusing on each bite and chewing it well before swallowing. Elodie on the other hand devoured hers quickly and angrily. “Lady Elodie! I was going to offer you some honey with yours. Perhaps you would like another slice?”

Elodie looked as though she were going to refuse him, but her daughter piped up, “please mother, I don’t think you have eaten much today, and I’m concerned!”

Elodie sighed, “then yes, give me another slice.”

Daryl smeared the honey in a thin layer on Elodie’s next slice, handing it to her with a smile. He then cut another slice and buttered this one, adding a thin layer of honey to it as well, “here you go!” He handed it to his daughter, winking at her.

Nova wanted to laugh. Her grandmother had not realized that the honey was infused with a spell for joy. Nova had recognized the jar right away, because she had been the one who had enchanted the honey.

Elodie ate her magic bread more slowly this time, her gaze shifting to her granddaughter, then shifting away as she let out a heavy sigh. “If I must, I’ll come back tomorrow to talk about Bellanova’s next steps.”

Nova swallowed her bite of bread quickly with a small cough, “no, let’s go ahead and talk. But let me say something first, okay?”

Her grandmother’s gaze came back to rest on her, and without a word, she propped her elbow on the arm of her chair and rested her head in her hand as she continued to eat the rest of her honeyed bread.

“We’ll make some tea, then. Grandma, won’t you come with me?” Evanora said. Isadora was about to protest, “please, grandma? I think they’ll be okay.”

Isadora sighed, rolling her eyes, “very well. But I’m going to be back very soon!” She said this as a warning for her daughter, and reassurance for her great-granddaughter.

Daryl, Evanora, and Isadora left Nova and Elodie together. As soon as the room became quiet Nova took a deep breath and began, “I owe you an apology, Grandma. I’m sorry.” Nova waited for a reply from her grandma, but when none came, she simply continued. “I know I should have discussed this with you. With mother, or even great-grandma-“

Elodie gave a snort, but again, said nothing.

“The truth is, grandma… I’ve always wanted to be great. I’ve always wanted to be a legendary witch. No one ever took the time to ask me what I wanted. I feel like everyone just expected me to follow in mother’s footsteps.”

Elodie finally spoke. “I assumed this, yes. You always seemed to enjoy kitchen work. You started baking spell infused food at such a young age, and were always so over-joyed when your baking went well. I never saw the same enthusiasm when it came to other lessons.”

Nova suddenly smiled, the honey taking its effect. “I do enjoy cooking. I love seeing our baked goods bring others comfort, and happiness. But, I always wanted even more. Something bigger, something that could make everyone else proud to say they’re related to me, or knew me. I want to go out into the world and make a name for myself!” Nova stood, smiling wide because she could not help it, “Grandma, I want to go out there and see everything, learn everything, and do everything!”

Elodie’s eyes widened, “wha-?”

“I want to meet new people, explore every corner of this world, and maybe even discover things no one else has heard of! I want to stop bad guys, save people in danger, I want-! I want-!” Nova was waving her arms in excitement, her thoughts racing faster than her mouth could say everything she was thinking.

Elodie was taken aback, “my gods, girl! Get ahold of yourself!”

Evanora, whom had been listening in on their conversation quickly ran over to the table and removed the honey, “perhaps this was too much,” she laughed awkwardly.

“Not at all, mother! This is how I really feel!” Nova spun around and flung open the window letting the wind blow her hair back, “I want to get out there! There’s nothing I want more!” She turned back to her family who had gathered, a tea set and tea pot sat at the table now with an entirely new jar of normal honey. “I love you all, but I would never be happy if I stayed here forever. Please understand that.”

Elodie raised her hand, her black wand entwined in silver appearing. She did a quick circular motion that shut the window behind Nova. Elodie sighed heavily, sitting herself up straight. “I understand, child. I do. And I won’t stop you.”

The joy was completely overflowing within Nova, and she let out an excited scream, and ran around the room while all the adults became flustered. “I’m going to see the entire world! Thank you, grandma! THANK YOU!”

Elodie stood, “I’m going to retire early. I have quite a headache. We will speak more about your upcoming departure another time.”

Nova tried to quell her excitement, enthusiastically nodding as her grandma walked by and left her daughter’s home and bakery. Nova started to excitedly squeal some more while her family watched, shaking their heads in amusement.

“Um, Nova?” A timid voice said from the doorway.

Nova suddenly froze, feeling a bit embarrassed as she noticed her friends had come into the house. She felt her face begin to burn red with embarrassment, “Uh… hi guys!” She laughed nervously.

Tessa started to giggle while Natalia looked around nervously. “Everything went well, I’m guessing?” Natalia asked.

“I’m going to capture the elements!” Nova exclaimed. “Oh gods, I can’t wait! Will you guys help me pack?”

“Not so fast, baby girl.” Nova’s great-grandmother looked her great-granddaughter up and down, “how do you intend to get off this isle?”

Nova faltered, “Um… flying?”

“Last time I checked, your broom riding wasn’t up to snuff. Get on your broom riding attire. I’m going to whip you into shape!” As Isadora passed Nova’s friends, “you girls get dressed too. I assume you want to spend as much time with Bellanova as you can before she leaves us. Meet me in the field on the central isle.”

Nova’s friends quickly ran from the residence to change clothes, and Nova released a sigh. She stood up straight, “okay! This is all apart of my journey,” she told herself before running to her room to change.

Nova’s parents chuckled to themselves. “Our little Bellanova… I can’t believe she’ll be leaving us so soon,” Daryl said sadly.

Evanora took her husbands hand, offering him a gentle smile, “I didn’t leave the isle until I was sixteen. To find you.”

“Ah,” Daryl smiled recalling those days. “I’ll never forget that moment. I looked to the sky, and a witch landed before me. I was so taken by your beauty, I dropped to my knees and begged you to marry me!”

Evanora swatted at her husband. “No you didn’t! You were in shock, then started demanding to know WHO GOES THERE?”

“No, you’re remembering wrong,” Daryl laughed teasingly.

“You were shouting so much, you roused half the city! Your captain had to cuff you to make you stop squawking!”

“Squawking?! How dare you!”

“Lucky you, I accepted your apology the next morning.”

“Indeed, lucky me. I wanted to know more about you. I needed to know what the world looked like through your eyes. Before I knew it, I never wanted to stop being by your side.”

Evanora sighed, “you had to give up so much to come home with me. Do you ever regret it?”

“Not at all. I was an orphan, after all.”

“But, you gave up on your dream of being a guardsmen…”

Bellanova was idling in the hall, listening in on her parents story she had heard so many times before. A lot of witches do not leave the isle until they are ready to look for their groom. Others leave to perfect their crafts. Hardly any witches leave to go on a journey, preferring the protection and peacefulness of the witch isles. Nova’s thoughts were suddenly interrupted.

“Nova, your great grandmother is waiting on you!” Her mother called.

“Coming!”