The Vanishing Road
"To answer your first question," said the green eyed witch. "because Witch Haven was built on certain foundations that allow only myself, and those who act as guardians to return to it. And even I have to obey certain rules in order to be able to return when I leave it. I built it upon those foundations in order to protect the Magick that created it, and now resides within its walls and outside boundaries. What will stop you from returning is the fact that once you leave here, any mental notes you make concerning the whereabouts of Witch Haven will quickly fade, then vanish completely. By the time you reach a town where you could buy supplies that would allow you jot down written notes and directions, or call someone with those, memories of the signs and landmarks you saw before arriving at the town will be gone. And should you ask anyone in the town about Witch Haven, they will tell you no such place exists, because to them, it doesn't." The green eyed witch smiled mischievously, then said, "Why even the final fork in the road you took that led you to here, will to all intents and purposes, vanish behind you once pass that fork upon your journey back to the outside world."
Before his visit to Witch Haven, Silos would have scoffed at such a thing being possible. But his visit to Witch Haven had taught him that many things he once thought impossible, happened here. As he gazed into those sometimes mischief filled green eyes of hers Silos gave a soft sigh and said, "A part of me never wants to leave here, and have that road vanish behind me."
The green eyed witch nodded her head once in understanding, then softly replied, "All who come here feel that to some degree. But, you are very much of that outside world Silos. You would not be completely happy here for very long." Read More...
Pretty Prisons
Pretty Prisons
Marabell gazed out from her pretty prison, and gave a sad sigh that nobody heard as people bustled about all around her. When nightfall came she would escape from the spell that currently held her captive, and for a few hours do some bustling about of her own. When moonlight softened all the daylight shadows, she would spread her gossamer wings and flit among those diffused umbras. The ancient curse that held her captive in this modern world was only lifted between the witching hour, and dawn's first light. The second the sun's rays shone past the horizon, she would once more be imprisoned until the clock struck the witching hour again.
Once upon time, she and others like her had flitted about free and happy in the many great forests that had dotted the earth's landscape. Back then many people had believed in and accepted her kind as a rarely glimpsed, but natural part of that well forested landscape. Times had gradually changed though. So many of the large forests that had been their homes had been decimated by axes, then later large noisy chainsaws. Each time a tree had been felled, a little bit of the belief that had kept her kind alive and well, had also died. Ironically, some of the paper that had once been living trees had been used to write amazing stories about her kind. Upon that paper were also stories of other kinds of creatures who had once roamed the forests that paper came from.
By the time the forests began to ring with the dreadful sound of those noisy chainsaws, many kinds of creatures that had once found safe haven in the forests were becoming extinct. Gaia wept as the forests were decimated and the creatures who depended upon those forests began to die off. The Great Earth Mother had given a few of the witches and wizards whose magick was still strong and true the power to cast a spell that would insure her favorite magickal creatures would survive in some form. Those creatures were not exactly thrilled with the spell that had been cast upon them, but understood that it was necessary for their survival.
During the day the spell held them in forms which allowed them to exist in this new world that the hand of mankind was creating. The words written about them first on paper, and then later on digital screens helped to keep the spirits of those many magickal creatures alive. The pretty prisons that held their bodies helped to protect them from the often cruel and unfeeling hand of modern mankind. Though the forests that once gave safe haven to so many creatures were mere shadows of their former selfs, there was an abundance of pretty prisons that could be used to house and protect Gaia's favorite magickal creatures.
Marabell had been inside her current prison for many months now. She had been confined to it when her previous prison had met destruction during a great storm that the humans around her had called Katrina. She had been reasonably happy in that previous prison. During sunny days the surrounding garden had been filled with the sounds of birds singing, and the sight of many colorful flowers. As humans went, the older couple who had lived in the house the garden belonged to had been pleasant enough. They had even made sure her pretty prison was set safely in a secluded part of the garden that offered plenty of shade and protection against the elements. The couple kept the garden well tended, even installing a small pond and waterfall two years before the great storm. The pond and waterfall had been near her pretty prison. She had enjoyed the sound of the waterfall, and the sight of birds and other creatures drinking from the pond.
The great storm had brought that reasonably happy time to a terrible end though. The couple had begged their son and daughter-in-law to let them take some of things from the garden with them when they had come to whisk the older couple away to safe ground. But, time had been short, space in their vehicle limited, and along with the pond and waterfall, Marabell's pretty prison had been left to the mercy of the great storm. Unfortunately, that great storm had shown no mercy to city it had devastated. As the walls of her pretty prison shattered in the storm, Gaia's loving hand had rescued Marabell. She had taken her a place where many pretty prisons were manufactured. There she was safely deposited in another pretty prison.
Suddenly, Marabell heard a familiar voice. She had heard that voice only a few times before. The last time she had heard it the owner of that voice had been begging Gracie to please stop worrying about a bunch of easily replaceable knick knacks, and get in the car so they get out of town before evacuation traffic became worse. Marabell felt a hand close around her pretty prison and Susan say, "Look mother, this is just like the little faerie you had in your garden." Marabell felt her pretty prison exchange hands, and the fingers of the old woman lovingly stroking it. Then the very familiar voice of Gracie said, "We can put it under the new tree Gerald planted, and bring a bit of magick back to the garden."
Susan gave her mother-in-law an indulgent smile, and handed the clerk her own credit card. Gracie and Donald had lost so much to the storm. Their house and the beautiful garden Gracie loved so much had been completely destroyed by Katrina. Between the insurance and the fact that Gerald owned a construction company, the house and garden has been rebuilt in a very timely manner. But losing certain things that couldn't be replaced had taken a toll on Gracie. If Gracie thought having the little garden faerie she now held so lovingly in her hands would bring back a little of the magick that once made her faded blue eyes twinkle with mirth, Susan would gladly pay for the little faerie and give it to Gracie as a gift of love.
Gaia smiled as one of her favorite faeries was returned to the care of Gracie. She knew Marabell would be lovingly cared for by her. She also knew when Gracie's time on earth was finally up, Susan would take the little faerie and keep it in her garden as a memento of her beloved mother-in-law. As Gracie's fingers lovingly caressed the statue, Gaia felt the terrible depression that had overtaken both Marabell and Gracie since Katrina had blown through their lives like a very ill wind, lift slightly from both their hearts and souls. Through Gracie's loving touch Marabell would come to understand the inexpensive ceramic facsimile of herself that she always thought of as a pretty prison was in reality, the only safe haven to be had in this modern world for faeries and other magickal creatures.
Perhaps there would once more come a time when faeries, elves, unicorns, leprechauns and other magickal creatures would roam great forests and be considered a natural part of those forests. Until that time came again, they must learn to live within the protective ceramic facsimiles of themselves during the daytime. During moonlit nights, between the witching hour and dawn's first light, they could freely roam about the gardens their ceramic shells resided in, as well as in any nearby forests.
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About The Witch Haven Series
Illusions Of The Heart
She smiled that soft little smile of hers, then replied, "Besides being cleaner, and much less hassle, the electric fireplaces are a good reminder for me of how much illusion, can sometimes resemble reality."
Silos gazed into the dancing electric flames, and pondered the witch's answer for a moment. "But surely a wise witch such as youself would need no such reminder."
The green eyed witch's lips curved into a wry smile, then she replied, "Sometimes, the heart of even the wisest witch can believe in foolish illusions, if she lets it."
Silos studied the witch as she spoke, and noted that dancing amongst the golden flecks that sparkled within the green depths of the windows to her soul, was a glint of cynicism when it came to matters of the heart. Silos could understand and relate to that touch of cynicism concerning matters of the heart. "Sometimes," he said, "I think love is nothing but an illusion of the heart."
"No." the green eyed witch replied. "Love itself is not an illusion of the heart. But, it is not as unconditional as many seem to think. Betrayal can destroy it. Especially if that betrayal repeats itself time and time again."
As they were apt to do around this green eyed witch, his lips moved before his brain could stop them, and he blurted out, "But, it wasn't repeated time and time again! And never would have happened again."
She looked at him with a certain amount of sympathy, and replied, "But, was it not a matter of her seeing a history she wanted no more part of, repeating itself?"
He sighed, and felt the indignation fading under her unwavering gaze. He bowed his head and quietly whispered, "Yes."
"And did you not know, at least in part, about that history?"
With head still bowed Silos once more quietly whispered, "Yes."
"Then in your heart," said the green eyed witch, "you know that although she did love you, her history had put a condition on love for her, that had to be met."
Silos raised his head, and under that unwavering gaze of the green eyed witch, finally took full responsibility for what he had done. "I knew how she had been treated in the past. Perhaps not all the details, but enough to know that betraying her in the manner I did, was the worst thing I could do to her. Yet, just to satisfy a moment of pure lust, I did that one worst thing."
"Love," said the green eyed witch, "is a very valuable thing. And like all valuable things, it always comes with some price or another. The question is, are you willing to pay that price? Or is love so meaningless to you, so lacking in value, that any price is too much to pay for it? Was the price, the value of her love, really so hard to pay?"
Silos shook his head and replied, "No, fidelity was a small price to pay for all that she gave to me. I was totally stupid to have thrown away so much, for so little."
The green eyed witch sighed, then quietly said, "Sadly, I have come to realize that people have a tendency to throw love away, for the silliest things."
As he gazed into the dancing electric flames Silos pondered the words that had just passed between them. After a moment he sighed, then said, "It was my heart that was filled with of illusions of love. For had I really loved her the way she deserved to be loved, I would have never taken a woman who meant nothing to me into my bed."
"You have lost a great deal, Silos. But, you have also gained a wisdom now that hopefully, will stand you in good stead should you be fortunate enough to find love again. Just always remember, that as with Witch Haven, there are some things you can never return to once you have left them." Before Silos could reply, the witch raised her hand in a stopping motion, then continued, "No, Silos, you were really the one that left her. The second you gave into that meaningless moment of lust, you broke the bond of love and trust she had given you, and in essence, turned your back on it, and the woman who loved you. When she in turn walked away from you, she was simply completing what you had begun."
Silos held the gaze of the green eyed witch for a moment, then bowed his head in acceptance and whispered, "Is love really so fragile?"
"Yes, Silos. Despite its many strengths, love can also be the most fragile thing in the world. Learn to respect its strengths, but also learn to understand its fragility. Only by doing that, can you truly hold onto it."
The green eyed witch rose from her chair and left Silos to ponder the dancing electric flames, and the lessons concerning illusions of the heart that he had just learned. She had already learned her lesson well concerning illusions of the heart. And those well-learned lessons had put a condition on love for her that she knew no man could ever meet. Witch Haven was built upon the foundation of that condition, and it was why except for her guardians, one visit was all it allowed anyone.
Witch Haven
He didn't know what he had done to make the witch deem him worthy of such an invitation, but one day he had opened a small envelope that contained a gilded edge card, which invited him to begin the journey that would bring him to Witch Haven. The card had warned him the journey would take 13 weeks, and be arduous at times. He had spent time with 13 of the most intriguing people he had ever met upon that journey. And at one point he had to climb a cliff with one of those people, then be picked up by a helicopter that was piloted by yet another fascinating fruitcake.
He had begun to realize halfway through the journey that each leg of it represented a test he must pass in order to continue it. He had also begun to realize by then that even should he fail any of those tests, the people he had met, along with the things he had done, would supply him with a wealth of tales to tell. There were a couple of times along the journey, like when he stood at the base of that cliff, when he wondered if it might be better to call a halt to the journey, and simply be thankful for the experience he had already gained upon it. But, the thought of meeting the woman who had devised such a journey drove him up the side of that cliff, and farther along the path he hoped would take him to her.
Now that he stood in front of what seemed no more than a common, if somewhat large log cabin, he felt a sense of let down for a moment. Then the door of the cabin was opened by the very woman who had once told him that he could only arrive here if invited. She smiled at him, and beckoned him into the cabin. He was shown to a spacious living room that was tastefully furnished with 2 plump couches and several comfortable easy chairs. He sat down on one of the chairs, and watched the electric flames dancing in the belly of a faux fireplace as he waited for the witch.
When she did enter the room, he was at first once more dissapointed by her rather ordinary looks. Not that she wasn't attractive. But, he had hardly expected the barefoot jean clad blonde standing before him. As he rose from the chair she smiled, then extended her hand to him. Her smile seemed to fill the room with a peaceful happiness he had never before experienced. The touch of her hand caused a strange energy to course through him that left him longing to embrace the source of that power. Her green eyes sparkled with more than a touch of mischief as she seated herself in the chair next to his.
"Tell me Silos," said the woman who he had gone through so much to meet, "did you enjoy your journey to Witch Haven?"
That's when Silos realized that despite the perils, and at times uncomfortableness of that journey, he had indeed enjoyed it. "Yes." He replied after a brief pause. "I have to admit, that I did enjoy it. And learned much about myself along the way."
She smiled that same soft smile again, and once more filled the room with peaceful happiness. After studying him again for a moment, she asked, "And do you consider yourself a better person now for having taken that journey?"
Silos basked in the warmth of that smile for a moment, then replied, "Yes. I hadn't thought about such a thing until just now. But, I am a better person for having taken the journey!"
The green eyed witch who already had him completely entranced, smiled again. "Then, Silos, you have learned the lessons well that the journey was meant to teach you."
As he gazed into those sparkling green eyes, and felt her power, he knew that everything he had been told about Witch Haven, and the woman who lived here, was the truth. There really was a woman whose smile could warm an entire room, and heal the heart and soul of anyone fortunate enough to have that smile bestowed upon them. And within the walls of this rather ordinary cabin, she had created a place where true magick existed.
The Troll Test
Trixie fluttered her wings to dry them. She had stood beneath the magick waterfall earlier and allowed it to wash the last of the troll goo from her. The terrible stinky goo they often left behind them is just one of the many things she detested about trolls. The fact that some of them had learned the art of shape shifting, made them even more detestable to her.
Trolls had always been a plague upon any land they inhabited, but deep within the Onyx Forest, some of them had learned to alter their true ugly little shapes, and appear quite attractive. They used their newly developed ability to shape shift to bring pain and anguish to as many other creatures as they could. Appearing as a handsome man, or a beautiful woman, then winning the heart of their quarry was one of their favorite sports. Once they had won the heart of their quarry, they would then proceed to break it so they could enjoy the pain of that broken heart.
Trixie had once had her own heart broken by such a troll, and was now far too wise to give her heart to anyone without running them through a troll test first. Fortunately, trolls were not the brightest bulbs in the chandelier of life, and if one presented a troll with the right test, it would invariably fail it. She had presented her latest suitor with just such a test, and quickly discovered a troll beneath what appeared to be loving exterior.
As her beloved unicorn made its way across the crystal lake, she reached down to pat his neck, and smiled a slow soft smile as she thought of how handily she had exposed this latest shape shifting troll for what it really it was. She had been ever so careful to make sure when she presented it with the troll test, should it react as only a troll would, there would be no way for it to deny its evil intentions. She could now continue her journey knowing that even if she crossed paths with other trolls along the way, none would ever be able to truly fool her again.