Take a deep breath.
Allow yourself to feel the different parts of your body relax as you get comfortable in your bed.
Inhale slowly,
Hold it for a second and exhale.
Prepare to go on a mystical adventure.
In this story we're going deep into a magical forest.
As we enter we see lush vegetation and many curious creatures and spirits.
There are many colors in these woods,
Endless shades of green,
Flowers of every hue and bright fruit in the trees.
The gentle breeze,
Cool and crisp with the scent of the greenery,
Carries the perfume of the many herbs that grew in the fertile earth.
A constant buzz of life filled the air,
The sounds of the many residents of the forest.
My name is Louise Houghton and this is Divina the Witch by Gracia Hortuem.
In the heart of the woods lived a little witch who made a cozy home amongst the trees and vines.
Her name was Divina and she wore a black dress and hat like a proper witch.
She'd lived in the forest since she became a witch in her own right.
Divina lived in harmony with the forest in a little house made of wood and stones.
One of her familiars,
The animal companions a witch gets at some point in their lives,
Was a temperamental tabby cat named Ginger.
Some familiars are obtained during a witch's life,
Some passed through generations.
Inside them live old spirits which promise to protect their charges.
Ginger and Divina lived alone in the house and together they made a home amongst the forest creatures and spirits.
Amongst thousand year old oak trees the witch built an altar of woven hazel branches lined with a layer of dark green moss.
Inside the altar she placed her magical objects,
A rod of yew,
Small figurines carved from oak,
Bundles of thyme and rosemary,
White candles and a few bright crystals.
When she needed advice she sought out the spirits with her magical cards which she interpreted to aid others as well.
Divina took interest in the people who lived near her forest and made potions and salves for them to aid in illness and injury.
The little witch was friendly and generous so she made many friends amongst the spirits of the forest.
The witch had been preparing for the eclipse for weeks.
Lining her windowsill were glass jars filled with flowers soaking in oil,
Crystals charging in clear water and herbs soaking in strong spirits.
The eclipse was due in three days and she wanted to harness the moon's energy in her potions.
As she was tying sprigs of lavender into bunches to hang she heard a fluttering at her door.
She rose and greeted the large black raven.
Hello Helix.
From her perch on a high bookshelf Ginger hissed without malice and flicked her tail.
Hello witch,
I see your feline friend is as charming as ever.
Helix huffed.
Charming?
Unlike you,
Ginger replied.
Helix flew inside and did a round around the inside of the small house which seemed much bigger inside than it appeared from the outside.
Helix stopped on the top of a shelf that had just enough space next to two old books,
Potion bottles and some other tools Divina used for her magic spells and potions.
I see you're getting ready for the eclipse said Helix.
The raven offered his help in finding anything else she might need.
He could carry flowers and small vines which he usually brought as gifts to the witch.
Ginger huffed and turned her tail against the raven.
You're such a suck up Ginger replied.
Ginger was a house cat not too fond of the outside unless Divina was with her.
Divina approached the feline and started petting her.
Ginger purred and turned front again.
I'm actually just missing Valerian.
I was hoping we could all go on a little adventure to get it.
She turned to Ginger and yes you too Ginger you've been needing some fresh air.
Both familiars agreed one begrudgingly and the other excitedly.
We should get Margaret on the way Divina said.
Divina grabbed her travelling bag and started packing it with the herbs,
Berries and crystals necessary to easily travel through the woods.
Divina knew what she was doing.
This forest was full of magic.
It was alive.
She had to be prepared for whatever or whomever she might encounter.
After she was done packing both familiars made their way to each of her shoulders.
Now she was completely ready to submerge into the beautiful forest.
With a hopeful bounce in her stride she started to walk towards one of the many paths that led to different destinations.
She knew her way through all these paths.
Divina the witch was more than ready to get her Valerian.
The three of them finally arrived to their first destination.
It was a pond set in the shade of hazel and yew trees.
The pond was crystalline blue and teeming with amphibious life.
Divina dipped her hands into the cool water and lifted out a bright green frog.
She greeted her friend with a kiss.
It's good to see you Margaret.
And it's good to see you Divina the witch.
Why have you come to my pond today?
My friend will you go on a search with me?
The eclipse is in three days and I need to find some Valerian to finish my potions.
Margaret accepted with excitement.
Divina the witch picked her up and carried her in her arms.
The four of them now started making their way deeper into the beautiful colourful forest.
Divina knew where the moss was more slippery.
Which rocks to skip even as the forest started getting denser.
The deeper they went in,
The darker it got.
However,
During the day there were only certain places in the forest where it seemed like it was night time.
None of which they were going to go through today.
Nevertheless,
The light seeping through the tall oak trees,
Pine trees,
Blackwood trees and so on and so forth was getting scarier.
The magical thing was that the rays of sunshine always seemed to end on the most intriguing,
Colourful or simply most important parts of the forest.
Rays of sunshine pointing to the vines with flowers growing on a pine tree making their hue more radiant.
Rays of sunshine illuminating the small cave in an old oak tree.
Rays of sunshine landing on Divina the witch's face keeping her and her familiars warm and safe.
The group came upon a softly murmuring river amongst a few trees.
Dark green bushes heavy with berries dotted along the riverbank and there was a clearing with large smooth stones leading into the water.
The witch gestured for ginger and helix to pause some distance from the water and continued with Margaret in hand.
She hummed a sweet melody to herself as she approached,
Halting just before the water began.
Streams of sunlight glinting against shimmering gems studded the rocky banks.
Sapphire,
Quartz and emeralds shone with energy and gave the water a shimmering appearance.
Margaret hopped into the water with a splash.
Undyne,
I brought something for you,
Divina called out softly.
A soft,
Gentle laugh filled the air as Undyne rose out of the water.
My favourite witch.
The two embraced and Undyne kissed Divina and then Margaret.
Undyne was the keeper of the river.
She had a committed friendship with Divina.
She was also friends with Margaret and often helped keeping her safe in the riverbanks and ponds alike.
The witch held out her hand presenting a seemingly plain rough grey rock.
The Undyne gratefully accepted the gift and swiftly dashed it against one of the stones lining the riverbank.
The rock split in two,
Revealing glittering malachite within.
The Undyne laughed in delight.
What a clever little witch you are.
How may I be of service to you,
My dear?
I was hoping you might point me in the direction of the freshest Valerian.
The eclipse is in three days as you may know and that's the last of the things I need.
And by the way,
You are as radiant as ever.
You flatter me,
Undyne said.
I can point you in the right direction but you might run into our less friendly friend.
I don't say more unpleasant things about that detestable nymph because that is below me but I am afraid the freshest Valerian is just past the favourite haunt of Alsia.
However,
You are my favourite witch for a reason and I'm sure you've come prepared to meet with that tricky nymph of glens and groves.
I loved your visit but talking about Alsia makes me lose my glint.
I hope you get your Valerian and I get to see you on your way back.
I wish I could protect you.
Regardless,
As you may know,
I do not have autonomy in that side of the riverbanks.
So on you go,
Davina the Witch.
My next gift is to see you again,
Safe and sound.
Davina the Witch kissed her goodbye.
Her lips wet at the touch of Undyne.
And on she went towards the glens and the groves with her three familiars and the smile on her face.
She was confident she was going to find Alsia and make it back in one piece so she trotted,
Jumped,
And walked deeper into the forest.
Their search brought them to a densely populated area of the forest,
One that seemed darker because of the thickness of the foliage.
Davina had Ginger on one shoulder and Margaret on the other,
With Helix flapping closely behind.
The trees created a thick canopy overhead,
Blocking out the sunlight and the undergrowth was thick and bushy.
The forest seemed quieter here,
Almost like it was holding its breath.
No birds were singing,
No insects chirping,
Not a fox or fawn disturbed the bush.
Davina knew she was close.
Complete quietness in the forest could only mean one thing.
The forest held its breath when a brief rustle broke the silence.
Oh,
It's Alsia!
The witch exclaimed.
Her familiars gasped before looking at the witch,
Seemingly ready,
Realising Davina was there to keep them safe.
And there it was.
Alsia at its finest.
Everything seemed darker and the breeze was no longer warm.
Everyone shivered at the cold wind.
Helix fluttered his feathers.
Ginger curled up to Davina and Margaret froze.
A voice came from all around them.
What have you come to seek in my forest,
Little witch?
It's good to finally meet you,
Alsia.
I was looking forward to it.
No one looks forward to meet me unless you want to end up a witch ghost or be reincarnated into one of your little friends.
The nymph circled them.
It was now colder than before.
All the familiars got closer to Davina.
The witch stood tall and confident at the sight of the nymph.
The familiars were spirits who were granted second chances to come back in form of animals.
If Alsia ended them,
They were gone forever.
But Davina had a plan.
She would never risk her friends.
I come to seek some fresh valerian.
I hear the best one grows on your side of the forest,
Davina said politely yet firmly.
Alsia stopped circling them right in front of Davina.
It does indeed.
You must need it for the upcoming eclipse if you've made your way past your side of the forest.
But who is to say that I will give you a chance to retrieve it?
I heard somewhere that juniper berries are your favourite,
Yet they do not grow here.
I was hoping we could make a trade.
Davina slowly pulled a handful of berries out of her travelling bag and offered them to Alsia.
Alsia looked at Davina suspiciously and then at the berries.
Alsia reached for them and suddenly Davina's hand felt cold as ice.
A tree,
Do you say?
Alsia moved out of her way and signalled towards the far edge of the clearing.
The only visible ray of sunlight illuminated the bountiful valerian bush.
Davina quickly made her way to the plant and as she grabbed just enough putting it in her bag,
The sunshine disappeared and the cold was as sharp as ever.
The witch turned around and saw the nymph coming towards her.
I thought we had a deal,
Davina exclaimed.
I do not like deals or trades.
These are my glens,
My groves and my riverbanks.
No impertinent which deserves my kindness.
Davina stood still,
Her familiars as close to her as they could be.
However,
Davina knew that Alsia would never leave its forest to search for the beloved juniper berries.
Alsia had wolfed down the berries with obvious greed.
She reached inside her pack and threw another handful of berries on the ground between them.
Alsia immediately leapt upon them,
Giving the group enough time to make a hasty retreat.
Helix was flying as fast as he could,
Avoiding vines and tree branches.
Ginger was on her feet running like a tiger through the deep forest.
Davina did not know Ginger could even run like that.
Davina the witch held on hard to Margaret,
Running just behind them.
As the breeze came back they felt a bit safer but did not stop running.
Davina looked rapidly behind her and saw Alsia was catching up.
Darkness on the way as Alsia was trying to get closer.
The nymph had almost caught up and as Davina hopped from a rock to several tree branches,
She reached inside her bag again and threw more juniper berries on the ground.
They kept running.
Davina did a second take back and saw Alsia stop to get the berries.
Alsia was tricky,
But she had a short memory and Davina knew this.
They passed the bounds of Alsia's territory,
Safely returning to the harmony and peace of the grove.
Everyone was out of breath,
Even Margaret.
Davina had held her so tightly that she was short of breath.
Regardless,
They had made it.
The forest was bright and full of noise from the living creatures.
Everyone could breathe again.
Well,
That was close,
Helix said as he rested on the tree branch.
Ginger had found a small spot with soft moss and he lay there.
And you feline creature,
I didn't even know you could run.
Much less move like an actual cat you are,
Helix said in a condescending manner.
Davina laughed and sat next to Ginger,
Holding softly Margaret this time.
They were tired,
But still needed to make their way home.
Everyone followed the path they had taken before.
The hues in the flowers,
The light seeping through the trees,
The warm breeze and the forest breathing again reminded Davina that it was still the same day.
She opened her bag and laughed.
She had done it.
She had the valerian she much needed for the eclipse.
She pulled it out and showed it to everyone.
Margaret croaking with glee made everyone laugh even more.
She fed them out of her bag.
She had brought their favourite treats,
Some fresh captured flies in a bottle for Margaret,
A bag with a few small mice for Ginger and a box of still wriggling worms for Felix.
After their snack,
They made their way down the path.
They still had one more stop.
They made it to the beautiful riverbank where the colours just attack your eyes,
Where the crystals in the water glint all day long.
Davina the witch got close to the edge of the riverbank and Undyne materialised out of the water.
My favourite witch,
You have made it.
You have no idea how I was hoping for your return.
I hope you got what you were looking for and gave some trouble to that dreadful nymph they call Elsia,
Said Undyne.
Davina the witch showed her the valerian and smirked.
Oh,
We gave it some trouble,
All right,
I would say.
Thank you for waiting for my return.
I was hoping to ask if we could drink some water from your riverbank.
Elsia did make us run for our lives.
Nevertheless,
Its greed caught up with it instead of catching us,
Explained Davina.
That was more than enough for Undyne to pleasantly agree.
They were satisfied and no longer parched.
They thanked Undyne for being kind to them.
She shrugged off,
Saying,
Whoever gives Elsia trouble is a friend of mine.
Margaret,
You should be exhausted after today's adventure.
I can take you back to your pond if you would like.
Margaret looked at Davina for approval.
Davina nodded,
Smiling,
And kissed the frog goodbye.
The frog hopped into the water,
Landing on a big leaf that was floating on the bank waiting for her.
Davina kissed Undyne goodbye as well.
They said their farewells and Davina promised to visit after the eclipse.
As Davina the witch,
Helix,
And Ginger made their way back home,
The day started catching up with them.
As they kept slowly walking through their path,
They could tell it was sunset time.
It was the most beautiful time in the forest.
All the colours changed and adjusted to the hues of purple,
Pink,
Orange,
And blue from the sky above as they could barely see through the trees.
Helix landed on her shoulder.
Ginger stopped to rub her face with tiredness.
Even Davina started yawning.
There was a spot ahead where Davina liked to relax and read her spell books.
It was the softest moss with a tranquil view of Margaret's pond.
Davina decided to have a seat.
After all,
She had everything she needed,
And there were still three days left for the eclipse.
That put her mind at ease.
Helix flew and rested on a tree above the spot Davina had decided to sit,
Watching over them.
Slowly,
Sitting became laying,
And the tiredness finally caught up with all of them.
Davina rested on a bed of soft moss,
Sinking slightly into the spongy growth.
Ginger snuggled her as she curled up and closed her eyes.
Davina breathed,
Slowly and deeply,
Inhaling the earthy scent of the forest around her.
She slowly drifted off to sleep,
With a mind at peace and a full heart.
