Wild Magic 56

(Let's hope this is the end of the dry spell)

This might be disappointing, or boring, but nothing has happened in my search for my enemy, the illusionist. Elisabette says we have to remain vigilant, and pray that she does something stupid. Waiting for her to do something gets old quickly.

The weather here is much nicer than usual for November. No real snow at all so far, and maybe not until mid-December. Of course, Michigan weather can surprise you.

I know, some of you are thinking, look, no shoveling, fewer driving accidents, less hassle, etc. True, but without the snow, the water table and lake levels drop. That hurts all kinds of people.

Elisabette says I have to really know what I’m doing before I mess with the weather. Small changes can have disastrous consequences. Things happen for a reason but our magic is like correction fluid. We can make small, individual changes, but big changes have huge repercussions.

“So you’re saying we make ‘dents’ in reality, like healing a broken leg, but trying to stop a famine...”

“...is too big a bump, and the ‘structure’ resists too much. Of course, you and I have the strength to make bigger bumps, but remember, the more you push, the more you distort reality. That’s one reason we sense the small changes. They have the most effect for the least effort.”

“I see. That also explains why we can’t time travel. Reality becomes too rigid to change.”

“Not exactly, but a good working theory. Describing the process is beyond my ability, but trust me, the past is immutable. It’s done and gone.”

“Darn,” I said. “I had hoped...”

“I’m sorry dear. Time shouldn’t be messed with.”

“Umm...”

“What did you do?” she asked, a little panicky.

“I’ve ‘frozen’ time before for some people. Not often, but...”

“What you did was throw up a short term suspension for an individual. It’s not really stopping time.”

“Oh, okay.”

Elisabette touched my cheek. “Sorry, dear, I don’t believe that there is any way to go back and prevent your accident.”

I sighed. “I sorta figured that, and I guess I’m kinda used to the idea that Gabe is gone. I mean, it won’t be long, and I’ll be Tim’s wife!

The construction on our house should be completed soon. I’m not even sure how I feel about that, to tell the truth.

I mean, I’m conflicted. It’s one thing to plan on getting married, but another thing entirely to see your house take shape! Suddenly, it’s really going to happen, and soon! In 5 months, my whole life will change. In a way, it’s a bigger change than my gender transformation. Grandma won’t be there to wake me up for school, or to chew me out for not acting “ladylike”. They won’t be that close anymore (okay, it’s only a few quick miles, but still...).

Okay, I know it sounds stupid, but I can’t wait, and I’m half scared to death. If the anticipation doesn’t kill me, the panic will! I feel almost like a child waiting for a spanking on Christmas morning. I don’t want the bad parts, but waiting is driving me crazy!”

“I hope you realize that when you marry, I will be going home to England, and you’re basic training will be done. Oh, your mother and Grandmother will still help you train, but you know the basics.”

“I know, and I appreciate all you’ve done for me.”

“Let’s take a trip,” she said, smiling. “Let’s go to where it all started.”

“You’re kidding! To your place?”

“Yes, to the UK-just for a short time. That way, if you should ever need me, you’ll know where to go, or even if you just want to visit.”

“I don’t have a passport, yet.”

“Bah, silly things! Helps ‘em to track you, I’ve never had one!”

“Let’s tell my mom so she doesn’t worry.”

“Already handled. Now, shield up, focus on this image and let’s go!

We were near a modest brick house, nothing fancy. Elisabette smiled and invited me in. It was comfortably furnished, and had two large windows with a fireplace in between. It was a beautiful view of the sea, and the fire felt very warm and relaxing.

“So where are we?” I asked.

“Just south from Low Hauxley.” She looked around. “This is very near where it all started.”

“So all the witches can trace their history to a small village near here?”

“The village is long gone, but yes, the meteorite landed less than a kilometer from here. In fact, it’s probably just offshore someplace close by.”

“You’ve never tried to look for it in all those years?”

“No, what would I want it for? It’s in a safe place where it is, and likely to remain there several more centuries.”

We had a good time, talking for hours, then driving into High Hauxley for a meal at the pub and then out to where the rock fell (approximately). We talked about what it was like when they were driven from their town, and how they lived at first.

I wondered how it felt to live all those centuries, and to outlive everyone you know and loved. There were a lot of tears and a few laughs between us, I promised that I’d be back when it was time. She wouldn’t be alone again.

Elisabette told me that she moved around, keeping her head down so no one knew she was as old as she was, but yet looked so young and beautiful. We decided she could come to me when she had to. We could mix and match and be each others child or cousin. Part of it sounded like fun, other parts...I didn’t want to think about at all.

We went home in a somber mood. Grandma of course, knew what I was thinking about. She tried to comfort me, and said that the memories and thoughts she had shared with me meant that in a way, she would be with me for a very long time. It didn’t help, and I cried in her arms.

Living forever is only good if everyone around you does it, too.