Witches Moon - Kerry

Fig Tea

December 2014

“Your companion, he is entertaining. That is for sure.” The elder woman chuckles grinning at Finn. Not all people could communicate with Finn. I had a feeling Samantha might be one who couldn't but I wasn’t sure yet.

The Elder, Tulok, stood next to a warm gas stove in the centre of an fluorescent lit office space. The invisible building was actually quite large inside. This office space held about 10 desks and had a table and heater in the centre of the room. Native artwork and carvings decorated the space not taken up by filing and books.

Tulok was the Shaman of the local tribe whose tents I passed outside. She worked closely with the Order up here in the North of Canada. The Nunavut branch may be small and forgotten but they maintained an important watch of the North. It also was a significant location, as Tulok explained the positioning of the Ley Lines. I had no idea their significance in the affairs of magic occurrences and their like.

Finn and Tulok converse deeply followed by purrs and chuckles. I began to feel a little jealous.

“So, It’s my first time work with a large organization like the Order. What happens first?” I ask. Samantha passes me a steaming cup of some dark liquid that looks like wine but smells like… Figs. “Thanks.”

“It’s better than it smells. Trust me.” She smiles “Well, first we telephone the head Branch in London and inform them of your arrival. They’ll fax over any paperwork for you to fill out. Eventually you’ll have to report there for induction details but for now, they’ve informed us they’d like you to stay here and help us with the local situation, if you get my drift.” Samantha winks, and I don’t get it.

“No, I don’t. What’s the local situation?”

“Well,” Tulok breaks conversation with Finn, “Lately we’ve had an issue with the wolves.” She shuffles to a desk near to the stove and rummages through some papers. “Lately the pack has been acting uncharacteristically. They hunt more often, they don’t hunt the local prey, but instead they go after the humans. And they seem to hunt only in pairs.”

I frown. My pa worked with wolves and I know this was not like them. Especially when there was prey around. “That is unusual.”

“Indeed. People from the city have gone missing. They don’t have any evidence that the people have fallen prey to the wolves, but they don’t come home. Our best guess is that the wolves, or some of them, are working as werewolves.”

Samantha nearly drops her cup of fig cider with her excitement. “Oh oh, and from our research, werewolves haven’t been around here for at least 600 years! So why now all of a sudden!? It’s such a mystery! I love it!”

Tulok eyes her worriedly. “Samantha, dear. It’s not exciting when people's lives are at risk. Remember what we’re dealing with.”

Her face falls and she seem crestfallen. “Yes ma'am. Sorry.”

I move to smooth over the awkward pause. “Well, have you looked into any recent immigrants to the city? When did the wolves start acting this way?”

“I like where your head's at.” Tulok grins. We just received that information by fax this morning. Samantha will cross reference the file with the local residents and then we’ll know if someone on the outside is involved. If not, then I’ll have to consult the bones.” She taps a hand woven pouch at her waist and smiles.

“Well, get to it you two. Times wasting and Finn and I have some tales to share.”

“Precisely.” Finn trotts off with Tulok.

That leaves me alone with Samantha and a stack of immigrant files and my still steaming Fig cider. Joy.

#Fantasy #Magic