While Sascha was convinced by the pixie, Melida studied the shed, her purple eyes moving over the objects of this with the appearance of someone looking for something in particular. She turned her head and found what she was looking for right after.
The cloak of scarlet shadows was draped over an unoccupied corner of her desk. The desk was dark wood and cluttered with books and unorganized materials. He looked so neglected and disorganized that it was worth looking at.
"I have not had time to accommodate." Sascha stood before it, demonstrating that she could move fast when she so needed it. Bright carmine darkened the tips of her ears, it was so obvious that she was embarrassed that Melida secretly laughed at her.
"Do not worry. Give me your mantle, if you are kind. " The old woman sighed, raising her hands and waiting.
"My cloak?" For some reason she didn't understand, she Sascha felt reluctant to give it up, this had been a gift from the wolf after all! The reason behind her reluctance was quite obvious and yet she still managed to continue in ignorance. "What do you want it for?"
Impatient and amused, Melida opted for the faster option and snapped her fingers. Instantly her cloak levitated her hands. Without giving him time to protest, the witch placed a hand on the cloth and chanted an Arcane. Static crackled in the atmosphere around them and Sascha felt chills cover her skin.
"There, I'm done. All yours." Melida told him. She then threw the cloak at Sascha. She is she greeted him looking puzzled and confused. At the end that she planned the witch?
"What was all this about?"
Melida gave him a lazy look before saying. "Open it and you will understand."
The witch's words awakened the curious creature dozing within her. With a jerk, Sascha parted the cloak. The folds of scarlet cloth unfolded and a series of purple crest came into view. Sascha manipulated the cloak to study them carefully. Meanwhile, Melida kept talking, too impatient to wait for her.
"I will be away for a few days."
The blazon was a perfect copy of the cauldron on the shop sign. There were two, one on the front side of the robe and the second on the back. Wait to? The witch's words finally penetrated her head. "You go?"
Melida nodded, then continued. "Something happened and I have to go. Don't worry, it will only be a couple of days. I have filed your signature on the mirror and the portal so you can continue your normal life without problems. "
Sascha gave the witch a blank look. "Mirror?"
"You have never seen a mirror, have you?" Melida hit her hip.
Was the mirror a magic tool that commoners and common people could have? Not. Sascha had read about them, of course. Who hadn't done it? The appearance of the new dimensional artifact had shaken society several years ago. The possibility of having their own space, where the owner became god and lord with the power to bend natural laws, circumvent the space-time barrier, aroused everyone's greed. Too bad only the rich, nobles and royalty could afford to use and maintain it. Only the amount of artificial nuclei necessary for its action would bankrupt several capable people.
"Come. I'll show you." Melida took Sascha by the hand and dragged her outside.
This was becoming a habit! She grunted in the privacy of her mind. Bell followed them silently, leaving a faint silver trail as they flew.
Melida led her to the cabin. Once inside, they both stood in the center of the cleared room. Then the witch kicked the ground three times in quick succession. Instantly Sascha felt a creak and the ground beneath her feet shuddered. A moment later, the ground below her began to sink. A startled gasp escaped her red lips.
"Relax nothing happens." Melida patted her hand in comfort. Sascha's heart gradually calmed down. The witch's domain held more secrets than she met with the naked eye.
The circular platform of at least two meters square continued on her way and carried them both to the basement. With a shudder, it stopped and the witch conjured several spheres of purple mana. The spheres flew from the witch's hands and light flooded the basement.
Sascha followed the witch as she went deeper. The basement was filled with a wide variety of objects and junk, the dining room table and its chairs between them. The proportions between the upper floor and this one were in disagreement! Melida stopped at the foot of a stone pillar in the center of the basement. Placed on it, a metal sphere at least a foot in diameter spun incessantly. A mysterious purple light radiated from within.
"This is the mirror. The heart of my kingdom and private domain. " Melida explained in a low voice and Sascha watched with wide eyes as the witch placed both hands on the artifact, witnessing the moment when the veins and eyes of the witch glowed, while she fed the artifact with her mana.
Goosebumps covered Sascha's arms instantly with the sudden surge of power in the atmosphere. It took the witch a couple of minutes to feed the tool, moments later she cut off the flow of mana from her and sighed slightly.
She looked around her storage room. "If there is something you need to use, take it from here. Just remember to take care of it and place it right where you found it. " She offered and warned at the same time, not because she feared the young woman would steal from her or something. But with her memory, it was better if everything was right where she left it.
"Come on, let's go back." Together they went back upstairs. Once there, the witch faced the young woman with a slightly stunned appearance. "Anything you need, ask my relatives. As long as there are no bad intentions, they will obey you. Although if you want to cook and take care of the chores yourself, you can also do it. "
The witch paused to catch her breath and finally asked. "Do you have any questions?"
What if she had questions? of course! Would she dare she ask? Not! Feeling a little bitter inside, Sascha shook her head in denial.
"Good." The witch nodded pleased. "Remember to open the store and replenish the stock daily. The afternoon schedule is yours, use it as you decide. "
Sascha followed the witch outside. The sun was beginning to descend and red, gold and purple clouds were spreading in the sky. Leaning against the threshold of the door, Sascha watched the witch get lost in the depths of the Forest and she shuddered.
Wolves, witches, pixies, magic portals, and mirror dimensions. Where the hell had her simple life gone?