"Child, child." Her mother's voice carried a soothing tone as she leaned in, gripping Min's shoulders and placing kisses on the back of her neck, her fingers tangled in the unruly black strands. "Your dreams can be terrifying, I understand that—I was never blessed with the gift of dreaming like you have. But remember, they are still just dreams."
"But it felt so real," Min replied, shivering once more.
"And for a little while, it was indeed real," Erden acknowledged. "But now, it's over. Come, rest a while longer with me." With gentle persuasion, she guided Min back closer until the younger woman's head rested once again on the elder's shoulder. The single blanket covering them felt less suffocating, and Min pulled it up, seeking temporary warmth to chase away the unsettling memories—between her mother's comforting form and the covering, she found solace, if only for a brief while.
"Mother?"
"Yes, my dear."
"Will you... help me sleep? I don't want to dream anymore tonight."
Erden's smile remained unseen, but its presence was evident in her voice. "Always, my love." Adjusting in bed, the older woman placed a tender kiss on Min's temple, an affectionate gesture that quickened her heart.
Then, Erden rested her palm gently between Min's breasts, encountering only a light sheen of sweat that caused no discomfort. As her mother began to hum a soft, slow melody—a familiar tune from Min's childhood, a song about the goddess Mylan observing her lover bathe in the moonlight—Min felt a comforting warmth flow from Erden's palm into her chest.
Min and her mother were witches, outcasts from the rest of humanity. Magic emanated from four primal sources: dun, the physical world; aku, the mind; vuk, the body; and rou, the spirit. While Min possessed the witchcraft of aku, the mind, Erden's magic was rooted in vuk, the body—already, Min could sense her breathing slowing, her heartbeat following suit. Her breaths rose and fell, and the cool air carried a slightly sweeter taste; she smiled as her eyelids grew heavier, and the remnants of the troubling dream dissipated with a sigh.
"Thank you, Mama," she whispered, her words thick and sluggish on her tongue.
"Sleep now, little one," Erden whispered in response, bestowing another kiss and placing her hand on the gentle swell of Min's lower belly.
Darkness enveloped Min, and she did not dream again.
Life during the rainy season brought about a muggy, stifling discomfort, and the little abode that Min and her mother called home was nestled deep within the expansive forest known to humans as "the Witch Wood." This vast expanse of trees and living beings was a realm unto itself, one that most ordinary folks were wise enough to avoid.
However, Erden and Min were not welcomed by their own kind—witches and those touched by magic were met with distrust and fear from humanity. Such individuals were either killed or exiled into the forest to meet their demise. Erden never spoke of Min's father or the circumstances that forced them into this life. Over time, Min learned to cease her inquiries, as the sharp rebukes from her mother that followed were too much to bear.
While some witches formed their own communities deep within the woods, seeking solace and protection from the dangers lurking within, Erden desired a different life for her child. After Min's birth, they sought refuge in the forest where the girl grew up, with Erden guiding her in harnessing her psychic abilities. The humble hut they currently occupied was just the latest in a series of shelters, each one deeper within the Wood than the previous—a cycle of finding a suitable location, constructing a dwelling, dwelling there for a while, and then moving on.
Their current abode was modest, featuring a thatched roof over a fire pit and a sleeping mat elevated on four sturdy stilts, covered by wide aontra tree leaves secured with vines to fend off heavy rainfall. Both women preferred to keep the shelter open whenever possible, exposing all four sides to the elements. The Witch Wood maintained a warm climate throughout the year, so any passing breeze brought a welcome relief from the prevailing heat.
Min's attire consisted solely of her flowing black hair, which she often tied back with a thick strand of grass or vine to beat the heat. Her mother, on the other hand, adorned herself with a kollik, a long necklace that symbolized her status as a witch. Crafted from polished wooden beads and smooth pink stones, it complemented her dark skin beautifully. The only fabric they possessed was reserved for their shared sleeping mat—the same mat that had been Min's bed throughout her entire life.
The Witch Wood itself fell under the dominion of the goddess Mylan, the patron deity of love, sexuality, fertility, and magic. It was she who bestowed power and protection upon the denizens of the Wood. Min was taught that those who called the Witch Wood their home lived in a state of nudity, just like her and her mother, as it pleased Mylan above all else. The Witch Wood was a wild, untamed realm, steeped in primitiveness. Why should they feel the need to cover themselves?
The day following Min's haunting dream was scorching, even before the sun ascended to its zenith. After a refreshing dip in the small hand-dug pool fed by the stream behind their dwelling, there were various tasks to attend to before the day grew unbearably hot. These included gathering firewood, grinding grains, tending to the garden, and checking the traps set within the depths of the woods. However, when the clock struck noon and the full force of the day's heat arrived, they ceased their labors and sought respite and relaxation until the cooler hours of the evening embraced them.
Erden expressed her fatigue from a restless night and decided to return to bed. She extended an invitation to Min to join her, a tempting offer indeed. However, Min declined and opted to make her way back to the pool instead. The allure of the water had always captivated her, and soon she found herself reclining in her favorite spot—a seat she had carefully carved out of the earth. Stretching out, she let the water gather and gently lap at her collarbone and across her breasts. Closing her eyes, Min let out a contented sigh, attempting to find relaxation. Life with her mother had its challenges, but it had become more manageable since Min had reached womanhood, several years prior. Once her mother began to view her as a companion rather than a burden, some of the familial tension between them had eased. Min held deep affection for her mother and was grateful for the sense of equilibrium they had found in their relationship.
Yet, Min yearned for something more—a different kind of connection, whatever that may entail. It was a peculiar sort of longing, an almost-loneliness. She loved her mother with an intense, fervent love that had always been present, but Min desired something beyond what Erden could offer.
In the shade of their humble hut, Min could discern movements and hear the rustling of blankets, accompanied by her mother's murmurs and whimpers. Turning her head, Min cast a glance over her shoulder. There lay her mother, the familiar contours of her body resting upon the bed. The sun and warm breeze conspired to caress every inch of exposed skin.