The Devil's Cursed Witch

Erlos and Ember continued to ride their horses at medium pace and reached the witch clan territory.

"Miss, we are finally there," Erlos informed as he looked at the particular residential structures coming into his site.

Ember followed his gaze and could see the boundary of the Honeyharbor city and the top parts of the residence that were taller than the boundary wall which was made by the strong and tall tree logs arranged vertically and closely to create the stronger fencing. The homes looked like cottages and most of them were built taller to two to three story structures. It even had towers at the different corners of the city to keep watch outside.

As Cornelia was aware of their arrival, her aids were already present at the territory entrance to welcome the guest.

"Welcome to the honey harbor city, Miss Ember and Mister Erlos," a beautiful, long black haired lady wearing an elegant dress and accompanied by another woman, greeted them.

"Thank you," both replied together.

"I am Silvia and she is Talia," she informed, "Please be seated on your horses as it will take time to reach the residence of Lady Cornelia."

Silvia and Tania climbed on their horses and led the way of their guests through the city gates. Their horses walked on the streets inside where Ember observed each and everything.

'This territory is different from the Wood Elf and White Tiger clans,' she thought as she compared it to tree homes of the Wood Elf clan and stone and clay homes of White Tiger clan.

On the way, she looked at those cottages like beautiful homes, shops and everything the city should have along with people doing their work and walking on the streets.

'Witch Clan lives more like humans, their homes, clothes and this city feels like how humans live.'

Soon they reached a quiet part of the city where the largest home in the city was located. It was a vast spread and two storey cottage with wooden fencing and inside that fencing the ground was covered with green lawn and beautiful flowery plants.

"We are here," Silvia informed as she climbed at the gate of residence.

The guard at the gate bowed to them and he took away that horse.

Erlos stepped down the horse and just like before he helped Ember to step down the horse as well and this time she didn't feel hesitant.

Another guard came and took away their horses and tied them at one place as they offered food and water to the tired horses. Ember felt glad that her horse was being taken care of. During this journey she felt connected to her horse and cared for her. Now she even knew her name and she felt like that white horse was someone that belonged to her only.

Silvia led their way inside that wooden gate and they walked on the plain marble path, dividing the green lawn in two parts. They stopped at the wooden door of that lavish looking cottage where the servant opened the door for them.

"Please, come inside," Silvia instructed.

Ember followed Silvia as she observed the interior of that beautiful cottage. It was decorated nicely with beautiful artefacts, vases with flowers, beautiful wooden furniture and a fireplace burning to keep that place warm.

'Witches sure love to live in luxury and with elegance like human nobles.'

"Welcome to the Witch Clan, Miss Ember."

Ember heard the familiar voice and looked at the beautiful woman walking down on the stairs from the first floor. That beautiful face like a rich noble lady, her long red hair left open at her back, that beautiful long blue dress perfectly fitted till her waist and long skirt covering even her feet.

'She always looks so beautiful. I heard witches are meant to be beautiful with bewitching beauty.'

Ember got back to her senses and smiled at Cornelia, "Cornelia," while Erlos bowed to greet her.

Cornelia was a head of the witches and she was no less than a queen of witches in absence of their true Queen.

Cornelia reached them, "I believe the journey was not tough for you, Miss."

"It was fine. I enjoyed it," Ember replied.

"You must be tired. Please have a seat," Cornelia guided their way to the wooden couch and chairs placed in the center of the Drawing room, closer to the fireplace.

Ember and Erlos sat in the chairs opposite to Cornelia, around the wooden center table. The servants brought tea and refreshments for the guests.

Cornelia offered her tea, "This tea will help you get rid of all the tiredness you have felt due to the journey."

Ember accepted and so did Erlos as he commented, "I always like to get potions...cough..I mean tea from the Witch Clan. Helps me cope up with work given by my cruel master."

Cornelia simply smiled as she knew what Erlos meant. "But, you don't really need any potions, Erlos. Sire have trained you enough to be stronger. You might not realize, but I can see that."

"His way of training?" Erlos sighed, "I pray no one has to go through such an unusual training methods."

Ember looked at him, "How did Sire trained you? Did he teach you like Helia teaches me?"

He frowned inwardly, "I wish that was the case, Miss."

"Then?"

"I would like not to say embarrassing things I go through," he replied as he didn't wish to say how he coped with the mean ways of the king to treat him as his personal aide. That unending torture he didn't wish to talk about. Instead of training him to use his powers, it was more like it was training of testing limits of his patience.

Ember didn't insist as Erlos looked reluctant. Just as she finished her tea, she realized that she no longer felt tired and understood Cornelia was generous enough to give her potion in the tea.

"I have received a message that you wish to explore Honeyharbor city, Miss Ember. I will make sure to give you a nice tour."

"Thank you, Cornelia. Can we go out now?" Ember asked excitedly as she no longer felt tired and didn't wish to waste much time. They would have to return to the palace as well.

"Sure. But would you like to have a nice meal before leaving? Kitchen must have already prepared it."

"I don't feel hungry at this moment. We can do it later on," Ember replied, she was excited to check this new place.

"As you wish, Miss."

Cornelia let their way out of the residence. Ember looked around as she wanted to see this residence first.

"Your residence is beautiful, Cornelia."

"Thank you, Miss."

They wandered around Cornelia's residence and Ember's eyes caught the attention of something. Other than Cornelia's residence, at a distance there was another residence bigger than Cornelia's but it was different and was at a lonely place. It was not a cottage but a residence built with stones and had a mini castle-like structure and it was surrounded by fog even in day time.

Ember felt some unknown pull towards that residence as if it was calling for her.

"Whose home is that, Cornelia?"

"That is the residence of our Queen. Her Eminence used to live there when she was still with us."

"Can I visit that place as well?" Ember asked, unable to move her eyes away from it.

"Yes, Miss. I will take you there," Cornelia said as she asked to prepare their horses.

Riding their horses, they reached that lonely looking residence.

The entrance of the Witch Clan territory had a flat ground but where it ended, it had a deep valley and at that very end located that mini castle of the Queen of Witches.

Though it looked lonely from a distance as if no one lived there, it was still maintained well and there were servants to take care of that residence.

It had an iron gate attached to the stony wall compound and inside ground of the compound walls was filled with Camellia flowers everywhere and it looked beautiful.

"Beautiful!" Ember said the moment she stepped down the horse and saw the land filled with flowers.

"Her Eminence was fond of Camellia flowers. Even if she is not here, these flowers keeps blooming here despite any seasons, marking it as this residence belongs to only her."

Cornelia and Ember walked on the path and entered the residence building while Erlos accompanied them. They entered the grand circular Drawing room where at the one end, exactly opposite was the stone chair at the elevated platform having few stairs and it looked more like a throne.

'This must be where she used to sit but...why do I feel so connected to this place or more like someone's presence here? I am sure I have never been here. It's more about the essence of a person or powers I am feeling.' Ember could distinguish these things after getting few lessons from Helia.

'Have I ever came across this particular person to feel this way. It can't be possible as no one came to that mountain. Then why....?'

Cornelia observed her, "Miss, what are you thinking about?"

"Uhm! It's as if I can feel someone's presence here....I don't know how to explain but it's so familiar."

Cornelia being a knowledgable Witch who had faced so many strange things that could exist, would never take anything lightly. She also believed nothing happened without a reason.

"Miss, then should try to look for it, maybe you can find it."

Ember looked at her, "Did you believe what I said. Even I am not sure about what I am feeling."

"We should never ignore what our intuition tells us," Cornelia commented.

Ember felt glad to hear it. "Fine! I will try."