They got back to camp and found Sean actively preparing supper. He had set up a fire side and placed a pot on it where he made stew.
"Hmmm, that smells good" Keira said as she hurriedly approached him and sat by the fire.
"It's a traditional stew from my region" Sean responded as he served her some. Then he proceeded to serve some up for Aaron.
"Its really great" She added as they all ate "Say Sean, which region are you from?" she asked curiously looking at the man who up till now had a strange attitude towards her.
"Up north" he said "the region of Cicilia" he added after a brief pause. Sean couldn't recall the last he had seen of his hometown since joining the army.
"Oh I see. Sorry I couldn't even know it given that I have never left Nactar" Keira added and Sean nodded in understanding. She turned over to Aaron, who looked like he wasn't in the same space as them. What was he thinking of? she thought.
"Great!" Keira said as soon as she was done. "Thanks for the meal Sean" she said as she proceeded to clean up and get under the tent which was built for her.
Back in the tent built for Sean and Aaron, Aaron lay on his back as he looked up to the white cloth serving as roof. Completely lost in thought. While Sean was fast asleep.
For the first time since he left the capital, Aaron had actually started envisioning the war. Seven different armies eventually fighting on land probably at the capital. He couldn't admit he was scared, but rather relieved as he had found a witch.
If those tales are true, he had in his possession a true arm. But he couldn't act without caution. As he didn't know if along the line she won't develop any ill intentions. Or if it isn't a scheme to overthrow the kingdom.
He couldn't decide just yet to trust a woman who could bend others to her will, despite how innocent she looked.
He decided he had to be ready to protect himself from her if they day ever came when she will have him draw his own sword at himself.
Recalling the book he had taken from her, he opened it up to the first page and started reading.
'Results may vary depending on the intentions of the sorceress. Spells cast out in good intentions can be reversed to give an adverse effect.
Caution should be taken when mastering the spells as numerous similar spells exist.
Spells are sealed with a chant. Chants make spells more effective and long lasting.
The ingredients for potions should be in the exact state of matter as written in this spell book.
Caution should be taken whilst highly reactive potions.
Some potions can be mixed by a non-sorceress however must be activated with a chant to be effective.
------------------
List of spells.
*Healing spells.
*Control spells
*State of matter spells
*....
----------------
State of matter spells.
Spells to convert between different states of matter.
No Potion required
Can be cast only by a sorceress.
......
-------------------
Control spells.
Take control of inanimate and animate objects
No potion required
Can be cast only by a sorceress.
.........
--------------------
Healing spells.
Numerous potions available.
......
Aaron's POV.
I read through the first few pages and schemed through the rest. There was not much I could understand from there as most of the language was alien to me.
Nothing on control of supernaturals.
There was however something on the control of inanimate and animate objects. I needed to see some more texts to see if I would get something on that.
And I'd better start by finding out from the witch if she used a particular spell the other time. It's best if I know as much as possible.
Keira's POV.
When I was certain everyone was asleep, I picked up a towel and went down to the side of the lake beside the camp.
I had no idea at what time those men usually took their bath but I had to be done as soon as possible.
I lay the towel and my dress on the grass by the river, untied my hair and slowly got in. The night was so freezing I almost thought the water was warm. I decided to take a swim before heading out to rub my soaps and just couldn't decide to get out of the water.
I usually snuck out at night to go to the lake by the clinic to swim.
Now this little adventure could actually permit me to freely discover more of this kingdom.
"I didn't know late night swims where perks of witches, or are you secretly a siren too?" said a voice which made gasp in shock as I sunk deeper into the water and turn to the other edge.
There he was sitting by the edge of the lake for who knows how long.
I was so flustered and silently grateful for the darkness at that hour.
"What are you doing here?" I asked as I continued getting further from the edge he was on
"Looking for you" he said simply as he didn't remove his eyes from mine. "I thought you fled. But then I thought it unreasonable since you could just kill me in my sleep and quietly get away."
"Why are you still here?" he asked and for a moment, I was stunned.
"Because you need me" the words came out before I could even process it, "In ways you can't tell yet" My mouth continued as I watched his brows furrow, as I repeated his words to me.
"And I need you too, that is if you can fulfill your promise to give me what I want." I added
"Tell me, what is it you want?" he asked, eyes not leaving mine
"Freedom. I don't want to live the rest of my days locked up in a hut far away for fear of not being recognized of being a witch. I want to travel and practice spells in the heart of town, in hospitals and in schools. I want to see people smile from my magic. I want to visit the four corners of the kingdom and find love, and live happily. I want to find my family, people just like me and learn from their ways and teach them mine. That is why I am trusting you, a total stranger I just met who promised me freedom. I'm hoping you will give me that, despite how naïve this might sound".