Chapter 3: A Tour Begins
The sun shone brightly over Astoria, casting a golden glow over the city’s cobblestone streets and magical shops. Everett found himself walking beside Evanora, who was still beaming despite their earlier crash. He was beginning to realize that no amount of mishaps could dim her enthusiasm. And while he was bruised from their previous adventure, something about Evanora’s relentless optimism made it hard for him to stay frustrated.
“So, where are we headed next?” Everett asked, glancing at the broomstick that floated lazily beside them as they strolled down the street.
“The Witch Gardens!” Evanora exclaimed, clapping her hands together excitedly.
“It’s one of Astoria’s most famous spots. You’re going to love it!”
Everett raised an eyebrow.
“Witch Gardens? What’s so special about it?”
“Oh, just you wait,” Evanora said with a wink. “The gardens are filled with enchanted flowers, magical fountains, and plants that are older than Astoria itself. It’s like stepping into a dream!”
“I could use a little peaceful garden time after that broomstick ride,” Everett admitted, rubbing his sore shoulder.
“Maybe we stick to walking this time?”
Evanora laughed sheepishly.
“We could… but flying will get us there faster. Plus, I promise, I’ve been practicing my broomstick control!”
Everett eyed the broomstick warily, recalling their near-death experience just moments ago.
“Practicing, huh?”
“I’m serious!” Evanora insisted, holding up her wand.
“This time, I’ve got it under control. And the Witch Gardens are too beautiful to waste time walking to.”
Everett sighed, glancing between Evanora’s hopeful expression and the wobbly broomstick.
“Alright, fine. But if we crash into anything again, we’re sticking to walking from now on.”
“Deal!” Evanora agreed, quickly mounting the broomstick and offering her hand to Everett.
With some hesitation, Everett took her hand and climbed on behind her, gripping her robes just in case. The broomstick wobbled slightly beneath them, but Evanora seemed determined this time. She took a deep breath and whispered a quick spell under her breath before flicking her wand.
The broomstick shot into the air, and Everett’s stomach lurched as the ground fell away beneath them.
“Here we go again,” he muttered, holding on tightly.
To his surprise, Evanora managed to keep the broomstick relatively steady this time. They soared over the streets of Astoria, the bustling city below looking more like a beautiful painting from this height. Magical creatures flitted about, and colorful buildings glittered in the sunlight.
“See? I told you I’ve been practicing!” Evanora said, glancing back at him with a proud smile.
Everett was about to admit that she was doing a pretty good job when the broomstick gave an unexpected wobble. His heart skipped a beat, but Evanora quickly regained control, her grip tightening on the broomstick.
“Almost lost it there,” she said with a nervous laugh.
“Yeah, let’s not do that again,” Everett replied, his heart racing.
As they flew toward the outskirts of the city, the tall spires of the magical skyline gave way to sprawling fields of lush greenery. In the distance, Everett could make out the outline of what must have been the Witch Gardens—vast stretches of vibrant flowers, towering trees, and sparkling fountains that shimmered like liquid stardust.
“We’re almost there!” Evanora called out excitedly. “Just a little further!”
They descended toward the entrance of the gardens, a grand archway made entirely of woven vines and glowing flowers. But just as they approached the landing, the broomstick gave a sudden, violent lurch.
“Uh-oh,” Evanora muttered.
“What do you mean ‘uh-oh’?” Everett asked, his voice rising in panic.
The broomstick spun wildly, and before they could regain control, they crashed directly into a patch of enchanted rose bushes. The thorny plants wrapped around them, glowing a soft pink as if they were trying to gently trap them.
“Ouch!” Everett yelped, trying to free himself from the magical thorns. “Seriously? Again?”
Evanora struggled to untangle herself, her face flushed with embarrassment. “I don’t know what happened! It was going so well…”
“Well, at least it’s not as bad as last time,” Everett muttered, brushing leaves off his jacket as he finally managed to stand up. “These plants are pretty soft, all things considered.”
Evanora stood up too, her hair covered in rose petals. She dusted herself off, trying to hide her embarrassment. “I’m really sorry, Everett. I swear I’m going to get better at this.”
Everett sighed, but he couldn’t stay mad at her. There was something about her clumsy enthusiasm that made it hard to hold a grudge. “It’s alright, Evanora. I’m still alive, and the gardens look pretty amazing from here.”
Evanora smiled gratefully. “Thanks for being a good sport about it. And hey, we made it to the Witch Gardens!”
Everett looked around, taking in the breathtaking view of the gardens. The air was filled with the scent of flowers, and the vibrant colors of the plants seemed to pulse with magical energy. Glowing butterflies flitted between enchanted flowers, and in the distance, a grand fountain sparkled in the sunlight, its water shimmering with rainbow hues.
“Okay, I’ll admit, this place is pretty incredible,” Everett said, his frustration melting away as he marveled at the beauty around him.
“I knew you’d like it!” Evanora beamed. “Let’s go explore!”
They began to wander through the winding paths of the Witch Gardens, surrounded by towering flowers that seemed to whisper as they passed. Each bloom had its own unique magic, from flowers that changed color with the breeze to plants that played soft, enchanting music when touched.
“Check this out,” Evanora said, stopping in front of a patch of flowers that glowed a soft blue. She gently tapped one with her wand, and the flower bloomed in slow motion, releasing a cloud of shimmering pollen that sparkled like tiny stars.
Everett watched in awe. “That’s amazing.”
Evanora grinned. “The Witch Gardens are known for their magical flora. Some of these plants are used in powerful potions, and others just exist to make the world a little more beautiful.”
They continued exploring, stopping every now and then to admire a particularly fascinating plant or enchanted fountain. But as they ventured deeper into the gardens, things took a turn for the chaotic once again.
It started when Evanora, eager to show Everett the famous Fountain of Wishes, accidentally misfired a spell while trying to direct them there.
“Oops!” Evanora yelped as her wand sparked unexpectedly. “That wasn’t supposed to happen.”
Everett barely had time to react before the ground beneath them gave a sudden rumble. The enchanted flowerbeds around them began to sway wildly, their vines twisting and growing at an alarming rate.
“Uh, Evanora?” Everett said, his voice rising with concern. “I think something’s wrong with the plants.”
Evanora’s eyes widened. “Oh no, I must’ve triggered their growth charm by accident!”
The vines continued to grow, wrapping around their legs and pulling them toward the ground. Everett struggled to free himself, but the vines were surprisingly strong.
“Any chance you can undo that spell?” Everett asked, trying to keep his voice calm as the vines tightened around his ankles.
“I’m trying!” Evanora said, frantically waving her wand. “It’s just a little tricky…”
Before she could finish, the vines suddenly tightened around them, pulling them toward a nearby enchanted fountain. The fountain's waters shimmered, and for a moment, Everett thought they were about to be dragged straight into it.
“Evanora!” he yelled, panic setting in.
Evanora finally managed to regain her focus. She flicked her wand, and the vines froze in place, their growth halting. With another flick, the vines loosened and slithered back into the flowerbeds, leaving Everett and Evanora standing by the fountain, slightly shaken but unharmed.
“I’m really, really sorry,” Evanora said, looking mortified. “I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s fine,” Everett interrupted, taking a deep breath. “It’s fine. Just another day in Astoria, I guess.”
Evanora smiled sheepishly. “Maybe we should steer clear of any more enchanted plants for the rest of the tour.”
“Good idea,” Everett said with a chuckle. “But hey, at least it’s never boring with you around.”
Evanora’s face lit up at that. “Thanks, Everett. I promise, I’ll get better at this guide thing.”
Everett couldn’t help but smile. “You’re doing fine. A little rough around the edges, but you’re doing fine.”
As they walked away from the fountain and continued exploring the gardens, Everett realized that despite the constant chaos and clumsy mishaps, he was actually enjoying himself. Sure, Evanora wasn’t the most experienced guide, but there was something about her that made everything more interesting. Maybe Astoria wasn’t about having the perfect experience—it was about having an adventure, and so far, this was turning out to be one wild ride.