Chapter 4: The Veteran Witches
The morning sun was beginning to climb higher in the sky as Evanora and Everett made their way through the narrow streets of Astoria. The magical city buzzed with activity as witches, wizards, and tourists alike strolled down cobblestone streets lined with shops and magical stalls. Everett’s stomach rumbled as they passed a cart selling enchanted pastries that floated delicately in the air, tempting buyers.
“You hungry?” Evanora asked with a grin, noticing the look on his face.
“The magical marketplace has some of the best food in all of Astoria! We can grab something once we get there.”
“Sure,” Everett replied.
“I could use a snack after, you know, crashing into things all morning.”
Evanora’s face turned red with embarrassment.
“I told you, the broomstick is stubborn! It has a mind of its own,” she defended, though there was a touch of sheepishness in her voice.
Everett raised an eyebrow. “Right. Of course. Totally the broomstick’s fault,” he teased, but there was a playful glint in his eyes.
“Hey!” Evanora pouted, sticking her tongue out at him before turning her attention back to the broomstick hovering beside her. “Alright, time for another attempt. I promise, no crashes this time!”
Everett hesitated, glancing at the hovering broom. The last few rides hadn’t exactly been smooth.
“Are you sure? I mean, walking doesn’t seem that bad.”
“We’ll be late to the market if we walk. Besides, this is Astoria! You’re supposed to fly everywhere!” Evanora argued, waving her wand with enthusiasm.
“Alright, fine,” Everett agreed reluctantly. “But if we crash again, I’m walking.”
“Deal!” Evanora said excitedly as she climbed onto the broomstick.
Everett gingerly climbed on behind her, gripping the back of her robes as the broomstick bobbed in the air.
“Ready?” she asked, looking back at him.
“As I’ll ever be,” Everett muttered, already bracing for impact.
With a quick flick of her wand, Evanora sent the broomstick soaring into the air. For a moment, it seemed like everything would be fine. The broomstick wobbled slightly but steadied as they flew over the rooftops of Astoria, the marketplace coming into view in the distance.
“This isn’t so bad,” Everett admitted, loosening his grip a little.
“I think you might actually be getting the hang of it.”
Evanora flashed him a triumphant smile.
“See? I told you I was—”
Before she could finish her sentence, the broomstick gave an unexpected jolt, veering off course and sending them spiraling toward the ground.
“Not again!” Everett yelled, clutching onto Evanora as they plummeted toward a fruit stand on the side of the road.
With a loud crash, they landed right in the middle of a pile of enchanted melons, the fruits bouncing around them as they scrambled to untangle themselves from the mess.
“I’m so sorry!” Evanora cried, her face flushed with embarrassment as she tried to help Everett out of the pile of melons.
Everett groaned, wiping melon juice off his jacket.
“I think your broomstick hates me.”
Evanora winced.
“I… might need a little more practice.”
The vendor who owned the fruit stand gave them a stern look, but with a wave of her wand, the melons floated back into place, good as new. “Young witches these days,” she muttered under her breath, shaking her head as she went back to tending her stall.
“Let’s… let’s walk the rest of the way,” Everett suggested, climbing out of the fruit pile and adjusting his clothes.
“It’s not far, right?”
“Yeah,” Evanora agreed quickly, avoiding eye contact. “It’s just around the corner.”
They walked the rest of the way to the marketplace in awkward silence, the bustling sounds of vendors calling out and magical creatures fluttering overhead filling the air around them. The market itself was a dazzling display of colors and sounds, with magical items of every kind being sold at stalls that lined the streets.
“Here we are,” Evanora said, trying to perk up. “Astoria’s famous magical marketplace!”
Everett was momentarily distracted by the sights and sounds around him. There were stalls selling enchanted jewelry that glowed with soft light, spell books stacked in neat piles, and booths where wizards demonstrated potions that changed colors as they brewed. The air was filled with the scent of spices and herbs, and every corner seemed to hold a new wonder.
But just as Evanora began to show him around, a group of witches approached, their robes flowing elegantly as they moved. They looked older, more experienced, and each one carried herself with an air of superiority. Their broomsticks hovered beside them, polished and gleaming compared to Evanora’s wobbly, worn-out broom.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Evanora,” one of the witches sneered, her sharp eyes glinting as she stopped in front of them. “Still crashing into things, I see.”
Evanora’s cheerful expression faltered. “Hi, Maris,” she said quietly, avoiding eye contact with the older witch.
“Didn’t think you’d still be trying to be an escort witch,” another witch, with sleek black hair, added with a smirk. “You’ve already got a reputation for being a walking disaster.”
“Or should I say, flying disaster,” Maris chimed in, and the group of witches laughed in unison.
Everett watched as Evanora’s face fell, her earlier excitement draining away. He could see the tears welling up in her eyes, though she quickly blinked them away. He clenched his fists, anger rising in his chest as he realized these witches were the reason Evanora had seemed so self-conscious about her abilities.
“Hey,” Everett said sharply, stepping in front of Evanora. “She’s doing her best, alright? Cut her some slack.”
The witches looked at him, surprised. Maris raised an eyebrow. “And who are you? Her client?” she asked, her tone dripping with condescension.
“Yeah, I am,” Everett said, his voice steady. “And I’ve had a great time with her so far. Sure, we’ve had a few bumps—literally—but she’s got more heart than any of you. She actually cares about what she’s doing.”
The witches looked at each other, clearly taken aback. Maris’s smirk faltered for a moment before she regained her composure. “Well, if you enjoy crashing into things, then I suppose she’s perfect for you,” she said, her voice laced with sarcasm.
Everett took a step closer, his jaw set. “I’d rather have someone like Evanora guide me than some stuck-up bullies who think they’re better than everyone else.”
Maris’s face darkened, and the other witches shifted uncomfortably. For a moment, it seemed like she might say something else, but then she scoffed and waved her hand dismissively. “Whatever. Enjoy your time with her, then. We’ll see how long that lasts.”
With that, the group of witches turned and walked away, their broomsticks floating obediently behind them.
Everett turned back to Evanora, who was staring at the ground, clearly trying to hold back tears. “Evanora?” he said gently.
She looked up, her eyes glistening. “You didn’t have to do that,” she said, her voice shaky. “They’re right. I am clumsy. I mess things up all the time.”
“So what?” Everett said, his tone firm but kind. “Everyone messes up sometimes. You’re out here trying, and that’s more than a lot of people can say. Besides, those witches don’t know the first thing about you.”
Evanora wiped her eyes, trying to smile. “Thank you, Everett. No one’s ever… defended me like that before.”
“Well, they should,” Everett replied. “You’re doing fine, Evanora. We’re having fun, and that’s what matters, right?”
Evanora nodded, sniffling a little. “Yeah. You’re right. I just… I wish I didn’t mess up so much.”
“Hey, you’re learning. And everyone starts somewhere,” Everett said with a grin. “You’ll get the hang of it. Just don’t let those jerks get to you.”
Evanora took a deep breath, her smile slowly returning. “Thanks. I won’t.”
They stood there for a moment, the noise of the marketplace bustling around them. For the first time since their misadventures began, Everett felt like they had reached some kind of turning point. Maybe Evanora wasn’t the perfect guide, but she was kind, she was determined, and she was trying. And to Everett, that was more than enough.
“Alright,” Evanora said, her voice a little stronger. “Let’s go check out the rest of the market. I want to show you the magic potion stalls—they’re pretty cool!”
Everett smiled, nodding. “Lead the way.”
As they continued exploring the marketplace together, Everett couldn’t help but feel a little protective of Evanora. She might not have been the most skilled witch yet, but she had a good heart—and for Everett, that made all the difference.