The Wittering Way by Nat Burns Read Free Book Online

repulsive then? Because I am not of your kind?”
    “No...it needs to be my decision, is all,” I muttered, taking a surreptitious breath of the fresher air between us.
    “Ahh, a strong wit. Strength is beautiful, too,” it said. Its black eyes disappeared momentarily behind white membranes as it...blinked? A small black tongue appeared between a front gap in a mouthful of small, pointed teeth. It wasn’t repulsive, exactly, yet I found no affinity to this creature.
    “You are a water sprite?” I asked, seeking distraction.
    The Neisi cocked its egg-like head to one side and studied me. “I am. The water obeys my will. I am very powerful. If you join with me, then you, too, can be very powerful.”
    I felt anger tap against the back of my neck. “And why do you believe I’m not already powerful in my own right? I am the daughter of DaisyFir Widdershin of Widdershin join. She is one of the most powerful of wits. She, as peyton, asked for me at Lake Feidlimed so that her join could be strong from her teachings and her legacy. For the past fifteen ages, she has taught me and I have learned well.”
    Afton began to glow with my anger, and I allowed heat to rise up and seep from me. The Neisi recoiled when it sensed my rising internal fire as I encouraged magic to grow within me. The doubt on its face gave me much satisfaction. The doubt changed rapidly to fear, however, when a thin cord, a vine glowing with restraint magic, slipped over the Neisi’s head and shoulders and bound its arms to its sides.
    The Neisi hissed loudly and tried to turn to see its attacker. The cord came around once more and in its light, I could see RoseIII’s grim face.
    I shoved Memo roughly, awakening her as I scurried out from under the Neisi. She scrambled behind me as RoseIII pulled the creature upright. It was small in stature, yet strong, but the binding cord held well.
    “What shall we do with it?” RoseIII asked.
    I had no idea. “Afton, give me light,” I said as I dug my mother’s grimoire from my bag. Surely there was something addressing Neisi magic in there.
    “No, don’t,” the Neisi whispered hoarsely. “I must go back to my tribe. They will miss me and come looking for me soon. You will let me go!”
    RoseIII shook the Neisi roughly. “Silence, water sprite.”
    Afton glowed brightly at my shoulder, and I placed my palm on the open book. I sought guidance from our foremothers, and my hand turned pages until the right one was found.
    “It says here that a captured Neisi must do our will for one sun only then peacefully return to its people without harming us. If we do not release it at or before that time, the Neisi will die and a curse will follow the wit all her days.”
    The commotion had wakened all the sleepers and they gathered around, gawking at the captive creature. They were a silent lot, surely amazed by their first view of a Neisi, and the Neisi regarded them patiently, slowly blinking. I took the opportunity to study it as well. More frog than Meab, there was yet an elegance to the creature. The skin was smooth, with a soft, leather-like texture. The hands and feet were wide and webbed, yet equipped with malleable claws on the tips. Most disturbing to me were the eyes—deep-set, black and lacking in merriment. And then there was the small, pointy teeth set into a pouty mouth. I shuddered.
    “Hold it, RoseIII. It may try to escape as the magic takes hold,” I said. Following the directions in Mother’s book, I circled deosil three times as I chanted the holding work.
     
    North south east west
    A magic cord shall bind it best
    East west north south
    Hold its limbs and stop its mouth
    Seal its eyes and choke its breath
    Wrap it round with ropes of death.
     
    An’ it harm none, for the good of all
     
    I stepped away and studied the creature. It was suddenly limp and docile, eyes dimmed.
    “You can let it go now, RoseIII,” I said. “It will help us until tomorrow night.”
    “Can’t we just let it