Way of The Wand

Daila smirked, basting in the clear horror reflecting in the eyes of her audience. “You’re having a party without me?” She pushed past Lila. “My invite must have gotten lost in the mail.”

Jira beckoned on Lila to return to her seat. She would handle this alone.

“I knew you’d come,” Jira said, moving with deadly assurance towards her sister. “I figured it was only a matter of time before you showed your face here.”

Daila opened her arms wide like she wanted to hug Jira. “And here I thought witches couldn’t have the gift of foresight.”

“Why are you here Daila?”

Daila ignored the question and instead gestured to the set-up around the large rectangular table in the living room. “Is this what counts as education to witches? Parties and kumbayas? No wonder you’re all such a mess.”

“What do you want?” Jira asked again, infusing her voice with a crushing meanness.

Daila laughed, flipping her blond hair so it cascaded down her shoulders. “Why I came to repay your visit to Airad. You came to my turf, and now I come to yours.”

“Oh,” she added, as if suddenly remembering a new detail, “and to warn you I won’t be taking it easy on your champion, come this weekend. I’m here to gaze upon her face, because after our match, I’m afraid even you might not recognize her anymore. I intend to give her some lasting damage.”

“Get out,” Jira ordered.

“And if I refuse?” Daila taunted. “What are you going to do? Hit me with your silly little spells?”

Daila pretended as if there was a wand in her hand pointed at Jira. “Blast,” she said mockingly, “isn’t that how it works? You need to say silly words to use magic.”

“I said get out!”

Jira’s students flinched at the anger in their teacher’s voice. This wasn’t a side of her they were accustomed to seeing.

“Okay, okay,” Daila said, pretending to be scared. She started off towards the door and stopped just before going through. Her eyes found Tomi. “Soon…child…soon.” And with that, Daila left.

The festive mood in the room shrank like a block of ice under the sun. Everyone looked horror stricken, especially Tomi who lowered her head into her shaking hands.

Jira returned to the table but didn’t sit. “Don’t let her get to you.”

She looked from student to student, and she could see in their faces her advise had come too late.

“Tomi,” Jira called, “look at me.”

Tomi raised her head, twiddling her fingers. A habit she had successfully given up till two minutes ago.

“Come here,” Jira ordered.

Tomi pushed back her chair and walked with her head down to meet Jira.

Jira used a finger to lift Tomi’s head. “You know what? It’s okay to be scared.”

She let her words flow slowly, in a comforting tone that wrapped around Tomi like a blanket.

“But don’t let her win. Don’t let Daila get in your head, because that’s what she wants; that’s why she came here.”

Tomi nodded, her confidence surging.

“Good,” Jira responded. “Daila thinks she’s more powerful than you are, but want to know what makes us witches truly special?”

Tomi nodded again.

“Our cunning,” Jira said. “When match day comes, don’t concern yourself with trying to overpower her. Outsmart her. Outsmart her at every turn, and you will claim victory.”

Tomi’s hand closed in a fist as she nodded enthusiastically once more. “Got it.”

Jira smiled. That was what she wanted to hear. She’d countered Daila’s attempt to frighten Tomi and weaken her even before the match.

“The party will go on as planned,” Jira announced stirring up her students. “That Daila came here doesn’t change anything. Tomi is ready, and that’s worth celebrating.”

The remaining pupils shook off their fear and put on their happy faces again.

“Can we eat the cake now?” Lila asked, chuckling, “I’m famished.”

Jira laughed, relieved and thankful to Lila for bringing back some cheer to the room. She clapped her hands over her head. “All right everyone. Dig in.”