Destiny 1

When had everything gone so horribly wrong? When I was young, growing up in the order, magic was so fun and exciting. My parents were so excited when I started showing abilities….or were they? Maybe I’m remembering fear as excitement. I was so young and clueless to the world. 

Still, I do truly love magic. Yes, there have been horrible events, including the civil war and the rise of monsters, but can’t magic be something more? Something that heals and helps, instead of something that harms and hurts. I’m sure there will always be those who wish to misuse magic, but I still hope that as a society we can move past that.

Alas, I digress. I never thought Silke would be the one to betray me. We had been friends at the order, or at least I thought we were. If only I had known better, then I wouldn’t be in my current predicament. 

Now the order knows I still make potions, despite the decrees of the Order. How was I to stop though? I spent my life perfecting my magic to be used for crafting some of the most potent healing potions I have ever seen. Sure, I could probably use them to harm others, but I don’t and I surely don’t plan to, except maybe in self defense. Because of that wench I’ve found myself in one of my old haunts. It’s a beautiful watering hole deep in one of the forests of Anathema. It’s a secluded place that I would often visit when I was younger and needed time to myself. Now it’s my refuge. The damp, musky smell of the forest always cleared my head and the cool, clear waters soothe my aching muscles. Hardly anyone comes her, so I should be safe for a long while.

The sharp snap of a twig snaps me out of my thoughts. Taking a deep breath, I slowly lower myself into the water, though something tells me my mushroom caps may give me away. They’re a little too buoyant to hide well in the water. Plus, it allows me to keep my ears above water and hope passersby assume it’s just a strange water plant. My ears swivel, straining to hear more footsteps or if the intruder might leave.

“Amanita, dear, I’m going to need you to come out of the water slowly. Do not try any funny business. I am alone, but I am an Officer of the Guard. I can have more guards here in seconds if you prove to be uncooperative.”

Shit. Just what I need. I swivel my ears again, but hear nothing more than a single set of hoofbeats approaching the shore. Slowly, I start towards the shore, water running from my mushrooms like a curtain. Ahead of me is a small, teal hog with gonna hooves and jewelry. Their hair is white, short on the front and everyone in a braid. They certainly appeared well-kempt and passable for an Officer of the Guard, if not a bit small. It does appear they were telling the truth. As far as I can see, we are alone and all I can smell is the musky forest and the guard's almost flowery smell.

"That's close enough. You may call me Wyetta." 

I stop at the edge of the beach, the cool water still lapping at my hooves. All my senses are heightened, but the Wyetta seems civil enough.

"How may I help you, Wyetta?" My voice comes out a bit more choked than I had planned. She can probably hear my heart thumping in my chest. If this goes south, I'm in so much trouble and it honestly scares me.

"Relax. I'm not here to turn you in, though honestly I should. Not doing so could get me in trouble if anyone finds out and I'm not about to get in trouble for you. I'm just here to have a little talk." She sits down and motions for me to come closer. Thankfully, I do have some potions nearby I can use if things do go south at least. She seems to be telling the truth, which helps settle my racing heart, but not entirely.

Slowly, I approach Wyetta and plop down next to her in the coarse sand, but look towards the horizon. The sun hovers just above the treeline, the sky painted with pale oranges and pinks. Under any other circumstances, this would be a wonderful evening. With a sigh I say, "okay, I'm listening."

“Thank you. I know you mean well and just want to help others, but you really need to find another way to use your magic in other ways. I’m sure you are well aware of the ban Miriam has placed on potions recently and it’s not for nothing. Potions can be extremely dangerous and unpredictable, even when created by the most seasoned mages. I’ve seen it go horribly wrong firsthand. I’ve even seen potions kill mass amounts of other people. Again, I know you mean well, but maybe you could just….try and use your magic in a different way? Without potions?” Wyetta looked up at me and she seemed sincere enough.

“I just…don’t understand why everyone has to be punished for the bad actions of a few. I’ve spent years honing my skill and magic to be able to create healing potions, but now…now I’m expected to just completely change that? I just…don’t know if I can. Maybe it would be best if I just stay away from others for now.” I sound sadder than I wanted, but truthfully all I’ve wanted to do is help others. Now being told that I can’t simply shakes me to my core.

Sighing, Wyetta stands and gives me a rather cold stare. “Well dear, I’ve said my piece. What you choose to do with it is out of my control. I won’t turn you in today, just know that if I catch wind or find you using potions again, our conversation probably won’t be so civil. Don’t make me bring you in.” With that, the little teal hog wanders off into the forest. 

I listen for a while, as her hoofbeats grow fainter until I can no longer hear them. Still sitting in the same spot, I stare down at the cool, clear water that desperately laps at my hooves. Darkness had begun to settle over the forest and the first stars were now visible over the horizon, reflecting in the lake water. 

I have so much to think about, but now I just feel overwhelmed, and honestly, a little lost. I don’t think it will be so easy to simply give up my love for potion making. It’s such a huge part of who I am. What  can I even do with my magic beyond potions?

I feel a stray tear run down my cheek and realize just how broken I am about the whole situation. My limbs feel numb and I know exhaustion is setting in. I drag my heavy limbs up and walk away from the shore towards the forest. As my hooves crunch across the forest floor, I go to my usual resting spot. It’s a little clearing with some soft fresh grass encircled by the forest shrubbery. I don’t smell any rain in the air, so laying here tonight beneath the millions of stars above seems like perfection, plus I have some nice fresh grass to snack on. 

With a tired, heavy sigh, I lay down. The musky scent of Earth fills my nostrils as I do. Resting my nose on the ground, my eyes begin to close. The smell of the earth, trees, and growth around me calms my racing heart and thoughts, as do the familiar sounds of other forest critters settling in for the night. My thoughts race as I drift off to a not-so-peaceful sleep.