Calliope [Book 2]
CHAPTER NINETEEN

Mido awoke to the muffled buzzing around him, growing much louder this time. It felt like years since he had been on the ship. Based on the amount of times he slept, he imagined they had to be close to their destination. He looked around as the shadows hurried this way and that, more quicker than usual, their muddled buzzed voices sounding more frantic as they called to one another. Another storm, perhaps?

The ground seemed to shudder slightly beneath him. Something was happening to the ship. He waited and watched as the shadows began to move together and seemed to descend from the ship. They must have made it to the port. Mido bounded to his feet and hurried passed the shadows, following suit as they got off the ship and onto solid ground.

Mido made his way aimlessly away from the ship, thankful to be walking through the world once more. He wondered where he was and where he was headed. That was the worst, the wondering; never knowing for sure where he was going or where in the world he was. It made him uneasy. He tried to push the thought out of his mind, focusing on Calliope once more. He had to be closer than he was before, at any rate, and that gave him the confidence boost he needed to continue onward.

He walked on, passing many shadows until they grew thin and were gone and he was truly alone. He imagined he had left the port and the nearby village and was now walking across the kingdom. He tried to picture his surroundings. He hoped he was in Asmar. If that were the case, then he was probably traveling west, away from the ocean on the kingdom’s eastern border. If he turned slightly to the left, perhaps that would take him in a more southern direction and over the mountains into Librona.

If, however, he were at Librona’s port, heading in that direction would bring him south still, towards the forest, and that felt just as likely a spot for Calliope to be in. Yes, traveling south felt right to him, and that direction felt slightly south. All he had to do was make sure he continued straight and not stray from his path.

Mido felt a little more confident as he continued his journey. His future still looked bleak, but at least he felt that he had some sort of purpose now. He felt more sure of his search for Calliope. In fact, he felt hopeful, almost positive that he would run into her now that he was here. He felt sure that Calliope was close by and that he had made the right decision to come this way. He had traveled far already; he couldn’t be far off now.

He started to think ahead and began to plan a way to get them out of this lifeless world. He knew the black magic that ran in her veins bound her to this world, but he also knew that Calliope was a good hearted witch. That had to be enough to rid the black magic from her body. If he could make her see that, then there could be a way out for them after all.

A sharp crack in the distance caught his attention. He turned to the source of the sound and watched as the fog seemed to glow and flash. Another crack, followed by a bang, and more colored fog; it had to be a sign of witchcraft. Mido ran towards the commotion, anxious to see anyone. As he neared, two figures emerged, magic flowing out of their fingertips at one another. They threw their bodies at one another as they fought, yelling and grunting as their battle raged on.

When Mido came into view, their attention turned to him.

“What’re ya lookin’ at, scum?” one of the witches shouted to him. She shot a spell in his direction and he ducked, but the spell bounced away as if it hit an invisible forcefield. Mido suddenly remembered the stone in his pocket; it must have done it’s job, protecting him from the blow.

“What kind of magic is that?” the other witch yelled to him. She threw her own spell at him and like the first spell, the magic bounced off an invisible wall.

The two witches watched as he got back to his feet. He kept his distance, not daring to press his luck.

“I’m looking for a witch,” he said to them.

The two witches exchanged a glance. “Well, you’re in the right place,” one of the witches said sarcastically.

“A black haired witch with golden eyes,” Mido said. “Have you seen her?”

“Maybe, maybe not,” the witch said. “Why should we help you?”

“I don’t expect you to,” Mido said.

“Good, cuz we ain’t helpin’ ya.”

Another ball of magic was shot in his direction. Just as the last two had, the spell bounced off the invisible wall the stone provided him.

“How are you doin’ that?” one of the witches asked.

“If you help me, maybe I’ll tell you,” Mido offered. The witches seemed to consider this for a moment, eager to learn his tricks.

“All right,” a witch said. “I’ll tell you. I’ve seen a witch like that. Said her name was Calliope.”

“When did you see her?”

The witch shrugged. “A while back. Hard to tell when you’re stuck here.”

“Where?”

“You’re joking, right? Just east past the old oak tree and five steps north, ya moron.”

“Anything you can tell me, please. I need to replace her.”

“Friend of yours?”

Mido nodded.

“Hmph. Doesn’t happen often here.”

“You should give it a try.”

The two witches exchanged another glance.

“Why go through a world like this alone?”

“Because that’s what we do,” the other witch said. “We don’t like each other.”

“You’re tolerating each other now,” Mido pointed out.

“The witch you’re looking for is probably close by,” the first witch said. “We tend not to travel too far, even if we do hate each other.”

“She’s strong, that one,” said the second witch. “Never instigates a fight, though.”

“She’s new ’round here, I think. You can tell – she looks for company. Surprises me – didn’t think there were many of us left in the human world.”

“I’m sure you’ll replace her.”

“Just be careful. Some of the other witches won’t be as kind towards you. As you can imagine, we really have nothing to live for here.”

“We’re probably the nicest witches you’ll replace here.”

“Thank you, ladies,” Mido said.

“Ahem. Don’t forget your part of the deal.”

Mido hesitated. “I’m not a wizard,” he finally said. The two witches cocked their heads and narrowed their eyes at him.

“What do you mean you’re not a wizard?”

“I’m human. Mortal.”

“How are you here?”

“I asked to be sent here, to replace Calliope.”

“You’re joking.”

Mido shook his head.

“Why on earth would you want to come here for a witch?”

“She’s a special witch.”

The first witch gasped. “No.”

“What?” The second witch turned to her.

“He loves her.”

“No.”

“You love a witch?”

“If you’re not a wizard, then,” the other continued. “How are you able to deflect our attacks?”

Mido pulled the stone out of his pocket. “Queen Ryenna gave this to me.”

“Give me that stone,” the first with demanded.

“What good is it to you? You have magic. You’re immortal. This stone would be useless to you.”

“And why should we let you keep it?”

“So I can replace Calliope.”

The witch scoffed at him. “I don’t think so,” she said.

The second witch turned to her. “Let him keep the damned stone,” she hissed. “It’s of no use to you.”

The witch sighed, knowing she was right.

“Get out of my sight now,” she said.

Mido pocketed the stone. “Thanks for the help, I guess.”

The two witches watched as Mido turned away from them and followed some invisible path, hoping it would lead him to Calliope.

“Wait,” the second witch called to him.

Mido turned, uneasy. The witch approached him and put her hand on his shoulder.

“I promise I won’t hurt you,” she said as she closed her eyes and whispered an incantation to herself. Mido froze; his heart flipped in his chest. A light emitted from her palm and it hovered over his head, climbing higher in the sky.

“A beacon,” she explained to him. “It will draw witches to you, but hopefully your Calliope will be one of them. Just be careful and keep that stone on you.”

“Thank you,” Mido muttered as he gazed upon the light glowing brightly above him.

“Good luck to you, human,” she said as he turned away.

Mido continued onward, occasionally peeking up at the beacon above. He prayed Calliope would see it and follow it to him.