Wyrd: Book One of the Witch War Trilogy - WATTYS 2018 WINNER!

Chapter 17: When Laina Meets The Wizard

She looked down at her eleven-year-old guide, Winnifred.  Between the wind and the wet sea air, Winnie's tumultuous curls were especially wild, and her other hand was placed on her hip in an outward display of impatience. Laina could only be glad that this time there was only one Fred there to reprimand her, and not also her other two identical sisters. One was enough to handle. 

"We're going to be late!" Winnie grumbled, using her sternest voice.  "Wizard Ba'leon hates waiting." 

Laina stifled a giggle. Getting scolded by a little waif of a girl would also have to go on her list of new experiences: along with discovering that magic existed, travelling through a tear to a new world, and flying on a wyvern. The events still felt unbelievable to her, but all of these vivid details – the textures and smells and richness – couldn't possibly be solely the result of madness. This world felt, was, as real as anything she'd ever known, she was certain of it.

Unaware of what powers her miniature guide possessed, Laina decided to err on the side of caution and humility. She began to apologize.

"I'm so sorry, Winnie.  It's just that everything is so exotic and wonderful here. Just tell Wizard Ba'leon it's my fault we're late. I wanted to explore!"

"Oh, I will! As if I'd take the blame," Winnie scoffed. "But, don't say I didn't warn you," she said, as she continued to lead Laina persistently by the hand. "I just figured you would want to make a good first impression. Wizard Ba'leon is one of the most talented Wizards in all the Worlds." She sighed wistfully. "And he offered to teach YOU!"

Laina tried not to take it personally that the eleven-year-old hadn't asked why she was getting personal lessons or who she might be in the grander scheme of things. Winnie seemed to deem Laina's worth as a pupil at a much lower status than her own. Winnie's expression managed to capture her disbelief perfectly, while still conveying precisely how affronted she was by the injustice of it all. The feisty little pre-teen was going to be a force to be reckoned with when she got older. She already exuded the attitude of a little warrior queen.

Now that Winnie and Laina were standing still, talking, she noticed they were beginning to accumulate quite an audience.  Little children were pointing and whispering; grownups were gossiping and speculating. They were just as curious about the two of them: one fair skinned and one dark, Winnie's cocoa kinky-fro beside her bright blonde locks.  They were strangers in a place acclimatized to certain hardy visitors only – seafarers, pirates, sailors, traders, and vagabonds – but the port people were completely unprepared for the likes of these two young women. Tourism wasn't something the Seaport of Mittgura was known for, despite their bustling marketplace. Their normal visitors would usually have a peg leg, an eye patch, or a few naughty tattoos. Laina and Winnie had none of these things, and they certainly didn't appear to be the type of sea-hardened drunkards that tended to stop by for libations and provisions.

Laina's blue jeans seemed to be the cause of a rather heated ruckus between two clothing shop merchants. The female vendor sidled up next to Laina quizzically and pinched the fabric of her pants between thumb and pudgy forefinger.

"Mi pa co?" She inquired. What material is this? Laina thought she was asking.

"Jean?" answered Laina, positive her limited ability to communicate had not provided an adequate response.

"Mi pocco paga mep dorian?" The small women asked again, giggling. Then she gestured at a group of boys lounging by a liquor stall.

"She wants to know why you're wearing men's clothing," Winnie translated, snickering.

"Zu gumma gumma whapaaco," Winnie answered for Laina with a smug look on her face.

"Why is she looking at me funny? What did you tell her?"