The New Head Witch
Going back centuries, the witches of the world had a sacred tradition- to prevent chaos and strife among their already very limited ranks, four head witches were elected to represent all four schools of magic...
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Going back centuries, the witches of the world had a sacred tradition- to prevent chaos and strife among their already very limited ranks, four head witches were elected to represent all four schools of magic- untamed, mischief, practical, and alchemy. The group of four head witches were each in charge of their own coven that specialized in their own special brand of magic, only taking in those who were the most promising at their field of magic.
However, one of the head witches, the head of practical magic, had recently passed on, and now, the remaining three needed to elect a new head- and quickly. If the specialists in the remaining three covens found out the practical witches were missing their head, they were sure to try and take action against the others. The head witches were integral in maintaining a delicate balance between the four covens, and with one missing, things could quickly turn to violence.
To attempt to put a stop to this before it could begin, the remaining three head witches gathered at the eldest of the head witch’s homes- the mansion of the Witch of the Waves, Agatha Horton.
“I am so sorry about your loss, Agatha,” the head of alchemy, Elaine Oldham, said. “Stripping your own husband of power, and him passing on as a result… I can’t imagine how painful that must have been.”
Agatha Horton, the head of untamed magic, shrugged. “He broke the rules. The witch bylaws strictly state that if you wish to imbue a mortal with magical energy, you must ensure five years have passed since you last imbued a mortal with magical energy. My husband granted power to three mortals in the span of a year. The only fate for him was being excommunicated from our ranks then immediately burned at the stake.”
“Wow. So intense, Agatha! You’re always a little bit too intense if you ask me. So, let’s lower it from an 11 to a 2 so we can all breathe here. Got it?” Rebekah Gossett, the head of mischief magic said.
Agatha ignored Rebekah completely. “I hope you all came prepared with suggestions for our next head of practical magic. I know who I think deserves it most, but I’m interested in hearing your opinions. Please. Proceed.”
“I’ve got one for you, Agatha,” Rebekah smiled playfully. “You see, I’ve got this one gal in mind, and let me tell you, she is a riot! You guys will love her-“
“She’s part of your coven and doesn’t even specialize in practical magic. Isn’t that right, Rebekah?” Agatha interrupted.
“Well! You sure got me there, Agatha!”
“Elaine? Any thoughts?”
Elaine shook her head. “No… I prefer to spend most of my time talking to plants and my bees. Most of the alchemy witches are just fine on their own, and I don’t interact with any other specialists at all… so, I can’t say I can single anyone specific out.”
Agatha sighed. “I don’t know what you two would do without me. I carefully examined the performance of each and every practical witch over the last five years by using a simple time scrying spell on my enchanted mirror. As head witches, I expected better of the both of you.”
Elaine nodded seriously. “I’ll try my best. After this new head witch comes in, I’ll no longer be the youngest, so I want to be someone they can look up to.”
“I’m just gonna keep doing my own thing myself, but you two can do you,” Rebekah shrugged. “I mean, you know me! I’m constantly trying to stage a coup to get rid of Agatha, but clearly that’s not gonna happen so it’s just something to dream about…”
Agatha ignored her, and conjured up an image of a man practicing spells in the magic realm. “This is our new head witch. Theodore Vincent, the future head of practical magic.”
Elaine and Rebekah took a moment to make their observations. Elaine seemed to accept Theodore in stride, excited to finally have someone under her in seniority.
“Ugh,” Rebekah snorted. “Agatha, you couldn’t have picked someone less plain looking, huh? …actually, that makes a lot of sense. Practical magic is the most boring specialty, and you’re very plain yourself, right?”
“Let’s go and inform him of our decision,” Agatha said, rising from the table. “Rebekah, you’ll be the one to host us all this time, seeing that you clearly have much to say about this situation.”
Rebekah gave her a look, outraged. But there was no arguing with Agatha Horton.
A week later, the three of them were gathered in Rebekah’s palace, a lavishly decorated there tiered structure with plenty of outdoor space for sunbathing tucked away deep in Oasis Springs. It was hidden away with a series of cloaking spells that Agatha herself had helped Rebekah construct.
The three current head witches sat in the open air pavilion that was placed at the very top of Rebekah’s palace, awaiting Theodore’s arrival.
“I can’t believe I have to waste my afternoon doing this,” Rebekah sighed, looking out over her dominion.
Meanwhile, Theodore was just arriving at Rebekah’s palace. He still couldn’t believe that he, of all people, had been selected as a candidate for the head witch of practical magic. Agatha hadn’t used the word candidate when she and the other two head witches had suddenly appeared to him a week early, but he still assumed that he was just one of many. He didn’t think he was anything special. He did his own thing and tried not to cause trouble, choosing to put his magic to use primarily to run a small bar he owned. That was about it.
So, he was looked up at the incredibly flashy building Rebekah called home, complete with waterfalls, string lights, and spotlights, Theodore couldn’t help but wonder what exactly he was getting himself into by attending this meeting. Though, he had been invited by Agatha Horton, and no one said no to her. She was rumored to be the most powerful witch period. She was certainly the oldest. Theodore had yet to talk to anyone who’d been around before Agatha. The closest had probably been his old coven leader, Agatha’s husband, but he was gone now, destroyed even in spirit so witches wouldn’t even be able to commune with his spirit, let alone resurrect him. That was the fate of those who broke the rules.
Theodore carefully walked up the steps to the grand entrance to Rebekah’s palace.
“Ugh, finally! Took you long enough,” Rebekah exclaimed when Theodore finally started climbing the stairs to the area they sat in.
“The long walk to the top of your palace encourages him to reflect on the magnitude of the role he’s about to take on Rebekah. That’s why your home was the best place to to preform the ritual to make him one of us,” Agatha said.
“Oh! So it wasn’t some petty reason about me always being rude and terrible!”
“You guys! He’s almost here!” Elaine hissed.
Theodore reached the top of the stairs and gave a casual wave. “Hey guys. I’m here for my interview. No pressure though, if you don’t think I’m fit for the job, I understand, I’m way too tame for this kind of lifestyle.”
“Theodore, you are the only one for this job,” Agatha said firmly.
“You don’t need to change your lifestyle at all, either,” Elaine added. “I’m still allowed to live alone in the woods like I did before becoming the head witch of alchemy, I just have a bit more power now! My plants have never looked better.”
“I could care less, to be honest,” Rebekah sighed. “I was really hoping to get one of my little mischief makers into your position, but Agatha is way too wise and all knowing for that to be a reality.”
Theodore sat down at the table carefully. “So… you guys are saying if I take on this responsibility, nothing will really change for me?”
Elaine nodded. “All that really changed for me is I had to agree to meet with alchemy specialist witches if they asked for me. It isn’t too bad.”
“Assuming you’d say yes, the three of us prepared the potion you need to drink to become one of us,” Agatha said, pushing a bottle across the table. “Here’s how it works. First, you need to swear that you will accept the job, and bear all the responsibilities associated-“
“I will,” Theodore said, without hesitation. “I accept the job as head witch of practical magic.”
“That was a binding statement, Theodore. Sitting here at this table, with all three of us and the ritual that will lead to your accession… congratulations. You’re the new head witch.”
“You’re a real dummy, you know? You really should have let Agatha finish,” Rebekah whispered.
“Did I screw up?” Theodore asked nervously.
Agatha shook her head. “I do wish you would have listened to all the responsibilities you’ll now need to shoulder, and had spent a few days studying all the witch laws before agreeing to this position, but what’s done is done. The ritual has to commence.”
“First, you’ll have to drink the potion I prepared,” Elaine smiled. “A gift, from Elaine Oldham, the Witch of the Willow, head of alchemy. It’ll give you eternal life.”
“Next, the previous head of practical magic prepared a grimoire you’ll have to recite from. It’ll grant you complete mastery over the entirety of practical magic,” Agatha said.
“Next is my turn!” Rebekah grinned. “I, Rebekah Gossett, the Witch of the Sands, head of mischief, will require that you strip naked and lay down under the light of the full moon within the Realm of Magic. This will greatly argument your powers, and you’ll finally be able to stand among us three as one of the strongest witches around.”
“I’ll grant the final gift,” Agatha smiled. “From Agatha Horton, the Witch of the Waves and the head of untamed magic, I will ensure your rebirth. Under the light of that moon, you will die, Theodore Vincent. Then, you’ll awaken the next morning as Theodore Vincent, the Witch of the Grey, head of practical magic, with all of the gifts of the ritual provided to you now part of your immortal being.”
Theodore took a deep breath. This sounded beyond intimidating, but somewhere, deep inside, he felt like this was the job for him. It was what he’d been born to do, and he would endure whatever terrifying ritual these witches managed to dream up. Those were the same thoughts he has later that night, as he lay there under the light of the full moon, stripped bare, the other three witches gathered around him as he prepared to die and enter his new life.