“Was she insane? I’ve met a mad woman, was she a lunatic? Will I become insane?” fear gripped Helena, she had always been told that insanity ran in families.
“No dear, she wasn’t insane. She was heartbroken,” Ophelia put her arm around Helena’s shoulder trying to comfort her.
“What did my mother do while she stayed here?”
“During the day she worked in the fields like all the women do here. At night she studied in our library.”
“Where did all these women come from?”
“These women come from many different backgrounds. Some are former prostitutes, pretty waiter girls, some come from abusive marriages, some are on the run from the law. I don’t ask where they come from, some volunteer the information, some simply find us. I think they’re drawn by the power of the valley and the serenity we offer them.”
“You said study, study what, winemaking?”
Ophelia laughed again filling the air with the crystal sound of her voice, “No dear I’m sure you saw the signs, all the women here are studying to be white witches.”
“White witches?”
“Yes, a white witch is someone who uses magic to better their society or to help people. This valley, our valley is so fruitful because we work together as a coven to cast beneficial spells that will help our whole community. Your mother learned about us and thought we might be able to teach her some divination magic. She so wanted to find your father. We tried to tell her that all magic has a price, the stronger the spell, the steeper the charge. I think she would’ve done anything, given up everything to find your father. When I told her, we didn’t practice that kind of magic, I think she stayed because she thought I lied, but after a month of searching, she came to the realization that I was telling the truth. I just couldn’t help her.”
“So, she came home and took care of me.”
“I would assume so after she left here we lost all contact with her, but I’m so glad that you searched us out. How did you find us? What led you to follow in your mother’s footsteps?”
Helena blushed lightly, “I didn’t come here following in my mother’s footsteps. I didn’t learn you exist until last night, and Brother Murphy at the Christian Brothers warned me I shouldn’t even come.”
Ophelia laughed even louder at the mention of Brother Murphy, “How is the old hypocrite? He hates me because he got drunk at a vintner’s meeting on his own brandy and tried to seduce me. When I said no, he accused me of casting a spell on him, like I need to use magic to bed a man,” she combed back her graying hair with her fingers to prove her point.
Helena was shocked at Ophelia’s blunt admission. People didn’t talk about such things in polite society. That was why she went to Miss Andrea with their questions about sex. She would never talk about it with a total stranger, she abruptly changed the subject.
“I came here following advice from Mister Adolf Suttor. I’m trying to find a lost friend, her name is Missy Whitaker,” she handed the locket with Missy’s picture and the cork to Ophelia. “Do either of these items mean anything to you?”
Ophelia took both items and immediately declared, “The cork could be ours, not much to go on. If it is ours, we would’ve sold it to the Cliff House. That’s the only place we sell unmarked corks,” she took more time studying the picture before answering, “she’s a beautiful young woman, I’ve never seen her here, but we take in so many women.”
“She cut her hair off last week if that makes a difference.”
“Your path is like your mother’s, she came here searching for your missing father, and you’re here searching for a missing friend. I’m sorry, but I possess no magic to help you. I might have a more mundane answer,” Ophelia motioned for a passing younger woman. “Madge, I want you to be quick and go to the women, ask them if they know anything about this woman. Her name is Missy, and now she would have short hair. Now make off with you quick like a bunny.”
“I thank you so much for all of your help. This is my last lead, my last hope. If I don’t find a clue here, I don’t know what I’m going to do next,” Helena paused to take a breath when a question struck her, “You said my mother was here searching for magic?”
“Honey I don’t think the people you are with are telling you everything. Your mother, many would consider a dynamic witch. In many circles, she was immensely powerful. Do you understand how magic works?”
Helena embarrassed at her own ignorance shook her head no.
“At times I am infuriated by the ignorance some people show. Magic is simply controlling energy. Your automobile harnesses steam energy to make it move, fifty years ago people would’ve called that magic. Edison has learned to control energy and electricity and create light. Fifty years ago, people would’ve called that magic. What we do is no different. Through study, research and practice we control energy through our bodies. There are many different types of energy, based on the ancient elements of the world. Each witch draws their power from Earth, Wind, Water, or Fire. Two more powers are added that are the most potent Life, and Death energy. Here we practice mostly earth magic, we use our powers to supplement nature, and we draw our power from nature.”
“What energy did my mother use?”
“Technically it would be rude to ask what type of magic energy a person controls. However, if you are close enough to someone and observe them for some
