"Sabrina," her mother called from the living room a week later.

Sabrina dutifully put down the book she was reading and tried to arrange her face into a pleasant, or at least neutral, expression as she made her way out of her bedroom.

"Yes?" she asked, coming to a stop before her mother's armchair.

"I was wondering if you'd like to go into Badenberg tomorrow," Marlene said, looking up from the letter she'd been reading with a smile. "After your metal-working is finished, of course."

Her mother's smile immediately put Sabrina on guard, but she tried to maintain her outward composure as best she could. Witches weren't prisoners in the castle and could come and go as they pleased; some were more interested in traveling and exploring than others, but even those who rarely left the castle for an extended trip often visited one of the nearby villages, if for nothing more than to eat a meal elsewhere or peruse the shops for something new.

Sabrina herself often met her father in Badenberg for dinner, and she'd visited a handful of times with Maedra and Gerta, but she'd never spent time in the town with her mother.

"Were you thinking of going for dinner, or did you need to do shopping, too?" asked Sabrina, trying to imagine what their evening might be like.

"Unfortunately, I can't go at all," replied her mother. "But there are some supplies that need to be picked up for the High Council, and I thought perhaps you might like an excuse to get out and visit the village."

Something inside Sabrina hardened, even though she tried not to notice it. Of course her mother wasn't asking to spend time with her...she had far more important things to do. And deep down, Sabrina didn't really want to spend an evening with her mother, trying to find topics of conversation that wouldn't result in an argument. It was better to go on her own.

Still, something inside her stung, even as she purposefully ignored it.

"Is it acceptable for me to purchase items for the High Council?" she asked instead. "Seeing as I'm not a member?"

Marlene's smile grew wider. "I think it's a wonderful way for you to become better acquainted with the tools the Council needs to function. You'd be performing a great service, for which all the members will be deeply appreciative."

Sabrina doubted that. And more importantly, she didn't care about ingratiating herself to the High Council or learning anything further about them.

This was definitely a conundrum. On the one hand, the invitation was obviously a ploy to involve her in High Council business whether she wanted to be involved or not. Her mother would start by asking her to complete a task that was relatively easy and also enjoyable before asking her to do something involving more responsibility; before she knew it, Sabrina would find herself in a seat at the High Council table.

She wanted none of that. In fact, she wanted to tell her mother how obvious her plotting was and refuse to participate in anything that brought her closer to Hexen leadership.

On the other hand, Sabrina very much liked the idea of an evening to herself. She'd been making good progress on strengthening her affinity, even by her own high standards, and it would be nice to do something outside of her usual routine. She could see if Maedra and Gerta were available to come, or, more likely, she could enjoy her own company while shopping and having dinner.

The non-magical humans who lived nearby, whom the witches referred to as Nichts, knew their shops benefitted from the constant stream of travelers who came seeking the Hexen for one thing or another. Those who disliked witches were smart enough to keep their feelings to themselves in the name of good business, and Sabrina had never felt the slightest bit unsafe outside the castle's high stone walls.

Her mother was starting expectantly at her, and even though it felt like she was giving in and allowing the woman an undeserved win, Sabrina begrudgingly asked, "What supplies does the High Council need?"

"I'll leave a list on the table for you tomorrow," replied Marlene, her eyes glittering with victory even though the rest of her face remained unchanged. "I'll leave money for you, as well. Are you planning on asking Maedra and Gerta to accompany you?"

Sabrina shook her head. "I'd actually like some time to myself," she said. "There are some things I want to think about it, and it might be nice to do that outside the castle."

Her mother nodded, but Sabrina couldn't decide if it was an approving gesture or merely a way of acknowledging Sabrina's choice without endorsing it. As her mother turned her attention back to what she'd been reading, Sabrina retreated to her room.

Even though she didn't like feeling as if she'd been coerced into doing something good for the High Council, she also couldn't help but feel excited at the prospect of going to Badenberg. There was something exhilarating about being around people who didn't know her, and who didn't know her mother, and the prospect of such anonymity made her smile.

It wasn't true freedom, but it was at least something different from her usual daily routine, and that was definitely worth enjoying.

*****

The next day, after completing her assigned metal-working tasks under Tante Olga, Sabrina returned to her apartment and showered, washing the metal slivers from her skin and hair before studying the clothes in her wardrobe. She didn't usually pay much attention to what she wore, provided it didn't get in the way of her metallurgy, but going into Badenberg could be considered a bit of a special occasion, and she thought it might be nice to dress accordingly, or at least take more care with her appearance than she normally did.

Since she would be walking, Sabrina decided on russet-colored breeches tucked into tall yet sturdy boots, and a midnight blue tunic embroidered with golden sunbursts. While the early fall nights could be cool, the evenings were still pleasant and wouldn't require a cloak or heavier overcoat. She slung a bag over one shoulder, then looked at herself in the mirror and nodded. Her hair would dry as she walked, and she had a strip of cloth in her pocket in case she wanted to tie it back later.

Going into the kitchen, she picked up the list of supplies her mother had left on the table, hoping whatever she was expected to purchase wouldn't be too cumbersome for her to carry, although she could always have the shop send it to the castle via cart the following morning.

Thankfully, the list was fairly short and consisted of things she could easily transport in her bag, leaving her even more convinced her mother had asked her to do this simply to keep her involved with the High Council in some way, however small.

Her mother had also left a pouch of coins that clinked merrily when Sabrina picked it up and placed it inside her bag. She smiled wryly at the sound, wondering what it would feel like to have money of her own. Those who lived in the castle certainly never wanted for anything and could take items from the communal supply cupboards as they needed, but now that she stopped and considered it, how did any of the witches make money? She supposed they received some share of the profits if their items were sold in Tante Hedda's store, but other than that, she wasn't sure.

Sabrina gazed down at the list in her hand, suddenly embarrassed at not knowing more about money and how the financial systems of the Hexen worked. She could ask her mother, of course, who would no doubt be happy to explain it, but that might also suggest Sabrina was more interested in the running of the castle than she actually was.

Having to constantly think three steps ahead of her ever-scheming mother was exhausting, and Sabrina sighed as she left the apartment, some of her previously good mood dissipating. Making her way to the castle courtyard, she stepped through the open outer door, smiling at the iron knocker that had been fitted to its new home before tilting her face up to the afternoon sun, letting the warmth embrace her in an attempt to resurrect her spirits.

It was a beautiful day, puffy white clouds floating gently across a sky the light blue of a robin's egg. Birds called to one another, dipping and flitting over the thick grass that stretched from the castle wall all the way down to the Neckar River, shimmering like a diamond-encrusted ribbon.

Sabrina walked slowly along the road, which was really just a wide trail, the grass long ago flattened by the tread of shoes and the occasional wagon pulled by horses or mules. Wildflowers sprang up on either side, and she briefly wondered what some of them were called. If she'd been friends with any botanists, they could have told her, but over the years Sabrina had whittled down her list of friends to only Maedra and Gerta.

It wasn't that she didn't know others her own age...she simply viewed them as acquaintances rather than friends, witches she'd grown up with and taken classes with, but not necessarily girls she'd like to purposefully spend time around.

When she'd been younger, plenty of girls had tried to be her friend, but she was particular about those with whom she socialized. She'd actually suspected some of the girls had been pushed towards a friendship with her by their mothers, seeing something advantageous in having their daughter as a close confidante to the Sprechen's daughter.

Sabrina had never enjoyed feeling like a pawn in a game, regardless of whether it was her mother's or someone else's, and she'd made it clear early on she would choose her friends herself and maintain her own standards in doing so.

Badenberg was surrounded by a wall made of rough-hewn logs, the relatively low height more for keeping animals in than for keeping bandits or ne'er-do-wells out. The gate into the village, while closed, was never locked, and Sabrina lifted the slim latch and let herself in, taking in the hustle and bustle of activity before her.

The main avenue through the small town was wide, with stores on either side, and vendors shouted loudly from their carts, trying to entice those passing by to look at their wares, holding up soaps, fabric, fruit, and handmade bags.

One seller thrust a small glass bottle towards Sabrina as she walked past, but she shook her head and hurried on. She'd never been a fan of perfumes or scented oils, and on more than one occasion she'd made Gerta go and bathe to wash off whatever nausea-inducing scent she'd applied far too liberally to her skin.

Sabrina decided to get the High Council shopping over with first, and after consulting her list, made her way to the shops her mother had specified. She found the necessary supplies easily enough and secured them safely in her bag. Once that was completed, she looked around, deciding where she might like to go for her own pleasure.

A jewelry shop beckoned, but she'd never been fond of jewelry; she didn't even really like repairing the necklaces, rings, and bracelets that belonged to the Hexen, especially the pieces that had been passed down through generations. Jewelry held so many memories, and while she didn't like to admit it, it was difficult watching the history unfold, filled with scenes of familial affection, of mothers loving their daughters and gifting them the jewelry on a special occasion.

Her mother had never given her jewelry, and Sabrina likely wouldn't have worn it even if she had, but at the same time, it might have been nice for her mother to give her something that had been enjoyed by other women in their family, an item that was special to the Verrun's and acted as a connector across the years.

Turning away from the jewelry store, Sabrina strode determinedly into a bookshop and soon lost herself among the aisles, taking pleasure in the silent company of books that never failed to make her feel welcomed and included.

Picture by Bittermuir from Pixabay