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  Witch Is How

  The Drought Ended

  Published by Implode Publishing Ltd

  © Implode Publishing Ltd 2019

  The right of Adele Abbott to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

  All rights reserved, worldwide. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

  The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, dead or alive, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 1

  “Just how dangerous will it be?” Jack had spent all morning worrying because it was the day of the Elite Competition.

  I was pleased that he now knew my big secret, but at times like this, I wished he didn’t. If I was to tell him exactly what was involved in the tournament, he’d be a nervous wreck.

  “It’s not dangerous at all,” I lied. “It’s just like a sports day really.”

  “But with dragons.”

  “There aren’t always dragons.”

  “What if you get hurt? Or worse?”

  “I won’t, and besides, it’s not like you have to spend all day worrying about me. I’ll no sooner have gone than I’ll be back again.”

  “Unless you’ve been eaten by a dragon.”

  “Dragons don’t eat sups.” Burn them to a crisp, maybe, but not eat them.

  He took me in his arms. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”

  “I promise.” I gave him a kiss.

  “What time are you going?”

  “I might as well make a move now because I’m calling at Aunt Lucy’s on my way to the Range.”

  “Are the twins going to the tournament?”

  “No. They reckon they can’t leave Lil and Lily because the guys are at work, but I think that’s just an excuse. They both hate the Elite Competition, and I can’t say I blame them.”

  “Who else will be there to cheer you on?”

  “If previous tournaments are anything to go by, I should have my fair share of supporters.”

  “And your grandmother, of course.”

  “Hmm. I could do without her. She’ll be on my back all the time.” I gave him another kiss. “Best get going. See you soon.”

  “Be careful.”

  Aunt Lucy and Lester were waiting for me outside their house.

  “Morning, you two. The twins haven’t changed their minds, then?”

  “No, but they send you their best wishes.”

  “Is Grandma meeting us here?” I glanced next door.

  “No. She popped her head in earlier to say she’d see us at the Range.”

  “We might as well get going, then.”

  “You seem remarkably calm, Jill.”

  “I am, but Jack’s a nervous wreck.”

  “Jack?”

  Oh bum! Once again, I’d failed to engage my brain before speaking. Aunt Lucy had no idea that Jack knew my secret. In fact, other than Daze and Blaze, no one else did.

  “Err—yeah, he’s got a big match today in the ten-pin bowling league. He’s really nervous about it.”

  “For a minute there, I thought you meant—” She laughed. “Never mind.”

  ***

  The atmosphere outside and inside the Range was dramatically different to that of the Levels Competition. The Levels attracted families, and had something of a carnival feel to it, but the Elite was a much more sombre affair. The tall, steel-mesh fence in front of the bleachers was there to keep the crowd safe from whatever horrors awaited the competitors.

  “I thought you lot were never coming.” Grandma tapped her watch.

  “There’s half an hour until the tournament starts,” I said.

  “Precisely my point. That’s no time at all for our pre-tournament pep talk.”

  “Haven’t we talked enough? I just want to get this thing over with.”

  “We’d better take our seats,” Aunt Lucy said. “Good luck, Jill.”

  Before I could thank her, Grandma jumped in, “Luck has nothing to do with it.” She grabbed my hand, and led me to one of the four cubicles provided for the competitors.

  “Shall I get changed before we talk?” I said, once we were inside. I hated the traditional witch’s outfit, which was provided for all competitors. It felt like some kind of ludicrous fancy dress costume.

  “We can talk while you change.” It wasn’t so much a pep talk as a lecture, which pretty much went in one ear and out the other. “Did you get all of that?”

  I hadn’t heard a thing she’d said for the last five minutes.

  “Yes. Every word.”

  “Good, and remember the most important thing is not just to win, but to humiliate Ma Chivers. By the time this tournament has ended, I want all of her supporters to realise just how weak she really is. Understood?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Competitors!” The voice came over the loudspeakers. “You will be introduced in three minutes.”

  “Make sure you remember everything we talked about,” Grandma started for the door. “This is your chance to finish Chivers once and for all.”

  “Okay.”

  All alone in the cubicle, my thoughts turned to Jack. Although I’d be gone for no time at all, he’d still had all last night and this morning to worry. Curiously, I wasn’t the least bit scared. That was probably a mistake because bad things can happen when you become complacent.

  “Competitors, please show yourselves.”

  The four of us stepped out of our cubicles and lined up in front of the master of ceremonies.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this year’s Elite Competition. I would remind you this competition can be very dangerous, and that the fencing is there for your protection. There will be wild animals in the arena, so under no circumstances should you try to scale the fence. With that out of the way, let’s meet this year’s competitors. On the far right, a previous winner of this competition, Martha Chivers!”

  A small, but not insignificant section of the crowd, rose to its feet and cheered loudly. Leading the applause was none other than Cyril.

  “Next, we have three competitors who are making their debut in the Elite Competition. First, please welcome Genevieve Gem.”

  Genevieve looked terrified, but managed to smile when her supporters made themselves heard.

  “Next to her, we have Roberta Rhinestone.”

  If anything, she looked even more scared than Genevieve, but she still managed a nervous wave to her supporters.

  “And finally, someone who needs no introduction. Jill Maxwell is the first witch, below level six, to appear in this competition. I’m sure you’ll all know the reason why that exception has been made. If you don’t, where have you been for the last few years?” He laughed, and a large section of the crowd laughed along with him. Notably, Ma Chivers’ suppo
rters remained silent. “Please give it up for Jill Maxwell.”

  Modesty prevents me from mentioning that my supporters outnumbered the others by at least five to one.

  The format of the competition was very simple: One competitor was eliminated in each of the first two rounds, leaving the remaining two to battle it out in the final.

  My main memory of the Elite Competition was something that happened when I’d been a spectator. Grandma and Ma Chivers had played out a draw in the final. But it was what happened long after the tournament had finished that was etched on my mind. Back then, I wasn’t nearly as powerful, so when I was confronted by a destroyer dragon, I’d thought my time was up. The only reason I’m still here today is that Grandma came to my rescue.

  If the newspaper and TV news were anything to go by, this year’s competition was a two-horse race; everyone expected to see Ma Chivers and me in the final. But if I’d learned one thing since I’d discovered I was a witch, it was to take nothing for granted.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, the first round of this year’s competition is all about fire!”

  Oh bum! I hated spells that involved fire.

  “The competitors will be required to use the ‘burn’ and ‘fireproof’ spells. ‘Burn’ to attack their competitors, and ‘fireproof’ to protect themselves.”

  This was precisely why I disliked the Elite Competition; it was unnecessarily dangerous.

  “I know what you’re thinking,” the MC continued. “But there’s no need to worry. None of the competitors need get burnt, provided they are sensible enough to retire when it gets too hot in the kitchen.”

  That was easy for him to say, but I wasn’t convinced that the less experienced competitors would be capable of making the right decision in the heat of battle (definitely no pun intended). I couldn’t in all conscience risk inflicting serious injuries on the other competitors—not even Ma Chivers. So, disregarding Grandma’s instruction to take no prisoners, I decided I would use only the ‘fireproof’ spell—to protect myself. I had no intention of using the ‘burn’ spell to attack the others.

  Ma Chivers had no such qualms, and set about attacking Genevieve and Roberta. They were both so overwhelmed by the assault that neither of them was able to go on the offensive because all of their energy was focussed on protecting themselves. It was upsetting to watch the two witches, cowering in front of Ma Chivers, and I was tempted to step in, but before I could, Jessica raised her hand to indicate that she’d had enough and wished to retire.

  Although her supporters gave her a standing ovation, she was obviously devastated at being eliminated so soon. On her way back to the cubicle, she whispered to me, “Good luck, Jill. Don’t let Chivers win.”

  There was a break for a few minutes while they prepared the arena for the next round.

  “What were you playing at?” Grandma appeared at my side. “Why didn’t you use the ‘burn’ spell?”

  “I’m not going to knowingly hurt someone unless I have to.”

  “How are you ever going to win with that attitude?”

  “Mirabel Millbright!” the MC said. “No one is allowed on the field of play once the competition has started. I must ask you to leave immediately.”

  Before she did, she wagged her finger at me. “Stop messing around!”

  Satisfied that Grandma had left the field of play, the MC continued, “Ladies and gentlemen, we come now to round two, which we have called simply: dragons. Those who have been to the Elite Competition before will be aware that the competitors can sometimes be required to face wild animals, including dragons. This year is no exception, but we do have something of a surprise for you today.”

  I didn’t like the sound of that.

  In between rounds, a number of fences had been erected on the field of play. I’d seen a similar set-up before, when I’d competed in the Levels Competition. The fences formed three separate lanes; each lane had a gate at one end.

  The MC continued, “In a moment, I will ask the remaining three competitors to enter their chosen lanes. Once they’re inside, three lifts will deliver the dragons from the basement below the Range. The witch eliminated will be the first one to exit their lane. Unless of course, they’re fried to a crisp or eaten first.” The crowd gasped. “Only joking, folks.” I wasn’t so sure he was. I imagined the TV ratings would be through the roof if one of the competitors fell victim to a dragon. The guy was on a roll now, “I said that we had a surprise for you today, and I wasn’t joking. Normally, competitors in this event are required to face the destroyer dragon, and for two of our witches, that will be the case. But something much more exciting awaits our third witch because, for the first time ever, we have a royal dragon.”

  The crowd were stunned into silence for a few moments, but then began to cheer loudly.

  I didn’t share their enthusiasm. “Wait a minute!” I shouted to the MC. “You can’t do that! They’re not called royal dragons; they’re called conquestors, and they’re nothing like destroyers. Conquestors are peaceful animals who simply wish to be left alone.”

  I might as well have been talking to myself for all the notice he took of me. He just ploughed straight on. “Competitors, please select your lane.”

  “Wait! This isn’t right!”

  My objections were in vain because Ma Chivers and Roberta went ahead and stood next to the lane of their choice.

  “Three, two, one. Go!”

  As my opponents had already entered the outer lanes, I had no option but to take the middle one. Hopefully, the conquestor dragon would be in my lane, and I’d be able to rescue it.

  “Here come the dragons!” the MC yelled.

  From below the ground, at the far side of the lanes, came the sound of the lifts rising from the basement. Otherwise, the Range was silent, as the crowd waited to see who would get the conquestor dragon.

  It wasn’t in my lane.

  The ugly destroyer dragon took one look at me, and began to charge my way. I should have been afraid, but I was too concerned about the conquestor dragon. The solid fences were too high for me to see into the other two lanes, so I did the only thing I could: I levitated myself above the fence. From that elevated position, I could see that Roberta Rhinestone was staring at a destroyer dragon, which was racing towards her. Judging by the expression on her face, she’d be exiting through the gate at any moment. In the other lane, Ma Chivers was marching fearlessly towards the conquestor dragon.

  “The use of levitation is strictly against the rules,” the MC said. “Jill Maxwell is disqualified.”

  I didn’t care about that. My only concern was to get to the conquestor dragon before Ma Chivers did. Fortunately, she hadn’t realised I was in her lane, and by the time she did, I’d used the ‘faster’ spell to rush past her.

  “Jill?” It was the conquestor dragon I’d encountered when trying to ensure safe passage for the CASS airship.

  “Sybil?”

  “I need to get back to Cora, but I can’t fly.”

  Only then did I realise that her wings had been bound to her sides to prevent her from flying away.

  “Let me get rid of these.” It took all of my focus to find enough strength to break the bonds.

  “That’s my dragon, Maxwell!” Ma Chivers was charging towards us; she had a face like thunder.

  I climbed onto Sybil’s back. “Fly! Quickly!”

  She didn’t need telling twice. Moments later, we were airborne, and soaring above the Range.

  “What happened, Sybil?”

  “A flying creature came to the mountain. It looked a little different to the one that you’d asked me to leave alone, but I thought it would be okay. A few moments later, something hit me in the neck, and I began to feel groggy. The next thing I knew, I woke up in a dark room with my wings bound to my sides. Then, a few minutes ago, I found myself in that cage.”

  “When did they capture you?”

  “Last night, I think.”

  “What about Cora?”

&nbs
p; “She was fast asleep in the nest when I saw the flying creature. I hope she’s alright. She’ll have been scared if she woke to find me missing.”

  “What are we waiting for, then? Let’s get back there.”

  “Are you coming too?”

  “I might as well. I’m out of the tournament.”

  As Sybil sped home to the White Mountains, I held on for dear life. When the peaks were in sight, we began our descent.

  “She’s okay!” I’d spotted the nest. “It looks like she’s still asleep.”

  Sybil seemed to speed up as we came into land, and I was terrified that I might get thrown off her back, but I managed to hold onto her neck.

  “Kip, kip.” Cora opened one sleepy eye. “Kip, kip.”

  “Thank goodness you’re alright.” Sybil put her paw gently on the baby’s head. “You must be hungry.”

  “Kip, kip.”

  “I’m so sorry for what happened,” I said, as Sybil fed the youngster.

  “It wasn’t your fault, Jill.”

  “If I hadn’t asked you to leave the airship alone, you wouldn’t have been so trusting of it.”

  “I won’t be in future.”

  “I’ll understand if you won’t allow the airship to fly by from now on.”

  “The original flying creature has nothing to fear from me. It’s already proved it means us no harm. But woe betide any others that come this way.”

  “That’s very generous of you.”

  “Not at all. I may owe you my life because that creature, which was running towards us, looked like she meant to kill me.”

  “You could be right about that.”

  By the time I’d magicked myself back to the Range, most of the crowd had left.

  Unfortunately, Grandma hadn’t.

  “What were you thinking?” she bellowed, after I’d changed back into my normal clothes.

  “I couldn’t allow them to hurt a conquestor dragon. They’re peaceful creatures who wouldn’t harm anyone.”

  “So you thought you’d throw the tournament and allow Ma Chivers to win?”

  “What choice did I have?”