The Wealding Word Read Online Free Page A

They just kept drifting shut.
    “Do you think she’ll make me a prisoner, or… or turn me into a sheep?”
    “I doubt she would turn you into a sheep,” he said, “but she does have a nasty temper.” They were quiet for a long time, and Nell thought the tree might have fallen asleep. Suddenly it rumbled, “Hmmm. Perhaps if you take a gift, she would forgive you. Little Zel said the old sorceress used to love gifts.”
    “Zel? That’s the witch’s name: Lady Zel. But I don’t have anything to give to a witch,” Nell said.
    “My little Zel is the Witch of the Weald?” The golden oak seemed puzzled at the news. “And you’re worried she’s going to turn you into a sheep…”
    Nell shook her head vigorously, “Yes! She even changed the castle guards into geese! At least, I think she might have.”
    “Hmmph. I must have been asleep for quite a while.” The tree scrutinized Nell with seven woody eyes. Despite her unlikely tale, he decided he liked her. She reminded him of the old days, many ages ago, when young priestesses would come to chat beneath his boughs, and men would make offerings at his roots. “I think I may have something your ‘Lady Zel’ would like,” he said. His branches suddenly shook, raining leaves, acorns, and huge water droplets from above. Nell laughed as the shower soaked her hair and startled Rawley from his slumber. So much for staying dry. “Give her this,” rustled the tree.
    There amid the leaves at her feet lay an acorn made of gold. Nell gasped when she saw it and then slowly bent to pick it up, as though it might change back into an ordinary acorn at any moment. The tree continued its creaky whisper, “Zel was destined to be a queen, not a sorceress. Well, no matter who this witch is, be wary when you meet her. Good or bad, people with power can be reckless.”
    Nell hugged the tree in thanks. “I’ll be careful!”
    He yawned, “Just tell me you’ll come to talk again. Helps me stay awake.”
    “Yes, of course,” Nell said. She was amazed the old tree wanted to see her again. “I’ll come again before winter. I promise.”
    Heading home, the whole forest seemed brighter, somehow less forlorn. The sun had sent the storm on its way, leaving behind a cheerful, glistening afternoon. Nell carried no firewood when she came back to the cottage, but she now had something to temper thewitch’s fury, and that was better by far. The relief of it made her feel light inside, so much so that she had to cover her mouth for the smile that kept creeping over her lips.
    When she got home, her older sister was waiting. Lexi groaned when she saw Nell’s mud-caked boots. “Have a spat with the grumlins? Did they steal your sticks and dunk you in the muck?”
    Normally Nell would be racing to her room to escape her sister’s abuses, but she just had to tell someone about her adventures in the wood. She opened her mouth, searching for a way to begin, but Lexi interrupted. “Shut the door! How many times do I have to tell you?” Nell tried again, but just then Rawley pushed the door back open, his fur dripping wet. “Out!” Lexi yelled, chasing him with a broom. The sight of her fury made Nell giggle.
    Lexi turned on Nell, bristling, “You think it’s funny to have a muddy dog tramping across my floor?”
    Nell shrugged, knowing that anything she said would only get her in more trouble. It was her opinion that Lexi took her responsibilities far too seriously. Nell would rather listen to their father’s stories about mermaids and candlewisps than make sure the dishes were properly put away. But her older sister needed everything spotless, and wore their mother’s apron to show that she was queen of the household.
    “Your dog caused the mess, so you clean it up!” Lexi heaved the broom at Nell.
    As she swept, Nell reconsidered telling Lexi about the talking tree. The older girl wouldn’t believe her anyway. Most likely she would accuse Nell of stealing it, and then take it