A flight too far 2/6

She flew high enough to be able to see Lurgin's Bridge, the village, the timber yard and the local magic fog all at the same time. There was a rather pretty cloud formation away to the south. She flew towards it, gaining height as she went, so that she could see what it looked like from above. She hovered for a moment admiring the view, when suddenly, 'whoosh'; a flying broom whizzed past, closely followed by a second.

Two of the Witches' Home apprentices were playing tag in and around the clouds. This was much more fun than just flying around aimlessly, so she joined in enthusiastically. The three of them flitted from one formation to another, really enjoying themselves in the bright sunshine above the clouds.

"Not bad at all for a human," laughed one of the apprentices, "we'll hide while you count up to a hundred and then you try and find us."

Jennifer Jane closed her eyes obediently and started counting. She opened them again as she reached one hundred. There was no point in calling out that she was coming, since the distance to the first cloud where the others could be hiding was too far away for them to hear her. She searched for quite a while before she realised that with her limited experience she'd never be able to find them without some sort of clue.

Then at last she noticed two small dots near the horizon flying in circles round a tall pillar of cloud. That had to be them so she went off in that direction as fast as she could. She very carefully went into the cloud near the base and then flew up inside it so that she wouldn't be noticed.

"Gotcher," she shouted, as she shot out of the top of the cloud right in front of two very surprised looking hawks, who flew off hurriedly, squawking loudly as they went.

She watched them fly away towards the setting sun for a moment before starting her search again. Then the penny dropped. The hawks were flying west towards the sun which was glinting on the sea as it dropped over the horizon. Where on earth could she be? A mile or so away lights were beginning to appear as it got dark near the ground. She hadn't a clue as to where she was, or how far she'd flown.

'I certainly wont have time to get back to the Home before it's properly dark and I've no idea which way to go anyway. The best thing I can do is go down to that village and see if they can give me a bed for the night and tell me where I am. Then I can go back first thing tomorrow morning.'

She flew towards the lights, dropping down through the clouds as she approached and found a small village about two miles inland from the sea. It was difficult to make out any details as it was getting dark, but she did notice a road from the village passing over a river to a large cultivated area. There was nothing like that local to the Home. There all the industry was connected with tree cutting and woodwork. She landed in the market square.

There was no one about to see her arrival, so she looked round to try and find somebody who could tell her where she was. Remembering Sir George and his tales about far away places, made her think of looking for the local inn. It didn't take very long to hear the noise coming from 'The Plough' and carrying her broom, she walked through the door into the public bar.

Everything went very quiet as she walked through the door. Still carrying her broom, she crossed the floor to the bar and asked the landlord if she could have a room for the night.

"And how do you think you're going to pay young lady? You don't look very well off to me and you're dressed strangely for a girl. I hope you're not going to pretend you're a witch trailing that broom around with you."

Every one in the pub laughed loudly at this statement. The laughter stopped suddenly as she straddled her broom and rose slowly into the air.

"I'm the apprentice witch known as Jennifer Jane from the Gate at Lurgin's Bridge," she turned slowly catching each customer’s eye in turn, "is there anyone here who want to argue?"

All the customers shook their heads and several of them left the inn as quickly as they could. Jennifer Jane heaved a sigh of relief, at least the local population had a proper respect for witchcraft.

"I've never heard of the Gate, or Lurgin's Bridge," said the landlord "but you must be a witch if you can fly that broom and we haven't had one of them round here for a long time. You can have a room and supper and welcome and we'll discuss payment in the morning."

Jennifer Jane was only too glad that her status as a witch was enough to get her a meal and shelter for the night and after she'd eaten, she gratefully went upstairs with one of the potmen to show her the way. As soon as she was alone she took off her shoes and lay down on the bed. It had been a very long day and she was tired out. Sleep came almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.