Part 16 In which being a witch can be dangerous

Jack carried the empty baskets, “Where are we going next Marlot?”

“I think the tailor would be best, that way we can get your clothes, then maybe some more books before we go home.”

“More fairy tales? Oh thank you Marlot!” He hugged her, with baskets and all right in the middle of the street, almost tripping them both.

“You’re welcome Jack, now let go.”

The laughed their way into the tailor’s shop, Jack struggling to get the baskets through the door to the small over packed shop and eventually Marlot suggested that he leave them outside.

“Can I help you?” A girl asked timidly from behind the counter.

Marlot laid the bag of silver coins on the counter, “I would like to buy some clothes for him, my…apprentice needs something to wear other than those robes,” she leaned forward as though telling the girl a secret, “he is kind of clumsy.” Marlot smiled at the girl, who seemed to lighten up a little and returned Marlot’s smile with a little one of her own.

“I’m sure we can find something. What exactly did you have in mind?”

The girl took Jack’s measurements and then led Marlot over to a table that held shirts, tunics, and breaches that might fit him.

“Marlot, Marlot, Marlot! Look at this!” the witch turned around to see Jack wearing a bonnet and she bent over with laughter.

“Jack, that is for girls, you can’t wear it.”

“But why not, it’s pretty.”

“Yes it is very pretty, but,” she pulled it off of his head “It covers up your equally pretty green hair.”

“I thought you didn’t like my hair.”

“Dear, there is precious little not to like about you, now come here, I want you to try something on.” She took his hand and started to lead him back over to the timid girl but her arm jerked when he didn’t move. “Jack, why aren’t you coming?” she had meant it when she had told him that he wasn’t her servant but he had never actually defied her before. Marlot turned around to see a very large man grasping Jack’s upper arm rather tightly and she heard her golem whimper slightly. “What is the meaning of this?” she glared at the man who was studying Jack very closely.

“I know you aren’t human witch, but what is this creature?”

“He is my apprentice sir, and I ask that you release him.”

“Green hair isn’t natural in these parts hag, what is he really.”

“Don’t talk to Marlot like that; she is too young to be a hag.”

“Thank you Jack, but stay out of this. Sir, all you need to know is that he is under my care and that I ask that you release him at once.”

“You made him didn’t you? Isn’t that illegal to create life?”

“Women have children every day sir; I don’t see anyone trying to take their children away.”

“So you admit, you created this creature. I have been watching both of you since you arrived. You on one hand have been acting as an unwanted witch should, but your pet here, he has been acting like he has never seen a village before, or a little girl’s bonnet.” The man held the offending garment in his other hand and looked at it in disgust.

“He didn’t have any brothers or sisters, and led a very sheltered life.”

“For what, the past few weeks. I know everyone who comes and goes through this general area, and I’m sure I would have heard of a green haired man.”

“What do you want with us?”

“I want you to be punished for your crimes.” Marlot was grabbed from behind by two men who must have been standing just outside the door. She knew better than to expose her back to danger, something every witch must learn, but Jack had made her feel so comfortable and safe, that even when faced with such a situation she hadn’t been as careful as she usually would.

“Let go of me!” Marlot and Jack were dragged out of the shop, her short legs barely touching the ground as the large men practically carried her outside. “Jack! Jack, get away from them, run!”

“Not now missy, be quite.” One of the men shook her roughly.

“Marlot, what is going on?” the golem asked from somewhere behind her.

“Jack, please,” Marlot felt the tears running down her checks before she even realized she was crying, “Run, get away from them and RUN!” Marlot was lifted off of her feet by the man from the tailor shop, his face inches from her own. She turned her head away to see Jack held from behind by a different man and one behind her was tying her hands together.

“You won’t get away this time little witch.”

“Please just let him go, he hasn’t done anything wrong!” Marlot struggled in the man’s arms but it did little good, she was like a twig in his giant hands. She heard Jack sobbing behind her.

Once her hands were tied she was sat back on her feet, she could just see Jack through her tears and they stared at each other like they would never see the other one again.