A soft-spoken word, a flash of flame, a single candle was lit. The pale circle of light showed three women, all robed in black. They moved about the circle, lighting candles as they went. One at each cardinal point, they called to the elements. The three witches moved with a comfortable ease with each other, calling up power from the earth. They had practiced together for many a year now and knew the feel of each other's gifts. One girl was a fair skinned lass with thick red head. She lit the candle of south, a welling passion of thought and lust. The girl of water was paler still and had dark hair, long and curled. The third was of earth, long raven black hair, the skin a deep caramel, eyes near gold. They all lit the candle of east, of air and of knowledge. The candles of the altar burned merrily. The called to the moon and to the gods. The air smelled of the pined forest, faintly of the sandalwood smoking in the censer. The noises of the night animals sound softly around them.
Their friends were all on the next camp site over, swilling beer and laughing. The large group of friends on one of the many camping trips. A weekend of smoking the herbs of the earth, drinking the fruits and devouring the meats. They all knew the three were witches and practiced the old ways. A few acknowledged with respect, others just ignored, but all were accepting, The witches called to the summer, they jumped the fire thinking of hopes. They blessed the cakes and wine and sat, talking amiably as they drank and ate. At the far site people began to turn in. The three talked late into the night then stood, to work the final bit of magic. They had decided to call to spirits, animal totems. Each had chosen their favorite. The earth witch choose a wolf, the water witch choose an owl and the fire witch a fox.
As each sat meditating on their animal, anointing candles and lighting them to burn, a beacon to bring the animal totem to them. Water noticed it first, the quiet in the air. As she pointed it out they all listened, the was no noise, the other camp site silent, but deeper still, no chitter of squirrels, no rustle of raccoons, no chirping from the night peepers. The Earth said she saw something move in the trees. The all looked around growing a bit edgy. Fire turned to look into the woods behind her and was looking into the deep dark brown eyes of a wolf. It sat at the wood edge, the eyes flecked with gold, alert and watching. It stood and walked closer as the witch stared. She finally called out and all three jumped up, moving away. The wolf padded over the stopped short at the circle edge. It sniffed and growled softly. The three spoke softly though quite alarmed, that it couldn't cross their circle. The wolf indeed followed the circle, the turned and walked back some. The girls talked quickly animated by the turn of events.
The wolf paced around some then walked back. It turned and bounded towards the circle, the three scrambled to the far side, tripping over candles and books, over each other mostly. The wolf stopped short at the edge of the circle growled softly. The three spaced themselves some what, and as they moved it became clear the wolf paced the redheaded witch. She puzzled at it, then asked the others "Why does it follow me, I thought of a fox" The others had no answers but the earth witch seemed put out. The wolf rushed the circle and then the mistake happened. Earth lost her balance and in an effort to keep from falling grabbed the other two. A foot, only the gods can be sure who's broke across the line of protection, the barriers to the spirits the girls had raised fell. The wolf sensed and just kept coming. The three broke into runs.
The fire witch broke left, and into low shrubs. She ran somewhat blindly, the full moon over head glowed brightly but the tall trees gave Luna's glow a dappled light. She tripped on roots, banged toes in rocks. She stopped dead as she heard a scream. She knew the voice of the earth witch and knew the anguish of pain. She whimpered and shook her head. Then she heard sound coming through the forest. A heavy panting and sniffing. She turned and fled again. She could hear the beast coming up behind her and she was in a panic. She ran out of primal instinct, her body pushed hard, beyond her limits. The fallen branch hit her knee, and the girl sprawled forward, going down hard to the earth.
