Page 81 of The Hocus Pocus Handbook

The conversation becomes more intricate, and this crow seems to realize that I’m listening. She peppers her talk with nonsensical sounds that make it more difficult for me to parse the meaning. At the end of the exchange, Zeph tosses a treat to the bird, who snaps it up with a greedy beak.

Zeph explains, “I have a network of informants. Crows mainly. I’ve just received an update.”

“What did Crow tell you?” Rosa demands.

Govannon blinks. “The crow’s name is Crow?”

“No, but crows don’t share their names with anyone who isn’t crow,” Zeph says with a touch of impatience. “Can I tell you what I learned?”

“Please do,” Thea invites.

“It would be a welcome change,” I mutter.

“There is, indeed, a substantial price on our heads and the Houses of Summer and Winter hover on the brink of war.”

37

A Spell for Finding and Foraging

You might have noticed that most of the spells I’ve written are designed to see you through tough times. I don’t know if you’ll ever wind up lost and far from home, but if you do, I want to help as much as I can. Hunger is an unpleasant condition, and I am unsure how it would affect you long term. Most fae don’t need to eat, though we enjoy it socially and take pleasure in flavors and textures. It’ll come as no shock to you, after witnessing courtly revels, that we all contain some measure of hedonism.

This working will find dew pear and winter berries, honeyheart, wild phlox, fenelon, beetsnips, and savory caveroot. With a few of these ingredients and some water, you can make stew. The spell might also locate pigweed. With a little magic, you can turn that into flour, which would make a beautiful porridge with some honeyheart or winter berries. Or you could whip up some flatbread to go with the stew. If I can’t cook for you, my gem, then I must provide the tools to allow you to fend for yourself.

This one is best cast right after you awaken. You’ll need:

Green agate, moonstone, jet

Meadowsweet, sweet marjoram, and thyme

A copper pot

Put the crystals in your pocket and the herbs in the pot. Use your magic to burn the herbs until there’s a savory smoke. Now follow it the way the wind blows. This may seem random, but imbued with your magic, the smoke will guide you to natural resources. It’ll be up to you to identify them, and I hope the wildcraft I’ve taught you will stand you in good stead. You know the difference between honeyheart and bitter palm. The latter shouldn’t be eaten, though it can be boiled down and added to other ingredients to make a salve that soothes irritated skin. I used it on your bottom when you were small.

You should have good results if you fix your mind on the type of ingredients you’re looking for. If you need a hearty breakfast, you’ll want pigweed and winter berries. For a variety of flavors, I’d look for wild phlox, fenelon, beetsnips, and savory caveroot. I’ve made that stew for your supper many nights, and you always cleaned your bowl and asked for more.

Thea

“The alliance has failed,” Kerboros says.

He understands the intricacies of court politics better than anyone, except possibly Zeph, who holds their secrets too close for me to be sure what they know.

“There may be soldiers on the move, not just hunters,” Rosa says.

Govannon rubs a hand across his already-disheveled hair. “Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse. Perhaps I ought to have gone off on my own?”

“Too late,” Tara tells him cheerfully.

Olive turns to me, lowering her voice. “If your world is anything like mine, a war will be terrible and devastating.”

“The stories are,” I admit. “But there’s only been peace in my lifetime. I’m so young compared to everyone else here.”

Her eyes widen. “So am I, actually. We’re surrounded by immortals.”

“There’s nothing we can do about it,” Rosa says then.

Zeph nods. “I have Crow keeping an eye on the situation, and she will report back. For now, we should seek shelter.”

“Or make camp,” Kerboros suggests.