29 Spells, Potions and Broomstick 3

The creature sounded again but this time Lily could recognize the whinnying of a horse. Lily was relieved that it wasn't the sightless lady.

However, she frowned as she realized the distressed call. Curious, the girl tried to find the source.

Clearing the bushes that blocked her way, Lily was able to stumble upon a coppice. From underneath, she could make out the hooves of the beast.

Drawing near, Lily cried in astonishment as her gaze fell on the whole figure. "Oh my unicorn!"

It was indeed a unicorn, a young one at that, as Lily had assessed. It was pure white and a horn about two inches short protruded from its head.

The poor creature was wounded on one leg and couldn't get up.

Lily's brows knotted. For what she knew unicorns had inborn magic. They never rely on other things to use magic. They have it in their blood.

Usually, once a unicorn gets wounded, it would regenerate in a manner of seconds. Lily was a bit puzzled that this one did not heal.

When she approached, the unicorn gave a huge bray.

"Stay away from me." Its childish voice echoed through her head.

"It is okay." Lily calmly took a step forward.

"I will help you. Don't be scared. My name is Lily. I am a witch in training." The princess tried to ease the tension as she approached.

The unicorn gave an uncertain neigh but allowed the girl to come near him. "My name is Serpyllum."

"Serpyllum, I can help you with your wound. I can heal it if you will allow me." From where she was standing, Lily could see that the wound was obviously caused by an offensive spell.

The unicorn allowed her to help him. Lily inspected the wound up close. With the charred edges, she concluded that it was caused by fire magic.

Since this type of magic left a residue, Lily had no choice but to purify it.

Using some of the potions from her satchel, she poured a purifying concoction on the wound. The poor creature neighed out in pain but Lily managed to calm him down.

After she cleaned up his wound, Lily dabbed a healing potion on it. Gradually the flesh closed up and the unicorn was able to stand.

"Thank you!" The unicorn said to the girl.

In exchange for Lily's kindness, the unicorn gave her a warning. "You should go now. That vile woman might come here and see you. You have to go."

"Don't worry." Lily reassured the majestic beast. "I can take care of myself. I am a witch. Thank you for your warning!"

Although the unicorn was worried, it left Lily alone in that part of the forest. It galloped away for safety.

"What did I do?" Lily asked herself as the creature disappeared from sight.

"I am supposed to be a witch. I am wicked. And yet, why did I help that unicorn? I should never show kindness."

Shaking her head, she resumed her journey. She had been walking for a while when all of the sudden the hairs on her nape and arms stood up.

"Oh dear, something sinister is coming." She muttered.

Knowing that the creature might attack her soon, Lily got into defense.

It was best to be prepared. She pretended to be searching for her materials, while she was observing her surroundings. It felt like a pair of eyes was watching her.

Just then, leaves rustled just a few meters from her right. Lily's hand reached into her pocket and got hold of the vial which contained her weapon.

Sweat dropped her forehead as she waited for the creature to make an appearance.

She already had her vial in hand, ready to hurl it to make the creature go away. Lily's heart thumped as there was more rustling from the leaves.

Lily's heart almost stopped in relief when the creature finally emerged. An old woman came into view.

The hooded lady was trembling with an outstretched hand. "Help me."

Lily rushed in to help but a voice warned her not to approach the woman.

Unfortunately, it was too late. The old woman seized her wrist since Lily was close enough.

"Got you! You thief!" a course female voice was heard.

"I am not a thief! I did not steal anything." Lily protested as she tried to break free from the old woman's hold. For an old woman, she was quite strong.

"How dare you take my food away!" the woman screeched. With her bloodshot eyes, the old woman looked horrifying.

"I don't know what you are talking about." Lily struggled to slip from her hold. "and why would I take your food?"

"The unicorn. Where is it?" the old woman asked.

Lily was astonished when she realized that the woman intended to devour the unicorn. Added to that, the woman's hood fell back, revealing a wrinkly old hag.

"I don't know what you are talking about! Let me go!" Lily forcefully ripped the hag's hand.

She was able to get away but was suddenly pulled back. Lily noticed a golden string attached on her hand.

"A stalwart bind!" Lily muttered with wide eyes.

The golden string, otherwise known as the Stalwart Bind was one of the strongest binding spells there is.

"Do you actually think you can get away with stealing my meal?" the hag said while pulling Lily towards her.

"I told you. I did not steal anything!"

"then why are you here?"

"I am gathering materials for my besom!"

"Ah. A witch in training, eh. For sure, you took my unicorn to make your potion. Give me back my meal!" the hag demanded.

Green flames engulfed around the area where Lily standing as the hag roared in anger.

Since her hands were bound, Lily could not take her vial and counter the hag's spell. "Maybe I could make the bind disappear, I could fight her back."

Concentrating on loosening the bind, Lily let her mana flow towards her wrists.

Although, her hands felt like they were scorching, the bind remained intact.

"Damn it! If you won't work, then please explode!" she commanded the string. But nothing happened.

"Since, you won't give me back my meal, it is best that you become its substitute. You are still young. I love the flesh of young girls." The hag cackled.

Raising her right hand, the hag made a pentagram on air. From its center a curved blade emerged.

Lily's eyes widened. She finally got to meet a cannibalistic hag.

Back when Hazel was telling her stories, she had always thought that these children-eating-witches were a bit cool.

But now that she was in this situation... now that she would become its meal, she realized that this was not totally cool at all.

Lily struggled to get away as the hag drew near, but to no avail.

The girl closed her eyes when the hag raised the knife to strike.