Chapter 63 The Whispers of the Witch
The wind howled through the ancient trees of Chandlok's dark forest, carrying with it the scent of forgotten memories and truths long buried. Sana walked slowly behind the forest witch, her feet crunching over the mossy earth, heart pounding with both fear and anticipation.
The witch had said she had something to show her-something that would change everything.
Sana remembers some glimpse of Witch cradling her when she was a baby.
She was always said that she is the daughter of someone very dear to witch.
But now she knows that she is none other than the daughter of a dead queen, Chandni .
She wanted answers if the witch knew who she was then why didn't she told her earlier and why did she send her away at a very young age.
"I know you would come my daughter", said the witch without looking at her.
Sana's voice cracked, carrying years of abandonment in a single breath.
Her chest burned with the ache of a child who had never stopped asking that question in silence.
" Why didn't you told me earlier about my mother?
You said you loved me but you send me away when I was just 2 years old , to them , to Roshni, to the killer of my parents. Why? Why you did it?"
The witch's hands shook as she clutched her robes tighter, her eyes darting to the ground as if the soil itself might forgive her where Sana could not, " I know you have many questions and I will answer each and every thing but first come with me."
Sana nodded.
They arrived at a clearing bathed in silver moonlight. At the center stood a stone well, cracked and overgrown with vines. But it wasn't water that lay inside. As Sana peered into the darkness, a soft, eerie glow rose from its depths-like the shimmer of trapped souls.
The witch sat beside it with a tired sigh. Her hands trembled slightly as she drew from her satchel an old, tattered book and a blood-stained pendant shaped like a crescent moon.
"This," she whispered, "belonged to your mother."
Sana's eyes widened. "Chandini..."
The witch nodded. "You deserve the truth-the truth no one else will give you."
The shadows around them flickered. The forest seemed to hold its breath.
"My child," the witch began, voice brittle yet clear, "on the night you were born, your mother was hunted. But not by beasts or dark magic. By those she once called family. By the crown."
The witch continued, "Roshni-Queen of Chandlok, your mother's dearest friend-sent guards into the forest. Not to search.
Not to protect. But to kill. She loved her power more.
Your mother was never a threat. She had given up her place at court.
But whispers spread-of Chandini's child being the rightful heir, born under the twin stars.
The people began to talk. Roshni listened. .. and she feared."
Sana's voice cracked. "But why? Chandini had no interest in ruling!"
"She didn't. But fear does not listen to truth. It listens to ambition."
The pendant glowed faintly in the witch's hand, resonating with pain that still lingered from decades past. She handed it to Sana.
"This holds her final memory. You'll see for yourself."
Sana clutched the pendant, and a flood of images rushed into her mind.
Chandini, barefoot and bleeding, cradling a newborn-her.
The forest alive with terror. The sound of swords.
A cry. She smelled iron and roses-blood and crushed petals.
She heard the frantic rustle of leaves, the clashing of steel, and her mother's ragged breath . A whisper: "Forgive me, Roshni."
Then darkness.
When Sana opened her eyes, her cheeks were wet with tears. The witch's voice pulled her back.
"Your mother didn't just die. She was betrayed."
Sana sat in stunned silence. "The shadow told me about this but seeing this is still haunting. But still it does not answer my questions "
"I know but.... Who is the shadow you are talking about?" the witch rasped
" He is the one who told me to the truth and made me capable of facing them today" Sana said with a shine in her eyes remembering the shadow.
For a split second, the witch's face drained of all color hearing about the shadow. Her lips parted as if she recognized the name, but then she swallowed it down, forcing her features back into their mask. "I see..." she said, too quickly.
Sana's head jerked toward her. She had seen the sudden shift of her expression and was going to ask her about this but the witch started speaking.
"I was one of the last witnesses," she continued. "I helped your mother that night. I held you when her blood soaked the earth. I tried to stop them. But I was old and powerless. And for all these years, I have waited-for you."
"She made you a pawn to clear her conscience. To pretend the throne was safe in loyal hands."
Sana questioned," Then why did you send me to her?"
The witch answered saying," I had no choice , because you were too young to know and understand the truth .
Also your mother wanted you to stay close to your home .
Also I did this so that you can stay close to Roshni know about her tactics and behaviour.
I was going to tell you the truth on the day Prince Hatim went for the tour of the kingdom but before I could come to you it was told that you have ran away with royal treasure.
I believed you so I waited for you to return.
And when you return you already knew everything. "
Sana's heart was beating very fast after knowing from the very beginning of her life she had a mission and she took a lot of time to understand it.
The clearing suddenly grew colder. The pendant pulsed in Sana's grip.
"There's more," the witch added.
Sana barely found her voice. "More?"
"She cannot rest."
Sana looked up.
"Chandini's spirit remains trapped between worlds. Because her death was unjust. Until her murderer is revealed, her soul will suffer. Do you feel it? That burning in your chest-that's her anguish."
Sana's breath caught. She had felt it-the aching, the anger, the unexplained sorrow. It had always been there.Sana's knees felt weak. The thought of her mother wandering in chains of sorrow all these years clawed at her chest. It wasn't just injustice anymore-it was torment.
"You must bring justice," said the witch. "You must make them all see the truth. Only then can she be free."
"But how?" Sana asked. "How do I fight a Queen? How do I prove a secret buried for twenty eight years?"
The witch smiled faintly. "With the help of those who still remember... and the ones who owe you loyalty. The court may not believe you-but the stars always speak truth. And there are others who know what Roshni did. She was not alone in her decision."
Sana stared into the glowing well again. "And if I fail?"
The witch's voice grew distant. "Then her soul will remain in torment, and the darkness will rise again. Because lies grow roots... and they rot the kingdom from within."
The wind stirred the trees, whispering like voices calling from the beyond. Sana stood, heart heavy but resolve beginning to burn inside her.
"I'll do it," she said. "I'll make the truth known. I won't let her die in silence."
The witch touched her hand gently. "Then let the stars guide you, child of both shadow and light."
Sana nodded and hugged the witch closing her eyes and said , " Now it's time for me to go otherwise Roshni will come to know I am not at the palace."
Just as Sana turned to leave, the witch called out one final time.
"And Sana..."
She looked back.
"Chandini's spirit is strong. If justice is done, she might........ return . Not in body, but in light . The stars do not forget their own light."
Sana's breath hitched. The idea of seeing her mother again, even as starlight, felt like both a blessing and a weight too great to carry. She pressed the pendant to her heart, as if it could steady her trembling soul.
Sana didn't say a word. She held the pendant tight, and walked into the night.
This time, with purpose.