The Tea Witch’s Purpose (Purple Oak Oasis #8)

Chapter 1

Lian

My cousin Eva was always excited to arrive somewhere new, and Purple Oak was no different.

But for me, it was a new kind of stress.

There were a lot of things to do, like making sure I knew my way around so that we didn't get lost, and dealing with those who were important.

With polite small talk and a smile, of course.

It was the worst part of arriving somewhere new, and always left me exhausted, but there was no getting around it.

A small part of me wished we were still on the ship that brought us here, at least there had been easily obeyable rules for where we were supposed to go on it, and when meals were supposed to be served.

Purple Oak was different. Everything about the bustling village looked hectic.

It was a melting pot of different cultures and people, probably because it was so close to the port, and most of the inhabitants seemed to be running around and shouting at one another, often with some kind of familiar racing behind them.

It was a curious thing to witness. I hadn't lived around many wards before, but it seemed as if Purple Oak had plenty of them.

A woman named Chamomile, who had a small nose and a lot of hair sticking out of her bun, waved between the different landmarks, pointing out what I thought was a bakery, as well as a haberdashery, and a cobbler.

"You won't find anywhere better in the village," Chamomile announced proudly. "Well, except for the market square. There's an excellent bakery there. And there are several other excellent cobblers. You won't have any problems getting your shoes fixed!"

I nodded, but despite the fact I was trying to pay attention, I was struggling with just how loud everything was.

"There are several excellent butchers in the ward district," she continued.

"You'll be able to get whatever you want.

You'll also find lots of other animal-related products there.

Dairy, many decent tanners, wool, lots of stuff.

We're very lucky. The village was created when the tea witch settlement and the ward settlement both grew to the size where they bordered on one another.

That's why the Fields are one of the Four Families. "

I cleared my throat, knowing that I needed to ask, even if I was overwhelmed by all of the rapid fire history she was trying to give us. "The Four Families?" I asked.

"Oh, yes, sorry, I should have started with that!

" She gave me what I thought was supposed to be a reassuring smile, but I wasn't sure that it hit right.

"The Four Families are the families who are responsible for running the village and making sure that everything is good for everyone.

So there's my family, the Brewsters. I believe you met them already? "

Eva nodded beside me. "They invited us to come here," she said with all the confidence of someone who didn't have to overthink everything.

Chamomile nodded. "They travel around making trade deals for us, for the most part.

My mum is the head of our family, and my sister Jasmine is training to take over after her.

My brother Brew runs the infirmary along with Hana and Grey Steeper, they're from one of the other families.

And then there's Earl who is working with dryads from Grower's Cove to try and get our tea garden growing our own tea! "

I rubbed my thumb against my finger, trying not to be too overwhelmed by the sheer number of people she had already told us about. And they were all important.

"So yes, then the Steepers, as I said. They're also tea witches and work in our infirmary.

Then there are the Fields, they're wards," Chamomile continued without any idea that she was throwing so much at us.

"And then there are the Millers, they own the mill down by the river.

" She gestured in the direction that I assumed the mill was.

"I can't wait to meet them all," Eva said brightly. "Can't you, Lian?" She linked her arm through mine as she asked.

"Oh, yes." I forced a smile onto my face.

Chamomile beamed. "I know they're all excited to meet you. We've never had weather witches in our village before," she said, but her words were swallowed by shouting and cawing. Everywhere there was noise.

So much noise. Was Purple Oak louder than the last place we had been at? I couldn't tell, but it felt like it. Maybe it was the local dialect, it was different from what I was used to and I already had a slight headache from having to process everything outside of my first language.

"Lian, that's going to be so much fun!" Eva said in our language, gesturing to where some workers were setting something up.

"What is?" I asked.

"They're setting up for the Moon Tea Festival," she said excitedly. "I know you love it, and this is going to be so much bigger than the one from back home. There are so many tea witches here."

"Oh, right, yes." I hadn't even had a chance to think about the festival much, I'd had bigger things to worry about.

"And it's going to be great. A festival is the best way to get to know a new place," she responded, her eyes glimmering like they always did when we arrived somewhere new.

I would need to make sure that I knew the exact details of the festival so that we could attend. That was my job. Making sure that Eva and her twin brother Max had everything they wanted.

I glanced over at my other cousin. From his expression, it seemed like he was a little overwhelmed too, though he was doing a decent job at hiding it.

I could only tell because I knew what his blank expression meant, and it wasn't a good sign for him adjusting to our new temporary home.

I didn't even know how long we were going to be here.

Until they were sick of us, or the twins got a better offer for their weather witch magic.

Whichever came first. Then we would pack it all up and move to a different place to start all over again.

I bit back the frustration. That was just how it was with weather witches, and I had no reason to feel bitter.

I didn't even want to be a weather witch, but at least their purpose was clear.

They would become responsible for Purple Oak's weather and make this thriving town even more bountiful.

It was only right that they were welcomed like nobility.

But me? I was just the help. The tea witch cousin without a shred of weather magic. And Purple Oak already had a bounty of tea witches, they didn't need me.

I pulled my shoulders back, not wanting to let my struggles show in my posture.

I was glad to be helping my cousins with their duties.

Grateful. I should never forget to be grateful.

While supporting them, I would be welcome in Purple Oak, and that was better than them not allowing me into the village.

We arrived at a large house, and Chamomile led us up the stone steps to the front door.

"This is our town hall. You'll be staying here in the guest quarters until your new house is ready.

It shouldn't be for too long, the preparations are just taking a bit longer than expected.

If you need anything, anything at all, you can ask me or my sister.

We're in and out of the town hall pretty much every day.

And there are staff here to tend to your needs.

Feel free to let the kitchens know if you want anything specific. "

I offered her a polite smile, already a little exhausted by how much she talked. "That's most kind, thank you."

She looked pleased and beckoned for us to come further in.

At least the Purple Oak guards accompanying us were remaining outside, but I was rejoicing too soon.

The town hall was bustling with workers, all running around, no doubt to prepare for our arrival.

For my cousins' arrival. Nobody cared that I was here.

I took a deep breath as I stepped into the town hall. We were going to be here for a while, so the sooner I got used to this place, the better.