As published in the North of England rat society's 'Rattitude' newsletter. 2004/2005
October 31st 2003
Tabitha sat crossed legged on the floor of her bedroom trying to concentrate on the large leather bound book, which she had been unsuccessfully trying to absorb for the last 20 minutes. Impossible. She thought to herself.
Tabitha was a trainee witch, and was suppose to be studying for her coming of age ritual, which would transform her from trainee to practitioner, who then wouldn’t need baby-sitting every time she wanted to try out a new spell.
Her family had been witches for many generations, it was a family legacy that would be passed down for all of eternity and with it all of the secrets and wisdom of the White Raven Rat Coven.
She couldn’t concentrate on her revision because she was just to excited, not only was she turning 13 and becoming a ‘real’ witch but she was also receiving her familiar which she hoped to the goddess was a rat. Most of her family’s familiars were rats, but on the odd occasion, take her aunt Maud for example had been placed with a cat and her cousin Tara a barn owl, so it was anyone’s guess really what she ended up with.
Placing the leather bound book of shadows on her bed, she stretched and headed downstairs to the kitchen where spicy sweet scents of cinnamon wafted past her, breathing in deeply, she headed to the sink and washed her hand under the warm waterfall from the faucet.
“Need a hand, mum”
Her mother was cutting moon shapes out of the cinnamon cake mixture and placing them on a greased baking tray.
“Thanks hon, can you take the first batch out of the oven for me please”
“Sure” replied Tabitha.
Tonight was samhain, or hallow’een as most would know it, it was a special day for Tabitha and her family, as it was a time to celebrate and remember those of her family who had passed into the spirit world. Her mother was organising the party, it would be amazing as it always would be whenever she was running the show. All of the White Raven Rat Coven would be attending the celebrations later that night, many of whom lived great distances away who could only join them on the sabbats, the days on which they celebrated their Wiccan religion.
“ Why don’t you take Heidi out for a walk, she’s not been out since this morning, Guests will be arriving shortly and you need to be ready before they get here so you can greet them” said mum
“Right-o, but….”said Tabitha.
“Don’t go to far, you can’t be late for your coming of age, otherwise grandma isn’t going to be happy, y’know she likes her rituals to be accurate, okay honey” warned her mum.
“I won’t be late, I’ll take her to the creek and let her have a quick run and then I’ll make my way back through the forest, won’t be long. Bye.” with that Tabitha grabbed Heidi’s dog lead off the hook on the wall and skipped through the house, to the living area where her Kerry blue terrier was sprawled on the couch, legs in all directions.
“Come on, gal, walkies” called Tabitha, voice hitting the high notes.
Father on down the trail, Tabitha and her dog came to a fork in the pass, normally she would of taken the route which lead by the river, but daring to be different she decided that they would try the other way for a change which lead by the cliffs, harder terrain than what she was dressed for in her denim skirt and Nike trainers, but none the less they hadn’t passed this way in some time since a young boy had fallen to his death whilst playing with his friends, but she had always much favoured this path and had only stayed off it since her grandmother had warned her that evil skulked in every crevice, devouring innocence. Tabitha had used this trail previous for 4 years and had never come across any trouble. So it was decided the cliffs, with the fantastic view was the way she’d walk Heidi.
Ten minutes or so into the walk, Heidi stood rigid, facing a bush, barking her gruff call, then forgetting her distraction in an instant, springing merrily like a baby lamb over the cobbled, sandy ground.
“Silly mutt” called Tabitha as she passed the bush, seeing nothing out of the ordinary.
As they came to the summit of the cliff, she noticed that the temporary wooden banister that had been put at the edge of the cliff had a large section missing, nearly as wide as a car. It looked as though something had ploughed straight through it!! Heart racing Tabitha hurried to the splintered gape, and looked down over the edge, half expecting to find a shell of a burnt out car complete with skeletons. Nothing. Just rock ledges, boulders and shadows.
Vertigo washing over her she stepped back, and heard the soft crunch, of footsteps upon gravel. Whirling around she saw no one. Stop freaking yourself out girl; it’s just a squirrel or something.
Suddenly as if blasted with ice-cold water, her entire body felt like a human ice sculpture, rooted to the spot and utterly freezing, she say a dark shape to the left of her only for an instant before she was pushed with such force that sent her reeling backwards and over the cliff.
She heard barking and then saw nothing but black.
Meanwhile back at the house whilst her mother put the last of the blue icing on the large jam and cream sponge birthday cake, grandma burst in from the cellar that had its door adjoined to the kitchen.
“Where is the child?” whispered grandma, looking very white.
“Ooooh. Mother you scared me half to death, she’s taken Heidi for a walk” breathed Tabitha mum, holding her hand to her heart.
“The cliffs” grandmas’ eyes were very wide and frightened.
“Oh good goddess…Tabitha!” exclaimed mum, eyes, growing wide by the second, fear breaking her voice.
They ran from the room.
Tabitha sat up, the soft grass that she had lay upon was plentiful and lush, beautiful flowers of all colours surrounded her, reds, oranges, blues, indigos, yellows, every colour possibly imaginable, she spotted daffodils, roses, lilies and many that she had never seen in her life, all blending together in a kaleidoscope of colour. It was beautiful. The sky above was unmarked, blue and clear, soft warm sunlight surrounded her senses and made her feel fantastic. Im dreaming. She thought to herself.
In the distance she saw a small shape scurrying towards her, as it drew closer she realised it was a rat, its soft white body glowed under the radiance of the sunlight, as it got closer she noticed it had soft dark smudges on its nose, ears and tail.
A Himalayan rat. Cute.
It stopped in front of her and sat on its hindquarters, it’s red eyes patiently looking into hers.
“ Hello Tabitha. My name is Hamish and welcome to the Summerland’s” the rat said bowing down courteously and sweeping his paw towards the back of him.
Tabitha gaped.
“..But Tabitha dear, do not worry, it is not your time to cross over, I am hear, lets just say to make sure you understand why you are visiting, as you will shortly be collected and taken back home” explained Hamish.
“So I’m not dead” said Tabitha finding it difficult to find any words.
“No, no, no, of course your not, this is just a flying visit. A learning experience if you will” replied Hamish.
Hamish extended his hand towards her. “If you will come with me, I have much to show you”.
Two days later Tabitha woke up in her bedroom, her curtains were drawn but the room was illuminated by the soft glow of several blue healing candles and littered in amongst were several polished amethyst crystals. My head, ouch.
She saw her mother sat in her a chair near her window, resting. Her grandmother quietly opened the bedroom door and came inside.
“How is your head, my child, you took a nasty fall, thank the goddess that Heidi stayed with you the entire time to keep you warm, it was several hours until we found you, the entire coven was searching, my precious child” grandma whispered
“It’s fine grandma, the crystals helped, thanks. I’m sorry I ruined samhain for everyone” apologised Tabitha.
“Nonsense, nothing matters but your safety, samhain can wait, and your ritual can be done when you’re well, but I have your familiar for you, and I think he’s waited long enough to be with you, so I’ll break a few rules and let you have him now.” Grandma left the room. “ back in a moment”.
Tabitha’s mother stirred and woke.
“Mum” called Tabitha.
“Oh, Tabitha, I was so worried.” her mum sat on the edge of the bed, hugged her and then kissed her cheek.” I love you so much”
“I love you to mum! Grandma has gone to fetch me my familiar!” an excited Tabitha said.
At that moment grandma entered the room carrying a large wire cage and set it upon Tabitha’s work desk. Fiddling with the door and after a couple of seconds she came over to the bed carrying a beautiful fat white rat with dark smudges on it’s nose and ears.
“He’s called Hamish, my dear, and he alone is your familiar, who will protect and love you at all times, blessed be” said grandma.
“Blessed be” repeated Tabitha’s mother.
Tabitha took Hamish and rubbed him behind his ear. A single crystalline tear slid from her eye.
“ Do you not like him, honey” asked her mother. She could see disappointment in her grandmother’s eyes.
“No no, he’s great. I love him. Thank you “Tabitha kissed the top of Hamish’s head.
Hamish had taught her so much, about herself and life.
“ The little boy, on the cliff…” asked Tabitha.
“ How do you know…never mind, we released his spirit, he was very scared and frightened, he tried to help you by getting Heidi to you. Such a nice boy, so very pleasant.” Remembered grandma.
“The coven has removed the evil from the cliffs, so it can’t do any more damage” said Tabitha’s mother.
“Now you get some rest and I’ll bring you some chicken soup and tea shortly, sleep well” grandma said.
Her mother and grandma left the room, and softly closed the door behind them.
Stroking her new friend she remembered back to her time in the Summerland’s and how Hamish has helped her.
“Can you talk Hamish” she asked her rat.
Hamish sniffed the air in front of him, whiskers twitching and slowly dragged himself up to her shoulder where he nestled between her long blonde hair.
“Guess not” laughing, she rested her back against the headboard of her bed and closed her eyes. She was soon asleep.
Hamish blew out the candles at the side of the bed, started to whistle a soft tune and winked.
Written by Victoria Lewis. copyright 2004. You may not copy in full or any part without the authors express permission.
Please look out for The Familiar - Part two, coming shortly.
To contact Black magic rattery please email me at bmratgirl@yahoo.co.uk
