Halloween Mix Up

    It was like any other October night; the air was crisp and light, a hint of cold on its breath. Skadia stood over her cauldron mixing clockwise. She mumbled a few words as she went over the recipe again. The mix was almost done, and it was going to be the talk of the town. Each year she made a spiced pumpkin ale and gave it out to the community, anyone who wanted some was more than welcome. It brought her pride, and the others looked forward to it. This year she had been working on making it the best its ever been. Within the last few moments a thought struck her—one final thing to make it perfect. She pulled her robes up off her ankles and hurried off to the cabinet.

    While her back was turned her beloved fur babies decided to help her. Anya, a great black cat with golden eyes watched from her perch up in the rafters. Her eyes followed as the youngest of the three fur children strutted over to the cauldron. “Snowfire, you shouldn’t be near that, mom will skin you.” The oldest of the witches three warned her.

    “I will be fine, I just want to look.” Snowfire protested as she leapt up onto the ledge just above the bubbling mix.

     The largest of the three came over and sat off to the side, well away from the cast iron pot, her long gray fur sleek and smooth. “Snow, you should really listen to Anya, remember what happened last year?” Her voice was low and smooth.

    The year prior Snowfire had actually fallen into the drink. She was fine luckily, but Skadia was fairly upset and had to remake the entire batch. “I’m being careful!” The small white cat protested. As she was distracted by her sisters however, she slipped, one paw catching on a potion bottle on the shelf.  The small bottle rocked back and forth on the wooden shelf.

    “Snow!” Both cats called to their younger sibling.

    Anya leapt down, her fur catching the warm firelight. She landed on the shelf and grabbed Snowfire in her teeth, pulling her little sister up onto the shelf. The small bottle had fallen over, the cork popping out when it landed on its side, the liquid dripping into the ale brew below. The eldest cat pushed the bottle upright but sadly she was too late. More than half the potion had already spilled out.

    “She comes!” Bean whispered and in a gray streak went bolting from the room.

    “Come on, quick, and be careful!” Anya commanded Snowfire as she leapt from the shelf. Snowfire followed, her ears and tail down.

     “I didn’t mean to...” She apologized to her elder.

    Anya licked her little sister’s head, smoothing her speckled fur. “It’s alright. Mom will fix it.” The two trotted off just as Skadia walked back into the room, her mystery ingredient in hand.

    She tossed the final thing in and mixed it up right quick. With a satisfied smile she took a small sip. It was perfect. She let it cool, and got it into bottles. She sealed them up and rushed out to give them to some friends who were waiting for this batch. She took plenty and before long her friends would share them as well with their own.

    As the moon rose high in the sky she returned home and sighed happily. She bottled the rest of the batch and left them all out on the porch for anyone to have. She tucked herself into bed, proud of what she did that day and she couldn’t wait to hear what her friends thought of this year’s drink.