Immortal Healer: Immortal Stonekeeper Prequel (2025) Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Witch Market

Read chapter 6 of Immortal Healer: Immortal Stonekeeper Prequel (2025) by Mercynarie on NovelPedia.

Not much had changed since the last time Duncan Ward set foot in the Scottish Witch Market, although that was only about fifty years ago. Literal fairy lights still lit up the perpetually dim marketplace, and ‘elevators’ magically powered by air remained the main mode of transportation between the levels. After all, these things could operate forever without the need for maintenance as long as there was enough magic in the air to fuel them. Most of the stalls were still run by the same vendors as well, considering how most supernatural beings were typically more long-lived than humans. As such, their standard catalogue of products remained unchanged over the years. Things like protective wardings, mystical insects, blessed air, and even professional exorcism services— ever since the market’s opening day— were still for sale. The only addition that Duncan noticed was something that resembled the new Harley-Davidson WLA motorcycles, except that they had been modified with shiny skin and red muscles instead of the usual metal. Perhaps the more inventive vendors had taken an interest in the modern world’s toys and imbued some magic into them. The Scottish Witch Market was a liminal space nestled in one of the many cave systems in Scotland. Of course, it was inaccessible to anyone who didn’t have magic; the entrance only appeared as nothing more than a regular rock to them. So, Duncan had to mark Hilda as a familiar to grant her access to the market as well. The girl had been practically bounding with awe and excitement since the moment she entered the shimmering portal. After all, it had revealed itself all mystical-like when Duncan smeared the unique magic signature onto the rock. He didn’t blame her; he had been the same when he was first introduced to this witch market about five hundred years ago. As the two of them walked past the bustling stalls, several suspension bridges stretched across the walls above them. They remained hovering in mid-air, with only long and winding staircases connecting them to the ground. The market itself was so well sculpted into the cave that it looked to have grown straight out of the obsidian rock itself. Floating paths that connected the various sections of the market disappeared down at impossible angles before rising again and slipping behind columns of rock. All around them, supernatural beings haggled with the vendors as they went about their shopping. Centaurs, Wendigos, Leprechauns, Fairies, and many other creatures that even Duncan didn’t recognise. Most of them were dressed in human clothes, like suits or dresses, as though it would change the fact that they didn’t already look like creatures from Salvador Dali’s fever dreams. There were other, more human-like beings, of course— creatures like vampires and werewolves. Still, they were a lot less modest about their appearance in this place, letting their fangs or wolf fur out in plain sight as they casually strolled the market. After all, nobody could look out of place in a congregation like this. Although this place was a witch market, not many actual witches visited this place in this day and age. Most of their ingredients could be found in the wild, after all. In fact, this place was created by witches for other supernatural beings. Apparently, the more charitable sorcerers of Eld wanted their mystical friends to have an easier time acquiring protection spells specific to their physiology. Thus, witch markets around the world became safe havens for mystical beings. The Scottish Witch Market was no exception. “Duncan, Duncan! Look, they sell voodoo dolls here!” Hilda tugged on Duncan’s arm like an excited child as she bounded towards a beaming vendor. “Can we get one? Please, please?” For better or worse, the girl didn’t seem to mind the patrons’ unconventional appearances. It saved him from any awkwardness, but her excitement was starting to draw unnecessary attention. “What use is it to you if you don’t know the right spells to cast