You Can't Cure A Witch's Curse: New World Series, #1

By ZR Southcombe

A story of hope, adventure, and a young girl's determination from twice-shortlisted author, artist, and educator, ZR Southcombe.

Sophie's brother, Jack, is dying from a witch's curse, and her only chance to save him is to find a witch.

But their are no good witches, and the closest one is the evil sorceress Rosethorn. Sophie must venture out of her little fishing village, through dark forests and sinister wastelands, to find the witch.

But even if she does - can she really save Jack?

• Language: English
• Publisher: ZR Southcombe
• Release date: Jun 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533772367

ZR Southcombe

Z.R. Southcombe (Zee) is a writer and artist. Her books are written for children, but with their wild sense of imagination, rich vocabulary and emotional resonance they are loved by readers of all ages. A true creative, Zee usually has a few creative projects on the go, but no matter what project she is currently working on, Zee is usually accompanied by a cup of tea. Zee lives in New Zealand with her partner and her cat.

Book preview

You Can't Cure A Witch's Curse

New World Series, Volume 1

ZR Southcombe

Published by ZR Southcombe, 2016.

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

YOU CAN'T CURE A WITCH'S CURSE

First edition. June 2, 2016.

Copyright © 2016 ZR Southcombe.

ISBN: 978-1533772367

Written by ZR Southcombe.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

You Can't Cure A Witch's Curse (New World Series, #1)

Further Reading: The Caretaker of Imagination

Also By ZR Southcombe

About the Author

For Amanda Staley

1  ...

You can't cure a witch's curse with ordinary medicine. That's what they all said, in the end.

At the start, it was all rainbows and sunshine, every doctor claiming to be the best in the world, and all insisting they could do what none other was able.

And, of course, they would say that the false art of witchery died a long time ago. We are living in the age of knowledge now; of science, not hokery pokery, they would say.

But when the fever persisted and the sweat did not run dry; when the shivering continued and the hot flushes refused to go away; when Jack's body lay bedridden still ‒– the (also sweating) doctor would inevitably say, You can't cure a witch's curse with ordinary medicine.

Then they would pack up their instruments and leave, muttering their excuses, faces redder than Jack's. Sophie and her father would be left alone, helplessness hanging in the air, almost-but-not-quite taking over.

After the thirty-seventh doctor (Sophie kept count in her journal), she was fed up.

It was time to find a witch.

2  ...

The closest witch Sophie knew of was the sorceress Rosethorn. Rosethorn was the meanest, wickedest, most evil witch alive. But as the next closest witch (also evil) lived far beyond the Wastelands, Sophie would have to take her chances.

Rosethorn lived in the mountains to the east of Nim's Forest, which in turn lay to the east of Sophie's little fishing village. Nim's Forest wasn't evil per se, but it was a fearsome place. Even the bravest villagers didn't go there unless it was absolutely, unequivocally necessary – like two winters ago, when the tsunami came.

Her dad had been working on the docks that day.  Sophie had been at school. She and her classmates had watched the destruction from the safety of the school rooftop. She’d struggled against her teacher's orders, wanting to run home and help Jack; to go to the docks and check on her father.

Her tears had rivalled the flood. Bodies – people she knew and loved – floated below them, no different than the