"Welcome," Bella adds.

Cantha turns back to her. "You're a witch," she says.

"Not exactly."

Cantha's eyes narrow. "Sorceress?"

"Same answer."

Cantha purses her lips. "Magician."

"Yes."

"So you could help us with the witchwells so we wouldn't be so collectively powerless."

"Possibly," demurs Bella. "I'd need to think about it. I have other projects and I'm staying at the castle, which is some days' travel away."

"We would be interested in - exchanging knowledge," Cantha says, "if you happened to have the time for it."

"Thank you," says Bella, noncommittal but smiling.