Zurfina is always a fun character to write.  She plays a smaller role in this book than she did in the first three (including book 0) because she takes off about halfway through.  We don’t find out where she went until book for, those chapters in which she appears for the most part taking place during book this story.  Of course, she always manages an entrance, even when she’s not a big part of the scene, such as this time with Senta and Hero.

The home of Zurfina the Magnificent and of course of Senta, her apprentice, sat less than three hundred yards west of the town square.  It had a fenced in yard of six acres with many large trees.  The little winding walkway through the natural pines and maples, made the yard seem like a quiet little forest.  There were a few houses in the area, though none were located on lots touching the sorceress’s.  Neighbors usually referred to Zurfina’s house as a “tower”, though it was in actuality just a small building, no larger in floor area than most other homes, but rising to five stories.  The ground floor was a kitchen, dining area, and storage rooms.  The first floor up was the living room and Bessemer’s chamber.  The second floor up was a bedroom and playroom for Senta.  Above that was Zurfina’s bedroom and boudoir.  The very top story was the sorceress’s private study, in which none were allowed.

Senta opened the heavily-carved pine door and led the others inside.  The ground floor, like the others was mostly one big room, with particular areas set aside by room dividers.  Bessemer immediately shot over to a pile of fluffy pillows in the corner of the dining area, turned around three times, then curled up into a ball that seemed impossibly small.  Senta carried the large loaf of bread to the pantry and opening the door, placed it inside.  She closed the door then looked around the room.

 “I know that book is down here somewhere.”

Every flat area in the room was covered with dirty dishes, books, stacks of papers, clothing, full and empty bottles and cans, and jars of preserved foods.

“We should stay here and clean up,” said Hero.

“When Zurfina finally comes down, she can just magic it clean.”

“Can’t you magic it clean?”

“Hmm.”  Senta raised an eyebrow.

“Never mind.  I don’t want you turning me into a ham sandwich by accident.”

“If you turn into a ham sandwich our deal about my not eating you is off,” said the dragon from the corner, without opening his eyes.

Suddenly Zurfina walked down the stairs in the center of the room.  She had a pale green plaster smeared across her face, including her eyelids, which were closed, but she didn’t seem to need to see to know where she was going.  She made every step on the stairs without the least hesitation.  Her hair was wet and mussed, but the girls could clearly see the bald spot over her right ear.  The pale green plaster on her face was the only thing that she was wearing.  Her naked body was on display with her constellation of two-inch star tattoos, one above each breast, one around her naval, and one on each hip bone.  Still with closed eyes, the sorceress reached the froredor, a magical ice box, opened it, and took out a carrot.  She bit the tip of the carrot as she turned around and walked back to the staircase.  The girls could now see the fourteen inch moon tattooed at the top of her back, and the eight inch flaming sun in the small of her back.

As soon as Zurfina had disappeared into the ceiling passage up to the next floor, both girls burst out laughing.

“Is that you, Senta?” called Zurfina’s voice from above.

“Yes!”  Senta called back.

“Clean up down there!”

Hero and Senta both burst out laughing again.