came to Temilla’s house by way of the forest trail. The morning I spent collecting herbs, mushrooms, and other bits of flora that I would dry and store for later enchantments. But some things are not so easy to come by, thus my trip to see the witch woman.
Loosely-fenced cages seemed to sprout from the back of her house, which is a significant building, hunched low with wings that spread to each side, and a spindly chimney that rises into the air like a long neck. I peered through the brushy trees to get a peek within the fencing, and I saw rabbits, a deer, and pheasants. Atop the house stood a crane, watching all. As I walked, its white neck extended, and its gaudy plume swayed as the magnificent bird swiveled to peer in my direction. Not knowing the significance of the bird, or what protective or warding nature it served (and under what enchantment), I decided to mind my own affairs, and hurried to Temilla’s door.
She opened it at my knock and said, “Good morning, Ivar.” Temilla is a hearty woman, stout and full-figured, with a rosy complexion and small features. Her hair is gray and her cheeks are jowly, but she is still much younger than Kean. I have met with Temilla on a number of occasions to buy reagents for Kean, and when the door opened, I knew something strange was afoot. She smiled cheerily, but her sky-blue eyes gazed at me with an oily luster.
I said, “Good morning. I’ve come to buy some reagents, if it pleases you this morning,” but she did not respond immediately. I was put off. Temilla is usually mirthful and witty. She is also at times cloying, and all too adept at using her discomforting effect to her advantage when it comes time to bargain (at least that was Kean’s opinion, as he was the one to haggle prices with her). Today she seemed disoriented, out of place and time.
She blinked and said, “Oh! Yes!” She motioned me inside and stepped back. “By the by, you look splendid in your new robes, although you shan’t be wearing them long. I hope those pests at the castle have not given you too much grief!”
I tried to work out what I had just heard.
She laughed and said, “Oh, no no no,” and patted my hand. “I’m sorry. Don’t mind me.”