The Witch

Aepida had walked all day. She did not even stop to eat but ate as she walked. Occasionally, she would stop to pick some berries or nuts she found alongside the road. Even then, it was only for a brief moment. It was a lonely stretch of road this far from Alogroth. She was glad that was the case, as she was not in the mood for any company. Her heart was heavy, having to leave behind everything she had known. Fear also gripped her, Fear of the unknown and fear of being afraid. Still, something inside her burned with anticipation of what lay ahead of her.

The sun seemed to move fast as if it were racing for midday. Now that it was there, it seemed to slow, almost to a dead stop. Aepida kept on. She ate some more as the sun's edge touched the horizon. When it was about halfway set, she started to look for a place away from the road to sleep. She wanted someplace hidden from the road as robbers and villains stalked it at night. She also needed someplace relatively safe from wild animals, as she intended not to build a fire because it would attract the kind of people she wanted to avoid. She found a rock hidden from the road. It also was difficult enough to climb to provide some protection from predatory animals.

As the sun set, she became aware of another threat. Shadows, dark menacing shadows. At first, she tried to convince herself that they were just her imagination. Then one of them approached her in the form of a snake. Its head hovered over her, its red eyes glowing. It lowered its head and looked straight into her eyes. Its shadowy two-pronged tongue fluttered just beyond her nose. Then it moved down her body, tongue fluttering, just short of touching her. When it had reached her feet, it suddenly moved back to her face. Again the red eyes met hers. After a couple more flicks of the tongue, it slithered off, not having touched her.

She was shaking in fear. The stars shined bright, but there was no moon. The shadows seemed to be everywhere. Some eyed her as if she were a curiosity in the night. Others passed by her and never paid her any mind. Still, others menaced her. The worse one had no distinct form. Eyes would appear from a dark, inky blob. It would make noises every time it looked at her. The sounds would vary from clicks, moans, slurps, and growls.

From the shadow blob, an arm formed. It reached out and touched her stomach. She wanted to scream but couldn't. Its hand moved up her body, then to her throat, and finally to her face. At that moment, the whole area went dark. The hand disappeared from her face. The shadows, stars, everything had gone. She was in complete darkness.

"Fear not, my daughter."

A calm came over her. She felt protected and safe, cradled as a baby in its mother's arms. She slept as if she was floating on a cloud. The darkness was comforting and safe.

When dawn came, she felt refreshed. She took the time to eat breakfast from the provisions her mother had given her. She eagerly went to the road to continue her journey. She walked a little faster than she had the first day. The fear had been dulled from last night's experience. She now felt that somebody was watching over her.

Again the sun tracked across the sky until it was directly overhead. Aepida kept on walking as she ate the last of her provisions. She also was not finding any nuts or berries to forage. It did not bother her. There are often gaps in the availability of food. She continued, still in good spirits.

The sun was halfway to the horizon. Aepida still had not stopped to rest since breakfast. She was lost in her little world and singing ditties she had learned growing up. Even the thought of Hans pleased her rather than making her regret leaving him behind.

"Are you Aepida?"

The sudden breaking of the silence surprised her as much as hearing her name called out. She turned around to find an old woman neatly dressed, but obviously, poor. She looked like a kindly grandmother.

"Are you Aepida?" the woman repeated.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"Oh, forgive me. I should introduce myself first. I am known as the witch. I believe you were told about me."

"I am Aepida, the one you seek."

"Good," said the woman. "Follow me, dear."

They left the road and walked through a grassy plain, over a rocky hill, to another plain. The sun was getting low in the sky when Aepida realized that the old woman was heading to a dark, dense forest. As the sun was setting the woman plunged into the forest without hesitation.

The darkness inside the forest made it difficult for Aepida to see even though the woman was right in front of her. It seemed to her that they were wandering, aimlessly. As her eyes became accustomed to the darkness, she could see that the woman was following a path. As the sun yielded to the night the light of a campfire could be seen just ahead. After a couple of minutes more, they were in the witch's camp.

The night was both cold and humid. Aepida welcomed the warmth of the fire. The old woman went about lighting torches that were placed in a circle around the camp. She then fetched a pot and hung it over the campfire.

"You are probably hungry. I made some stew in anticipation of your arrival. It will only take a little while to warm up." said the woman.

"Thank you. I am a bit hungry."

The woman smiled at her. Soon the stew was ready, served in a wooden bowl with a wooden spoon. Aepida ate slowly, as was the custom in her house. Dinner was for conversation as much as it was for nourishment. She looked up at the woman watching her and smiled.

"You are a wonderful cook." She said. "This is as good as my mama makes."

The woman's eyes lit up. She grinned from ear to ear.

"I am so glad you like it." She then brought a wooden cup full of water. Aepida thanked her and drank it down. She then announced that she was full,

"You don't eat much, do you."

It was now night and the old woman announced she was going to bed. Aepida looked around and asked.

"Where am I to sleep?"

"I don't have much in the way of accommodations here. Sleep where ever you can."

At first, Aepida was aghast. Looking around the camp it was obvious the woman had little and shared it nonetheless. She decided that she would just make the best of it. With nothing but her tunic and shawl, she found a grassy spot near the fire to lie down. At first, she dosed off, but the cool misty night had her shivering and her teeth chattering. She arose and added some wood to the fire. Sitting in front of it she slept in a sitting position by the fire taking full advantage of its warming comfort.

Aepida awoke to the old woman adding more wood to the fire. The morning was just beginning to be illuminated by the sun's rays.

"Good morning," she said addressing the woman.

The woman replied in kind. "Good morning. I trust you slept well."

"Not exactly, it was a bit cold out here. So I stoked the fire and sat here most of the night."

"I am sorry to hear that. I will fix you a nice warm breakfast. That will help take the chill out of your bones."

"Thank you. That sounds wonderful. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"If you would like there is a teapot over there." She pointed to a small lean-to. "You could make some tea. I think I have some in the hut, It has been a long time since I have had somebody to share tea with."

Aepida had no trouble finding the teapot. It was much finer than the one her mother used. She thought it might even be an import. She filled it with water just as the old woman brought out the tea.

"My mother always said two spoons for each cup and two for the pot," said Aepida as the old woman began adding the tea.

"Yes, yes," the woman replied. "Your mother sounds like a very intelligent woman. Maybe I will get to meet her someday."

"My mother also says a watched pot never boils."

The two women decided to do some chores to pass the time. The old woman looked into the water barrel, it was almost empty.

"We need water, the barrel is almost empty. Grab that bucket and follow me."

Aepida did as she was told. the woman led her through the forest to a brook a short distance from the edge of the wood. The water was sparkling fresh. She filled the bucket and followed the woman back to camp. The tea was finished. Dumping the bucket into the barrel, she joined the woman for a cup.

"Do you have a name? Or, do I just call you witch?"

"Do you have a grandma?" Her voice was softer, dream-like as if her thoughts were far away.

"Yes, I do."

"Oh." said the woman sadly.

"Would you like me to call you grandma?"

"Would you, could you?" the woman's face seemed to light up at the idea.

"I don't know of any reason why I shouldn't. I have two grandmas, I see no reason I can't have a third."

The woman's face lit up as if she had never been happier in her life.

"I think I should get busy cooking that breakfast I promised."

"I would like to help grandma. If I can,"

"Nothing would make me happier."

Soon the two women were dining on a syrupy sweet bread-like treat. Along with the tea, breakfast was a satisfying way to start the day. When finished they cleaned up and put things away.

"It's laundry day. Give me clothes." Grandma said.

"But, I have nothing to wear," Aepida replied.

"I don't think those trees are going to give a hoot one way or the other," said Grandma sarcastically looking up at the tall timbers surrounding them. Aepida laughed as handed her clothes to her.

"The water barrel still needs to be filled." Grandma reminded her.

Aepida started to protest again, but Grandma was already rolling her eyes up at the trees. She grabbed the bucket.

"If you wish. There is some soap right next to the barrel. You could freshen up while you're there. Don't take so long that I get worried and have to come looking for you."

Aepida thought that was a great idea and grabbed the soap before heading to the brook. She enjoyed the clean feeling after scrubbing herself. The water was a bit cold, which made her bath more invigorating. When she finished her bath, She took the bucket of water and poured it into the barrel. Leaving the soap where she had found it, she went back for another bucket. It took several trips to fill the barrel.

Grandma had been taking water from the barrel to wash Aepida's clothes. Now she removed her own clothes to wash. The clothes were hung on a line, strung between the lean-to and her hut. While Grandma washed. Aepida busied herself with gathering firewood, foraging for nuts and berries, and other small chores.

Now it was near noon, and Aepida fixed a lunch from the nuts and berries she had gathered. Grandma brewed some more tea.

"Why do you like me to call you Grandma?" asked Aepida

The woman sighed but remained silent. Aepida did not press the matter either. Finally, the woman spoke.

"When I was a young woman, I met a man. He was strong and handsome. He took one look at me and fell in love. He wooed me and finally won me over. The day he took me and made me his wife was magical. I can't even tell you how wonderful it was. He also gave me a baby that night. She was beautiful. My husband loved holding her. He would rock her in his arms while I sang to her. Even though she was just a babe you could tell how much she loved her Daddy."

The woman's voice began to crack. When she regained her composure, she continue almost as if she was in a trance.

"Then came the plague. She had not even taken her first steps. My husband died first. My baby, my daughter, died later that same day. It took me three days to dig his grave. He was a big man, it took all my strength to pull, push, drag, and roll him into the grave. He landed on his back. I was grateful for that, as I did not know how I would ever turn him over if he didn't."

Tears had formed in Aepida's eyes when she heard the first crack in the woman's voice. Now, tears flowed down her cheeks like a waterfall. The woman's eyes teared as well. She seemed to be unaware of Aepida's presence as she continued.

"I went back and picked up my baby. I climbed down a ladder into the grave with my husband. I placed her in his arms. They lay there, in death as they so often did in life. I lay down next to him weeping, wishing that someone would come along and cover us so we could be together forever. But, no one came. I climbed out of the grave. Then I covered my husband and daughter. She would have had children of her own now. I would have been a grandmother."

Aepida was so overcome that she could not speak. All she could do was sob uncontrollably. Homesickness, Hans, and the woman's story all ganged up on her emotions. She wept so hard that she could barely breathe.

"Oh," Grandma said. She had narrated the story trance-like and had not noticed Aepida's emotional state. Now she regretted telling it.

"Honey, don't fret so. It was a long time ago." Grandma said. She was lacking words that would comfort her. She just sat there holding her until she could cry no more.

Aepida stood up, motioning for Grandma to stay where she was. She walked over to the water barrel, took a rag, and washed her face slowly. The moisture cooled her off and allowed her to regain control over herself. She walked back to where Grandma was. Sitting next to her, she hugged the old woman.

"I am sorry Grandma. It was such a touching story. I could not help myself."

Grandma did not answer, just hugged her back.

They spent the rest of the afternoon tidying up camp, filling the water barrel, and other miscellaneous. Grandma kept vanishing into her hut. Aepida did not bother her for fear of disturbing her mourning.

The night began to fall. Their clothes had dried. They dressed and sat down to dinner much later than yesterday. Aepida bid Grandma good night and took her place by the fire.

Grandma spoke. "No more child, come with me."

Though she was confused, she followed the old woman into the hut.

"I fixed you a bed of your own," she said. "From now on. as long as you stay here you will sleep in here."

Aepida did not know what to say as she looked at the cot the woman had made for her. In many ways, it was more luxurious than her bed at home. Furs were stacked on top of each other to form a mattress. Another served as a blanket. As she sat down to try it, she looked up and thanked the old woman for her generosity. Saying good night they snuggled into their respective beds.

Aepida woke up later than usual. The morning air was crisp and she stayed snuggled in the bed a few minutes longer. Grandma had breakfast ready when she emerged from the hut.

"Good morning," Grandma said cheerfully. "Come on, sleepy head, breakfast awaits."

"I am sorry, grandma," said Aepida. "The bed was so luxurious. I slept so soundly."

"It is ok, child. I let you sleep in on purpose. We have work to do today. When we are done, you will have earned those few extra moments of slumber. Now come over here and eat."

Breakfast looked the same, but there was a change in taste. It was not unpleasant, just different. Grandma noticed her trying to figure out what the new flavor was.

"I added a few herbs that warriors often use to increase their stamina. Today we start training for the task that is ahead of you."

Aepida was saddened. She almost forgot the reason she was here. She would have gladly kept her place by the campfire if she could have just dropped the burden of her destiny. They ate breakfast in silence. When they had finished cleaning up, Grandma went into the hut and reappeared with something wrapped in cloth, and picked up a hatchet. She bid Aepida to come with her to the table. She unwrapped a pair of sandals and set them on the table. Taking the hatchet, she tried to hack the sandals to pieces, but to no avail.

"These sandals are made of Szoren cloth. They are practically indestructible."

She handed them to Aepida to examine. There was not a mark on them. Aepida was awed.

"These are the first gift you shall receive on your journey. Try them on. It is said that they are enchanted. They will fit the wearer perfectly."

Aepida did as she was told and found that, they did indeed, fit her perfectly. As she walked around in them, she felt a surge of strength.

"Now," said Grandma. "Go down to where you fetch the water. Keep the woods on your left and run around the forest as fast as you can."

Aepida looked at Grandma in disbelief.

"Do as I say, child. Have some faith in me. I would not ask you if I did know you could do it."

Aepida did not reply but went as she was bid to the stream. Positioning the woods to her left, she began to run. She was surprised at how far she had gotten before she was gasping for air. She tried not to slow down, but her lungs began to burn. Just when she thought she might collapse, a burst of energy filled her. She was able to keep the pace she started with. Her chest ached, but she felt energized. Before she realized it she was back at the stream, and the entrance to the camp.

When Grandma saw her she smiled wide. She assisted Aepida to the table. Then sat her down, and fetched her some water. It took some time before she could do more than take sips of the water. Let alone speak.

"How do you feel child?" asked Grandma.

Gasping Aepida answered. "Hurt....all....over....thought....I....might.....pass out."

Grandma let her rest and drink the water until she could speak, though slowly.

"I didn't think I was going to make it. I almost passed out. Just as I thought I was going to collapse, a surge of energy filled me and I was able to complete it. Despite how tired I was.

"It is the sandals, my dear. Their magic gives you armor, strength, endurance, and agility. They can only enhance abilities you already possess. The more you practice the more you increase those abilities."

Aepida nodded.

"Do not ever take them off."

When Aepida recovered, they went about their daily chores. There was not that much to do. Grandma suggested that she should try jumping. She was amazed at how high and far she was able to go. It was fun. She could jump up to the branches of the trees, and climb them. Soon she found she could jump from tree to tree with amazing agility and stability. The more she tried the more she found that she was able to do.

Though she enjoyed the power and grace that the sandals gave her, she knew this was for serious business. When she stopped for lunch, she felt a bit melancholy.

When late afternoon came around, Grandma had Aepida run around the wood again. This time her faith in the enchanted sandals allowed her to complete it faster, and not nearly as breathlessly.

When she got back to camp, Grandma was fixing dinner. Aepida eagerly helped her finish the preparations. They ate dinner silently. As they finished, Grandma spoke.

"Now that we have gotten to know each other, your real training begins tomorrow."

Aepida nodded. She finally had to accept and acknowledge why she was here. Her heart was heavy. She liked, even loved her. Now they had to get down to business. Still, she would always be Grandma to her.

As they were getting ready for bed, Aepida reached down to remove the sandals when she remembered what Grandma had told her.

"Never take them off.".

She fell fast asleep.

Grandma and Aepida woke at about the same time. While Grandma fixed breakfast, Aepida made her run around the wood. When she returned, she filled the water barrel. Then sat down at the table to eat. They talked about training. They talked about home and their fears. Aepida was feeling extra homesick this morning. Grandma tried her best to soothe her. She understood how Aepida was feeling. The comfort of the past and the uncertainty of the future is a heavy burden to bear. Let alone that all life was on her shoulders.

After breakfast, Grandma brought another gift from her hut. This one was much longer than the first one. She slowly unwrapped it in front of Aepida. It was a sword in its scabbard. The scabbard and handle were black. Both were intricately carved with raised images of a bull. The heads carved into the leather covering the handle provided a sure grip.

Grandma removed the sword from its sheath and placed it in Aepida's hand. As she gripped the handle, she immediately felt a surge of power run through her.

"I remember legends of such a sword. It is made of some unknown magical element. It was forged for a god." said Aepida.

"It is the sword of Sthogas. In the ages when the worlds formed, there was a great dispute. Some gods battled to keep the universe for themselves. They believed the universe was created for them. All other life were considered parasites that needed to be exterminated."

Sthogas was the leader of that faction that loved the life forms made of flesh. He found them fascinating. Like children, they developed over time. He thought they had great potential. One of those life forms helped create this sword. It was enchanted to memorize all the moves and strategies of his victories. As he developed his skills, the sword absorbed them into it. Now whoever wields the sword, who is worthy, has Sthogas fighting alongside them, guiding them. Since you and I are here, I don't think I need to tell you which side won."

Grandma set the sword on the table propped so the sharp edge was up. She then went to fetch a leaf from a nearby tree. She pushed the leaf onto the blade. It did no damage to the leaf or Grandma's hand. Grandma instructed Aepida to pick up the sword and hold it with the sharp edge up. Grandma dropped the leaf. It fluttered down to the blade and by its own weight, was cut in two.

"Congratulations my dear. The sword deems you worthy to wield it," said Grandma. "It would be worthless in the hands of one who has no empathy for others. Even I cannot wield it. I am merely the courier."

Aepida was both proud and saddened by this revelation because of the heavy responsibility it bore. Next began the lessons. First were the stances for defense and then the ones for the attack. It was a legend that whosoever was able to wield the sword would be filled with the experience and knowledge of Sthogas. His talent would become the wielder's talent. Aepida felt the power from the minute she picked up the sword. However, the ability and strength to carry out those talents require training and practice.

Every day Aepida practiced, trained, and improved. Until the day came that it was time for her to go and fulfill her destiny. On to Alogroth. Grandma appeared from her hut.

"This is the last gift I have for you. It is a cloak. Its main function is to conceal the sword. It is also enchanted to hide you from the beast's spies. Carry your mother's shawls as well. You will be tried on your way. Trust your instincts. I would carry that burden for you if I could. "

Aepida wept as she hugged and thanked the old woman. She kissed her cheek, then headed toward the road.

'