"Are you sure you won't tell me what you're going to ask the witch?" Alice pouted, pressing her body against yours.
You couldn't help but chuckle at her shamelessness, trying to arouse a response from you. "It's a surprise. Trust me, you won't be disappointed when you see what it is, " you smirk, gently pushing her aside so you can step out of your small house, the full offering bag slung over your shoulder.
"Make sure you're home before nightfall alright?" Alice places her small fists on her hips, looking at you sternly and with concern. "The hills aren't safe after sundown. I don't want you to encounter a faun, a goblin or.... Whatever else might lurk in those mountains. Promise me, " she pleads.
You roll your eyes. " I won't linger on the road, I promise." you say, blowing Alice a kiss and waving her goodbye as you make your way through the village and up the snaking path up the hill toward the Witch's hut.
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You take a moment to catch your breath, sitting on a nearby stone. The path up the hill was never an easy one, and no matter wether you were the weakest child or the strongest warrior, everyone arrived at the top strangely exhausted in the same way.
You took in the horizon, the lazily drifting clouds above the quiet village, panting softly as you gathered you wits.
When you breathing was once more steady and strong, you knocked on the old, warped wooden door.
Once. Twice. Thrice. No more, no less. Everyone in Wayover knew the rules and everyone obeyed them.
The door gently creaked inward, revealing a small and crowded interior filled with shelves, jars, books and strange tools, all illuminated by the green light of a fel flame burning in the fireplace.
Sat on a rocking chair, a slender young woman turned her head towards you. Her hair and eyes were pure darkness, without any reflected light.... Or maybe it was just a trick your mind played in you?
Still, the strange young lady gave you a large grin, her teeth strangely white and pearly. Her luscious curves were only covered by a thin purple veil that fell to her feet like a dress, yet covered nothing of her body, her small, perky breasts and bald, enticing sex shamelessly exposed to you as she stood to greet you.
You knew better than to let yourself drawn in by her supernatural beauty. If the tales were to be believed, she was as old as Wayover itself, maybe even more! Despite looking like a young woman, fertile and lustful, it was common knowledge that the witch was much older than her perky flesh hinted at.
"Let me guess... You're... Young lady Celandine aren't you?" she giggled. Her voice was soft as silk and her laugh as clear as crystal bells and you felt your mouth go dry as she extended a dainty hand toward you.
Nervously, you gathered her hand in yours and bowed your head respectfully.
" Wise Rati, Witch of the high peak and benevolent seer, I humbly prostrate myself before your power and bene..." you started saying, before being interrupted by a sharp, exasperated sigh.
"Please, I'm not in the mood for dry and pointless protocol. My headache *just* vanished and I'd be very cross if it came back. So... I'd appreciate it if you got to the reason of your visit, young girl." the Witch said dismissively.
You felt your cheeks flush red as you briefly considered turning tail and going back home rather than reveal the shameful, lusty things you yearned for to this intimidating woman.
You gathered whatever courage you had and took the plunge.
" I uhm... I came here because... Uhm... "