Annie followed after the old woman as they walked past the trees, Annie was in her own thoughts, she did not think that she was doing anything bad by helping the old woman, yes, Katarina did tell them not to go out and stay indoors at all times, but she also told them to not go into the colony, so Annie thought that she was fine as long as he stayed in the forest.
Besides, the old woman did not seem dangerous at all, she looked rather harmless, and Annie had respect for the elderly, that was just how she was raised, and after hearing that the old woman had tripped, she could not bring herself to just let the old woman go back home all on her own.
"I did not know that people lived in the forest" said Annie as the old woman smiled and she looked at her.
"Oh they don't dear, I am the only one that lives in here" said the old woman as she replied.
"And why is that? Isn't it too risky for you to live alone, and I don't mean to sound offensive, but you are elderly" said Annie as the old woman laughed.
"No you do not sound offensive at all dear, you are right, but I just prefer to be alone, in here, no one can disturb you, you are all on your own, in the peace and quiet" replied the woman as she smiled.
"I see" said Annie.
"Yes my dear, the only two people that live in here is me and Katarina, she built her house up here because she prefers seclusion over anything else" said the old woman as she smiled.
"I see, are you very good friends with Katarina, if you don't mind me asking, I think that I am asking too many questions" said Annie as she smiled.
"No not at all dear, I don't mind, I like all your questions" said the old woman as she smiled, Annie was much more lively than Katarina, which was something that she liked.
"I am good friends with Katarina, I had my house here before Katarina came along, you could say that we are neighbours" said the old woman as she smiled.
"Ahh I see" said Annie as she smiled.
"But doesn't it ever get lonely being in here all alone?" asked Annie as she looked at the old woman and they passed a mighty big tree.
"Well sometimes yes, but what I lose in loneliness I gain in a beautiful peaceful scenery" said the old woman as she replied.
"Ahh we are here" said the old woman as she and Annie walked past some trees as Annie saw a little cottage painted white that looked rather cosy and beautiful.
"You have a very nice house" said Annie as she looked at the old woman and she smiled.
"Thank you dear, I do try" said the old woman as she took the basket from Annie and she smiled as she walked to the front door of her cottage.
"Would you like to come inside? Let me thank you for helping me" said the old woman with a smile.
"Ahh no, I don't think that is necessary, I have to go now, I am sure that my friends would be wondering where I am" said Annie as she smiled.
"Oh that's alright dear, thank you once again for being so sweet" said the old woman as she smiled.
"It's my pleasure" said Annie as she smiled.
"Oh mind me, where are my manners, my name is Griselda, you can just call me Griselda, or Elda if you please" said Griselda as she smiled.
"It is nice to meet you Griselda, my name is Annie, and I really have to go now before my friends start worrying" said Annie as she smiled.
"Alright dear, bye" said Griselda as she smiled and Annie turned around to walk away.
"It was nice to meet you Annie Grey" said Griselda with a smile as Annie stopped right in her tracks as she turned to look at Griselda with a shocked expression on her face.
"How do you know my last name?" asked Annie in shock as she looked at Griselda, she did not tell Griselda her last name, she only said that her name was Annie, how then did Griselda know that she was a Grey.
"It is rather obvious my dear, your green eyes, the nice and kind heart that you have" said Griselda as she smiled.
"Griselda, I think that you are mistaking me for somebody else" said Annie as she quickly composed herself, she did not want to panic right now, she had to keep her cool.
"Oh dear Annie, you cannot hide who you truly are, and much more less from me" said Griselda as she smiled.
"Why are you trying to hide your identity?" asked Griselda as she smiled.
"I really do think that you have mistaken me for someone else" said Annie as she shook her head.
"My dear, there is no need to lie, there is only the two of us here, you can rest assured that I will do nothing to harm you" said Griselda as she smiled and Annie sighed.
"Does Katarina know who I am?" asked Annie as she sighed, Griselda was right, there was no need lying anymore.
"No she doesn't and don't worry, I won't tell her if you don't want her to know" said Griselda as she smiled and Annie sighed in relief.
"Then how do you know who I am?" asked Annie on confusion.
"They call me the Seer my dear, I can see things, past, present and sometimes future, it is a gift of mine" said Griselda as she smiled.
"It is?" asked Annie as Griselda nodded.
"So you have seen me before now?" asked Annie.
"Well no my dear, my powers don't quite work like that, I can only see things that I have seen, if that makes sense" said Griselda as she nodded.
"And at first, I was not really sure if you were a Grey or not, but now that I have met you in person, I know that I was right" said Griselda as she smiled and Annie nodded and she was trying to understand all of this.
"So you… you don't hate me?" asked Annie.
"Why would I hate you dear?" asked Griselda in surprise.
"Because I am a Grey, the main cause for all the problems in the witch realm and beyond" said Annie as she sighed.
"No my dear, that is nonsense, why would I hate you just because you are a Grey? And as for you being the main cause of all the Witch Realm's problems, that's just nonsense, because if it wasn't you, it would be something else" said Griselda as she smiled.
"You may think like that, but not everyone does" said Annie as she sighed.
"Oh cheer up dear, people are free to think whatever they want" said Griselda as she smiled, she could tell that Annie had a good, nice, kind heart, which she was letting get weak because of the stupid people around her.
"Anyway, would you like to come inside for some tea?" asked Griselda as she smiled.
"I would love to, but I don't want Katarina and the others wondering where I am" said Annie.
"It won't take too long my dear, just a quick cup of tea" said Griselda as she smiled.
Annie did not know why, but she felt like she could trust Griselda.
"Oh well alright then, only for a little while" said Annie as she smiled.
"Come in dear, come in" said Griselda as she opened the door and Annie smiled as she walked past Griselda into the cottage.
"Thank you Griselda" said Annie as she smiled and Griselda smiled as she closed the door behind them.
Griselda smiled as she put the woven basket in her hand on the ground as she gestured that Annie sit on the brown couch as Annie did so.
"Would you like any specific blend of tea dear?" asked Griselda as she looked at Annie.
"No, any blend is fine" said Annie as she smiled.
"Alright dear, I will be right back, please make yourself at home" said Griselda as she smiled and she removed her black cloak as she hung it on the coat rack and she walked into another room that seemed to be the kitchen.
A few minutes later, Griselda walked out of the kitchen with a tray that had a white teacup and two teacups as she set it on the little table and she poured some tea for Annie as she gave the teacup to Annie.
"Thank you" said Annie as she smiled and Griselda smiled as she sat beside her and Annie took a sip of her tea, it tasted sweet.
"You know, I never knew that Katarina was such a good host" said Griselda as she smiled.
"Yes she is very hospitable and nice" said Annie as she smiled.
"Of course she is, very nice" said Griselda as she smiled.