I went to sleep late in evening , the weather beyond the walls raged on , the beams of the roof creeked under the blasts of wind , after calming my mind I finally slipped into sleep ...
Flashing lights seemed to be all around , where is around what is around where am I ...
Cold ...
Its cold , coming to with a shiver crawling up my spine .
It's wet , it moves , it must be water ...
Half awake and in daze , I finally opend my eyes , looking around with a start !!
I see no beams , I see no walls , but I see the trees of forest and the river whoes bank on which I now lay .
I shiver as I try to stand , at panics gate , I try calm my mind as I struggle to stand , before I can take a step I stumble with a twist , and fall with a splash into the river !
"Its cold " I stammer to myself .
I stand up , after 3 attempts to get up I finally manage to stand and walk out of the water , as it lapped at my heals almost as if to say I'm still here .
The only sounds are those of the dribbling waters of the river and rustling of the leaves on the trees .
While being chilled by the wind and clearing my mind I thought back to the days before , had I , done something, something that lead to this turn of events?
________
In my memories , only one interaction comes to mind .
It was a bright midday on a monday in the town of Burr ~ a small town on the southern Island of the western Nero teritory.
Small houses and cobblestone roads filled the land within the limits known as Burr .
The talk of the town of late was of a craven nature , a witch of unknown origin and intention had arrived near our town , her arrival though sudden and without announcement by said witch , the eyes and ears of town still found her .
With the mystery of the unknown before me I Felix Felis decided to investigate or loose my reputation as a nosy naibour , I title I wear with pride .
With my mind made up I set off , approaching as one does with vigor and a look of confidence.
Passing by the larg stone gateway , I take a good look at the arch of chiseled stone its light grey , backed by a dark shadow to its north as it opens to the town , almost like the story of the boy who ventured out from his parents shadow to leave his own to make his mark , here the Villager is the child and the Village the parents , or at the least it seemed that way to me .
I was a few paces out the gate facing the Village through the gate , I took a good look at the top , the name Burr was etched into the stone , as I turn away I see the tree at the side of the arch , as I smile I start to remember a fond memory I was told if ever i need to find north look for a tree with lichen and know it will help you find north since In the north it grows on the trees south side .
With this memory I find my strength and and continue on , on towards the witch or a misunderstood naibour .
With the Village to my back I enter the nearby forest its name is the Reer forest mostly sproos and pine the tall trees seem to scrape the sky , over head a murder a crows fly over the caws ring out loud with the patter of wings beating the air, rather ominous to experience , fitting in well with cold .
After a few minutes walking the house taken by the witch comes into view , its thatched roof shows signs of repair new and old grasses mixed in , the area around has been cleared for ease of movement , stones placed on top of each other and some sort of filler where the walls with a larg door and two windows facing out on ether side of the door , it was a neat oval shaped small house with a chimny , smoke rose and followed the flow of the wind as it rose from the chimney , nothing seemed odd nor out of place !
With my hand on my chin I pondered ,
What made the Villagers assume witch ?
As if someone was at my side I whispered - " A witch? where for there is not one here !"
I was so focused in my pondering I did not notice the third window poking out out of the thatched roof , this window was open ...
A figure I could bearly make out was at the window peering out right at me !!
All I could do is stand still and look at the figure unsure if I should introduce myself .
I muster my courage and step forward with my heart beat the only thing I could hear , the startled me , steped forward ...
I tried to speak but no words would come out , my mouth was to dry , just then as I raised my arm to greet , I head a sweet and smooth voice like that of a singer in song .
" Who are you ? What is your purpose dear sir ? " Said the figure calmly
My answer was , " I am Felix Felis , from the village of Burr and I am here to meet with you , romours of your arrival had reached my ears and spurred on by my nosey nature I had to take look and see , and who might you be miss ? ".
"I am but a humble woman looking for a place to rest my head and a place to call my home I did not mean to cause a stir !!" She answered with her voice trailing off towards the end.
"I am Rullia Lavender " said Rullia .
"Greetings Miss Lavender its nice to meet you " I replied.
" Oh please , you can call me Rullia , so what of these romours?" Rullia asked .
With my head lowerd I prepared to speak of the not so kind romours going around .
" You see , there has been speculation that you are , well a witch , but non can offer up any proof to that end ." I said felling rather awkward .
" Hahaha that's nice , well spread the news its true , Yes I am a witch !!! " She answered with pride .
" Oh but im a good kind witch so tell them not worry I mean no harm , but I am able to help those who are ill !" She exclaimed with pride .
I looked calmly at her silhouette , as I was about to ask her a pressing question , she called out !
"Ah excuse me , hold that thought , let me come down so we may have a proper talk , perhaps over a cup of tea ? "
Before I could utter a word , the window was closed and I was left to wait ...
Rullia called out , " Hey Felix , you can come closer I wont bite ! "
Though I could hear her and her little chuckle the person in question was not visable .
Stepping forward inching closer , heart beating as fast bees wings , I took a breath at every step , letting out a large breath some what quickly , I begun thinking about our interaction thus far , scratching my head as a wave of relief washes over me , I sigh , in my mind I say " she is overly friendly , she is not on guard , why am I ? " .
As the door to the Witches house opens , my heart starts racing as though im stepping into the unknown .
Standing in the door frame left hand on the door handle holding it open ....
What I saw was a beautiful woman deep green eyes, small pointed nose a small mouth with cherry red lips and a shapely frame to hold it all up covered in a green robe , while unable to look away with my flushing face and ears , I slowly moved my gaze up from her two bare feet and green robes and noticed her long brown hair which was draped over her shoulders like a beautiful waterfall that stopped just above her collar bone .
"Surprised are you ? or maybe intranced ? " She said laughing .
" Ah I ..." was all I could stammer out .
Tilting her head to side , she seemed to look at me but not only at me almost through me .
She then gestured with a small chin jut to the small table and chairs next to the door .
"Please take a seat "
She said kindly but quietly as she turned back into the house .
After I sat down in the one chair facing the door I noticed a pleasant smell in the air , it was the unmistakable aroma of coffee , I closed my eyes to enjoy the smell .
" Im sorry im afraid I don't often have guests and have run out of tea , I hope coffee will be acceptable ? "
She said apologetically .
Her face showed she was worried I thought how cute !.
After seeming lost in her sweetness I finally said ...
" Coffee is perfect , it seems fate is smiling on us today ...
I actually prefur coffee .
What is your preference ? "
I replied and asked a secondary question in hopes of easing her worries .
She smiled , while letting out a large breath seeming to be rather releaved.
After which she replied .. " Im so glad I was worried your would be offended , by bringing out coffee after offering tea seems rather rude , but im glad it was you who came calling as my first guest .
I do prefur coffee myself , I find tea bland but its ok for now and then .
So would you care for a bunch of grapes with your coffee , im afraid I don't have anything else to offer with it ."
"Yes thank you , grapes would be lovely , to be honest I usual add a little milk to coffee , but I do indulge in a cup of black coffee to really get a good taste of the bean !"
Was my reply , I said so to keep the mood and keep the conversation flowing , while we spoke in turn our talk was still stiff , I began to wonder how to ease the flow of our communication .
As though struck by lightening , an idea popped with a flash into my mind!!
There was a stop to the conversation as we both seemed to go quiet creating a awkward atmosphere but it was in this lull that inspiration struck ...
Full of hope and a fire to impress I called out to her .
"Say Rullia , perhaps its best to not admit to being a witch and rather say your a apothecary , looking to set new roots , and hope this town will be a suitable home going forward ? "
She seemed intrigued by my idea but as soon as I finished my statement her faced seemed to cloud over and she did not seem receptive to the idea , infact id say she was bothered by it .
"I know you mean well Felix ...
However I do not wish to start a new life based on a lie !
Lies like fleas bring nothing but irritation and problems , im here to blend in be a part of it not work against the flow ."
Rullia turned away , her face and her eyes were sad as though something was lost forever and with this it seemed to sour her mood .
" Im sorry Rullia, I didnt mean to upset you nor asume to tell you how to live , although I admit I was hoping it would help , it seems I was following my own flow without any consideration of your feelings on a matter that is yours to deal with . "
After my apology a pause where nothing was said followed .
The silence with defning weather out of worry or discomfort I asked a question that had been nagging at me for a while .
" So why did you decide on this town and why did you need to move ?
I only ask since the more I know the more I can say and the more I can do to ease your stay !! ."
She finally turned to face me her face was puzzled , with in a few seconds she was standing with a small motion of her rist I was surrounded by a bright purple light !! After a moment I saw her mutter somthing under her breath ..
I was now weightless and turning in the air next I was dropped to the floor in front of my own small house .
That was my memory of what happened with my first meeting with the Witch Rullia Lavender , a witch she is indeed I am truly a believer in that , but is she friend or foe or perhaps neutral??
This question and weather its what I said that had her react like that ?.