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 ?.