Danica opened the door to Mira’s apothecary, the smell of pungent plants and other items assaulted her senses the moment she entered. It wasn’t wholly unpleasant here, but she couldn’t really imagine being trapped inside the store for too long. She often wondered if poor Mira could even still smell anything after so many years of running the place.

Everywhere she looked were bins of dried herbs and shriveled roots, just waiting their turn to sell. Vials, many amber colored with mysterious contents, lined the shelves. Occasionally there were odd devices scattered around, and Danica wondered what strange things they were for. Perhaps they were of mysterious origin or just simple decorations to draw in customers.

An old woman perused a shelf nearby, paying no heed to the dark elf girl that just walked in. Danica watched her for a moment as gnarled fingers deftly combed through the bottles. She got a strange feeling from the woman but couldn’t seem to figure out why exactly. Had she seen her somewhere before and was not remembering it?

“Ah, the dark elf girl.” A dark skinned woman stepped from behind some beaded curtains from the back of the shop. “I am glad to see you well. I had heard rumors of your sudden disappearance and return.”

Danica nodded in greeting to Mira. “It’s good to see you Mira.”

Mira, the daughter of Pazunian merchants, had moved to Norport as a young woman during an economic crisis on the southwestern island nation. Eventually Pazunia recovered and began to thrive once again, sending their ships far and wide. Mira decided to stay though and make Norport her home, though she always complained about the bitter cold.

Mira motioned for her to approach, her many bracelets clinking as she moved. “Come girl. Let us do business, and then we shall talk about things.” It was a custom of her people that differed greatly from the usual way. Business dealings seemed to dictate the amount of pleasantry one could expect afterwards.

Danica pulled out a list and stared at it a moment. Though she had learned to read, sometimes it was still difficult making out the handwriting of various people. “Angela wants another order of tea, and I need two vials of somber root tincture.”

“Having trouble sleeping then?” Mira began scooping the tea from a nearby crate into a thin leather pouch.

“I also need…” Danica stammered somewhat trying to say it. “I need black nettle flowers”

Mira immediately stopped scooping and looked at Danica, her brow furrowed. “Those are only used for one thing. You are aware, yes?”

Danica nodded in assent that she did know. “They told me, just in case… well…”

Mira catching on quickly raised her hand to silence her. “Say no more. However I do not carry that. It all goes across town to the women of the night. As you can imagine…” She paused and looked over Danica’s shoulder. “Can I help you?”

Danica turned around to see the older lady staring at them now. “Oh, I’m sorry to interrupt. I just wished to get this bottle of nusome weed.

Mira looked back at Danica. “Please excuse me for a moment.” She walked to the older woman and they bargained for a moment before agreeing to a price. She pocketed the money and bid the woman farewell before coming back to Danica. “So sorry, she’s a tad odd but she pays well.”

“I understand,” Danica remarked. She leaned against the counter, looking at various items with mild curiosity while Mira finished the task at hand. “You were about to say something.”

“Ah, yes.” Mira’s face soured slightly. “The black nettle flowers. I do not like such things, but I do understand their necessity. The price on them can be rather prohibitive unfortunately as the demand is always present.”

Danica sighed in frustration, not with Mira, but with the hassle of everything happening. She knew the woman spoke the truth and knew as much about medicine as anyone she’d ever met. Still when the specter of worry constantly hung over your head, you struggled to make good decisions.

She thanked Mira for the goods and put them on Angela’s running tab. Though tempting, she declined the offer of tea citing a need to get back home. Though in reality she needed a moment to think and preferred to do it somewhere with fresher air.

Danica exited the shop and started down the street, soft soles stepping lightly upon the smooth cobbles. She’d begun to contemplate if she should head across town to where they sold the flowers, perhaps taking an escort along for safety, when a haggard voice called out from behind her. Danica spun around quickly to find the old woman from Mira’s trying to catch up to her.

“Hold child,” The old woman said, wheezing for air. “I’m not the spry young lass I used to be.”

Danica looked at her warily. “I’m not too trusting of strangers as of late.”

The old woman smiled at Danica and chuckled. “My name is Griselda. Strangers no more are we.”

She looked at the old woman thoughtfully and with a fair amount of curiosity. “Alright Griselda, what is it you want?”

“It isn’t so much what I want as it is what you are wanting I believe.” She held up a thin pale green piece of grass. “This is nusome weed. Many midwives make use of this to determine if a woman is with child. All you have to do is spit on it and if it turns dark, then you're carrying.”

Danica looked at the woman warily before taking the herb. It didn’t look like anything too remarkable, just a pungent smelling stalk of grass. It seemed strange, but there were indeed more curious things in this world she told herself. Perhaps this is fortune balancing out all the recent bad luck she’s dealt with. She steeled her resolve for a moment and then spit upon the weed.

It took only a few seconds to begin turning dark.

“Oh, dear,” the old woman bowed her head for a moment and shook it slightly. “Shame that a girl so young must endure such things.”

Danica steadied herself against the side of the building. “I… I can’t…”

“There, there,” Griselda said. She put her hand on Danica’s shoulder and patted it gently. “If you’d like, I can help you.”

Danica shook her head, tears falling down pale cheeks. “I don’t think I have the money for it.”

The old woman looked around for a moment. “Money isn’t the most important thing in this world. Come with me, Griselda will have you back to your old self in no time.”

She felt a bit of trepidation at first, but it was slowly giving way to the desperation to resolve this unfortunate situation. This wasn’t some thug in an alley after all, but an old woman. One who specialized in this sort of thing and Mira knew who she was at least. What choice did she really have anyways? She couldn’t bear to bring a child into a world like this, a world of misery and suffering.

She regained her composure and nodded to the old woman. “Alright then. What do I need to do?”

Griselda smiled. “Follow me, I do not live far.”

Danica followed her a few blocks away, through mostly quiet streets. It was a moderately cloudy day and sun barely shone through the cover. Cold winds blew down from the north, chilling her to the very bones it seemed. She had so much on her mind, wrestling with the conflicting emotions, that the temperatures seemed rather inconsequential. Too many thoughts, too many outcomes, so few good options to resolve them.

The old lady beckoned for Danica to follow her into a darkened alleyway, but she paused at the entrance and shook her head. “I don’t like the look of this place.”

Griselda puffed out her chest in indignation. “I worked for the common people, many of whom couldn’t pay for the services. Am I supposed to live in a palace with the servants catering to my needs?”

“I’m sorry,” Danica said. “It’s just that…” She motioned with her hand. “It just doesn’t look safe.”

“Perhaps,” Griselda nodded. “In the dark of night, ne’er do wells may prowl. So don’t be out later than necessary. Come if you want the help now. You can always come back in a few months when you’re due of course.”

The words stung Danica hard. “Alright, but don’t try and stop me if I want to leave.”

She nodded back towards the girl. “I wouldn’t dream of it dear child.”

They walked into the dark alleyway. Shadows from the tall buildings to either side blocked the sun completely, leaving a cool damp chill in the air. Moss grew between the cracks in the cobble and random garbage was strewn about. The worst part though, was the wind barely reached here, leaving the stagnant smell of waste and rotted bits of food to linger heavily in the air. Danica covered her nose with a rag, trying her best not to breathe the foul air. Griselda, she noticed, didn’t seem to mind and stepped rather more lively than before.

They came before a set of stone steps leading down underneath the building. The rocks were slick with mud, but they stepped down over them easily enough. She opened the lock to an aged, but sturdy wooden door. Its splintered boards were banded with thin blackened iron running horizontal along the top and bottom. It was out of place here, but perhaps it was meant to ensure security against all but the most determined thief.

Inside was so unlike what she was expecting from the outside. It was cozy and warm, with candles burning in glass holders and a fireplace was heating a small pot on the hearth. Scents of spices hung cloyingly in the air, inviting her curiosity to seek their origins. Antlers and draperies hung upon the walls, while thick rugs padded the floors. It was cozy here, so much so, that all her inhibitions and worries seemed to melt away.

“Have a seat on the chair and warm yourself by the fire.” Griselda pointed over to one of the 2 chairs by the fire. “Care for some tea dear?”

Danica wondered if perhaps that was what created such an intoxicating aroma in the air. “Yes please,” she said, eager for a taste. Perhaps a bit too eager.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

The old lady laughed a little and busied herself with pouring out a cup of the hot, green tinted liquid for Danica. “You never told me your name. Or should I just call you girl?”

“Danica ma’am” She took the offered cup and smelled the sweet spices inhaling deeply of the earthly fragrance.

“Interesting. Well Danica,” Griselda said, taking a seat. “Herbs have their uses, but they also have their limits. What do you know about magic?”

Danica paused mid sip and looked at her curiously. “People do magic tricks at festivals, but those are just sleight of hand movements usually. I was always told real magic was forbidden and dangerous.”

Griselda nodded at the response. “And who exactly says that it’s so bad?”

Danica thought about it for a moment, but she couldn’t really say. She’d always assumed it was bad since people seemed so suspicious of magic users, but then again, people assumed she was bad just because she was different from their own views of normalcy.

“Honestly,” Danica said thoughtfully, “I don’t really know. All I know is that it’s been outlawed throughout Andesty.”

“Indeed it has, girl,” Griselda said with a snap of her bony fingers. “They outlawed it for the common folk, but they use it behind closed doors for their own needs. How do you think the Aganossis family got to be the lords of the land? They used powerful sorcery during the Fae Rebellion and have been ruling the land since then.”

Danica looked to her curiously. “Does Lord Rowan use it?”

Griselda looked at her for a moment, rubbing her chin, then shrugging. “Rowan doesn’t have the spark, but he employs those that do.”

Danica took a drink of the tea, letting the spicy taste of it tingle her senses. “How do you know about this?”

Griselda snapped her fingers and a book flew from the desk into her waiting hands. She rested it in her lap and smiled at Danica’s befuddled expression. “Magic is neither good nor evil, but a force of power that can do a great many things. The people who use it determine the morality of its use.”

Danica stared with fascination at the book, its gnarled bark cover resembled its owner in many ways. She thought there was a face-like design on the cover that sort of reminded her of a screaming tree. It was the first time in her life that she’d ever seen an authentic spellbook or the use of real magic. She felt nervous, but also excited at seeing a demonstration of true magical abilities.

She looked to the old woman with understanding. “So you’ve a plan to use magic to help me? Will it… hurt?”

She gave a wry smile and shook her head. “There may be some discomforts due to you never feeling a true arcane touch, but it’s nothing too out of the ordinary. Like touching ice after being warmed by the fire.”

“Alright,” Danica said. She finished the tea and set down her now empty cup, looking at Griselda with a hint of nervousness in her voice. “What do I have to do?”

“Excellent!” The old woman clapped her hands in excitement. “Well first I’ll need to do a reading on you. It will give me a better understanding on how to proceed. You simply need to relax, and you may close your eyes if you’re so inclined.”

Danica shook her head, stealing herself for what was to come. She breathed in and out a few times and braced herself against the chair for the unexpected moment. Mentally she kept telling herself to relax and calm down, this woman meant her no harm. It took a few moments, but she had managed to calm herself to a moderate extent. It was about as good as she could do given the circumstances.

Griselda's book began to hover in the air, flipping through pages on its own. She began to chant and green tinted flames began to form around her body, dancing wildly to the words of power. She watched in shock as they nearly hit the ceiling and then shot out, wrapping around her. She almost jumped out of the chair, but then realized that they were simply connecting to her, not grabbing. She could feel a slight tickle inside her mind and nothing more.

The chanting stopped and Griselda screwed up her face a bit. “Relax. Do not fight it. Yes, there you go. Oh, I see now.”

Danica began to feel several emotions flare up suddenly. She was angry, sad, afraid, apathetic, happy, and feeling accomplished, all in the span of a few moments. Memories were flooding in one after another and flashing back out just as fast. She wondered if it was part of the ritual or a side effect from it.

Griselda’s eyes went wide with amazement and the green light faded away from them. She looked at Danica and nodded. “You’re quite the fighter girl, I’m impressed. You made it out of that filthy man's grasp with your life.”

“You read my mind,” Danica said through gritted teeth, seething with anger.

“I did and told you as much before,” She stated, wrinkled finger stuck into the air.

The green tendrils still connected the two of them together, flowing gently like a breeze in the field. They simply touched upon them both, creating a connection from the aether. Danica wondered for a brief moment if she’d be able to connect her mind to Griselda’s. She pushed her thoughts out ever so slightly, concentrating on the possibility.

Griselda chuckled. “You wouldn’t want that child. I’ve seen horrors unimaginable to you in my many years of life.”

“Sorry,” danica said sheepishly, though she still felt rather angry at her own mental intrusion.

Griselda nodded. “You’ve seen horrors too. What that man did to you was a terrible thing. He took from you what no one had a right to take, and it haunts you still, does it not?”

“Yes,” Danica shouted. She felt the anger and hatred inside, and now it was bubbling violently to the surface. “I didn’t do anything to deserve that!”

Griselda raised her voice as well to match the crescendo of rage, the book still floating beside her. She jumped out of her seat and pointed to Danica, “That moment will follow you always. No matter who you wish to love, you will remember his touch upon your skin. I can take away those feelings and give you peace girl, just tell me you want it.”

“I want it,” Danica screamed at the woman, tears running down her cheeks. “Please, help me!”

The green flames flared brightly, illuminating the entire room in a sickly glow. Griselda let loose a shrill mocking laughter and the book began to flip through pages again. Soon the old woman began her magical incantations anew. Danica could have sworn she noticed the face-like entity on the cover moving its mouth along with the chants.

She didn’t have long to look at it as pain began to wrack her body. She fell to the floor and started to spasm erratically, kicking away the nearby furniture. Her spine arched against the floor so hard that at one point, only her head and feet were supporting her body. It felt as if the old woman were ripping out her insides. Danica tried to scream loudly, but no sound would come from her mouth.

Tendrils of yellow, much like the greenish hued fire, shot from her body. They coalesced into a glowing yellow sphere like a small sun, yet providing no real warmth. With every thread that left her body, she felt more hollow inside. It was a sickening apathy, the likes of which she’d never imagined. No matter how much she tried to resist, at this point there was nothing she could do.

Finally the spell subsided, leaving her a feeling like an empty husk upon the cold stone floor. She watched the old woman pull a bottle from her robes and emptied the nusome weed onto the ground. She held the empty bottle to the glow and it poured itself slowly into the glass tube. Once it had finished, she stopped it up with the cork and smiled at the newly acquired prize. It glowed ever so slightly against the dark amber glass, pulsing in time with her heartbeat.

Danica knew something wasn’t right about any of this. She crawled to her knees, steadying herself against the seat of the chair. “What… What did you do to me?”

Griselda knelt down into her face and grinned, her misshapen and rotted teeth on full display. “I did as you asked. I took the part of your soul that controls lustful desire, so you’ll not have to suffer those feelings.”

Danica stared at her horrified. “You stole my soul?”

“Only part.” Griselda shook the bottle lightly at Danica. “You’ll do just fine without it.”

The gut wrenching feeling inside of her was simply too much to bear. She’d never wanted that and certainly wouldn’t ever ask for such a thing. Danica gritted her teeth in frustration and snatched the bottle from Griselda. The elderly woman tried to resist, but Danica overpowered her easily. She shoved her hard against the wall, hearing a sickening thud as soft flesh met hard stone.

With the vial in hand, she made a break for the door. Her hand neared the knob and froze in place. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t seem to move forward any further. Danica looked around and saw the green tendrils latching her to Griselda still. They seemed to flare brighter the more she struggled to break free from their now solid grip.

Griselda slowly rose from the floor, a trickle of blood running down her wrinkled face. She brushed her gnarled hand across the crimson trail and tasted it. She smiled now, the red stains rimming the rot on her teeth. She pointed to Danica and wagged her finger.

“I should kill you,” She said. “But I cannot. If I did, your essence would dissipate.”

“Let me go,” Danica yelled. She struggled against the ropy essence holding her fast, but it was no use. “I never agreed to this.”

Griselda chuckled softly. “You should watch your words better, child. You made the deal and then tried to break it. That alone was bad enough, but then you also hurt me and that I simply cannot forgive.”

Danica fought hard against the bindings, but slowly they forced her to step back into the room and bow down before Griselda. The old woman snatched the bottle away and shoved it into a pouch at her side. Danica, now on her knees snarled at the woman, furious at her for everything.

She looked at danica and rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “I believe since I cannot kill you, I will hurt you another way.”

She held her hand towards the spellbook on the floor and it sprung up into the air. It inched closer to her and began to flip through the pages. She had barely glanced towards it when she began to speak in a guttural and disgusting sounding chant. Danica watched in horror as a strange looking black smoke, oily and unnatural, crawled from Griselda’s outstretched hand.

It slithered across the floor and onto Danica's leg, inching its way up to her face. Whatever this wretched stuff was, it covered her face, striking her blind. She screamed as it entered her mouth, burning her lips as it did so. The pain so intense was worse than any she’d felt before, but was all over within a matter of seconds. She opened her eyes, relieved that she had not been blinded after all.

Griselda was inches from her, nodding in approval. “I could have done worse to you, Danica. So much worse. I want you to always remember what you got for trying to cross me. A bitter memory of a terrible moment.”

The tendrils darkened again and Danica could move once more. She quickly ran her hands over her face, trying to figure out what had happened, but felt nothing out of the ordinary. All she could feel was numbness in her lips and around her eyes.

She looked to Griselda, confusion in her eyes. “What did you do?”

She looked at Danica with that horribly wicked grin. “You may go home now girl. If you ever come back or try to send anyone after me, know that you will die an agonizing death. Spiders will lay their eggs in your face and you will mother many hatchlings.

Whether the tendrils still had her controlled or not, she didn’t know. Danica got up and walked out into the cool evening air, those haunting words lingering in her mind. She had just gone through another terrible trial and she wasn’t sure how many more she would be capable of enduring. She dropped to her knees in the dirty alleyway and slammed a fist against the ground.

The puddle of water nearby rippled slightly. She looked at her reflection in the dim light and gasped weakly. It was barely visible in the dirty and shallow liquid, but it was there. The dark circles around her eyes like she hadn’t slept in ages and her lips as black as the night. She wet her fingers and tried to clean it off, but nothing came away.

In her mind she heard the voices of the men who kidnapped her. “Whores need makeup,” she whispered quietly to the reflection.

Danica faced back towards the way she had come, staring angrily at the entrance and debating on if it was worth the risk or not. She wanted to see that old hag dead more than anything at the moment, but she knew that she was powerless to stand up to her. She’d just be throwing her life away and possibly those of anyone she could send in her stead.

Danica slammed her fist into the dirty water, scattering it across the alleyway. She did so again and again, until her hands were sore. She was tired of people taking advantage of her, and tired of the mistreatment. What Matron Stenouse did to her when she was a girl. The horrible acts that Sombec committed inside the church and to then escape his deserved punishment. And now Griselda.

Danica swore then and there, upon those filthy cobblestones, that she would get her revenge against those that wronged her. She would kill them for what they did to her or she would die trying. The water in the puddle slowly trickled back in, and there in her reflection, she saw a woman that could change the world.