Witches Tale (part 12)
She motions them over with a twisted finger
a gold ring glints in the candle light
Artul moves closer apprehensive
The lady coos melodious and entrances
she expounds a tale
"When I was but a girl
pig tails and curls
father tended the fields each day
serving the great warlord
the sweat from his brow displayed
producing crops
tending to our needs
had little time for me
chose not to impart life's wisdom
nor share his love and kindness
mother was a cruel slave master
she tolerated nothing beyond her will
exacted revenge for any ill
flew into a rage
at the slightest provocation
beat my brother and I into submission
she often drank a vile mead
turned into a demonic seed
we learned deception and subtlety
guard emotions and tender bodies
she poked and prodded
discovering the keys to our insecurities
harassment and abuse
filled her with glee
not for us a moment of privacy
she lied and confused
turned our hearts cold
like the northern glacier
we hated her
one day in the evening
my father was absent
a man in a dark cloak
knocked at the door
he was handsome and tall
a dark beard, strong chest, and arms hold
his eyes shone with a ghostly tone
when we refused him entry
flashed a sign of the great one
we served him what we had
he was kind though pointed
asked for my hand
not in marriage knay
just another one for his harem
mother was awestruck
could this one be the great lord?
she demanded I acquiesce
given no choice
but to follow his lead
right into his bed
the first time was a horror
his abuses a torment
but his desires were great
and I delighted his need
eventually realizing
he really did love me
taught me the ways of darkness
how to bind spirits and loose
to channel the ancient raging souls
and the agents of chaotic anomaly
my heart grew blacker each day
for every innocent slain
like the panther lily
beautiful without
yet poison at its root
he entrusted me with great power
and command
though I tended his bed
bestowed me the honor
marched by his side
unleashing darkness upon his enemies
his power was greater
yet he enjoyed my corruption
emotions escalated
his love I could now see
it was my weakness
he wished to abolish
had pierced through my defenses
he's such a wonderful lover
a being of such power and strength
anyone who stands in his way
shall be annihilated
this very day!"
she whips off her cloak
revealing her naked form
tries to pull Artul in
her lips turn
like the color of death
she attempts an accursed kiss
Kiara lunges
smacking her aside
Artul rolls back in his chair
draws a wand
she cackles maniacally
transforms again into dark soul
Kiara and Artul think in unison
begin a chant with wands high
"May this one be imprisoned
send her now oh great Odin
to the place where souls reside
keep her there in bondage hide
let her remain
until heart finds its true strain
or if the ones she's maimed
come to release her from the stain!"
With a gyrating crackle
a portal forms
a great sound erupts
like a wild hurricane upon the sea
the witch is screaming
dashes for the door
her eyes blazing hatred
she begins to twist and fade
though not as a physical being
stretching and phasing
the portal connecting
like a twisting nether
pulls her in
hands in enchantments
and feet bound the same
emits a loud implosion
bright glowing event horizon
the expression of a young girl
her former self appears
on her face a disquieting melancholy
with a whimper
she releases tender tears
then suddenly disappears
all is silent
the portal fades
Artul and Kiara fall to the ground unconscious.