A night's story.
The twelve strokes of the tower were about to mark the midnight. The
full moon was high and bright in the night sky, like a dark blue silky
cape.Some soft but dark clouds,hovered as ghosts on the silvery moon by
masking her glow and then continuing their journey carried by a cold
wind.The glow of the full moon was the only light that was guiding my
steps towards that spooky wooden house,placed at the entrance of a
boundless forest.
People of my village were keeping the distances
from that house, spreading stories and rumors about the supernatural
nature of the person who lived in it.It was said that the house was the
refuge of a witch and that night,thanks to the new moon,she would have
implemented a mystical spell of high proportions whose purpose was,the
transformation of my people from humans to her slaves.
The Skepticism
and curiosity about it brought me to want to find out how much truth
lay behind that legend. I entered into that sad path with much fear,i
was determined...but still a kid! My step it was slowed by the strong
wind that blew,uttering the terrifying groans. Leaves on leaves were
falling down from the trees bare, taking the features of deformed
monsters.The smell of fireplace stung my nostrils,the moon was covered
again from a black shadow and only when she went back to shine,i resumed
my race into the unknown.
I came to the house. Thanks to my
small size, i managed to enter through one of the blackened windows.
Once inside,i viewed the environment: the room was made up by fornitures
old and worn by time. There were cobwebs, vials and jars of all sizes
on the shelves and tables filled with weird messes. On a rocking chair a
black cat stared at me with creepy eyes. Slowly, i approached the
crackling fireplace,which gave off strong light and heat.
On the
logs there was a huge cauldron,where seething a disgusting green
slime...filled with floating eyes and bones! Disgusted,i stumbled on a
huge black book.With a lot of fear,i started to leaf through and read
things beyond the human. Trembling,i realized that it was true,that was
the home of a sorceress.
Suddenly I realized that the witch
was returning, so i quickly hid in a closet.From a chink i could see her
and her features struck me: the most beautiful face that I had ever
seen, a skin as white as the moon, bright red hair...she was not as i
thought! She picked up the vials with a dark liquid, gave a sweet pat to
her cat,and after taking the cape from the trunk,walked out again. I
walked over to the window and saw her figure slowly disappear between
those ancient oak trees.
I was going to go away from that macabre
house when i noticed a bookcase slightly shifted. I felt a current of
air coming from the opening, so i moved closer and found a secret
passage. It looked like a narrow and dark tunnel which was accessed
trough of marble steps. I was unable to contain my curiosity and with
the light of a candle i entered into that black spot. Step after step,
the cold became sharp...and with it,the fear.
Around me there
was silence,occasionally broken by a trickle of water.I arrived to a
battered door.I opened it with fear and what I saw was incredible: a man
was tied to a stone column.His aspect was gruff, the left eye showed an
old scar and he was wearing a long coat.
Suddenly he turned to me and asked sternly:
<< Hey you!Do you want to look at me getting older or you want help me? >>
I winced.
<< I advise you to hurry if you don't want to end up in a can! >> he continued.
I
walked over to him and untied the rope that held him tight to the
column. Without too many words he went upstairs and i followed him
quickly.
<< I haven't much time,the witch had forgotten the
black book and so,she certainly will return to take it back.>> the
man exclaimed, picking between the stuff his bow,arrows and a vial that
read: Dragon's breath.
It was then that i realized, he was a witch hunter! He told me that i should go away, but i wanted answers.
<< She really wants to do harm to my village? >> I asked.
The hunter nodded, sprinkling his arrows with that strange potion << When this substance will strike her ....she'll burn.Fire is the only weapon that they fear >> He explained.
I saw in his eyes a veil of sadness and i asked him:
<< You knew her?>>
The hunter stopped and hesitated a moment before answering: <<Virginia and i were in love until i discovered that she's one of the most powerful witches of all times. I have no choice but to kill her.>>
The wound to his heart was more deepest of the marks on his body.
<<Now you'd better go,i can not act freely if i have to protect you! Go home and stay there.>>
After these words, the hunter grasped his bow ready to face the woman he loved for the good of my village.
I left that house,swearing to myself to not to tell anyone that story and not to challenge never ever the fate. But when i reached home, i couldn't sleep. I observed all night the new moon...the one who would have allowed the destruction of my people.
When dawn came, i realized that the hunter had completed his mission. Infact that morning, i headed back to the witch's house but i found nothing except smoldering charred remains.My village was safe, the hunter was a hero.
