Chapter 1

Anna pushed a branch out of her way, trying to find the elusive path that led to the wise woman's house. She paused a moment to push a brown lock behind her ear and look around surveying her position. "Yes, it was right around here…" she thought. Looking down she spotted some mushrooms and gathered them for her basket.

Less than a year ago she had been here mushroom hunting when she had heard an old woman cursing. Following the sounds of the raspy old voice down the path she had found the old wise woman, (some said witch) on the ground surrounded by spilled apples. "Are you okay Mother?" she had asked the old woman while rushing forward to help her to her feet. "Fine, Fine" the old woman answered while brushing herself off. "Just lost my footing. I'm getting too old to be a hermit."

Anna busied herself with picking up the apples. Everyone knew of this woman in the village and feared her. But Anna couldn't bring herself not to help an old woman had fallen no matter who she may be. Standing up with the now filled basket she handed it to the old woman. The woman suddenly grasped her hands. "You're not yet 21." She said. "No" Anna agreed, squirming uncomfortably. "On your 21st birthday," the old woman continued, "come to this path again. Follow it to the end and you'll find me. I'll tell you what things I may." With that the old woman turned away with her basket and hurried up the path leaving Anna shocked.

The wise woman wanted to see her? What would she tell her? Mushroom hunting forgotten Anna had hurried to her home close to the Temple, where her Grandfather was caretaker. At first she though she wouldn't go back, but fearing that the wise woman would come looking for her she decided at last that she must go. That being decided she had put the whole thing from her mind.

Now almost a year later Anna had again found the path where she had first met the old woman. Full of dread and excitement she followed the path to where it ended. It ended with a small but comfortable looking wood hut. Anna hesitated, wondering whether or not she should knock when a voice spoke behind her, "So you've come." Anna whirled around, startled to find the old woman standing in front of her, leaning on a cane and looking pleased. "I didn't think you would." She rasped. "That shows courage." Anna decided to be truthful, "I didn't want to come but…I was afraid not to." The old woman laughed, "People fear me because they fear the knowledge that I have. But I would never hurt you or anyone. The knowledge itself though…it can't make the same promise."

The old woman walked past her into the hut, "Well come in then." Anna's sense of foreboding increased but she followed the old woman and seated herself at an old table across from her.

The old woman eyed her for a moment and then said, "Perhaps you're wondering why I asked you here today?" Anna nodded, unable to speak. "Well a precious few people down in yonder village would have stopped to help one such as me. Like I said you showed me a kindness and now I want to return the favour. I told you I have a certain knowledge. What I mean is…sometimes I can see things, sense them." Anna waited for what the old woman would say next. She now understood why the wise woman had called her here; to tell her what she knew of Anna's future.

"Now please understand," the old woman began again, "our future is not set. Everyone has a chance to change their fate, but you…" she trailed off looking as though she didn't want to say the rest. The suspense urged Anna to find her tongue at last, "Please, whatever it is, just tell me."

The old woman continued, sounding cold and businesslike now, "While most people have an unlimited number of possible futures, there are usually a few possibilities that stand out as seeming the most likely to occur. But with you your life seems to be tied up in one of two possible fates. One is to continue as you are now. You will age but your life will not change from what it is now and has always been. You will grow old, caring for the temple and its priests and you will do so alone. No husband or children do I see for you on this path." Anna recoiled from this barren vision of her future but the old woman wasn't finished yet. "It's not so bad my dear." She rasped. "Yes you will have no family but you will have friends and simple pleasures. You will live a long and satisfactory life."

Anna felt these words cold comfort. To be only 21 years old today, aching for romance and told that her future would be a lonely one? It was too much! "What of the other path?" She asked. "What of the other possible fate?"

"Death." The old woman answered.