Kari-ann. A young witch looking for the meanings of her future. Kari-ann lives in the enchanted world of dreams, only leaving this world when mortal responsibilities are expected of her. Her lock of black hair forever remains straight and limp down her back, her face half-pale under the shorter layers. The eyes featured on this expressionless face are a dark shade of green, always narrowing at each and every person whom crosses her path. Kari-ann is forever alone … and that is the way she desires it.

A short story ...

Libratha

Set in the realm between dreams and reality, Libratha lives off the emotions of witches. These young witches express only anger and hatred, for Libratha does not feed on happiness or love. Higher emotions are eclipsed, darkened with rage to any mere mortal that enters this world. Magick is limited, only a small flame of it ignited in the younger witches. For royalty, however, the magick boarder is much more stronger, more enchanted. Such magick is used only when necessary. Libratha commands rules no other world can, and breaking these rules result in a path straight to the doors of death.

Strife, a witch with a high grade of magick, has placed himself on this path.

The path cannot be ignored, and with no way of escaping Libratha, Strife must walk it to the end. When sentenced to die, all magick will be pulled away from him, and a strong and painful death will ensue.

Strife remains in the cells of Libratha, set deep inside a mountain cave, with only water outside to accompany him. Through the rust of the bars he can see the small fire flickering in front of him, a guard sitting directly beside it, watching his every movement. His sentence is to be carried out at sunset, and he has eight agonising hours to wait. King Hamath of Libratha will kill Strife himself, accompanied by his daughter, Trinity.

It was Trinity whom watched over him now, her young face shadowed by the glow of the flames. He rested his forehead against the bars of his cell, watching her like she watched him. Eventually he sighed, pulling his head away.

“Could your Majesty not watch me so closely?”

A flicker of annoyance flashed in her eyes. She shook her head. “No, young Strife, I cannot. You’ve already tried to escape Libratha once, you may do it again.”

Strife smiled. “Forgive me, Majesty, but I am not young. You talk to me as though I am a child.”

“Only a foolish child would try to escape from this world.” Trinity stood up, walking over to the bars, her long black hair and robes flowing gracefully behind her. “You, young witch, are definitely foolish. You cannot break the laws of Libratha, and one would wonder why you even tried.”

“That is simple, Majesty.” Strife held the bars of his cell, leaning closer to the young princess before him. “I do not wish to live in a world full of hatred, full of rage. I cannot live on fury alone. I wish to be in a world where more than one emotion is expressed. That, your Majesty, is the reason as to my foolish actions. Do you believe that to be childish as I’ve said it?”

She raised an eyebrow. “No, I do not, but all the witches know you cannot run from Libratha. You were born here; therefore you die here, though your death comes as a … slight shock. I assumed you were happy here.”

“No, Majesty.” Strife gazed at her through flaming hazel eyes. “No witch can be happy here. Happiness is not allowed. Your father enforced this rule, remember?”

“It was you who broke it”, Trinity retorted. “Do not pin this on my father.”

Strife smiled, reaching out to grab the princess’s hand. “Of course not, Majesty. Your father created this world, and I feel such sympathy for a young princess who has to grow up in Libratha.” He reached up with his other hand, stroked the princess’s surprised face. “No young woman should have to live in Libratha. Your mother died because she could not handle the pressure. Soon, you will follow the same fate.”

“You cannot –”

“I already have, Majesty”, Strife drawled. “With death on my shoulders, I do not care for the respecting of royalty.” He let go of her abruptly. “Libratha will take over your life, as it has done mine. But I advise you to leave while you can, princess. Me … I will accept my death as gracefully as I can …”

Her green eyes looked at him thoughtfully. “I cannot leave –”

“No, you cannot. Libratha is bonded more to the princess than to any other witch that walks these lands.”

“But how –”

“It is simple, Majesty.” Strife locked eyes with hers. “If you cannot leave Libratha, then change it. I believe your laws will be different in more ways than one …”