After several hours of pacing, she resolved to sit there and see what would happen. A few moments later, a cloaked figure melted out of the shadows. The figure carried a long staff in their left hand.

"Who are you?!" Emalyne asked, looking at the figure in fear and suspicion. The figure slipped their hood off, revealing the face of an old woman with graying hair and bright yellow eyes.

"Would you believe me if I said 'your fairy godmother'? No, no, you wouldn't. You're clearly the no-nonsense type. Even a half-wit could see that." The woman's voice was comprised of a lilting roughness, but it was still relatively pleasant. "You may call me Frau Todesfall."

"Are you... are you going to help me?"

"Help you?" Frau Todesfall chuckled, her staff morphing into a three legged stool, which she promptly sat down on. "No, I'm not qualified for the sort of pickle you've gotten yourself into, dear. But I do happen to have a friend who deals with these sorts of things all the time. Practically his job description."

"What's his name?"

"I'm afraid I can't tell you that. He likes to keep it a secret. But I can tell you that this is one of his favorite types of issues to solve. He likes—no, loves—them."

"If you're not 'qualified to help me', then what are you doing here?"

"I am merely looking out for a desperate human in evident need. Also, I'm bored, and you seemed like a nice enough girl to talk to."

"What are you?"

"No threat to you, dear. I believe I've already told you my name. And I am a who, not a what. Important distinction to make. Calling me a what is like equating my presence to that of the chair I'm currently sitting on."

"But... but... your friend solves people's problems or something like that. What do you do?"

"Me? Oh, I'm nothing special. I've merely... dabbled here and there in magics of various types, caused a few flare ups of plague in one or two villages every so often, helped out those desperate enough to show up on my doorstep; that sort of thing."

"You're a witch."

"The better, polite term would be sorceress, but call me what you like. But yes, I am a witch. More specifically, the Witch of Temisver Mountain."

"Oh. You're that Frau Todesfall."

"You thought there was another? My, my, the name must be getting popular in these past few years." Frau Todesfall quipped, letting out a laugh that sounded like a hawk screeching. "No, I'm afraid you're incorrect. I'm the only one."

"Well, nice to meet you, I suppose."

"Nice to meet you, too. Might I know your name, since I've given you mine?" Frau Todesfall held out one hand, which Emalyne took.

"Emalyne."

"Pretty name for the daughter of a miller." The last word was said almost as a sneer.

Frau Todesfall stood up, her three-legged stool morphing back into a staff. "Well, I have to go. Things to take care of, magic to make, and all that. I will, however, talk to that friend of mine I mentioned. If he's not too busy, he'll be along."

"How do you know?"

"I've had to do it before, dear. Many times. But don't you worry too much. My friend's a bit stubborn and set in his ways, but he's never gone back on a deal. He knows I'll gladly bite his head off if he tries anything too drastic."

She gave Emalyne a smile that could only be described as ghastly.

"Not literally, right?" Emalyne shuddered.

"Maybe." Frau Todesfall replied vaguely.

"Are you a dealmaker, too?"

There was no answer. The old woman had already disappeared.