"Fast rode the knight, With spurs hot and recking, Ever waving an eager sword. "To save my lady!" Fast rode the knight." by Stephen Crane

Lyall Pov

After that terrible morning I've decided to venture out to the village to meet an old friend of mine. She works at an old shop called the Witchs Brew, locals say that the place is cursed and the the old women that works there is vial and cruel but I know better. The Witchs Brew is the only place where I felt wanted and loved and that I can truely be myself. But its also a place where I can seek advice and council.

As I slowly start decending to the village I lose myself in thought on how I came upon the Witchs Brew.

Flashback

"Don't you dare go too far. I won't be gone long." my father hissed. "Yes father." I nodded. I was about to turn my back but felt my father grab my arm and pull me back painfully. "Don't ever call me that again." he whispered in my ear. Before I could responed he let me go and went into the butchers shop. I looked at the shop for a few moments and turned my back and started walking around. As I was walking I noticed the locals all looking at me.

Either with disguse or cuirosity, I'm not sure all I know is that I'm not welcome here. "Am I welcome anywhere?" I thought. I didn't know how far I walked around the village or the time till I felt a sharp chill run down my spine. I looked around trying to find that source of the chill until I spotted an old man sitting on the fountian in the middle of the village. I slowly started walking towards him and noticed that he wore tattered cloths and chains all around him. "Excuse me sir?" I said softly trying not to frighten him.

He slowly lifted his head staring right into my eyes. "Hello miss." he said lowly "I don't mean to bother you but... may I ask what you are doing here?" I asked " I'm not entirely sure myself. Your the only person who can see or talk to me." he chuckled "So I was right, you are a lost spirit." I concluded " Well if that is what I am then yes. All I wanted to do was to see my wife but I'm forbidden to do so." he said sadly. I looked at him a little longer seeing if he is telling the truth. "I sensed no distrust nor a dark aura from him, so he must be telling the truth." I thought.

I decided to sit beside him and just wait patiently with him. "Why are you forbidden to see her?" I asked " Well as you can see from these chains, I'm a damed soul. I can not see or join my wife because of my misdeeds in my mortal life." he explained with such sadness in his eyes " I'm so sorry. I'm sure your wife must miss you so much." I said while covering my hand on top of his to provide comfort. " Thank you miss, this is my last day to be here. Soon I will be dragged to hell for my actions. I... just..." the man stuttered with tears in his eyes " Well let me find your wife. Even though your not allowed to see her yourself but that doesn't mean I can't bring her here for you." I explain with determination in my voice.

" Oh my dear... you already brought her to me." he said giving me a smile. I gave him a confused look till I heard a gasping sound. Turned around and found an old women with a daisy in her silver hair looking at us with shocked grey eyes and her delicate hands on her mouth. " Juliet, your still so beautiful. I must go now my love. Farewell." the man whispered with his final breath whilst turning to ash with a smile on his face. "Wait!" I yelled while trying to grab him but all I caught was ash. The old women walked up to me while crying and said " Farewell." " I'm... I'm so sorry." I stuttered while crying myself.

Juliet crouched to my level and cupped my cheek in her hand and said " Don't cry child. I want to thank you for letting me see my husband again. I haven't seen a travler like yourself in years." she smiled. I looked at her confused. "Why... you don't know what you are do you? Well we can't have that. Come with me dear and I can give you the answers you need." she said whilst standing up and offering her hand with a gentle smile. I looked at her hand and then back at her for a moment. " Should I take it? Answers would be nice and a friend to." I thought. Slowly I raised my hand and grabbed her extened one. My fate has been sealed.

Flashback Ends

I smiled recolling that memory. While walking the stone pass I saw the fountian and took a right. Soon I reached at rickety old store with a huge sign with a cauldren at the end saying "Witchs Brew". Juliet that runs and works at this shop is a travler like me. So if I had any problems in the spirit world she would help in the best way that she can. I walked up to the old wooden door and let myself in. " Welcome my dear. I thought I'd be seeing you before long." Juliet smiled. I nodded with a smile on my face " How is it you know when I would be coming?" I said teasingly "My dear, it's your aura that I sense. Your troubled are you not? she chuckled whilst giving me a serious stare.

" Yes Grandma, I was hoping you can read the tarots today?" I asked. The reason I call he grandma instead of Juilet is because she insisted. Ever since the insident with her husband she taken me under her wing and taught me everything she knows about the supernatural and my powers. And no sooner did she liked me as her own granddaughter and my grandma. "Of course my dear, follow me." she smiled. I followed her behind the shop to a room with single candlelight. At the corner of my eye I noticed a rooster struting about in the shelves of the room. " Grandma you have a Brownie living with you? I questioned. For all who don't know but a Brownie is a house fairy who works at night and takes the form of a rooster during the day. " Why of course my dear, I'm old now. I'm not as young as I once was." she winked. I giggled at her childish antics.

She motioned me to sit down at the round table a cross from her. " Now then, what seems to be troubling you?" she asked while shuffling the cards " Well ... I stepped into the spirit world again but this time it seems off." I explained " Off? How? Do you got through the red door? Remeber I always told you to never go throught the red door." she scolded.

I then proceeded in telling her what I saw and how I heard a male voice calling me to the hanging tree. " Well... thats interesting. Let's see what the cards say." she said. She layed out the cards for me to choose. I waved my hand out feeling the magical essence inside the cards. Soon three cards levitated into my hands. " Lay them out my dear." Juilet instructed while clearing the rest of the deck.

I layed all three cards faced down till she flipped them right side up one by one. The first was Temperance, second Eight Wands, third Nine of Swords. " My dear, these cards say you must prepare youself. Have confidence and concuer your fear." she said in a serious voice "So what your telling me is..." I hesitated " You have to go back." she finished.