p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"After what felt like hours, Helga ventured deep into the nearby forest, her small frame trembling in the cool of the night. The moon hung high in the sky, casting eerie shadows that danced among the trees. The rustling leaves seemed to whisper secrets she couldn't decipher, and the distant hoot of an owl echoed through the woods. Her heart ached with the weight of her decision to leave, but she focused her mind on keeping her yet-to-be-born sibling safe, far away from her./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"As she walked deeper into the woods, Helga's senses heightened, and forest seemed to come alive around her. The gentle breeze carried the scent of pine needles and damp earth, and the faint hoot of owls filled the air. She was alone in this wilderness, with only her thoughts and the dangerous abilities she couldn't fully control./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga found a small clearing bathed in moonlight and decided to sit down on a moss-covered rock. She drew her knees to her chest, hugging herself tightly, and took a deep breath to steady her racing heart. Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought about her family, the cottage she had left behind, and the baby she loved so dearly./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I can't hurt them here," she whispered to herself, her voice trembling. "I won't hurt them."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"What would they think when they woke and found her bed empty? Would her father come to search for her, and take her home, away from this place? Or, what if they were happy to see her gone? Then they wouldn't need to worry about the witch who brought shame to them, and they could be happy with the new, normal child they had deserved. In her distress, Helga closed her eyes and concentrated on the one thing that had always brought her comfort: her connection with nature. She extended her hand towards a nearby sapling and focused her thoughts on it, trying to harness her abilities for something good. Slowly, she felt a warmth spread from her fingertips to the tree./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"The sapling responded to her touch, its leaves rustling as if in acknowledgment. Helga smiled through her tears, feeling a sense of kinship with the nature surrounding her. She had always felt a deep connection to the earth and its creatures, and now, it was as if they were acknowledging her in return./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"With newfound determination, Helga delved deeper into the forest, deciding to explore the extent of her powers now that she couldn't harm anyone./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"She spent the next few days tending to the flora and fauna, scavenging berries to eat through guesswork and drinking rain water from large leaves./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"The hardest parts were the chilly Autumn nights, but she found she could form a small fire if she focused hard enough, and usually camped out under a tree as she tried to fight off the chill./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"One sunny and brisk morning, as she wandered through the thicket of ferns, Helga stumbled upon a badger. The furry creature, with its distinctive black and white stripes, was busy digging for grubs and seemed unbothered by her presence. Helga froze, not wanting to startle the badger./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"She knelt down slowly, her eyes fixed on the badger. With a gentle tone, she whispered, "Hello there, little one. I won't harm you." Helga extended her hand, palm up, offering a handful of berries she had gathered earlier. The badger paused in its digging, sniffed the air, and then cautiously approached, its small, dark eyes fixed on her./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"As the badger gingerly took a berry from her outstretched hand, Helga felt that he reminded her of her cat Marmalade, whom she missed dearly. She decided to name the badger "Bramble" after the thorny bushes that surrounded the clearing where they met./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"From that day forward, Bramble became her steadfast companion in the forest. He seemed to understand her intentions and would often accompany her on her daily journeys, leading her to a hidden river where clear water flowed, quenching her thirst. He showed her which berries were safe to eat and which mushrooms to avoid./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"As the days bled on, Helga continued to explore her abilities, experimenting with the plants and animals in the forest. She helped injured birds mend their wings, coaxed flowers to bloom, and even made a stream of water bend to her will. It was clear that her powers were not solely destructive; they had a gentle, nurturing side./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Yet, despite her newfound abilities and the peace she found in the woods, Helga couldn't help but long for her family. She missed her parents and the simple joys of her former life. She yearned to see her baby sibling, to hold them in her arms and protect them, as she had always promised. She found herself wondering if maybe she could learn to control her powers, she could return./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"But then, Helga was a witch. She had proven it being in this forest, where she had learned the true extent of her abilities. Helga was a witch, and she had learned to fit in in the forest because that is where she belonged. Far away from normal people, far away from anyone who she could accidentally hurt./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"And really, apart from being lonely, it wasn't that bad here. She had Bramble, she could eat and drink, and once she managed to make a fire properly she would always be warm. She spent her days wandering the forest and she was getting very good at identifying the various plants and herbs surrounding her. Soon, she might even be able to make a proper meal, and then learn to build her own little cottage, like the witch in the story. But she would be a good witch, that she would make sure of. She wouldn't curse anyone or eat any children, and one day her baby brother or sister would be grown up and they could come and visit her, too./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"She was muttering this story to Bramble with a smile as she gathered some mushrooms, when she heard the snap of twigs from behind her./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga whirled around quickly, heart hammering, but she couldn't see anyone in the empty clearing. The snap of the twig sounded too harsh to be any animal. Was it another witch? Maybe a truly bad one, like in the story?/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Hide!" She whispered to Bramble, who did so at once, burying himself into the thicket around him./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga backed into the tree behind her, crouching down and holding her breath as the snap of twigs got louder, until they sounded only a few feet away./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"For the first time since entering the forest, Helga realised how completely alone she was. She couldn't shout for help, she couldn't run away. She was a child in the forest by herself, and even Bramble would be no help./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Hands trembling, she decided to steal a glance around the hedge where she was kneeling./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"A man, around 70 years old, was kneeling in the clearing. Hisgrey hair fell on his forehead i clouds as he examined a shrub in front of him. He seemed to consider the plant for a moment, before taking a wooden stick from his cloak./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Then, as Helga watched in astonishment, he held the stick in the air, and traced a circle around the shrub, which seemed to shed itself of the tiny leaves at his command, landing in a pile by his side./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga held in her gasp as the man continued this with the neighbouring plants, whistling juanty tune to himself as he worked. The stick in his hand seemed to glow as he carved it through the air, and the plats around him responded as if in a synchronised dance, leaves and flowers floating towards him and always landing by his side./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Was he a witch, too? Helga had never heard of a male witch, but as she watched, she could tell that this man was controlling the elements around him the same way she did, although he seemed to be able to do it without thinking and the plants were happier to do as he said./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"But if he was, then Helga was in trouble! She frantically looked around for an exit, and was about to bolt when Bramble poked his face from the shrub where he was hiding, and spotted the man./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Next thing Helga knew, Bramble scurried straight towards the man, ignoring Helga's hiss in warning and only stopped when he was at his feet. Then, she curled herself around the man's trousers, the same way she did to Helga when he wanted attention./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Oh, hello again little fellow. The same again today?" The old man said in a lofty, cheerful voice, as he kneeled down to rub Bramble's neck and handed her a fistful of red berries./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga watched helplessly, but Bramble seemed familiar with the man, and made a purr of contentment as she nibbled the berries straight from his hand. Helga felt a pang of jealousy, Bramble was supposed to be her friend! Not the witch man's./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Is he your friend, too?" The man turned his head in the direction of the bush where Helga was, and she stared at him in horror, rooted to the spot./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"The man's eyes seemed to lock onto Helga's hiding place, and for a moment, she felt a surge of fear. But then, his gaze softened, and he smiled kindly./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Come out, young one," he called out gently. "There's no need to be afraid. I won't harm you."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga hesitated, torn between curiosity and caution. Bramble, still nestled at the man's feet, looked up at her with what seemed like approval. Gathering her courage, Helga slowly emerged from her hiding spot, keeping a safe distance from the man./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I'm sorry for intruding," she stammered, her voice trembling. "I didn't mean to...I thought you might be a… a witch"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""A witch?" the man repeated with a chuckle. "Well, you're not entirely wrong. I suppose you could say I'm a wizard from a town not far from here."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga's eyes widened in astonishment. "A wizard? What's that?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her fear./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Alaric smiled kindly. "A wizard is someone who practises magic. Magic is the power to do extraordinary things through spells, incantations, and sometimes, with the help of magical tools. Some use magic for good, while others may use it for less noble purposes."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga listened intently, her eyes wide with wonder. "Are all wizards like the ones in the stories, who do bad things and harm people?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Alaric shook his head. "No, my dear. Just like in any group of people, there are both good and bad individuals. It's up to the wizard to choose how they use their powers. I, for one, use my magic to gather rare ingredients from the forest for potions and to help those in need."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga's fear began to ebb away as she listened to Alaric's gentle explanation. "But I'm different," she admitted. "I have powers like yours, but I've been afraid to use them. I don't know how to control them."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Alaric nodded knowingly. "I sensed your presence the moment I entered this territory. Your abilities are strong, but they may need guidance and control."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga's eyes widened in surprise. "Can you teach me?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Alaric nodded again. "Indeed. I can teach you the ways of magic, how to harness your powers, and how to use them for good, to protect and heal. But first, you must trust me and believe in yourself."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Tears welled up in Helga's eyes, but this time, they were tears of relief. She had spent so long feeling like an outcast, a danger to others, but now she had found someone who understood her and could help her grow./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"As they continued their conversation, Alaric explained why he was in the forest. "I'm here to gather rare potion ingredients," he said. "I'm always on the lookout for unique herbs and plants that can be used for healing and other magical purposes."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga's eyes sparkled with interest. "I've seen some unusual plants and herbs in this forest," she said. "I could show you where they are."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Alaric's eyebrows raised in surprise. "You have a knack for spotting these things, don't you? You might just be a natural."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga blushed at the compliment but then her expression turned solemn. "I left my town because I didn't want to cause harm to my unborn sibling. My parents think I'm a witch. I suppose I am, and I can't control my powers. They think I'm bad."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Alaric placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You're not bad, Helga. You're simply a young witch who needs guidance. I can help you learn to control your abilities, and together, we can ensure that your magic is a force for good."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga's eyes filled with gratitude as the final remnants of her fear made way to hope. Maybe she had found not only a mentor but also a friend who was just like her. "Thank you, Alaric."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Alaric smiled warmly. "You're welcome, Helga. By the way, I live a few miles from here with my daughter, who is around your age. Perhaps you two could become friends as well."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga looked at the man, with his kind wrinkly eyes and warm smile. She had always been taught not to speak to strangers, but this man seemed so familiar to her, and he was like her, but didn't seem to be scary or bad. Infact, he seemed to thrum with a warm energy, and Helga couldn't help but hope as he spoke of his own life with his daughter, that maybe she could be a part of it too./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Is she like me, your daughter? Can she also do… magic?" Helga said the foreign word cautiously./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"The wizard's eyes seemed to flood with pride when he next spoke "Yes, my little Rowena is a witch just like you. She might be one or two years older, but she is an excellent little witch. And I'm certain with a little help you could be, too Miss…?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga," she blushed at the realisation she had not yet given the wizard her name./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Helga," Alaric repeated with a warm smile. "A lovely name, Helga. Now, about my daughter and her magic, she is quite skilled, and I'm sure she would be delighted to meet you and share her knowledge."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga's heart swelled with excitement at the thought of meeting another young witch like her, especially one who could guide her in the ways of magic. "I'd like that very much," she said earnestly./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"As they continued to gather potion ingredients, Helga couldn't help but again notice the wooden stick that Alaric had used earlier to coax the plants into shedding their leaves. She pointed at it. "What's that stick you have? It seemed to make the plants listen to you."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Alaric chuckled. "Ah, this is a wand, Helga. It's a magical tool that helps wizards and witches channel their powers more effectively. It's a bit like an extension of oneself, you see."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga watched in fascination as Alaric demonstrated a few simple spells with his wand, making leaves float in the air and creating small sparks of light. The possibilities seemed endless, and it made her wonder if she, too, might be able to do magic as easily as Alaric one day and maybe have a wand of her own./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Alaric finished his demonstration and turned to Helga with a kind smile. "Helga, how would you like to come live with me and my daughter? I can teach you magic, and you can learn from Rowena as well. We have a house not far from here, and it's much warmer than sleeping in the forest."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga thought for a moment, of her own mother and father. She could go back, but they would still be afraid of her, and she didn't yet know how to fully control her powers. Then she thought of being with this kind old wizard, and his daughter who could teach her to do magic like them, and how to be a good witch, not bad like the stories. Her eyes lit up with excitement, and she nodded eagerly. "Yes, I'd love that! Thank you so much, Alaric."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"As they prepared to leave the forest, Helga couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness. She looked at Bramble, her faithful companion, who had been with her through her lonely journey in the woods./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I can't leave Bramble behind," she said, her voice filled with concern./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Alaric placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Helga. Bramble can come with us. He can be our forest guardian and protect our home. Besides, I'm sure Rowena would love to meet him."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga smiled, relieved that she wouldn't have to part with her dear friend. As they set off on the path to Alaric's cottage, she couldn't help but feel that her life was taking a magical turn, filled with hope, friendship, and the promise of a brighter future./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"As she walked deeper into the woods, Helga's senses heightened, and forest seemed to come alive around her. The gentle breeze carried the scent of pine needles and damp earth, and the faint hoot of owls filled the air. She was alone in this wilderness, with only her thoughts and the dangerous abilities she couldn't fully control./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga found a small clearing bathed in moonlight and decided to sit down on a moss-covered rock. She drew her knees to her chest, hugging herself tightly, and took a deep breath to steady her racing heart. Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought about her family, the cottage she had left behind, and the baby she loved so dearly./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I can't hurt them here," she whispered to herself, her voice trembling. "I won't hurt them."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"What would they think when they woke and found her bed empty? Would her father come to search for her, and take her home, away from this place? Or, what if they were happy to see her gone? Then they wouldn't need to worry about the witch who brought shame to them, and they could be happy with the new, normal child they had deserved. In her distress, Helga closed her eyes and concentrated on the one thing that had always brought her comfort: her connection with nature. She extended her hand towards a nearby sapling and focused her thoughts on it, trying to harness her abilities for something good. Slowly, she felt a warmth spread from her fingertips to the tree./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"The sapling responded to her touch, its leaves rustling as if in acknowledgment. Helga smiled through her tears, feeling a sense of kinship with the nature surrounding her. She had always felt a deep connection to the earth and its creatures, and now, it was as if they were acknowledging her in return./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"With newfound determination, Helga delved deeper into the forest, deciding to explore the extent of her powers now that she couldn't harm anyone./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"She spent the next few days tending to the flora and fauna, scavenging berries to eat through guesswork and drinking rain water from large leaves./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"The hardest parts were the chilly Autumn nights, but she found she could form a small fire if she focused hard enough, and usually camped out under a tree as she tried to fight off the chill./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"One sunny and brisk morning, as she wandered through the thicket of ferns, Helga stumbled upon a badger. The furry creature, with its distinctive black and white stripes, was busy digging for grubs and seemed unbothered by her presence. Helga froze, not wanting to startle the badger./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"She knelt down slowly, her eyes fixed on the badger. With a gentle tone, she whispered, "Hello there, little one. I won't harm you." Helga extended her hand, palm up, offering a handful of berries she had gathered earlier. The badger paused in its digging, sniffed the air, and then cautiously approached, its small, dark eyes fixed on her./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"As the badger gingerly took a berry from her outstretched hand, Helga felt that he reminded her of her cat Marmalade, whom she missed dearly. She decided to name the badger "Bramble" after the thorny bushes that surrounded the clearing where they met./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"From that day forward, Bramble became her steadfast companion in the forest. He seemed to understand her intentions and would often accompany her on her daily journeys, leading her to a hidden river where clear water flowed, quenching her thirst. He showed her which berries were safe to eat and which mushrooms to avoid./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"As the days bled on, Helga continued to explore her abilities, experimenting with the plants and animals in the forest. She helped injured birds mend their wings, coaxed flowers to bloom, and even made a stream of water bend to her will. It was clear that her powers were not solely destructive; they had a gentle, nurturing side./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Yet, despite her newfound abilities and the peace she found in the woods, Helga couldn't help but long for her family. She missed her parents and the simple joys of her former life. She yearned to see her baby sibling, to hold them in her arms and protect them, as she had always promised. She found herself wondering if maybe she could learn to control her powers, she could return./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"But then, Helga was a witch. She had proven it being in this forest, where she had learned the true extent of her abilities. Helga was a witch, and she had learned to fit in in the forest because that is where she belonged. Far away from normal people, far away from anyone who she could accidentally hurt./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"And really, apart from being lonely, it wasn't that bad here. She had Bramble, she could eat and drink, and once she managed to make a fire properly she would always be warm. She spent her days wandering the forest and she was getting very good at identifying the various plants and herbs surrounding her. Soon, she might even be able to make a proper meal, and then learn to build her own little cottage, like the witch in the story. But she would be a good witch, that she would make sure of. She wouldn't curse anyone or eat any children, and one day her baby brother or sister would be grown up and they could come and visit her, too./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"She was muttering this story to Bramble with a smile as she gathered some mushrooms, when she heard the snap of twigs from behind her./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga whirled around quickly, heart hammering, but she couldn't see anyone in the empty clearing. The snap of the twig sounded too harsh to be any animal. Was it another witch? Maybe a truly bad one, like in the story?/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Hide!" She whispered to Bramble, who did so at once, burying himself into the thicket around him./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga backed into the tree behind her, crouching down and holding her breath as the snap of twigs got louder, until they sounded only a few feet away./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"For the first time since entering the forest, Helga realised how completely alone she was. She couldn't shout for help, she couldn't run away. She was a child in the forest by herself, and even Bramble would be no help./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Hands trembling, she decided to steal a glance around the hedge where she was kneeling./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"A man, around 70 years old, was kneeling in the clearing. Hisgrey hair fell on his forehead i clouds as he examined a shrub in front of him. He seemed to consider the plant for a moment, before taking a wooden stick from his cloak./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Then, as Helga watched in astonishment, he held the stick in the air, and traced a circle around the shrub, which seemed to shed itself of the tiny leaves at his command, landing in a pile by his side./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga held in her gasp as the man continued this with the neighbouring plants, whistling juanty tune to himself as he worked. The stick in his hand seemed to glow as he carved it through the air, and the plats around him responded as if in a synchronised dance, leaves and flowers floating towards him and always landing by his side./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Was he a witch, too? Helga had never heard of a male witch, but as she watched, she could tell that this man was controlling the elements around him the same way she did, although he seemed to be able to do it without thinking and the plants were happier to do as he said./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"But if he was, then Helga was in trouble! She frantically looked around for an exit, and was about to bolt when Bramble poked his face from the shrub where he was hiding, and spotted the man./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Next thing Helga knew, Bramble scurried straight towards the man, ignoring Helga's hiss in warning and only stopped when he was at his feet. Then, she curled herself around the man's trousers, the same way she did to Helga when he wanted attention./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Oh, hello again little fellow. The same again today?" The old man said in a lofty, cheerful voice, as he kneeled down to rub Bramble's neck and handed her a fistful of red berries./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga watched helplessly, but Bramble seemed familiar with the man, and made a purr of contentment as she nibbled the berries straight from his hand. Helga felt a pang of jealousy, Bramble was supposed to be her friend! Not the witch man's./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Is he your friend, too?" The man turned his head in the direction of the bush where Helga was, and she stared at him in horror, rooted to the spot./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"The man's eyes seemed to lock onto Helga's hiding place, and for a moment, she felt a surge of fear. But then, his gaze softened, and he smiled kindly./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Come out, young one," he called out gently. "There's no need to be afraid. I won't harm you."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga hesitated, torn between curiosity and caution. Bramble, still nestled at the man's feet, looked up at her with what seemed like approval. Gathering her courage, Helga slowly emerged from her hiding spot, keeping a safe distance from the man./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I'm sorry for intruding," she stammered, her voice trembling. "I didn't mean to...I thought you might be a… a witch"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""A witch?" the man repeated with a chuckle. "Well, you're not entirely wrong. I suppose you could say I'm a wizard from a town not far from here."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga's eyes widened in astonishment. "A wizard? What's that?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her fear./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Alaric smiled kindly. "A wizard is someone who practises magic. Magic is the power to do extraordinary things through spells, incantations, and sometimes, with the help of magical tools. Some use magic for good, while others may use it for less noble purposes."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga listened intently, her eyes wide with wonder. "Are all wizards like the ones in the stories, who do bad things and harm people?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Alaric shook his head. "No, my dear. Just like in any group of people, there are both good and bad individuals. It's up to the wizard to choose how they use their powers. I, for one, use my magic to gather rare ingredients from the forest for potions and to help those in need."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga's fear began to ebb away as she listened to Alaric's gentle explanation. "But I'm different," she admitted. "I have powers like yours, but I've been afraid to use them. I don't know how to control them."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Alaric nodded knowingly. "I sensed your presence the moment I entered this territory. Your abilities are strong, but they may need guidance and control."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga's eyes widened in surprise. "Can you teach me?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Alaric nodded again. "Indeed. I can teach you the ways of magic, how to harness your powers, and how to use them for good, to protect and heal. But first, you must trust me and believe in yourself."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Tears welled up in Helga's eyes, but this time, they were tears of relief. She had spent so long feeling like an outcast, a danger to others, but now she had found someone who understood her and could help her grow./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"As they continued their conversation, Alaric explained why he was in the forest. "I'm here to gather rare potion ingredients," he said. "I'm always on the lookout for unique herbs and plants that can be used for healing and other magical purposes."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga's eyes sparkled with interest. "I've seen some unusual plants and herbs in this forest," she said. "I could show you where they are."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Alaric's eyebrows raised in surprise. "You have a knack for spotting these things, don't you? You might just be a natural."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga blushed at the compliment but then her expression turned solemn. "I left my town because I didn't want to cause harm to my unborn sibling. My parents think I'm a witch. I suppose I am, and I can't control my powers. They think I'm bad."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Alaric placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You're not bad, Helga. You're simply a young witch who needs guidance. I can help you learn to control your abilities, and together, we can ensure that your magic is a force for good."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga's eyes filled with gratitude as the final remnants of her fear made way to hope. Maybe she had found not only a mentor but also a friend who was just like her. "Thank you, Alaric."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Alaric smiled warmly. "You're welcome, Helga. By the way, I live a few miles from here with my daughter, who is around your age. Perhaps you two could become friends as well."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga looked at the man, with his kind wrinkly eyes and warm smile. She had always been taught not to speak to strangers, but this man seemed so familiar to her, and he was like her, but didn't seem to be scary or bad. Infact, he seemed to thrum with a warm energy, and Helga couldn't help but hope as he spoke of his own life with his daughter, that maybe she could be a part of it too./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Is she like me, your daughter? Can she also do… magic?" Helga said the foreign word cautiously./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"The wizard's eyes seemed to flood with pride when he next spoke "Yes, my little Rowena is a witch just like you. She might be one or two years older, but she is an excellent little witch. And I'm certain with a little help you could be, too Miss…?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga," she blushed at the realisation she had not yet given the wizard her name./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Helga," Alaric repeated with a warm smile. "A lovely name, Helga. Now, about my daughter and her magic, she is quite skilled, and I'm sure she would be delighted to meet you and share her knowledge."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga's heart swelled with excitement at the thought of meeting another young witch like her, especially one who could guide her in the ways of magic. "I'd like that very much," she said earnestly./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"As they continued to gather potion ingredients, Helga couldn't help but again notice the wooden stick that Alaric had used earlier to coax the plants into shedding their leaves. She pointed at it. "What's that stick you have? It seemed to make the plants listen to you."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Alaric chuckled. "Ah, this is a wand, Helga. It's a magical tool that helps wizards and witches channel their powers more effectively. It's a bit like an extension of oneself, you see."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga watched in fascination as Alaric demonstrated a few simple spells with his wand, making leaves float in the air and creating small sparks of light. The possibilities seemed endless, and it made her wonder if she, too, might be able to do magic as easily as Alaric one day and maybe have a wand of her own./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Alaric finished his demonstration and turned to Helga with a kind smile. "Helga, how would you like to come live with me and my daughter? I can teach you magic, and you can learn from Rowena as well. We have a house not far from here, and it's much warmer than sleeping in the forest."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga thought for a moment, of her own mother and father. She could go back, but they would still be afraid of her, and she didn't yet know how to fully control her powers. Then she thought of being with this kind old wizard, and his daughter who could teach her to do magic like them, and how to be a good witch, not bad like the stories. Her eyes lit up with excitement, and she nodded eagerly. "Yes, I'd love that! Thank you so much, Alaric."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"As they prepared to leave the forest, Helga couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness. She looked at Bramble, her faithful companion, who had been with her through her lonely journey in the woods./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I can't leave Bramble behind," she said, her voice filled with concern./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Alaric placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Helga. Bramble can come with us. He can be our forest guardian and protect our home. Besides, I'm sure Rowena would love to meet him."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Helga smiled, relieved that she wouldn't have to part with her dear friend. As they set off on the path to Alaric's cottage, she couldn't help but feel that her life was taking a magical turn, filled with hope, friendship, and the promise of a brighter future./p