Alexiuzz

You’ve just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As you look around, your gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. You duck and step into a tattered tent, illuminated by a series of candles suspended in the air. At the back of the tent, an old hag raises her head, “What brings you to this dingy town? she begins, then pauses to study your face—”Ah, it’s you. I’ve been expecting you. Sit,” she gestures at a cushion, “Tell me your story.”

The candlelight reveals Theodoros' frightened facial expressions, as his gaze pinned to the hag's face. Theodoros had wandered into the swamp by not intentionally, but merely lost as he had tried to run away from bandits earlier during the day. Would he want to stay here in the hag's lair? Or would he attempt to find his way around the swamp on his own. The choice would have been much more easier, if not for his sick daughter and wife waiting outside the tent. Regardless of not being one of the bravest men, his heart was set in the right spot. He chose to swallow what felt like a fist sized rock, and stay with the hag. 

"You already know my story.. As you said, you have been waiting for me" Theodoros said, his voice remaining surprisingly quiet, as he tried to hide his fear for his family's sake. Just in case, his hand slided down his side, gripping into a small knife mostly used for everyday errands. The hag seemed to notice this, and let out a bloodcurdling laughter. "You are a fool to think you have a chance against me.. Now put the knife away, and tell me a story to entertain me.. And I just may let you live and cure your family's sickness" 

Theodoros had never encountered a hag before, and was not willing to find out whether the hag was truly about to murder his family. Therefore his put the knife down, and took a deep breath, now starting to think about new ways how to entertain the hag and save his life.. He started to share a story of joy from his childhood, hoping it would change the outcome of the night to the better.. It was still yet to end.