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.”
((How do you respond?))
Thalis points a finger to herself, surprised that the old lady seems to know her. After a moment of hesitation she makes her way to the cushion. Gods it’s been too long since she sat somewhere comfortable! “You know me?” Thalis asks, curious for the answer. The hag nods her head, waiting patiently for the girl's answer. Thalis's eyes are drawn back to the floating candles, filled with wonder at the sight.
"I'm a traveling merchant, roaming the land in search of the rare and curious and of dear customers such as yourself, you wouldn't be intrested in a bargain would you?"
"Alright, if it's a bargain you want Thalis Thornfield, I will buy the answer to one question! How about that?" the hag offeres goodnaturedly. “Only one question? And you will pay me for it?” Thalis can't help her eyes from shining at the prospect of some income, she knows she needs it, having long since run out of the little bit she inherited from her late father. The hag nodds and asks “What is your fondest memory?”.
Thalis pauses and consideres, then finally answers “When I was little my mother would take me with her to the stalls outside the city walls. She would barter with the merchants and sometimes I would barter with them too, for small things like a fruit.” a fond smile graces Thalis’s face as she rememberes the experience.
“It sounds like you love your mother very much.” the hag observes. “I love all my family.” the girl says a little more quietly than before. “Then why are you here?”
Thalis looks at the hag, the smile falling from her face. “That's more than one question…”
The hag offeres gently ”I will pay more”.
Thalis nodds and continues. “I am the youngest of five children and with working parents… I was bound to fall through the cracks a little. I know they love me… they didn’t want me to leave…” Thalis looks down at her hands, her voice growing quieter with each word “But… I don’t have a place there…I don’t belong…” her voice cracks and Thalis looks at the hag again. “I don’t want to answer any more questions!”
The hag laughs merrily at the girl’s anger, waving a wrinkled hand around as if to dispel the heavy atmosphere. “ I didn’t mean to make you upset, here is your payment.” Thalis takes her earnings and bids farewell to the old hag, leaving the tend and the softness of the cushion and goes on her way.
Recommended Comments