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 Sit,” she gestures at a cushion, “Tell me your story.” Walter hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of his words in the dimly lit tent. "I... I don't know where to begin," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
The old hag nodded knowingly, her eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and compasion. "Start from the beginning, Walter. Tell me everything," she urged gently.
Taking a deep breath, Walter began to recount the events that had led him to this swampy town, his words flowing in a steady stream of emotion. "My parents wanted me to follow in their footsteps, become a merchant like them. But deep down, I knew I was meant for something more... something different," he explained, his voice tinged with regret.
The old hag listened intently as she absorbed every detail of Walter's tale. "And then the attack... It changed everything," he continued, his voice trembling with raw emotions. "I lost everything that day... My family, my liveihood. Now, I'm just... adrift, searching for mening in a world that seems so cruel and unforgiving."
The old hag reached out a gnarled hand, placing it gently on Walter's shoulder. "You've been through a lot, Walter. But remember, every ending is also a new begining," she said softly, her voice filled with wisdom born of years spent in solitude. "Maybe you'll find the answers you seek right here in this dingy town."
Walter looked up at her, his eyes reflecting a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness that had consumed him for so long. "Thank you," he whispered, a sense of relief washing over him like a warm embrace. "Thank you for listening."
The old hag smiled. "It's my pleasure, Walter. Now rest, and may the journey ahed bring you peace and purpose." she said.
