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The brothers looked at each other. Matthew knew the voice
immediately, the shrill cackle sieved his spine. Instinctively, he slowly
crouched down and picked up the sword, holding it tightly in his hand.
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Billy turned round first, he held his breath.
Standing on at the top of the mountainous staircase was a
tall, skeletal woman. Her long black coat emphasised her chalk white skin. She
had dark, sunken eyes and high, pointed cheekbones. Her tall black hat gave her
unnecessary extra height.
"Matthew Moran," She said, her voice cold and unnatural,
"Was my welcome not warm enough?"
Matthew smirked, "Don't flatter yourself, Oriel. I've had
enough for your games." He lifted his sword, "It ends here."
"Wrong!" She said angrily, "I decide
when the game is over." Her face displayed a wicked smile, "This must
be William, I have heard so much about you."
Matthew stood in front of his little brother, "Don't
listen to her, Billy."
Billy stood aside of him, staring at intently as he could. |
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"Too bad your little quest to save your brother was wasted," She slowly
started to take graceful strides down the staircase. Her crooked hand grasped
the banister, Billy could seeing the clouds of dust falling from beneath her
fingers.
Matthew grabbed his brothers shoulders, "Climb out the
window and run to the village. Get Marzurka..."
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The witch sneered loudly. She stood at the bottom of the stairs,
stroking the head of the snarling gargoyle, "That crazy fool!" She scowled,
"We could have been the greatest and most powerful partnership the universe
had ever known. Instead, he lives out there." She pointed to the direction
of the village, "Living as a recluse. What life is that?" She hissed.
"One I choose to lead." Marzurka stepped from the
shadows at the top of the stairs. He slammed his staff against the stone floor.
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Billy smiled. Matthew squeezed his brother's shoulders from
behind him.
Oriel turned to him, "Mar-zur-ka," She said slowly,
"I should have known you were behind this little adventure."
Marzurka spoke in a slow, deep voice, "Kidnap and torture, Oriel?"
The witch grinned evilly, "These villagers are petty
people. They have small, closed minds against persons of our...abilities. You of
all people should know this."
"This is no justification for their punishment. Release
them."
"Go back to your hermit life, old man." She spat.
Marzurka readied his staff in his hands, "You know I
cannot do that."
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Oriel chuckled to herself and raised her hand.
Billy looked on curiously, she appeared to be drawing shapes
in the air with her fingers. She pinched the air and slowly drew her fingers
down in a straight line. A wooden wand appeared from mind air between her
fingers. Billy's eyes widened.
"I've been waiting an era for this, old man." The
witch growled, "Let's see if you can still match me."
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