From Disappearance to Return: Of Witches and Whispers

Galentine walked into the dark confines of a shadowy den.. Or so it seemed to him.. The rest of the house he had walked through was filled with things that spoke of wealth and power, but none of it had prepared him for the sifting darkness an almost living gloom that hung like a thick shroud beyond a simple oaken framed door. Death curled up here and rest its head, and there was a rush of sharp scents that assaulted his senses as the small glimmer of a single candle light wavered weakly against the blackness that threatened to extinguish it..

In that dim light sat a youthful woman, of fair complexion, long strands of honey colored hair lay bound in spiraling braids lifting the wealth of those locks from the nape of her neck.. She regarded him with eyes the color of a stormy sky, and bushed soft layers of ash from her black robes..

"I have come to speak with your mistress..", Galentine spoke,.. gaze searching the room as if seeking out another, But she was the only one in the chamber..

"Now that,... would be a feat.." Her words were like silken silver splashed with laughter, as she smirked.. "I am in command of this place,.. I do serve another, but the only way you shall see her is in the cold grips of death.."

Confusion settled over his face as he strode closer to the woman.. a table seemed to appear,.. or perhaps it simply came into view from within the shadows, and beside it a chair.. "If you speak the truth, then you haven't aged a day in over sixty years.." His words were filled with doubt as he placed a hand to the back of the chair..

"You were expecting green skin tones and a horrible wart?.." She asked coyly and motioned to the chair in a commanding gesture.. "I am the witch you seek,.. now sit.."

He watched her closely, doing as he was told with a quiet frown, but remained silent as it seemed she wished to do most of the speaking.. "Even had Evernae not told me of your... troubles..", Her smile inched upward tugging at the corner of rose colored lips.. "I would have known why you sought me out any way... I have been watching you with great interest..."

"Forgive me,.. but we do not have the time for this.. The key to my plan's is lying in a sick bed provided by my enemies, and should she wake up before we can work your magick, I believe my plans are lost..." Urgency came through in his tone,.. and he leaned forward..

"Fine..", the smile vanished from her face, features growing cold,.. eyes showing an almost ageless quality. "Then we should discuss price.."

He frowned,.. Galentine knew this was coming.. and still he had no idea how to pay this woman..His expression must have displayed his concerns, or maybe she read his mind, for in the moment following,.. she extended her hand to him. palm up..

"I take my payment's in one of two manners.." She began slowly,.. eyes never leaving his...

"In blood,.. and in souls.."

"For something as small as this task,.. I will claim from you one drop of your blood,.. and... You must bring to me a child... I don't care who's child it is,.. but it may not be older than three winters in age.." Her demand broke his concentration,.. but Galentine had done much worse in his past... A drop of blood and a child's life in exchanged for his life's work?.. It was easy enough to accept...

He set his hand in hers,.. and she withdrew a sharp comb from her hair... A slow smile touched her lips as she drove the sharpened teeth into his flesh,.. the longest of which pierced strait into an artery in his wrist with a momentary spray of crimson mist.. Galentine winced, he had never felt a sensation quite like this before.. as the drop of blood fell to the table,.. he was certain that he was weakening... In a moment it was over.. his skin tingled where she had pricked it, and the light-headed sensation fell away almost instantly..

"Now',... She lifted her hand upward as spiraling lights cast of blue flame whirled in her palm.. blood flowed like sweat from the center of her upturned hand curving inward on itself until the vague shape of a ring solidified within it.. The light died, shadowy afterimages dancing upon the witch's face.. "This ring can be placed upon her finger, and will vanish once in place..."

She paused, slowly lowering the small bit of unremarkable jewelry to the table's stained surface.. "Do not be alarmed when it happens... The ring may be used four times only.. and will last the entire day.. To bring it's powers into focus, you need only speak a single word.. Once the.. charges.. have been consumed.. the ring will turn to dust.."

"And this word?." He asked quietly,.. green eyes glinting in the gloom

"Esh'Thallanuwe,... and it only activates the ring when it is on a person's finger..." He rose swiftly, one hand snatching up the ring, his motion setting him in a turn toward the doorway... "what other things Could I ask your aid in performing for me?.." The question came as he paused on the threshold of the chamber.. casting a glance in her direction..

"You have that much blood to spend?..." She smirked fading into the black as if a darkened veil had fallen between them..