• The Sorceress •

     "Ah hello, young lady." An older gentleman entered my shop. The bell jingled as the door shut behind him.

"Hello, sir." I came to the counter. "Welcome to The Black Crystal. Can I help you find anything?"

"Well, I'm not sure..." He glanced at the shelves and the glass cupboards containing spell books. "I... I have a problem. May I speak to the Sorcerer who owns this establishment?"

     Ouch. "My name is Sithra." I smiled despite my annoyment, and extended a hand. "I'm the sorceress who runs this shop."

"Oh, I am so sorry! I didn't mean to offend you!" He apologized. "I trust you heard of what happened in Luanth...?"

Here we go again... "Yes, I have. Most unfortunate, the king's death."

"Indeed it was." He agreed. "I am from there, you see. I am the Royal Messenger, Gerum Witabo. I have a different issue regarding the royal family..."

My internal thoughts shut up. If it isn't about the king, what is he talking about?

"Like what, Sir Witabo?" I politely asked.

"The family has been cursed. The king's death confirms it." He looked around to see if anyone else could hear. "I fear for the remaining royal blood. I... I will pay whatever you ask... Just please... Break this spell, end the misfortune!"

I stepped back as the man cried. He was nuts! Was he even the Royal Messenger, or did he believe he was? "Sir please..." I tried to calm him down, but his wailing only got louder. Customers outside the shop were backing away from the door once they heard this oaf.

"Oh, please Sorceress Sithra! Save them!" He held the counter and slipped to the ground only to continue crying on the wood.

"Sithra-" Derim came out of the back room and saw the man. Slowly, he went back inside. "Um... I'll come back later..."

"Sir please-!" I came around the counter and tried to bring him to his feet. He only slumped back down. I grumbled at the hopeless situation. Then, I remembered an old spell my mom used to use...

I threw my hands at the man and yelled the spell "Tranquillum!"

The man's cried instantly ceased and he stood up, wiping the tears away.

"So sorry for that, Sorceress..." He muttered, embarrassed. "I... I get quite emotional at the possibility the royal family line ending. I watched them grow up, you see. They are like my family."

"I understand." I huffed. "But please, for professional purposes you need to get ahold of yourself."

"Of course, you are right." He straightened his jacket. "Apologizes for the waste of your time... I really must be heading back now. Will you come with me?"

"I..." I began, glancing behind to find Derim standing at the counter. He sighed and waved a hand for me to go. I didn't like leaving the entire shop with him unless I had to... But this man sees me as his only hope... "I will accompany you, sir."

"Oh thank the heavens!" He exhaled a breath of relief. "We shall be off right away!"

I clasped my black cloak with emeralds on and pulled my pendant over my head. Pendants helped channel a sorcerer's power to cast stronger spells, a good thing to have on hand while traveling to a supposed cursed castle.

Once again, I was back on the trail to Luanth...