Chapter 8

“So what did the witch say?” Eugene said when Keller at last arrived back at his cabin.

“She will see you,” Keller said.

“Great. So which way do I go?”

“Follow the path,” Keller said. “You can’t miss it. The path leads straight to the cabin.”

“You mean that this path only leads to the witch’s place? What are you? The witch’s guardian?”

“We have worked together often enough but I am not her guardian. What witch needs a guardian?”

Eugene studied Keller looking for signs of deceit but he couldn’t see any.

“Very well then,” he said tossing a few coins on the dinner table. “Thank you. If I have success, I shall pay you more.”

“I’ll believe that when I see it,” Keller scoffed.

“Don’t be so pessimistic Keller. Surely there will be success. She is your friend after all,” Eugene said.

“Witches don’t have friends,” Keller murmured. “You’re on your own with this you hear me? Don’t even stop by after you’ve seen her. Pay her and keep going.”

“You’re just full of it aren’t you?” Eugene said.

“Get out,” Keller said as he bent himself to the task of building a fire in the fireplace.

Eugene left the cabin. He felt there was something Keller hadn’t told him. He was eager to get this over with so he did not dwell on the thought. He crossed to his horse where his men had been waiting. “We ride up the path,” he said as he mounted his horse. His men mounted up and two men rode ahead while the others followed behind.

They finally reached the witch’s cabin. The woods here were dark and had seemed to grow darker with every step after they left Keller’s abode. They pulled up and sat in silence for a moment. Then Eugene dismounted and handed the reins of his horse to one of his men. He crossed to the cabin and knocked on the door.

“Come in,” a woman’s voice called from within.

Eugene hesitated briefly and then turned the doorknob. The door swung inward and he entered closing it behind him.

A middle-aged woman sat at the table in the cabin. She was beautiful. She had black hair and blue eyes that seemed to see right into him, through him. He felt the hairs on his neck and arms rise as goosebumps raced over his skin. Why, he had no idea, for he was hypnotized by this women’s beauty. He thought he could stay here forever and just look at her.

“Please be seated,” she said motioning to the chair closest to him.

“Thank you,” Eugene said and found himself sitting without remembering having crossed to the chair, pulling it out, and seating himself.

“What can I help you with?” the witch asked her gaze never leaving Eugene’s.

“I have come to ask your help to put a spell on someone.”

“Why?”

“Because you er… have the ability to do so,” Eugene said trying to be diplomatic.

“That is obvious. It is why you are here. I meant why would you have the man cursed?”

“Cursed? No, I just need a spell put on him,” Eugene replied. He felt as if he were watching himself speak. He felt as if he had no control over his body as if he was standing outside himself, as he spoke with this beautiful woman.

“The spell you seek is a curse,” the woman replied. “Why do you seek this spell?”

“I… I… have spoken with the young man and warned him to stay away from my daughter but he refuses to listen. He cannot support her or give her a life she deserves and, as a result of his romantic advances she refuses every other suitor who has presented himself to her. She will ruin my family and herself.”

“There are other ways,” the woman replied. “Beat him up. Kill him even.”

“I do not have people killed,” Eugene replied.

“But if I am to cast the spell you desire, do you not think it would be better to simply kill the young man? Would you want to live as he will live?”

“No. It is not my cross to bear,” Eugene replied.

“The person who has a spell cast on another always has a cross to bear in some way or another. There will be consequences.”

“Such as what?”

“I cannot say. Karma decides that. Once the spell is cast the consequences flow outward like ripples in a pond. They cannot be avoided.”

“I have never heard that. I will take my chances,” Eugene said.

“There is no undoing it once it has been done. Are we clear?”

Eugene nodded. “Yes. How much do you demand as payment?”

The witch thought for a moment. Money was of no consequence to her but she needed ingredients for her spells, potions, and cauldrons and those cost money. “One thousand,” she said.

Eugene opened his mouth. He was shocked. “One thousand?”

The witch nodded almost imperceptibly.

Eugene thought of protesting but his gut told him not to. For some reason, he believed that voicing his disagreement would be wrong. He was sure the witch had read his mind just as she had read his mind about what it was he wanted. Did that count as an objection he wondered?

“Very well,” he said. “Just to be sure, then, this is what I want…” Eugene proceeded to explain in intricate detail what it was that he wanted the witch to do.

She made it clear she understood him when he was finished.

“Very good. I understand. I need something that belongs to the boy and your daughter.”

“I will bring something. I trust a piece of clothing is fine?”

The witch nodded. “When do you want the spell cast?”

“As soon as possible,” Eugene replied.

“Very well. I will prepare it. You will return here when I cast it and I will tell you everything you need to know to ensure it works as it should. Before you come to see me again, you will pay Keller. Do I make myself clear?”

“I can make the payment now,” Eugene said reaching into his pocket.

“No!” the witch said raising her hand. “Give the money to Keller. He will bring it to me.”

“But I am here now. And in all honesty, I do not trust Keller.”

“Perhaps you could trust Keller if you had squared your debt with him. It is he who has the right not to trust you.”

“Whatever,” Eugene said holding the money in his hand. “I would prefer to give it to you.”

“I don’t take payment,” the witch said bluntly.

“Very well,” Eugene said putting his money away.

“Anything else?” Kalnedra asked.

Eugene shook his head. He was relieved that their meeting was over but he did not want to leave. He had never seen a woman as beautiful as the witch and unsavory thoughts crossed his mind unbidden.

“You may leave then. Keller will send word when you return.”

“Thank you,” Eugene said but didn’t move.

Kalnedra said nothing for a while as she looked at him waiting for him to leave. When he didn’t move a smile slowly crossed her face and she spoke at last, “Do not fool yourself. What lies under these clothes is not something you wish to tarry with.”

Her voice seemed to break her spell and Eugene finally stood and bade her farewell. Kalnedra did not respond. Her silence was her farewell and she sat unmoving until Eugene finally opened the door and left her cabin.