Off to see the Sorceress

She spoke little with Henry, who clearly was regarding his wife with a great degree of apprehension since being informed by the witch doctor that she was under ‘numerous’ enchantments. He had put some questions to her about it when they were on their way back to their home yesterday – Did she know what had been done to her, when, and by whom? Of course Fred knew all of these things, but the spells prevented her from giving voice to them. She was forced to respond with a blank, helpless stare – unable to even nod yes or no answers. Henry, for his part, seemed to understand this after a few questions, and dropped the subject for the time being, hoping that this sorceress would be able to provide the answers Fred couldn’t.

One question kept coming to Fred’s mind as they trudged onwards, What had happened to her Hannah persona since Belboz had returned control of this body to Fred some two months ago now? Had she been relegated to a spectator, aware but unable to influence, as Fred had been for so many years? Or was she simply gone, magicked out of existence as easily as she’d been created? Fred couldn’t discount either possibility entirely, but if she had to guess, it would be that ‘Hannah’ was still around somehow, just in case Belboz decided to put ‘her’ back in control at some point.

Eventually they came upon the sorceress’ dwelling, just as the sun was creeping below the horizon. For a reclusive sorceress, Fred had been expecting a forbidding place, perhaps a cave carved into the rock of the mountain. Instead, they stood before a nondescript cottage in a clearing, a little ways off the main trail. Candlelight was visible through the windows, and smoke was emanating from the chimney. They approached cautiously and Henry banged on the wooden doorway with his walking stick, while Fred, winded from the long journey, stood by his side cradling her belly, as Hannah often did during her numerous pregnancies.

At first there was no response. Henry knocked again, calling out “Sorceress Jeppeline? Please, open the door! We have traveled a long way to seek your counsel!”

There was shuffling heard, and the door opened to reveal:

1. An old crone, wearing a dark, hooded robe. She eyed the pair suspiciously. “Who are you, and what do you want?”
2. A younger woman with long, silver hair despite her otherwise youthful features. She was a bit flustered, and was wearing only a thin silk robe which she was still tying closed. "So very, wasn't expecting vistors today. Please, come in."
3. Belboz! “Did you think I wasn’t keeping an eye on you, dear Hannah? That I could not track your movements and divine your intentions?” Sorceress Jeppeline was nowhere to be seen. Fred found that she could speak freely, and angri;y responded
4. Belboz! “Hello, travelers.” he said. Sorceress Jeppeline was nowhere to be seen. Fred found that he could not reply, as ‘Hannah’ was back in control. “My lady has gone off on a journey, and asked me to look after her affairs. Can I help you?

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