There\u0027s many tales and rumors told about witches. Fairy tales for teaching right behaviour, others are lullabies, and some are heroic tales of adventure. Even if you might have trouble to believe, there might be also be truth within. That\u0027s the fun of a witch\u0027s tale! The most motley of these stories might raise the eyebrows even of a depraved prostitute from the underground streets of the capital. Those are the ones of the lowest witch slave, the Slawitch.

In the forest lands we find a settlement, it\u0027s inhabited by those misfortunate who had to go into exile as they could not afford to live in the divine city. These exiles have gathered here since this land is far from the misty realms with wandering gods so that also those without powers can live and survive in their shanty town.

It is, however, not an easy life to live far from civilization and the Sleeping Goddess under the divine city. And to venture into the deep forests without protection could lead to a horrible death. So the settlement of the exiles had been built at the edge of the forest of Yardloke trees.

Yardlokes are huge trees with wide branches and broad leaves that grow like mushrooms. They can provide a natural shelter protecting from wind, rain and wild beasts. When Yardlokes grow in clusters the branches can get sturdy enough to support the huts of the settlers, who build makeshift home these elevated platforms.

Most of these villagers find sustenance trough hunting and gathering. When they encounter rare materials they will collect it and bring it home, among these materials was magnesium which was found in an unusual amounts in the area. When they occasionally obtained very rare materials, such could be sold with good profit to travelling peddlers from the divine city. To travel deep into the forest increases the chance of greater profit, but it also come with greater risk. The most dangerous part of the forest was considered forbidden, but some would try their luck anyway.

This deep forest held a large number unusual creatures and plants not found anywhere else. Fearsome beasts that would protect their domain, catching their prey to hold them prisoner until they needed to eat. Predatory plants that would cruelly keep their first catch alive to lure others in, also mushrooms that would cause hallucinations and turn people into raving murderers. If a greedy fool from the capital would enter the forest unprepared, it could cause the death of any settler if they attempted a rescue. That\u0027s why a group of sharp eyed men called the Tree Guardians kept a lookout for strangers from the trees. Death was never far away, and had to be taken into account as one calculated risk for the fossickers and gatherers. They would often be helpful and protect any stranger from danger, but they would show no mercy for those who ignore their warnings and enter the forbidden area.

One day, a bizarre stranger drifted into the settlement. His dark face covered in shadow by the hood of his tattered cloak. And withered fingers like dead twigs peeking out of the sleeves. The overall impression was more of an old mossy statue than a living person. This was not a completely unknown sight for most of the residents of the shanty town who had lived in the poorer parts of the capital and the underground streets. So they were used to see a people somewhat removed from the human norm. What aroused the curiosity of the exiles the wand he carried. The tip of the staff looked like flesh colored ceramics, shaped like folded petals where a liquid constantly could be seen seeping out. But while there were no canister inside the staff, the liquid kept flowing by some other unknown means. \"Oh, I\u0027m sorry, it\u0027s nothing important, this is something wrong little.\" The man said and wiped some of the liquid off with his sleeve. From his appearance and the unfamiliar staff, the settlers noted that this man was no ordinary refugee. The man told the people who had gathered that he was tired of the city and wished to escape that kind of life.

But unlike most others, he had no wish to stay in the village, but instead intended to travel to the dangerous deep forest. \"Don\u0027t mind me. I\u0027m just a sniveling fool who don\u0027t like the company of people. I am different and don\u0027t do well with others. I\u0027d rather settle down in a quiet place.\" As he said this and turned to leave, short fat but well-dressed older woman who was the matron for the village had the man go silent by speaking up. \"Hey, you! I really don\u0027t wish to get involved. But you better be careful if you intend to go into the deep forest. Dressed like that, you\u0027ll be dead before you know it. For starters, there are not many places suitable for living other than here, you know. And...you should be careful not to get spotted by the tree-keepers. You know, it\u0027s just…\" As the man realised that the woman was insistent and replied. \"Oh, I see. It\u0027s alright. I\u0027ve got a place to stay. I carry it with me. Thank you for your concern.\" He bowed deeply in a polite way that belied his appearance. The woman rolled her eyes, a little surprised to see such polite manner from a drifter. His comment of bringing his own lodging was hard to believe. The only thing he had brought with him, apart from his staff, was a leather bag that he carried on his shoulder. It\u0027s too small to hold a tent or even a sleeping bag. \"And my I inquire about these Tree Guardians? Who are they?\" He turned around slowly as he asked, looking intrigued. \"Oh, those are frontier people that patrol the forest. You might consider them vigilantes. There are two young women of the group here. Old enough to be a daughter of mine\"

The man twisted his head in puzzlement as he listened to this. \"Didn\u0027t you say that is a dangerous place? That sounds like a lot to ask of a young woman.\" \"They grew up here and already know the forest like the back of their hands. My job as a matron is to cook, so I don\u0027t know much about how they manage or fight in the forest. But my husband was once attacked by a large beast and it was those two who saved him. My husband said that they looked anything but young women when they fought. So, perhaps they might be witches. My husband has gotten affectionate toward them after he got rescued and has since praised them for their powers.\" She began to ramble on about her husband\u0027s fondness for the two young witches, looking pleased with herself, as if she had been bragging about her own daughters. The man listened quietly to the long story, chiming in with. \"That\u0027s... That\u0027s interesting,\" now and then to have the Matron continue. When the matron had finished, the stranger looked around at the gathered people and asked. \"I\u0027d like to hear more about these witches, if you would not mind. Like this husband here, a witch saved my life once. Ever since, I\u0027ve had wished to learn more about to them. And other stories you people would proffer to tell.\"

The woman seemed relieved and to be a little more at ease when she heard the man say this. The opinion on witches differed greatly between the people in the divine city. some would shout out their rejection in with hate and disdain. others who had witnessed the cruel punishments by the legal administration would feel sorry for them.

\"Well. I didn\u0027t mean to ramble, but I\u0027m glad you don\u0027t hate witches. There\u0027s a lot people tell, you know. But it\u0027s sometimes hard to tell a tall story from the truth. I\u0027m sure you\u0027ll be able to find out what is real or not.\" The man listens to and then shake his head. \"I don\u0027t hate witches,\" he eventually replies and adds. \"Nobody likes witches more than I do.\"

小说相关章节：じょじゅ