Sky

The Request

"What is it you seek?"

"A cure, a transformation," he replied kneeling upon one knee before her.

"For what?" She leaned heavily upon her staff. She stood just inside the border of the forest for she couldn't go beyond it. To do so would be her death.

"It's for a woman I love."

"I ask you once more for what? Do not waste my time. You would not like the consequences."

He trembled before her. He swallowed the lump in his throat. They had told him she was the witch for the Fey.

"I heard you can bring the dead back to life."

"You heard wrong boy." She started to turn away.

He grabbed hold of her staff. "Please I need it for a Banshee. I'm in love with her. You're cure can release her from the Queen. Please I am begging of you. I will do anything."

She looked down at him. Such a thing had not been asked in over 600 years. Yes, she knew how to restore a banshee to life but that didn't mean she was going to. It was a dangerous, not to mention the sacrifices it would call for.She shook her head and attempted to gain back her staff.

"You must help me."

"I don't have to do anything of the sort. You don't know what you are asking, what would be required of you to give up. It is far too dangerous."

She pulled her staff free of his grip. She turned and started walking away. She heard the crunch of the foliage as he rose hell bent on following her deeper into the forest. She lifted her hand, chanted a few words and the next step he took meet with an invisible barrier between them.

"Go home warrior."

But she knew deep in her soul that he wouldn't be able to. She was just as determined not to assist him in this foolish quest of his. She made her way back to the cottage, entered and sat before the hearth letting the warmth of the fire seep deep into her old bones. She let her eyes close.

A burst of bright light filled the small two room cottage.

"Oh bloody hell!"

There before her stood the banshee.

"Go away! I won't help you like I told him!"

A terrible wail filled the small cottage. The witch fell to the floor, her hands covering her ears.

"Enough."

The wailing stopped only long enough for one question to be asked.

"You will help then?" The banshee floated just within her eyesight.

She crouched upon the floor.  "Damn banshee! Yes, for the love of all that is unholy it seems I have no other choice if I want to remain within the realm of the living."