[audio https://audioboo.fm/boos/2232849-the-wooded-realm-pt5.mp3]

 

Ven huddles, looming shadows at her back.
Flames fan her face, but warm soothment they lack.
Her history, long hid from her, feels black.
As the crone tells on, Ven’s surety cracks..

 

“I was there, waiting, at your very birth.

With dust of coal and purest blood of earth,

I marked you true, as the fates demanded.

T’was I that named you, as they commanded.”

 

She pauses now, staring into the fire,

She whispers how, “It were my heart’s desire.

To be led to choose gives one regency,

In the eyes of the gods, ascendancy.”

 

Quickly, her hooded eyes alight on Ven,

“For you to know the scope, you must listen.

The magic draws you on undoubtedly.

Destiny you must endure, fearlessly.”

 

With raised brow, Ven hesitantly questions.

The hag replies, “Follow my directions-

A simple spell will send you to your fate.

Just listen my deary, and contemplate..”

 
Where will this wind our girl, what fate mentioned?

[audio https://audioboo.fm/boos/2232843-the-wooded-realm-pt4.mp3]

 

Having run, Ven finds herself in danger-
Caught and held in the grip of a stranger,
Who retains long sought answers within her.
What do secrets cost, what is their nature?

 

Freed of hands, bound by curiosity,

Ven crouches, awaiting veracity.

From this ag-ed, bent and gnarled figure.

This small, seemingly frail, warted creature.

 

“Who is it you claim to be-” Ven starts,

At the crack of a smack, her cheek smarts.

“You’d be wise to hold thy tongue,” the crone growls,

“For flapping lips do quickly run afoul.”

 

“Your story, my child, began long ago.

When stars ran aground and their magic flowed.

In my veins runs the gift of prophecy,

And ages past your name came unto me.

 

“With mine own eyes I beheld your squalling.

Glimpsed your future darkly with my calling.

To your parents I went, ‘fore them I told –

She must be named and marked as I was bode!”

 

Ven’s tale winds on with a magical bend.