I found a note under my door one morning, from a person in need of carpentry and stonework repair. They stated all would be provided for and a fair wage paid. Shrugging, I proceeded to pack the mule and took off for the Danzir Forest, somewhere at the end of the valley. When I arrived at a small village, asking directions, they hissed at the mention of the Danzir and made the sign of protection. Finally, an old man on a bench told me it was an evil place and not to go there if I knew what was best. Ignorant of local tales and folklore, I told him I needed work and that there was a job offer. Shaking his head, he said only one person lived in that forest and that was the witch. "The ugliest foul-smelling hag if there ever was one. Ain't no one ever returned after going into those woods, Boy." I headed towards the forest that was visible in the distance. I thought on matters and decided to try it. If a witch wanted a person for evil deeds, she could certainly pick someone that lived closer than I had. I suppose witches have need of occasional repairs and I was the man to do it. Once I entered the old forest, the next morning, things turned dim as the huge trees blocked all light. I was to follow the trail that goes along the creek. That seemed easy enough until about midday, I turned around and realized the creek and trail were nowhere in sight. The mule got spooked a few hours later and I abandoned my trek to find that damned animal. Exhausted and cold as it turned black as pitch, with nightfall, I just made my way the best I could along the edge of a wall of dense pines. Catching glimpses of the full moon, I looked for a likely safe place to just lay down and sleep until daybreak. It must have been well after midnight when I just walked into a clearing that was brightly illuminated in moonlight. Across the clearing, a light burned. It was a single candle on the steps of a squat stone cottage covered with vines. Seated on those steps was a young woman. An alarmingly beautiful young woman as it turned out when I approached. "Hello." I said. "I've been expecting you. Tea?" she said and pointed to a cup waiting for me on the step. "How did you know I was arriving at this early hour?" "Your mule found us a few hours ago. He knew approximately where you were." "Oh." I said, as I sat on the step, feeling wary and suspicous, but mostly relieved that I wasn't lost. My eyes kept wandering, for she was wearing only a skirt and nothing else. She noticed this and said she had dressed only because she didn't know if I would be a pruddish gentleman. I told her I had never been known to be particularly pruddish, nor a gentleman for that matter. She giggled and asked if I wanted more tea. "Yes, please. It's delicious." I said and watched her pick up a teapot beside me that simply wasn't there a moment earlier. As she leaned to pour, she smiled and I drew a deep breath. Making a mental note to tell the old man back in the village that if this was, indeed, The Witch of The Danzir, she most certainly wasn't foul-smelling. *** Timbers, door and skirt are terrains. Stonework mat from Zhann. My Poser map. Squashed Bryce trees for the vinework.