An empty road. To some a calling of possibilities to others a reflection of their fear of solitude. Roads are not meant to be empty, nor are people.
He walked up the road considering how much freedom he had being alone. He hurried, not his steps nor his breathing, yet by intent alone. He was nearer to his goal of finding a Love Potion. He had sought out many would-be witches and holy shamans all had backed down and admitted they could not provide what he was after when pressed.
He was a man of violence and had pressed some of those who claimed to sell what he was after harder than was strictly necessary yet those men and women would give greater consideration before swindling others again. Not all in his wake would remember him as anything other than a passer by, yet some are only memories now.
The village he approached now was large yet still far short of being called a town and it was said there was a wisewoman here who knew magics and secrets other’s believed to only be mith. It had rained not long ago and while the road was firm under his boots the sides and ditches were not, he was nearing a wagon that had slid off the road and who’s mule was unfit to drag cart and load out. The family was clearly unsure if not afraid of him as he walked up not responding to their statements of being fine and able to handle the issue. He placed his bow, quiver and sword into one child’s hands and simply got into the mud to help them. While he pushed they pulled and it was sorted out quickly. Apologizing and thanking him he never responded more than a smile that did not touch his eyes, something that frightened them more. Hoping he was deaf or as his clothes suggested from far enough away that he simply could not understand their words they hurried away as crows called happy to be away from such a cold yet helpful man.
Resting for a moment he knew he should take a small comfort in having hidden a silver coin in the boy’s pocket and he made the choice to not envy them as he cleaned mud off his old boots. The late day sun was returning after being cut by the rain and was becoming muggy.
The tavern was clear to see on the main street and he recited silently a checklist of what precautions to take in the company of strangers. Securing his own coin, peace tying his sword to scabbard, and unstung his bow. The heavy curved dagger belted on the small of his back had been with him for far longer than those other tools, and had shed more blood than even he knew.
A busy night with music and laughter greated him the same as the smell of human company. Sweat, lies, and false bravo moved him as much as smiles, flattery, or cowardice in that they didn’t. He joined them in all of those things pretending to be every bit as human as they did or perhaps a touch more.
A few drinks, a meal, and games of darts later he learned what he needed to know and where the door he would knock on in the morning to be. Yet he continued in their company into the later evening before taking to his room. This was a habit of his to see who enters the tavern after himself as the past has ways of haunting him.
Morning was quick to arrive and while he didn’t feel hope today would be better he continued onward. Finding the Wise-women’s cottage easy enough he was surprised to see her staring at him from her doorway. That was a good sign he thought and smiled again making eye contact with her as she frowned.
“There is darkness about you stranger.” Was her greeting as he placed his pack, blade and bow next to the path leading to her porch and he nodded agreement to her. “and what are You after?” she continued.
“I have coin for your troubles” he said in a voice calm and disconnected from any offense she may have given. Her eyes narrowed as he walked up the steps swaying and losing his balance before grabbing the handrail.
Her wards against evil and intruders clearly had some effect and were partially triggered by his aura yet he recovered and stepped closer. This is what confused her the most so far, as those same spells of protection and enchantments had saved her life and property as they had her ancestors for countless generations. His smile bothered her, more so as she Knew it was meant to set her at ease. ‘Did he even know what just happened?’ she considered as she stretched out with her own feelings sensing the protective charms were indeed still in place.
“Come in then we can talk over tea” followed by a whistle an unseen to him wolf-dog walked up those same steps and past him to join her. While he did not show any signs of fear there was clearly a surprise as a predator slinked past.
“Cute dog ma’am” as he went to close the door he stopped and left it open as it had been. She might be more at peace that way he considered before joining her in a parlor of sorts. Inside her magic was stronger and the pot of water grow hot on the table with no fire needed. “Ma’am you are likely just what I am looking for.” as he placed two pouches on her table one that rested softly the other with the sound of coins. He opened the first full of dried leaves and berries saying “Tea from my home land if you would like”
Surprised by this she looked him over trying hard to dismiss the darkness she could see rolling off of him at times like sweet when the wind slowed. No, she shook her head and prepared her own allowing him the option to do the same with his leaf.
“Your fortune is it? Or a tonic for sick kin? Perhaps information on a departed friend” she asked considering who could be friends with him.
“All of those would be worth the travel to here and you Ma’am. No that is not my business with you” he said and she felt sadness stronger than that darkness when he heard the word friend. “A love potion is what I am here for.”
She laughed and immediately regretted it. She meant no insult and had been off balanced enough to not have better control of herself.
“Well those are not easy and are often a problem when used” she hurried unsure if she had insulted him or not. “No amount of money can bend another to your will, or are you working for another?” he shook his head. “I will not aid you in some scheme to possess a woman’s heart for lust” this was an old saying used by her grandmother’s grandmother and so back. A proud history of will workers who fought tyranny. “No matter how the girl who has caught your eye makes you lust.”
Normally this brings a response of denial from those who seek such magic and while he shook his head his words did not match her expectations “Good that means you might not be a fraud. No Ma’am I work for no one and it is for myself.” Uncomfortably he drank deeply from his tea and waited.
“What do you mean?” The wording he used threw her off.
“How much for the strongest longest lasting love potion you can make Ma’am” eyes never changing, hardly blinking and more distant than her long forgotten mountain home.
“What do you mean that it is for yourself” she asked using the power to command honesty from him , something that came with no resistance.
“I mean I wish to love my wife and family as they do me.” were the words that broke her heart.