The Sorceress

She was used to entering the Inn and being greeted by a squawking raven. This time things were different. The birdcage was empty. She sat down next to the cage somewhat confused. She hadn't visited the Inn for over a month but as she sat down next to the birdcage the remember what she had thought to be a dream. A week earlier she had woken up in her bed in a cold sweat remembering a dream so vivid it was hard to tell the difference between dream and reality.

The dream started out mundane, she visited the Inn as she often did to meet with friends, have a drink and hear some of the general gossip of the village. She smiled as the raven squawked announcing her arrival. She took her normal place by the bar and order a pint of mead. The bar tender looked askance at her and said “better make sure to keep your wits about you tonight Abigail”

"Why?” she replied with a confused look on her face. The village was one of the safest in the greater kingdom and she couldn't begin to fathom what could possible pose a threat. She had known everyone in the village since she was born and felt safer here than anywhere else.

“Rumor is there is a sorceress in town.”

“A sorceress” Abigail scoffed, “surely not, there hasn't been a sorceress in Twin Forked Peaks for more than a thousand years.”

“well,” replied the bar tender, “Remmy said he ferried her across Wide Glen River only four hours ago. Says she paid him far more than is proper, even showed me the gold coin she gave him. It had the sorceress mark alright straight out of the Aladun, for sure that coin was.”

“Wouldn't the sorceress just have flown? Why pay for a ferry crossing?” Inquired Abigail.

“Remmy said she was asking lots of questions, I couldn't pretend to know the mind of a sorceress.”

Before Abigail had a chance to respond the door burst open with a bang and a blinding flash, the smell of ozone hung in the air. Once her eyes had adjusted again she saw the door fully intact and a sorceress standing in the threshold. The sorceress had black hair and was wearing a black dress she was about the same height as Abigail and wearing a set of wings. Abigail had heard tails of the sorceresses of Aldun and their magic wings. Abigail knew with a simple word the sorceress could have her wings grow and take flight into the sky.

"I have come for my Bob.” called the sorceress in a deep dark and foreboding tone.

“Umm I'm sorry but what is a bob?” asked the bar tender.

“Bob, he is my husband, and you hold him captive.” replied the sorceress.

“We hold no prisoners here, great sorceress.” replied the bar tender.

The sorceress scoffed “you” she called pointing at Abigail, “open up that cage and come over here.” Something in the sorceress' tone made it impossible for Abigail to do anything but obey. The sorceress bid Abigail to come closer to her. “Hold this book and candle while I remedy this situation, one of my enemies you see turned my Bob into a raven and sold him to this here establishment. I hold no grudge against you but I must have my Bob back.”

The sorceress read from the book Abigail held evoking deep magic. A multitude of colors swarmed from the book and began to circle the Raven. The Raven flew from the cage and perched on a stool, within a short time a naked man was seated where the raven had been. The Sorceress handed him a cloak and the left the Inn without another word.

The bartender interrupted Abigail from puzzling over her dream “The usual mead” asked the bartender.

“Yes please,” responded Abigail, “what happened to the raven?” she asked.

“couldn't say, just vanished about a week ago.” responded the bartender.

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