La Strega (closed for LordLuck)

[DarkWarrioress]

On the outskirts of Ferrara, down a faint, unbeaten path lived Amadora. Her cottage was humble. It required some work but there was always something else, someone else, that claimed her attention. She was an elf, taught in the Olde Ways, worshipped in the Olde Ways. She was a Healer. Her knowledge of herbs was unsurpassed. Many came knocking on her door for help and cures.

She looked far younger than her actual years. Elves had a way of being so. To this day, no one understood how they aged and yet remained so young looking. There was an ethereal quality about Amadora. Her honey light brown hair, almost seemingly blonde when the sunlight hit it at certain angles. Her ears were tiny and pointed; they suited her. Those amber eyes of hers held a depth of knowledge and wisdom that her looks belied. They were sinfully gorgeous, beckoning eyes. Her small, straight nose seemed to suit her face as well and those red, full lips of hers, spoke of a promise of wicked things .

She lived alone, but for a cat she called Simon. Many called her, La Strega. She preferred Amadora. Many feared her for being a witch. Many came to her anyway for the cures she could provide. Her days came and went, quietly. She hunted herbs in the early morning hours or deep into the night. She stayed up late making creams, lotions and potions to help soothe and cure what ailed.

 

[LordLuck]

And it was in one of those afternoons where Amadora stood home that he had arrived to meet her. He had come all the way from the walled city in order to meet with the famous Strega, the Witch, the woman that held many of the wisest advice.

Walking all the bad, terrible road towards this unused path, young Giacomo was quite tired when he finally reached her small, battered and plain cottage. He had come searching for awnsers. Somehow, he doubted that he would get any of the ones he was looking for. What was he to do with his life, for example.

Giacomo was young, broad shouldered, strong but not too muscular. His face was just starting to show the covering of a very shy beard. He was not too tall, standing only at 1.76m. Approaching the house's door quietly, he took his hand up in order to knock and beg for entrance. Beg for the wise woman to show him a path to lead his life on.

And unknown to him, she would do so - and so much more.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

She was sweeping her floor and had just opened the door absentmindedly to sweep what little there was of dust and dirt outside when she found herself looking at a young man. Her hands stayed their sweeping motions, while retaining their grip on the broom. She offered him a small friendly smile.

“Good Afternoon to you, young sir. Is there something I can do for you?”

Her amber eyes studied him as she waited for him to speak. She saw lines of stress around his eyes, something, one so young shouldn’t have and something more, she saw doubt and a sense of being lost. She wondered to what purpose he sought her out. For she knew, he did seek her out. No one comes down the path to her home unless they needed something. She was too far out of the normal lines of travel to think otherwise.

 

[LordLuck]

"G-Good aftern-noon, my lady.", he said, his words babbling as he searched the right ones for this moment. He had found himself shocked to see such a beautiful woman instead of the hag most people spoke about. Was he in the right place?

A small detail told him that yes. She had reached the Wise Woman. He had found La Strega. What was that? Her ears. She had slightly pointed, small ears. Unless she had been tortured by the Inquisition, she should not had that special feature.

"Y-Yes!!! Yes! I'm searching for a wise woman...", he thought better than to call her a witch, "...that some call Amadora. I search for awnsers..."

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Her eyes lit with silent amusement as she listened patiently to him stumble over his words. No one expected what they found when they went looking for La Strega. It was something she became use to. Amadora lifted a hand from the broom she was holding and gestured for him to come inside.

“I am Amadora, young man. Won’t you please come in? I need to just finish sweeping this pocket of dirt out the door so please step around it.”

She was not a woman, as most expected. She was an Elf. She knew of things that were of Earth, Water, Wind and Fire. Olde Ways. Olde things. She smiled as she swept the dirt out the door once he moved away from the door. She knew people spoke of her in hushed tones. For one thing, it was not safe to do otherwise. There were those about that feared the knowledge she possessed or didn’t understand it. That fear made her a target. Better to kill off that which one feared than face it, eh? She was lucky. Those that came to her, for the most part, held her secrets. She never had to go into Ferrara. She always found food on her doorstep. People, repaying her with what they could. What she didn’t have, she got from the surrounding forest. She closed the door behind her and set the broom aside.

“Now young sir, may I offer you some cold cider perhaps or a cup of tea?”

She glanced at her cat, who had decided the young man was to be something stalked. She admonished him playfully.

“Simon, mind your manners. He is our guest.”

The cat, crouched on the floor a few feet away, merely stared at their guest with his dark blue eyes. His tail lazily swishing on the ground behind him. His ears flickered at her words and he spared her a look, blinking once before refocusing those feline eyes back on his prey of choice, still deciding if he should follow his own mind or listen to his mistress.

 

[LordLuck]

Quietly and shyly did Giacomo entered the Witch's home. Amadora, however, looked so distant from this world. This reality. She would be, indeed, quite a sight back in the city, should someone take her there. After all, who would not wish to witness La Strega?

"Whatever you'd prefeer, my Lady. I'd gladly accompany you."

He said before noticing he was being hunted. A cat purred at attention, his head arched to the side. Giacomo's mother had a cat, called Bastian. It had been some time since he had left his home - with no idea of where he should go. What he should do. And that were amongst the many, many questions, boiling away into his head.

The young man crouched, smiling towads Simon. Taking one hand forward, slowly, he lowered it in order to pet at the cat's neck. Rather win him as a friend than as a foe.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

She set aside the broom and closed her front door as she moved toward her small kitchen, shaking her head at the cat and her gentleman guest. She brought back to glasses of cold cider. She made it herself when the apples were ready for harvest. She pressed them for the juice and used the pulp to make a sauce, which she put into things she baked, frequently.

“Please, sit down.” She offered him a chair at the same time she held out a glass to him.

Nothing in her home matched. Most of her things were gifts, in payment for services rendered. That also included her dishes, cups and silverware. She really didn’t care either. They were just things. Essential things, but just things, nonetheless.

She took a chair across from him. Simon, having decided he rather be in his mistress’ lap, abandoned his hunt of Giacomo and launched himself into her lap as she sat down. Her fingers stroked the top of the cat’s head idly.

“What is your name, Sir? And why have you sought me out? You have a young lady you wish to notice you perhaps? Or something is ailing you?”

 

[LordLuck]

"I wish I had a woman to fall for."

It was Giacomo's only reply as he sat down, picking up the glass. Indeed, he had admired at La Strega's home - her decoration was indeed more than exquisitive. The non-ornation about everything, and the mismatches stood not unnoticed to his eyes, clever, vivid eyes that longed for something.

Indeed, that reminded Giacomo he had brough something to offer to the woman. In exchange of her counsel. Taking a sip from the glass, he marvelled at the delicious cider. She had the skills for it as well, eh?

"I am called Giacomo... I've brought you this...", he searched into his travelling bag, pulling out a massive, yellow and round cheese. "...it's a meager donation, Lady... I've heard you should like it."

"I... well... I need a guidance, my Lady. I do not know what to do with my life. There's nothing that attracts my eye... instead, of course, you."

 

[DarkWarrioress]

She watched him quietly as he reaching into his traveling bag and withdrew a large wheel of cheese.

“Please Giacomo, you may set it on the table there and I do thank you for your thoughtfulness. The cheese is greatly appreciated.”

"I... well... I need a guidance, my Lady. I do not know what to do with my life. There's nothing that attracts my eye... instead, of course, you."

“Please, call me Amadora. I think Giacomo, there are more things that should be attracting your eye than a woman. Usually the things you don’t search for, are the things that usually fall into your lap when you least expect them. So tell me, what interests you in this world of ours?”

 

[LordLuck]

He shyly and carefully laid the heavy piece of cheese over her table. Indeed, that was one of the finest cheeses that he had ever made, back on his parent's small farmland, way beyond the hills to the north of the walled city. He gingerly smiled to himself as he was remembered by the long process of making this gift for the Lady that sat besides him.

"Well, La-... Amadora...", he scratched his head, thoughtfully, "I've once dreamed of working to the mercenary companies. I have once wished to be a Condottiere. However..."

"I've seen battle, and there's no glory there.", he said with finality, "But... I do... desire to meet a woman that can... teach me... to please her."

 

[DarkWarrioress]

“Ah, so you wish to learn the language of amour, eh? Perhaps then to be more confident in enticing a young woman for your own? Is this what you seek young Giacomo?”

She was idly scratching Simon behind the ears as she spoke, watching the young man closely. She wasn’t trying to be intimidating or arrogant in calling him young. In her mind, he was simply that, young. Given how the Elven aged, this wasn’t unreasonable to think. She was several hundreds of years old by now and had experienced many lovers and played many games of amour in that time.

So, this is what young Giacomo had come to her for. She should feel flattered she supposed. It was a skill like any other, with practice and experience it got better. But try to tell the young that. They were impatient. Always the thought that there was a quick answer for everything, when sometimes, the only answer was time. The young never felt they had time. It was going to run out at any minute, when, in truth, they had all the time in the world. Only the elderly counted Time's sands. For them, time was indeed, running out.

“Stand up, Giacomo and turn around slowly for me.”

 

[LordLuck]

He closed his eyes and looked down to his lap, visibly ashamed and stunned. Giacomo had been shy all his life, and to hear the witch talking so casually at his plead had made him... jumpy. He looked away from her, in order to preserve himself from her probably censurous gaze, trying to avoid her so gorgeous features. He was already in troblue enough. There was no need to make it worse.

The young man kept himself quiet, awaiting for the innevitable mock and censuring words of the woman. Words that never came. Instead, there was a glint of curiosity on Amadora's posture. Had she felt... flattered? He could not know until he heard her demand. Perhaps she was allowing him to...?

Without a word, Giacom stood in silence, and walked before Amadora. Taking his time, he girated himself on his feet, alowing her to observe all of his form, more than a little startled by the experience. Was she measuring him?

 

[DarkWarrioress]

“Sit down, Giacomo,” she softly ordered,” You have a pleasing look about you. One thing you must be sure to do, young sir. Do not look at your lap or the floor. Always look a lady in the eyes, even if you feel shy. You will never know what she is thinking if you are looking elsewhere, yes?” Her lips turned up into a smile, “A lady likes to know she has your attention, that is she worthy of your attention, understand? You do so by looking at her. You let her see you are interested, that you find her beautiful to look at and I will tell you a secret, Giacomo. All women are beautiful, the young, the old and all in between.”

She studied him further. She remained quiet for a time. Since nothing stirred in her eyes to give him a clue of her thoughts, she wondered if he was growing uncomfortable. She shooed Simon off her lap.

“Where are you staying?” She asked him suddenly.

 

[LordLuck]

As he heard Amadora's words, the young man lifted his eyes towards her at the same moment, matching her stare with newfound purpose. He would hear. He would learn. Giacomo had found a purpose - at least for the time being - to listen to her wise words, words that carried years of experience and living with them. With a soft, yet roughening voice, he replied.

"Yes. Amadora. I see what you mean."

For indeed he now stared at Amadora. She was, as she had said, beautiful. Every woman was. The realisation struck him like a lightning, the force of a thunder running through his veins as he found that she was right - and stared curiously back to the witch.

"I... do not know. I am yet to travel to the city and search for a Inn to stay... at least for some time.", he thought about the expenses of the trip. And about Amadora's charge, for Giacomo was a humble man.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

“You may stay here, Giacomo. I have an empty room in the attic you may use. You need not pay me in money, instead, I can use your help around here and we will talk, you will learn, yes? Come. Let me show you the room.”

She rose, not even looking to see if he followed, and started up the stairs to the attic.

“Just be careful of the hanging flowers and herbs in the rafters.”

She stepped away from the top of the stairs, waiting for him to join her. The room was long rather than wide. There were two windows, one overlooked her gardens out back, the other was above the comfy looking double bed. Both windows were open, allowing for a cross breeze that kept the room fairly cool. Against one wall further down the room was an armoire for his clothing, against one side of the armoire was a small table that held a pitcher and basin. A towel hung close by. There was a trunk at the foot of the bed and a rug on the floor under it.

“What do you think, Giacomo?” She asked quietly.

 

[LordLuck]

Eagerly as the youths of ever, Giacomo was quick to follow Amadora, taking special care not to disturb the flowers and plants that hanged from the rafters. Their presence in the house lend it an appearance of the deepest and most secluded, safe place on an ancient and forgotten grove, from times long past and forgotten by mankind, in history and myth.

"I... I thank you, Amadora. Really, I thank you. I would hate to risk loosing my purse to some pickpocket down the city..."

He basked in admiration at the room. It was indeed a fine place - much cleaner and better garrisoned than most of the roadside inn's he had ever been to - and the large bed did picked up on his interest.

"It is perfect. Simply perfect, Amadora. B-But... If you don't mind me asking... isn't it your own room?"

The young man had expected a bedroll to sleep upon in front of a burning fireplace, not a cleaned, spotless room. And the place really did not looked like it was ready for some visitor to take upon.