Ansel tied the horses to the back of a huge tree to which Griffa had led them.

“They will be fine grazing behind. I will get them some water in a bit. No one will notice them as they will be protected by the many wards I have put up,” said Griffa as she touched a knot on the huge tree with her staff.

A door seemed to appear out of nowhere. Griffa opened it and motioned for them to come inside. Ansel pushed Max forward to go first and followed.

Inside the large tree was a small room with a spiral staircase going down. Griffa closed the door and muttered a few words, tapping the door with her staff. She took off her cloak and hung it on a hook by the door. She pulled a small packet out of the pocket of the cloak and slipped it into her dress pocket as she turned to look at Ansel and Max. Ansel took a peek at Max and could see the boy had his mouth opened and his eyes were wide. Griffa was always quite a site the first time someone saw her.

She wasn’t a large woman in figure or in height, but she was commanding. She stood up straight, wearing a simple green dress. Her curly, deep red hair was loose and hung well below her shoulders. Her face was pale with large dark blue eyes that seemed to change colors depending on her mood. Ansel had seen those eyes sparkle like blue diamonds when she laughed, and he had also seen them go almost black when she was angry. Tonight, they were the color of a clear sky right before the darkness of night hit.

She had a wild look about her, like she might fit perfectly as one who lived in the forest, but her face showed intelligence, and Ansel knew she could show much kindness. She was odd and a little wild, but Ansel believed that Griffa was everything that was good. Griffa’s small mouth was drawn into a smile that suggested she was amused.

Amused was better than some of her other moods, Ansel thought.

“Why don’t we go on down and get comfortable before introductions,” said Griffa as she made for the spiral staircase. “I can find you something to eat and drink as well in a bit. I’m working on something, but it shouldn’t take long.” She disappeared down the staircase.

Ansel patted Max on the shoulder to wake him up from his trance like state. Max lightly shook his head and moved towards the stairs.

“It’s alright, Max. She won’t hurt you.”

Max only nodded and made his way down the stairs, Ansel followed behind. At the bottom of the stairs was a large room. There were chairs scattered here and there, some covered in books and scrolls. Candles and lanterns aligned the walls. Half were lit, giving the room a dim, twilight feel. At one side was a large table with many ingredients strewn across it. At the end of the room was a large fireplace and over it was a huge kettle. Griffa was next to it, throwing in some things to the pot as she looked at a scroll.

Max made his way to a chair in the middle of the room. It wasn’t too close to where Griffa was, but close enough he could see and hear what was going on. Ansel didn’t sit, he went to stand next to Griffa and watched her work.

“What concoction is this?” asked Ansel looking into the pot. The liquid inside was a deep red color. It smelled of dirt and bubbled slightly.

“It’s a new potion I’m working on. There are some sick children in the village at the east side of the forest. Nothing seems to be working, they’ve lost seven children already. I’ve been researching some old scrolls about cures. I’m hoping something I do will work.”

“Do you know what they are sick with?” asked Ansel.

“No, I know just some of the symptoms. They are very feverish, can’t keep food down, and cough dreadfully. I’ve been treating symptoms which seems to help and keep most alive, but it’s a losing battle. I need to find something that will cure the disease.”

Ansel looked closer at Griffa in the light from the fire. He could tell it had been a while since she had rested. She had dark circles under her eyes, and she was paler than usual.

“Griff, when’s the last time you have slept. Have you eaten?” asked Ansel, concerned.

Griffa looked up at Ansel with an angry look in her eyes. “I don’t need you parenting me, Ansel. I’m a grown woman. I know my limits. I just needed to get this brewing, and I can rest. You’re one to talk about resting, anyway.”

“Parenting you?” asked Ansel. “I’m not trying to parent you, Griffa. I’m just concerned. I’ve seen you work yourself half to death many times. I don’t want to argue.”

“Then let me be,” said Griffa, going to the table and opening the packet she had brought in from the forest. She came back to the large kettle and threw in whatever was in the packet. She picked up a large stick and stirred the potion.

“Now, it just needs to brew overnight. I’ll have to come stir it a few times, but then it will be done. Hopefully, it will do some good.”

Griffa leaned the large stick against the fireplace and walked over to a small pantry that was on the other side of the room. “I have some bread, it might be a little stale, and some cheese that’s not too moldy. There is some dried meat as well.” She brought over her meager offerings and a jug of wine to a small table by Max. She walked back to her pantry and came back with three cups. “The wine is actually quite good. You two eat, and I will see about some water for your horses.”