The Devil and the Witch
Rowan and Cassandra, 1746
Part 1
Randolph wore his thickest furs, bundled around him tight. Winter was blowing in as cold as he anticipated; he was well prepared for the onslaught, the terrible winds, and the blistering cold. December was harsh in the mountains where he and the rest of the villagers made their lives. They lived remotely and off the land that surrounded them, trying to keep away from more modern society. They preferred the old ways, the old gods. And the solitude.
He continued his march through the trees, pausing momentarily at the frozen lake. He looked out at the water remembering summer, the rays of light bouncing off the surface, the young woman he found bathing there. She did not do much to cover herself upon his arrival. She sat upon a rock below the surface, water up to her breasts, the pink, plump mounds above the crest. Her nipples were hard in the cool water. Her black hair braided down her back, fire in her green eyes. He knew that she was naked, and she positioned herself there on purpose to draw immediate attention. Looking at her he felt himself go hard. She looked at him from underneath her lashes, her right hand below the water's surface between her legs, and her left caressing her own breast. She gave him a smile and beckoned him to join her in the water. He knew that she was a gift from his Master.
Looking back on that memory, remembering how she looked, with him now standing there at the frozen lake he could feel his member engorge itself once more despite the weather. He would relieve himself with his new toy after the meeting with the Witch.
Randolph continued his walk in the woods until he came across the campsite of the Witch.
"I have come as requested, Rowan," he stated to what appeared to be an empty field. But just as soon as he spoke the Witch's name she appeared with a blazing fire burning beside her.
She wore a cloak made of white deer, soft and supple leather, fine hairs. Underneath, Randolph knew her to wear nothing, not even the hair she grew into when she was matured. She could not feel the temperature in any season. She existed in perfect harmony with nature, at balance with the world around her. She looked young, no one knew her age at all. When she discussed her birth it was never in relation to an exact year but more so a bundle of years. On one occasion Randolph heard her say millennia, but that had been so long ago when he had just become a man, he might not be remembering the conversation right.
"Randolph," the blonde haired witch, with blue eyes spoke tenderly. "Who was that you sent me weeks ago? You promised me a virgin and he clearly was not." She looked disappointed, her pale hair cast over her shoulders.
Randolph thought to lie to the witch but knew better. He swallowed the lump forming in his throat, "Rowan, I am sorry, we have no virgins of age. Not yet, not until next year. He was not supposed to deceive you with our intentions. We thought to send someone rather than no one."
She sighed, "He was a nice toy to play with, but my time is short Randolph. I must carry the seed before next winter." Rowan looked at Randolph, her eyes glowed blue with intensity, there was a strain in her voice. "The planets are in alignment, this does not easily occur. My lord must come before they fall out of place," she hissed the words.
Randolph stuttered and stammered, and in the end spoke nothing, abashed.
"I have blessed you and your village with plenty," Rowan walked around her fire. "Food, shelter, children, and safety. The solitude. Gifts. The toys in which you keep to yourselves," she grinned ear to ear, biting her bottom lip. "All I ask for in return, the simple pleasures: your acknowledgment, remembrance on festival, worship, and your virgins every time the planets align. That is all, and in exchange, I will give you everything you need to live your lives. If you cannot uphold your end of the bargain, it will be a rough winter next year as my powers will be drained." Rowan's eyes flashed with flames.
"Yes, Master, I do understand. And we are sorry." Randolph was now worried, he did not know her powers would dissipate.
Rowan sighed, brushed her fingers through her golden locks, looked at Randolph. "I see you found your new toy pleasing." Rowan smiled, her blue eyes alight again but in jest.
"Yes, Master, I do." Randolph adjusted the way he stood as Rowan laughed.
"Very good." She walked to him then, brushed her fingers, hot as the fire, across his cheek, spoke in whisper words he could not understand or pronounce. He immediately filled with warmth from within. He could no longer feel the cold. "And how does your wife feel about your new toy?"
"She is bitter but understands a man's needs," Randolph said sternly.
"Of course, all men desire the same things: dominance over a woman, and of course children." Rowan removed the cloak she wore, exposing her naked body underneath, she cast it aside. Rowan smiled, held out her hand for him.
Randolph's loin was already throbbing from his thoughts earlier, and now with his Master standing there offering her body to him, he could not bear it anymore. His furs were beginning to suffocate him.