Go With Baba

Although Arngrim had once been a respected Hunter, his crimes and rage were very frightening to Venus. She had felt his rage in such a palpable way that it had knocked her back. She wasn't sure she could trust him for the evening. With one last worried look at the giant man, she turned to Baba. The old woman cackled one last time before leading Venus into the hut.

Arngrim shook his head sadly. A disgraced Hunter would have been a safer choice for a poor young maiden. Following that old witch would surely come back to haunt her. Arngrim thought for a moment of bursting down the door and rescuing her. But he couldn't bring himself to do it. So instead he returned to his home and wept.

The hut had little in the way of space or furniture. There was a small dining area, a door leading to a small bedroom, and another door leading down to a store room. After Baba made a small meal from her meager supplies, the old woman took Venus down into the store room. This room was almost as large as the rest of the hut put together. It was a mostly open space but the walls were lines with vials and jars with different herbs and concoctions. Venus saw where the old woman had a table and bowl set up to grind things into powders.

"Are you an alchemist," Venus asked as Baba laid out some blankets to make a cot for her.

"Not really child. I mostly dabble in medicines to keep my health up. Ha, the villagers call me a witch sometimes."

"That's awful! I'm so sorry Baba. No one should treat such a kind old lady like that."

"Well thank you girl. I appreciate your kindness. Not enough young folks these days recognize a good deed for what it is."

Once the cot was ready. Baba let Venus lay down and soon the girl was sleeping soundly. Baba too had gone to bed, but she didn't sleep. She lay there thinking of how sweet Venus was and how the girl had acted towards her. She also hadn't been mean to poor Arngrim, even knowing who he was. The old woman got up and left the Hut, thinking to herself of what she should do. It was well after midnight when she returned, a large jar in her hands full of cloudy liquid. She made her way down the stairs and smiled down and Venus's sleeping form.

"A sweet girl like you.... You see kindness for what it is and you understand how to treat the people around you. I know you have the compassion to understand this gift, though it will take time. Once you understand, you will be so strong."

Then she began to open the jar and pour the substance over Venus. It was almost all out before the young woman awoke, her eyes flashing open in shock.

"What is this," she cried out in alarm.

"A gift. I haven't bestowed one in such a long time, but you deserve one. Enjoy the blessings of Baba Yaga the swamp witch!