The Thief and The Witch

I often overestimate my tolerance for horseshit, both literal and metaphorical. Hanging from the bottom of a carriage being pulled by two very healthy horses had made my tolerance for both very clear, it had run out about two miles ago. If the witch being in the carriage called for it to stop so she could stretch her legs one more time I was going to lose it and try stabbing my way out.

I just have to keep telling myself that it will end soon, we'll be to the Witches Tower soon, and I hope that's true.

It's a simple enough plan, complex ones tend to fall through at the most inopportune time.

I was infiltrating the Witch of Winters Tower during the only time her defenses would be lowered, during a witches gathering. I would ride past the first of the magical barriers under another witches carriage as she rode to the gathering. Then I would climb the wall of the Tower, please let it feel shorter than it is. Sneak into the Witch of Winters bedchamber, find the hidden chamber, and grab the Jewel I was hired to grab. Then blend in with the servants until I got the chance to slip away.

Simple...ish.

As we near the first of the barriers I can feel the hair on my arms begin to vibrate softly and a cold breeze rose suddenly in the Summer air. We're one step closer, one step nearer to my goal, god I hope this goes well. The second we past the barrier I dropped and rolled out from the carriage into a ditch by the side of the road.

Looking up from the dirt I finally glance at my target. The Tower stood tall against the world, it seemed impossible for it to suddenly appear from thin air as we passed the barrier. Frost colored my breath as the world grew colder, they don't call her the Witch of Winter for nothing. They say that the winter fae themselves helped her create her domain.

I shook my head from my temporary stupor and began running at an even pace. I stayed out of sight, off the trail, and ducked when someone looked in my direction, hiding in the tall winter wheat the Witch seemed to favor. Ducking, hiding, running, and making ground. I needed to get into the Tower before the sun had completely fallen behind the mountains in the distance. The witches all had to arrive before the sun set and the Tower would raise its defenses completely and I would be caught and likely killed, or worse.

It took me less time then I had expected to make it to the Tower and I could only hope my good luck would last. The guards had largely been diverted to check and watch the main entrance where the witches would arrive. It seemed our Witch of Winter didn't trust her guests, maybe that could be useful. I took out my climbing gear and began my trek up the external wall of the Tower. Even with my hands numbing from the cold and my throat burning from breathing the crisp air during my run. When one of the skeleton crew of guards would pass me by I would hug the wall and my grey clothing would blend into the stone.

Soon enough I reached a window with a simple lock, easily opened by one educated in the school of hard-knocks of my beloved Veniea. Slipping inside I hugged the shadows. Servants rushed about preparing rooms and other things for the guests. I trailed a Butler being followed by a young man.

"There are many rooms in the Lady's Tower," the elderly Butler said, "Take care that you mind this." He handed the boy a map of the Tower. Things just keep clicking into place, I would almost think things are going well for once if it weren't for the horrible creeping sensation of the other shoe waiting to drop. As soon as the two men were distracted I swiped the map the boy had put in his back pocket.

The map was a magical thing. It allowed me to see the people walking in all of the Tower as well as the changing paths of the Tower. Soon enough I found the 'Off-Limits' section and thus The Witch of Winters Bedchamber.

Sneaking there was almost too easy and then I saw her door. It was carved wood, oak or something someone more interested would know, but the most defining feature was the handle. Or where the handle should be.

A sleeping face was planted in the middle of the wooden door.

Seeing no other means of proceeding I approached the door and suddenly the door was not asleep any longer.

"Oh and who are you," The doors voice was deep and full of sleep, like an elderly grandfather you woke from a nap.

"Nobody," I replied.

"Oh," It's wooden eyebrow moved up in a questioning manner, "I certainly hope I am not being called to play the cyclops."

I almost laughed and said with a smirk, "I'm no Odysseus."

The door did laugh, "No he was a touch shorter and a pull broader than you."

Strange door.

"I suppose you need entry then," the door said, "You seem a bit smarter than most of the rabble around."

"I'm no smarter, but I do need entry," I admitted.

"Very well," he yawned, "Then answer the riddle and I'll let you through."

Riddle? "Of course," I said, "The riddle."

Again the doors wooden eyebrow raised, "What did no one tell you the answer yet?"

"I can't say they did," I said.

"Tough," The door spat, "I don't like them ruining my riddle anyway, so you had better answer well."

"Very well," I said, "what's the riddle?"

"You measure my life in hours and I serve you by expiring. I’m quick when I’m thin and slow when I’m fat. The wind is my enemy. What am I?" The door said with an all too pleased with himself smirk.

"A candle," I said.

He blinked and sputtered, "Someone did tell you!"

"No," I said, "It just wasn't that hard."

He glared at me before saying, "Fine, I'll just have to come up with something more difficult next time."

I smiled, "Until next time then."

The door slid open and I checked the map one last time. No sign of the Witch of Winter in her bedchamber. Another smirk and my confidence renewed. Maybe this would be a simple job after all. All that was left was to find the hidden chamber after all and then I could just grab the Jewel and sneak away in the night. I could be home free before dawn. I smirked and walked over to the bed quite pleased with myself. And then the other shoe dropped.

"You're a very talented Thief," a voice as smooth as honey said from behind me. I spun around and saw her standing there where she had not been only a few moments ago, "Oh did I startle you?" She was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. Raven black locks of hair in a slight mess against her smooth pale skin. Wearing a silk robe with ample room for her cleavage and a slit down both sides revealing her long legs.

"Strange that I could startle a man in my bedchamber," she smirked and what a beautiful cruel smirk it was. It became evidently clear to me that smirk would destroy me if I let it. After a moment of tense silence she said, "Don't mind the mess," she waved a hand towards the scattered sheets and pillows, "I was just testing some new spells and my test subjects can get somewhat," she paused again and put a finger to her lips, "Needy?"

My gods what I would give to find out what happened to her test subjects, wait what? Why am I picturing her naked, and why can't I stop. I narrowed my eyes and crouched slightly, she just stood there watching me. I moved first in our stare-down drawing my dagger, "What's say we both forget all about this?"

She cocked an eyebrow and gave me a beautiful smirk, "Really, a dagger?" She snapped her fingers and my dagger disappeared, "Do you understand where you are? In the heart of my power? Completely trapped in my Tower? You thought a dagger would protect you?"

I lunged toward her and grabbed her by the throat, "No, but I thought it might give me a second to get in close."

"Oh yes it did," she moaned and bit her lip, "get as close as you like Lover." I wanted to squeeze tight, but my thoughts turned to other ways I could make her moan. To stealing more than one Jewel from this Tower and making her beg me for more. Then I became aware of a silk beneath the soles of my feet. Glancing down I saw that I was now standing completely naked before the Witch.

"I thought I would save time," she said, "ooo, that looks yummy." Her eyes were focused on my aching hard-on. I squeezed her neck and directed her head up to look into my eyes. "Oh, I'm sorry, was I not paying enough attention to your threats Thief or do you prefer Lover." Her voice was rattling around my head echoing and teasing me even when she wasn't speaking. I blinked away more thoughts of her moaning in bed.

"Give me my clothes back," I growled.

She giggled, "Do you still think you're in control?" As soon as she was done speaking the sheets which had been discarded around the floor snaked themselves around my ankles and wrists and pulled me across the room and onto the bed. I looked across the room at her and she spoke, "Perhaps we should test just how in control you are?"