Continuing the story of the Magi's journeys
The Magi left the sìthean - the castle of the little people, on the morning of the 7th day. While they were there, they spoke of the Star and the King whose birth it signaled and the ways in which their magic revealed this child would change the world and rule it. To most of the court, it was an interesting tale, full of wonder and entertaining but in the end, to them, it was just a tale. It was something more to Strega Befana.
Strega Befana was the castle Cailleach - a witch, in the vernacular. She brewed potions, healed the sick, cast auguries for little matters. She was, in short, a kitchen witch. The wizard Drahcir had never once passed up an opportunity to twit her on her lack of great powers. But these Magi treated her with respect. They listened to her advice on the route to follow, responded to her questions. And in return, she listened to their tale with something more than simple courtesy.
The Magi left the lands of little people on the 8th day, Gaspar insisted on rising early in order to spend as much time at the village as he could. After a night of sleeping in real beds, on real mattresses (even if they were three small ones), the ground felt harder and rockier than ever, so Melchior was right willing to get up and accompany him.
Strega Befana knew that the Magi intended to spend several days traveling through the village, and that morning, she decided that if she hurried, she might be able to catch them up and so give honour to the new-born King in their company. As she was leaving the castle grounds, however, news came to her - She was needed. The castle was under attack. A chimera, which had been seen testing the boundaries of their lands, was attacking the front gates. Strega Befana made great speed returning - her people needed her.
The chimera was being controlled by a Shaman from the far west, a colleague of the wizard Drahcir. It was a distraction, to draw the castle guards and knights out of the castle in order for Viente the dragon to return and rescue the wizard.
The ridirean-sìth, the knights of the castle, slew the beast, but its master disappeared before any could lay hands on him. Strega Befana was of the opinion that he had never truly been there in the flesh, guiding the monster from afar whilst in a working trance.
Five brave defenders were sore wounded, Princess Emily and Strega Befana worked night and day to preserve their lives. It wasn't until late on the 10th day that Strega Befana was free to leave her responsibilities and take up her quest. She hurried away, reaching the village the 11th day only to find that the Magi had departed two days earlier. The local Cailleach told Strega Befana what the three Magi had learned - the place foretold for the coming of the Great King. Promising to repay her, Strega Befana pressed onward, passing the further bounds on the morning of the 12th (today).
The Magi, at their destination, offering honour and worship to the newborn King.
Strega Befana was the castle Cailleach - a witch, in the vernacular. She brewed potions, healed the sick, cast auguries for little matters. She was, in short, a kitchen witch. The wizard Drahcir had never once passed up an opportunity to twit her on her lack of great powers. But these Magi treated her with respect. They listened to her advice on the route to follow, responded to her questions. And in return, she listened to their tale with something more than simple courtesy.
The Magi left the lands of little people on the 8th day, Gaspar insisted on rising early in order to spend as much time at the village as he could. After a night of sleeping in real beds, on real mattresses (even if they were three small ones), the ground felt harder and rockier than ever, so Melchior was right willing to get up and accompany him.
Strega Befana knew that the Magi intended to spend several days traveling through the village, and that morning, she decided that if she hurried, she might be able to catch them up and so give honour to the new-born King in their company. As she was leaving the castle grounds, however, news came to her - She was needed. The castle was under attack. A chimera, which had been seen testing the boundaries of their lands, was attacking the front gates. Strega Befana made great speed returning - her people needed her.
The chimera was being controlled by a Shaman from the far west, a colleague of the wizard Drahcir. It was a distraction, to draw the castle guards and knights out of the castle in order for Viente the dragon to return and rescue the wizard.
The ridirean-sìth, the knights of the castle, slew the beast, but its master disappeared before any could lay hands on him. Strega Befana was of the opinion that he had never truly been there in the flesh, guiding the monster from afar whilst in a working trance.
Five brave defenders were sore wounded, Princess Emily and Strega Befana worked night and day to preserve their lives. It wasn't until late on the 10th day that Strega Befana was free to leave her responsibilities and take up her quest. She hurried away, reaching the village the 11th day only to find that the Magi had departed two days earlier. The local Cailleach told Strega Befana what the three Magi had learned - the place foretold for the coming of the Great King. Promising to repay her, Strega Befana pressed onward, passing the further bounds on the morning of the 12th (today).
The Magi, at their destination, offering honour and worship to the newborn King.
