Page 21 - Mad Shadows II

almost hidden amongst the trees. Its green-washed stone walls
and thatched roof blended in with the surrounding woods.
Bright green curtains hung from a pair of windows standing
guard on either side of the entrance.

Tethering Rora to the hitching post in front of the cottage, I
walked up to the door and knocked twice. Valuta immediately
opened the door.

“Right on time. I like that in a man.”
I clicked my heels and bowed. “It pays to be punctual.”
Valuta laughed and stepped aside, allowing me passage into
her domain.
Shelves and a cupboard set against one wall next to a large
cedar chest stood like criminals facing an execution squad.
Colorful tapestries adorned the back wall, where a narrow
stairway led to the second floor. A stone hearth stretched the
entire length of another wall. The fireplace mantle was crowded
with jars containing all sorts of roots, herbs, elixirs, and things I
didn’t recognize. The cupboard stood well defended by dishes,
pots, pans and assorted cutlery, while the shelves were armed
with an assortment of odds and ends. In the center of the room,
two chairs faced each other over a small table upon which
rested a candle in a silver holder. Of course, the entire cottage
bore the pleasant scent of lavender.
On a small rug near the hearth stretched the white cat I first
met in Kortono’s Cave, when she had appeared on my table like
the finale of a theatrical magician’s routine. Crystal stared at
me, yawned and then drifted off into feline dreams.
Valuta set a bowl of fruit and a pitcher of brown beer on the
table, along with two clay mugs. Then she sat across from me
and poured us each a drink.
Crystal suddenly hopped onto the table and stared at me
with her huge, pink eyes.
“A cyclops I know told me to beware of werecats. I’d never
met one before,” I said.
“A cyclops or a werecat?”

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