(Synn)<br/><br/>The young bouncing beauty led Kateri to her home which wasn't far from the town’s inn. Kateri had finished her dried meat and apple as she walked up the steps to the old wood porch. The girl opened the door and peeked inside. "Papa?" she asked as she swung her head around the door looking for him. "Papa" she called again, but no one had answered. She took the old woman's right hand and tugged on it for her to follow her into the house. “If you would like to wash up, I can get you clean clothes,” she said as she closed the door behind them.<br/><br/>“I have new clothes little one, but a bath would be divine,” Kateri said as she scanned her surroundings, taking in all of the furniture and objects that laid within this humble home.<br/><br/>“Great! The washroom is down the hall. I am going to go find Papa!” she excitedly exclaimed as she darted back out the door.<br/><br/>Kateri moved to the end of the hall where there was a small room with a large metal tub and a water source. She needed a good bath to wash the forest, blood, and gunk from her after so many days of running. She placed her new clothes aside and started to run herself a bath, putting the buckets of water over the small hearth to heat them before pouring them into the metal basin. As soon as the tub was filled with steaming water, she stripped out of her old clothing and slipped into the water with a sigh of relief. The warm water instantly relaxed her tired bones and penetrated her sore muscles as it lapped the dirt from her pale skin.<br/><br/>The glamor seemed to be holding as the hour drug on soaking in this small moment of paradise. She took one of the rags and washed away the grime with a few of her essential oils and soap that she had in her bag. She traced her fingertips over her wrinkled skin.<i>So this is what it looks like to be old</i>she thought as she gazed at her form. “I hope I live long enough to see the time of the Crone” she whispered to herself. She continued to wash her hair and the rest of her body before rising to dry off. She smelled of sweet peas and lavender as she inhaled the scent of her skin as she dried off her body before getting dressed.<i>Twelve hours left before this wears off</i>she thought as she cleaned up the washroom before she picked up her things and walked out into the main living area of the house where Papa was waiting.<br/><br/>The man was tall and muscular. He had short black hair and a beard. He was filthy from working in the fields and reeked of sweat and soil. “Good evening. I see my daughter brought you home for a good bath, food, and some rest it seems” he stated as he looked at her with his arms folded in front of him.<br/><br/>“Yes, good Sir. She was kind enough to offer a few moments of peace within your humble home” Kateri said as she moved her eyes about the room, looking for notable exits in case she needed to run.<br/><br/>“I welcome you into our home ma’am. My home is your home for as long as you need it” he smiled as he uncrossed his arms and moved them outwards in a welcoming manner. “They are hunting witches, so it is good my youngin found you. You might have been easy prey for the likes of them” he chuckled as he walked to a large armchair and plopped down in it, kicking his boots off and putting his feet up on a padded stool.<br/><br/>“I won’t be here long. I thank you for the opportunity to bathe, and if you don’t mind sparing some extra food and a few hours of sleep, I would be forever grateful” Kateri said as she turned towards where he was seated.<br/><br/>“Have anything you like. We have plenty of food, and I have a spare room in the back with a bed and some blankets you can use” he replied as he rubbed his temples. The girl had brought him a cold mug of water for him to drink.<br/><br/>“I have some left over Sheppard's pie ma’am if that is sufficient?” the little girl smiled.<br/><br/>“That sounds lovely” Kateri smiled as she walked over to the bench style table and sat down, setting her bag next to her that still had her supplies that she needed for the trek back into the forest.<br/><br/>The child heated up the pie over the hearth while Kateri slumped on the bench, almost falling asleep at the table waiting for the food. She was so tired and knew that if she didn’t sleep a little bit, this man that hunted her would get the best of her. It wasn’t long before a steaming plate of food was placed before her with a fork. Kateri dove into the pie, breaking open the crust and taking a moment to appreciate the rich aroma of vegetables and cooked meat. The first bite was heavenly, and she took a brief moment to savor all of the flavors the pie had to offer before she continued to eat.<br/><br/>“So what brings you to this town?” the man asked as he drank from his mug.<br/><br/>Between bites, Kateri answered, “I had traveled to see a dear friend but discovered that she was murdered for being a witch by that man who shouted into the crowd” she explained. She took another bite and then continued, “If she was a witch, I had no idea” she sighed, faking such disbelief rather well.<br/><br/>“Ah yes, he looks like one of many bounty hunters that stroll through these parts. It is hard to say whether she was truly a witch or not. The Prince of the lower valley seems quite paranoid about them. Thus anyone with disagreement could be labeled a witch and brought to justice so to speak” he chuckled slightly. “It is undoubtedly dark times miss” he finished.<br/><br/>“I agree and thank you for giving me sanctuary” she replied as she finished her meal.<br/><br/>The girl picked up the dirty plate and utensil to wash. The man stood had fallen asleep in his armchair with the mug of water still in his right hand. Kateri smiled and showed herself to the small back spare bedroom where as soon as she hit the bed, she was asleep. Just under 10 hours before the glamor was to wear off.