While Key slept soundly, Mabula and her slithery companion crept to the back room of the country house.  A room shrouded in thick velvet curtains and a thick  cloud of incense comprised of bay leaves.   Mabula sat on the thick red cushion on the floor in front of a very low table, upon which sat something covered in a thin, shiny purple fabric cloth.  Whatever it was, it was obviously spherical.<br/><br/>The witch lit a long white candle in back of the shrouded object and closed her eyes.  She breathed heavily, feeling her body grow heavier and more imobile.  This was a dangerous persuit, as she was at her most vulnerable during these times of meditation.  With great effort, she lifted her arm with dangling hand, much like a mechanical toy, and slipped the coer of the object on the table.  It was a very large crystal ball; clear, pure crystal that immediately filled with the light of the candle.  Her eyes opened with a rough snap and her pupils fixed at the heart of the orb.<br/><br/>Fuzzy shades of color filled her vision and naught but the sound of her breathing filled her ears.  Something was comming into view.  She was now so focused she could no longer feel the weight of her clothes or the snake around her shoulders and chest.  It was as thoug she were no longer attatched to the world.  The image was beginning to form.<br/><br/>A little band of royals at play near a creek.  Perfection! Nothing could be simpler.  The oldest of them didn't appear to be of suspicious character and it was really not him she was after.  The palest of them all was her intended target.  Even as she watched them converse, hearing nothing, she was beginning to formulate a plan.  She would send Key with the pretense of doing laundry  and tell her to offer the newly sewn tunic to the snow white prince.  Then, the rest would follow suit.  Everything was comming together.  Ezrathell would be so pleased!<br/><br/>She withdrew from the dream state to a feild of awakeness, but still could not quite move.  Her mouth worked rather hard to open and close.  "Well- Well? What has't thou seen?" Ezrathell demanded impatiently, coiling to look her directly in the eyes.<br/><br/>"Fortuitous coincidence my dear." Mabula purred.  "Favorable time to strike."  A hiss of glee escaped the creature as he wound again and again around himself with joy.  "I will wake Key and we shall proceed." Mabula assured him, finally comming in control of her body again.<br/><br/>She rose, brushing her robes back into place and adjusting her hair beneath her mantle.  She and the snake left the room after snuffing out the candle and recovering the crystal.  Mabula bent over the girl and gentley shook her by the shoulder.  Time had passed rather quickly, perhaps a half hour had gone by.  Very little time for her to sleep, but duty called.  "Awaken! Awaken child, I have a job for you."  She urged.