Vella swept down the narrow spiraling stairs, deep within the bowls of the castle. Buried beneath even the dungeons of the castle was the Witch Queen's coven. Although in her kingdom there was only one witch of consequence as far as she was concerned. Here she would practice the darkest of her arts, be it the writing of dire scrolls or brewing insidious potions that might fit her needs. With a simple gesture by Vella torches lined around the workspace flared alive. Instruments for measuring and weighing, flasks, flagons and vials of many shapes and colors were lined up and carefully marked as to their contents. A modest library of tomes and parchment scrolls sit neatly stacked on a bookshelf. There was a writing table with quills and small bottles of inks. To one side, meticulously etched and filled in with the appropriate precious metals and elements was drawn a circle of summoning. What dominated the hollowed out cavern though was an impressive forge and black cauldron, Vella's most important items of her craft. The cauldron was artfully and properly inscribed with magical runes and glyphs her craft demanded, she was rather proud of it. Her work necessitated privacy, and so she shoveled several portions of coal into the forge herself, soon the low burning forge came to life. Cleverly designed vents routed heat to the nearby cauldron necessary for her preparations. She hung up her robe and set about her task nude. Such matters of witchery were best done in this manner, and it suited Vella nevertheless.<br/><br/>Vella gathered the necessary items and gave thought to her designs. If she were to win the genuine affections of the girl, whomever that might turn out to be, she would need to look the part. However it would not due to look so unlike herself that the potential lover fall for someone she was not. Vella's countenance was not common knowledge about the realm. If on the rare occasion she did appear before her people, it was from some distance and often cloaked. Her dark appearance and hair known but little else. Only the castle residents and her concubines would recognize her. So she did not fear someone might recognize her about the village and outlying areas. The potion therefore need only give the appearance of a younger version of herself. And that too was not a far stretch considering the already lush appearance she maintained. All the while these thoughts turned over in her mind, Vella drew from her supply of ingredients. She added to the cauldron's contents, sprinkling in specific herbs and powders and referencing readings from a tome. The forge's orange glow cast over her pale regal form, nipples excited as her work came together. She intoned the correct words of power, the black waters steaming and bubbling forth. How much time passed she did not take mind to but eventually she had completed a suitably large batch of the potion. With care she doled out several portions into a number of flasks she had in her stock and stowed them in a safe place. One last item was still called for however, but for now she took one flask with her, slipped back into her robe and made her way back up to the castle commons.<br/><br/>Down the vaulted hall from her own bedchambers, Vella threw open a door, not finding it necessary to announce her presence, much less knock before entering. The dormitory her concubines shared were dimly lit, the young women likely deep in sleep. Not all it seemed, little did it matter. Two of the girls shared a bed, their movements easily guessed under the covers. The girls were startled to see their Queen at their bedside. The musky smell of sex hung about them. Vella took one of the girl's hands by the wrist, neither explaining nor asking permission. With a wicked and sharp fingernail she sliced open the girl's hand, drawing blood. The girl cried out in pain but dared not struggle, knowing full well Vella's temper. She drew out the potion bottle and uncorked it. She squeezed the girl's hand and leeched the blood into the potion. The final ingredient causing the liquid to gurgle and smoke. Satisfied, Vella let go of the girl and stopped the bottle back up. The girl cradled her hand to her breast and looked at the Queen frightened. In a rare, if not unheard of moment of tenderness the Queen leaned over the girl and kissed her sweetly.<br/><br/><em>"Thank you love. Come with me and keep me warm the rest of the night."</em>The Queen said.