She didn’t hear his last words as Cytherea turned down a dirt path between willow trees, the spring was bubbling, deer and other creatures took turns sampling its liquid.   She un-bolted the door and entered; Setting her leather bag and empty gold coin purse on the table.  She went back out the way she came.  Going behind the cottage she pick up three pieces of wood.  All three decant size fire wood.  She brought them back inside and laid them next to the fire place.  Next she took her hand spade and mixed the once coals now ash.  She cleans her fire place enough and set the three logs neatly in the hearth.  Striking the flint to the stone she sparked a few embers until enough flame was born and growing.  Picking her self up.  She dusted her skirt off and whipped the sweat from her brow.  She now need to collect water from the stream. To water the garden and make a another stew.  She  could feel the muscles in her back protest already.  She was fit for the task.  Who needed a man around the house anyway?  Better her alone.  Then wait hand and foot on a man.  Besides, a man would want her bare foot and pregnant and she has seen the pain all ladies have gone through.  She had herbs to numb them, but they lasted only so long.  She will never want to be in position.<br/><br/>Cytherea collected the wooden bucket in her hand and made her way to the stream behind her cottage.  She startled a red-squirrel from his spot and it raced up the willow to her right and began barking her arrival through the forest.  Cytherea looked up the willow as she set the bucket down before the stream.  The red-squirrel still staying its ground from its limb.  Doing the creatures of the forest a favor.  “And to think I was going to eat you?” She said laughing at the critter.  She then got on her knees and placed the bucket in the stream to collect water.   When it was full enough she stood.  Leaning over to collect the bucket in her hands.  This time walking carefully back to her cottage.  She stopped and cupped water in her palm to take a sip.  She brought it to her lips and drank freely.  The cool crisp liquid sliding down her dry throat.  She then made it to her small garden.  Taking a smaller cup and splashing the plants.  “Drink up my lovelies.”  She said softly.  She began humming again.<br/><br/>Back in town there was talk of the witch being spotted again.  “As lovely as she looked, never trust the blue eyed devil.  She will steal your soul and leave your body to the birds”  Many men said that. Never any of them having such experience.  But when one cries wolf it is better to be on the better liked side.  The Majesty was a tavern combined with an Inn.  Many patrons frequent the bar and few slept there.  The beer was tasty.  A few men sat at the tables talking about the newest gossip.  Cytherea the witch was spotted.  Some said that she cast spells with her eyes.    One look and you’d turn to stone.  A few talked about other things they liked to do.  But none never said they dare try.  “The devil walks among us.”  The older man said as he took a sip of his beer.  She wears blue, and lives alone in the forest.  Why would we dare want her here?  There are doctors that do what she does.<br/>