When they reached the cabin-shack, after knocking and hollering out, they didn't get an answer. The smells emanating from within seemed twinged with odd spices, ones they could not identify. They also seemed compelling, as suddenly Elizabeth stepped up at the same time Lucious did and started to push open the door. Giggling at each other, Lucious cautiously stepped over the rough log lintel and peered around in the gloom, calling out, "Miz Abigail? Pali tole us you'd be waitin' fer us? Miz Abiga..! OH!" Lucious jumped back, almost knocking over Elizabeth, as a black raven flew down from the rafters and out the door."Well," said Elizabeth, "Must have been hiding up there in all those herbs hanging to dry, just like my grannie used ta do. I reckon a woman after my own heart won't mind us warming by the fire a bit. Let's go in and wait for this Mrs. Abigail."
With her, Lucious, Adam, Tom, Millie, and Gus, the place suddenly looked rather samll. The men had to duck to keep from brushing their heads against lavender, rue, tansy, thistle, boneset and other things Elizabeth didn't recognise.
"Oh, so it's too small is it, Missy?" a voice cackled at her, in the farthest corner from the door, a corner so dark they couldn't see into it.Actually, as the old woman held up a light, it seemed to be more like a corridor, which led off to more rooms. "C'mon, it be alright. I heard the boy tell me Pali sent you. He's always been such a good boy, always doing as he's told." She beckoned them near her, then turned her back and bade them follow.
They looked in wonder at the walls of logs and leaves and moss and seemingly growing things. Here and there a little water glistened as she passed by with the lantern. The air was fresh, but they seemed to be descending a bit. Finally, the hall opened up into a large, bright room with several cots with blankets and pillows. A table in the center stood piled high with fruits and vegetables, completely out of season and region.
If you've a mind to, you may stay here for a few days. It is completely underground, so you can burn a candle without fear of being seen, but mind the pipes and 'baccy' as the smell will travel right up the vent shaft. Tell them right where you are!!" And, with that,she smiled and started to cackle more.
Suddenly her whole demeanour changed. She stood taller and a mantle of authority protected her shoulders. In an ominous tone, she pointed to Gerald, "You, there, come over here and sit down."
They were all still in a state of shock at this apparently blind old woman and her obvious resources, so without even thinking about it, Gerald walked over to the table and sat down.
She raised her gnarled hands to his head, grasping them with surprising strength, and rubbed over and over on his third eye region, with her thumbs. "Yes," she said lowly," You're the one he marked." Elizabeth let out a gasp. "You have been marked by the minion of the Devil himself, sir, by the stealer of souls and there is nought anyone can do for you. If this night passes safely, ye might have a chance."
Gerald's face was frozen in astonishment as he looked around at the others. Then, she quickly walked past each one of them, seeming to count their measure. She stopped at Elizabeth and held her hand out. Tracing the lines of her palm, feeling her pulse, she closed her eyes and seemed to listen. "You, like the rest, have lost much, Yes'm, like all this world has plumped right down on yourn shoulders, don't it feel like, but though it be dark now, the spirits watch over you. If any are to make it, you must. A trial awaits you, yet, watch for the four-legged, companion to the soul stealer."
Elizabeth quickly withdrew her hand, with a barely suppressed shudder she turned toward the others. Seeing them before the fire and near Gerald at the table, she turned back to thank the old lady for the food and shelter, but no one was there. A cat jumped down from a carved ledge, twined about her legs and walked down the long corridor where Abigail should have been. In the distance, she thought she hear the plaintive scold of a raven.
"well, I am not going to sit her and wiat to die just 'cause of some old blind woman," Gerald said indignantly. "Next thing ya know, we'll be like Persephone and have to spend half the year here if we eat any of her fruit!" And, with that, he reached out for a red juicy apple and bit down.