"Come this way quickly now this way." The lady bellowed and dashed among the shadows. Little Cheese and Melody followed suit, trying to get away from the coming mob.
"Find her!" They shouted. "Find the vampire! Find the witch to burn the monster on a stake! Send it back to hell, where it belongs!" They shouted.
The two ran into the woods and looked around.
"This way." the lady whispered to them, waving her hand. They followed her as she headed deeper into the forest. When they finally got away from the herd, they found themselves in front of a small hut. The lady was rubbing the nose of a horse.
"Flash!" Cried Melody. "Oh, Flash, what are? How? She said as she ran to the horse and threw her arms around it.
The lady held out a carrot for flash and smiled softly as Melody hugged it tighter.
"It was flash here who told of you". She stepped away. "It is him you have to thank, the horse is brave and true. "
Melody blinked rapidly in confusion at her. "And who are you? I mean thank you but…"
The lady chuckled. "Oh, no thanks necessary. I am, fortune-teller madam Zecora , I am only glad you are out of fear and the scary."
The lady wore a long dark green robe. But her dress was striped black and white like a zebra. And she had a few gold bracelets around her wrist, a few necklaces around her neck, and somewhat of a tiara on top of her head, covered mostly by the hood of her dark green cloak. Beautiful, if not a little frightening.
Cheese raised an eyebrow at her. Your madam Zecora. The, the, The witch!
Zecora turned to Cheese. "Such a terrible insult for one who just saved your life. Be grateful, I only help those in need. But then aging, I do not blame you. For the fear you feel has only one cause, and that is what they teach you, such a shame indeed."
Magic is a skill all have within. It is what we do with it that makes us strong or thin. You know what I mean don't you Melody?
Melody's eyes widened. How do you know my name?
Flash told me, my dear. If you want to hear him speak, all you have to do is lend an ear. He's quite talkative. Especially about you. Going on and on about how wonderful you are. I think he thinks you are quite the star. The horse spat at the lady and seemed to be embarrassed.
"While I don't usually interact with you, I've watched you grow for many years. Always coming in and out of the woods to practice your magic, dear.
"Ok well, whatever. Thank you for the help, but we really must go. "
"Yes, yes, your mother's quite ill. Pour thing. But you should know your efforts are only in vain.
This made Melody stop in her tracks. She turned too, her mouth open in aww.
"I know your fortune, shall I tell it. Yours is most definitely great."
Melody closed her mouth a little worried but nodded for her to continue.
"Your destiny is to learn the true story and reveal to those frightened by magic what it truly can be. But to do so, you must let go of your mother in the end. Only then will you finally be able to catch the wind. Trying to save her will bring back the never-ending war of yesterday's past, the one your father brought an end to at last."
"No, no, there's got to be a way to save my mother. She's the only family I got left."
The lady sighed." Is this what you want? There's no going back if this is the road you chose to take. It will lead to quite a mistake."
Melody was frightened beyond all belief now at the woman's words. But she could only nod.
"Then it is your father you seek. You have a long journey to travel by the end of this week."
My father's… Melody whispered.
"Dead… yes, but nothing is truly gone. To save your mother, only he has the power. And you have all you need to summon his soul. But I must warn you of this fait full hour."
"Wait, wait, wait. That. That's black magic that's dark and, and dangerous. Cheese called out.
Zecora lifted her gaze from Melody to him. "There is no such thing as dark or light magic. It is what you do with it that counts. although there is a sense of balance in all of nature. To do so will break that balance, but to do so will also bring the truth you seek. You have a choice to make. Perhaps this is something you should think about when next you wake. For now, get some sleep. My home is yours." Zecora gestured her hand over to her hut.
"Thank you, but we only have so much time left. I really must be on my way."
Zecora nodded and set her arm to her side. "Very well, but before you go I have a gift for you. Once you will need if you are to succeed."
She reached into her cloak and pulled out a notebook. She presented it carefully to Melody, who took it just as cautiously.
On the notebook was an odd symbol. The same symbol that was on the back of Zecora cloak.
"Ah, I know that symbol." Cheese said as he saw it. It was a gray spiral sun. "It's the symbol of the plant goddess. Sister of the sun."
Zecora nodded. "Mother earth some call her. Tho she doesn't shine as bright, she reaches her arms and hands always to the light."
Cheese nodded. "Plants".
Zecora smiled. "Tho, the reason why it is gray is because she creates shadows and keeps balance between light and dark. Shading those who seek shelter from the sun's boiling heat. Keep that in mind, or you will face defeat."
"This book holds some knowledge you will need. Places to go now you have a map to get you there, and most of all great power. But it has plenty of empty pages as well. Those are for you to write down your own story."
Melody flipped through the pages and just as Zecora said there was a small map and were several pages completely empty." She closed the book and got on the horse. Cheese watched as she did. She lent a hand to him. "Coming." She asked.
He stared at the hand, curious and frightened.
Zecora walked over to him and gave him a slight shove to take her hand. Which he finally did and climbed on the back of flash.
"And one more thing before you go. When you see your father. Tell him he still owes me for the last favor I did him. "
"You knew my father?" Melody asked.
"Of course,Zecora said, walking away. She turned back to look at them. "He's my brother, you know." She grinned ear to ear. She waved a hand good buy, and Flash didn't give Melody a chance to react to the news that she just met her aunt. All she could do was open her mouth wide in shock and grip onto the horse for dear life as it took off.he horse for dear life as it took off.