Chapter Sixteen

I spent the better part of the day searching for a trail but found none, it was as if the missing members of my band had disappeared into thin air, but still I followed my instinct as I burrowed deeper into the forest, on the second day of my search. I made my first encounter, an old woman so wizened, death mistook her for dead and so she lived on.

“Come to me young warrior’’ she croaked as i drew close, "lend me your strength and youth."

“Stand back old one,’’ she stopped as I drew my cutlass, “my strength is mine for I earned it, my youth is mine for it is my time, why borrow mine when you spent yours to the fullest even though I find it hard to believe you were once supple and young.’’ I grinned mischievously.

“A trade then,” the old woman crooned, "a sliver of youth for a glimpse of your future, or a chance at what you most desire.’’

“No thank you old mother," I answered polite but firm, "I am young and full of