The Curse of Thorns

CHAPTER THREE

"Am I really inside a witch's house? I can't believe it." Leon walked around, his eyes wide with curiosity as he examined the array of potions, herbs, and mysterious objects that filled the room. "I thought it would be full of horrible child-killing equipment."

"I told you, the witch is nice," Briar said, her voice calm as she followed him, her gaze sweeping over the familiar surroundings.

"Why is this room full of smoke?" he asked. "Is something burning?"

"It's not smoke, it's sage. It's meant to purify the energy," Briar explained. The soothing scent of the herb wafted through the room, wrapping them in a comforting embrace.

"What is this?" Leon approached a table where a large crystal ball rested, its surface shimmering with an otherworldly glow. He leaned in and peered into the depths of the mystical sphere. "Is it where the witch sees the future?"

"Don't touch anything," Briar warned him as he tapped the crystal ball with his fingers.

Everything was fascinating in the witch's house. However, Briar dared not to go near any of them in the absence of the witch because some objects were dangerous. For instance, the small flower that looked beautiful but would burst into flames in your hand as soon as you touched it. Then there were the knives, capable of stabbing if provoked, and the haunting flute that emitted a dreadful note, persisting until deafness consumed its listener.

"Is the mirror magical?" Leon's gaze shifted to a large oval-shaped mirror framed by intricately carved wood. "Or does the witch just want to see her ugly face?"

"You are so rude!" a ghostly voice reverberated from within the mirror.

Leon jumped away from the mirror. "It can speak!"

"Of course, it is magical," Briar said, stepping forward to stand before the enchanted mirror. The mirror was one of the most powerful magical objects that the witch possessed. It possessed the knowledge of spells, potions, and hidden realms beyond the mortal world. Unlike the other objects in the witch's house, the mirror was safe. It was friendly and very talkative.

"Sorry Mirror. He was only joking," Briar said.

"Oh, princess, look at you," the mirror responded, its voice tinged with concern. "Your aura is so weak today. It is so hard for me to focus on it."

The mirror showed Briar her reflection. The princess looked like someone whose aura had died. Her cheeks flushed with a feverish hue, her once radiant golden locks now tangled and unkempt, and her emerald eyes dulled by the weight of sorrow.

"What happened to you?" the mirror inquired.

"Bad day," Briar replied.

"I can give you a spell that will make you happy when you chant it three times," the mirror offered eagerly.

"Thank you, Mirror," Briar said. "But I don't think any happy spell can make me happy anymore."

"Who is the rude boy? Did he make you unhappy?" asked the mirror.

"He is Prince Leon," Briar answered.

"So, he is Prince Charming, your true love," said the mirror. "I thought he would be nice, but he is very rude."

"Stop using the word rude," Leon exclaimed, joining Briar at the mirror's side. "That is not the word you used to describe me. I'm a hero."

"You are rude," the mirror repeated, unimpressed by Leon's protests.

"Mirror," Briar said. "Where is the witch?"

"She is making a potion." the mirror sounded sad. "She's very busy lately and does not ask me for spells anymore. All day I'm just standing here with no one to talk to. I'm very lonely."