Frost (EDITING)

THE DEAL

"So that's where you will find him . The wretched house you see there , that's where he lives ." said Prunella .

Through the foliage , a house constructed haphazardly ( clearly without consulting an architect ) came into appearance .

"Now , I could walk you to the house but since I don't want to , you'll have to fare on your own ." Prunella said .

" That's alright . Thank you , Lady Prunella . We owe you ." said Hazel .

" That you do ." Prunella replied , coldly , "But for now , I shall bid adieu ."

She kissed Ced on the cheek , turning both his and Hazel's faces tomato red , for different reasons altogether .

As they commenced towards the imp's abode , Hazel walked up to Cedron .

" Umm...Ced ,there's lip tint on your cheek."

Ced smirked. "Well I guess I'll let it be, Hazel. Unless it's bothering you?"

"Why would it?" Hazel said, "How do I care if you're into older, married women?"

" Looks like this is it ." , said Amber .

" Now , I'd like to warn you all .", said the Huntsman , " The imp is one of the most dangerous creatures in this realm ."

"And Queen Snow White has malusdomesticaphobia.", said Amber, rolling her eyes .

"Pardon me ?" said Ced .

"Phobia of apples , nincompoop."

" All I want to say is , be careful." ,the Huntsman said .

"The last thing we want is anything impulsive or stupid ." he said , glancing at Amber. She grinned sheepishly .

They stepped into the house .The inside was dimly lit , due to the sunlight accidentally entering through the gaps in the blinds . There were numerous shelves laden with the most obscure objects ever seen .

 "It's a pawn shop ." said Hazel

A pattering of footsteps was heard . The door jerked open with a sudden force .

" Oho ! Customers. How nice ! How nice !"

It was a voice as shrill and sharp as the biting cold ; a voice which betrayed no particular emotions but was not plain either . She turned . A creature half her height , stood in the doorway with a malicious grin on his face . His body cast an abnormally large shadow on the floor .

He clapped his hands . His elfin ears twitched with excitement . He walked towards them , hurriedly .

" So , what is it that you desire ?", he glared straight into Hazel's eyes , "Tell me !"

He paced about ,in front of them , impatiently .

" Is it slippers of glass ? Is it a lamp with a djinn or a talking mirror ? If not wands of magic , is it an almighty sword ?The cloak of a swan maiden or an enchanted ring ? Flying carpets or is it brooms , you'd prefer ? Spinning wheels accursed or ones that turn straw into gold ? I have them all !" , he said .

There was a baffled silence .

" Tell me !" , he said , his eyes glittering with uncontained anxiety .

" The talismans . ", said the Huntsman , "That is what we seek ." 

The imp paused . He gazed at each one of them , extremely amused .

Suddenly , he burst into laughter .

" I don't see anything absurd in this ." , Amber stated .