A Visit

Lubic stood in his driveway for another few moments, unsure of what to do. How could he find a giant bird? Who would even believe this story, especially when he wasn’t altogether certain he believed it himself.

With a sinking feeling, he was able to think of three people right away who would probably believe him. One of them he had no intention of talking to ever again if he could help it. So that left Azalyn and Jaleesa. He quickly decided on the witch, as she had promised she would help him find information whenever he needed it. And at least he knew where she lived. He had no idea how to find Azalyn.

With a word and a thought, Lubic found himself standing directly in front of Jaleesa. Her ancient dark eyes showed her surprise, but she quickly mastered her features. She was no longer in animal skins, but was instead in baggy silk trews, with an ornate vest. Her long hair was partially up, but for the most part still loose.

"Lubic, what a surprise! I did not expect to see you again so soon."

"Well, Jaleesa, I didn’t really expect to be visiting you again so soon, either," Lubic replied. He glanced around. They were in a smaller room, one he had not seen before. They were right beside a dressing table. Behind him was a rather large and ornate bed. Lubic’s face reddened. "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to meet you in here."

"It is quite alright." Jaleesa turned and led Lubic to an anteroom that had many plush cushions arrayed around for sitting on. Jaleesa clapped and a servant entered, bearing refreshments. The servant placed the tray in front of Lubic, bowed, then quickly disappeared the way she came. "Now Lubic, what can I do for you?"

Lubic quickly outlined what had happened to him upon arriving home, ending with the raven carrying the girl away.

"I see," Jaleesa mused. "And I suppose you want me to find her for you?"

"Yes please. And any other information that might be useful. I’ve never heard of a raven that size before!"

"Well, to me it sounds like a shifter of some sort," Jaleesa said, clapping her hands once again. "But I will be able to tell you more momentarily."

The servant once again appeared, but this time with an ornately carved box on a tray. She placed the tray in front of Jaleesa, before bowing and disappearing once again. Jaleesa opened the box and removed a small package, wrapped in silk. She moved the box off of the tray, then unwrapped the silk, revealing a deck of cards.

"The old ways work best," she smiled, beginning to shuffle. She quickly lay the cards in a complex pattern on the tray. Then, as Lubic sat fidgeting across from her, she contemplated what the cards revealed to her.

"Are you sure this will work," Lubic asked, unable to bear the silence any longer.

"Shhh!" Jaleesa shushed him. She remained silent for a long while after, her attention firmly on the spread. Lubic was just about to speak again, when she looked up.

"It is as I thought: a shifter. A were-raven, to be more exact. But it looks to me like he is not happy remaining as he is; he wants more power," she said, tapping a series of the cards. "I will tell you where he has taken the girl, but I warn you, this has the looks of a trap of some sort."

"I’m not leaving her."