The Curse of Nightmares

Alani was out for her daily stroll, searching the perimeter of Mistmere for any signs of encroachment. As the Village Witch, it was her duty to protect the town from any attempts at invasion from wild magic. Although witches of old had attempted to eradicate it, bits of wild magic always held on and tried to spread, if given the chance. 

While she was out, Alani always kept her eye out for any potion ingredients she could find within the forest: squishy red mushrooms at the base of a tree, bright berries on a bush, or a leaping frog by a pond. Through the light mist, a gray tree covered in dripping moss and deep black berries, so black they seemed to swallow all color, materialized. Odd though, that it had berries, but no leaves. Aside from those berries, the tree looked like it existed in the dead of  winter, yet the berries were plump and juicy looking. Quite odd.

Alani took a step closer. “Hmmm…” She tilted her head. She wondered what those ominous berries would do if she mixed them into one of her potions. She reached a hand out and plucked one of the berries, turning it this way and that, mesmerized by the deep black depth of color. She couldn’t resist grabbing a few berries from the tree and dropping them into her basket.

Returning to her cottage, she began preparations for a potion. She dropped into the bubbling cauldron some common ingredients for a potion, whatever seemed to call to her, and lastly, almost reverently, she added the berries. With a flash, the sign of a successful potion, the liquid inside the cauldron began to shimmer and swirl.

Peering into the inky depths of her cauldron, Alani dipped a ladle into the potion. She felt an urge to drink it, just a little taste. The potion had to be tested, after all. She was certain it was powerful and did something wondrous. 

Placing the ladle to her lips, Alani sipped the dark, shimmery liquid. It looked like the night sky without a moon, she thought. She smacked her lips and ran her tongue along the roof of her mouth. It tasted like dreams…or maybe nightmares.

She startled. Where had that thought come from? Such poetic language was uncommon for her. She chuckled to herself nervously. Dreams and nightmares, really Alani? 

Speaking of dreams, she did feel quite tired. Her eyelids began to blink heavily. Maybe I’ll just lie down a moment. The exhaustion pulled at her. A dream would be quite nice. She sank to the floor. As good a spot as any. I’ll just dream for a moment. Or would it be a nightmare?

…

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-Clever & WTF