"Hurry up guys! She's not getting any younger!"

Kai rolled his eyes and continued hobbling his way up the small hill, with his arm wrapped around my shoulders. He was fully putting pressure on me, probably thinks I can't support him. I'm a lot stronger than I was before, but someone as close-minded as Kai would never except that.

When finally reached the too Yuhan have me a bright smile that lightened the dark night. He gave the small wooden cabin a gentle knock.

"Be there in a moment," a woman called from inside the cabin. she sounded young, maybe Yuhan got a bad description of her. Yuhan told us the vilagers said she was a wicked old hag who was selfish and kept her powers only to herself.

I heard the woman walk up to the door and fidget with some locks. The door swung open and there stood a middle-aged woman with brown hair in a tight bun behind her her head and a maid uniform.

"How can I help you? I'm assuming you are looking for Mrs. Zanie."

We all nodded in unison. The woman
smiled kindly, showing very few wrinkles.

"Come on in, Mrs. Zanie loves visitors."

We stepped into the quaint little house. The place was much larger in the inside than the outside. There was a small kitchen area and small seating area from what I could see. There was also I hallway in the upper left, which I'm assuming are the bedrooms and such.

"Have a seat," she spoke very kindly, which confused me because of the rumors I had heard. "How's about I get yous some tea?"

"That would be wonderful, we appreciate your kindness," Yuhan spoke sincerely to the woman, and she ran off to go brew tea.

We all patiently waited, quieter than we have ever been. Kai and I sat next to each other, while Yuhan took a single seat. I tapped my foot, which was a nervous habit of mine, and looked around the room. It was very homely and charming, nothing like I pictured.

The book shelf had all sorts of books I've never seen before. They looked very old and dusty. Kai have me a little shove, just as the woman walked back in. She carried a tray with cups and a kettle. She placed it on the table with a warm smile.

"I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Ms. Johnson, I'm the maid hired by Mrs, Zanie. I've been working her since I was in my 20s. It's been a very long time spent with her," she spoke sweetly as she poured the tea in each cup. "Anyone opposed to sugar?"

No one spoke up, so she happily continued making the tea. Once she was finished, she passed out a cup to everyone and sat with her own.

"So what brings you youngsters out here?"

Kai looked at me to speak. I took a deep breath and went on to explain our story. I went into detail about the castle and how I was burned with black fire and Kai's gash. She listened patiently and intently.

After I finished I took a sip of tea quenching my thirst from talking so much. Ms. Johnson crossed her hands on top of her knees. She analyzed the situation.

"Hmmm.... well we could help your friend Kai there, however your issue is a bit trickier than that. You described the fire as black correct?"

I slowly nodded, growing more nervous from the tension.

"Yes, you see that's referred to as "The Cursed Flame", which can be... hard."

"In what way?" Yuhan chimmed in.

Ms. Johnson took a large sigh,"to be honest, it can't be healed by a Healer. It can only be taken back by the one who did it to you. And if it's not taken care of... it will spread."

My heart began pumping. "Spread?" I spoke fearfully. Kai put an arm around me and pulled me close to him for reassurance. I couldn't swallow. I felt my stomach get queasy.

"Is there nothing else we can do?" Yuhan persuaded.

"There are herbs that we have that will slow the process. Nothing will cure it permanently. I'm sorry sweetie."

I bit my lip to keep in my emotions. The room went silent with depression. I looked over and caught glance of an old woman in a long night gown watching us.

"What's with all the damn depression. You think an old lady wants to see a bunch of gloom in her home?"

"Mrs. Zanie, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to wake you. You normally sleep during he day and I thought it would be alright to see what they needed," Ms. Johnson pleaded.

"Pish, posh it's fine with me. Stop your groveling. Now what's this about 'The Cursed Flame'?"

"Ma'am it seems this young girl came in contact with it while in the castle."

The old woman came over to me and I showed her my arms. She turned them side to side analyzing every inch of the wound.

"That's cursed alright, I felt the dark energy from over there, but close up it's stronger. Doesn't seem to be spreading quickly, so it may be recoverable. I can give you some medical herbs to help, and it must be covered as well, we don't want that getting any worse. Don't be afraid of not though, that's the worst thing you can do. Sometimes it's mind over matter child I've learned that when people keep a good attitude, they live twice as long than those who
are negative," she turned to look at Kai. He wore a concerned expression on his face. "And you have a pretty deep cut on that leg of your. Suppressing the pain ain't no good for you dearie, I'll tell you that. If you come with me, I'll heal that right up for ya. Might be a little stiff afterwards though, I'm not the young healer I used to be, but I'm sure a tough guy like yourself will get through it." she grabbed his hand and pulled him along through the hallway.

We all patiently waited for Kai, entertaining each other with jokes and stories of our past. I never realized how funny Yuhan was until now. Most of the time he chose bad moments to make cracks at the situation. He can tell pretty good jokes though. I cried with laughter, which was something I thought I would never be able to do again.

I was happy to see him come out fully functioning. He showed no signs of the horrible cut on his leg.

Mrs. Zanie came out after him carry a bunch of vials and such and placed then in the table next to the tea. She pointed at a few in particular explaining their properties even though I already knew. I explained to her that I was a potion magician. We had a real nice conversation about potions and what to use to slow the burn. Yuhan eventually stepped in to cut us off and tell us we needed to get going. We gathered up our belongings, said our goodbyes and got back on the journey. Next stop the earth magician.

*this will most likely be changed slightly later on in the story