Into The Woods

ooc note: continued from here

The gossiper seemed to be spouting nothing of interest after all. Just a windbag looking to sell his wares by bragging that the castle only purchased his elixir of health. Which was enough reason for Verity to decide she never would. If elixirs were what they wanted, she would be more than happy to provide a few of her own-with very interesting side affects.

She was about to turn away, when a familiar voice spoke in her ear. A familiar voice that belonged to a certain someone she had trusted enough to tell where she lived, invite to her home, and was still expecting for dinner. And he already had news for her. News that was startling, but highly welcome. So her new friend had gained a position in the castle. Could it be that, at last, things might be beginning to turn her way?

Keeping her face emotionless, despite the turmoil of excitement she felt, she reached down to take him by the elbow, drawing Bartleby away from the crowd. "Why there you are." She spoke loudly enough to make their sudden removal from the crowd excusable, but quietly enough to not draw excessive attention. "Yes, I am just about done with my shopping. I thought we could perhaps stop by the pub for a meat pie for lunch?"

Once they were well out of earshot of the crowd, she stopped and turned to face him. Despite no ears close by, her voice became a low hiss, to prevent it carrying. "The castle? Bartleby, how did you manage such a thing?"

It seemed her urge to trust him was going to pay off.

The market was always the place to get the latest news. Especially regarding the goings-on in the castle of that little bitch and her husband. Peasants loved to gossip about royalty, thinking their pathetic little lives were nothing in comparison to the wonders that must certainly be found when one held the crown.

The insignificant fools were absolutely right.

More than gossip about the king and queen, however, Verity was very interested to hear if there was any news regarding herself. She still lived on the hope that everyone thought she was dead. To that end, she once again donned a peasant disguise, making herself appear just a little too old to possibly be the "evil queen" they would all remember.

Her supply of fly agaric was running horribly low. She loved the mushrooms, both for their toxicity and the pretty colors. They always looked so nice in a jar in her kitchen, and it only took a little of the poison to turn a victim to a blubbering mess, and little more to end their life completely. A worthwhile item for any witch to have handy.