Now our witch, Wyndynduffa of the Cheap Marshreed Broomstick, lived in a small ramshackled hut in a penurious, thorn-hedged part of the forest, apparently bat-favoured too, a fact evidenced by innumerable little mounds of the creatures' odoursome droppings which coated the roof of the hut. In was in these environs that our two heroes received the disguised benisons of Wyndynduffa, or as they have come to be known... Ear of Duke's son dipped in mule sweat, Yellowed femur of an agitated marmoset, You twain are bound in a plaguey plight To serve me twelve score days or a single night. But mark my door and here deliver Twelve solved quests to me their giver. No more no less no treasure blessed, Just twelve solved quests no golden-tressed Princess or any such nonsense. For Wyndynduffa, the evil puffer Of blighty smokes and ill winds rougher Than the demon gales that blow assunder All the small leisure-crafts in the Bay of Tyrrunder. That's me, that's me, of Lich and Djinn a chainer! Sender of legioned ghouls through my coffee strainer! Of the High Coven's Broom Closet the Official Maintainer! Of Imp, Lemur and Delinquent Schoolchildren the whispering trainer! And you be at my service... Now wherefore art that minstrel slave? Ah there, with daggered hand upraised to shave His stubble or mayhap cut an air corsage, Or favour my back with a sharp massage. Well hear you then, my loyal cub, But fail your quest or seek to rub Out my fell-spelled self and Lo, In your seed-sowing parts shalt grow A carrot. So to thy first task attend! - Far beyond the nearest towns and states Where folk don't eat with forks or plates Across high mountains and pretty lakes A very far place for heaven's sakes Lies a blossom of legend's fame Please make the day for this old dame Violets and red roses just aren't the same Search 'Mangolia' the prize by name And I bid thee success, this year and hour when you try Finding The Blue Lotus Flower. Now listen close to the second quest Sweet knight, lay your head here on my - At that point, the witch's two champions, till then yawning repeatedly in a defeated fashion, jumped swift to their feet, and with much contrived coughings and loud exhortations, implored their temporary mistress to leave off the giving of the remaining quests until such time as they had completed the first one. Click on the dragon to proceed with the tale... ... the dagger to go to the previous page ... and the snoozing gnome to return to the Home Page. copyright 1997 Gerald Tan & Nigel Poh Currently playing "Leyenda" by Isaac Albeniz.