Folksburywoods Story Blog

Tekla was born in the Hall of Wisdom and Death, bringing great joy to her family. Those born in the Hall have considerable abilities in soothsaying and clairvoyance. 

The child’s father, Yuri, notified the Tsarina that a Seer was born and that she should visit promptly to give the girl her blessing and protection before the dark forces found out.

In times before the coming of the light, the land struggled against Ruslan, a powerful sorcerer whose cruelty and malice knew no bounds.

One born in the Hall of Wisdom and Death could move along the river of time into the future and back in the past and see things that Ruslan wishes to remain hidden from prying eyes.

If Ruslan’s dark agents found out about the birth, he would send a necromancer to steal her life or, worse, bend her to his will.

It was suggested that the Jaga Baba be fetched to cast a web of confusion around the home in case an evil eye should investigate.

The wise woman anointed the child with herbs and ground stardust, which was believed to cast an aura of brilliance that confused any dark being protecting Tekla until the Tsarina could arrive.

On the night of her second day, an Eco found her. Ecos are hollow creatures that pass through solid and ethereal barriers to sense a child’s true nature.

Before it could flee, Jaga Baba entrapped it in an empty wine bottle using a simple spell. The spell blew the specter straight into a funnel attached to the bottle. 

Once inside, the bottle was corked and buried under the door’s threshold, where the family’s ancestors would guard it.

On the third day, Tekla spoke her first word, which is not unusual for someone born in the Hall of Wisdom and Death. “Circle,” said the babe.

No one understood the meaning, and fear crept through the home. “What if Ruslan comes to encircle us, sending a necromance for us all?” said Yuri.

“Nonsense, he would not dare harm her without knowing for certain that she is a seer,” said her mother, Irina. The two argued throughout the day until a wood witch was spotted on the forest’s edge.

“Why is an ancient one here? They are only seen in the darkest times,” said Yuri, peering through the window.

The witch walked around the cabin, casting dust that formed a dark circle around the home. “The dark wizard has taken the witch and plans our death,” cried Irina.

“Circle,” giggled the baby.

The setting sun brought a ring of brightly colored mushrooms encircling the house and emanating a glowing light. “Safe,” Tekla said.

On the fourth day, the exhausted parents prepared for yet another assault on the child. Yuri stoked the fire while Irina heated the soup. Mother and father sat and ate breakfast in silence.

“Do you hear bells, sleighbells? The Tsarina at last” whispered Yuri. So it came to pass that Tekla received her blessing, and the Tsarina took the family back to her castle, where Ruslan’s powers could not harm the baby.

Years later, Tekla fought against the dark lord’s army and defeated them with the help of many who protected her when she was most vulnerable. 

After the fall, it became known as the time of the light. Since then, no evil has dared raise its ugly head in the Slavic lands of the north.