Seven tasks. Seven ways to fail and seven ways to die. Tatyana must overcome the tasks before the next full moon. Failure will allow the sorceress to take his soul. For the love of her father, Tatyana will risk it all and seek help from Baba Yaga, so it begins…
The Enchantment:
“Okay, my little matryoshka. I’m off to the village to sell the fruit of my labors. We eat white bread and borscht tonight,” proclaimed Tatyana’s father.
“Watch out for the Winter Witch,” teased the child. “A handsome man like yourself will be her lover,” she added, waving goodbye.
“If only,” said Aleksei.
The journey to the village was uneventful. The woodsman delivered his lumber to the sawmill for payment and then went to the market to buy supplies.
“Good morning Georgii, how are the wife and children?” asked Aleksei as he purchased white bread and sour cream.
“Very well, thank you. I see you, and Tatyana will eat well tonight,” replied the merchant, handing the goods to Aleksei.
As the woodsman headed to his sled, he noticed a new stall and decided to investigate. “What marvelous creations. I will buy that flower pin for my daughter,” said Aleksei to the seller.
“You are a single man, no?” asked the woman.
Ha, ha, you’re very observant. Yes, my wife died some time ago,” replied Aleksei. The woman introduced herself as Roksana, a charm maker. The two chatted, enjoying each other’s company.
“A woman would be lucky to have a man like you in her home,” Roksana said. Then, she placed a pin on Aleksei’s shirt. She told him it was a gift. It would offer protection on his way home.
“See you soon,” the woodsman remarked, then went to his sled and home.
He brought the food inside when he arrived home without greeting his daughter. He took a bowl of soup, added sour cream, and ate without speaking.
“How was the market today?” asked Tatyana.
Aleksei did not respond. Finishing his meal, he returned to the barn to cut and stack lumber. Later, Tatyana tried to start a conversation with her father at supper.
“So, did you meet anyone new at the market today?” asked his daughter.
“Hold your tongue, child, or I will cut it out of your mouth,” came his reply.
Shocked by her father’s words, Tatyana turned away to hide the tears welling in her eyes. “You are worthless. Go bring in firewood and water, or I will take my whip to you,” scolded her father.
The girl bit her tongue to keep from asking what she had done to earn such rebuke. Outside, near the sled, Tatyana noticed the flower pin her father had bought her lying on the ground.
“What is this? Papa’s sister will know of such things. I will visit and show her in the morning,” remarked the girl.
In the morning, Aleksei went into the woods to collect wood, and Tatyana walked to her aunt’s home.
“Since he returned from the market, he’s a different man, cold and cruel. I found this lying next to the sled. Is it evil?” Tatyana asked her aunt.
“Hmm, this has power, no doubt, but not the kind to change my brother to this monster you speak of. No, I’m afraid whoever gave him this also placed an enchantment on him,” explained her aunt.
Tatyana returned home and gathered his clothes. The girl noticed the pin on his shirt and returned to her aunt’s. “Is this it?” the child asked.
“Did you touch this?” asked the woman.
“No, I feared it was a powerful charm,” said Tatyana.
“Child, this is more than a mere charm. This dark flower is the adder’s tongue, and sorceresses use it to bind a soul to them,”
“Can we destroy the spell?” asked the girl.
“No, my dearest, it has already taken hold. You saw the change. The sorceress will exert her power, turning him into a dark mage,” answered the aunt.
“Is there nothing I can do?” pleaded the child.
“Only one, seek Baba Yaga. Your fates are now in her hands. You have until the next full moon. By then, Aleksei’s soul will be bound to the sorceress,” explained her aunt.
“Let me have some bread and your iron shoes. I will leave today,” said Tatyana.
Her aunt prepared bread, milk, and cheese in a woven sack. Then she placed her iron shoes on Tatyana’s feet and tied them. “Beware the wood,” said her aunt. “But stop to help those in need.” She kissed the girl’s forehead and sent her on her way.
“I will find a way to break the spell. I will bring you back to me,” said the girl. She walked into the dark forest and her adventure to save her father.
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