The Witch Within by Iva Kenaz

would never let me down, never banish me or renounce their love. The goddesses have variously shaped moons imprinted on their foreheads and the gods have suns. They move in the motion of colourful lights that never disclose their true features. But each time these gods and goddesses leave, the mysterious, and most probably never to be answered question sneaks back to me:
    “But where is THE God?”
    The other dream I had featured a group of women in this cave. They were all dressed in long capes, their shoes, hair and wrists were decorated with almost transparent shiny strings, adorned with colourful bead-like stones. It resembled spider webs with trapped flies on top. Painted symbols, mainly the moon, the sun and the stars, decorated their foreheads and arms. They prayed together, holding hands, and then they danced around the well. For a while it felt like I was dancing with them. We were chanting the sacred syllables again and again, absorbing the light of the moon that fed us, comforted us, and most probably also enlightened us, for I have never felt such pure joy in my life.
    We also danced in the daylight, absorbing the warmth and comfort of the sun that shone onto and into us, soothing our bones, our blood, our spirits and souls. In the cheery motions I then recognised the woman from the first dream I dreamt here, the one who looks like me, but has sparkling green eyes and raven black hair. Her beauty dazzled me but scared me at the same time. For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to move closer to her, although she was reaching out her hand to me.
    “Don’t be afraid. I’m back. Receive yourself. Let us not part again.”
    I refused her hand and so she dropped it down eventually. Then I heard her say:
    “Don’t let the sleeping minds fool your senses.
    For they will keep standing in the way
    Not perceiving that the sky is just a veil.
    Sunshine reflects in the Moon
    Just like the divine light reflects inside of you.
    We all have the power to shine and spark through the dark.
    Remember it; store these words in your body, soul and heart,
    Because just like the moon; we are the reflection of the sun.”
    Her words were confusing to me. I have always thought the moon has a light of its own and honestly, I don't understand how the sun could reflect off it. Perhaps it’s similar to the question of God. It simply can’t be understood, although in some way the answer has already reached my mind. The last vision that the sacred temple granted me was a sad one.
    I saw brave ancient warriors in battle on the grounds that later became the marshes by the forest I have been hiding in.
    Their enemies descended from the Cursed Mount and on top of the menacing peak I detected a figure in a long black gown, gazing down at the scene. Then a shrill voice spread over the horrid scene:
    “Damn you, damn all of you, men!
    You cause nothing but hell!
    May you dwell here even after you die!
    May you abandon your wives!
    May you be my slaves again!
    When our kin rises from the grave!”
    The battle continued nevertheless, but then the raven-haired woman emerged from the forest. She pointed her palms towards the figure on the formidable Cursed Mount, as if she was trying to stop her somehow. But soon after she was crushed to the ground by the impact of an invisible force and remained still, with no more power to fight. The dream made me cry, it seemed to have reached the bottom of my heart and it made me think that, in fact, I was travelling in the ceaseless web of time.
     
     

 
    Chapter 7 – Invitation
     
     
    I have slowly been recovering from the long deep winter sleep and feel the need to get back on my feet and walk the earth again. The snow has melted and washed away the blood of the young wolf. I don’t think he will be back any time soon. I know the pack dwells in the mountains during the springs and summers and he must have joined them, unless he has become an outcast, like me. As I squat by the stream to finally