ITS JUST CURIOUS WANDERING PROLOGUE The herbalist stared intently at the little bundle swathed cozily within

a heavy blue blanket. Its caramel skin glistened in the low light, almost as though it had a light coming from within itself. He could only stare strongly at the abomination that stood before him. Physically, the child was nothing but beautiful, even beautiful seemed to be an understatement of what this girl was. Already, he could see she would become trouble. He cast a glance once more at the child and turned to fix his dark gaze broodingly on the childs quivering parents. He took a step closer to the mat where the child laid; sleeping peacefully, unaware of the storm she would bring that will shake the village of He sighed, the wrinkles around his eyes stood out as he reached old hands in an attempt to lift the baby from her cottage. Abruptly, the childs mother stepped between them, spreading her hands out, eagle wide, to ward him off? She herself with her white skin that had already been tinted by the sun to make it almost bronze, full head of red hair and green as grass eyes, was an abomination amongst the black skinned villagers. Her husband, the foolish prince who had fallen for her sultry voice and beauty, stepped forward to stand beside her, also warding him offcoward! Do they think he would not get what he wanted? The old man glowered at them but still took a step back. They did not understand. They couldnt, he thought quietly. His herbalist apparel- red wrapper gilded up with a bunch of ropes and beads kissed the floor of the house as he turned to walk away. There was no way they would comprehend the sheer importance of this He turned his neck at the mouth of the door, causing several creases to appear boldly on his face and neck. He shook his head fervently, grabbed his stick that was propped against a wall. His black gaze met the green eyes of the childs mother, in an attempt to convey a quick message. He turned again and stared outside the door, at the forest. The home was skillfully hidden away from any nearby village. It was covered thoroughly with several branches of trees, vines and plants that crept slowly over the walls of the home, birds that twitted on the edges of the walls and a curtain of green vines that swung slowly a couple of feet ahead of the house. These cast a green haze that simply camouflaged the house from any wanderer or villager within sight. He continued to stare at the snake like vines that slowly swung to the beat of the breeze. His cold voice caught through the thick silence. This is your last chance. Make a choice. After this, I shall never return. He says loud enough for them to hear. He turned one more to see the fear eminent in the womans gaze. She shook her head ferociously and bent to take the sleeping child into her arms. He colud see her hands were shaking and could no longer hold back the smug smile that was splitting his big wrinkled lips.

Never! Get out, old man and never return! Her voice shook and she breathed raggedly. He stepped out of the house. Besides, as far as he was concerned he had accomplished his task, he smiled, now all he needed to do was wait. They will surrender eventually. CHAPTER 1