The enchantress stirred her brew over the fire. She added a sprig of rosemary and broke lavender flowers over it. As each separate bud hit the liquid, the images flittering across the surface multiplied. Her wooden spoon broke them apart, where they formed more, their colours brightening and setting her face aglow. A handsome man's face settled in line with her eyes.
"Hello," she said.
The man behind her jumped, as did his image in her pot.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" she asked still watching his image with her back to him.
She took in the grey-green eyes, the slightly too long fringe of fine blond hair. She vaguely hoped that he may break the monotony of the day, then caught herself.
"How did you get in here? I have certain precautions, I don't see what's so special about you," she stated, although her eyes wondered over his body, smooth toned shoulders, soft tanned skin.
"I want you to show me something, I want to learn from you," he said with a boldness that both intrigued and irritated her.
"I don't tend to act on the petty whims of strangers," she retorted, "why should I show you anything?"
"Please, I want to see the past, to walk among it, I know you can do it, there's no-one else. You have the ability, it is unique, beautiful, like yourself."
The enchantress looked at his pleading eyes, and thought to herself that she might as well, the boy could be worth some fun, and messing with magic was her way. Besides, flattery will get you everywhere, and she did fancy herself one of a kind.
"Very well," she took a goblet from the shelf and filled it from her pot, "drink this."
He took the goblet from her, his fingers brushing hers slightly more than was necessary. When he had finished, she threw the goblet down on the ground where it landed upright.
"Hold your hands out in front of you and touch mine," she ordered "now, think of what time and place you wish to go, fill your mind with it, and let me guide you to it. But you must know that you can only be among the past, you can not change it. You can feel and look, but that is all."