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The funeral songs were singing on the witches’s valley called Avlassor. A hot fire was burning, and the tomb made of a black tree on the heavy chains. The top of the tomb was transparent, and the corpse could be seen. It was the body of young beautiful witch about 128 years old. She was pale, her hair were long and black. Her name was Tilusha, as it was written on the label on one side.
There was a big round of witches of all ages. They were singing the funeral songs:

You left us… You left…
Your soul is far, not here,
But for us you’re always near,
The ground will be your bed!

At last, the tomb let down and flamed. He was firening about half an hour.
After this, the eldest witch came forward and said:
- Our sister is dead. She was killed by our worst enemy – Vilorra!
A soft noise.
- We won’t leave it! We’ll take vengeance! That’s what I’ve said, your Queen!
- Long live the Queen! – cried all witches and left the valley.

I

The next day after Tilusha’s burial, the youngest witch came to the Avlassor. She was about 118 year’s old. Her name was Helawiza.
It seemed that Helawiza was just a tourist, but it was a false impression. The killed witch, Tilusha, was her best friend and adviser. Helawiza had no relatives, so Tilusha’s death made her lonely in the whole world.
The witch sat on the grass and began to cry. But her tears couldn’t return her friend.
Suddenly Helawiza put something out of her pocket. Sunlight fell on the small golden medallion with the witches’s emblem, pentagram with the eye inside, on its top.
- It’s the only memory of you, my dear – whispered Helawiza. – When I was 105, you gave it to me, saying: “It’s your familiar thing. Save it and when I die, never give it to Vilorra and her servants. You should understand what it is yourself. When I leave, open it on my grave”
Helawiza put the small golden key out and opened the medallion. A small ring and a paper fell out of it. The witch looked at the ring first. It was usual wedding ring of witches. The male witches lived in another valley called Luxemirso and once a year the females flew there, stole a man and married here, in Avlassor. If they had a girl, she became a witch, the boy – man took him back to Luxemirso.
So, Helawiza looked at the ring made of the male and female witches’s hair. On its backside was written:
“Greenchoos and Clanlirissa, 1982. Children: Helawiza 1985, Altar 1983”
- I – have – brother? – Helawiza dropped the ring. – But Ursula said that I was alone! Well, let’s read the letter

“Dear Helawiza,
If you read it, then I’m dead. Please forgive me for telling lies about your family. Your brother, Altar, is alive. He was zombied by Vilorra. The only person who can save him is you. I’ll try to help you.
Vilorra is a strong witch, but she hasn’t got the best power – love. You have. You can conquer her, but it is difficult. She lives in the far country called Gekanland. It’s a land of darkness and hate. Vilorra keeps all her victims in her castle. You should go straight to the North to get there. Come now!
Your friend,
Tilusha.

II

Helawiza decided not to take many things with herself. The usual weapon of witches – arrows, the spare cloak and Tilusha’s medallion.
All witches lead her to the main gates of the country.
- Forgive me, please – said the Queen, Ursula.
- It’s all right, your Majesty – Helawiza replied.
- Take it. – Ursula gave her the piece of parchment.
- It’s a map of our lands. Here you can see Avlassor, Luxemirso and – she sighed – Gekanland. You see, your way is far and hard. Good luck!
Helawiza took the map and nodded thankfully. All witches raised their hands and cried:
- Hoorah! Hoorah to Helawiza!
Our heroine turned to the gates and left her motherland. The heavy gates closed behind her…

III

Helawiza had never been to the grounds behind gates. She looked at the map. According to it, she should have crossed the forest. Helawiza found the track and began her way. Two hours later she saw a forest of oaks, sloes and ashes. Helawiza entered.
The forest wasn’t dark, so our witch could see the track clearly. She was walking for half an hour when she heard the tramp of a horse. Helawiza hide behind an old oak. Soon she saw a knight on the black horse. This knight didn’t seem angry, so the witch left her shelter slowly. She stared at the knight but neither he nor his horse attended her. Helawiza read the label on the knight’s helmet:

Sir John Backsword
- Sir John! – She called.
No reply.
Helawiza remembered the legend told her by Ursula when she was a little girl:
- Sir John Backsword was the best knight in our lands, kind, brave and helpful. But suddenly one angry witch fell in love with him. He said:
- Go away! We are enemies!
- Then he fell asleep forever.
It won’t be difficult to guess that this witch was Vilorra.
Helawiza sighed and hurried through the forest which became more and more dark. But our witch, as all ones, could see in the darkness as good as in daytime. So, darkness wasn’t a big problem.
Other problems were big black rainy clouds. Soon they covered all sky. Helawiza raised her hood and ran.
At last she stumbled over the root of ash, fell on the ground and fainted.

IV

Helawiza blinked. Again. At last, darkness in her eyes escaped. She found herself in the small room where were: an ash round table with the white tablecloth, a thatch sofa where the witch was lying, a marble fireplace and (Helawiza couldn’t image why it was here) a big harp. It seemed new.
Helawiza tried to remember what has happened with her. Then she did and tried to stand up, but felt a terrible pain in her left knee and fell back to the soft pillows.
Suddenly she heard music. It was the most beautiful song Helawiza has ever heard. Somebody was playing the violin. The witch recognized a lullaby of Juliclause: “The white cat”. The sweet tenor sang:
I’ll become a white cat,
I will jump to your bed...

Helawiza called:
- Hey! Is anybody here?
The music stopped. The oak door opened and a young man entered. Helawiza had never seen such a handsome man. He had a long blonde hair and the warm brown eyes. His figure was very tall and the witch could see the big muscles under his clothes.
- Ah, you’ve woke up, young witch, - he smiled. – How are you?
- Who are you and why I’m here? – asked Helawiza instead of an answer.
- Well, my name is Lord Gregory. I’m an owner of this place. And who are you, beautiful witch.
- My name is Helawiza. I’m from Avlassor.
- Wow! It’s so far! – Lord Gregory said. – Well, Helawiza from Avlassor, what has brought you to my home?
- I am looking for Gekanland, - Helawiza replied.
Suddenly Gregory (I will be calling him just Gregory) became pale.
- What do you want from Vilorra? – He asked.
- I want to return my brother Altar. He is in the captivity of Vilorra.
Gregory sighed.
- Helawiza, it’s impossible. Do you know what does Vilorra do with the men who are in her captivity? Sure you don’t. She spends a night with them and then zombies. My best friend tried to escape, but she put a spell of forever sleeping on him.
- Sir John Backsword, - Helawiza guessed.
- Yes. Helawiza, don’t! If the female appears in Vilorra’s castle, she just kills her! Her castle is built from the bones of them!
Helawiza began to cry. Gregory sat near her and embraced protectively:
- Don’t cry, honey. Stay with me, I’ll teach you to play the harp. I fell in love with you from the first sight when I found you lying in the forest with the broken leg. I raised you and rode here. Stay here, Helawiza!
- Thank you very much, Lord Gregory, - witch began…
- No Lords! Gregory!
- Ok, Gregory, I’m very pleased to you but I must find Altar.
- How are you going to look for him with the broken leg? You need at least two weeks to make in healthy. I’ll cure you and care about you.
Helawiza just nodded.
- Now, you should try to fell asleep. I will sing the lullaby for you.
The witch nodded again, closing her eyed. The man kissed her, took the guitar and played his favorite “The White Cat”.

V

Next two weeks flew very fast for Helawiza. She had never got such care even from Ursula and Tilusha. They cared about her, but they were cold and official. Lord Gregory was another, warm and gentle and cared about Helawiza like mother cares about her hurt child. The witches’s houses were monumental and humble, there were only necessary things and they were rough and graceless. In Gregory’s house, however, everything was grace. His home consisted of two floors and the attic. There was a big garden with the apple trees.
The first floor consisted of a lounge, a dining-room and the servant’s room (for the stable boy, the cooker and the cleaner). The wide oak stair covered with the red carpet, lead to the 2nd floor, where were Gregory’s bedroom, the musical room and the guest’s room, where was Helawiza. Her room wasn’t big but cosy. The floor was covered by a blue carpet; the same colors were silky curtains on the ash window. Our witch spent her time on the soft thatch sofa.
Every day was almost the same. In the morning Gregory came to Helawiza’s room and brought breakfast and tea for her. They ate together and Gregory was telling about his life. Then he took the witch on his hands and brought her to the garden. She was lying on the grass when it was sunny and in the summer-house when in rained. Gregory played the violin for her and sang. He had a sweet tenor.
Then, at the lunch time, he brought Helawiza back and they have lunch. After it Gregory was teaching our witch to play the harp. Helawiza was a quick leaner and made a good progress.
After lessons, Gregory and Helawiza drank tea in the garden. The garden apples were very sweet; the witch loved them very much.
Actually, about love. Did Helawiza love Gregory? It’s a good question. She didn’t know it herself and never thought about it.
At last, she could walk and ride a horse. Her leg was OK, and one morning she said:
- Well, dear, thank you very much, but I must go.
The man sighed.
- Please promise me that you’ll return to me – he said.
- I swear I do – said Helawiza.
Gregory presented her his best horse. He embraced her like his wife.
- Good luck.
And Helawiza left Lord Gregory’s house.