For anyone who has started my new series, Legends of the First Empire, you may have seen some references to the Tetlin Witch. If you are familiar with how I write stories, then you must know that you'll be learning more about her as the tale unfolds. But given that her name is often used as a curse, you probably already have the impression that she's not well liked. In fact, she probably runs a close race with Grombach (who you'll meet this summer in Age of Swords) for person you'd least like to run into on a dark stormy night...or...well...anytime really. Since it's Halloween and all manner of ghosts, ghouls, and witches are taking center stage, I thought I would share a poem about her, which you actually won't see until the fourth book of the series. I hope you'll enjoy this little sneak peak.
Oh, and speaking of sneak peaks...if you want to meet Grombach, then please check out my contribution to the Unfettered II anthology put together once more by the amazing Sean Speakman. Grim Oak Press is accepting pre-orders for it now. But that is for another day. For now let's get back to the Tetlin Witch.
Far beyond the woodland
hills, beyond mountains vile,
Hidden in a mist-soaked
swamp, upon an awful isle.
She haunts the lapping
blackened pools, and creeping ivy ways
And there awaits with hair
of black and eyes a dismal gray.
She waits they say for time
to end, and her life to be through,
Until that time she waits
for me, and also waits for you.
Within a hut beside a pool
the Tetlin Witch does dwell,
And watches at the fetid
pond, the door that leads to Rel.
And there she sits upon her
stool beside the very brink,
And watches as the fated
fools down in the darkness sink.
Beware the Tetlin Witch my
friend, and never go astray,
Beyond the woodland hills,
beyond the light of day.
Or you too may find
yourself caught up in the mire,
Sinking, screaming uselessly,
helpless til you tire.
Then under the muck, under
the water, deeper you will go,
Lost forever
to a place where only the witch does know.