It was very dark in the forest, but Elisabeth wasn't afraid. She knew that the creatures of Raindancer World were friendly and none would harm her. Still, it was slow going, as Elisabeth felt her way deeper into the forest in the dark. She could not see a thing now, but the night wind still guided her, as she listened for its song and felt for its gentle breeze against her face.
Eventually, Elisabeth saw a light up ahead. As she drew closer, she realized that it was coming from a bonfire set within the centre of a grove of trees. As she drew closer still, she heard chanting coming from within the grove. She didn't understand all of the words but she knew that they were magical and that the grove was a very sacred place. Elisabeth walked up to the edge of the grove and stopped. Somehow she knew that she must not enter the grove without permission, so she remained very still and quiet, until a melodic voice from within the grove called out:
"Come closer then, my child
This night is very mild
But you seem rather wild."
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Elisabeth walked into the circle of trees and, for the first time saw the woman who had been chanting. She had long, curly, fire-red hair, and green eyes which seemed to glow, not from the firelight but from some place deep within. She was undoubtedly the most beautiful woman whom Elisabeth had ever seen, and Elisabeth was quite certain that this must be the Winsome Witch. Elisabeth was quite in awe, now that she had finally reached the object of her search, and just stood before the Winsome Witch gaping, until the Witch prompted her with:
"Cat got your tongue?
Sword pierced your lung?
Throat filled with bung?"
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"N-n-n-n-no," stammered Elisabeth. "I-I-I ... You're the Winsome Witch! Aren't you?"
"So some do call me
And p'rhaps I am to thee
Therefore, so shall I be."
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"Good," said Elisabeth. "Good. Because ... because ..."
"Well? Spit it out then!
Mind reading's not my ken
If thou speaks not now then when?"
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Elisabeth took a deep breath. She had been granted an audience with a very powerful woman and she was a little bit afraid. She wished that the Triceratops could be with her now, but she knew that it couldn't, and that she would have to fulfil their quest alone. She took another deep breath."
"Well," she began, "I don't know if you've noticed, but it's stopped raining on Raindancer World."
