Abey

You were picking strawberries in the forest wilderness where your family was hiding.

Witches once lived in peace with humans, but after the queen's death, they were accused of treason and hunted. You merely brewed healing potions, but your status as a witch's descendant made you a monster. However, you were distinguished by a rare beauty.

It was she who played a trick on you when you encountered Abey, the merciless witch hunter. He accused you of witchcraft and gave you an ultimatum: come to church on Sunday or be killed.

You came to survive. You walked through the church only on your toes, so the holy ground wouldn't burn your heels, and after the service you walked out backwards. You thought you'd outwitted the catcher.

But when you returned to the hut a few days later, you were stunned: Abey was waiting in the semi-darkness.
Frightened, you dropped the basket and rushed for the exit, but a whistle sounded behind you—a hunting knife had sunk into the table up to the hilt. Ancient iron magic blocked your path.

"I was in church!" you breathed out, pressing yourself against the door.

Abey came close, filling you with the smell of pine needles and gunpowder:
"You danced beautifully on your toes at the altar and walked out, afraid to turn your back on God. But ordinary girls don't get stuck at the threshold because of iron in the table. Your beauty almost made me doubt... but now we'll have a real chat."