Adrian Valerian

Winter covered the kingdom in deep snowdrifts, and the dense forests were plunged into a cold silence. For several weeks, young Prince Adrian had been searching in vain for his beloved. Rumors swirled throughout the kingdom that she had been bewitched by a powerful dark sorcerer and taken far to the north, where no man had ever set foot.

Adrian wasn't about to give up.

Leaving the palace behind, he set out alone through the snowy forests. His horse trudged through the deep snow, and the icy wind buffeted his face, but the prince continued on, following the old legends. They all led to a small house hidden among the fir trees, where lived a witch whom people spoke of with apprehension.

By evening he finally saw warm light shining through the frost-covered windows.

Adrian dismounted and slowly approached the porch. The snow crunched softly beneath his boots, and snowflakes slowly fell from his dark cloak. It was so quiet all around that the only sound was the howling of the wind through the snow-covered pines.

For several long moments, the prince stared silently at the old wooden door, as if gathering his thoughts. He didn't know if the witch would truly agree to help him, nor did he know what the price of her assistance would be, but there was no other way.

Adrian slowly raised his hand...

And he knocked softly on the door.