When Esther saw Sarabeth's new outfit, she was surprised at how well it fit. It was a blue ball gown with the traditional empire waist and a skirt that appeared to have been made from the breaking waves of the beach they went to as children. The wagon was lined in pillows that looked as if they were smooth river stone. Vivien's eyes glowed with greed as she considered the apparent wealth of the dress and pillows. Ignoring Vivien, she watched Sarabeth examine herself before noting they couldn't stay at a rundown inn with such finery.

Sarabeth volunteered to sit up front with Vivien while Esther changed her clothes in the back. While she dug around back there, she began to day dream about wearing the same type of finery as Sarabeth. Such luxury was unknown to them and it would be the highlight of her life to look like a princess as well. But such a big gown was not her style. She imagined a long, straight skirt highlighted with gold and silver needlepoint and a transparent shawl like she had seen when the queen came through town years ago. Slowly she began to hear her sisters yelling and panicking around her. She climbed out of the wagon to ask what was wrong and her sisters nearly fainted against the trees lining the road.

She approached them puzzled as they seemed to run from her every move until she caught the phrase, "She's on fire!" Pausing, she looked at herself. Flames, no, silk seemed to be draped from her arms and her dream dress sheathed her like a glove. "No, I seem to have acquired a new dress like Sarabeth. I just dreamed it up and here it is. Are we witches?"

-- --

As the shock wore off the sisters, they checked into the only inn in the small hamlet that was there. Vivien distracted the inn keep while the others in their dream dresses went to the rooms before the price could be raised. Vivien also grabbed a platter from the dining room and loaded it up calling for drinks to be brought by the groggy bar wench. Sarabeth and Esther had found normal clothes to switch into by the time the girl knocked and brought in the ales. They spent the remainder of the night trying to understand the scroll and the stones. The only thing they could make out at this time was that the scroll was about the stones, and they were full of strange magic. They fell asleep in a heap at the table. During the night, the townsfolk and the other guests at the inn ran in panic to attempt put out a fire that seemed to spring up around their room. When they woke up, all their clothes had again changed as well as the room. They quietly packed and began to leave the room when something came flying at them. Amidst the hail of pebbles and dirt, the people let out a chorus of "witches!"

As they stood stunned, the three charms they wore began to glow. Everyone and everything around them seemed to slow down. Vivien, not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, shouted "Run!" and ran for the stables as quickly as possible. Their cart was still present, the horse had been hooked to it and it looked like they were about to be lit on fire to remove the taint of magic. The sisters got on quickly while the magic continued to alter their surroundings. Just as suddenly as the world had seemed to stop, the cart and horse began to move at the speed of the sisters. Flying out of the stables they shredded through the solid oak as if it were paper thin. The cart gradually became an ornate carriage and the magic subsided as the angry crowd vanished over the horizon. Only then did they notice a crest emblazoned on all they owned, that of the ancient symbol of yin-yang over laying a mobius strip. The deadly sign of the cursed amulet of infinity.

-- The Sisters

The sisters were approaching a major town of their home kingdom, Tumal, at about the time the wizards were heading out. They had hastily learned from the fear of the people they passed to cover the emblems on their transformed cart. It looked now like a high class coach with draperies decorating the sides. They pulled up to an elegant looking inn with a high wall around its courtyard. They had sold random goods from the inside of the coach to increase their funds on the way and were able to pay for the room and board as well as privacy with no questions asked. Apparently, if they were already surrounded by luxury, the strange fire and magics did not become apparent to those around them. Word had already spread of the amulet's mark and the Ahnek king's gathering of the wizards.... They were beginning to feel a little proud of their unwanted fame and almost said something to the innkeep.

-- Opposition

It wasn't long until the neighboring kingdom of Ahnek had heard of the appearance of the witch sisters. A powerful trio of wizards waited upon the crowns indulgence and was summoned. They sent Noh, of the green orders, to gather information while Jote and the mysterious Swallow prepared their supplies. Swallow, of the purple orders, was usually a headstrong, but quiet individual. Jote, of the silver orders, was constantly speaking and sometimes oracles would be pronounced without a moment’s notice. In this case, Swallow spoke uncharacteristically over Jote's monologue indicating he would be sending his writ of life to the exchequer since they were likely not returning, The soldiers, although well trained, almost dropped the supplies in their haste to get away from such a curse.

-- The Wizards

Riding for days on end is not a joy to many castle folk, especially wizards. Jote, at first tried to pass the time by telling of the historical documents of the kingdom until Swallow cast a silence spell on him. Noh, made use of the time by asking each inn's bard for a story on the amulet. The most interesting pieces of gossip would be contained in these stories and several things were so common that they had to carry some truth to them. "Gentlemen, when we catch these witches, we must keep them awake and unaware of who we are. If the stories are to be believed, their imagination and will control the amulet. We do not know if they truly are in control or it is and I do not relish being transformed into their toy. But, if we separate the amulet from them and prevent it from contacting anyone else, it will sleep once again."