Mentor Dommer: "You've harmed a Protected Soul. Your punishment will be the loss of your trusting husband to divorce. Your prosperity will be dissolved and you will henceforth live in poverty. Your children will turn their backs to you. You'll become a pariah in the Sorcery Commune.
Your illness will increase until you die the gruesome death that you wished upon your victim.
The only chance you have at Redemption is to throw your fate to the one you tried to harm but note that she has every right and reason to consign you to the flaming bowels of Hell that you hoped would be her end."
Jesabelah LaVayne Mentider: "She will surely gain pleasure and satisfaction from my suffering and eventual demise."
Mentor Dommer: "She will not. That's where you made your fatal error. She's not like you - she is pure of heart. Your suffering will not only not please her, it will cause her to feel grief.
You fool! Her Spirit Team watched your attempt to harm her due to your overweening envy. They caused your iniquity to boomerang back to you. Now you will suffer the fate that you wanted to destroy her with and ..."
JLM: "The doctors say there is no hope of a cure but it does look to be a terminal condition."
MD: "PSHAW! The allopaths in Londinium have nothing with which to counteract self-imposed Fekete Mágia. Of course they told you there is no hope - they have no idea what is ailing you.
Really - what did you expect when you unskillfully attempt the most vile of spells in the lexicon all in the service of ill intentions? Do you want to survive this? If so, you must first make a sincere confession and then seek absolution from the one you desired to harm."
JLM: "To whom do I make this confession?"
MD: "To your intended victim, of course - Ángel de la Tierra."
JLM: "I suppose I have no choice but she'll have to come to me, the spell has weakened my once lithe limbs and restricted my mobility."
In due course, a missive is dispatched to Ángel de la Tierra, who immediately makes her way to Jesabelah's sickbed and asks to be told how she can be of aid to the sorceress.
JLM: "I must make a full confession to you, Ángel, and ask your forgiveness. I have wronged you but in so doing, I have poisoned myself and am soon to perish. Please hear me out, and if you can find it in your heart, I hope that you will grant me peace."
Ángel de la Tierra: "Of course, I'll heed your need, Jesabelah. Speak your words with sincerity and I'll respond in a judicious manner."
JLM: "You are most gracious. Please be seated - this may take a while - I tire so easily now and the tale is lengthy."
JLM inhales deeply, coughs, and then...
"I, Jesabelah LaVayne Mentider, hereby fully confess to the desire and implementation of a Fekete Mágia spell to destroy the pure heart and soul of my rival in love, Ángel de la Tierra, in pursuit of my craven desire to gain control of her mate, Rod Božský Mužský, manipulating him by gossip and lust spells to abandon her and to accept my charms as his wish fulfillment.
I had cast upon you, Ángel, the most vicious and provocative bloodspell that causes despair and illness and leads to an early demise. I was envy-ridden. You have everything I do not: charm, grace, generosity of spirit, pure intentions, compassion, wisdom...you name it - you're simply a paragon of virtue and that fact boiled my viscera in acid.
I despised myself for not being you. I befriended you in the hope of exposing any darkness within you and cause you to be shamed before the world. I wanted you to lose everything you held dear. I strongly desired to ensure that you'd never bear the children of your mate, Rod. I tried to make your womb shrivel and dissolve.
I used sorcery to enthrall Rod. Someone who witnessed my pursuit of your mate likened it to that of a hungry anaconda in heat writhing around him. Who could resist me? No one could, and neither could he. He betrayed your trust because of me. I was giddy with pleasure because of this.
Please forgive me. I have wronged you. Mea culpa. Mea maxima culpa."
Ángel de la Tierra crosses the room and touches Jesabelah's damp forehead. Ruminates for several minutes. Then...
Ángel de la Tierra: "What have you learned, dear one?"
JLM: " I've learned that I only harm myself when I allow envy to devour my soul and govern my impulses, I've learned to think through my vengeful desires. I've learned not to interfere with the loving hearts of two who are meant for each other - their names entwined in the Book of Life. I've learned that I lack the skill to alter reality.
Please be forgiving. Have mercy upon me. Your compassion can dissolve the evil Fekete Mágia and spare my life and, ultimately, save my blackened soul."
Ángel de la Tierra: " You must sincerely vow to do no more harm. By keeping that vow sacred, you'll release yourself from the spell.
I wish you to find joy in the passion to be kind to others. Find depth and meaning in being compassionate. Become a Helper.
Do you so vow, Jesabelah LaVayne Mentider?"
JLM: "I do - and with the complete commitment of my soul."
Ángel de la Tierra: "Jesabelah LaVayne Mentider, you are to become well and happy and free from suffering. Be at peace. I forgive you. Now you can forgive yourself. Have the best life."
©Ellen Pepper 2025
