It was foolish to cross into her forest unannounced; this most people knew. Smart travelers did not go into the woods; the extra few days of travel were decidedly safer and less costly than facing the wrath of the witch who lived there. Still, on occasion, the desperate and the unaware wandered in.

Ivy had little patience for trespassers, and less still for defiance. And this one certainly was defiant. "I would advise you to cooperate," she said in a frosty tone as her vines brought the trespasser closer to her. "Unless, of course, you prefer my fungi make your brain more pliable? Maybe a seed or two in your eyeballs will make you more likely to talk? I will have my answers one way or another, human."

With a flourish of her hand, the vines tightened around their target, not quite drawing blood but nevertheless causing a good deal of pain. "Tell me why you're in my forest, and you may yet walk free this day," she demanded with a threatening glare. "Don't, and the Green will make you talk." A small smile formed on her lips. "Your choice."