"And how should I know that is true, hmm?"

"She gave me this horn, with a spirit tied into it, and told me to knock twice."

"So she did," the witch says, and opens her door. "You may sit at my table and explain why she sent you here."

The inside of the hut looks... well, much like Baba Sonya's but moreso. Many strange things hang on the walls, a large cauldron bubbles quietly in the corner but gives off no heat, dried root vegetables and herbs hang from the rafters but several are no plant he's ever seen alive. There are two chairs, one smaller and rougher, which he sits in. He lays the horn on the table and waits, tense, for her to sit and speak.

Before she does, she picks up the horn, shakes it slightly, then leans out of the door holding it in the night air and whispers. It gives a loud crack and shatters, and the spirit's energy swirls outward and vanishes into the forest.

Then she closes the door and sits at the table across from him.

"Now, tell me what is so necessary that you disturb my vigil of the forest."

"I am sorry to disturb your doings, Baba, and I did not know of your vigil. I came to Baba Sonya seeking to lose my witch-gift but keep the sight, and she said that she could not do it, but you could, and directed me here on the night I could find the way."

She reaches out a hand to dip a finger in the cauldron and watch the steam boil off from her nail. "I suppose it is not dangerous to turn my gaze nearby for a few hours. So, you want to keep your edge, do you? An advantage against invaders, or rivals to be ataman or boyar?"

"No, Baba. After walking your path, I cannot deny it is useful, but that is not why I asked Baba Sonya. I do not want to give it up, because the sight of the spirit winds is beautiful."

"Hmm," she says, and repeats the dip into the cauldron, but this time she flicks the droplets toward his face.

He manages to avoid sputtering, because that would probably be impolite.

"I see. I suppose I can do such without any great difficulty. But that is best done in Dazh's light. You may make your bedroll against the far wall," she says, gesturing to the side away from the hearth.

"Thank you, Baba," he says, and looks toward that wall, which is the cold one, not where you would usually offer a guest if you lacked a spare bed. Then he considers that the cauldron is, naturally, next to the hearth, and mentally concedes the point.

Then he realizes he has been offered something and should refuse it the first time. Except that it's also where she told her to sleep - Baba Sonya, your advice is conflicting!

"...though if I would be troublesome within the house, I would be fine pitching my tent outside."

"No, no, better to keep you in sight."

"Yes, Baba, as you say."

And he takes his bag carefully against a clear patch of wall and puts down a bedroll in which he will hopefully fall asleep quickly, because the alternative is lying awake in Baba Ostankya's hut considering what she's going to do, which does not sound like a recipe for a restful night to follow.

He does, though. And if he got magical help he doesn't know about it.

In the morning the Hag Mother is gathering various talismans and herbs, the oddest of them what looks like an entire peeled onion skin spliced together into a sheet with some kind of tiny hooks. There's also the smell of cooking stew.

"Ah, you're awake. I must arrange the space outside. Have some stew while I do, but wait until I have cleared these tools from the table."

"Thank you, Baba Ostankya, but I can eat what I brought," he says as he carefully sits up, being sure not to disturb anything on the table or walls.

Which is polite. Also he's not sure he wants anything cooked in The Cauldron.

"Silly boy, you'll need your strength for the ritual. And that food for your journey home. Just be sure not to touch my tools - only the bowls and spoons are safe."

He rose a little taller and saw that there was a pot in the hearthfire with the stew, mercifully, not The Cauldron.

"Then I will gladly take some stew, thank you. It smells delicious."

She nods, and gathers most of what she has gathered, heading outside to prepare whatever ritual she needs. Wants? Saying that the hag of hags 'needs' ritual is probably a mistake.

Teodor doesn't approach the table until she's come back for everything, though he does inspect the little cabinet that holds her spoons, bowls, plates, and knives, next to the hearth on the opposite side from The Cauldron.

When she does come back, she puts most of the remaining contents of the table in a bag hanging from her belt, and very carefully takes the onionskin sheet in hand. Then the way is clear.

The interesting thing is that very few of the things she was gathering showed up to witchsight at all. Definitely not that onion-skin thing. He's very curious but absolutely shouldn't ask.

Fortunately he can now distract himself with stew.

He's waiting a while after that, but not more than an hour, before Baba Ostankya returns.

"Alright, boy, come outside. I'll work the ritual at noon, but you must know your part."