The witch was taken aback at his response but was quick to compose herself. She stared down thoughtfully at the ground and took a moment to respond to his query. She had presumed that by now every soul that walked this forest had but one intention - to look for the wicked witch.This was a very interesting development and one she could use to her advantage especially given that the boy knew nothing about the wanted witch murderer, incredible as it was -yet. 

She did not, however, miss the violent glint which flickered across his eyes when she spoke of 'the witch', and this only made her sadness grow for realized that this handsome youth was no stranger to war and suffering. At least his mind was not yet poisoned by the village gossip and it was a stroke of good luck that he ran into her first and not the villagers. Could she trust him? Could this boy be an ally - the one to save her from a disgraceful death at the gallows? She asked herself inwardly as she regarded him thoughtfully. Not that she got a closer look she noticed that despite all that beauty there was however something missing from his face that prevented him from looking perfect - something she couldn't quite pinpoint. 

'you do not know anything, do you?' she replied, glancing sideways in the direction of the villages. 'the folks say that its a witch who's been taking their children! Poppycock!! I say.' she added with vigor hoping it matched her disguise. A flicker ran trough the boy's eyes as he listened to her outburst and so she went on to say, 

'She was a life-saver that one, gave me loads of potions to help with my back pain. And now she goes meddling in affairs that doesn't concern her, and earns herself a bounty on her pretty head. Poor girl, trusted the wrong sorts and now dug herself into a grave she cant crawl out of.'