“A mighty witch grew tired of mortals asking her for favors and built for herself a house on the border of the sunlit world, that they might not find her at home when she did not desire company. But she went away long ago and has not returned, for I would know if so great a power came back into my realm.” Is this a reference to Agnieszka? I thought Jaga at first but "favors" seems more in Agnieszka's wheelhouse :)