The Tempest of Eerikki - Book One - THE PANACEA QUEST

Chapter 11

Robson had been walking the walls and was looking forward to being relieved so he could join the others at the main hall for the festivities. There were many unknown faces that had entered during the previous few days and while he could not put his finger on it. Something was amiss and making him feel uneasy. He kept thinking so many unknown faces, but his mind's eye seemed to grasp on one image of a shadowy hooded figure.

'What was so familiar?' Robson was still trying to remember when he was approached by Hold Guard Conrad.

"Well met Robson."

"Well met Conrad," Robson absently acknowledged.

Seeing the furrowing of his friend's brow Conrad asked. "What has you troubled?"

"I am not sure." Robson went on, "I have a half memory from yesterday morning of someone that does not belong." 

Conrad cocked his head to the side, "are you bloody kidding I have never seen so many attend the Festival of Bounty before, are you telling me you are trying to remember one face in the one hundred score that came through the Great Gates."

"Yes," Robson retorted.

"Go eat, drink and dance my friend and tomorrow you may wake between the bosoms of a weighty maiden with your head aching and your shaft softened from much use." Conrad clasped his friend on the back to send him on his way.

***

Tempie was about to enter the bathhouse turning to Valiant and Boé she told them she would not be long and that they should go enjoy the evening's festivities. They reluctantly walked towards the main hall. She was now with Mistress Averta.

"Averta, I think tonight I will just wear warrior garb." Tempie's voice was soft as the mistress was preparing the younger girl's hair.

"Oh Tempie." Averta could feel the uncertainty and hurt in Tempie's words, "my child you looked so beautiful and should never be worried about that beauty showing." With the wisdom of womanhood, Averta continued. "Batair needed to see you like that if only to remind him."

"Remind him of what?" Tempie quizzed.

"Remind him that the Goddess has given him a great gift." Averta ceased any further queries from Tempie, "he will be all right.

He will expect you to look your best this evening. Bathe I have prepared another gown for you."

Tempie stripped and allowed the warm waters to soothe her heart and wash away her fears.

When Averta reemerged from the darkness that surrounded the bathing pool. Tempie could see the fear in the older woman's eyes. For it was Tempie's dirk at Averta's throat in the hand of an inky black figure. 'No' Tempie thought as her eyes adjusted to the darkness it was that Arawn's sporn seed Chadd.

Tempie did not move nor speak electing to wait to see what the brutish figure would do.

"That's right bitch fear me," Chadd spat.

She knew what he wanted, could see it in his eyes. So Tempie calmly answered, "I fear you not. Release Averta and I will go with you without incident."

Averta wanted to scream to stop Tempie from offering herself but Chadd's hand was now clamped over the woman's mouth.

"Not a word, not a sound or she will die," Chadd commanded for Tempie to come forward and she obeyed.

An inky blackness that was Arawn chimed in Chadd's mind 'Take them both, she will not let the older die, take them both'

There was a slight curl at the edge of his lips. Tempie grabbed a large drying cloth as he pushed both her and Averta to the rear of the bathhouse all the time with the dirk pressed to Averta's throat. They promptly disappeared into the darkness.