I Can Sense You

五

"Put your weapons down." Paris voices calls out over the rain as she pushes her way to the middle of the group. Everyone relaxes their stance but remains holding out their weapons. "We are all Alkenny." Paris cries before tilting her head to the side, ear facing the sky. "Listen, the rain is stopping. The WitchFinders are halfway up the mountain. Once a village has been identified with witchcraft, the whole village must burn! That is their creed." She spoke as she walks towards the villagers so they could hear her clearer. "Those babies won't buy your life." she continues in disgust

"And what would you suggest?" A timid voice rang over the rain.

"You believe we are trapped here. We are not. There is another way off this mountain."

There was a mixture of reaction from the villagers. Some were in shock while the others were in doubt and disbelief of what Paris was saying. They have lived in the Alkenny their whole life and they all knew that was only one way off the mountain. However the silence was broken when one of them got annoyed at hearing Paris's words and responded in a mocking tone. "If you are a bird yes"

"No!" quickly dismissing the comment. "There is a bridge. Over the ravine, beyond the chimes" Shock resurfaced for the villagers at the new information. How was this possible, How is it that they have gone their whole life and not know of this bridge. Whispers had broken out among the group, debating with their neighbour on whether or not to believe Paris.

One refused to believe. Cutting off all the chatting behind her, she announced "The Alkenny have been on this mountain for generations, there's never been a bridge-". The elder was trying to rein in everyone's shock and pull them back to the matter at hand. She didn't want more of the villagers to join Baba Voss but Paris had cut her off.

"There is now, Dreamer"

"Built by who!?"

"Built by a man"

A new voice broke out from the crowd, breaking up the bickering between Paris and the elders back and forth argument. Finally bringing life to the thought that was in everyone's head. "No man could build a bridge that wide." Subconsciously, few of the villagers were nodding at the statement. Agreeing at the unlikely hood that it could be true.

Turning her head in the direction of the voice "Then since time is short, think of him as a god"

"How do you know so much" Souter Bax joins in. Never being a fan of Paris , she had a hard time trusting what Paris is saying. She knows deep down that everything Paris speaks of is for the sake of the village but more for Baba Voss and Maghra. It was no secret to the Alkenny that Paris favourites only 4 people and if it came to either the village or them, then she would choose the latter.

"No time for how" Paris once again dismisses, wanting nothing more than to focus at the matter in hand.

However Souter Bax wasn't having it, leaning in to the elders ears she hissed "She knows because she's a witch too!" Trying to persuade the village to turn on Paris. To Scouter Bax, nothing would bring her pleasure than to have the WitchFinders kill Maghra. If Paris was to also meet her demise by their hands then it would be the cherry on top.

"If I am witch, I am also your only hope."

"Four Hundred Heartbeats away!" Someone at the back of the crowd called out as they hear the WitchFinders make their ascend to the village. Panic swept through everyone's body, causing a few to shift about on their feet.

"Those that stay will burn. Women and children will be raped. Even if there is no bridge" Paris begins taking steps back until she bumps into Wolfgang. Out of instinct, Wolfgang places his hand on Paris back to help stabilise her. "The ravine is a kinder death." There was a pregnant pause as everyone took a moment to let Paris's words sink in "Gather your belongings." After hearing the command, the villagers began to make their way back towards their homes. Quickly packing what they need and saying their goodbyes to their home, not knowing when they would next be able to come back.

Paris pushed her way back towards the cave before Baba Voss reached out his hand to stop her, pulling her in. "Do you know the way to this bridge?" he whispered, uncertainty and doubt intertwined in his voice.

"Yes. Have faith" Paris say confidently before making her way towards Maghra and Elowen. Both women were only just able to make out the confrontations outside. They could hear how the villager had shown their true colours by either wanting to protect or kill them. To Maghra it didn't mean much. Yes she was hurt that these people who had kindly took her in, were quick to sacrifice her. However for Elowen, it was devastating to hear. Those that Wolfgang, Baba Voss and herself grew up, were able to disregard their bonds to give themselves a possible chance of surviving.

Hearing two pairs of heavy thudding coming towards them had broke their train of thoughts. Their heads snaps towards the direction of their spouse, automatically being able to tell which one is who by the weight of their steps.

Baba Voss was quick to reach Maghra's side before asking "Maghra, do you think you can walk?" Helping her get to her feet.

On the other side of cave, Wolfgang reach out to hold his wife in his arms. "My love, How do you fair? will you be able to make the journey?"

Smiling at her husbands concern and worry she responds with a chuckle in her voice "we will manage" It wasn't long after til the the smile fell as her tone swifter to a lower pitch "we should go in haste and pack."

"Have no worries my love. you stay with Maghra." He whispers before leaning his face close to press a kiss on her forehead. "I will prepare everything, you just stay here and help Maghra with the babies."

With their faces still close together, Elowen nods her head. Rubbing her forehead against Wolfgang's left cheek and placing her hand on his right, she whispers "make sure you return to us Wolfgang." A tremble evident in her voice.

"Always my love" Wolfgang chuckles as he gives her one more kiss on the forehead. Wolfgang gave Elowen a soft nudge to Maghras' direction before heading out the cave to their house.

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Hey, I actually had this mostly done a week after my last post but uni took over and it went back to my monthly updates it seems haha

If you have any suggestion for further chapters let me know. Same with improvement x