Elenis (The Witch of Laverlock)

Chapter 4 The knight in the white stallion

The day of the Tourney

Holding her crossbow, Elenis walked to the clearing where she had practiced the previous day. This was her last and final chance to practice for she hoped to enter in the archery contest.
Since the day her mother had spoken to her she had to divide her time between practicing and doing her chores as a young lady of the manor. As it happened, she would eventually yawn her way through the evening meal until her parents would eventually dismiss her.  This alone spared her from having to entertain the Knights that had started to arrive.
Some of them had stayed at the manor while others had built pavilions on the surrounding grounds, staying close to their entourage.
The evening became livelier with the influx of their guests. There were so many she had forgotten some of their names, however there was one knight who remained in her thoughts. She had not encountered him again since that first day but she did think about him which was a rare feat.
Her siblings however reacted differently. Gertrudis, her older sister seemed to be thriving with the attention she received from the Knights. They swarmed to her like bees to honey. It was no surprise for she possess a beauty that was not to be ignored from her flaming red hair to the lovely green eyes, framed by delicately arched brows and a mouth shaped like a bow, pouty and ripe. Lucille, her youngest sister was only ten but her fair hair and blue eyes lit with wonder causing many a knight to look her way.
Elenis was not so lucky for she was quickly dismissed after a brief glance. Despite all her efforts to appear demure and behave like Gertrudis, her actions appeared to be contrived making her look awkward . Not used to wearing heels she waddled grimacing as the slippers pinched her skin. The dresses she wore did not mould to her young body as Gertrudis, instead they hung like a sack.
It was her own fault for not heeding her mother's instructions. Why did she have to care, when it was Gertrudis who needed to shine? However, one look from her parents and she knew she had to put more effort in her appearance. Well there was still five more days and she could improve, right? Perhaps later she would practice walking with her slippers without tripping on them.  For now she was determined to perfect her skill in archery.
She reached the place finally and prepared to fire her bow. Locking the arrow onto the notch she aimed at the target and released the arrow. It almost landed on the target but it missed the bull's eye. Wondering what she did wrong she cocked her head to one side watching the aim carefully before loading another arrow. This one fell short of the target landing a few inches away. Clucking her tongue and shaking her head she loaded another arrow, standing with her feet apart, watching aim she made ready to release the arrow.
"Your  not standing right"
The deep voice made her jump she turned to aim at the intruder and found herself looking at a man atop a white stallion.  The horse was beautiful, it's coat gleaming under the pale light of dawn.  It's rider was equally magnificent, his dark hair hung just above his shoulders, his features were sharp and his body looked robust. He flashed her a roguish smile, his white teeth gleaming. She watched him dismount whispering to his stallion . The skittish horse calmed and stood still while its master approached her slowly.
"Who are you?" She asked warily. He did not wear chainmail like the other knights. He wore a tunic with an undershirt and braise.
"Justin , and you are?"
"None of your business" she replied tartly .
He stood a few feet away from her crossing his arms against his chest " alright, non of your business, as I was saying your not standing right which is probably why you missed the target"
"Have you been watching me?" She asked
"Not intentionally, I happen to have stumbled upon you and witnessed your debacle." He replied amicably.  The smile remained on his face.
She suddenly felt a tingle in her fingers racing up her arms until her whole body could feel it as he approached. It was different from what she felt with the other knight, stranger.
"Then you can stumble right back. If you came for the tourney you will have to go to the castle" she said.
"I can spare some time. May I?" He reached out for her bow.
Elenis hesitated briefly eyeing the stranger with curiosity before she relinquished the bow.  She felt no hostility from the man therefore if he was there to aid her in her practice then he was welcomed to it.  Anything she learned would be an advantage to winning the archery contest , which she hoped she would do.
The man whose name was Justin easily lifted the bow , she observed his stance noting how relaxed he seemed but without warning he shot the arrow. She was too stunned to react for his movement was swift and sure. Taking an arrow from the ground he secured it on the bow and handed it to her.
"Do not be afraid of the weapon, let your body merge with it, stop thinking too much feel the oneness with the weapon and then let it go."
She took the cross bow from him and aimed at the target seeing his arrow had hit the target she narrowed her gaze listening to him as he repeated his words. Suddenly she felt her body lighten, her feet stood naturally and without thinking she shot the arrow. She watched it slice through the air in a clean arc before it landed dead center splitting his arrow in two.
"Oh my god!" She exclaimed incredulously.
"I don't think God had anything to do with it" the man chuckled.
She looked at the knight,her eyes shining. "I want to do it again" she said .
Bowing the man stood back but remained close as he watched her . Something strange was happening to her, the tingling in her hands grew into a pleasant warmth as the bow pulse with life under her fingers. It no longer intimidated her, instead it felt as if she had an innate power to control it.
The arrow flew once more high into the air before it landed at the target. laughing gleefully she turned back to Justin but he was already gone. It was as if he was never there. She shivered slightly feeling creepy about his sudden departure but she refused to dwell on it for the sun had risen and she had to make a dash for the castle before her mother flayed her alive.
Reaching her room she immediately removed her dark tunic and braies. Washing her face hurriedly, she knew she was running late, but the temptation to stay in the clearing had been heady. Donning the gown and surcoat she had laid on her bed, she quickly braided her hair, when the door to her room burst open and in walked her sister Gertrudis. Elenis had to stop and look for a moment for the vision her sister portrayed was the epitome of a lady. She was the absolute quintessential lady, a remarkable accomplishment for their mother.
"Where have you been, mother came in here earlier and found you gone."even her voice was schooled to perfection.
"I went to visit the garder robe" Elenis replied hastily tucking her braid into a knot.
"I suppose that excuse will do, but I know you went to the field to practice Elenis." She paused scrutinizing her sister from head to foot "You should be careful sister, mother and father have their eye on both of us."
Elenis made for the door hastily.
"Wait! Change your footgear, mother would know you went outside."
Elenis grimaced removing her boots she pulled a pair of slipper from under her straw bed and put them, on, yelping at the sting on her skin as the slipper made contact with her flesh "I don't understand why the men are spared from such contraption while we have to suffer this bane of our existence." She started walking awkwardly.
Gertrudis giggled coming to her sister's aid she gripped her arm "Lean on me Elenis that way you can hold yourself upright. Tis too late for you to eat, I shall tell cook to pack some oat cakes while we go to the fields. The games are about to begin."
Rolling her head heavenward Elenis allowed herself to be dragged to the field on the lower Bailey. As they traversed through the crowd, she smiled and waved at her cousins and neighboring friends, all noble maidens waiting to catch the eye of a favored knight.
The arena was set with tents littered about bearing crests of noblility. Being sheltered they had only heard of some of them but it seemed the whole country was there. The sisters walked up a few wooden steps that would lead them to the raised platform ( Barfois) where her parents had set some chairs for them and their children. There were a few more for her female cousins and uncles. The rest of the fenced area was where the local towns people and servants would stay to watch.
"Where is Lucille?" Elenis asked looking around the gathered crowd.
"She's with mama and papa. "
They walked to the platform waiting for the herald to bow their trumpet and soon her parents with Lucille clutching the hand of her mother came through the brocade curtains. They smiled and waved at crowd as cheers were raised for the overlord.
Soon, the various Knights alighted from their tents as the crowd waved to them. It was a spectacular event, Elenis observed her father resplendent in a tunic of rich brocade velvet, her mother and Lucille sported the same color of surcoat. She looked down her own royal blue silk assembly and then at Gertrudis who wore a similar color but with a lower bodice exposing a bit more of her flesh.
Elenis never normally noticed such trifles except suddenly she looked fit to be stashed  right at the back among the servants who seemed to carry their linen attire more appropriately than she. Biting her lower to stop her from yelping as the slippers bit into her flesh, she walked up the plank to the platform taking her position beside her sister's which was close to her mother.
The heralds stopped their music as the overlord Sir William Fitzriley started addressed his opening remarks to the crowd. Elenis listened with half an ear looking keenly at the Knights wondering if the one who rode the white stallion had decided to show himself
. Alas he was not among the Knights but she spotted Wulfric Fitwilliam wearing a dark tunic, the crest of his family, a red falcon emblazoned on the front of his vest  was displayed boldly. The boy  that stood beside him carried a flag with matching coat of arms waving softly with the gentle wind.
A slow tingle started to rise at the pit of her stomach as she kept her gaze steady on Wulfric. It was a strange feeling that made her wonder why he had that effect on her. As if sensing her gaze he looked around before his own gaze rested on her and the feeling at the pit of her stomach grew permeating around her whole body.
"Ow!" Gertrudis yelped releasing her hand from Elenis's arm "I felt a current" she states shaking her hand as if burned.
"What?" Elenis turned to her sister askance, the spell of their gazes broken by the sudden intrusion.
"'Twas as if my hand was singed Elenis" Gertrudis whispered.
Elenis shrugged it off turning back to Wulfric who was trying to control his stead. The spell was broken and tingling in her stomach evaporated. Soon the overlord was explaining the mechanics of the first competition, which was the Javelin throwing. Six Knights came before the overlord and bowed to the crowd. One of them turned to Gertrudis and winked saucily making her giggle. Elenis had to bite her lip from saying something inappropriate.
The match started with evryone cheering their favored knight. Finally the one that threw the javelin the furthest was the knight who winked at Gertrudis. Elenis watched her sister clap and cheer like the rest grimacing with annoyance at her sister's behavior.
The next set of six Knights approached one of them was Wulfric. Elenis admired his stance as he turned to the crowd, not once did he acknowledge her presence but he seemed to have gained the attention of her parents. Suddenly, from out of nowhere Elenis spied Justin. He sauntered toward the center of the field first looking at the crowd before he turned to the platform. He was wearing a tunic made of the same royal blue color as her gown. He tied his hair back and she could see more of his features.
"Who may you be sir?" She heard her father ask Justin
"The name is Justin Fitzhugh and I hail from Laverloch" his voice boomed through the crowd who looked at the knight in surprise.
"Sir Fitzhugh of Laverloch, your name is not on the list" her father said.
"It my have been an oversight my lord. I had sent a missive a sennight ago."
"Welcome Sir Fitzhugh, I have heard of Laverloch and of the Fitzhugh name. This game however is set for only six Knights." Her father continued.
"As master of ceremonies perhaps you can make an exception."
It was clear to all the knight was charming, standing tall and massive, he seemed to have cast a spell among the women. His smile was enchanting as he looked at the other Knights but they were not so obliging. Elenis noticed the hostility coming from Wulfric and wondered at this.
"Alright I shall allow this for now. But you must add your name to the list if you are to partake of any other game."he father stated.
Justin nodded his consent and the game began. The crowd was held spellbound as a sudden palpable energy seemed to permeate through the air. Elenis could feel herself reacting to it. Something about Justin's presence heightened her awareness, she could sense the emotions vibrating from the crowd.
Suddenly she heard something faint slice through her mind. It was like a whisper, almost a murmur. It made her gasp, holding on to her chair seat tightly as the first knight took his turn. His aim was high but his javelin landed a foot away from the last winner. It happened to the next knight and the next until it was Wulfric's turn. Then the whispers came again but this time she heard it clearly .
"Choose"
It was faint but still coherent.
Turning about she thought it came from her cousin Sarah who sat directly behind her. The girl was riveted to the game, her mouth sealed shut.
"Choose" it said again but this time louder making her jump.
She saw Wulfric throw the javelin and it landed a foot in front of the last winner. The cheers that followed through the air could not drown the whisper
"CHOOSe!" It commanded
Covering her ears from the sound she looked up and saw that Justin held the javelin he aimed and threw it in the air. It flew high in the sky before arching and descending
"NOW!" The whisper screamed into her thoughts.
"Wulfric!" Elenis whispered closing her eyes. She heard nothing afterward, not even the crowd. Sweat beaded her forehead as she opened her eyes and found that Justin was staring at her, his mouth etched in a lopsided grin.
His javelin had landed right beside Wulfric and the game ended In a tie.