Elenis (The Witch of Laverlock)

Chapter 5 The Archer

Pushing through the crowds in her haste to flee the scene she almost stumbled, the heel of her slipper broke forcing her remove both of them and throwing them away.
She ran and ran not caring where she would go, too frightened to think of what just happened. All she could see was the surprise on her father's face as he looked at her. Suddenly she felt a strong hand grasp her arm halting her flight. Elenis turned to encounter the worried frown on Caedomn's face.
"Where are you going ?"
Chest heaving, she tried to calm herself "I know not but it doesn't matter. I have to get away!"
"And go where exactly? You look as if the very devil is chasing after you. What happened?"Caedmon persisted.
They were far from the crowd as she looked about her she realized she was running toward the forest. Calming her racing heart she closed her eyes briefly to recover from her fear.
"Nothing" she snatched her arm from his grip wrapping her arms against her waist. She did not know what happened. There was no coherent explanation for the charge of energy that surged up her body at the sight of Wulfric and Justin but it had happened. It was not a figment of her imagination.
"Well then if it's nothing you wouldn't mind following me to the tent and preparing for the game of archery. Your name is on the list or have you forgotten?" He raised a brow.
"I haven't forgotten" she replied calmly "lead the way then"
She followed him back toward the castle taking a sharp right into outer Bailey where a few tents stood.  They entered one that Caedmon had set up, his friend Yuri was already there.
"Everything is ready my lady" Yuri beamed a smile turning to Caedmon briefly who shrugged .
Elenis took the garment and walked behind a screen where she struggled to remove her gown. Donning the tunic and braies she quickly emerged, trying her braided locks into a knot at the base of her head.
The tunic was made of leather, it was light and easy to move in , it fit her body like a glove molding to her delicate curves. How she wished she wore this instead of those confounded frilly gowns her mother had recently ordered from Coventry.
She picked up her cross bow which had been oiled . The flap to the tent opened and her mother emerged, looking at Elenis with concern.
"Elenis your father saw your name on the list. He asked me to fetch you that he might speak with you briefly"
Oranya scrutinized her daughter's attire.
"How did you find me mother?"
"Nothing escapes me daughter, now come, you father waits in his solar. Leave the weapon with Caedmon."Oranya turned to leave,  Elenis had no other choice but to follow quietly.
As soon as they reached the overlord's solar, her father's guards opened the door, allowing the mistress of the castle and Elenis entry. She found her father standing by the window, his back to them. She heard quick gasps, turning to find her sisters waiting with him in the room.
"Elenis, is that you?" Lucille her youngest sister walked up to her walking around to look at her attire. "Why are you dressed like a man?"
It was then her father turned, the thunderous expression etched on his face was meant to make her cower but she was immune to such expressions.
"That's because she is foolish!" He barked banging his fist on his table "I saw your name of the list for the games of archery. Imagine my surprise at finding my daughter's name on the list. Oranya, I thought you had schooled her mischief into submission" he gave his wife a quelling look.
"Tis only a game father, and I would do you proud....."Elenis began defensively
"Cease you impudent child! You were suppose to be preparing yourself for the task of becoming a wife instead I find out you have been practicing archery. Your accomplice tells me you had coerced him into this task which spared him my wrath but only briefly.  You on the other hand will remove yourself from the list and dress like the lady of this manor, join your sister's side and choose a man to wed or I SHALL CHOOSE HIM FOR YOU!"
Elenis could feel the bite of her father's words slice through her like a dagger. He wanted her to remove her name from the list but it was too late. Standing to her full height she looked at her aging father, whose hair was peppered with white and whose features were sharp and stern. He was a proud man and she knew she had a battle on her hands.
"William...."Oranya  began
"Silence woman, you are responsible for this impudence and you shall rectify it at once."he commanded.
Elenis turned to her mother for help but she could already feel the hammer of defeat as her mother bowed her head. She stood to her full height and faced her father defiantly.  The fear she had always felt around him was replaced by a sudden wave of confidence that vibrated through her every pore. Something inside her made her suddenly see her father for what he was, she could sense his fear and disappointment.
"I shall take part in the game father." Elenis took a step toward him, her face contorted with confidence that seemed to rise within her "And no one will stop me. Once I have participated without further objection I shall indulge your request to behave like a lady and concede to finding a husband. Have you understood me father" she looked into his face and saw his eyes turn glacial.
"It shall be a bargain" he finally conceded.
Gertrudis had come to stand beside Elenis turning to her sister with a smile of triumph.
Oranya looked at her daughter curiously watching the whole thing in surprise.
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The game of archery had been set up by the time Elenis had alighted on to the field. The game was divided into the genders where the women were to go first and the men would play the next round. As soon as a winner was declared from each side they would face off in a final round.,
She spied the ladies of noble houses including her cousin Susan practicing for the game. She marveled at her cousins poise and loose gait. Ever since she had witnessed Susan with the bow she had always hoped that one day she could stand side by side with her cousin and exhibit the same skill.
Elenis was glad she had defied her father, standing her ground for this would be a defining moment in her life. A moment she looked forward to for it would herald a possibility that she had always longed to dally with and that was strength and confidence.
"Will I still have my head on after the game or does my life stand on a balance?"
Elenis turned to Caedmon sheepishly "I did it Caedmon, I defied him. Nobody stood to stop me and father agreed."
"You have not answered my question Elenis!" He asked impatiently "Will I live?"
She hit his arm playfully "Of course!" She snorted as if it was the most mundane question in the world.
"I saw your name on the list lady Elenis"
The voice that called out to her arrested her step. Pivoting around she encounter the slate gray gaze of a man that had made himself familiar in her thoughts.  The tingling sat the base of her stomach began once more as she stared at Wulfric Fitzwilliam's handsome face. Speechless she could only stare.
"I appreciate the cheer lady Elenis" he granted her a warm smile. His eyes presumed her from head to foot "I see your geared up for the challenge."
"I...I ....." She started to stammer her response
"She's rather nervous as you can see. Her father was surprised to discover she had hidden her talent from him" Caedmon said in her stead.
"Then it should be a match worth watching. " Wulfric bowed gracefully in front of her making the other women turn to look. Elenis watched him saunter away, his presence had shaken her to her very core.
"Hmmmm! I must admit he is rather handsome and gallant. All the women certainly noticed and you my dear are no exception."Caedmon teased, his eyes dancing wickedly.
"Shush Caedmon! " she bit out granting him a quelling look.
"Focus on the target Elenis , no distractions" he bade before her too walked away joining his friend Yuri by the stand.
Elenis made her way to her cousin Susan who looked at her with curiousity.
"It seems you've captured the eye of the fair knight" Susan teased.
"I don't think I have, truly he was just being polite" Elenis replied awkwardly.
"So you say cousin. Are you ready? I had not known you had a penchant for archery?"
She looked at her cousin noting her peaches and cream completion and golden mane. She was beautiful, tall and slender. Her father had sent her and her sister to the mealle in the hopes that they would attract some fair knight. Elenis was in no doubt that Susan had captured some interested glances.
"I have been practicing" Elenis replied.
"Then this should be interesting"
The heralds blew their trumpet signaling the start of the game.
Elenis stood back and joined the line, an air of excitement permeated around her as she felt the strength seeping into her skin.  This was a moment she had been waiting for, a chance to prove her skill.
"Archers take your positions!" The game master called out.
From the corner of her eye Elenis saw Justin, he stood by the crowd gathered by the stand. She did not bother to look for she was suddenly caught and held by the growing energy that started to build around her.
"Be one with the weapon" her mind said as she felt her bow, her hands tingling with warmth. She relaxed her stance feeling her legs suddenly take position. Her body took on a relaxed pose as she held her bow and finally all archers let go. She watched her arrow slice through the air, a slight breeze blowing the freely seemed to have moved her arrow bending it into a perfect arc and suddenly it hit the target dead center.
The crowd was silent before cheers went up in an uproar. Stunned she could only stare as she saw to her disbelief the arrow embed itself perfectly into the center.
"The first round goes to the Lady Elenis Fitzriley"
The cheers of the crowd were deafening giving Elenis the confidence she needed to push forth.
It happened again on second and third round. Elenis looked at her cousin Susan who nodded and smiled genuinely. Elenis had won the archery match.
Turning to the platform where her parents and sisters sat she could see the pride in their faces as they looked at her, cheering with the rest of the crowd.
She went to them waiting on the field as her father met her below, draping the medallion around her neck before kissing her on both cheeks.
"I may not have approved at first daughter but you did our house proud." He hugged her close.
She felt the warmth of affection coming from her father "thank you papa" she whispered in his ear before running to Caedmon.
"Did you see it Caedmon, I did it!" She laughed as he lifted her off the ground twirling her around.
"You did it imp!" He cheered proudly.
She stayed with him behind the stand feeling the warmth from the crowd as they congratulated her. Soon, the master of the games announced the places for the men.
Elenis spied Wulfric and Justin both coming forward with their bows along with four other Knights of noble houses. She watched with interest as the tingling in her body grew everywhere. Something was happening to her whenever she encountered the two men.  It was as if like a beacon they made her seem to loose herself in a surge of energy that was completely foreign to her.
She waited as the master of the game called to the archers, she watched as they stood ready , her eyes fixed on Wulfric and when he released his arrow a gust of wind seemed to make the arrows hesitate in the air. Closing her eyes she wished for it to hit the target. The crowd was silent, making her open her eyes and finally she saw that wulfric's arrow had missed the center. It was only the first round but Justin had easily met his mark. Two more tries and on the third, Wulfric hit the target but it was Justin who was proclaimed the victor.
Elenis stood rooted to the spot despite the crowd dispersing. She felt a nudge from Caedmon.
"It seems your champion has failed the game" he mused.
"He is not my champion" she replied
"Well let's hope he does better at the joust."was Caedmon's final statement as he turned to leave "Coming?"
Elenis had spied Justin receiving the medal from her father for winning the game as the other Knights retired to their tents. He looked at her briefly bowing slightly before he turned to walk away, a smirk playing on his lips. Despite the fact he had helped her she was disappointed at the outcome.
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Gertrudis walked into Elenis's room followed by Susan and Liza her cousins , just as she was packing away her tunic underneath her chest.
"You did us proud sister. I would never have expected your practices would make you a good archer. Perhaps I should consider trying my hand at it sometime."
"Aye that should be a good idea Gertrudis" Susan responded making herself comfortable on a chair.
"I was lucky" Elenis sat at the foot of her bed
"Surely you jest cousin, you were more than lucky, you played the game well." Susan declared amicably with Liza nodding in agreement.
"Who was that knight who won Elenis? He kept on looking at you as if he knew you?" Liza asked sitting beside her.
Elenis shrugged "I don't know, I've never met him before."
"He is handsome" Liza teased nudging Elenis
"Yes he is" Gertrudis added "Fair and tall, he stands out among the Knights."
"Laverlock, where have I heard it said before?" Susan mused.
"He came in from nowhere and he has been winning. He threw the javelin with ease and it landed right beside Sir Fitzwilliam's weapon" Liza continued, her voice laced with curiosity.
"Wait!" Susan shrieked suddenly making them all jump "I know where I heard that name, there was scandal linked to it" she frowned trying to think. Elenis looked at her cousin curiously.
"What scandal ?" Gertrudis asked the burning question on Elenis' mind.
"Something about a witch being burned. From what I can recall the overlord had a mistress and she was accused of being a witch. They caught her and burned her alive."Susan recanted.
Elenis and Gertrudis exchanged glances waiting for Susan to continue.
"I heard it said that she placed a curse on the overlord and those who had condemned her to such death."
Liza snorted "we live in the same demense Susan, how is it you know of the tale and not I?"
"I heard it from somewhere but it escapes me. We were children at the time the tale was told. The knight must be the overlord's son"Susan concluded.
"How did they know for sure that she was a witch?" Elenis asked
Susan shrugged "Tis but a story I heard when I was little. I cannot know for sure if she was a witch but they did burn the woman for being the overlord's mistress, of that I am certain."
"Either way, Tis a cruel way to die." Elenis remarked. The topic shifted to more mundane observations about the Knights but she listened with half an ear.her mind raced with thoughts of Justin Fitzhugh and his strangeness.
It wasn't just her imagination, he did look at her.
She recalled the voice that whispered in her head and shivered inwardly. As she thought on it, the voice had a deep baritone which did not sound anything like her own or any female she knew. Indeed the presence of Justin Fitzhugh was unnerving.