Elenis (The Witch of Laverlock)

Chapter 14The Adventure Begins

"I don't understand why your grand aunt couldn't tell her people to provide me a horse" Caedmon whined as he rode his donkey up the winding slope. The poor beast had to carry his massive body when he deserved to ride a horse that suited his built.  He felt extremely uncomfortable having to bend his legs in such an awkward manner just so his feet would not touch the ground.
Glaring at Elenis's back , he noticed she had stopped on the ridge overlooking the valley. He trampled up beside her until his vision caught a glimpse of what she was looking at. He should be berating her for her lack of compassion but instead he was silenced by what he saw, for below where they perched they saw the wedding party leave the church.
"She went through with it" she said flatly, her eyes reminded fixed on the parade of people that marched to the castle. She could see that her sister Lucille was but a tiny dot, dressed in white she rode beside her husband as the crowd threw flowers as they passed.
"After that fierce-some  display what did you expect?" He remarked.
Elenis turned to look at Caedmon regarding him coolly, despite the turmoil in her heart regarding her formidable display the previous night, she had to remain unfazed. However, she knew deep down in her soul she was becoming a danger to everyone she loved. "Lucille can be stubborn, I did not think she would heed my words."
Her voice was laced with resignation as she turned back to watch until the party had finally reached the porticullis.
"Let us be on our way Caedmon our journey is long."
"Any chance of my getting to ride your horse?" He sounded hopeful. Caedmon had sensed the edge of pain in Elenis words and tried to remain humorous but he alone knew the guilt surrounding her actions and the wretchedness that surrounded the decision to leave her home and family.
She gave him a scathing look before turning back to the road, that expression alone eased him somewhat.
They followed the trail that was drawn for them by her grand aunt until the light left the sky and they were forced to stop at an inn in Warwikshire. Tethering their mounts they walked into the place surprised to find it fully populated with various travelers.
Removing her gloves she passed the busy  hall and walked straight up to the inn keeper, a burly man with a bald pate and thick beard. He was busy preparing tankards of ale completely ignoring her. She tried to catch his attention but the noise of the crowd drowned her voice. Turning to Caedmon she motioned for him to do the needful.
He was more successful in catching the attention of the innkeeper and managed to get them a room. The only room left by the way the innkeeper spoke which would mean they would be sharing it. It did not bother her since they had been living together all this time.
As Caedmon made the deal she turned to look at the crowd once more, a familiar sensation started to assail her. Having grown accustomed to it she had managed to control those feelings but strangely they seem to return at rare moments. It was a portent, signaling that something was about to happen.
" Get us a table and food while I tend to the mounts. I should bring our things shortly" he nodded curtly before he took his leave.
Nodding her head she looked about her for an empty table but found all to be occupied. Signaling to a wench she asked if there were any vacant places but the wench shook her head and left which meant the only available place in the room was by the bar. Looking at the area, her she found it not to be so crowded, only a few men sat about drinking. Taking an empty seat she pulled another stool close by and waited to be served.
The in keeper spied her and prepared to take her order, motioning for a wench to bring some bread and cheese while he prepared her tankard of ale.
The noise grew denser making her cringe inwardly. She hated crowds, especially the ones that were tight and filled with smelling bodies. The inn smelled like a sewer, despite the chill in the room the stench was cloying. She only hoped Caedmon would return soon that they may retire to their room and perhaps eat there instead.
She started fidgeting on her stool, tapping her fingers against the bar impatiently as she sipped her ale when without warning a cramp within her body made her jump. The room started to spin around her, closing her eyes briefly she stilled her mind, willing the noise away as she thought of a place that would relieve her of the discomfort.
As was habit, her thoughts drifted to the waterfall. She saw herself sitting near the ebankment pulling at the wet grass . The calming sound of the water cascading down the rocks made her cramp start dissolving. She remained in that place for what seemed like a space of a few moments when she saw a pair of boots appear on her line of vision, looking up to see the intruder, she gasped blinking her eyes open.
Elenis was back in the crowded in, trying to focus her world was no longer spinning but the scent of a man made her turn to her right and that's when surprised punched her in the gut.
"Elenis, is that really you?"
She looked into a pair of familiar steel grey eyes, the shock that registered in them mirrored her own. She could not speak, not a word left her lips as she came face to face with the man that had tormented her dreams . Fours had passed since she'd last seen him, but despite the scar on his forehead he remained essentially the same.
He had the same height, his built had hardened but his face started to show the signs of hardship. There were grooves beneath his cheekbones that added maturity and his lips had thinned slightly, but he remained clean shaven and his hair was shorn close to his scalp making it look spiky.
"You!" She exclaimed incredulously.the mystery to her cramping had finally shown himself. Despite the turmoil of emotions ricocheting within her she tried to remain cool.
"It's been awhile" he said, his voice resonating with the same deep richness that had seduced her heart.
Emitting a derrisive snort " More than just awhile"
She had made a promise to herself that if she ever saw Wulfric again, she would turn him into a goat and then proceed to tell him exactly what she thought of him or not exactly in that order before she fed him to the Gypsies. She had rehearsed the very moment for years however, now that he was upon her she couldn't remember exactly how she would execute that plan.
"Are you here with your husband?" He asked conversationally.
He wore a dark tunic and braies in a brown color. His boots were muddy and worn. He had a series of weapons strung to him with leather belts. Part of his arms were exposed displaying their powerful strength. She could sense he had recently come from battle and she would have sensed more but she shut her mind to it and her cramping finally stopped.
"I managed to get the mount in a stable. Sorry for the delay, I had to make sure they were fed before I came. Perhaps after dinner I will rub them down then I get to ride the horse tomorrow." Caedmon chose the wrong moment to emerge, but she welcomed his intrusion.
"Is this your husband?" The surprised question came from the lips of Wulfric as he stared at Caedmon.
"Husband?!" Caedmon laughed uproariously, when he turned his attention to the speaker  "that's the worst joke I've heard all day" he looked at Wulfric curiously before it turned into a frown and then finally shock eyes widening with recognition he spat "you!"
"I'm sorry do we know each other?" Wulfric eyed the man warily.
"Not officially but you were at the joust  in Bricklow castle" Caedmon replied triumphantly.
"And you are?"Wulfric asked.
"He's my companion" Elenis replied, glaring at Caedmon for his tardiness. "This room has become too crowded, I prefer to eat in our chambers Caedmon. Make sure it's done." She stood up from her stool and walked a few paces when her arm was caught in a grip.
"I have a table by the corner, why don't you join me. Be my guest" Wulfric invited. His tone was insistent.
"Nay, I would prefer my own company" she pushed his hand away. Putting her hand on her forehead she pushed passed a serving wench and marched to the stone steps that led to the second floor.
Wulfric watched her leave with a pang of regret. He had not seen her in four years but she had not changed. In fact she grew more beautiful with the passage of time. Turning back to Caedmon he saw the man was already making arrangements for their meal to be served in their chambers. There was much he did not know about Elenis, years had come between them. He walked away from the bar and returned to his table.
As soon as Elenis reached the room she shut the door and went to the wash basin to clean herself. Pouring some water into the basin , she splashed it on her face feeling the droplets of water cool her warm skin. So much had happened in a span of a few days, more than she could have ever expected out of four years of procrastination. Well some of these years were about procrastination!
She went to the hearth and summoned the fire to light the room. Looking at a candle on the wick, she snapped her fingers and a flame appeared. Indeed so much had happened since last she laid eyes on Wulfric. She took a seat and waited for Caedmon, her mind drifting to their brief encounter. What she would have given to turn the errant knight into a goat, but for some reason all her anger had seemed to have disappeared, instead she was just suddenly weary.
Caedmon appeared after a few moments with a serving wench who carried a tray piled with food and drink. After setting their supper Elenis quickly took a chunk of bread and bit into it finding it sour but enough to fill her belly.
"Fancy meeting the knight after so many years" Caedmon said as he started to bite into his Apple. "Did your grand aunt see a vision of him?"
"If she did she did not mention it."
"Did you see a vision of him?"he prodded
"Not that I recall. I only felt his presence when he was close" frowning she realized the cramping was a warning.
"Then you still have feelings for him?" Caedmon asked boldly.
"What's the use of dwelling on those feelings when I have a much bigger task ahead of me. There's no time to dwell on the past at this moment." She replied tired, yawning as her eyes started to become heavy.
Caedmon stood to his full hieght "Well I'm restless!" He declared. "We're away from Bricklow, the clutches of your father, I need......" He paused from speaking as he started pacing the room.
"What do you need?" She asked with concern.
He walked toward her and knelt down in front of her "I need to find me some excitement Elenis. I need to find my release!" He cried passionately "I cannot keep on doing it with my hand if you know what I mean"
Realization dawned on her as she started at his desperate face.
"Look , there is a room full of men luv, perhaps you can find me someone, anyone who would help ease this burning ache I feel." He implored.
She sat up straight smiling, "Alright! If it means having the room to myself then I shall attempt this favor for you."
She stood walking to the small window, she opened it and looked out the night sky feeling a gentle draft brush her face. She closed her eyes and asked to be led to one of the same desires as Caedmon. A vision of a man with a blade so elegant caught her attention. Summoning his image she saw him hidden in the shadows drinking ale. The large Ruby ring he wore glimmered in the candle light. His features were not clear but she saw what he wore. She related this Caedmon.
"Look for a man wearing a large Ruby ring. He is dressed in a dark blue tunic and black braies. He keeps his blade on the table and it looks quite daunting." She finished.
He grabbed her and hugged her, showering her face with kisses he walked out of the room.
Pushing him away she grimaced wiping her cheeks "Caedmon, these visions I have are unruly, there's no guarantee he will be of the same mind as yours."
"Your visions have been releiable thus far.  I shall take my chances."she smiled waving to her before he left the room.
Clucking her tongue she prepared for bed as the image of Wulfric haunted her dreams once more.