Elenis (The Witch of Laverlock)

Chapter 15 Ill Fated

Elenis blinked her eyes open trying to discern her unfamiliar surroundings when she realized they were no longer in the cottage by the forest. Instead she saw the light streaming from the small window in a strange room. Sitting up she stretched her body and looked about her, Caedmon was nowhere in sight.
Smiling to herself, she pushed back the blanket and stood rubbing her arms as the chill within the room bit into her flesh. She walked to the hearth and saw there was no wood, hugging her shoulder she clicked her fingers summoning the flames to warm the room, she proceeded to look around , spying her bag she removed a bark of tree and proceeded to rub her teeth, unfortunately Caedmon was not about to summon a bath she had no other choice but to make do with the cold water from the pitcher.
She could have produced a tub on her own but she was in a strange place, she might cause trouble if they found the room with a tub. Inns such as these did not have the luxury for a bath. Stripping off her grimy clothing she took a small cloth and started cleaning herself seeing the rag turn a dirty color as she tried to clean herself as best as she could.
As soon as she finished her absolutions she took her bag and left the room , arriving at the main room she searched for Caedmon once again but he was nowhere. Taking a table she ordered some breakfast and began to eat when a shadow fell across the table. Looking up she saw Wulfric, he was clean shaven and dressed, his sudden presence making her shrug the memories that threatened to invade her thoughts. Turning away she fixed her gaze back on the food but her appetite vanished.
"May I sit?" He asked.
She sensed his desperation to speak with her but she was in no mood to face the past "Nay you may not" she replied coldly.
"Where is your companion?" He asked still standing.
"Getting ready for us to depart" she replied. "In fact he should already be waiting for me." She waved to a serving wench and as she did Wulfric took the vacant chair opposite her.
Ignoring him she paid the serving wench what she owed and stood, picking up her bag she walked out of the inn, in the light of dawn she could see that the inn was situated behind a thick thatch of trees. She looked about and saw some men dismounting from their horses as a boy took their mounts. Moving aside she let them walk passed her as she followed the lad to the stables. Walking down the stall she spied her horse and Caedmon's donkey. Calling to another lad who was brushing down a horse she paid him to ready her horse leaving the donkey.
Taking her stallion out of the stables she started rubbing his nozzle .
"I know, I know Ares, this is not what your used to but I did say we have to go on a journey. You are to just bear it until we reach our destination."
She could feel her horse's disappointment with the accommodations as she tried to smooth him. Ares had been a gift from her grand aunt's clan, the horse to replace her previous one. She had immediately bonded with him and he followed her bidding like a loyal pet.
" Where do you think Caedmon could have gone to?" She asked her horse hoping to find some answer but ares just snorted and started shaking his head.
"Yes, Caedmon is willful I agree but he needed to be away from me for a spell" she told Ares, producing Caedmon's half eaten apple and offering it to the beast.
"Have you spotted your companion?"
Elenis jumped when Wulfric spoke, strange that she had not sensed him she scowled at him before turning back to her horse who seemed unperturbed by the man.
"He is about" she replied tartly "don't you have to be somewhere?"
His smile was lopsided as he crossed his arms against his chest "I have now" he replied "Are you returning back to Bricklow castle?"
"Where I go is none of your business!" Giving him her back she continued to nuzzle her horse sensing Wulfric's calm demeanor.
"That speaks for itself. I shall wait with you until your companion shows himself"
They stood there for what seemed to Elenis like eternity, still Caedmon was nowhere about. The sun had risen , time was of the essence. She could have knocked Caedmon senseless for tarrying so. Shaking her head she made a decision. Stomping back to the inn she paid for their room then went back outside to find Wulfric had his horse. He was holding on to the reins of both his horse and Ares.
Ignoring him again, she pulled the reins from his hands and mounted Ares. She noticed Wulfric did the same and prepared to follow her. Well if she could not speak to him perhaps she could command the beast.
Flashing her eyes at his stallion she commanded "Do not follow!"
To Wulfric's astonishment the beast refused to move. He looked at Elenis's retreating form and wondered at her odd behavior.
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Several hours had passed until Elenis realized that the forest she had entered was turning thicker. She lost the sunlight but there was still light streaming through the canopy of trees. She looked within herself to see where she was until her vision led her to a stream. Sighing with relief, she guided Ares through the woods and found what she was looking for.
Dismounting she allowed ares to walk to the stream where they both drank the cool water. Taking a small sack from her belongings she took out some cheese and fed Ares an apple.
She tried to sense her location but she could not summon her vision. Mildly surprised she wondered if she had lost command of her inner self but decided to dismiss it. She removed the map from the pocket of her gown and looked at the scribbling a of her grand aunt.  There was no mention of a stream, she must have turned in the wrong direction, she mused.
"You are not lost." The voice whispered making her jump up and look about her in alarm.
"Have you forgotten me already?"
The voice echoed around her making her reach for the dagger in her boot.
"Show yourself!" She screamed her command as her heart pounded with fear.
"Not just yet"
It was clearly a male voice but it was not strong enough to be sure.
Standing straight she turned to into herself and summoned her energy.
"I said, show yourself!"
"I cannot Elenis, you don't want me to, not just yet" the voice became clearer and she was sure it was a man.
"Caedmon if this is your way of getting back at me for leaving you, it's your own fault!" She barked.
The voice chuckled "You think I'm that lazy good for nothing companion of yours? Tsk, tsk Elenis! You have more intelligence than to compare me to a lout."
She had to admit the voice knew Caedmon's nature. "Then who are you? Why are you being a coward by hiding!" She demanded.
"How can I be hiding silly when I am in your head" the voice roared making her cover her ears.
"How could you have forgotten me after all this time? I may have been silent but I have been watching over you" it stated as if offended.
"The only time I ever heard a voice was during the joust, after that it disappeared." She said. Was she going crazy? Who was she talking to? "I thought I was loosing my mind, perhaps I am" she scrunched her nose at the alarming thought becoming aware that she was alone. She was foolish to have made this journey on her own, she should have thought better.
"I can't stay long but there is danger Elenis, watch your back and do not linger" the voice said.
The trees rattled its leaves for a split second before there was silence. Goosebumps rose on Elenis's arms as she felt the chill of the day coming on. Motioning for ares to join her she grabbed her cloak, wrapping it around before she mounted her horse. She kicked him into a gallop.
They rode until the sun had finally set but they not yet reached their destination. Her grandaunt had said the journey would take two days. Judging from the map, she shoul be on the outskirts of Laverlock but instead she was in the middle of the woods with darkness surrounding her.
Having decided it was useless to ride further, she made it through a clearing where she decided to set up camp for the night. After seeing to Ares, she picked a few twigs and made a fire. Looking skyward at the moon, she bathed in its light calling upon the Mother Earth to grant her shelter and protect them from the creatures of the forest.
It was common knowledge that wolves lurked among the shadows, chanting a ward to keep the creatures at bay, she was satisfied when only the sound of crickets kept her entertained. As she prepared her meal, she wished for Caedmon's presence. It was odd for him not to be close by, normally when she summoned him through her thoughts he would appear after a few moments later. It seemed the horny toad got more of what he bargained for and decided to abandon her.  The lout! She regretted allowing him his freedom, if she could take it back she would. Alas, he had abandoned her and now she was all alone on this journey.
As she sat munching on her bread, she felt calmed by the presence of her horse who slipped into sleep. She felt his exhaustion, apologizing to him for riding him hard. She promised not to be so rough the next day for she felt she was close to her destination.
She thought about the events of yesterday and early that morning until they wandered to Wulfric. Of all the people to encounter during her journey, it had to be him! What had fate in store for her at his sudden arrival, she mused and of all the places to meet with him!
The image of him leaving the tent where she last saw him came to mind. After claiming her innocence he made her a promise he did not fulfill, leaving her shamed and bitter.  It was the catalyst that became the foundation of her rage and unlocked the power that had remained dormant within her. She wondered if things were different and he had stayed would she now be in this position, on a journey to God knows where to find the answers to this....this thing that was larger than herself?
The noises brought her out of her thoughts. It was faint at first until it grew louder, there were men approaching she could her them clearly. Standing up to douse the fire she was halted several men that appeared out of a bush.
"What do we have here?"
The gruff voice came from a large man that emerged from out of the bushes. His features were covered by shadows but she was able to make a a beard and a tall man.  Behind him, several others emerged, all of them wore dark braieses and shirts.  All of them with beards, the stench of their unwashed bodies assailed her nostrils alarmed by their leering expressions.
She counted six in all, they circled around her, one of them reaching out his hands to warm them against the fire. Another took her bag and started to empty its contents as if searching for something.
She kept still going inward to summon her energy but it was silent, it did not rise up to greet her. Where was it now when she needed it most. Her heart beat in a panic as she looked at the men. She was too tiny to take them all on.
"What do you want?" She asked sensing the danger she was in.
The tall gruff looking man started to chuckle while the other joined him.
"Did your mama not warn you about tramping in the woods alone little lady?" He leered.
The one who was by the fire lunged at her and grabbed her from behind making her shriek in surprise. His grip was strong. She tried to struggle but it only made him tighten his hold.
"What we want little lady is a great many things " the gruff one said. "Bring her to me!" He ordered.
She felt herself propelled forward, not having any other choice she had to walk to the gruff man until she was but a foot away. She noticed his gapped teeth and smelt the stench of hi body. He lifted a dirty finger and traced the angle of her jaw.
"If it's coin you want, my family is rich for I'm a lady. All you have to do is take me to my family"she bargained as she eyed the gruff man warily. The man who trapped pulled her body tightly against his, he was breathing down her ear making her wince in fear.
"Rich you say?" The man dropped his hand from her face and snickered to his men "then why are you alone in the woods?"
"She not alone!" Suddenly from out of nowhere Wulfric jumped out of the shadows and flashed his swords at the men.