Elenis (The Witch of Laverlock)

Chapter 21

Elenis stopped by a small river, seeing her reflection in the water, she grimaced at the cake of dirt on her face.  Ripping a piece of cloth from her skirt she dipped into the chilly water and started washing her face and arms of the grime that had dried into her flesh.
She recalled the words of her great aunt, that she must journey here to Laverlock and here she will find her answers. But what kind of answers did she find? They seemed too fantastical to believe. Her soul couldn't be connected in any way to the deceased mother of Fitzhugh. It was impossible!
How could her soul and that of the woman branded as a witch be one and the same? It was all probably some plot of Fitzhugh.
Closing her eyes she tried to dig deep within her to feel her energy and it rose to her bidding, it swirled all over her making her feel . She could hear the echoes of the trees as they spoke to each other, the chatter of birds as they flew nearby. She could sense pain and loss as a rabbit came near the river stood just behind a copse watching her.
Dear lord but she could feel all of them as they tried to speak with her. She tried to shut them from her mind but the echoes grew. Turning to the copse she pulled out some grass and offered it to the rabbit who approached her warily at first until it finally started eating the grass from her palm.
Sighing, she smiled at the gentle creature wondering what made it feel pain and loss when it turned to look into her eyes and there she saw what it saw. It's family had been murdered.
"I'm sorry about that " spoke to the creature as if it would understand, and somehow it did. "Well if you must know I just found out the reason I am here. It seems I have within me the souls of the witch of Laverloch" as she said those words she started to laugh feeling the absurdity of her situation.
"Well, since I can speak with you through your mind I suppose there must be some truth to it" she stated. She had never been able to speak to animals or hear their plight but somehow being in Laverloch things were starting to change. She did not feel so alienated from her true nature. For the first time since it came to her, she allowed the energy to roam freely about her, enjoying the marvels that it made her witness.
Standing up she sat by a rock and studied the sky noticing the strange coors that grew swirled above her. The trees too seemed to enjoy her energy shaking with renewed vigor as it passed through them. The rabbit too seemed to be calmed by the vibration sitting beside her peacefully.
"Elenis you must go back to the castle now!"
Turning to the voice she saw the boy Lucious in the middle of the river his face was troubled .
"Lucious, you've come" she said.
"They found your friend the tall one with red hair, he needs your help. Hurry!"
Elenis could only think of one such person.....Caedmon.
Galloping as fast as she could, she found the trail that led to the castle. As soon as she arrived she pushed passed the guards and found Caedmon kneeling on the floor in front of Justin. His face was covered in blood, his body had been badly beaten, he was speaking to Justin begging for his life. Why did he have to beg Justin for his life?
"What's going on ?" Elenis asked loudly making all in the hall turn toward Her. She was was oblivious to all except for Caedmon, running to his side she knelt beside him and cupped his battered face in her hands.
"What happened to you?" She asked her friend worriedly noting his one eye was shut and swollen, there was a massive cut on his forehead and a slash on his cheek.
"Vermin!" He spat looking behind him.when she followed his gaze, she saw the very same men who assaulted her.
"You know this man?" Justin asked her.
"I already told you she did, that is her companion." Wulfric barked harshly, he was restrained by two guards.
Elenis eyes were blazing as she raised them toward Justin when there was a sudden force that make the stone walls tremble "Who did this to him?" Her voice had deepened with anger as she turned around aware that there were other people around them. Witnessing the same men who accosted her she looked at each one of them. To their utter surprise they saw the same woman and man they had left in the woods. The big burly man took a step toward Elenis but he stalled suddenly as he felt a chocking sensation in the region on his neck.
"Are these your men Lord Fitzhugh?"she asked,as he fury mounted. She could hear the rest of the men gag.
Justin eyed the men in their current state of distress noting that they each held their necks "I know of them. Have these men tried to harm you?" He asked.
"These are the men that tried to rob us and almost left us for dead" she affirmed glaring at the men. "And now they have hurt my friend." She didn't care that they were choking or that the walls were still shaking. All she knew was that they needed to be punished.
"I shall see that they are dealt with accordingly, release them to me Elenis" Justin said calmly watching her carefully.
It took all of her willpower to calm herself and when she did the walls stopped shaking, the men were released from her fury.
"See that you do" she replied . Bending toward Caedmon she helped him from the ground, Wulfric joined her having been released from the guards that restrained him, they both took Caedmon with them. Justin nodded to a guard to assist them while the others rounded the men and dragged them from the hall.
The burly man protested but after seeing the look on Justin's face he kept his mouth tightly shut and followed the guards to wherever it was they would be taken.
Elenis could feel anger ebb as she watched the men take Caedmon to the bed. She had told the guard to summon the healer while Wulfric washed the blood of Caedmon's face and arms.
Taking the salve from her discarded sack she rubbed it on Caedmon's cheeks, keeping silent as she tried to calm herself she looked at his fingers, some of which had been broken. Taking his hand into hers she touched them until they mended. Wulfric stood back and watched her ministrations seeing  that Caedmon was semi conscious mumbling to himself as Elenis worked her healing on him.
Wulfric was amazed by what he saw. The torn flesh on Caedmon's arms and chest had started to mend, his finger began to reshape, even his face had started to recover from the bruises and cuts that were previously there. He marveled at her healing touch and stood in awe of what he was witnessing. He was no longer appalled by what he termed as her peculariaties instead he started to look upon its benefits.
Beaty came into the room bringing a pot of hot tea and some cloth for the binding of wounds, she too stood back and waited for Elenis to finish.
"Beaty bring me the cloth and a wash basin" Elenis ordered without turning from her task. The servant did as she was told quietly.
"My mother told me to brew the tea in case you may have use of it" the servant said.
Elenis only nodded as she received the cup of brew and lifted Caedomn's head that he may drink it. Some of the tea had dribbled down his chin but he swallowed most of it, slipping into sleep.
"I think we have done all we can for Caedmon. He should rest now." Elenis sighed, feeling tired. She stood from the bed and walked to the window looking out to the courtyard where people and a few guards walked about. She thought about what happened to her that day and the sudden vision of Lucious. She realized that he always came to give her a message, convincing her that he was some sort of guardian.
But why had he suddenly emerged from nowhere and why did he seem to be guarding her? If what Justin had revealed about her connection to his mother were true then all that she was feeling and experiencing was somehow related to her powers. She had to find out more about the woman if she were to understand this strange thing that she had become.
"Caedmon seems to have mended" Wulfric said as he leaned toward the man on the bed.
She had almost forgotten he was there "His injuries were not life threatening, he is as strong as an Ox."she said not bothering to turn in his direction.
"Where did you go?" He asked pointedly. Having reached her, he stood beside her.
"He showed me his demense, or parts of it at least." She replied looking at Wulfric who seem to regard her with curiosity.
"You should have awakened me, I would have escorted you."
"You were mending" she returned her gaze to the courtyard "I did not think it would be wise to rouse you." As an after thought she added "Did you find what you were looking for?"
Wulfric shrugged leaning an arm against the window sill "I followed lady Sarah into the woods but she flew away" he remarked derisively "I suppose that was the end of our conversation"
Turning back to him she asked "She does not seem to be here against her will, perhaps there is truth to what Fitzhugh claims."
"I've known Montague for a long time. We fostered together, fought in battle"Wulfric shook his head "He saved my life once."
"When did this happen?"she asked curiously
"We were fighting for the Kings lands, I did not see it coming when while I was fighting of another warrior his comrade snuck up behind me and almost felled me, but Montague was there. He slew the man and stayed by my side for the rest of the battle."
"What of chivalry?"
Wulfric turned to look at Elenis "He was always gallant with women, treated the ladies with respect."
"And when he was in his demense, did you notice anything odd about his behavior with his sister?"
"He was over protective of Sarah, she was painfully shy around the Knights always disappearing with the women after every meal. She only spoke to me and that was because she knew I was close to her brother."he admitted.
"And you did not find that odd?" Elenis frowned
"Most ladies at court are shy, even you if I might recall" he gave her a lopsided grin "You too retired to your room after every meal, unless your parents forced you to stay."
She turned away from him "Twas out of boredom mostly or exhaustion, lady Sarah on the other hand could have had other reasons for wanting to be away."
"I tell you Elenis, I have seen strange things during my travels,  she is clearly ensorcelled and Fitzhugh is the one to have done it to her. "Wulfric spoke with a conviction borne of distaste.
Turning back to face him "What am I thenWulfric? Am I ensorcelled or am I the sorceress?"
They looked at each other for a long moment "Your intent is not laced with malice" he said finally
"Don't be too sure about that" she replied with bitterness.
"Did anyone hear me knocking?"
Both of them jumped and looked behind them to find lady Sarah had entered the room. She was dressed in black tunic and braise, her surcoat was a deep burgundy matching the color of her lips. Her face was peppered with rice powder and her eyes were covered with black kohl. She looked at them with curiosity, her bows raised as she walked closer. She eyed Wulfric with amusement before turning to Elenis.
"I see your friend is healing" she turned briefly to the bed before returning her attention to the two of them.
"Lord Fitzhugh summons you to his solar" she addressed Elenis politely before returning her gaze to Wulfric "Alone" she added. "He has had new quarters prepared for the knight"
"He stays with me" Elenis stated firmly preparing to leave the room "watch over Caedmon Wulfric, " with a final glance at lady Sarah, she swept our of the room.