Elenis (The Witch of Laverlock)

Chapter 26 The hunt

When they reached the turret, she walked toward the edge looking down at the impressive height of the castle thinking that if she ever fell from that height she would surely be no more. Looking up at the pale moonlight that illuminated their surroundings she felt calm and at peace closing her eyes as the cold wind caressed her cheeks.
"They once called this lands liberum adorare" Justin's voice was a soft cadence that circulated around her like a caress.
"Free to worship" she sighed opening her eyes looking at the lands beyond the castle shrouded in darkness except for the shaft of light that illuminated the dense forests.
"The Druids believed that one of their own gods took refuge in these lands and found a young maid was praying by a stone alter at the top of a cliff. Her beauty shone through the silver light of the moon. The God was so taken by her beauty he listened to her prayer keenly thinking he would grant her anything. " he paused leaning against a wall as he watched her. The light illuminated her pale skin and in her white gown she shimmered like a fae.
She tuned to watch his face "What did he grant her?"
"He granted her powers that she may command the elements, he gave her the gift of sight that she may read people's hearts and he gave her the gift to heal.  So taken was he by her innocence, that he would have given her the heavens, but alas his love for her was doomed for she was mortal."
Elenis snorted "That would not have stopped a god from taking what he wanted. What did he ask in return?"
"Only her devotion" he smiled, his teeth gleamed white against the shadows of the night.
"Did she remain devoted?"she asked, eager to play his game.
"Quite, she took a husband and bore him a daughter who carried those gifts  The town remained devoted to her and her God, and here she remained, raising her family. But that isn't how the castle got its name. A Norman lord had wed a woman from the north, she was the spawn of a Viking and a Saxon woman, Lavinia Flokidottir. He built this castle and named the place after her but as languages tend to merge with one another what remains of its original title is now just simply Laverloch."
"They were your ancestors?"
"No, King William the first was fickle, he changed ownership of lands as fast as he changed bed partners. The land came into the hands of my kin in such a way for as long as we do not fail in our commitments to the crown, the lands belong with the Fitzhugh's but that can certainly change if I fail to deliver the exact amount of coin expected. I have not failed thus far, Bouchere sees that it is done and all are happy." He chuckled walking toward her until they stood face to face.
"What about the Druid woman, is she your kin?" She asked needing to discover where the energy came from.
"Perhaps" he said agreeably "perhaps it was the reason my mother needed to return."
"I am no kin to you and yet this energy is within me" Elenis stated flatly her irritation at so many unanswered questions remained. "If you say this power was given to the young Druid woman and your mother could have been her kin, how do I fit into this tale?"
"Rather than seek its origin it's time you discovered what it can do." Lifting his right palm and cupping it with his left she was astounded to see that a light had formed within his two palms. He lifted them apart slightly and she saw a white orb as round as a pebble dance in between them. It flew out of his palms and danced in between them, mesmerized she could only watch as the white orb  remained steady.
"Try it" he coaxed.
Lifting her palms in the same manner she mimicked his actions but nothing happened. "I can't do it" she gave up thinking that what he possessed was different from her own energy.
"You did not even try. " he said calmly, "Do it again  but this time will it to happen."
She focused on her palms and thought about the pebble rising from between her hands. A mild heat formed in between them and she could feel the heat gather within her palms, when she released them she saw a similar pebble like orb float out of her hands to join the other. Both orbs met in the center, their light casting a glow around them until they both burst into a shimmer of light that permeated around the castle.
A look of wonder passed her face as she looked at Justin in astonishment .
"You did it Elenis!" He smiled , she returned his smile as they watched the shimmering light dance around them. "I told you, you have what I have all you need to do is control it, embrace it. Make it a part of you. Soon you will be able to command it and all that you have wondered will cease. You must not fear this gift."
Elenis pretended to acquiesce to his exuberance, shielding her emotions from Justin she  kept silent as she watched him perform another task. With the movement of his hands she watched him command the fireflies allowing them to dance around her A glow of light crowned her head. Deep down she was not convinced  of his altruism but she would be patient that was the only thing she had left.
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A loud knock brought Elenis forth from her deep slumber. Turning toward the window, the sun had not fully risen but several candles had already been lit illuminating her darkened chamber. It wasn't until the bed dipped allowing the weight of one of her familiars to make her blink and focus. It was Caedmon who dangled the vellum beneath her nose as she made to sit up against the plush pillows, ending her short nap.
Pushing his hand away she blinked her eyes open forcefully as she scowled at the knight "What does it say."
In his typical jovial mood he unfolded the note and grinned "It seems the lord of Laverlock is a light sleeper. What time did you manage to return last eve?"
"Respond to my question you mutant!" She growled rubbing her eyes for clarity of vision.
"The mighty lord requests your presence this morn for a hunting expedition in his forest."Caedmon stood from his perched position and let the hound out of the room.
"I don't have to show up" she grumbled returning back to the sleep she craved.
"The the Earl of Chester will be there, I suggest you rouse your grumbly self and make ready he did appear awfully curious about your presence here." Grimacing as he watched his charge straitened once more "Better make nice you lofty harridan in case he decides it would be in the best interest of the court to discover your little hiding place and provide the king with another bride to barter."
In that respect Elenis had no choice in the matter.
Upon emerging into the courtyard, she had found Wulfric ready with three horses, while Fitzhugh patiently waited with his guest. Returning their greeting, she mounted the horse Wulfric had assigned to her before trotting behind the men. Lady Sarah was also with them along with three other knights and a few guards who had accompanied the kingsman.
They journeyed to the east of the demense, a place Elenis had yet to venture. The trees were dense, the only light came from the torches held by the Knights.
Wulfric chose that moment to nudge his horse closer to Elenis, far from the earshot of Laverlock and the Earl he leaned toward Elenis "Have you discovered anything of value from your recent excursion with Fitzhugh?"
His query made her turn sharply toward the knight but his expression was blanketed by the darkness. " Enough to satisfy my curiousity for the moment" was her quick response before she rebounded "Have you unfurled the mystery of the crow?" She raised her brow
"Just like all women, she is evasive." He replied goodnaturedly.
"As I recall, there was a time your skill to persevere was without flaw. Have you lost your touch?"there was a teasing lilt to her tone.
He chuckled in response "Hardly, I am a very patient man."
"She is not the same waif you remember from years past" was her final response before she kicked her horse to the front leveling her stead alongside that of Justin.
Wulfric watched her as she took her place and wondered if Elenis was referring to the  transformation of her own personality as well. Irregardless he would bide his time until both the women capitulated .
Elenis  was starting to tire of the ride, having been roused out of bed suddenly, her body did not want to cooperate with her mind.  Nevertheless, she had to face this hunt squarely and decided to engage in conversation with her host.
"What are we hunting?" She asked .
"Deer" Justin spared her a glance, his lopsided grin was full of mischief as he slowed his mount to level with hers.
"Deer? That is quite rare" she couldn't help her remark having no knowledge of the game that roamed around the demense.
"Laverlock is known for its game.  We not only have wild boars and rabbits, occasionally we can find deer, venison every once in awhile this is why The Earl comes whenever he can sneak his way out of court eh Bouchere?"Justin tried to make light of his sarcasm but it did not go unnoticed by Elenis.
The Earl chuckled in good spirits "Among other things" he glanced briefly at Elenis with a smirk before continuing on.
They needed up in a small clearing still shrouded by tress and a few copses. Dismounting the guards took the horses to tether while the rest of the men walked stealthily toward the copse.
Too disgusted with what the men were planning on salute ring, Elenis veered her horse away from the men preferring to tether her mount away from the impending carnage. She was accompanied by her own two men. Having a found a place she thought would keep her from the company of the Earl and Justin she was surprised to discover lady Sarah beside her.
Raising an inquisitive brow "Are you not to join Laverloch and the Earl?"
"I am not inclined to such sport."the lady grimaced slightly before her lips turned upward in a smile.  "I am merely an escort of the Earl. He likes to be surrounded by pretty things"
"Well, I for one wouldn't mind a bit of exercise "Caedmon bowed to the two women and walked to the men.
Wulfric remained with the women, removing skin of water, he passed it to the ladies.
"Now that I have your undivided attention lady Sarah perhaps you could enlighten me as to when you would like to leave this place.  I would be happy to escort you back to your brother" he said smoothly retrieving the skin from Elenis as he addressed lady Sarah.
Her childish giggle was sweet as she looked on him fondly. "How many times will I tell you that I have come her to stay.  I have no plans of departing at all."
"The Earl has seen you.....don't you think he will report this to Montague as soon as he gets the chance."
"What has he seen really?" she mocked the knight as they sat by some rocks "Let me tell you... He has seen a woman with dark locks streaked with gold, a face he does not even remember , what makes you think he would associate me with the lady Sarah Montague. The last time he laid eyes on me was when I was at court barely two and ten, I have changed since then, trading golden locks for the one I now bear and the body of a woman he so covets but will never have. Nay Wulfric, the Earl will never recognize me but you on the other hand" she cocked her head to the side looking at him for a moment "Why do you remain loyal to my brother when you really don't know him at all."
Wulfric held back his response, there was an edge of hardness in her tone that made him hold back the words that would express such loyalty. It was clear to him that lady Sarah detested her brother with a fierceness that would compel her to remain at Laverloch . It was a mystery that needed defining further for he had sacrificed his future in the quest to retrieve her from whatever it is that took her.
Now he was not convinced it was an abduction but rather a desire to flee from her home. What would have driven an young maid into the clutches of another madman, he wondered? He would never reveal his confusion but he would certainly require some sane answer that would convince him that everything and everyone he had left behind was worth the journey.
"I may not have lived with him as you have" he replied careful to choose his words, "however I have witnessed his bravery in battle. He had never ravaged his enemies the way other overlord's would. Montague was not a savage. It would take more to convince me of his malevolence."
Standing abruptly, she removed the feathered clock that covered her tunic and walked toward a copse calling behind her "They will not notice I am gone for a spell. I shall return when all is finished"
And just like that her form started to shift until a black crow flew above them and disappeared into the glowing light of the sunrise, while Wulfric mumbled a soft curse.
Elenis had witnessed their conversation quietly noting that lady Sarah was being evasive. Wulfric's purpose was singular, as a knight sworn to an oath to find his friend's sister, he was duty bound to that promise there was no swaying that purpose. She sensed his frustration as she watched his expression turn from hope only to be shattered by a deadlock. Somewhere deep in her soul, she knew his quest would be for naught but she would not dash his hopes. A smidgeon of sympathy rose within her for the knight, an emotion that was rare under the circumstances.
"I should give it some time if I were you" she ended up saying quietly.
Shaking his head Wulfric leaned against a tree "I never thought her to be so stubborn." He retorted tersely as he kicked his boot against the dirt.
"You've only just discovered her wearabouts and her reasons for remaining hidden. Perhaps you should listen to her side of the story instead of remaining blind to the possibility that your friend may not be as noble as you think. I had heard that he had been over protective , more than what was suppose to be." She added
He turned to look at her for a long moment, she briefly saw regret in those piercing grey eyes before they shuttered into a mask of cold steel. "Being over protective is not a crime.  He only wants what's best for her."
"Does he?" She stood and walked closer to Wulfric her sharp gaze pinned him "Here you are ready to take her back and fulfill your promise to your friend yet every time you mention her home and her brother she seems to be running away. "
"How can I be convinced that she does not want to return when to look at her is to witnessed one who is ensorcelled. What is my proof that she is not here against her will? Everything about her seems vexed. What would convince me that Laverloch had not done this on purpose to keep her here as his companion. Clearly she is under a spell and although every cell in my body is enraged by this macabre I find myself powerless."
She heard it clearly, that ring of frustration with a touch of fear laced within his rant. "How does it feel not to be in control?" She cocked an eyebrow as her lips lifted at the corners. She heard him sigh but his smile appeared in the aftermath. It was the cornerstone of his charm and it moved her to realize that the attraction she had felt for him all those years ago had never truly faded, it just went into hibernation.
"I've felt the loss of it battle many times but there was always the strategy that brought back focus."he argued.
"Then you should repeat those words again" she saw the wisdom in his words and they rang in her heart as clearly as if it were her own purpose. "Come" she held her hand out to him, it was the first time since they had met that she had willingly offered her hand and for a moment he was stunned. He looked at her hand and took it seeing it as a sign of  peace offering, tucking it within the cradle of his arm.
"I suspect they have caught our meal" she continued.
"Then we should be feasting on deer meat" he joined her banter.
"Oh nay, I told the poor deer to steer clear of this path, instead I lured a boar and....." She paused as she heard the loud cheer from the men grimacing at their pathetic display of manhood "I suppose that cry triumph would mean they have been successful in the hunt."
Shaking his head in amazement "you never cease to amaze me" he muttered.
"This is the dance of the macabre Wulfric and I am at the center of it" she stated grinning at his apt description of where she was. "I suspect the earl's shot was the one that did it."
"You may have the right of it my lady."