The Weaver's Source

Chapter 12

 I read quietly, listening to the rain pummel down against the windows and the wind as it howled throughout the day. I had made soup, just as Gabi had asked, and various cuts of bread and cheese where laid out, ready for her return. The afternoon faded alongside the wind and evening soon began to settle in. The world was quiet out, the fog thinner but still present and rain no longer fell and remained so for the rest of the afternoon.

Darkness was falling when my magic twitched, waking me from my doze. It stirred in my chest, tightening with worry. I frowned. It wasn't scared nor was it warning me about a monster, just seemed to be wanting to alert me to something. It concerned me a little.

As I pushed myself up in my father's chair my magic grew worse. It began to try to tug at me, trying to get me to leave the house, to run to town, filling me with concern for someone. Images of Gabi's head bobbing in blood soaked water flashed, flickering madly before my eyes. The magic begged me to run. My body was cold as I stood to face the window, eyeing the dusk gathering outside in a blood red shade. The magic continued to curl in warning. For a while I just sat there, staring at the crackling fire. I knew what it was telling me. Gabi was in danger.

As realisation sunk in, I threw the book I was reading on the floor then darted out of the house, leaving the door wide open behind me. Rain fell from the dusk sky, drowning my hair and forcing it to stick to my face, and my naked feet rapidly grew cold with mud squelching between my toes. I had no cloak to keep me warm, no stockings, nothing, just a thin rough dress and the ice cold fog seeped into my bones, making my mouth turn blue. I didn't stop though, even when my feet began to hurt. Gabi was in danger. She was going to be eaten. I had to stop it.

Down the main road I ran. I went straight through the main gate and ignored the two guards on duty even when they called me to stop. There were no townsmen out due to the rain which I was thankful for, most huddled under jutting roofs or hanging out in the tavern. It meant no one could stop me from getting to Gabi.

The single major road through the town swerved in a snake like motion before it came to a stop at the wall separating the houses from the river. Once again I ignored the guards and made a break for the bridge just a few paces from the gate.

I stopped sharply. Gabi was there, arguing passionately with two young men from the town. They were yelling and pushing at her.

"Gabi!" I called and stepped forward.

She looked up and looked shocked that I was here. "What are you doing here, Lyra? You're not meant to be in town."

"Come with me." I pleaded. "Come back to the house."

One of the men turned sharply and saw me. I recognised him as Karl, the butcher's eldest son. Instantly rage filled his features as he recognised who I was in turn.

"You!" He bellowed. "You murdered my brother!"

Gabi hissed in fury. "She did no such thing, you idiot! Lyra would never hurt anyone! Frail as a lamb, she is!"

He made to go for me but stopped sharply when Otto's hand grasped my shoulder firmly. I whirled on him, my eyes wide but relief touched me. Otto was here. He'd calm things down. He'd get Gabi to come with me safe and unharmed.

"What's going on here?" He asked in a threatening tone.

Karl stopped and scowled at us both. "She deserves to be punished, Otto. She's a freak, a murderer." He snapped. "Why do you keep defending her?"

"Because she has done nothing wrong." Otto said stiffly. "And the Weaver is dealing with the threat. If he feels Lyra is harmless, you should trust him."