Sleepy Hollow 🔖

The book

Day Three:

"Girls, today is the last day we have to put our plans into action. We have to be prepared, remember all you have to do". I whispered as I left the cells, so these unsuspecting gaurds wouldn't hear. I took my time to study the halls and corridors as we went this time. I'd learnt that the Prince's chamber as with all the other guests was located in the east wing of the castle. The horseman resided in the west wing and the main gate was to the east. The back exit was either past the kitchen, through a door in the west wing or perhaps through some secret tunnels. In my stay here, I'd figured out that a castle as big as this would definitely have its secrets and dark pasts, and those involved secret passages as expected.

As we walked, I noticed the guests of honour approaching from the other side. The gaurds stepped out of the way and bowed. I followed suit and watched them from under my hair. Victor Dimitriz or was it Jack, sauntered past us, somehow catching my eyes. The Luna wasn't far behind and that disgusted look was still in her eyes. I scoffed internally. She walked around with her nose held high. Prince George could snuff out her life with his thoughts. And so will I soon enough.

I tapped slightly on his door, fully aware of the gaurds stares on the back of my head. There was a groan from inside and plates crashed to the floor and the gaurds grew suddenly alert.
"Come in". Prince George mumbled after a few seconds of cursing.

Cautiously, I stepped in to find him seated at the edge of his bed, his head buried in his palms. On the floor beside the bed were broken plates which I assumed were previously on the bed.

"Good day your grace". I said, purposely ignoring the mess.

He waved me off. "Please, drop the formalities. There's nothing gracious about me". He staggered to his feet and absent-mindedly stepped on the broken plates. That seemed to put some life into his brain as he yelped and began hopping around the room on his good foot.

I guided him to his bed and he took a seat again.
"The bloody horseman and his bloody servants. They serve a Prince food and forget to come clear the plates"

"Perhaps they forgot". I suggested while observing him with pitiful eyes.

"No. That's not it. Because they remembered to tell me the Horseman asked to speak with his guests". He growled as he clutched his foot.

That explains where they were all headed.

"What can I do to help?". I asked as I gestured to the bloody foot.

"Heal it". Was all he said and I stared at him incredulously.

"What?"

"You're a witch. So heal me. Or don't you want to be out of here by tomorrow?"

I nodded. "But how?"

"I don't know, it's up to you"

I acknowledged his foot. It was bleeding and he was loosing blood. The risk of an infection was high. Was he willing to loose all that based on his 'trust' in an amateur witch?
I gingerly placed my right hand on it and he gritted his teeth, inhaling sharply as he felt pain.

Biting my lip, I closed my eyes and felt the magic flowing to my hand. Soon after, the tingling sensation stopped and opened my eyes. The foot was almost healed but some red patches were still evident.

"Nice job, but you mustn't close your eyes". Prince George said and got up to wash up in the bathroom.

"So what are we doing today?" I asked from my position on his bed.

"Well, you just learned healing". The Prince said from the bathroom.

With the water rushing in the bathroom, I assumed he was taking a shower so I decided to look around.
Opening one of the drawers by the bed, I found a knife wrapped in a small cloth. As I traced my fingers along the intricate swirls it had, I felt magic. I immediately withdrew my hand and closed the drawer.

Curious as to what he liked to wear, I opened his wardrobe. Robes made of the finest linen and silk you could ever find lined the small space. Typical. I sauntered to his window and gazed out into the misty darkness. His room had an excellent aerial view of the entire property. I could see the courtyard and the front gates. The torches in the courtyard illuminated figures keeping watch. I wondered what lay beyond the walls of the castle. My freedom was certain once I crossed those walls, but I was still unsure.

I pulled myself away from the window and towards the bookshelf which held only one book.
'A Sacrifice Of Twelve'. The book was badly weathered but deciding not to judge it by its cover, I peeled open the first page.

"A Sacrifice Of Twelve. The sacrifice of twelve hath been around for centuries. For it was created by a mage upon the name of Iniko. It was during the times past, when souls walked the universe that he created it therein. His mistress hath died and he loved her so. Inspired by the darkness, he captured twelve females and placed them in bondage and there was not a thing the maidens could do but sit and wait. On a fortnight, he took each one and tied her to a wooden pole, all of them in a circle. With a huge fire in the middle he conjured up his mistress and recited as follows:

From far and wide hear me speak,
The soul of Hilda do I seek.
Take this twelve as a replacement for her,
And hand her to me, that she might be near.
For as the sun shines,
So do the stars shine.
Oh, that you snuff them out,
And darkness may roam about.
For none compares to the love for my mistress.

The souls of the twelve went up and into the flames and his mistress' soul possessed her preserved body. The sun and moon vanished without a trace, leaving this universe void of any natural light except the moon. Over the years, the sacrifice of twelve has been modified and used for different purposes. Some even tried immortality. But the darkness never gives without collecting. Some were plagued with insanity, illness, death, loneliness and others were haunted. Beware". Already spooked to my core, I stopped reading at the end of the first chapter.

"You seem to find snooping around a hobby". A voice spoke from the direction of the bathroom.

I gasped and dropped the book. The Prince stood there with only a bath robe.
"I just found this book and grew curious". I lied smoothly.

"No point lying. I felt it when you touched the knife". He said as he walked towards the drawer and brought out the knife. Under his touch, it glowed gold and I felt compelled to touch it again.

"This is what can kill that headless demon". Prince George said as he fondled the knife. "Do you want to touch it again?"

"If you insist". I said and stepped forward. I traced my finger along the swirls again and the Prince inhaled sharply.

"Is something wrong?". I asked as I withdrew my hand.

He didn't reply, but instead, closed the gap and kissed me. Deeply. When he pulled back, the amber glow in his eyes had turned fiery.

"Leave". He murmured.

"What?"

"Leave now! Go!".

In fear and shock at his tone I ran for the door and shut it. I leaned on it as I listened for sound but the room was quiet. The gaurds watched me until I said we could leave.

●  ●  ●  ●  ●
It's getting a bit serious.
Vote, Comment And Follow me. #VCF
Love,Vicki.💟
It was soo cheesy right?