Red Spell

Chapter Thirteen

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I didn't say anything about the ax, but he seemed to know I'd seen and recognized it. He said nothing for a long time and I mushed and stirred and ground the contents of the bowls he handed me obediently. My back began to ache from sitting hunched over and I felt twisted and clumpy in my slept in clothes and cloak. I really wanted to get up and walk around, but I wasn't about to complain.

"Are you hungry?" he asked after awhile. I'd forgotten about breakfast until then and my stomach was suddenly hollow and aching. It let out a growl that was unmistakable and I grew red under the dried mud.

"Well then, better feed the beast," he laughed. "You can wash that off now in the snow," he added, nodding at the mud on my face as he got up. I slipped out of the cave and began to chip off the mud and then I rubbed my face with snow until it was numb. I wondered what the bruising and scratches looked like now. I went to the edge and looked down at Thorn. Oddly, the sheep were still in the pen and there seemed to be a crowd around the village bonfire. I stared hard, trying to see what was going on, but they were so far away they were hardly more than specks. Then I remembered. Today was Marta and Da's wedding day!

"I have to go!" I cried. I rushed back into the cave entrance. "I have to go, my Da's getting married!" Then I darted away through the pine trees and down the mountain before Wolf could say a word.

"Get those herbs!" he yelled after me.

"I will!"

I half ran half tumbled down the mountainside. I didn't want to miss it. He was my Da after all. A daughter should be present at least. It would shame him for me not to come. While I was already a shame to him, there was no reason for me to make it more obvious. When I came to the edge of the forest I stopped to make sure the coast was clear, but everyone was gathered to celebrate the marriage so no one saw where I came from. It was easy to creep along to the cottage. I was a mess; stained with snow and dirt and my hair looked like a bird's nest.

I cleaned myself up as well as I could, changing clothes under cloak and brushing and braiding my hair. I was surprised to see how well Wolf's mud had worked on my bruises; the purple having faded around the edges to pale green and yellow. The scratches were hardly visible anymore. I took one last look over myself before slipping out the front door and joining the group around the bonfire.

Marta was dressed in her fine big town clothes and had more silk ribbons braided into her hair while Da was cleaned up with combed hair and his good shirt. They looked good even though I hated to admit it. Mam would've looked better. Still, they seemed happy... I edged closer through the people, though few were pleased to see me. They glared and moved aside begrudgingly and grunted angrily when I touched them. I wasn't surprised, butI tried to ignore it.

"They look nice, don't they," Merric said from right behind me. I jumped. He stepped forward and tucked my hand through his arm. I could almost feel Amora's wrath searing into my mind from wherever she was, but she wouldn't dare slap me in a group.

"They do," I managed. I was acutely aware of my hand on his arm and I worried that the slightest move would cause him to let go.

"You know, you should be beside them," he said. He stepped forward and tried to pull me along but I dug in my heals.

"I think it would be better if I stayed back," I whispered. "I don't need to draw attention."

"Actually, I think that's exactly what you need to do," Merric said. "That's why they don't listen to you. You never make yourself heard." He took my arm a little more firmly and pulled me forward and stood with me right behind Da. I could feel the village glaring at me. There were even a few sniffs and a snide comment, probably from Amora. I kept my eyes glued to the backs of Da's boots wondering if Da had noticed us. Merric stood tall and proud, making me feel even more pathetic. Why did he even notice me? There were plenty of other much more beloved girls in the village. I glanced at him and found him smiling back. And why wasn't I thrilled silly that he had picked me?

After the marriage vows everyone celebrated with a small winter feast. There were dried fruits and bread with butter, but no lamb. We couldn't afford another sheep. I tried to keep out of the way as much as I could, but Merric hardly made it possible. He wanted to talk to everyone and he wanted me right there beside him. He talked me up to nearly everyone he could, but that didn't change their hard expressions whenever they saw me. Da ignored me and Marta was too busy to notice me. I chose to see that as an advantage though because I didn't need to be noticed right before I went and robbed my new stepmother. I wasn't sure exactly where she kept her special herbs and I wanted to get to the cottage before the festivities were over to search for it.

Merric dropped a berry in his mouth, still holding my hand on his arm. The mind-dulling affect had worn off as the need to slip away grew and I tried ever so slowly to inch my hand loose.

"Are you trying to escape?" he asked, his mouth half filled.

"No!" That was a lie and I regretted it.

"Well then put your hand back. I want everyone to know of our betrothal," he said, pulling my hand so our elbows linked. I glanced around. Amora was sitting in a group of girls trying not to look our way, but her fists were clenched. There were several other unfriendly glances that I thought maybe I could have avoided if it hadn't been for Merric. I felt my face growing red finally. I felt like a usurper with Merric.

"Come, let's dance!" he said suddenly. Horror gripped me as he pulled me over to where the snow had been cleared and other couples were lining up.

"No, please, let's not," I begged.

"Oh come on, it's fun!" He took my hands and began to whirl and weave with the other couples. I did my best to follow him, but I hadn't danced in years. I barely knew the steps and it went so fast. It was even worse when the fiddlers started playing a slower song that Merric insisted we dance to also. My bad footwork was even more obvious and I blushed deeply, keeping my eyes on the ground. I glanced up once or twice and Merric was smiling down at me, but I didn't get butterflies or anything. In fact, I almost felt disappointed. I passed it off as the crushing glares of the village until I thought of Wolf, up in the cave working on a cure for me. I wished he was here in the village to help me now. I almost wished he was here dancing instead of Merric. His boots were so thick it wouldn't hurt if I stepped on him. And he wouldn't try to make smalltalk.

"Have you heard about the hunt?" Merric asked, finally hitting on something I was interested in. He'd been blabbering on about Amora's bad points mostly, sometimes dropping in hints that I was much better.

"No, what about it?"

"Oh, they've moved it up," he said. "We're going out tomorrow night. I'll be helping to lead the hunting party," he said. I felt my stomach sinking. I tried to put on a smile and I said something flattering about him being leader, but I didn't remember any more of that conversation. As he talked I became more and more panicked. Tomorrow night? Would we be able to break the spell by then? What if we didn't? I had left footprints all over the woods. Unless there was a heavy snowfall during the night, they would be able to follow the tracks straight to the cave. We could try to cover them, but the villagers were too observant. They would notice uneven snow.

I tripped and stumbled more and more until Merric finally led me away from the dance. I took the chance to disappear as soon as he went off to get some more food. Amora pounced on him at once and I ducked behind one of the nearest cottages so he wouldn't try to come back to where I was sitting. Then I ran for my cottage. I glanced at the sun. It was already past the noon peak.

I practically tore the cottage apart as I searched for Marta's herbs. I was too desperate to be careful and within minutes the rooms looked ransacked. It wasn't until I dared to step foot in Da's room that I found them though. The herbs were rapped in linen in Marta's trunk, which had been brought and placed at the foot of the bed. I didn't have time to look around as I snatched them up. In any other situation though, I would have been fascinated by the room I hadn't seen in nearly nine years. I stuffed the herbs in my pocket and rushed out, leaving the cottage a mess and trying not to care. I couldn't risk staying to clean up when I'd already been caught as a wolf once.

I slowed as I came near the bonfire and slipped past, trying to stay out of sight. I cursed my red cloak several times because it was nearly impossible to blend in anymore. I surprised by being glad at seeing Amora and Merric still together. Shouldn't I have been jealous? I didn't have time to think about it. I had just made it past another cottage and I thought I was safe when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I squeezed the herbs in my pocket as I turned around to face Da.