Lances and Daggers

5. The Witch of Ashenbrook

I walked into the Hall of the Mountain King. The doors closed, and a cold breeze sent chills down my spine. I looked right and left at eerie tapestries, which hung on the walls like ghosts. Dark places never scared me; I could manage well even in the gloomiest of dungeons. But walking through a desolate corridor in the skimpy light of candles was a new experience.

"Lord Faust, Your Highness, Lance Ainsworth of the Exploration Guild presents himself before you with the utmost respect," the guard said as I entered the throne room.

"Does the Exploration Guild run on a clock of their own?" a voice said.

I looked at the far end of the room. A man was sitting on a wooden throne, which was embellished with silk upholstery and gold embroidery. His face was first hidden in the dark, but when he stood up, I saw elven ears, smooth white hair, and nut-brown eyes. Standing thin and tall, he rested both hands on a gold-topped cane, which seemed to be an ornament rather than a necessity. His thin lips moved only slightly.

Was that a smile?

"I will not inquire why you are visiting so early in the morning. It would be discourteous, since your trip must have been tiring," Lord Faust said. "Instead, let me offer you breakfast."

I was slightly disturbed. He did just as Marie said he would: he offered me food. I didn't know what harm it might cause, but I decided to decline. I bowed for the sake of formality and said, "Forgive me, Lord Faust. I'm here on important business, and I don't have much time."

"I understand." He approached me from the far end of the room. "The world is a busy place, and we all have matters to attend to."

His cane tapped the ground with a gentle touch, and his steps followed with a constant rhythm. The way he carried himself asserted dominance. When he stood in front of me, I noticed the height difference between us. I fished for insight into his character, but his distant eyes showed nothing but self-confidence.

We were now alone in the dim room, and he said, "What is your important business?"

"I'm investigating the disappearances," I said, "and an incident that may be linked to them. A girl named Marie was attacked near Ashenbrook this morning."

"Ah, this is why you came," Lord Faust laughed. "You are here to ask about the Witch and the Blight. I knew the guild would become aware of the recent events. But I do not want you to get involved."

"You do not want us... to get involved?"

"Yes, you have good ears, so trust them," he said. "The guild is disbanding; you lack the proper resources to investigate these events. Therefore, I decided that we can forgo your help."

"I'm sure I can provide some assistance. You said something about a witch."

He walked back to his throne, gesturing for me to follow. "Yes, the Witch and the Blight." He sat between two flags of the Empire. "These two words are enough to describe the current situation. But let me elaborate."

"Please do."

"My people refer to the girl you call Marie as the Witch of Ashenbrook. She is the daughter of the local innkeeper but had been living away since her childhood. When she returned to her parents' house, we started observing strange phenomena."

"What kind?"

"Endless fog, midnight lights, a giant Aberration. Farmlands were destroyed; crops were ruined; livestock were murdered. The peasants called this disaster the Blight and the girl who caused it the Witch."

"I don't think it's fair to blame Marie. She couldn't have caused all these things."

"I know, but could I force my opinions on the people?" Lord Faust shrugged his shoulders. "The peasants want the Witch dead, and the guards shy away from protecting her."