Moonlight

Chapter 5: More than a healer

Alexander's POV

I couldn't lie to her. Not when she's staring at me with those eyes. I had to run before i say anything that i might regret. I hear her shouting something to me but I'm already on the horse heading nowhere. I stop by a lake to catch my breath.

"I must never see her again. She's dangerous."

I need to get back on track now. I have delayed my mission for far too long and almost forgot the main purpose to why I'm actually here.

"The spy... That damned spy".

First things first, i must get to the village and seek  the lord of the Southlands' house. I need to warn him about what he might inflict on both lands with this traitorous behavior.

"I should have asked Lyla about the right way. Too late now."

I stop my contemplations and head out of the woods trying to find any house to ask for proper guidance. I manage to spot a young lad taking care of some horses outside a barn. "My horse needs food and water anyway. Might as well stop here"
I make halt and seem to have surprised the boy with my sudden presence, he seems to be trying to get to the house leaving the horses outside.

"Worry not, young man! I mean you no harm. My horse needs some rest and it would be most kind of you to provide him with some food and water while i am in a desperate need for some whisky" I say with a friendly smile to reassure the young boy.

The boy takes about 3 seconds and comes running towards my horse, i quickly dismounted the beast and helped walk him inside the barn. He made sure to fill a bucket of water to appease his thirst and then unbridled the tired creature. 

"I'm afraid i exhausted him. My bad." I said with my hands held up in the air, pleading guilty.

"Ay sir, he needs rest and so do you! I'll be back in a short while" He said while making his way outside. It didn't take long before he came back with whine and bread. "Maybe i could ask him about the lord's house.." 

"So do you know the people that live in that small cottage next to the white fields?" I immediately regret asking. Damn me and my rotten obsession.

"Oh you mean the blacksmith and the healer's place. They're nice people to be honest, although i have been hearing stories about Mrs. DeGrey being more than just a healer..." 

"More than a healer?" I'm more intrigued now

"A witch" He whispered

I scoffed at the revelation. That Lady ? A witch? How can a witch give birth to an angel...

"But that's just stories Mother used to tell me so i don't go near the fields and the woods. She used to say that Mrs. DeGrey was once a very powerful woman but suffered the great misfortune of falling in love with a man that has never desired her. She then turned to witchcraft and had to sell her soul to the devil.Therefore cursing her entire line. But that would mean Miss Lyla is cursed too which is impossible. She's always been so kind to me. She would let me go pick flowers with her and tell me stories about other realms and other lands."

"Miss Lyla?" I try to seize this opportunity to know more.

"Yes, their only daughter. Many have asked for her hand in marriage but she seems to have a mind of her own and rejected all of them. It even got the people in the village talking and saying things such as her being cursed indeed but by her beauty. I think they're just jealous. She is always alone though, i never see her with the other girls. She must be really lonely."

I don't say a thing and try to finish my meal as quickly as possible thinking about what that girl might be going through with all those rumors. "Stop it Alexander. You are here for the sole purpose of settling the spy problem so get it over with and leave this land."

"Well, young..."

"WILLY!"

"Well, young Willy, i thank you for your hospitality and generosity but i must take my leave. Ummm do you know by any chance where i can find the Lord's house?"

"Of course Sir, It's the Castle by the end of the village, right on top of the Doran hills"

"Thank you willy. Farewell then" And that's when i mount my horse and follow the boy's directions hoping to make it before sunset.

Lyla's POV

"He is hiding something and if he's not telling me then i will find it out on my own" I say to myself as i put my other black hooded cape on.

"Where in the heavens do you think you're going young lady, sit yourself back right now! The porridge is almost ready and the gentleman made sure to get some lavender so you..." I break her sentence with a hug and limp myself to the door without saying a word.

I put my hood on and set off on a mission. "I'm being reckless again" I say to myself with a smirk and follow his trail.

I spot Willy's figure in the fields of their farm and so i wave while screaming his name to get his attention.

"Lady Lyla! Oh, it is so good to see you in the morning. What a pleasure! Do you need my help picking up some herbs?? I know that your favorite is Lavenders, i already have them stocked for you just in case but if you'd like another one then i will gladly be of help. Oh and why are you limping? Are you okay?" He says with utmost excitement.

"Young Willy, I've always admired your spirits! But i'm not here for flowers today i'm afraid and yes i'm fine, i just hurt my ankle in the woods, nothing serious. I want to inquire about a stranger that might have passed by your farm not long ago. A gentleman on a horse, riding in all black"

I see a change in Willy's expressions meaning he recognized exactly who i was talking about.

"Yes, he did pass by asking for a drink for him and tending to the horse. He is heading South to the village. He particularly inquired about our Lord's house" He said candidly.

"Right. And when did he take on the road again?" I asked with a nonchalant tone while plucking a rose and messing with its petals.

"Just a little while ago Lady, you've missed him by minutes."

"I should get going now. Thank you Willy! I'll take you as soon as i can to the wood fields so you can get those wildflowers you've always wanted" I say with the widest smile, grateful for the information he gave.

"But Lady, is there a problem? Has he caused you any worries? Was i wrong to help him?" He said with worried eyes.

"Oh no Boy, you did great. You are a good lad, young Willy" I said while messing with his hair and handing him the rose i plucked.

I set my eyes on the road in anticipation of what i might discover by the end of the day. "Who are you really, Alex. And what on earth are you doing here"