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Chapter 8

Punishment

It was in castle's field broken stables and dead guards on Ralph's shift, he was drunk according to a street peasant, paid well.

Princess Emily summons for Spencer, but King Gregory summons her first. At the site of the beast Spencer takes full blame. Ralph is free of charges.

In public King Gregory speaks, "She destroyed village property not remembering throwing rocks at the castle, but allowing "animal killings." Someone has to be held responsible. Emily finds out in public. Emily is almost powerless. She is cut off from the rest of Spencer's case. In the public Gregory summons Spencer to execution.

(Aeculus hippocastanum with Gordon)

At some point Spencer is pricked with horse chestnut, Aeculus hippocastanum. Spencer awakens her arms, feet, and head tied to a chair. Feeling dizzy Gregory raises electricity to wake her up.

"Gordon I thought you wanted to help."

"I want to survive. You chose the side of the week. Ferdinand is continuing to brake the seals."

Through her teeth Spencer says, "And you have a better plan?"

Gordon chuckles, "Gregory, of course."

"Now that your supernatural side is suppressed, we can begin." Says Gordon.

Gregory holds her head, "Ferdinand can continue to break the seals. How do we kill you. The one who is supposed to stop it. Gordon keep rambling on that it wants Emily too, etc,..." Gregory grabs a rod made of nickel holding it as he continues to talk to Spencer, Of course my farther told me of the monsters and creatures that roam the dark, the monster like you. Disgusting breeding... Maybe what I have, the nickel farther told me." Gregory waves the rod in Spencer's face. "I wanted the black shuck,  I want the fulad-zurah; and I can finish breaking the seals and then I'll have it's power-to bring Spain, France, and allies to a monarch and no one could stop me."

Gregory goes back to turn electricity up watching the bright strands of electricity surround Spencer. Gordon falls into concern and intervenes, "She's strong. Shes' a solider of war she can handle it."

Gregory cuts it off. "You could never provide for her. Take care of her. She is used to lavish lifestyle. That's why there's a divide. Peasants stay with peasants. Kings and Queens rule the kingdom. Embed that in your brain. She want's to live some fantasy. Honestly, she wouldn't leave all this. To run away with you. So help me you will have a fate worse than death." Gregory leaves.

It's pain, control, will that her inner hellhound kicks in. She growls and her eyes glow breaking the gear that constraint her. She can barely stand up so she fire shimmers away. Injured and goes to her own room. Spencer's hurt and Emily catches her bloody, burnt, weak. Emily is in Spencer's room and sure as hell not going to leave.

*****

Fulad-zurah wins in her dreams (Spencer)-the army in the snow, the field umbrellas and awards, the trees in the forest, the noise that gives them goosebumps. Some run, some remain still, Men's bodies fall in a thud to the earth. The older General begins to run, stomping, huffing, motor like growling. He looks at Spencer, "It's not my time anymore. There is someone...something who can stand against it." However, when Spencer fights it she's slain. Blood gushing from her stomach, her mouth. The pain fells real.

She startles up from her cottage. "Emily says it's okay." She runs her hand through Spencer's soft hair and the other on her cheek. "I'm here." It's It's hard-flickering the fulad-zurah, a threat, a horror, something that cannot go away.

Spencer lies on her pillow pulling away from Emily. Emily brings her some water and Spencer turns away from her.

"Spencer?"

"Just go."

"What? Why?"

"I need some rest."

"Well, I can—" She tries to kiss Spencer.

"Emily, no. You're just a distraction."

Emily goes to leave. Spencer disappears in vanishing flames. Emily sees an empty room and steam floating.