The Power Carried In

6) Hunted

Jast decided that the three women would go to Kol's dwelling since it was closer than her hut, so they started off in dejected silence.  But Pilar wasn't having any of it, she needed to find out what else they could do, and most importantly, what would it take for her to get back home.

"Alright, so what exactly did this legend say the outsider would do," said Pilar in more of a demand than a question.

"They would bring the power required to cleanse," replied Jast.

"Bring the power..." said Pilar to herself.  What does that mean, or what CAN that mean, she thought.  What could it mean by "power," she thought.  Well, it could mean that I need magic power, but what else has power?  Knowledge is "power" she suddenly thought - at least in my world.  Maybe I possess knowledge that they don't and THAT is the power required!

Pilar was musing on her thoughts when they arrived at Kol's dwelling.  It was a small shack nestled in a large space of a huge rock formation.  The women went into the dwelling as Jast stopped as if she was listening intently.

"What is it?' asked Pilar.

"Nothing, I thought I heard a horse," replied Jast, "quickly inside."

No sooner than the three women were inside than the sounds of footsteps outside Kol's door and around the back could be heard.

"Jast the witch, this is Klar Rignar, and I know that you are inside with Kol and another," said a loud male voice from outside the door.  The two witches looked at one another, then at Pilar.  They were cornered.

"Goodbye Jast - burn it down" shouted Rignar.

The air was filled with the sound of objects striking the wooden walls and roof, which was followed by the unmistakable sound of fire biting into the aged structure.  Jast grabbed Pilar and with surprising strength threw her down on the ground in the center of the shack.  She laid on top of Pilar and began to chant as Kol stood next to them, raised her walking stick, and began to chant as well.

Pilar could feel the heat beginning to bear down on her, and within minutes the sound of the flames had overcome the chanting of the two witches.  The wooden shack was old and the wood was dry.  It was over very quickly.

Pilar opened her eyes and realized that she must have passed out - but miraculously she was still alive.  She could feel the weight of Jast who still lay on top of her, but she didn't respond so Pilar assumed that she was either unconscious or dead.  

Pilar carefully crawled out from under Jast and lay her down on the ground.  Her breathing was shallow but she was alive.  Her hair was all but burnt off and her clothes and skin were badly singed.  Pilar saw that Kol was prone on the ground only a few feet away and that she was burnt terribly.  Pilar checked her and found that Kol was dead.

"Pilar...Pilar," said Jast very faintly.

"Yes I'm here Jast, let me find you some water."

"You must take me back to the Wellspring - now.  Do not hesitate."

Pilar looked around and there was no sign of whoever burnt down the shack.  The smoldering remains of Kol's home lay scattered about the women who were now exposed to the sky.  Pilar knew that Jast was dying and there was nothing she could do medically to help her.  She only could do as Jast requested, here at her end.

Pilar picked up the old woman, who was surprisingly light and began to walk back to the pool called the Wellspring. 

***

Sep was following Pilar's trail as quickly as his meager skills allowed.  He was tired and his legs were trashed but he was fearful for his sister's safety, not to mention his own.  After he "appeared" in Jast's hut, he immediately started looking for Pilar, ultimately picking up the trail made by Pilar's boot print when she left for the Wellspring with Jast.  He was only  50 yards from the hut when the soldiers appeared.  He managed to hide and watch them which was a wise choice.  They were looking for someone named Jast, but she wasn't around so they burned the hut down and killed the guy who led them there.  Sep waited until they rode off, then he got moving, hoping that he had guessed right about the Pilar's trail.

***