by Unknown
The witch snickered as she opened the jar and grabbed one slippery tail. "Nay, lass. I'm only hungry, 'tis all." With that, she bit the end off of the tail, chewing and crunching loudly. Gwen quickly raised her hand to her mouth and turned her head.
Cain, seeing many unsavory things in his life, continued focusing back on the last topic of their conversation, ignoring the witch smacking her lips as she stuffed the rest of the bite into her mouth.
"Who is it?" he continued, "Rowena?" And then very quietly he asked, "Is my mother alive?"
Cain felt Gwen tense next to him. He caught a glimpse of her expression full of apprehension. The witch's laughter brought Cain's gaze back to her. "There's many secrets with that one," she said nodding to Gwen, smiling with little bits of gray tail stuck in her teeth.
Cain's brow furrowed as he stared at the witch. What other secrets were Gwen keeping from him? Would the secrets never end! A thought occurred to Cain. "'Tis said ye can see into the future...so do ye ken? Is Rowena alive?"
The witch smiled, gazing into some unknown. "Aye. I see the beast that is your mother, but nay in the future, but the past. Ye're in a cavern. Ye, her, and others fill the small cave. A fight has wrung out," she said, jerking from side to side in her bed, dodging invisible punches. "Ye escape. One not so lucky. A lass lives on in happiness, but only after she ends your mother's life cycle."
"She's dead," Cain said, surprise and anger filling him. He had desperately wanted to be the one to end his mother's miserable existence.
"Aye," the witch said. She smiled over at Gwen. "No more worries about that one, lassie."
Gwen nodded, staring down at her fidgeting fingers. Suddenly, the witch flicked her hand toward the opening. "Leave! I'm done with ye!" she yelled.
Hesitating, both Cain and Gwen oddly rose. The witch quickly covered Gwen's hand. "Not ye!" She jabbed her finger at Cain. "Only him!"
Gwen stayed kneeling by the bed as Cain went to wait with Grimmly. He gave one last look to Gwen before he vanished around the corner. When Gwen looked back to the witch, she was staring hard and serious at Gwen. "Dinna do it, lass," she said sternly. The witch rubbed her calloused thumb over the tattoo on Gwen's wrist. Gwen quickly jerked her arm away. "'Tis too strong for ye. Those evils will eat ye up and spit ye out. Ye ken nothing of them. That's the way it should be."
Gwen lightly rubbed her fingers across the tattoo, out of the witches sight. The brand burned. The inked skin bulged and rose briefly as she caressed it. Gwen quickly pressed her palm against it. The tattoo had been pulsing of late. She hadn't told anyone and planned to keep it that way.
"Here," the witch said, reaching out for Gwen's hand. Cautiously, Gwen placed her hand in the witch's. The witch flipped her hand so Gwen's palm faced up. Leaning up from the bed, the witch studied her hand. "Aye. Ye're verra strong, lass." She glanced up to Gwen with a big grin. "Just like your mum and gram."
Gwen pulled back her hand. "Well, I wouldn't know. I've never met either."
At that moment, the witch's eyes turned glassy. She quickly wiped her nose. "Weel then, I better tell ye what I called ye down here for." She pointed to the center of the floor. "Ye see the big, awkward stone in the middle?"
"Yes."
"Go over and lift it. Ye'll find a wrapped item. Bring it to me."
Gwen walked over to the large stone, shaped almost like a hexagon. Sinking her fingers into the dirt joints, she pried up the stone. As the witch had said, a long tubular object was tightly wrapped in black velvet.
"Here," Gwen said, handing the treasure over to the old crone.
"Ahh, good, good," she said taking the object and unwrapping it, uncovering a rolled piece of aged parchment, sealed with what appeared to be black tar in the shape of a spider. "This is what he seeks," she said as her gaze darted to the opening into the hall.
Gwen caught her breath. "The spell of Immortality?" The witch nodded with a grin. Gwen frowned. "How did-. How did you get that?"
The witch waved the question away. She held out the rolled page to Gwen, but quickly yanked it back when she was about to take it. "I ken ye love him, but does he feel the same about ye, lass? Ye both have grown." The witch made a sad smile. "I wonder what he wants more, his life of Immortality back, or ye?"
Gwen stared at the missing page in her hand. Why was the witch giving it to her?
"Because I dinna trust a man with it, lass!" the witch snapped.
Gwen's cheeks blushed as her gaze met the witch's. She should have known better than to discount the idea that the old crone would be able to read her thoughts.
"If ye give him this spell," the witch began, "he'll become Immortal, and his thirst for black magic will surpass any want he's ever known. He will follow that dark path, knowing he can contain the evils in his Immortal body, magic becoming the only importance in his life.
"On the other hand, ye dinna give him the spell and he'll stay human, but the evils will eat away his soul. His human body is too weak to restrain them, but he will love ye. Ye will be number one in his life."
"Why are you doing this," Gwen whispered harshly. "Why do I have to choose for him?"
"Why wouldn't ye want to choose for him, lass?" the witch asked softly. The witch motioned forward. "I'm putting this in your locket," she said, opening the small silver locket Julianna had left Gwen. Before closing her eyes, the witch turned the locket between her fingers. "Keep this safe. It looks verra old." Before Gwen could comment, the witch mumbled something, instantly transforming the parchment into a glowing cloud of gold dust. It floated through the air from the witch's hand and into the locket. The locket closed with a click and the witch leaned back. "If ye choose to give it to him, all ye do is open your locket. Now, go!" she said, her voice abruptly turning raspy and crotchety.
"Wait," Gwen said, "Why are you helping us?"
The witch smiled a soft caring smile. "I taught your mum to feel the magic within herself. It was one of the saddest days of my life when she died...but then there was ye, a smaller version of the lass I was so fond of."
"You knew my mother well?"
The witch's knarled hand reached out, caressing the cheek of Gwen. "I saw her nearly every day of her life. Yer mother was verra gifted. She held the power of supreme magic inside her. The purist, most unevil of magic. The talented lass was filled with an abundance of the magic." The witch glanced up to Gwen. "Most only get a tiny spark of that kind of magic, if they are lucky. Many of us that are gifted, either use the small bits of supreme magic inside us, or turn to sacred stones, gems, or amulets to enhance our powers. Few turn to black magic, the easier of magics, which is the complete opposite. Those poor warlocks end up losing their minds, and pay with their souls."
Gwen shivered. Was that what was in Cain's future?
The witch smiled. "Too much worry for such a small lass." The witch suddenly took Gwen's hand and held it against Gwen's chest, over her heart. "Ye have what was in your mother. I dinna think it possible, but every bit of supreme magic that was in your mum, traveled to ye when ye were a wee bairn in her tum." The witch cleared her throat. "Ye ken, I tried to keep ye away from here. That day on the road with those two hooligans, and then again in the cave...I wanted to make sure Cain wasn't harming ye." The witch blew out a sigh. "I think I could find ye anywhere with all that magic ye hold inside of ye."
Gwen sat back on her heels, letting the witch's hand fall to the bed. She ran her hands over her face. "I'm not magic," she said quietly, but the witch had already closed her eyes and shallow snores sounded. Gwen rose, stumbling toward the exit of the room, but the old witch yelled her name before she stepped out. Gwen turned. "Dinna wait too long to make your decision, lass. He doesna have much time. Evil is coming."
Gwen strode around the corner, running into Cain's chest. He grasped her waist. They both gazed at each other knowing much was needed to be said between them, but standing below the dungeons with Grimmly was not the place, nor the time.
They followed Grimmly back up t
he way they came, but when they walked through the dungeons, a commotion sounded behind Gwen as she reached the steps to the main castle floor. Spinning on her heel, she discovered two guards wrestling with Cain.
"Oh no, ye don't!" one of the guards yelled, twisting Cain's arm behind his back.
Gwen ran forward, but Grimmly reached out, holding her back. "No!" Gwen yelled, pushing his arm aside.
Grimmly caught her again. "'Tis for the best, lass."
Gwen spun around to face Grimmly. "No, please don't let them Grimmly...please," she cried.
A look of pity crossed his face. "I'm sorry lass, but your father commanded it. Cain is to be beheaded on the morrow."
Gwen choked on her breath, unable to swallow. Cain put to death? "Why!" she demanded. "Is this about the thieving? That was years ago!"
Grimmly's jaw ticked. "'Tis not only the thieving now, but also because he is the reason your father's witch lay on her death bed."
Gwen sputtered. "She told me she wanted to die! She knew her magic would back fire, injuring her! Besides, my father ordered the witch to cast a spell on him," she said outraged. "He's the one at fault for killing his own witch!
"And who will tell him that?" Grimmly whispered fiercely, leaning down close to her face. He pointed to the floors above his head as he yelled quietly, "That, that-." Grimmly cursed and took a moment, collecting himself. "Your father," he gritted out, "is ne'er wrong. Now, I willna be the one to correct him."
Gwen shoved out of Grimmly's arms and ran over to the corner cell just as the guards slammed the iron door shut on Cain. Gwen ran up to the bars, gripping them. Cain lay in the corner slumped, blood running from above his eye. "What did you do!" she screamed, turning on the guards.
Before the guards did anything they would regret to the laird's daughter, Grimmly strode over, standing between them. "Leave us!" he shouted to the sentries. Turning to Gwen, he said, "If ye think his punishment is so wrong, I suggest ye take it up with your father."
Gwen clenched her teeth, glaring up at Grimmly. "Then-I-will," she bit off. Casting one more glance over to Cain, she caught sight of him beginning to stir. "Cain, I'm here," she yelled. "I promise I'll get you out."
Cain glanced up at her, his teeth clenched, eyes black. He gripped his stomach. "No, lass," he gritted out in pain. "'Tis too late. Everyone will be better off if I'm dead." Gwen shook her head furiously. He looked up at her one last time.
"Especially ye."
* * * * *
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Gwen had not seen her father since that fateful day, twenty-two years ago, when she had been six, heading to Julianna's keep. Her father hadn't even come down to say goodbye. It had been Grimmly who had seen her off with blurry eyes.
Gwen paced outside the closed doors to her father's great hall. Grimmly had briskly followed her from the dungeon after she had stormed furiously from Cain's cell with the plan to talk to her father. Upon reaching the doors, Grimmly had stopped her and told her he'd speak to her father first. Grimmly quietly slipped in, shutting the doors behind him. A moment later he returned.
"Your father promises he'll see ye shortly."
Gwen crossed her arms, knowing what her father's "shortly" meant. "I wish to see him now."
Grimmly's lips thinned. "I will ask your father once more." Grimmly returned back into the hall.
Gwen knew her father had wished she was a boy. She had heard stories growing up, gossip through the castle about the day she was born. Her mother had died shortly after giving birth to her and it was said that the Laird had stormed into the room after he heard the cries of a babe. The midwife went to place the tiny girl child in his arms, but he had glared down at his exhausted, dying wife, and then to the small girl child in disgust. It was rumored by servants that Ramsey stormed from the chamber, only to return shortly after, taking his wife's life. Gwen didn't know if that was true or not, since Grimmly and everyone that mattered said she died from childbirth. Gwen only knew that her father resented Gwendolyn, ever since the day she was born.
And now, Gwen had to plead with that monster to let Cain, the one man she would give her life for, to be freed and spared. Gwen chewed on her nail as she paced in front of the two, large, closed wooden doors to the hall. That was where Laird Ramsay held court, so to speak. She hadn't been in that hall, seen his gaudy chair with a red velvet seat since she had been a child.
The door opened and Grimmly stepped out, closing the door softly behind him. A look of pity crossed his face. "I'm sorry Gwendolyn, but your father willna be able to see ye. He's busy with-"
"No!" she yelled furiously. "He will not push me aside this time, Grimmly! I'm no longer the timid child from long ago. I will see him...now." Gwen pushed past a shocked Grimmly and stormed through the large oak doors. Eight serfs waited in line to talk to her father, most likely about their usual complaints involving taxes or land. Four guards stood behind and off to the side of her father's chair. At the sound of the doors slamming, they all drew their longswords.
Her father peered up as Gwen strode forward. Gwen held his humorous gaze the entire way until she stood before him. He looked older, his brown hair, sprinkled with grey. A full dark brown beard, nicely trimmed, covered the lower half of his face. His mouth quirked up into an amused grin, but his eyes...his eyes were anything but. Gwen knew he was enraged.
As she waited before him, both having a battle of wits it seemed, her father slowly rose. "Leave us...everyone," he commanded, his orders immediately followed. He ambled down the two steps and stood before Gwen. Reaching out, he picked up a lock of her hair and rubbed the thick strands between his forefinger and thumb, only to let it fall to her bosom a moment later.
"Ye look just like her," he said in a tone of disgust. He placed his hands behind his back and walked around Gwen as she stood rooted to the spot. Returning to her front, he said, "If ye think I will spare that thieving bastard's life down in the dungeon, you're verra much mistaken."
Gwen stared into her father's cold gaze. "I beg of you. If you will only ever show me one act of kindness in my entire life, then let it be granting this favor."
"Why?"
Gwen frowned. "F-father." The word came out awkward sounding. "Please," she said reaching out for her father's arm, "I love him."
Ramsey glanced down at Gwen's petite hand. He slowly took it in his own. As he played with her fingers and inspected her palm, he said, "So much like your mother." He slowly glanced up at Gwen, a look of contempt now covering his face. "Too much like her." Ramsey let her hand slip out of his. He walked back up the steps to his golden chair. As he sat down, his gaze went to Gwendolyn. "Nay, daughter. On the morrow, I will have his head." As Gwen cried out, Ramsey turned to his guards. "See my daughter to her chamber and make sure that she stays there until I have my prisoner's head."
"No!" Gwen screamed as two guards stepped forward and then stopped, unsure if Ramsey was finished or not. One of the spells Gwen had seen in Cain's small red spell book floated to the front of her mind. The incantation came easily. She raised her arms and began to chant the black arts spell for, "Vanished". A spell that would simply make one, "not be". Fury filled her as a bright light shot out from her hands.
The power radiating from her was beyond anything she had ever felt. Suddenly, a dark force began pulling from below. Gwen stumbled, falling to her hands and knees, the bright light instantly vanished, all power gone. Gwen panted as a horrible pain filled her right rib cage. A tattoo formed. She knew without having to look. The urge to vomit wasn't as overwhelming this time, but she still couldn't move, afraid nausea would overcome her.
After a moment, she realized the hall was deathly quiet. Gwen glanced up. Ramsey stared at her in awe as if a rare, highly valuable jewel had fallen before him. His few guards remaining in the hall had their swords drawn, but remained a distance from her. Gwen cringed as her gaze ran over one of the nearby guards. Only his legs remained. The top portion of his body, simply gone.
Ramsey slowly s
tepped down off his platform, only to stand before her. He gripped her chin, making her look up at him. "Weel, weel, weel, it looks as though sweet Gwendolyn may be useful to me yet."
Gwen jerked her head out of his hold. Suddenly, strong guards on each side of her, gripped her arms. "Get off of me!" she yelled.
Ramsey stared at her with a wicked grin on his face. "Take her away," he said to his guards, and then to Gwen, "and ye, daughter, I'll see in the morn. Then it will be your time to shine."
With the little energy she had left, Gwen flailed, kicked, and screamed the entire way to her chamber. A nervous Grimmly closely followed.
The guards shoved her into her childhood chamber and went to close the door, but Grimmly eyed them and shoved past, shutting the door behind him. He hurried over to Gwen who lay face down upon her bed, sobbing into the bright, fiery orange comforter. "Shh lass," he said, placing his hand on her back. "What-." Grimmly ran a hand over his face as he took a deep breath. "Sweet Jesu, Gwendolyn, what was that in there? What have ye done?"
Gwen flipped over. "I don't know!" she shrieked. "I was so mad and a spell I read a while ago came to me. I just blurted it out." Gwen wiped the tears away. "I want him dead," she gritted out. "I hate my father!"
A sad look fell across Grimmly's face. He lightly covered her hands which laid on her lap with his. "Gwendolyn," he said softly as she gazed up, fury in her eyes, "If only I could help Cain, I would, but...I canna do anything for the lad. Your father has made his decision."
Gwen slowly sunk back against the pillows. Tears ran down her cheeks as she silently shook her head. Grimmly's mouth tightened as he patted her knee before silently heading to the chamber door.
As Grimmly reached the threshold, he paused. With his back turned to her, he said, "Remember all those times I caught ye as a wee lass running around late at night along the parapet walls? I always wondered how ye got out after the nanny tucked ye in for the night." At the sound of Gwen's immediate silence, Grimmly glanced over his shoulder at her and gave her a small smile and wink. Grimmly cleared his throat and opened the door, talking in his usual, loud, commanding voice. "I bid ye goodnight, lass."
