by c a king
The colour drained from Malarchy's face. “Very well, we will look into it, now away with you.”
“No, we have a deal. I am not going back to the place anymore. I want a room here, tonight, and to be treated as one of you,” Arnold barked back.
“Who do you think you are talking to?” Malarchy snapped grabbing the boy's arm and dragging him towards the garden gates. “You will do what I say, when I say and right now I say you will go back to town as if nothing has happened. After I check out your tale, I will decide what it's worth to me and not a second before. Do you understand me?” Without waiting for an answer, he added, “Good.” Then he turned the boy over to the guards with instructions to remove him from the grounds and send Zsiga to the gardens.
It took less than a minute for Zsiga, the head guard, to reach the stone table where Malarchy had taken a seat. His skin, hair and eyes were all dark allowing him to move in the shadows with ease, especially at night, one of the skills which had helped him obtain the position of leader over the other guards. His impressive muscular build was another. “Sir, you sent for me?” he asked.
Malarchy seemed to be off in deep thought. He looked up and answered, “Yes, yes I did. Get together a team of men. There is something that must be done to protect the greater good of our citizens. I will meet you at the main gates with instructions in two hours. Make sure your men are prepared with weapons ready and lit torches.” He dismissed the guard and moved inside the castle where he stared at the blank wall silently until it was time to give his instructions.
Chapter Six
Willow sat up straight, and took in a deep breath. She must have been dreaming again she told herself. It was hours still before she had to get up. She lay back down and had just closed her eyes again when a scream sounded outside. This time she knew she wasn't dreaming. She jumped out of bed.
'What are you doing? Where are you going?' The female voice shrieked. 'Stay inside. You don't know what is happening out there. You could get hurt.'
“Sounds like someone else is hurt. I need to try to help,” she said out loud. Truth was she was scared and wasn't sure who she was trying to convince, the voices or herself. Things had been changing so fast lately. Her life had become a mystery she needed to solve. She opened the door and stepped into the street.
'Go back inside!' The voices were louder now as if upset. 'You aren't even dressed. Someone could see.'
Willow didn't even hear the voices. She was stunned at the sight of guards piling books from Diana's house on to a big bonfire in the middle of the street. There was one guard on each side of the house stopping people from getting close. Diana was being held by her arms by two guards on the front porch. She was screaming and crying. Nathan was curled up on the side of the porch. Without thinking she ran towards him. Nathan, seeing her moving toward him, got up to meet her at the edge of the porch. A hand grabbed her shoulder from behind.
It was Faramund the guard she had been talking to earlier that day. He pulled her back into the shadow between the two houses. “You shouldn't be out here girl,” he said. He turned his gaze to the boy still holding on to Willow's waist. “He doesn't need to see this. Take him to your home. You can't help the woman now.” He removed his jacket and put it over her shoulders. “Quickly now, before anyone else notices. The Council would be far harder on you than they will be on the storyteller if they find out.” He moved out of the shadow and back to his post.
Willow looked down and realized she was wearing her night dress. It was white and sometimes hung off one shoulder. Suddenly, she understood. Faramund had seen the pictures on her back. He was helping her. As the guard had suggested, they ran across the street back to her room where she had the boy turn around so she could change into clothes that covered everything.
She didn't understand what was going on, but she had a feeling she knew who did. She had Nathan lie down and try to rest, then took a position as if she were meditating and called out inside her head, 'I know you can hear me. I think it's time you told me what is going on.'
'When it's time we will. You have to understand, there are things you must discover on your own. Unless you are in direct danger.'
Willow cut the voice off. 'Danger, you don't think what is happening to Diana is danger?'
'A dangerous situation perhaps, but it doesn't impose direct danger to you and that is our concern. What is happening here is wrong, but you can't fight it alone and definitely not before you mature to your full potential. Until that time you must be patient and trust us.'
She stood and moved to the door. Opening it a crack, she saw the guards taking Mrs. Waddington towards the castle, with her hands bound in rope behind her back. Willow looked back at Nathan on the bed, 'People are getting hurt. How can I do nothing when I know they would do everything for me?'
'You are more special than you know. Others see that,' the male voice responded to her alone.
She left the door slightly open and backed up to the wall, sliding down to a sitting position, and watched the fire burning all the books she loved so much. Tears swelled in the corners of her eyes until she could no longer handle the burning. She cried.
At the same time, rain started to pour down, harder than she had remembered it ever raining before. Within minutes the bucket on her table was already over flowing. She sat, tears racing down her cheeks, watching the rain turn the fire to smoke, oblivious to everything else.
Clairity ran across the street and knelt down to her. “What are you doing? It's late. The Council will be in town anytime now and the stands are empty.”
Willow looked at her and replied, “It's still raining. I never start work till the rain stops.”
“It's been raining for hours. No one knows why. It's never happened before. Come on I will help you,” Clairity offered.
The two girls decided to leave Nathan in bed agreeing he needed the sleep and headed out back. Willow was feeling better with a friend to lean on. The rain was starting to let up. She didn't even notice when it stopped completely. She had been too absorbed in getting the stands filled, telling herself people counted on her and she couldn't let them down.
Four guards came to her stand, two picking up the Council's needs because of the unusually wet weather and the other two attended to the needs of the guard house. After they left, people darted from their houses picking up essentials and hurried home again. Even when the sun was shining again, no one lingered outside and talk was short without eye contact. People were scared.
Ashlyn joined her friends behind the produce stands. “Where do you think they took her? I hope she is okay,” she said sitting down, with a blank stare on her face.
The other two girls looked at her both placing one finger in front of their lips, motioning for her to be quiet. “Nathan is still sleeping inside,” Clairity explained.
“Sorry,” Ashlyn whispered back.
“It's okay, I am up,” Nathan said from the door. He moved over and sat down, staring across the road at his grandmother's house and the remains of charred books in the middle of the street.
Some time had passed in complete silence when Ashlyn motioned for the others to look up. Jade, Camile and Sabrina were almost skipping by like nothing had happened. They headed straight to Ashlyn's house, most likely to check on their orders.
It was only a few minutes later that the girls emerged, Jade slamming the front door. Just from looking at their faces one could tell they were not happy about something. Jade practically stomped over to the Shinning house with the other two trying to console her about something. Martha appeared in her doorway and motioned for her daughter to stay where she was. Seconds later everyone in town would hear Jade let out a blood curdling scream. People were peeking out their windows and doors at the Jewelry maker's house trying to catch sight of anything they could.
Jade emerged from the house yelling. “I'll be back with others. Don't think you'll get away with this.” She stormed down the street back to the castle, her two friends running
behind her.
“What was that about?” Nathan asked.
“Not sure,” Clairity replied. “But I have a feeling we need to stay here. This isn't over yet.”
The four of them continued making baskets for people as they sporadically appeared. It was about an hour later when they were packing up the remaining food that Jade returned with her mother and headed straight to the Shinning place. They could hear an argument but couldn't make out the words. It lasted for about ten minutes, then Nebulah and Jade emerged and walked to the dressmaker's house. This time Nebulah motioned for her daughter to remain outside. Jade stood glaring in Willow's direction while waiting. Again an argument could be heard but they didn't know what it was about. When Nebulah returned to her daughter they had a few words and Jade raised her voice, “I don't care. I want them and I will have them. They are making fools of us mother and you are letting them.” Jade stormed off back to the castle her mother walking slowly behind her.
Willow was starting to head over to the Jewelry maker's house when Martha ran out and sent her back. “Not now, let this settle. We can handle it. You four just deliver those boxes and call it a night. Get some extra sleep.” She handed Willow an extra blanket and pillow for Nathan and turned to go back inside.
Willow was glad the group did as suggested. After the night before, she was exhausted and fell right to sleep.
Some time during the night the pile of burnt books was removed from the road. All that was left the next morning was a black spot on the grey and brown path where the fire had been. Willow attended to her normal duties trying to start the day as if nothing had happened. It was impossible to not see something was going on. Her beliefs were confirmed when the Council sent guards for their daily needs again. Nathan had suggested perhaps the Council realized they could do less if they made the guards do daily errands for them. Having a giggle together was the highlight of the morning for the two. The day stretched on with people hurrying to get their food and trying to avoid talking.
She wondered how long they would live like this, scared to interact with each other. Suddenly to her surprise Jade appeared in front of her.
“Do you really think you can be anywhere near better than me. This is a warning to you. I will get what I want no matter what it takes. I'd move aside if I were you before you or your friends get hurt.” Jade flipped her hair as she turned and headed towards her home.
Willow took a moment to process what had just happened. Had Jade really just threatened her? Why? What had she done? It was time to go for a visit and find out.
She opened the door to the Shinning house and walked in. Augusto Shinning was working on what looked like a necklace. He was a funny looking little man with pure white messy hair that was well overdue to be cut and a big white moustache which curled up at the ends. He looked up at her and called for his wife.
“Opaque, we have company.” He stopped his work and smiled at her. “How are you today Miss Willow?”
She wasn't sure how to answer. Under the circumstances it almost felt like a trick question. Luckily she was saved by Mrs. Shinning.
“What a lovely surprise. Does Dezi know you are here? I can call him.”
“No thank you,” Willow said, her voice shaking a little. “I came to see you.”
“Oh,” Opaque replied. “What can we do for you my dear?”
“Well,” she said thinking about her words for a second before deciding to just tell them out right. “I had a visit from Jade today. She was angry at me for something. I am not sure I understand why. I saw she had an argument with you as well and I wondered if it was in some way connected.”
Augusto took a deep breath in and let it out slowly. “I am afraid it is the things some people in town are making for you to go to the dance. Jade decided she wanted them for herself and when we refused to give them to her she became enraged.”
Willow had a look of horror on her face. “I don't want to be the cause of any arguments. Please make the items for her so she will be happy.”
“No my dear, it doesn't matter if we give the things we are working on to her. The second we make you something else she would want that too. Greed has overtaken that girl. The town all agreed we would not give in. The items we make for you, will be for you. Don't worry about Jade. She will have to get over it. Now head on home and put it out of your mind.”
She did as he requested and headed back across the street. Ashlyn met her part of the way.
“Guess they told you huh.”
Willow nodded and retold the story of Jade from earlier.
“That's terrible. She actually threatened you and your friends?” Ashlyn looked astonished. “I wouldn't worry. What can she do? Her parents aren't about to take on the whole town.”
It was the next day when Jade and her mother returned again. This time she was carrying something in a hand basket and her two girlfriends, Camile and Sabrina were on either side of them. They headed straight to the Shinning house again. Jade and Nebulah entered and the other two stood outside. They looked ridged, nervous almost. Sometime passed before mother and daughter appeared again. Whatever Jade had been carrying was gone and they entered the seamstress's house. This time all four went in and emerged a few minutes later. As they moved across the street Willow could see Ashlyn in her doorway. She shrugged her shoulders before her mother closed the door.
Jade stepped forward smiling. “I am sorry for the way I acted. I hope you will forgive me. I am sure we can be friends and we can't wait to have you come to the dance.”
Willow was almost in shock. “Thank you,” was all she could manage to say.
They headed back to the castle.
'What was that?' she asked with her inside voice.
'Trust your instincts,' was the answer she received.
Martha and Opaque both crossed the street to see her.
“See! We knew no parent would allow their daughter to act like that,” Mrs. Shinning smiled.
“Everything is fine now and you will have a wonderful time at the dance,” Martha added placing her arm around Willow's shoulders and squeezing.
“I suppose,” Willow still wasn't sure. “If you don't mind me asking what did Jade bring you?” she asked Mrs. Shinning.
“Not me dear. She felt bad for the way this affected Dezi and his brothers. She wanted to make sure they still attend the dance so she made them a small cake. The four of them enjoyed it together while the adults talked about designs for the Council girls.”
Willow couldn't imagine Jade baking anything. But over the days leading up to dance, she came everyday with a baked cake for the three boys.
The days and nights had been relatively uneventful and went by quickly. Then the dance day was upon them. Everyone was busy preparing last minute details.
Ashlyn, Nathan and Clairity had agreed to run the produce stands for the day so Willow could get ready. She was nervous and glad that Mrs. Shinning and Mrs. Needle were going to help her. The two ladies showed up and uncovered the most stunning dress and jewelry she had ever seen. They stepped outside while she slipped into the dress.
It was pure black and started with a collar around her neck attached to two straps that went down the front attaching to a sleeveless, backless top. It connected at the waist to a skirt that reached the floor. There was a gold chain that ran from the collar at the back to the top of the skirt at her waist. Suddenly she remembered the pictures. She stretched to look at her back. There was nothing there. Puzzled she continued looking until she heard a giggle. 'Alright you two, where did the cats go?'
She received her reply right away. 'To your stomach.'
'They can move? Why didn't you tell me?' She was quite upset.
'Relax, it's new,' the other voice said calmly. 'The further you go into your sixteenth cycle the more changes will happen.'
Martha peeked her head back in the door, “Can we come back in? Oh you look beautiful.” The two ladies walked in without waiting for an invitation.
“St
unning,” Opaque added. “Your hair, it's...red,” she added looking at the seamstress. “I haven't seen that colour in a very long time.”
The two ladies helped Willow fix her hair up off her neck with a few wispy strands flowing down around her face, then put on the earrings, necklace and hair pin that had been designed just for her.
It was time to practice walking in the shoes. The two women had her walk back and forth until she could walk without toppling over, something Willow thought was the hardest task she ever had to do. In the end it wasn't perfect, but on the arm of a strong guy she could get through the night. Confident they had done their best, the two mothers left, heading home as did Willow's friends. Nathan was staying at Ashlyn's for the night so there was nothing to interrupt the evening.
Clairity came over a few minutes later. “Wow you look amazing.”
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I had a feeling you might need some company,” Clairity replied.
“Right again,” Willow said. “I am nervous. What if I make a fool of myself, or fall down or...”
“Don't be silly,” her friend interrupted. “You will be brilliant.”
The two girls sat and waited. The sun had gone down and, from where they were, the girls could hear the music from the dance.
“He isn't coming is he?” Willow said more as a statement than a question. Her eyes glancing down at the ground.
“Maybe something happened. You don't know for sure. He wouldn't just not show up. You two are good friends.” Clairity turned around seeing that her friend wanted to change out of the pretty dress she was wearing. “You could wait a bit longer.”
Once back in her own clothes, she handed the dress, shoes and jewelry to Clairity. “Would you return these for me? I am sure someone will be able to put them to good use.” She said her hands shaking.
