The Witch's Reward

by Liz McCraine

  “I am sorry for your loss of a friend. I imagine it must be very painful.” She could tell the entire situation was very difficult, even for a king. To have a trusted friend turn from you and betray you was devastating, Larra knew firsthand from her experience with Christoff.

  “Thank you, my dear. All things considered, it would be remiss of me to execute judgment concerning your welfare when much of my previous information was supplied by a man who wanted you dead. You will be granted a reprieve, as my wife promised, and will remain in the palace until more information can be gathered and a fair trial given.”

  He sat back, an apology in his eyes. “Larra, know that if I were able, I would free you immediately. I do not feel that a person should die simply because they have been given an extraordinary gift. However, the peace of this kingdom depends upon the laws being upheld. My people trust me to enforce the law, no matter what. And for their sake, I cannot simply ignore it. But know that I will do everything in my power to release you from the punishment we both fear may be given. It will be my priority over the next several days to find a solution that is agreeable to all.”

  “I understand. Thank you for giving me time; it means more than I can say.”

  “Under the circumstances, I do not feel it necessary to have you guarded; though I ask you not to use your magic during the time you are here in the palace, as it might inspire fear amongst some of my people. Only Lissa and the knights who were with you know of your reason for being here. I did not want my people advised that there was a witch in their midst until judgment was absolutely necessary. My son will speak with his men and ask them to keep quiet. They are trustworthy and would not dare defy me in this, so rest assured that you will not be bothered while you are here in the palace. Both my son and my wife hold you in the utmost regard, as do I.”

  Larra was surprised to hear that Christoff had spoken so well of her. She imagined he felt a little guilty at learning that she didn’t have anything to do with the king’s sickness.

  “Is this your first time to the city, my dear?”

  “Yes, sire. My first time anywhere.”

  “Then you must look around. You are free to walk through the city as long as you take one of my men with you. Simply tell my steward when you wish to go and he will find someone to accompany you. I believe the autumn market is in full swing and will continue for a few more days. If you haven’t been before, then you should take advantage of the opportunity while you are here.”

  Larra smiled weakly, “Thank you. I have always wanted to go, but think that under the circumstances I should avoid running into other villagers from Farr until my fate has been decided.”

  “Very well. I will meet with you again after I have had a chance to personally verify the laws and search my counselor’s room.” He rose from his chair and moved around the desk, offering Larra his arm. As they slowly walked toward the door, Larra noticed a brilliant tapestry covering an area of the wall. The king perceived her interest and led her to it, giving her time to stare.

  “It is one of my favorites,” he said. “I found this, and another that is in my private chambers, hidden away in an abandoned tower several years ago. It brings me peace just to look at it.”

  And it did. Larra was transfixed by the story woven into the wall covering, the delicate threads casting a glow that pulled the viewer into the art. The cottage in the glen, the birds singing from the blossoming trees, and the warmth of a golden sun all seemed to shower Larra with a feeling of calm. She knew that it was her mother’s work, though she had never seen it before. Just standing next to the tapestry and feeling the magic flow from it was all the witness Larra needed.

  She pulled away, knowing her time in the king’s office was over. As they continued to the door, the king spoke. “Incidentally, my dear, how did you come by your magic? I thought fairies stopped giving it to humans some years ago. And you are far too sweet to have gotten it from carnies.”

  With a sad smile, Larra told him what she had learned about her mother, as well as about the incident with the lumbar.

  “So I received it indirectly. I’m sure the fairy had no idea what he’d done.”

  “Didn’t he?” responded the king in a speculative tone. He then opened the door and showed her out, leaving Larra to wonder if she had been part of some unforeseen destiny. She recalled the words of the gnome and the fortune that had been told. She had, indeed, suffered the “lash of man’s evil desire.” Now she wondered if she would be blessed with great rewards or if she would be executed.

  The gardens were even more beautiful by daylight. It had been three days since her conversation with King Steffan, and Larra had enjoyed every moment. The servants in the palace treated her with respect and often sent smiles her way when she passed. She was allowed to eat her meals in her chamber, a beautifully feminine room with dark wood furniture and decorated in delicate colors of rose and cream. When she wasn’t in her room, she wandered through the palace gardens, as she was doing now. She hadn’t seen either the king or queen during her sojourn, and had even succeeded in avoiding Christoff. He had sent her several notes over the last few days, but she had tossed them into her fireplace without opening them. She didn’t want thoughts of that man to invade what few moments of life she might have left.

  There were climbing roses, fountains with floating flowers, and carefully carved hedges made to resemble figures of fairies, gnomes, and strange animals from faraway lands. Larra stopped by one such animal, a mystical-looking creature resembling a horse with a horn on the center of its head. She looked at it for a moment, wondering where such an animal lived or if it was simply a make-believe creature created by the gardener. She had already spent time examining the many different plants and flowers in the garden, but found nothing she hadn’t seen before.

  Just thinking of healing made Larra wonder how her grandmother was faring. Not for the first time, she was grateful the prince had taken the time to ensure the older lady’s wellbeing before carting Larra away. She hoped her grandmother was still well, and that the sorrow over losing her granddaughter wasn’t more than she could bear. Larra was grateful that the king was considerate and wise and was looking into the matter of her possible execution with all thoroughness. Perhaps there was reason to hope, after all. Perhaps she might even see her grandmother again.

  She found a marble bench to sit upon and turned her face to the sun, enjoying the soft warmth of its rays on her skin. The peace she felt here was welcome compared to the suffering she had experienced over the last few weeks and she wished it could go on forever. Her thoughts turned from her grandmother to Sir Griffen and she promised herself that should she be allowed to live, she would tell him that he had a daughter. She wished she could have told him days ago, but knew that it was for the best that he had no knowledge of their connection until her fate was certain. He was such a good, kind man, and didn’t deserve to find out he had a daughter only to have her executed. She didn’t want him to suffer as her grandmother had suffered. Still, she held on to the hope that one day soon she would be able to tell him the truth.

  The sound of leather soles on fine gravel alerted Larra to an intruder in her peaceful world. She jerked around to see a uniformed guard approaching.

  “The king has come to a conclusion. He wishes to speak with you.” The formal tone scattered the remnants of her happy moment and she rose to her feet to follow him.

  This time, instead of being shown to the king’s study, she was brought to the great hall where both King Steffan and Queen Lissa sat on their magnificent thrones, dressed in their formal robes. The king signaled for the room to be emptied, and immediately the dozen or so lords and ladies and servants exited, leaving Larra feeling like a tiny bug under a big shoe.

  “Come forward, Larra,” beckoned the king. She walked along the golden carpet until she was at the base of the throne. She curtseyed to both royals before standing straight and tall. Though she’d hoped for more time, she was prepared to hear the king’s
decision.

  His voice seemed to echo through the great room as he spoke in a deep, confident tone. “After our last meeting, I went to my counselor’s private chambers with my guards to see for myself all that the man had been doing in secrecy. What we found was both frightening and insightful.

  “One thing that well-educated men and women have in common is that they like to keep records of their work. It lets them see how much they’ve accomplished and how to proceed with their findings. My counselor, Lucien, was no different. Besides detailed accounts of the experiments he conducted on innocent creatures of the woods, there was also a diary with his plans regarding my death and subsequent marriage to my spouse.” The king and his wife shared a meaningful look, and King Steffan reached over to tenderly cover the queen’s hand with his own.

  “Also recorded were the specific measurements of an odorless, tasteless poison so as to slowly and unsuspectingly kill someone. I had been drinking the tea for some weeks, and should have already died, according to his charts. I was lucky, I suppose, to have lasted so long. Also found on his desk was the black stone you mentioned, and an odd-looking crystal ball. All of this corroborates with what you told me three days ago.” He smiled gently at Larra, and she found herself pleased to be proven right. It was childish of her, but she felt that way nonetheless.

  “The most interesting thing that we found, however, had nothing to do with his experiments and plans, and everything to do with the old law books that were carelessly tossed into the corner of the room.”

  Larra’s heart stuttered. Here it came.

  “I recall well when my father started the executions. At the time, I remembered hearing that it was the law to execute any human with magic. With men and women burning at the stake, it was not unexpected that such a statement spread like wildfire throughout the kingdom. When I learned of your existence, I remembered what I had heard about the law and assigned Lucien the task of discovering a way around it. Of course, he did no such thing. I doubt he even bothered to open the books, as dusty as they were found.

  “And as it turns out, we were all wrong.” He paused dramatically. “There was never such a law written.”

  He smiled fully, then. And as his words sunk in, Larra was overcome with elation so intense that tears filled her eyes and began to fall down her cheeks.

  “I don’t know all of the reasons behind my father’s prejudice and discrimination of men and women who had a different sort of gift than most—the gift of magic. I imagine it was fear, inspired by those first people who conspired to kill him. And as with any fear, I imagine it grew disproportionately until it consumed his every thought, and consequently, his every ruling concerning the so-called witches.

  “What I do know is that there is nothing written that says having and using magic is against the law. Indeed, I believe that such a gift as you have can be a blessing to one and all, and I hope you will use it often to help those around you, as you have helped me.

  “Please accept my formal apology on behalf of myself and the kingdom of Aggadorn for the pain and suffering you have been through, and for the actions of my former counselor. You did not deserve what you suffered, and my wife and I feel it necessary to make amends.”

  The king looked to his wife, who was also smiling at the news. Larra was still at a loss for words.

  “Larra,” said the queen. “My husband and I have discussed your situation, and we’d like to offer you employment as a healer in the palace. You would be given your own chambers, be free to go about as you please, and receive a substantial income for your work. It would be a privilege to have someone with your gift working to help us here in the city.”

  It took Larra a moment before she could respond. The offer was incredible. She could remain in this beautiful place where there was such peace, doing what she knew best and living out the rest of her days in freedom and wealth. It was a dream come true. A dream she hadn’t even known she had.

  But working at the palace also meant being in contact with Christoff.

  Like a rose after the first frost, the dream began to whither. There was no way she could remain in this place knowing that she would have to face him regularly and yet never be with him. It would bruise her heart until she began to bleed, and any peace she found here would turn into turmoil. To live her life to the fullest, she would have to do so outside the palace walls. That left only one option for her.

  “Your majesties, thank you for such a generous offer. Truly, it is beyond my expectations. But I cannot accept. I think it would be best if I returned to Farr.” Their smiles faded and Larra felt horrible for rejecting their gracious gift. But it had to be done.

  “Your life is yours to live as you please, naturally,” replied the king, concerned. “But are you certain it is what you want? Is there nothing that can keep you here?” He shared a look with his wife, as though the two knew some secret but couldn’t say.

  “Yes, Larra, are you positive there is nothing, or no one, for whom you would change your mind?” pressed the queen.

  “I am determined to go, though I have never seen a finer place than this and will surely miss being here, as well as miss your kindness.”

  “Well, if you are certain…?” At Larra’s nod the king sighed. “Very well. We can provide you with a horse and guard to accompany you back to your village. Also, take this,” he held out a heavy leather pouch. When Larra accepted it, she saw that it was filled with gold coins and precious stones.

  “But, sire—“

  “Don’t refuse it. It’s the least we can do after everything that’s happened. Take it back to your family.”

  “Thank you.”

  “When would you like to begin your journey?”

  “With all due respect, I believe my fellow villagers are at the market and will be returning home soon. I could easily travel with them, provided they are not afraid of me.”

  “Yes, the fair is just about finished. You didn’t change your mind about attending?”

  “No. I was afraid of what would happen if the people from my village saw me. They don’t know what has transpired in the last couple of weeks, and the last they saw me was when my magic was discovered.”

  “Yes, I see. You are certainly in a predicament, but it is one that my wife and I can easily solve for you. We were not planning to make an appearance at the market this year, all things considered; however, I believe we shall accompany you to meet your villagers so that they know you have our support. When would you like to depart?”

  Larra didn’t think she could remain another day. Christoff’s messages had been coming with increased frequency and she didn’t know how much longer she could hold him off. She needed to leave before she saw him, or she would suffer all over again. At the same time, she couldn’t depart without speaking to Sir Griffen.

  “I think the sooner, the better,” she replied. “But I have an odd request.”

  “Name it and it is yours.”

  “You promised me a guard to escort me. Do I still have that privilege?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Then, may I request that Sir Griffen accompany me to Farr?”

  “Sir Griffen?” The king was surprised.

  “Are you certain there is not another you would prefer? Perhaps our son, Christoff?” Queen Lissa asked, almost tentatively.

  “I am certain,” answered Larra.

  “Then it shall be as you request,” the king declared. “Gather up any personal items and clothes you wish to bring with you, and let us make haste or we will miss your villagers’ departure.”

  “Where is she?”

  The fierce demand shattered the quiet of Steffan’s office and he looked up, not surprised to see his son bursting through the door.

  “You are referring to the young lady, Larra?”

  “Don’t act so innocent. You know well that I am referring to the girl. What have you done with her? I sent a message to her room only to have it returned with the cryptic explanation that she no long
er resided in the castle. Tell me what has happened!” Christoff slammed his fists on the desk in front of his father, anger and worry radiating from his body.

  “Don’t yell at me, son,” cautioned Steffan. “If the young lady in question is no longer here, it is not because of anything I have done.” He pointed an accusing finger at the angry prince, who stood up in confusion.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You know that we met with the girl two days ago and informed her of her freedom. Your mother and I offered her a position here in the palace as a healer, but she decided not to take it.”

  Christoff’s face was almost comical in its amazement. “She refused?”

  “Your surprise is no greater than ours. We were certain she would accept. It’s not every day that someone is offered such a position, with all the rewards it entails. And to be frank, your mother and I were certain she wouldn’t want to leave you. We thought for sure that after you apologized to her for your obvious stupidity she would accept your suit and want to remain near you.” He watched Christoff cringe. “You did speak to her…?”

  At Christoff’s expression of self-remorse, Steffan shouted, “What were you thinking, son?”

  He and his wife had spoken to Christoff days ago, just after Lucien’s death, and their son had told them everything that had transpired between him and the girl. He had asked for their blessing to court the girl, and they had readily agreed, much to his surprise. Noble blood wasn’t nearly as important as being a person of honor and integrity, which Larra was. She would make an excellent future queen. But she had surprised them by running away as fast as she could.

  Christoff shouted back. “I was thinking that she’d want to speak with me, but she didn’t! I sent her innumerable messages over the last several days, requesting an audience. But she never once responded. I tried to seek her out in the gardens, where all and sundry knew she loved to spend her time, but it was as though she knew my schedule. She only went when I was training with my men.”