Witchwood

The morning birds were stiring, tenatively calling in the still air of early dawn. Though the sky was lightening in the east, stars still shown weakly in the west. Along the edge of a hilly pasture a figure in much torn, very worn drab clothing paused to study the clearing. Wearily she raised a dirty, pale slender hand to push long tangled dark hair from her tired eyes. Dew lay in a heavy silver blanket over the thick spring grass before her.

Surveying the scene, the woman sighed deeply. There would be no quick crossing here until the dew lifted, and that would take much too long ... Turning to her right, she slowly made her way back into the forest. Moving with the exaggravated caution of one exhausted beyond all endurance, she carefully disengaged skirt, sleeve and shawl every time they caught upon bramble or twig. Every step she took was a triumph of will over body. Each laboured breath she drew, no matter how brief or hard, in freedom was a victory.

In the confusion following the deaths of Lord Hunold, Loyse, Lady of Verlaine and the escape of the witch of Estcarp, her own escape had been easy. As simple as walking from the kitchen to gate house with a meal and pitcher of beer for the guards stationed there. All she had done then was wait a moment for them to start their meal, and walk out of the castle. The gates were left open to pass another search party, and it had been but child's play to follow behind one search party and the next, without being seen.

That had been two days ago and now she was hungry and tired beyond measure. Except for a small loaf of hard bread, some cheese and a bottle of wine hidden in the folds of her cloak when she had left Verlaine, all she had had was water from a small rivulet running to the sea. There had been no oppertunity to forage for roots, berries or other growing things with so many searchers combing the land. At first it had seemed a good idea to stay near the keep then move south, away from Estcarp. The bulk of the search would surely be in that direction and not away from hope of succor. All eyes would be turned north, with little attention paid to any other direction. But her hopes had been foiled, for it seemed that where ever she turned, a squad of soldiers or peasants appeared never giving her a moment's rest. The search hadn't stopped or moved on ... Yet, what had she done wrong, what trail had she left them to follow?

So occupied with the twin problems of the continued search and weariness, her fatigued mind failed to notice a rising fog. It was not until the birds suddenly ceased their singing that she stopped concentrating on leaving no trace of her passage. Then the fact that something strange was happening registered upon her consciousness. A small pain started in her mind and heart. That brought alertness of the present and her suroundings back to her sharply.

An eriee quite settled over the forest as the fog raced along the ground around her ankles toward the clearing. Turning to face that direction, the pain started to grow in that part of herself that had once used the Power. Stumbling blindly toward the clearing, drawn by the pain and call of the Power, she halted beside a tree on the edge of the pasture. In the pasture's centre, the fog began to coalesce into a swirling column.

The temperture suddenly plumetted as the column reached it's limites. Then the fog began to thicken and darken until the column became a solid entity. Now dim sparkles of diffrent coloured lights appeared, swam then disappeared and reappeared over and over again. A low hollow booming began as if the tolling of some large iron bell from far, far away. With a start the fugitive suddenly realized that somehow, someway high magic was being manifested here and a gate was being opened! This had suddenly become the most dangerous place in all of Karsten! Anything might now appear out of the pillar and probably be much more deadly than whatever she had ever faced before from Fulk of Verlaine!

With a final booming note, a large shape materialised deep within the foggy heart of the gate. Like something viewed from a distant tower through morning mists, a dim uncertain shape slowly took on resolution. Much larger than a man, or even one of the hunting cats of the peaks, the shape moved slowly in the mists.

Mesmerized by the spectacle, Lendyth briefly forgot her weariness and troubles until another spasm of pain passed through her from inner most soul to aching toes in clammy shoes. Waking from memories of the past and using the Power to her current situation, Lendyth turned and fled swiftly as she could back into the forest. "Surely", she thought,"The searchers will have felt something of the energies released here or at the least heard the tolling of the gate! They will have heard the bell and converge upon this dale, forsaking all else in the hope of recapturing the Lady of Power and thwarting Estcarp. Fulk cannot afford an enemy appearing between his men and the keep!"

Splashing into, then along another small creek, she followed it down toward the sea. Even though it might mean capture and certain death. Anything was worth the risk to escape the memories and pain this tolling had brought her. Hopefully the legends about evil not being able to stand the touch of running water nor crossing it would prevent whatever had crossed from the gate into this world from following her! With those thoughts Lendyth left the stream and raced for the cliffs and the sea.

The darkness of the long tunnel was slowly easing and a dim light grew ahead. "Easy there girl, easy now" Siegfried slowly spoke to his mount, Windfola. "We're almost through and must be ready for whatever awaits us. Hopefully a pleasant inn, with fresh straw for you and a large bed for me!" Windfola snorted softly in agreement and settled into a steady walk. The large roan mare knew as well as her companion that anything could await them as they left this doorway from one world to the next. The tall man astride her shifted slightly in the saddle and readied himself. Windfola had choosen this man and would not willingly part from him until she could no longer serve him. Then another of her herd would come until his death.

Siegfried's quest had led him through many lands, then worlds far from his home. Many were the adventures and dangers he and Winna had faced. They had become a seasoned pair of experianced veterns in the last year, much closer than he had ever been with any one or thing, except his God. For Windfola had been a gift from his God Hiemendal's own herd. Siegfried was a holy soldier, a paladin of Hiemendal and on a quest to expunge the stain upon his honour and seek his god's forgiveness.

Windfola's steps ceased to echo as the exit to the door between worlds approached. Each doorway was diffrent and most led directly into strife. Certain conflict and usually open battle greeted them as they entered each new world. He would have to choose the right side quickly and act to the best of his and Winna's abilities. For the cause of good and order was his purpose in life. To fight evil and injustice and champion right was what he had sworn his oaths to. This quest would test him and his worthiness to serve his God. If he succeded in it then he would be assured heaven and to stand at his God's side in the final battle instead of being a lost soul, suffering and wandering forever.

The light brightened to the early morning sunlight and the breeze brought forth the aroma of Spring to their noses. Soft new grass met Windfola's hooves as they emerged from the door into this world. A soft clap and rush of air told them of the gate's closing. Looking about, Siegfried sighed then looked down at Windfola. "Looks like a quite entrance for once...have a bite while I check the forest's edge. We usually come out in the direction we're meant to go, so eat while you can, I'll be back in a minute. That grass looks so good I'm even tempted to have a bite!"

Windfola snorted and nodded once then bent to graze. Dismounting, Siegfried plucked a long grass stem and chewed absently on the sweet grass as he walked to the forest. The grass was still damp with the morning's dew and he saw no other traces of passage except his and Winna's own from the middle of the glade. At the edge of the pasture he peered into the shade of a thick forest of both oak and pine. "A nice place to live," Siegfried thought as he scanned the ground under the trees. In the still morning air he caught the sound of a small swift stream over rocks and turned to call Windfola when his eyes caught sight of dull strings hanging from a twig on a tree next to him.

A sharp whistle brought Windfola to him as he circled the tree to study the ground beneath the string. A scuffing of the fallen leaves and part of a footprint in the scraped earth told him of what must have happened. "Is there still any scent upon the string Winna?" Siegfried asked. Windfola nodded once and snorted in the direction of the stream. "Aye, I think so too, Winna. Someone saw us arrive and has run off... whether to tell others or in fear, I don't know. Shall we follow? It is in the direction we arrived and that's usually the way we are supposed to go..."

Windfola snorted and bobbed her head once again then pricked up her ears to listen in that direction. Siegfried tossed the reins over the saddle then made sure that his sword was loose in it's scabbard. Walking slowly beside Windfola, he scanned the ground for signs of flight as Winna tested the air. The trail was plain to see all the way to the stream where it ended abruptly. Turning, he gestured for Winna to lead them until the trail became clear to him again. Winna slowly crossed the stream angling downward for a few yards then halted just before the other side. Snorting at the bank she turned to look at Siegfried. There on the ground were clearly tracks made by a shod humanoid.

"Yes, Winna I see them, either a woman or youngster made them. And they were running too."

Winna snorted once then pointed with her nose and snorted again.

"A woman eh? Unless I miss my guess, it is pretty far from a home and those aren't boot prints, much less the armoured kind. Shall we find her and calm her fears?"

This time Windfola's snort was a dersive neigh. She could probably do a better job of that than he could and let him know so!

"O.k., o.k. I get the message! Let me climb aboard and we'll see what we'll see." Siegfried said as he swung up on Winna's back. Taking the reins, he patted her on the neck and wondered aloud," I wonder which of us is in charge of this expidetion at times!" To which Windfola gently bucked. At a fast walk they moved through the forest following the fleeing woman's trail.

After the first few moments of panicked flight, Lendyth's strength gave out and her run trickled down to an unsteady walk. Weaving in her steps she paused to lean against a tall oak. "The sea is not much further on and once I reach it, I should be safe enough. A clean death upon the rocks and waves or maybe even rescue if there is a Sulcar ship coasting.... With so great a one of Power captured here the council should have watchers out," Lendyth thought.Catching an elusive breath, she started slowly on downward toward the sea on a game trail. It was very dangerous to move so, but she had not the strength to hide any more.

"Yes", she thought, "no more strength to flee, no more strength in the Power either. Why do I flee death and hope for rescue when there is nothing to go back to?" Yet there was something in her that rebeled against giving up all hope, more than just pride and the arrogance of once having been among the mighty and powerful. "Even as a slave I still had some value and worth. Though I have no more of the Power in me, there is the chance that my offspring will have it. My mind and will are still as trained and strong as they were the day I left Es. I am more than just another vessel of the Power; there is worth in me for me!" Lendyth realized as she thought of what lay before her. Though the thought of being with a man to bear children brought fear and loathing to her, she still would endure it as she had the stripping of her Power from her and living as the lowliest chattel. The chance for future vengeance was a burning knot of emotion that she kept to light her days and warm herself by during the coldest hours of night.

The ground turned rockier and rockier as she neared the cliffs and the sea below. The cover of trees and brush became scarce and the land more open. A tumble of stones and the salt scent upon the air told her that she was very close. Pausing by a scrub oak she rested and studied the land about her. There was nothing more about than the sea birds and other small creatures of the fields. Sitting at the base of the tree Lendyth thought of her next move in this game of chase. "Perhaps an egg from one of the nests and some berries. If I'm lucky maybe even a bird or hare for supper. Then tomorrow I will be strong enough to leave Fulk's reach and find a Sulcar vessel or some other ship going north to Estcarp . . ."

The sun on her dark clothing warmed her as the grasses made a soft bed for her weary body and the gentle booming of the surf against the cliffs lulled Lendyth into an exhausted slumber. Soon her thoughts turned to dreams and the memories of other spring days sleeping under the trees with her sisters and brothers after play filled her mind.

At the second stream Siegfried and Windfola lost the trail of their watcher. A slight breeze had come up and changed direction time and again, blowing the faint scent of their quarry away. Pausing, Siegfried looked about him. The land seemed to be almost the same no matter which way that they turned. "Well Winna, it looks like we have lost our trail and our own way now. What do you think girl?" Windfola bobbed her head and looked at him. It was clear that now the only way they would find whomever it had been that had seen them come into this world would be by sheerest luck.

Turning her head she looked all the way around then at her companion. "He is tired but will not stop in the quest." she thought. The man beside her had a weathered face from much journeying, tanned browner than any other part of him and lined deeply from more than any weathering could ever do. The fair hair had been bleached to a pale silver white of an almost elven quality, cut short to fit under a battle helm. His eyes were a blue grey of a winter sky before a storm at home, she liked to think. The marks of the sadness and pain had aged his face to a far older appearance than his almost thirty years should show. Yet under his armour she knew him to be fit and in his prime. Snorting she inhaled a fresh breeze then froze. This wind carried the hint of the sea in it.

Siegfried felt his companion's regard as she turned to look at him, then grow still as she scented the air again. Then he too caught a faint hint of it upon the air. The Sea! Surely then the girl had run in that direction since there were no well defined trails or roads about. The only solution seemed to be that of a sea port or camp nearby. Taking Winna's reins in his left hand, Siegfried led her due west using whatever game trails and openings that came in that direction.

"We will head directly to the sea, then turn north Winna, if we do not see sign of her or a camp after a few hours, then we will go back south for an hour more. Should we still not find her, then we will make a good camp and decide what to do next. What do you think Winna?" Siegfried asked.

Winna gave a mild snort then concentrated on the messeges that the wind brought her. Siegfried was also scanning the ground around and in front of them for signs of a recent passage or of habitation. Not for the first time did he think about the steed Heimendal had given him for his quest. She was as fine of a mare as he had ever seen. Large enough to carry a fully armoured man all day, yet limber enough to be used as a cutting horse. She did just as well on grass and a handful of grain twice a day as a mountain pony. But most of all what amazed him was her intellegence. She was easily the smartest horse that he had ever seen, and he would bet that if she could speak, Winna would give a centaur, even a unicorn a good go. She had become a close and trusted friend on this quest and their loyalty to one another was beyond questioning.

After a short time they noticed the trees thinning and the ground becoming more rocky. The smell of the sea was now unmistakable and it's distant booming could be heard. At that point they came completely out of the forest onto a sward of long grass and scrub. The far end was a tumble of rock and large stones. Seagulls wheeled overhead and the sun shown down upon them warming them softly. Leading Winna into the rocks, Siegfried found a way to the edge of the cliffs. Below them the sea broke on foot of the cliffs and stretched out in an unbroken plane to infinity where it met the sky.

Looking out, Siegfried half spoke to himself,"The ocean it seems the same on most of the worlds that we visit doesn't it, Windfola? And always it calls out to some part of me to find a ship and sail out upon it to the ends of the world."

Windfola nodded once sharply in agreement. The warm seas were indeed fun to play in and the beaches made to roll on. She too sensed the pull of the deep waters in his blood. Perhaps when the quest was finished he would find a home near the water, or go sailing across it's myriad ways, stopping in many strange ports. In any case she could see no easy way down to the foot of the cliffs from here. Indeed looking north then south, the coast looked to be very inhospitable to any marinier trying to land here.

As if sensing her own thoughts, Siegfried nodded then headed back from the cliff's edge.

"We won't find any sea camp here from the look of those cliffs. See the way the water keep's such a light colour? I think that there are dangerous shoals close in to shore. No beach worth mentioning either, mostly rock or shingle. Perhaps there is a sheltered cove nearby, that is all I can think of. Whenever there is a break in the cliffs, we'll check the horizon for sails." Siegfried said.

Turning back into the dale, Siegfried and Windfola headed northward. If the land had had rivers cutting the cliffs going to the sea, this land would have been much like his own birth land. But there were no fjords to shelter the long dragon ships or the wider merchant hulls of the traders here. If they came upon no safe anchorage today, the only thing he could think of was that the watcher, woman was the survivior of a ship wreck. Then she would indeed need his and Winna's help to make her way back home or to whatever port she had been going to. Maybe then he could find an oracle or mage to tell him of where his quest would end, if his God willed it....

A sudden gust of cooler wind woke Lendyth from her dreams of a happier past. For a moment the softness of the grass and the warm sunlight brought her a peace that she had not known for ages. With a long slow stretch she worked the kinks out of tired muscles. Even though the sleep had cost her precious time the rest had helped to restore her body for the next part of her escape. Now she would be able to go on quicker and more surely than before. Looking about she saw nothing amiss in the field and stood. A rumble from her middle reminded Lendyth of her hunger and body's needs. It would take too long to snare a rabbit or other small animal, so she decided for eggs and maybe, if she was lucky, a bird for supper.

The sun had crossed the sky and soon it would be growing darker. If she was going to eat she would have to find a nest or two quickly. After dark she might try a small fire if she managed to catch a bird, the risk then would be much less of it being seen since she could shelter the light by using the cliff face and the night would hide the smoke. The only people who would see the fire would be those out to sea.

Going toward the cliff face then along it's edge Lendyth moved carefully in search of sea bird and other nests. The task was a slow one for the rock was often crumbly or else too steep to traverse easily. At length and after considerable effort Lendyth had a handful of eggs and a careless seagull caught with a quick twist of her shawl. Sitting at the base of one of the larger stones she ate the eggs and plucked the bird. Finishing, Lendyth tucked it in a pouch at her belt. Looking about one last time she decided to climb the rock behind her for one last look at the sea before she headed south.

The sun was only a hand's breath above the horizon and it's light shone on empty waters. 'Even if I saw a ship,' she thought,'how would I be able to signal it without alerting all of Verlaine's people?' Sweeping her gaze across the waters a final time she turned to descend from her perch. Before she had taken her second step a loud shout broke the peace of the sward. Frozen in place like a doe, she stared to her left as a party of men at arms charged across the far side of the sward toward her. Instantly her hand sought the small knife at her belt. Little good would that do her now except to end her own life. It's blade was shorter than her index finger and weak. Looking about, her best chance was to run to the forest or else go over the cliff. In either case the pursures would quickly catch her for she had no strength to run or climb from them.

Making her way along the rock to it's highest point, Lendyth hid her knife in her sleeve and stood up straight. "They will find the taking of a woman of Estcarp no easy or painless feat this time;" she thought to herself. "I will kill or hurt as many of them as I can before going to the sea. For they shall not take me back, at least not alive!" Casting the shawl down from her head she shook her hair free to the wind. Crossing her arms over her chest she stared at her foes with a calm she had not felt since the graduation problem at the Places of Silence.

Lendyth's calm composure gave pause to her foes. Could this woman be the witch of Estcarp, about to ensnare them in some magical spell? The sun was behind Lendyth, hiding her face and clothes from the soldiers. All they saw was a tall dark haired woman, still as the stone on which she stood looking down at them. Fear grew in their bellies and mumbled prayers crossed their minds as sweaty hands gripped sword and ax. "Maybe, just maybe," Lendyth thought,"I can fool them and scare them away then escape."

One of the men at arms shouted, startling his fellows. "Thats a witch alright! But she aint a witch no more, I had her that night and she was good sport!" Laughing, he started up the rock tugging at the fastenings of his mail with one hand. "She aught to be even better sport with just the six of us!" he exclaimed. Fulk's leige man had just opened the collar ofhis mail when Lendyth raised her right arm to the sky then snapped it forward to point at the disrobing soldier.

The man shrieked as he dropped his sword and clutched at his throat. Unseen by his companions, Lendyth's knife had found the it's mark. Wrenching the knife free of his flesh, the soldier gripped his throat with one hand and grabbed for her with the other. Lendyth's hope of frightening the men away vanished as she dodged his grasp. Retrieving the fallen sword, she swung it across his legs behind the knees, hamstringing him. Turning back to the rest of them she took a couple of steps to clear her footing of the fallen man. Bringing the short heavy blade up, she pointed it at the nearest man and shouted, "Are you next!?"

Swearing a vile oath, the man took up his ax and yelled as he ran to meet her, "Kitchen scum, you'll not spit another thing after I've spitted you, nor live to see the sun rise again!"

Swinging his ax high, he brought it around and down upon the woman in front of him. Lendyth parried the ax swung down at her head with the sword, then freeing it of the ax, brought the sword back up and into the man's belly. Only his mailand the weakness of her body saved him from harm. Turning, she ran toward a low opening in the cliff dropping the sword as she went. The men behind hesitated only long enough to help their fellow up before giving chase. There was no way they would let their quarry throw itself to death if they could help it.

One of the soldiers ran to the side freeing his dart gun. He would wound her, painfully so, then they would all be able to have their way with her. Stopping, he brought the weapon up and levelled it at the fleeing woman's legs. That would stop her flight, yet not spoil their prize he thought. So intense was his concentration upon his target that he was startled into immobility when she stopped and looked right at him! Then he heard and felt the rapid hoof beats behind him. Turning he brought up his dart gun to fire at this new threat when a great silver light caught his eyes, blinding him. It was the last sight he saw in this world.

Lendyth ran toward the opening in the cliffs that led in a sheer drop to the hungry sea. Even spent as she was, she knew that she would beat the nearest of them to the gap in the stone easily. A brief flight, then the sea would take her cleanly and deprive her enemies of any spoils. Almost to the opening Lendyth heard an unexpected sound which caused her to glance over a shoulder. The sight which greeted her was so diffrent that it forced her to turn and stare dumbfounded, too stunned to move. Moving as swiftly as a bolt of lightning galloped a horse and rider. The horse was a dark reddish colour and greater than any she had ever seen before. Light flashed like a living star from it's forehead and it's gallop was a thing of fluid beauty. But what caught her breath was the mount's rider...

Rising to stand in the stirrups was a figure of a man encased is some kind of dead black armour. It neither caught nor reflected any of the setting sun's light. There was no sign of decoration or ornament upon it, just a smoothly fashioned material of gentle curves in the shape of a man. The helmet was rounded and pointed in the front like the bow of a ship. The figure's arm came up in a movement like a salute then lowered to it's left shoulder. Grasping a long hilt the man gracefully drew a great sword in a single sweeping arc. Lendyth stared helplessly straight at one of the guardsmen as he raised a dart gun to fire at her.

The rider settled back into the saddle with the sword held high beside him in both hands. It was as bright as he was dark and shone brillantly silver in the sun's light. The guardsman saw her gaze upon him then heard the horse behind him. He turned raising the dart gun as the rider brought his sword around in a flat arc. Seeing this freed Lendyth from her paralisys and she ran obliquely back toward the soldiers, and to the rider's right before the dead guardsman's body had reached the ground.

The ride to the north proved to be a fruitless one, for the land remained empty of all signs of men. Sharp cliffs that plunged straight into the sea and the same forest running close to the cliff face were all that greeted them. A headland in the distance was the last thing Siegfried and Windfola saw before turning back. There were plentiful signs of game about and every mile or so, some small stream would interrupt their travel. Halting at one they paused to eat sparingly of their rations. The stream's water was clear and slightly cold. Siegfried filled his water bottle as Windfola drank the last of her fill.

"It seems that our quarry didn't go to the north Winna, I wonder why? I'd swear that the sea changes around that headland. Perhaps that spire of rock was a watch tower and not just a natural part of the cliffs. If anyone would build in this land it would be there..." Siegfried said. Cupping his hands in the fresh water, he splashed his head the back of his neck with the clean coolness.

Windfola blew into the water then straightened up. The next part of their search was ahead, then if they found nothing, finding a good camping place was the next order of business. That would be no problem if the land stayed the same. There would be plenty of fresh spring grass to eat and good water to drink. Walking back to the baggage, she waited for her companion to finish his abulations and repack their gear.

Siegfried finished washing and turned to find Windfola browsing on the fresh grass beside the saddle bags. Chuckling, he called out to his friend, "Better slow down or else you'll be so fat that I can't even mount you without Thor's help!"

Which drew an indignant snort and stamp from Windfola. After their last few forays, she could easily use the added pounds!

Siegfried paused beside her to scratch behind her ears and between her eyes, drawing a soft whicker from Windfola. It was but a matter of moments before he had their gear repacked and stored away. Settling the balderic over his shoulder, he gently urged Windfola across the stream. The sun would be setting in a few hours and they not only had to back track the last hour or so, but then search further to the south of where they had come out of the forest. There was only so much light left to track by, especially since they were on such a plateau of land. Even though the sun would still be above the ocean, the ground here would be in shadow and too dark to track anyone.

The journey back to the south was uneventful, first retracing their steps back to where they'd left the forest, then onward. The land stayed mostly the same mix of trees and streams inland while the cliffs became less jumbled. The space between cliff edge and forest widened until it could almost be called a field. Small brush and scrub oak dotted this open area now and again giving cover to small animals and birds.

Siegfried pulled slightly on the reins for Windfola to stop. Their hour south was over and it was time to find a place to camp until morning. Dismounting, Siegfried let the reins trail limply as he walked to a slight rise by a shallow creek. This would make as good of a camp as any he thought as he led Winna. Looking down Siegfried suddenly stopped. On the ground between stream and rise were the signs of several booted people. The tracks in the damp ground beside the stream were sharply defined and fairly deep. Either they were fat people in hard boots, or else men wearing armour and armed.

"Well Winna, looks like we found some other people at last. The question is not only are they friendly, but are they looking for the same person we are?" Siegfried stated to his companion. "I think that there are at least three, maybe four, how many do you think Windfola?"

Windfola studied the ground for a moment, then sniffed for the diffrent scents. Satisfied after a moment she backed a few paces then stamped a fore foot, once, thrice, six times. "So many?" Siegfried asked and Windfola nodded slowly. While the tr