Nemona: The Witch of Scaranton

Chapter 11: The Web of Deception

The visions Gellik presented were hauntingly vivid. They played behind my eyelids as I navigated the intricate corridors of the mansion, each footstep echoing with the weight of what I had witnessed. The more I delved into Nemona's past, the more I realized that the veil between vengeance and justice was thin. The betrayal, the heartache – all of it accumulated in the form of the dark witch's curse.

My chambers seemed colder than the rest of the mansion. Every shadow felt watchful, every gust of wind whispering secrets. Sleep beckoned like a siren's song, but it was an uneasy rest, disturbed by a lingering sense of dread.

Morning light trickled in, casting the room in a pale golden hue. I could hear distant murmurs of voices, punctuated by the rich aroma of freshly brewed tea. The mansion came to life with an energy contrasting starkly against last night's ghostly ambiance.

Yet, as I descended the staircase, I was met with a palpable tension. Gilbert approached, a forced smile failing to hide his concern.

"Good morning, Arria," he began, voice quivering slightly. "I trust you had a good night's rest?"

"Morning, Gilbert. It was a restless night," I replied cautiously. "Is something amiss?"

"It's Lila," he said, wringing his hands. "She's fallen ill overnight. High fever, delirium..."

The news hit me like a cold wave. I had feared this. Nemona was drawing nearer to her final feed, and little Lila was now in her crosshairs. The child's innocent life essence was the perfect bait.

"This isn't just a normal illness," I said with grim urgency. "Lila's very life is at stake."

Gilbert looked at me, the depth of his worry evident. "What can we do? How can we help her?"

"I need to understand more about Nemona's past to find the solution. But for now, protecting Lila is paramount."

Gilbert disregarded my warning about Nemona and pressing danger, thus i had to come up with an excuse to stay for as long as possible in the mansion to help the Winstons.

On top of my mind I referred to Gilbert with a reassuring voice, "I have come across with the same symptoms Lila experiences on my travels. I am sure I can be of help with easing her sickness", offering my help.

After taking it into consideration Gilbert agreed for me to stay for another night for the sake of little Lila.

Time was running out, and every tick of the mansion's grand clock was a reminder of the impending danger.

Midday sun streamed into the grand dining hall of the mansion, casting white shadows of the hand-sawn drapes. The elaborate spread before us was a feast to behold, but the weight of recent events rendered me with little appetite. Lionel, sensing my unease, beckoned me aside after the meal.

"Arria," he began, his voice a soft whisper, "when we moved in, I found a book, tucked away in the dusty corners of the library. I thought it was just an old historical text, but it holds the story of a Witch's Lament."

My heart raced. If the book truly held insights into Nemona's past, it could be the key. "Show it to me," I implored.

Lionel led me to the library, a room of towering mahogany shelves filled with the scent of old leather and parchment. From one such shelf, he delicately retrieved a heavy tome. Its cover seemed to be crafted from an exotic dark leather, embossed with the unmistakable patina of age. It felt cool to the touch, contrasting starkly with the warmth of the room.

The tome's edges bore intricate gold leaf detailing, faded and chipped in places, revealing its many years. But what caught my attention most was the emblem on its cover. Unlike any I'd seen before, it depicted a phoenix, its wings outstretched in mid-flight, surrounded by a halo of intertwining ivy leaves.

Upon opening the book, its pages revealed a rich tapestry of handwritten script, a dance of black ink on cream parchment. Some pages held detailed illustrations, colored sketches of artifacts, symbols, and spells - all meticulously rendered. It was evident that this was not just any book; it was a testament to ancient knowledge, possibly holding the answers we sought about Nemona.

"Read this," he pointed to a passage.

As I scanned the lines, the narrative began to unfold.

Nemona, once a revered guardian of ancient artifacts and magic, fell victim to a treacherous betrayal by her own kin. Jealousy, not born of love but of covetousness, led them to weave a tapestry of lies, ensnaring her in a web of deception. Accused falsely, she was condemned to isolation, her powers bound and her radiant presence extinguished. Her story serves as a somber reminder of the destructive power of envy and treachery, a warning etched for readers, where Nemona's name is whispered in both reverence and caution.

"See this ancient text below, it looked intriguing but I could not figure out the meaning. Maybe it will be of use to you," Lionel whispered, pointing to an Old English script:

"*By lyght of daye and moone's soft gleam,*

*Evyl's clasp, we 'neadhrach' deem.*

*Pure of cridhe, stand we still,*

*Banish hence the 'fuar' ill.*"

(Note: "neadhrach" means venomous or malicious in Gaelic. "Cridhe" means heart and "fuar" means cold.)

Translation:

"*By light of day and moon's soft glow,*

*Evil's grip, we overthrow.*

*Pure of heart and strong of will,*

*Drive away the bitter chill.*"

I felt a warmth spread through me as I read the words aloud, a tingling sensation at my fingertips. My powers resonated with the chant.

"We need to combine our efforts, Lionel," I said, determination evident in my voice. "This incantation, if recited correctly, can help ward off Nemona's dark influence."

Like promising a moonbeam in a jar. I had to Discover a way to reach out to Nemona, undo the wrongs of the past, and restore balance. But with Lila's condition worsening and Nemona's strength increasing, time was of the essence.