The Dark Witch And Her Knights

22 | Arbor

Arbor

The moon was high above when the walls of the mountain's chasm cleared away. I offered Sable a helping hand as she shivered and struggled to pull her sodden skirt from the river. We had ended up miles further away from the cabin and Stella had been lost. Sable continued trying to connect with her familiar but I knew the space between them was too great. She was only able to sense her emotions of comfort allowing us to know she was safe where ever she was.

The cabin was far. I reluctantly had to tell Sable we would have to camp until the morning. We moved away from the river in case any other witch hunters came looking for us. They must have followed us up the mountain. Whether they were after Sable or I was a mystery but they wouldn't give up a chance to take out two of their strongest prey.

I summoned my familiar Ageus having a stronger connection with him. It wasn't long before he arrived from the cabin to our location. My white brown freckled snow owl had landed in front of Sable startling her.

"Oh my, is this your familiar?" she asked watching Ageus bow to her with pure amazement. His display of respect had her cooing in delight.

Taking an old branch from the ground I brought it to flames like a torch to light our path. Casting the spell was excruciating, my veins felt as if they would petrify. I used most of my magic protecting us while we fell off Mount Verdine. I could hardly imagine what a drain Sable was experiencing. She hadn't slept the previous night, hiked the mountain, and used an amount of magic on a spell I had never witnessed. The adrenaline and sheer fear of our fall must have been keeping her conscious.

"Ageus find shelter." He turned and hooted before flying off into the wood as we followed his direction.

Not far away he landed at the mouth of a tracker's cavern. The torch flooded the wide cave illuminating all within. An old pile of wood rested in the middle surrounded by a large yet small cot, a trunk, and an old rickety workbench. Tossing the torch into the woodpile I used the last of my magic to light the entire thing. Sable was being nosy peaking at the trunk with the large lock.

"Recludo," she whispered.

The lock popped open and clattered to the floor. She gasped in surprise turning to me.

"I always wanted to try that," she purred pulling back the lid of the trunk.

She pulled out old weapons, dusty sheets, and quilts for the cot, and hidden at the bottom she had found clean cloth for bandages with an old salve that was no longer good.

She tossed me the blankets before taking a sheet and leaving the cave.

"Don't go far," I warned.

"I didn't plan to." Her voice faded as she left.

When she returned the sheet was wrapped around her pale cold skin. Her wet clothes hung over her uninjured arm. I had already prepared the cot for her and removed my wet clothing, remaining in nothing but my undershorts with a quilt draped over my shoulders. Taking her wet clothes, she hung them over the edge of the workbench where I had left space for her after doing the same and moving the table closer to the flames.

I tried warming myself without watching her. The moment Gavrial brought her before me, I knew she was gorgeous like a queen. She was breathtaking and wild. Her appearance was unique and captivating. I would have never pursued her before the curse. She was way too good for me; the prophesized one; strong, smart, beautiful, an all-powerful witch hundreds of years younger, and virtuous before I ruined her.