Let the Darkness In

Moving back towards the city, I hugged the comfort of the trees. From the stone walls, a mass of bodies were heading straight towards me. It could have just been the prince’s riding party but this was larger, even more vibrant. A dozen hounds leapt and bounded around the feet of their horses. I could see the birds, freed from captivity, perched on gloved wrists. In the middle of the maelstrom, no doubt was Jarrett.

There was a shout and the dogs were unleashed like hounds of the underworld. They came up the hill at breakneck speed. Jogging behind them were the liveried men, and behind them, the nobles. Scrambling up the nearest tree, I manipulated the leaves around me. I spied the bursts of wildflowers nearby so that they released a powerful scent, masking my own. I could feel no fox nearby but when I did, I would try to help it. We were kin, prey to the humans that made us sport.

They smashed into the woods. The once tranquil scene had now become an explosion of churning bodies, heavy feet and hooves trampling the leaves. Below me was a profusion of gaudy caps, hair oiled with perfume. They looked to and fro, sniffing out their victim. The party was off in a matter of minutes and my eyes found Jarrett. He sat astride his horse, a born rider. His powerful legs guided his horse with ease and his mastery of the animal was absolute.

Like arrows released from a bow, they were gone. The fox had better run.

When the coast was clear, I clambered down. Calling the powers of the forest, I asked them to show me where the party was headed. Leaves and branches parted straight ahead. They were giving me a shortcut. I crashed through, the forest, hearing the party to my left, seeing their shapes move through the branches. Our paths came closer and closer until I had to start running bent over.

A russett shape bounced across my path with dark socks and a white tip at the end of its tail. It paused, looking up at me with terror in its eyes. A snarl from behind heralded the arrival of the first dog. Grabbing a fallen branch, I slammed it into the animal’s face. It yelped and sprinted back.

Human voices were near now and they would break from the tangle in a second. The fox would not get far. Grabbing it, I wrapped my hands around its thick body, and pulled it close. Crouching, I poured everything into the forest. It felt like the fire was flowing around my hands.

My desperate call was heard.

A flurry of leaves, branches, and twigs arced over us, creating a womb. More and more of the forest bolstered our shell until it was nearly black inside. From the outside, I knew we would look no different from our surroundings. Our scent still lingered so I threw out another pulse, just as the first hound could be heard sniffing towards us.

There was a rustle of wind and above us, the pod was festooned with the most fragrant flowers the forest could offer. My head felt light from the heady rush they offered.

Now, we waited. Beside me, the fox cowered, and I ran my hand down his soft fur. His heartbeat was erratic and I could feel the heat rise in my heart. The fox, if caught, would be skinned by his pelt and his carcass left for the dogs to chew on.

A tiny peephole had been graciously left to us and I peered through. A powerful horse’s flank met me, with a sweep of velvet covering its hide. My hand itched to pull the dangling foot down but I held my ground.

“The fox was around here my lord,” came a deep voice.

Beside me, the fox cowered, its head between its paws but it had the sense not to whine.

“Well find it and we will have our sport.”

I froze. I knew that voice and yet I didn’t. Jarrett. He was sounding like a king. Like any other human who took delight in bloodshed. The forest around me rustled its leaves, like it was hissing. I crawled across the pod and another tiny peephole opened between my fingers. He was there, his cheeks flushed, sweat beading on his brow. His head turned and for a moment, I thought he was looking at me. My blood ran cold. For what I saw was not a prince, not a king, but a murderer. Those brown eyes, normally so full of humour and life now seemed glazed with the thrill of bloodlust.

“Find that fox and the dogs shall have their way.”

I was disgusted. Disgusted at myself for ever falling to this man. Madb had been right and I had been right. Jarrett was his own person...when he wanted to be, but he was also his father.

And like his father, he must pay for what they were bringing. I sought a weapon. I had a host to choose from but as his horse sidled, I saw Jarrett was by a mighty oak. I saw its trunk ripple and the hiss of leaves above me directed me to what it wanted me to see.

A huge branch rested inches above Jarrett’s unsuspecting head. My hand reached up, pushing apart the sinews and strong wood that held it in place. As his head turned left and right, I remembered some of the moments we had had together. Shaking them away, I told myself this was about more than just me.

Something nudged against my leg and I looked down. The fox was pressing into me, urging me on. I chewed my lip. I had to do it.

Breathing in, I gave a final burst. The pulse split the branch with a crack. All eyes turned to the branch and it hung suspended in the air for a moment. And then it fell.

It landed with a huge crash inches away from Jarrett’s horse, splinters flying everywhere. The great stallion shied, throwing its front legs in the air. With a cry, Jarrett fought to stay on the beast, his thighs clamping down. The sweat of the horse hung in the air and its eyes were rolling in his head. The horse shied and bucked, finally throwing its rider in the air. Time hung suspended as the prince’s body flew through the skies. My eyes flicked to where he would land. It wouldn’t kill him, but that branch spike would do some damage. Keeping my eyes trained at the descending figure, I waited until the last moment, then forced the log to move a fraction to the side.

With a sickening snap, Jarrett landed, the dagger-sharp twig driving straight into his arm. There was also a hollow pop.

A stunned silence fell...and then the screaming began.

Swiftly, I made my getaway.

As my heart pounded with such ferocity that waves of nausea swept over me, I knew I had to think fast.

They would rush Jarrett back to the castle, and they would call for Ainesilver. But it wasn’t Ainesilver that needed to be tending him.

My wits came back to me and I was nearing the edge of the forest. Behind me, the hunting party were gaining ground. Throwing my hands before me, I wove them quickly. The bushes and trees responded with the same speed, creating a barrier the party would have to slash and hack their way through.

It gave me a head start. I crashed down the hill, forgetting about the guards until they loomed into focus. Slowing down, I did a spin. Let them think I was a silly girl. I made it past them and then sprinted back to Ainesilver’s home.

Diving for the water, I choked down a large tumbler and then sat at the table. And waited. And waited. My ears strained for the clamour that would inevitably come but Ainesilver was lucky in her spot. Apart from the neighbours, there was not much disturbance down here.

It felt like an age. Every sound became too loud. The house creaked around me. Any moment Ainesilver could be back and I would miss my chance.

The knock came, savage in the stillness, nearly knocking me off my chair. I sauntered over to the door. It was the same page boy who had summoned us before.

“Where’s the healer?” he panted, his eyes peering behind me.

“She’s not here but I can help.”

The boy looked at me, chewing his lip. He had seen me before but I knew he was figuring out whether he could trust me.

“What has happened?” I asked, ignoring the gnawing in the pit of my stomach.

“The Prince fell off his horse. He’s in a lot of pain.” One final look behind me and a ring of his hands. “Come quick.”

I threw some items into a bag as Ainesilver had done. She had bought me my own satchel not long ago. Part of it was so she could carry more supplies around her, part of it because she knew me as one of her own.

I bundled everything up and left with the page. He had come on a horse, which was already attracting greedy eyes. I saw the boy’s Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed.

“Move!” I shouted.

He gave me a grateful look and swung up onto the horse. And then realised he had forgotten all about me. His horse sidled as his hands tightened on the reigns.

“Well, I could walk…” I suggested, shrugging my shoulders. “But it may take me a while.”

He held out a hand and my palm grasped his. It was damp and warm. Grimacing, with him half pulling and me half swinging myself up, I managed to sit astride the horse. I shifted uncomfortably. This was something new. Horses were large and powerful, even from a distance. I would say I merely tolerated them. Besides, no animal was ever meant to be ridden by humans.

The horse’s heat combined with the stench of the adolescent boy was pretty overpowering as we took off. Unfortunately, my hands had to wrap themselves around him to make sure I stayed on. Falling off was the last thing I wanted. No doubt I would be hit by its iron-shod hooves.

We tore back towards the castle. The world via horseback was sickening and nauseating and if my hands hadn’t been white-knuckled with the effort of holding on, I would have tumbled off within minutes. Indignant cries followed us but the servant was a good rider, much to my relief.

In the bailey, I didn’t need a hand as I tumbled off the horse. Not used to sitting with my legs so far astride, my thighs felt raw and chafed. Walking towards the keep felt more like I was waddling. Those straight-faced guards remained stoney eyed but I was sure I saw one of their mouths twitch. I made a mental note to make him pay later.

We were taken up a different set of stairs. There was absolutely nothing unremarkable or different about these, save the anticipation that seemed to grow thicker as I came higher. Through another door and we were in a bedroom. Again, huge tapestries hung on the walls, to keep out the chills of winter.

A large fire crackled in the fireplace and someone had thrown herbs onto it to hide the smell of body odour and sweat. Thankfully, no one had thought to shut out the light. As my eyes fell on Jarrett on the bed, my heart flipped. Sweat shone on his forehead. His head was tilted back against the pillows, his strong jaw showing beneath the beard.

Once again, I thought how different he was from his father. I had done this. He hadn’t done this. I felt breath snag in my throat. Then I remembered this was on the outside, not the inside.

I rolled up my sleeves, imitating Ainesilver.

“I need some hot water and some ale...wait,” I barked to the boy, seeing his lopsided shoulder beneath the shirt. There was no way I could wrestle that free. “And a knife.”

The servant boy looked at me again with wide eyes and I realised I had just asked for a weapon. As the servant vanished, I almost called him back, not wanting to hold such a powerful item in my hand. But he had gone. Besides, I didn’t have to kill the prince yet....

I walked over to the bed and looked down at him. His lashes were long and slight shadows spilled onto his cheekbones. His face was chiseled and without the lines of pain, he was smooth skinned, slightly darkened by days in the sun and wind. Caked in mud, a few scratches and with wild hair, he still made my heart take over my chest...and then I felt the nausea.

Still, I told myself, I was looking after him right now, even if I had been the cause of the injuries. Putting that aside, I began to get my potions out.

Sensing me standing over him, he stirred. Gummy eyes opened and for a moment, his dilated pupils struggled to focus. His head turned and his eyes met mine.

“Siofra,” his tongue was heavy in his mouth as he struggled to pronounce my name. His hand twitched. “Why?”

“Ainesilver isn’t here so I’ve come to look after you.”

“I trust you.”

No one had said that to me before.