The Cost of Betrayal

Chapter Forty-One

Tree looked at Maura and patted her hand, "You wait here, Tree will talk to Master." He looked around, his demeanor slightly nervous in the castle. "Stay here," he said again and scurried as fast as his little legs would allow. He would have to hurry and hope that Master Abigor was in a good mood. He had been sullen and angry ever since Master Egan died at the hands of that mean and terrible dragon.

Maura stood in her spot and looked around the room. Maura waited patiently for the little minion to return. She was curious as to what was going to happen.

Tree peered into one of the open doors, and he scurried in and gently shut the door. "Wash, Wash! Tree has a problem."

Wash turned from her dusting, "Tree, what's wrong?"

Tree looked around, "Where's Master Abigor?" He whispered surreptitiously.

Wash gave him a puzzled look, "Why does Tree need Master?"

Tree turned to the door, "She was running from Master Birsha."

"She who?"

"Another lady," Tree said sadly. He felt bad for the ladies that Master Birsha brought here and then sent out of his cottage. There were some very mean guards out there and he shuddered to think of what happened to them all.

Wash made a face and put down her rag, "Where is she?"

Tree smiled, "So Wash will help?"

Wash rolled her eyes, "Yes, Wash will help the lady." Wash paused and put her finger up, "As long as the lady is nice."

"Oh, she is!" Tree assured her, he couldn't help his slight jump of excitement at her agreement to help.

The duo walked out of the library and down the hall.

Wash paused at the doorway, she could feel something special coming from this lady. As Wash approached the tall lady, she could feel the turmoil that filled her.

"Hello, Mistress are you a friend of Master Birsha?" Wash asked tentatively.

Maura jumped slightly at the timid voice coming from beneath the scraggly hair and ragged clothes. She smiled, "Not necessarily a friend," she paused. She hated saying the words out loud, "I'm his fated one."

Wash's eyes widened in fear, she turned to Tree, "You said she was nice! She is going to hurt us," she whispered loudly. Her whole body started to tremble as terror filled her. Ever since their Master Egan died, that wizard was even crueler to them.

Tree patted Wash's back, "No, Wash, Tree promises this is a nice Mistress Lady. She needs help."

Maura stooped down to Wash's eye level, she studied the little minion's face. She smiled, she could see that there was someone different beneath the dirty worn-down exterior. "Wash? Is that your name?" She asked gently.

Wash's eyes were filled with panic-filled tears she nodded.

"My name is Maura," she leaned in and whispered, "I am trying to get away from him. He won't accept the rejection."

Wash's eyes rounded in astonishment, "You don't want to be a mate to Master Birsha?" She was surprised. The other women that have been on the Isle had been power-hungry and wanted to be with him. No matter how ugly his soul was. Eventually, he would kick them out, because they wouldn't give him what he wanted.

Maura shook her head, "No," she continued to whisper. "I don't want him. He's not a good man."

Wash studied Maura's expression, she could see that there was no deception in Maura's eyes. "Wash can help."

Maura's neck started to burn again, her hand went to her necklace, "Why?!" she uttered as she lifted the chain away from her skin, attempting to get some kind of relief.

Wash studied the necklace, she could feel its confusion. As if it were trying to not only protect Maura but harm her as well. "Mistress Maura, where did you get that necklace?"

Maura smiled at the memory, "My Gamma gave it to me a long time ago. But ever since I decided to leave him, it will burn me."

"Can Wash look at it?" Wash asked curiously.

Maura nodded and removed the necklace, sighing slightly at the reprieve from the burning. She handed the necklace to Wash, "My mother couldn't figure out why it was doing this. Maybe you'll have better luck."

Wash held the necklace and allowed the memories of the metal to flow over her. She watched the visions playback, seeing everything the necklace saw. Tree was silent beside Wash, he had never seen this before. But now he understood why she was oh so careful with her tasks in the castle. She could feel the memories of the items like he could feel the emotions of the grounds.

Maura and Tree watched the emotions play across Wash's face. "Is she okay?" Maura whispered to Tree.

Tree nodded silently, placing a finger to his lips, indicating that she too, should remain silent. Maura nodded, watching and waiting for Wash to finish.

Wash gasped as she saw what almost happened to Maura at the school dance. Her lips turned down in a frown as she watched the young man take his own life. She watched as a minion picked it up from the grass. Her mouth fell in surprise, she recognized that minion. She didn't realize that they were all connected. As the necklace continued to show Wash its life, Wash's body was growing tired. When it had finally finished its story and Wash opened her eyes. She looked at Maura, "Oh, Mistress, your necklace has such a story."

Maura tilted her head, she didn't know or realize that this could happen. "Is it going to be safe for me to wear it?"

Wash shook her head, "Not until Wash can find a nice witch to help."

"A nice witch?" Maura was confused, "My mother is a nice witch, and she couldn't figure it out."

Wash smiled, "Yes, but this is different. Mistress's mother didn't know what to look for."

Tree leaned in and whispered, "What about the witches that escaped?"

Wash looked at her, "The boy witches? No, they can not help." She turned to Maura, "Can Wash hold the necklace for three days?"

Maura was confused that number was oddly specific, but nodded, "Of course." She rubbed her neck, thinking she could use the reprieve. She was about to speak again when a very ominous voice filled the room.

"Tree, Wash, what is that woman doing in here?"

Tree and Wash jumped and turned, "Master Abigor, this lady is lost."

Abigor rolled his eyes, "Let me guess, Birsha?" he asked. His mood was sour from the death of his father and the darkness that had filled him. But he had zero tolerance for Birsha's behavior towards women. "I'll get you off this Isle, but be warned. If I need you, you will have to help me."

Maura looked at him, she was surprised to see the smallest hint of decency from this demon. Maura nodded in agreement, "That is fine. I will help."

Abigor led Maura out the door and down a clear path. She noticed a patch of sunshine on the Isle. It seemed so out of place for such a dark place. She was about to ask when Abigor shut her down. "It's not the way out. It's locked and will remain that way."

Maura nodded, "Of course."

They stopped at a clearing near the beach, and Abigor called out to the mermaids playing in the surf. "Anemone, Calypso, take my friend here away from the Isle."

Anemone and Calypso swam to the edge, "It will be our pleasure."

Abigor gave them a stern look, "She is to make it back to her own home safely. Am I clear on that?"

The mermaids looked disappointed, "Yes." Anemone turned to Maura, "Where is home?"

Maura sighed, "Jade Oasis."

"That's quite a journey. Come on," Anemone said, "Step into the water, we will protect you."

Calypso waited until Maura was under the water with her sister, she turned to Abigor, "Who is she? That she is to be kept safe?"

Abigor gave her a dark smile, he had plans to take care of Birsha and he could feel that this woman would be key. "She is fated to Brisha."

Calypso's eyes widened, "She isn't?"

"She is, and she is to be kept safe." His last words were also a warning, he knew how the mermaids could be. He walked away, confident that she would be safe and he would be seeing her again.