Forbidden Magic

Chapter 5

Prudence turned her attention to Minnie. She blinked, then blinked a second time, and her eyes reverted to their usual emerald hue. The guard, who was struggling to breathe, dropped to the ground with a hard thud. Prudence stepped back with a gasp and placed her hand over her mouth, eyes wide with fear. He took in long hard gulps of air, moving to brace himself on all fours as he stared angrily at Prudence.

“I-I’m sorry,” her voice came quietly as she moved her hands and clutched them tightly to her chest.

Owen started to stir from his prone position on the ground, he gave out a pained groan and placed a hand on his head.

“Papa!” She moved to run towards him but found herself once again being held back by strong hands clasped around her biceps.

Owen slowly pushed back into a kneeling position and gave Prudence a sorrowful look, “I’m sorry my little dove.” he spoke before lowering his eyes to the grass beneath him.

Tears started to blur Prudence’s vision, as the reality of the situation set in. She glanced up at Minnie and Peter, still on the porch, too afraid to move. They each appeared just as remorseful as her father. Knowing that there was nothing they could do to stop what was happening. Minnie placed her hands over her face and began to sob.

The commander gave a hand motion, and a few guards moved toward her holding rope and fabric. They bound her hands behind her back and secured her ankles together. Then took the strip of fabric and placed it in her mouth, tying it behind her head. She winced as the knot pulled on her hair, causing a stinging sensation on her scalp as strands were ripped from it.

“His Lord sends his thanks for your cooperation,” The Commander spoke to her family, as she was hoisted up and placed belly down across the withers of one of the horses. A guard jumped in the saddle and held her in place with one hand while the other held the reins. The Commander made another motion with his hand, the unit turned and trotted away from the house. Large tears flowed freely now, as Prudence stared at the ground.

“No! Prue!” Peter’s voice called as he leaped from the porch and dashed across the yard following the unit.

“Peter, no!” Owen called to his son, trying hard to scramble up from the ground and stop him. Prudence glanced up, seeing the boy trying to catch up to the horses.

“Prue!” he cried out again, dashing through the grass that ran alongside the dirt road. “We love you, Prue! Don’t you ever forget that! You hear me!?” he called again as the unit picked up speed to a canter, pulling further and further away from Peter.

“I love you too.” She tried to speak, though her voice was muffled by the gag in her mouth. She watched Peter and her home fade from sight. Prudence’s heart shattered like glass hitting the floor. Small splinters spread everywhere with no hope of ever being able to put it back together. The ache in her chest caused her stomach to clench and roil as if threatening to expel its contents. The bouncing of her stomach against the horse did not help either, but she knew the gag would not allow her to safely release the bile building up. So she swallowed the bitter and foul taste and clamped her mouth shut to the best of her ability.

The ride to the castle is only a few hours. She knew that from their family’s once-a-month visit to the market to pick up supplies. But the emotional torment and the constant torture to her midsection caused by the steed’s gait, made it seem like the trek would take forever. The group of guards did not say a word as they traveled. Which was a bit unnerving. She was used to the chatter of her family when they took the trip together. Prudence sobbed against the fabric in her mouth. She was never going to be able to enjoy that again. Would never again tour the town, with Peter close on her heels. Nor watch the large wagons and carts go by, trying to see if they could pick out the ones their father made.

When the dirt road gave way to cobblestone streets, she knew where they were, and the horses slowed to a trot. The smell of town always caused her distress until her nose got used to it. The repulsive smells of waste and filth, mixed with smoke and soot then the warmer aromas of baked goods and food. It was a severe contrast to the fresh and clean air that surrounded their farm. Her throat clenched at the realization that she would never see that farm again.

The closer the squadron got to the castle, the cleaner the cobblestone road became. No longer covered in livestock feces and other dirt and grime. These looked like they were swept daily. The clip-clack of the horses' hooves was more crisp and clear.

“Open the gate!” a voice above them hollered and was promptly followed by the jingling of chains, the groaning of gears, and the sound of metal sliding across the rock.

Prudence lifted her head. A large stone archway opened the way to the castle grounds, with the pointed ends of the large iron gate hanging from the top resembling fangs. It looked as if she was entering the mouth of a large monster, and maybe she was. Inside, more men dressed in Lord Dumont’s colors walked around, only stopping to watch the unit that had just entered. Other men, more like boys, dressed in peasant attire rushed forward to grab the horses. Prudence assumed they were stable hands.

Two guards approached the horse she was laid across. One grabbed her by the armpits and began to pull her from her perch, while the other stayed close to the equine’s shoulder and grabbed her legs when they cleared the withers. The one holding her legs bent forward just a bit before releasing them. Unable to get her feet under in time she almost landed on her head, but was held tight by the one holding her upper half.

“Cut her feet free,” the Commander ordered as he stepped around the horses that were being led away by the stable boys. “She will walk in from here, or she will be dragged.”

At his command, the rope that bound her ankles was sliced and peeled away, then she was hoisted up straight to stand on her own feet. The rope had rubbed her skin raw, and she wished she could reach down to soothe the angry skin, but her hands were still bound. she was spun around to face the Commander.

“You are going to behave yourself within the castle walls. Do I make myself clear?” The Commander had now moved to stand in front of her. He leaned close, his face was mere inches away from hers. The tone in his voice demanded a response. How she would have loved to headbutt his face in. Wait! Where did that thought come from? No, she was not a violent person. She meekly nodded her head and averted her eyes to the ground. A smile curled the edges of the man’s face. “Good, then let’s go meet his Lordship.”