The Red Witch

Chapter 4

Greyson’s room was very large, as big as the entire kitchen downstairs. It held the usual family crest above a large fireplace and also carved into the tall wooden headboard of his equally large bed. It was harder to see in the dim light. Karin wandered the room with a candle, trying to understand what had just happened. Tears trickled slowly down her cheeks until she simply let her legs give out and she collapsed on a fur rug behind his large chair. “I’m in hell!” She cried quietly. “I’m cursed into this place! What more can you do to me, Lord?” She looked up out of the tall window at the moon rising. “Why must you punish me like this? What did I ever do wrong? I didn’t know that I would bring the storm that killed my mother! I cannot help my red hair, or my pale eyes! Please God, just tell me why!” But of course, she would get no answer. All she could do was weep for the situation she found herself in. She curled up on the fur, praying that Greyson would fall asleep in the hall. No such luck, it would seem. As the moon cast its eerie glow into the room, the door opened and Greyson entered. Karin flinched and curled up tighter, closing her eyes tight. She would fight him, she was determined on that but she knew she would fail. If anyone came from Hell, it was him. She listened carefully as he crossed the room and then dropped his boots near the fire. He sat down in his chair, making it creak and groan some and he settled back into it. Karin remained in a tight ball behind it, daring not to even breathe.

“You must think us monsters.” He began, keeping his voice quiet and smooth. He knew she was there, hiding away like a little mouse. She didn’t answer him. “Is it true that your father would kill you if my father had sent you back?” Still nothing. Greyson nodded, looking over his shoulder some. He could see the hem of her skirts and the toe of her leather slippers. “Is my step-mother right about you girl?” He asked. “Are you really a witch?” Silence. “I know you are listening to me.” He continued. “And I know you’re terrified. If it makes you feel any better girl, I do that to most people; terrify them, I mean. Girl?”

“My name is Karin.” She reminded him and he smiled. “And Lady Judith is right. I am cursed.”

“Is that so?” Greyson turned in his chair, making it groan under the strain. He rested his arm on the back of it and looked around at her. “Tell me why.”

“I killed my mother.” She offered with deep sadness. “I brought the storm that took her life the night I was born and it’s my fault my father is bed-ridden. I cursed him as I cursed my mother.”

“Is that so?” Greyson asked again. “So you, an unborn infant somehow managed to bring a devastating storm, kill your mother during your own birth and then curse your father?”

“Yes Sire.” She told him. “I have been marked by Death.”

“How?” He asked.

“My red hair and my pale eyes.” She said. “It is the mark of evil.”

In his chair, Greyson began to laugh heartily, so much so that he nearly fell from it. Karin was horrified at him and finally left her spot behind the chair. She skittered back to the wall, fresh tears streaming down her face at the sting of his mocking. He continued to laugh for a good ten minutes before he finally relaxed again. He looked across at her and shook his head, “You’re not cursed Karin.” He chuckled, “Nor are you marked by Death, or a witch.”

“But I am Sire!” She cried, “I took my mother’s life just being born! Nothing could be worse! How could you laugh at me like that?”

“I am because I can.” He told her as his laughter finally faded. He turned back around in his chair and looked into the fire. “Women die every day giving birth. My own mother did having me. And if you were such an evil creature, God would have killed you, not her. As for the storm, they come every year almost and someone usually dies from them. All you are guilty of Karin, is believing your father’s stupidity.”

“My father is not stupid!” Karin countered quickly.

“Oh really.” Greyson returned quickly. “He was stupid enough to treat his only daughter like a slave and then even more stupid to sell her to a stupid man like my father for the price of a farm he cannot work. And now, not only will your brothers have to work harder for less but your father will have to care for himself.” He folded his arms over his chest. “Something I imagine he has not done for some time. Am I right?”

“I…” Karin stammered.

“I thought so.” Greyson told her.

“But that doesn’t change anything.” Karin said firmly. “Not for me. I’m still a slave.” She looked at him carefully.

He turned in his chair again and looked right back at her. “I don’t see a slave.” He told her.

“No Sire.” She replied coldly, “You do see a slave. A slave worth six iron coins to you so I’d best earn it, right?”

Greyson gave her a look of bemusement. “And how would you earn it?” He asked curiously. “Be honest now Karin. What do you think I expect from you for my six whole coins?”

“You expect me to be your whore.” She said, her tone flat. “But know this. You will have to beat me near to death before I ever lift my skirts for such as you.” For the second time, Greyson erupted in laughter. Karin firmed her jaw and scowled at him. “I am glad I bring you such amusement, Greyson Ferrydean.” She snapped.

After slapping the arm of his chair and taking several deep breaths, he finally calmed enough to speak once more. He wiped the tears from his eyes and relaxed in the chair again. “Karin, my dear girl!” He chortled, “If I ever have need of a w***e, I can find one easily enough in the village and for far less than six iron!” He laughed once more and shook his head. “I didn’t buy you from him to make you my personal whore.”

“Then why did you?” She asked back quickly. His laughter stopped instantly.

“To save your life.” He said, his eyes and face serious now. “Had I not, my father would have surely made you one and my step-mother would have killed you for it. Judith is a very jealous woman, Karin and you had turned my father’s head the moment he saw you.” He nodded as Karin shuddered in disgust and fear. “Exactly.” He continued. “Buying you from him has ensured you are safe. Judith cannot harm you and my father cannot touch you. Do you understand Karin?”

“I do Sire.” She said, sitting back against the wall. She looked both confused and relieved by his revelation. “So if I’m not to be your w***e, what do you want from me?”

“You may do as you please.” He said, relaxing into his chair once more. He stretched his massive feet out near the fire. “Just stay away from Judith and my father and I will give you all the freedom you want.”

“What if I want to leave?” She asked. “Run away and never come back.”

“That is your choice.” He told her, “But you have nowhere to go. And you have nothing to trade for food and lodgings, except maybe….”

“Absolutely not!” Karin snapped, making him chuckle with laughter again.

“Then you are welcome to stay here with me.” He continued. “You may sleep in my bed if you so desire but know that I will sleep in it also. Or you can sleep on hay by the fire like you used to. The choice is yours.”

Greyson had begun to snore gently in his chair by the time Karin dared move from the wall. Her mind reeled with what he’d told her and what he’d offered her. She’d never known anyone like him before, not that she had much to compare to. Greyson Ferrydean looked and had sounded like a monster, a giant, yet he’d been kind to her. She had to wonder what the catch was. He didn’t want her as a servant, or a w***e, or even a personal maid. All she had to do was avoid Lord and Lady Ferrydean. In a place this big, she would find that easy. One thing she didn’t need asking twice was the offer of a bed. It was strange for her and at first, she struggled to fall asleep but eventually, exhaustion claimed her and she slept soundly for the first time.

Dawn came and went and Karin continued to sleep peacefully. It was only when she felt hot breath on her face that she finally woke. The shock and stink of it saw her fly across the bed and she yelped in fright and terror to find Bane with his massive paws up on the bed and leaning in at her. She quickly wiped the hot breath from her face and fled the bed. A few seconds later, the door opened and a maid came in. She eyed Karin with suspicion and hatred and Karin ran from the room and down the back stairs towards the kitchens. As usual, the kitchen was a hive of activity and all were racing around with their chores. A few turned their heads at Karin as she entered and it wasn’t long before the whispers started and they began to point at her. Karin made for the back pantry as quickly as possible to hide. No such luck. Betty was in there collecting ingredients for the evening meal and she didn’t look happy either. Karin skid to a halt behind the woman and then backed up sharply. “So nice of you to join us!” Betty snapped angrily. “You impress me with your work and the minute you get sent upstairs, you let your duties go!”

“Betty!” Karin pleaded, “I didn’t, I swear!” She shook her head quickly.

“I hope it was worth it.” Betty scolded. “Get cleaned up. You’re a disgrace!”

“But I didn’t do anything!” Karin pleaded.

“Really?” Betty asked, her voice still sharp as she nodded at Karin’s dress. It had a small blood stain on it. She then gathered up her basket. “I took you for an honest girl, Karin Tilling.” She said. “How wrong I was!”

Karin looked down horrified but she knew the truth. “He never put a hand on me!” She shouted. “He slept in his chair the whole night!” She came out of the pantry, her rage now in full swing. “All of you!” She yelled, making them all stop and look at her. “Lord Greyson never touched me! If you’re stupid enough to put me in a pale dress and expect me to not bleed as a woman should…”

“Hush!” Betty snapped, putting her basket down quickly. She turned quickly to Karin who was still fuming. She eyed Karin carefully before half turning her head away. “Who was upstairs this morning?” She asked loudly.

“I was.” Said a young girl. “I saw her in his bed Mamma.”

“And where was Lord Greyson?” Betty asked.

“I know not.” The girl replied, “He was gone when I entered.”

“His pillow?” Betty asked.

“I…. I err…..”

“Out with it, girl!”

The girl had to shake her head, “Untouched, I think but I can’t be sure. She was in his bed Mamma.”

“Was she dressed as now?”

“Yes.”

“Right.” Betty nodded and moved to the girl. Without hesitation, she slapped the girl right across the face. Karin clasped her hands to her mouth in shock before looking at Betty with wide eyes. “Repeat your horrid gossip again and you’re gone, understand?” Betty said firmly. The girl nodded, clutching her cheek. “Good.” She folded her arms. “Now go find some rags for Karin and a clean dress. Then you can wash that one. And once you’ve done that, you can do all Karin’s chores for the rest of the day as a way to atone for your vicious tongue!”

“Betty, you don’t….” Karin started.

“Yes I do.” Betty returned quickly. “And I’ll hear no more of it. Now get to work, all of you! We have a family to tend!”