The Red Witch

Chapter 8

The year passed in relative peace. The rain however, persisted and much of the lower valley was flooded. Once the waters had receded, the ground left behind was highly fertile.

Karin walked along the battlement, her shawl tight about her as she gazed out across the land. The long wooden canopy above protected her from the rain as she watched the people below race hither and thither to escape the worst of it. Further out she saw men pulling their ploughs, their wives and children planting seeds behind as another closed the ground after. Despite the weather, there seemed a happiness in the air, a contentment that had until now gone unnoticed to her. Perhaps it was the new relationship she had found growing between herself and Greyson, perhaps not but the change in atmosphere was impossible to ignore and it seemed to radiate out in ripples across the valley. And perhaps that new sense of happiness had changed the people’s view of Karin. On several occasions now, many had offered smiles and compliments to her instead of suspicion and hatred. They no longer avoided her in the market and courtyard and they took her money from her hand instead of dropping it. She had accused Greyson in the beginning of interfering but he was quickly able to prove otherwise. It was still strange some days but she was getting used to it as they were now perhaps used to her.

A shout from a South tower caused her to pause in her reverie and look out across the fields to the road. A guard had spotted a caravan coming their way. A horse and rider approached quickly with the Ferrydean banner high and proud. Karin took a deep breath, feeling all that happiness and contentment drop to the pit of her stomach. Ferrydean and his wife were home early. Further along the battlement behind her, another ran to announce the arrival to Greyson. Karin remained motionless on the spot and watched in silence. An icy East wind billowed her hair, making it dance around her as the rider and caravan approached and her eyes followed closely as it dipped beneath her and entered the gates. Through the window in the door of the first carriage, Karin saw Judith and Judith looked up to see Karin. Her cold brown eyes glimmered with danger before the corner of Judith’s mouth turned up in a knowing and menacing smile. Something was afoot. In that single look in that single moment, Karin knew she was in true peril.

“Father!” Greyson shouted, feigning his happiness and smile as he watched Ferrydean step down from the first carriage. “I wasn’t expecting you until later in the year. I hope your journey was a good one.” He offered the older man a tense hug. A servant came to help Judith exit the carriage and Ferrydean stepped back with a proud smile. Greyson blinked in shock as Judith let go the servant and placed her hand proudly on her large and rounded belly. “Step-mother!” Greyson said with a laugh and a smile. “Look at you! You are glowing!” He offered her a more tender hug before stepping back and guiding them inside. “When did this happen?”

“We discovered the child just before the solstice.” Ferrydean said proudly as he took Judith’s arm gently.

“I’m so happy for you both.” Greyson lied.

“I doubt that.” Judith offered coldly but quietly. “But we have further news to bring which might make you even happier.” She turned her head to the second carriage. A servant helped a young Lady dressed in soft yellow step down. She had long golden hair braided and coiled to the nape of her neck and held in place by a small scarf and headdress. She had deep brown eyes that looked around carefully and nervously. After she had exited the carriage, a second person, an older woman stepped down and looked around. After that, a stout older man. The girl’s parents no doubt. Greyson offered a bow in respect but eyed his step-mother cautiously. The woman simply smiled back at him and entered the house. Under the cover of the canopy, Karin watched on with curiosity and fear as the strangers entered the castle. As the caravan pulled away again, Karin returned, entering through a back door to the upstairs and she made her way to the balcony. None of the candles had been lit along it, allowing her to remain unseen in the shadow so she could watch and listen and learn what was happening. It wasn’t long before the family and their guests gathered below near the fire. Greyson took his usual chair while Ferrydean took his. Judith and the other two women sat somewhat off to the side but still close to the warmth. They chatted quietly, Karin could not hear them clearly but she heard Ferrydean and Greyson clear plenty.

Sitting comfortably in his chair, Ferrydean eyed his son. “Something has changed in you.” He said. “I sense much has happened in my absence.” He leaned back and crossed his legs at the knee. He then looked down at Greyson’s side and smiled to see Bane sat faithfully with his head resting on the arm of the chair. Ferrydean’s wolverine wandered elsewhere.

“I fear more may have changed in mine.” Greyson replied cautiously as he looked across at the women. A few servants arrived with hot ale and sweet meats but were ignored. Only one looked up to the balcony, Emily and she smiled. She knew her Mistress would be watching closely as was her habit these days. “But I am happy my step-mother has finally been graced with your seed.”

“She had much to atone for.” Ferrydean snorted. “This was her way of doing so. A strong healthy son would pay her penance in full.”

“I pray she does just that.” Greyson offered as a compliment. “And your guests?” He nodded at the young girl and older woman with Judith. “Had I known, I would have prepared the guest wing for them.”

“A last minute addition.” Ferrydean said with a smile as he sipped his hot ale. “I have thought much over this last year and a half, my son and I have had much to consider.”

“Such as?” Greyson asked.

“It is time I advanced my standing in the higher courts.” Ferrydean said, “Lady Marybeth and her mother will do that for me.”

“You’ve lost me.” Greyson said, “How will they advance your standing?”

“I have made connections with her father, Lord Marcus of House Ashworth.” Ferrydean said with some pride, “His House and bloodline have the title and status but they are broke.” He grinned over his ale. “We have money but no title and status in the higher courts. We brokered a deal.”

Greyson nodded, understanding finally. He sighed gently and sipped his own ale. “So though my step-mother may have paid her penance to you, you have decided to replace her with Lord Ashworth’s daughter.” He said. “Cunning Father but I doubt Lady Judith will be so accepting.”

“Lady Marybeth isn’t for me Greyson.” Ferrydean chortled. Greyson stopped with his ale cup to his lips. “You are five and twenty now and you have yet to take a wife. Lady Marybeth will be that wife. With our Houses joined through you, we will gain status and Lord Ashworth will clear his debt with the dowry.”

“I see.” Greyson said darkly. “You want me to marry Lady Marybeth.”

“Yes.” Ferrydean finished his ale but as he put his cup down, Bane growled at something before turning his head to the balcony. “What’s wrong with him?” He asked as the massive animal quickly left Greyson and bounded for the stairs.

“I don’t think he likes your idea.” Greyson told him, knowing full well where and to whom Bane was going. “I don’t think I do much either.”

“Why?” Ferrydean asked. “Is she not pretty enough?”

“She’s very pretty.” Greyson admitted.

“And she is obedient and pious, and she is mindful of her place.” Ferrydean added. “Is that not good enough for you?”

“I prefer my woman to have a mind and a voice with which to speak it.” Greyson told him. “Obedience and piety rarely makes for good conversation.” He finished his own ale and made to stand. “I have work I should be tending to.” He said to excuse himself.

“You speak of your little red-head.” Ferrydean said, making Greyson stop.

“I will remind you but once Father.” Greyson said with menace. “She is my ….”

“Your companion, yes, I know.” Ferrydean finished. “Stop being a foolish boy Greyson. Sit down.” Greyson did so angrily. “Lady Marybeth is a fine young woman who will give you many healthy and equally fine sons. This union will mean a great many advancements for us.”

“For you.” Greyson corrected. “Not for me. I wish a partnership of mind and soul, not just a contract to advance my name. I will not marry a woman that I do not care for or love, nor a woman that simply obeys without question. Lady Marybeth, though very pretty and no doubt a fine lady, is not what I find attractive in a wife. If you like them so much, you marry her. I shall make my own way in such matters.” He made to get up again.

“You will do as I command Greyson Ferrydean.” Ferrydean snapped, drawing the attention of the women. Judith rose and approached with a smile and perched herself on the arm of Ferrydean’s chair.

“You should do as your father wishes, Greyson.” Judith offered with her knowing grin. As she spoke, the other two joined them also and perched on the bench opposite. “Lady Marybeth is very knowledgeable about the world and she will make a fine wife for you. It’s time you laid this foolishness to rest and made yourself a proper life with a proper wife.” Greyson snorted with sarcastic laughter and shook his head.

“If I may Sire?” Marybeth spoke up. Her voice was quiet and flighty and she looked nervous. “I have been told of your witch and how you see great value in her.”

“She is not my witch.” Greyson corrected. “She is not a w***e, a witch or any kind of dark entity my step-mother has claimed her to be. Karin is an honourable woman, the daughter of a fine Mistress Weaver. She is also of independent thought and wealth.”

“Forgive me.” Marybeth offered with a low bow of her head. “I meant no offense.”

“Then what did you mean?” He asked sharply.

“I meant only Sire that I understand she means much to you.” The young woman offered quietly. “And if you wish to keep her, I won’t stand in your way. I am happy to share your affections with her as your lover and perhaps we might even be friends in our own right.”

“I’ve heard enough.” Greyson said, getting to his feet again. He bowed slightly to Marybeth and then her mother. “I thank you for your kindness and understanding but …”

“Greyson.” Ferrydean growled quietly.

“But I must decline.” Greyson continued. “It has been an honour to meet you and to speak with you but that is where we must part company.” He turned with another bow of his head and walked away. Ferrydean shot to his feet as Marybeth sought solace in her mother at the so clear and abrupt rejection.

Ferrydean raced after his son, grabbing him by the arm sharply and forcing the much larger man to stop dead. “What under God are you doing?!” He snapped, pushing them both under the balcony a little. Right under Karin as she continued to hide in the shadows and listen.

“I am saving a young girl the humiliation and suffering of being married to a man that does not love her or care for her.” Greyson returned firmly.

“What the hell are you talking about!?” Ferrydean snapped. “What does love and care have to do with it? That girl is the best thing that could ever happen to us, don’t you see that?”

“And what kind of woman would be willing to share her husband with another so openly like that?” Greyson asked.

“A good, God fearing one!” Ferrydean said sharply. “One willing to put up with your nonsense and selfishness!”

“I already have one of those.” Greyson said calmly. “She has been my loyal, loving and caring companion who has understood and accepted me for who I am. She is ten times the woman that girl could ever be.”

“Then keep her!” Ferrydean said with a sigh, “But for God’s sake, don’t be stupid enough to drop your standing in the s**t because of her.”

“Like you did Father?” Greyson asked carefully.

“Don’t.” Ferrydean said quickly. “You know nothing of the relationship I have with your mother.”

“She is not my mother.” Greyson told him firmly. “She is the w***e that replaced my first step-mother. How long was that poor woman in the ground before you bed her? Was she even dead before Judith spread her legs for you?”

“You push me too far, Greyson.” Ferrydean said darkly. “You will marry the Ashworth girl and you will do it with honour and a f*****g smile, understand?” Ferrydean rarely cursed so it added more weight to his demand. Greyson knew this but he refused to budge. If anything, an idea came to him that would surely leave his father dead in the water.

“I cannot marry Lady Marybeth, even if I wished to, which I do not.” He leaned down. “You are a day late and a silver coin short Father. Karin already carries my name.”

“No!” Ferrydean gasped. “No, I won’t allow it!” In her shadow, Karin gripped her mouth with her hands should she be heard.

“It’s already done.” Greyson said with a smile.

“It can be undone.” Ferrydean snapped. “I will talk to the Bishop myself.”

“You do that.” Greyson offered, “But there is little he can do. I chose another to perform the ceremony for this very reason without his consent or knowledge.” Greyson knew he was getting in deeper and deeper but there was no way he was about to marry Marybeth Ashworth. He would have to think hard and quick now to make his lie the truth and no doubt Karin would be furious with him for it. “It is done Father and it will remain thus.” He said as he straightened up. “Now if you will excuse me, I have actual work to do.” Ferrydean could only watch his son walk away and he swallowed hard as he battled to think what to do now.

Having heard more than she would ever wish to, Karin fled the balcony with Bane close behind and loud enough that they were spotted by Judith. The woman, unaware of her husband’s conversation, grinned darkly, feeling her sense of triumph soar. Karin ignored her and everyone else as she bolted from the house into the courtyard via the kitchens. Only outside did she breathe again but she knew she would be watched so kept her tears hidden behind her hands and her mouth shut to stifle the scream. With her shawl up over her head, she sobbed silently behind the tool shed. Greyson had done it again. He had played her and used her to disrupt his father’s plans. He had once again put his own selfish needs first. The sense of dread that she had felt on Ferrydean’s return burned inside her as she realised Judith would stop at nothing now to see her gone, preferably dead. Her gilded cage of gold was about to become the very mud her feet were sinking into. She leaned against the wall, putting her forehead to the wood as Bane tried to comfort her. “I wish you had killed me.” She sobbed quietly to him. “I wish you had bitten my neck and killed me the day Ferrydean took me.” She crouched down against the wall and pulled the hound to her. “Kill me now.” She begged, “Please Bane. End this misery before the lord’s wife does it.” In response, Bane licked her hands and face and whined softly.