The Red Witch

Chapter 9

Greyson watched from the kitchen door as Lord Ashworth and his family left the castle. Ferrydean tried his best to stop them but it was clear the other lord was of no mind to listen to the other man’s pleas. He could hear Judith upstairs screaming and swearing which pleased him greatly but his only real concern now was finding out where Karin had disappeared to. He had kept up his pretence of working for his father but he had also sent out scouts to find any priest willing to attend the castle immediately. He looked across the courtyard now, hoping to spot Karin but as yet, there was no sign of her. He had already scoured the battlements and the kitchens for her. The weather was turning again and he knew she would seek shelter somewhere. He had just to imagine where. Just as he was about to turn and go back inside, he spotted a small donkey coming through the gate, attended by what looked like an elderly Scribe. He abandoned his search and went to him instead. As he moved quickly, he spotted Bane’s back end and tail behind the tool shed and sighed with relief. Wherever Bane was, Karin would be close by. The fuzzball never left her side. He continued to the monk, or friar, whichever he happened to be. “Are you the priest I asked for?” He asked as he quickly pulled the man and the bovarn to one side.

“Sire, forgive me.” The old man said quickly and then nodded, “I received a message from a boy wearing the Ferrydean crest, demanding I attend Lord Greyson but I am no priest.”

“Then what are you?” Greyson asked quickly.

“I am a simple monk Sire.” He replied just as quickly.

“That’ll do.” Greyson told him. “What’s your name?”

“Peter Sir.”

“Good.” Greyson said, “If you will please go directly to our chapel and prepare a wedding ceremony.”

“Sire!” Peter objected quickly, “I am not ordained for that! You should ask your own Bishop for such a thing. I’m only allowed to read the scriptures, not speak them.”

“I can’t.” Greyson said quickly, “So just for today, I give you the task. We must be quick and this must be done in absolute secrecy. Go now and prepare. I will be with you shortly.” He looked around quickly, making sure no-one had seen them talking. Peter quickly obeyed and made for the chapel as Greyson made for the tool shed and Bane’s backside.

“Karin.” Greyson said. Bane offered a small bark and a growl as Greyson got between Karin and him. “Up, quickly.” He pushed as he reached down and took her by the arm. “God, you’re freezing!” He said and pulled her close.

“Get off me!” Karin snapped and pushed him back. Bane growled again and got between them once more. “How dare you!” She shouted at him quietly before she opened her shawl to free her arms and she struck him hard on the chest.

“We don’t have time for this!” Greyson said, taking her fists in his hands and he held her arms high. Unable to strike him with her hands, she lifted her foot and swiftly kicked him in the shin.

“You bastard!” Karin yelled at him this time. “How dare you play with me like that! How dare you use me again like that!”

“Hush!” Greyson said quickly, “We don’t have much time.”

“No!” Karin snapped, wrenching her hands free and she backed up again, standing behind Bane. “You don’t have much time and I have even less thanks to you!” She wrapped her shawl about her again. “How dare you!”

“Would you rather I married the Ashworth girl instead?” He asked quickly, his arm pointing at the gate. “And leave you at the mercy of my step-mother? Good Lord, Karin! I’m trying to save your life!”

“My life!” Karin snapped back, “My life is only in danger because of you!” She folded her arms and glared at him. “The only one being saved here is you Greyson Ferrydean, you and your stupid pride! I will not be party to it! I will not live a lie just so you can stick your fingers up at your damned father!”

“You think marrying me would be a lie?” Greyson asked. “Haven’t you lived as my wife for long enough to recognise it for what it is? Are you really that stupid?” He stepped forward quickly but Bane snapped his maw, making Greyson step back again. “You have slept in my bed, sat by my side and walked at my shoulder as my wife for nearly two years and I have treated you with the respect and dignity that I would any woman I should call wife.”

“I am not stupid, Greyson.” Karin returned sharply. “And I am not so foolish as to believe a lord like you would ever stoop to take a weaver’s, or farmer’s, whatever, daughter for a wife! Despite everything Greyson, I am what I am, bought and paid for.”

“Did you learn nothing from our time together?” He asked, “Nothing at all?” He stepped forward again, ignoring Bane’s growls and barks. “Did you not hear everything my father and I said to each other? Did you not see? You are my wife Karin, you have been for nearly two years in all but name. You just refuse to accept it.” He stepped right to her and pulled her close again. She didn’t fight him this time and Bane backed down. “You’re right about me wanting to upset my father but I have found many better and easier ways of doing it than this.” He told her quietly. “But I refuse to let you go for the sake of a title or leave you at the mercy of that bloody woman my father calls wife.” He kissed the top of her head and sighed gently. “For God’s sake Karin, just understand this for what it is?”

“I’ll do it.” Karin replied, her voice muffled by his cloak and shirt, “But I still hate you.”

“I told you before.” He said with relief, “I can live with it.” He let her go and then quickly grabbed her wrist. “Now hurry.” He urged, pulling her away from the shed. “We have even less time now.”

Peter busied away as best he could and when Greyson entered with Karin, he almost dropped his ceremonial rope. “Sire!” He gasped.

“Monk.” Greyson said and quickly presented Karin to him. “This is Lady Karin Menoda. Karin, this is Peter, Monk and Scribe. He will perform the ceremony. Very quickly I hope.”

“Yes Sire!” Peter whimpered. “May God forgive me!” He dumped the book and cup on the alter. Performed his homage and then opened his bible.

“God will forgive you.” Greyson told him, “But I will not if we are caught. Dispense with the pleasantries and nonsense. We don’t have time.” He quickly grabbed Karin’s hand and folded his own over it.

“Blessed God bear witness.” Peter said as he wrapped their hands in the rope. “Uh….” He turned the page quickly. “Do…? Yes, do you Lord Greyson Ferrydean, take this…..?”

“Yes.” Greyson said quickly, urging the man to hurry.

“Yes, good.” The old man stammered. “Mistress Karin Menoda, do you take this man?”

“Yes.” She said quietly.

“Do you vow….”

“We can do that another time.” Greyson said quickly, hearing someone outside the temple. “Just say the words. Quickly!”

“I uh… I pronounce you man and wife as witnessed by God!” Peter stammered, “You may kiss your bride!” As quick as lightening, Greyson leaned over and kissed Karin before he turned to hear the door begin to open.

“Hide!” He quipped, grabbing the monk by his hood. He dragged the old man with a yelp into the inner sanctum and out of sight. “Down!” He snapped at Karin, “Quick! You’re praying!” He pulled Peter into the sanctum and Karin immediately dropped to her knees before the altar and put her head down, covering it with her hood.

“I swear that girl will be the death of me.” Judith said as she pushed the temple door open and entered. Her handmaid followed faithfully behind. “Oh hell!” She snapped, recognising Karin. She put her hand to her belly and glowered at her handmaid. “You said the chapel was empty!” She snapped and viciously slapped the poor girl with her free hand.

“I thought it was!” The girl whimpered, holding her cheek.

“Forgive me.” Karin offered as she got to her feet again and lowered her head before the altar. “I was just leaving.”

“I’m surprised you would dare set foot in here.” Judith snapped.

“Everyone is welcome in the house of God.” She reminded the woman with a polite smile, “Even the fallen such as me. I shall leave you to your prayers My Lady.” She made to move past Judith and her handmaid but the woman had other ideas. She grabbed Karin’s arm painfully and yanked her close.

“Don’t think for a second you have won, witch.” Judith said darkly. “I know Greyson lied to his father and I know you will never be his wife.”

“I know nothing of My Lord Greyson lying, My Lady.” Karin offered carefully but then lifted her chin and met the woman’s icy gaze. “And I wasn’t aware I had won anything. I was here simply to give thanks for a kind and generous husband and to ask that I can live up to his expectations.” She c****d her head to one side and lifted her brow. “If that is all My Lady, I am wanted elsewhere.”

“You are not wanted anywhere!” Judith snapped at her. “I know your game, witch.” She yanked Karin a little closer, her breath hot on Karin’s cheek. “I will expose you for what you are.” She said darkly, “A witch and a w***e. I will see you hang before year’s end Karin, mark my words.”

“Perhaps I should do the same.” Karin countered quickly. “I know how you came to be Lady of this castle.” Judith let her go quickly and Karin smiled, smoothing down her sleeve and straightening her shawl. “I heard what Master Greyson said to his father about you. That’s the benefit of being unwanted and unseen, Lady Judith. You can hear and see so much more when everyone around you thinks so little of you.”

“You’re a dead woman.” Judith snapped. “I will cut your throat myself if I have to!”

“Are you threatening me, Lady Judith?” Karin asked carefully, looking to the terrified handmaid. Karin smiled warmly at her before returning her gaze to Judith. “I suggest you tread carefully Lady Judith, lest someone hears your blasphemy in this holy place.” As if on cue, Peter emerged from the sanctum. Greyson literally pushed him out into the chapel. Karin turned quickly and smiled to the old man. “Peter.” She said warmly. “I didn’t know you were still here.” She winked as he smiled nervously. “Might I introduce you to my mother-in-law?”

“You might not!” Judith shouted and turned on her heel. She left quickly, her handmaid fighting to hold her laughter in check. The girl nodded her head in respect to Karin, her eyes twinkling with happiness and quickly fled after her mistress.

“Well played.” Greyson offered as he emerged from the door also and patted the monk on the shoulder.

“I should be going.” The terrified man whimpered and quickly gathered up his things.

“Thank you.” Greyson offered warmly, “And my apologies for getting you involved in this mess.” He reached into his cloak and pulled out his purse. He handed it over in its entirety. “Please, take this with my gratitude.”

“Yes.” Peter said, taking the purse and he quickly fled from the chapel.