The Red Witch

Chapter 5

As instructed, Karin literally did nothing that day beyond wash herself and change her dress. The girl that Betty struck passed a few hateful glares her way but otherwise nothing more was said on the matter. By day’s end, Karin found herself simply sat making straw dollies and binding bunches of lavender for the upstairs servants to hang in various places. The boredom was near intolerable and on several occasions she had her hands slapped by Betty for daring to touch something she shouldn’t. The evening bell rang and Karin made herself scarce while the servants took the food up and the kitchen staff went to work cleaning up. She found a quiet spot in the back pantry to finish her dolly. For weeks after, this became Karin’s routine. She helped out in the kitchen and stayed well out of the way of Judith and Steven Ferrydean. Once the main chores were done for the day, Karin went into hiding in the back pantry in case Greyson demanded her presence, which he often did. Betty remained kind to her but even her infinite patience was now wearing a little thin.

Greyson had been hunting Karin down all day. What chores she had managed to complete for Betty were greeted with tired thanks but Greyson was ever following her shadow it seemed. Eventually, she managed to find solitude in the back pantry once more and prayed he would stop chasing her down, or worse, having Betty do it. Yet again though, no such luck. “Karin!” It was Betty and she sounded a little disturbed. Karin sighed and put her dolly down, poking her head around the doorway.

“In here.” She called back.

“Not anymore.” Betty said as she quickly pulled Karin from the pantry and checked her over.

“What’s wrong?” Karin asked, batting the woman’s hands away.

“Lord Greyson wants you upstairs.” She said.

“Why?” Karin asked in confusion.

“He didn’t say and to be honest Karin, I am tired of this game.” Betty replied before dragging Karrin to the stairs. “Main hall. Quickly now.”

The family were eating and chatting at the table when Karin entered. She bowed her head low and clasped her hands at her front. “You asked for me, Lord Greyson?” She asked carefully, making sure to keep her gaze low should Lady Judith take offense.

“Finally.” Greyson said with a smile. “Did you intend to hide forever?”

“What is that doing up here?” Judith asked coldly. “I thought I told you to keep it out of my sight.”

“That is a she.” Greyson returned just as sharply. “And she is called Karin. Karin will join me and eat with me.”

“I beg your pardon?” Judith gasped, almost choking on her wine. “What did you just say to me?” She looked at Ferrydean, who seemed as shocked as her but somewhat bemused also. “You want your w***e to eat with us? That witch w***e sat at our table? Greyson, you’ve gone mad!” She looked to Ferrydean again. “Steven!” She snapped, “Do something! You can’t let that witch soil our good name!” Karin firmed her jaw, doing all she could to bite her tongue and keep quiet. She dug her nails into her palms painfully.

“Step-mother.” Greyson offered calmly. “Karin is not a witch, or a servant of death, or even a whore.”

“Her skirts a few weeks back said otherwise!” Judith snapped. “The kitchen maid told me.”

“Then she lied.” Greyson said. “Or thought to impress you with gossip, seeing as you so desperately seek it out.”

“How dare you!” Judith yelled, getting up from the table. She picked up her wine and threw it at him before looking at her husband. “For once in your miserable life, do something!” She demanded. Ferrydean looked at his son in shock, unable perhaps to say anything. Slowly, Greyson wiped the wine from his face and neck before he too got to his feet. “Sit down!” She snapped.

“I will eat in my room.” Greyson picked up his plate before moving along the table. He loaded it with food before he grabbed the wine jug. “Karin, bring two cups with you, please.” Karin immediately did as he asked and when he started towards the stairs, she followed close behind. “Good night Father!” He called with a laugh.

“Greyson Ferrydean!” Judith yelled, “You get back here right now!”

“Good night Step-mother.” Was his reply and he climbed the stairs at a leisurely pace.

Sat by the fire, Greyson smiled as Karin tucked into the meat on the plate. She could hear Lady Judith downstairs laying into her husband for not defending her and the language the woman spewed was nothing short of evil. It was bad enough that even Bane sought refuge in Greyson’s room from it. “I would feel sorry for him.” He said as he rubbed Bane behind the ear. “But he was stupid enough to marry the woman so I’d say he made his bed.”

“I think you’re playing with fire, my Lord.” Karin offered after swallowing her meat. She sipped some of the wine and then licked her fingers clean again. Bane was quick to snatch anything left.

“Maybe I am.” Greyson replied with a laugh, “But she deserves it and so does he. And tell me you didn’t enjoy watching all that.”

“I didn’t.” Karin said honestly. “You shouldn’t have done that. It’s wrong to play with people like that.”

“As I said Karin.” Greyson told her firmly, “They deserve it.”

“Lady Judith will want vengeance for this insult.” Karin said. “Your father is already suffering her wrath. Who’s to say she won’t take her anger out on you next?”

“She can try.” Greyson said as he settled back in his chair to let his dinner go down.

“Of that, I have no doubt.” Karin said darkly as she gathered up the empty plate and cups. She noticed the wine jug was empty. “I’ll fetch you some more wine, my Lord.”

“Yes.” He said, “And you shall sleep in here tonight.”

“As you wish Sire.” Karin said with her head low. She knew that demand was coming.

“And you will stop calling me Sire, or Lord. I have a name Karin, same as you.” He added.

“I cannot do that my Lord.” Karin said as she made for the door. “You are my better.”

“You’ve done it before.” He said. “You can do it again.” Karin said nothing more.

Karin took the back stairs to the kitchen. She didn’t want to come across Lady Judith in any way and it was clear her temper had rushed through the house as quickly as it had done her. Everyone stared when Karin entered the kitchen and she almost turned about and fled again but Betty quickly took her arm and dragged her to the back pantry. “What under the Gods are you doing?!” She yelped.

“I didn’t do anything!” Karin snapped back. “It was Lord Greyson! He wanted me to eat with them. Lady Judith erupted at him and he ordered me upstairs to eat in his room with him instead. That’s it, I swear!”

“Oh Good God!” Betty sighed. “That boy is going to get you killed!”

“Don’t I know it!” Karin said in relief that she wasn’t in trouble again. She put the crockery down and wrung her hands. “He’s demanded I stay in his bed tonight Betty and I don’t know what to do. He’s even demanded I call him by name!” She paced lightly across the pantry but stopped when she spotted a few maids listening in. “Go on then!” She yelled at them, “Go and tell your Mistress! Gossip away, why don’t you!” She moved away from the door again and began crying. She sat down with a thump on a sack of grain and put her face in her hands.

“That’s enough!” Betty snapped and quickly pulled Karin back to her feet. “Here’s what we’re going to do.” She smoothed Karin’s hair back under her cap and then straightened her dress firmly. “You’re going to do exactly as Lord Greyson has asked of you and you’re going to smile and be grateful for his kindness.”

“It isn’t kindness Betty.” She said, “I thought it was but I know now it isn’t. He’s playing a game and I’m just his latest toy.”

“You’ve been here a month girl.” Betty said as she dragged Karin out of the pantry and into the main kitchen, “And he’s taken with you. He could have sent you back to your family or he could have done what we believed he’d done but he hasn’t. Lord Greyson has played with many women in the past but never has he played with such as you.”

“I don’t know what that means Betty.” Karin said.

“It means that you might actually have a better life than this.” Betty told her as she filled a clean jug with wine and collected a clean cup. She handed them to Karin. “It means that you take what you can while you can and enjoy the freedom.”

“And when he tires of me?” Karin asked.

“Then I see to it you have a place down here with me.” Betty said before pushing Karin towards the door. “Off with you and smile Karin. Your life is getting better.”

Karin made it as far as the back stairs when she was spotted by Lady Judith. The woman stood at the top of the stairs, her arms folded. “Mistress!” Karin squeaked in terror. She clutched the jug and cup to her chest. “Lord Greyson…” She started.

“My husband’s son is not the Lord of this house.” Judith snapped and she came down a few steps towards Karin. “I know what you are, whore.” She said with malice, “I see what you’re doing to Greyson. You’ve bewitched him with your evil eyes and your pretty little face but I can see right through you. I see what you are inside. You disgust me, w***e and it won’t be long before he sees it too. I’ll make sure of it. I will not let you disrupt my house any further. Do you understand me, w***e?!” Karin made to back up and flee at first but as Judith advanced further down the stairs, she felt a sudden strength in her and she moved up a step. “What do you think you’re doing?” Judith demanded. “You will go back to the kitchen where you belong!”

“I am fetching my Lord more wine.” Karin said firmly. “And I no longer answer to you Mistress. Lord Greyson paid good money, six whole iron, for me to be his maid and companion and I shall do as he wishes. At present, he wishes more wine brought to him and so I shall endeavour to do so.” She moved up another step. “And I am not a w***e, not his, not your husband’s despite his appetite no doubt and I am certainly not a witch!” Another step and Judith backed up. “I was born with red hair and pale eyes, I did not choose them and if you say I am pretty, then I accept your compliment with grace Mistress but call me a witch and a w***e again, and you shall see another part of me that you really would not wish to.”

“Are you threatening me?” Judith snapped. Karin put the wine down carefully and moved up yet another step. There remained only one between them. “Step back, you disgusting creature! Don’t touch me!” Karin closed the distance and Judith backed up to the wall.

“I could assault you right now and no-one would be the wiser.” Karin said with malice in her voice. “I could rip your hair from your head and let you fall down these treacherous stairs until you break your neck at the bottom and no-one would even be aware of it.”

“Guards!” Judith yelled, “Guards!”

Karin looked up and then down the stairs. “No-one is coming for you Lady Judith.” She continued. “And even if they did, what would they find, hmm?” She c****d her head to one side. “They would find you shouting and cursing at Lord Greyson’s maid who was simply carrying his wine to his room as instructed.”

“Guards!” Judith shouted again and someone finally arrived but it wasn’t a guard. It was Betty. Karin immediately backed away and picked up the wine again. Judith glowered at Karin before turning her head to Betty. “Fetch the guards!” She shouted, “I want this girl arrested! She threatened to pull my hair out and throw me down the stairs!”

Betty looked at Karin and Karin looked back with a small smile. “My Lady, are you sure?” Betty asked.

“You saw her stood level with me!” Judith snapped.

Betty moved up the steps a little and put her arm around Karin. “My Lady, the girl could barely stand level to me. She could never stand to your ladyship.” She offered a warm smile and eased Karin around Lady Judith. “Off with you girl and do as your Lord bids you.” Karin skipped quickly up the stairs and out of sight. Betty then turned her attention to Judith. “My Lady.” She began, “You are Lord Ferrydean’s wife so I must show you the respect such a station deserves but do not take me for a fool. I have served the Ferrydean family all my long life. You have been married into it for only a few short years.”

“How dare you speak to me like that!” Judith snapped.

“I will speak to you as you damned well deserve!” Betty snapped back. “Don’t think for a second I’ve forgotten how you came to be Lord Ferrydean’s wife and do not ever question my resolve to protect this house and those who serve it. Karin is a good girl with a kind heart and the soul of an angel. That girl may be cursed but only because it’s the ignorant, bigoted small minds of people like you that make her so!” She stepped level with Judith and put her nose to Judith’s. “So, if you’d like to remain the happy wife of a rich lord with pleasures plenty, I suggest you leave her alone.”

“And if I don’t?” Judith asked menacingly.

“If you persist, I shall happily remind yourself and Lord Ferrydean exactly who and what you are Lady Judith.” Betty returned quickly. “The daughter of a brothel w***e with only the rumour of a name as your father, one of many from the court perhaps that got his end wet for a few coins.” Judith’s face paled and she swallowed hard. Betty nodded and backed up. “I bid you a good evening My Lady.” She said with a smile and then returned to the kitchen. At the top of the stairs, out of sight, Karin listened closely her mouth dropping open in a wide smile as Betty not only stood her ground against Judith but openly reminded her of her own past and what she could do with it should she continue harassing Karin. She almost dropped the wine but managed to hang onto it and then flee upstairs when Judith came back up the steps.

After setting the wine down on the table, Karin poured a generous amount into the cup and then took it to Greyson who had made himself comfortable on his bed. “You took your time.” He told her quietly. “Did you ferment the grapes yourself?” He laughed as he sat up and took the cup from her.

“Apologies Sire.” She offered with a small smile, “The kitchen was busy.”

Greyson nodded and sipped a little, “Stop calling me that.” He said. “Even if it only be within these walls, call me by name.”

“As you wish Si… Greyson.” She corrected.

“Are you going to tell me what really happened in the kitchen?” He asked, laying back once again. He then gave a shocked look as Karin went to the fire and sat on the furs next to Bane, stroking him gently behind the ears. Either the hound wasn’t aware it wasn’t him or he simply didn’t care but he offered a whine of pleasure and let her continue.

“Lady Judith caught me in the back stairs.” Karin said honestly. Her voice made Bane open his eyes but after a quick grunt, he nuzzled her to keep rubbing and she did.

“And?” Greyson asked.

“I did something rather stupid.” Karin said. “She called me a witch and your w***e. I threatened her to do it again. She tried to have the guards take me away.”

“You threatened my step-mother?” Greyson asked, putting his wine down quickly.

“Yes Sir.. Greyson.” She admitted. “I told her I could throw her down the stairs and no-one would ever know it was me and then Betty came and told me to come back up to you with your wine.”

“I see.” Greyson offered with a snort of laughter. “Did you hear what she said to her?”

Karin shook her head, “No, I dared not linger.”

“Liar.” Greyson said. “I know all about Lady Judith, where and how she came about. She tended my step-mother before her and turned my father’s head. She knows he would do the same with you, that’s why she wants you gone so badly.”

“So why not just send me away?” Karin asked. “Surely that would be better for everyone?”

“Because I want you here.” He said. He then patted the bed and Bane quickly got up to join him. “Not you, fuzzball.” He said quickly. Bane dropped his head and tail and sauntered back to the furs. “You.” He pointed at Karin. She obeyed and perched on the edge of the bed. “I won’t bite you Karin. Get on the bed properly.” She did so and curled her feet underneath her. “If I wanted to send you away, I would have done.” He told her. “I certainly wouldn’t have put you in the kitchen under Betty’s care. You’re good for this house Karin, I know it.”

“I doubt that.” She replied. “I’ve only been here a few weeks and I’ve already caused no end of grief. Like I told you last night Sire, I’m cursed that way. Everyone around me ends up cursed just as badly, if not worse.” Greyson leaned over and quickly took Karin by the chin. She flinched and shuffled back off the bed again. “You promised!” She quipped.

“I promised you nothing.” Greyson told her flatly, “And I grow tired of repeating myself to you Karin. You will call me by name.” He shook his head and leaned back against his pillows. “You are only cursed if you believe you are. I do not believe in such nonsense and I demand that you do the same. You are the daughter of an ignorant and cruel farmer, a young woman with a mind and a voice to speak it if she would simply dare to once in a while.” He turned his head and looked at her squarely. “And with whom I am enjoying company. On this night, and every night until I deem otherwise, I have no interest in bedding you. I allow my father and step-mother to believe as they wish only to serve my purpose of keeping you from them. Now, if you don’t mind, I intend to enjoy my wine and then sleep peacefully in my bed. If you choose, you can sleep with Bane on the floor. If not, you will undress to your slip and sleep in the bed with me.” He picked up his cup again and toasted it to her before he drank it back and then relaxed. “Make your choice.” He said.

“You knew?” Karin asked. “This whole time and you let them believe I had laid with you?”

Greyson grinned coyly without opening his eyes. “Of course I knew.” He replied smoothly, “Do you think me simple minded?”

“Well no…. but…”

“But nothing.” He told her. “Now make your choice so I may sleep in peace.”

“As you wish.” She replied. She went to Bane who offered a grunt of disapproval. He didn’t want to share the furs with her. Instead, she curled up the in the chair and slept there.