Chapter Three
Punishment
I sat down on the grass in confusion. Why was nothing in my life making sense? Stonekin had only solved one problem but in his wake he had left even more uncertainty. How could I trust a man who I had just appeared out of nowhere?
A tear escaped my eyes as I thought about my father and his warm embrace. I imaged how he would cradle me in his arms and softly explain everything. All my worry would vanish sleep slowly crept up. I would feel myself nod off in his arms where no one could ever harm me. Wrapped in these thoughts I slowing felt myself falling into the arms slumber, the only arms that would hold me now.
There before my eyes I beheld a castle beyond the beauty anything I had previously seen. The castle shined as the stars in the heavens on a clear night. It glittered like it was made of glass. I was riding a unicorn across the plains towards it with no saddle and bridle. Every little movement I made the unicorn responded it in perfect harmony. As one we galloped toward the castle. When we were but a five hundred paces away out of the darkness cesium suddenly gaped before us, blocking our path. I leaned back and the unicorn stopped on a dime, rearing on its front legs. Looking down into the depths of the cesium, I saw a mirror to the right and a wolf on the left. Both of them started moving together, almost touching. Then an unknown force began tugging me pulling my away from the cesium and toward the sky.
I sat up abruptly drenched with sweat. Looking around I noticed Aren was staring down at me, while nudging my right leg with his hooves.
He spoke at once, We must leave here. It is not safe any more. Forget the saddle, someone will take it back to the castle. You will ride bareback. Hurry.
I had no idea what was happening but I hurried any way. The urgency in his voice scared me and I forgot about my dream and all other questions. I bridled him and jumped on finding it more comfortable than in a saddle. His back molded to my bottom perfectly.
Hold on, he said and I did. Without warning he shot out of a cannon and galloped as fast as he could in the dense woods. Wasting no time going around logs, he instead flew over them with superb form. At first I fought with all my might to stay on, but after a while I realized that the effort I was expending was unnecessary. I soon found out I was in no danger of falling off, because Aren’s every movement was furnished to keep me on his back.
Beginning to enjoy the ride I watched the trees streak past. The fast pace reminded my of the past couple days. Time had rushed past like the trees, and when I looked back everything began blur together. Memories that almost did not seem my own crowded me like the trees in this thick wood.
Finally we escaped the trees and began racing down the road. Dodging people that congested the streets we moved towards the castle walls. Entering though the stable gate, still cantering, I pulled back on his reigns urging him to slow down. Without slacking his pace Aren cantered towards his stall. Just before we where about to collide with the wall, Aren slid to an immediate halt.
“Was that really necessary?” I asked as I slipped off.
There was something evil coming towards the meadow. I could feel it. I knew we had to run away, so I did that. The safest places are with me, Stonekin, or here in this castle. I prefer the castle.
“Why do you trust Stonekin? How do you know him?” I asked changing subject.
Of course trust him or I would not have talked to him. How I know him is my business, but now he is your teacher. Then shaking his head he said, Can I have something to eat? I am starving.
Taking my time I went to go grab him a flake of hay. Throwing him the hay I said “Why don’t you ever get your own food, since you are so smart.” Aren snorted and then ignored me as he dug into his food.
I found a bench and sat down willing everything in my mind to make sence. Willing my mind to think through my troubles and sort out my questions. Nothing worked. The only thing my mind did was ache.
Soundly I heard voice. Just from the high tone alone I could tell it was my Aunt Rose. She burst in the stables, talking very loud, with the head horseman, Rick, at her heels. He followed the raging hyena, his long blond hair blown about by a soft breeze. I noticed he was taller than me, and had more legs than body. His eyes were brown with a black tint. He followed Rose hastily to keep in step with her. Rose’s face was livid as she stomped through the stables.
“After all I have done for that girl this is how she repays me, running away. I want every horseman looking for her. She flowed blue yesterday morning, according to Saga. I also received reports from frightened villagers conforming that. If she is still blue than don’t touch her. You never know what evil spell a witch could have cast on her, or if she is a witch herself.” She spat out the word witch as if she wanted to kill every witch it existence.
“No need to send out a search party, unless you do not know your way through the stables,” I spat out, knowing there was no point in hiding. Rose choked on her words as she tried to think of a come back. I stood there smiling knowing Rose was going to let me have it eventually, but for now I enjoyed her spurting. Planting my feet in determination I waited for her to recover.
“Where on earth have you been? I nearly tore the castle apart looking for you. This is not the way a servant is expected to behave. You will regret your sarcastic comment and everything else that has come out of your mouth. I will have no more of this nonsense in my house. Thank you very much. Now explain yourself? You were gone all yesterday and all night.” She paused, waiting for an answer, and when none was forthcoming she demanded, “Well!”
I took a deep breath and finally answered, “I went on a ride into the woods and got lost. It was dark after a few hours, and I did not want get hurt, so I went to sleep in a grove. I found the road this morning and came back as quickly as I could.” It all was a lie but she did not need to know that. I also did not want to remind her of my magic’s strange appearance. That would be impossible to lie about or even explain. “I will go to work once I change and clean up.” My clothes were in the most frightful mess. Mud and twigs littered my once clean skirt and cotton blouse.
“Before you go, you will explain to me the blue glow that Saga witnessed. She has not stopped talking about it and would not calm down for five whole hours.” Her face was purple and her voice high and threatening.
So much for hoping to keep that quiet, I thought. Aloud I said, “That is one thing I will not explain. I will not tell you what is none of your affair. Now if you will excuse my I have things to do.” Getting up off the bench, I moved forward to walk past Rose. I wanted to be alone, and I was done listening to Rose.
“No, you will not. You have no right to speak to me that way. With no title... Rick I will write a note and you will deliver it and this servant to the head servant.” Rose went into the tack room to grab parchment.
Taking the opportunity I started to walk briskly away. Before I got ten steps I heard Rose yell, “Rick bring her back.”
Without turning around I kept walking toward the stable doors. A firm hand gripped my arm before I made it to the door. I looked back to see Rick behind me. “Come with me,” he said pulling my arm back. Reluctantly I followed him to Rose were rose was waiting impatiently.
“You are truly foolish.” Then while handing a folded parchment to Rick she said, “Hopefully this will solve that.” Before I could say anything Rick pulled me away.
After we exited the stables I tried to pull away from Rick, but he kept his grip and turned his head to frown at me. I knew he was only following Rose’s orders but I still loathed him for what he was doing. As he led me into the castle I started imagining what could happen. I know Aunt Rose was mad, but what she would do was another thing. We passed one door after another, winding through the castle. My mind raced as I wrestled with the truth. I had got myself into trouble. All I could hope know was that I would not be severely punished.
Finally we stopped in first of a brown door with HEAD SERVANT carved into the wood. I guessed that servants reported here for work assignments and punishments. I stood at the doorway not wanting to enter as Rick swung the door open. Gently he pushed me in ahead of him.
The room was dwarfed by a large orderly desk in the middle. Cabinets cluttered the side of the walls pinning me into the small space. A man about thirty years old stood beside the desk. He nodded at Rick and then turned his attention to me. Looking up and down he seemed to be sizing me up. I sifted under his gaze. His unforgiving eyes then searched my face, and by the time I was done I felt he knew all my secrets. I could tell that I would have a hard time ever liking him.
Rick cutting through the tension walked to the man giving him the folded parchment. “This is from Rose. It should explain things. I need to go so I trust you can take care of this.” Turning he gave me a small smile than quickly left. Even though I did not care for Rick, I felt abandoned. I was left with this man who had no heart. This was not going to go well.
“My name is Frans and you are?” His voice startled me and I looked at him. There was still mistaking the cold feeling in his eyes.
“Halena,” I answered.
“Oh, the ladies niece is it?” I nodded as he continued. Slowly he opened the letter, and scrutinized its contents. “Well being related to her apparently is no protection from a punishment. Come with me now.”
Grabbing my arm harshly he pulled me to the door. He pulled me through corridors and down a flight of stars. My mind now was going a million miles a minute. What was happening? How could I escape this mysterious punishment? What was my punishment? We went down for what seemed like forever, passing three landings. Then we finally stopped, and entered a room almost empty except for a pallet and straw. It was made of stone with no windows with only a wood door that now was closing my in. In one corner I saw a red stain. With uneasiness crowding my mind I realized it was blood. My world started spinning but I stood tall. Looking up I saw two iron chains hanging on the wall.
It was beginning to sink in. I could now guess what was about to happen. Frans led me to the irons as if I was walking in a dream. Only when he yanked my arms up did I truly wake up. Before the thought of resisting entered my mind he had finish his task. The metal scraped against my skin as I pulled against them trying to gage their strength. There was no way to get out of it. Could hear him moving behind me, and all I could do was stare at the wall. By now I was terrified, I could feel my body trebling and I had no desire and more to stop it. Maybe the trebling would lesion the pain to come.
CRACK! My whole body jumped, but their was no pain. The whip had not touched me. Behind me I heard chuckling. “You won’t notice the sound in a moment just thought I would give it to you now.” I tensed for the next blow. He laughed again. “Relax, tensing only makes it worse. Just so you know. You will be given twenty whips, so there is no need to count. I can do that very well myself. This will not hurt, too much…” and without warning the whip hit my back, tearing through my clothes and flesh.
Pain assaulted my senses as I cried out. My locked hands were all that kept my knees from buckling. There was moments pause before the second strike came. Then the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth. By that time I lost count I just tried to keep standing. With each blow I felt myself weakening, and the pain never left. I tried to keep my mind away from the pain, but my mind grew cloudy. After eternity the blows stopped.
My left iron was suddenly undone and I dropped still hanging from the other one. I barely felt the new pain as the iron cut into my skin as I hung. Then finally the other one was undone and I crashed to the floor unable to support myself. My head hit the wall on the way down and I slipped gladly into unconscious where pain could follow.
