Chapter Three~ Innocence Lost

    The sun crested over the rolling hills illuminating the Lady of the Wood leaning out her bedchamber window, brows creased in thoughtful frustration. All night she had spent the moon's bright ray's to allow her a safe path back and forth across her floor as she sought to decipher the meaning behind the River's words. Though the hours passed she had yet to make sense of the River's cryptic words. The sun had nearly surmounted the mountains in the distance when Arrwin's elder sister Merryl barreled through the door, sweat dripping down her well defined porcelain cheeks.
    "Arrwin, you must come quick! A man- downstairs- wounded," she heaved. Arrwin raced down the rough servant's stairs to the kitchen where the man had been placed on a mat before the blazing morning fire. Her hands wove expertly over the wound as she applied sour smelling herbs to the outer edges so it would not fester in the night. Nearly an hour later the wound was cleaned and nearly healed, however the man would forever hold hte scar inflicted by a Hellawe crossbow. As the days wore on the Hellawes became more bold in their attacks, worry for her people's safety consumed her but htere was so little she could do. To go to war against the Hellawes would be suicide but if she did little more than post guards more lives would be spent. In the time after Pan's death the Hellawes would only attack a witch if they wandered into their territory but now they were attacking within the Anamalia provinces. In their bloodthirsty raids they butchered everything that breathed whether human or animal and burnt what remained to the ground. During the reign of Pan, the Anamalia, Wiccae and Hellawes lived peacefully but after his death the peace had slowly diminished to mere words on a treaty signed long ago. One hundred years had passed since the signing of the treaty and Arrwin feared they teetered on the brink of war once again.
    The day became hot and a thick wet heat hung in the air but Arrwin still sought solace in her gardens behind the Dining Hall. Her skirts clung to her legs and sweat gleamed on her temples, weaving between her raven black tresses. The bustle of the city radiated through the tall oak trees and thick vines but it did little to comfort her. Shutting her emerald eyes against the glaring sun Arrwin heard her sister approach from behind. "What is it now dear sister?" Merryl did not speak at first but Arrwin could sense the heaviness of her heart.
    "Arrwin there must be something we can do, the Hellawes have attacked once again. There are more people pouring into the city every day, there is already little room to be had. Children run the streets with no families to run to and the old and sick gather in the healers quarters." This was an issue that had begun to be problematic in the small city. With all of its grandeur the inner city of Anamalia was small and not quite unlike a populated village but as the Hellawes attacked more and more of the outer provinces people fled to the safety of the city. Arrwin's heart filled with sadness and regret; sad that there was little to be done and regret for the mistakes she had thus far made.
    "You say the Hellawes have attacked again? What part of the province this time?" Anger replaced the sadness as Arrwin pulled herself off the ground.
    " I know I should have told you this morn' but you were so detained with healing the man I dared not burden your mind more so." Arrwin whirled on her sister her cheeks coloring from the restrained rage building deep within her.
    " What have you kept from me sister?" Merryl stumbled back a bit afraid of the power emanating from her sister.
    "A young lad and lass arrived at the court house nearly dead from exhaustion and fright. I gave them food, water and leave to rest but they are still so disoriented, there is little they can recall." The air became still under Arrwin's power as she fought to reign in her fury. The Hellawes would pay for the harm they had wrought, as ruler of the kingdom it was her duty to end this threat. There would be no more innocent blood split from her idle doings.
    "Take me to the children at once!" she demanded. Merryl scurried into the Dining Hall leading Arrwin past the servant's chambers to the richly decorated Library where the children were currently resting. Arrwin swept past her advisers glaring at each of them individually for their carelessness to inform her of the children. Kneeling before the slender girl she brushes aside a chestnut curl which had fallen infront of her face. Gazing calmly into her eyes the child went limp. The boy's charcoal eyes grew wide with fear but Arrwin began to sing a melody of the soul until the boy settled back into his chair lulled by her soft voice. At the back of the library Finias leaned against a pile of worn and dusty volumes staring at the sight before him in amazement. Chance had brought him to this room during his tour of the castle but he dared not move for fear of being noticed. Arrwin gently placed her slender hands on the little girl's forehead as she continued singing a lilting song filled with words yet devoid of lyrics. The girl's eyes flickered open slowly, noticing the change in the girl's demeanor Arrwin ceased her song. The spell, now broken, brought everyone in the room back to their senses as they watched on.
    "What's your name love?"
    "Aine," the little girl replied hoarsley. Arrwin settled down beside Aine stroking her hair gently.
    "Do you remember what has happened to you and your brother?" Tears began to stream down the child's ruddy cheeks but Arrwin ceased their journey by beginning her song once more. As the song came to an end Aine sighed beginning her story in her soft child's voice.
    "Me ma and me brother were out in the field milkin' the cows and I was in the kitchen turnin' the butter. Me da was just leavin' to go to town to sell the duck eggs. Tha's when I heard it, down the road at the Pigglie's farm, I heard it; a blood-curdlin' scream. I looked out the window and saw many a wolfish dogs runnin' down the path killin' everythin' in sight. Me ma came runnin' in with me brother and me da was followin' right behind. Me ma and da started pushin' me and me brother out the door and made us take our pony and ride as far and as fast as we could be gettin'. They told us we had to go by ourselves but tha' we should go to Anamalia and tha' Lady of the Wood would help us. We rode four days and four nights before we came here. The Hellawes followed us for two days but Callum used the magic me ma taught him to cover our trail and we lost them."
    Horrified Arrwin chocked back the bile rising in her throat. They would go to war, they had left her no choice, she refused to sit idle and watch as the Hellawes slaughtered her people while young and innocent children were caught in the crossfire. Arrwin ran her hands through the girl's hair once more before patting her on the head. "You did beautifully young lass. I promise the Lady of the Wood shall help you." Moving swiftly Arrwin hurried out of the room making her way briskly toward the barn. Pausing at the artillery closet Arrwin chose her sword and three bodice knives stowing them away in various parts of her outfit. The sound of slapping feet did not cause her to stop she merely slowed her pace allowing the people to catch up to her. Recalling the prophecy for the thousandth time she now understood its meaning. Her hardest days were indeed yet to come, she would be leaving her precious forest in search of allies she did not know existed. Merryl and Finias finally managed to catch up to her long stride following her silently to the stables. Pulling out various riding equipment  and filling a sack with provisions for her and her horse Arrwin finally broke the silence.
    "Tonight I shall leave the city. I can no longer sit safe here whilst my people are being slaughtered like cattle. This has gone far enough and if the only alternative is war then to war we shall go." Passionate anger flowed from Arrwin's melodic voice as a new conviction rose within her soul. Finias bowed to his new ruler with a respect her had never bestowed upon another, however Merryl stood near the door, back rigid against the hard wooden frame. Grabbing the saddle from her sister's hand she began to fill another saddlebag with provisions.
    "You cannot go the path alone therefore I shall be accompanying you." Arrwin snatched the saddle back pushing her sister aside.
    "I'll be damned if you shall go. You shall stay here and look after the kingdom whilst I am gone. You are the only person for whom I trust to take car of my people in my absence. Please do not disappoint me." As a sister Merryl was tempted to argue the point further but as a subject to her ruler she could do nothing more than bow to the Lady of the Wood's command.
    "I shall go with you My Lady. You have saved my life so now I shall owe it to you and give it to your services. I swear to protect you on this treacherous path on which we shall traverse." Arrwin bowed allowing his loyalty to accompany her on her journey. Gathering the last of their rations they were packed and ready to leave by the setting of the sun.

Reviews

[James Watts]

I agree that the dialogue is on the money, I also agree that the imagery is well done...so vivid. A few grammar spots, but we all have those before a final edit. Never let any writer tell you otherwise. They would be fibbing.This is nice work and you have me intrigued.

[An owl on the moon]

The depth of the characters in description and dialogue is amazing. Your world is of a magnificent substance!!!

Craig

[ElJays Nicholas]

You didn't leave much breathing room in this, Bette. It goes too quickly!! I want to know more, to experience more of this land and its people. Aine and her brother went through a terrible ordeal, but I did not get a good sense of it, because the story goes by too quickly. And, there was a moment to take a look from Finias' perspective at Arrwin's love as she comforts the children, but it went too quickly. I only write this because it is such a good story and a wonderful glimpse into your imagination. I long for deep, profound description. I long for images which will remain with me. The dialogue is there, but the description leaves one to wonder. I write this because you have a wonderful, imaginative tale to tell, but it doesn't pull me in like it would the average reader....

[Wildfleour]

You left this chapter with just the right amount of suspense and energy to make me wonder what will happen next.

I like Arrwin's sincere compassion and the description of the children. I think you did a great job with description and, once again, with dialogue.

Might want to add a few commas here and there.

Also - infront....in front