The Witch & The Lady - Ch.3

        The cottage was a distance away. He turned around to look at Diana.

        I have lost all my senses. 

Those words kept repeating themselves in Orion’s mind, over and over again. Why did he believe this was the correct thing to do? Yes, it is. Because in his heart of heart deepest part of his soul he could not turn his back on someone in need of help. If nothing else, his parents would be able to tell him what he should do.

“How are you feeling?” He’d asked her once more, knowing he was repeating himself but couldn’t think of what else to ask. She kept saying she was fine when she clearly wasn’t. A cold wind had picked up, the scent of musky earth in the air. Rain was coming.

“We better hurry. There is a storm coming.” He said, watching the dark sky.

“How can you be certain?” She asked.

He pointed to the dark clouds on the horizon, then his nose. “You learn to smell the rain when you’ve lived out here as long as I have.”

It got a chuckle out of Diana. The chill in the air became more noticeable, and Diana started shivering. His coat was old, threadbare, and worn from years of use. It was a testament to his mother’s abilities that she could use whatever leftover scraps to fit his oversized frame. But it would fall on her like a blanket and that would keep her warm. He shrugged it off and offered it to her, hopeful that wouldn’t be too large. She accepted the coat with a quiet thanks. Orion noted how small she looked with the levy article of clothing over her thin shoulders. The bottom of it trailed after her like a train.

“I never gave you my name.” She aloud, putting an end to the quiet. “My name is Diana Archer.”

“Pleasure to meet you Lady Archer. My name is Orion, Orion Hunter.” He said, hoping he did it all properly. He wasn’t used to being around the nobility and nothing about this made sense to him.

“I’m not much of a lady, not anymore.” She said with a bitter chuckle. 

Orion was curious but asked nothing. Something about her chuckle sent an uncomfortable shiver down his spine that he could easily blame on the weather. At last, he could see his home. A fire had been started, Orion could just make out the warm yellow glow from the windows. He was aware of the grumbling in his stomach, also aware that poor Diana, just have been starving as well.

“How far away is this cottage?” Diana asked.

“It's just around…” Orion trailed off, realizing that their home was well guarded with a series of protection spells traded off with the Good Neighbors. Orion and his family could find it with no problem but to an outsider like Diana, all she’d see was a dense forest. It was meant to confuse, to befuddle outsiders, and sometimes — only if they meant harm-to wander until they came to harm themselves. Orion hated that paper but his parents told him how necessary it was. Diana didn’t know any of this, thus she was completely at a loss.

Not wanting her to panic or feel as if he was leading her into some kind of danger, Orion held out his hand to her. “My home is very well hidden. You won’t be able to see it yet until we’ve approached it.”

Diana recoiled, suspicious. “Why?”

Lie as little as possible. “Do you remember the witch hunts?” He asked her.

This took her aback. “Yes.” She answered with narrowed eyes. “But, what does that have to do with your house?”

“Father thought it best to hide us. Neighbors accused each other of things no one had done, all for the sake of fear-mongering and some gold coins.” He explained, his face grim. Diana nodded her head, understanding.

A crash of thunder convinced the already frazzled Diana to take his hand once more. She’d trusted him twice now and he intended to prove he was worthy to go it. In just a few steps Diana was transported from wild woodland to a lovely cottage. It looked warm, welcoming, and safe. The cold burst of wind and further boom of thunder above drove them straight to the front door just as the rains started to fall. The inside smelled of freshly baked bread and in a small cauldron over the fire was a stew.

His mother was cutting vegetables, not looking up from her task as she greeted him. “Hello, my boy! Glad you made it back before the rain. How was your…”

She paused mid-sentence, noticing Diana for the first time. His large coat fell to the floor in a wet puddle. Orion panicked, a little afraid of his mother’s reaction. He’d opened his mouth to give a hasty explanation when his mother interrupted.

“Oh! You poor lamb!” She cried out, running toward Diana. She removed the shawl from her shoulders, placing it around the young woman’s shivering body. Shooing her son away so that she could move her to a more comfortable chair.

“Heaven's mercy, what on Earth has happened?” His mother demanded.

Orion only told his mother the barest details, choosing to remove the chase that brought them together. Diana did not correct him or fill in the details. He would leave that to her if she so chooses to. He was also still shaken up from what had happened. His mother eyed him suspiciously. She understood there was more to unpack but preferred to wait until she could speak with him one on one.

He excused himself to leave for his bedroom and change. Allowing himself to process everything that happened in the last few hours, he felt afraid. For his family and that terrified stranger in their living room. Lying back on his bed, he wondered what they could do now? It was out of the question for her to stay overnight. It would be too inappropriate!

The impropriety was a serious problem. It could damage her reputation further, for society was ever obsessed with a woman's virtue. It would also certainly demonize his family. He was also very aware of his father’s potential anger upon discovering Diana in their house. But he did not regret helping her. Whatever may come, he knew he was right to help her.

The Witch & The Lady - Ch.2

       There once was a lady named Diana. She was slender, fair-skinned with hair and eyes as dark as obsidian. She was young, pretty and by all accounts rich. Except she was no longer in favor of her family. Everyone in town loved a good scandal and it would seem that scandal followed her like a second shadow. Lady Diana was no longer honorable. The question was why. Every person in town attempted to guess why. An affair, or a murder!

How excited they sound about that last part. He thinks darkly.

Perhaps she was the result of an affair or produced an illegitimate offspring of her own. Cruel imaginations abounded.

    Orion’s curiosity was peaked but he would not let himself be dragged in. A rich stranger's sordid past wasn’t his concern. What did concern him was seeing this stranger walking down the path that leads to his private garden. He’d spent years creating a private haven for himself, somewhere serene and most importantly, isolated. He did not want to share it with anyone. Especially not her.

Strangers brought with their excitement and danger, two things Orion didn’t want. It trailed after her like a bad stench, already Orion could see some young folks in town trying to follow her. Young women and men were curious about this lady. Another thing that bothered Orion. The rich men in town were always possessive of those they called their property. That especially included ‘their’ women. Even in disgrace, Diana still belonged to somebody, which means that should a fool in town try to start a dalliance with her, then the danger would follow. 

Even more so for her.

Rich men trying to control everyone. That’s how the trials started.

Yet as the days passed Diana would continue to walk through the forest and evaded anyone following her. She climbed trees, sometimes all the way to the top. Other times she burrowed into the trees so that she’d be buried underneath green and dirt. She’d pick flowers along the path, weaving them into her hair, in crowns, and within her braids. She tossed crumbs and seeds to the birds, the crows were especially happy. That gave Orion pause. Crows were wise creatures, good judges of character. Perhaps they believed she was worth trusting and Orion thought maybe so should he.

Yet still, he decided it was better to err on the side of caution. Orion always stood out of sight, hoping she’d get bored of walking. No such luck, with the obvious enjoyment she got from running away and hiding. Then the very worse happened: she had found his secret sanctuary. The crows had led her right to it.

Traitors, he thinks sourly. Backstabbers!

No more safe place to hide them. Before he could mourn the loss of his private sanctuary, the crows started clawing loudly. Then, out of nowhere, Diana crashed into him. The force sent them both to the ground. She’d been running, hard and fast, from what or whom he couldn’t see. She was like a doe caught in a trap. He knew better than to get involved. But could not do anything.

“Do you…need to hide?” He asked. A man’s voice could be heard from the distance, getting closer. She was clearly desperate, for she nodded at him, a virtual stranger, and took his outstretched hand. They ran to the glen, hidden behind the trees. Orion muttered a spell of protection, a spell of hiding, a spell to confuse Diana’s pursuer somewhere that was anywhere than here.

There were a hundred different spells but Orion couldn’t bring himself to use them. Not in front of Diana who could turn on him as easily as the townsfolk turned on his neighbors. Not in front of a very angry and dangerous man. But he knew these woods as well as he knew himself. He’d save them both. At last, the glen was in sight. The trees had heard him, and so had the wind.

Branches twisting, leaves blowing around them like a curtain, hiding them from sight. They ducked into empty badgers held underneath a hawthorn tree, Their pursuer let out a string of profanities. He cursed out Diana, screaming at her. One look at her face and Orion could feel the fear radiating off of her in waves. This man, whoever he was, was clearly dangerous. Orion did not recognize him from town, clearly, Diana did.

Enough time passed, and they felt safe enough to leave their hiding place. She’d been crying, her whole body shivering with fright. Orion was also shaking. He was reminded of an event in his childhood, during the trial, when old farmer Thatcher chased Orion and his father off the hunting trail. He’d never done them harm before, was if not kind then at least tolerant. The trials changed that. It was then his family forbade him from ever leaving the house, too scared that Thatcher or someone else would hit his target should he see them next time. 

Hesitantly, he put a gentle hand on her shoulder. He was surprised at how small and knobby it was. She flinched, Orion removing his hand away immediately. The last thing he wanted was to cause her more distress. Much less be the source of it. He did have questions and wondered how to broach the subject without sounding too inappropriate.

“Thank you.” Her voice was tiny, scared.

Orion couldn’t think of the right thing to say.

“Do you want me to take you home?” He asked.

Diana’s expression quickly turned desperate. “No!” She cried.

Orion held up his hands, backing away. “I won’t!” He promised.

Poor Diana was crying now, clearly, she’d been scared out of her wits. What bothered Orion was that strange man. Who was he? Reluctant to ask and cause her more distress, Orion could only stand awkwardly beside her, at a loss of what he could do.

“That man, did you know him?” It felt wrong for him to ask. But he needed to know, it was always best to know who one’s enemies were.

Diana’s voice was hard when she answered. “My brother.”

Orion couldn’t have hidden his shock even if he tried. That man chasing them looked as if he wanted to cause her very real harm! What kind of brother would do such a thing? Diana needed someplace safe to stay. Someplace her brother couldn’t find her. It was all well and good here but certainly, she much has felt exposed. Among the camellia and cypress trees, he asked if she would like to come to his family's cottage. To both their surprise, Diana’s answer was “yes”.

The Witch & The Lady - Ch. 1

         There was once a witch who lived in a cabin by the sea He’d lived there all his life. He was born in that cabin, learned to read and write from his mother, and learned to fish and hunt from his father. His grandmother taught him magic, old and new. He could cook, clean, and sew. He could brew potions, removes hexes, and barter with the best of fairies. His name was Orion, after the hunter in the sky. It was a good life, a quiet life.

Yet it could also be a lonely life. Orion had been born during the final years of the trials. Witch hunters had come from the cities to the villages to burn the people accused of witchcraft. Orion’s parents and grandmother had used every spell they knew, called in every favor to the fairies to keep their cabin sequestered and safe. Even then his parents forbid him from ever going past the safety of the salt line that was drawn around their property. His parents would cover the windows with black curtains at night, so they could not see the hateful glow of the raging fires from the town. Orion saw and wept in his bed.

Twelve years have passed, the trials a sore and terrifying memory for Orion’s family and the townsfolk. Granny was older, tired, and spending most days in her rocking chair. Father’s hair had turned white, his old weathered face and hands like leather. His dear mother had grown rounder, her face still sweet, though the lines around her eyes and mouth were more pronounced her hair going gray. By contrast, Orion had grown tall as a tree and as strong as an ox. With his bright blond hair and dark green eyes, his great physical appearance made him a very desirable catch for many young women in town.

Not that Orion showed much interest in marrying. He did want to and at twenty-four, he envied the other young men who were married. To see them playing with their young children, and kiss their wives. But the trials had left their mark on Orion. He’d learned the importance of distrusting his neighbors, to fear those men high up in their manors, inspiring fear. To always be suspicious of the clergyman, even the monks who traded homey and beer in exchange for firewood and fixing a roof.

Orion wanted to be loved but they also needed to be trusted. Something that is all but impossible here. He knew everyone and the trials taught him and his family that no one could be trusted. It was a lovely way to live for certain. But it was the only way to stay safe.

Thus Orion, handsome and humble, envied and envious, continued to live his secluded, lonely life. He took care of his grandmother and took odd jobs in town and the monastery for extra income. Went fishing and hunting with his father, made potions with his mother, respected the Good Neighbors, and a hundred other small things. Yes, life was quiet here in the sleepy village, which was how the residents preferred it. Then, an event happened that would change the sleepy, quiet town and change Orion’s life all at once. For when she came to town, nothing would be the same again.