Spellbound
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. The incredibly lucky Dick Wolf does and it just makes me so sad.
A/N: Okay this is very different, they're in the middle ages. Don't ask me where I got this idea. I hope you enjoy.
In a dark cave illuminated only by an eerie silvery glow from a large black cauldron a blond woman stood, scowling into the vessel's depths. She raised her hand above her head and sprinkled a red dust into the glowing liquid. The light changed from silver to a brilliant blue almost instantly. The woman's scowl changed gradually into a malevolent smile that was far more frightening to behold then the scowl had been.
She began to speak "Oh great spirits of the realm of shadow. Reveal to me the one who shall be my prey, the one whose sacrifice will open the gates and set you free."
The cauldron's contents began to churn. A picture formed on the surface. The image was as clear as crystal. A woman with brown eyes and brown hair, stunning to look at but with an ever present forlornness about her, in her hand she held a sword, the blond woman grinned at the face "Is this the one, oh dark masters. Is this the one of gentle nature whose existence was brought about by evil? Is she the one who will make it possible for you to enter this world?"
A spear of fire shot from the cauldron and the blond woman managed to barely dodge it. The fire struck the wall of the cave behind her where it burned a symbol deep into the stone. The blond nodded in understanding "Yes my masters. I will do as you command," she began to laugh, the most malevolent bone chilling sound reverberated through the cave. She laughed because she knew that she would soon have what she wanted. The bargain had been made long ago.
The dark spirits were unable to crossover into the mortal world but they could communicate telepathically and through dreams. Months ago the blond woman had wandered into a cave in pursuit of a rabbit for supper, she had become lost in its dark depths and had sat upon a rock to rest. It was then that a dark and sinister voice had invaded her thoughts.
"You are not the one," the voice had said to her.
"The one," she had responded aloud "I don't understand."
"You are not the one," the voice said again "Leave this place."
"What do you mean, not the one?" she asked.
"Your mind is too corrupt. Your death will not set us free." It told her.
"My death?" she said, sounding a little bit frightened.
"No," the voice said "You are more use to us alive."
"I'm listening," she had told the voice.
"We want to be free," the voice informed her.
"And in return for your freedom?" ever the opportunist she asked.
"Power," was the voices response "Unimagined power, wealth, eternal youth and beauty."
"Fine," she responded, the deal sounded fair enough to her "How do I free you?"
"You must find the one," the voice said.
"Oh," she scoffed "We're back to the one. Who is the one?"
"The one will set us free," the voice told her.
"Who is the one? How can I find this one?" she fairly yelled leaping from her seated position.
"Forged from evil but with a heart as pure as the mountain stream," the voice began "The death of the one will bring the return."
"The return?" she asked "You're not making sense."
"Find the one," the voice growled in frustration "Find the one, bring the one to this cave, sacrifice her to us, we will be free and you will be rewarded."
"How do I find the one?" she asked for what she thought must have been the millionth time.
"You can leave the cave," the voice said as if the ability to leave the cave was some magical gift like flight.
"So?" she asked.
"You can find the ingredients for the locater potion," the voice told her.
"What do I need to gather?" she asked, more than willing to get to work.
"You cannot gather the ingredients as you are," the voice said regretfully.
"Why not?" she asked in a defiant tone.
"The ingredients," the voice spoke slowly "are lethal to mere mortals."
"It seems then," she said as she prepared to leave "That you are to remain here."
"Wait!" the voice said urgently "there is another way."
"And that is?" she stepped towards the wall of the cave.
"Do you give yourself over to the darkness?" the voice asked.
She thought about it. The cost for power was high but she was willing to pay it "Yes."
"We give you some of our power," the voice told her "So that you may have the ability to gather the makings of the locater potion."
She felt the power coarse through her veins. She enjoyed the sensation immensely. It was on that day that she gave herself to the service of the dark spirits and was transformed into the witch Katherine.
It had taken her many months to gather the proper ingredients at which point she returned to the cave where she had been given her powers.
Now she knew the face of the one. She knew the face of the one but not where to find the one much less how to get the one back to the cave to be sacrificed. She had been informed by the spirits that the summoning spell wouldn't work on victims of the same sex. This task would require her to journey far and to seek help from many an unwilling victim. She left the cave that night taking with her the book of spells and headed to the east where she knew there were people, in search of the one.
After she had left the spirits mumbled amongst each other "Why did the locater spell not give clues as to a location?" one of them asked.
"We're lucky we got a face," another said "It seems that this individual is protected by some very powerful magic."
"Our magic is stronger," a third responded "We will be victorious."
"Yes," the first one said ponderously "If we can trust the fair witch Katherine."
"We have no choice," the third one spoke the truth that they all knew.
"I don't think we can," a fourth one put in.
"Morris," the second one called. Up popped the rabbit who had brought Katherine to the caves those many months ago "Follow her Morris," the voice commanded "Make sure she stays on task."
The rabbit nodded its head and began digging a burrow. It promptly disappeared.
"I can't wait until we're free," the first voice said, excitedly "There is so much pain I owe to these pathetic mortals."
"Our time will come," a fifth, much darker voice said.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"I can't get it to fly straight," Olivia growled in frustration. She was a master of swordsmanship but she had trouble when it came to firing a bow and arrow. The good wizard Cragen was an excellent teacher to both her and her fellow knights but she just wasn't able to master the bow and arrow.
"Keep trying Olivia!" Cragen called from a distant hill top. Olivia's poor aim merited such precautions.
Olivia stared down the hay bale, she drew the arrow back carefully until the bow string was taught just as Cragen had shown her 'Please go straight' she preyed silently as she released the string. The arrow hit its mark.
"Well done Olivia!" came the shouts of Cragen and her brothers in arms.
Olivia let a smile cross her lips as she approached the target to retrieve her arrow "It's in deep," she said as she tugged it from the depths of the hay bale. She retrieved the arrow and upon inspection decided that it would be fit to fire again at another time. She returned it to the quiver with the others and went to join her comrades.
"Beautifully done," Elliot said as she approached.
Olivia flashed him a quick grin "That's one more weapon I can use," she said, very near to bragging.
"Now it is your turn Elliot," Cragen said turning to the man who stood beside him.
"Yes sir," Elliot walked to the hay bale, turned and walked twenty paces away from it and prepared to fire his arrow.
Cragen turned to Olivia "Could you go collect some fire wood for me please. I seem to have run rather low and tonight promises to be a bitter evening."
Olivia nodded and made her way towards the forest. She drew her sword as protection as she searched for suitable fire wood. Suddenly she felt a cold wind blow 'It certainly will be a chilly evening' she thought to herself as she continued her search. But with the cold wind came an uncomfortable feeling of foreboding that she couldn't shake.
She felt herself being pulled to her knees by the overwhelmingly dark sensation. The sword began to slip from her hand and she began to feel very much afraid.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Cragen sensed that something was very wrong. He felt the cold wind but none of his three knights that stood near him seemed to be bothered by it. The feeling of foreboding was strong as well.
"Are you alright sir?" Odafin, one of Cragen's most loyal knights, asked.
Cragen nodded "Yes I'm fine. It must be my old bones the cold seems to be affecting them," Odafin sensed that the wizard was lying but decided not to press the issue.
Suddenly from beyond the hills a small figure appeared. The figure appeared to be running toward them. At first it was so far off in the distance that it could have been a sheep for all the men on the hill top could see but as it drew closer it became apparent that it was a person.
"Who would be coming here today?" John asked.
"I'm not sure," Cragen replied. In his old age his magic was beginning to fade and he couldn't be as certain as he would have been in the days of yore when he had been very powerful.
"He appears to be a scribe," Elliot thought allowed.
"I have a message for the great wizard Cragen!" the scribe called as soon as he was in earshot.
"Come then scribe," Cragen said graciously "you shall deliver your message as we share our evening meal together."
"Thank you kind sir," the scribe replied gratefully and somewhat out of breath "It has been a long journey."
"Then come in," Cragen said, gesturing to his house "Elliot go help Olivia fetch the firewood please."
Elliot nodded and went to find Olivia. As he walked towards the forest he pondered why it was that Olivia had chosen to tarry so long over such a simple task as collecting wood. As he entered the forest he felt it. The cold wind that only Cragen had felt before was overwhelming in this place. A dark evil presents seemed to surround him. He felt himself being pulled to the ground "Olivia!" he called as his knees collided with the forest floor.
"Elliot!" she called back as she tried to fight against the strong force that held her down. She crawled a few feet towards him and then collapsed again.
"What is this?" Elliot asked as he fought his way towards her and grasped her hand.
"I wish I knew," she answered, pulling herself a little closer to him.
"We need, to get out, of the forest," Elliot groaned as he tried to pull himself to his feet.
Slowly and somewhat painfully they made their way the few yards through the trees into the fast coming twilight. The evil force had not dissipated.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Cragen felt it again, this time it was stronger, closer "Excuse me please," he said to the scribe who was merrily chatting with John and Odafin.
Cragen rushed from the house and followed his senses to the source of the malevolent energy. At the edge of the forest he found it. Elliot and Olivia lay panting on the ground, the energy had become much more painful for them to bare.
Cragen rushed over to them and found it hard to stay on his feet as the force seemed to increase exponentially. Evil energy seemed to be surrounding Olivia, attempting to suck her and everything around her dry of strength.
Cragen knelt beside Olivia and placed a hand on her back. It was painful to touch the energy but it was necessary. Cragen was able to remove the evil energy.
"Quickly," he said to the two knights "Back to the house."
The three raced back to the safety of Cragen's house. Once they were there Cragen began to rummage around his apothecary pulling out different ingredients.
"What is he doing?" the scribe asked the four knights who stood around him.
None of them bothered to answer him "Are you two alright?" John asked.
"I think so," Olivia said still a little mystified about what had transpired.
Cragen began to mix together ingredients in the bottom of a cup. When he was satisfied that he had attained the correct blend, he passed the cup to Olivia "Drink this," he told her.
Olivia took the cup and stared at the brownish mixture it contained. She had learned over the years never to distrust Cragen when it came to matters such as evil otherworldly forces. She tipped the contents into her mouth and swallowed as fast as she could. It was thick and foul tasting but as soon as she had finished it she felt fine.
"That should shield you from any further attacks," Cragen told her.
"Attacks!" All the others said in unison.
"What I just experienced in the forest," Olivia said nervously "Was an attack?"
"Of sorts," Cragen said vaguely.
Olivia wanted to ask more questions. So did Elliot but in the presence of the scribe they were wary of going into too much detail. They would have to save their questions for later.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
With the help of what little firewood they had remaining for Cragen dared not send any of his knights to the forest again that night, they managed to cook their supper and warm the house. After their meal they began to tidy up. Olivia lit the lanterns as they settled in to hear the message that the scribe had journeyed so far to bring them.
"What is the message?" Odafin asked impatiently.
"The King wishes to test your knights in combat sir Cragen," the scribe said, turning to Cragen.
"My nights have been in combat," Cragen answered flatly "The fact that they still breathe is testament to their abilities."
"I suppose that is true," the scribe said, scratching his head "but the king wishes there to be a tournament."
"A tournament!" Cragen exclaimed in anger "My nights do not need to prove themselves to the King."
"Why does the King wish to test us in a tournament?" Olivia asked "We are quite capable."
"The King is displeased that you have chosen to train out here in the far lands," the scribe answered.
"We fight for the common people," John intervened "We aren't disillusioned by living in the security of the palace gates."
"The King wishes to disband your knights wizard," the scribe told Cragen. The scribes conscience had managed to get the better of him. These people had taken him in and fed him and had been great company, he owed them the truth "He hopes that in the coarse of the tournament that your knights will be vanquished."
"I will not participate in such a tournament," Elliot announced.
The others nodded their heads in agreement.
"If you refuse," the scribe said, sounding rather uncomfortable "The King will send his army here to do away with all of you."
"Then we will stand and fight," Odafin said defiantly.
"With all due respect good sir knight," the scribe began "The King is aware of the decline in the good wizard's powers as of late. You wouldn't stand a chance. One by one you would fall," the scribe paused and looked at Olivia. A female knight was most unacceptable to the King and she would be punished severely.
Olivia understood the look that the scribe gave her. She stood and drew her sword, holding it up high "I for one except the King's challenge. I will travel to the great city and fight in the tournament and I will return victorious," she said, her voice firm with conviction. She looked to her fellow knights for a response. Each man in turn drew his sword and stood with her.
"We stand together," Elliot said.
"Or we don't stand at all," John finished.
"To the bitter end," Odafin added.
"If we fight with honor," Olivia corrected "There is nothing bitter about that."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Later that night after the scribe had fallen asleep the four knights sat around the dying fire, talking to Cragen.
"I do not trust the King," Cragen stated plainly "but I will not be allowed to travel to the great city with you. My presence might be seen as, an unfair advantage."
"The four of us in a tournament against the King's best," John mused "It seems to me that we could use an advantage, unfair or not."
"And you shall have it," Cragen told them.
"But how?" Elliot asked.
Cragen held up a piece of the currently unused armor "What little I can do in the way of shielding," he told them "This armor should hold up quite nicely, even better than normal."
"We will return," Olivia told him firmly.
"I know you will," Cragen said with tears in his eyes "I just want to make doubly sure that you don't come to any harm."
"Thank you," all four knights bowed their heads in appreciation and respect for their aging master and friend.
"Take these herbs as well," Cragen told them, handing a satchel to Olivia "In case you are injured, they possess powerful healing abilities," he smiled at Olivia "You still remember the things I taught you before you started training to be a knight?"
Olivia nodded, she still remembered quite well the correct herbs for healing certain ailments and wounds.
"Also," Cragen leaned forward "Be wear of evil magics."
The experience in the forest came back to the forefront of both Elliot and Olivia's minds "What did you mean when you said that the energy in the forest was an attack?" Elliot asked.
"Something sinister seems to be surfacing," Cragen said softly "and it seems to be after Olivia."
The three other men all registered shock on their faces "But I was in the forest with her," Elliot protested "I felt it too."
"You felt it," Cragen began to explain "because you were near her. The energy was focused on Olivia," he turned to Olivia, even in the dim light she could see the concern for her that was in his eyes "The potion I gave you tonight should prevent this from happening again but incase it does, I will have to teach you how to mix more of the potion yourself."
Olivia pondered over what Cragen had said. She was a hand at mixing a healing potion but she had never mixed a magical remedy before "Are you sure I can do it?" she asked.
"I know you can," he told her. Then turning to the rest of the group he continued "The potion is a magical shield of sorts. It allows the body to deflect magical attacks such as the one in the forest today."
"Can you tell who was attacking Olivia?" John asked.
"No," Cragen said, disappointedly "I wish I could. Maybe if my powers were what they used to be…" he hung his head slightly.
"We have to prepare for tomorrow," Elliot told the others.
They all nodded and while Elliot, John and Odafin went to go test the weapons Cragen showed Olivia how to mix the magic shield potion. They all knew that tomorrow would be a hard day. Cragen would have to say good bye to the four people he had come to love as children and they in turn would have to say good bye to their father figure and mentor.
TBC
A/N: I know it's a little different than normal but I would really appreciate some feed back. Even if you just want to tell me that I've totally lost my mind and that I should go smack myself over the head with a wet noodle. I'll take any type of feedback because I've never tried anything like this before. Thanks in advance.