Covens (Sequel to "Roundabout")
DJ Dubois
June 2014
Rating T (Teen)—Language, Dark Magic, Violence
Notes: The characters from Sleepy Hollow belong to FOX. All other characters are mine and fictitious. Please send comments to dante0220 .
Prologue [Wabash Commune, NY—March 1778]
Heavy grey clouds hung heavily over the upper New York State woods on that early spring day. A brisk north wind sent animals and people alike for cover. The previous week's warm spell had coaxed a few early buds onto the trees. Green shoots had pierced the cold hard ground in their quest for Sol's warmth.
Within the village of Wabash on Eagle Plain's northwest side, the residents hustled quickly about their business along the Green. A few folks ate and slept within the two taverns. Others walked briskly to the livery or the mercantile.
Such was business on that afternoon…..
A dark haired slender woman rode into the square on horseback. Thanks to her dark steed, she'd made good time up the river valley via the post road. She maintained a serious disposition while galloping toward the walled fort and then through the opening into the square itself. She surveyed the area and closed her eyes.
You have arrived, my priestess. He is close! Moloch's grainy voice noted.
She nodded purposefully. The vibrations she'd felt at Saratoga and Eagle Plain echoed loudly to her there. She eyed the mercantile with affirmation. "He is in there, Master." She tied her horse to the hitching post and crossed the green. With each step, she contemplated a plan for further action. She'd scout the situation and assess this colonial captain and his allies. Then she'd decide what to do next.
A glance toward the woods reminded her of the coven which waited in Eagle Plain proper. If needed, that night they'd all return to do the master's work…to eliminate the threat which had harmed Moloch's allies at Saratoga….
…this "Child/Destroyer"….
….then its creators…..
She trudged up the wooden stairs and into the store proper. Glancing around, her eyes didn't see much out of the ordinary for the establishment as far as such places went. Bolts of cloth rested in a niche along the south wall. Shelves of dry goods formed aisles in the room's center. An antique clock ticked away Tempus' progress. A counter to her left allowed for a gentleman dressed in a fine white shirt and dark trousers to do business with a rather nondescript farmer judging from the latter's dress.
For several minutes, the merchant prattled on with the farmer about village life. More importantly to her though, she felt the power emanating from him. As per Moloch's instructions, she kept her distance so as not to alarm the two men. But she felt the energy crackling about herself.
Unfortunately the scar on the merchant's hand began to glow.
Curse that thing! She straightened while preparing for trouble.
"David, what is it?" The farmer looked about anxiously. Obviously he recognized the sign from the other man.
"It will be fine. Thank you for stopping by, Jacob. Perhaps our families might picnic after services on Sunday?" Dave supposed. He quickly shook the other man's hand.
"Temperance will like that very much. Give my best to Angie if you would," Jacob accepted with a smile. Yet his eyes drifted toward the stranger nervously.
"I know. Just head by the farm and let Ricardo know. Be watchful, my friend," Dave agreed while leading the other man out and locking the door behind his friend. Then he turned to face his remaining customer.
"I did not think locking us in was standard merchant practice, Sirrah," she chided.
"Neither is stalking said merchant, Milady. That's some trick." He held up the glowing scar. "Only dark magic makes that thing go off. Maybe we can stop with the games? Who are you?"
"I am Serilda of Abingdon, a traveler through these parts. I only seek food and wares to continue my journey," she replied half-truthfully.
While not satisfied with her answer, he nodded. "That wasn't so hard, was it, Miss Serilda? I am David Dubois, the proprietor of this store. You understand I have to know my customers? These are troubled times we live in." As she could feel his true nature, he clearly discerned the darkness about her as well. A sharp tremor shot through him.
She smiled knowing that his inner demon was stirring. Perhaps she could goad it into surfacing in the midst of the village. "These rabble let you live here despite that, Dubois? It surprises me. I've heard stories of you in Eagle Plain."
"The townspeople there picked a fight back in the day. They didn't like my response," he tersely replied. He felt deeper into her aura empathetically and recoiled.
Moloch's stench clearly wafted from every pore of her being.
"You know how to pick your employers, don't you?" He ground his teeth while casting his right eye out the window toward the green beyond. He saw Jacob speaking with the reverend and pointing toward the store. "Terrific. You'd best move on, Ms. Serilda. Before you do, perhaps I can help you with what you need?"
She shook her head. "I don't fear a few rabble."
"You should. Your master, as vile as it can be, would agree. So would the one that made me what I am. Now perhaps I could help you with some hard tack, beans or perhaps some potatoes. I have all of those things at a good price," he offered while trying to keep control.
"How about letting him out, Dubois? That's what I want," she hissed.
He chuckled darkly. "The villagers know all about my other half. I'd rather not have a floor show this afternoon." He walked back over to the door and unlocked it. "Since you don't wish to do business, I need you to leave." He opened the front door. "I will be speaking with the sheriff about this."
Serilda laughed defiantly. "You? You'd talk about me when you're the way you are?"
"The sheriff knows about me. As you said yourself, the stories make great telling. Hit the road and don't come back to this village. I will know if you're around. So will my friends," Dave reposted verbally without missing a beat. "You stir deeper trouble than you know with your presence. Trouble I'd rather not have to deal with." He motioned toward the door. "Don't make me ask again."
"Perhaps I'll bring a British regiment with me next time?" she threatened.
"Don't waste the effort. Your master knows what I can do. Next time it may meet something else it can't handle," he concluded before rudely shoving her out the door telekinetically. "That goes for any Moloch trash, Sweets."
"You will regret that, Dubois." Serilda scowled at him menacingly. "I will return."
"And I'll be waiting. Now go!" His eyes glowed bright yellow. He allowed a few dark sparks to crackle across his own finger tips. He frowned while feeling a cold presence from the woods beyond the stockade walls. "Seems the rival demon around here's annoyed by your presence as well. Beat it."
Listen to Dubois. I do not wish a battle now. You are outnumbered, Serilda. Depart, Moloch conceded.
So glad of you to notice, Creep. That goes for you too, Dave cut in telepathically.
You will pay for your impudence, Mortal. You and your demon, Moloch threatened.
"Moloch will destroy you and then that fire demon from Saratoga. That I promise," she vowed before heading purposefully across the green and toward her steed.
As she did so, a few villagers watched her. One man in a dark vest and buckskin trousers tensed.
"Let her go, Sheriff. We shall be watchful. The gaol cannot hold her in any event," Dave advised. He shook his head at his neighbors.
"She made it light up. She is one of the witches!" the blacksmith insisted.
"Have a care, Samuel. I don't know what she is. She serves another demon however. We shall have to be cautious," Dave declared. He glanced again toward the woods and rolled his eyes. Some people don't know what they do. Terrific! He headed back into the store and his desk.
Dispatches needed to be sent to General Washington and a certain captain in Sleepy Hollow about these events. And with due haste about such things…..
[Three Miles Away]
Serilda stopped her steed angrily. She detested being driven away like a common novice. "He thinks he can dispose of me like that? I will get the others and bring them back here! Then we shall see!"
You were indiscreet, my Priestess. You challenged Dubois openly. Now… Moloch lectured. Others approach.
"Turn, Witch," a firm voice commanded.
Her ears perked to the demonic timbre. Her skin dimpled at the energies crackling about. She turned toward the source.
A man or what seemed to be one cantered on a dark horse of his own out of the woods and onto the road. He wore the garb of a century earlier. A cloak and a Puritan style hat obscured his features save for a pair of glowing eyes. His gloved hands pulled the reins stopping his mount. "So ye threaten mah boy, do ye?"
"An' not very well at that," Grace added dismissively. "I know of you, Serilda of Abingdon."
"As do I you, Grace of Rowenshire. Here to visit your grandsire mayhap?" Serilda scoffed.
"Na' yet. Grandfather knows where I am when he wishes to find me. You should listen to him," Grace disagreed. "That village has more to it than you know."
"This prattle be senseless!" he hissed.
"Patience, my friend. I do not wish to stir…." Grace rolled her eyes. "Now you've done it." She watched as the Apparition appeared.
NONE A' YA'RE WELCOME! SCRAM! The Dark One eyed its two known adversaries and the stranger which had threatened Dave in the village. It threw a dark energy blast at Serilda knocking her from her mount. THA'S FER YER BIG MOUTH, TOOTS! DON' COME BACK 'LESS YA WANNA GIT MORE!
Serilda screamed under the assault of the icy and scorching flames across her body and soul.
"'Nough!" The Mystery Man grabbed the suffering priestess by the collar and glared deeply into her eyes. "Ah wan' 'er to tell 'er master a message. Thy life is spared fer now, Sow. Tell Moloch our master watches. Any more actions like this are an act of war. Remember the battle from last fall. Moloch cannot stop our master. Tell 'im, Sow!"
NOT MAH MASTER, CREEP! The Image denied.
"It matters not. You will be brought back into line. Do relay my greetings to the family, won't you?" Grace mocked the Image sarcastically. "And so will you, Serilda, if you or your coven attack." She grasped her companion's rein and made them both and the horse vanish.
BEST LISTEN TO 'ER. AH AIN'T FIRE DEMON'S KID. AH'LL STILL WHUP YER ASS IF YA'LL COME BACK! The Image dissipated into the late afternoon air
Serilda collected herself. She suppressed her shivering from the assault. As much as she wanted revenge for the attack, she sensed the power behind her attackers.
A war would be the last thing anybody needed at the moment. Still launching it at another time might meet Moloch's agenda.
She climbed back onto the horse and rode as best she could for Eagle Plain.
Best to get medical attention and prepare for Moloch's needs. This battle could wait….
….but it would happen. Count on that….
