Further Confessions

The Mills' sisters were still deliberating what the next course of action would be when a dark shape appeared, calling out from afar.

"Ichabod! Ichabod!"

"It's her. She's is calling me. Katrina will not be pleased.. Run!" he said to the sisters. "Go..!"

"Why should we go?" Jenny said as Abbie had already started to run back into one of the tunnels.

"She's a witch, remember.. and she might be pissed off. Or she will be, once he'll explains…"

"Ichabod… Why did you not heed my message? The sword is of the utmost importance…"

"Katrina," he whispered. "I could not."

"Why not, dearest?" she wondered.

"The task demanded me to be honorable and…" he hesitated, "I fear I may no longer claim such for myself…"

"Ichabod, you are quite the honorable man…. As capable and eligible as any other, more than most.." she said, wondering.

"Where, pray, is your companion, the other witness?" she further inquired.

"I've sent her away… As you are a witch and you might harm her." Ichabod mumbled, gazing downwards.

"I have no need to harm her!" Katrina said affronted. But then, her eyes narrowed and she became paler. "Unless you are providing me with a reason to…"

He remained silent, wordlessly confirming her suspicions.

"She has found your affection then…" Katrina softly said.

He nodded. "I am sorry. I didn't intend for it to happen…"

"Is she with child?" Katrina asked.

"No, no.. It was one…"

"Night?"

"Kiss."

"Your shame betrays you," she said angrily. "A mere kiss would not have startled you so… I know you have strayed further…"

"In my heart, yes." He acknowledged.

"I should harm you instead!" She hissed the words at him.

"Please do…" Anything to keep Abbie safe, he thought.

"I cannot as you are a witness, and so is she, and you have a task beyond my lust for revenge… However, do not expect any further assistance from me.."

She dissolved in front of his eyes as he called out her name in desperation, imploring her to stay.


"Did you hear that?" Jenny said.

"What?! Has she traced us?" Abbie asked.

They had ran blindly and fast and were now inside the darkness of the mountain.

"No… Shouting… Like someone is in pain…"

The sisters looked at each other. "The Hessians.." Abbie whispered.

"Do you think they found the sword..?"

"Or the monster…? Sounds like they haven't been allowed entry…"

Only a few meters away, yet hidden behind the walls of the tunnel, the Hessians had found the chamber of treasure. The Sword had been waiting there for them… Quite ready to be collected.

No monsters… No Keeper. Just a huge, generous amount of treasure. Right there in front of them… for them to have and to hold… Which they gladly did.

As the leader had grabbed the sword, his four companions had grabbed as much gold and jewels as they could carry… but when they tried to leave the chamber, unseen doors had shut.

The sword had flown out of the leader's hands into the air. A creature had appeared from the ceiling…

And… a woman from the other end of the chamber… Her grey hair in long braids… She spoke with a French accent and asked for their purpose. Explained that the sword decided who was worthy… and that they were not.

The creature had heard its master's call. It only presented itself if the sword fell into the wrong hands… and now, it would appear it had.

"You better say your prayers…" she said, before she turned and walked away, slowly.

The sword stabbed and pierced the leader of the Hessians whilst the creature, wolf-like with dark-green scales and blue shiny eyes, devoured his friends. The howling of the intruders mingled with that of the wolf and carried far.

"It sounds like a wolf…" Abbie said.

"Do you think there are wolves here…? Living in the caves?" Jenny wondered.

"I hope not… Wouldn't want to run into a pack of those…."

"Me neither…" Jenny shuddered.

"Let's see if she's left Ichabod intact…" Abbie gritted her teeth and traced back their steps. They found him shivering and worried. He seemed unharmed, but quite shattered nonetheless.

"What happened?" Abbie asked, grabbing his arm and stroking his hand. "Go on. Tell us."

"She, she…" he stammered. "I told her… She did not believe me when I said…"

"That it was just a kiss?"

"She said it was more… that I would not feel so guilty if it wasn't…"

"But it was just…" Jenny raised her eyebrows, "right?"

"Yeah," Abbie said. "Perhaps in your time, though…?" she said to him.

"She presumed you were with child…" he whispered. "As if I would… do such a thing…"

"And then?" Jenny inquired.

"She left. Angry. Furious. She said she would not, or rather could not, harm us, as we are important for the task ahead but she refused to aid us any further…"

"Fair enough." Abbie said. For a witch that was pretty mellow.

Ichabod smiled a little.

"Right." Jenny said. "I've got my fill of this place. Abs, let's go home."

"Agreed," Ichabod replied. "Seconded."