Circle Of Sisters
21. Virginia Unleashed
Virginia had fully expected to have to plunge once more into the next mirror, so she was surprised when she entered into the cavern to find not a lake, or even a pond. Instead, dropping from an immense height was a fine sheet of water. It was so sheer it seemed to Virginia that it would be little more than a fingers length in width. The droplets that made up the waterfall were so tiny that it was like looking at a long silver curtain. They tinkled with minute musical tones as they struck the stone floor and flowed away in all directions. Virginia thought it was possibly the most beautiful fall she had ever seen, more so even that the Snow White Falls that ran down the side of Dragon Mountain far to the west. Wolf would love to see this, she mused, missing him with a pang of discomfort.
She sighed and put down her belongings, stripping off once more. A pale gleam of sunlight crept over the rim of the fall, shining down from whatever small cavity allowed the water through from the surface. Virginia lifted her face to the light, feeling her heart lift with the added bonus of a slender sliver of blue sky above. Her skin tingled all over suddenly and her palms and the soles of her feet itched. Virginia looked to her hands with some alarm. Surely she wouldn't be sprouting claws and hair just yet? But no, they seemed as normal as they had ever been, and she reminded herself that Elias had only changed when the moon had risen, dark as it had been that night. It was still day, no matter the passage of time. But she had no way of judging exactly which day. Could a whole month have passed by already?
Virginia put off the chills and studied the waterfall once more. Despite it's beauty, she was reluctant to approach it. She felt sure what she would see reflected in it, seeing as it was a mirror of truth, meant to show her what would become of her should she stay a werewolf. Virginia had been angry, and upset at Coventina's suggestion that she might not want to give it up at all. Had the Goddess seen some flaw in her then, some hidden trait that would show itself now? Virginia didn't know, but there was no time to waste in further hesitation she thought, stepping up with more boldness than she knew she possessed. She was surprised to see only her own reflection in the mirror. No huge monster towering in the background. Just a small human woman seemed to stare out at her. But there was something else there, wasn't there? A small blip, hovering, disappearing even as she strove to pinpoint it. A little light maybe? Virginia gave up trying to spot the thing and put her hands up to the surface. It was soft, and tickly to her palms. She stepped through, into...snow.
Snow by starlight. She should be cold, freezing even, but she revelled in the icy wasteland. She ran. Effortless, she seemed to float over the ground as the miles sped by. Behind her, they trailed in her wake. Her followers bellowed in the night for her to wait for them. They all loved her, they adored her, they fought for her notice, her attention. Wasn't this what all women desired?
The countryside around them was silent, as it should be. Virginia had brought peace to all the lands. The days and nights of her campaign had one by one routed out those who wished ill fortune on the Kingdoms. They had been many, and they had not died easily. Virginia did not spend much thought on them these days. They had been weak, it was natural that they should fall to her. Good will always prevail in the end, Virginia. Pity that we never know just when it will end. Someone had said that to her. A long time ago it seemed. Well, Virginia would decide when it would end, because none dared to say otherwise. Everybody would live happily ever after from this day forward she thought. The last bastion of evilness was about to be toppled.
The dim outlines of the huge compound lay ahead. Around it ranged her guards and Virginia felt a relief when one of her favourites stepped forward to tell her that the place was now subdued. She ranged through the cold corridors, marvelling that anyone would think to live in this barren place. Virginia would not choose to live here. When summer came again, she would head southwards to her castle and start her dynasty from there.
The great room at the centre of the holding was open to the elements. The woman huddled at the base of the dias. Virginia knew that the place was strewn with bodies, but she ignored them for now. All her attention was on the prize. So strange, to find a simple human woman. Stripped of her powers, defenceless now, yet she glared with a grim defiance as Virginia came forward to deliver the justice due her. The woman coughed and a great gobbet of blood stained spittle came up to land at Virginia's feet. Virginia stooped to sniff at the blood. It was toxic to her senses, sickened. How disappointing to find that Mother Nature would have accomplished what months of long battles had done. No matter. Virginia smiled at the woman, seeing there the sudden terror that such a grimace usually provided.
"I find you at last, cold one" she said to the woman. The woman shook her head and Virginia wondered for a moment if she had lost her wits. But of course. She wouldn't understand, not while Virginia was in her true form. The human on the floor grovelled, mouthing useless curses. Then she laughed.
"Oh my, what a sight you are! Are you to be the Monster Queen then?" she cackled. Virginia felt her blood rising in anger. She positively hated that name! Couldn't the fools of this world see past her outward appearances and see what she'd just done for them? Sacrificed for them? Ah, but the great thrill of absolute control. A chance to design the world as Virginia saw it. And she would not be evil, nor terrible, but just and fair. It was about time someone took the initiative in this world. Too many curses, too many evil souls. But no more. She turned her back to the woman and sat down on her haunches, her vast belly scraping the icy steps. Her people were still quartering the room, hunting out and killing those who sought to hide. Her King would come soon. Even he bowed before her. The human still gurgled behind her.
"Heh heh, stupid bitch. Have it then, take it all. You're welcome to it"
"I have already. I don't need your permission. When you and that from which you gain your stranglehold on this world are gone, then all will have peace. Happy Ever After for all"
"You're a bigger fool then than I thought. Everybody, you say? Look around you, Monster Queen. You've destroyed them all yourself. You and your beastly army. All gone, or fled over the sea. So, take my throne if you will, and add it to the others you have already destroyed. Go, scamper through the ruins of the towns and villages that lie in your wake. There will be Happy Ever After for none, because there is none left but yourself"
Virginia looked around, and knew it to be all too true.
She fought against the clinging feeling of the water, scrabbling backwards over the wet stones to try and escape the vision. The watery curtain parted and she found herself back on the other side of the fall. She was gasping like she'd run a race. Virginia got to her feet shakily, examining herself all over. Still a human yet. No monster-wolf as she had been in the mirror. Virginia struggled into her clothing, her mind racing with the images, her body remembering the strength and agility it had just had. And that it would soon have. Virginia felt like beating at her own flesh for what she saw as a betrayal of herself. No, no, never. No matter how intoxicating it had been, she would never accept it. Not if the result would be her total domination and ruin of the Nine Kingdoms. Virginia huddled into her dry clothing, but she couldn't stop shaking. She wanted Wolf to be there to hold her against herself, to tell her that no, she wasn't like that, she would never be like that. Like her mother.
"You're the fool, Coventina, if you think that I would ever accept that" she said finally.
"I guessed as much. But I had to ask, Virginia. These worlds are about to be laid waste. Were you to remain as you are, victory would be certain, but what then would take up the mantle? Do you remember watching Wendell's crowning ceremony, the fake one that your mother presided over?"
"Yes". A shiver at the thought ran through Virginia.
"Wendell passed their main test purely on his ability to convince them that he truly didn't believe himself worthy. Of course, what he was saying was the truth, for him, but they only admired his gall at attempting to convince them otherwise"
"They didn't really believe him"
"No, it was inconceivable to them that anyone would want to declare themselves unworthy, and they won't believe you either, Virginia"
"Because of my mother" Virginia responded, but she was unsure of how she felt at being judged like that. She wasn't Christine, she was nothing like her. But then, what had she just seen in the mirror? Could power corrupt anyone then? Coventina's voice intruded on her muddled thoughts.
"No. Power itself does not corrupt. It is merely attractive to those who are corruptible"
"I do not find it attractive at all"
"I know that Virginia" the musical voice trilled through the cavern. Virginia thought she could sense a smile on the Goddess' face and she returned it hesitantly, then with more strength as another beam of sunlight reached down from the opening overhead. Just like no time had passed.
"Actually, a whole day has passed in the world above. You should make haste, dear one. Time runs short for you and yours...". The voice drifted away and Virginia saw that a small opening had appeared in the falls to reveal another long passage ahead. She gathered her belongings and took one last look up at the sunbeams that played in the water. It would be so good to be above ground once more, no matter how beautiful it was down here in the realm of the Water Goddess. She hoped that wherever Wolf was, he would be there to meet her when she rose from the depths.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Impossible! The child is one of us. She stays" the man's voice sliced through the deepening tension ahead. Wolf trailed alongside one of the middle placed wagons drawn by plodding cart horses. The man had named himself as Bere and it seemed that the leader, one Lena, was content to let him handle the increasingly bitter Willem. Wolf peered forward, seeing the all too obvious lines of anger in his brother's stance. He had a bad feeling of how this dispute would end. Perhaps if he revealed himself, let them know he was considered a 'hero of the kingdoms', maybe that would help sway the obstinate gypsies to releasing the cub into her father's care. But no, it was all too clear that that might be a dangerous move. Whilst the gypsies of Tracy's caravan seemed to be friendly enough towards them, those of Lena's did not. In fact, many even eyed each other with distrust. Wolf recalled the hidden tones of Tracy's voice of the evening before. They didn't much care for each other, these two tribes. Yet Wolf had no doubt that they would unite instantly if he and Will were to try anything against them.
Wolf studied the wagon in front, noting that Clayface and Elias rode on the back of it, their legs hanging off the back. It was Tracy's wagon, and she handled her team competently through the dense undergrowth. The day was drawing on. They would have to leave the gypsies before darkness today and strike out on their own for the Coven Lake. Wolf smiled to himself when he pictured his Virginia waiting there for him, probably tapping her watch impatiently, her 'you're late' look on her face. Curiousity burned within as he wondered about what she was doing right now. He hoped that whatever tests or challenges the Goddess set for her weren't too terrible or frightening. He also wondered if she had discovered the secret he'd been unable to voice at their parting.
Wolf had gleaned from the tribe chatter that both clan's were heading for the Wolf Pass, a great cleft in the mountain range which was the main passage for those travelling between the northern forests and the Riding Hood's territories. Not many humans went that way these days, but gypsies often did, bringing to the wolfen communities trade goods, news, and gossip from the other Kingdoms. It would have to be a short trip if they were to make it back before the winter snows closed the pass to wagons though, he realised, glancing at the heavy clouds that hung in the western sky. There had been a heavy frost this morning. Wolf considered whether he might be able to steal an extra blanket from the gypsies before they left, remembering that Virginia only had one thin cloak. He didn't want her to get cold in those days it would take to get back home. Home. His mind wandered back to his little cottage, imagining ahead. Virginia, happy and smiling, whole again, Caelum playing by the fire. A chill wind blew through the travellers, dampening his happy daydreams. The arguement was continuing ahead.
"No, she was born amongst us. We are all the family she knows"
"She knows me well enough"
"I don't deny it"
"Then why can't I take her with me? I'm her father. Mara had no other close blood relatives. You just want her because she's got the wolf in her. Your clan can use her woodcraft..." Will continued, his voice taking on an accusatory tone. Wolf sighed, knowing that his brother was running out of plausible reasons, and patience. It was unusual to see his typically placid brother so riled, but Wolf didn't doubt his sincerity. He positively loved and adored the cub, but what Alice herself wanted was a mystery. The adults of both clans had kept her well out of sight since she had led them to her father. Wolf half snorted. As if that would somehow break any bond between them. Wolf knew exactly where she was anyway, in what wagon she was concealed. He glanced back down the line, hoping to see her small face at one of the multipaned windows, but whoever had her had shuttered them against the day. Wolf caught the eye of Lena as she drove her brightly coloured cart. At a nod from the gypsy matriarch, he dropped back a little way to walk alongside her. To Wolf she seemed a formidable woman, not one to be crossed, much less one to try and steal a blanket from. Or a child. He hoped his expression wasn't giving away his thoughts as she gazed at him.
"You want your fangs pulled?" she said matter-of factly. Wolf was so surprised by her question that it was a moment before he could register a reply.
"My what?"
"Your fangs. You know, the hidden ones"
"Ah, no. Thank you anyway" he stammered, curious. "Why would you ask such a thing, lady?" he added.
"Oh, I'm training to be a Tooth Fairy" replied Lena. Wolf nodded slowly, as if such things were commonplace aspirations. The fact that the woman was obviously not a fairy didn't seem to worry her at all. Wolf decided not to pursue the matter, but his jaw ached at the very thought of having his teeth yanked out by anyone. The indignity of having to use a knife and fork for the rest of his life would be embarrasing enough. To put the budding dentist's thoughts on something else, he raised another topic.
"How did the cub's, I mean the child's, mother die, and when?"
"Mara took an arrow through the lung not two weeks ago, in a skirmish with Riding Hood troops. They ambushed us as we tried to ford the river near the border. Three others besides her were killed before we were able to put them off our trail, curse them!"
"Why would Red troops attack gypsies? I've never heard of them doing that before"
"Then you've been away from this Kingdom for a long time haven't you?" Lena replied with bitterness. She clucked at the reins of her team and the creaking wagon drew ahead of Wolf, leaving him with his troubled thoughts. Red troops ambushing gypsy clans? He couldn't imagine why they would do so, other than a particularly bored captain wanting some sport. He looked around at the spread out collection of carts and wagons and pack animals. It was a garish, noisy way to travel, but right now it seemed not the safest place to be. Any soldier could follow such a trail. Perhaps they were setting a trap even now. Wolf shivered at the thought of being wounded or captured by Red soldiers. He resolved that they would leave the caravan today, even if they had to leave the cub behind for now.
The column was drawing together as the lead scouts decided to stake out a camp ahead. Wolf watched as the two clans carefully set themselves up with half on one side and half on the other. Will was still arguing in low tones with the man Bere and Wolf could tell it wasn't going well for his brother. He wondered just how he would be able to convince Will to leave the cub. Maybe he wouldn't want to continue at all, and Wolf would have to go on with just the goblin and Elias. Wolf saw that Elias had hopped down from his perch and was gathering wood with some of the others, but the man looked far more energetic than he had been in past days. His eyes sparkled with vigour, he was quick and confident in his movements. Wolf checked the moon with that tiny part of his mind that kept track of her cycle. Only one more night before the new moon graced the sky. He had to get Elias away from these people at any rate. As much as he disliked and mistrusted the gypsies, he couldn't in good conscience let the werewolf run havoc amongst them. At least the Coven Lake, hidden as she was between two giant peaks, was for the most part uninhabited by humans. Elias (and Virginia perhaps, his unhappy thoughts reminded him) could run around all night long without doing too much damage. But they would have to leave now, if they were to get there in time.
Wolf steeled himself for the difficult task of convincing Will to come away, but before he had even taken two steps towards him, the whole forest exploded in violence.