Circle of Sisters
24. Coventina's Cavern
Virginia stared openly in amazement as the water in the small enclosed pond fought against gravity to lift itself up. She just couldn't take her eyes off the manifestation of the Goddess Coventina. A large, almost rotund figure, with great motherly breasts and hips, formed completely out of water. The face was essentially featureless, with just a bare suggestion of eyes and mouth. The Goddess exuded power. It made Virginia's hair stand up on end, reminding her vaguely of that odd crackling pressure one felt in the air before a downpour of rain. At her side, she was barely aware of Snow bending forward in a small bow of respect. Virginia felt like throwing herself flat on the ground like nuns did when prostating themselves before God. But she had no fear of Coventina, she realised, and so was able to keep standing. The other women had also nodded their greetings to the Goddess and had resumed their seats with barely a ripple of concern. Virginia guessed that little get togethers like this one were common.
"No, not as common as you would think, Virginia" spoke Coventina, using her mouth to shape the words instead of placing them in Virginia's mind as she had done before.
"It needs quite a lot of energy for us to gather together. We are all immaterial in form. Dead for years and years, most of us". Ruby cut in, pinching her own arm as if to test the realness of her own appearance.
"Except for that Cinderella woman. Vain old soul, just refuses to die, that one!" added Rapunzel. Gretel tutted from her chair.
"Nay, it's not her fault she won't die" she said, not even looking up at Rapunzel from her embroidery. Rapunzel pursed her lips thoughtfully.
"Well, it's just not right, I say. I've said it before, and I still believe it. That Queen uses magic to stay alive. Would that we be able to do the same. Things wouldn't be in such a state if we were still able to shape the world as living people!" she said, twisting her golden braids between her fingers. Snow White sighed goodnaturedly as Virginia stood in disbelief at the quarrelling ladies. She could scarcely keep from laughing out loud. They were nothing like she had ever expected, but then Virginia could not remember ever expecting to meet these fairy tale heroines of times past.
"Hush, sisters! Let us not waste our valuable energy squabbling. We did enough of that when we were alive. Our sister Cinderella will come to us when the time is right" Snow White intoned gravely, but her cheeks were pink with repressed smiles. She pointed to a chair that Virginia had not seen yet. "Please, be seated amongst us, Virginia. I'm sure you have many questions". Virginia looked long at the chair. Did sitting down with these women mean that she was committing herself to something? Snow White took her hand, reading her reluctance.
"Don't be afraid Virginia. Sit with us, please. It only means that we see you as one of us, or, more like how we once were, as young women. And as you can see, we don't always agree with each other. We respect you too much to try and bind you to any task without your will"
"You respect me?" Virginia asked, hesitant.
"But of course. None of your doings on behalf of the Kingdoms have gone unnoticed, Virginia. Even I hold you in great regard". Ruby answered.
"And that's a rare thing indeed!" spoke out Rapunzel, winking in Virginia's direction. Ruby's face flamed, but she withheld her retort. Virginia took the seat, feeling much more at ease. But it was disconcerting to find that she could see Gretel's smile right through the transparent form of the Goddess. Coventina stretched out her arm to touch Virginia's breasts and belly suddenly.
"We should be thankful that you carry a girl-child, Virginia. I don't know whether a male infant would survive here" she said in a direct fashion. Virginia, who had already guessed of her pregnancy from Wolf's cagey behaviour and the vision of herself as werewolf in the cold northern palace, felt a sudden tug of love from that place only mothers had. A daughter. So very new, so tiny, just a bundle of cells and hope. Wolf would be happy, she thought, thinking about him. Was he close? Would she see him again soon? Snow White cleared her throat softly and Virginia came back to reality, focussing her thoughts. Questions, questions. Where to even start?
"Why you, Coventina? Why not some other...deity?"
"Coventina is the Goddess of the Waters in the 9 Kingdoms, Virginia" answered Snow White. "Magic is formed where there is life, and all life is formed only where there is water. So, in essence, Coventina is the Goddess of earthly magics. This, illness that had contaminated your body, it is a physical thing. It dwells within your cells, your blood. It seemed logical to us that Coventina attempt this thing, because no mortal magic worker in these Kingdoms have ever seen or learned the way of such a curse" she continued. The Goddess rippled as her form twisted to smile at Virginia.
"Can you remove this curse from my body, Coventina?"
"Very soon, Virginia. When Lucine arrives"
"Lucine?"
"The Goddess of the Moon. She wishes to see you first. But, the sun has yet to set on the world above"
"Oh, of course. Sorry"
"It's alright Virginia. You are new to us, and we to you, despite everything you have accomplished in your life already"
"I thought I was finished with all that stuff. I thought that I could live out my days happily, forget my mother and what I did to her, raise my children, love Wolf as much as I can. But something's happening, isn't it? Something more than my just becoming a werewolf. Fate had picked me again, hasn't it?". Virginia knew her words were laced with sudden bitterness, but, looking around her, she knew that this audience more than any other would understand. All of them had no doubt wished for similar things and had cursed when the path to them grew dark and dangerous. Snow White's story she knew by heart. Rapunzel, locked up in a tower, away from her lover, only able to watch as he falls, broken to the ground, his eyes ruined by the thorn wall. Gretel, abandoned by her own father to die in the woods. Imprisoned, helpless whilst her brother is fattened for the oven. But Ruby? What had really gone on in that cottage that day? Ruby was the only one whose struggle Virginia had no insight into. All the ladies looked lost in their own thoughts.
"You're right, Virginia. This is bigger than your own curse. And yet, I think this monster wolf was set upon you on purpose". Virginia felt chilled at the words.
"On purpose? By Elias?"
"No, not he. Another, who even now plots and schemes to send her endless winter down upon the lands. It was her doing, we are sure of it. But she got it wrong, somewhat. It's my belief, Virginia, that she did not intend for you to survive the attack that night. I think she sought only to turn the spell, so that the man would transform at an unexpected time, perhaps to kill both you and Wolf. She did not understand the unique danger that threatens those touched by werewolves. So, the fact that you did live, and more, that you gained strength from it, she did not foresee that! And yet even she does not clearly see the danger of you having access to the power of the monster-wolf. Only you and I know what would happen, Virginia"
"Happen? What are you talking about, Coventina?". It was Ruby, cutting in once more.
"It is for Virginia's knowledge only, Ruby" answered the Goddess. "But it matters not. Virginia has rejected the power, haven't you?"
"I have. With all my heart, I have. To leave me like this would be to bring down upon the Kingdoms a far greater threat than you know" Virginia answered, speaking as much to Ruby as to the Goddess. Little Riding Hood the elder looked powerfully curious all the same, but she nodded in apparent acceptance. Virginia took her cue from the Goddess and decided to refrain from telling them everything she had seen in the vision. A whole land decimated, overrun with monsters against whom there were no defences. And she their Queen, presiding over her werewolf people. Yes, there would be peace, and plenty for all, but that was only because there were no people left alive. Virginia shivered and drew her silken cloak close around her. Silk? She fingered the fine fabric, seeing belatedly that her plain, ordinary clothes had been transformed into a beautiful gown, a long robe and dainty slippers. A small circlet of silver was bound about her brow. Snow White sighed deeply and Coventina smiled at Virginia.
"Sorry. I couldn't help myself". Virginia knew she referred to her trick with the clothes.
"It's alright. It's only the outer stuff"
"Very true. And you'll need more than fancy clothes to face what comes down from the north"
"Who is she, anyway? Does she have a name?"
"Come and look into the Mirror here, Virginia" said Coventina, gesturing to the pool of water that she was in fact manifesting herself in. The Goddess' form scattered suddenly into thousands of tiny droplets, all falling back into the pool with tinkling notes. "Virginia, take note. I cannot control nor see for myself all that will be revealed here to you. Only from the portents, the groaning of the land, the whisperings of the sensitives have I gleaned what knowledge I have". The soft voice faded away. Virginia rose from her chair to approach the pool, sitting down on the low wall. Her eyes met Snow White's for a moment, but the great Queen just nodded, and then turned her face away. Virginia saw that the others had done the same, as if to give her the privacy. Or maybe they just didn't want to know. Virginia had a sudden memory. An old gypsy queen, reaching to snip a lock of hair. You have a great destiny which stretches way back in time. Virginia fought down the sense of impending disaster and looked into the water.
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Scarlett had spent many nights in the past year imagining this scene. The half-wolf, known only as Wolf, stood as freely as he could, which wasn't all that much, given that he was lashed to the upright post of her travelling pavillion. She observed him quite openly. It was actually very rare that anyone within the inner circle of royalty in the 2nd Kingdom spent any amount of time with a half-wolf. Excepting that day following Wendell's faked coronation, Scarlett hadn't seen one since she was a girl, much less conversed with one. Scarlett remembered hiding at the back of the throne room as a child, fascinated in spite of the knowledge of the thrashing she would receive were she to be discovered there. But she had been surprised by the sudden furtive appearance of her mother. Imagine, the Queen Auburn sneaking about like a dishonest servant. Together they had stood in silence, looking on at a trial held in the throne room. Even at five years of age as she was then, Scarlett had percieved the one-sidedness of the whole affair. No one spoke for the wolf on that day. In fact, the accused had said very little in his own defence. Scarlett recalled her mother's words to her as they watched from behind the heavy drapes that sectioned off this part of the palace from the private quarters of the royal family.
"Ah, we've been after this one for years. Look well upon this animal, Scarlett"
"He looks just like a man, mother"
"Yes, many of them do. But remove those fancy clothes, run a stray lamb before it, and then you see it for what it truly is, daughter. You cannot trust them. They think only of themselves, their own kind. They have no love for us, no mercy. Don't ever forget this. When you are queen of these lands, you will have to spend considerable time and men to control them, lest they build up their numbers again"
"Is he the one, mother? The one who stole the baby?". Scarlett remembered vividly the look that had stolen over her mother's features at the mention of Princess Rose. She winced in anticipation of a slap or scold. But Queen Auburn had only smiled sadly.
"I didn't think you remembered me telling you that, Scarlett. You must have been only 3 when I first told you"
"Sometimes the servants talk about her, mother" Scarlett had replied without thinking too far ahead at the likely punishment those servants would receive. Her mother's face had a shadow over it, but it was an interesting shadow, like someone with deep secrets.
"What do they say, Scarlett?" Queen Auburn asked, casual enough despite her expression.
"Only that the baby Princess was stolen from her cradle on the day of her, I mean, when you, had her, mother. They think it a great shame that the midwife was blamed as well as the wolves. Was she, mother?"
"This is adults talk now, Scarlett. You are not to concern yourself with these things any longer. It happened a long time before you were born, and now, one day, you will take the throne in your sister's place"
"But if..."
"Enough, child". Scarlett knew that tone in her mother's voice. The topic was closed, but she never forgot it. The then Queen Auburn had led her daughter away, and Scarlett never found out what had happened to the wolf in chains. Maybe he lingered still in her dungeons. Certainly he had not put up much of fight. Not like this wolf. He had not physically resisted her men and their handling of him, no, but in his stance and his deep green eyes, the defiance lurked. As she watched, his gaze swept over her once more, causing gooseflesh to rise. Just as it had done when he had passed her the silver goblet. Scarlett had no doubts that this was the same wolf who had ruined her chance at winning King Wendell's hand. She never forgot faces, especially one's so hypnotic as this one. The drapes at the front of the billowing tent rustled as her head of guard entered, bowing low.
"We have scouted the immediate area, my Lady. There are tracks, of a man's boot and a barefooted child. We have extended our search and will have them soon, I assure you"
"What of the other?"
"It remains very sick, my Lady. It took an arrow through the hand, just as Ver said. Ordinarily, it would be dead by now, but some accursed animal magic is keeping it alive, no doubt. It's put some muddy stuff on the wound that seems to be countering the poison. The waters of this Lake are said to be healing, My Lady" the guard answered. Clearly he was hoping her to give the lethal order. But Scarlett didn't believe in making rash decisions. This group had come up here for a reason, and she wanted to know what that reason was. A sickened wolf would be easier to get information out of, should this one fail to provide.
"Make sure it stays that way. For now, at least" she commanded the man. His disappointment was obvious, but he bowed his obesience to her, backing out of the tent. Scarlett turned back to her captive. He had an interesting look on his face. Clearly he was surprised by her order to keep his companion alive. "Remove his gag" she ordered. The other man in the tent, the strange masked one, dared to draw breath to protest her request.
"My Lady, is that wise? Surely you don't want this demon to sully your ears with it's filthy magics and spells?" he asked with more temerity than Scarlett had supposed he possessed. She narrowed her eyes at him in displeasure, even though he had marginally valid points.
"Do it. You don't know wolves all that well, do you? They have no magic in them, and I am immune to threats, or pleas" she countered. The masked man went to stand behind the wolf, reluctance in every step. And fear, Scarlett noticed. The man's hands were shaking so hard he could barely lift them to release the catch. The wolf twisted his head to spit out the gag that not only kept him voiceless but also covered that part of his mouth where the secret teeth hid. Scarlett fully expected to see those canines bared at her now, so was surprised when the wolf spoke. His voice, low and seductive, was just as she remembered it.
"Queen Scarlett Riding Hood. It's been a while. How have you been?" he asked, as if they were nobles at court enjoying at night's entertainment. Scarlett was perplexed by his manner. But then he turned his head to look at the masked man out of the corner of his eye. "Is that you, Connor? Come and stand where I can see you, boy". Scarlett watched as the man sidled a step ot two in the direction the wolf had indicated, then stop with a glare.
"Don't speak to me, demon"
"Then go away" the wolf said calmly. Scarlett held up her hand to forestall Connor's reply.
"Connor, or whatever your name is, what is this word that you use? This 'demon' word?"
"It is what this thing is. A demon is a monster, a creation of the Lord of Darkness, as is all this accursed land. Horrid things all, in this place, sent to tempt and drive a good man mad. But not Connor, oh no, not me. I have come unscathed through this underworld. The Good Lord has seen fit to grant me my rightful revenge". Scarlett raised her eyebrows. All this accursed land? The wolf was watching the other man closely. Then he directed his next words to her.
"No, I don't know what he's talking about either, Scarlett. He does go on and on about it though" he said with an almost conspiratorial wink at her. Scarlett very nearly laughed out loud, but restrained herself just in time. Clearly this Connor man was deluded if he though half-wolf's were a creation of some dark lord.
"You're wrong, man. Half-wolf's like this one, well they are as common as mice in these lands. And no one God or Goddess created them. They created themselves, by seducing and laying with good human daughters and sons. Some would call them monsters, yes, but to all educated people they are just animals. Smart, yes, good at mimicking humans, definately, but animals all the same. Don't you know your proper history?"
"He doesn't know any history. He's from the 10th Kingdom, Red Queen" the wolf cut in. Scarlett was irritated by his interuption, but amazed also by his revelation. The 10th Kingdom? Were people from that fabled land even now wandering the roads of the 9 Kingdoms? How had he gotten here, if the only reported method of access involved mirrors?
"I can see you're confused..." began the wolf, but Scarlett glared at him.
"Quiet, wolf!" she spoke sharply. It was all too confusing all of a sudden. She just didn't want to deal with all these hidden subplots and details. All she wanted was, what? Revenge? Justice? Whatever one called it, it didn't matter. She turned to the masked man.
"You, get out"
"But, my Lady..."
"Just do it. Wait outside, or go take your stupid ideas to someone who'll listen" she commanded. The man reached to rip off his woven mask, exposing his face. Scarlett flinched at the horrible scar and the empty spot where his eye should have been. No wonder he'd covered himself. It made her gut churn just to look upon it. He threw the mask at the wolf and it fell at his feet. His marred face was ruddy with anger, but he stormed out of the tent anyway. Scarlett drew a deep breath when he had gone. Now, it was just the two of them, alone. Just like her grandmother Ruby, all those years ago.
"Your work?" she asked, gesturing to the broken mask. The wolf nodded, cautious now. Scarlett returned to her gilded seat across from the bound wolf.
"Before we begin, Lady Red, might I caution you not to try and capture those who your men seek. The sun has set, and soon the new moon will rise" the wolf said before she could begin her oft rehearsed speech. Scarlett didn't understand what he meant, but his earnestness was unmistakeable.
"Why is that then?" she said, hating to lower herself by asking him, but curious to find out what he thought he was planning.
"The man you seek is not really a man at all, but a werewolf"
"What is a werewolf?" Scarlett asked, scouring her memories for any mention of any such creature. The wolf paused before looking her straight in the eye.
"Some would call it, My Lady, a demon"
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"Virginia dearest, this may hurt". It was Coventina again, restored to her transparent watery form. Virginia had been sitting in a stunned silence for many minutes. Around her, the former royal ladies whispered behind their hands. Virginia ignored them for the moment, trying to find a calm spot in her whirling thoughts. How much did they know? Something, certainly, else they would not have spent so much energy in summoning her here. But the full vision of the freezing horror that was about to descend on the 9 Kingdoms remained her's alone, it seemed. But why? Virginia trembled at the thought that she might have to face this threat. But not alone, never alone, my child. Who was that then, Virginia wondered? It wasn't Coventina's voice, but another. A sudden beam of white light came into the cavern. It bobbed slightly, as though it was a small lantern carried aloft. Virginia turned to face it, seeing that it was in fact very close to the truth. A tall woman, who was not really a woman, but a Goddess, stood looking down on her. The woman was actually carrying a small silver ball of light in one of her upturned hands. She wore a long cloak the covered her features in shadow, but Virginia knew her face. She had seen this deity before, in the woods of her own Kingdom, no less. This was the same figure who had seemed to appear out of the native woman called Shaman. The one who had cradled and healed her precious Wolf. For that reason alone, Virginia might have thrown herself at this Goddess' feet in gratitude, but the figure put a finger to her mouth, forestalling.
"You may not thank me soon" the Goddess said sagely. Her inky black eyes were solemn as she reached forward to offer her hand to Virginia. At her touch, Virginia felt as if every cell in her body leapt in sudden recognition. For some strange reason, she felt shamed. "I am Lucine, the Goddess of the Moon. You are Virginia, my newborn daughter. Your body's cycles have followed mine for many a year. Now, my touch heralds yet another ancient cycle for you. Do you reject my light now, Virginia?". Virginia knew she wept freely. The others in the room were forgotten as she spoke.
"Goddess Lucine, I do". The words hurt fiercely, but she managed to grind them out anyway. She only hoped that the Goddess could see what it had just cost her to say them. It seemed that she did.
"You are a very strong woman, Virginia, to freely accept your mortal limitations. Not many would do the same in your place. Very well then, I also accept, and agree. Come here, Virginia". At Lucine's gesture, Virginia went to stretch out on a low dias that had materialised. Snow White came forward to squeeze her hand, but it did little to relieve her sudden anxiety. Coventina had said it would hurt. As much as Elias had seemed to suffer, or worse? Virginia had a frightening thought about him. Where was he now? The moon was about to rise over the horizon even as she lay down. Her whole body sang with the recognition of it. Someone cradled her head between soft hands as the first wave of agony passed through her. Virginia opened her mouth to scream, but was voiceless. This was bad, worse even than childbirth. Hands held her down. She moaned, a small puff of cooled air escaping her mouth. Spots swam before her eyes. An amazing succession of random images flew through her mind. Wolf, as she had first seen him, ordering a rack of rare chops from the diner. Wolf again, ice frosted on his cheeks as he ploughed doggedly through a great drift outside their cottage. Darkness, a baby crying in the night. Christine, bathed in white light. A long silver knife, gleaming. A priest, praying over her. A little gypsy girl, peeping from behind a tree. A rose, frozen and crushed underfoot.
Virginia felt swept away. She was dimly aware that she lay still upon the dias in the presence of Coventina. It felt like she was being forced through a giant sieve, cell by cell. Through slitted eyes, she saw all the blood of her body surrounding her like a giant net. Drops of inky blackness fell from her fingertips to hiss as they struck the floor. The long tunnel, the one she had seen before, opened up over her head, beckoning. Voices came out of it, but she couldn't work out what they were saying. All the days of her life seemed to stretch outwards to infinity in all directions. For the first time, she understood how precarious any future was.
"It is done". Virginia snapped back into her body with a jolt that lifted her halfway off the platform. Faces swam into view. Snow White, cheeks reddened. Gretel, frowning whilst Ruby stood by pale faced. Rapunzel wept openly, mopping her tears away with a great silk hankerchief. Virginia found words finally.
"Am I myself again?"
"How do you feel?" Lucine asked. Virginia felt of her skin, seeing that she was in one piece after all, despite the waves of agony she had experienced. No coarse hair, no claws or teeth to rend with. She stretched out with her senses. Nothing out of the ordinary. Virginia found that she could not deny the sudden feeling of loss. Normal again. How quickly she had forgotten what it had felt like. Sitting up, Virginia had a moment of concern as her stomach lurched.
"My daughter?" she asked, worried.
"We could not work the reversal on her. She would not have survived it, Virginia. I don't know how it will go with her when the my light shines on her for the first time. Maybe nothing, but, she has had your werewolf tainted blood form her..." Lucine spoke into the charged silence. Virginia felt a pang of guilt greater than any she had known before. My daughter, what have I done to you? "All the same, Hera may not find her to be the heir she seeks" the Moon Goddess added, her voice thoughtful. Virginia felt a jolt of alarm. Hera? What did that old witch have to do with it? Virginia had all but forgotten the unusual role the swamp witch had played in this whole affair, but now her insides felt like they were turned to ice. Was that the price then? Hera would ask for her own child? Virginia's worried musing was interupted by an odd noise. Like words enclosed in bubbles, the unmistakeable voice of Clayface the goblin intruded on the chamber.
"Lady, lady, come...soon...hurry...your wolf". The voice seemed to be coming from the silver pool that Virginia had just looked into. The women and the Goddess' crowded around it, seeing the floating goblin just under the surface, his hands up to it as though he had fallen through ice.
"It seems you must leave us, dear Virginia" said Coventina briskly. Virginia felt momentarily angry. She still had so many questions. She needed advice more than ever. Couldn't Wolf stay out of trouble for one minute without her? She glanced around at the fairytale princesses.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" said Ruby. "Lose that wolf of yours and you'll be no use to anyone!". Virginia smiled and nodded. It was true enough. Quite unexpectedly, the long ago queen came forward to embrace her. Virginia was almost sure that Ruby slipped something into the pocket of her robe as they parted. Ruby's eyes bored into her. For my child, she seemed to say. Virginia nodded at her and Ruby went to stand by the side of Gretel. Coventina started to melt into the pool. When half her torso had mingled with the water, she held out her hands to Virginia.
"Wait, what about Elias? Can you cure him too?"
"Yes, if he wishes it. Just walk him into the Lake, and I will flood it with the power of Lucine and myself. Make sure that only you and he are in the water when this happens! But again, only if he wishes it, Virginia". Virginia was about to ask, what lake? but Snow White stepped up and drew her hand towards the Goddess. Virginia turned to thank her, but already she was being pulled away. The cavern room and it's occupants seemed to spin. At the last minute, Rapunzel darted forward to put something in Virginia's other hand. Then, she and the other's were gone.
Virginia swallowed several mouthfuls of water before she realised that she was in fact in the real stuff once more. Coventina, her form taking the shape of a giant fish, held her securely. Dimly, Virginia could see the goblin swimming beside them, his webbed feet splayed out in frog fashion. Finally, just before she broke surface, Virginia saw an incredible sight, laying at ease on the bottom of the Lake. It was a thing both terrifying and beautiful.
"Was that...what I think it was?" she spluttered as her head broke water. Coventina's fish form seemed to wink at her as she dived back down to the depths. Her voice came from far away.
"Yes. She sleeps, Virginia. Long time, she sleeps. Farewell, daughter. May the waters of the world never flow against you..."
"Coventina! Wait! Come back!". But the Goddess of the Waters was gone. As Virginia stared after her, she beheld something floating up from the depths. It was small, circular and shiny. Without stopping to study it further, she grasped at it, shoving it in her coat pocket. But Virginia felt empty, saddened. Deserted and cold. So tempting to dive back down, try and find the hidden entrance to Coventina's lair. Hidden from the world, safe again. But alone too. She looked around, treading water as she got her bearings. Mountains, partially clouded with heavy mist, framed the giant dark lake she paddled in. Virginia could not recall ever having seen these particular mountains before. She must be a long way from the 4th Kingdom. Clayface suddenly surfaced beside her. His green face blended in perfectly with the deep water, but his gleaming smile could easily be seen.
"Welcome back, Miss Virginia. Follow me, if you will" he garbled, taking the lead towards the shoreline close by. Virginia could see spots of light on the shore, and as she swam closer, she saw that they were torches. A great many torches. And men, moving around in the twilight, gathering wood and setting up tents. The ripples of her passage preceded her to the edge and a man shouted out something, pointing in her direction. Virginia, sincerely glad that she was wasn't naked as she had been in all her recent swimming adventures, stood up, coarse gravel between her toes.