Chapter 13
"How could something like this happen?" the chief asks to no one in particular. He looks around the wreckage of Oda's hut and sees the storyteller's body covered in soot.
"Sir," Adalhard comes up to the chief, "There's something wrong," he adds.
"Not now Adalhard, I'm trying to think," Chief Randulf replies, but Adalhard shakes his head.
"Sir, did you see Ishild anywhere?" he asks and the chief looks at him.
"No, why?" Chief Randulf asks the captain.
"She's not with any of the guards and I can't find her anywhere," Adalhard answers. Chief Randulf knew right away that something happened to Ishild and he gathers some of the guards and headed towards her hut.
The chief knocks on the door of the hut and Gerhard answers. "Chief Randulf, what can I-" "Where's Ishild?" the chief interrupts him. At that moment, Gerhard's face turns white.
"I can see it in your eyes, Gerhard, what did you do to her?!" the chief shouts at Gerhard and some of the guards push themselves in. Gerlach comes in and sees the guards and the chief.
"Where is Ishild?!" Chief Randulf shouts, again.
"She was crazy!" Gerlach steps in and the men look at him. "She was acting like a menace and my father had to lock her up!" Gerlach exclaims, but all of the men gave angry looks.
"Nice try boy, but the Ishild we know does not act crazy," Adalhard replies and Gerlach's face falls.
"You locked her up?! Where?!" the chief demands. Gerhard stands to his feet and takes out the key for the room and they wake up the stairs. "My lord, Gerhard it's freezing up here! I hope Ishild has not frozen to death, otherwise I'll have your head!" Chief Randulf shouts at him.
Gerhard unlocks the door to the room and calls out, "Ishild." There was no answer and Chief Randulf takes a torch and steps in. The room was empty and the chief looks at Gerhard with anger on his face.
"Where is she?!" he shouts, but Gerhard shakes his head.
"Sir, look," a guard said and points to the hole in the ceiling. "She may have gotten out through there," the guard adds. Chief Randulf orders the guard to squeeze through the hole and look.
"Saintly Mother of Jesus," the guard whispers and says to the chief, "Sir, there's hoof prints up here, but not of a deer."
"What are you talking about?" Chief Randulf asks.
"That creature Oda usually talked about, it must've gotten Ishild," the guard answers. The chief orders some of the guards to look around the grounds, the meadow, and the edge of the forest for Ishild.
Some of the guards on horseback look around the forest and notice the giant hoof-prints in the snow. One of them hurries back to the chief and tells him of what he saw.
"Then the legend must be true," Chief Randulf said to himself and turns to Adalhard, "Gather all of your men, bring chains, and whatever weapons you have," he orders and points to Gerhard and Gerlach, "They are coming with us. If the beast killed Ishild, I will kill it, and then execute them."
Both Gerhard and Gerlach were ordered to walk with the guards and the chief gets on his horse. They follow the hoof-prints into the forest and were gone.
()()()()()()()()()()
In the dwarf community, the dwarfs were asleep or making rounds. Others were staying by the bon-fire, feeding it twigs and leaves. The last of the wine was gone and some of the dwarfs were drunk and acting mischievous.
In the snow-mound, Ishild shivers and Meinrad holds her tight, trying to keep her warm. He touches her forehead, again, her fever was strong. "I'm not going to lose you, not like this," Meinrad said to her.
Ishild hears him and opens her eyes. "I'm sorry Meinrad, but there are some things you can't save. All things eventually die," she said and coughs.
"Don't you dare say that," Meinrad replies in a demanding tone. "I believe...I believe you are the reason for why I am alive," he adds and Ishild stares at him. "You are brave, strong, and compassionate. That is what I love about you," Meinrad said to her.
Ishild takes a clump of his coat and holds tight on it and then buries her face into it.
Outside of the dwarf village, Eydis was coming back with the potion, when she sees lights from torches and sounds of men coming from behind her. She hides behind a tree and peeks out. A band of humans were trekking through the forest and they appeared to be following something.
Eydis knew that they were heading for the dwarf village and she had to stop them, somehow. Just then, something clamps her mouth shut and she turns to see Helmold.
"They must be from Ishild's village," he said to the old dwarf. Eydis thought of a plan and gives the potion to Helmold.
"Take this to Ishild and pour it over her bite wound. Then, get everyone ready for a fight if possible. I'll try to hold them off," Eydis orders him.
"But what if they kill you?" Helmold asks, but Eydis demands for him to go and he digs his way through the snow towards the village. Eydis then begins to call out to the humans.
"Turn back!" she calls out and that got their attention.
"What is that?" one of the guards ask and then Eydis appears before them.
"Turn back!" she repeats and screeches at them like a hawk.
"What in heavens name is that?!" the chief demands, but Eydis continues to show aggressiveness towards them.
In the village, Helmold jumps out of his mound and begins to shout, "Humans! Heading this way!" The dwarfs jump to attention and Helmold rushes toward the snow-mound where Ishild and Meinrad were.
"Meinrad! Humans are coming!" Helmold cries out upon entering.
Ishild looks at him, "The chief?" she asks, but the dwarf does not answer and pours the potion over her wound. Ishild reacts as it stings and Meinrad begins to growl and prepares to leave the mound.
"Where are you going?" Ishild asks him.
"I'm not going to let them take you back," Meinrad answers and turns to Helmold, "Tell the dwarfs to arm themselves, but they must not fight unless the humans prove a threat," he orders and the dwarf leaves.
Eydis growls and snarls at the humans and snaps at the horses. "Shoot it!" Gerlach shouts.
"Silence boy!" Adalhard demands, but then, one of the guards draws an arrow and fires. The arrow hits Eydis in the chest and she falls over, dead.
Some of the dwarfs had seen this happen and they hurry back to their village. "They killed Eydis!" one of them cries out.
Meinrad and Ishild had heard this and Meinrad looks at her. "They will have to-" "Meinrad, please!" Ishild pleads with him, "I don't want you to die! I can't let you die!"
"And I can't let them take you back. What if your father or brother kills you? I cannot live with that," Meinrad said, "If I die, at least I will die for you."
"Why are you doing this?" Ishild asks. The next thing she knew, Meinrad kisses her and Ishild's eyes widened and her face turns red. Meinrad then leaves the mound and bolts the door, just as the humans set foot into the village. "Meinrad!" Ishild cries out and breaks down in tears.
From the author: Oh no! What will the outcome be for everyone?! Find out next time!