Chapter 2 [A Turn and a Half of the Hourglass Later—A League Away]

Elaine leaned against a tree. Breaths spurted out in chilly huffs. Exhaustion burned her lungs. Her legs dragged like lead. Chill dampened and reddened her skin. Hair stuck out every which way. Blood dripped from scratches on her arms. Water sloshed in her shoes. Her ankle protested every step. Anxiety pressed constant looks over her shoulder. Tears reddened her eyes. Mud sucked at boots. Soiled gown tore against briars and thorns. Fear paled her face. Her body required rest and food.

Dirt road ran parallel to her progress. It teased and enticed her toward an easy direct passage. Safety would seem closer than ever….

…if not for Pursuit's constant presence….

Bernard prided himself on pursuit and the hunt. His dogs' noses tracked down rabbits, deer or any other game. Knights ran after fugitives across meadow and brush alike.

She listened. Only Breeze and Leaves' rustle greeted her ears. She braved another look. Nothing of note yet. I should keep going. Father will hunt me down. He wants to kill me as he did Mother! Sobs wracked her. Several deep breaths composed herself. Maybe the dogs won't find my scent. I did let the rowboat drift downstream. Maybe they'll follow that? It wouldn't have mattered. They'd find me before I got to Whitgate. Why did Father send for that awful man AGAIN? Was it not enough he helped Camelot's King to execute Mother? She crouched behind a bush. King Rodor favors magic. I am not bad! I want to help people! A tear streaked her bruised cheek. The previous day seemed like any other day. She'd walked about the enclosed terrace. Last rose blooms warmed her heart. Adjacent meadow's scents caressed her nostrils.

Alas! Pollen caused a sneeze….

…Sneeze caused petals to shower across the area….

…Petals and magic brought out the worst in Count Bernard (again). As with her mother, he'd see her burn for sorcery. If not in Nemeth, then at Uther's hand….

Memoria recalled Sympathy's grace from King and Princess. Decision instantaneous. MaPity pressed the servants for their aid. Drusilla unlocked the window. Bush under the window broke her fall. She limped through Roses' and Hedges' cover. Several others left her rowboat in a spot known only to her. She managed to row across to the other shore before serfs, villeins or knights spied her flight. Afterwards, she'd allowed the boat to drift downriver. She'd waded through the frigid waters and away from the manor. Only after a hundred steps (more or less) did she climb back up on the grass. Only then did she head into the woods.

Situation grew desperate. Hunger growled in her stomach again. She ground her teeth. With these noises, anyone will hear me! Depression sank her mood. She rubbed her soaked arms to warm them. She shivered. Pain stabbed through her ankle yet again. Throat burned. Then, she stiffened.

Barking…distant but there…echoed to her ears….

"NAY! ALREADY?" Fear ate at her. Choice offered no options. Her heart beat faster and faster. Akin to Rabbit, she bolted from that spot. She crashed through brush. Mud squished under shoes' soles. Roots tripped her more than once. Desperation forced her back up and down the path anew.

Exhaustion's burn or Stake and Fire's burn….

Rodor's Justice or Uther's Prejudice….

Ways remained in short supply….

Pursuit drew closer. Hooves thundered up the dirt road and through woods. Dogs' baying grew louder still. Brush and branches rustled as if disturbed. Men yelled back and forth to one another. Shrill whistles cut on the wind to her.

Is there no one for me? Lady, please! HELP ME! Tears streaked down her cheeks. Her ankle throbbed. Her pace slowed to a mere hobble. Her lungs burned. Exertion pushed her beyond the breaking point. Another glance affirmed worse fear.

"HEY! THERE'S THE WITCH!"

Nay! What did I do to them? I did NOTHING! Just like Mother! She struggled slowing step after slowing step. This isn't even Father's domain any longer! Can't he stop? Her flight stopped.

Pursuers surrounded her. Dogs whined and howled. The men grabbed her arms. Rough hands shoved cloth into her mouth. They pulled and pushed her down to the road. "WE HAVE HER!"

She trembled and quivered. She fell to her knees. Her eyes remained riveted to the ground. Failure sank in. Inevitable loomed in front of her. Trial would reach predetermined conclusion. Only Nemeth or Camelot? Torture, Persuasion, Humiliation and Death awaited her somewhere. Those destinies remained a certainty. Will they just kill me out here? Father hates me anyway!

Bernard and Aredian pulled up on their respective horses' reins. Irritation and Anger darkened their expressions. They dismounted. Their eyes bored into the pain-wracked, dirt-encrusted escapee. Lips curled.

Bernard stalked up to her. "I TOLD YOU TO STAY! YOU'D RUN ON ME? I'M YOUR FATHER!" His hand slapped her across the face. "I gave you how many chances? Huh? HOW MANY?"

Her lip swelled. Bruising purpled her face. She couldn't bear to look at her father. There's nothing. No justice!

"YOU'RE A DISGRACE TO YOUR TITLE AND NAME! YOU'RE AN EMBARASSMENT TO ME! JUST LIKE YOUR MOTHER WAS!" Bernard raised his hand again.

"That does not seem to have the desired effect." Aredian shook off Bernard's secondary assault. Poker face restrained and concealed Disdain and Disgust from view. "Well now…we have another one!" His eyebrow raised. His shoulders shrugged. "Take off the gag. I am not afraid of her."

"But, Sirrah! She…!" Protest blurted from one knight's mouth. Desperate looks shared between his comrades and himself.

"NEVERMIND! I HAVE THIS!" Bernard ripped the cloth from her mouth. Indignity pressed a scoff from his lips. "Well? What do you have to say for yourself?" He pointed to Aredian. "I have granted Aredian guardianship over you, Elaine! I disavow you!"

Sobs and tears choked speech and blurred her vision. Dejection sapped her strength. "How…how…could you? This…this…" She forced her eyes upward to meet Aredian. "This monster. The man who lied and cheated to kill Mother! All she did was HELP PEOPLE!"

Wry cough escaped Aredian's mouth. "She was a witch and a sorcerer. She betrayed the law. She paid the price. So will you." He pulled her to her feet. "You will come with me to Camelot. I am your guardian. King Uther will deal with you accordingly."

"NAY!" She shoved back against Aredian. "That butcher? NAY! King Rodor is my sovereign!" Granted, her legal knowledge remained minimal at best. "We…we…are not on your manor, Father. That transfer is not right! YOU CANNOT DO THAT!" She raised her head. "AS WE ARE IN THE ROYAL DEMENSE, I APPEAL TO KING RODOR AND PRINCESS MITHIAN! I THROW MYSELF AT THEIR FEET! AS IS MY RIGHT AS THEIR SUBJECT AND THE LADY OF SHALOTT!" She kneeled to the ground. "GODDESS, YOU ARE MY WITNESS! HELP ME PLEASE!"

Aredian sniffed. "That myth has not helped any of your kind against my justice! She does not exist! She will not…."

Deep roar shattered sylvan stillness.

Challenge made…response forthcoming it seemed….