Chapter 8
Marion shuddered. Ryana silently approached her from behind and touched her shoulder.
- Mistress wants to see you, let's go - she said.
Taking a torch from the cave wall, Ryana made a gesture with her hand, inviting her to follow. Marion rose and obediently followed her without saying a word. She walked, stumbling over rocks, somewhere she had to crouch low. At last she saw the light of a fire ahead, and they entered a spacious cave. Two women sat by the fire. Marion recognized the High Priestess at once and greeted the Lady of the Mountain Witches with a bow. The other herself approached Marion and, inviting her to sit down with them around the fire. Rianna held out the cup to her. The drink was warming, and Marion felt a little calmer. The High Priestess, looking intently into her eyes, said.
-Today the sorcerer took two captive warriors, or rather three, from the castle you hate. - When she said that, she looked at Annabelle.
And Annabel told Marion everything she had seen at Nottingham Castle. Marion's face flashed a feverish blush at first, but at the mention of the third prisoner her gaze faded to a deadly pale, lifeless expression.
-Do you know the people Annabelle told you about? - the priestess asked her.
-Yes, -Marion replied quietly. - They are the best and bravest warriors I have ever met.
-The black sorcerer's grip on them is no less dangerous than the sheriff's dungeon, - Rhona said.
-I must try to help them escape, -Marion said firmly.
-But you won't be able to do it alone, -Annabelle said.
- If I had the ability to infiltrate the Baron's castle and find them there, but I really don't know how to do it myself yet.
Rhona took her hand.
-Look at the fire, and listen to the music of the wind," she said. - Gather your will and think of those you care about, don't be afraid of anything.
Ryana stood in the distance, a whistle in her hands, the gentle lulling sounds caressing her ears and taking Marion back to the days when she was truly happy.
Looking into the fire she thought fondly and warmly of their past life. Here they are on a summer evening by the fire raising a bowl, thanking the forest spirits for a glorious hunt. Laughing at Monk Tuck's tales. Talking about successful battles. They play and compete in archery. Here she is sitting on the shore of the lake, early morning, he is looking at the mist drifting over the water. The voices of birds, the sound of the wind in the high crowns of the age-old forest, the smell of grasses. Robin sits down beside her and puts his arm around her shoulders. She looks into his eyes and tries to hear what he's saying, but his words are carried away by the wind. Suddenly, the sun gets clouded over and everything gets dark as if a storm is coming. He grabs her hand and they run. Instead of their usual camp a dark castle, they run down a dark long corridor with many doors. Suddenly he lets go of her hand and disappears behind one of those doors. Marion can clearly see the wrought iron deadbolt and the scorched runic pattern, two triangles joined at the tops. She pushes that door with all her might, but the door won't open. Then, arms outstretched in front of her, Marion walks through that door as if it didn't exist. There is a grate in front of her. She puts her hands on the iron bars. Behind the bars, fires burn around the altar and a black sorcerer casts spells over Robin's body. Marion tries to scream, but there is no voice, she can't break the iron bars. She only hears De Bellem's ominous voice. There is a wild howl, a blinding flash of lightning, then a deafening clap of thunder and the ancient castle walls slowly collapse, burying the devil's altar beneath them. Darkness covers everything.
-Wake up, Marion!
The sharp shout made her flinch, she ran her hands over her face. She's back in the cave by the fire, visions gone, feelings of fatigue and apathy weighing heavily on her shoulders. Where will she get the strength to overcome them? What to do?
Seeing the change in her face, Annabelle moved closer to her.
-The two of us can sneak into the Baron's castle and try to free your friends," she said.
Marion was immensely grateful for her sympathy and participation. But she could not yet visualise the plan of liberation. Everything was a blur to her. The only thing she knew for sure was that she would never give up her determination to do it. She'll bring back Nazir and John because Robin would have done the same thing. Robin... Thinking of him gave her confidence and courage.
- But how are we going to do that?
- Not by force, but by cunning. And don't forget your patron forest spirit will not leave you in trouble. And our mistress is also good at something - Annabelle added with a smile and turned her head towards Rhone.
In agreement, the High Priestess nodded back. Marion clasped her hands to her chest. She was not alone, and she felt that she would be supported and helped.
- Night is a favourite time for dark forces. We will travel at dawn, we are stronger in the light of day," Rhona said.
