"Tis just like you to thrust this upon me, old woman."
Melari paused her shoveling, standing upright and stretching her back from the dull ache she earned from hard physical labor. After a few deep breaths, she continued digging deeper into the forest floor. "Three whole months. Three whole months of doing but not much learning, and here, the final lesson. I knew you would be a hard mistress, but did you have to be so damn cruel as well?"
Once the hole was deep enough that Melari had to dig out footholds in the side so she could get out, she went around the the front of the cottage and dragged out a bundle, using a length of canvas to ease the journey. Once reaching the pit, Melari looked to the bundle and sighed.
"What the bloody hell am I to do now? I sure haven't earned the title I'm stuck with, now have I?" She pushed the bundle into the grave and began covering it with soil. "I love you, Grandma Ninii, but this is a shitty lesson you've left me to deal with. Three months of apprenticeship and then you kick the bucket choking on your morning toast. I told you that crock didn't have jam in it. Did you listen? No. And now look at this... the circle of life, just as you taught. How can I be the Witch in the Woods without knowing proper witchery?"
Shovel after shovel of dark forest soil filled the hole, which took all day to dig. It took half an evening to fill. And then to mark it, a lavender and rosemary plant each.
With a heavy heart, Melari went inside the cottage and heated water to bathe, not that a washcloth and ewer really counted as a proper bath. After Father lost the estate and title, well, there went luxuries like full immersion into a tub of hot water and sweetly scented soap. As the cauldron of water heated up, she helped herself to some bread and cheese. Then gave herself a washing.
As she finished dressing herself, a knock sounded on the door before a voice bellowed, "Open up, in name of the King!"
She couldn't keep the frown from her face. Late evening, and all she wanted was a cup of tea and to put her feet up and rest. But no, some damn loud irritant pounded on her door. "One moment, one moment!" Melari called out, wrapping a thick shawl around her shoulders. Opening the door, she found a tall man with one hell of a glower staring down at her. His amber eyes and tawny hair glinted red in the light his torch provided. His dark green military uniform, soiled. "Can I help you?"
"Is this the house of the Witch of the Woods?" He demanded.
"I...It is."
"I demand to speak to her. Where is she, wench?"
Melari bristled and failed to blunt the sharp side of her tongue. "Go around back. You'll see two herb plants atop disturbed soil. Go ahead, talk to her. I can't guarantee you'll get a reply, though."
His eyes narrowed. "Do you mock me?"
Melari matched his glower. "No. I'm merely directing you to her grave, as she passed away this very morning."
He blinked a few times before responding. "Were you her apprentice?"
"I had that duty, yes."
"Your name, girl. Give it to me."
Melari narrowed her emerald gaze. "I am Lady Melari Lyddis Gaylen, daughter of the Earl of Mynith. And who might you be?" She tilted her chin up with firm set to her jaw, unaware how her ruby hair shone like embers.
The man laughed. "There is no Earl of Mynith, not for years. You're telling me you are that reprobate's spawn?"
"Yes."
"And now you're Witch of the Woods? Well, congratulations on gaining a better status than a gambler's daughter."
"Tell me sir, did you feel so joyous when your grandmother died? And I asked who might you be to intrude upon my peace?" Melari asked again.
"Tarren Nyvasik, Duke of Kirleen and Right Hand to the King." Although he wasn't going to apologize for his lax tongue, he let the mirth slip away and settled into seriousness.
Melari's jaw dropped, but then she gathered herself and dropped into a curtsy. "Your Grace."
"Enough. Come with me. Pack what you need, King Valair has summoned you."
She took a step backwards, attempting to put space between she and the tall man. "About that... I have only apprenticed for three months and haven't learned much beyond herbalism at this point. It's not that I want to ignore the King's command, but that I am unfit for it at this time. Surely there is someone else who can assist him with his needs."
The Duke lowered his voice. "I will not tell you again. Get your stuff. We're leaving."
No need to poke the bear. Witch of the Woods serves at the king's leisure. To ignore a summons was to invite an army into the forest. "What do I need? What is the nature of the issue?"
He gave a deep sigh. "Not sure. He ordered a healer, specifically, the Witch of the Woods. Hurry up, we haven't time to waste."
Shit! Melari took a deep breath and tried not to focus on the fact she'd be executed if she brought harm to any of the royal family. Just my damn luck. She gathered up a few books on various disorders and treatments, the chest of herbs, and some clothing, bundling the books inside the clothes and tucking them into the cedar box.
"Can you carry the box?"
"Must you take that whole damn thing?" It wasn't a huge box, surely a strapping man as himself could lift it with more ease than she could.
"Yes. Do you wish to inspect it? I can tell you right now it's full of herbs and other healing ingredients. Did His Highness not order a healer to attend him? Would a knight attend a battle without his weapon of choice?"
"It'll be a pain to carry on horseback. Can we send someone to pick it up for you?"
"No! If it's an emergency, then I require it. Time is of the essence."
He heaved a deep sigh. "Fine. So be it."
With a length of rope, he tied it atop his horse's hind quarters, behind the over-sized saddle. "Come, my lady."
Heart thundering in her chest, Melari permitted him to pick her up and settle her in the saddle before swinging up behind her. Caught between his arms, Melari focused on the road ahead as the Duke spurred the horse forward. His bulk warmed her back, and while it was nice on a cool evening, it was also deeply unsettling. He led the horse down the barely-there trail out of the woods, traversing the narrow cliff-side path before making it down the mountain and into the valley below, all in awkward silence. A crisp harvest moon shone bright in the sky by the time they arrived to the castle. A guard took the reins of the horse, while another untied the rope holding the heavy chest.
"Is the King still awake?"
"Yes. He sent orders for all to be on standby until you return."
"Well, I'm back. At ease. Put the chest in a respectable bedchamber for my lady."
Terran led Melari up the wide steps leading to the massive carved oak doors which opened up to a long corridor ending in the throne room. Torches were ablaze, reflecting off the black marble.
A wide stool stood upon a tall dais, and atop that stool, a young man lounged, looking bored until his gaze fell upon Duke Terran. He then sat upright, his blonde hair coming out of the binds holding it back and his green eyes sparkled.
"This is she? The Witch of the Woods?"
Melari dipped down into a graceful curtsy. Too bad her mother wasn't alive to witness those deportment and etiquette lessons not going to waste.
The Duke answered. "It is."
"I was given to understand she was, uh, much more mature. You are the venerable Ninii Lyddis?"
"Nay my liege. Ninii Lyddis was my grandmother. For the last three months I've been apprenticing under her until her untimely demise this morning."
"My condolences. Every one, leave the chamber. I wish to speak to her alone."
"It's not proper, Your Highness. She's a maiden of good family." The Duke interjected.
"Oh, I know exactly who this maiden is. I do not fear my safety in her presence. Now go."
The throne room cleared, leaving Melari alone with the young king.
"Come closer, Lady Melari."
As she approached, she spoke. "Why am I here, Your Highness?"
"Well, it was my intention to ask the old woman for any remedy for a particular problem I have pestering my life. But since you are now the Witch, you can help. It's probably better this way anyhow."
"I don't understand, Sire."
The king sat forward and smiled. "It was wrong of my father to set your father up for failure, causing him to lose his livelihood, and as such, impact yours. I fear many families met such fates in order to quell any uprising from the more moral sorts of nobles. I wish to make amends, of sorts. Well, more of two birds and one stone. I will return your family legacy, as I require a healer."
"For what ailment?"
"A blood madness which causes one to lose reason. Perhaps a curse. Maybe just too much time on the battlefield. His manly time of the month that gets out of hand. That is where the expertise of the Witch of the Woods comes into play; to heal this issue and make sure it doesn't progress into a problem, let alone a headache for me."
While she understood the words the king said, they didn't make sense. Manly time of the month? "I'm not sure if I fully understand."
"Duke Terran, my lady. My dear cousin is mad. I believe the phrase is 'bat shit bonkers.' Heal him."
"I am not qualified to heal anyone bat shit bonkers or otherwise, my king, although I do appreciate your assumption that it's within my abilities."
The king grinned. "Did you get your sharp tongue from your grandmother? Your bluntness is refreshing. How about this... I will give you back your family's title. I'll consider the lands and castle... but you will be given an income of some sort. I want you to keep the Duke quelled so he doesn't unleash his madness when what I need is peace."
"Keep him quelled? Do you mean sedated?"
"Any means necessary. If potions don't work, you can use your wiles. You're highborn enough that if you caught his fancy, I could arrange an alliance. Think of it, my dear. You could be a duchess instead of a mere countess."
Oh no. No No NO. Being saddled with a husband? Nope. Not going to happen. "I am Witch of the Woods, my lord. I'm not sure any title can trump that. As such, I shall live as my grandmother did. Alone and without a spouse."
"Fine. You can have your lands back as well as the title. Just keep him from going bat shit bonkers for me. Occasionally report his doings... and your future is assured. Unless you like being exiled in the forest by your lonesome. You are much to young for such a fate. As king, I forbid it. As a noble of this land, you must beget heirs."
"I have no idea how I would even proceed with the task, Your Highness, even if I were tempted by your offer." It was bad enough riding down the mountain with the grumpy duke, like hell did she want to prolong the weirdness.
"Easy. You will aid him in getting rest and peace, and I will order him to comply. He will be under orders to obey you in his healing and recuperation."
Sure. What could go wrong? With great effort Melari fought the urge to roll her eyes.
"I do not want a husband. And I want it in writing what I'm getting out of this. I learned long ago the power of a promissory note. How long must this healing go on for?"
"Until he is settled and at peace and I'm assured he won't go on a rampage. And you will have it in writing before you leave tomorrow."
Melari blinked a few times as her mind whirled at the implications. If he's never settled, then it's a lifelong mission.
"I will not commit myself to something without a set duration, my lord. As Witch of the Woods, I have many duties to attend in the forest."
"Take him with you, then." The king shrugged. "Just keep him out of my hair until after my marriage arrangements are done. Surely you can find a use for his brawn up there in the forest. Unless you prefer cutting firewood yourself."
Oh, now that was tempting. With her hands still throbbing from wielding the shovel for hours on end, the thought of someone else doing the grunt work proved vastly appealing.
"I will need supplies to see us through the winter."
"Where shall he lay his head, my lady?"
"He may choose the loft or the bedspace next to the fire. I want a pardon for any experiment that may go wrong."
"Do you fear you might hurt the Duke?"
"As I said, I've only apprenticed for three months. I have yet to hone my skill. If you're asking me to keep him quelled and not disturb the peace, then I must be excused for any and all means taken to achieve the goal. I have no wish to harm the Duke, but I cannot gauge how he will respond to treatments."
The king leaned back and gave a benevolent smile. "Very well. What you are asking isn't unreasonable." He picked up a little bell and rang it, the delicate chime echoing loudly within the throne room. A door opened and a maid entered. "Escort the Witch of the Woods to her chamber to rest and fetch me Duke of Kirleen."
Melari curtsied once again. "I will strive to find a cure for the issue, Sire."
Valair, King of Grizellen, tried to wipe the grin off his face. Cousin Tarren is in for a surprise. "I have faith in you, Madam. We shall meet again tomorrow with the contract to sign."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
As soon as the young Witch of the Woods left the throne room, peals of laughter echoed through the chamber to resound down various hallways. Tarren entered the throne room once again and bowed low to his cousin the King.
"Dare I ask what you find so amusing?"
"I find our young Witch most toothesome, do you not?"
"Pretty enough, I suppose. Sharp tongue, though. Doesn't make for pleasant company."
"Too bad, Cousin. I'm sending you to guard her over winter. A young maiden shouldn't be alone, doing all the hard labor. Keep her safe from those who would take advantage of her."
"I am not a babysitter, Val. I am your Right Hand."
"I'm not ordering you to babysit her. I'm ordering you to keep an eye on her. While young and inexperienced, her bloodline holds great power and it would be a shame if ruffians intrude on her peace."
"You're not telling me the truth. Your eye twitches every time you lie to me, Cousin."
"Fine. You want the truth, Tarren? I want you gone from the castle until my marriage is settled. You already wiped out most of the Clendellan royal family during the war... I don't want you giving Princess Helene the stink eye, and I don't want her trying to stab you with a fork. Go, tend the Witch in the Woods, and when I know for certain you won't go apeshit in anger, will you be welcome back to court."
"You're really going to do it? Saddle yourself with that harridan? Do you hate me so much that you must banish me and entertain our enemy's kin?"
"Hate you? Of course not. But I will not have you fighting like cats and dogs. I want peace. And if I must send away my best General and order him to recuperate, then so be it. I've ordered the Witch of the Woods to help you heal and find peace. You are under orders to follow her command in regard to healing you. Do you understand me? No growling at her. Want to give into the blood lust? Go hunting and fill her larder for the winter."
"You do hate me." Tarren grinned. "Look at this punishment. Dance attendance upon a reprobate's daughter."
"That lady is the Countess of Mynith, so speak of her with courtesy. You might not realize it now, but I'm doing you a favor."
"You're delusional, Val. Delusional."
"I don't think so. I'm merely mindful of watching my borders. The other side of Mount Kinfeld and the Holy Forest is the southern border of Brenfeldan. Keep an eye out for any troop movement." Was there really? No, but the Duke didn't need to know that. "Take her back to her cottage tomorrow. A wagon will follow with supplies to help last the winter."
"A wagon will be too large to pass on the cliff-side trail. Best send pack horses instead."
"Ah, good to know. See, these are the details I need. Take this time to relax, Terran. You gave every bit of yourself to the war. You deserve to find some peace. Go, commune with nature. Go and bask in the beauty of that redhead, snowed in all winter long."
"Sounds like you have ulterior motives, Cousin."
"Only to you would I sound so obvious. Your have your orders. Go prepare for your journey tomorrow. You are dismissed."
The Duke of Kirleen shot his king a dirty look. "As you wish. I expect to be paid well for my services rendered to the Crown."
"Oh, I think you might be pleasantly surprised, Tarren." The Matchmaker King spoke with a smile.