The Black Witch

by Jenny McKane

  And then, at other times, he would grow angry. Furiously angry. How could she have abandoned him here? What had Aysus told her when he had appeared without him that day that they had been trying to find the baby animal’s mother? Had Aysus told her that he had been killed, and Avalon believed it? How could she just walk off and not search for him?

  He knew why. It was because Avalon never cared for him. She had forgotten him and was journeying on with Skyresh, as if Everard had never existed.

  How could you leave me? He would scream sometimes into the darkness. He noticed that his voice was getting croakier. The lions would stare at him, pitying him. He knew that they thought he was losing his mind.

  And so, the years had passed by. He could not stand anymore. The lions had to drop his food at his feet.

  He heard them talking one day. They wanted to kill him. They were tired of playing guardian. They thought that he was no danger anymore to the Jarle.

  We would be doing the Black Witch a favor, said one of them, gazing at him. He knew that they realized he could hear them, but they didn’t care. He didn’t pose any threat to them.

  She hasn’t sent word, said the other creature. We cannot risk her wrath. Better to just leave him there. He is growing so old and weak, he will die soon anyway.

  Everard had gasped at that. Was he old? He felt his hair. It had grown longer and was coarser to touch. Strands of it broke away in his hands, but he had no looking glass, or even a pool of water to gaze in. He couldn’t see what he looked like, but he felt old. Everyday his shoulders stooped a little more, and his legs had grown so weak, he didn’t think that he would be able to stand up on them anymore.

  Then, the image of Avalon had started to fade from his mind. Little by little, he could no longer remember details about her until it got to the point that he would sometimes see a woman in his mind, but he no longer remembered who she was.

  All the other details of his life had gone, too. Who he had once been. How he had gotten here. He felt like he was nearing the end of his life, and he couldn’t even remember what that life had been like.

  Had he always lived here with the creatures? Had he been born here?

  A small kernel of awareness remained. Sometimes, a memory would flash into his mind of being young and in a landscape far different from the heat of this place. He would see himself running through a cold wilderness. Snow falling onto his face. Another woman would sometimes come to him, and he knew that she had been his mother, but he also knew that he had lost her long ago.

  Just as he lost everything.

  In the last few weeks, he had rarely opened his eyes. He didn’t see the point anymore. He was so very tired of this life. Better that he just kept his eyes closed and slip into oblivion. He was ready.

  But then, he had opened them. To see one of the creature’s being killed by a different creature and a strange man. What was happening?

  He saw a woman searching the cave frantically. She had screamed a name, and somewhere, in his soul, he had recognized it. It hadn’t been the name that he had been born with, but he had used it just the same.

  Then the woman was leaning over him. He saw confusion and horror in her eyes. The next thing he knew, he was being carried out of the cave.

  And now, here he was. In sunlight, for the first time in years. It hurt. It hurt so badly, he had to shut his eyes again.

  When he next opened them, the woman was leaning over him again.

  He stared at her in wonder. She was beautiful. His eyes travelled over her face. Somewhere, deep inside, he recognized those eyes. Those eyes were staring at him with compassion. He could see tears swimming within them.

  “Everard,” she whispered. “It’s me. It’s Avalon.”

  “Avalon?” His voice was guttural. He rarely spoke anymore.

  “Yes,” she whispered. She reached a hand out and gently stroked his face.

  It was her touch that did it. He remembered her completely. Avalon. The woman that he had given up his life for. He had followed her into this forsaken place. The woman that he had loved.

  “Why did you leave me?” he whispered. “How could you have left me here?”

  The tears that had been swimming in her eyes spilled out. He watched them run down her face.

  “I didn’t leave you, Everard,” she cried. “We were ensnared by magic. Aysus, the Storyteller, led you here. Do you remember him? He was the Black Witch in disguise. He made me forget you before he entrapped me, as well. And Skyresh.”

  Everard frowned, closing his eyes. Yes, he remembered the Storyteller now. The old man with the long white hair. He had led him to this place and abandoned him—just like she had.

  “We will fix this,” Avalon whispered. “We will make you as you once were. I have defeated the Black Witch. I will find a spell, or something, to turn you back. Mother Oda will help me. She will know a way. She must.”

  Everard opened his eyes. She looked so desperate that he almost felt sorry for her.

  “Do not bother,” he said shortly. “I am an old man now. There will not be a way to change me back. Just leave me here, Avalon. I am no use to you now. I can’t even walk.” He took a deep breath. “I will only slow you down.”

  Avalon shook her head vigorously. “No, Everard! I will not leave you!”

  But Everard turned his face away from her, staring at the ground.

  “Everard,” Avalon pleaded. “Look at me.”

  He kept staring at the ground. “I am tired, Avalon.”

  Avalon slowly stood up, staring down at the frail figure on the ground. She felt like her heart was breaking. Was there no limit to the evil of the Black Witch and the Jarle? To have entrapped him here, and then to have done this to him—just because it had amused her. Just because she could.

  An anger so powerful overwhelmed her, she had to take a deep breath. No! The Black Witch wouldn’t have this victory. She would make it better. Somehow.

  She turned and looked at Skyresh, who was watching her.

  “We need to speak,” she said crisply. “Now.”

  ***

  They walked into the shrub, and then they turned to each other. Skyresh didn’t think that he had ever seen her so angry.

  “We have to figure this out,” she spat. “I will not listen to any talk of abandoning him.”

  Skyresh ran a weary hand over his face. “Avalon, I just don’t know. He cannot walk. The patrols are gathering; more will come.”

  Avalon stared at him, her eyes narrowed. “I don’t care about the patrols,” she said. “We have dodged them so far; we can continue to do so. And there is Aberfa, as well. She needs treatment for her leg, or she will die.”

  Skyresh was silent, thinking.

  Avalon gasped. “You said that the eagle that you were entrapped with let you ride on its back? That the eagle took you to The Tower to find me?”

  Skyresh nodded. “Yes. She did, but she wasn’t happy about it, Avalon. She only did it because her newborn insisted. When our journey had finished, and she left me at The Tower, she did not speak to me. She just flew away.”

  Avalon closed her eyes, thinking. “We have to go to the eagle,” she said. “You must persuade her to help us. She could take Everard and Aberfa to Mother Oda, and we could continue on foot.”

  Skyresh sighed. “I am not sure where the eagle’s nest is from here. My mind was addled by magic, Avalon, and the eagle might refuse, even if we managed to find it.”

  Avalon took a deep breath. “That is a chance that we shall have to take,” she said. “This is the only way that we can get Everard and Aberfa to safety – and fast. The eagle could get them to the Safe Zone so quickly, and Mother Oda could tend Aberfa’s leg. She might even know how to reverse the spell that has aged Everard.”

  Skyresh closed his eyes. “Perhaps Hansa knows where the eagle’s nest is,” he said slowly. “She and I could travel there and try to persuade the eagle, but it would mean you would have to stay here with Everard and Aberfa. There is no way
either of them could get to the eagle’s nest, even if it is close.”

  Avalon nodded. “If that is what must happen,” she said. “I can care for them both in the cave. You can bring the eagle here, and then she can take Everard and Aberfa to the Safe Zone.” She took a deep breath. “Are we in agreement?”

  Skyresh sighed again. “I suppose so,” he said. “It seems like it could work, and I cannot think of anything else, except abandoning them.” He stared at her, hard. “But I am concerned about leaving you here alone with them.”

  “I will be fine,” she said. “We will bring them both back into the cave, and I will care for them. I have my sword. The creatures that lived in the cave are dead.”

  Skyresh stared at the ground for a moment. Then, he looked up at her. His eyes were glittering with tears.

  “I said that I wouldn’t leave you again,” he whispered.

  Avalon reached out, taking his hand. “I know, Skyresh, but you must. It is the only way.”

  Skyresh stared down at her hand in his. “We should talk to Hansa,” he said slowly. “None of this can happen if she doesn’t know the way.”

  Avalon nodded. “Let us go to the others. The Goddess will be with you both, Skyresh. I will call on her to guide you there and back to us.”

  He suddenly pulled her toward him, embracing her.

  She felt his body trembling around her. She gazed at him, her dark eyes almost drowning in the intense vivid blue of his own.

  “You will return to me,” she whispered.

  He held her tightly for a moment, and then he released her suddenly.

  She watched him walking back to the others. She took a deep breath and followed him.

  ***

  They were all set to depart.

  Skyresh had carried Everard back into the cave, and then he brought the injured Aberfa in, as well. He had then spent another half an hour carefully gathering food and water for them all.

  “Hopefully, that will last you,” he said to Avalon, “until we get back. I would prefer it if you don’t have to leave the cave, as much as possible.”

  Avalon nodded. “You have gathered enough to feed an army,” she smiled at him. “We will be fine.”

  Hansa had stood at their feet, gazing up at them both. The wolf had informed them that she knew the way to the eagle’s nest. She had been following them all, at a distance, when Aysus had been leading them to their various traps.

  Avalon bent down and grabbed the wolf’s face in her hands. She stared into Hansa’s beloved yellow eyes.

  “Thank you, my friend,” she whispered. “You have done so much for us. None of us would be alive without you.”

  Hansa whined, licking her hand.

  Come back to us, she said in her mind. The Goddess watches over you both.

  Hansa yelped softly. Do not worry, my queen, she said. I will lead him safely to the eagle. And we will return to lead you all to safety.

  Avalon nodded, releasing the wolf.

  She turned to Skyresh. “Stay safe. Don’t take any unnecessary risks.”

  Skyresh smiled. “Me? Never.” He gazed at her one last time, and then he turned away.

  Avalon watched the man and the wolf walk out of the cave—together. Side by side.

  She trembled, letting her fear overtake her, just a little. Would she ever see them again?

  ***

  It was dark in the cave. Avalon had a fire stone and that night she built up a small fire for them all. She made sure that it wasn’t visible from the outside. The last thing that she needed was to attract any creatures roaming outside.

  She knew how vulnerable they were. Everard and Aberfa couldn’t run if there was danger. She would be forced to defend them all with her sword if it came to it. Then, she told herself firmly not to think about it. Skyresh and Hansa will be back soon.

  She had to believe that.

  Everard was sleeping in the corner. She had taken her cloak and tucked it around him. She watched him now. He jerked often in his sleep, as if tormented. It was all that she could do not to burst into tears again, just looking at him.

  For the first time, she realized what he must have endured. Even though it had been a trick of magic with barely any time passing in the real world—for him, he had been imprisoned here for years. He had been forced to spend years in this cave, growing weaker and older, believing that she had abandoned him.

  No wonder he was so despondent and wanted her to leave. He had given up.

  She took a deep breath, warming her hands against the fire. She would fix it. She would restore him to his former self. He would be young again, just as he had been.

  He twitched again, and she sighed deeply. She knew that even if she reversed the spell and transformed him back to what he once was, there would be other issues. He would never be able to forget what had happened to him. He would carry the emotional scars. Could she help him heal from them? Or would he be changed inside forever?

  Her eyes strayed to Aberfa. The creature was asleep, too, lying on her side. Avalon had changed the dressing on her leg again and made her as comfortable as possible. She had even found some bark that she knew had healing properties and prepared a paste that she had slathered on the wound. There was nothing else that she could do to ease the creature’s pain.

  Would Aberfa survive? This poor creature, who had fought so valiantly on her behalf. Aberfa could have left after the Black Witch’s demise. She could have roamed free in the desert, but she had chosen to stay with Avalon.

  Avalon put some more twigs on the fire. She should try to summon the Goddess. She should try to beseech her to look after Everard and Aberfa, to aid in their healing.

  She closed her eyes.

  The Goddess emerged from the flames, twisting upwards in a spiral. She seemed to contain all the light from the fire within her.

  “Goddess of Light,” Avalon whispered. “Please, help us. Help my friends, who lay here so broken, to heal. They have fought in your honor. And please, Goddess, look after my other friends, who journey to help us all.”

  The Goddess raised her hands to the roof of the cave, casting flickering shadows over the space.

  “I am with you,” she said. “I walk beside you all. The healing will take time, Avalon. But you must keep faith. You have the power within you. Trust it.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Avalon opened her eyes slowly. For a moment, she couldn’t remember where she was.

  And then it all came flooding back. She was in a cave with Everard and Aberfa. Skyresh and Hansa had set out to persuade the great eagle to help them.

  It was so dark in here. The fire from the night before had gone out. She got up slowly and walked over to the others.

  Everard was still asleep, huddled in her cloak. Her heart broke all over again, looking at his white hair and lined face. She could see his emaciated legs sticking out from beneath the cloak. She could picture the tall, handsome man that he had been. He would be that again, she told herself fiercely. She must believe that.

  Then she turned to stare at Aberfa. The creature was awake and gazing at her. Avalon went to her, crouching down.

  How are you feeling? she asked, resting a hand on her fur.

  The creature whined softly. I am weak, Avalon, but I feel better than yesterday, thanks to your care.

  Avalon stroked the fur. You will survive, Aberfa. And we will get to safety. You fell unconscious yesterday, but Skyresh and Hansa have set out to find the great eagle where Skyresh was imprisoned. Hopefully, they will persuade it to come to us.

  The creature stared at her. How can the eagle help us?

  Avalon sighed. It let Skyresh ride on it to find me. We are hoping that if we can persuade it, it will take you and Everard to the Safe Zone. To Mother Oda. Its wing span is great. It can travel long distances quickly.

  Aberfa started panting in distress. But then we would have to leave you, she said. I don’t want to leave you. I don’t know where this Safe Zone is.

 
Avalon made a soft, shushing sound in her throat, stroking her fur.

  Do not let it concern you for the moment, she said. You must concentrate on getting better. I will change your dressing soon.

  She stood up, turning back to Everard. His eyes were open, and he was staring at her.

  “How are you?” she whispered.

  He didn’t reply.

  She walked over to him, crouching down next to him.

  “I know that it is hard to believe,” she said gently. “But we will find a way to save you. Skyresh and Hansa have gone to fetch a great eagle, who can take you to the Safe Zone. Do you remember Mother Oda, Everard?”

  A flicker of recognition flashed in his eyes. “Yes, I think so,” he said in his thin voice. “The old woman, who lives in the house, with the wolf?”

  “Yes,” said Avalon. “She is our friend. Once you get there, she will find a way to reverse the spell; I am sure of it. Everard, you will be as you once were. I know it.”

  Everard closed his eyes. “Is it possible?”

  Avalon reached over and took his hand. “Yes! You must believe it. I will save you, Everard. You will be your former self, and you will heal from this. I promise you.”

  A single tear fell down his wrinkled cheek. “You didn’t desert me then, Avalon?”

  She squeezed his hand tightly. “I didn’t desert you,” she whispered fiercely. “I would have come looking for you straight away if Aysus hadn’t made me forget you.” She took a deep breath. “And I am here now, Everard. I came looking for you. We all did.”

  “I was so lonely,” he whispered, gripping her hand. “The creatures guarded me well and never let me leave the cave. They tormented me. The only thing that kept me sane, for years, was the image of you.”

  Avalon took a deep breath. “I have been with you, always. I have been by your side.”

  “I thought so,” he continued, staring at the wall of the cave. “I believed that, but then your image started to fade. I forgot who you were.”

  “Aysus’s magic,” Avalon said. “It was all part of the spell, Everard. I don’t know why he chose to do this to you…Skyresh wasn’t ensnared in the same way. Neither was I. But it doesn’t matter now. The only thing that matters is that you are safe, and we have come for you.”