Elvina slipped her hood back and asked warily, "Thou art Sulis, the witch?" The surprise must have shown itself on Elvina's face, as the witch laughed quietly.
"I am, my lady. I bid thee welcome." She stepped back, indicating that Elvina should enter.
For a moment, Elvina hesitated but then gathered courage and stepped forward. Sulis followed her. A narrow entrance opened up into a much bigger part of the cave, which Sulis had made into a dwelling.
"I do not bite," said Sulis, piercing Elvina with her eyes. "Prithee, sit by the fire and tell me why thou hath come."
Elvina did as she was bid and sat down on a small wooden chair, nervously clasping her hands together and looking inquisitively around the cave's interior. There was a small bed against one wall, a wooden table in the middle with several chairs and many smaller tables and shelves here and there. Every available surface seemed to be covered with clutter of some kind, bottles, jars (some empty, some full), and several cages with birds and mice.
Sulis coughed, to get her attention. Elvina quickly turned back and stared at her. Could this witch actually give her what she wanted? Taking a deep breath, she threw caution to the wind and blurted out her troubles.
"I seek thy help. I hath been married nigh on a year, and yet I am not with child. Dost thee hath something that would aid me?"
"Mayhap, my lady. But 'twill cost thee. Show me thy palm."
Elvina tentatively held out her hand and Sulis took it gently, turning it over and running her fingers down the lines, saying nothing, but every so often mumbling incoherent words under her breath.
Finally, she released Elvina's hand and looked at her intently.
"Thy husband, he is big?"
"Aye, he is tall and broad-shouldered."
"What colour are his eyes?"
"Brown."
"Hmm... I shall make thee a potion that thy husband must ingest two hours afore coupling. Return on the morrow, and I shall hath it ready for thee."
Elvina worried her bottom lip. She had thought to take a potion herself, not give one to her husband. He would be most suspicious! She went to speak, but Sulis interrupted her.
"I can see thou art worried but there is no need. The potion is colourless and odourless – he will suspect naught."
Elvina relaxed a little and stood up. "Well, then, I thank thee. When I return, what shalt I bring?"
"Five silver coins," Sulis demanded.
"Five!"
"Aye, I told thee it would cost thee. If it is a child thee want, then thee will pay!"
The witch's eyes darkened to almost black and deciding against arguing, Elvina hastily left. As she walked away, she wondered if she was doing the right thing. What if the potion didn't work? She sighed and hurried back to the castle. Mayhap, her sister-in-law would offer some words of comfort.
* * *
Cynwise worried her bottom lip as she looked back at Elvina. "I cannot believe thee went to see her!"
"I had to!"
Cynwise sighed loudly. "I knew, by the look on thy face, that thee might seek her out. Art thou determined to go ahead with this?"
"Aye, Cynwise. Sulis did promise me 'twas safe."
"And thee believed her?"
Elvina hesitated. "She seemed sincere, and my maid oft uses her remedies."
Cynwise cursed. "I wish thou had not told me, Elvina."
"Cynwise, be not vexed with me. I had to tell thee. I wouldst know what thee wouldst do in my situation."
Cynwise sat down with a thump and stared back at Elvina, a look of deep concentration on her face. She sighed and sat forward. "Mayhap, I wouldst do the same. In fact, if I had not become pregnant when I did, then I suppose I would hath gone to see her." She squeezed Elvina's hand. "Take care, Elvina, for if Arthur should find out what thee hath done, he will punish thee well."
Elvina gulped and placed a hand on her bottom. She knew all too well how hard Arthur would punish her!
The next night…
Approximately two hours before bedtime, Elvina put her plan into action. Making sure Arthur was otherwise engaged, she walked towards the table and poured out a goblet of wine. Furtively, she reached down into her bodice, took out the small hidden vial and emptied the contents into the goblet. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she walked over to her husband.
Arthur smiled as she approached and held his arm out. She walked into his embrace and held up the goblet.
"Some wine for thee, husband. I thought thee might wish for some refreshment."
He raised an eyebrow. "I thank thee but I hath just partaken of Walbert's fine mead. Mayhap thee wouldst like it, Renaud?"
Elvina's heart almost stopped, and she quickly pulled the goblet back and held it protectively against her chest. "Nay, Renaud. Thou wouldst not want this. Methinks Cynwise was looking for thee!"
Arthur narrowed his eyes and stared at Elvina oddly. "Wherefore doth thou not want Renaud to hath it?"
Elvina felt a rush of heat as she tried to explain herself. "Nay, husband, of course I do not mind if Renaud hath it. I just thought...that...he might not want it, as Cynwise needed him." Her voice trailed off as Renaud reached out for the wine.
Reluctantly, she handed it over. Renaud smacked his lips appreciatively as he took a deep draught. "'Tis a fine wine. 'Twould be a shame to let it go to waste." Downing the rest of it, he handed the empty goblet back to Elvina. "Where didst Cynwise go?"
"I am not certain, my lord. I think, mayhap, she was in thy chamber."
Cynwise chose that moment to enter the great hall. Elvina spoke quickly, "Ah, here she is." As Renaud and Arthur turned in Cynwise's direction, Elvina signalled to her behind their backs, trying to indicate that she needed her help.
Cynwise frowned a little and then quickly put a deadpan expression on her face.
"Good evening, husband."
Renaud slipped his arm around her waist. "Elvina told me thou came in search of me?"
Cynwise blinked a couple of times as she quickly realised something was afoot. "Aye, I did, but 'tis fine now. Eudo did assist me."
"In what, wife?" queried Renaud. He frowned and held a hand up to his forehead, rubbing it softly.
"Oh, I needed some furniture moved. 'Tis all done now." She darted a glance at Elvina, who was staring back at her with eyes as big as saucers.
"Elvina, I would hath a word. Come with me to fetch some wine." Cynwise grabbed her sister-in-law's arm and led her away from the men, towards the table. Elvina worried her bottom lip as she decided whether to tell Cynwise the truth.
Reaching the table, Cynwise picked up a goblet and poured herself a wine. "What is afoot, Elvina?"
"Forgive me, Cynwise, but Renaud hath drunk the potion!"
Cynwise's jaw dropped as she took in Elvina's words. "God's bones! How did that happen?"
Elvina related the incident, and Cynwise groaned and turned to stare at her husband. Elvina followed her gaze. "Prithee, please do not tell him, Cynwise."
"If he doth not ask, I will not tell. Only that can I promise."
"It doth not seem to affect him. Just do not sleep with him this night, if thee doth not want another babe," Elvina suggested, a smile forming on her face.
"'Tis not funny, Elvina. Well, mayhap a little," she added wryly, sipping her wine. "I feel I may hath a headache this night."
They walked back and joined their husbands. As Cynwise reached Renaud's side, his face turned to one of confusion. "I feel unusual. My head doth throb so."
Elvina squirmed uneasily. Arthur placed a hand on his arm as he swayed forward. "Brother, what ails thee?"
Renaud blinked several times. "My vision, 'tis most odd." Suddenly, his expression changed to one of shock and he lunged forward, withdrawing his sword from its sheath. "Arthur, watch out, a bear is behind thee!"
"A bear?" gasped Arthur, whirling round to see for himself. But all he saw was Baldewyn.
"Worry not, I will slay it!" Renaud surged forward, his sword raised. Baldewyn moved ou
t of the way, just in time, a look of sheer terror on his face.
"My lord!" he gasped.
"It growls, Arthur – beware!" Renaud raised his sword once again and approached Baldewyn, who quickly ran towards Arthur.
"Brother, desist! What hath come over thee? 'Wherefore doth thou attack Baldewyn so?" Arthur grabbed his brother's arm and lowered the sword.
Renaud's eyes were focussed on Baldewyn. "'Tis a bear, brother. We shall entrap it. Thee move to the right, I shall take the left."
Elvina looked on, aghast. Renaud was sincere in his thoughts, she could tell by the look on his face. What had Sulis put in the potion she had given her?
Arthur struggled to control his brother. "Renaud! Desist! What hath come upon thee? Thou see things that are not there!"
"But 'tis a bear, Arthur. See!" He pointed at Baldewyn, who cowered in terror.
Morleth, the castle physician, watching from across the room, quickly approached them. He tapped Renaud on his shoulder, a look of concern on his face. "Renaud, look at me!"
As Renaud turned to stare at him, a shocked expression appeared on Renaud's face. "Look out, Arthur, 'tis a wolf!"
Without warning, he surged forward toward Morleth, but Morleth had the foresight to step back. Renaud's sword swiped through empty air.
Arthur quickly signalled for Guillaume and two of his knights to assist him. Together, they disarmed Renaud and led him to a chair in front of the hearth. He closed his eyes and slumped over. Hunkering down next to him, Arthur prodded him. A loud snore was Renaud's only response.
Arthur beckoned Morleth over. "What ails him?"
Morleth leaned over and lifted his eyelids, looking sharply at the dilated pupils. He shook his head angrily. "He hath been drugged, my lord."
"Drugged? Who wouldst drug him and when?" Arthur looked around the hall until his eyes alit on his wife and Cynwise. They were whispering heatedly together.
Morleth felt Renaud's pulse. "'His heart doth race, my lord. 'Twould be best if we carried him to bed, and I shall attend him."
Between them, they lifted Renaud's heavy frame up the narrow, winding staircase. Cynwise ran ahead and opened the door, stepping back as the men carried him inside and laid him on the bed. Not once did he stir.
Morleth felt his pulse once more before turning to Arthur. "His heartbeat is somewhat erratic but I will fetch some herbs that will help it return to normal."
"He hath not been poisoned, hath he?" asked Arthur, anxiously.
"Nay, my lord. He hath imbibed a hallucinatory potion of some kind, 'tis wherefore he saw strange visions. I am confident 'twill wear off within the hour, but I will watch over him to make certain. I shall return shortly with a remedy."
Arthur scratched his head and looked at Cynwise. "I hath never seen my brother act thus afore now. How could he imbibe such a potion without knowledge?"
Cynwise gulped. "I know not, Arthur, and I am just as confused as thee. I shall stay with him until he recovers. Mayhap he will remember when he awakens."
"Aye. I shall attend Morleth in the infirmary."
* * *
Arthur returned ten minutes later, striding up the stairs towards his brother's chamber. Morleth was busy preparing a remedy and had sent out the maids to collect the required herbs. Arthur had found himself to be more of a hindrance so had quietly left.
Just as he was about to step back into Renaud's chamber, he heard raised voices. It was Cynwise and Elvina. Curious, he remained out of sight as he listened to their conversation.
"Elvina, I told thee 'twas madness. See what thee hath done to poor Renaud!"
"I did not mean for this to happen, Cynwise," Elvina hissed. "I trusted Sulis, but she hath made a fool of me!"
"Aye, and me, thine accomplice. If Renaud or Arthur finds out what hath happened, we are doomed."
"Do not be so dramatic, Cynwise. 'Twas a mistake and I shall not do it again. Morleth hath assured us Renaud will recover in a short while, and as long as we both keep quiet, then all will be well."
"A mistake, eh, wife?" Arthur startled the pair of them as he stepped from behind the door. "Methinks thee had both better tell me what hath occurred."
For a moment, they just stared at him, their eyes wide with shock as they realised he had overheard their conversation. Then they both babbled at once.
"Husband, 'twas nothing!"
"Arthur...we were speaking of some other matter," Cynwise said quickly.
Arthur raised his hands up, stopping them before they could say any more. "Speak no more falsehoods. I will hath the truth or I shall beat it out of the pair of thee!"
* * *
Elvina blanched. She hadn't seen Arthur this angry in ages. Swallowing hard, she wondered if she would somehow be able to wriggle her way out of telling him the truth, but when his look darkened, she decided to confess.
She glanced at Cynwise before turning back to her husband. "May we talk in our chamber, Arthur?"
Arthur studied her for a moment before nodding. As they went to walk out, Morleth appeared, carrying several small vials. "My lord, I hath prepared some potions that should aid Renaud's recovery."
"Cynwise will assist thee. I wish to hath words with my wife. I will return anon."
Arthur grabbed hold of Elvina's arm and marched her out of the room towards their chamber.
Once inside, he thrust her in front of him. "What trickery hath thee been up to now, Elvina?"
Taking a deep breath, Elvina told him exactly what had happened. By the time she finished, she found she couldn't face him and, instead, stared down at the floor.
"Who told thee about Sulis?" he demanded.
Elvina hesitated, and Arthur pressed her. "Who, Elvina?"
She looked up at him and sighed. "'Twas Cynwise, but she never meant for me to visit her. In fact, she warned me away."
"Nevertheless, thee would never hath known about Sulis, if Cynwise had not told thee. When Renaud awakens, he will be told of her involvement. Thee will remain herewith and await my belt. I suggest thee use thy time wisely to think upon thy actions whilst I am gone."
"Thy belt?" gasped Elvina but Arthur was already striding to the door. He left without another word.
Elvina blinked slowly and walked towards the bed. The belt? Oh, what a mess she had made of everything!
* * *
When Arthur returned to see Renaud, he was already sitting up in bed, although he looked a bit green around the edges.
"Renaud, thou art well?"
"Nay, brother, my head hurts like the very devil is inside. Morleth told me what had happened but I cannot understand it."
Arthur folded his arms and looked sternly at Cynwise. Her cheeks flushed under his scrutiny, and she looked down ashamedly at her hands.
"I shall explain, brother, and then all will become clear."
When he had finished, Renaud wore a shocked expression. "I consumed a potion from Sulis! I could hath been poisoned!" He turned angrily to his wife. "Wherefore did thou tell Elvina of her existence?"
Cynwise shifted uneasily and plucked at the coverlet. "I didst not think she would actually visit her. Thee cannot lay the blame on me."
"Aye, I can." He fixed her with a look that spoke volumes. Cynwise looked down sullenly.
Arthur turned away and walked to the door. "I shall leave thee to rest, Renaud. I hath a wife to chastise."
* * *
Elvina paced her chamber, nervously awaiting Arthur's return and asking herself, for the hundredth time, why she had even contemplated visiting Sulis. Why hadn't she let things take their natural course? Being the impetuous fool that she was, she had decided to throw caution to the wind and take the advice of a witch! Why had Sulis given her such a potion? She had paid her good coin, as well.
She stamped her foot with frustration. Now her backside was going to pay! One way or another, she'd have her vengeance upon the conniving she-devil. As soon as she thought the words, though, she dismissed them. No...it would behove her to stay well a
way from the meddling witch. She was in enough trouble already.
Her train of thought was interrupted by the arrival of her husband. He strode in and shut the door firmly behind him.
Elvina watched him guardedly as he walked towards her. He stopped a few feet away and fixed her with a hard stare as his hands moved to his waist. Her gaze dropped to his hands, her breath catching in her throat as he slowly unbuckled his belt.
She backed away a little. "Arthur, I beseech thee. 'Tis not my fault... I do not deserve thy punishment."
Arthur slipped his belt off and snapped it between his hands. "I will hear no more from thee, wife. Put thy hands on the end of the bed and bend over."
"But Arthur..."
"Now, Elvina!"
His voice brooked no argument, and she realised she was going to have to submit to her punishment whether she liked it or not. Huffing under her breath, she did as she was bid.
* * *
Arthur waited for Elvina to bend over before lifting her skirts over her back. She had done some foolish things in their time together, but this one was, by far, the most dangerous. What if the potion had been poison?
His jaw set tight, Arthur moved to one side and laid a hand on the small of her back, noting how her perfect little bottom quivered in anticipation of the first strike. Without preamble, he raised the looped belt and brought it straight down across both buttocks.
Elvina jumped as the belt made contact, and he heard her sharp intake of breath, but she remained in position, her hands gripping the coverlet tight.
With a sharp flick of his forearm, he brought the belt down again. This time, she kicked out her legs and begged him to stop.
"Prithee, Arthur. I promise I will never do such a foolish thing again!"
"Nay, thee will not!"
Arthur ignored her pleas and carried on. Her actions could have produced consequences far worse than she had envisaged. She had to be punished so it would never happen again.
Arthur: Knights of Normandy Book 2 Page 7