Alaric burst through the door at Murdock’s, searching for a particular man, one who would help with his dilemma. The Captain of the Watch stood near the bar, surrounded by a group of somber men. ’Twas horrible that Colchester lost Mr. Murdock the prior evening. Just as well, those other men had wives and children, and now naught but memories remained.
“I need thy help,” Alaric said, as he approached the Captain. He was a tall man, with graying hair and a thick moustache.
“Alaric, ’tis good to see ye made it out alive after last night. What of thy brother? Did he survive?”
Alaric glanced around at the other men, second-guessing whether he should speak openly in front of them, or in private with the Captain. He decided on the former. “My brother is well, but I have another important matter which I would like to discuss with ye.” He did not hesitate pushing the conversation toward the more serious topic. “I have reason to believe Lavenia is practicing the dark arts.”
The Captain smirked. “Do ye? And what proof can ye provide?”
Alaric could give naught more than a shred of material found on a bush. “This,” he said, offering the piece of cloth. “I found it on shrubbery near the scene of the attack. I had witnessed this type of fabric, and the color, before. The connection was not made at once, but my eyes beheld a tear in Lavenia’s skirts, the dye matching flawlessly.”
The Captain took the material from Alaric and observed it. “This is a serious allegation, especially if she is found innocent.”
“I would apologize, should the need arise, but I fear ’twill not.”
Studying Alaric’s features, the Captain of the Watch mentally deliberated a moment longer before determining Alaric had a justifiable case. “Ye have never given me reason to believe ye mad.” The Captain tersely nodded. “I shall prepare my men at once. We shall search her home for any objects which may prove of use.”
“Gratitude.”
Alaric followed the Captain and several men from Murdock’s as they ventured to Lavenia’s cottage. He did not know if the investigation would be successful, but he hoped ’twould turn up some sort of evidence implicating Lavenia. She would pay, one way or another, for cursing his brother and Daciana. Alaric would not stop until he had his retribution.
The arrival of the Captain and several of his men, including Alaric, at Lavenia’s homestead did not seem to inconvenience her, as if she knew they were coming. She and her apprentices stood outside while the men rummaged through belongings.
“I hope this pleases ye,” Lavenia hissed at Alaric.
He gave her naught but a sideways glance.
From inside, one of the men called, “Captain, in here! I may have found something.”
Alaric walked to the front door, where he leaned against the frame. He wanted to observe if the man truly uncovered an item of witchcraft, or if this was a hoax. The scruffy fellow raised a loose wooden floorboard and reached inside. His fingers latched on to an item, and he carefully pulled it out. ’Twas a book. Not just any ordinary book; this one had symbols printed in gold on the cover. Alaric had never seen such a tome before.
The Captain stepped forward and confiscated the volume. He flipped through pages and pages, while every man held his breath. When he glanced up and fastened his eyes on Alaric, the competition was over. Alaric had officially shaped the downfall of Lavenia.
Brushing past Alaric in the entryway, the Captain barked, “Seize her!” He pointed to Lavenia.
“What of the others?” one of the men asked, jerking his head toward Lavenia’s apprentices.
“I will spare them,” said the Captain. “But we shall report back to this cottage on regular calls, without warning. Should we find any items supporting the dark arts, they shall be punished accordingly.”
The two apprentices looked fearful. Mayhap they were afraid townsfolk would see them as equals of a genuine witch. Their reputations would take a trouncing, for certain, but Alaric was sure that, in time, many people would forget of this event and move on with their daily activities.
Lavenia did not struggle, nor did she scream. They bound her wrists and walked her back toward town. Alaric watched as her figure disappeared on the horizon, shrinking considerably in size. The Captain sidled up next to him. Neither man said a word until Lavenia was out of sight.
“I know ye were close at one time,” said the Captain.
Alaric inhaled deeply. “No matter,” he said, exhaling. “The past is the past.”
“Then I am sure ye will be happy to know we shall set up her execution tomorrow, around noonday.” With those last words, the Captain gathered his men, explained he would be back to visit the apprentices at a later time, and then departed to the heart of town, where Lavenia would be held in a chamber until her punishment.
Alaric questioned whether he made the correct decision, bringing the Captain of the Watch and his men here to search for items related to witchcraft. His ears had heard the rumors of her performing black magic, yet he never believed the hearsay until early that morning. He merely thought to teach her a lesson, to scare her. He did not bargain on the Captain’s men locating a book of spells, let alone the fact that Lavenia would be dead by tomorrow evening.
Since there was no way to stop her death, Alaric cursed himself.
“Excuse me, sir,” said one of the apprentices. She was a petite, fair-haired girl, who had light-brown freckles scattered over the bridge of her nose and upper cheeks. “We would like to show ye something.”
Alaric waved her off. “I do not have time—”
“Ye need to see this,” she pressed on, glancing between Alaric and the other apprentice, who had opposite features from the blonde—dark skin, black hair, a fierce look in her eye.
“I shall proceed with my life as if this day never happened, and I suggest ye both do the same,” Alaric responded. “Good day.” He offered a slight bow to the two young women and went on his way. Honestly, he did not have time to coerce with two females who had inadvertently ruined their lives by associating with Lavenia.
The blonde girl yelled behind him, “I will find ye! I will find ye and tell ye!”
Alaric was not in the mood to argue. After all, he had just lost one of his ex-lovers. Once she reached her demise the following day, she would be gone forever, and there was naught he could do to change the situation. ’Twas too late to intervene on her behalf.
As if he could actually speak up and prevent it from happening . . .
Fate was cruel in allowing him to consider saving her. He brought her downfall, so he would take responsibility for his actions. Tomorrow, he would watch Lavenia burn.
Chapter Twelve