AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You say you are from Acca? Is that where Kiera went? I suspected she might have magic and thought that might be why she was so eager to leave.”
Fionna shook her head. “We lived in Ulkruuba. When my mother died, the local magistrate didn’t know what to do with me. Luckily, they weren’t the type to execute witches.” She slewed a glance at Kormac that had him almost fidgeting with discomfort. No denying his country’s past. “Since I had no family, they contacted the witches of the marsh, and they took me in.”
“And are you…” Lady Frieda didn’t say it, the taboo ingrained too deep.
“I am a witch,” Fionna said it with pride.
“I’ve long wondered if I could have been one,” Lady Frieda stated, further surprising Kormac. “I always had a gift when it came to predicting weather and calming beasts. My late husband used to tease me about it.”
“Your husband died?” Fionna questioned.
“A few years ago. Thrown from his horse when it got bitten by a snake. I’m afraid I’m the only family you have left as we never had other children, just Kiera. Such a beautiful and bright child.” Her lips turned down. “It broke our heats when she left.”
“She was happy until Papa died,” Fionna murmured softly. “While you might not have approved, they did love each other—and me—very much.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I wish I’d been more accepting at the time, but we Sraythian have never been good when it comes to outsiders.”
Kormac felt a need to interject. “Something that is going to change. It’s time we became more involved with the rest of the continent.”
“While I don’t disagree, you might have to put that idea on hold given the problems cropping up here,” Lady Frieda said.
“What problems?” He frowned.
“The ones we were reporting to our castle steward. This past year I’ve taken to stabling the horses at night because it’s no longer safe to leave them in their paddocks.”
“You’ve had problems with predators?” he asked. “I was not made aware.” Zinn, his steward would be hearing from him about that.
“Not me, but friends a few hours ride west have had issues. I thought it best to act preemptively before the same happened here because trouble has a habit of spreading.”
His lips pursed. “The only trouble I know of is the flock of sheep that perished from a fever.” It led to a shortage of meat.
“Did they mention the fever started with one animal who had strange bite marks on its flesh after a night left out to pasture? It soon overtook the entire flock. But worse, since then, three people have died under similar circumstances, one of them displaying the same strange bite injury. Luckily, that family was quarantined and no one else became infected. People have been locking their doors and shuttering at night lest the bad spirit visit them too.”
“Sounds like a bite from a bloodbat,” Fionna stated. “We’ve dealt with those recently in Acca. The fever doesn’t have to be deadly. I can leave you a recipe for a tincture that might help.”
“That would be most welcome.”
“How is it I was not made aware of this?” Kormac grumbled.
“Because no one wants to incur the wrath of the warlord by bringing rumors without proof.”
Sometimes a reputation could be a detriment. “It appears I need to have a chat with my steward. I should have been notified.”
“You should also ask your spies about the monsters,” Lady Frieda stated.
Kormac stared at her. “What do you know of the monsters?”
“You forget, I do much trade and have cultivated contacts to facilitate those transactions. Tom in the border town of Longneedle, who is one of my biggest buyers of trained foals, was the one to let me know about them, mostly to ensure I protected the shipments. I’ll be honest, I thought he exaggerated, but the rumors have persisted. Lizards that spit fire. Giant scorpions. Even dragons, supposedly.”
“The latter is true,” he grumbled. “And I’m thinking the rest might be as well. The appearance of monsters is part of the reason why we’re here. You must have heard about the problem in Risead Pass.”
“More than a problem is my understanding. The garrison is unguarded since the massacre of all its men, and your general is in the dungeon since your return. I hear he’s gone quite mad.”
“He’s not mad but cursed,” Fionna explained.
“With magic?” Lady Frieda’s eyes widened.
“Yes, it’s why the warlord requested my presence.”
