7 Chapter 7: Witch

Song recommendation:(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D37POA11KY&list=RDGMEMKcfdYVpEGn7ut17qwCZ9pg&index=10)

"Isn't there still enough time to escape?" Charlotte glanced at Tomas who seemed to concur.

"What about everyone in the village?" Veretta stared at them in disbelief.

"Veretta," Charlotte sighed, "we looked around the village this morning. It looks like almost everyone is already gone,"

Veretta's eyes blinked rapidly, "because they're afraid, but I want there to at least be somewhere they can come back to. Even if I didn't, don't you think that Silthus has to be stopped?"

"By you, you mean?" Tomas said with a concerned look in his eye.

Veretta exhaled, "Then go back. I told you two from the start!"

"We're here because we're worried about you, Veretta!"

"I know but this can't be helped," Veretta shook her head wildly.

"What do you mean?" Charlotte and Tomas looked at her with an expression of pity that Veretta could not stand.

"I can't just leave my grandmother here to die!" Veretta stared at them incredulously.

"Your grandmother?" Tomas turned to Charlotte fearfully.

"Veretta..." Charlotte began.

"Look! I don't need your pity!" Veretta spat, "I never asked you to stay,"

She flew out the door without a look back. She went back into the bitter cold. The wind whipped her relentlessly. Veretta gazed up at the dark clouds gathering over the white sky. It felt like a storm was coming, but Veretta couldn't bring herself to turn back. She went back out to the clearing in the lonely forest.

She found Errik still practicing with his blade. On her approach, he lowered his sword, turning his astute eyes to her.

"You're right," Veretta exhaled fiercely, "it's not enough to protect the village,"

"I thought not," Errik's mouth turned up in a grin, "Tell me what you really want, little necromancer,"

"I want revenge," Veretta expelled the words wildly, "I want Silthus to pay,"

"What did he do?"

"He...killed my parents," Veretta's voice trembled.

Errik met her gaze with neither pity nor contempt.

"Aren't you angry that I deceived you?" Veretta faltered, "It wasn't entirely a lie. I do want to protect this village..."

Her voice trailed as she looked up at his eyes. He gave no reply.

"I can't let him get away this time," veretta regained her composure, "I'm sor...I won't apologise but if you're angry you can tell me,"

"I don't care either way," Errik dismissed, "but let us be clear about what you are asking. You want revenge by killing Silthus?"

"I don't expect you to do it," Veretta answered, "Just give me an opening."

Errik seemed to mull over the words, finally, in a low voice, he said, "You know, it's not so easy to kill someone, little necromancer. Are you sure you can handle it?"

"Yes, I'm certain," Veretta replied quickly.

"Then I will do as you ask," Errik started to walk away. "It's your decision,"

"That's it?" Veretta asked timidly. "Aren't you angry?"

Errik didn't look back, "I'm not," he replied, raising his blade again.

It flew down slicing the air in front of him over and over again. Veretta watched quietly for a moment. She felt as though he ought to say something more, but what could she say? She was in the wrong but she had no way to correct it.

The next morning at early dawn, Veretta woke feeling even more restless. She hadn't spoken a word to Tomas nor Charlotte on her return. Not out of any resentment but because she couldn't find the words. She hoped by leaving early she could afford herself more time to think on what she ought to say.

She expected to find Errik about to set off into the forest but he was already gone. Veretta looked out the tiny dark window. The cottage rattled from the Northern wind. It was snowing heavily outside.

Veretta wrapped herself in her cloak and gloves. He was going, then so would she. However, the moment Veretta stepped outside, she was hit with a strong and sharp blast of wind. It was enough to unbalance her but still she preserved on down the winding path to the forest.

The further she went, the harsher the wind seemed to become. Veretta started to think against her plan. It would be impossible to practice in these conditions. She decided she would only go so far as to find Errik just to tell him she wouldn't join him in practice today.

Her feet pushed through the thick layer of snow that came beyond her ankles. She fell wearily against one of the trees to rest. Slightly blinded by the falling snow, Veretta squinted into the distance trying to see where Errik was. After searching for a time and continuing on, she finally made out a dark shape just a few feet ahead.

"ERRIK?" Veretta called.

Veretta's eyes widened as she realised it wasn't one single figure. There were several men dressed in dark cloaks coming from all sides. A large man towered over Veretta. She stared up apprehensively. His black eyes met her gaze mercilessly. He had a long scar over his face and a cruel hard expression.

Still, as Veretta cast an inspecting glance at him then to the others, they did not bear the insignia of Sithus' men. There was no sign of his infernal black moon signature in sight.

"Is Varsor village beyond this forest?" the man asked.

"Yes," Veretta answered apprehensively.

Just at the moment, the wind took hold of the man's cloak and she saw the silver glint of a sword. Veretta's eyes panned back up. His cold gaze made her skin crawl.

"Boss," came a voice from one of the other men, "can I take this one? She's just my type,"

"No," the tall man grinned, "this one is mine,"

"Who are you?" Veretta swallowed uneasily.

"I'm no one," he grinned darkly.

"What do you want with Varsor village?" Veretta demanded more adamantly.

Veretta glanced back anxiously. There was no sign of the others and they were too far from the village to be heard. There was only her.

"We're just trying to get a cut of the cake before Sithus eats the whole thing," the man grabbed Veretta's arm leaning in. "I didn't expect much from this backwoods village, but you're quite the find,"

Veretta tried to pull her hand back but he would relent. She reached into her cloak with her free hand and pulled out her sword. She held it to his throat.

"Release me!" Veretta exhaled fiercely.

"Ah," the man smiled, "I like the fire in this one,"

Veretta's hand tightened around the blade. If it wasn't Silthus' man, was it okay to use what Errik had taught her? If it was to protect the village then...

Veretta started to throw her hand forward, but the man caught her by the wrist. He threw a stiff punch into her stomach. Veretta let out a gasp as her knees hit the wet snow. He kicked the sword from her hand roughly and Veretta fell flat into the snow.

"Aren't you something?" the man grinned, "Go ahead, fellas. I'll catch up.

The men started on beyond the forest. Veretta struggled to breathe but she tried to come to her feet. No, she couldn't let them go! However, before she could rise, she was yanked forward by the hair. The man wrapped his forearm around her throat as Veretta struggled against him.

"Unhand me!" Veretta clawed against the hand around her throat.

The grip suddenly tightened, "You're too loud. Be quiet,"

Veretta felt the life draining from her. It was at that moment, she glanced up and a strange sight met her eyes. There was a dark figure standing just ahead. It was Errik leaning back against a tree watching with an apathetic stare. Veretta reached out desperately but the words wouldn't come out.

Her tearful green eyes met his snakish eyes hopelessly. Why wouldn't he help? They had a deal, so why? Time seemed to slow as Veretta's heart pumped loudly in her ears. Would she die here? If she did, what would happen to the village? Would Silthus just get away with all he had done? She could already see the other men disappearing under the rapture of snow.

No. No! It couldn't end this way. Veretta clenched her fist passionately and a spark of magic began to flow. She released everything she had into one blast. The air trembled with a thunderous crack.

A flash of lightning fell from the sky. At last, the man let out a grunt and released his grip. Veretta flew forward. She took the sword in hand and turned back still gasping for breath. The attacker was bent to one knee. His eyes came up savagely.

"Witch!" he breathed viciously.

Veretta tightened her grip around the blade. She pulled the blade back. With a flash of light, she threw it forward. The sword sparked as it tore through the air and cut through the snow. It hurtled through the man with such severity, his blood was strewn all across the white snow. He fell back dead.

Veretta stared down with wild eyes. Her breath was unhinged and it took her several moments to realise what she had done. The blood-soaked white snow reached her feet , a shade of remorseless red. She had killed him... Her hand trembled and she dropped the blade from her.

"I wasn't sure you had it in you," she heard a cold voice from behind.

"Why?" Veretta breathed unsteadily without looking back, "Why didn't you help me?"

She glanced sideways at Errik who was now standing by her side. He looked down at the blood, his face utterly drained of emotion.

"I suppose," he said, "I wanted to see what you would do,"