32 Nim

Nim was fully aware Gareth had been captured by Talmot. She heard the general's horse galloping toward them and internally questioned which of them he would try to subdue. Surely the man was not stupid enough to try and challenge her without Lorna's magic to aid him. As far as Nim could tell, the red-haired witch had remained behind.

She watched from the tree-line as Talmot's outline heaved the boy up onto his horse and began to head back towards the dingy inn. She had been ready to take lieutenant's life as collateral damage to cease the general's pursuit just moments ago. Still, now the old woman could not bring herself to let the boy be subjected to whatever wrath Talmot had in store for him.

She was still unsure of exactly where the boy's loyalties lie, but without much more thought, she pulled as much onya as possible into herself and channeled the energy through the ground.

Talmot's outrage echoed through the clearing behind the inn for what seemed like ages as Nim hobbled her aged body over to the horse and dragged Gareth's limp form from down to the ground with every ounce of strength left within her. She prayed to the old gods and the new that Lorna was unaware of the unfolding situation.

Talmot struggled against the roots that trapped his legs once again in place. He cursed in a bellow that left his face red with rage that could be seen even in the darkness. Nim said nothing as she filled her internal reservoir to the brim and opened a stitch in the clearing. She hastily released Talmot's bindings and, in the commotion, shoved the general through the rent in the air.

The general's face only registered the briefest moment of shock and tried to helpless grab at the air around him, successfully hanging on to the sleeve of Nim's travel-worn tunic. The old woman struggled to free herself as the general fell backward, but her plan was quickly dissolving. She feared this may be the end of the road for her and Gareth.

With speed, she did not know the lieutenant possessed, a large boot connected with the general's chest causing him to release his grip on Nim. The force sent the general flying into the darkness beyond. Nim quickly closed the hole leading to the gods only knew where. She hadn't had the time to focus correctly on a location to send the man, but for now, he was gone leaving the old woman alone with Gareth and the horse in the clearing.

Exhausted, she collapsed to her knees, as a now conscious Gareth stood by her side. "That was good work and quick thinking, lad," she said between breaths, attempting to regain some of the expended energy. The boy nodded, kneeling next to her. She accepted his hand gratefully, having finally caught her breath.

"You know, you will not be able to return to the army now. Treason is generally frowned upon." Nim said while brushing off her skirt.

"So is enslaving an entire group of people against their will. I do not know which side will claim victory when this has ended, but I would prefer to be on the right one." Gareth said simply, his sandy hair blowing gently in the breeze.

Nim could see something had changed in the lad since she had dragged him through the first stitch back in the apple orchard. The moonlight illuminated a stony resolve now etched across the young man's face.

The pair stopped abruptly as Lorna's form, still clad in her pristine white dress, could be seen making its way towards them in the inky night. Her too-red hair blew in waves behind her as she sauntered toward them without urgency.

Nim drew all the onya she could muster after the scuffle into her, and she could feel the younger witch doing the same, noting that Lorna's ability far outstripped her own at this stage. Static hung in the air as night sounds ceased from the nearby wood. The woman approached them carefully. Gareth assumed a defensive stance with his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

"Where is Talmot?" Lorna asked calmly, her heart-shaped face showed neither anger nor interest. She must not have seen the altercation.

Nim relaxed slightly. The woman was not here to fight, but what was it that she wanted? The old woman shrugged. "I am not entirely sure, he could be across the sea for all I know," Nim answered.

Lorna nodded, a contemplative expression on her face. "You two should go now. When I bring him back, the pursuit will ensue once again. Can you make another stitch?" the red-haired witch asked.

Nim did not know how to answer, was the woman just toying with her now? She had shown nothing but pure cruelty back at the farm, but like the boy, something had changed within her since leaving. "You know I cannot. What is your game, girl?" Nim asked in frustration.

Lorna took a long moment to answer, a vacant stare lined the woman's face for several long moments before deciding to speak. "I will send you close to Astrophel's keep, members of the Assembly live within his walls. Seek out the fae in the forest south of the castle first, they can carry a message to your granddaughter."

The woman opened another stitch in the clearing, Nim could see another darkened wood through the rent, a light wind ushered in the smell of earth and spring blooms. Nim was caught entirely off guard, she had little choice in trusting the woman, but her instincts were unable to discern if this was a trap.

"What is the Assembly?" Nim asked before stepping through.

"A collection of witches who work for our freedom within the binds of our contracts," Lorna said quietly.

"Why help us now? You sure seemed content to torture my farmhand before." Nim replied with a huff crossing her short arms across her chest.

"The lieutenant here also beat him but stands before you. We all must work within the confines of our obligations." Lorna said absently, still staring beyond the old woman.

Nim could only nod at the woman's cryptic response. She had heard rumors of rebellious witches many years ago that resided in Ibudal. Still, every indication had been that they had been wiped out by the Ibudali army and publically executed.

Nim reluctantly stepped through the stitch with Gareth by her side and prayed to the old gods and the new for the second time that night that her trust was not misplaced.