The Journey From Oidhche Shamhna

Disclaimer: Not Mine.

The Journey From Oidhche Shamhna

Chapter 32

Home Again

Erwin walked back into the clearing to see Gryffin on his knees holding the witch to him and laughing as the sun's first rays washed over them. He saw Bretta try to raise her arm to stroke his cheek only to let it fall back down as she closed her eyes and laid still. He hurried over and took her from Gryffin, telling the wizard he would take her on his broom and hurry her home. He assured Gryffin that Helga could prepare the potion and watch her carefully. There were things they could do to stop infection, if they acted quickly.

As he stood looking down at the witch that he held in his arms, he saw Gryffin run his bloody hand through his hair, his eyes full of tears.

"She is safe from the darkness, Gryffin. She is weak, but she only sleeps for now." He said softly, seeing Gryffin nod. "Come, we need to get her back to Helga. She needs the potion before darkness falls again to be sure."

Gryffin stood slowly and looked to Erwin who held his bride in his arms. "She will not make it that far. She is too weak."

"As you said. Would you rather her dead or turned to what Mave was?" He turned carrying Bretta with him. "I will ask the elves if their travel is safe for her. If not, she will ride on my broom. We will make it time, Gryffin, for we must."

"I will..."

"No, Gryffin. I do not trust you to not let her fall to the water." Erwin looked down at Bretta, who slept in his arms, wondering if the mixture of blood in the joining could transfer the curse to Gryffin. "You should have waited to join until her blood was cleared with potion. I can not trust you to do this now, not until you take the potion yourself."

"Hurry with her then. Tell Helga I shall be there for the potion before the sun sets." Gryffin looked up at the fires licking at the buildings around them. "We should hurry from here."

He saw the flames licking at the roof of Mave's dwelling and with a shout he ran back into the dwelling and grabbed his hat and sword that still lay on the floor. Pulling his wand, he set fire to the two on the floor and hurried back outside. He turned his head to the sky and said one last prayer, not to the old gods but to the new. If Bretta were no longer of this world, the old gods would shun her so he prayed that the new god of men would not.

He took out his broom, leaving through the black and choking smoke. He climbed high over the village, watching as the monsters ran from the burning dwellings, consumed by the sunlight, withering and hissing where they fell until all that remained were dried husks. He waited to make sure that the last wall had fallen before he flew to the summit, looking for any trace of Erwin. Seeing the light that shot in the air to signal Laulen's position, he turned back once more to see the smoke still billowing above the far away peak and then nosed his broom down to the place he had first seen the boy.

"I knew you would come back. I was not worried at all," Laulen said proudly, looking Gryffin with a tear-streaked face. "I told the other I would wait for you."

"He was here?" Gryffin licked his lips and looked around. "How long ago, boy?"

"Not long. He said to tell you the elf had taken your witch and that he searches for the trader." Laulen spoke to Gryffin as the wizard slumped to the ground. "He said I was to ride my own broom, and not to trust you. I would not go with him. I said I would wait for Godric."

"Your broom will not make it across the water. You should have gone with him." Gryffin looked at the height of the sun in the sky and judged he still had time.

"I wanted to wait. Then I thought... but you came. I knew you would."

Gryffin looked up from where he sat on the ground. "You were at the bottom?"

"Yes." The boy took a step back from him and held his wand tightly. "This one was different. He had no spirit yet he lived. He was as Mave, but not yet of full power."

"Lived? Does he still?" Gryffin looked at the ground knowing what Laulen had seen.

"No longer." The boys hands were shaking badly and his face twisted, trying to hold back his tears. "I could not let him."

"It it a good thing you did, boy." Gryffin nodded and waved him over. "You can trust me until sunset. Then, if I have not had a potion you are to hide. Until then you are fine."

Laulen ran to him and threw his arms around his neck and let Gryffin hold him until he could breathe evenly again. He was ashamed of his tears but glad he was not alone. He pulled away from the wizard, ran his hand over his nose, tried to smile and only managed a grimace and a hiccup.

"It is not a shame to cry, Laulen." Gryffin laughed and ruffled the boy's hair. "I did it my self not long ago. Now, did you collect another name?"

"Brant, his name was Brant."

"There, another name to give to the gods and the last one that will find this place. Now come, we have one more witch to find."

Laulen jumped up and reached his hand down to Gryffin, smiling and helping him up before running back to gather his things. He held his father's wand and the broom his mother had spelled, smiling broadly, then suddenly frowned and turned to the cave.

"Do you have a spell to close it forever?" He looked back at Gryffin.

Gryffin nodded and sent a shock wave to the cave that started a rumble deep within the opening and worked toward the front, closing and sealing in a thunder of dust and billowing earth.

"Feel better, boy?" Gryffin smirked. "It is the first spell you will learn in your new home. Now come. I need to hurry."

He pulled the boy up on the broom behind him and headed to the town. They flew near the ground, sometimes so close his cloak grazed the tall grasses. Laulen hid his face into his back each time they took a quick turn, or went under, rather then over the branches of a tree. Seeing the town down the road, Gryffin slowed and stopped, laughing at Laulen's quick intake of breath.

"We walk from here." He shrank the broom down and looked at the boy's colour. "At night you can go high and be hidden, during the day hug the ground and stay out of sight. Never ride near a town of non-magical men. Laulen." He turned to the boy, taking both of his shoulders in his hands. "I must take a potion before sunset. Do you understand of what I speak?"

He waited until the boy nodded. "Your broom will not make the crossing and mine can hold but two."

"I will st..."

"No, Peska has given too much to lose you now. Know that I will come back for her. I promise I will not leave her here."

Laulen swallowed, his eyes feeling the sting of tears. "Can I see her?"

"If you can play a part."

Laulen looked at the wizard, wrinkling his forehead and wiping his nose with the back of his hand.

"Can you play a part? A small part?"

Laulen nodded his head, and wiped at his nose and eyes again.

"First, you must not do that - cry, I mean. You must show no recognition of Peska. You must not look to her, talk to her, in any way acknowledge her. Am I understood?"

"Can I ..."

"No, whatever it is, no. Laulen, I must tell her you are safe. That I will be back for her. If you give away the ruse, it could mean her death. Witches still fuel fires boy, do not risk her life."

"I will wait here, sir." He looked up at Gryffin. "I will stay here in the shadows and wait for you. I just wanted to see her."

"I will do what I can. Watch the window." He smiled and reached out and ruffled the lad's hair again. "I think we need to get some food in that stomach that I have been listening to since you got on the broom."

The inn was almost empty when Gryffin walked in and sat at the table near a window to be visible from where he had left the boy. He caught the eye of the barkeeper and nodded when he held up a pint. Watching the road outside, he barely heard as her footfalls came up behind him, and she reached over his shoulder, setting the pint in front of him.

"Laulen?" she whispered as she set down the pint.

"I need food, witch, enough for two," he said loudly.

He heard her intake of breath and her breathing becoming uneven.

"I will no doubt be back though this way in two days' time. Make sure you save some of that mutton I smell on the rack."

"Two days, sir?" she asked lightly.

"Two days. Put my morning meal in a pack, I do not have time to sit." He looked up and winced at the sight of her face.

"Oh." She grinned and touched her bruised face. "A good customer, sir, a very good customer. He liked to play it rough."

"Hurry with the food, wench." He grinned and turned back to his pint, draining the tin before she returned with bread and cheese.

"I see from your hand that you found your witch." She raised her eyebrow and smirked. "Not much time for the joining. When you come back make sure you wear a glove. It is a sign known here."

He looked back at the barkeep before handing his payment with his uncut hand, nodded to her as he gathered up his food, and shoved it inside his cloak. He looked out the window, judged the time by the shadows, and knew he must hurry back to the boy. Without another word, as her employer watched, he reached out, patted her arse, and winked at her.

"Keep it warm for me, I want more than mutton when I come back." He winked at her and walked to the door, whistling, and leisurely walked down the road.

He took the boy on his broom again and kept low to the ground until they came to the water. Then, able to rise higher, he sped up, laying flat on the neck of the broom and yelling back to the boy to stay as low as he could. They followed the coastline until he was weary, and fighting to stay awake. Laulen tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to the horizon where he could just make out the mountains and cliffs ahead of him that signalled they had come far enough north. Turning inland, he soon found the pass to the quiet valley, and slowing, he pointed to the school, hearing Laulen's gasp.

"Are you a king?"

"A king?" he said with a laugh. "That is your home, boy. Are you now a king?"

"I will be if I live there," Laulen said in awe.

Gryffin looked at the sky and saw the sun low on the horizon but sighed in relief that he still had at least time for the potion. Aiming for the courtyard, he sat up straight on the broom, feeling a weariness and coldness as he tired to land gently, not throwing the boy off. He saw a flurry of black cloaks and the shimmering colours of Alya's scarf and knew that they were seen, and Helga would be ready for him.

As he came lower to the ground he looked around for Bretta and finally saw her supported on Hanson's arm with Helga standing near, obviously disapproving. As soon as his feet were on the ground and Laulen slipped off behind, his Bretta was running to him.

He held up his hand and shook his head as Hanson pulled her roughly back. "Bretta, I have not taken the potion."

"Why would you need one?" She looked back at Hanson, and then to Helga, who stood with a vial in her hand.

"Your claiming," Helga said though clenched teeth as she strode to Gryffin and handed him the potion. "How long has it been, you arse?"

"Not long enough or I would aim for your pretty neck." Gryffin grinned at her, took the potion and drank it in one gulp, his eyes going to Bretta. "How is she?"

"She is fine." Helga looked back at Bretta. "She is a fool for putting everyone through this."

"Not now, Helga." He scowled and reached behind him, pulling the boy forward. "This is Laulen. He has quite a story to tell and a list of names for you."

"Names?" Salazar stepped forward frowning.

"He has many names remembered to be taken for burial."

"He will do no such thing." Alya walked up and grabbed the boy from Gryffin. "You are to stay away from every one until Helga says you are safe, you idiot. This one needs food, and from the look of him, a bath."

"Godric?" Laulen blanched and tried to pull away from her.

"Salazar?" Alya called. "I may need your help. He needs the hot springs, not the cold of the river, and soap, lots of soap. Bring a brush for scrubbing, and clean clothes as well."

Salazar came to stand in front of the boy. He looked at him darkly and turned to Gryffin with a sneer.

"Why is he here? He is not one of the tribes of these islands."

"From what I can tell they no longer have tribes." Gryffin held his broom like a walking stick and leaned on it. Feeling his knees weaken, he began to fall. "Helga?"

"No, Gryffin." Helga hurried to him and felt his head for fever. "It is only the potion. It will weaken you, making it impossible for you to fight us. It is temporary."

Temin and Marcus came forward and made a sling of their arms, allowed Gryffin to sit, and with one of Gryffin's arms around each, they carried him inside. Helga insisted they take him to the warmth of the kitchen despite the protests of the others who wanted to put him to bed.

"No, not in the towers," she argued. "I will not have him free to roam the hallways. He needs a warm place and for now, until we know for sure, somewhere secure. The kitchen has but one door, it is easier to watch."

"We should do like the cities and have a place just for the ill. I will talk to Rowena about adding a room to the side," Erwin said.

"You'd best run and tell her he is safe at home." Helga looked up at him angrily. "She did not mean this to happen, it is not her fault but at this time I am angry at her as well."

"Erwin, please." Bretta went to him and placed her hand on his arm. "It is my fault as much as hers. We were just trying to help."

"She needs to learn restraint and patience," Erwin said evenly.

"Yes, and how to be a good witch of your clan," Alya spat. "I am leaving. I find it difficult to breathe in here. Perhaps Salazar needs help with our newest student."

"It is not the way of Slytherin, Erwin," Helga said softly. "They would not be able to take a second wife without the consent of the first. She is angry at you in protection of Rowena."

"Your clan, Helga?" Erwin sneered. "Since it appears my life is now discussed openly."

She looked at him sighed. "If a witch could not bear children it is allowed. Erwin, it cuts deep. Deeper for a witch unable to bear children and then loses her husband to a woman that does. It is more than a simple tryst."

"She has not lost me. I am here, am I not?" He ran his hand though his hair.

"This is not for us to discuss," Hanson said. "Go to Rowena. Tell her Gryffin is safely home and that the potion she brewed is working. He is asleep, and should be so until morning."

Helga turned back and smiled at Gryffin, who now lay peacefully in front of one of the ovens. She took off her cloak and covered him, leaving him to sleep on the floor.

"Tell Bretta her groom sleeps and is fine." She smiled as she looked around the room. "He would show signs and be in pain and fever by now if he were not."

Erwin turned and took the stairs up to the dining hall two at a time, then hurried to the tower to give Rowena the news. He found her sitting on the floor with Helena in front of her, bushing the girl's long hair, which was still wet from her bath.

"Helena?" He smiled, seeing her face light up as she ran to him. "I need to talk to your mother. Would you mind staying in the dorm tonight?"

"Not if you two are going to fight again." She looked back over her shoulder at her mother. "She won't tell me what is happening. It seems no one talks when she is near any more. What has she done?"

"Helena!" He frowned at her. "It is your mother you are speaking of. I demand you show respect."

"I will go to the dorm." She pouted. "I am sure she will make sure you don't talk to me either. It seems even Salazar doesn't want to tell me what problems she has caused."

"Helena. That is enough." He scowled as she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "You know I love you?"

"Of course, and I love you too." She giggled as she ran out of the room to her student tower.

"What was that all about?" He walked over and stood looking down at Rowena.

"She says she hates me." Rowena tried to laugh. "I guess it is normal at her age to rebel against her mother."

Erwin squatted down and lifted her chin. "Why would she say she hates you?"

"She has heard things. Things about ... about how I treat you. She has heard us fight, and thinks it my fault."

"You need to correct her. She is a spoiled child who needs to grow up."

"No," Rowena said, turning on him angrily. "I told you she is not to know. It will break her heart. She needs to know her father loves her, only her. She will do well without me, but without a father... a father in the family... "

"She needs to know that you love her, and that our disagreements are between us and do not affect the way we feel about her."

"You promised the one thing I asked. Please, Erwin. I told you I wanted this one thing." She looked up at him. "I can live with everything else, but not this. Not if you push her away."

He squatted down in front of her and cupped her face in her hands. "I wish I could stay angry with you. I wish sometimes I did not love you so much."

He smiled at her blush and sat down next to her, pulling her into his lap. "Gryffin is in the kitchen asleep on the floor like a dog. Quite healthy, I might add."

"Thank the gods," she sighed, relaxing into him. "I am so sorry, Erwin. I did not know about Mave. I..."

"Shh, no one knew. We would not have gone so unprepared if I had known."

"The witch and her child?"

"Laulen is here. Alya has decided he needs a proper cleaning and feeding." He chuckled, remembering the look of horror on Laulen's face as Salazar hauled him off to the bath.

"Salazar is still fuming. Once he calms down Alya will send him for the witch. She could get a cat to drink poison and purr in the taking."

"Now, witch," he said, turning her to face him. "Tell me why you and Bretta did this."

She looked at him and bit her lip, then tried to stand, only to find he held her firm. "Erwin, really. I need to ..."

"You need to tell me the truth."

"Is it not enough that I feel badly? Gods, Erwin, to think the danger I put this entire school in."

"No, it is not enough. You will tell me, Rowena."

"It is nothing, only the books."

"If it were for any books, Hengest could have traded. You wanted a specific book," Erwin kept turning her face back to his.

"I wanted a spell."

"A spell?"

"Maybe it's a potion. I do not know for sure. I only have heard that Mave had it in her tomes."

"What is the potion for?" He began growing angry.

"Erwin, please." She pulled against him. "I was wrong. I know that now."

"Say it. Is it the potion you spoke of?"

"I wanted to give you a son." She swallowed, trying to stop her chest from closing as it tightened. "I wanted to be a real wife, to keep you here."

"Rowena, you are my real wife. You are the one I love more than life. Do you not understand this yet?"

"Alya will have a child in the spring, and I think Helga is not saying it but come summer there will be another born here. I feel... I cannot explain it, Erwin. I need this so badly."

"You have given me Helena." He placed his finger over her lips, stilling her protests. "Do you know that I love you?"

"I try, I do try." She put her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder. "I thought if I could be more, if I could make up to you all that you want."

"I cannot undo what has been done." He pulled her away and looked at her, locking his eyes on hers. "You need to understand what it is like in battle. To take so many lives, to see so much death and need just for a while to have a place of peace. Rowena, I felt as if I was dying myself. I am sorry, I am so sorry but I needed this."

"I don't want to talk of it. No more. No more, Erwin. I want things as they were."

"Then come, witch." He set her off his lap and stood up, pulling her up with him. "Tonight bed, and tomorrow you have a library to put together."

"You found the books? Why did you not tell me?" She jumped up, excited by the news. "I want to see them now."

"You will promise me not to use the potion you were looking for. I will not have a child born of Black Arts and blood potions."

"I will only use potions that are approved by Helga." She waved her hand at him, dismissing his question. "We will set up a library and section off those books the students should not have access to. Erwin, this school will be known as the greatest. The library alone will fill it with students."

"Yes, this school will also have its own hospital." He grinned. "Helga insists on it. She claims that with the way you keep injuring people we need more beds."

"She would not say that." Rowena pouted, then looked at him shyly. "You sent Helena to the dorm?"

"Yes, she will spend the night there." He looked at her and smirked.

"I should get a good night in bed," she whispered, looking up at him. "I have a lot of work tomorrow."

"We should go to bed early, then." He raised an eyebrow at her. "I take it I am forgiven?"

"We won't speak of it." She tried to make her voice light. "I love you."

"I have missed you, Rowena. Even with you next to me, I have missed you. Let us try to put this away."

"I will try."

"So, for tonight at least, I am forgiven?"

"Umm, I will tell you in a little while." She laughed as he scooped her up and carried her to their chambers.