The Calamity of a Re Book 2: Chapter 27: A Play of Power

Book 2: Chapter 27: A Play of Power

The deep tenuous roar of the crowd filtered around Carinas loud gasping breath as she stepped hesitantly. Each step a cauldron of anticipation and fear as if she might carelessly break so magical connection she did not understand, and the familiar young woman before her might then disappear like an apparition who never existed.

Jade? Is thatis it really you?

The screaming infant, which dangled out of Jades restrained reach, snapped Carina from her srizing thoughts. Her confusion quickly smothered beneath the stench of death that lingered in the air and echoed in the child and mothers frantic cries.

My Lady. Jordan caught her arm firmly.

Nowait! Carina protested tensely. Thats Jades babyI have to do sothing! She pulled against the knights grip as one of the three witch hunters carried Jades baby past themtowards the well.

The well? No!

Sir Jordan, stop him! Carina commanded desperately.

To his credit, Jordan did not hesitate to follow her order. He released Carinas arm with a grim look of determination and charged after the screaming infant. Acheron quickly rolled to his feet and followed behind, bellowing, Dont you dare harm that child!

The other two witch hunters, realizing their comrade was about to be overwheld, abandoned their tornt of Jade and swiftly ran to his aid.

Carina hurried towards the fallen woman and offered her hand. Here, let

help you.

Jade flinched and smacked Carinas hand aside as she stumbled to her feet then rushed towards the scuffle of n. Please, give

back my baby!

She doesnt recognize ? Carina felt a twinge of pain as she followed behind her friend. Of course, she doesnt. Im Maura now.

Jordan gripped the kidnapping witch hunter in a chokehold while Acheron latched onto the arm that held the wailing child. Jade attempted to pry the hunters grip open while Sir Basil kept the other two witch hunters at by with his loaded crossbow.

What is the aning of this? A witch hunter growled as he eyed the cross-bolt aid at his chest. Why is a knight interfering with our inquisition.

Sir Jodan is following my orders, Carina replied curtly. This woman and her child are not part of your inquisition.

The witch hunters turned their attention towards her, and Carina flinched, half expecting their magical piercing gaze to see past the Winter Rose and uncover her identity in a heartbeat.

And whois this wench? growled the witch hunter pinned between Acheron and Jordan. The knight yanked his arm against the mans neck harshly in response. With a strained gasp, the hunters knees buckled and hit the ground.

The Baroness of Averly, Lady Maura, answered the Mayor as he moved hesitantly to Carinas side. What are you doing, Baroness? he asked in a panicked whisper as he leaned towards her. I told youwe cant interfere.

Does this woman and her child belong to the church? Carina demanded.

That"

No! Jade sobbed. I only went into the church for shelter last night.

She only arrived last nightthen if I hadnt co today? Carina shook the thought aside as she faced the witch hunters. Seeking shelter does not make her church property. What right do you have to detain her and harass her child?

The second witch hunter, the smaller of the two, turned from Sir Basil to Carina and scoffed. Shes a foreigner. A vagrant with no papers and no background to speak of.

So, the church uses its sacred inquisition as an excuse to harass holess won and babies now? Carina countered with a sneer. Or are you saying this woman and her child are witches?

And if I said they were, what would you do about it, Baroness? the witch hunter sneered back.

Carina smiled coldly as she walked past him, untied Jordans cloak, and placed it around the trembling Jades shoulders. You are a foreigner, Miss?

I Jades eyes danced over Carinas face curiously I am a far way from ho. Her voice broke for a mont, and then she seized Carinas wrists tightly. Please help us. We arent witches. I dont even know how I got here. I

Hush, Carina murmured as she squeezed the young womans hand. I will protect you, but I need you to trust .

Youyou are the Baroness of this place? Jade asked uncertainly.

Yes, Carina confird quickly. And I would like to invite you to stay in Averly, as one of my subjects. If you swear your fealty to the royal family and myself, then I can protect you. Will you do that?

You dareto defy the church? The pinned witch hunter growled past Jordans arm.

Yes, I swear! Ill swear to anything" Jade dropped to her knees before Carina. Please save my baby!

I will, Carina answered with renewed confidence and determination as she pulled Jade back to her feet. What is your na?

Jade, Jade Hoffman!

It is you!

Carina smothered her excitent as she turned to the struggling witch hunter held by Acheron and Jordan and raised her voice. Miss Jade Hoffman is now under the protection of the Baroness of Averly. She was never the property of the church and is, thereforebeyond the scope of your investigation.

Oh, a few pretty words, and this wench thinks she can tell us what to doArugh! The witch hunter grimaced as the knight ground his heel into the mans calf.

Keep disrespecting the Lady and see where that gets you, Jordan warned.

Yes, by all ans, continue to challenge the Lady Mauras authority, Acheron growled over the still screaming baby. Im sure the Crown Prince would be most interested to hear of this along with the rest of todays events.

Release the infant, Theo. The second witch hunter advised.

Not until Ive tested it, snarled Theo. A flash of red light flooded over his chest plate as he ripped his arm from Acherons grip, spun upwards towards the unbalanced knight, and then smashed his forehead into Jordans nose.

Carinas escort staggered back with a grunt of pain as the witch hunter flung Acheron and Jade across the muddy square with inhuman strength, then turned towards the town well.

No! Carina and Jade scread in unison as Theo flung the infant like a stone towards the dark, swallowing void.

Theo howled in pain as his knee twisted suddenly sideways and crumpled to the ground. Carina ignored the man as the baby fluttered in the breeze, its descent slowed by so invisible force just before Sir Basil caught the child deftly in his arms. Jade was upon the butler and infant in a heartbeat sobbing in relief, Jordans cloak forgotten in the dirt behind her.

Richter! the injured witch hunter howled as he clutched his oddly distorted leg, groaning and gasping in pain. Richter, you fool, send for Ripper.

Carina spun towards the short witch hunter, who had pulled what appeared to be a flare from his pouch. A ring on his hand glowed orange as the end of the flare ignited, and he raised it towards the sky.

A cross-bolt zipped overhead and snapped the flare in half as a commanding voice called out, That wont be necessary.

The two standing witch hunters spun around as Percy appeared on horseback surrounded by a dozen mounted rcenaries, their horses panting with effort as if they had just galloped from the Earls estate.

Carina exhaled with relief as the Earl guided his horse towards her, his winter gray eyes visibly relaxed as they settled upon her face.

Baroness of Averly, might my n be of so assistance to you? Percy asked with a warm smile.

Lord Percy, Carina replied, then cleared her throat as she tried to smother the overwhelming joy in her voice. Perhaps they might. I have no wish to bully the church, but perhaps if these witch hunters would refrain from endangering the residents of Averly She turned towards the two witch hunters we could reach a peaceful agreent.

Indeed, Percy replied as he turned his cold gaze from Theo to Richter and his unnad comrade. It would be in the churchs best interest if you left without a fight.

By what authority do you command us? Richter growled.

The chapel is church property. We are here under the Emissarys orders to hunt out witches. We arent going anywhere, Theo grunted through his obvious discomfort.

But the ground you presently lie upon is not church property but mine, Carina countered with a mocking smile. You attempted to harm the infant of one of my subjects upon my lands. These actions have forced

to banish you from Averly; never show your faces here again! She nodded to Jordan, who drew his sword and motioned for the other witch hunters to join their injured comrade. If you have any grievances with my decision, you can take it to the Crown Prince. Now get out!

This Richter stamred to a halt.

I would not expect much sympathy from his Majesty once he learns how you abused the authority he so graciously offered you to butcher won and drown infants, Acheron confird grimly.

That Theo protested.

Leave it, muttered the third witch hunter, the scar over his lip twisting as he muttered, I told you this was going too far.

Theo glared from his comrade to Richter and pointed towards Jade. That woman slls of witches, even if she is not one herself. She ought to be taken in for questioning.

You have been burning and slaughtering witches from the chapel where she sought shelter, Carina countered as she pointed towards the burning pyres. Would it not stand to reason Miss Hoffman picked up their scent after sleeping among them? Or were those Sisters you murdered innocent and burned simply because they fall under the church's domain?

Evident disgust and uncertainty rippled amongst the crowd gathered around them. The witch hunters exchanged tense glances and seed to reach a silent agreent.

Very well, Baroness of Averly, growled Richter. We will leave, but rest assured, we will return. There are still plenty of witches hiding in Averly. His gaze shifted from Carina to Percy. And still others hiding in plain sight among Lafearas nobility.

Richter and the third witch hunter moved to Theos side and assisted their comrade to his feet. Enjoy the peace while it lasts, Richter advised as they carried their crippled friend away from the well. When Ripper cos, no titles or clever words will save you.

Percy smiled as he moved closer to Carina and addressed the retreating witch hunters. You would do well to remind your Commander that the Baroness has the backing of Crown Princess Eleanora as well as support from the house of Hawthorne. He would do well not to provoke her further.

Richter paused and glanced over his shoulder at Percy. Hawthorne? Aye. I rember that na. The man offered Percy a twisted smile. Sha how the late Earl was done in so easily by a little bit of poison.

Percy hissed as he took a step forward and raised his arm.

The gesture was enough for Carina to recall the exploding death note back in Rose Palaces courtyard. She instinctively wrapped her hands around his raised arm and shook her head.

The crows along the rooftops squawked in anger while Percy froze, then turned his surprised gaze towards Carina and smiled down at her reassuringly.

My n will escort these hounds to the borders of Averly, Percy ordered without taking his gaze from her face. I would also like to escort you back to my Manor, Lady Maura, to rest and his winter-grey eyes dropped down to her dress change into sothing less alarming for your return to the palace.

Carina nodded her agreent silently as she glanced after the rcenaries who ford a square around the witch hunters. Theo and his comrades moved at a slow but steady pace through the crowd that parted before them, towards the town road. When the throng of onlookers rged behind the departing hunters, Carina quickly turned her attention back to Jade, who knelt by the well, softly consoling her child.

Before we leave, Lord Percy. Carina raised her ice-blue eyes to the Earls steadfast gaze. I would like to ask a favor of you.

Percy raised an eyebrow curiously, even as his smile widened. Anything, Lady Maura.