Chapter Six Vina
Chapter Six
Vina
The committee will note that Archivist Summers states that the archives maintain scrupulous records of minor incarnates.
Should any local councillor or parliamentarian wish to consult the preserved records of their borough incarnates, responsible for local farmland, wildlife and vistas a dress from promenading and countryside ambles.
Her dress was slashed with dirt. The axe in her grip was splotched with lichen, bronze with rust but oddly shining and sharp at its edge. She turned and faced Vina, and her eyes—familiar, dark—flashed with fury.
“You,” the witch spat out. “I do not have time for you.”
She raised her left hand in one sharp motion and opened her fingers wide.
Before Vina had a chance to speak, to placate, to do anything, she felt her feet go out from under her.
It was lucky she wasn’t in her armor, which would have overbalanced her.
Instead, she was able to twist as she fell and catch herself on her hands and knees, before leaping back to her feet.
The soil beneath her was thrumming with magic, but as she straightened she realized the trees around her were spell-marked just like the tree line.
They glowed even more brightly when Vina looked at the witch once more.
The witch was scowling, her tangled hair a dark flag of warning in the wind eddying through the woods.
“If you come closer I swear I’ll curse you,” the witch said, voice low and fierce. “Do you like welts and boils? I can make sure you have some very intimate problems if you dare reach for that damn sword—”
“I vow not to touch my sword,” Vina said quickly. She held her arms wide in front of her. “Peace, lady witch.”
The soil trembled ominously.
“Peace,” the witch spat. “There’s no peace between us, knight. Go away. I’ll face you when I must, but right now you’ll leave me be.”
“I’m not here to cause you harm,” Vina said. She kept her voice soft. It was no different from handling the ghostly deer. Here was a woman that was perhaps predator or prey, who was dangerous to her. Here was a creature she did not want to raise a blade to.
A pity one day she’d have no other option.
The witch barked a laugh. “I’m sure.”
“Perhaps I can assist you.”
“And why would you assist me? You’re hunting me like a hare, don’t pretend.”
A shiver ran through her, remembering the tug on her hands, the urging of the tale.
“I’m not,” Vina said. “I can promise you that.” Not yet.
The witch’s hand clenched and loosened on the axe handle, full of anger and distrust. The trees began to smolder malevolently.
Vina bowed, neatly. A hand to the heart.
“My name is Lavinia Morgan,” she said. “I am a knight in the Queen’s service.
Not of any traditional order: I am one of those the Queen keeps near for use in a tale.
While my brethren hunt loathly ladies and women with the bodies of asps, I am an incarnate.
Even though I am, I’m afraid, a disappointment of a knight, the Queen retains me because one day I am meant to be enthralled by you, and then I am meant to destroy you. ”
She thought about apologizing for it, then decided better of it. What could she say? Sorry I’ll kill you one day? That would be absurd. Being sorry made no difference.
“For my duty,” Vina said, “I am here to take you to our Queen. Before the witch hunters find you, ideally. But I would also be glad to help you first, if you allow it.”
The witch’s mouth thinned.
“How,” the witch said flatly.
“I have a sword,” Vina offered. “If you agree not to attack me for using it, then it’s yours.”
“You told me you’re a disappointment of a knight. Why would I need your sword?”
“Knighthood is more than swordsmanship. Fighting, I can do ably enough. Direct me on what to hack and cut, lady witch, and I shall.”
“As long as it isn’t me, you may cut what you like,” said the witch.
“Direct me, ma’am,” said Vina. “And I’ll do as you bid.” Slowly, Vina grasped the hilt.
The witch weighed her options, visibly conflicted.
“I can’t break through this wall of trees,” the witch said finally. “I’ve given the trees my blood, and written spells into the soil. I’ve made a trap of my own hair. I have nothing left to give.”