Chapter 18
WILLOW
The following day, as the morning sun filters through the dusty windows of my rented room, I groan and push myself up from the creaky bed. My head throbs, not from drink, but from the strain of the nightmare and the constant worry of discovery.
In the dream, I stood in a dimly lit tavern, watching Cedric, the drunk. But this time, his eyes glow with an eerie red light, and his words carry a sinister weight.
"Come closer, my dear Willow," dream – Cedric crooned, his form shifting and twisting. "Let's show them who you are."
As I back away, I bump into Windy. But when she turns, her face is a mask of betrayal and anger. "You lied to us," she hisses, her hands crackling with magical energy.
Just as the room erupts into chaos, with Covenant mages appearing from the shadows and Cedric revealing his true form, I awaken.
A knock at the door makes me jump. "Willow? You in there?" Wallace's gruff voice calls out.
I quickly cast a minor glamor to hide my haggard appearance. "Just a moment," I reply, my voice still thick with sleep.
As I open the door, Wallace's concerned face greets me. "You look like you've been wrestling with a nightmare," he says, his brow furrows.
I force a weak chuckle. "Something like that. What's going on?"
Wallace jerks his thumb towards the stairs. "Windy wants us all downstairs. Says she's got a bad feeling about that Cedric fellow from yesterday. Why she wants you down there, I don’t know, but I’d appreciate you coming down so that she can tell us."
My heart skips a beat.
“Sure, I’ll be down in a moment.”
I shut the door in his face as I walk towards the bowl of water.
I splash some water on my face and study my reflection in the cracked mirror. The glamor spell holds firm – a ruddy face, unkempt beard, and bleary eyes stare back at me.
Perfect. Time to put on another show.
I open the door to find Warren waiting.
As we descend the stairs, I hear Windy's voice, tense and low. "I'm telling you, there's something off about him. The way he moved, the way he spoke... it was too perfect."
We enter the common room to find Windy and Warrick huddled around a table, speaking in hushed tones.
"Ah, there you are," Windy says, looking up. "Sorry to bother you, Willow. Something in my gut told me you could help us. What do you think about Cedric? Did you notice anything strange yesterday compared to his normal behavior?"
I swallow hard, my mind racing.
How much should I reveal?
"He... did seem to recover from his drunkenness rather quickly," I offer cautiously.
Warrick nods. "That's what I thought too. And did you see the way he looked at us when he thought no one was watching? It was... calculating."
"...can't believe that beast turned out to be Juniper's pet," Wallace rumbles.
The door swings open, and as if summoned by our doubt and thoughts, in stumbles Cedric. His gait is unsteady, his clothes disheveled, but there's something... off about his performance.
I narrow my eyes, watching closely as he makes his way to the bar.
"Mornin', Bart!" Cedric slurs, louder than necessary. "How 'bout a little hair of the dog, eh?"
The innkeeper's face darkens. "Cedric, I told you last night. You're not welcome here anymore."
I lean forward, intrigued.
Cedric's movements, while seemingly erratic, have a purpose to them. His eyes, though bleary, scan the room with a sharpness that belies his drunken act.
"Aw, c'mon Bart!" Cedric whines, his voice pitched just right to grate on the nerves. "Don't be such a stick in the mud!".
The scene plays out much like the night before. Cedric makes increasingly outrageous demands, Bart's patience wears thin, and finally, the innkeeper loses his temper.
"That's it!" Bart roars, grabbing Cedric by the collar. "I've had enough of your nonsense!"
As Bart drags Cedric towards the door, the "drunk" man's eyes lock onto Windy. "My silver-haired angel!" he cries out. "Save me from this cruel fate!"
Windy rolls her eyes, but I can see a flicker of something – curiosity, perhaps? – in her expression. "Cedric, I think you need saving from yourself more than anything else," she quips.
Just before reaching the door, Cedric breaks free from Bart's grasp, stumbling towards Windy with outstretched arms. "But my love for you burns brighter than a thousand suns!" he proclaims dramatically.
I have to admire his commitment to the role, even as I wonder about his true motives.
What game is he playing?
Wallace steps between Cedric and Windy, his massive frame an imposing barrier. "That's close enough, friend," he growls.
Cedric looks up at Wallace, his expression a perfect combination of confusion and drunken belligerence. “I'll fight you for her hand!" he declares, raising his fists in a comical fighting stance.
Despite the tension, I hear Windy stifle a laugh. "As entertaining as that would be," she says, "I think it's time for you to leave, Cedric."
Bart seizes the opportunity to grab Cedric again, bodily hauling him towards the door. "Out you go, you blathering nuisance!"
With a mighty heave, Bart tosses Cedric out onto the street. I watch through the window as he tumbles down the steps, landing in an ungainly heap on the ground. Windy follows him out, standing above him, tapping her foot, her curiosity getting the better of her.
I move closer to the door, straining to hear their conversation. Cedric looks up at Windy, and for a brief moment, I see his mask slip. There's intelligence in those eyes, and something more – desperation, perhaps?
"Has anyone ever told you your eyes sparkle like the finest ale?" Cedric slurs, but there's a weight to his words that wasn't there before.
Windy sighs, shaking her head. "Cedric, go home. Sleep it off. And maybe consider cutting back on the drinking, yeah?"
As she turns to go back inside, Cedric calls out, "Wait!"
Windy pauses, looking back at him.
"I... I'm not who you think I am," Cedric announces.
My breath catches in my throat.
Is he about to reveal himself?
And if so, what does that mean for all of us?
Windy's expression shifts from annoyance to wariness. "What do you mean?"
Cedric struggles to his feet, the drunken act falling away entirely. "I need to speak with you. Privately. It's about the Crimson Covenant."
At the mention of the Covenant, I feel my blood run cold.
How does he know about them?
Is he a member? I don’t recognize him, either. Has Grandfather brought in that many new members?
A spy?
Something else entirely?
Windy glances around, then nods curtly. "Fine. But if this is some kind of trick..."
"No tricks," Cedric assures her. "Just the truth. And a warning."
As they move to a more secluded spot, I debate whether to follow. Whatever Cedric's game is, it's clear that he's no simple drunk. And if he knows about the Crimson Covenant, then we're all in far more danger than I initially thought. That means Grandfather doesn’t believe I can complete the mission and kept members in the dark about me, and from me.
Who is Cedric? What does he really want?
My curiosity gets the better of me, and I silently trail after them, careful to keep my distance. They stop behind the inn, hidden from view by stacks of empty barrels. I position myself behind one, straining to hear their conversation.
"Alright, Cedric,'" Windy says, her voice laced with skepticism. "Start talking. Who are you really, and what do you know about the Crimson Covenant?"
I peek around the barrel to see Cedric straighten up, all traces of his drunken persona gone. "My real name is Aiden," he says, his voice now clear and articulate. "I'm an agent working to infiltrate the Crimson Covenant."
Windy's eyebrows shoot up. "An agent? For whom?"
Aiden hesitates. "I... can't reveal that. But what matters is that the Covenant is planning something big, and you're at the center of it."
My heart races.
"Me?" Windy asks, her hand instinctively moving to her weapon. "Why me?"
"Because of your power," Aiden explains. "They believe you're the key to unlocking an ancient artifact that could give them untold magical abilities."
I frown. This doesn't align with what I know of the Covenant's plans. Something feels off.
He’s lying. But why?
Suddenly, a twig snaps beneath my foot. Windy and Aiden whirl around, spotting me.
"Willow?" Windy calls out. "What are you doing here?"
I step out from my hiding place, hands raised. "I overheard... and I have some questions for our friend here."
Aiden's eyes narrow. "Who are you?"
"I could ask you the same thing," I retort. "Because your story doesn't add up."
Tension crackles in the air as we face off.
Windy looks between us, confusion is evident on her face.
"What do you mean, Willow?" she asks.
I take a deep breath. "The Crimson Covenant isn't after an artifact. They're harvesting people for their blood magic. And they're not just interested in Windy... they're after all of us. All witches. All powerful beings."
Aiden's face pales. "How do you know this?"
"I've... heard things," I reply evasively, not ready to reveal the full extent of my knowledge. "Rumors in dark places. The Covenant's activities have not gone unnoticed."
Windy's hands tighten into fists. "So who's telling the truth here?"
Before either of us can respond, a blast of energy tears through the air, narrowly missing Windy's head. We all duck instinctively.
"Covenant mages!" I shout, recognizing the magical signature. "They've found us!"
Chaos erupts as more blasts rain down around us.
"We need to get out of here!" she yells over the din of magical warfare.
As we scramble for cover, I notice Aiden hanging back, a calculating look in his eyes.
Suddenly, he breaks into a run – not away from the danger, but towards it.
"Hey!" I call out. "What are you doing?"
To our shock, Aiden stops next to one of the Covenant mages who've appeared at the edge of the clearing. "Sorry, folks," he calls back, a smirk on his face. "But the show's over."
Realization dawns on me. "He's with them! This whole thing was a setup!"
Windy curses colorfully. "I knew that drunk act was too good to be true!"
As we fend off magical attacks, I see Aiden conferring with the other mages. His entire demeanor has changed - gone is the bumbling drunk, replaced by a confident, dangerous individual.
"You really should be more careful about who you trust," Aiden calls out, his voice dripping with mockery. "Did you think we wouldn't find you?"
I grit my teeth, anger and fear warring within me. "I should have known," I mutter.
As we prepare to face off against Aiden and the Covenant mages, I can't help but wonder how we'll get out of this mess. One thing's for certain – Cedric the drunk may have been a lie, but the danger he's brought is all too real.
Suddenly, a familiar voice booms from behind us. "Need a hand?"
We turn to see Wallace and Warrick rushing towards us, weapons drawn. Their arrival gives us a momentary advantage, and we seize it.
I summon my magic, careful not to reveal its true nature. "Warrick, watch out!"
A bolt of energy narrowly misses Warrick's head. He retaliates with a well-aimed throwing knife, catching one of the Covenant mages in the shoulder.
Aiden's smirk falters as he realizes the tide of battle is turning. "This isn't over," he snarls, backing away. "The Covenant will have what it seeks!"
Windy turns to me, her eyes narrow with suspicion. "Alright, Willow. I think it's time you told us exactly who you are and what you know about the Crimson Covenant. And don't leave anything out this time."
I swallow hard, knowing that the moment of truth has arrived.
How much should I reveal?
They’ll hate me if they know it all. For some reason I am being pulled to share with them.
I wouldn’t normally share what I know, but something about being this close to Windy is making me want to be truthful. As I prepare to reveal what I know, without exposing my past, I can only hope that Windy and the others will trust me enough to believe what I'm about to tell them.
“The reason I know so much about the Crimson Covenant and what they want, is that I am part of it. My grandfather is the leader of it. I don’t want to be like him. I’m fighting to be good, not evil.”
Warrick and Warren immediately take defensive stances, ready for whatever they think I might throw at them.
Windy steps around them, walking right up to me. “Something tells me that you are speaking the truth, but not the full truth.”
“I am and I’m not ready to share the other part yet. Please, understand. I have been taught to not share anything with anyone. I’m trying.”