Jamie knew that Fairbridge was three days on horseback, which meant a week on foot. Luckily, her hunting knife, bow, and bag had not been damaged. She had walked for over a day and this was her second night in the forest. She had managed to make a fire and was cooking the rabbit that she had caught.
"See Ma and Da, I can cook!" A faint smile formed on her lips as she roasted the rabbit.
"You know they are dead, right?" An old female voice said.
Jamie jumped up and looked around. She saw an old hag with bright blue eyes and crooked teeth.
"Who the fuck are you?" Jamie said and felt a sharp tap on her head. "This crone just hit me!" she thought, shocked as she rubbed the point of impact.
"Is that a way to speak to your elders, Luvie?" The Crone pointed out.
Jamie looked at the old woman. "Apologies, Elder, I was not expecting you in this forest at night!" She said as she bowed her head to show respect. It was true, her behaviour had been rude.
"Hmph, you youngsters are all the same, not expecting things! Why should you not? It is a lovely night for some mischief!" With a crooked smile, the Crone said.
Jamie looked puzzled and thought "What is she going on about? She must have a sickness of the mind, just my luck!"
Jamie dared not utter those words, as she did not want another tap of the old Crone’s stick. However, her Ma and Da had always said it was important to share with those in need because it pleased the gods. Besides, as long as she stayed away from the stick, she would be okay.
"Erm, would you like to sit by the fire for a bit and share my rabbit?" Jamie said as she gestured to the fire.
"Ahh, I am glad the old ways have not died!" The Crone walked towards the fire and sat down. Jamie took the Rabbit off the spit and divided it into two. The Crone took a leg and started munching on it. She stopped mid-chew and said "I asked you, do you know your parents are dead? "
Jamie looked down and mumbled "Yes!"
"Well then, why do you keep talking to them?" The Old Crone insisted.
"I ...I miss them!" Jamie said, trying not to cry.
"Loss is one of the six sorrows of a mortal, so everyone has to go through it. If you don’t deal with your grief, it will consume you." The Crone said wisely.
Jamie listened and said nothing. She knew what the old woman said was true, but it was too soon and, besides, she felt guilty. "Now, don’t you feel guilty about not being able to bury them. They have passed to the Realm of the Dead and are happy there!" The Crone said firmly.
"How can that be? I did not do the proper death rituals! They are lost in the darkness and it is all my fault!" Jamie was nearly shouting at this point. Tears filled her eyes at the thought of her parents’ souls being lost forever!
"Now, you listen here, Pup, and listen well! I will forgive you for shouting at me because of what has happened, but take heed, I am not known for my forgiving nature!" The Old Crone warned her, as her blue eyes suddenly glowed. The Crone’s continued, "The Old Crone Goddess has led them to the Realm of the Dead."
Jamie wiped some of the tears away with her sleeve and said "The Old Crone.. but, but...she is the Goddess of Revenge! Why would she do that?"
The old woman rolled her eyes and said "What are they teaching you, youngsters, these days? I knew people were getting less intelligent, but seriously? The Old Crone Goddess is a High Goddess. She is the Goddess of Graveyards, Necromancy, and Mischief. Revenge falls into the mischief bit!" She gave Jamie a quick wink before continuing, "Being connected to death means she can, on occasion, guide souls on."
"I never knew that!" Jamie whispered.
"Well, obviously!" retorted the old woman.
There were a few minutes of silence before the Crone said "Anyway, you must be feeling sleepy now!" The old woman got up and was a small meow of protest from the old women’s skirt.
"Be quiet, you; it's bad enough being a delivery woman without you moaning!" The Crone snapped at her skirt.
"Yeap touched in the mind!" Jamie pondered.
The old woman turned around and started to hobble away. "Before I forget, look at the fire embers in the morning. Now sleep luvvie, no mortal or immortal will disturb you tonight, " The Crone said as she disappeared into the forest.
Jamie started to fall asleep almost straight away. "Wait, how did she know about my parents?" Jamie thought, puzzled. She yawned and closed her eyes. As she drifted off to sleep, she swore she heard the old woman say, " I don’t give a crap what my older brother says, and you will keep your mouth shut if you know what is good for you!"
Touched indeed...
Two weeks later.Jamie had moved back into the pack house and had been on complete bed rest for the week. In the second week, she returned to training. Jamie had also returned to The Cat’s Claw. Eric had been true to his word and not tried to make a move on her. However, Jamie sometimes caught him staring at her longingly. She ignored it as best she could.Raoul and Jamie had not been intimate over the last two weeks. Jamie said she was too tired, but the truth was she had not quite forgiven him. Raoul had been making the effort and was spending a bit more time with Jamie. Jamie, on the other hand, tried to be a bit more understanding. Relationships were about compromising, she thought.Jamie
Jamie, for the second time in 24 hours, woke up in a different place than when she went to sleep. When she stirred, she first noticed she was in a soft bed that was familiar. The second was that there wasRaoul’s large naked body next to her. His arms heldher tightly against him. Jamie tried to move out of his arms, but it causedRaoul stir from his slumber."Five more minutes, Kitten, before we start arguing," he said in a sleepy voice. He nuzzled her neck, and Jamie could feel her heart thawing a bit."Raoul!" Jamie said.
Jamie woke up to find she was on a familiar red velvet sofa. Her head was banging and she felt sick."Urgh!" she moaned as she tried to sit up."Hang on a minute, Fire Sprite." Eric said as he came over to help her into a sit position."I don’t need your help, thank you," Jamie said. She tried to sound cross, but to be honest, her head hurt too much."Well, I can see that,”Eric chuckled. "Here, sip this and take two of these pills. They will help with the sickness and headache. "Jamie did as She was told and soon felt her headache ease. The drink had a slight metallic taste to it. "What is this?" Jamie
Jamie had cried herself to sleep the previous day. She could not believe the person she loved had brought up the fact that he had brought her for 20 gold pieces. Was that all she was worth to him? If it were not for the bond, would he have chosen someone else?Rose came into her room with Fluff. "Morning! How are you feeling?" She said cheerfully."Ok, I suppose." Jamie mumbled."Hmm yes, well, of course everyone knows about the argument you had with Raoul. So it is my mission to cheer you up today. So, how do you feel about going shopping? "Shopping? " Jamie said, confused.
Raoul panicked when he saw the empty room and rushed to find the doctor. He found him sitting in his office writing up some notes."Where is she?" Raoul asked angrily. "Ah, my Lord, good news! She awoke a few hours back and has made a remarkable recovery. It must be her water element coming back. The Luna has been discharged on the condition that she has plenty of bed rest and a proteinrich diet. " The Doctor said happily. Raoul relaxed a little. "So she is back at the pack house resting then?" The Doctor looked a bit uncomfortable. He really did not want to break the news that the Lord’s Luna
Jamie did not have any visions or dreams when she was out, a small mercy which she was thankful for. When she did wake up, she was in a light and airy medical room. She tried to move herself in a sitting position, but she felt every muscle in her body ache.Suddenly, Fluff jumped up on her bed, "Ah, you are awake!" He said happily. Jamie noticed that Sam was sleeping in a chair next to her bed. Her heart sank as she hoped Raoul would be there."He got called away by the King," Fluff said, obviously annoyed at the situation. "He's going to lose her if he doesn't be careful," Fluff reasoned.Jamie nodded sadly as she asked, "Care to catch me up on what I have missed?