CHAPTER 20
Cole and Pierre arrived at Loudon in the late afternoon. Pierre slumped on his horse, “Wow, we really did get here fast, thank you for your exuberance, now there is no chance I will have missed the wedding.”
“Let's hope not, but I will be happy if we at least make it before the honeymoon,” Cole replied brusquely.
Pierre looked over at Cole, his brow furrowed, “You are a strange one Cole. I hope we have a chance to rest; I'm exhausted from all the riding. I at least need a bath, I am a mess, and so are you.”
Cole ignored Pierre's jab, “Where exactly does your brother live?”
“He's just outside of town, he has a huge estate, and we’ll be able to see it from a ways off. Follow me.”
Cole moved to travel behind Pierre. He had been riding about a mile ahead of him until they reached the town limits. He then slowed so that Pierre could tell him exactly where to go. He could follow his impulse but he didn't want to waste any time. He felt Arlana's presence strongly. He pictured her soft wavy hair, her piercing eyes, and her warm smile. He remembered how it felt to be the person that brought a smile to her face. He remembered how it felt to be the one to protect her; he wondered how in the world things had gotten so out of hand. He felt like he must be weak to let her slip through his fingers. And now here she was, living the life of someone that wasn't even her, with no memories, about to marry a stranger. He couldn't help but to push his horse harder, he heard Pierre call out from behind him, and then he saw it, a huge estate sprawled out across a hill, gated all around. He saw a crowd gathered outside the gate. He figured the crowd must be wedding guests arriving and he led his horse closer.
“Wait up Cole!” Pierre shouted again. He matched Cole's pace. “Slow down Cole, I need to introduce you first so you can get through the gate.”
Cole slowed a little, “I'm sorry, just trying to get you there on time, it looks like the guests are already approaching.”
“That's funny; they aren't dressed for a wedding. It looks like they're shouting. I wonder what's going on.”
Cole realized that the crowd did seem upset. He began to move with caution. “I'll take care of this Pierre, follow my lead.”
As Cole and Pierre got closer they heard shouts of witch and burn her. Cole's blood began to boil but he didn't let it show on his face. “Excuse me sir, what's going on here?” Cole spoke to a man at the edge of the crowd.
“They have a witch in there. They are holding her, I've heard the master of the house wants to marry her, can you believe it? She must have bewitched him,” the man replied.
“What did she do, why are they accusing her of this?” Cole asked.
“She is murdering children with spells and potions, she raised from the dead, we don't even know if she is human, it might be the devil himself living in her. We've got to kill her and make sure she stays that way before she hurts anyone else. We're trying to get through the gate but haven't been able to. Say, you seem like a strong man, will you help us?”
“Um, no, we're just passing through, we don't want to get involved.” Cole motioned for Pierre to head away with him. “Ignorant imbecile,” he muttered under his breath. When they were a distance from the house Cole asked, “Is there a back entrance to get into the house, I don't want to have to go through that crowd, but we will if we have to. I want to get in there as quickly as possible.”
“What has my brother gotten himself into? I can't believe this, a witch! This is insane!”
“Calm down Pierre, how do we get to your brother?”
“You're right, you're right, I'm sorry. I need to make sure he's alright. There is a secret way through the back. Let's go through these trees and we'll come out on the other side, I think everyone is too preoccupied to notice.”
Cole followed Pierre around the back of the house and they were able to get in through a small gate hidden in a mass of overgrown ivy. They couldn't fit the horses through the gate so they had to leave most of their supplies outside. Cole was frantic inside. He had to get his hands on his precious Arlana, he had to be with her and protect her. There was no way he would let anyone in that crowd lay a finger on her. He hurried Pierre through the gate; it felt like the ivy was grabbing at them, pulling them back, it was so thick. When they were on the other side of the gate they quietly knocked on the back door. One of the servants answered, she recognized Pierre right away, “Oh Monsieur, thank heavens you are here. Your brother, his fiancé, you wouldn't believe the trouble they are in.”
“Oh, I think I have an idea. I saw that mob out there. Where is my brother?”
“He went to town to get more reinforcements; he is also bringing a priest so he can be married quickly.”
“What, he's still going to marry her? That seems like a lot of trouble to go through for someone he hardly even knows. I mean I'm not saying she's a witch, but there is a whole mob out there! How is he going to get out of this one?”
“Monsieur, you know your brother always finds a way.”
“Where is his fiancé?” Cole interrupted.
Both the servant and Pierre looked at Cole.
“Why, who are you?” the servant asked Cole.
“Oh, sorry for my rudeness, I was just concerned for her safety with everything that has happened. I am a friend of Pierre's.”
“Yes, sorry Marlena, this is Cole, he helped me get here safely. He will be staying for the wedding and at least for a night I hope, to rest from our long journey, will you please draw a bath for him?”
“Of course monsieur.” Marlena replied.
Again Cole asked, “Where is his fiancé?”
“Um, she's upstairs, in the bridal suite preparing for the wedding.”
Cole began marching up the stairs.
“Um sir, you can't go in there, that's not the way to the bath!” Marlena called up after him.