1690
The night had grown colder and the ground had hardened with a frosty ice layer which crunched beneath Elizabeth Whyte’s feet. Across the moorland, the moon cast an eerie shadow as Elizabeth tightened the belt of her cherry red wool coat and was surprised to find herself feeling reassured by the figure of Grispheran who was standing with Hughie, close by.
The barguest howled and ran off into the distance. Elizabeth shook her head gently, her long blond hair flecked with freshly fallen snowflakes. “So much for magic stones,” she laughed softly. “Now what do we do?”
“It worked, Lass.” Hughie announced patiently as if speaking to a child. “We’re on t’other side.”
“We are?” Elizabeth asked incredulously. “Why does it look exactly the same?”
“Same place, different time,” answered Grispheran. “What’s happened to the others?” Elizabeth asked perplexed. She pulled up the collar of her coat as she spoke and fastened the top button with her black leather clad fingers.
Both Hughie and Elizabeth looked to Grispheran for an answer to her question. He shrugged nonchalantly.
The crunching of ice beneath feet brought all their attention to a female figure hurriedly scrambling over the moor towards them. Elizabeth recognised Gemma’s auburn hair and features.
What on earth is she wearing?
“It’s not Gemma,” Hughie said, changing his outward appearance to match the apparel Grispheran had adopted.
“What do you mean it’s not Gemma? I’d recognise her anywhere!” replied an exasperated Elizabeth.
***
Fear overcame Gracie as she noticed the trio of strangers standing by the Heyleigh Stones. She did not know whether to run to or from them. She thought about reaching for the magic pearl again and decided to leave it safely in her pocket. She would only take it out if she needed to use it, and next time she did, she would do it intentionally, and not cock it up like the last three times!
She needed to get help and fast. Heaven only knew what those men were intending to do with Bunny. She needed to get him freed and then get them both home safely before something else horrible happened again. Taking a deep breath, she approached the woman. She reminded Gracie of an angel.
PrevLabels: 1690s, Elizabeth, Refuge of Delayed Souls, Web Fiction |
Only a short one this week. I might post the next one early if there is enough demand for it.