The Nymph of Black Forest

Derek’s POV ~

Twice we have fought rogues. The first time, they flew from the woodline and attacked our vehicles. Rhiannon asked the earth to trap them..and vines, roots and tree branches held them back. The second time, they had felled a tree..and it was lying across the road. And Rhiannon is the one who made the call for open combat. No one hurts her creatures! And she cried that they had cut the tree down.

We stopped the trucks and all of us bailed out..ready to fight. Twenty men lunged from the woodline. Rhiannon didn’t hesitate… she jumped straight into the fray. A knife in one hand..a hatchet in the other. She spun and twisted..landing blow after blow.. weakening the rogue she was attacking. She is quick..yet not one movement is made in haste. She’s efficient and calculating..knowing just where to strike for maximum damage. Within minutes, we had achieved victory..and fifteen men lay dead, the others running off.

The rest of the journey was without incident. Arriving at the apothecary, Rhiannon ran for the back door. The shop looked abandoned to me. The front door boarded up. The shutters pulled over the windows. The front steps appeared charred.. as if something had burned there. I raced to the back..intent on finding my mate.. It is obvious something bad has happened here, and not knowing the nature of the danger, I refuse to take chances.

Rhiannon is on a sofa, her arms around a frail looking, white haired woman.. soothing her..sending a calming aura into the room. She whispers “Tell me, Adele. Who did this?” My eyes snap to the woman and it is then, that I notice, she is bruised and broken. Adele speaks in a hoarse voice..indicating she had been choked..”They came in the night. I knew they were searching for you. Being an oracle, is useless…to the Oracle.. we are not gifted with inner sight. We cannot know when harm will come to us..only others. Derek, be a dear and start the kettle for tea, would you?” And I startle..realizing she knows my name.

“Three men.. searching the prophecy… and knowing I am the only oracle in this part of the world, they came for information. Not too particular how they extracted it, let me tell you! One man..seemed to be in charge. The other two held me down, he beat me.. broke my fingers.. choked me. I kept repeating one thing ‘I cannot tell what I do not know. I have had to come into contact with the prophet before I can identify them’ Every time he caused me pain..that is what I uttered. After several hours, he seemed convinced I don’t know. As they were leaving, I had waddled toward the door, grabbing the mixture of scotch broom, gas plant, acacia, and eucalyptus you made for me and bombed the leader on the front steps. It pleased my old heart watching him incinerated in front of my eyes. The boy across the street boarded my door, as I locked the shutters in place.”

Rhiannon asked “When did they do this? Dahlia only arrived this morning, with your note.” Adele chuckled, as Rhiannon set tea cups in front of us..going to the cupboard and bringing jars of different teas out..adding honey and cream to the table. The kettle whistled and she poured water into our cups. Handing a cup to Adele, she whispered “Here..moon flower tea” Adele took the cup, sipping gently then spoke “They came night before last. I slept most of yesterday..sending the mourning dove out..early in the afternoon.” I nodded..telling her “We are bringing you home with us, Adele. It isn’t safe for you here, right now” She nodded “It is for the best. I have much to tell you. And I must speak with your King. His entire line is in danger.”

Rhiannon moved around the cottage..efficiently and effectively..packing bags… grabbing whatever Adele said she needed..what she absolutely couldn’t be without. And the cat! Let’s not forget the cat! I was informed. “He is a bit of a dick. Opinionated..objectionable..and perpetually cranky. But he’s a good cat. His name is Dexter.” And I hear Rhiannon arguing with him in the kitchen “Oh yes you will get your furry ass in the carryall! And I am warning you, Dexter..one time..once.. I catch you with a mouse in your mouth..and I will crate you permanently! The mice are not your treats!” Adele giggles “They always argue. He tests her patience! But he adores her..and he generally listens to her.” I chuckle “How long have you known Rhiannon?” And she answers “Since she was first conceived “

By the time we had loaded up, and back on the road, Adele looked much better. Her bones had knitted back in place..and the bruises faded. She tells us to take the North road and circle back east. They are watching the route we came from. That’s a handy dandy little gift she has there! Rhiannon told her to nap.. there is plenty of time for talking once we are home.

I called Edward, informing him we had information..and he told us he did too. The archivists had unconvered a few interesting details. Adele had told me to let him know that traveling outside the kingdom, right now, is too dangerous for his family. So I told him we will FaceTime for the time being. No use inciting violence, until it’s time to declare war.

I pulled Rhiannon onto my lap..needing to feel her peace. Adele was resting.. and Monty asks “So..a cat now? Is he psychic..or something else equally cool?” Rhia giggles “More like psycho!” And we heard him hiss at her from his carryall. She snaps “Shut up! You thrive on being an asshole, and you know it! I only suffer your existence because Adele loves you! And nope! Don’t give a shit you’re her familiar! She’ll have another once you’re gone!” And again, the cat growls lowly and hisses.. saying Goddess knows what to Rhiannon “You bit me! That’s why you have to stay in the carryall! You have no one to blame but yourself! You BIT me! And I have warned you about it! You’re lucky you aren’t in the other truck! I just didn’t think it fair to those poor men to put up with your attitude!” And Monty is barely holding it together..while I’m biting my lips, trying not to laugh.

Arriving home.. we unload the trucks..taking everything to the room assigned to Adele.. Rhiannon let her sleep, while we took care of getting her room situated. And she let Dexter out..with a strict, admonishing “Behave!” Then she went out to the truck..gently shaking Adele awake. Supporting her, as they walked, because Adele was still a little shaky. We entered the foyer..and Rhiannon pointed out the dining hall..the direction to the library and the conference room.. then walked toward the stairs. Shawn and Sadie had just come down and were standing at the foot. I introduced them to Adele, and she shook Shawn’s hand. She placed her hand on Sadie’s stomach and said “Ohhh! A boy! How lovely!” And walked with Rhiannon to her room.