Chapter 37 Betrayal


    The door kicked in and bound and gagged with the very handkerchiefs she had once embroidered for her husband Elena. Tears of fear and confusion marred her face. Though her legs had scratches and her face was bruised she had never truly struggled except internally. Was this the man she had loved all these years? Or perhaps he was newly possessed. Surely he could not harm her. They had a child together, a home.


    The stale stench of brew filled the air. Miller cleared off his large grinding stone which he had been using as a table for lunch. “What have we here, the lady of lust? Will she not be missed?” His questions showed that he knew his company and was not alarmed by this odd behavior.


    Grandmother came in slowly, dragging a foot behind her. The arthritis in her knees gives her great pain since being forced to let in the cool rain. “The men lust with or without Elena before them. The spring mead still does its job well enough and I am tired of her incompetence with the raising of the child. More than once she has nearly been damaged.”


    “The child is not in her room, Mother.” Ivan shook Elena who had begun to struggle more once the conversation had turned to Rose. “Just before you summoned me I went to check on her, she was gone.”


    “You see!” Baba Yaga smashed the bird’s balled cage against the wall so it broke and she had the dove pinned amidst the various broken bits. “This is what troubles me. The girl has a will that continues to grow strong. Today it serves us for it allows us to do other things in her absence. Yet each day she risks herself with possible injury that would make her useless to me!”


    “I smell fine silk upon you.” The Dwarf scurried up, eyes greedy, “A familiar scent.”


    “Yes the ribbon, I thought it looked familiar.” Baba Yaga’s eyes narrowed, pulling out the tiniest bit of a burnt string. She held it up close to one eye.


    “Mistress, perhaps it is time for you to exchange the Red Rose for the White. She is of better resilience, is already trained to fight and for courts and her beauty is also quite rare.” Miller held out his hand and Baba Yaga dropped the ribbon into it. Quickly the little fellow pocketed it.


    “I do not know how my own spirit in her body would contend against that of an underworld beast. The battle would have an uncertain outcome.” She gestured and Ivan turned Elena around. Baba Yaga removed her white hood draping the garment over her own arm.


    “Humans on the other hand are silly creatures who rarely tap into their abilities. Often they are unaware or even afraid of their power.” She stroked the ancient robe of white passed down from deities long ago. The owner still lived and the possession of its power would go to her daughter after she died. Baba Yaga was not about to let that transfer begin, yet.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    “This one shall not be for eating then.” The dwarf frowned. Ivan threw Elena down on the great stone half circle as the Miller readied straps to hold down the maiden. The leather already had stains of blood upon it.


    Miller began taking out tools next to Elena’s face. Great spikes, curved knives and a file as well as a brush made of wire. To Baba Yaga he handed three tiny nails. To Ivan a hammer, Elena watched as they nailed the helpless dove to the wall in front of her by its wings. Baba Yaga stabbed the last nail into Elena’s heel, twisting it while she screamed through her gag. After withdrawing it the witch began to chant over the dove holding the little iron covered in blood.


    As Baba Yaga did this, terrible pains swept through Elena as a smelly breath whispered in her face. “I can spare you of this torture to come. I could even free you. Your daughter seems something of value. Give her to me and you live.” It was of course Miller who spoke, picking up and examining his glinting file. They looked at each other through the corners of their eyes. His was a smug look, his enjoyment of pain clear while her face was full of the opposite expression.


    Through the terrible draining sensations and spasms of muscle Elena found her strength. She may not be able to protect Rose any longer and this thought alone was enough to frighten her out of her wits. Yet she would not willingly hand her over to this monster not even for freedom from this tormenting hell. To the little man’s disappointment she shook her head.


    He himself was startled when Ivan picked him up by the throat. “He means to betray you Mother!” Ivan held the gagging man till his feet dangled.


    “Of course, it is his curse. He betrayed his kind by opening up portals to the nether worlds so now he must betray every master he serves. He betrayed Lady Spring by giving her secrets to the Kotschey. He then betrayed the Kotschey to me. When he will betray me is uncertain but I know because I hold things of value to him it will not be today.”


    She was enjoying her work slowly pressing the nail into the rapidly beating heart of the bird. Elena began to scream and scream. Baba Yaga watched with pleasure as the dove’s breathing as well as Elena’s ceased and started as one. Ivan dropped the little man at a gesture.


    “Still continue to watch him as he works and report back to me. Have her ready by nightfall.” Baba Yaga began to head for the door and Miller fell before her feet, eager to reassure her.


    “Mistress, you will not stay and watch yourself? You usually enjoy such things.”


    “My part is done, and I must call off my dog or my dinner will be spoiled.” Miller looked at Ivan confused.


    “She is hungry and the fat little bridesmaids have ripened.” Ivan shrugged.


    “Ah,” The dwarf arose brushing off his knees, “Then I don’t want any. Their spirits are poor and they are sour creatures; at least their flesh will be enjoyable.”


    Baba Yaga nodded in agreement while she looked to Elena with beady eyes. “And for you my pet I have a special treat.” She called back over her shoulder before slamming the door. “Have her ready by nightfall!”