Preys and Predator Part II; the monster and witches' Chapter 25

 

25.

Ernest was giving up. He had sought the legal means to detain Ms. Moritz, but the release letter came from the city. He had followed up, but Ms. Moritz was given her freedom. He was upset then. He had known that Ms. Moritz was a guest of the family, but she never appeared for dinner, nor did most of the other guests. His Tata was open to friends and associates to stay at the mansion, but Ernest had not seen all of them.

Ernest hobbled to the cabinet, which he holds the key to. He unlocked it and looked at the contents. Inside was the picture of his mother taken with the father. It was the picture that his Tata detested, but Mother cherished it. She gave it to Ernest to keep.

Those were not the items kept by Ernest.

There was the small, narrow case next to the picture frame. It was his mother’s.

There was a mini-Pentacle, or paten, a disc-shaped altar consecration tool with a sigil, or magical symbol, engraved or inscribed upon it. The most common symbol is a pentagram within a circle. The disc is symbolic of the element of earth. It is typically used during evocation as a symbol that blesses items, as well as magically energizing that which is placed upon it. Next to it was the athame, the carving knife, black-handled and usually inscribed in the Theban alphabet. It is used to direct energy for the casting of magic circles, controlling spirits, and other ritual purposes. The term "Athame" originates from words found in two historical copies of the Key of Solomon.

There was the wand, symbolic of the element of air or fire. It can be made from any material, including wood, metal, and rock, and Wiccan wands are sometimes set with gemstones or crystals. It was to summon certain spirits with whom it would not be meet to use the athame.

There was the chalice, or goblet, ritually in use as the symbol of the element of water.

The palm-sized cauldron was at the side of the case. It is often used for making brews like oils and incense-burning and can be used to hold candles. The fire is often lit within the vessel, and the flames are leaped over as a simple fertility rite or at the end of a handfasting. If filled with water, a cauldron can be used for scrying. It plays a large role in Celtic magic in a similar fashion to that of Cerridwen's cauldron.

That was all Ernest inherited from his mother.

It was enough for him to summon his mother.

Ernest took out the pentacle and added some herbs he collected into it. He had the fire set over it and called up the rites to summon his mother.

“What ails you, my son?” Annabelle appeared as an apparition. “We can help.”

Lissa was seen next to the mother. They both looked like how Ernest remembered them.

“William is dead. He was…”

“We know. His face was disfigured ……. He was also cut open. Like a monster.” Lissa said.

“The cutting was by Victor. He had to do it as a mortician. And William is not a monster. He was killed by one. And her name is Justine Moritz.” Ernest burst out in tears. “She is the twat here.”

“No, my son. Do not accuse her. She is not whom you sought. You must find the monster who killed him.”

“Why do you protect her, mother?” Ernest was angry. “Was it she with Victor? I do not like him. He is a recluse.”

“Say no bad things of your brother, Ernest. He is doing great works.” Annabelle defended Victor.

“I will and do.” Ernest looked at his mother. “He never loved you. He hated you because of me. You loved me more. He said it so. It was William who told him off. William said we are all loved. But Victor was not to accept it. I hate him.”

“Son, why do you summon us?” Annabelle moved to shift the subject.

“I want to punish the lady who killed my brother. Show me the ways. The old ways.”

“I cannot. Victor is protected by another, more powerful than us. He is … His workplace is not open to us. We cannot go there. She protects him. She will do so until she gets what she wanted.” Annabelle sighed. “I cannot say more of this. It is the coven oath not to tell on another.”

“If you cannot, or will not, then I will find my own ways to get the answer. Goodbye, mother.” Ernest put out the fire over the herbs. He placed the item back in the case and closed the cabinet door. He heard the knock on his door.

It was Maple.

She had come to wash him. She locked the door and approached the table to place the bowl and towels. Ernest stood there, and then he spoke.

“Maple, are you with your blood?”

“Yes, Master Ernest.” Maple was embarrassed being asked. He thought for a while if the scent of the blood was in her dress. “I just started.”

“Bend over the table. I will take you from the rear.” Ernest voiced out.

“Master Ernest, it is ... inappropriate. I am …” Maple protested. “I am…”

“You can have the whole purse. I will pay you all the coins needed.” Ernest had removed his breeches. “Do it, vixen.”

“I …” Maple was pushed to the table and bent over. She felt the pull on her dress and then was pushed face down.

“Master Ernest, I am …” It was not heeded, and the virgins were cumbersome in their initial efforts. Ernest had studied the methods from the volumes but never felt the need to do it till then. Maple was not much of a help there, for she was keeping herself for her love, which at that weak moment was sided towards the young master.

Ernest fumbled and then got it done. They had their first consummation. It was painless and quick. The master withdrew and had the towel wiped to collect the blood and his seed. He hobbled back and then buttoned his breeches. Maple collected herself and then looked at the master.

“Was I …” Maple was to ask.

“Take your coins and leave. I want to be alone.” Ernest looked at the towel in his hands. Maple then, in tears over the rejection, left the chamber without the coins and bowl. She was upset and ashamed.

Ernest opened the cabinet, and from the case, he took the wand. He set the wand over the bloodied towel and called on the spell he had then recalled.

“Beelzebub, I called thee. The blood of the pure beckons thee.”

Purity was the essence of innocence.

Justine washed the grime and dried blood from her body. She had scrubbed her skin thoroughly with the cloth she had. She left no clefts or parts untouched.

“It is a violation to my soul and body.” Justine was murmuring then. The soiled dressing gown and nightdress, worn since her arrest, were discarded to be burnt later. She wanted nothing left from that day. The water in the washing bowl was clear earlier, but during the wash, it became murky. She tossed the towel in there, unable to touch it anymore.

The knock was on the door. Justine was surprised to get any visitors unless it was the authorities to re-arrest her.

“Go away. I am unwell,” Justine called out.

“Justine, it is me, Elizabeth. I want to see you. Please.”

“Go away!” Justine was not keen to meet anyone, but Elizabeth was insistent. Justice got dressed and then admitted her friend.

“It will take only a short time. How are you? Do you need anything? I can…”

“It is okay, Liz. I am fine. I just need to rest.”

“You are free. Victor’s report reached the authorities, and based on the findings, you are released. You could not have done the injuries.” Elizabeth came out with the direct points. “We are so …”

“Happy, Liz? William …” Justine’s recollection was still vague. “He …”

“It is over, Justine.” Elizabeth reached out towards Justine, but the latter stepped away.

“We were friends, Liz. Good friends. I would never …” Justine had flashes of William and then of Henry.

“Henry was there.” Justine sighed. “He was there.” 

“Henry? What did you remember?” Elizabeth read of it in her studies; amnesia, the condition, was an inability to recall important personal information that would not typically be lost with ordinary forgetting. It was often triggered by trauma or severe stress.

“I … There was one other there. Yes, I was... I saw William.” Justine looked towards Elizabeth. “He came at me. He was mad. He was to … have his way on me. I fought him off, but he …”

“Slow down, Justine.” Elizabeth held onto Justine’s hands.

“He was strong… yes, stronger. I had pushed, but he was tearing at my gown.” Justine looked away. “I scratched his face. I am not sure.”

“Take it slow. Was Henry there?”

“Henry? Yes ... I cannot remember. It happened so fast. One moment, I was on the ground, and the next William was dragged off me. I had a glimpse of another hitting William. They fought, and then William was still on the ground.”

“Was it Henry?”

“I do not know. It was dark. Maybe it was a bear… or a huge dog. It was without any clothes. It was bare.” Justine cried. “I was scared.”

“A monster it was.” Justine murmured.