Isobel Bird - Circle of Three 05 by In the Dreaming

Author:In the Dreaming
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

Annie stood and followed Robin Hood. She couldn’t help but wonder how she’d become involved in the ritual in the first place. Had someone really selected her? If so, who? Was it someone from the Coven of the Green Wood, or someone from Crones’ Circle? Why would they pick her? These questions filled her head as she and Robin walked across the clearing and into the woods, following the departing Oak King.

In the woods, Annie saw that there was another tent set up. Like the one she’d found the king in, this one was made out of yellow and orange material. As they went inside, Annie reflected on the fact that whoever had staged the ceremony had gone through a lot of trouble.

Inside the tent, she found several other people. They sat the Oak King in a chair and began to do various things to him. Some washed his hands and face with water from a bowl. Others combed his hair and beard and tied them with yellow and red ribbons.

“What are we supposed to do?” Annie whispered to Robin.

“Wait until he commands us,” Robin said softly.

The attendants fussed over the king for a while, grooming him and bringing him new robes to put on. These were made of beautiful yellow satin embroidered all over with red and orange swirls that reminded Annie of suns. When he turned and stood before Annie and Robin he seemed to glow. He looked younger and stronger than he had all evening. Gazing at him, Annie couldn’t believe that anyone thought he would lose in a battle.

“My brother will be here shortly,” the king said. “I will not have time to speak with you again once things begin. I want to thank you both for your service to me—Robin during my reign, and you, little hedgehog, on this most important of nights.”

“It was my pleasure, my lord,” said Robin. “I look forward to serving you again upon your return.”

The Oak King turned to Annie. “I hope to see you again as well someday,” he said. “You have been most brave.”

“I haven’t done anything,” Annie said.

“But you have,” said the Oak King. “You allowed yourself to face a great fear. That is a very brave thing indeed.”

Annie knew that he was talking about the deaths of her parents. But she hadn’t faced that, and she certainly didn’t feel brave. Still, she didn’t want to contradict the king.

“Soon I will face my brother,” the king continued. “And I will die.”

“No,” Annie said suddenly. “Don’t say that.” She was surprised at her outburst, but as she stood looking at the faces of the king and Robin, both of whom were watching her with interest, she realized that she didn’t want the Oak King to die, even if it was just a game. He was so handsome and so kind. She didn’t want to think of him dead. It would remind her too much of her father and that sometimes she wanted more than anything for him to hold her again and tell her that everything was okay.

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