A Grievous Error

In the sweatbox of her cabin in the late summer sunlight, Mireille profusely labored to re-enchant Lucien’s sapphire. Anxiously, Erin worked at three times her normal speed to complete both her and Mireille’s chores on the Nurse Homestead. Despite the exhaustion and the terror of the nights before, Erin ran on adrenaline and hoped that the vampires’ tumults would end quietly at dusk.

In her rushing, she accidentally spilled a bucket of water, and unfortunately for her it was at one of the feet of Abigail, one of the young mistresses of the Nurse household.

“Oh, Dear, Ms. Nurse, I am so sorry to have made such a grievous error in your presence,” Erin lamented, fearing the whipping she might endure.

Abigail, a girl maybe a year older than Erin, let out a small chuckle, “Do not trouble yourself over this, it is obvious from the yellowing that the grass needed to be quenched as much as you need the rest.”

“Thank you for your benevolence,” Erin exclaimed while bowing profusely. “But I assure you I have not worked enough to require rest yet.”

“Erin, do not pretend that we ladies of the house are daft. I’ve watched your work lately; you do twice to three times as much as most of the slave girls these days. Father says you could stand to do less since you only owe us board.”

Erin continued to bow, “Thank you Ms. Nurse, I truly appreciate the gratitude, and I will keep the recommendation in mind.”

“Well, since you only owe us board, perhaps you will consider attending the harvest festival tonight after dusk. Perhaps we could help you find a husband so you can start a life of your own,” Abigail said in a nonchalant, but not condescending tone.

Shit. Erin thought to herself. How did she forget that the end of Summer festival was tonight? She didn’t expect Remy to go berserk, but there was a chance for a massacre if things went poorly.

“Oh, thank you for the invitation Ms. Nurse. I have some duties to attend to with the slave girls at dusk, but once I’m finished I’ll be sure to come find you to pay my respects at the festival.

“Please do,” Abigail said, dismissing Erin to return to her existential struggle.

***

Moments before dusk, Mireille emerged from the cabin with the Sapphire in hand.

“It is done, Erin, and it is my best work,” she said with a scowl. “It’s a shame I had to waste something so impressive on a parasite.”

“Thank you and I’m sorry,” Erin said back hurriedly. “Let us make haste to the edge of the forest; away from the homestead and the festival ground.”

“Festival?” Mireille said inquisitively.

“Yes, I had an encounter with Miss Abigail who reminded me that the harvest festival was tonight…if the vampires were to attack—”

“You fool, Erin!” Mireille exploded. “This is why we do not make deals with parasites.”

“I’m sorry,” Erin muttered with her head down. “I will take the talisman and go to the forest alone. Please, take the other members of the coven and protect the homestead from the shadows.”

Mireille seethed with anger.

“Fine, dearie. I will honor your wish. I would prefer not to see you dead, but this mess is of your creation after all.”

As quickly as the last words left her lips, Mireille disappeared into the early shadows cast at sunset, leaving Erin to face her fate alone.

***

The sun had set by the time that Erin had reached the meeting spot at the edge of the forest. The familiar sounds of nature filled the air, but Erin could not shake her unease. She knew that Remy was already there, waiting, but she couldn’t tell if he was alone inside the darkness.

“Remy, I have come, and I have Lucien’s talisman.” Her voice echoed into the darkness of the forest.

The flame of Erin’s torch danced in the light summer’s breeze.

After a mere moment that felt like an eternity, the familiar frame with a glistening emerald emerged from the darkness, his pale skin the only thing visible in the shroud of darkness just beyond the light of her flames.

“Bold of you to come alone Little Witch, where is your ally, the Island Witch?” Remy’s voice was more hostile than she expected.

“Due to her apprehension around vampires, I told her to stay behind. I don’t want any more violence,” Erin called out, mostly telling the truth.

Remy quickly closed the distance between them, plucking the sapphire from her hand and inspecting it closely.

“Yes, the Island Witch did some amazing work on this. Thank you Erin,” he smiled. “I appreciate your honesty.”

In an instant his expression dropped as a creature darted past both of them.

“Isabeau! Stop!” He cried out to the unlistening mass.

His ally did not listen, nor did she stop to heed his call.

“This wasn’t part of the agreement!” Erin shrieked, turning to chase after her.

“I’m sorry,” Remy called out, chasing after her. “Let me help you catch up to her at least…”

In an instant Remy had scooped Erin into his arms as they both pursued Isabeau as she barreled toward the Nurse Homestead.