Chapter Twenty Two

The tension between the Stanzolio men is very thick. It is so thick that someone can cut it with a knife. All five of them are sitting in the living space as they plan the rescue mission. Mary and Emery are still oblivious about the previous fight the night before. But that doesn't matter. They have to find Mariaisabella, Mariaisabelle, and Maria before it is too late, and time is running out.

Emery did fulfill Mary's favor and brought their book. This is something that Emery and Mary have been trying to decipher. It is an old relic that lives in the village's archive. It is written with an unknown signary from Northern Africa. But when Mary opens it, the unknown symbols morph into eligible Italian. This makes her smile as she excitedly reads through.

Mary, unlike her sisters, is gifted with extraordinary intelligence. She has been learning how to read since the age of two. The child still has an innocent view of the world, despite her father's cruel beatings.

Her fascination for books expands to the ideas that contain them. She wants more than the life that she has been destined for. Now that she's the enchantress' disciple, she has much to learn. But, she feels like she has to keep it a secret.

Something itches inside that say that this will come in handy.

As Mary continues reading the now deciphered book, she encountered a very colorful page. It has swirls and pearls of yellow and orange in its frame. But the thing that sets it apart is the title that read:

'Sortilege in the Gales'

"Everyone, I have discovered a prophecy," Mary exclaims. This catches the attention of the men as they all turn to face her.

"Well, what does it entail?" Emerenzian asks. Mary continues to read it and becomes more fascinated. She then looks up and smiles.

"It is a prophecy that the enchantress wrote herself," They all gasps at Mary's answer. She looks down before reading the words out loud.

"This family that I see, shall also encounter mine.

It shall happen with a young girl with beautiful curls.

She will have diamond eyes, bright with light.

And will encounter a twin with a fire in his eyes

And a boy with black eyes, dark as the night

Will encounter the other whose eyes are as blue as ice.

The boy will have parents who have been betrayed

And the girl with parents whose partners are dead

If this encounter is not done.

Then this family will have to bear the loss of a son," As Mary reads out the prophecy, an unknown source of light beckons from its pages. The Stanzolio men marvel as witness the scene. They feel a heavenly aura flow through them as every line is read.

Once Mary is done, the Stanzolio men are all transfixed on the little girl. She closes the book, places her palm against the book, and sighs. It seems Josselin is not going to be kind to them. They need to fulfill this prophecy. Otherwise, someone will die.

"Mary, how do we rescue your mother and sisters?" Emeren asks. The little girl shrugs, but she is considering his question. The only plausible way into the castle is through her father's staff. That seems to be the only way to infiltrate the castle. The only problem is transport.

But Mary already has that covered.

"I have a plan, but I will tell you on our way. Emerenziano. We need a carriage to get us to the castle. Are you willing to find someone to take us there?" Mary asks. The man nods and she smiles.

"Emery, come with me. I have to go back home and get some important things. Everyone else, go with your father to get the carriage. Then meet me and Emery and at the front of my home," Mary commands. Everyone nods, and they immediately get to work.

~

Less than one day has gone by, and the home already looks so eerie. Both Mary and Emery enter the home and go inside her room. As they walk, Mary can feel the lingering memories from the previous night. The poor girl forcefully wipes away a tear as they rummage through her belongings.

Finally, they find what they're looking for; a compass and a map of the Italian counties. From what her mother told the girls on the night they escaped, their home is a few miles away from their father's loft. If she can find the building, then she will easily find the path to the castle.

Emery lays a hand on Mary's shoulder. Even though he is a mute, Mary knows that he is comforting her. The two children smile as they hear trotting in the distance. Excitement fills them as they both rush outside of the house.

There, Emerenziano is riding a horse with an open wagon. Luckily, there is a tarp covering it in case it gets cold at night. Mary cannot help but focus on the stranger sitting next to the farmer. They stop at the front of the house, and the stranger gets off.

"Ah, Mariaisabella's youngest daughter. I have heard so much about you and how smart you are. I am Stallone, the horse keeper in this town," Mary nods and firmly shakes his hand. The older man laughs about how serious the little girl looks. Emerenziano's laugh is heard in the background.

"I will be looking after Emerenziano's farm while you are gone. I expect you all to return with my horse within three months, understand?" Stallone says with a firm tone. Mary is not fazed and nods. He then smiles, tips his hat at Emerenziano, and walks off.

Everyone on the premises prepares for the long trip ahead. They take all of the food in the chest, pack some warm clothes and blankets for the night, gather some hay for the horse, and some tinder for cooking. By the time they are finished, the sun has set.

Mary is scared. Her mother and sisters are in danger, and time is not on her side. But, the little bookworm is prepared to face her father again.

And with the book in her hands, they ride off to the Cattivo castle.