The Witch of Mordach

A hushed silence fell upon the hall, some averted their eyes while crossing themselves while others stared in morbid fascination. The temperature in the hall had dropped considerably and people could be seen shivering and pulling their coats closer as their breaths became visible plumes of vapor issuing from their mouths.

The black robed figure made it's way slowly toward the throne, the long black cloak and hood concealing whoever was underneath but it did nothing to hide the menacing aura that emanated from beneath the cloak.

Reaching the throne, a pair of slender, white hands emerged from the folds of the cloak to slowly peel back the hood revealing a woman with flaming red hair and sparkling emerald green eyes. Her high cheekbones and full red lips would have rendered her beauty unrivaled if not for the scars that crawled like unruly vines across one side of her face. But even under the shapeless cloak, the loose folds clung suggestively to her comely figure.

"Morag", muttered the King, his voice barely audible even in the silent hall.

Morag gave an exaggerated bow before lifting her head, a small smirk dancing mischievously upon her lips.

"Well there's nothing you can say now that could be any worse than what has already been said. So.....speak!" said the King, looking at her with undisguised distate.

Morag continued to snigger at the King before turning her gaze to Princess Serena, her voice low and seductive like a lover's secret caress, "Princess Serena must be wed to the Vampire King else the Kingdom of Mordach will burn..... but.....this marriage will not be like any other and it will not be what you think". Her gaze swung back to the King as she uttered these last words.

"What do you mean?" Queen Eire asked the witch.

Morag looked at the Queen as if seeing her for the first time before replying, "You will see"

Suddenly the lights in the hall flickered momentarily and then went out plunging the room into darkness as another icy blast of wind howled through the hall causing the doors to slam shut. The lights blazed bright once again and blinking in confusion, everyone glanced warily around the hall, only to see that the witch, Morag was gone.

The witch, Morag, was well known throughout the Kingdom of Mordach but none dared to speak against her nor cause her any harm. No one knew from whence she came or where she went after she appeared. Her appearances were always brief and she only appeared at pivotal moments throughout the kingdom's history. None knew for certain when she first appeared or how long she had been appearing but her countenance was always the same with no signs of the ravages of time. She swore allegiance to no king and always delivered her insight without explanation or excuse. Her appearance did not ever bode well and was always followed by a dire prophecy that would be fulfilled should her warnings go unheeded. Her appearance this night was much the same as every other.

After Morag had left, the people in the hall began to speak again as if the sound of their voices could somehow dispel the gloom that still clung to the walls of the hall.

Serena was still, looking at the place where Morag had previously stood only moments earlier. She tried to perceive the look that had been in Morag's eyes as she spoke to her but she couldn't be entirely certain. Serena thought that she had seen a fleeting look of malice in those enchanting green eyes and she unconsciously shuddered at the memory.

Pushing these thoughts aside and turning to face the King, Serena waited for his decision. By now everyone in the hall was looking expectantly at the King, as they waited.

After several minutes had passed, the King stood up and gazing around the hall, his eyes unable to disguise the pain, he spoke, "I, King Kerrigan Conroy of Mordach, offer as an alliance to the Vampire Kingdom, my daughter, Princess Serena's hand in marriage to the Vampire King. Send the messengers at once!"

Following his announcement, his shoulders visibly sagging in defeat and his face pale and haggard, the King, walking slowly down the steps from where he had been seated, retreated quietly through a door behind the throne.

Seeing her father leave the hall and sensing his need to be alone, Serena took her mother's hand and led her out of the hall and upstairs to her chambers. Alone together, in the quiet of her bed chamber, Queen Eire let the tears she had been holding back, slip silently down her face. Unable to find the words to comfort her, Serena held her in arms until her tears gradually subsided.

"There must be another way", said Queen Eire, wiping away her tears.

"There is none", Serena replied flatly.

"We can find one"

"There is no more time....we must accept what is to be. My life is not more important than the lives of everyone here and there is no certainty that I will be killed.", Serena spoke with more confidence than she felt.

"Oh Serena....I wish for the Vampire King to find you as lovely and courageous as we know you to be and treat you as much", her mother's voice was so tender and hopeful that Serena wished, with all her heart, that she was right.

Shortly after, Serena left the Queen and walked to her chambers, wanting to be alone with her thoughts for a while. She didn't know how much time she had left and she wanted to be prepared. Reaching her chambers and stepping inside, she quickly shut the door and went to stand outside on the balcony. She gazed at the landscape below as if trying to imprint the image in her mind in case this was the last time she would see it.

Some time later, her maid entered her chambers and began preparing her bath, Serena sighed heavily and turned, walking back into her room.

After bathing and dressing, Serena sat at her dressing table as her maid, Sonsie, brushed her hair. Sonsie had been her maid since she was a child and being older than her was oftentimes prone to treating the princess as a younger sister. She felt a pang of sadness when she thought that she would leave and never see her again. Only now did she begin to understand the consequences of her decision and she felt the weight heavy upon her heart.

A sharp knocking interrupted her thoughts and Sonsie quickly moved to open the door. The servant stood just outside the door, speaking in a low voice while Sonsie only nodded in agreement once or twice before slowly closing the door.

"What is it?", Serena questioned as a cold feeling of dread crept into the pit of her stomach.

"The Vampire King is sending his Commander General for you. The carriage will be here at midnight", her voice was strained and she avoided looking at her.

Serena nodded slowly, she had anticipated that she would be leaving sooner rather than later but not this soon. She felt a wave of panic threatening to overwhelm her at the certain knowledge that these were to be the last hours of her old life before they would be discarded forever. In an effort to calm her nerves, she breathed deeply and forced herself to her feet as she squared her shoulders.

"Come now Sonsie, we have much to prepare for my journey and not sufficient time. Let us not waste any more time"

"But Your Highness...", Sonsie whimpered, her voice heavy with emotion.

Serena glanced sharply at the maid, her eyes narrowing, "Gather yourself Sonsie, I need you now more than ever"