The woman was breathing very lightly as if her life could fade any second.
'Is she somehow related to Ivy? Is she unable to see? Why were those witches treating her so harshly and what were they talking about?Who the hell is Ivy?' Ceris was more confused with Ivy's identity or connection with the coven.
Looking around, the living situation seemed to be the worst. How could she find a cure to treat the woman in such circumstances? Her kindness didn't let the wounded be left alone so she patted the woman's hand and smiled.
When Ceris was about to free her hand, it was grabbed tightly. The woman was only shaking her head.
"Sigh, what a scene my lady!! I was asleep for a few days and you are already in trouble because of your kind acts. Why can't you mind your own business?" a cat grumbled sitting on Ceris' shoulder.
"Eri, you are back. I was so nervous without you and still haven't found Ivy. Do you know that Ivy seems to be a witch?" Ceris was happy with the cat's arrival.
"Oh!!" The curious one acted to be disinterested.
"Babes, you told me that you would have a long rest but within some days you seemed to be energetic, are you really alright?"
"Nah, all good. Maybe the arrival in this fantasy land could heal me faster." There was another reason for her speedy recovery but Eri promised someone not to disclose its existence so stay quiet.
The woman didn't notice Eri's presence. Both were communicating through mind link.
"Who do you think this old woman is? Where could Ivy be? Why don't I roam around with my small body, hehe?" Eri tried her best to divert Ceris attention.
"Yeah, you have to do that…Umm, Eri I think this woman or witch whatever, needs help. Let's bring her out too." As expected the lady's attention shifted.
"You are too much…Ahh…Do as you want. I will look out and inform you." The cat walked away.
The woman was still grabbing Ceris's hand so patting and calming her, Ceris tried to bring the woman out but the woman shook her head and whispered some words with difficulty.
Two hours later,
In the hall, a pool of blood was spilled all over with dead bodies piled, some others were hurt while some were enjoying the show. A witch beside the throne announced Jane as the leader of the coven. With some formalities, Jane ascended to the throne.
"Coven leader, are you forgetting something?" A man covered in cloak asked.
As Jane sat, she chuckled"Hehe…my dear guests!! Have patience." Clapping her hands,"Bring the gifts" Jane announced.
The injured were held back as three covered cages were placed in the middle of the hall. Everyone's attention was attached to it.
"Hehe…These are the promised goods. Thank you all for the help to win over the throne of the coven. I will personally visit your leader soon." Jane toasted a glass of wine and gulped down.
The men in cloak were silent for a while , gazing at the cages. No one could guess their thoughts.
Laughing out loud, the same cloaked man spoke,"I have to thank you instead for the gift. It's your day, so we better take our leave. Hope, it's as promised."
Without waiting for Jane's reply, those men walked out pushing the cages. Most witches in the hall didn't know what was inside the cage as it was covered.
Unaware of whatever was happening inside the castle, carefully and with caution Ceris left the underground room as per Eri's instructions.
As Ceris reached the hall, the cloaked men stepped out of the hall.
"Ce…I…I can smell Ivy's blood, lightly in the air. She should have been here before."
"Really?? Eri, you follow the smell and try to figure out her situation until then I will find the situation in the hall. Something isn't right here and I have to sneak without anyone noticing us."
As their task, both got busy. Not finding any clue inside the castle, Eri left the castle while Ceris stayed back. Within a few minutes, Ceris somehow understood the situation in the hall. The security was very tight with magic crafts so to escape was a bit risky, had to wait for the opportunity.
Eri, on other hand, used her powerful dog like nose and found the source of the smell to be in one of the cages that the cloaked men were taking back.
One by one, Eri, with her small body, entered the cages. One of the cages was filled with medical plants, food and other goods but the remaining two…had few unconscious girls, witches or better to say slaves.
In the middle cage, only three girls were kept. One out of three was the most wounded, her breath was very slow as if she wouldn't live longer.
Slowly, without anyone noticing, Eri reached the girls but disappointed to find that none were Ivy, with irritation Eri looked at the wounded girl for a while and slowly approached. The smell of blood was much thicker but her appearance was messy. A cut was formed in the girl's face so Eri assumed that wasn't Ivy but as she was about to leave stumbled on something. Looking carefully, Eri figured out that the cage was double layered. Someone was present at the lower case.
Eri and Ceris, despite their distance, were communicating their findings.
As the sun was to rise, Eastland was preparing a celebration for their new leader. Few disapproved and moved out of Eastland quietly. No one seemed to notice that the cage before had been filled with their younger ones.
Using the opportunity, Ceris slipped out. In her foot, she walked towards the direction where the cages were taken.
Eri changed her size and entered the lower case, mouth was taped while the arms and legs were tied, only two pieces of cloth were left on the person's body which were filled with scars; old and new. Not having the courage to look more, Eri urged Ceris.