Chapter 46: The Bluffs

The sharp edges of mountains came into view through the thick clouds, their black tips shearing the sky. “Are those the Bluffs?” Saffron asked aloud, her eyes tracing the jagged range.
“They are. Æðelfrið said we would know we have arrived when we see the mountain that looks like a rook,” Elric replied, his thoughts clear even as they soared through the darkening sky. Saffron peered down and shouted, her hand outstretched.
“There!” Breaking through the overcast sky, a mountain rose above them, its relief the shape of a large rook’s beak.
“I see it,” Elric thought and shifted his wings slightly, sending them up towards the large mountain peak. They did a few arcs around the mountaintop before coasting onto a large overhang. The rock was worn smooth; Saffron surmised that it was from dragons landing similarly to how they were. She wondered how many dragons lived here at the hold. The thought of being surrounded by these magnificent creatures sent an icy thrill through her.
Elric noticed the change in her body and turned to look at her over his shoulder. “Are you alright?” he asked. She shook her head.
“It just suddenly hit me how very human I am,” she replied and nervously chewed on her bottom lip.
“I will let no harm come to you,” he replied and she lay a hand against his warm neck.
“I know,” she replied quietly.
“And neither will I,” a deep voice called from within the dark cavern. Saffron and Elric raised their eyes to watch the elderly man walked towards them. Age had not bent his back and he was tall, taller even than Elric. He wore his hair similar to Elric’s; long and below his shoulders. His hair was a deep, rich brown with a few strands of grey threaded throughout it.
His shoulders were broad and his gait steady as he walked towards him. Only the lines around his sharp green eyes, so much like Elric’s, belied his age. Saffron felt as if she were looking into a mirror that told of the future.
Two women followed behind him. They were both beautiful in an unearthly way. The older woman walked at the man’s elbow. She too wore her hair unbound and long. Its burgundy richness danced around her waist. Her eyes were a shocking white but she had a serene smile on her face.
The younger woman looked nearly identical to the other, though, her face was less lined and her eyes were the same green as the man’s. Her hair was braided and a darker red than the other woman’s. She was not smiling but instead scowled at them as they approached.
“You must be Maeve’s son. You have our eyes,” the man said.
“I am. You must be Havardr,” Elric replied, his voice projecting into their thoughts. The man inclined his head.
“I am. And you are?”
“I am Elric and this is my future bride, Saffron,”
“Well met. This is my wife Oda and my daughter, Sarah,” he replied and gestured to the women who both nodded their heads in greeting. “Welcome to Scarwood Hold.”
Saffron climbed down from Elric’s back and followed them into the cavern. She gasped as they walked into a large castle, carved into the side of the mountain. Saffron had expected a small dwelling but this was massive. People milled about, their voices echoing off of the stone walls. It was simple and yet magnificent. Torches peeked from every available ledge, giving the castle a cozy, intimate feeling.
The people they passed watched them with interest and without malice. Saffron noticed scales that glittered against their skin as they passed beneath the candlelight. She marveled at the freedom they had here, not bothering to fully shift into either form. She was also surprised at the sheer amount of citizens. She wondered how Elric felt to be thrust amongst his kin.
They were lead into a small room off of the main hallway. Saffron noticed that even though it was small it was still large enough to accommodate Elric’s form. Havardr took a seat at a large wooden table and his family flanked him. Saffron sat opposite with Elric at her side.
“So, why are you here, after all of these years?” he asked evenly, his eyes boring into Elric’s.
Elric told him of the past few months and the lingering curse that forbade him to shift.
“Dark magic you say? I haven’t encountered that in many years.” He replied and shifted back into his chair. “Oda?” he said and glanced towards his wife who was gazing at them with her eerie white eyes.
She stared at Elric for a long moment before her eyes locked on Saffron. She smiled slightly and took her husband’s hand. “What do you see?” he asked her.
“The curse is deep and it is strong. This Ishild you speak of… she is more powerful than any sorceress I have come across. I only see darkness around her. Whatever shred of her that was left after the daemon took her soul is long gone”
“Is there a way to break it?” Saffron asked.
Oda nodded slowly. “It can be, yes. But only light can drive out the darkness.”
“What does that mean?” Saffron questioned impatiently.
“It means you, dear. You are a white witch. It is your white magic that can erase the dark.”