Templar Knight: A Witch Spell

by jangeo Pinkerton

excerpt

Chapter Fourteen

All Hallows Eve
1302 October 31

Twilight, on All Hallows Eve, Sir Bret the meritorious knight stood on the hill near his cottage. Lo, he loved standing on the hill looking about at the countryside. He closed his eyes and once again the strange feeling about Briana overpowered him. The celebrations were already beginning for Samhain, and for some reason there was unpleasantness drifting through the evening air.

He remembered Alpin’s warning the night before. Harboring such thoughts, Bret wanted to stay in a sober mood. But could he? All Hallows EveNhis birthdayNand the new wine all awaited him. He imagined the wizard was at his cottage studying his divination, and natural magick of the heavens and earth. Alpin’s voice went through Bret’s mind now. “Beware, on this night, the veil between the physical world and spiritual world will be at its thinnest.” Bret felt the presence of someone, then heard the man’s voice again. “‘Tis known among the ancients that on the night of Samhain, the dead walks through the veil to enter our world.” Alpin said, appearing magically beside Bret.

Josephus walked up, carrying two silver goblets, a small platter of pastry, and two skins of sack draped over his shoulder. He handed Bret a goblet. “Why all this talk of the dead, Magick Man? Have the spirits got you restless on this eve?" He bit into a strawberry tart with his strong white teeth and stood chewing the soft fruit and pastry, while Bret reached for the other tart. Bret laughed as best he could, while chewing the delicious pastry. He reached for the skin of sack to pour some wine. “’Tis nothing here to concern spirits. Nay, Magick Man. The dead have no business here,” he said, with confidence. “Agreed my knightNbut demons and devils do! Indeed they do! They are always busy, going about to stir things up, wicked things,” the wizard said, looking up into the sky. He pointed to the heavens with his staff, causing the blue crystal ball at the tip to light up suddenly. Roman, his dog stood barking loudly. “Aye, a sign from the Merlin! See before you now, a sign of great trepidation!”

Bret and Josephus looked up into the sky at the wizard’s request, and saw only the first star of the night breaking through the dim sky to reveal its tiny light. “’Tis the first star wizard. Nothing more,” Bret assured him, reaching for another pastry.

“Nay, Sir Knight. ‘Tis the last star of the night appearing as the first. ‘Tis not Phosphorus, the evening star. Nay, this is the last star to appear on the night skyNand lo there!” The wizard took a breath. “The Dog Star, Sirius, moves beside it now. Can you not see this?” he asked, with wonder. “Oh, dear me, the whole land of Egypt will be out of order this night.” The wizard’s eyes grew big with wonder, and his voice trembled. “This night is hexed, and I fear this whole village is cursed.” Alpin the Wizard, turned swiftly and clutched his staff tightly. “I must make haste to the cottage to act upon me alchemy. I fear the witch Zarelda is behind this,” he said walking away. “Oh, indeed she is.”

“By the Greek gods!” Josephus declared, with his mouth full of pastry.

“Fear not,” Bret assured the anxious man. “Alpin loves to be surrounded by his written works and chemical mixtures.” Bret laughed now. “’Twill make his evening more exciting.”

But when Bret turned slowly to face the tiny twinkling stars, he felt a sudden knot tighten inside his gut. What was Zarelda up to now? he wondered. Nevertheless, she was not that powerful. Bret doubted she could handle more than a few simple love potions, if any, or could she?

Josephus spoke as if he could read his kinsman’s mind. “Remember that night at Zarelda’s cottage? A demon, in the form of some dark spirit was summoned up.”

About the Author

jangeo Pinkerton is a husband and wife team with published articles, short stories and the Templar Knight novel series. Their work has been seen in newspapers, newsletters, magazines online and print and one of their short stories was published in Chicken Soup for the Nurses’ Soul.

Born with a love for books, and writing at an early age, this husband and wife have combined their talents to write as a team. They are constantly researching ancient and American history, children’s literature and their remarkable family history, which includes Robert-the-Bruce, The Lady Mary Bruce and the Pinkerton's of the Pinkerton Detective Agency.

Jan attended a community college, a private women's college, and graduated nursing school. Geo operates his own contractors business in their Virginia mountain community. jangeo Pinkerton is a proud member of the Clan Colville Society, and the Clan Bruce International Society.

Visit the author’s website at:
www.jangeo.us
www.authorsden.com/jangeopinkerton

Contact Author: jangeo@planetcomm.net