The Dream Weavers by Barbara Erskine (books you have to read txt) 📕

poisoner in her stead. I had the measure of that woman long ago and I was gone before the bane ever entered the mouth of the king.’

‘You knew she would kill him?’

Slowly Nesta nodded. ‘She did not mean that to happen, but she was a dealer in death. That was their destiny, hers to kill, his to die at her hand.’

‘And you. Where did you go?’

‘To Powys of course.’

Bea felt her attention sharpen. ‘Why?’

‘Was that not the seat of all her fears and woes and the place she left her heart? A man there turned her into a killer and I was curious to know how.’

‘Surely it was her father who turned her into a killer. And her mother.’

Nesta raised her face to the sunlight as it began to filter through the boughs of the trees above her head and smiled. ‘Whether it was in her blood or in her destiny, she learned her lesson well.’

‘And when you reached Powys, did you find Elise alive?’ Bea leaned forward eagerly. ‘Did you tell him about her?’

Nesta closed her eyes against the sun and smiled. ‘It was a long way to the kingdom of Powys. I had my own destiny to fulfil and first I had to avoid the men hunting me through the forests of Wessex and then on into the Forest of Dean between the Wye and the Severn rivers where I saw for the first time Offa’s great dyke looming on the hilltops as I fled like a hind into the shadows of my friends the trees.’

‘And you managed to escape,’ Bea whispered confidently. ‘You were a survivor.’

Nesta smiled. ‘I had friends in the woods, I told you. The plants and trees, the elves and goblins, the fairies and sprites; I knew where to hide, I knew where to find shelter and warmth by the fires of the charcoal burners and the forest dwellers, I knew how to spin myself a cloak of green as I headed north following the star paths in the sky.’

‘And you knew how to see me.’

Nesta glanced across at her. ‘Were you trying to hide?’

‘From Eadburh, yes.’

‘But you failed. Your magic is faulty, full of holes. And she is powerful. You should beware.’

‘Can you show me how to hide as I watch her.’

Nesta was thoughtful for a long moment. ‘Why do you want to watch her?’

Bea hesitated. ‘Her spirit is wandering the hillsides where she was happy with her prince. She calls for him endlessly, her voice echoing lonely and desolate, and I don’t know how to help her.’

‘Why should you be the one to help her?’

‘Because that’s my job. Because I can see the people others can’t, the people who are trapped on this earth. Because I have always wanted to give peace to unhappy souls.’

‘And that is why you live with a man of God and yet you hide from him and swathe the longings of your soul in dark cloaks of deception.’

Bea sat up, shocked. ‘No!’

‘No?’

Dark cloaks of deception. Bea recoiled at the words.

‘People call you witch.’ Nesta gave a rueful smile. ‘That word I think implies evil and brings fear as much to your time as to mine.’

‘So you know we are from different times.’

This time Nesta laughed out loud. ‘My dear, I am from the place between time and eternity.’

‘And you could help me. For the sake of Eadburh and for that young woman, Emma, up on the ridge where Eadburh and her prince made love. Please. Was it Emma’s destiny to be drawn into this story? I think not. I need to teach her, and I don’t know if I’m strong enough.’

‘All you need is courage.’ Nesta stood up slowly and bent to pick up her bundle. ‘I am not a teacher, I thread my way between the stars. I will tell you if I found y Tywysog Elisedd when the time is right. God speed.’ Bea watched her turn towards the shadows between the trees and in a few seconds she had disappeared. In the place where she had been sitting there was no trace of her, the grasses weren’t flattened, there were no footprints in the dew.

When Bea awoke, someone had covered her with a rug. She lay still, unable to collect her thoughts. Then slowly it came back. She had gone into a meditation with the scattered plants from Nesta’s basket. The woman had talked with her, a rational, informative dialogue, and then she had walked away into the forest.

She had fallen asleep on her cushion and dreamt, and Mark must have come up to look for her after his visit to the hospice. Slowly she sat up. It was still daylight outside the window. She scrambled to her feet and walked over to look out, still a little dazed. Her touchstone lay on the sill in a patch of warm sunlight. She looked down at it warily and then turned to look at the low table. The plants had gone, the empty paper bags lying where she had left them.

The house was empty, but there was a note on the kitchen table. Hope you had a good sleep. I’ll be back about 6 pm M x

The plants were not in the compost box on the draining board, nor were they in the rubbish bin. There was no sign of them. Mark must have taken them. She felt a quick flash of anger. He had no right.

The text from Heather came as a complete surprise. Are you at home and alone? Must see you urgently.

The quiet tap at the side door only a few minutes after her reply was like something out of a spy movie. With a quick look back over her shoulder, Heather followed Bea into the kitchen and carefully closed the door behind them. ‘It’s Sandra Bedford.’

‘Oh no.’

Bea’s weary response seemed to be all Heather needed to know.

‘So, she’s spoken to you?’

‘I think she’s stalking me.’

‘Oh yes.’ Heather set her mouth grimly. ‘She’s stalking you all right. She appears to think you