The Pond - Part 34

Izolda tried to anticipate where and when the next attack from the rusalka would occur, but once again things were quiet for a time. She found herself jumping at shadows. She, who feared nothing now feared . . . everything. It was not a feeling she wished to cultivate.

What happened to that girl who had been so fired with ambition? That Izolda would never have found herself in such a position. She would have continued to hone her skills and never allowed an enemy to catch her unawares. But she had attained everything she’d desired and grown complacent with it. The girl she had been would have sneered at the woman she was now.

Much of her time was spent in her work room, spending equal time strengthening the protections on Dmitri and Nikolai and trying to break the hold the rusalka had on Nikolai. If she could weaken it sufficiently, she might be able to persuade him it was time to leave. Though spirits like the rusalka could not be trusted, this one had not lied when she said her power was greater than Izolda’s. She was not able to break the spell.

Using the bones, she tried to at least see where the next attack might come from, but the bones told her nothing. In the dark of the new moon she sacrificed a chicken and read the future in its entrails, but it only pointed to impending doom, not what form the doom would take.

Life went on. Nikolai took Dmitri with him to the mill each day to teach him the workings of it. Izolda made sure they had a hearty breakfast, then locked herself in her workroom to experiment with new spells. Sometimes she walked along the forest paths in search of special plants.

Though she was growing frustrated, she was not growing discouraged. At the same time, she couldn’t help worry what the rusalka was going to do next. Every time there was lull in the troubles it seemed the creature followed up by causing an even greater grief.

Izolda insisted that they have dinner together each night, even though Dmitri and Nikolai tended to talk about work throughout the meal. But it was good that business was picking up again.

“With the extra money from this new order, we can make some improvements to the mill,” Dmitri said eagerly.

“You have a new order?” Izolda asked, trying to show an interest. “This is wonderful news.”

“Yes, and it is thanks to Mikhail.”

“Mikhail?” she repeated, with a quick glance at Nikolai.

“We were right to send him to the city for an education,” Nikolai said. “He was in a position to recommend us for a large, government contract.”

“Then he has done even better than we thought he would,” Izolda said. “And he will continue to do well.”

“I think it is time that he returns to his rightful place,” Nikolai told her.

She felt a shiver of apprehension go up her spine. “But surely he has more to learn.” She touched his arm.

Nikolai frowned. “It is something to think about.”

Though he let the subject drop, the feeling of dread continued to expand in Izola’s mind. Something was in the offing. Perhaps it was the idea of Mikhail returning, but she thought it was something else. Something bigger.

With this new order, Dimitri and Nikolai spent more and more time at the mill. Izolda tried to dissuade them from working so hard, but they would not listen to her.

“Did you not say, just two nights ago, that the mill is in need of repair?”

“That is what the profit from this order will be used for,” Nikolai said. “As long as the wheel keeps turning, we will fine. We have never had such a big order, the mill is being used at its full capacity.”

Privately, Izolda wondered how long the mill could keep going at such a rate. Though she knew little of the inner workings of the sawmill, she heard the mutterings of the workers. It was not a reassuring sound.

Her fears were realized two days later when her work was interrupted by a loud clanging. She hurried from the house towards the sound, towards the river where she could see black smoke coming from the mill. Just as she reached it, there was a cracking sound, and a gout of flame erupted from the building.

A crowd was already gathered, those who had been in the building distinguished by their soot-covered clothing. Izolda searched the crowd until she saw Nikolai’s tall form.

“Thank heavens you are safe,” she said. Something wasn’t right though. She grasped his arm. “Where is Dmitri?”