Elspeth

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis

Early 18th century, Loth, Scotland. A time fraught with fear, as witch trials subdued for years return.

In Elspeth’s community, women were often the target of these accusations. Now twelve,

Elspeth learns that she is a witch – like her mother – and with it comes a life that will bring them great loss.

Journeying to the Highlands, they follow an omen through a path of dark visions and danger. Soon, Elspeth will need to prove her worth in battles both internal and external. But in a world dictated by fear, can she win the biggest conflict she has ever faced, and take back what she thought was lost forever?

Excerpt

In the passin’ weeks, the days came and went, slowly, cautiously and at times seemed to have stopped altogether. Our normal day-to-day lives was spent in an orb of darkness and utter decay. Loth’s disease was that of insecurity, mistrust, and hate. Whatever came into our once pleasant village, now made it a livin’ hell. I ached deep inside. In a place that I never knew existed until….

We never left the house unless we had to and when we did go outside, I ne’er looked at anyone, and didna speak to passersby. I gave them no reason to ask questions, but I wanted to ask. I wanted to know what happened to my Da. They knew. All of them. Anger is somethin’ I didna want to ever know, but now it was my best friend. Bram kept me company most days. He knew, as did we, that we werena safe. It’s funny ye know, well, not in the sense that one might laugh, but funny that my whole life, I felt part of this tiny village. That the people were genuinely kind and helpful, that they appreciated everythin’ my family did for them.

“Bunch of knobdobbers the lot of them,” I said under my breath. That soothed my broken heart some. Sayin’ it to their faces would be better. One day I will, I promise Da. We stayed close to the house. I didna know how long we were goin’ to manage. Our food supply was short. We had no meat… thanks to them. Ye see, on that day, not only was Da gone but so was our flock. So, mother and I ate mostly vegetables, soups, and bread. We ate just enough to keep our energy, but at night, while in bed, my stomach would growl and I’d stuff my pillow hard against it so that mother would not hear. If she did, she’d make me eat and I couldna.

Nightmares

Nightmares. They haunt me while I sleep. I toss and turn and when I wake, my shift is stuck to my skin that is damp. I hate it. I hate this, my life. There is no more happiness in our home. Mother doesna hum songs like she used to. She goes about in a dream. Lifeless. Often, I see her at the window. I dinna know who or what she is lookin’ for, I guess Da. It’s the only thing that keeps her goin’. The hope. I’ve gone to doin’ mostly everythin’ now. Every day she has gotten worse. I’ve had to make her eat. She’s gotten so thin. I’m afraid she will die on me. I dinna think I can handle that. Not her too.

Every noise she hears makes her jump and starts into a panic.

“Mother, it was just me broom. It fell. Ye canna do this anymore. Ye got to know that Da is ne’er comin’ back. If ye don’t, I’m afraid Mother. I’m afraid that ye’ll forget me and stay in this dream world of yers.” I started to giggle a wee bit. “Look who’s tellin’ ye to stop dreamin’. That is a funny one no?”

She didna say anythin’ to that, but just stare through me, as if I didna exist. My heart, already broken, will never be at peace. Not now, nor ever. Not wi’ my mother bein’ this way. I’m so afraid. So afraid.

One day, I canna remember when, but mother’s head was all minced. Lately, that’s all she ever is. I havena been able to rest. Worried that she’ll go out and ne’er come back or she’ll hurt herself. I dinna know what to do anymore. I talk to Bram. It helps. He’ll cock his head to the side, as if, he didna understand, then ruffle his feathers soon after. He understood then. I’ve figured that much out about him. He is a great comfort to me. Anyway, mother wanted to cast a protection spell on me. I wasna sure if I should trust her, as she hasna been quite right, but how could I say no. So, I agreed.

“I fear for yer life, so I want to do a spell that will protect ye.”

“What about ye?”

“Dinna worry about that right now. We need to work fast. We dinna have much time.”

She scared me. Are the people comin’ to get us both any day now? And if so, for what? We’ve kept to ourselves. Practically starvin’ ourselves as well! This whole thing made me angry. They’d been many times where I wanted to go out to the middle of Loth and give them a piece of my mind. Can ye imagine how that would go over? Aye. I can. Not verra well either, but at this time, I didna care anymore.

Mother had everythin’ ready. From herbs to oils, candles, blessed water and salt. I went over to the table to look over all that she prepared. One thought came to my mind, when did she do all this? I picked up a white candle, and she had inscribed wi’ the thorn symbol. For protection. Another candle, a black one that had been made from tree bark, had the Eh symbol. For a safe journey. Did she know somethin’ I didna know?

The Secret Plan

“Why the Eh symbol? Am I goin’ somewhere?”

“Aye. If anythin’ happens to us, ye are goin’ to be able to leave and live yer life out.” Then continued to prepare for the spell.

“Mother, I am not leavin’ ye behind. No. So, ye can just forget it.”

As quick as I’ve ne’er seen her move, her hands clutched both my arms. Tightly. She looked into my face wi’ such sternness. I thought she be mad at me.

“Ye will do this Elspeth. I dinna want to hear nothin’ more.”

“But . . .”

“Nothin’.”

She released me and began the spell. With the white and black candle in hand, she rubbed them with Rosemary oil.

“Thorn for protection.”

After that, she picked up the Black candle.

“Eh for a safe journey.”

Each candle, in their own holder, she lit the white one.

“The flame from this candle is to protect from any harm.”

Afterward, she lit the black one.

“The flame burns for safety.”

When she was done wi’ them, she had made a pouch and placed inside Anise, protection; two lodestones to draw in good energies and prevent bad energies. Then, on a small piece of cloth, she poured Frankincense oil.

“Frankincense to hold them together as my will, so mote it be.”

Wi’ thread and a needle she sewed up the pouch.

“Herbs and lodestones help me; protect Elspeth wi’ yer energies. Keep her safe from any harm; for as I will, so mote it be.”

Soon afterward, she passed the pouch through the Elementals. “Be empowered by Elemental Earth.” She sprinkled salt upon it. “By Elemental Air.” She passed it through the smoke of a lit sage bundle. “By Elemental Fire.” She passed it quickly through the flames of both candles. “By Elemental Water.” Then, sprinkled blessed water onto the pouch. “Protect Elspeth from harm and danger. So mote it be.”

“Keep this wi’ ye at all times. Dinna let anyone see it. I’m goin’ to rest. I’m verra tired.”

“Thank ye Mother.”

As she turned and walked over to her bed, my mind was already settled. I would not leave her if the time came. I would stay by her side.

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/4DKoGd

Sue’s Interview on this site: https://writeanygenre.com/2026/03/01/sue-mydliak-2/

Since Sue’s Interview covers her series, I’ve posted the combined image here.