to struggle then, terrified they’d take the sacred knife from her, and she moved so suddenly that Gefrin lost his grip. She managed to wriggle free and stood with her knees slightly bent, eyeing all three like a cornered animal ready to launch into flight.
‘Don’t even think about it!’ warned Sweyn, edging closer to cut off her retreat. But she did. With a sudden sideways leap she darted off, jinking across the grass with the three young men hot on her heels. There was a moment when she thought she might get away but it was short lived – she didn’t stand a chance against them. Jay brought her down hard, launching himself into a tackle that knocked her flying. He landed squarely on top of her, crushing her so she couldn’t breathe, and laughed triumphantly.
‘Any other girl lying under me on the grass at Moon Fullness would be fair game,’ he said, his breath wafting over her in foul waves. ‘But this one – eugh! She’s got to be the ugliest girl at Stonewylde and she’s more like a boy than a girl. So not tonight, darling – sorry to disappoint you.’
He shifted his weight and pushed himself off her, still pinning her arms to the ground.
‘I’d kill myself before I went with scum like you!’ she hissed. ‘You stink like a torn cat and you’ve all the wit of a farmyard animal. I’m not into bestiality – sorry to disappoint you.’
With a swift swipe he clouted her hard around the side of the head so she saw violent colours and her skull rang with noises.
‘Bitch!’ he spat. ‘Don’t you speak to me like that!’
‘No!’ cried Sweyn. ‘For goddess’ sake, don’t hit her hard or there’ll be proof.’
‘Never hit her very hard,’ added Gefrin. ‘You got to do things that don’t leave marks.’
They dragged Leveret to her feet and took her back to the fire that still smouldered under the chestnut tree.
‘I’ll search her,’ said Jay, eyes still dark with anger at the way she’d insulted him. He’d never been spoken to like that before, enjoying a certain elevation amongst his peers. The fact that it had come from such a small, young girl only made it worse. He wrenched her cloak open and began to frisk her roughly, deliberately poking her hard and offensively.
‘Get your hands off me!’ she growled through clenched teeth. ‘I’ll tell Yul that you’ve assaulted me.’
He jabbed her ribs at this.
‘Don’t flatter yourself! You got the most disgusting body I ever seen. Nobody in their right mind would assault you, you ugly little bitch. And Yul wouldn’t believe you anyway.’
He’d found nothing, of course, but then her cloak fell to the floor and he saw the way she glanced at it.
‘There’s something in her cloak!’ he said triumphantly, whisking it off the ground, and when she began to struggle in Sweyn’s grip they knew he was right. She closed her eyes in sorrow, knowing they’d desecrate the precious gathering knife. Finding the big pocket sewn inside the cloak, Jay rummaged and then pulled out the flaxen bag with a flourish and a whoop of delight. Sweyn and Gefrin laughed in anticipation and all three crowded round the torchlight to see inside the bag.
‘Mistletoe!’ he exclaimed incredulously. ‘Is that it?’
Her heart sank as he turned again to the pocket; she knew the knife was nestling in there, tucked into the seam. But after groping around inside, he shook his head.
‘That’s it.’
‘This is good!’ said Sweyn. ‘She’s been out on her roaming again, gathering things. Fancies herself as a bit of a witch, does our Hare-brain, and Mother told us she wants to be the new Wise Woman. Competition for Old Violet!’
‘Mother’ll go mad with her!’ said Gefrin gleefully, following his brother’s train of thought. ‘Lev’ll be in big trouble now!’
‘Yeah, just when Mother thought she could trust her little girl too. She’s going to be so angry and disappointed when we tell her.’
To her dismay Leveret burst into tears at this, sobbing but unable to hide her face in her hands for they were pinned behind her by Sweyn. He jeered as she cried, and the others joined him in his mockery.
‘Pathetic little cry-baby!’ said Gefrin. ‘Just like you’ve always been.’
‘Was that a bit close to the truth, Leveret?’ laughed Sweyn. ‘I think we should get her back to the Barn right now, boys, and let Mother see what sort of a daughter she’s got.’
‘What, and that’s it? Aren’t we going to do anything to