RMW
Chapter Eleven
Sidonia's Deadly Decision
~SV~
Blackstone Castle’s Gate, Midnight, 677, 27th, October
Loyalty to Anthony keeps Donatello from reacting violently, to Tik’s dagger. Blackmailing him, Tik gets a sickening grin, “If I am at risk, I will see that they dig a grave for you as well. I will tell Anthony you lied to me when I asked after the letter that I saw you passing to a stranger. I will also tell the High Lord, that I suspect this relationship is at your behest, you started these notes with your fiend. I saw you conversing with him often.” Donatello is doomed.
Her guard remains silent and feels gut kicked by his threats. No matter how hard he tries to do the right thing, he senses it will get him killed, one of these nights. Once Captain Tik releases him, Donatello becomes mist, going to her room. He hears Sidonia trying her door, he mists under, saying, “Kolo is trying to take you.” She wakes and nearly screams, “How do you know him?” He sighs, “You left out the South Gate, were in a trance, and said his name.”
She groans, “Grekan stopped me from going to him at sunset, I assumed I was weak willed. Then I nearly went again; I blamed myself thinking, I foolishly accepted that it was safer to agree, it will stop his threats, and I will not have to face these dark consequences. And now, I only dreamt I was in my garden.” He replies, “No. I brought you back inside; it is a blood connection.” She gasps, “I fear it is both. And I cannot deny him when asleep, nor protect myself!”
Donatello feels it will be easier if he tells Tik and her, but he keeps Anthony’s confidence, “You involved me in your deceit with this fiend. If I am to help you, I need you to tell me all of it.” She taunts herself, “At first, it was a childish game, to go see him. Then I feared his reasons for not daring to ask father. I now learned, he has the ability of fire, is able to change his image, and claims he hears if his name is said. I regret all; yet it is too late to undo it.” He nods.
She gasps, “If I say too much it will only make it all worse. Oh, you are bleeding!” He states, “A gift from Tik. I already healed.” Sidonia pleads, “I am sorry, I never meant to get you in trouble.” Darkly, Donatello chuckles, “I have a talent for doing that all on my own.” She groans, “My choices were a deadly decision.”
~*~
Mystical Realm, Grandess Destiny’s Palace, 677, 27th, October
Grandess of the Dark Realm, Lilith, had stood near the gateway and heard Anthony’s conversation with Viktor. She now inquires of Destiny, with a tone of contempt, “Was that Anthony and his men whom I saw earlier, using your Dark Gateway to enter?” Destiny hesitates. However, she realizes it is pointless to deny it.
Fate, who is Destiny’s twin, and the Grandess of the Human Realm, brightens at this, “I was not aware Anthony is here; he is such a help.” Destiny decides to be vague, “Yes, his Highness King Anthony sent a request, asking to enter my realm; one here requires him to mediate an issue.” Lilith sneers, “I would never agree.”
Destiny says dismissively, “I have no such reasons, nor need to create trouble where none is called for.” Grandess Trinity smiles, “I am glad Anthony is willing to come, who asked for him?” Destiny sighs, “It is a Dark Elf of the Banned Continent. I hate to admit that I hesitate to send even my men there.” Trinity nods, “Few are willing to risk it.” This gives Lilith a grin, looking for a way to use this.
~*~
Gray Desert Kingdom, After Midnight, 677, 27th, October
The Dark Elf Desert King is weary of trying to negotiate with King Bailey and calls for a break. As Haldir goes toward his rooms to speak with his ailing wife; his advisor whispers, “I do not see the advantage of asking for the Vampires to be here, they have hardly said a word. They could at least offer some suggestions, or push for what you are asking for. Maybe you should tell them to leave, sire.”
King Haldir dismisses his concerns, “They were perfect, I do not want them interfering. I am mostly using them, as a visual threat, and they are keeping Bailey nervous. It is working, while he might not have agreed to all of my demands yet, he no longer pushes his.”
~*~
Blackstone Castle, Dawn, 677, 27th, October
Princess Sidonia wakes, seeing that Donatello has stayed. He says, “I know there is more. You need to tell it all to someone. If you choose to trust me, I promise not to judge.” Leaving her key, he becomes a light blue fog, exiting under the door. Sidonia dresses, then heads to the library. The Human Guard, Furlif runs up, thrusting a note at her. The Oracle has never spoken to this guard, his aura disturbs her. Furlif, angrily hisses, “I want nothing to do with this!”
His furious look causes her to fear. Assuming, Furlif comes closer, “I am agreeable to doing other things with you.” The girl’s brows come together in disbelief of what he might be suggesting. He sees what he thinks is confusion. Furlif looks Sidonia up and down, making her mentally and physically ill, as the image of his thoughts of her laying with him come to her. She has no question of his demeaning suggestion, gasping, “Absolutely not!” Furlif glares.
Clenching his jaw with hatred, as if the Princess made the insulting remark; Furlif flees in humiliation. Sidonia is relieved, yet dismayed, feeling she handled it poorly. Under the circumstances, her response was rather mild, for part of her wants to do more to him for insulting her. Still, astonished, she watches him go; just as Viktor runs out of the dining room, barely avoiding Furlif. Prince Viktor rushes outside to hide in the garden’s shrub maze.
The Human Guard, runs into the hall chasing after the Prince. Grunt is large, unable to slow in time, he plows into Furlif. It sends the smaller man flying into the wall, knocking Furlif out, he slumps to the floor. Grunt yells after the fleeing Prince, “I will find you, later!” The Princess orders, “Do not touch the Prince! You only tell me, if Viktor misbehaves. What has he done to anger you, into threatening him?” He makes the sound he is nicknamed for, a grunt.
He picks Furlif up, nodding to her before carrying him out; Sidonia worries for her brother. Grekan sees Sidonia enters looking right. The Librarian smacks his forehead, with a disappointed gasp, “I completely forgot to unlock your door.” She looks to her left, as a mist comes in on her right; she bolts the door. He wonders at her paranoia and expects Sidonia’s anger; Grekan says, “No one has come in yet. How did you get out of your locked room without me?”
Sidonia lifts the chain she is wearing, revealing a key, and replies, “I recalled this one.” He sees the note, and groans, “I hope your dreams were sweet. Mine caused me to re-live the Harrowing, on Skull Island. Let me guess, you got an angry note from Kolo?” Princess Sidonia gasps in horror, and she demands, “You forgot your vow so soon!” The Librarian shrugs, “You said his name here last night and he did not come. The light of day has me more doubtful.”
The dark girl glares, “What! Why?” Chuckling, Grekan explains, “It frankly seems quite silly. Surely it is another lie, to keep you quiet.” She takes his disbelief personally, “You doubt me? Why would I lie? Do you recall, you lectured me about the danger all the way to his house?” He reassures, “No, I trust he told you that and you have every right to be terrified. It is a good thing you did not listen to me, because now we know he is a liar. You are free of him.”
Sidonia scolds, “Hardly. He said ‘if I even whisper his name he will know and shall come to kill everyone!’ How dare you risk it and me?” He states, “It is my habit to think logically. We said it all the time and he never came; it is likely another lie.” She glares, he worries, “I admit my theory may be wrong.” She retorts, “Yes. Risk our lives just so you can test if it is true or not! Clearly you have a death wish, I do not.” He groans, “Oh, I should have remembered!”
Grekan fears, “I stopped you from going to the gate, just last evening.” She fumes about her friend’s other thoughts, “You are correct, he did lie about no powers. I saw his fire twice; it is not a trick of the mind! Father never listed vampire powers. I never asked! I have witnessed some. Yet I try to never speak of it nor reveal my father’s powers, or anyone else’s. Except the Evil One, I owe him no loyalty and it is about saving us!” Grekan grumbles, “Stop it!”
He adds, “My thoughts were private.” Sidonia scolds, “Oh, when the Evil One threw fire at the chair, the impact burst it into pieces and set it aflame. We have little hope of surviving it!” Grekan admits, “Yes, clearly you are right. It is foolish of me when I cannot protect you from him or fire, please forgive me. This is all more dangerous than I am use to.” Pacing, she whispers, “Even worse, now Donatello is involved, and knows more than I intended.”
Grekan does not sound sorry, as the Scribe mutters his taunt, “And that would be your fault for asking him to pass the foolish notes between you and the Evil One.” The Oracle scowls, “Do not mock me! I accept I caused it. I did not intend for him to be in danger. How did he learn-.” She feels someone is watching; looking around suspiciously. He mocks, “You did not read, his mind?” She says, “He found me sleepwalking last night and was in my room-.”
Cutting in, the Clerk shouts, “The Evil One?” She rolls her eyes, “No, my guard! He saw me outside the garden gate. Donatello brought me back in, and watched me the rest of the night.” Grekan chuckles, “Smart.” Sitting, she hisses, “It is not funny. And yes, I read his thoughts, enough to trust him with my notes. I am certain he will go after the Evil One if I am not careful.” Grekan snorts, “Good, it will end this nightmare.” She fumes, “Do you really think so?”
She scolds, “Can Donatello survive fire?” He sighs, “No,” The dark girl still scolds, “As capable as he appears, Donatello has only been a vampire a few decades. I doubt anyone can withstand the Evil One’s power. He wants me to confide in him. If I tell him too much, I fear Donatello will be in more danger. If I cause him harm or death, it will haunt me!” Grekan comes to pat her shoulder saying, “I am sorry, it has become so dire. I wish I could do more.”
A tear falls, as Sidonia admits, “I was not just sleepwalking. Donatello saw the Evil One compelling me to come to him; so he did come!” Grekan tries to ease into it, “Not to upset you nor to be crude, just tell me I am wrong… our Evil One cannot bring you to him, unless he has shared- and compelled-.” Sidonia’s eyes go wide at this new darkly haunting realization. She moans, “Donatello said, blood connection, I did not think of- oh, how did I drink his blood?”
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The Princess gasps, “Surely, I would remember that; he must have tricked me!” Grekan sighs, “I am afraid he did. He likely compelled you to drink his-, he drank your blood too, then commanded you to forget-.” She groans, “No, I am certain he cannot compel me. Oh, I feared it was more than my own bad decisions, yet I denied it, so certain my blood was stronger, than his abilities. Yet a ‘Blood Connection is the only way he can call me against my will!”
Silent tears escape as the Dark Princess whispers, “I knew it yesterday evening, yet refused to believe it. I should have listened to her; Samala told me to never trust any male.” The Clerk scoffs, “That is not fair. You can trust me, your father, and Viktor, even your guard.” She nods; he asks, “Is that the foe’s note?” She huffs, “Furlif thrust it at me saying he wants nothing to do with it. Furlif added what he is willing to do with me.” Grekan frowns at this.
Her tone shows it bothers her, as the dark girl adds, “I am disgusted, and astounded he thinks I would. The look Furlif gave me was as if I were hexed and will cause his death if he comes too close. Yet he did step nearer and had the nerve to suggest we could be intimate!” The Scribe hisses, “How dare he!” She scolds, “Yet, both you and my guard have thought I am intimate, when I have yet to even desire it!” Grekan groans, taking the note from her hand.
He tries to explain, “I just thought-, well you are pretty-. I am sorry.” Sidonia glares, “It does not mean I will choose to do it before I even fall in love.” Grekan nods; she adds, “I told Furlif no; perhaps too forcibly, as he is now furious with me! I thought he might be violent; fortunately, Furlif just ran off. Yet, I feel cursed by his accusation and violated by his invitation.” He mutters, “That rotten swine. I have a mind to tell him so.” She says, “Do not do it, please.”
Sidonia groans, “I have put you at risk, having you help me look for the book; do not seek more. He got his consequences, Grunt ran into him, knocking Furlif out.” Grekan chuckles, getting her a drink, and feels guilt for assuming she was intimate with the Evil One. Sidonia accepts it, drinking with a faraway look. She says, “I put you, my family, and Donatello in grave danger; I worry what may happen.” Starting to fill his cup; Grekan stops, realizing.
The Librarian sees his mistake, whipping around to stop her; he gets a look of horror as she is already drinking it. He worries it will upset her; saying, “You needed my help to find the book.” She sighs, “You are a true friend.” Grekan blushes, feeling more guilt, “I may fail, yet will always try to help you.” Pouring his own cup, he sees her finish the drink. He stresses over confessing it; fearing it shall only make it worse. Sidonia catches him staring.
She groans, “Do you think his blood will cause me to harm you? If you are afraid, I will leave.” Trying to laugh, Grekan sounds terrified and tells her, “It is not that. I, a made ah, a mistake. Please do not be angry with me.” She has a weary tone, “Do not make me read your mind. I am too exhausted to want to try.” The Librarian sighs, “I accidentally poured your drink from Anthony’s decanter.” She looks at the two carafes, “I am certain they are both my fathers.”
Grekan explains, “It was Anthony’s blend… the one that is mostly blood.” Her eyes go wide; she looks at her empty cup and chokes, “Are you serious?” He nods, the Dark Princess’s laugh is grim; it unnerves him. Foolishly, he says, “I guess it explains how you drank it, if the Evil One cannot compel you. He gave you his blood, in a drink.” Sidonia nears a tearful breakdown; realizing, “My Dhampirica blood wants it.” He opens the letter with his dagger.
Annoyed that he made it worse, Grekan says, “I will read his note.” He shivers, at her dark whisper, “I did not notice the taste, and I do feel better. I fear it means I drank his blood months ago and it is causing Viktor’s and my hair movements!” The Clerk asks, “Why?” She admits, “I saw the Evil One’s hair move. I tried to believe it was a typical power; but I got it from his blood.” Grekan asks, “How did Viktor get his blood?” She says, “I caused it, helping the Evil One.”
She groans, “I gave Mum a cursed necklace; it let the Evil One attack her in our garden. Afterwards Samala’s hair moved; since she was pregnant with Viktor, it is why his hair sways. That event is why Father put the barrier in place.” Grekan gasps, “If she was pregnant, you were only-!” Sidonia sighs, “Three. I forgot about it; then had a dream-vision recalling it all.” He groans, “Surely, you never knew it was a cursed necklace.” He reads the note; gasping.
Worrying, she scoffs, “You are supposed to read it aloud.” Grekan nods, “I was sparing you, but you do need to hear this. The threat is less veiled, it is rather intimidating.”
Dear little Princess,
By now, you should realize I know your last correspondence was misleading. What a ‘Wicked Girl ‘ you are. Surely, you understand that only I, can say when it is over, and you will always need me. I expect an immediate and honest response, this time, of when I shall see you. Any further delay of coming to me, with what I asked for, will have dark consequences for you and others you love.
You will not forgive yourself if someone who is dear to you suffers for your thoughtlessness. If you do not arrive by sundown tonight, with what you promised to give me, I shall assume someone is holding you against your will and they pressured you into sending those lies. Trust that I will free you from them, by my own methods and they will not interfere with you ever again. Accept that I always have your survival in mind. Only I, am willing, to ensure you a long life.
Forever Your Devoted One
~*~
Fate, brings up Anthony again, “He finds all evil magic for me.” Lilith, Grandess of the Dark Realm’s anger at him bursts, “Hail the conquering hero, when will his reign finally end?” Ethereal, the Grandess of the Shade Realm tries to change the topic, unwittingly making it worse, “His daughter shows great promise as an Oracle. I will gladly use her to seek stray souls, when her first life ends.”
Destiny, Grandess of the Mystical Realm glares, “You mean Princess Sidonia Vlasac? I have plans for her since she is under my rule; what has her time being written so soon?” Ethereal shakes her head, “No, I have not seen her death. Yet, she is no longer in your realm.” Grandess Fate, of the Human Realm perks up, “So she is in mine? It will be nice to make use of her to seek evil magic.”
Ethereal sees her mistake; she answers, “Yes, she is currently in the Human Realm.” Destiny mocks her twin, “That is what you are using Anthony for; you do not need her, too.” Ignoring Destiny, Fate says to all, “It appears I am the lucky one. If you choose to bid on Sidonia, I might entertain the idea of letting her go after a decade, if it is a satisfactory offering.” Ethereal sighs, “If she is willing, I hoped to just share her skills.” Purgatory smirks, “Except when she dies, Sidonia will do time in Nifl, my realm, not any of yours.”
This takes the grins as well as hope from Fate, Destiny, and especially Ethereal who is upset she caused Sidonia to become their pawn. Trinity, Serenity, and Justice, of the Heaven Realms look at each other with disapproval of the others’ games. Fate says, “Anthony should have told me; when did she enter my realm?” Ethereal replies, “I believe it was nearly a year ago.”
Grandess Hel of the Human Prison Realm, gives her twin Purgatory a dark look of envy, then she smiles at Fate, “I think I have a worthy trade for Sidonia.” Purgatory glares at Hel for plotting to steal the Oracle and fumes, “She is mine, and I am not sharing her with you, no matter what you offer! You will have to wait.”
Grandess of the God Realm, Trinity, has heard enough so she sternly says, “Purgatory, you are assuming the Oracle, Sidonia Vlasac will be guilty and worthy of Nifl. I happen to know she will not be. Hel, her mystical level is not under your domain.” They understand their mistake, of letting the Heaven Realm Grandesses be aware of their desire to use the Oracle.
They give angry glares at each other for ruining their fun, and taking a worthy jewel from them. Ethereal sighs, “I was only trying to make conversation.” Destiny moans, “I did hope I could make use of her before she left my realm.” Trinity sees that the three Prison Realm Satans are still plotting. She shakes her head at Purgatory, Hel, and Lilith. It is disappointing to the God Realm Grandess.
Sternly, Trinity now threatens them all, “I will take this moment to remind everyone here that any action taken, by you or your minions, to twist Princess Sidonia Vlasac’s intended lifespan, or guilt, is opening a dangerous door. You will awaken my fury, as it will duplicate the past tragedy, reminding me of the parts you all played in the other innocent Oracle’s fall!”
~*~
Donatello watches as silent tears fall down Sidonia’s face, and Grekan tries to comfort her. Suddenly she gets an evil glint. Donatello gasps; instead of her green mist, she has a wicked blue glow masking her green eyes. In a fury, she grabs the note from Grekan. Worrying what she is up to, Donatello follows, until she leaves the Castle to go to the Front Gate and Guard House.
Grekan rushes behind her, urging, “What are you doing? Wait, stop, we need to think. I fear this is a deadly decision.” Heg the Day Captain asks as she approaches, “Princess, do you want a carriage?” Donatello watches from the window on the stairs, feeling he should have stopped her. He sees her hair is angry, moving like snakes as she rips up the note and puts it in Heg’s hands.
Donatello fears it is another of ‘Sidonia’s Deadly Decisions.’ She points to a man by the gate, “Give these to that man. He is to deliver it to the Evil One.” Heg laughs nervously, trying to keep hold of the pieces. She demands, “Captain Heg, why is this and a dead man at our front entry amusing you? Do you have a reason to question my request?” Captain Heg replies, “Ah-well, no.”
He nervously adds, “It is just-well, concerning. I do not want to tell you no; however, I am worried about what your father will think. I fear he will dismiss me for causing another messenger’s death.” The Human Guards see her mist for the first time, due to Kolo’s blood. She sees their fear and is angry at their distrust of her. The Princess commands, “My father expects you to do as I ask.”
Heg stands at attention and nods, “Of course, Princess.” Sidonia adds, “Any further notes for me are to be refused; tell anyone trying that I have left for Witch Island.” Heg attempts a smile, as he says, “Ah, well a- I –ah-. You want me to lie? I, ah-I would rather not.” The Dark Princess glares up at him, “Yes, it is my command. You will tell the Messenger that I am no longer here.”
She calmly adds, “Say, that his master’s deadly actions have forced me into this decision. I want nothing to do with the Evil One!” Heg nods but his tone betrays him, “Of course Princess, if you think that is wise?” Desperate, Sidonia orders, “You will tell him that I will not receive any further correspondence from him. He is a liar, who is involved with my crazed mother!” The Guards gasp.
Hoping it worked, Princess Sidonia demands, “Do you understand?” Mentioning Samala has the intended effect, as the Guards cringe and Heg apologizes, “Forgive me Princess, I did not realize. I meant no disrespect. I understand this situation has become more than deadly; he has also betrayed your trust.” The Human Guards glare wondering what their captain said to the Princess.
Sidonia speaks to them, “Do any of you think I should just accept all further notes, when it can cost someone their life? I am open to you recommending how else to end this.” Heg replies, “No need, my men will do as they are told.” He turns to his guards saying, “I believe Princess Sidonia’s decision is best.” He nods to the gatekeepers and now they push the gate open.
Captain Heg marches through and they close it behind him. Heg hands the pieces of the note to Kolo’s man, and the Captain relays her message to him. Sidonia detects a wave of fury, and quickly looks around, as she begins to back away to run to the Castle; she realizes Heg is in danger. Stopping, Sidonia risks all, yelling, “Heg come back in immediately, the Evil One is here!”
Grunt scoffs, “During the day?” She insists, “I sense his presence.” Hanis snickers, she demands, “Did you forget, he killed the last Messenger in broad daylight!” This has the Captain looking, he sees a coach coming rapidly. Heg sprints to the gate as Thomas and Todd push it open. Andre grabs Captain Heg pulling him out of its path, narrowly avoiding the carriage as it attempts to run him down. Todd and Thomas hurry to close the gates, locking them.
They turn to Sidonia accusingly. The driverless coach turns coming back, running over the Messenger, they hear his brief scream. As the carriage stops at the gate, the Oracle recognizes it is the stocky gray-haired Vampire inside of it, from her vision. He is the one who gave her the hexed necklace, when she was just three-years-old. Glaring at the Princess, the Evil One shouts, “Bring me what you promised or else!” His carriage takes off.
Sidonia fears fainting, ‘He is Kolo, even though he looks different. I suspected he could switch his images, this proves it, and my vision was not a pointless haunting of my childhood, it is helping me know the truth. Kolo is the January Man, and he wants to entomb me.’ Grekan scolds, “I warned you to stop and think about it first. I do not understand, you yell at me ‘not to risk saying his name,’ then you turn around and provoke him like this?” She sways with guilt.
Heg straightens his uniform, asking her with distrust, “What do you wish us to do with this body? Do we go after your Evil One?” Feeling numb, which is better than crying, Sidonia replies, “Do not risk our Day or Night Guards. Leave the Evil One to my father. When he returns, inform the High Lord of all you know. For now, bury him with the other messenger. Please, try to find out if they are locals, or have families, that we should notify.”
Smacking his forehead, Grekan realizes his own guilt and groans, “This is my fault, I never should have said the Evil One’s name. Just as he vowed, he came and tried to kill everyone. Now we are all doomed and are going to die at his hands!”
~RMW~