RMW
Chapter Twelve
Tainted Blood Consequence
~SV~
Blackstone Castle Staircase, Morning, 677, 27th, October
Donatello witnesses the death from the window on the stairs; he becomes mist following them, as Sidonia and Grekan enter the Castle. Grekan apologizes, “I did not mean to reprimand you in front of the guards. Please forgive me; it is just my nerves at seeing such violence. We must consider that both messengers were likely as dishonest as the Evil One is, since they were working for him.”
She replies, “Unless he compelled them; regardless of their guilt, I caused two deaths.” In the library Grekan pulls the maps out, realizing, “I need schedules, of the best ways to get to our three areas.” He runs out, going to the Black Forest Village Station. As he returns, only walking, she sees his grim expression. Grekan informs Sidonia, “The coach going west to the ocean, has already left.”
The Princess groans; he sighs, “Next one is tomorrow, but it heads east. The Ferry goes by the pier in the morning at dawn; if we go on the river, we still risk drowning. I think it is best to hire a carriage in town; but a guard followed me to the departure office. I do not know how to get by them, without them shadowing us to learn our plans.” Nodding, she admits, “I was not able to get a vision of what to do either, so it is up to us to decide what is best.”
Grekan states, “We must think about how to get out of the Fortress and then sleep on the plan, we can leave tomorrow.” Donatello needs rest and believes she will not dare go yet, so he plans to guard her until Anthony’s return. Thinking she is safe during the day; he leaves and now understands why Anthony warned him of this. Donatello turns solid, as he heads to his bunk.
As he nears some human guards, he notices they stop their conversations and give him cold stares. After Donatello goes by them, he sees that the guards are now following him. Becoming mist Donatello loses them in the dark hallways. Deciding not to sleep in the bunkhouse; instead, he enters the Royals’ area of Anthony’s Castle; picking an empty bedroom, nearest Sidonia’s room.
Donatello is about to close the door, when Prince Viktor appears, asking softly, “What are you doing in here?” Her guard sighs, “Getting some sleep, so I can guard your sister tonight. Wake me if you or she needs me.” The boy states, “I am eleven years old, and Lord of the Castle when Father is gone, so I can help.” He grins at the young Prince and replies, “Good, I am Donatello.”
He adds, “If there is danger wake me, even during daylight.” The boy’s nanny grabs Viktor’s arm angrily and glares at Donatello saying, “You have no business being here.” Prince Viktor scoffs, “Wrong, Donatello has my permission.” Viktor yanks his arm from his nanny, stating harshly, “Never lay your hands on me again, Nusia! As Lord of the Castle, you need to obey my wishes.”
The Prince walks off; Donatello grins, his nanny just worries that she overstepped. She then gets a sterner look, certain that she is right only doing her duty, and leaves. As the sun goes down, Donatello wakes and searches for Anthony’s next in command, either of the two brothers, Ormando or Edmund Trulov. Finding neither, he believes they joined Anthony, in the Mystical Realm.
Going toward Princess Sidonia’s room, Donatello notices the Vampire Night Guards are giving him dark looks. He does not know it is partly due to envy of his three power level markings on the left side of his neck, and fury that he shows them. He earned his mist and wings sooner than most; they are only working on their second bar. Donatello groans, ‘Looks like I will be out of a job soon.”
He hopes Anthony will know his intention so he can leave alive. Donatello worries the Princess has left, as he opens her door, he hears her say, “To try the book’s spell, I need four power stones, which I do not have. It still will not keep me inside my room-.” Seeing him, Grekan stands trying to be intimidating, it amuses Donatello. Sidonia asks, “Do you plan to keep entering my room without a knock nor even seeking my permission?” Grekan glares.
Her guard says, “Yes, until your father arrives. You can ask someone else.” Sidonia huffs, “No, with my luck, it will be Furlif in my room, I will not even dare sleep.” He regrets, “I should knock; I feared you left.” She sighs, “I debated too long, now it is dark.” Grekan admits, “It is my fault, my nerves kept me from agreeing with any of your ideas. We cannot risk anyone else guarding you. Clearly, Donatello knows all and is more capable than I am.”
Her guard smirks, “Thanks.” Grekan amends, “Just against the Evil One. We need tell him of the ‘Tainted Blood Consequences’ that endanger you.” Sidonia sighs, “He already knows.” Donatello says, “You can trust me-.” Grekan cuts in, “At least we can keep this amongst us three.” Her guard states, “Too late, your fiend killed two men. I am sure, all of the guards and staff have heard about the letters and messenger’s deaths, by now.” Grekan groans at this.
Sitting down, Princess Sidonia sighs, “It is just as well, they need to be wary. I do not blame others just because I wish to hide my mistakes.” It surprises her guard; in his experiences, it is rare for anyone to openly accept blame for their part in tragedies. Donatello says, “Remember, it was my duty to inform Captain Tik, so I could remain here watching you all last night and again tonight.”
Grekan huffs at him; gets her a drink, patting her shoulder. Her guard adds, “I felt I had to let him know why you needed a guard, and made Tik aware that the foe compelled you into sleepwalking. Perhaps I should not have, as Tik ordered the men not to help us nor tell your father of it. Though, I do not know what other reason I could have used to get out of my shift.” The dark girl groans, “I do not understand. Why did Tik give those orders?”
Her guard replies, “Tik claims if we tell the King, he will blame us, and kill all the guards. If your father finds out anyway; Tik hopes and wants only me to be at fault.” At five foot six, Donatello is an inch or two over average height. With his hair back, it makes his sharp cheekbones very prominent. His golden-brown eyes and annoyed grin give him a boyish charm. Grekan feels the guard’s muscular build dwarfs him; yet it is nowhere near Anthony’s size.
The dark girl states, “I doubt father will blame anyone but me, and I certainly do not blame others. I sense it will anger Tik more, if I command the guards to help.” Donatello nods; Grekan yawns, warning her guard, “Do not do anything I would not do-. Well, clearly we need you to do what I am not capable of, or I would guard her myself.” He tilts his head up as he gives him another warning, “Sidonia has my confidence and will tell me everything.”
Giving Sidonia a hug, Grekan says, “Sleep well Princess.” Unsure he was clear enough as he thinks of Furlif’s remark, Grekan uses a threatening tone, “I will find out if you act without honor.” Donatello suspects it is about Furlif, so he does not laugh, “I shall be on my best behavior, only guarding her, nothing more.” Her guard also realizes that he unintentionally caused it.
Donatello recalls Furlif saw him leave their area a half dozen times in the early morning, not knowing he only pushed a note under her door, nothing more. Sidonia appreciates that he does not mock Grekan as she values him. She says, “Good night, dear friend.” After he leaves, there is a knock at her door; Donatello opens it expecting Grekan has returned. Prince Viktor holds up a book saying, “Sidonia promised to read to me.” Her guard moves, letting him in.
~*~
As the Prison Realm Satans whisper about Sidonia, Justice overhears saying, “I have not forgotten that you all managed to unjustly take Obsidian when we needed her in the Mystical Realm during the Demon War!” Serenity also seethes, “In case you are so naïve to believe you got away with it, let me reassure you that we three have not forgotten, and are willing to pursue charges if you open this door.” It is tense as they all glare at each other.
Purgatory dares to state, “Obsidian brought a convicted one back to life. It was worthy of death, and her sentence is nearly over.” Lilith snickers, “Oh, it seems you all did more than enough to make certain she was still useful to you in the war.” Ethereal hides her grin, as Trinity glares at Lilith, “Do you really want to wake that sleeping dog?” Lilith clenches her jaw. Serenity agrees, “Let it go.”
Justice states, “Any involvement shall not be tolerated.” Trinity warns them all, “Any sentence that you cause for her, I will take action to see you serve that sentence for Sidonia!” Lilith wickedly sneers, “Assuming I could do something to the Princess, what more can you possibly do to me? It cannot be worse than taking my right to have a child, keeping me from the sun, and cursing me to reign over the Demons of the Dark Realm?”
Justice raises an eyebrow, “Oh it can always be worse. You could be in a cell with the Forgotten Ones on Haros’ Isle of the Tormented, in Nifl. Feel lucky you get to rule, and we choose not to interfere with you creating monsters.” Lilith loses her glee, wishing she had never, stupidly, mentioned the great Anthony. Her hatred and lust for revenge burns strong, even after more than six centuries.
Lilith scolds herself, ‘I will be wiser, as I plot my revenge, so they never suspect my hand in it. I will keep my suffering and anger silent, as I watch for my opportunity of vengeance, taking someone from Anthony so he can feel my pain, is better than killing him!’
~*~
Sidonia dons her robe, joining her brother on the couch by the fire. Donatello leans against the fireplace, smiling at the two dark haired, green-eyed siblings, as she reads, “The Prince stays faithfully with the Wizard, even though he tells him of a King who might be able to help him. The how and why he looks like a monster from the Demon War is less important to him than helping the Wizard.”
“He accepts the Wizard’s name for him, ‘Lord of Darkness’ as he has no memory of his own. The Wizard gives him a magical black cloak made by the Light Elves; it hides his monstrous form. After a few years, the old Wizard dies, and the Lord of Darkness goes in search of the King. On his way toward the Castle, the Lord of Darkness sees a royal coach and its squad of guards are being attacked, and a deadly battle is happening.”
“While the King is out-numbered, he continues to be a great fighter. As more are coming, the King fears for the lives of his guards. The Lord of Darkness then becomes the attackers’ worst nightmare. He rips into them with his claws, burns them with his fire, and slaughters them easily. It causes the others to flee in fear, as his power is also tormenting their minds.”
“The King waits to see if this brutal warrior will now attack him. The large cloaked form bows deeply before the King, and introduces himself, ‘I am the Lord of Darkness. I come in need of a king’s assistance.’ The King nods, telling him who he is. This brings back the memory of what the Angel who saved the Lord of Darkness had told him. Yet, the Prince is still unsure if he is welcome.”
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“The cloaked beast says, ‘The Angel you saved, brought me from darkness’, and he tells the rest of what he can recall to the King. The large form is startled when the King runs to him, embracing him, ‘My son!’ The Lord asks humbly, ‘I am your son?’ The King tells him of the battle and how the Demons took the Prince into the portal of the Dark Realm. So glad to have his son returned to him, his father does not mind the sight of the Prince’s monstrous body. Still, the Lord of Darkness prefers his cloak around others.”
“He meets a woman brave enough to love him, and they have a daughter. The Lord of Darkness believes any child of his will be a monster like him. Yet he is surprised when his daughter is born and he sees she is very human. When his daughter is older, she shows her father that she is unafraid as she kisses her father’s cheek and says, ‘I love you.’ With this act of bravery and kindness, the spell is broken, reverting the monster back into the form of the Prince.”
“His memory of who he is comes back to him too. As happy as he feels to look normal and remember his past, he finds it odd that he misses his other form. Later in a battle, his dark monster-side is suddenly back. It is as the King thought; if the Prince believes he is human, also feeling he deserves his human form, he might remember it and be able to transform at will. After that the Prince only becomes the monstrous Lord of Darkness when he needs to be a beast in battles and he lives happily with both of his forms.”
Viktor claps and kisses Sidonia’s cheek, “I like this one best!” Pointing at her desk, he asks, “I see the new paintings and pages. Did you write more stories for me?” She has tears forming in her eyes, as she intended to give him one a month. She says, “Yes. I finished eleven new books for you today.” Sidonia feels like her heart is being ripped from her chest and it brings the childhood memory of being taken from Viktor and left on Witch Island.
Viktor jumps, saying, “I cannot wait to have you read them to me!” She feels guilt. Not wanting to leave him behind. Sidonia hugs her brother and says, “I love you. I promise to complete the twelfth, and last tale, tonight.” Viktor goes to bed excited for the new stories. Donatello glances at the paintings, saying, “I have never seen finer pictures, you are very talented.” She smiles, replying, “Thank you, I find no greater joy than making Viktor happy.”
Going to her desk, she ties the pages together. Donatello asks, “Did you write that so he will not fear his transition to a vampire as much?” He sees her shielded look, as though she were reflecting upon the story she holds, more than the one she has just read to Viktor. She gives him a sad smile and sighs, “I saw it in a dream. Feeling he needs it; I simplified it into a story.”
She adds, “I do not know if he will even reminisce about these things as he questions his life, or gets old enough to use it. Yes, it is my hope that they are helpful to him now as well as later.” The Dark Princess runs her hand down the binders of three of the stories, whispering, “Three for us three siblings.” Donatello looks up from the book he is reading, but says nothing.
He glances back to his book, feeling it had been more of a private thought. Sidonia goes to bed and drifts into a happy dream of Wrath. Donatello finishes his book and looks at the two newest stories on her desk. Groaning with dislike at the first, it is of a man who becomes a wolf. The next is of a girl who is tricked into finding her father’s magical treasure box that holds a powerful Jinni.
Donatello looks at her other ten books, thinking it is odd that she would make a Prince into a dark beast in one. He scoffs at himself, recalling when he first turned; he felt he was a monster and feared he would become evil. It seems Sidonia is very insightful for one so young. He needs a blood break; looking at the Princess, she still rests peacefully. Donatello notices the key around her neck.
He comes nearer and removes it without waking her. With her hair tied back, it shows her power markings, and reveals an emblem near her hair; an eye between wings. He assumes the eye is her oracle power, the wings are typically only on pure blood vampires and yet also for royalty. At the base of her neck are two green bars for her witch power. Never seeing bars outlined with purple, he wonders what purple represents. She is beginning a third.
It is unusual, she is not twenty-five nor turned, nevertheless her blue bar is there and has a purple outline. He nods as it shows her Dhampirica Bloodline powers starting. It is why he saw it in her eyes. Leaving, he is unaware she is about to have a nightmare.
~*~
Outside Blackstone Castle, Midnight, 677, 27th, October
Kolo stands in the shadows staring at the garden gate. Lola pushes out of his left side, hissing, “Do we stand here all night again or have you sensed her yet?” Mist comes to his eyes, Kolo groans, “The nearness of the river is wearing on my focus.” Lola gives rare sympathy, “I feel it too. Can we move closer to the Fortress Wall?” His veins below his eyes darken, as he sighs, “I am here because it is the closest, I dare get, or the Vampire Guards will see us.”
Lola worries, “Even this near, compelling Sidonia from such a distance will drain our powers quickly. What if we meet with opposition, are you capable of a fight yet?” Kolo gasps, “It is not my holiday from my past.” She scoffs; he adds, “Compelling a few dozen day guards did not help. It is too risky to go to the garden gate since we do not have control of the Night Guards.” Lola huffs, “We stay at the stinking wharf, because you fear a few lousy vampires?” Kolo sneers, “A few? Try over fifty, at least. Can you handle that many? I think not, so stay silent.” Lola moans, “If the sound is not bad enough, there is the fishy stench of the Rhein River.” He says, “I did as you wanted, not using the carriage, so no one sees it. Flying here took some of my energy, too. And, I accepted you win, Sidonia is clearly here. What more do you want from me?” Lola states, “Yes, you accepted, but only after you saw her at the gate.”
Giggling, she adds, “After she ripped up your note; or you would continue to doubt me-.” Kolo cuts in, “Ugh, I think I have her, oh demons, she is fighting me.” He grins, “I know how to trick her.” She sighs, “About time, you still feel like a drunkard.” Lola comes out of Kolo; she is a darker blue mist with dark green rune markings swirling within. He gets weaker, as Lola floats to his right.
She flips her hair to her other side; showing her five level marks on the left side of her neck. Lola has one green and four navy. Kolo cringes at the reminder, envying her having one more than him. It is why he wears his hair longer, to keep his one faded green and three navy bars hidden. Kolo groans, “Stand on my left.” Lola smirks, “You cannot be vulnerable for even one moment, can you?”
He growls, “If you could not see out of your left eye, you would understand how it feels.” Lola sneers, “Last I saw, Sidonia only has two green bars, while hers are bright, you have four.” Kolo pleads, “Three solid ones and I cannot control her by myself. I am losing my hold of her!” He urges, “Do you want Sidonia or not?” Lola gives in, “Fine, you owe me for this headache.” She goes back in. Now, half of Lola emerges, just out of his left side.
As the two are nearly ready to give up, they see her in the garden, within view of the South Gate. Princess Sidonia’s green eyes, red lips, and lush dark hair all stand out against her pale skin and white nightgown. Kolo becomes lost in thought; her features make him think, ‘She is as beautiful as her mother, perhaps even more. She was definitely always nicer to me. However, I have never wanted Sidonia, the way I always desire Queen Samala.’
~*~
Donatello mists under the Princess’s door, to avoid waking her and finds her room empty, yet the key remains in his pocket. He assumes Grekan left his key. Donatello mists outside, then is solid, blurring under the ornate entrance of the seven hundred square yard garden. He turns solid, flipping out his black feathered wings.
Donatello flies over the shrub maze, statues, ponds, toward the crypt. He hopes it is nothing and he will find her sitting on one of the benches. In the distance, he now sees Sidonia on the far side of the crypt. She leaves out the South Gate; two hundred yards away from him. Donatello fears she will reach the grove before he can stop her and assumes Kolo is there again bringing her to him.
Going as fast as he can, he looks east to the grove where Kolo had been the previous night, he feels relief when no one is there. He questions why she left, until Sidonia turns south. To Donatello’s horror, he sees Kolo on the Castle’s pier, much closer than last night. His only hope is if he gets to Sidonia first. It appears, once again that Kolo is just waiting for her, to come to him.
~*~
Kolo asks Lola, “Sidonia is more likable, do you think I can give up Samala and be satisfied with her daughter?” Tauntingly, Lola scoffs, “Even if you loathe Samala, she is your first love. You will always need to torment and see her, like an ornament. And do not forget, I won Sidonia fair-.” Suddenly, Lola screams, “Kolo! Stop your pathetic dreaming, the Princess is here! Go get her now!”
He resists, she hisses, “The Guard will follow her through the gate!” Never fond of confrontation, Kolo only stands there fuming, “So much for compelling the lousy guards!” Lola states, “We can only do the Human Day Guards; this one is a Vampire. We will use the Humans if you fail. Fly now get to her first! It is too risky to wait.” He dislikes the pain that comes with any altercation and it makes him hesitate. His resistance infuriates the Sinister Shade.
Lola moves his left leg, forcing him into walking. Still, Kolo argues, “It is hard enough flying, without Sidonia’s weight. Where can I take her, when he is following us?” Mocking him, Lola pushes him into a jog, as she yells, “Lead him away from the guards, then we will kill him; so you can compel her and bring her back. We cannot let her tell Anthony of your plans for his book! It will get you killed. Do you want the mysterious magical book or not!”
~*~
Donatello flies through the gate; seeing he is closer than Kolo is to the Princess. He feels confident that he will reach her first. Suddenly he realizes the fiend has noticed him, as Kolo is running. Her guard sees the female presence within Kolo’s left side. Astonished, Donatello gasps, ‘A Ghost possesses the Evil One!’ He realizes Kolo might be using the Shade’s energy, to boost his own strength; the way Necromancers and Warlocks do in battle.
He cannot recall hearing of a vampire using a spirit nor ever having a ghost possess them. He sees Kolo’s speed increases as he rapidly blurs toward the dark girl. Donatello is no longer certain he can reach Sidonia first. He curses himself for not trying to break Kolo’s hold on the Princess, as he sees he cannot match Kolo’s speed. His only advantage is that Kolo waited, and started further away. The risk of losing brings a rush of adrenaline to Donatello.
Needing an edge, as it is getting too close, he shouts at the Princess, “Sidonia! Wake up!” In a trance, she walks toward her doom. Knowing he must save her, Donatello debates on flying past her and into an attack against the fiend. He believes Anthony will be furious if he risks the Princess, as the chance of losing is too great. Being honest with himself, Donatello is uncertain he can best him, if what Sidonia says of his power of fire is true. He pushes with all he has; certain this is life and death for Sidonia, as well as him.
Kolo’s power over Sidonia, is too great at this closeness, it keeps the dark girl walking blindly to her fiend. Her guard fears the Princess will also resist his attempt to rescue her. Donatello risks all, furthering his phase; mist covers his eyes, the veins darken in his skin, and his fangs lower. He yells, trying to compel her, “Sidonia wake up! Kolo will kill you!” It is clear the foe hears, as Kolo stops in dismay, at Donatello not just uttering, but shouting his name.
Princess Sidonia Vlasac comes to a stop as it works, clearing her trance. Suddenly, she sees Kolo. While her guard’s risk pays off, for Donatello has a better chance, there is a price to pay. Regrettably, Kolo’s rage hits, his eyes and veins darken, as he runs after the Princess; this time, the Evil One is coming even faster. The Princess screams seeing the Evil One running through the dark at her. Sidonia turns fleeing Kolo in terror, she sees Donatello is flying toward her.
Kolo yells, “Sidonia! Come to me.” She feels the Evil One’s pull; resisting it brings her blue mist around her. Desperate, she needs Donatello to get to her first, to have any hope of living. The Evil One yells, “Sidonia stop!” The dark girl is furious, that it is happening again, and she is determined not to be Kolo’s victim. She sprints away from this nightmare. Running from certain death, the Dark Princess fears there is no way to get into the grounds safely.
Even though awake, it takes all of the Princess’s strength and power to deny him. Donatello sees her blue mist is about her, for protection. Kolo yells, “Sidonia, I command you to come to me!” In spite of Kolo’s nearness, the dark girl manages to fight his control. Her guard sees the look of rage it causes in Kolo’s eyes. Donatello’s only chance to save Sidonia is to get her back inside the Castle’s protective barrier. The Evil One gives in, flipping out his wings.
Donatello pushes with all he has to reach her first. Kolo is gaining speed, seeing it will be too close. Kolo yells, “Sidonia you will die, if you do not come to me, now!” She fights it and the fear he causes. Frustration at his failure, makes Kolo scream, “No one escapes me! You will pay for this betrayal. I will kill you both, in the most painful and slowest ways possible!” With only a few seconds between them, Donatello does not dare land nor slow to grab her.
As if she knows, Donatello sees Princess Sidonia jump.
.~RMW~