RMW
Chapter Fifteen
A Waiting Coffin
~SV~
Blackstone Castle South Gate, After Midnight, 677, 28th, October
After resting a moment, Lola struggles to drag Kolo a few feet. She wistfully thinks she saw him move and reluctantly goes inside again to lift Kolo up from within. Lola finds that she cannot animate Kolo, because he remains dead. The Shade has discovered she has no power to possess a dead witch, vampire, or human; likely not any sort of being, if she does not enter their body before they die.
Lola comes out, frustrated with her own lack of power, yet she feels more furious with Kolo for putting them in this situation. She kicks him twice, and then falls on him crying, “I told you not to indulge. I warned you not to let her go. I told you to hurry and grab Sidonia. I even weakened myself helping you. Still, you never listen to me, do you?” She tries to drag him another foot.
Donatello watches her as he silently fumes, ‘Tik’s fear of Anthony’s anger is leaving Sidonia in grave danger. It is so frustrating that others do not see what they are choosing is far more likely to bring the High Lord’s fury, than being proactive by sending for him.’ Donatello debates getting Kolo’s body away from the Ghost, seeing now two of her power bars are slightly faded.
Lola stops after a couple of feet and slams her fists against his chest. She turns, seeing Donatello coming for the gate again. Lola tries to pull Kolo away, unable to move him even an inch, she gives up. She stands before her brother’s body to shield him. Fear makes her desperate and dangerous, as she looks around. Donatello hesitates thinking she will rush the gate again,
He stands ready to run for Kolo once it tosses her. Hearing voices, Lola gasps with relief and turns, seeing two day guards. Donatello also sees they are going to the pier. Lola rushes toward the two Human Guards. Donatello yells, warning them, “Todd! Thomas! You need to run away fast; the Ghost is coming for you! Hurry, get away from her!” Thomas has some of Kolo’s blood in him so he looks, seeing Lola he runs down the wharf in fear.
Todd has turned but does not see Lola, having no magic in his blood, so he asks, “Who? Donatello, I do not see anyone.” Thomas jumps into their rowboat, as Donatello yells, “Todd a Ghost is coming. Run for your life!” Todd shrugs, “What are ya talkin’ about?” He is unable to see the Ghost and just stands there. Lola is nearing Todd; and Thomas is rushing to get the boat untied.
Donatello yells at Todd, “Just run!” Thomas sees Todd is in danger and yells, “Jump in we are getting out of here!” Now Todd runs, shoves them off, and leaps in. Lola is too late and now hesitates at the pier, cringing as she fears the water. She looks back, seeing Donatello at the gate. With rage and determination to save her brother from a more permanent death, Lola rushes off floating over the water coming for the two in the rowboat; seeing, Thomas stands.
Grabbing his oar, Thomas attempts to hit Lola; he groans as the paddle goes right through Lola’s misty form. Thomas has nowhere to run, as he gives a helpless scream of terror, “No, no do not do it, no!” He has no way of stopping her as Lola flies into Thomas; seeing, it horrifies Donatello. He feels glad he did not challenge her, risking her entering him. Thomas tries to resist her will over his body, rocking the rowboat, to where he nearly falls.
Todd yells in a panic, “Ya gonna capsize us, stop wavin’ the stick around, ya will fall and drown in the river!” Thomas drops the oar and freezes as Lola settles in. Todd gasps, “Now, sit down!” The Human Guard Thomas, lets out a scream, then comes out of his body, rather than be possessed by Lola. It is the most horrifying scream Donatello has ever heard. Thomas does not stay when his light gateway comes. He looks to his friend and willingly walks in.
Seeing this, Donatello shakes his head, “What can I do against her?” Thomas’s body falls down, looking dead. Todd clings to the boat, as it settles, he asks his mate, in a frightened voice, “Thomas what’s happened, are ya feelin’ alright?” Thomas’s body twitches, getting no response; Todd calls, “Donatello? Can ya tell me whats wrong with Thomas? He does not seem right in the head and fell down. He is not gettin’ up. Whats happenin’ to him?”
Donatello replies, “It is no longer Thomas, the Ghost is in him. She is possessing him; you need to get away!” Todd fumes, “Tis a horrible thing to say, and not funny either.” Donatello wants to go help, yet knows it will risk Anthony’s children. Todd ignores his advice again. It is beyond spooky as Lola now stands Thomas up, from inside. Lola struggles to grab the oar, and sits on the bench, then she paddles back to the wharf. Todd just stares at his mate.
Awkwardly, Lola uses Thomas’s body to dock the boat. She steps out, waving for Todd to follow her. Todd asks, “Did ya forget somethin’, Thomas? Yer scream really scared me.” The Day Guard’s expression is caused by Lola’s will, as he turns to give Donatello, her smug angry glare. It sends dark shivers up Donatello’s spine. Sidonia’s Guard feels helpless to stop the Sinister Shade.
Donatello fears Lola can possess him also, or is it only willing vampires and unfortunate humans? Her guard yells his warning again, “Run Todd, it is not Thomas! He is possessed by an evil Ghost.” Todd scoffs, “Naa. Yer just tryin’ to be funny, even I know tis no such thin’ as ghosts. Tis unkind to mock us.” Horrified Sidonia’s Guard watches this terror unfold, unable to stop it.
This scene makes Donatello unwilling to tempt fate, as he backs away from the gate. His hand comes to his hip, reminding him he foolishly forgot to get his sword, it remains in his trunk.
~*~
Carpathian Rambler Camp, After Midnight, 677, 28th, October
Prince Rorik rides as quickly as he dares, where it is dark and the road is very rugged. While he travels down the mountain, he goes over every word his mother had said. He keeps coming back to her request and fumes, ‘Mum claims Sidonia causes her capture; why is she wanting me to go help her flee from the same fiend?’
His own guilt at how he mistreated his half-sister, keeps him from wanting to ask for her help, to save their mother. He groans recalling all their mother had said and done to Sidonia, and cannot believe his half-sister will be willing to help. Rorik prefers to ask Anthony for help, as he also fears facing the January Man.
~*~
Lola feels impressed with herself as her determination wins, kicking the Human’s soul out of his body. While his body makes her stronger, she is surprised that it even helps her with the river. The water no longer overwhelms Lola; she then suspects her anger is keeping her in control. Nervously, Todd chuckles, “Ya scared me back there when ya fell down, are ya alright now?” Todd is worried at him not answering, as he gets out onto the pier.
He asks, “Where we goin’ matey?” The man’s body feels clumsy and slow to Lola’s commands, slurring as she says to him, “C-c-come h-help me with him.” Todd backs up, “Ya seem different.” Lola says in the man’s voice, “We n-need to h-hurry.” Todd shakes his head, “Why?” Lola hisses, “Come help me with the body.” He is ready to refuse, “What body? I want ta go home. Ya are actin’ too odd Thomas.” Lola gets mad and hits Todd in the face.
Todd goes down, more in shock, than due to the clumsy punch. Lola grins down on him. Todd whines, “What has gotten into you Thomas.” He becomes even more terrified, as Lola stands over him, giving Todd, Thomas’s version of an evil grin. Todd does not like the look in his eyes, “Never saw ya act like that.” She informs him, “Either you help me, or I will knock you out and drown you in the bloody river. Are you coming to help me or are you dying?”
Todd huffs, “I only worries for ya, no need ta hurt me. I am gonna help ya.” Lola nods. She puts out Thomas’s hand, helping Todd up. Lola pushes Todd toward Kolo and they go to the body lifting it up from the tall grass, Todd grimaces, “Oh I did not see him in the dark, I do not think I know him, who is it?” Donatello frowns as he gets a better look at Kolo; still unable to recognize him. He wants to doubt the claim of him changing his image.
However, he knows this is not the red-haired male who flew into the barrier; this male is shorter and older. This Vampire also has long dull brown straggly hair, and pockmark scarring to his face. The right cheek is bright red with a black charring burn, from hitting into the mystical barrier. Further proof it is Kolo. As Donatello stares harder, he sees the left side of his face is not just scarred, there is an infinity rune mark branded onto his left cheekbone, as well.
Also, that eye looks black not brown. Donatello wonders if the heat of the branding damaged Kolo’s eye; it must have happened before he turned. He reasons it is Kolo as even Lola calls him that. It means he truly can change his looks to different images. He cannot recall ever hearing of anyone having that power. He can see why anyone with that gift might not ever reveal it to anyone.
Her guard watches the two carry Kolo’s body to the wharf and put him into the rowboat. Donatello tries one more time, “If you do not run away right now Todd, I cannot promise that you will see the dawn.” Todd shrugs at his odd warning, and unties the rowboat and then gets in. As they begin to row upstream, Todd keeps a wary eye on Thomas, something seems not right with him.
Still, they have been friends for a long time, so he excuses it. Thomas’s head turns to glare at Sidonia’s guard as Lola assures him, “I have not forgotten about you, Donatello! Trust me I will have my revenge, later.” This gives him a cold shiver up his spine. What can he do? Donatello will not betray Anthony’s trust by leaving his children unguarded. He chooses to be glad Lola did not attempt to come in the Front Gate, instead of leaving.
Donatello believes Kolo will be alive again in hours, and he still needs to keep Sidonia from going to him. Soon they are rowing out of sight. He leaves the gate defeated, and goes inside. Frustrated, Donatello goes back to the Princess’s room. Once in her room, he sees she is safe and asleep. He sits at her desk, trying to justify that it would have been reckless to go after Kolo.
Her guard feels it was too dangerous to risk Lola entering the Castle. Turning to see Sidonia laying there, he knows this is best and right, since none of the other guards see the threat nor care that the Princess continues to be in danger. Donatello feels terrified at the idea of going through this for a few more nights. What more might happen if something delays Anthony even a week?
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With irritation, he decides to ask Grekan for help. He fumes, ‘It is either that or I have to figure out how to chain her up in her room.’ He locks her door, going through the outer one, and immediately has a spy following him. He waits at the other side of the coming corner, needing to find out if he is just paranoid. As the Human Guard comes into sight, he grabs the guard and demands, “Why are you following me?” Squat denies it, “Let go of me!”
The Human guard, adds angrily, “I am just heading this way.” Donatello grasps the bigger man’s throat, “No you were waiting for me. Tell me who asked you to do this and what they want.” The man stays mute. Donatello glares into Squat’s eyes, compelling him, “You will tell me who wants you to follow me and why.” Slowly the guard seems to awaken, “What am I doing here, why are you accosting me? Let go of me!”
Holding the Human firmly, he compels him further, as Donatello demands, “Why are you following me?” Squat replies in a trance, “We are supposed to watch you for the Master; if enough of us are together we are to grab you, so he can kill you for reading the Princess’s letter.” Donatello shutters at this revelation and worries, “Tell me about the Ghost.” He replies, “It is Lola, Master Kolo’s twin sister.” Donatello gasps, “That explains their bond and looks.”
~*~
Black Forest Kill, Dark 1 AM, 677, 28th, October
Lola looks for another pier, but does not want to travel by foot as it makes them too vulnerable. She sees a small stream and tells Todd, “Row for that creek, it looks deep enough to hold us afloat. Do you have any idea where it goes?” Todd frowns as they go up the stream going north, he slowly replies with a question, “Did ya hit yer head?” She says, “Perhaps, why do you ask?”
Todd sighs, “Do not get mad at me. Yer just not actin’ like yerself. Tis not that dark, the moon is up, ya cannot see tis Black Forest Kill? Odd ya act like ya never saw it before.” Lola questions, “Kill?” Todd laughs, “I think ‘kill’ is a foreign word, meaning a small river. You and me fish in it all the time! Ya knows that.”
Lola nods Thomas’s head and says, “I must be in need of some sleep, my head is not quite right.” Todd sighs, “I would be home in my bed sleepin’ right now if not for helpin’ ya.” Lola asks, “Where does Black Forest Kill go?” Todd says with suspicion, “It winds behind the village, and goes west inta the forest. I am not sure after that.” They paddle in silence and it feels worse to Todd.
Unable to understand what has him worried, Todd adds, “Folk go missin’ in those woods, we talk a lot ‘bout not wantin’ ta go in the forest. Tis why we are guards not lumber jacks. I am not goin’ in, not even by this creek. I use ta think they called it kill, cus of the ones that float back dead. Someone told me tis Dutch. We do not need ta go that far, do we?” Lola shakes Thomas’s head; now feeling Thomas’s love of fishing is helping her to not fear the water.
Nervously, Todd says, “Maybe tis the extra hours ya have worked, I do not mind a few hours over me day shift-.” The way Thomas looks at him is very eerie, and Todd finishes, “-when it pays this well; tis just that the other night guards are darkly creepy. Wonder why King Anthony did not ask us ta go with him and the others.” Lola causes Thomas to snort. She knows exactly why; the foolish guards are only Human.
~*~
Donatello would have preferred to just be paranoid, as he asks Squat, “When did Kolo compel you to follow me?” Squat replies, “Last night.” He further questions, “How many of the guards are under his command.” Squat answers, “All of the day guards, with the exception of Todd and Captain Heg.” Donatello groans, unsure what to do, now that his suspicions are confirmed.
Sighing, Donatello says, “I out rank you and your master. Your shift is over, I command you to go to bed, and never follow me again.” Releasing the man, it seems to work as the guard turns and leaves. Donatello believes he won due to Kolo being dead, or because the Evil One had only been turned ten to twenty years ago, and is not an old vampire.
Heading toward Grekan’s room, Donatello thinks, ‘That also explains Kolo failing to get to Sidonia first.’ Donatello makes certain he is alone, before misting into Grekan’s room. Grekan wakes and sits up gasping, “What are you doing in here? Do you ever remember to knock? You could have scared me to death!”
~*~
The silence wears on Todd’s nerves, “Did ya eat an underdone turnip?” Lola understands his meaning, and agrees with him, “That must be it, I do have a belly ache, and the fall in the boat has my head hurting.” This gives Todd a bit of relief and he nods, “Good thin’ I did not have some.” The nearly full moon shows brightly as they row north behind the village.
Turning west they go toward the Black Forest, as they near the trees, Todd looks ready to jump, “Ya said we were not goin’ in the forest.” Just then, Lola sees Samala’s old cottage. She says, “We will stop here. Pull to the south bank.” Todd asks, “What dark place are ya leadin’ me to?” Lola ignores his question, as she gets out of the rowboat and only says, “Stop being a baby!”
She adds, “Just help me pull the skiff up into the grass.” Todd does, but grumbles at Thomas, “I am just askin’. No need to call me a baby. Never had ya insult me like that before.” They get out and drag the rowboat from the kill, deep into the tall weeds. Huffing with the effort Lola orders Todd, “Grab him; we are carrying him over to that cottage.” Todd takes Kolo under his arms.
As Todd lifts him out of the skiff, he says, “It seems we are wastin’ our time; I am thinkin’ he is dead.” Still, he holds Kolo as Lola grabs his feet, then she replies, “It is only a hundred yards to his home.” Halfway there, Jillian, their nosy neighbor, yells at them, “I see he is drunk again!” Todd laughs, “Oh. I thought he was dead.” She scoffs, “Lazy man has the shabbiest house in the village.”
Pointing, Jillian fumes, “Just look at those weeds, they are taking over, you can hardly see his home.” Lola says in Thomas’s gruff voice, “Maybe you should mind your own business; your place is rundown too.” Snidely, Jillian replies, “I am elderly. Try living across from him and see how you like it, looking at it day after day. When he wakes up, tell him to clean up his filthy yard.”
Suddenly Lola feels something move under Thomas’s foot. It causes Lola to stumble and a loud screech startles her, as the black thing takes off into the dark. Jillian gets up out of her rocking chair yelling, “Do not hurt my familiar!” Lola guesses she must have stepped on Jillian’s cat, saying with amusement, “So she fancies herself to be a witch, interesting.” Lola huffs louder at her, “Rotten nasty old cat, keep it out of my way or I will kick it.”
The Hag screams out, “I will hex you if you even touch my pet!” Lola hisses, “If you get rid of the cats, maybe you could find a man.” Jillian shouts, “I only have one and it is cleaner than you are. Cats make an effort to hide their waste! Unlike that man you carry or any other man I know!” Taking one hand from Kolo letting his leg drag, Lola causes Thomas to make an unkind gesture, thrusting a fist upward at the hag. Insulted, the nosy neighbor turns around.
Jillian, bends over, and lifts her skirt so she can look through her legs, and spits out her best cackle, as she hexes them,
“By my cat’s screech, you will have a leech.
When bats fly, pig’s poop will get in your eye.
On the first snow, your toes blacken in a row.
Before a fortnight, you will be in fear all night.
Many warts will grow, when this moon is full.
Mess with this Witch; you end up in a ditch!”
The hag stands up nearly falling and gives the horned gesture, spitting a curse at them, “Demons take you to the Dark Realm, if you even try doing me evil!” Rushing inside, she slams her door. Todd chuckles nervously, “Thomas. I aint never seen ya respond like that, and ta a lady. Somethin’ bad has gotten into ya!” Lola grins, “Yip. She got what she deserved and she is no lady.”
~*~
Grekan’s Castle Room, Dark 2 AM, 677, 28th, October
Donatello feels too weary to laugh at Grekan’s serious tone. He asks the Scribe, “I need to report to the Captain, can you watch the Princess.” Grekan stands up putting his robe over his nightshirt, “I will do my best. Do you think the fiend will try again?” Donatello tells him what happened, adding, “I do not think he can attempt it until tomorrow night. Do you have the key to the Princess’s room?”
Grekan reaches into his robe pocket bringing it out to Donatello’s surprise. The silver key Grekan shows him has an ornate top with an intricate ‘SV’ making the open head of the key. Donatello pulls the chain out of his own pocket. He sees the keys are identical; both have Sidonia’s jeweled initials as the head of the key. He groans realizing he owes Princess Sidonia an apology.
~*~
Once at Samala’s cottage, Lola gets the key from Kolo’s pocket and opens the door. She instructs Todd as they carry Kolo inside, “Keep going to that back room.” Todd looks around, surprised that he never paid much attention to this shabby home at the edge of the woods. It certainly does not seem like something this odd man would own; he expected it to be an elderly woman’s place.
In the back room he sees the boarded-up windows and heavy drapes around an old bed. As they turn, Todd sees a coffin. He gasps, “Thomas, what in the demons, is that doing here?” Coldly, Lola drops Kolo’s feet and opens the casket ordering Todd, “Put him in it.” Todd shrieks, “Tis the Devil’s doin’s ya are gettin’ me in ta. If certain he is dead, why did we brin’ him here; why is their dirt in it?” Thomas is eerily silent, as Lola just glares, pointing at the casket. Todd shudders, “Tis a darkly evil thin’ ta be askin’ me ta do!”
~*~
Donatello walks Grekan to her door, saying, “Keep the key on you, I will lock both of you in.” Once he sees that she remains in bed he locks it, Donatello exits the outer door locking that as well. Grekan turns and sees Sidonia is in a deep sleep. Laying on the window bench Grekan contemplates his reasons for staying at this Castle. Glancing at the Princess, he sees his best friend; and knows she is worth the risk, so he would not change a thing.
As Donatello goes for his sword, he hears voices as he enters the dark underground walkway, he becomes mist wanting to do some spying of his own. He hears and sees it is the Human Guards. As they are heading toward the Castle, Whitey says, “-we will grab Sidonia now and hide her.” The other guards agree; Donatello turns back leaving, as Hanis asks, “What do we do with the Princess?”
Whitey says, “We keep her in the forest until the Master comes for her.” Donatello rushes toward Sidonia’s room. He mists back under the doors; becoming solid in her room. Grekan gasps, “Now what?” Donatello flips back the covers and unties Sidonia. Angrily, Grekan demands, “Why is she tied up?” Her guard answers, “I did not know how she left her room. We have to hide her.”
Donatello adds, “The guards are coming; Kolo compelled them to take her.” Grekan states, “This is as bad as a rotting book.” He commands the Scribe, “Go get Viktor.” As Donatello carries Princess Sidonia out, Grekan and Viktor arrive in the hallway. They rush out of the private quarters going west and down the stairs, deep into the bowels of the Castle. Once there they go into the dungeon and Donatello lays Sidonia on a bed in a cell, then he locks it.
~*~
Todd says, “I guess if ya have a box might as well use it. Hey, how’d ya know ta have ‘A Waiting Coffin’ ready for him?” Todd begrudgingly lays the dead man in the open casket. He starts to back away grumbling, “I am gettin’ a creepy feelin’ about all of this. Are ya diggin’ a grave now?” Thomas’ glare, has Todd going for the door, nervously he says, “I-I will be goin’ ya can get home yerself.”
Lola forces Thomas’s body into a charge, shoving Todd. He grabs hold of Thomas as he goes down, bringing the larger Thomas to land on top as they hit the floor. Todd whines, “Wat are ya doin’ Thomas? Get off me!” She grins down into his eyes, “You talk too much, and ask far too many questions.” Groaning, Todd moans, “I can work on stayin’ silent, get off! I thought ya were me mate.”
Laughing, in her evil way, Lola sits on him. She takes hold of Todd’s head, and bashes it into the floor, knocking him out. Angrily Lola drags Todd’s body to the casket leaning his head in; she takes Todd’s knife from its sheath. She slits his throat, hissing, “Do you see what you have made me do brother? I am having to wear a stinky, sweaty man, just so I can save you. Ungrateful slug!”
Opening Kolo’s mouth she tries to get the blood in, but he does not drink. Lola closes his eyelids; certain he is still dead. Lola pools the blood around him as she cuts open his clothes, to check for burns and feels relieved to see it is only his face and hands. When she takes off his boots, Lola sees the bottoms of his feet are also charred, and she pours blood over them; closing the lid. Searching the cottage, she finds barren cupboards, she is more discouraged.
Lola scoffs going out the door, “Figures you get yourself killed here. Since you were doing something dangerous in this pig sty, you should have stocked supplies in case things went badly.” She looks for the needed flowers as she walks into the forest. It only angers her more, as she fumes, “Instead, I am stuck here with nothing to revive a dead vampire. I have watched you enough times; you better hope I can remember what I need and how to do it.”
Lola digs up some plants with Todd’s knife and goes back inside. Lola moans, “I am not waiting for these to dry.” She makes a fire. Hanging the plants from the mantel by the flames, she goes to look at Kolo. Hating the sluggish male body, she leaves it; a loud thud behind her startles Lola into gasping.
~RMW~