RMW

Chapter Two

Kolo Skotadi

~SV~

Blackstone Castle, Dusk, 677, 25th, October

High Lord Anthony comments to his friends, “I cannot even place who these Desert Dark Elves are.” Edmund frowns, “I recall hearing of them, I forget where.” Anthony states, “His missive came from the Banned Dark Continent, as I would expect. Yet, his title is Grey Desert.” Ormando recalls, “I heard a rumor; they are those who were shunned and cast out, of the other two Dark Elf kingdoms.”

Edmund perks up, “Well, if they are still acting like a bunch of criminals, I might get my fight after all!” Anthony sits at his desk, “It explains why I do not recognize them.” Edmund scoffs, “They need the title of Light Elves, not Dark. I do not respect any who will pathetically start a war, then want us to fight their battle for them.” Anthony nods saying, “I told the captains that we leave tonight.”

Ormando replies, “I see you have plenty of correspondences to respond to before going.” Anthony nods, “Yes. It would be nice just once, to have an advanced warning.” Edmund smirks, “It is rare with disputes.” Ormando offers, “We can go make certain the squads and supplies are ready, while you finish here.” Anthony is already reading a missive, as he says, “Thank you, that is helpful.”

~*~

Black Forest Village, Dusk, 677, 25th, October

Sidonia tells Grekan, “Besides, Kolo has been sadly fated to have no powers, so at least I need not fear that.” Whispering, more to herself, than him, “I hope I will fear nothing, this time. My childish need for his help is over.” Grekan feels suspicious as he thinks of the fiend’s claim of being a thousand years old with no power.

It also seems doubtful that an Old One will tolerate the immaturity, let alone desire to court one so young. He fears how she might take that, so he only points out, as he scoffs, “You know as well as I do that Kolo will need you to translate the darkly dangerous book for him; do not give him that reason.”

Sidonia insists, “I might have to mislead him, by saying I tried to open it and failed. Trust me, even if I am gut sick with fear, and have icy prickles up my spine, nothing will keep me from ending it, this time.” The Dark Princess’s whisper counters her brave remarks, “If he has no powers, why do I fear ending things with him? Is it just guilt?” The Scribe shutters at her eerie tone.

He watches her hair making wild snake-like motions behind her back. Grekan is used to her strange tendency of speaking her private thoughts in a hushed voice. However, here on the dark roads, it feels frightening and causes the Librarian to make a poor joke to lighten his mood, “Careful others might hear you talking to yourself and claim it is Ramblings of the Mad Woman.”

Grekan smirks, “They might have you committed.” Princess Sidonia huffs with disbelief, “How could you?” He smacks his own forehead apologizing, “I-I forgot for a moment that your mother was in an asylum.” She sarcastically scolds, “Then she got kidnapped, do make a joke about that too. And I asked you not to refer to Samala as my mother.” Grekan asks, “Why does it make you angry?”

The frail Clerk rubs his sore hand and forehead mumbling, “That actually hurt.” The dark girl scolds, “My only friend forgets? Visions of being captured drove Samala crazy; she tried to kill me more than once.” Ashamed that his remark upset her, as he should have known all of this, Grekan says, “Oh, of course, I recall bits of that, now. Still, I do not understand why she hurt you?”

Sidonia states, “Samala claimed I will betray her by helping the January Man take her. Somehow, I cause Rorik’s and Viktor’s deaths too. After Samala’s second attempt to kill me, Father left me with my Great Grandmother Romina, on Witch Island. I was only seven. A few years later Father had to commit Samala.” Grekan sighs at his comments, “Honestly, I meant no harm.”

Bitterly, the Princess admits, “For a long time I thought Father left me because he believed her, rather than to keep me safe from Samala.” Solemnly, Grekan tries consoling her, “I do see why you decided the Queen has forfeited the right to be called your mother.” She shakes her head at these dark memories; it feels typical of how her day is going, everything causes her guilt.

Deep in thought she whispers, “It is not my fault.” Breathing in, she says as she exhales, “Now let it go.” Grekan questions, “I have heard you say that before.” Sidonia replies, “My favorite class at school focused on our Book of Shadows.” The Librarian is horrified that a class focuses on dark things, and comments, “That sounds terrifying.” She laughs, “It is the ‘shadow of your mistakes’. You write what you need or want to work on for a week.”

She adds, “They also taught us to use positive sayings while breathing. It clears my mind to focus on improving, and access my powers. I also use it to seek visions. No problem resolves itself when left in the dark, thus the name Book of Shadows.” Grekan mumbles, “I guess that makes sense.” Sidonia reflects on her intentions; hoping to have enough courage to face Kolo, as she ends things with him.

The Oracle frowns, at not being able to get away from her oppressively foreboding feelings. Regardless of anything that ‘Kolo Skotadi’ says to keep her with him; she plans to finish it, in a way that he will agree to leave her alone. They walk in silence, as the Clerk wonders what a January Man is. The quiet wears on him and he groans at his large mistake. Grekan did not mean to upset her.

Valuing their friendship, Grekan rushes to make it right, “I am sorry, I do recollect you telling me of Samala’s behavior.” Her frustration with her gift for being so un-useful at a time when she needs it most is causing her silence; but it wears on the troubled clerk, fearing it is about what he said. Cursing himself, Grekan pleads, “I apologize. Will you forgive me?”

He adds, “I should have recalled it all, before I attempted such a poor choice at being humorous. I-I think my fear at our dark gloomy surroundings caused my lapse of memory.” She smiles, it is the least of her worries, before she replies he cuts in, “How can Kolo be older? I was told, Anthony’s group were the first vampires.” Sidonia sighs, “Kolo said his group ‘the Undead’, gave the witches the idea for making the humans harder to kill.”

Princess Sidonia adds, “The witches also added powers for Father’s group so they were strong enough to battle the demons. Kolo only has endless lives.” The Clerk hates how creepy the road is, he mumbles, “I have not heard of the Undead.” She whispers, “I cannot imagine why he would lie about it; so, I believe him.” There is a strange noise that is getting louder, he asks, “Do you hear that?”

Grekan looks about, the stone path and wall are causing the noise to echo around him. The Princess continues to talk to herself in a whisper, “Is he lying?” It makes it worse; he catches up; smirking, “You do sound crazy, Dark Princess.” Sidonia lightly scolds him, “Only my father calls me that. I would think you could understand, that talking to myself is the only way I can think, when unable to clear my mind?” He cringes, as the thumping sound is stronger now.

Sidonia adds, “Otherwise, I have yours, and worse, everyone else’s negative thoughts coming in to interrupt mine.” He admits, “I should have realized that might happen to you.” She proves it by taunting, “Oh, and Kolo says talking with me helps him to feel younger, more alive and understand this time.” He groans at her knowing his thoughts, “Of course. Do you hear those thuds?”

The Princess sighs, “Yes, it is likely just the wind, blowing a branch against a cottage or the village’s wall.” She has no desire to be angry with Grekan as they near the village’s back exit. The cobblestone ends, and there is only a dirt road going out of town, As they make their final turn, all is too silent now. Grekan looks around in suspicion, and wonders if she somehow passed Kolo’s home.

Gasping, Grekan points at a dark figure moving in an odd lurching way as it goes on the dirt road. He is unable to tell if it is coming nearer. Sidonia’s eyes glow green, as she uses her gift to learn if it is dangerous. The dark girl quietly laughs and whispers, “It is only Jillian, from the bookshop; we caught up to her. She is just stooped and hobbling with age; it does look menacing in the dark.”

Grekan mutters, “Why would anyone be out here?” She chuckles, “It was her cane on the stone road that made the thumping sounds, see she is going to that home.” Sidonia now warns him in a lowered voice, “This is the road Kolo lives on.” A sense of dread comes over Grekan as he wonders again why he insisted on coming with the Dark Princess. Wickedly Sidonia moves behind her friend.

She makes her voice into a grim whisper saying, “You came because you want the book for yourself.” It causes Grekan to jump with fear; he gives her a groaning chuckle, “You just took ten years from my life. I admit I want to read Anthony’s war journal, not keep it nor use it as I feel Kolo wishes to do. Being about battles I might not be interested enough to even finish it.”

Grekan then grumbles, “And you know I dislike it when you read my mind.” Sidonia quips back with a giggle, “And you know it is not always in my control.” While others think Grekan is too snippy, she appreciates that he is generally positive, devoted to learning, has good advice, and only speaks what he believes. Tripping, he covers his humiliation, “Where did this bloody fog come from?” Sidonia shrugs, “It is often on his street.”

He cringes, “Oh, well that is not creepy either, what a dreadful place to live.” She adds, “It is likely something to do with the nearby river and forest.” Grekan asks, “Why did you ever become involved with him?” Sidonia whispers to herself, “Our mothers and childhood were similar. Why do I feel he lied about his reasons for desiring Father’s book. Where did he learn about it?”

Grekan states, “Precisely why we should go home, and write him a letter. I will even wrap it with an insignificant bible, not a six-hundred-year-old unique book. It will be safer if we return in the daylight and toss it at his house.” She mocks, “Shall we run away or hide in the bushes, until dark to see if he is there, or approves?” He snorts; She taunts, “And of all books, you expect him to be happy with a bible?” Grekan retorts, “No, I expect it will improve his morals, as long as it fails to burst into flames at his touch.”

Sidonia laughs, “He is not evil. Yet, he did say that his name ‘Kolo Skotadi’ means ‘Damned to Darkness’, odd-.” Horrified, Grekan cuts in, “Please tell me, you made that up!” Sidonia replies, “No, that is its meaning. Should I blame him for a family surname or a first, which his parents gave him?” Grekan gulps, “I wish you kept that dark bit to yourself.” She laughs wickedly, “I know.”

It causes Grekan to plead in fear, “Stop, please!” She lightly chuckles, “You deserved it, after that poor joke that brought up the memories of Samala’s deadly betrayals.” He gasps, pointing. Sidonia sees the lifeless birds on the road; frowning, in a serious tone, she quotes, “Five dead crows, is a threat.” Grekan begs, “See, it is unwise to go to him!” She considers it, mostly liking that he cares.

Stolen novel; please report.

Softly, Princess Sidonia Vlasac tries to reassure him, “It seems to me as if a witch is trying to frighten us, not Kolo causing it, since he wants me to come to him.” He worries, “We should go back.” She admits, “I want to throw the bloody warrior book at him, for insisting I find it.” Grekan advises, “It will only anger him.” She says, “I am certain harming a book angers you, more than him.”

Sighing, Sidonia states, “Trust me; I need to face him, to know this is over. I left Kolo a letter once; clearly, he attends the Territory Leaders meetings at the Castle, as Kolo confronted me in my garden during one.” Grekan gasps, “I failed to consider that you will see Kolo there.” She says, “I cannot refuse to be Father’s Oracle, just to avoid Kolo. I simply need to be defiant, while ending it with him, and a bit irritating, so he does not want me back.”

Grekan asks, “What of your family jewelry?” She frowns, as he adds, “So Kolo can open the coveted Obsidian three lockbox?” She scoffs, “I would never give him the box nor the three keys. I am only giving him the book.” Shaking his head, Grekan asks, “Did you forget? When I touched the Blood Warrior book it locked itself and flew to you!” She smirks, “That lock is his problem to figure out.”

He insists, “Just trust me he will learn that he needs you to open it or he will die trying.” She shrugs, “And come back to life.” Grekan scolds, “It is the opposite of giving him a reason to let you go!” He adds, “If you recall, you only translated a healing potion and boundary spell. We have no idea what else it holds. And, Anthony hid it for a reason.” She scoffs, “You have no idea why my father hid it any more than I do. Also, I translated a power spell last night.”

Sidonia whispers, “What if he knows there are spells in the book. Should I fear that is why Kolo is seeking it?” Curious, the Clerk asks, “What does it entail?” The dark girl is annoyed with herself for mentioning it aloud, realizing it is dangerous for Grekan to ever know about it. Reluctantly, she vaguely tells him, “It is rather gruesome. Basically, a spell… you do while drinking blood.”

He scoffs, “Well I am sure he already drinks blood!” Not wanting to talk of it she says, “I cannot explain why; I just cannot put Kolo off any longer. I will not change my mind.” Sidonia now worries about her dream, fearing if it was Kolo’s command, it could be causing her decision to give him the book. She points, “This is his house.” Grekan admits, “Really? I expected an estate and mansion.”

The Clerk adds, “Instead, it is just a one level stone cottage, with likely only two bedrooms, maybe a sitting room, and a kitchen. While similar to many of the other small homes we just walked by in the village, this one is a rundown hovel. Strange he did not buy one in better condition; it appears the previous owner neglected it for a couple of decades.” The Librarian points, “Is it even safe to enter?”

She looks, as he states, “See how the porch’s wood structure leans ready to collapse? Perhaps he is poor.” Sidonia replies, “Kolo talks of grander homes; he said he only bought it for the quarterly meetings. He likes that it is secluded, and prefers his privacy, instead of staying in the Castle. I assume he will find someone to repair it, when he has time.” Grekan scoffs, “It is outside of the village.”

The Clerk cannot find words for why he dreads this place, “It is at the furthest north end and the very last home before leaving town; even the road’s bend takes your view from it. I guess it is why I must have easily overlooked it. The foliage is so overgrown as if the forest is trying to swallow it. It is creepy and like he is hiding.” Sidonia sighs, “I think you should wait here, across from it.” Grekan cannot stop himself, “His home is too dark, do not go inside!”

Sidonia smiles at him, “You fear too much.” He stiffens, as it reminds him of his weaknesses. She tells him, “Which in many ways, I find odd, as you pride yourself on being an intellectual who bases all from facts. The dark, rather than just being frightening, is alive with magical possibilities. You fear the view out of your sight, preferring a straight road with wide open scenery.”

He shakes his head. Softly, Sidonia adds, “For me it lacks any adventure and imagination.” He says defensively, “You are just too young to think of the dangers.” She teases, “No, dear friend, it is that I love the mystery of what is around the bend. I do not want you to fear for me.” Walking to the west side of the road, she goes toward the dark cottage. Grekan runs, catching up he grabs her arm.

She turns with a sigh. He fears she is taking it too lightly; his gut says he needs to warn her. Grekan’s tone is serious, “Your father put his book in five layers of security, each different; a forbidden island, a secret room, and two layers of lockboxes. The first had three hidden latches; the next was three hidden keyholes, which need your jewelry to open them. The fifth, his book’s lock requires your blood to open it! Shall I add the hidden Castle and its guardian!”

Cringing, she does not deny his points, knowing he is right. Grekan adds, “No matter what that book holds, your father did all that so no one will find it, except perhaps… you. He never intended Kolo to own it.” She fears this is true. However, Sidonia believes her need to end Kolo’s hold, is causing her to do it anyway. He pleads, “You will regret it!” She accepts this and is still determined.

Grekan tries to laugh off her strange hair movements as a breeze, but now it looks as guarded as she is. Her locks take the shape of fanged snakes, seeming ready to bite him. He steps back, blaming his fears on Kolo and the forest. Grekan sees she notices, as the Dark Princess grabs up her hair and twists it tightly, bringing it under control. Sidonia offers, “You can go back to the bookshop.”

She smiles, “I will meet you there.” Reluctant, he refuses, “No. I am waiting here for you.” As soon as she leaves, he wishes he had agreed to go to the village, but is unsure he can find his way back; looking down at his frail thin body, he is disappointed. Sidonia is right; he did come with her intent on talking her out of giving Kolo her father’s book. Watching her leave, obviously he failed.

He sees Sidonia is wavering at the gate. The Clerk knows it is as the Princess had once described; the iron spindles of Kolo’s fence are blocking Sidonia’s powers. Grekan feels suspicious of Kolo putting it there; the only reason would be to keep those with mystical powers from spying on him. The Dark Princess has to cover her hand with her cloak to open his gate, without being burned.

As she nears his porch, getting far enough from the fence, she has a premonition come. Sidonia lays in a tomb, as the stone lid slides closed above her, leaving her in darkness. Coming out of her vision, the Oracle gasps; she is ill and shaken to her core. Still sensing the stone around her, she feels helpless and alone. Worse, is that her mother spoke of having that same premonition.

Samala claimed that the January Man would close her up in a tomb and leave her to die. Sidonia worries this vision is the first sign of becoming a madwoman like her mother. The Oracle wants to run home. Seeing her stop, Grekan hopes she will decide to leave. Yet, he sees she foolishly walks up the path, onto Kolo’s porch.

Sidonia uses her key to unlock his door; then recalls her plan, ‘Give him the book, call him a few mildly harsh words, tell him to never contact me again, then leave before he talks me out of it!’ She enters his home, closing the door. The dark girl thinks, ‘Odd. There is always a fire going or at least a lamp is lit to see my way.’ She huffs in disbelief, “He is not even here?” Sidonia flips her cape back.

She gets the book out of her shoulder bag, heading toward the entry table. The Princess groans at nearly forgetting, ‘I must break it off with him, first.’ She puts her father’s book back into her bag. Walking down the hall, its darkness reminds her of the vision, and it causes the sensation of being in the dark tomb. Looking back at the door, the moon crests the peak, its light shines on the glass.

It allows her to see that the fog outside is increasing as it creeps above the porch making it gloomier. Sidonia takes a deep breath, “Be brave, it is almost over. Kolo asked me here; I am just early and will not have to wait long, before he arrives.” She touches the north wall as she goes down the pitch-black hallway.

Trying to lighten her dread, Sidonia chuckles to herself, “I am letting Grekan’s fears disturb me.” She peers into the dark, trying to see the parlor doorway on the south wall. A few steps more and moonlight comes through as the clouds move, so it shines in through the parlor window, revealing its doorway up ahead. She continues with determination, until the scent of Kolo’s opium pipe hits her.

It brings unpleasant memories of his fits of anger and sobs of sorrow when he had smoked it. Worse, is his lack of memory after, causing him to ask her to repeat their previous conversation. Again, she wants to leave, yet decides it is likely dark due to him sleeping it off; it brings some hope that he should be sober by now.

~*~

Grekan stands on the east side of the road and faces the cottage, which backs up to the Black Forest. A breeze comes up blowing his cloak. He shivers, and believes it is mostly from fear. An owl hoots as it flies down near him, causing him to cry out in dread, then he chuckles seeing it had not intended to attack him. Grekan decides that reciting a poem will help him pass the time. Yet, he finds that his fearful mind cannot recall any of the lines.

The Clerk assures himself, ‘there is nothing to be afraid of;’ when an odd movement in the forest catches his eyes. It is a strange shifting glow, deep against the dark trees. He realizes it is nearing, as it gains in size. Becoming clearer as it reaches the tree line, he gasps, and tells himself, “Surely, it is just the way the moonlight is shining on the moving fog.” Huddling behind the bush, Grekan watches, trying to find a logical explanation for it taking shape.

He fails, as it comes nearer, and the fog appears to be the size of a person. Now across from him, Grekan sees it has a female’s form, he starts to fear the misty lady is a ghost. Yet, the Clerk has never believed in haunting spirits. Having no magic in his blood, he cannot see that the ghostly specter has a mystical blue glow around her. Grekan tries convincing himself, ‘It is an illusion!’ As it moves away, he remains uncertain, then it disappears behind the cottage.

Worrying now, more for Sidonia, he debates on going to caution her. Just then, a wolf’s howl in the dark forest distracts him, and causes Grekan to freeze with fear. The Clerk is ready to run or start sniveling. He manages to list the titles of his favorite books, and it helps Grekan to keep his terrors away, so he can wait for Sidonia.

~*~

As Princess Sidonia continues into Kolo’s dark gloomy home; she is tempted to use her gift to see her way. The Oracle avoids it, unwilling to needlessly drain her powers and weaken herself. She touches a door frame and handle on the north wall. The dark girl assumes it is his room, if not, it is the one directly at the west end of this hallway. She has never seen either interior before, as their doors are always closed, and she does not want to open it.

This house is shabby enough that she has not cared to ask about it either. Also, standing in his room while he lays in bed, is not how she imagines breaking up with him. She realizes she really knows nothing personal about Kolo, as he avoids answering any question, she has ever asked. She chuckles, ‘No wonder I want to end it, if he is unwilling to share even the basic things.’ It is eerily silent, and her nerves tense, a distant howl causes her to jump.

Sidonia desperately needs to be free of the strange overwhelming dread that she is sensing. She crosses to the south side of the hall stopping in the doorway. Clouds conceal the moon’s light keeping the room dark. Reaching the center of the parlor, her foot bumps into an empty wine bottle, causing it to roll. The dark girl hears it hit into another bottle and stops, “He is drinking too?” To her right are two chairs by either side of the darkened fireplace.

Walking toward the nearest chair, she then senses a presence. Looking to her left, at the slight outline of a sofa and two side tables. Sidonia frowns as the couch appears empty, until the dark shadow moves, it startles her. She makes out a prone body lying there. Kolo once had a fit when she woke him; it gives her an angry grin, “It is a perfect way to start my break up.” Going to shake him, the clouds move, it appears to be a smaller form with long brown hair.

Stopping, she questions, ‘He is taller with red hair; who is this? Perhaps it is only the darkness that is causing him to appear different.’ The moonlight leaves as he rolls to face her and seems to have a pointed and longer nose than Kolo. His odd voice startles her, as he groans with desire, “Why do you stay so far away?” The dark girl steps back, unsure who it is. The shadowed male adds, “Instead of coming to lay with me?” Sidonia is furious; even if it is Kolo.

She has never laid with him, and is certainly not going to now. They have not even kissed and Sidonia knows her reluctance to do so is because she wants to trust him before kissing. She also wants to feel love for him before she lays with him. His drug habit was just one reason that kept her from both. The other reason is that she fears he has no such feelings, and is only interested in her for the book. She wishes she broke it off with him before hearing this.

Bitterly, he adds, “You just love to torment me.” This further annoys and confuses Sidonia. Mostly it angers her, as Kolo is the one tormenting her with his demands and possessiveness, still never desire; yet who else can it be? She feels too dazed to reply, and his following words hit her in the gut, as he hisses, “Oh dearest dark one, I love you so deeply that I am certain I will enjoy… killing you… again!” Princess Sidonia gasps in horror.

The violence of his comment takes Sidonia’s breath away; coldly she states, “All the more reason to leave you, again!”

~RMW~