RMW
Chapter Twenty Four
The Ferryman
~SV~
Blackstone Castle’s Secret Passageways, Dawn, 677, 28th, October
Princess Sidonia is standing in a small hidden room, at the back of Samala’s empty mausoleum. This room holds numerous assorted weapons and armor. The dark girl picks up a belt that has a buckle that hides a dagger and puts it around her waist. Seeing the Panther Bracelet, she latches it onto her left wrist. The Oracle uses her gift to be certain no one will see her leave.
The Princess unlatches the final hidden door, enters, and closes it. Sidonia now stands at Samala’s empty tomb. The Dark Princess feels furious with her Mother. Re-living the ‘Wolves in the Woods’ has her whispering, “Once again Samala, you are right. As now I do wish you dead, and lying inside this crypt.” The decorative iron outer door squeaks, she cringes, then quickly shuts it behind her.
~*~
Edmund sits up from lounging on the couch, as he asks with surprise, “So, how well do you know Queen Vanna?” Anthony grins. Chuckling Ormando states, “I did wonder about that comment you made to her, ‘not needing an introduction,’ it seemed to really upset her. Where did you meet a Light Elf female?” Ormando fills his cup with blood and begins drinking it as his friend confesses.
Anthony says, “It was a couple of decades ago; I met her at a Blood Den-.” Ormando’s loud choking cuts in, spraying some of his blood drink out, as he coughs, “What? You mean the uptight Queen was in our Blood Dens? If it were anyone but you saying it, I would not believe it.” Edmund smirks, “I would never suspect Vanna had a dark adventurous past.” The High Lord nods, “It was before I met Samala, and prior to her meeting the Light Elf, King Bailey.”
King Anthony sighs, “We were both unattached at that time, so it is nothing she needs to hide-.” Pausing the Strigoi Lord takes it back, “Well, in her position, I can see it may embarrass Vanna. If others find out, I admit it would cause a scandal for her, as I am far from being a Light Elf. Yes, she was none too pleased, at seeing me. However, it did not stop her from attempting to get me to help them escape.” Ormando finishes wiping up the blood he spat out, chuckling, “I can imagine her horror, when you arrived here.”
Edmund tosses both stones; Anthony catches them, yet states, “Yours is also deserving.” Edmund shakes his head, admitting, “I was suspicious of how Alrod was meeting her, it is why I was tracking him.” Anthony says, “You did save Alrod from certain death.” Edmund replies, “He does not deserve to be dead, yet has not earned me saving him either.” Ormando raises his cup to their King.
Grinning, Earl Ormando says, “I agree you win.” Anthony has a private smile as he adds their stones to his, placing them back in his pocket, recalling the days long ago. The rocks were a token of older times when they did not have food, let alone coin for a bet. As a joke, Edmund had picked up an attractive stone, admiring it he said, “This is at least worthy of our wager.” The other two smirked, finding the nicest small stone near them, and the game began.
They play to see if they can get all three stones and enjoy how long they can hold onto them.
Standing, Anthony gives them a drink, then he toasts,
“We have survived poverty and the war,
We even managed to evade Death’s Door,
With you two for friends I never feel poor.
I hope it remains this way evermore.”
~*~
As the first rays of the sun come over the eastern peak, Sidonia nearly feels safe. Until the scent of Donatello’s dead body fills the dark girl with dread at seeing him. She rushes into the garden, hesitantly opening the gate, it does not prepare her for the sight of her guard. Princess Sidonia is horrified by Donatello’s charred corpse hanging just inches away from her.
Sidonia drops to kneel in the open gateway, gasping with guilt, “How was I this bloody wicked?” The Shade tries to speak to her, but Donatello is unable to even moan. He slips by her, through the South Gate, and into the shadows of the garden. Weak, he regrets that he is now powerless to help her escape the Evil One.
~*~
After they drink, Anthony changes the subject, “I am having bad thoughts today; it concerns a prophecy about my children. I doubt I will be able to sleep and fear I will break my vow, by going to them.” Edmund’s seriousness is rare, “Share the burden, to ease the load.” Ormando agrees, “It helps me.” Anthony tells them of Obsidian’s prophecy. Edmund groans, “That is dreadful!”
Ormando gasps, “I do not understand; why have you held onto this, over a half dozen centuries, without telling us?” Shrugging, Anthony says, “Well, at first, I will admit that I scoffed at the idea. I did not know Obsidian well, and who would kill over my journal? None of us guessed how dark that war and the magic became, nor what it caused us to be, to survive it. Even at that time, I was doubtful of living through the war, let alone having a child.”
He groans, “It was only real once I married Samala. Still, once Sidonia was born, I could not imagine her grown, let alone running off with that book. When I left her with Nera and Romina, I believed and even hoped I was changing Sidonia’s destiny. I told myself she would never need my book. Yet I chose to gift her the jeweled keys, even as I felt certain her future had changed.”
Edmund asks, “Keys?” Anthony says, “They open the second three-lock box.” Gasping, Ormando asks, “You mean Obsidian’s Three-lock boxes?” Anthony nods. Edmond says, “It is impressive that Sidonia got them open, as they are notoriously impossible to break into. Obsidian made certain, all with magic will be unable to use their powers when attempting to find or open them.”
Anthony nods, “It is why I placed the book inside two of them; then I gave Sidonia a key on each of her last three birthdays, as Obsidian insisted, I do.” Edmund adds, “I heard they are always deadly to break into.” Ormando asks, “Did you tell Samala of the book?” Grimly, he replies, “Luckily, no. Even in the beginning, I did not share with her. She demanded I never speak of my dark past.”
Ormando gasps, “Why?” Anthony shrugs, “Samala did not want to know anything to do with my Vampire side nor hear anything about the Demon War. At that time, I felt ready to leave it behind me and act as human as possible for her.” Shaking his head Edmund states, “It is a betrayal! How could she keep you at a distance that way? It is not love to refuse to accept us.”
It stings Anthony to hear Edmund utter his own pain aloud. He knows Edmund does not intend to hurt him; he too, fears never finding one who accepts his dark past, and doubts trusting anyone. Anthony states, “I cannot regret marrying her, I love my children and cannot imagine life without them. I do wish I had tried to change her hatred, as she started to show her open dislike of our kind. Later I felt it had more to do with her attempts to hide her past from all.”
Ormando groans, “As if we picked it.” Anthony admits, “I wonder if telling her would have changed her mind. I never kept the book at Blackstone Castle. I had no reason to speak of it. I believe the one who sent Sidonia to seek my book is a Vampire, who was at our meeting, when the books were burned.” Ormando gasps, “I had forgotten; no wonder you did not burn it when us Old Ones did.” Anthony reveals, “Obsidian’s warning kept me from being tempted.”
~*~
Donatello’s Shade watches the Princess from inside the garden. Sidonia uses her cloak to cover her hand, standing up she closes the gate. Donatello’s corpse jostles against her, guilt has her sinking to her knees again, at her guard’s feet in remorse. It moves the Shade to hear the dark girl’s deep regret, “I do not deserve forgiveness.” Wiping her tears, she sees her father’s sword, on Donatello’s waist, and recalls the Dragon’s words.
The sword and its belt are unmarked, while her guard is heavily charred; she removes the black scabbard. Her brilliant green mist comes with glowing runes as she reduces the Black Dragon Sword to hide it on her arm. Before Sidonia can turn the sword into a rune, the Dragon hilt comes alive and its blade disappears.
The Dragon’s wings clamp around her right wrist, into a cuff. The tail twirls up her forearm. The Dragon’s neck stretches over her hand, circling her finger as a ring, and its head stays atop looking out. It flexes with her hand’s movements, as she gasps, “A magical Dragon Bracelet!” Donatello is stunned at her magic, as she puts the reduced black scabbard on her arm, as a dragon rune mark.
Slowly, Princess Sidonia now stands gazing at her home, a foreboding makes her feel that this is the final time she will ever look upon it. Sick as she stares at Donatello’s burnt body, tears fall from her eyes like silent daggers piercing her heart. The sound of the Ferry’s bell ringing in the distance, warns the girl she must flee now, this is her only option. Otherwise, she will risk facing the Evil One.
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The Dark Princess knows, if she hopes to escape Kolo’s revenge, she has to harden herself, quickly. She mourns Donatello’s corpse, saying with deep regret, “I should have left before causing your death. I hope you can forgive me, my brave bodyguard.” The Shade nods going between the bars of the crypt’s gate. Fading, he seeks the shadows by the empty tomb, and falls into a dark slumber.
Sidonia pulls her hood further forward to conceal her face and nearly steps on Duckweed’s dead body and sees three more laying there. She runs fifty yards to the wharf. Once there, Princess Sidonia ignores the Castle Pier’s bell. She does not dare to draw any attention to herself by ringing it. Instead, she takes the red and white flag from its holder. Her eyes go wide as she gasps at the dead guard.
Squat is floating in the shallow water near the wharf; his eyes are open and full of terror. She swallows her scream, as she believes Squat earned his death at Kolo’s hands. Sidonia wants to be optimistic that ‘The Ferryman’ will take her to safety, yet fears he might be ferrying her to a more dangerous future, and possibly her doom. She hopes those on the Ferry will not see the six dead bodies.
Looking across the small bay, upriver for it, the cold wind from the north keeps blowing her hood down, it blocks her sight. She is oblivious to the beauty of the autumn foliage, with its brilliant red oak leaves that are along both sides of the riverbank. She cannot have joy as her heart and mind are in pain. Sidonia watches through the tall golden reeds along the river, finally she sees movement.
The Dark Princess is certain it is the Ferry. Yet, she fears that something will still happen to keep her from getting onboard. Once the Ferry comes into sight, the Princess waves the flag, with hope that the Ferryman sees. Sidonia is relieved, when the Ferryman changes his course, coming into the slight bay toward her wharf.
~*~
Kolo says to the Guards in his coach, “Keep those blinds closed! Grunt, tell the Driver to take us into the grove of trees by the river. Tell me if you see any trouble.” Grunt tells Patch then gets back into the carriage, “I saw no danger.” Kolo feels faint, and he grabs the nearest guard, as Furlif begs, “Do not kill me, I am loyal to you, Master!” The Evil One sinks his fangs in and drinks greedily.
Hearing the bell for the Ferry, Kolo stops, asking Furlif, “What is that bell?” Weakly he says, “It is the fer-.” He falls to the floor of the coach, dying before he can finish his reply. Kolo groans at the inconvenience. He looks at Grunt who quickly leaves the carriage, saying, “I will find out, Master.” The Evil One asks the last guard, “Well? Can you tell me what that bell is for?” He whimpers, “I do not know.” Kolo grabs him, bites, and drinks deeply.
~*~
Edmund asks, “Where did you keep the book?” Anthony sighs, “Skull Mountain’s Hallowed Castle. I placed Obsidian’s three-lock boxes, within one of my hidden rooms there. I believed, if Sidonia manages to get to my journal, then she is meant to have it. I hope it saves my Dark Little Princess, as Obsidian claims it will.”
Grief fills Anthony’s voice, “Then Viktor stopped speaking so I risked having Sidonia in my world, knowing it will cause her to take the cursed book, and use it. Mediating here in this realm, was part of Obsidian’s warning. When I saw I could not avoid coming here, I went to the Fortress; I looked inside the first lockbox… as I feared, I found the second lock box and my book were both gone.”
The brothers groan, as Anthony adds, “It feels wrong to hope that Sidonia has it, nor ever want her to use it. She then asked to go back to Skull Island, claiming she left something there. Fearing she will return the book, I checked, my cuff confirmed it. I put her off; she must take my book with her! It is the only way I am allowed to save her.” Ormando says, “Surely we can do something to help her.”
Anthony states, “I have never had a reason to doubt Obsidian. I dare not go against her directive now, and she made it clear that if I interfere it will change Sidonia’s future, and that the outcome will be far deadlier. Not just for her; it will also mean death for many others that she would have saved. I must leave Sidonia to her destiny. If I warn her, it will give her the confidence to stay.”
Coldly, Anthony adds, “Obsidian refuses to say what happens to her if she runs away.” The brothers groan, as Anthony admits with a sad smile, “I know Sidonia takes her gift very seriously. It is important to her to save others. Should I deny her of that, simply because I want an easier life for her, and one that keeps her with me? Dare I be arrogant enough to think I can keep her from all danger? When my conceit had me nearly failing twice, already!”
Anthony adds, “I sense I shall be doomed to a lonely life. I also fear what this unknown villain will do, to get the book from her. I already saw Sidonia’s hair sway, the way Samala’s hair had, and even Viktor’s hair does. It forces me to suspect that the Vampire after my book is the January Man who took Samala.” Ormando asks, “And it means he forced Sidonia to share his blood too?” Anthony agrees, “I do not believe she would do it willingly.” They nod.
~*~
Princess Sidonia turns to stare at the Castle, as she waits for the Ferry to dock against her pier. She fears she may never see this magnificent and tragic place, nor even her family again. It gives her a stabbing chest pain and saddens her almost enough to break her resolve to flee. The Ferry comes alongside the rarely used wharf, and she quickly climbs aboard, before he can tie up. The Ferryman asks, “How far are you going.” Sidonia whispers, “Down to the Sea.”
The girl pays his price, as he asks with surprise, “Do you have any luggage?” Sidonia just forces a smile, “My bags were already sent ahead, thank you.” The Ferryman frowns, as it is odd for women to travel alone. He looks to the bank expecting someone is about to board and come with her. Realizing she only paid for one, and since no one is coming, he pushes away from the pier.
Silent tears fall, as Sidonia looks one last time at her home. She gazes at the horrors of her brave bodyguard, the Dark Princess’s whisper is angry, “I vow to one day avenge your death.” Kolo’s warning of Donatello hanging upon the garden gate is like a harbinger of her coming doom. She feels scorched with his burnt image, as if Kolo’s fire has permanently branded it into her memory.
It can never heal and she will always have this scar. With great regret, Sidonia turns her back to Blackstone Castle, feeling like a coward; who is always running away from her fears and troubles. Never staying long enough to resolve them. She takes a seat near the front, and looks down river, as she wills herself to leave her deadly failures behind her. Sidonia hopes the future will be brighter.
~*~
Kolo falls into a deep sleep. Hearing his snoring in the carriage Andre and Patch get down from the driver’s seat. They rush off before Grunt arrives back at the carriage. Grunt opens the door, it wakes his Master; Kolo hisses, “What did you find out?” Grunt tells him, “Captain Heg informed me that it is the River Ferry’s bell; it always rings before approaching the Castle’s pier.”
Grunt adds, “It will only stop if someone is there answering its ring with the bell on the wharf… or to drop someone off.” Exhausted, Kolo Skotadi asks sleepily, “So, did it come to dock at the Castle’s pier?” Grunt replies, “I doubt it, no one rang the Castle wharf’s bell.” Kolo swears, “What bloody good are you? Get some men and determine if Sidonia is boarding the bloody Ferry. If she is there, grab her and bring her to me. Hurry, before it is out of sight!”
~*~
The High Lord says, “Desperate, I asked Donatello to watch and go with Sidonia, my cuff agreed it is alright.” Edmund says with a hint of a jest, as he tries to lighten his friend’s mood, “Well, if you decide that there is something I can do, just say so or toss me my stone. I will know that it means you want me to go, and I will gladly do whatever I can… or am allowed to do.” Ormando groans, thinking it is ill timed. Yet, Anthony gives Edmund, a slight smile.”
Anthony thinks back saying, “It was the hardest thing, I felt tempted to not help Viktor, believing the danger to Sidonia if I brought her home. I wanted to leave her in the Mystical Realm and trust that all was safer for her there. Yet, I could not stand to hear Viktor’s sad thoughts during the day when I could not comfort him.”
Edmund moans, “Oh, dark as demon dreams!” Ormando groans, “Tragic.” Earl Edmund Trulov fills Anthony’s cup handing it to him, as a rare blood tear rolls down Anthony’s face. The Strigoi Lord mutters, “How do I forgive myself, for sacrificing my daughter, to save my son?” This chokes up his two friends.
Anthony adds, “I knew Sidonia could make it better, as she is able to be with Viktor during the day. Still, I was choosing Viktor’s welfare over hers. Even now, I worry for him more than I do for Sidonia. I must accept that the current danger will somehow fulfill her destiny.” Edmund offers in a solemn tone, “I will go to Viktor now if you wish.” Anthony says, “No, not yet. Thank you.”
~*~
As the Ferryman pushes away from the pier into the small bay, the Ferry slowly goes toward the current of the river. Princess Sidonia huddles down to be less visible from the shore. Yet, she keeps turning to look over her shoulder, and see if anyone is coming for her. The stress of needing to get away makes Sidonia feel she could swim out into the stream faster than his pole is pushing them.
The dark girl looks around the Ferry; fifteen sleepy passengers are lying down. It might hold three dozen people, if they were all sitting. Only a few of the less drowsy passengers had bothered to watch her board. Neither they nor the Ferryman notice Squat’s dead body in the water or the four dead men near the wharf, not even glancing at Donatello’s body on the gate.
Just as the Princess felt she could relax; the dark girl hears voices behind her. Sidonia whips to look at the shore, and to her horror, she sees five Day Guards running down the path toward the pier. The Dark Princess sees they came from the small grove. Terror chokes Sidonia as she now sees and recognizes that Kolo’s carriage is there waiting in the trees. She feels doomed to be captured.
The Oracle senses that these guards are Kolo’s men, as they reach the pier and ring the bell aggressively. The Ferryman starts to move the Ferry back in their direction, going toward the bank, as the pier is now behind them. She sees that he has a plank, to let them board. Horror floods over Sidonia as she envisions that her burnt body will soon be hanging right beside Donatello’s charred corpse.
Even though she believes she deserves that fate, Sidonia rushes to the Ferryman placing more coins in his hand. The Dark Princess stares into his eyes. It is her first time trying to use her Dhampirica blood to compel anyone, she hopes it is strong enough to glamour the Ferryman. The girl pleads, “This will cover your loss, do not allow those men aboard this Ferry!” The Ferryman frowns at this and wavers as he looks to them and the shore, then back at her.
She quickly adds, “They killed a few men last night and are attempting to escape justice.” He shakes his head, but now sees the body in the water. She tries harder, “You do not want them on your Ferry.” Due to her weakness at using it to block Kolo’s Blood Magic, she fears her Bloodchild ability is not working. She gazes in his eyes, “We will be in grave danger if they board the Ferry!”
This time the Captain nods his agreement. Not feeling weaker she doubts she compelled him; she does not care, as long as he believes the danger, and continues to agree. Kolo’s men see the Ferry is not stopping, two of the men jump into the river, swimming for the Ferry. The other three men run down the riverbank, yelling at the Ferryman, “Stop! We must board your Ferry!”
Terrified as the swimmers near; Princess Sidonia expects to see their hands grasp hold of the Ferry at any moment. She feels trapped and doomed. The dark girl even debates jumping overboard but is concerned with her dress’s weight, and doubts she can out swim them, if she does manage the waterlogged dress. She fears she will drown, yet prefers it, to a burning death at Kolo’s hands.
Kolo’s compelled Guards swim for the Ferry and Sidonia. She is terrified as they come near enough to grab the side. Just as they reach for it, the current takes the Ferry out of their grasp, into the swift stream, leaving the Guards behind. The Oracle tries to learn what they know and fails, only becoming dizzy.
Sidonia hopes that her cloak has kept her identity concealed. Left unsure, the Dark Princess whispers, “Will Kolo’s Guards give up, or will they chase the Ferry by taking the road, and be waiting at the Ferry’s next wharf? Will Kolo be with them?”
~RMW~