RMW
Chapter Twenty Five
Left Behind
~SV~
Sidonia’s Room, Sunrise, 677, 28th, October
Waking, Grekan is shocked at Sidonia’s empty room. He fears Kolo came, kidnapping the Princess, as well as taking all evidence of her. He is so startled he sits awhile to make certain he is not dreaming. Still, he finds no logical reason for her things to be gone nor him sleeping through it. Grekan slowly gets his wits about him, he feels the letters in his pocket. Bringing them out, he sets Anthony’s missive on the cushion beside him as he reads his own.
My dearest friend,
I am certain you shall be angry with me for leaving, just trust me. If I believed I was in no danger, I would gladly bring you with me. The Evil One will assume that you are aware of where I am going, so you must flee immediately. Leave a note for my father and backdate it a few days. I do not want Father thinking you were involved.
Inform my Father that you learned of some books that are of interest and if they turn out to be desirable, you shall purchase them and make copies for yourself, before returning. Leave it on my father’s desk. Be safe, and watch for anyone following you. Try when you think of me to do so kindly. I hope I shall see you again soon, my trusted friend.
I will always think lovingly of you, Sidonia
Grekan now believes Sidonia did not tell him all she was capable of doing; her missing furniture had to be removed, by her using magic. Recalling when he asked where the book was, she had pointed to a guardian tattoo, that was on her arm. Still, he feels slighted and lied to. ‘Left Behind,’ Grekan is also upset and insulted that Sidonia insists he flee like a coward. Yet, he knows Kolo will have men looking for her; then Grekan realizes he is still in danger.
Nothing has changed for the better, as all at the Castle continues to be deadly too. He instantly forgives her. Afraid of anyone finding him in her room, as no one will believe that he was guarding Sidonia, when she is gone along with all her belongings. Rushing to the door, he sees even her knob is gone. He feels his keys to her missing knob and the outer door are still in his pocket.
All sounds quiet so he goes to Viktor’s room, to bring the Prince with him. He sees that Viktor is not there. Grekan now assumes Sidonia has taken Prince Viktor with her. His hands shake as he unbolts the outer door, and relocks it, using the key. He runs down the stairs and halls quickly going toward the safety of his own room, nearly fainting at every shadow.
Once in his room, he bolts the door, collapsing onto his bed. Grekan now debates her plans as he re-reads her instructions for him.
~*~
Dark Elf Desert Castle, Sunrise, 677, 28th, October
The High Lord tells Edmund, “I will let you know when. Still, if any of us return to the Castle too soon, I believe it will keep Sidonia from leaving. Obsidian promised to send me a missive. Once I receive the notice, you can go to Viktor. Though waiting feels like a slow death, I trust that this is the only way. If I do ask you to go, I must get an oath that you will only stay with Viktor.”
The brothers notice that Anthony’s voice broke, and wait. The Strigoi Lord now finishes, “This is the worst thing I shall ever ask of you… Do not try to find nor save Sidonia! I am not allowed to do it and neither are either of you… it will risk her life.” They groan and yet both reply in unison, “I promise.” Anthony nods and hopes he can sleep, as he goes to his bedroom.
~*~
The day guard Grunt hurries back to Kolo’s carriage as he tells him, “I got four others, and we attempted to stop the Ferry. The Ferryman was starting to pull to the bank, I guess it must have been too shallow and he feared getting stuck, because he just left us.” Kolo raises his hands, “And?” Frowning Grunt says, “Two of our men swam for the Ferry.” Kolo shakes his head looking murderous.
Fearful, Grunt hurries to add, “But, the current is too strong, they had to come back when the Ferry left them behind.” Kolo groans, “No you imbecile, did it dock? Was Sidonia on the Ferry? Where are the men?” Grunt gasps looking at the river, yet the Ferry is no longer in sight, he hesitates, “Ah, I-I am not certain. I mean ah, I did not see her nor anyone that might be her aboard it.”
Kolo cringes at his stupidity, distrusting he even looked for Sidonia, he demands, “Where are those men, I am hungry?” Grunt goes pale, then grins, believing he is saving himself, “We are short of Day Guards, and Captain Heg will notice. The men went back to watch for the Princess. Captain Heg might find out how many you have waiting for Sidonia or worse all that you have killed.”
The Evil One sees the smile in Grunt’s eyes, and sneers, “You think you are so clever with your lame excuses. Do you really believe it has saved you from death? I am attempting to let you live… so you can bring me more blood.” Grunt’s smile fades, Kolo hisses, “If you were really worried about Heg, just bring Heg here; or if you were smart, you would offer to bring me peasants!”
Frowning, Grunt slowly brightens, “Oh. That is smarter. Where do I find them?” Kolo groans, “You are so inept that I wonder how you manage to still be alive. Where are the peasants usually? I do not care if you have to knock on their doors because you cannot find them in their fields.” Grunt scratches his head.
There is another awkward silence. Kolo groans, “What now? Do be my irritainment?” Grunt asks, “Your what?” Kolo glares, “You are such an irritation that it is almost entertainment.” Grunt still does not get it, so he moves on to his question, “A, ah, how do I get the villagers to come to you?” Kolo weakly jokes, “Tell them I have sweets.” He waits for the idiot.
The Human Guard frowns, “I am not sure that will work.” Kolo scoffs, “Must I think for you? Just tell them I have coin to give them and need assistance.” Grunt nods, “Oh, yes that will likely do it, but what if they will not come.” Kolo groans, “Knock them over the head and carry them back.” Grunt frowns again, “I know you said you want a few.” The Evil One is very tempted to kill Grunt.
As the sun is out and this is the only help he has; Kolo hisses, “Yes, and?” Grunt adds, “I am strong, but I can only carry two.” Almost crying the evil Vampire says, “Can you not see how weak I am, and you are draining me further with this tedious conversation. Carry them to me one at a time if you must. Just do it now, before I kill you for annoying me to the point that I almost prefer death!”
~*~
Getting up, Grekan quickly dresses and packs his travel bag. He thinks it a lucky coincidence that he knows of some books. In fact, it is why he was suggesting Sidonia go to Greece. He then realizes Sidonia likely read his thoughts and it is why she told him to go there. Grekan becomes a bit more confident of Sidonia’s strategy, as he is ready to leave. First, he listens at his own door.
Grekan hears the staff moving around, and deems it is safe. Going out, things are not back to normal, as the guards go out of their way to follow and watch him. The Librarian grabs a quick bite in the kitchen and packs a little food into his smaller bag before going to Anthony’s main office. Once there, he writes a quick note backdating it just as the Princess recommended, and opens the safe.
The Scribe takes a few coin bags and places the key, to the outer door of the Royal Quarters, inside. Yet, hesitates to put her bedroom key in, as it is a small reminder of Sidonia, he puts it back into his pocket, as it does them no good without the knob. Grekan locks the safe and leaves the Castle. The Clerk is uncertain he wishes to return. Yet, Grekan realizes he was unable to bring his books.
The Librarian admits that his books are important enough for him, to risk coming back, once he believes it is safe. Still on edge, he starts to notice that it is not just his paranoia. Everyone is watching his approach toward the Front Gate, sickened, he slows as they stare.
~*~
Kolo finishes off two peasants, as Grunt returns with two more, he orders the Guard, “Take these bodies into the forest. And I see Whitey is at the Front Gate, tell my driver to take me over there.” Grunt says, “There is no one sitting up there to drive you.” Kolo glares; quickly, Grunt offers, “I will toss the bodies out, drive you there, and walk back to hide the dead ones, in the forest.”
Snickering, the Evil One mocks, “What a surprise, you are able to learn… after all.” Whitey sees Kolo’s carriage coming and goes out of the gate to speak to him. Grunt stops the coach, and gets down, as Whitey informs his Master, “I have posted guards at each gate. Peck is still trying to locate a maid with keys to enter the private quarters and Sidonia’s room, to see if she is still asleep.”
Kolo is weary, “Good. It seems I have finally found a guard with some intelligence. I think you can manage this so I will leave you in charge. Once I am home, I will send my men to get regular reports from you. You shall follow their instructions as if they were mine. I need to leave; I have urgent business at my home. Get three guards to ride with me, and I also need a driver.”
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Laughing in a tired way, Kolo admits, “I think I might have drunk mine to death.” Whitey motions four men over, and Kolo compels Turley, “We head west, when I say.” His new driver climbs up and waits. Tad, Richard, and Luke get in. Just as Kolo is ready to tell Turley to leave, the Evil One sees someone of interest, causing him to wait as he gets a cold smile.
It is bad luck that Kolo knows Anthony’s librarian. The Evil One has seen Grekan often, during his habit of searching the library, when visiting for the quarterly meetings. The Clerk’s name also came up in his interrogations of Sidonia, as she used the ruse of organizing Anthony’s three libraries in order to search each castle for the book. Kolo sees that Grekan is carrying two bags.
The Evil One watches him approach the Front Gate, the Librarian’s luggage makes Kolo suspicious, as he taps Whitey with his cane. The Evil One tells Whitey, “Go find out where Grekan, the Librarian, is going and what he knows of Princess Sidonia.” Whitey nods and rushes over, going in the Front Gate in time to watch the Scribe come to the main entrance, of the Fortress.
As Grekan nears the gate, he has a sense of being abandoned, to where it causes him to feel lost. It distracts him from their stares. Grekan is certain he will never see Sidonia again; and mourns the absence of his friend. It is harder on him than on others, where it has always been difficult for him to make and keep friends, even when he was a child. Grekan now fears he has lost Sidonia forever.
Worse is that Kolo ruined his thoughts of being safe at Blackstone Castle; it had once felt like his home. Slowing under the weight of his bags, he approaches the Front Gate. Grekan worries there is too much interest in him, as all of the guards are glaring with suspicion in his direction. He notices that the white-haired guard is whispering to Heg the Day Captain, who now nods and turns, halting Grekan as he demands, “Where is Princess Sidonia Vlasac?”
~*~
As the Ferry passes a few empty piers, the Princess thinks, ‘I do not see the Guards. Perhaps, I have enough of a head start that they cannot catch me. Looking down stream, she sees the trees, and worries, “I still see the Black Forest, so I am too near home. I desperately want to trust that I managed to escape Kolo and he will not harm anyone I ‘Left Behind.’ But it is too soon for that.’
Sidonia sighs, ‘I really believed Kolo’s injuries were severe enough that he could not come after me until tonight. Donatello is dead and seeing his coach in the grove during sunup has crushed all hope that I have a day’s head start on Kolo! It also causes more fears for Viktor’s safety. It might take me a few days to reach the ocean and there is a lot that can happen to me between now and then. Sadly, I do not believe I deserve to find, nor be somewhere, safe.’
Still, the Princess hopes, ‘I want to do good for others in peace, while I get the visions I need, to fix this mess.’ In the back of her mind, the Princess has a goal, ‘I might find an army willing to fight for me. Then I can come back, destroy Kolo, and get revenge for Donatello! Perhaps even free Samala too. How can I have harmony for myself when I caused Samala to have none?’
However, Sidonia’s gut warns her, ‘I can never trust the Mad Queen, and I doubt that Samala will ever be willing to forgive me. School taught me not to seek visions of my own future; yet I do not think that avoiding danger is the same as seeking wealth or fame. So, this should be an allowable exception.’ Attempting it, she sees Blood Wrath, the blond man from her earlier Death Premonitions.
The Dark Princess lays in bed as she sees his muscled arm come around her. She enjoys feeling safe and loved in his embrace. She wishes to have his protection, always. As she pulls the blanket against her chest to sit up and turn, she sees Blood Wrath is naked in their bed. The Oracle comes out of the vision in shock. ‘I am not ready for that!’ She is surprised to find she is still aboard the Ferry.
Her vision had felt more real than she expected it could. She closes her eyes, breathing in deep as she clings to the lingering feeling of his comfort. She sighs, leaning against the side of the Ferry, preferring to try to remember his face, rather than deal with her current danger and disappointments. She feels hopeless, and her smile leaves, as the image of Wrath slowly fades from her mind.
Still, the girl is reassured, ‘I changed my future by running. It must be possible to escape Kolo, in order to be with Blood Wrath in my future.’ Sidonia also admits, ‘I prefer to deny Kolo by fleeing and even accept the dagger of a stranger; rather than face my fiery death, at the hands of one who has betrayed me, so deeply.’
~*~
Setting his bags down, Grekan glares at Whitey; while Elsbert, Gareth, and Hanis, move from guarding the gate. They all step closer, wanting to hear his answer. Grekan replies to Heg’s question with mock surprise, “I thought one of you would have been on shift, and saw the Princess, when she left last night.” They worry as the brave little clerk looks into their eyes, daring them to call him a liar. Nervous, Grekan rubs Sidonia’s room key that is in his pocket.
The Librarian finds comfort in her key, as it reminds him to be brave. Firmly, he states, “Sidonia told me she was going to Witch Island to stay with Romina, her great grandmother, the Grand Rambqueen of all Rambler clans. The instructors at her old school in the Mystical Realm asked her to come help them with a new oracle training.” Anthony’s clerk knows he is caving to superstition.
Grekan cannot explain why he believe Sidonia’s key can help keep him safe. Yet, as his fingers rub over the silver key, feeling the jeweled SV initials, it works. He does not care how illogical it is, for it is helping him to feel braver. Grekan tries to show concern adding, “A girl died during a vision, and while they managed to revive her, many are angry. The Princess will not deny their request as she wants to save others from that sort of death, if she can.”
The Clerk’s information surprises them; he sees this and quickly questions Heg, “I wonder who was guarding the Front Gate last night? They should have entered it in your log, so you did not need to rely on me. What was that commotion about last night? Did it cause them to miss her leaving?” Shrugging with bewilderment, Heg asks, “When will she be back?” The Librarian rolls his eyes.
~*~
Witch’s Shack, Pitsville, Sunrise, 677, 28th, October
Rorik wakes gasping at the sight of the Hag, “Who are you?” Fearing he spent most of the night pleasuring this at least sixty-year-old woman, he groans thinking, ‘She does not even look good for that age.’ He feels used, and almost gags, as she just cackles, mocking him, “Me uses me charmed choker as a glamor, when me wants ta feel pretty. It is me, just a reflection of me younger image.”
She mocks, “Surely Rambler males have enough magic ta see te mist around me and know me twas wearin’ a youthful version of meself? Me just took me choker off once we were done.” He hates the reminder of his weak blood, saying, “Never heard of it.” She moans, “Cuddle with me.” Prince Rorik is sick to his stomach and worries his mum will contact him again, seeing him here.
Panicking, the Rambler quickly says, “I can stop by here, before I return to camp. I must leave now; Mum expected me last night. While I really appreciate you and our evening together-,” He nearly chokes, “I have to go right now. My sister and mother are in trouble.” The Hag does not move, so he tells her the truth, “A Vampire took my mum, and now he is also hunting my sister.”
His Hexing Hag is unsympathetic, shaking her head, “Fools for bein’ involved with ‘em.” She holds out her arms to him. Rorik gives in as he gives her an embrace, closing his eyes. It does not help hide the odor. He tilts his head away and keeps his eyes shut. The Hag groans her displeasure, “Give me a proper kiss or me will not be gettin’ up ta open tat door until a more reasonable time, like noon. Ya seem ta forget ya woke me around four!”
The Hags tone is getting near threatening, “Now ya want more of me energy ta use me Dark Door? Not happenin’ til me gets what me wants!” He feels fated to disappoint his mum. Rorik gives in and tries to pretend that she is someone else. The Rambler closes his eyes, kissing her. He is having a hard time as she smells and tastes moldy. Rorik noticed it last night, but seeing her like this makes it worse and her disagreeable behavior does not help.
Getting up, he finds his clothes, putting them on. Rorik sees she still is not moving. He nears begging for empathy, “I must use your Dark Door. I might not be in time to save my sister. We really do not want to anger the Queen either; it might be my one chance at finding and rescuing her too.” She scoffs at his claim of his mum being a queen. Rorik adds, “I have been waiting over four years for this moment! Mother can be vindictive if I do not obey her.”
It seems to work as she now sits up releasing gas with a boom and she belches, as loud as any male. Rorik coughs to cover his mocking laugh. He asks, “Um, I forgot. Where am I?” The Hag huffs, “Ya cannot smell it? Tis Pitsville, named for te pits tat are ‘Left Behind.’ Ya nearly fall as tey roll under yer feet.” His Hexing Hag yawns, stretches, and scratches at a boil on her butt.
The Hag lazily adds, “We have an abundance of fruit bearin’ trees, te smell is te rottin’ fruit; no one eats it, tis poisonous. So tey let it drop.” Rorik thought the scent was all her, and now says, “Oh, that smell. Why not just burn them all down if they are that deadly.” She cackles, “Tey are superstitious of its wood too. One stood too close ta te fire and claims te smoke made him ill.” He blinks at this.
Yawning again, she adds, “So tey fear tis deadly ta burn.” Rorik asks, “Why do you stay here then?” Her reply is smug, “Me sells te poison. Tis easy ta ignore te scent of rottin’ fruit, when me can make good coin off it.” She points at a shelf, the only clean spot in her entire shack. Prince Rorik turns, seeing the neat rows of small ampules. He also sees a row of the empty wine bottles behind them.
He wonders why she bothered to put a few up there, when so many still cover her floor. She adds, “Me found me another benefit in te area too.” Disturbed, Rorik fearfully tries recalling what he drank that she might have poisoned. He decides he feels fine and she must not have poisoned him. There is nowhere to step without an empty wine bottle in the way. He mockingly thinks, ‘I know what my coin will be buying, bloody drunkard.’
She slowly stretches; her delays are making him angrier. Frustrated, he takes it out on her bottles by kicking a few out of his way, as he comes around the foot of the bed, to get his boots. Hearing it, she turns, gruffly saying, “Hey, watch it!” He gives her a mocking look; she darkly warns him, “Do not damage me stock, or you will pay!” Rorik quips, “They are useless and empty.”
The Old Witch glares at him, “Shows wat ya know.” Rorik foolishly takes offense and grins as he kicks another. He thinks she will move quicker to get him out of her hair. Except this empty wine bottle hits the bedpost which shatters it. The Old Hag tells him in a sinister tone, “Now tat will cost you!” Stupidly he laughs, “I will buy you three more.” The Witch grabs a bent old twig waving it at him.
Rorik’s eyes go wide as a murky green moss mist comes from it circling him, it binds him in place before he can run. Her murky green moss flows out through her lips with her spell, it goes into Rorik as he gasps and coughs, trying to keep it out of his mouth. The Hexing Hag now curses Prince Rorik to do her bidding,
“Bound ta me until I say,
ya have ta earned te sum.
For wat ya broke ya will pay
threefold and then some.
Ya will dig up coffins
pull their nails for me.
Fill bags with graveyard dirt,
ya put te dirt in te graves for me.
There will be one more time,
ta give me pep, in me bed.
After ya will not speak, nor tell
any of te graveyard, nor me bed.
If ya try ta do harm against me,
or even think of runnin’ off,
yer favored balls will shrivel up,
and yer precious pecker falls off.”
Prince Rorik finds he cannot move, as he feels a strap around his throat, which has a mist chain going to her twig of a wand. He sees his two belts of daggers disappear. Rorik grumbles, “Rotten second crazy old witch with a wand! I will never trust them again! How in Nifl will I save Mum now?” She huffs at him, “Ya have not seen crazy yet.” The Witch snorts, “Test me boy, and ya will!”
~RMW~