RMW
Chapter Nine
Evil Intentions
~SV~
Blackstone Castle Library, Dusk, 677, 26th, October
Quickly Grekan releases her cloak and yanks it off, bringing Princess Sidonia out of the trance. Yet, she is not aware that she had been compelled to go to Kolo, as she harshly gasps at him, “What do you think you are doing?” Her loyal friend, sees the danger to her, and boldly states, “I am as sure as death, that I just saved your life!” Sidonia frowns with concern at his comment, “You are confused.”
Grekan strongly disagrees, “Even if the foe is at the gate-. Evil never apologizes!” Sidonia recalls her own words, as he fumes, “He only has ‘Evil Intentions’ toward you!” She gasps in horror, as the Clerk insists, “You must realize, he is trying to learn if you are here, to prove your letter is a lie. If he sees you, your ruse is over, you will never escape!” She groans at what she almost did, “Why did I ever say I wanted to go to him? I-I do not, yet I almost did!”
A vision comes; she gets a violent shudder and sits. Her friend demands, “I know that look. What did you see?” She groans, “Earlier at the Front Gate, a Vampire killed the Messenger after he gave him my note. The Vampire in the coach was not the Evil One, he looked different and has light brown hair not red; yet he feels like he is… the Evil One!” Grekan huffs, “The Guards should have informed us!” Getting her a drink, he says, “I fear he is too strong!”
As she drinks, he says, “You appeared to be compelled.” She nearly chokes, shaking her head, the Dark Princess is unwilling to admit that Kolo has this sort of power and control of her, insisting, “It is n-not possible, my bloodlines and the barrier have to protect me from him! It is unlikely he ever learned Blood Magic. He would have to- oh, I hope you are wrong. I am only tired; we have done enough tonight.” He sighs, “I am sorry I became cross with you.”
Grekan adds, “I am just worried; how else did he have you thinking he was going to apologize? Do you know that you said his name?” Sidonia looks faint, only saying, “I will go read to Viktor.” He warns, “I fear he has the power to read your mind as well. What if he knows where you plan to go?” She refuses this, “I have not decided yet.” She thinks, ‘I must not make any decisions, so even if the Evil One can, read my mind he will learn nothing!’
Picking up her bag, he asks, “Where is Anthony’s book?” Weak from Kolo’s influence, she lifts her sleeve showing the tattoo. Grekan nods, “Good, it is safe. I wish your gift also showed how to protect yourself, instead of only using it to help others. I will stay with you, until bedtime.” Sidonia feels dizzy, “Thank you for keeping me from going to the gate. Your offer to stay is kind; yet I doubt I need it.” He goes with her anyway. For Grekan knows the Dark Princess was not in control; it means the Evil One was.
~*~
Grove of trees by the river, Dusk, 677, 26th, October
Kolo says, “If she is not here, you let me turn your next body so you can live as a vampire.” Lola hisses, “That is a bullshit bet. You also get to pick her torture.” He scoffs, “It is only one body, you will burn it out soon anyway. Why not try it once? And suddenly you are less certain of winning?” She silently considers it. Annoyed at her lack of agreement, he mocks, “Your unwanted taunts of my habits and seeing that guard read the Princess’s letter… Demon.”
The Evil One seethes, “It is enough to keep me from bringing Sidonia out here.” Lola snorts, “So, you claim you found her, getting control of her here? It means I am right. I win!” Unwilling to admit it, he scoffs, “That is not what I meant.” Ignoring him, Lola taunts, “She lied in her note to you. Hmm, what possible reason would your young innocent Sidonia have for lying? Oh, I know! You deserve it.” He curses, “Snotty Shade, you have not won yet. Not until I see her.”
Giggling, she adds, “Last night you exposed yourself as a liar!” Kolo scowls, “I bet she did not come, because she left for Witch Island.” She sniffs, “Fine, I accept both challenges, and the proof is where we see her.” He smirks, “Accepting means you assist in proving you are right, by helping me-.” Groaning, Lola cuts in, “No. Not when you are sluggish from disgusting dulling drugs.” He growls, “Fine. Keep your bloody mouth shut, so I can concentrate!”
~*~
Dark Elf King’s Castle, Dusk, 677, 26th, October
After the Light Elves sit alone with the guards for hours, Vanna decides the gray desert look of his Castle is oppressive. Its low ceilings and dome rooms lack color and pleasing accents, it matches Haldir’s distasteful personality. Finally, the Dark Elf King graces them with his presence. He stands glaring down on them. Queen Vanna cautiously speaks, “May I ask what the matter is?”
Haldir looks into her brown eyes and sees she really has no idea, where it is all too clear that her husband and son know. Vanna holds her breath as Haldir spits out with anger, “Your son will stand trial, for the rape of my daughter; unless you succeed in swaying me.” The Light Elf Queen gasps, only suspecting Bailey of asking Alrod to look for secrets. Vanna glares at her husband and son.
Neither one of them are willing to look at her. She only imagined Haldir found her son looking through his papers or in his office. The Forty-year-old Dark Elf King gazes at the Light Elf Queen; he admires Vanna’s efforts to look appealing. King Haldir also enjoys seeing her look of disbelief and betrayal. He watches her tension, liking how it messes with her always-cool demeanor.
He tells her with mocking pleasure, “Your husband shall share equal guilt, as he put the Prince up to it, thinking this is the clever way to manipulate his proposal to his benefit.” Queen Vanna goes pale, and feels dizzy. The Dark Elf King adds, “While you might just slip free of anything other than being guilty by association.” Standing, Vanna turns to Bailey, saying, “You do not deserve the honor of being the father of my son.”
Bailey’s face goes red. Haldir gets a gloomy grin, at seeing her gray-haired fragile husband’s dark-circled eyes widen in shock, as she glares at him with contempt. King Bailey groans, really feeling her anger and disappointment in him, when she marches out of the courtroom. Vanna hopes it makes him think.
~*~
Blackstone Castle, Dusk, 677, 26th, October
Grekan follows Sidonia to Viktor’s room, and sits in the window seat as she reads to her brother, “The Angel who owes the King a life debt says, ‘I vow only death will stop me from finding the Prince and bringing him back to you.’ The Angel does not tell the King that the only way to go to the Dark Realm is to fall as if he were sentenced.” The Librarian frowns at what this might entail.
Sidonia reads on, “It also means the Angel will no longer be welcome in Heaven; his skin and wings will burn, causing his feathers to fall off, bringing him great pain. He will then be known as a Fallen Angel. Still, the Angel keeps his oath, as he manages to sneak into the grand Court of Justice. There the Angel uses a crystal to open the Dark Realm’s Gateway.” Grekan leans in, with interest.
“Standing at the edge he wills himself to fall, as he jumps in, falling into the oppressive darkness. Slowly, the Angel wakes, on the ground in pain; his eyes cannot see as they have burned, as well. Quickly, he searches the Dark Realm, using only his powers, to sense the Prince’s soul. He believes it will shine brightly among the demons’ darkened souls. First, he does not sense him, then slowly his powers lead him to the Prince, just as his sight returns.”
“As the Angel sees the Prince’s appearance, it startles him into nearly denying that this is the King’s son. The unconscious Prince is still weak from the transformation. The Angel lifts him, flying back to the portal, unsure he will be allowed out of the Dark Realm, now that he has entered it. Still, he had willingly risked it.”
“The Angel believes that since neither of them were sentenced, nor marked as demons by heaven, there should be nothing to trap him and the Prince in this realm, like the spell that binds the demons here. The Angel successfully leaves the gateway of the Dark Realm, yet it is a long climb to reach and enter into the Justice Court in Heaven. His weakened wings are near giving out when he starts to see the silver light above him. Once he enters heaven’s gateway the Angel lays the Prince down, and closes the gateway to darkness.”
“Swiftly, he opens the portal again, this time to the Mystical Realm. Lifting the Prince back into his arms, he is ready to drop when two Warring Angels enter the courtroom; they both see him, shouting, ‘Stop.’ He knows that it will be worse for the Prince and refuses to let them catch him. Unafraid, the Angel falls with the Prince, hoping to get far enough away from them. This time the drop is not as far; the Angel does not lose consciousness, and he only receives slight burns to his eyes, skin, and featherless wings.”
“The Warring Angels are unwilling to fall to follow him. Instead, they fly to the main Heaven Realm Gateway, using the Rainbow Bridge to enter. When the Angel and Prince land in the Mystical Realm, he sees he is on Grandess Destiny’s Island. The Angel believes he will get the Prince to his father before the Warring Angels find him. As he sees the islands, he hears the Prince groan.”
“The Angel sees the Prince’s skin is burning. He is nearest to Wizard Island and goes into the first empty cave he can find. Trying to decide if he should stay or go for his father the King; the Angel senses the Warring Angels are nearing; if he stays, they will grab the Prince and sentence him too, or worse believing the Prince is a demon, force the King’s son to fall back into the Dark Realm.”
“Waking the Prince, he tells him, ‘I have saved you from the Dark Realm. I will be taken to prison now, so I must leave you here, to keep you safe. Stay hidden until dark, your father’s Castle is north of this island. Tell the King I did all I can to repay my life debt to him.’ The Prince nods, yet had not understood him. The Angel flies to the Banned Continent, which is known for its many criminals, drawing the Warring Angels, away from the innocent Prince.”
“The Prince falls back into an exhausted slumber; not understanding what danger he is in. The Warring Angels catch the Angel who saved the Prince. They bring him to the court. He refuses to tell the Judge which prison realm he entered. He will not say whom, or even what, he carried out. The Judge does not wait for an Oracle to learn the truth. He finds him guilty, surmising he used the Court Gateway to release a prisoner from Hell or Nifl. The Judge sentences him to three centuries serving at Grandess Ethereal’s will, chained as one of her Death Reapers of the Shade Realm.”
“Later, the Prince wakes as the sun is near setting. He stumbles out of the cave, and gasps as the fading sunlight burns him. Rushing back into the darkened cave, he remembers the Angel said to stay until dark, but it felt like a dream. Sitting, to wait, he realizes he has no idea where he is. He vaguely recalls the Angel saying to go north to a king. It brings a lost feeling, as he cannot recall his own name, even his family’s name, nor any of their features.”
“After sunset he wanders out looking for food. Slowly some of what the Angel did for him, and the information he had told him, comes back; other parts are a vague and an unclear memory. Hearing cries, the Prince goes toward the sounds; he sees robbers tormenting an old Wizard. Quickly the Prince saves him, surprised by his own strength as he throws the robbers a great distance with little effort.”
“The Wizard is frightened and yet so thankful that he does not oppose the sight of the Prince. The Beast Prince lifts the Wizard, carrying him to the Wizard’s home. There he nurses him back to health. In return, the old Wizard helps the Prince by explaining why the sun hurts him and why he craves blood. Also informing him that it was likely a lack of blood during his transformation, which caused his loss of memory. The Wizard names him, Lord of Darkness.”
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Viktor yawns, “Does he ever find his father?” Sidonia smiles, “I guess we will find that out tomorrow night.” The young Prince wants to argue, but is too tired to stay awake, so he closes the book. His sister places it by the other couple of dozen books she had made for him, this last year. Sidonia kisses Viktor’s forehead and leaves. Grekan follows her out, thinking on the story she had told Viktor.
Grekan now states, “That seems like an awfully dark tale for even a boy of his age.” Sidonia chuckles, “You should hear the stories he tells me. Besides, when you grow up in our world with my parents, I think it is better to believe you are not the only one who is going through struggles and that ours are not as bad.” He had not thought of that and nods following her toward her room.
~*~
Lola asks, “How do you know you are connected?” Kolo gasps with effort, “I receive a sense of her. I only thought I found Sidonia for a moment. It is more likely that she is not in this realm.” As weakness takes over, Kolo’s false image leaves him; he gasps in horror at being exposed. Lola snickers at his inability to maintain it. Coldly, Kolo asks, “Do you have the power to bring her out here?”
She rolls her eyes; he answers for her, “No. So it is wiser to stop distracting me with your childish mocking.” She scoffs, “Is that a threat?” Kolo retorts, “Do keep it up so you can find out.” Lola fades and he rolls his eyes at her way of pouting. Kolo threatens, “Leave me and who will help you find your next body?” Lola snips, “I can find and possess them on my own.” He huffs, “Not a witch.”
Kolo adds, “Even you dislike your looks and I win most, finding the prettiest January Girls. I can get you a witch, but if you leave, I will get a fairy; I bet she lasts longer.” Lola hisses, “You bloody troll. I will not accept a fragile wing fluffy fairy body!” He grins as it causes her to silently float back to stand on his left side.
~*~
Queen Vanna immediately exited the Dark Elf Castle, into the garden. As she walks on the light gray sand, and dirt it echoes her gloomy emotions. Even the drab pond, is uninviting, with a layer of scummy white with gooey brown patches covering its stagnated water. It is all unappealing, causing her further hatred of this place.
Vanna wears the favored hairstyle of the Light Elves; it is two toned, bright top locks, with more of a natural color to the under half of her hair. Her upper hair is a bright red and she wears it in a braided veil, which lays over her lower light brown hair. She wears pale yellow flower shaped jewels in her hair at each connection point of her braided veil, causing her hair to sparkle.
These jewels also match the jewels in her crown, earrings, necklace, and rings. Queen Vanna tries to take some deep breaths and clear her head, to come up with a plan. Instead, the dead surroundings fuel her anger at her husband. She is certain that Bailey has willfully trapped her in this horrid turn of events.
Using the cover of a mostly barren bush, Vanna waits to release her sorrow. Once she is certain she is alone, she lets herself cry. Yet really wants to scream venting her rage loudly, swearing at Bailey, for his betrayal. The Light Elf Queen refuses to unleash such a display, not caring to have gossip about her. She has no idea how to save Alrod. Vanna notices that even the sunset is gone and the sky is darkening, to where she is uncomfortable for her safety.
Gaining her composure, Vanna’s light pink mist comes to her fingers, touching her face, she repairs and darkens her makeup. Her mist changes her bright dress, to a deep brown, and darkens her jewels to match; also changing her bright red hair to a dark brown. Entering the courtroom with a regal stroll; her hardened expression concerns her son and husband. They are further bothered when Vanna sits away from them. Her silence and distance stresses Bailey.
Unsure he is ready for the consequences she will bring; it did not don on her husband, until now, that she would be this angry with him. Bailey scolds himself for only considering what he can get from Haldir; mostly blaming his decision to admit to Vanna that he planned this. He should have let his wife believe that Alrod was in love and just allowed his feelings to take control, making it only a small mistake. He frets on what he can say to win Vanna over.
~*~
Sidonia brings one of her father’s finest liquors to her room. Grekan locks her door from the outside and keeps the key, going to his own bedroom. The sound of it locking causes Sidonia to feel as though she has lost her mind and is imprisoned for her own good; just as her mother had been. Regretting her actions; a silent tear flows down her cheek. She lights a lamp and pours a cup full.
Drinking it while she gets ready for bed, her head spins with guilt over the death of the messenger. She goes from wanting to confess to her father, to needing to run away from what she caused. As she lays down, memories of good talks with Kolo flood her mind. She has an overwhelming need to see him, and now feels he wants to fix the trouble she is in. The Princess recalls there is an extra key and searches her dresser drawer, until she finds it. Yet, resists taking it.
Sidonia whispers, “I will just make sure he is not too furious with me. If I can make this right, I will not have to tell father, and I can stay.” She picks up her cloak off the back of her chair near her desk. However, the unfinished pages for one of Viktor’s newest stories, makes her stop. Sidonia’s love for her brother breaks Kolo’s hold. The dark girl states, “No, I do not desire to go to him!”
Furious, the Dark Princess vows, “I know the truth, he will never fix this nor change!” She sits making a list of what she needs to do in order to reach a distant island and live there. It is not as long as she thought it might be. Looking it over, she revises it, shortening her steps, and finds a bit she can complete tonight. Putting the chain, which holds the key, around her neck; Sidonia brings her meeting notes, as she leaves her room, going into her father’s den.
~*~
Kolo and Lola see the lamp shining through the Princess’s window. Lola grins, “I win both of our bloody bets; Sidonia is here and was at our home last night. Admit it, you royally ruined our plans.” He accepts his own stupidity, just not to her, “It proves nothing; it is likely just a maid cleaning up. Since I have failed to get control of her here-.” She groans, “No, you lost her at the cottage.”
He finishes, “-I prefer disbelief over ruining a couple of decade’s worth of careful planning.” Lola mocks, “When have you been able to touch Samala in any dream?” He cringes, “You are cruel.” She laughs, “You told her you bought the cottage for her and she looked at it with disgust, until she realized you were not talking to her.” Kolo groans, “I never would have said that!”
Lola smirks, “You danced the Princess around, called her Samala, and the horror on Sidonia’s face was simply delicious. You even exposed your fire! You saw the charred chair you burned and know I am telling the truth.” He has a nagging feeling she is right; Kolo fumes, “You failed to mention any of that before now, why?” She mocks, “You assume I know what part you have forgotten.”
Lola scoffs, “Why even question me? You never remember everything, after indulging. I have decided on a threefold torture for her-.” He cuts in, “You let Sidonia leave, putting us at risk.” She sneers, “If you distrust me, why are we even here?” He scoffs, “I can prove Sidonia went to Witch Island. Yet, I dislike paying the Devils for their gateways.” She replies, “You are afraid of Grander Chance and Grander Fortune.” He huffs, “Are you willing to risk it? No.”
Kolo grins, “I am trying to keep them from taking you. We are both unwilling to go over water to grab her from Witch Island. I can pay or compel someone to go there for us and wait for their return. Yet it costs and risks us nothing to stay here! Besides, I will see her at the quarterly meeting.” Lola shrugs, “I have no question about what I saw. Can you say the same?” Kolo suspiciously says, “No. But I did not expose myself and you would have stopped me.”
Lola twirls her dull brown hair, “You were too delusional to realize it was her and I did try to get you to grab her.” Kolo asks, “Why did you fail to restrain her on your own?” Lola sighs, “I loathe you killing yourself and sought my own joy. Besides you told me to leave, quite harshly I might add.” Kolo questions, “What were you doing?” Giggling, Lola admits, “I was chasing Boohoo Beatrix.”
He asks, “Who is she?” Lola says, “Your hazed mind never recalls; I told you; she is a newer ghost down in Satan’s Spit Forest.” Kolo pries, “Why her?” Lola shrugs, “Beatrix chooses to be helpless, so I torment her.” He states, “It does not explain you failing to grab Sidonia, does it.” Lola sniffs, “It is hours away, exhausting me when I returned. You were alive, but too far gone to wake or move you.”
The Shade reluctantly adds, “Let alone get you to snatch and restrain the Princess. I refuse to climb in you, to try getting your body to work, when you are passed out. It forces me to experience what you feel, making me as useless as you are. I even got stuck once and could not leave for hours. Besides, she is no good to us without the book.” Kolo retorts, “Yet, if you are being truthful, she will not give me the book now, will she?” This causes Lola guilt.
She only says, “I intended to grab her, but you had a fit, choking and nearly died again.” It sounds familiar to him, as the Shade adds in a serious tone, “I kept you from harming yourself. This is getting dangerous. If you do not get her before Anthony returns, it is likely he will learn all about you.” Kolo replies, “I doubt Sidonia is capable of admitting it to him. I always glamor her.”
Kolo brings his fire, holding it to Lola’s face, “I do this and compel her, ‘you will not dare tell anyone’, so I am sure, she is still mine!” His fire goes out. Lola reminds him, “She is not a human. I believe she is stronger than you think. If you had not become angry with me, and insisted I leave you, I might have prevented this.” Kolo mumbles, “I just needed a holiday from childhood horrors, which haunt me. You were making it worse.” Lola feels some sorrow.
Yet, she teases, “Oh, boohoo baby.” It mutes her guilt for his suffering, and not helping to take Sidonia. She adds, “At least you can escape the terrors.” Kolo hisses, “I can turn your next body, then you can enjoy it with me.” She scoffs, “I hate the feel of it while in you; I am certainly not doing it to myself! I like control of my mind and the body I am in. And I do not want to seek blood, nor like the taste. In a witch’s body, I can do magic, that is what I want.”
Kolo says, “Then prove you are right by entering, to help me bring her.” Lola smirks, “Why should I?” He sighs, “I must have control of her, so she can be useful.” She demands, “Two things. Stop blaming me.” He huffs, “Fine. It is my fault.” Lola adds, “Admit you chose the worst time to be a mindless twit.” He groans, “Yes, it was thoughtless. Still, you fail to admit my horrors are much worse than yours.” She counters, “Which of us has their body?”
She mocks, “Oh, that would be you!” Almost admitting, Kolo says, “I am here, what more do you want?” Lola quips, “For you to stop being so bloody careless. You make us vulnerable. If they take you, I will be alone, or captured too. You are just lucky Anthony is gone, rather than here for Sidonia to tattle to.”
Kolo nods, “I will only indulge in the safety of our home… if you help me.” She gets an idea; he begs, “Please.” Lola states, “Only if we do as I suggest.” He hesitantly asks, “What do you want now?” The sinister Shade grins, “I will bring you a Human Guard to get under your control.” He frowns, “Why, should I?” She smirks, “If you fail to bring Sidonia, the Human Day Guards can grab her.”
It is a brilliant plan; not admitting it, the evil Vampire just nods and she floats off toward the front entry. He sees his length of tunic on the ground, pulling it up over his potbelly, groaning at his own appearance. Kolo runs his fingers through his thinning dull dark brown hair, pulling the ends into spikes to hide his scarred cheeks and power marks, preferring not to reveal either to anyone.
~*~
Entering Anthony’s den, the Oracle places the documents for her father’s meetings, in his safe. Sidonia removes a chest of coins and goes back to her room. The girl believes concentrating on her plan has broken her temptation to go to him, strengthening her ability to deny her desire to fix it. She will no longer lose control.
The Princess locks her door and places the chest of coins in her trunk. She decides she is strong enough that she is safe, and no longer needs to run. If not, at least she has determined what she must do to get away to a foreign land and the coins will help her survive. Sidonia blows out her candle, once in bed, she falls asleep quickly.
~*~
Lola is nearly solid as she approaches a Human Guard outside the Front Gate, as he greets her, she is glad he can see her. The dark and fog keep Whitey unaware she is a shade. He smiles, until Lola rushes inside him; trying not to frighten him, she says, “If you stay calm, I will leave soon.” Kolo is startled as a white-haired guard approaches; he manages to transform into a tall, thin male. His red curls move, and his face darkens, as he phases to a Vampire.
Kolo is ready to fight, when the Guard gives him a scornful gaze; it causes the Evil One to suspect it is her, “I did not expect you back so soon.” Lola asks, “Why should I give you my energy, when you waste it just to look pretty?” Kolo’s beady eyes glow dark blue due to his mist, as he hisses a curse at Lola, “Go to your grave, hag.” Kolo’s veins darken below his eyes and up his throat, as the Vampire stares into the guard’s eyes, he glamours him, “Do not scream.”
Grabbing him, the Evil One viciously bites the Guard’s neck and drinks. Screaming, Lola comes out of Whitey, “You know I felt that, despicable dirty dog, you need to warn me!” Kolo gives her a bloody grin, “We are even, as this is a waste of my time. I am certain Sidonia left. She is still loyal to me!” Lola purrs, “Pprroove it.” The Evil One cringes. His veins darken and bulge; seeing he strains, the sinister Shade taunts him, “Not so powerful on your own, are you?”
He huffs, “Because she is in another realm. You promised to help and it is unwise to let others see my true image.” Lola frowns, “Why?” Kolo explains, “If Anthony drinks from his own guards, he will see what they saw, including my true form. It is dangerous to have Anthony recall that image, for he will remember who I am. It will give him one more piece of the puzzle; that I do not want him solving just yet.” Floating away, she forces him to admit, “Fine-.”
Kolo huffs, “-I should have waited. Look, Sidonia’s light went out; it was a maid and why I failed.” Lola says, “Or she just went to bed.” He touches his perfect left cheek. She enters, coming out on his left half, saying, “Remember this-.” He cringes, waiting for her threat, “-when we bring her out, I get to start her torture.” Her laugh is sinister. Kolo says, “It is still unlikely we take her.” Lola groans, “Oh, crappy crooked crows.” They drink more blood.
His eyes darken, as Kolo compels Whitey, “You will obey me.” Lola asks the Guard, “Is Princess Sidonia here or did she leave last night?” Kolo shouts, “Get out of me!” As Lola leaves, Whitey gasps, “How am I seeing you for a ghost now?” Lola giggles, “My energy fixed your eyes.” Kolo nearly falls, without Lola’s strength. Backing away, Whitey says, “Sidonia is likely in her room.” Lola claps, “See I told you she is here. I win, you naughty nasty newt!”
~RMW~