WBM
Chapter Thirteen
Skull Island
~SV~
Kolo’s Craftroom, Nearing 3 AM, 677, 29th, October
As Kolo enters the Craftroom, Lola’s skeletal form seethes, “You filth, you have always been a selfish brother. You are just a snot sniveling, rat rummaging, frightened little stinky slug! You goaded me into fighting that guard! Then hid instead of helping me!” Kolo tries again to reason with her, “I am sorry Lola, I did not know he had that black sword or what it would do! I did gather your ashes, and hurried here to revive you. Then I rushed to your gravesite, digging up your casket, terrified you were suffering.”
Lola is unmoved, as she is certain his men did it, not him. Kolo whimpers, “I pried open your coffin, sure I would find you in it. When you were not there-.” He forces a sob, “I dreaded it, yet imposed that horror on myself, I went to Glad’s Well! I was willing to do it, rather than risk leaving you in that fearful place for even a moment.” This causes Lola real dread, it has her floating backward in terror, at where he went. Yet, Lola is hesitant to trust Kolo.
She is now in his men’s faces as she demands, “Did he really go there?” Nodding, Tad whimpers, “They made me go down in it.” Luke explains, “I lowered him on a rope into Glad’s Well.” Tad says, “I had a lantern, to look for you, it was very scary!” Richard offers, “I carried Kolo to the Well, bringing him to lean over it, so he could look down in it, and call to you. We listened not hearing you. It was very eerie, and it was even worse than the creepy graveyard.”
Luke says, “He had us leave your grave open, to terrify everyone. Making them think you had risen!” Kolo’s lips twitch into a wicked smirk, as he admits, “Oh yes, I forgot about that, how delicious.” Even Lola grins at the idea of the town’s horror.
~*~
Half Moon Bay, Nearing 3 AM, 677, 29th, October
Sidonia continues her dream-vision of the Lake Bled Ramblers, this event happened five hours earlier, when it was 10 pm, on the 28th, dark. Nicolas fails to anticipate Leticia’s fury, nor manages to block the dagger, nearly dying before removing it. He still passes out, and dies before coming back to life. He wakes to Leticia’s giggle. Smiling, as she finally feels something. It has been centuries since she allowed herself to feel anything of consequence.
Nicolas stands, staggering back, he falls against the wall. Nicolas is shocked at Leticia’s accuracy and that she has a weapon, more than at, her hate. Sternly, he asks, “Who did you kill?” She mocks, “Well, clearly, I murdered you, but only temporarily. So, it means no one, as you are still able to breathe out another, yet, still the same, annoying question! Really, do you never listen? No wonder I do not miss you or this, if you call what we have anything.”
Leticia enjoys his stunned look, “I told you I did not want to hear from you ever again. I will do worse if you try, so remember the dagger. You need to go to the Ramblers you have neglected. I am sorry for them, yet I will no longer stay. I predict you will not deal with it- nor them in a way that they deserve. As you choose not to care, yet arrogantly think others should stay loyal and respect you. Yet, I am certain, it is your guilt at knowing you do not deserve-.”
She glares at him, “-our kindness, which has you retreating from us. You did not dare face me, or them, only doing it when you felt justified. Yet you were wrong, and your attempt to humiliate me only fueled my decision that you do not deserve me and never did. You think fear is the same as respect. It is on you how you treat this clan that has sacrificed for you; they are now your responsibility. Doing a fly over will not be enough. If you dare-.” She smirks.
Slowly adding, “-you can ask your faithful clan for your answers.” Suddenly closer, Lady Leticia is beautiful; she states, “I want you to look into their eyes. See their devotion and realize they know you do not care for them. Watch their loyalty and dedication fade, as you further betray them! Failing and disrespect are all you are skilled at. I dare you to recognize their look of disbelief, as you ask the next stupid question, as if it will solve the world’s problems.”
Nicolas is stunned, she laughs, “Rather than asking if they have food, are they happy, healthy, or in mourning! Sadly, you choose not to learn.” Suddenly, she is gone. He blurs through the castle, not finding her this time. Nicolas flies over his land, the clan is not with his flocks or herds. He drops inside their camp, instantly feeling it is disrespectful to do so. He realizes Leticia would drop outside the camp, then walk in. He arrogantly snorts, “It is my land!”
~*~
Witch-Shade, Fury vs Rot, Nearing 3 AM 677, 29th, October
Slaughter’s forceful hits shove the Shade, Death, into a blob on the ground. Slaughter does a quick turn, it brings Fury with, in an inhumanly vicious kick into Rot’s chest as he started to stand. All Four feet hit the Necromancer, throwing Rot. Rot with Death’s blob went backwards, with no control and no protection into the barrier, which shocks Rot and Death’s blob. The barrier glows green as it stings Rot and Death. They shake and slide down the dome.
The crowd is screaming, “Get up!” The Ringmaster counts to seven and calls the match, when the Necromancer is unable to stand up in time. Others cheer loudly. The Fight Master yells, “Fury and Slaughter have won!” The crowd goes wild, the Ringmaster adds, “The Warlocks win the second fight. Fury and Slaughter shall go onto the third match, against the Goths, Crimson and his Shade, Malevolent!” Furious, Slaughter yells, “No! It is I who won this!”
The angry Shade shouts, “I, Slaughter took the Necromancers down and won! The puny human was no help. I demand to have my name said first; give me the recognition I earned and deserve!” The Goth stands saying to Rorik, “Wish me luck, I need to talk to the Spirit Bottle Dame, and then get ready.” Rorik is glad he did not win as he could not face these fighters and their shades, “Good Luck.”
~*~
River Road, Nearing 3 AM, 677, 29th, October
Patch drives the horses down the dark road. Andre, leans against Tik’s carriage, closing his eyes, and remembers Skull Island.
As Sidonia’s group comes out of the forest, the Clerk is certain it will not be so bad, and takes a deep breath of relief, “I do not see what is so-.” As Grekan turns, he sees death on display and screams, “Ahhh!” He is face to face with a mummified corpse, strapped to a large metal X. Grekan shouts, “Why would anyone do this-?” His next scream cut in, as he sees it is not just one but a line of morbidly hung corpses, going down the road, as far as he can see.
Grekan groans, “Who did this? What were they thinking? He can hardly speak, “Why do such a horrid thing!” The Princess warns, “Keep your voice down. I tried to warn you, by telling you of their history. The slave owners had an army that slaughtered them, and displayed them to show everyone, none can escape.” Andre says, “Good thing it is night or you would have seen them all through the forest path we were on!” Grekan looks back at the forest.
The Scribe now worries he might faint. Andre adds, “This murky green mist around us is very disturbing.” Grekan remarks, “You must have magic in your blood to see color; as I only see normal fog.” Patch says, “I do not see it either. It is dreadful that they staked these victims, so others are too afraid to oppose them, or try running away.” Sidonia offers, “Keep your eyes forward or at your feet, and you will be fine.” It seems they walked for hours.
Andre sees that Grekan is trying hard not to look; regrettably, he cannot help it, and keeps screaming, too horrified not to look. Grekan groans, “It is all too mortifying, and why is every other body upside down?” Patch nods, “I was wondering that too.” The Dark Princess replies, “They had more contempt for the men, so only they are upside down.” The area is hilly and after a half hour of passing the line of corpses, they come around a bend, to see a valley.
Grekan looks at the stone structures, with hope, he asks, “Is that the Castle’s village?” Andre shakes his head, and Sidonia softly laughs, “No. These corpses are the people of that city. They created a glorious settlement where everyone was accepted and declared their community a sacred place, naming it the Hallowed City.” Grekan says, “At least it has a very pleasant name.” Sidonia sighs, “Not anymore. The killers renamed it, the Harrowed City.”
Grekan loudly objects, “I hope they died badly and pay for it in Nifl!” Sidonia cautions, “Try to whisper, please. We do not want to draw attention to ourselves. The army did not just kill their run-away slaves; they slaughtered everyone here! They did not approve of their interracial marriages, either.” It took another hour before they reached the Harrowed City’s cobblestone roads. Grekan worries that they are lost. Andre is glad that she seems to know her way.
As the dark girl leads them going left and right through the maze of streets, Grekan is certain they are going in a circle. Patch grumbles, “Is there not a straight road through this town?” Grekan says, “I read straight roads are deadly, as it allows invaders in too quickly.” She says, “I am unsure why they did it, but it did not save them.” Andre asks, “Are you guessing which street to take? They seem to all look the same.” She grins, “I learned their markers.”
Grekan feels there must be someone living in this city, otherwise why did the Princess insist they stay quiet. He keeps looking for an inn or a tavern; wanting to sit and have a drink after all that he has endured. Hearing something, he looks. Yet, all is deserted and eerily silent. Grekan guesses it is just their footsteps echoing off the walls, causing it to seem like someone else is walking on the side streets. Grekan whispers, “It all looks livable.”
He adds, “I just do not understand why no one came and buried the dead. And how did the corpses get mummified, and why did the birds and animals not pick their bones clean?” The Princess whispers, “Dark Magic.” Andre gasps, “Oh, that is why that green mist is around!” It starts to rain, and then it hails again. Opening a door, to the nearest home, they rush in out of the hail, and are shocked at the horror, of more dead bodies on the floor. It seems disrespectful to gawk, so Sidonia turns away, with tears in her eyes.
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Grekan says, “Now I know where the children are.” Andre asks, “Did they have their own army?” Patch agrees, “Instead of a maze of roads, train people to fight and protect yourselves.” Sidonia replies, “They were living in peace, they did not think to have guards in lookouts, to warn about invaders.” Grekan says, “Princess, I need to apologize for not trusting you back at the fort, worse I knew better than that! I never should have sided with Tik; against you.”
The Clerk groans, “I did not see how deadly it was going to become.” She gets a slight smile, then the whispers start. Andre asks Sidonia, “Do you hear that?” She nods, “Our presence has woken the Ghosts of the Harrowing.” Two Shades wail, “Sidonia!” “Princess, play with us.” The hail stops so they run out closing the door; they prefer the rain to ghosts. Grekan asks, “What did you see?” She says, “Just sad spirits. I met them before; I doubt they will try to harm us.”
Sidonia adds, “I was trying to avoid them frightening you any further.” Once certain the ghosts are not following, their pace slows. Grekan groans, “Creepy.” Patch whispers to Andre, “How did they know the Princess’s name?” Andre shrugs.
~*~
Kolo grimly tells Lola, “I called down into that frightful place that caused us so much pain, our suffering, and your death. Honestly after Glad’s Well, I had no idea where else to look!” Lola believes it. Yet, her anger brings her skeletal form, as she hisses, “How is it that I ended up buried with the January rejects taunting and clawing me?” Kolo pleads, “The spell called for Graveyard Dirt. I grabbed the nearest grave dirt, to bring you home sooner.”
Her brother says, “If I understood the significance of where the dirt was from, was where you would be sent; I would have opened that area immediately.” Lola calms down recalling him trying to tell her, when she was hitting him, she is slightly appeased. He steps closer, “Understand? Why else would I ever rush to both of our childhood horrors? Getting you back is the only reason I suffered it willingly! I was desperately trying to find you!” Lola trusts this.
Kolo humbly asks, “Can you forgive me and be happy? I did bring you back… you were scattered.” Lola pouts, “I will try to forgive you.” Her skeletal form changes to her human looking appearance, but she is still just a thin mist. Kolo smiles, “Oh, I cannot wait to tell you.” He proudly adds, “I did as you threatened; I hung Donatello on the gate and burned him to death, taunting him to scream for Lola!” She hisses, “Good!” Yet, she is still glaring.
His smile fades, as Kolo recalls how he suffered the death he gave Donatello, somehow the guard cursed him. Lola nears Kolo, seething in his face, “Better if I had witnessed it. Happy, if I was the one to do the rotten filth in!” Angry, she floats away; he follows pleadingly, “You are right. I should have captured Donatello and waited for you to execute him. At the time, I was furious and sad. I was mourning you, certain that you were gone from me forever.”
Kolo tells her, “It was only as I was leaving, that I knew I could not come here, without you. I was then inspired to gather your ashes and essence. Lola softens, as he adds, “I held you in a cloak, I knew I had to try to bring you back. Now you are safe.” Coldly, she says, “Relieved to be here, yes.” Darkly, she nears, “Happy? Not even bloody close!” Angrily, Lola demands, “Where is Nepathi?” The Evil One gives her a slow smile, it makes her furious.
Then Lola becomes curious, “What have you done, brother?” Grinning like a cat with a mouse, Kolo replies, “I have a special treat for you.” She comes nearer. Suspicious, Lola asks, “Really?” Kolo nods, “Nepathi is wrapped up like a gift, just waiting for you.” The Evil One smirks, “I built it, purely for this sort of betrayal.” Lola shouts, “Again, you Demon of the Dark, you started without me!” Grinning as he shakes his head, Kolo replies, “No dear sister.”
Kolo smirks with pride, “I did not start the torture, I only locked her in. I am giving her lots of mental anguish, as she wonders what comes next. I waited for you.” Lola swirls around with excitement. Yet, she decides his waiting was simply an accident, rather than foresight. She feels he never intended for her to be part of it. He says, “Since Nepathi failed to inform me of the importance of that dirt. I knew you needed the taste of revenge yourself!”
Lola follows Kolo to the playroom; the Shade gasps in delight and wisps around the strange metal figure. Lola asks, “What is it? An iron coffin? I will not be able to touch it!” Kolo smiles coldly, “Oh it is so much more, and only iron on the inside, keeping them from doing magic to get away. It is something I thought of, designed, and then had it made just for us. I call it The Maiden’s Torture.” They hear Nepathi’s struggles and cries from within it.
Knowing the Egyptian is trapped inside, causes Lola’s sinister laugh. She examines the Iron Maiden with intrigue. Pleased, Lola asks, “How does it work? Can I see inside?” Kolo opens the door, of the Iron Maiden. Lola sees that Nepathi’s eyes are wide with horror and distress as she wonders how painful this new torture is going to be. The Witch tries to escape, rushing forward as she screams. Her captor shoves the Egyptian back, then straps her in.
Kolo latches her waist, neck, wrists, and ankles, while Lola looks at the thick walls with its strange holes. Nepathi begs her, “I only did as Kolo asked; he is the one who picked the spell!” Lola frowns. Nepathi adds, “I thought he read the whole thing and understood it! If he even asked, I would have told him.” Lola’s transparent form looks accusingly at her brother, then at Nepathi. As Lola wonders who to believe, knowing they both are lying.
Kolo interjects, “You only did as I asked? You are forgetting to mention the part where you poisoned me, and I died, again! I am certain it impeded my clarity and understanding.” Lola’s transparent head whips to look at Kolo. She has sympathy for her brother, as Kolo hisses at Nepathi, “The time it took to come back to life, significantly delayed me in finding Lola. If you just said whatever ‘Grave Dirt’ I pick is where she would be; I could have chosen-.”
He is so furious that he spits, “-a better way for her to arrive. I never would have needed to tour my childhood horrors, still failing to find her! And it gave Lola torments!” Nodding, Lola agrees.
~*~
Vanna gasps, as Anthony grabs her into his arms. Flipping out his wings, he flies off, hoping no one sees. Vanna notices, “Why are your feathers missing? I thought all vampires had feathers. Did you never have them?” Smiling darkly, he proudly says, “I am a bit of a Fallen Angel.” Vanna laughs, “Really? Will you tell me of it?” Anthony briefly explains, “If one is sentenced, the fall to the lower realms burns their feathers. It happened to me on my illegal drop.”
He slowly adds, “Into the Shade Realm.” From his vague telling of it, she guesses he will not say more and feels it has not even scratched the surface of what caused it. She asks, “I assume it happened before I knew you?” Anthony nods. He lands at his castle on Wolf Mountain. Setting her on her feet, his staff stares, as Anthony informs her, “I will tell them you fainted, and I feared for your wellbeing, so I took you to be cared for.”
Anthony nods to his people, “My staff shall show you to a guest room and tend to your needs.” She sighs, “Thank you, for still caring enough to help me. Will you help my son?” She sees his reluctance to commit, Vanna offers, “I accept he is guilty of coercing Alnesa. Still, it was not rape. He does not deserve death. I cannot trust Haldir’s ruling of ten years in his prison either; as I fear it will be worse than a quick death and Alrod might die from their abuse.”
King Anthony only nods, and takes off. The High Lord does not have romantic feelings for her. He grimly considers it, realizing, ‘After Samala’s betrayals, I might not be capable of having such thoughts or feelings, ever again. Especially when I can never be certain, if they will change, I prefer not to risk it.’ Flying back, Anthony hopes his absence was not noticed; yet finds that he really does not care, if they saw him leave, nor if Haldir is angered by it.
~*~
Seeing he startled the Ramblers, Nicolas thinks, ‘I can do as I like.’ The somber music abruptly stops, and he sees it in their eyes. They all gasp, and look at Nicolas as though he is a stranger and he feels they do not trust him. He wonders how this happened, how they lost respect for him and now treat him as an outsider rather than their lord. He sees a younger man move through the clan.
Xiko senses who he is, calming the others as he greets him, “Lord Nicolas.” Nicolas looks for someone more familiar; seeing no one. He cannot recall any names and realizes he has not spoken to any of them in centuries. Tilting his nose up, he coldly asks, “What is going on here?” Xiko flinches; Nicolas is annoyed with his own lack of manners. Keeping control of his expression, Xiko instead, asks, “Lord Nicolas, how may I help you?”
He sees it in the Vampire’s eyes, the Rambler says, “I am Xiko, the new leader of this clan.” Nicolas nods, “What is this noise?” Xiko’s eyes narrow and it is just as Leticia predicted. Nicolas sees he is saying and asking the wrong things. Xiko nods toward the chair, replying, “We are mourning the death of our previous leader, Grigori, and old eldest clansman Trek. This is their funeral, not just noise.” Nicolas is stunned, why did he fail to listen?
Leticia had hinted at them mourning, he feels like an ass. Yet Nicolas does not want to feel anything for them, “Oh yes, it is expected Grigori and-.” He already forgot the man’s name, “-well they both look old, for your kind.” Not intending to say it aloud, he sees their disappointment. Making him feel like a fool, as he realizes there were many Rambler funerals over the centuries, he should have known their custom. Nicolas grumbles, “I am just unfamiliar.”
Xiko corrects him, “No. Sadly they did not die of old age and it is our custom to openly cry.” Nicolas gives a bored sniff, as their new leader adds, “Then we offer a moment alone for any who feel the need to speak to them one last time. Afterwards, some offer gifts to ease their passing, and many will tell stories of Grigori or Trek. How they taught them, and other kindnesses.” Nicolas tries to cover his blunders, stating, “What I am asking is about the blood.”
Nicolas notices that this leader is unsurprised, “It is outside one of our crypts.” Nicolas sees Xiko know, but does not wish to tell him. It is as Leticia warned, his questions are poorly put, not well thought out, and ill timed. Nicolas guesses, clearly, the blood is the reason for this funeral. As he states rather than asks, “They seem a bit elderly to be in a fight with each other. Why did they do it by our crypt or even in the graveyard?” Xiko shakes his head.
And Nicolas tries to change his meaning. Seething, “Just tell me what happened to them.” Xiko eases a bit as he tells him, “They were murdered.” Nicolas is afraid to ask, yet does, “Do you know who did it?” Xiko replies, “Kristopher.” Nicolas relaxes a bit; but he regrets accusing Leticia of it. He feels like he is pulling teeth and asks, “Why?” He senses the Rambler’s hesitation, wondering at it. Xiko replies, “Grigori found Kristopher there in the graveyard.”
Xiko adds, “Grigori was seeking Krist, for he had failed to be at his post last night, watching for wolves. Grigori had warned him previously on work issues, and how he treated some of the clan. He also felt Krist had an unhealthy obsession, which will get him, and us, in trouble with you. When Krist refused to promise to do better, Grigori felt he had to banish him from the clan-.” Nicolas foolishly cuts in, “Obsession with whom?” He sees Xiko flinch.
Nicolas now wishes he had not asked, yet it is too late to take it back. It is what Xiko feared, he reminds himself he had not intended to mention it. Xiko debates on telling the truth, yet he feels it will be worse, if their Lord discovers he has lied.
~*~
Witch-Shade, Fury vs Slaughter nearing 3 AM, 677, 29th, October
The Shade, Slaughter yells to the crowd, “You are here for me, not the wee Human!” Angry with his Spirit, Fury grabs his jar, dabbing his finger into his chest wounds. He now writes the rune marks on the jar, as Slaughter shouts to the crowd, “You all came to see me as I fight and win!” Fury’s anger at looking like a fool, has him hissing his command against the unruly Shade,
“Slaughter I revoke your right to enter me!
You are no longer welcome in my body.
I force you out back into this Spirit Jar.
Slaughter you must obey and leave me now!”
The Blood Magic Spell pulls the Shade out, and into the jar as Slaughter screams, “How dare you revoke me? I won! You refuse to give-.” Fury puts the lid on, silencing Slaughter’s tiresome rant, and goes to his medicine man, to get his wounds healed.
~*~
Nicolas feels like a fool, as Xiko says, “With Lady Leticia.” Nicolas glares as it hurts to hear it. Nicolas seethes, “Where is he?” Xiko replies, “We saw him in the woods and will start hunting again, at first light.” Nicolas feels the humiliation and fear. Believing he has lost their respect; without thinking it through, he says, “You shall pack up and leave. I want you and all evidence of your clan off my property before dawn.” He does not wait for Xiko’s answer.
Not wanting to respond to any questions, see or hear their reactions, Nicolas quickly flies off. Lord Nicolas flies into the Castle and searches it again for Leticia, or any signs of Kristopher being there. He finds no evidence of him anywhere in his Castle. No man’s things, no man’s clothes, not even Nicolas’s own items. Finally, he finds one room that is filled to the brim with his old belongings. Nicolas sits on the floor across from the open door of his things.
~WBM~