WBM
Chapter Eighteen
Here to Hurt Someone
~SV~
Half Moon Bay, Nearing 4 AM, 677, 29th, October
Princess Sidonia is asleep on the Ferry, and her vision of the Devil’s Woods Clan has ended. Sidonia is pulled into a new Dream-Vision and learns how her past with Kolo affected Darciana’s life. Sidonia sees an average blond man who approaches a Rambler camp by the river. A rough looking middle-aged male stops him, “What do you want here, outsider?” The blond says, “I was told I could get a curse put on a necklace. My wife is seeing another man.”
The rough Rambler chuckles, as the blond man adds, “I plan to give the necklace to her.” The Rambler questions, “What makes you think we will do that?” The blond male pulls out a large bag and shakes it. The Rambler hears the coin, holding out his hand. The blond man puts a small handful in his palm. The Rambler says, “Darciana will help you with that.” He waves for him to follow, leading him away from the circle of wagons to one off by itself.
The Rambler knocks on the door and enters, leaving the blond customer outside. Still, he hears the girl decline, “That is what got us shunned and cast out of our cauldron. We had to move into the wrong realm!” He angrily retorts, “Do you want to eat?” She huffs, “You promised no more dark magic!” He mocks, “Do you see any other coin coming our way?” The female’s voice pleads, “Pa, I want nothing to do with it. Do you want this clan to kick us out too?” The customer’s lips curl into a grin at the sound of a slap and the girl’s gasp of pain. The father huffs, “You do as I say.”
~*~
Devil’s Woods, Nearing 4 AM, 677, 29th, October
Krist rages at his former clansmen for daring to hunt him. The Warg plans to tear out all of their throats once they suffer long enough. They all deserve death for siding with Grigori. After a couple of hours, Kristopher slows as he has catches their scent. Following it he finds the Devil’s Woods Rambler Camp. It is still dark, as he sneaks nearer, seeing the dark shadows of the males who are guarding the camp. He circles hoping to find Xiko.
Since the women are not available, he wants Xiko to be his next victim. However, as the Warg nears, he becomes ill; falling each time he tries to get closer to their camp. Finally, Kristopher realizes why, ‘Clever old crone has Hexed their camp keeping me out.’ The camp has slept for a few hours, when a vision wakes Trina. Getting up, she hurries to her door; Trina calls out a warning to their Guards, “Kristopher is here and is circling our camp.”
One man goes for Xiko, as Trina instructs them, “He cannot enter. See if you can injure him with your arrows.” A few men try, but are only intending to scare the Warg off, missing the Wolf. Krist runs behind the trees. They lose sight of him, as Xiko nears. Wink asks, “Do we go after him?” Xiko shakes his head, “No, it is still too dark. I am certain it was his plan to lure us out of the barrier before sunrise. Remember the curse; let me be the one to kill him!”
~*~
River Road, Andre is driving Tik’s carriage, as he recalls the Hallowed Castle on Skull Island. Sidonia arrives in the dining room after the others are there. As they sit, the staff brings their food. Andre notices the Princess looks to the shadows, he sees Astute is standing there, and nods to her. With a mocking smile, Sidonia says, “Too bad Tik could not join us.” Andre frowns, “What kept him at Wolf Mountain?” Patch scoffs, “I am just glad he is not with us.”
In a bored tone, the Princess states, “The Captain of the guards, asked his opinion.” Grekan smirks, “That was a mistake.” Sidonia adds, “It was in regard to how many men are required to patrol a larger area. Father mentioned to me that there is an increase in lone wolves terrorizing the locals.” She says, “Too bad he did not tell us to go on without him sooner; his delay caused us to cross at sunset with a storm and make the climb in the dark.” Grekan nods.
Patch says, “I am relieved to not have him breathing down our necks while we are here.” Andre groans, “Yes, it was unsafe.” Patch adds, “It was an unpleasantly dark hike.” She tests them further, “I am glad the Red Bandit Hawks did not harm any of us.” Her two guards nod in agreement. Grekan mutters, “Nearly did! They chased us all the way into the forest; we should have had more guards with us.” Andre sees Sidonia nods to Astute, who now leaves.
As he drives the carriage down the River Road, Andre plans to pull over and sleep for a while, once the sun is up. At first, he preferred not recalling Tik’s death by the Dread Bandit bird. Yet now it gives him a dark chuckle. He wishes Tik stayed dead, not making him come with. He worries that Tik will find Sidonia.
~*~
Devil’s Woods, Nearing 5 AM, 677, 29th, October
Kristopher snickers, and continues to circle, as he weaves in and out of trees making it a nightmare to follow him. It is his game, played by his rules, he can wait for them to eventually leave camp. They will need supplies and then he will kill them, one by one starting with the women. After sleeping nearly an hour Trina has a woman bring Xiko to her; he rushes to her bedside and sees that she is faint. Trina warns, “The Warg has made circles again.”
She motions him closer as she whispers, “Krist plans to kill the first female to leave camp. Krist is angry at us causing him to be without Leticia, a home, and a clan. He wants our men to suffer the same loss. I feel you need at least five to hunt him and be able to watch out for each other. Maybe if you have a couple of oracles go with they can see to get around his circular traps. I cannot do it, I am too weak. I think the oracles can help you trap him.”
Xiko says, “First, I must go to Mercia. Wirf had a sense as he lay dying that if I delay, she will become a Warg. I will not break my promise, nor risk her turning from anger. Once I am done with her, I will ask if any of our oracles-. No, since Krist is waiting to kill one of our females, I cannot make them his target. I must attempt to hunt him alone.” Trina groans, “Wise. Maybe our oracles can do a vision to advise you before you go on what to do, instead.” He nods.
Sighing, Xiko says, “I do not want our clan hunting the Warg. I will tell them, yet I sense a few will want to do it anyway.” Trina groans, “If they ask me, I will back your decision. Wait, I see Mercia knows of her brother’s death. Mercia does not wish to delay your hunt, and her husband Mino wants to hunt the Warg with you. Go southeast to Hangman’s Haunt Pub. She will know to come there; Mercia has a Dark Door to come to you after sun up.”
Trina weakly adds, “You might be able to get Mercia and Endora to be your oracles and help track the Warg. Endora is the leader of Satan Spit Ramblers, which are near the Hangman’s Haunt.” Xiko says, “I will do as you advise. I want you to rest now. No more visions, promise me! I will tell our women; it will be good practice for them to take turns watching for Krist.” Trina agrees, saying, “I will not seek any, yet cannot stop it if I receive a vision.”
She adds, “You can delay going to Blackstone Castle, Anthony is in the Mystical Realm. The Castle had a Rogue Vampire. He compelled and killed many of their Human Day Guards. It is an opportunity for us, rather than a danger to our clan. It is best to avoid telling the clansmen for now.” Xiko nods, “They have dealt with enough already.” Trina’s eyes close; he worries for her.
Xiko comes out to the clansmen, “Wink leads. It had better be dire if any bother Trina, I only want you helping her. Ladies, agree on shifts, how often to do visions, on your safety. Men, remember the Warg’s bite is rabid, and you do not want the curse either. It appears Wirf’s sister and her husband will help me hunt Krist.” Wink sees Bert, saying, “No.” As he yanks him off his horse. Bert says, “I am old enough to go hunt the Warg, I am not afraid!”
Winks snorts, “That proves you are not old enough.” Xiko says, “No one leaves camp, not even for supplies. Make do with what we have. Leave the Warg to me!” Relieved the men nod. Yet Bert, Geof, and Al groan with boredom at being trapped in camp. Wink gives them a glare, then follows Xiko to Wirf’s body. Wink watches, to be a witness for the clan, supporting his leader. He sees Bert in the shadows watching. Xiko removes Wirf’s head.
He kneels cutting out his heart, and tosses it in the fire. Using tongs, Xiko grabs the heart and wraps it with Wirf’s head, tying it to his saddle. Bert asks his dad, “Why is he taking the head?” Wink sighs, “In case Mercia needs proof that it is her brother.” Xiko curses softly, “Nifl’s Wraiths. Third dead in one dark day and grim night!” Wink assures Xiko, “You tried to prevent it, none could do better. I am grateful you are leading, and you are best to hunt the Warg.”
Pointing to a corner, Xiko tells him, “There is room in the graveyard, I appreciate it, if you get men to dig three graves. I want you to do Wirf’s funeral, and bury Grigori, Trek, and Wirf tonight. It is important that the families and clan have the closure of a burial. I doubt I will return by tonight.” Wink agrees, “I will handle it.” Xiko hands Wink, the bags with Grigori’s and Trek’s heads. Wink sets the two bags under his wagon; seeing his son, Bert, with his two pals.
Wink watches them sneak out of camp. He grabs them, “Xiko said stay in camp!” Bert groans, “You refuse to let me hunt the Warg, it could be years before Xiko catches Krist! We were just looking around.” Wink sternly says, “No. You will obey Xiko!”
~*~
Dark Elf, Desert Castle, Nearing 5 AM, 677, 29th, October
Haldir swallows and tries to think of a way to save face, “It is my kingdom.” Anthony scolds, “You show poor judgment thinking that you have the right to demand my presence to resolve a problem that does not involve me. Even the other Dark Elf Kings, who I have worked with and respect, would never stoop to speak to me in such a fashion. If they truly needed me, they would have politely asked. You do not know me, and I owe you nothing!”
King Anthony glares, “Never presume you can command me to do anything.” Haldir’s frame shakes, however he stubbornly says, “I am not finished questioning Queen Vanna.” Haldir is the only elf to hear, as Anthony whispers, “Keep it up, and I will have you confessing why you really want Queen Vanna here! You fail to realize I out rank you. I got where I am because my group and I are Warriors, brought to this realm to kill Demons. Do not test me.”
~*~
Kristopher wakes before sunrise, concerned he is not human. He recalls it is the full moon for two more nights, no longer worried. Once this clan is dead, he will go back to Leticia. He hurries to their camp, most of the clan are asleep in their wagons. Hearing a distinctive hammering, he nears the sound and sees Xiko. He is in the small graveyard, nailing Wirf into his coffin, and closes it. Smiling, Krist muses, ‘I no longer want to kill Xiko, well not yet.’
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He snickers, ‘To complete Wirf’s Ritual for the Cursed, Xiko must find Mercia. The fool is leading me right to her! She deserves death for abandoning me!’ Xiko gets on his horse, riding towards Hangman’s Haunt, hoping Krist is asleep. Instead, the Warg follows in the dark shadows of the thick trees, easily keeping with Xiko’s horse. Krist can smell that Xiko has Wirf’s head and heart. Krist is excited to finally have revenge on Mercia.
~*~
Darciana has disbelief, as he threatens, “I am your father. You do not question me, nor tell me no!” Darciana remains silent, as he viciously promises, “Unless you want me to sell you at night for your ability in bed; you will do exactly what I tell you, when I tell you, without any arguments!” The blond huffs at having to wait. Her pa sneers, “And do not be giving me any guilt about it neither. I am telling you what is best.” The Rambler opens the door.
Her father waves the outsider in. Entering he sits at the small table across from her, the old man leans against the door. The customer sees the red mark on Darciana’s face where her father hit her, as it begins to swell. Still, he recognizes her, “Nice to see you again.” Darciana frowns, “You are mistaken.” The blond man smiles knowingly, as he brings the necklace from his pocket, handing it to her, coldly saying, “I need it to block an Oracle’s powers.”
Darciana asks, “To keep her from your thoughts?” He says, “No. I want you to keep her from using her gift.” She looks to her father. He glares, “Do it!” She notices the necklace’s fine stones. Sidonia watches this in her vision, she instantly recognizes the necklace, even though she had not seen the necklace for over a decade, she recalls it from the vision of when she was three-years-old, and knows it is the gift she gave her mum.
The very one Kolo, as a stocky older man, had helped her get. She has never seen Kolo use this form before, of a man with dark blond hair. He is average height and size, nothing about him stands out. Darciana pleads, “That is Dark Magic! It is the type of spell that will get me killed, if the Oracle learns I did it. You really do not want to mess with that sort of Curse!” Whistling his odd tune, he drops the bag onto the table, so Darciana hears the coins.
It intrigues him to see that it does not tempt her, he smirks, “Do it right and the Oracle will not find out.” She only scoffs, “Oh, I see why Pa does not care what you want. As long as you have coin, he dares to risk the consequences. I do not, no matter the amount of coin.” Kolo raises an eyebrow, staring at her. She notices one eye is brown, the other black, reminding her of a patron from years before. Kolo says, “You do fascinate me. Tell me, what does tempt you?”
Darciana visualizes a life away from her pa. She sees him watching her lips, as if waiting for them to speak her darkest desires. She shakes her head, hoping, “I doubt you even brought what I need. This sort of spell requires-.” Kolo’s grin cuts her off, as she sees him bring out a smaller bag. Kolo pulls some dark hairs from it, setting it on the table. Darciana frowns at him, asking, “Is it hers?” He smiles in a sinister way, “Of course. I do have a Witch Bloodline.”
He smirks, “So I understand something of what is required. Mother died, so I was never trained in doing it myself.” Darciana replies, “Sorry for your loss.” His chuckle tells her he has no grief for the loss of his mum. Darciana frowns at the bracelet he is wearing. She recalls a client with a similar bracelet, who asked her to charm it so that it blocked others from learning his thoughts. It was years ago, and she is sure that it was not this man.
Darciana is certain she has never seen him before. However, as she tries, she cannot read his thoughts either. Kolo adds, “While I am unskilled, I still will be aware if it has power and know if you failed to do it correctly.” She senses this is the truth. Sternly, he adds, “And I warn you I shall not be forgiving, if you break faith with me.” Her father says, “I will supervise her to see it is done right. It takes more than a few hours just to collect the items.”
Her pa adds, “Then another while for the potion to come to a boil. Can you return tomorrow?” Kolo picks up his coin bag. Standing, the Evil One stares into the old man’s eyes.
~*~
Xiko makes it to the Hangman’s Haunt Pub and goes inside for a drink. He is worn out, weary, and in need of a deep sleep. Just as he takes his first sip, he sees a woman come in. At first sight, she causes Xiko to forget his own name. He is in awe of her immediately, yet he cannot say why. Her long braid of light brown hair has stripes of blond and white going through it. Grinning at her provocative clothing, Xiko says to himself, ‘Down boy.’
He chuckles, ‘Like you did not know what drew you to her?’ Xiko then realizes, it is more about her confidence, she knows what she wants. Xiko feels this is a woman that has decided what she is looking for in a man. He finishes his drink; thinking it has been a long time since he saw anyone who made him smile and yet never anyone like her. He watches as she walks through the crowded place.
It is obvious that she is looking for someone. Not just anyone; as she openly studies each man. She sees Xiko watching her, and stops. The cold look that comes to her eyes, for some reason just makes Xiko grin even more. It is clear to him that her reason for looking at each man is not romantic. She is hunting. Xiko senses saying aloud, “She is ‘Here to Hurt Someone’. Please let it be me.”
~*~
The blond customer tells Darciana’s father, “I am unavailable tomorrow; however, I will send another man in my place.” Turning to Darciana, Kolo adds, “You remind me of a Dead Head Moth, a dangerous thing that others were told has the power to curse them. I find them hauntingly beautiful. You should see my collection.” His smile shows his fangs. Darciana watches him leave.
Whistling Lola’s tune, Kolo does a light joyful skip, as he exits their camp. Darciana stands and warns her father, “He is a Vampire.” Her pa scoffs, “No. He is a wealthy gentleman with lovely coins to give us.” She warns, “Even if it is just muting another’s power, not taking it, that spell is against the Judges’ Rules and can get us sentenced; even executed!”
With deep disappointment in her father, she adds in a sad tone, “It is why we cannot be with our own clan!” Her father backhands her face again, and spits, “You do what I say, or I will be the one giving you something that is worse than death. We are no longer in the Judges Realm, so do not tell me what they allow!” Coldly, she replies, “I sense this will get you killed, long before you can gain a conscience and regret hurting me.”
Darciana’s father shoves her into the chair, hissing, “I am not afraid of death.” Setting up her things, Darciana starts the spell. When she picks up the hair Kolo left on the table, Darciana freezes. Her father barks, “Now what?” Darciana holds up the hair, “She is kin to us, my cousin; it will break the Ramblers Pact!” Threatening, he says, “I do not care if it were your dead Ma’s hair, do it.”
Once it is boiling Darciana’s hand trembles as she tosses the hair in. Finishing the spell, she dips the necklace into the potion, and sets it on the table. Her father grabs a cloth, picking it up, he rubs the potion into the necklace saying with a proud grin, “Go to bed. I will finish. I will even clean up for you. Do not worry, I do not believe in Ramblers Pacts nor Oaths, and do not care about kin.”
His grin is cold, “I am willing to be the one to give him the necklace. You do not have to do anything more with him, nor the money.” As Darciana stands up, a searing pain comes. She looks to her left hand, seeing a black mark. It flashes the shape of the necklace then becomes a dot the size of a pea. Even though she was unwilling, she sees she is marked for doing the spell. Her father is behind her, he notices her stiffening, demanding, “Now what is it?”
She is faint, putting her left hand to her head using it as a cover, she sways, “I feel I will pass out.” As he nears, she reaches out and grabs her father, as if to balance and leans heavily on his shoulder. The clever Witch bites her own tongue; as she tastes it in her mouth, Darciana curses her father by thinking her Blood Hex,
‘Let the consequences of the Oath and Blood Pact,
Go to my father for forcing me with his hateful acts,
Father is truly guilty of breaking this Blood pact.’
Darciana lets go only saying, “That spell took more from me than usual.” Going towards her bed, she has a dark grin at the sound of her father’s hiss of pain. Turning, she sees that he is staring at his left palm. Once out of his sight she looks to her own, and it has become a slight red circle. She nods, accepting it is her fate; as she did do the spell. Vowing to warn Samala, she plans, ‘I will run from pa, and hope he never finds me this time.’
~*~
Zara gives the most recent arrival to the Hangman’s Haunt Pub, a suspicious look. Frowning, as Zara reads Xiko’s thoughts, she walks towards him learning why he is here. Smiling now, she holds out her hand; Xiko swallows and impulsively takes it, they go upstairs. Trusting his instincts, as Xiko walks with Zara to her room. Xiko does not hesitate once the door is locked; he takes advantage of the opportunity she has handed him.
Her lips are soft, and her body beautiful. He chuckles, noticing suddenly his exhaustion is gone. Instead, she has awakened his desires, energy, and tired body. In the afterglow, they introduce themselves and talk of what brought them here. Suddenly, Xiko sits up, “Oh, grim. I was supposed to meet a couple downstairs.” She pulls him back down into her arms kissing him.
Zara then knowingly says, “I will tell you when Mercia and Mino arrive, and they do not plan on coming until after sunrise.” She adds in a seductive tone, “Just like I knew I am safe with you, and will enjoy being here.” He relaxes, appreciating the Oracle’s power. He takes her in his arms. Smiling, Xiko kisses her deeply. The ecstasy Zara shares with him, as this time they take it slower, gives Xiko a wonderfully wicked grin. They drift into a deep sleep.
~*~
Kolo’s Craftroom, Nearing 5 AM, 677, 29th, October
Queen Samala calms herself trying to see Sidonia, and finds she is no longer able to connect with her daughter. She tries for a vision of where she is, and fails to locate her, worrying she is no longer on the river. The Mad Queen reaches out to Rorik. As she links to her son, to her dismay, she sees he is in an old woman’s bed. It feels like a betrayal; he should be with Sidonia by now. She is horrified he would stoop to being with the old hag.
Samala tries to learn if he might have already found the book, and senses Rorik has failed to get the book as well. She is furious. Just as they finish and his eyes are drifting shut, Queen Samala startles him as she seethes, ‘How dare you deliberately defy me, instead of doing what I asked? Are you a paid prostitute? Did you really need coin that bad? Where the Nifl are you?’ Rorik groans in dismay; regretting that his mum has caught him in Jacque’s bed.
Prince Rorik silently replies, ‘I am at a Warlock Camp, somewhere in the Human Realm; we went through her Dark Door to get here. I am not exactly sure where I am and have no choice. I told you that the Witch Hexed me, I am trapped. Still, she has promised to get me to where I need to go, before dawn.’ Quickly, Samala hisses, ‘You sound like a frightened boy. If you acted like a strong male Witch, this old hag would not dare enslave you!’
Angrily, she adds, ‘Much less keep you from saving me!’ Rorik admits, ‘She Hexed me, it will make my balls shrivel up and my pecker fall off if I even try to escape or harm her. A Goth told me she has a reputation for doing this. Trust me she is capable of killing me, as she kept me bound to her will all last night, the whole grim day and again tonight. I do not have the power to break it, or I would be long gone from here. Do you assume I would stay?’
He fumes, ‘If not trapped?’ Samala ignores his plight, ‘You must hurry and get to your sister. I need her to reveal where the book is before she slips through our fingers. Kolo is threatening to give me a slow torturous death, in some new device, if I do not reveal where he can find Sidonia. Do you want that for me?’ The Prince gasps, ‘No, of course not. I am sorry mother; I really have tried! Do you have a suggestion of how I can get away from her?’
Rorik adds, ‘Without suffering her Hex?’ Samala groans, ‘I do not have the energy to resolve your folly. I am in a deadly predicament of my own, it is taking my full strength. Just the sounds of the other Strixes’ screams, are gnawing at my energy.’ He asks, ‘Strixes what is that?’ Samala ignores him, ‘You must get the book before I tell him where Sidonia is! I am not sure I can hold out.’
The Mad Queen says with venom, ‘Not under that sort of pain that I heard the other Strix endure.’ Queen Samala is near tears, ‘I cannot face that kind of agony. Do whatever the Witch demands to get to Sidonia fast! Torture the truth of where the book is out of Sidonia if you cannot find it on her, before Kolo does the same to me!’ Rorik groans, ‘Yes, Mother; as soon as I can get away.’ The Prince knows she has left him. Instead of questioning her orders to harm his sister, he only frowns, ‘What is a Strix?’
~*~
Dark Elf, Desert Castle, Nearing 5 am, 677, 29th, October
King Anthony mocks, “Do you really think I am intimidated by you and your guards? I dare you to bring your arrogance and anger. You will know just how skilled I am, when I bring your death.” Ormando retrieves his Missive Messenger and gives it a letter, sending it off through his Dark Window. The others gasp at the sight as it vanishes. Haldir glares, turning to the High Lord.
The Dark Elf King demands, “What was that, Anthony- I mean High Lord?” The Strigoi leader chuckles, “Insurance.” Haldir’s fear has him stupidly hissing orders, as is his habit, “You dare deny me in my own Kingdom, Castle, and throne room? I demand an answer, Anthony!” The Vampire corrects him, “You will address me as High Lord Anthony and remember you do not demand anything of me.” Haldir’s nervousness shows.
But his fear of the unknown has him insisting, “I deserve an answer.” With a dark grin Anthony adds, “It is in case I lose my patience and kill all of you. I want the Seven Judges, who I trust, to be aware beforehand of the reasons for my anger. It is your move, would you like to take it back, or proceed?” Haldir nearly faints in fear. The Dark Elf King insists on a break, leaving the courtroom.
They all return to hear Haldir apologize to Anthony. The Dark Elf King assumes he is saving face, as he blames it on his wife and daughter, “It is my wife’s condition, it is so much worse since this tragedy that happened to Alnesa.” Haldir wipes his brow, as he says with sadness, “It wears on her and myself, keeping me from sleeping. It has also left me to try to comfort and calm Alnesa.”
His guards look at him with disrespect, as Haldir whimpers, “My exhaustion and anger at my daughter’s assault has caused me to have no control of my temper.” Anthony compels with a whisper, “Go sleep. Do not tempt me into a battle.” Haldir goes to his room.
~WBM~