WBM
Chapter Twenty-Two
The Mark of the Beast
~SV~
River Road, Nearing Sunrise, 677, 29th, October
Sidonia senses something on the road that they should avoid. She points to a path that goes alongside the road and Xiko heads for it, getting off the road. Sidonia is disappointed, as it also sounds from what Darciana said she will not be the one that catches Kolo. The Princess feels defeated again. She notices Darciana’s voice is fading to a whisper, ‘I looked. It is far in the future where I see Scarlet… and Silver.’ Sidonia is aware that the Rambler is weak.
Darciana pauses adding, ‘I wish I had the strength to tell you more and in greater detail. Good luck Sidonia, be brave! Have hope.’ Sidonia says, ‘Thank you Darciana.’ The Dark Princess promises, 'I will not give up on freeing you. As long as it takes. I, and even my descendants will seek your freedom and revenge on Kolo.’ The Strix gasps, ‘I am unsure if Kolo will realize his charms are down. If he does, I will not be able to reach you again…’ Sidonia feels her go.
The Princess is stunned that her kin, she has not even met, is willing to give up a chance at freedom for her. Yet she agrees that Samala will not allow Rorik to free anyone else, so she would remain a prisoner with Darciana. She feels some relief that her father knows some of what had happened, why she took the book and ran. She also recalls his often-cryptic comment. Sidonia realizes that her father had tried to tell her that he knew, giving his permission.
The last time she spoke to her father, he said it again, ‘You are welcome to any of my things, just do not give them away. Keep them for your children and theirs.’ She sighs with hope at Darciana’s remark of scarlet and silver, imagining an army, with those colors on their flags and uniforms. She visualizes this army that she will build. She plans to use them to kill Kolo, and free Darciana. Sidonia is determined to watch for this opportunity to appear.
She gets a sense that the danger is approaching, she looks through the trees at the road. The Princess recognizes Andre and Patch, the Guards on the coming carriage. As it passes by, she sees her father’s coat of arms, on the doors. The princess cringes, as her gift shows her that Captain Tik is inside and he is hunting for her.
~*~
Kolo’s Den, Nearing Sunrise, 677, 29th, October
The Evil One states, “After Gregory revealed my bloodline, I doubted Mother’s claim of Anthony as our father. He shows no ability of magic, nor ever speaks of a Witch in his line.” Lola asks, “Why did Gregory choose to help you?” Kolo admits, “Once prior to my first death, Gregory and Cinder sought me out.” Lola asks, “Is Cinder, Gregory’s wife?” He replies, “His niece; with beautiful flaming red hair.” Lola laughs, “Why did you fail to collect her?”
Kolo scowls, “They are family to me, as his blood helped me turn. Unless betrayed by them, I have no desire to harm either. Anyway, Gregory’s first words surprised me, ‘Hearing you lost your sister, I instantly have a kinship with you, as we both continue to mourn a cherished sibling.’ I agreed. Gregory was my maker, he also shows interest in my career, so I always sit with them. Phoenix, Gregory’s twin was part of Anthony’s troop.”
Kolo adds, “As their commander, Anthony made himself Godfather to her child Cinder, when orphaned. Her parents died in the Demon War; it was admirable of Anthony.” His praise surprises Lola. He scoffs, “Cinder’s husband; Blackwell was the mocking rat at that meeting. Blackwell is of no significance, and a spineless worm who demeans all. He was the loudest ridiculer of Anthony’s restraint. He hates Anthony, feeling he is overly kind to his wife.”
The Evil One adds, “Blackwell takes it as meddling, rather than honorable duty.” Lola asks, “What do they have to do with pushing to burn the book?” Kolo smirks, “Blackwell is the one who opposed Anthony’s choice to only burn the spells. When he refused, so did others. Since Blackwell acting like a demon, it makes me more certain of my memory, as I vividly recall wishing Anthony would fly off the handle and kill Blackwell, doing us all a favor.”
Grinning, Lola asks, “What did Anthony do?” Kolo says, “Anthony gave him that stoic glare, as he coldly stated, ‘No.’ or something as short, with a very final tone.” Lola sighs, “I wish I were there.” Kolo ignores her, “Then as Blackwell insisted, Anthony said, ‘It is my Book of Shadows, and a Grim book of war. There is no need to destroy my War Journal.’ He glared at him.” Kolo says, “Well, I am uninterested in Anthony’s notes on those battles.”
Lola sighs, “I am interested.” He sneers, “When Blackwell demanded, Anthony stated, ‘I burned the three spells that are in question, I will not burn the rest.’ The other Old Ones agreed with Anthony. It did not satisfy the few.” Lola says, “You only mentioned one spell, not three!” Kolo scoffs, “Why would I tell the Witches? You already told them too much!” He takes another swallow of blood; Lola scoffs asking, “What did they say the other spells were?”
Shrugging, Kolo says, “I recall Blackwell held out his hand demanding, ‘I want to see your book.’ Anthony shook his head.” Kolo adds in Blackwell’s tone, “He sneered, ‘It is suspicious that those spells were together and now burnt so we cannot validate if they were the spells in question.’ Blackwell lunged for it, suddenly, Anthony’s book disappeared from the table and out of sight.” Lola gasps, “Does that prove Anthony is a Witch?” Kolo shakes his head.
Lola gasps, “Oh, the book is spelled!” She giggles, “That is why it is so hard for even oracles to find. It can protect itself!” Nodding, Kolo grins with pleasure that he has her back. He likes speaking to her as she is nearly as clever as he is, “Yes, dear sister! That is exactly what I suspect, and that there are more spells in that book than just those three!” She pries, “Did Anthony explain why the spells were together? Oh, you said the Old Ones did see them.”
Kolo nods, “Anthony stated, ‘It was a journal mostly, so those few spells I wrote were together at the back of the book.’ I first suspected they would reappear in his book, which is why he refused to let them look at it. Later I remembered the title of Anthony’s book was in Greek.” Lola frowns, Kolo adds, “A few pages I glimpsed, as he had flipped through getting to the spells, were also in Greek. However, the three pages he ripped out-.”
Lola leans in, Kolo grins, “-to show to the Old Ones and burned, were not Greek. I bet he rewrote them in their common language, so the Old Ones could quickly confirm that it was the spells. That is why they were together and at the back of his book.”
~*~
Hangman’s Haunt Forest, Nearing Sunrise, 677, 29th, October
Even though it has been light for an hour, the first rays of the sun now peek over the mountain. It seems that the sunlight is sending the threat of Kolo into the shadows. As Sidonia rides behind Xiko, she recalls Darciana’s warnings of facing her half-brother, and his deadly intentions. Sidonia wishes to not believe Rorik will harm her. Suddenly the Oracle receives the knowledge of all that passed between her mother and Rorik. A tear escapes.
Darciana told her the truth. Sidonia cringes hearing the venom in her mother’s voice as she learns how they plot her capture. It gives little comfort that Rorik was reluctant to bind her up, leaving her for Kolo. A dark coldness settles on Sidonia’s heart. Rather than fearing it, the dark princess has a grim smile, as it safeguards her from falling to pieces, which will only make her weak. She cannot give in, she has to fight, having faith that she will win.
Her mind is clear, deciding how to deal with Rorik. The dark girl recalls her father’s warning that family cannot always be trusted. She thinks of how his uncle had tried to kill him. Shaking her head at this dark truth. She sees that the Warg has turned, as Krist is entering the Devil’s Woods. Sidonia points to a fork in the path, directing Xiko; he turns on to it and Eddirk follows as it goes away from the road, heading into the forest. They slow down, as the path narrows.
~*~
Lola swirls around imagining being in those meetings. Drinking, Kolo adds, “I also suspect his reason for not showing his book was due to it having even more dangerous spells, not known to the others nor in their books. I have often admired the size of the High Lord’s library. I like strolling through it, in between our meetings; I feel he loves knowledge too much to destroy even one page.” She asks, “Was he forced to show his book to Blackwell?”
The Shade adds, “Did Anthony explain its disappearance to them?” Kolo fills his cup, saying, “It is dawn.” Kolo does not care to tell Lola everything; nor should he, as she often exposes things about him that he did not want her sharing. He finishes, “Anthony did not need to say nor do a thing, as the other Old Ones stated that they saw and verified the spells he burnt.” Lola moans, “I wish I had been there.” He groans with the annoyance of repeating himself.
Yet does, “I cannot have them seeing you and guess I am possessed; willing or not, they fear it, and look down on anyone doing it as they consider it a weakness to seek a Shade’s power! I have offered before, if you accept a body, letting me turn you, then you could see everything and meet everyone.” Lola taunts back, “If you keep your promise, I can have the body of a powerful witch. I could learn to be an Oracle. I can become the greatest one!”
She adds, “Even offer to be Anthony’s Oracle. I will be there in your world and have what I have always wanted. What I am meant to be, the strongest witch around.” The Evil One rolls his eyes at her fantasies, pointing out, “Not if you still intend to take Sidonia. You can never let Anthony see you in his daughter’s body! He will know you are not her! You cannot pretend to be her; you are too bold. Even if you stay away, everyone will be looking for her.”
Lola groans, realizing he is right, as Kolo adds, “You could only wear her here; just one sight of you and it is all over for both of us. I also doubt you will enjoy looking so similar to the Mad Queen where you dislike her so much.” Lola scoffs, “I was imagining how angry it would make Samala, as she seems to despise her daughter. It would be great fun to taunt her. I believe the Queen’s anger at her is because she saw Sidonia would become a better oracle.” He frowns.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
The Sinister Shade adds, “I am certain, Sidonia is a stronger witch and even prettier than her mum.” Nodding, Kolo finishes, “I remember Anthony reprimanded Blackwell, ‘No, you are not reading my book. Anything I wrote, is none of your business.’ All became very silent, as Anthony stated in his superior tone and threatening way, ‘I will not burn it, to appease the desires and fears of anyone!’ It was a perfect insult. Indirect, yet unmistakable.”
Lola smirks, “I agree, he did not burn it.” Kolo grins, “Blackwell had no recourse, as he could not claim Anthony insulted him without accepting the insult, and yet everyone knew the insult was about Blackwell. Naturally that made Blackwell, conniving weasel that he is, look like a rotten rat who always wants to tear down others. And nobody dared to say more about his book, as they would look like Blackwell, a sniveling, envious, fearful, coward.”
~*~
Princess Sidonia thinks of Samala’s anger with her, and receives a vision of her past, when she was in the Mystical Realm, at the Light Elf Market. Ten-year-old Sidonia holds a tray of jewelry as she calls out to the busy crowd, “Beautiful new jewels for good health, love, wealth, and protection. They are guaranteed to work, and improve your life.” It is a cloudy day and makes it hard to see the position of the sun. Sidonia hopes her shift is nearly over.
She calls again, “Sleep better with jewels of good health.” One in a group of boys walking towards her purposely hits the tray making all of the jewels fall into the dirt; then he stomps on them, saying, “Rambler trash!” Her Great Aunt Nera rushes over, grabbing the boy by the back of his neck. Waving her other hand Nera whispers a spell,
Take from the one,
Who shows disrespect.
Mark this boy as warned,
Let him feel the effect.
Return the items and restore,
Make them as good as before.
The jewels returned to the tray. They are no longer bent, broken, and dirty. The boy sways, as Nera makes the horn symbol and spits between it, landing it on the boy’s foot, then she releases the boy. Sidonia sees the spell left the mark of a wolf’s paw on the boy’s neck. Nera curses him, “Ants will bite you tonight! If you ever intend to harm us, I shall do worse.” The boys run off. Nera takes the tray. She says kindly to Sidonia, “You have done enough for today.”
Nera says, “Get something to eat, dear.” Princess Sidonia is still upset. Not hungry, she goes to the river, picking up rocks. As she tosses a rock in the water, she wishes Nera were her mum so she could be strong like her. Instead, she feels certain she is doomed to the fate Samala accused her of. Sidonia hears a splash nearby and sees a young man with wheat colored hair standing there. He is hard to see as the boy is in the shade of a large tree and the sun is low.
Tossing a rock, he whistles an odd slow tune that seems familiar. She is ready to leave when he says, without looking at her, “It has been a cloudy sky all day. Do you think it will rain?” As he glances over, she shrugs. He looks older than her. He says, “I can help you.” Sidonia asks, “How?” He is perhaps three to five years older, sixteen at the most. He has freckles across his pale nose and cheeks. He is dressed in casual clothing, not telling class or wealth.
Smiling, he whispers, “It is an odd magic.” She comes closer as he says, “If I listen to someone’s problems, suddenly they have the answer to help themselves out of it.” Sidonia frowns, “That is odd and more than a bit hard to believe.” He shrugs, “I guess it is not too different from an Oracle, who can only see others’ futures and not their own. I hear they can only see their own death; that is a bit hard to believe.” When she says nothing, he asks, “Is it true?”
She nods, “Yes, well sort of, we see some personal things-.” Princess Sidonia becomes suspicious, “How did you know I am an Oracle?” He laughs, “You got me.” She backs up. The blond boy acts apologetic, “I admit, I guessed that all Ramblers are; am I right?” She glares, unsure she should say and feels she should leave. Grinning, the older boy asks, “Was that wrong of me?” Her tense shoulders relax, and she tosses another rock in the creek.
She does not bother to answer him. He asks, “Would you like to tell me what has you tossing rocks? Was it those boys?” She shakes her head, “Not really.” Slowly, she adds, “I was just wishing my great aunt was my mother.” He frowns, “Where is your mum?” She shrugs. He asks with surprise, “Is she missing?” Sidonia admits, “She is getting help, Father did not say where Mother is, I am not sure I want to know.” He says, “Good reason to want a new Mum.”
He adds, “Though I am surprised you are not wishing she is here.” Sidonia shakes her head, “It is not like that with my mother. She no longer likes me; she only loves my brothers.” He gets a sad smile, “My mum was kind to my sister and always colder toward me. When my sister died, Mother tortured me for not saving her.” Sidonia’s eyes go wide, as she gasps, “That is horrible. I thought my mum was bad, for trying to kill me twice.” She throws another rock.
She says, “Though both memories are faded. I often wonder if it is as bad as I remember.” He asks, “Why?” She sighs, “My older brother always says that I make it worse than it was; yet he was not there nor the one it happened to. Why would I want to imagine hurtful things, pretending that they were real?” He nods, “I agree and believe it is the truth! Because I would never make up what happened to me. In fact, you are the first person I have told about it.”
This surprises the Princess and she feels a little honored that he has trusted her enough to share it with her. Hesitantly, he asks, “Can you go talk to your Mother?” She shakes her head. He tells her, “I bet you will see that your mum has changed, if you did go see her.” Sidonia frowns wishing it were true, “Do you really think so?”
~*~
Kolo’s Catacombs, Sun up, 677, 29th, October
The Rambler rests her palms flat on the arms of the chair, drawing energy from the wood beneath them again. It speeds her healing of the puncture wounds caused by the Iron Maiden. She is used to pain, so it does little to interfere with her gift. Once she is strong enough, Darciana’s voice frightens Rorik, ‘Prince Rorik, I am your kin and a Rambler.’ Jerking to a stop, instead of silently asking, Rorik demands aloud, “Why are you invading my mind like this?”
Darciana chuckles at his indignation, and warns, ‘Sidonia is under my protection! I am aware of what Samala asked; by agreeing to harm your sister you broke the Oath and Ramblers’ Blood Pact. The burning in your left hand, is not a blister! Your mum has caused your curse; the Hex of the Black Palm.’ Rorik looks at his left palm now seeing the black spot within the red circle. She seethes, ‘If you harm or cause your sister’s capture, your fate will be worse.’
~*~
Sidonia’s vision of her past continues, the older boy adds, “Yes, your mum will see that you have changed too.” The Princess admits, “I learned more about being an Oracle. I even started receiving visions, so I understand why she was so scared. I was powerless to help some and I had visions that frightened me. I could tell her that I will never harm her. No. I used to tell her that, she never listened.” He urges, “Being without you had to hurt.”
He adds, “And would have her rethinking how she treated you.” Trying to accept that it could change her future, she asks, “Did it work with your mother?” The boy sighs, “I chose to only see her once a year. Now she begs me to forgive her. Sometimes I am ready to. I need to trust her first, as often she just wants me to do something for her. Next time, if it goes well, I might decide to see her a few times a year. It is better to have her pleading with me.”
Smirking he says, “Versus causing me to feel bad all the time.” Sidonia tries to imagine it, “Mum will see the future she fears is no longer a possibility.” He grins, “I can tell you that I would never think you could harm her nor anyone. Not even someone who deserves it.” Sidonia replies, “I have worked at being good. I am certain I am different from what she saw, all those years ago.” He gets a puzzled look, “You are very wise for your age.”
Sidonia thought his comment is odd coming from a young man. Previously, only old people said it to her. Like her teacher, who was at least forty and said it often. She guesses he lives with his grandmother, picking up that kind of comment from her. The boy adds, “I bet it would be a real relief to your mum, to see that you have changed and find that you grew up to be so kind. Do you believe it will be helpful for her to see that you are different?”
Sidonia shrugs, “I guess, if she has changed.” Slyly, he asks, “Is your gift strong enough to find her?” Sidonia gasps, “That is it. I could go apologize!” Surprised, he asks, “You think you should apologize?” Sidonia nods, “Well, I did not understand, and I just hope that I am different, so her visions cannot come true. I have my Oracle power too, so I should see it before it can happen and avoid all of it.” Smiling, the blond boy says, “Well my magic has worked.”
She frowns, he explains, “Because you got your answer.” Sidonia groans, “I have no way to get there.” He is astonished and excited, as he asks, “You already learned where she is?” The Princess nods. He gasps, “That was quick!” She groans, “It looks too far to walk and I do not want to bother my kin.” He offers, “I have a carriage and would like to have something different to do, so I could take you there.” She hesitantly nods, then her shoulders slump.
Sidonia tells him, “Oh no, I should not go with you.” Hiding his annoyance, he asks, “Why not?” She states, “It is something Father said. He did not want my kin or anyone else to know where Mum is.” The boy smiles, “That is not a problem. You can tell me when we are getting near her. I will stop and can hire a coach to take you the rest of the way, if it is too far to walk.” She decides it is a proper solution, she says, “That would be wonderful.”
He adds, “I have the perfect idea, you can take her a gift!” He shows her a pretty bracelet. It has white stones in gold, just as her mother prefers. He says, “See, it just so happens I have the perfect bracelet.” He hands it to Sidonia, she gasps, “I cannot accept something so nice; it has to have cost you a lot.” The boy laughs, “You are doing me a favor. I got it a couple of weeks ago to give to my sister for her birthday.” Sidonia feels suspicious.
She almost questions him, ‘You said your sister died’, however it seemed too cruel to bring it up, also implying he lied, and clearly, he could have more than one sister. He says, “She insisted I take her shopping a couple of days ago and fell in love with a scarf she saw. She begged me to get it and then it was awkward to tell her I already got her a gift. I also started to doubt she will like the bracelet as much as she loves the scarf. I gave in, buying it for her.”
He studies her adding, “I do like this bracelet but I do not want to try to keep it until her next birthday. I am sure I will lose it and that is why I am here. I tried to return it just now; regrettably they do not want to give me my coin back.” Sidonia gasps, “That is a shame. It is lovely. I wish I had enough coins, it must be worth a lot.” He implores, “It is not the money as much as the waste.” Sidonia feels obligated to help him. Getting out her coin bag.
As Sidonia puts what she has in his hand, she has a strange reflection of a time when she was three years old; she gave coins to a stocky gray-haired man. Sidonia tries to recall the details, but he cuts in asking, “Which direction to your mum?” She points south.
~*~
Darciana mocks, ‘Rorik, I will make your pain worse than what you cause for Sidonia. Since you have the ability to hide from all Ramblers clans and keep them from knowing you broke your oath, I will modify the Hex so that even living in a Castle with guards, all will know you are Cursed! I will alter it from just a spot to be ‘the Mark of the Beast’! All will see what you really are.’ In pain and disbelief. Rorik scoffs, “It is just a sliver from the oar!”
She laughs, clawing at her own palm. The Prince looks at his hand seeing green mist is forming on his palm, he cries out in fear, knowing this Rambler is truly able to Hex him. Darciana’s voice is a grim whisper, letting Rorik hear her spell, as she darkly Chants,
‘I Hex Prince Rorik Tricker as a betrayer I loathe,
He broke the Ramblers Pact and our Blood Oath.
Black as your soul now it reflects on your palm.
Do as you planned you will cause your own harm.
My Chant alters Rorik’s Ramblers’ Blood Curse,
My Hex shall make his wolf more vile and worse.
His evil plans will bring the Hex of the Black Palm,
Rorik needs to feel the consequences of all his harm.
I lengthen his moon cycle so his wolf is unleashed,
The Black Spot shall become the Mark of the Beast.
His wolf is more man reveal all his anger unleashed,
With death Rorik will become a blood sucking beast.’
Rorik hisses at the searing pain, “No!” It is as if someone is branding him with a hot iron. A boat of fishermen look at him with fear and caution, as they go by, hurrying to be away from him.
~WBM~