WBM
Chapter Nine
The Spirit Bottle Dame
~SV~
Glad’s Property, nearing 2 AM, 677, 29th, October
Kolo smirks, “Mum told many in the town, that the Glads were possessed by demons. When they still bought from the Glads, she paid a witch to Hex the land, and animals. It was wonderfully horrid as it all died. The putrid scent carried for miles; everyone was forced to mourn Lola. Mum also set the Glad’s buildings on fire, so they had to feel sorrow of the tragedy, like us.” Somehow, talking of the revenge, made Kolo’s return here, less of a horror for him.
His men groan. Yet, the Evil One thinks it is odd, that he is now glad. Grinning with pride, Kolo says, “No one was quick to forget what happens if you cross Mother nor Lola! Even with no magic, Mother was still quite formidable and deadly. Once done watching them suffer, she killed the Glads. Mum threatened the families of the seven; they paid her to let them stay alive.” The group has walked a few hundred yards, with Richard carrying Kolo.
The eeriness sinks in, with the dread of seeing the place. Kolo directs them onto the property and all sense the gloom of it. Coming to an area where stones are scattered, Kolo shutters, as they get nearer, and can see the circle of what is left of the foundation. It sends another chill up the Evil One’s spine. The Evil One whispers, “Do you hear that?” He swears, he can still hear Lola’s screams and the mocking children. Haunted, Kolo, wants to flee here.
~*~
Half Moon Bay, nearing 2 AM, 677, 29th, October
Sidonia’s dream-vision of the Lake Bled Clan, shows her what happened four hours earlier that evening, after dark.
Xiko carries Grigori out, sitting him up in his chair so the clan can express their goodbyes, to their former leader. Men place tall torches around, so the area is bright. Women openly cry, as they bring flowers and handmade ornaments to place about their leader and decorate the tables. Some play instruments slowly, in a solemn and quiet way, so it helps the clan mourn their dead leader. The clan goes one by one, to kneel or sit by Grigori, in private.
They speak their last thoughts, often the men and women whisper a regret in his ear, and some make a promise to do better going forward. Many thank him for all of his kindness and help. Trina sits nearby listening, wiping her tears away. When each is finished, Trina thanks them and motions another to come forward. She likes it best as they come back in a group. Circling him, the clan tells Grigori how they appreciate what they learned from him.
Some tell stories of his kind and great deeds. Others have humorous tales and many share a favorite memory that is less private. Xiko sees Trek’s daughter, sitting in the shadows. Going to Sara, Xiko asks, “Did you prepare your father so I can bring him out?” Fearfully, Sara admits, “He is still in the cell, I dare not touch him, or see him, I dread he will look like a Warg.” Xiko assures her, “The Wolf is gone, he looks like himself.”
Sara hands Xiko her father’s clothes, “I am weak and still do not think I can do it. Will you do it for me?” Xiko replies, “Of course.” He washes and dresses Trek, then brings him out laying him on a prepared table. Women bring flowers, and the men sit to talk to Trek. Sara comes to Xiko and hugs him, saying, “Thank you. I was so worried they might shun him, like an outcast, for becoming a Warg. He does look like himself and they are treating him well.”
Sara whispers now, “I need to tell you, my Father said he wanted to hunt Kristopher, the Warg Wolf. I scolded him, saying he is too old.” Xiko frowns, she adds, “Later he admitted he hoped it would kill him, as he killed it. He felt it was an honorable death, and he was ready to die. He said he preferred it to being a burden on me and the clan. I scoffed and dismissed it, when you chose him, to be one of the guards in our camp. Yet he snuck off, without me seeing.”
She sobs, “I felt you might fault yourself and it was not any of your doing, it was his wish. Even though he did not kill the Warg, he did help. Many were questioning Trina’s version of Grigori’s death. Even as they brought Father to the cell, some suggested it was another wolf, until Father turned; he proved Krist is a Warg, cursing Father to be one too. No wolf can cause that, only a Warg can.” Xiko kisses her forehead, “Thank you. I was, blaming myself.”
He gives her a sad smile, “You have changed that. Trek was right, Krist was hunting us, intending to take one of us down. Your father saved someone else in our clan. I will remember his bravery.”
~*~
Burial Ground, near 2 AM, 677, 29th, October
Lola screams, “Brother, help me!” As time lengthens, she becomes more fearful that this will be her existence and prolonged future. Lola does not want to endure an eternity alone in the dark, unable to move, with angry spirits mocking and tormenting her. Slowly, Lola’s sight continues to improve, and she even starts to see in this darkest space. Lola notices the walls of her confinement seem like stones. Finally, she is able to twist, looking beneath her.
Lola screams in terror, seeing that she is laying on bones. It is not stones around her; it is skulls. Lola does not understand how she came to be here or even where she is, not even why she is unable to leave it. Lola can only guess her death at the sword sent her here and her weakness is keeping her trapped; unless this is her sentence then she truly is imprisoned in Nifl. Her horror at the bones is music to the shades, their whispering starts again.
She now sees their blue mist ghostly faces as they come out of the dark to shriek at her, causing her to scream back. Their laughter makes her angry, calming herself, she vows, “As sure as this grave, I will capture you, making your time torturous and far worse than Nifl!” This silences their joy. Lola seethes, “I will haunt, and kill Kolo, that demon brother of mine, for causing this!”
~*~
Warlock Camp, Witch-Fight, near 2 AM, 677, 29th, October
They enter the stream; Crimson helps Rorik ease into the hot water. Others are giving Rorik fearful, dark looks; seeing this Crimson taunts them, “Which of you, dares to fight me?” They look away; sitting, the Goth smirks at Rorik, “At first, I wondered why you suddenly backed off. I admit that I am shocked you would throw yourself into the barrier, rather than let your wolf kill me. It saved you. I was impressed enough, to be willing to risk helping you.”
The Goth motions to the girl who brings drinks, after gulping some down, he says, “I was uncertain I could knock out a wolf; is your bite contagious?” Groaning, Rorik admits, “I am not sure. I feel a bit stupid that I did not think to ask anyone that or other questions, about fighting or what might trigger it. I am usually in our forest and do not worry. I do not recall anyone ever saying anything of our bite. And honestly, I doubt our elders would tell me, they do not like me.”
Crimson is curious, “Why?” Rorik shrugs, “I asked the same thing that evening, not even an hour before I triggered my curse. They were told not to talk about it with me, yet the old men always gave me a dark look, when they thought I was not watching. My Great Aunt, admitted then that the curse was caused by my grandparents and great grandparents. I guess finding that out, kept me from asking. I felt it sums up, all of the bad luck, in my life.”
Rorik did not admit, the reason he stopped his Wolf. He was certain if his Wolf had killed the Goth, Crimson, that these Witches, would have made sure, he did not leave the Warlock Camp alive.
~*~
Leticia wakes alone. Usually, Kristopher arrives at sunset so she can wake in his arms. She is concerned, feeling he took offense to her not being willing to run away with him. Sighing, she goes toward the door of her crypt; suddenly she slows catching the scent of blood. Hesitantly, Leticia opens the door, looking down with horror at the large bloody pool. She groans and assumes the worst. Fearing her estranged husband, Nicolas has killed Krist in a rage.
Lady Leticia hopes it is only an injury; she takes flight, landing near the Rambler Camp. Leticia slowly approaches, not seeing Krist, as she gets the sense that the clan is mourning. The Lake Bled Clan is unsurprised by her showing; not stopping their music, as it is common for Leticia to come at sunset to speak with the leaders of their clan. Seeing her, Xiko goes bowing to her, “Our Lady; how may I help you?” Leticia senses his grief.
She asks with a tone of sorrow and concern, “Oh dear, what happened?” Xiko replies, “We had two deaths.”
~*~
Grekan’s nightmare of Skull Island continues
The Princess says, “The Hot Springs are part of the reason that mist covers this side of the island. The Dark Druids, kidnapped and sacrificed a few Witches, until my ancestor found out. Briar Rose Storm, of the Storm Witches was the strongest, sensing their evil she flew over to investigate it. Briar Rose was captured by the Dark Druids, yet she did a blood magic curse on herself before they sacrificed her, it stole their clan’s magic killing the guilty ones.”
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Darkly, Sidonia fumes, “I wish she could have kept them from killing her.” Grekan gets a chill up his spine, looking back and then into the dark water. He no longer wants to get any closer to Skull Island and wonders if he dares to swim back. Yet Grekan fears what will be swimming with him, more. Princess Sidonia Vlasac says, “As it was a death curse, it lasted for generations, taking their clans’ powers at birth, for as many years as they took from her.”
The Princess admits, “I do not recall how old she was at the time. It lasted nearly Seven Hundred years, and the Cauldron of Storm Witches received the Druids Clan’s magic, along with the knowledge of what happened to her.” Sidonia whispers to him, “I have always been fascinated, with the spell Briar Rose used. It was Necromancy mixed with Blood Magic; I want to learn how it was done. I was not taught the spell, as it was forbidden dark magic.”
He shivers as she adds, “The fact that Briar Rose did magic while in irons, when others they captured could not, makes it even more intriguing. If I had no choice, I feel it is better to kill them, while I am dying, than let them get away with it to kill others. Dying has always been my greatest fear. Briar Rose’s sisters forced the rest of the Druid Clan off the island. They scattered them, after they promised they would not gather again, so they let them live.”
Grekan groans, “What was the third tragedy?” She replies, “Nearly a thousand years ago, there was a group who were willing to risk the haunted reputation of Skull Island, they sought it out, thinking it would give them freedom from persecution.” Hesitantly, Grekan asks, “Who was persecuting them?” She sighs, “Too many. First, it was a settlement of those who chose forbidden love.” Grekan asks, “What do you mean?” Sidonia says, “Even to this day-.”
She sighs, “-many think it is worthy of shunning and death, if you love one that is not of your kind, or even of your clan.” Tik scoffs, “They were mixed breed freaks, and deserved what they got.” Sidonia bites her tongue, to keep from replying to his negative beliefs. She says, “Then the runaway slaves asked to join them here, and were welcomed.” Patch and Andre have rowed straight across the bay maneuvering between Mermaid Island, and Wizard Island.
As they row into the open water, toward Skull Island, the waves are rougher and higher. Princess Sidonia adds in a sad tone, “Once the settlement was large enough to be spoken of; many others came to live in peace. All to get away from prejudices of mixed marriages, genders, stifling religions, imprudent rules, and abuse.” Andre says, “I was told it was the slave owners, who came and slaughtered the whole community.”
She states, “Yes, that made it the third tragedy. They created a brutal display of the corpses, and even used the old Giants’ bones as well.” Patch says, “I heard they start at the wharf, to discourage any others from trying to run away or settling there. It is horrid they were so racist, against mixing. It is why they killed everyone, right?” Sidonia groans, “Yes, that was what they taught us in school, and that it was narrow minded bringing disaster to their own kinds.”
She adds, “As many breeds were failing to reproduce. That act of violence opened another seal. When the rest of the seals broke and the locks were opened. It started the Demon War. Which was why Father was taken from the Human Realm and brought to this island. He was forced to fight the Demons, to save the nine realms. That war killed so many that most clans saw cross breeding, as their only chance of not dying out. I heard birth rates are low again.
Sighing, Sidonia says, “It is so sad that they do not learn.” Grekan asks, “Who lives there now?” She tells him, “The Demon War was the final incident. Skull Island remains forbidden, as the Gateway to the Dark Realm will always remain on this island. Grandess Lilith of the Dark Realm, uses it as she enters for the Nine Grandess’ gatherings each quarter. So only Father’s Guards live on the island, to watch the realm gate, making sure only she enters.”
Sidonia says, “Even after nearly seven centuries of peace. Few dare to set foot on the isle.” Grekan nods, “Just the tales of the Demon War is enough to keep me from wanting to explore it.”
Grekan is disturbed about what happens next, enough to wake himself. He sets Sidonia’s magic key on the side table, Grekan rolls over, and sighs with relief as he drifts into a deep restful sleep.
~*~
As Lola’s essence continues to bind with her soul, it brings dark dreams of her death, as the children see her making a leaf fly. They become jealous and trick her into going to the wishing well. Looking over the edge, she is hit from behind, with a rock to her head, knocking her out. The seven kids clap; laughing they lift her up, and taunt Kolo as they throw Lola into the dark hole, where she lands in the water. Lola comes to, as she is drowning.
It is deeper than she can stand. They catch Kolo and toss him in. Lola recalls that her twin, lifted her, so her head is out of the water. She hugs her brother as he holds her above the surface. They scream for help, as the light fades, a snake comes. It bites Kolo’s left cheek, before they see it. Lola manages to use her mist to toss the snake against the rock wall, until the snake is dead. Lola is then too weak to hold onto Kolo and the bite causes him to pass out.
Lola is unable to wake him or keep them both, above water. She tries to lift them with magic, as she had the leaf, but fails. Lola’s head injury causes her to pass out again, when Kolo wakes, he sees she is face down, in the dark water. She has drowned and he is all alone with her corpse. All he can do is hold her and cry.
~*~
Warlock Camp, Witch Fights, nearing 2 AM, 677, 29th, October
Crimson guesses, “Your clan must have told you the basic rules and consequences, were you just not listening?” Mumbling, Prince Rorik admits, “I guess not, and I tend to fail to think things through. I was a fool risking your life and mine for coin and glory.” The Goth smirks, “So you are new to the shift?” Rorik says, “Six months ago a couple of men jumped me. I stupidly stabbed him in the chest, killing him, and that caused the Ramblers Blood Curse.”
A girl wades out with a tray. Crimson accepts another drink and hands Rorik one too. The Goth asks, “What is a Rambler, and Prince, doing here anyway?” Rorik drinks half, “It is a long story. The short bit is I was in a hurry to get home. I needed a Dark Door and ended up at Jacque’s shack-.” Choking Crimson cut in, “The Spirit Bottle Dame? Oh, I would have walked before going to her for help. She is not one to trifle with. You even accidently cross her-.”
Darkly, Crimson chuckles, “-The Dame will get you back threefold and then some! A few claimed she did not have a reason, she just tricked them into forced labor and worse.” Rorik nods, “I felt like she was being overly vindictive, and unfair with me.” Crimson remarks, “Huh, I was not aware she does Dark Doors too.”
~*~
Leticia moves closer. to see whose bodies are before the clan in the chair and on the table. She is fearful that one will be Kristopher’s body. Leticia is relieved yet filled with sorrow, as she sees it is their elderly leader Grigori and the oldest member Trek who are dead. Xiko whispers to her, “Krist is not here, how may I help you?” She shivers at Xiko knowing what she feels for Krist, yet shrugs, “I worried at the blood left outside my crypt.” Xiko groans.
She adds, “I feared it meant someone was harmed. Please tell me what you know.” Xiko leads her away, out of the hearing of the clan of mourners. His back is to the camp, as he softly replies, “I regret to say Kristopher murdered Grigori, stabbing him in the back, at your crypt.” In disbelief, Leticia loudly gasps, “No! Oh, poor dear Grigori! I cannot understand why he would do it.” The clan hears her grief, nodding with approval. Yet, a few move closer to hear.
Leticia asks, “What have you done with Krist?” Xiko replies, “Nothing, yet. It caused the Blood Curse, when Krist killed our leader.” Leticia gasps, “Oh yes. I recall the Ramblers Blood Curse; the fool!” Grimly, Xiko adds, “We have confirmed he became a Warg Wolf, so he is very dangerous to all!” Leticia groans, “No! Krist is a Warg; are you certain?” Nodding, Xiko says, “His brown Wolf was in the forest, when we saw him.” She shakes her head.
He tells her, “The Wolf has Grigori’s mystical green B on his left cheek. We tracked him, but he went in circles, then it got dark. We begin again, at first light.” She insists, “I ask you to wait,” He nods expecting this, yet is not happy. Raising her voice, Leticia says, “I wish to speak to him, first.” Some in the clan hear; they are not pleased. Xiko bows his head, saying, “As you wish, my Lady.”
Xiko adds, “I need to warn you that Krist bit Trek too, it is safer to take us with you.” Groaning, Leticia shakes her head. Xiko adds, “Trek became rabid, foaming at the mouth, transforming into a wolfman!” She gasps, “What? Oh, no!” Xiko nods, “Yes, Trek became a Warg, too.” Xiko sighs, “He could not speak, and nearly broke out of our cell. I was forced to put Trek out of his misery, so he cannot harm us. It is Krist who truly killed him!”
Backing up, Leticia moans her regret at their needless deaths. As she hears the clansmen grumbling their anger at Krist’s acts, Lady Leticia turns, commanding loudly, “Kristopher is not to be harmed! I will speak with him before I decide his fate.” Xiko feels he has to inform her, “I appreciate you and your situation. I hope you accept that our clan expects Krist to face our judgment for murdering Grigori and Trek.” Glaring, their Lady clarifies, “Yes.”
She states, “You also know I have always been here for your clan and I will not ignore what puts any of you at risk! Still, you are not allowed to touch him, until I deem it so. Or, you and your clan shall reap the consequences.” Xiko sighs, “I do not wish to offend you, as I ask you, when will I have your decision?” Leticia scoffs, “I can hardly tell you, when I still do not know where he is.” Xiko insists, “I will wait for your reply, until dawn.” Wirf comes at her.
Leticia accepts, “I have every intention of giving it to you before sunrise, in fact, as soon as possible.” Wirf says loudly, “That is not acceptable, he is a Warg so it means that he is still deadly. It puts all of us, even you, and your staff in danger.” Xiko goes toward Wirf, to move him back, calling out, “Let me handle this!”
~*~
Warlock Camp, Witch-Fights, nearing 2 AM, 677, 29th, October
Prince Rorik finishes his tale of Jacque, as he admits, “While waiting for her Dark Door, I broke one of her bottles, so she hexed me into helping her the whole day.” The Goth snickers, “Doing what?” He replies, “I dug up coffins, pulled nails, filled bags of grave dirt, all for her crappy Spirit Jars. Then I shoved the caskets back in their holes to re-bury them.” The Goth says, “Whoa. And you felt up to fighting?” Shrugging, Rorik admits, “I am sore.”
The Prince leaves out the humiliating part about being in bed with her, saying, “That was at her shack by Pitsville, then she brought me to her hut here, at the Warlock Camp. I am hoping after the Witch-Fights are over, she will get me to the Black Forest.” The Goth says, “Grim, she is sinister. Jacque is called ‘the Dame’, because her jars always work. If it fails, it is the doer’s Magic, not her Spirit Jar. You are lucky that was all she did to you.”
Chuckling with suspicion, that the Dame did do more, Crimson adds, “I have heard worse stories about her-.” The Ringmaster’s whistle cuts in, and everyone becomes quiet, as he yells, “For our second fight, we have the Necromancer Rot in the blue sash, against our reigning Warlock champion, Fury, in the orange sash! This will be a fight with the enhancement of their Shades, Death, and Slaughter!” The crowd goes wild.
~*~
Wirf yells, “It is unreasonable for us to live in fear, nor feel that there is no recourse for such a heinous crime.” Xiko shouts, “Stop. I am handling the situation, and I am confident in our Lady!” Groaning, Wirf says, “If I had family here, I would leave with them… if she does not allow us to prevent another murder.” Sighing, Xiko scoffs, “She never said we cannot defend ourselves, or that we cannot hunt him. We are waiting so she can speak to Krist first.”
Annoyed, Xiko sighs, “” Leticia states to Xiko, “See that they stay here. Just let me handle Kristopher.” She hears their dismay, and knows the mess she is making, over a human. She is furious with herself. Worse, she is guilty. If she just said ‘yes’ to Krist none of this would have happened. Wirf gets in her face, “He is murderous scum and deserves to be hunted and killed.” Xiko rushes for Wirf. Leticia lightly shoves Wirf out of her way.
It sends the angry Rambler flying backwards thirty feet, he falls on the ground. Leticia flips out her dark grey wings, rising up ten feet, she threatens, “You touch one hair on his head, and I will skin you alive.” Xiko says to all, “We will not hunt until Leticia says, that is final.” She nods flying off to the woods.
~WBM~