“Murray! No!” Iolana screamed at him, but the Messenger never heard her over the pounding of blood in his own ears.
With a strength no man could ever dream of, the Messenger tore Roger’s head from his body and threw it against the wall. The Messenger turned to see Iolana’s tear-stained face, watching him as the drumming in his head began to fade away. The weight of realization began to break over him.
“Why?” whispered Iolana through sniffles.
The Messenger looked down at his bloodstained hands, and then, up at Iolana. “I’m sorry,” he said softly.
“We have to get out of here,” said Iolana. She rushed forward and grabbed him by the arm as he stood in the aftermath of his own atrocity. Iolana pulled his arm and they ran for the exit. There would be no comfortable sleep tonight.
Rachael sat with her knees in her chest at the top of the stairs. What have I done to him? What have I let my little boy become? The shock left her shaking, but something deep inside of her told her to move. Follow him. Now. Move. Rachael stood at the top of the stairs and made her way down into the dining room. Luke stood behind the bar in complete shock.
“Th-The Messenger. Th-That was the Messenger.”
“I’m sorry,” said Rachael. She reached the door and turned back to face Luke. “Nobody ever believes me.”
Rachael left the inn to chase down the Messenger and Iolana in the black of night. Her prayers had been answered and her nightmare had come true.
Chapter 20: Poison
“What is it?”
“Our alchemists tell me that it’s the most powerful poison that they know of. It’s an extremely high concentration of what they call Nightshade. Two of the three alchemists didn’t even want to give it to me. I had to strike a deal with the third when he was alone.”
“It will work?”
“It has to.”
Firerock stared at the small vial sitting upon the table. It was difficult for him to believe it had come down to this, his entire life, his hopes, his dreams, his achievements, all hinged on the contents of one tiny, little vial of poison.
“Well, what am I supposed to do with it? I’m assuming I can’t touch the stuff without being poisoned myself. I’ll have no weapon with me during the challenge.”
“I did give this consideration as well, Firerock.” Oaktongue lifted the vial to the light and looked at the fluid. “You won’t be able to touch it, but you shouldn’t have to. You won’t ever have to remove it from the vial. When the beast comes at you flick the stopper off of it and throw it into the beast’s mouth. Make it look like your throwing dirt into its face or something like that. The vial is small enough that you should be able to conceal it easily. From what I’ve been told of this Nightshade, one drop is enough to paralyze a bear. The vial should bring the beast down easily.”
Firerock shook his head. “It seems so risky.”
“Have you any better ideas?”
“Don’t get testy with me, Oaktongue. It’s your fault that I’m in this predicament. I had never had an aspiration to the throne before you put the idea into my head.”
“Don’t act so innocent. You were more than happy to allow me to make your decisions for you, Firerock. Remember it was you who came to me for help.”
“It’s not you who’s going to die in that arena!” Firerock turned away from Oaktongue. “I’m not even sure that beast is Eveneye. We could’ve sent out a search party. We still could, we could postpone the ritual. If we can find Eveneye, then none of this has to happen.”
“That’s not going to happen, Firerock, and you know it.”
“This was your plan all along, wasn’t it? Find a way to kill me off and then take the throne for yourself. They’ll never send another bear into that arena after they see what that thing does to me. You were counting on that. I never should have trusted you!”
“But you did,” said Oaktongue. “You did trust me, and I wouldn’t suggest stopping now.” He tossed the vial of Nightshade at Firerock and turned to leave the room.
“The Queen will never let you take the throne, Oaktongue! She knows what you are!”
“You’re as much of a fool as I thought you were, Firerock.”
•••
The bears of Gray Mountain began to file into the arena and mixed emotions filled the air. The mountain had been abuzz since the news of the night’s event first broke, and every bear had an opinion. There were the fervent supporters of Eveneye, who refused to believe that their King had been turned into some frothing, black beast. They were opposed to the ritual until some sort of undeniable proof could be uncovered. Feeding their fires were the group that made up the majority opinion. That opinion was one of confusion and uncertainty. Most bears wanted to believe that the Queen knew what she was talking about, but nobody wanted to believe that Eveneye was truly gone. The fervent supporters of Eveneye used this uncertainty as proof that they were correct, and nothing should be done until further information came forth. It was only a small amount of bears that fully believed what the Queen had told them and had come to the arena in support of a new King. Luckily for Firerock, and despite each individual belief, every bear in attendance wanted to see the beast killed.
Firerock sat alone in a room, deep within the arena, waiting for the moment when he would be ushered out to the arena floor to meet his fate.
How did I get myself into this? Firerock played with the small vial of poison in his paw. It’s amazing, he thought. The contents of this tiny vial will either leave me King of Gray Mountain or leave me dead, no in between. Firerock laughed to himself. I never even wanted to be King.
A knock came at the door and four guards walked into the room where Firerock waited.
“The arena is ready for you, sir.”
Firerock nodded and rose to his feet. He towered above most bears, and was thought to be an exquisite physical specimen, yet each of the four guards looked at him with pity, as though they were escorting him to his execution. The five bears left the room and began their march toward the arena floor. They could hear the noise of the crowd faintly through the rock walls. Firerock knew that he was close to his moment.
Damn you, Oaktongue. How did I not see that all you wanted was to gain power for yourself? You knew that I would listen to everything you told me. You knew I would do all the heavy lifting, and you knew that if there were any penalties to be paid, that I would pay them. The crowd could now be heard chanting for their champion, Fire-rock, Fire-rock. If they only knew what a fool I really am.
The five bears approached one of the gates that would open to the arena floor and stopped.
“Are you ready, sir?” asked one of the guards.
Firerock looked up at the guard and smiled. “It’s amazing how lucid one becomes before they face their own death. Tell me, soldier, are Oaktongue and the Queen seated in the King’s box tonight?”
“They are, sir. We are headed there directly from here.”
“Good,” said Firerock. “You four listen to me well. Oaktongue is not to be trusted. He may make an attempt on the Queen’s life tonight. I have a feeling. Watch him closely and protect the Queen at all costs. Do you understand?” The four guards nodded that they understood, although their faces showed their confusion. “All right,” said Firerock and inhaled deeply. “Open the gate.”
•••
Goldenheart sat in the King’s box and watched as the beast stalked across the arena floor. She took a deep breath, stood, and began to address the crowd.
“Tonight we will observe Firerock as he attempts to complete the ritual of challenge. He will emerge from the gate, onto the arena floor, when he has readied himself. Give to him your cheers as he places his life on the line. Let the challenge begin.”
The Queen sat down and the Kingdom mumbled as they waited for the horn. It did not go beyond notice that the Queen’s introduction was both cold and brief. Oaktongue entered the King’s box and sat down in a seat next to the Queen.
“Good evening, m
ilady.”
“Don’t,” snapped Goldenheart. “You don’t think I know what you are? You are a worm. I saw my Eveneye’s face after he spoke to you and I know what you said to Autumnbreeze. I know that you pulled Firerock into your evil scheming and now you will watch him die. You are a poison. When this little spectacle is over, I will have you imprisoned for treason. The Kingdom will see you for what you are, Oaktongue. Believe me well. Watch as Firerock dies and know that it should be you in his place.”
“I wouldn’t be so confident if I were you,” snarled Oaktongue.
A horn sounded throughout the arena and one of the gates opened to the arena floor. Firerock came bounding out of the darkness and the black beast roared in anger. It began its pursuit almost immediately, snarling ferociously. The beast recognized Firerock and meant to destroy its captor.
How does this creature still have the power to move with such force? thought Oaktongue. It has been given no sustenance since it was trapped. Why has it not starved? Use the poison, Firerock. Use the poison.
Firerock had nowhere to hide and the creature caught up to him quickly, swiping at his hindquarters, knocking him to the ground. Oaktongue jumped from his seat, unable to contain his emotions.
“Use the poison!” he called out. “Use the damned poison!”
Spectators turned their heads to Oaktongue, in confusion. Goldenheart mimicked their sentiment.
“Poison?” she uttered. “I should’ve known you would have some trick.”
Firerock lied on the ground, looking up at the foul beast, and made his attempt. He flicked the stopper from the top of the vial and threw it into the gaping jaws of the beast. The black creature crunched down upon the vial, mixing poison and glass with its saliva. The creature roared and reared up on its hind legs. Alas, the Nightshade had no effect. Firerock tried to scramble away as the beast came crashing down upon him and sunk its yellow teeth deep into his side. Pain flashed immediately through Firerock’s body, followed quickly by the numbing sensation of the poison that would ultimately kill him. The crowd turned away, disgusted as the creature tore into Firerock’s body over and over again.
“No, no, no, NO!!” bellowed Oaktongue as he realized that his plan was falling apart. He turned on Goldenheart and grabbed her by the throat, lifting her out of her seat. The crowd gasped in terror as they began to realize that Oaktongue was attacking the Queen. Oaktongue threw his weight against Goldenheart, forcing her to the edge of the King’s box, intent on sending her to her death below. Goldenheart gasped for air as she struggled to keep her footing.
Suddenly, a spear ripped through the air and caught Oaktongue in the throat. He released his grip upon Goldenheart and reached for the wound, now spilling his blood onto the floor. Goldenheart fell to the floor and choked for the air as it rushed back into her lungs. She looked up to see the guards had come to her rescue. Oaktongue’s eyes bulged and he stumbled as he lost more blood. The arena spun and he tried to keep himself balanced, but could not. Oaktongue lost his footing and fell over the edge of the King’s box, plummeting to the arena floor. The crowd turned their heads from the gruesome sight upon the arena floor as the fiend tore into Oaktongue.
The guards rushed to the Queen’s side.
“I’m all right,” she said. “I’m all right. Thank you so much. You saved my life.” Goldenheart gathered herself and turned to the crowd. “Everyone, please. Please listen to me,” she called out. “Please avert your eyes from the arena floor and listen to what I have to say. There have been traitors among us.” The crowd quieted and looked up at the Queen. “Firerock and Oaktongue allowed greed to pollute their minds and corrupt them. They forced me to lie about the creature you see on the arena floor. It is not your King. It is not Eveneye. Oaktongue and Firerock constructed this lie to take the throne in Eveneye’s absence, but their evil has been punished here tonight.
“The truth is that we do not know what this creature is. I will begin looking into this matter when morning comes. I will listen to information any of you might have on this matter. I will be present in the King’s court tomorrow. If you know anything that may lead us to an answer, please be present and ready to speak. For now, go home and sleep. I am having the arena sealed on this night. No one will enter the arena until we have an answer, until we have found the truth.
“I am sorry for what you have seen here tonight. Tomorrow we begin a new day. Goodnight.” The crowd began to file out of the arena and Goldenheart turned to the guards. “Seal every entrance to the arena and then go home to your beds. I want every soldier in this kingdom at the King’s court before the sun comes up over the horizon. Things are going to change on this mountain. We will no longer wait to be victims of the Tyrant.”
Chapter 21: Behind Vacant Eyes
“You should have told me that you couldn’t go into a village, Murray. You should’ve told me what to expect if…if something like that happened. What do you expect me to think? You could’ve stopped that man without hurting him…you killed him!”
Iolana hadn’t stopped crying or yelling at the Messenger since they had run away from Rooks Cove. She had been assailing him ever since they were out of earshot of the village, and he had just taken it. He hadn’t tried to say a thing except, “I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry doesn’t make it okay, Murray. It doesn’t fix anything. That man is dead, and did he deserve it? I don’t know, but I don’t think that you do either, do you? Did he deserve it, Murray? Did he!?” The Messenger said nothing. “Did the Holy tell you to do it? Or is he still not speaking to you?” The Messenger said nothing. “And you have nothing to say for yourself. Do you even care!?” Iolana stared at the Messenger, the monster, as tears rolled down her face.
“People die when I care,” mumbled the Messenger, almost inaudibly.
“What?” Iolana yelled at him.
“People die when I care!” yelled the Messenger at her. “You think I don’t feel things! You think I’m some heartless monster! I feel every little thing! EVERYTHING!! It makes me hate this world so much. It makes me want to end everything in this world, because I feel so much pain. You have no idea.
“Do you know why I killed that man? Do you? Because he causes more pain in this world than he makes good. What do you think he wanted with you, Iolana? A dance? A romantic walk in the moonlight? He would have hurt you. Just like he’s hurt others before you. Just like he would have hurt others after you. So I ended him. I ended the pain. You think I don’t care…I care too much. I can’t help it. I try to not care, I try so hard. When I care, people die.
“You know what I wonder, day to day? I wonder why I’m alone. Why I’m the only one. Why people see evil in the world and tolerate it; allow it to continue. Why am I the only one who can’t stand it for a second? Why am I the only one who can’t help himself but to stop it? Why am I the one who has to hide in the shadows?
“The Holy gave me these powers so that I could make the world a better place. He gave me that gift and he gave me that curse.” The Messenger’s shoulders sunk and he shook his head. “But I’m not sorry for it. I’ll never apologize for what I am. When I told you that I was sorry, I wasn’t apologizing for what I did. I was apologizing because it breaks my heart to know that no one will ever understand it. I apologized because it broke my heart that you would never understand it.”
Iolana walked over to the Messenger and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t know.” She looked up into the Messenger’s vacant eyes and then she placed a kiss upon his cheek. He looked down at her with pain and confusion etched in every detail of his being. “Let’s make camp and go to sleep,” said Iolana. “We’ve got a long road ahead of us.”
•••
Rachael stood over her estranged son in the moonlight.
I found him, I found him, I can make it all right now. I’m so sorry for what you’ve become, baby. I’m so sorry.
Rachael knelt next to Edgar as he lied upon the forest floor and slowly re
ached her hand out to ease him awake.
No, came a voice into her head, and she pulled her hand back quickly. Not now, said the voice.
But why? I’ve finally found him. Why would I wait?
Follow him to Hammlin. Follow him back to the beginning. Only then, can you be absolved. Let him remember, Rachael. Let him remember.
Rachael stood from Edgar’s side and slowly backed away into the shadows. In Hammlin, I can make it right?
Yes, Rachael, in Hammlin. All of your training and everything I have taught you has paid off and will bring you absolution when you finally reveal yourself.
Thank you for saving me. Thank you for giving me new purpose and showing me that things can change. Thank you so much, I owe you everything. I am forever your servant, my Holy.
•••
The Messenger woke in the morning, just before the sun caught the horizon. He stared at Iolana who had not yet woken.
Is the journey a test for her or is it a test for me? He looked at how Iolana’s dried tears had created streaks of dirt across her otherwise porcelain face. This isn’t just a woman, he thought to himself. She is ancient. Is she evil though? I can’t see how, for the life of me, I can’t. Why would the Holy leave me alone with her? I think I’m meant to change her…and I think she’s meant to change me. Maybe…maybe we are to be each other’s finest work, each other’s masterpiece.
Iolana stirred from her slumber and sat up, rubbing her eyes. She looked at the Messenger and smiled. The Messenger smiled bashfully back.
“I can never tell what you’re thinking,” said Iolana.
“Is that bad?” asked the Messenger.
Everflame: The Complete Series Page 41
