A Kiss of Darkness (Gothos Series)

by Selena Wolfcastlin

  The story he told her was quite fantastical and crude. The look in her eyes told him that she wasn’t lying. Why would she go to such an extent? As he walked away from the tent many thoughts came to mind. This could possibly be the moment he was waiting for. To have a member of the protector’s circle was an opportunity not taken lightly. The healer out of all of them was a godsend. All of these years in the desert, barely having enough food to help his people and constant oppression from the crown he wanted to finally free them and her being here might be his chance. The only way he could figure out how to do that was to stop find the legendary sword that has killed thousands of men and creatures of darkness. If he could find that sword he could confront the king, and put an end to his reign of terror. His people would no longer have to pay the unfair taxes placed on trade and the abuse from the passing soldiers. The woman had met the Sythian prince, and spent time with him. Perhaps could help him find it. It was truly a long shot in the dark in the truest sense, but it was all he had. Sliding a hand in his hair he walked to his own tent and poured himself a drab of liquor. He had to take this slow, or he might lose his chance. Downing his drink he looked into the fire with a thoughtful look. The fire licked the wood mirroring his own growing desire rising like a phoenix inside his chest. This rare chance would be considered farfetched, but after years of bending to the crown he wanted nothing more than to protect his people. It was his mentor, Kalas who told him first of the story of the sword. It was said to be missing for centuries. The tale had become folklore, but the old man had believed it. It couldn’t possibly be a coincidence that he found her laying helplessly in the sand. Rubbing his hand along his shaved cheek he placed his hand lightly upon one of wooden braces keeping the tent up. Leaning closer to the fire, Cabel stared down at the fire as if daring it to burn him. The fire warmed his chest until pain brandishing him as he gazed down at it. Finally he eased off of it and leaned back on his heels.

  Three days later Sera was up and about, exploring the village. It was a lively place with children running and playing, dogs barking and old men sitting together talking. It was a peaceful place that seemed without care. The calmness of it reminded her of the warm innocence of her childhood. Her savior, Lord Cabel stood by one of the many fires talking to two other men. She felt a shiver run down her spine when their gaze met. Murmuring something to one of the other men he approached her slowly. Her eyes fell on his biceps moving as he walked in her direction, his long white blond hair glided slightly in the wind as he walked. “You and I have something very important to discuss” he told her casually not taking his eyes off of her. She opened her mouth to comment that she would consent to this, but he was already guiding her to one of the tents. Sera let herself be lead into the tent that was held open for her. It was just like the other tents with cloth walls and roaring hearth, but in the middle was a wooden table covered with maps. Cabel moved around the table then looked at her for a long moment. “You are a member of the protectors of the old stones. Those stones were used by our ancestors to protect and keep land from drying up” he stated. Sera knew this already, but it would have been rude to comment. Instead she gave a nod of her head in ascension. “I have been waiting for a sign from the goddess herself that would signal my time to stop the killing.” he continued. “I don’t know what your guardianship to the stones connects to this, but being a healer it will make my journey easier. “He finished and flicked his gaze to the rolled up maps on the table. His sureness made her feel a bit uneasy. The machinations of this man were a mystery to her. “What journey may I ask?” she inquired standing on the other side of the table. The nomadic lord walked to the table and slid a few rolled up maps and took up one of them. Unfurling it upon the table revealed it was a detailed drawing of the whole of their world. It would be if there wasn’t a part of it missing, a whole part of the Eastern Territory was blotted out as if unmarked. Sera knew that farmers and traders lived in that area. The Dragus Falls and the streams of Melus were the best fishing places. It seemed very strange to her. “I can see from the look on your face that you are confused by the missing part of the map” he said with a calm look on his face. “I have a theory that the rest of the map was hidden away the moment the sword was hidden away. The sword of many names that has slew a thousand men and monsters. There is a prophecy that the one who can take up the sword will rule the land. Only the destined one can take it. It seems like a long shot like many things, but I believe that this is the answer to a riddle of centuries.” He told her. Of course Argos had told her of such things when they were togather. “The Golgothian Knights are seeking the sword. They thought it was in the old castle, but it always seemed like it would be too obvious” she told him. Chewing on her words he nodded his head slowly. That made his own theory more plausible. “I am impressed. I admit that I didn’t think you would have such a sound mind” he commented, smiling faintly. Giving him an offended look she made a huffing noise she crossed her arms over her chest meeting his smoldering gaze. He laughed at the offended expression on her face and decided to change the way he approached her admitting to himself that he needed her help. It took all that she could muster not to get caught up in his blue- green eyes focusing on the smug smile tugging at his lips. “I think the sword is there in that hidden part of the map. I also know where that part of the map is being hidden.” He told her raising a finger and smiling. Sera rolled her eyes at his expression of triumph. So like a man to think he is being clever. “If you know where it is then why haven’t you pursued it before? “She asked raising her eyebrows quizzically at him. Cabel let out a deep breath the air taken out of his sails by her question. He placed his hands on the large wooden table. “I have stared at his map for hours on end. The piece of the map that is missing is being held by a hermit named Drelis who used is known as the Undying. It is said that he has was once the advisor to King Ursa during his reign over the first city of Golthos. “He recited what he heard. This interest Sera greatly. She had not heard of these things. It made her realize how little she knew about the history of the world she lived in. “How could a man live that long?” She asked feeling like an absolute idiot. “There are many things in this world that would surprise you” he replied sagely. Sera looked thoughtful and annoyed at the same time as she gazed at him. “To answer your question I was waiting for a sign to tell me the right time to pursue it. It might sound foolish that I would be so superstitious, but I do have a village to watch over.The hermit isn’t going to give it to me easily. You are the answer, the key.” He told her. She was unsure of this absolute confidence in her. Putting in trust in him didn’t seem like something she wanted to jump into. The conversation left her absolutely bewildered. The last man who saved her life ended up betraying her in the worst way, but something in this man’s eyes told her that he was different. Having nothing left to really risk she continued to listen to what he had to tell her. “I am sure with you at my side I will get that map from him.” Looking at him standing there waiting for her reply. It came to her mind that he must be a bit unhinged to be going to this length for a map to go in search of a sword that might, or might not be findable seemed absolute mad, Sera let out a soft sigh. “I don’t see that I have much choice but to go with you into the caves and find this man.” She told him, watching his light colored eyes light up. Cabel was doing all he could to hold his composure but inside he was teeming with excitement. “Wonderful! We will be leaving in the morning” he announced and turned, disappearing through the flap leaving her startled. Standing there she stomped her foot in the dirt realizing that once against she was being moved around in a chess game that she had no control over. She could of told him that she would not go along with his foolish schemes, but then what would she do? If she didn’t help him she would most likely have to leave the nomad village. Being an outcast from these people as well as where she grew up was almost too much to for her. What else could she do but to follow this wild man into the unknown and hopefully discover her own destiny?

>   7. Beginning

  Sera was awaken by Marie and taken to a small stream to bathe. Such water sources were rare in the vast desert. Cabel had made a wise choice moving his people here.Undressing she slid into the waist shallow water and started to wash herself. Once again she got dressed and returned to her tent. The servant girl was in the process of packing her things for the journey. “Ooh you get to travel with Lord Cabel. How lucky of you getting the chance to be alone with him” the other woman said smiling widely. The sense of déjà vu rolled through her. “You said that when I married Dominic…”she commented quietly. Marie blinked and cocked her head to the side. “Did I? Well I was wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong!” the maid cried. Tilting her head to the side, Sera walked to the bag Marie was filling with clothing, bundled food, and other supplies “You’re not coming with us?” she asked trying to muster the feelings that were rising in her. “Me? No, of course not!” Marie cried. “Besides you won’t need me on your journey. Lord Cabel will keep you safe from any danger. He is wonderful” Marie chatted on, letting out a soft, breathy sigh. Sera weren’t much older than the other girl, but her experiences made her feel all lot older. Loving and losing two men in her life made her feel like she knew all lot more about the nature of men then this starry-eyed girl. “I am going to complete this task and come back. That is all” the healer said in a calm tone of voice. Helping Marie place the last items into her bag she went out to where Cabel was waiting. In the glint of the morning Cabel looked at the young woman coming toward him, now garbed in a cloth top and breeches for horseback riding. He thought that she would be beautiful if she didn’t have a sour look on her face at the moment. Cabel had a feeling he was the cause of that expression. The young woman wouldn’t be an easy nut to crack which amused him a bit. Giving her a hand up she swung her leg and held onto him tightly. Their bags had been tied onto the side of the horse for traveling. Her hands lightly pressed against his stomach as they started off across the dessert. “You have told me your story, but you have no told me what brought you to the arms of your winged lover?” He inquired curiously as they started their journey forgetting to take her feelings into consideration. He figured that a normal woman would not have fallen for a Sythian prince knowing that they are a dangerous race of beings. “Meeting Dominic I thought I met a hero from a fairytale. Handsome, strong, and brave. I didn’t see the monster he truly was. He lied and betrayed me. All lot of women could overlook infidelity, but he was secretly cruel and merciless. Argos despite being a Sythian was kind and gentle, truly kind and warm. My love for him lead to his death and my exile. This might sound strange, but I do not regret my feelings for Argo” she said. Her companion was silent for a moment. “You are a very passionate woman. You looked beyond skin deep and overcame fear. That is admirable” he commented as he drove his mount further into the desert.

  They traveled through the rest of the day and set up camp at night. Sera helped him put up the tent to show that she wasn’t useless and quickly realized that it was very small quarters. Cabel was standing there, his chest plate in hand. He cast it aside next to the tent and looked at her. A smile played across his lips noticing that she was staring at his bare chest. Feeling the color rising in her cheek she walked slowly to the traveling tent and slid into the cramp small conditions. Reaching down she grasped the necklace she still wore around her neck. It gave her all lot of trouble through her life, but her sister had given it to her and that’s why it meant so much to her. It still gave her strength and right now she needed it. Lying on her side she pulled the blanket over her body. She felt the strong body of Caleb slid in behind her, his chest lightly touching her back. “The nights are uncommonly cruel to the unwary. Stay close to me for body heat, the temperature is dropping steadily” he murmured, his lips mere inches from her ear. She felt a delicious shiver running through her very core at the intimacy between them. Cabel felt her soft breath ripple through their bodies lightly touching. “Get some rest. Traveling will be hard for the next few days” he said quietly, his fingers sliding a strand of her hair from her face. Turning her head she looked at him slowly with her blue eyes, locking gaze with him. He gave her a soft smile, his hand reaching down to press against her stomach pulling her closer to his masculine form. “Sleep” he murmured in a lulling voice as he watched her. Turning her head back down she closed her eyes and drifted asleep, feeling safe in his protective arms.

  The next few days they got to the mouth of a large cave, the stone black as onyx. Sliding off the mount, Caleb helped her down and looked over at the mouth of the cave.

  “This entrance is the labyrinthine caves where the hermit, the Undying one lives.” He announced and moved his head side to side to get the kink out of his neck. Reaching into his saddle bag he pulled out a bottle, some spare cloth, and a flint. Sera watched as he went to the entrance of the cave he picked up a stick and wrapped the strip of cloth around it. Next he lightly sprinkled the content of the bottle into the cloth and finally struck the flint. Creating his torch instructed Sera to tie up the horse and started to walk into the mouth of darkness. From the heat of the desert they submersed into the cold, dampness of the cave that made her feel a bit uneasy. Reaching out he took her hand and helped her along the path as he held the torch aloft. Sera followed him along unable to see more than a few feet in front of her. Shivering she had no idea where they were going, hoping they wouldn’t get lost in the perpetual darkness. Caleb was holding the torch with one hand he had been holding he had no choice but to let it go and dug out a piece of paper. It was scribbles he had made out of here say to those he spoke to about the whereabouts of the hermit. He knew he was banking all lot on all of this, this one single gamble he hoped would give him the chance to protect his people. Leading the wisp of a woman along the rocky path he moved slowly to make sure she could follow. Turning his head quickly he found her standing right behind him, not missing a step. Relief washed over him that she hadn’t lost her way as he feared. Looking back down at the piece of parchment in hand he studied his own handwriting. Tucking it back into his belt he reached out and took Sera’s hand lightly once again. “I am glad you haven’t slipped away” he called back to her. “You really think I am useless don’t’ you?” she said back at him, frowning deeply. A chuckle came forth from him as he walked along. “You’re such a little thing. I was afraid that the darkness ate you up like a fly in a spider’s web” he commented teasingly. He smiled to himself when he heard her huff in annoyance. They walked around for what felt like hours, only stopping once and a while. The darkness started to press on them as they came to a stone bridge. The tinkling of water could be heard from below them, echoing off the dark walls. Sera held onto his hand grasping harder when the torch went out. Cabel cursed under his breath and waved his hand in the darkness. “Don’t worry I will light it again. Just stay very still. The bridge is very narrow.” Reaching into his belt he pulled out a the flint and tried to light it. Sera looked into the darkness hearing scratching noise in the dark. “There is something out there in the darkness. “She whispered to him, her voice barely audible over the sound of the waterfall. Making an annoyed sound in the base of his throat he was more focused on lighting the flint to listen to her concerns. “Dammit Cabel there is something out there!” she cried and pounded her fist into his arm causing him to groan. The flint clicked and fire climbed the moist rag, wrapped snugly around the stick. He opened his mouth to retort at her mild assault when he saw a dark figure come out of the darkness letting out a roar. The creature that looked like a giant cat with pointed airs and whiskered face. Without a second to cry out it pounced on him, its tail was that of a great serpent, its head whipping out at him. Losing his balance he hurtled forward off the bridge. Doing a turn he grasped the rocky edge digging his fingers into the stone. The torch had tumbled on the stone where they had come from.

  “Cabel!” she cried and backed off the bridge as the creature growled menacing at her, it’s gaze moving from her to her companion, dangling from the
bridge. “Be careful! It’s a Jaxopla. It can spit acidic venom” Cabel cried as he tried to hoist himself up, seeing the creature’s attention was on her. Swinging his body he grabbed the side of the stone with his other hand, the coldness of the cave and sprinkling of the water causing a chill to creep over his body. He felt his fingers slowly starting to lose feeling. The Jaxopla stared at Sera with its golden eyes, its growls a chorus with the water trickling down, mingled with the hissing of the great snake. “HEY, YOU BASTARD!” Cabel yelled on the top of his lungs. The creature turned its bulky large head and opened its mouth, baring its great fangs at him. It raised its clawed paw and swiped at Cabel’s arm leaving a huge three inch gash in the flesh, causing a cry of pain to come forth. Sera knew she couldn’t just sit stand there on that tiny piece of bridge well that creature forced Cabel to fall to his death. Letting out a shaking breath she backed up and reached down, taking hold of the torch. Starting forward she swung the torch at the Jaxopla’s head and to her luck it ended up thrusting it into the beast’s right eye. It wailed in agony, blood and puss pouring from the wound. It backed up and ended up hurtling off the side of the bridge. Sera hurried forward and grabbed Cabel’s arms. The adrenaline rushed through her giving her the strength to pull him up with her. Taking a series of steps toward the entrance of the bridge she fell back but luckily landed safely on the. Cabel looked down at her since he had landed on top of her. “You really are something else, Sera” he said softly, his fingertips stroking her forehead lightly. “Who would of thought that I would save your life” she murmured in reply looking into his green-blue eyes. Sera looked at him knowing that from the look in his eyes that he wanted to kiss her. Instead he eased himself off of her and shifted his arm, realizing for the first time that he was greatly wounded. Quick to action Sera sat up and looked around in the darkness. Feeling around in the darkness she found a bone and pulled out a cloth from his pocket and the small bottle and created a new torch. Lighting it deftly she handed it to him and started to study the wound. Hearing him wince she had to ignore it and focused her attention on it. Reaching out she placed her hand upon it gently. Focusing she let her eyes flutter close and let out a deep breath. Cabel watched her and to his amazement he saw her hand start let off a light blue glow. It didn’t sink in till that moment that she was the protector of the stone of healing. That she had the power to heal. Yes, he had brought her along because of what she told him, but in truth he didn’t believe it until he saw it. When Sera removed her hand the wound was gone, only leaving behind the trickles of blood. “Let’s keep moving” she said and got to her feet, wiping her hands together.