by R. C. Rutter
“About time!” Eric yelled as he walked to the bridge. Erica laughed and said “I am arriving exactly when I meant to arrive and not a minute before. You have a problem waiting for me?”
“Oh no, no.” Eric said sarcastically. “I am just thrilled to see you. Now we finally have someone here to clean the dishes and wash clothes.” Eric was laughing so hard that his eyes were tearing. He never saw the bolt of lightning coming towards him and soon found himself hanging upside down.
“Anything else you would like to say?” Erica looked at Eric and pulled out a feather. “Or perhaps, you would like the feather treatment?” Eric started shaking his head from side to side. “Alright, I give. You WIN!” Now, put me back where you found me!” Erica just stood there. “PLEEEEASE ERICA?”
“Well, since you asked so nicely, very well then.” With a flash, Eric was flipped in the air and back on his feet. “Thank you my dear.” Eric and Erica embraced in a giant hug.
Lydia had now come across the bridge and was standing there transfixed on Gweneviere. She could feel her birthmark throbbing but could not take her eyes off of Gweneviere.
Gweneviere was looking at Lydia. Her left hand was clasped around her right wrist. Her sleeve hid her birthmark but she could feel it throbbing intensely.
The tension in the air was electrified. Eric walked up and cleared this throat. “Allow me to make the introductions. He looked at Gweneviere. “Gweneviere, it is with extreme pleasure that I present Miss Lydia.” With a flourish of his hands, he bowed in front of Lydia. “Lydia, it is with extreme pleasure that I present Miss Gweneviere.” Again with a flourish of his hands, he bowed down in front of Gweneviere. As he did so, he sleeve pulled slightly back on his right wrist exposing his birthmark. Gweneviere gasped. Eric quickly covered it up and tried to change the subject. “Everyone, please welcome them.”
Lydia and Gweneviere approached each other. They stood about three feet apart and stared at each other but were soon pushed together by the crowd. The laughter and cheering could not be ignored and Lydia and Gweneviere soon joined in.
After a few moments, Lydia’s eyes fell upon Robald. Her smile faded and she regained her composure. Robald approached. His heart was beating so fast that he felt he was going to explode. He opened his arms in anticipation of a hug. Lydia hesitated then took a step back and offered her hand.
Robald was full of mixed emotions. He started to walk forward with his arms open but was stopped by Thorgon.
“Now is not the time my cousin. I know your feelings are deep for her. I can feel your pain but we need to stay focused. Consider yourself lucky.”
Robald gave Thorgon a perplexed look. “What do you mean lucky?”
“You are with her again. Not the way you wanted no doubt, but you are here and so is she. Maybe you can start as friends? But don’t push it. Last thing I need on my hands is an emotionally distraught soldier.”
Robald relaxed and put his arms down. “You know you are right. I know you are right but that does not mean that I like it.”
“Of course, that is to be expected. What can you do to ease the situation?”
“Yeah, I know.” Robald lifted his right hand and offered it to Lydia. She gently took it and held it for a few seconds.
“Good to see you again Robald. I hope that we can be friends.”
“Me too.” Robald turned and walked away quickly. Tears began forming and running down his cheeks.
* * *
Chapter 11
The King gasped, sucking in as much air as he could. His chest was heaving and his lungs hurt. The chains groaned as he pulled hard against them. The power surge was coursing through his body. His head flipped back as he screamed in pain.
Sidius came running through the door and stopped when he saw the body going through contortions. Looking around, he expected to see a demon casting a spell on the King but no one was there.
“What manner of this causes you so much pain, My Lord?” asked Sidius. “Who hurts you?”
The King lifted his head forward and opened his eyes wide. Beads of sweat were dripping from his forehead. He looked straight at Sidius with glazed and bloodshot eyes but it was as if Sidius was not even there.
The King screamed “Beware! BEWARE!” then his body fell limp.
“What is the meaning of this? What have you done Sidius?” A demon had entered the room and was looking at the King. “If you have harmed him, the penalty will be death, I assure you.”
“No master, it is not I” came the reply from Sidius as he bowed his head. “I heard the commotion and came to investigate. It was then that I discovered the King in a great deal of pain. I could sense no other presence in the room.”
“What happened? What did the King do? Did he say anything?”
“He was pulling at the chains and breathing extremely heavy. All he said was “Beware” and then he passed out, my Master.”
The demon doubled over in pain, grabbing his sides. “Ah, my brother….Noooooooooo.”
“What is it Master? Has the King caused you harm?”
Heavy breathing was coming from the demon as he tried to control the pain. “There is no way he could have harmed my brother, not this far away.”
The demon managed to stand. “I want reports on everything he does.”
“But Master, I have many duties to tend to. I will keep a very close eye on him and report all that he does to you.”
“Yes, you do need your freedom so you can smuggle contraband into the dungeons.” Sidius became alarmed at this. “Do you think I am stupid? Selling whatever you can including information about me?” The demon’s voice was getting agitated. “I think you have too much freedom. It is time to change that! Guards!”
Two guards entered the room. “Bind this one next to the King. If he falls asleep, kill him.”
“Nooooooooo Master, I will do a good job for you” pleaded Sidius but the demon had turned his back and was walking out of the room. “ahhhhhhhhhh, pity me!” came from Sidius’ throat as the guards secured his chains and left the room.
Sidius looked over at the King on his left; his gaze sweeping the body and landing on his wrist, which was throbbing. This was not good. Something was going on with the King’s power. Sidius yelled “Hey guards, call the demon, I have something important to tell him.”
The guard stuck his head in the doorway “You are kidding, right? What do you want? Here is how this works, you tell me and I tell the demon. The demon thanks and rewards me. In turn, I will give you a one time break when you fall asleep. You will live for a little longer. Ha, ha, ha. Now, what is it?
“The King is awake and is casting a spell to destroy all of us.” The guard looked over at the King who had lifted his head back and closed his eyes.
“Sure he is now, in his sleep. Powerful one that he is. You waste my time again and I will cut you. The demon told me that I could torture you if I liked. I am out of practice. Tell me, how loud can you scream? HA, HA, HA.” The guard was gone.
“Damn, I have to be smarter than the guard, let me think.” Sidius looked over at the King who was now staring at him. “Oh no, My Lord, I would not have told them anything. I was tricking them so I could get loose and save us both.”
The King smiled at Sidius, it was a look of peace and tranquility. He flicked his wrist and the guard came into the room and walked right up to Sidius. Pulling out his sword, the guard stabbed Sidius right in the heart. Sidius writhed in pain, drew a few gasps of air, and then was still.
The King put his head back, closed his eyes, and snapped his fingers.
The guard jerked and looked about. One moment he was in the hallway playing cards, the next he found himself standing in front of Sidius with his sword impaled in the rat. He quickly pulled the sword out and wiped it off. Looking over at the King, he saw that the King was looking directly at him.
“Fine mess you have yourself in, killing Sidius. The demons won’t be pleased with you at all.” The guard moved towards the King. “No
w, now, how much trouble would you be in if you harmed me?” asked the King.
He stopped and pondered his situation. He knew if would be instant death if he attacked the King. Might be from the demon, might be from the King, either way it meant death. He sighed.
“We shall keep it our secret then, shall we? Sidius has many enemies, too many to count. Any one of them could have done it. You must make a distraction taking you away from your post. Upon returning, you check on the prisoners and discover that Sidius is dead.”
The guard trotted off and a few minutes later, a fight erupted as one of the prisoners tried to escape. The commotion settled down and the other guard came into the room. He immediately spotted the blood in front of Sidius and sounded the alarm.
“And then what happened?” The demon was asking a lot of questions and getting all the right answers. “Very well then, take this one down and get another to take his place.”
The demon was walking away then stopped. “On second thought, get the other guard in here. He shall take his place.” The King was looking on in astonishment. This was going better than he planned. Several guards arrived and chained the new prisoner next to the King. The demon leaned into his face. “The next time you kill someone, at least wipe the fresh blood off of your boots before you make up your story. Now, watch the King and report anything unusual.” The demon vanished and the room fell silent.
* * *
Lydia and Gweneviere had been sitting together for an hour telling each other their life stories. Gweneviere was amazed that Lydia and Robald had been in love and they glanced at him periodically. They shared their times of laughter and times of sadness. Lydia learned that Gweneviere had three brothers, although she was saddened that Jason was killed and laughed when told of Malcolm and his trees.
Gweneviere got real quiet.
“What? What is it?” asked Lydia.
“There is something more. When Eric was introducing us, he bent over. As he did, his sleeve moved up his arm. “Lydia, I saw his wrist” whispered Gweneviere. “He has the same birthmark as me!”
“Wow” whispered Lydia. “What do you think it means? Is he your dad? Whoa, wait, never mind, we know your dad is the King. Uncle? Grandfather? Let me see your birthmark.”
Gweneviere lifted her sleeve. Lydia became very, very, still and refused to talk.
After several minutes of prompting from Gweneviere she finally spoke. “I did not think anything of it, I mean, I have a birthmark too. I try to hide it because it attracts attention but I really think you need to see it.”
Lydia pulled her sleeve up, turned her arm over, and exposed the underside. Gweneviere gasped, stood up, and backed slowly away. “What does this mean? Is this some kind of a joke? Part of someone’s plan to replace me? Who are you really? Are you a spy?”
Lydia was on her feet too. “Don’t be alarmed Gweneviere. I will do you no harm” she pleaded. This mark has been on my arm since I can remember. My parents always had me hide it, told me I looked ugly with it, and that I should never show it to anyone. If I did, harm would come to me and all those around me.”
Lydia and Gweneviere were stunned, neither could think of anything to say. Eric would have the answer; they both knew that without speaking. As if on cue, they both covered up their arms and walked over to Eric who was stirring the fire.
“Not everything that appears is as it seems. Just when I think I have it all figured out, someone changes the questions.” Eric turned his head slightly and pointed to Lydia’s arm.
Eric paused a moment to look around. Cerberus was still in his house and most were busy eating. “Perhaps we should have a private conversation.” Eric raised his staff very slowly so as to not attract attention and tapped the ground lightly. Everyone kept eating as if nothing had changed.
“There, that should do it. You can speak freely now, they can neither hear nor see us including Cerberus.”
“Explain this!” Lydia demanded. “Is this some kind of a cult? Mark of the kingdom? Are we related?” I mean, I have had this birthmark my whole life. Gweneviere says she has too so I don’t think trickery is involved. You seem to be at the center of all of this. Just what is going on here?”
“Alas, your birthmarks are identical. Tell me, does it throb from time to time?”
They both nodded their heads.
“That is what I was afraid of.”
This time their expressions changed to alarm.
“Oh, no, sorry, did not mean it like that! It is rather my own issue because now I don’t have a good answer.” Eric reached into the fire, grabbed two hot coals with his bare hand, and threw them at the girls. Without hesitation, each had backed up just before the coals flew by.
“No, it is not possible. It can’t be.” The color had drained from Eric’s face as his shoulders slumped. He was taking deep breaths trying to clear his mind. His hands were shaking uncontrollably. He tried to sit down gently but fell hard. With his eyes glazed over he said “I need time to think. Perhaps I am in need of a second opinion.”
In a moment, Erica appeared next to them but she was not even aware of her surroundings. Eric waved his hand.
“Oh, there you are, have enough to eat? Would you like some more?” Erica was smiling.
“My dear, something has come to my attention and I am not sure what to make of it. I would like your insight.”
Erica changed her expression to one of concern. “I have never seen you like this. Are you okay? Whatever it is, I shall be glad to help.” Erica waited for a reply.
“Girls, if you would be so kind.” Eric motioned to their arms.
Erica gasped as the birthmarks were exposed. “No, it is not possible! Have you…?” she said, looking at Eric.
Eric clapped his hands. “It is alright, the girls cannot hear us. Yes, I can detect no trickery. You know the signs; both girls have the family mark, both tell of throbbing from time to time. They are both about the right age. In addition, the wolves picked out Lydia to take to the castle. I know the question has been on our mind, why would they have done so? The King would know for sure.”
“Yes, yes, I agree. Any further tests would be sensed by any magical creature nearby and we can’t take that chance. I don’t see the point in asking Shabb for his insight. He already knows about Lydia and probably about Gweneviere.”
Eric clapped his hands again.
Lydia and Gweneviere both blinked, neither reacted to the time of silence when Eric and Erica were talking privately. Lydia could hold back no longer. “Does this mean we are related?”
Eric gazed at them intently. “I cannot say for sure.”
Both girls came to the same conclusion. “Grandpa?” they said at the same time, and laughed at the thought. He was certainly old enough but the thought of the wizard being called a grandfather, especially theirs, was too funny.
“Hey, who are you calling Grandpa? I prefer Grand Pappy. Or perhaps Grandfather. Definitely not Pa Pa.” Eric got a stern look on his face. “I hate that one. Imagine me a grandfather. It does fit though. I can spoil my grandkids better than anyone, especially if they are two wonderful and strong girls such as the two of you.”
“We shall do our best to protect you but I think the demons are pretty aware of the two of you by now. Your birthmarks should be a warning to them that you are not to be messed with. Still, they will try to keep you away from the King and away from us. The closer you are to each other, to me, to your Great Aunt Erica, and to him, the stronger his power grows.” The girls just sat there looking at Eric. “Don’t worry about the King. If he misbehaves, I will still put him over my knee and give him a spanking.” Eric winked and the girls laughed.
Gweneviere gained her composure. “So what shall we call you? Eric? Grandpa?”
“Oh, I think Eric will do for now, best not to announce our connection, might put you in more danger and I think we have enough already. Do what you can to hide your birthmarks, won’t take a genius to figure out there is some type of relationship
here if they see your arms.”
Eric tapped his staff lightly on the ground. “May I have your attention please? Gather round.” The group formed a circle around Eric.
“We have been on such a journey, some of you by choice, some of you because you had not the sense to stay home.” A few laughs were heard. “It is good that all of us have come together. I am afraid that many dangers lie ahead. As you know, the task is to get the King’s Daughter to the castle, and consequently, to the presence of the King. The demons in control obviously don’t want us to succeed. Still, we shall press on for if we fail, there will be no peace for any of us, nor for our homes and families. Rest now my friends, for in one hour we shall leave. Cerberus will be our guide, Shabb will be next, followed by Robald, myself, Erica, the girls, Seth, Malcolm, Thorgon, Captain Artemus. Guarding us from the rear will be the soldiers. Rest now; eat well, for it may be some time before we are able to do either again.”
