The Truth of Victory
A powers of influence Novel
Printed in the U.S.A.
First Edition Printing 2017
ISBN-13: 978-1541252097 (Added Touch Publications)
ISBN-10: 1541252098
Cover Design by: ExpertSubjects
This book is protected by copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without the express written consent of Added Touch Publications.
For my mother and father, who always tried their best, and loved me despite my flaws, of which I have many. Until we meet again, for there is victory over death. Thanks for everything!
Love, Screaming Eagle
“If you seek truth you will not seek victory by dishonorable means, and if you find truth you will become invincible.”
~ Epictetus
“Through trials and tribulation we often lose hope in so many things, we lose faith in ourselves, forget to have faith in others, and all too often dismiss our faith in God. In this world, in this time it is no small feat to hold fast to something that can feel so intangible. However, show me a person who clings to hope and faith, even if only by the very tips of their fingernails when all seems lost, and I will show you a person who is successful in this game we call life.”
~C.B. Haight
Prelude
West Francia, 1482
Awareness came to her with a sharp suddenness and she sucked in a deep breath. The sensation of warmth was next. Minutes ago, she was overcome with debilitating agony that had her gasping for air, her entire body trembling, and then—darkness. There was no sting, no ache, not even the slightest scratch plagued her. She sat up, frantically searching her chest for the gruesome wound, only to discover her regular rough and tattered clothing had been replaced with a silky white gown.
Is this death? she wondered. The memories of what happened were clear enough. She had faced an enemy of pure hatred and felt the sting of steel invade her body. She’d tasted the coppery tang of blood on her lips and watched warm, life-giving fluid drain from her until only cold took its place. Yet now, she suffered no more. I must be dead, she thought more assuredly.
“There is no true death, child, only a change in venue,” said a soft, feminine voice.
Startled to find she was not alone, Lisette turned toward the speaker.
“There is only life in its many forms,” the woman declared in perfect French. The inflections and tone, however, indicated it was not her native language.
The exquisite stranger who stood near the bed was stately in appearance. The woman’s eyes were soft gray, her hair silvery white. Still, she did not appear old, but soft and graceful. Her countenance was the embodiment of serenity, and despite wearing white and golden dressings of the finest material, there was not a mark of dirt anywhere upon her.
The only contradiction to her peaceful countenance was the small dagger resting in a jeweled sheath hanging from a leather belt encircling her waist.
“Who are you?”
The woman smiled kindly. “I have many names, child, but my friends call me Ramee. I am the protecting hands for the young and innocent, and I have come here to greet you.”
“I am neither young nor innocent.”
Ramee’s eyes turned patient. “Nor are you wise or old. To me, child, you are indeed young and still uncorrupted. Nonetheless, it matters little, as I am no longer charged to protect you. That time has passed.”
“Where are we? I was sure… Am I—is this Heaven?” She expected Heaven would be more opulent than the simple bedroom she and Ramee occupied, and she would know it when she arrived. Lisette also always assumed that she would be greeted by loved ones with open arms when she passed. Where are my parents? Where is Juliet?
“This is the place of beginning. The dawn of a new purpose should you wish to choose it,” Ramee explained.
“Did you hope for an end, for death?" asked a strange man as he entered the room. His arrival had been silent, and his voice, thick with a strange accent, held a comforting tenor quality. His word carried a richness to it that poured over her like warm honey.
“Who are you?” she asked.
“I, like Ramee, am a great many things and have been known by various names. You will learn to know me as Justice, or Haki,” he answered, offering a low, formal bow.
He was strong and carried an imposing appearance. His raven-black hair was cut short near his scalp. It was an odd haircut, like she’d never seen before. His skin, dark and tan, indicated he must come from the desert lands she had only read of. Sharp slanting eyebrows hovered above deep chocolate-brown eyes that were intent upon her. And though his features were stoic and serious, they portrayed a kindness that comforted Lisette.
Dressed as a king, Haki wore full battle regalia. Glistening breast plate armor with protruding marks molded to the metal covered his chest, and the hilt of a long broadsword peaked over his shoulder. The markings were captivating, and looking upon them, she saw they told a story. Her attention wavered, captured by the story playing out in shining silver and gold.
Figuring she was in the presence of royalty, Lisette became concerned about her own informal behavior.
“Do not fret, child," assured Ramee. “We have no need of formality, nor are we royalty.”
Before she could comprehend the woman had read her thoughts, another man entered and drew her focus. The newcomer's vestments were similar in style to Haki's. However, engravings in this man’s armor clearly told a much different story, and he was broader of build. She guessed he must be a great warrior.
When Lisette glanced up to meet his eyes, she could not repress the gasp that escaped. His eyes were grayed and strange. Embarrassed by her reaction over his apparent blindness, she looked away.
He took her hand and tugged her closer. Tilting her chin up so she would look at him, he offered her a kind, patient smile. “Welcome, sweet Collett. I am Bellig. I am Strength,” he said while locking gazes with her, changing her mind regarding his inability to see. Bellig stepped back and offered his own respectful bow.
Lisette started to return the gesture with a curtsy but hesitated as she realized he'd misspoken her name. “No, that is not my name. I am—”
“You are not and will no longer be the same as you once were,” Haki interrupted with an upheld hand. “In this place of beginning, we must let go of what was. Bellig, for example, was once known as Niall. That was his mortal existence though. Here, name has meaning, has purpose. Wherever you go, it holds promises and hope for all of humankind. You are courageous and bold, wise and valiant. You are Collett.”
“To us, you embody Victory,” Ramee said as if that explained everything.
“It is a suitable title chosen from your native tongue, and it will distinguish your new purpose,” Haki finished.
“I don’t understand,” she said and clasped her hands together to keep them from fidgeting.
“You are all we envisioned,” Bellig said with admiration. “You fought well this day, and though you did not witness the final victory you brought forth, we did. We watched the sacrifice you made today to save the others, and it is certainly not the first time you have sacrificed for those in need. We have seen what you are."
“You are here because of the way you lived,” Haki explained further, “and we offer you a choice.” Wary, she listened carefully as Haki continued, “Make no mistake, I do not propose a simple path nor an easy one. Instead, I ask for you to give more of yourself to those who most need it. I ask for more sacrifice, more battles, and still more duties. Many are in need and
surrounded by evil on all sides. They are desperate. Become a guardian, and you can be their Victory.”
“I’m not sure you want me. I am no warrior. I was only trying to protect the children.”
Haki smiled. “Some of the greatest warriors are born from a single act of selflessness. You, sweet maiden, are a warrior of the truest fashion. You have faith and fight for what is right, no matter the cost.” He placed a chaste hand to her chest where the blade had torn through her body earlier. “It is not the first time you have done so, and if you are willing, it will not be the last.”
She began shaking her head, but with confident, yet gentle hands, Bellig gripped her arms. “I will teach you. I will show you the way. For Strength can create Victory, and Victory shall give them Strength. We will be a mighty team against the machinations of evil.”
“Show me,” Collett said with firm resolution.
Virginia, 221 years later-
From a distance and unseen, two guardians watched as a solemn young witch looked into her lycan lover’s eyes with hope shining in the depths of her own. The Guardian named Victory could feel the sincerity of their shared love.
“Who are they?” she asked. Haki had brought her to this place, but she couldn't understand why.
“They are the answer to your question,” he explained.
“I have not yet asked a question.”
He tilted his head and met her eyes with a bland stare, reminding her that she need not ask.
She craned her head over her shoulder to see her leader and long-time friend. “It is they that will stop the treachery we face?” Disbelief was evident in her tone.
“Not them, but what will come from them.”
Still confused, she tried to channel her power to look into the future. There was nothing for a long moment, then Collett saw a sudden flash of the young woman standing firm within morning shadows as a mob descended upon her. The image left as suddenly as it came, leaving her surprised and frustrated by her inability to see what would come. “Why can I not see it?” she asked her companion with surprise.
“Because it is a part of your future. With these two, and those that come from them, you will have limited foresight,” Haki warned.
The two guardians looked upon the couple as they touched their foreheads together in a gesture full of tenderness and longing. “You are young,” Haki continued. “Young when you lived, younger still by the standards of Bellig’s existence. You do not fully grasp the force of what is before you.”
“It matters not! The betrayal cannot stand! We cannot close our eyes to this problem while innocents suffer,” she snapped.
He met her glare with kindness. “Agreed,” he said, bowing his head.
Humbled, Collett stilled her tongue and tipped her own head in apology for the outburst.
“You are Victory, and without Strength, you will find this much more difficult. I bring you here only to offer a place of beginning in your search for a solution,” he explained. “You asked for help, and I show you a single option among many you could choose from.”
“What am I to do?” Collett questioned.
“As you have always done. You are a guardian charged to protect and guide. More importantly, a guardian is charged with providing hope to humankind. As hope is fast becoming a fleeting thing, our task is even more meaningful than ever before. Fulfill your duty, and the answers shall come, as they often do.”
“How long will it be? How many will suffer?” she begged and turned around to face him. “Am I to wait and ignore his defilement? We must do something now! Bellig is ours, and thus he is our problem to correct. Why the mortals? Let me go after him. Let no other being suffer at his hand.”
“His betrayal does not fall on you, child. He made his own choices, and the Great Opposer is cunning. Bellig’s demise will not come by your hand or even mine. You must trust me in this.
“The answer is before you, and they will need Victory as none have before. The journey will require patience and time. You cannot interfere with free will. You know this. As you also know the adversity of one’s trials and burdens is a necessary part of this existence. How else would they learn? It is by overcoming this suffering that mortals understand peace and joy.”
Collett recognized the truth behind his words, and glancing back, she channeled profound sadness emanating from the young couple’s hearts. She understood that she and Haki bore witness to the couple's separation.
Haki placed a steady hand on her shoulder. “Remember child, justice cannot always be swift. There is a season for all things, and in this task, the road shall be long indeed. Bellig has plotted this course for centuries now, and it may take at least that long to find the justice you seek. Sacrifices will be made before it is over. I offer you this first step and can only pray you heed my counsel.
“Weigh your decisions wisely for, even as a guardian, each choice has a consequence. You must be sure of the road you take because there will be no turning back, and even you will change before this is done,” Haki said with a firm tone full of seriousness.
“Have you seen it?”
“I have,” he assured.
“Then te—”
He held up a hand, stopping her. “You know as well as I, that nothing seen is ever certain. Nor will I influence those outcomes by telling you what could be.”
She nodded, expecting the reply. “I will do as you bid then and find patience for my answers. I would wait an eternity to see the end of this treachery.”
Haki inclined his head. “Then watch and wait, child. We shall all hope for Victory and those in her care,” he encouraged and disappeared, leaving her to do as instructed.
Chapter 1
Cade knew it was a dream. No, not a dream, but a memory, and still he didn’t bother to wake. It was easier to be in this place, in this time. The pain here was merely physical. Waking would bring a different kind of misery.
The pull of the full moon was strong, and the twelve-year-old boy’s body that had once been his ached to give into it. Through the dream, he could feel every sensation, just as he had then. He was that boy again, sitting across from Merilynn who pinned him with her eyes and spoke gentle words, but the young boy found it hard to think past the internal battle being waged.
The adult Cade remembered everything. This moon cycle marked one year since his heritage was revealed to him. During the last twelve months, he struggled to cope with these inherent traits. Fiercely determined to conquer the urges this time, Cade mentally warred against instinct.
Cade had felt pain he was certain few could even fathom. Worse, because of his lack of control, Cade attacked Merilynn more than once. He could still see the raw scrape on her arm from the previous night. Yet she did not judge him. No anger nor fear entered Merilynn’s heart. She was always here, talking to him and telling stories to help him focus. There was consistent love in her eyes for the demon son who was not even of her own blood.
“It's okay. Release the wolf,” Merrilynn encouraged. “Go. Run, get out. Don’t hold back. We cannot win every battle. Even lost battles teach us, Cade.”
He could see she hated watching his struggle, but he wanted more than anything to control the change instead of letting it control him.
“I…have to…do…this,” he growled with red, glowing eyes, as the shivering grew more pronounced.
“Then use what you are, use the pain. Allow the beast to lend you strength. You cannot change what is. Embrace the power instead. Learn from the animal.”
“I can’t…” Claws grew from his fingers as they had so many times before. “Nooooo,” he howled in denial.
“Cade, find harmony with the animal inside. Let him help you. The wolf is not an enemy, but rather an ally.”
“M-m-magic?” he begged. “Sssleep.”
“You know I can’t.” He watched tears gather and shimmer in Merilynn’s eyes. “Magic cannot be the answer. You must endure this or you will never learn. Plus, it did not aid you last time, remember? I
f you must let go, it's all right. We will try again next time. Go, Cade. Change. Embrace it. There is strength in pain and courage in trials. The wolf, he is you and you are him. You are not two beings, but one. Let go, but do not give up, child.”
“My mo-mother… T-t-tell me again.”
Softly crooning, Merilynn spoke of his birth mother, Lyndell. Closing his eyes, he focused on listening, panting, and struggling to hold back the creature within. Despite his best efforts, the wolf was winning.
Cade wanted to give in to his bestial desires, but he also wanted control. Then there was something new—warmth and strength. It felt as though the sensations started in his bones and radiated through his entire being. It was such a small thing and only lasted less than a minute, but for a trembling adolescent, those precious seconds helped to clear his mind enough to focus once again.
“Keep fighting, Cade. It’s not over,” the soft, familiar voice whispered in his ear.
Breathing heavily and covered in sweat, Cade shot straight up in bed as if struck by a lightning bolt. The dream had been real, vivid. His chest was tight, and the physical pain was tangible as if he'd actually relived the boyhood memory. For years, he remembered that day clearly in his mind. At least, that's what he'd thought. That was the first night Cade denied the change, and he'd battled the beast every full moon for two more years before gaining full control. But that night was the first time he understood control was possible, so it had been a life-changing event. It was strange though, because during his years of struggling with the beast within, he did not remember Collett being there, and yet it was Collett's voice whispering in his ear. It was her reassuring him and spreading comforting warmth through him.
Certain he was right, but confused by what it meant, Cade wondered if grief had placed Collett in the dream or if she had really been with him. It was possible she had been present. Collett was with Jarrett both as a boy and even later when he was grown. He knew Collett had lived for centuries, but Cade was certain he would have remembered if his wife had been there… Wouldn’t I?
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