I kneel next to Orm. “I believe he’s had enough.”
Helping him up, I offer him the crystal. He hangs it around his neck and thanks me, taking a seat offered him by Will. As the others spar, he, Jacob, and Gregor question Orm about the state of his strength, his abilities relative to other witches, time in the old country, and the coven there.
Orm sucks hard breaths into his chest, and I bring him a glass of water as he answers their queries. Then, I take my turn sparring with the others. As the sun sets, battles continue as hunters bring animals in for our dinner. Seeing Orm flinch at the sight of the blood pouring from the deer’s necks, I lead him into the kitchen.
“We must seem like savages to you.”
“I haven’t ever been around vampires. Only heard stories of how they suck humans dry. Your tribe does not feed on people?”
“No.” I set a loaf of bread, glass of milk, and bowl of berries on the table for him. Then, I go to the front room, cut a chunk of rib meat from the closest doe, and hang it over the fire.
“You’re too kind to me.”
“I believe you pushed yourself too far today.”
“It was fun. I hadn’t used that much power in a while, made me feel young.”
“Four hundred years is middle age for a witch, right? Do you age like we do?” I sit beside him at the table.
“I don’t know how you age.”
“At eighteen, we reach maturity and are almost frozen in that state till eight hundred or so. It’s different for all, but we slowly age from then till our bodies are spent.”
Orm summarizes how witches age over time, like a human, but slower. He describes his powers and how they will grow stronger with use. I tell him how I prolonged Emmett’s and Theo’s lives and offer him my blood to preserve his health.
He chuckles, and his eyes cut to the door leading to the main hall where the others are gathered. “Probably not a bad idea.”
Making him some tea, I stick my finger and drop a couple of drops into the hot liquid. “A few drops a day will suffice.”
1698
Days, months, and years pass, and we detect no use of magic from Orm outside our training sessions. Will worries he could be using some of his powers to spar with us to mask another action. Although I feel it unnecessary, the others insist on keeping him under surveillance day and night.
With talk of further suspicions of witchcraft and vampirism, we debate moving west.
“What of the growing unrest in the Old World? Our sentinels report increased witch activity throughout the continents,” John notes.
“Perhaps Orm can help our people form alliances, or at least peace agreements with the witches,” I put forth. “Elizabeth, can you bring him to us?”
Elizabeth climbs the stairs, and Will whispers to me. “Are you sure we can trust him?”
“He has been with us five years. He has given us no reason to doubt his intentions.”
Will shakes his head. “But, he has not been tested.”
“Well, he will now.” I stand as Elizabeth and Orm enter the room. “Orm, our informants in the Old World tell us the witches are on the move. Can you imagine why?”
“What would he know? He’s been locked away here for five years, and in the colonies for a century,” Jacob huffs.
“Ninety-eight.” Orm rubs his chin. “It’s 1698.”
“I hope that’s not your prediction, oh wise one,” Gregor laughs.
“No,” Orm continues. “They’re preparing for the Children of Light.”
“What? Who?” Dumbfounded, I stare at him.
“You don’t know?” Orm’s eyes pan the room. “None of you have heard of the prophecy of the dagger? With your vast reach, I thought you would know.”
Will strides towards Orm. “You should get to the story faster.”
Orm’s eyes cut to Will and back to me. “We always assumed other races knew of the prophecy.”
I raise my palm. “How important is this information? If those gathered here have never heard of it, then I doubt anyone in our race does. What are the consequences of knowing what you’re about to tell us?”
Orm blinks and then stares into my eyes. “A war between our species, I would guess.”
I order Will and Jacob to run the perimeter of the building so that we aren’t overheard. When they return, I motion for Orm to continue.
He transfers his weight from foot to foot. “I believe that’s why Sonia attacked your tribunal in 1599. She assumed you were gathered to sire the Children of Light.”
“Who are these Children of Light? Start at the beginning.” Will growls at him.
Orm clears his throat. “There was a dagger, wielded by Longinus, that proved Jesus to be the son of God. It’s prophesied that if three Children of Light use the sword to defeat evil, the curse on the witches will be lifted, our souls will be restored. Some believe”—Orm’s eyes meet mine—“that if other beings break the curse, they’ll be granted eternal life.”
“But where did the curse originate?” I ask.
“Who else?” Orm shrugs. “God. God placed the curse on the witches because he was angry with the angels for siring us.”
“This is foolish spiritual rubbish. I will not listen to more.” Will starts towards the door.
“You asked me why the witches may be on the move and now you disregard my answer? I have betrayed our most sacred secret, and still you doubt me?” Orm stands.
Will rushes to him, stopping an inch from his chest. “What business is it of ours? Why should we care? I’m fine without a soul.”
“Because vampires are in danger. Any movement on your part will be construed as action against witches.”
“But why are they more active?” I inquire.
“They’re looking for perfect pairings. The Children of Light must be conceived before the turn of the century. Three children—one of the spring equinox, one of the summer solstice, and one of the fall equinox—must find each other, find the dagger, and obliterate evil in their eighteenth year of life.”
Head spinning with the enormity of his revelation, I pace the floor. “What’s the evil?”
“If you’re a witch? Vampires.”
“You’re kidding.” Jacob laughs. “These three children can use the dagger to end all vampires?”
“That’s the prophecy. The witches must defeat evil, which many of our race have construed to be you soulless creatures. Some think that if the Devil himself is killed, you all will die.”
I halt my motion. “And all witches believe this?”
“Most do. That’s why the group I was with fled. We wanted nothing to do with the pairings.” Orm takes a step back from Will.
“Is there anything else?” I ask Orm.
“No, that’s all.”
“Never speak of this to anyone else. Thank you, you may leave us.” I motion to the stairs. “Elizabeth, escort Orm back to his quarters.”
“I don’t even begin to know what to do with this information.” Jacob stands and then sits again, running his hand through his hair.
I put my finger to my lips and whisper. “It’s more crucial than ever that we make peace among our tribes and with as many covens as possible. Elizabeth.” I approach her as she descends the stairs. “You’re the oldest here. Have you ever heard of this curse or prophecy? Do you believe him?”
“Now that I know this information, I see patterns in history. Violence against vampires has always been heightened before the turns of the centuries,” Elizabeth speaks in hushed tones.
We huddle in a circle, and several share their opinions. Then, we decide Will, Jacob, Elizabeth, and I will take Orm and a quarter of our tribe to the Old World to gather representatives for another tribunal. Gregor and John will lead the rest west, to build a fortress where we will be safe.
Will taps my shoulder as the group disperses, inquiring if I will speak with him. We walk east through the marshes to the beach before he stops. “Please, reconsider this.” He grabs my arms. “W
hat if we’re walking into a trap? Orm could’ve made up that whole story to lead us to our deaths. Sonia and Thanatos know you lead our people. You’ll be too exposed. We don’t have a safe place to gather in the Old World.”
“And what if we do nothing?” I clutch his biceps. “Many of our people may die.”
“Vampires die. Vampires have been dying at the hands of witches for millennia. Witches have been hunted by our kind for centuries. We should all go west.”
I tug away from his grasp. “Why didn’t you voice this opinion in front of the others? You said nothing inside.”
“I’m not political like Jacob or Gregor, you know that. My only mission is to keep you from harm.”
“And my mission is to unite my people in peace. I need to make a treaty with the witches to do that. Orm can help us. He may know a place for us to gather. But, what of this prophecy? What kind of God curses an entire race for sins of their fathers? Why do beings believe in such ideas?”
“Orm said Sonia and her line gather power from the departed as they wait in this Sheol. It must be real. How else would two witches be able to kill hundreds of vampires? I just pray that whatever being saved us before will watch over us again.”
“I believe he was an angel. Haven’t you seen pictures of these beings with wings? I wonder if I should ask Orm about it. Perhaps he will know something.”
Will gathers my hands in his. “Why would an angel help us if we are the demons witches believe us to be? Didn’t Orm say angels sired the witches? You and your quest for knowledge. Why does it matter? We’re alive.”
I shake my head. “But God cursed the witches. Maybe there’s a more horrible curse on the angels who sired them. You were the one praying that he grace us with his presence again.”
“More horrible than being thrown out of Heaven into a dark abyss forever, like the fallen angel, what did Orm call him? Lucifer? What if it were Lucifer that saved us.”
Slapping his arm, I stride to the surf. “Please don’t tell me you started believing in Heaven and Hell. Perhaps he is some type of witch or shape-shifter.”
“But he was more powerful than Sonia and Thanatos, who Orm reports may be the most powerful witches alive, and they feared him. Sonia called him seraph. They knew him.”
“Then Orm may too.” I kick at a wave, splashing water onto Will. “My head aches from thinking of angels and demons. Let us swim.”
“As you wish, my lady.” He bows low and grasps the bottom of his shirt, shedding it and jumping into the waves.
We gather the tribe and share our plan for moving west. With additional humans continuing to populate the area, most are content with finding a less crowded plot to call home. Talking through the night and into the next day, the tribe members share ideas for safe locations for a second Old World tribunal.
“A mountain top is more defensible,” Will proposes. “What about a high peak? Witches could not survive the trek up. Am I right, Orm?”
The corners of Orm’s mouth turn down. “They can fly.”
“But wouldn’t it drain their energy?”
“Not enough, and they can recharge by tapping into energy from the departed.”
“What of these crystals?” Jacob asks, rubbing the rock that hangs on his chest.
Orm lifts his crystal over his head and lays it on the tabletop. He flicks his finger, and Jacob flies across the room. “Those only block my magic when I’m wearing it. Unless you have some way to cover your whole body, they are useless.”
Jacob brushes sand off his pants. “Well, you could have mentioned that before.”
“You were so proud of your discovery.” Orm shrugs.
“What if we made shields and embedded the crystals over the entire surface?” Will asks.
“They may offer some protection. How many more stones do you have?”
“Only enough for three, perhaps four, pieces.” Will cocks an eyebrow in my direction.
“Blacksmiths get to work on that.” I dismiss artisans to start the task.
By the end of our session, we’ve sorted out who will travel with which group and dates for departure. In the coming days, messages are prepared for our sentinels overseas to start dialogue with the tribes. Our land is deeded to Theo’s descendants, and I head north with my crew of ten. Will doesn’t like the numbers, but we decide that a smaller group may be less obvious. Plus, we have Orm. Our blood makes him powerful and able to heal fast. He didn’t embrace testing these premises, but they were informative. Elizabeth even trains and grows stronger. I suspect she knew Will would leave her behind if not.
Our troop consists of Elizabeth, our strongest warriors from each region, India, Africa, and China, along with Will, Jacob, Gregor, John, Orm, and me. Heading north, we try to locate the scattered witches from Salem. We scour from the coast to the Mississippi River and north to Ohio and New England, but no one has seen them, and we sense no trail.
“They can’t have just disappeared,” Will complains as we approach a town. “Can’t you do some spell to locate them?” He turns to face Orm.
“If I had their blood, yes, or if we were in the same coven, or related by blood. Otherwise, no.”
“I can’t believe there aren’t any other witches in the European settlements,” Elizabeth notes.
“We’re safest when we stay in large covens. Otherwise we’re easy prey for vampires.” Orm slows his pace.
“We can’t spend any more time here,” I tell them. “We should find passage to the Old World. Orm can try and locate his family there.”
From Boston, we sail to the French coast. Sneaking off to swim or climb the ropes for the sails keeps our muscles toned. Will and several of the others befriend the crew and spar with them. Elizabeth, Orm, and I study maps, choosing a perfect location for the tribunal. By the time we touch foot to French soil, we’ve penned enough letters to send to all our ambassadors.
Heading north, we find passage to Norway.
“It’s been a long time.” Will finds me leaning against the railing overlooking the ocean. “You okay with this. It’s hard remembering what brought us together. I can’t imagine it’s easy for you to be back.”
I chuckle. “Is it odd for me to say that was over a hundred years ago? I wonder if you ever get used to it. Or should I say that was a lifetime ago, or more like three lifetimes ago. I feel as though I had one life in London, one traveling the globe, another on the plantation, and now we’re starting a new one.”
“And you haven’t flung me into the sea yet.” He nudges my arm.
We hike east to southern Sweden, finding the village where Orm grew up.
“Aye, smells like you, old chap.” Jacob pats Orm on the back. “I think we’re in the right place.”
As we approach, townspeople line the outskirts.
“Whew, haven’t smelled that many witches in a long time,” Elizabeth whispers. “Makes my mouth water.”
Orm stops and stares at her.
“Sorry.” She shrugs.
We hang back, letting Orm take the lead.
Will leans over and whispers in my ear. “Does it smell like someone else you’ve met? Another witch perhaps?”
I search my mind for the scent. “Amaud? The witch held by your tribe leader Erik. I didn’t connect it before. Did you?”
“I wasn’t sure until now.” Will straightens his back and fixes his eyes on the witches ahead.
Orm scans the line until he gets to the middle.
“Arne?” He approaches the man, arm outstretched.
“Orm, son of Bjorn?” Arne grips Orm’s forearm.
“Yes, Bjorn was my father. You were friends.”
Arne looks at Orm. “Well, you’re a witch, so I guess Bjorn did something right. What’s this?” He motions to us. “Gotten yourself captured by a tribe of vampires?”
“More like rescued. After Bjorn died, I went to the New World with his second wife and some other witches. We fled Salem when the witch trials began.”
“Then you’
ve had quite a run. Why have you come and brought vampires to our village?”
“May we speak in private?”
“Of course. Come join me in my home.” Arne turns towards the center of town.
“Perhaps some place more open, my friend would like join us.” Orm motions to me.
I take a step forward and note Will’s muscles tense.
“Perhaps there’s a glen or hollow we may use,” Orm suggests.
“You ask me to put myself at risk?” Arne asks.
“You ask them to?” Orm straightens his back and broadens his chest. “Pick where and when you would like to meet.”
“There’s a valley on the other side of the village. An old oak grows beside a stream at the bottom. Meet us there at midday.”
“We can speak freely with only you.”
“I understand.” Arne walks back to the line of witches.
Half of them remain facing us while the rest walk towards their homes. The hairs on my skin stand on end, as we loop around the town. I hold my breath to block their scent from filling my lungs as flashes of my family’s burning home dance through my mind.
We reach the spot and wait. Within an hour, Arne and two others enter the valley. Two position themselves at the top of the ride, and Orm meets Arne in the glen. I tuck my hair behind my ear to listen to their conversation.
“I will get to the point. My father said that, like him, you didn’t enjoy the politics of the witch community,” Orm starts.
Arne is silent for a moment. “We may have similar views, but why is this of consequence?”
“My friends wish to make friends with witches, negotiate peace. You were the only place I knew to start.”
“Who are they? What authority do they have? How do I know they can be trusted?”
Orm describes our achievements and the relationship we’ve built with him.
“That can only mean one person.” Arne’s eyes rise to look at our group.
“Don’t say it, friend.” Orm shakes his head.
Kingdom of the Damned: Provocation (KIngdom Journals) Page 24
