Act Two

Wicked Girl

~N~

Chapter Ten

Dragon Sword

~N~

Blackstone Castle, 673, After Midnight, 28th, of October

Prince Viktor nodded, “I will beware of the compelled guards and the Evil Two.” Donatello mumbled, “Good, I want you to be safe. I am unsure I can avoid the coming danger when they threaten Sidonia, my duty is to stand between them.” They heard footsteps coming toward the outer door then a loud pounding as a guard called out, “Donatello!”

Viktor’s eyes went wide as he said to him, “They might be worse than my nanny.” Donatello whispered, “It might be nothing. Still it will be best if you run to your room and lock your door. Do not come out for anyone other than your sister or me.” Before dashing off, Viktor warned, “He is not just named Tik; he drains others with his bullying.” Again, the young Prince Viktor’s insight surprised Donatello.

Now Donatello saw a sword above the doorway leading out of Anthony’s den. It was impressive drawing him to it he grabbed it before thinking what Anthony might do if he touched it, let alone used it. He ran his fingers across the dragonhead pummel and its scaled body as the hilt. The dragon’s wings were also the hand guard.

As Donatello looked at both sides of the sword, he admired the way they made the dragon’s tail, cleverly molded to the center of the blade, and continued it down half the length of it. The metal had flames etched into the blade, with a reddish hew. There were red gemstones with diamond black obsidian centers for its eyes. The carving of it as well as its craftsmanship was magnificent.

Donatello set it down as he reached for the scabbard, they pounded on the door again, yelling, “Donatello! The Captain wants you, now!” Grabbing the scabbard as he was about to put the belt about him when Donatello saw the writing of the Dark Elf Dragon Lords. He knew their language enough to read it, ‘Blood Warrior’ he gasped in awe.

Donatello now knew the legendary Dark Elf Dragon Lords, of the Dark Continent in the Mystical Realm, had made this sword and holder. He wondered if they had presented it to Anthony Vlasac for all he had done in the Demon Wars. Donatello quickly put it about his waist and now spoke his plea, “Forgive me, I dare not go for my own sword. I hope you understand that I am using it in defense of your daughter.”

As he was lifting the sword to sheath it, he noticed its perfect balance, “Excellent.” Now he reluctantly went to the outer door of the private rooms, feeling a little more confident he might survive. Just then, several guards pounded making it much louder as one shouted, “Donatello, Captain Tik wants you at the front gate!”

~N~

Sidonia dreamt of a memory from when she was six years old, as she played with a blood red tablecloth wrapping it about herself like a dress. “Tsk!” Sidonia’s hands froze, as her head whipped to the doorway, at the sound of her mother’s disapproval, “We do not wear Rambler colors!” Sidonia frowned, remembering she had said that before, when she had wanted a black and red cloak. Sidonia did not know what Rambler meant.

She marveled at her Mother’s beauty, as she stood in her white with light green trimmed dress and matching cloak, yet the brightness of her clothing did not disguise her dark mood. There was something in her mother’s wild green eyes, which gave the young girl a chill of fear. Samala sensed it and grabbed the cloth from Sidonia, putting it in the basket on her arm.

Now she asked, “Are you going to act like a Rambler, or come on a picnic?” Not waiting on her reply when Sidonia gave none, she grabbed her little hand too tightly, causing her to flinch. Even a small child gets instincts that tell them when things are not right, Sidonia turned as they entered the hall, looking for the nanny and her brothers. Samala’s impatience yanked her forward, hurting Sidonia’s arm.

Again, Sidonia had the nagging feeling that she should not be alone with her mother and asked timidly, “Where are Rorik and Viktor?” Her mother thought, ‘They must not see this.’ Sidonia innocently asked, “Why not?” It startled her mother and she glared at the girl’s ability to hear her thoughts. Samala thought, ‘How has she got this gift so soon? Could her Strigoi blood, increase her power instead of weaken it?’

Sidonia had not realized her mother only thought these comments nor knew she had read her mind, as she asked, “What is Strigoi blood?” This confirmed Samala’s fears, that touching her daughter’s hand allowed the girl to read her thoughts. Cringing she pulled away saying, “Your hands are sweaty.” She brought gloves out of her cloak pocket and put them on. Sidonia had backed away, knowing her hands were dry.

The queen finished and went over grabbing her hand again, hoping Sidonia required the touch to know her thoughts and hissed, “The Strigoi blood makes you weak causing you to be a wicked girl, who wants me dead!” Sidonia pouted not understanding what her mother meant; she wanted it to be the way it used to be, when her mother loved her. She did not know what her mother saw in dreams that changed it.

As they went out of the castle, the princess looked for her father. The queen tilted her head up and said with a stiff smile, “Viktor is not even one yet, I cannot hold him and carry our picnic basket, nor quiet his fussing while playing hide and seek with you.” Sidonia could not imagine her mother caring about Viktor’s cries, knowing that she had the nanny taking care of him. Her mother glared at her, hearing her thoughts.

Now they turned going towards the guard’s bunkhouse, and her mother added, “I do not wish to waste time looking for Rorik. Since turning fourteen Rorik prefers to practice his sword or his bow and arrows, to spending time with us. He even said recently, that he is too old for games.” Sidonia wondered why they were going this way if she did not plan to ask Rorik and as they passed the targets, he was not there.

Sidonia saw they were going to the north gate, with the massive forest behind it, and suddenly stopped walking. The queen pulled her back into keeping up as she scolded, “Are you going to be a baby?” Sidonia shook her head. They came to the North Gate and the princess felt a chill of foreboding, unable to believe she was going to have fun alone with her mother, in the frightening woods, where father forbid them to play.

~N~

The princess’ door opened, as Donatello passed it in the hall, he was about to leave through the outer door; Grekan peeked out asking, “Do you know what they want?” Donatello replied, “No, just that they claim Captain Tik wants me at the front gate. If I refuse to go, they are more likely to try breaking down this door. It is heavy and should hold up to much; still it is best if I go willingly to the captain.” Grekan felt uneasy.

Donatello urged him, “Come and bolt it behind me, and stay with her. Make certain you relocked her door as well. I gave Viktor a note for Anthony. If things go bad, just let me take the brunt of it.” Grekan urged, “Do not go out there. I have a bad feeling about this I think you should stay with us.” Donatello replied, “I must go in hopes that they will not take this any further, coming back for the princess. Keep yourself out of it.”

Grekan argued, “I think it is very unwise to go out when you know they are compelled.” Donatello gave him a strange smile, “I see why the princess calls you her friend.” Then he said to Grekan, “This door is your best defense, so do not open it.” Now Donatello unbolted the door rushed out and held it until he heard Grekan bolt it again. The clerk heard a commotion on the other side, and was unsure if Donatello was all right.

He now understood, if they came through the door for Donatello, he and Sidonia would have less defenses. Still, if they come for Sidonia next, who would stop them? Grekan felt sick. He rushed back inside her room closing and locking Sidonia’s door, feeling like a coward, as he only felt he could offer wise counsel, not physical safety. Now he looked at the dark princess and knew it was now up to him to get her away from here.

Grekan hoped that Donatello would come back, yet made up his mind if he did not return by sun up, he would take Sidonia and run. Now he feared he was all Sidonia had to keep her safe. Grekan went to her window trying to see what was happening below him in the courtyard, and realized the dark sky was starting to become a dark blue. He now saw the Human Guards surrounded Donatello as he went towards the front gate.

~N~

Even the guards at the North Gate looked at her with disbelief and bothered by the queen’s decision. One saw the terror in Sidonia’s eyes and bravely said, “My Queen, it would be safer to picnic in the garden.” While Samala rebuked them into a dark silence, Sidonia was wishing someone could help and asked the guard who spoke up, “Is my father here.” He shrugged as they unlatch the gate and pushed it open, fearing to say more.

The queen mocked her as she pulled the princess into the Black Forest, “You should know by now he does not leave the castle during the day. Did you really think your father would make time for you?” Sidonia sought anything unusual that could help her remember her way home, yet the large dark barked trees were all too similar. Looking up, she fretted at how hard it was to see the sun through the many branches.

Tripping Sidonia pulled hard on her mother’s hand to keep from falling; Samala quickly let go pulling out of her grip, so that her daughter fell to the ground. Sniffling Sidonia stood up, lifting her dress, as Queen Samala viewed the blood on her shin, she taunted her, “Wicked girl you should have been watching your feet now you got yourself dirty.” Sidonia offered, “I can go home and change.” The queen glared, “No.”

As she pulled her back into walking, she said, “You earned your punishment, and will have to look like a filthy Rambler.” When she saw the accusation in her child’s eyes and thoughts, guilt had her trying to justify it. Samala coldly taunted her daughter, “Anyone who betrays me deserves worse!” Sidonia protested, “I do not know what betrays means. Tell me and I promise I will not betrays you, so we can be happy.”

Her mother scoffed, “Stupid girl, it is betray me, not betrays. All my efforts to bring you up right clearly have been a waste on such a naughty child. How can you prevent what you have already begun?” Sidonia gasped, “What did I do?” Samala scoffed, “Have you already forgotten that you nearly caused mine and Viktor’s death?” Slowly Sidonia shook her head, “Why is it that I do not remember doing it?”

To the princess it seemed like a lie, how was it possible for someone her age to do something so serious and forget it. Samala heard her thoughts, “Your wickedness is only getting worse. I see now it is unavoidable for you, there are only two ways I can stop it.” The princess asked, “What ways?” Sneering Samala answered, “Put you in a convent, so you can never see nor speak to the January Man again.”

Sidonia imagined herself locked away from her father and brothers and fought back tears, unable to ask what the other way was. Biting back a cry Sidonia said with confused guilt, “I am trying to be good, so I can change the future. I am sorry. I did not mean to betray you.” The queen did not reply as she walked briskly deeper into the forest. Sidonia had to trust her mother’s visions; she always proved she knew everything.

~N~

Donatello walked willingly to his captain, yet several of the guards kept grabbing hold of him as they went. He shoved them off him, and then sick of it, feeling as if they were forcing him to his doom, Donatello became mist and flowed off towards the front gate, easily leaving them behind. Donatello became solid now and asked Captain Tik, “What is it sir?” Tik jumped not seeing his mist arrive. Donatello tried not to smile.

Now Night Captain Tik barked, “There some new information on your fiend, who you are so keen to capture. I cannot spare any men, if you are interested you can handle it.” They opened the gate at his nod then Tik pointed saying, “The old hag says she knows where to find him.” Donatello looked to the elderly lady and nodded, “Lead the way.” As he followed her towards the dock, Donatello looked about.

The elderly lady said in forced anxious gasps, “I was walking home and saw him on the river bank. I came to get him help. Those guards told me you are looking for him. What did he do, is he dangerous?” Donatello slowed seeing shadows in the trees ahead and looked behind seeing a group of Day Guards coming, a hundred yards at his back.

Noting he had stopped the woman said coldly, “Young man you kept me waiting, and he might leave, quick he is this way!” About to reply, he saw dark green mist about the woman. Just then Jillian got control screaming at him, “Run. It is a trap!” He went towards the front gate and heard them bolt it. Now Donatello saw the grin on Tik’s face and realized he was in on this dark turn of events.

Captain Tik mocked him, “You think you are so smart. Now you see how wrong your instincts of who to trust are, you were just tricked by a little old lady.” Donatello replied, “I was right to never trust you.” Tik cursed him, “Fucking do-gooder, I will piss on your grave, before I let you get us killed by his Lord Hind-ass!”

Turning to face the mob of Human Guards, Donatello saw they were moving to circle him and he brought the sword out, as he questioned, ‘Is it wrong to kill Human’s if they are compelled?’

Hearing the old lady’s groan, Donatello turned towards her. She was forty feet in front of him, and her body was shaking as she fought off the possession. Suddenly he saw the dark green mist coming out of the woman’s body and Donatello recognized it, gasping, “Lola!” Jillian’s body dropped heavily to the ground where she laid unconscious.

~N~

Sidonia was paralyzed unable to leave the vision of the past, she tried to change what would happen and failed. Running her hand over the dirt she tried to wipe it from her light blue dress, as Princess Sidonia walked along with her mother in the forest. As the queen glanced over, she looked up into the cruel green eyes of her mother. Samala mockingly asked, “Are you crying?” Sidonia silenced her sniffles.

Samala sneered, “If I had known you would be such a baby about this, I would have taken Rorik instead.” Sidonia felt that was a lie, yet was determined to try harder not to betray her mother, so she would not be so cruel. Sidonia smiled slightly as she imagined this changed the future, and her mother loved her again, as she did Viktor and Rorik.

Suddenly Samala sighed with approval, “Perfect.” She came to a stop releasing Sidonia’s hand. Turning she gave her daughter a fake smile as she asked, “Do you want to hide or count?” Sidonia glanced at the dark forest in fear. The little princess decided counting was safer as her mother answered for her, “You are afraid to hide! Fine coward, I will hide first.”

The queen sat the basket down then giggled as she skipped off into the woods as if she were ten. Sidonia shuddered as her mum whistled an odd tune that was hauntingly familiar and hated that her mother was right, as she had let her fear keep her from hiding. Sidonia began to count aloud. The princess did not follow the rules keeping her eyes open, she watched her disappear from sight and wondered if breaking the rules was wicked.

Sidonia shuddered as her fear of where her mother was and that she might jump out at her nearly caused her to scream. She was surprised that it was worse than having her near. The princess looked back the way she thought they had come wanting to run for the castle; unfortunately she could not see any sort of path. She feared getting lost if she tried and felt bringing her mother’s anger might be worse.

When she reached the end of her count, she went to seek her mother. The little Princess had only walked a short bit when she passed a large tree, and there was her mother just standing as she waited for her with the oddest grin. It caused another shudder, as she wondered why she had not attempted to hide. Now Queen Samala laughed and it was more startlingly strange, than joyous. It nearly caused Sidonia to cry.

Sidonia trembled seeing the glare in her mother’s eyes, and wondered why she had made it so easy to find her. Now the queen began counting, it sounded vicious and paralyzed her daughter until she stalked towards her. Terror filled Sidonia to where she screamed as she ran from her mother more than running to hide. Princess Sidonia noticed she was also counting aloud with her mother, and silenced it and her screams.

Listening as though her life depended on it, Sidonia knew she needed to hear her mother’s voice in order to know if she was too near. It seemed to echo from all about her. When Samala sounded far enough away, Sidonia dared to looked over her shoulder and could not see her mother anymore. She came to a stop to get her breath in control and heard that Samala’s voice was still fading as if she were also walking.

When it stopped, before reaching the end of her count, Princess Sidonia quickly looked behind her as she realized she had no idea where her mother might be or which way she might come at her from. This was not the first time Sidonia had thought her mother was acting like a crazed mad woman. It seemed like her worst nightmare; regrettably, it was not even close to as bad as what was still to come.

~N~

Lola’s green misty form flew at him with outstretched fingers as she screeched, “You shall die.” Donatello felt the sword vibrate as if warning him that she neared him. He pulled it seeing the blade was radiating a red glow, begging him to use it. Unsure if it could do anything against a ghost, as she was almost touching him, Donatello stepped aside turned and swung into Lola’s chest.

He hoped the sword would disperse her mist the way he had heard iron could. As the blade touched Lola, it only started turning her green mist red, causing Donatello disappointment. When she flew by, he turned to keep her in view. She spun to come back, he watched in amazement and was hopeful as the red infected her mist slowly spreading through her like a poison. As she neared Donatello, the red was now burning Lola.

It caused her to scream out in pain, “Kolo, help!” Watching her Kolo yelled from the safe distance of the grove of trees, “Just kill him!” The scorching of Lola’s mist kept her from wanting to go for Donatello again, afraid of his sword. Instead, she flew by him well out of his reach. Drastically weakened it forced her down as she fell landing sixty yards past Donatello. Kolo yelled with disbelief, “No. What are you doing?”

Lola was staggering like a drunkard, in her effort to get far enough away from Donatello’s blade. Her brother mocked her, “This is our chance for vengeance.” Crying Lola went slowly towards Kolo, trying to get to the safety of her brother she reached out wailing, “The pain, I am not used to this agony, it hurts!” He yelled, “Take possession of a guard if you must, but do not run from this fight. Kill him so we can have Sidonia.”

Coming to a stop Lola found she was stuck in place, looking at her legs the red had cooled and was now a hardened black, causing Lola to scream, “I cannot move!” It spread quickly to her gut and now chest, Lola screeched in horror, “Kolo, he is killed me. Help m-!” Now it encased her neck and then her mouth, silencing her. Lola’s terrifying plea finally brought him limping out of the trees, and he saw her blackening form.

Seeing the terror in her eyes Kolo gasped, “Lola! What is happening to you?” Then it finished blacking out her face. Donatello was stunned, he had never even heard of something like this. The guards stopped circling him and now backed away. Kolo watched helplessly, as Lola’s blackened form began to crack. Furious he yelled at Donatello, “You will pay for this and beg for mercy before you die!”

Slowly the cracks in her form revealed hints of her moss green mist about its edges. Pointing at her Kolo chuckled with relief, “See? Lola you can break out! I knew you were safe. Lola you are going to be fine.” Struggling to come closer, Kolo smugly yelled to Donatello, “I knew you were powerless to stop her!” The disappointment Donatello felt was like a kick to his gut. Then he saw the green of her mist was slowly fading.

~N~