Dark Soul Silenced - Part One (9 page)

Chapter Eleven

Rafael woke from the dream heart pounding, skin tingling, breath coming in sharp gasps.  Sitting up in the darkness of his underground room he tried to calm down.  It took a long time, the dream had been so realistic.

The beginning was normal enough, a replay of his finding the man he decided to turn.  First cutting him down, then talking to him and finally moving in for the first bite.  Then everything had changed.  The man’s blood had been tainted, foul, acidic.  Rafael had spat it out, cursing.

Then the man had stood up, something that should be impossible while under Rafael’s power, stood up and ripped a hole in the night’s darkness.  Impossibly the hole had exposed the sun, letting its cursed rays shine down on Rafael.  The rays had felt real, the agony had been intense.  Rafael had felt his soul being burnt away at the same time as his body blazed.  With the agony filling his mind he had finally jerked awake.

Instincts honed over centuries warned him that it had been more than a simple dream.  It was a vision, a warning of what might come to be.  It seemed that somehow the victim had survived, expelling the power Rafael had gifted him with.  It nagged at Rafael’s memory.  He vaguely remembered tales told to him by his own master, shortly after Rafael had received the gift himself.  Tales of a danger to his kind, a threat to the Chosen.  The danger of the Cursed.

Try as he might Rafael could remember no more of the tales.  His master, Ignaz, had died only a few years after gifting Rafael with his power, leaving Rafael free.  Every Chosen was tied to their master, subject to their will, and in turn to the master’s master and so on.  If a link in the chain broke though, if one of the Chosen died, then it freed those the Chosen had controlled. 

Ignaz’s master survived but the connection was broken, with Ignaz dead Rafael was free.  He went on to build a powerful following of his own.  Too powerful.  He had sought to take control of the Citadel, the main home of the Chosen, but had been thwarted by treachery.  Several Chosen who had pledged to stand beside Rafael had instead betrayed him.  Many of Rafael’s blood children had died that night, some in the initial betrayal and many others covering his retreat.

Defeated but unrepentant he had withdrawn to a small castle far to the east, a location he had prepared in case of defeat.  Once there he brooded on his defeat and plotted both his revenge and his return to power.  That had been nearly a thousand years before. 

The Chosen in the Citadel were willing to leave him where he was, the castle was too far distant for them to bother raising a large force against, but they didn’t forget him or his actions.  They kept track of him, of the power he had amassed.  Each time they felt it was too great many of his blood children would suddenly die, all on the same night.  Rafael felt each death as a spike of pain.  There would be no message other than the near simultaneous deaths.

It wasn’t all one sided though.  Rafael had tracked down and killed three of those who betrayed him already.  The last was proving harder, a cunning woman called Giselle who never left the safety of the Citadel.

In all the long centuries since his defeat Rafael had never regretted his isolation, never thought of the others of his kind, other than his own blood children, with anything other than hatred.  Now a worm of doubt worked its way into his mind.  He needed to know more about the Cursed and the only place to find out more would be from others of his kind. 

For a brief moment he considered travelling to the Citadel, offering a truce if they would speak with him.  He dismissed it almost straight away.  It wasn’t something he could do.  Besides, it would be seen as a sign of weakness — he would never walk back out.

Turning the problem over he realised there was one other option.  To find out more he needed to travel to where he had left his victim.  He knew the area to search and could be there soon enough.  Somewhat satisfied he settled down to sleep again, instinctively knowing the burning power of the sun still beat down outside.

With his mind busy plotting and planning he wasn’t aware of the melancholy that had settled into his heart.  Terrible as the dream had been it had given him his first sight of the sun since he had been given the gift.  Despite the centuries, despite the dark deeds, and despite the incredible power he now wielded a tiny part of him still longed to gaze upon a sunrise, to feel the warmth of the sun as it warmed, not burnt, his body.  Without his even being aware of it, his soul ached for the pure light of day as he fell asleep.

Sarah’s heart was heavy as they bid farewell to Gloria and her family.  The inn had been warm and safe, even the bedroom doors had thick bolts meaning she felt at least somewhat safe from Daniel.  Mary had enjoyed Amber’s company, the two of them chatting through breakfast and playing together as the adults prepared to leave.

It was almost tempting to stay, to settle down in the village.  Gloria had even suggested it, saying they could stay in the inn until a house was built and that they would be welcomed by the other villagers — Jon’s skills as a carpenter  especially.  The boats were always in need of repairs.  And if they stayed then Daniel would no longer need to accompany them, they would be free of his presence.

Tempting as it was she knew it would be impossible.  The village was the first settlement they had reached, so it would be the first settlement anyone pursuing them would come to.  The village was too small too, it would be too easy for Mary’s troubling powers to be noticed.  Sarah still held to the hope that Mary’s powers could be removed, that they could be cleansed from her body, and for that they needed to visit a town or city.

She had to fight back the tears though as Gloria repeated her offer.  Refusing once more she bade farewell and they turned to walk through the village.  With the sun in the sky the village was a bustling place.  Most of the fishing boats had already set sail but people were outside carrying out the normal chores.  Several young children playing a game of chase stopped at the sight of strangers, watching the party with wide eyes.  Most people they passed offered a greeting, many with a smile, but in all their eyes she saw a wariness as they judged the strangers in their midst.  It was a relief when they left the last houses behind and were once again walking the coastal path.

Now her thoughts returned to Daniel and the stories Gloria had told them the night before.  Sarah was sure it was no coincidence, that when Daniel had attacked Mary he looked like the creatures Gloria described.  Other things Gloria had said seemed to support Daniel’s assertion that he was cured, that whatever had been within him had been burnt out by the sunlight.  Especially the fact that he could walk outside in the full light of day.

It wasn’t convincing though.  Yes, Gloria had said they never saw the creatures during the day but was she right?  What if they looked like anyone else during the day?  There could even be several living in the village and Gloria would never know.

She badly wanted to discuss her fears with Jon, who was walking beside her at the moment.  Much of his strength had returned overnight.  She wanted to but didn’t, knowing he would dismiss them.  She even wondered if he had been affected somehow, if the healing that brought him back to her had planted a seed of darkness within his soul.  If that was true though it would mean that Mary too carried the darkness.  Despite the strange powers Sarah still wanted to believe that Mary remained untouched, that she was merely a vessel for the powers rather than becoming joined to them.  Misery and worry churning inside, Sarah marched onwards.

Josef gazed at the man kneeling in front of him.  The man had burst from the forest not far from the party, shouting incoherently.  Several of the guards had drawn weapons and were preparing to ride the man down but Josef stopped them with a curt order.  Somehow he felt the man was not planning to attack.

Sure enough the man pulled up short, dropping to his knees and babbling.  Josef managed to pick out a few words — forgiveness, redemption, confession.  He glanced at Gerome who shrugged his shoulders and dismounted.  Josef followed suit.

“What is it man?  What do you want?” Gerome barked out.

The man began to gabble even faster, now Josef couldn’t understand a single word.  Gerome stepped forwards, arm raised to strike, but Josef caught his arm.  Gerome whirled to face Josef, eyes blazing and face set in fury.  After a moment he regained control, all expression disappearing from his face.  Josef wasn’t fooled, Gerome was clearly still furious.

“Let me, Ser Gerome.  I believe the man wishes to speak, we just need to slow him down a little.”

Jerking his arm free Gerome simply nodded, then took several steps back.  Josef crouched beside the man, placing a hand on his shoulder, though ready to jump back at the first sign of danger.

“Slowly my friend,” he said gently.  “Take your time.  What is it you wish to say?”

It took several more attempts but finally the man calmed enough to speak clearly.  He started by confessing to being an outlaw, to having killed and injured many travellers.  Now he sought repentance, sought forgiveness from the Almighty, and planned to change his life.  He wished to find a position in life that let him help those in need rather than hurt them.

“That is most commendable my son.  Pray tell me what has caused such a change in your heart?”

Gerome snorted and tapped his foot impatiently, clearly feeling they were wasting time.  Josef suspected that Gerome would choose to execute the self proclaimed murderer and outlaw, but Josef felt the need to help the man.  If the Almighty had led the man to Josef then it was Josef’s duty to help.”

“There was a man… just one man… he killed Kerant, killed Wolfgang. He came from nowhere… he was so fast, so strong!  Kerant was leader because he was faster with a blade than anyone I’ve ever seen, but he couldn’t land a blow.  Once he’d killed those two the man faced the rest of us down.  We couldn’t move, couldn’t speak.  He could have killed us all with a word, but he didn’t.  He sent us on our way.  Told us to think on our crimes for a day, think on what we had done.  We did as he told us, walked away.

I’ve always thought best by the sea so I didn’t go far.  I walked to the trees and sat thinking, staring out at the sea but also watching him, watching them.  We’d stopped a family — man, woman and a child — and Kerant had attacked the man.  Sliced his leg badly and pierced his stomach.  The man was dead, just didn’t know it yet.  But he lived!  The girl did something, put her hands on the man and his wounds started to heal.  Never seen anything like it before in my life.”

Josef sensed Gerome tensing behind, gestured with an arm for him to be silent, to wait.  Josef’s own heart pounded though.  The child must be the girl they sought.  Gerome moved closer to the man, holding the Purity Orb in his hand but out of the man’s sight.  The man continued speaking, unaware of the silent exchange between Josef and Gerome.

“
It scared me, truth to tell, I got up then and ran.  Ran like the wind. When I finally stopped I began thinking of my life again, seeing the faces of those I’d killed.  Finally I slept.  When I woke this morning my mind was my own again, I could do what I wanted.  And I realised I wanted to change.  I want to help people.  I want to try to repay the harm I’ve done.  Is that possible?”

“
Yes my son.  It is never too late to turn to the Almighty.  Now tell me, when did this happen?  When did you waylay the family?”

“
Yesterday, a little before midmorning.  Is it important?”

“
It is my son.  Truly the Almighty guided your steps so you would meet us.  Now, wait here while I speak with my brother.”

Josef gestured to Gerome and walked far enough to avoid being overheard.

“What do you think?” he asked.

“
My apologies Ser Josef” Gerome said without any sincerity.  “I would have dismissed the thief, maybe ordered him killed, and would have missed vital information.”

“
It must be them though?  It can’t be coincidence.”

“
Indeed.”  Gerome glanced towards the sun.  “Nearly noon.  They were here just over a day ago.  We should move as fast as we can.”

“
Yes.  What did the Orb show?”

“
A few flickers, nothing more.  It backs up his story.  There is no dark power within him, though I would judge there is much darkness.”

“
What do we do with him then?”

“
I still say we execute him as a self confessed murderer, but no doubt that would sit badly with you.  Send him on his way to Hammersgate.  Let our brethren there decide his fate.”

“
A good suggestion.  Thank you Ser Gerome.”

“
You are most welcome, as always, Ser Josef.” Gerome replied frostily.

With that Gerome span away and marched back to his horse.  Josef went back to the kneeling man.

“What is your name friend?”

“
Stephen sir.”

“
Well Stephen, I believe you have already taken the first steps towards redemption by meeting us here today.  Soon I will send you on to Hammersgate, where you can speak to the elders of our order and seek forgiveness from them.  First though, tell me what else you remember from yesterday — especially about the girl and the man who slew your leader.”