WBM

  Chapter Six

  Brew that is True

  ~SV~

  Half Moon Bay, near 1 AM, 677, 29th, October

  Sidonia’s dream-vision is of nine hours earlier, as the Lake Bled Clan’s Blood Curse event continues, revealing what occurred at 3 pm on the 28th. Xiko and Wirf bring their wagonload of timber into Camp. They get down, going to the Well for a drink. Hearing Trina cry out, Xiko barely catches her before she falls. Xiko sees Trina is immersed in a painful vision. Wirf asks with concern, “What is it?” Trina sobs, “Kristopher stabbed Grigori in the back!”

  Shaking Trina cries out, “Krist murdered him!” Groaning, Xiko angrily says, “I should have listened to my gut. I never should have let Grigori face Krist alone!” Trina sobs, “He is dead at the bottom of the stairs of one of the crypts.” Xiko calls to the women, “Please come help Trina so we can go see to Grigori! All the men who are here need to guard the camp to keep Krist out!” Wirf and Xiko run off toward the graveyard, to find which crypt he is at.

  Xiko says to Wirf, “I hope Trina’s vision is of the future, not the present, giving us enough time to save Grigori!” Arriving in the graveyard, they run by the crypts, glancing down each staircase. Nearing the last Mausoleum, they have hope that they are early and can prevent his death. Until, Xiko and Wirf see Grigori laying there dead; just as Trina’s vision showed her. Xiko and Wirf respectfully lift him; solemnly carrying their dead leader, Grigori, back to camp.

  ~*~

  Kolo’s Craftroom, near 1 AM, 677, 29th, October

  Kolo places his flagon with a dragon on it, back on the shelf, getting his ‘chalice with a palace’. Kolo pours a ‘Brew that is True’ blood mix, drinking it. He starts to recall what proceeded him running for the Throne Room. The debris in his cup had to come from the poison potion, which Nepathi created to bring Lola back. Clearly, ‘the pellet with the poison was in the flagon with the dragon’. The Evil One shakes, ‘The Egyptian betrayed me!’

  He fumes, ‘Yes, she is to blame for my brief death and weakness.’ Kolo shudders at his near permanent death, and considers himself very lucky. The Evil One’s decision to flee Nepathi, has saved him. His rage builds as he fears how much time was lost. Kolo refills his cup, keeping his back to them. His anger has brought his darkened phase, yet he prefers they do not know yet. The mist in his eyes as well as the veins on his face and neck, will reveal his fury.

  He downs a few more cups, ready to kill them. The Evil One needs to wait, as he still needs the Witches, to find Lola. Once he is calmer, his phase recedes. Kolo lets his anger simmer, remaining quiet, for now. He brings the pitcher of blood and sits, sipping it slowly. The Evil One silently debates if he still needs Nepathi, and plots his revenge. Sitting nearest to Kolo, Darciana notices his different cup. She recalls Nepathi could not reach the bottom.

  The Rambler groans, knowing even though Nepathi tried to stir it thoroughly, it is likely some debris was left behind, so that is why Kolo switched cups. Darciana feels she has to assume that Kolo knows, the Egyptian poisoned him. The Evil One avoids looking at Nepathi. Coldly, he asks, “Where were we?” Fearful, Darciana only shrugs, unsure if Kolo suspects her part in it. Nepathi mocks, “You were complaining. It is what I get for having to help.” Kolo just states, “Oh yes, I asked where Lola is.”

  ~*~

  Warlock Camp, Witch-Fights, near 1 AM, 677, 29th, October

  Prince Rorik fights his Wolf’s desire to kill, as he gets control enough to jump sideways, away from harming the Goth. Rorik now throws himself at the barrier; hitting it causes his black Wolf to yelp in pain, as he drops hard to the ground, but slowly gets up. The Ringmaster warns Crimson, “Goth Boy, better hurry if you are gonna do something, do it now. I cannot let ya out; it will let him at everyone else.” Crimson sends his moss green mist.

  He grasps the amulet. Rorik’s Wolf is crawling towards Crimson as his mist brings the Charm and attempts to place it around Rorik’s throat. The black Wolf knocks it away getting closer to Crimson, as the Goth backs away the Fight Master warns, “Crimson ya better just kill him, or he is gonna kill you.” The Goth holds off as he brings the amulet towards the black Wolf, again. Crimson is willing to give it a final try, as he attempts to outwit the Wolf.

  ~*~

  Blackstone Castle, near 1 AM, 677, 29th, October

  Prince Viktor decides he will try to get enough for several meals rather than just one. Quietly he climbs the hidden stairs up to the kitchen. He opens the spyhole to see when it is clear of the kitchen staff. Quickly he hurries out, filling a large bowl with candles, and as much food as it will hold. Hearing someone coming, the Prince rushes back inside the secret passageway.

  The cook, Martha, nearly caught him before he latched the door. She gasps in dismay, “What happened to my tarts?” Viktor puts his hand over his mouth, almost giving his location away, as he nearly giggled. The Prince hurries with the bowl, back into the private sitting room by the underground pool. Once he locks the pool door, he returns to sit down and feels he can relax. Only family were shown the existence of these hidden rooms, so he feels safe.

  No longer worried of anyone hearing, Viktor laughs, “What an adventure!” The Prince tries to read one of the books Sidonia wrote for him, as he eats gooseberry tarts by candlelight. Viktor smiles as he makes out most of the words. Gathering his wooden soldiers, he plays out the story he read. The Lord of Blackstone Castle grins at his wicked, sneakiness, and his safe hidden places.

  ~*~

  Wirf and Xiko, lay Grigori down in his wagon, as Trina tells Xiko, “Krist is a Warg, as black is oozing from his eyes. He is a large brown Wolf; careful he thirsts for our blood.” The clan votes; Xiko finds himself in charge. If this were not so sudden and tragic, Xiko would not accept it. Xiko knows it is the wrong time to decline the position of leader, it would be like he is refusing to help his clan. Yet, most leaders are in their forties when picked, and are married.

  It is easier if you have your wife help lead. Only twenty-nine and single, Xiko believes he is unequal to the task. The Lake Bled clan agrees that it is fitting for Trina to continue as ruling female, and help Xiko in his new role. Gathering the men into three groups, Xiko leaves one group in camp watching the clan; he takes the other two. With sadness, Xiko instructs them, “Wink, you will take your group and head to the west, I will take my men to the east.”

  Wink’s son, Bert grins, “I am coming with you to hunt the Warg.” Sternly, Wink says, “No, you stay to guard our family.” Xiko says, “If we spread out, moving toward each other, we might trap the Warg Wolf between us.” They rush off; Xiko cannot believe they are forced to hunt one of their own clansmen as they go in search of Kristopher. They do not notice that Trek, who was assigned with the others to guard camp, is instead following behind his group.

  ~*~

  The Evil One seethes through clenched teeth, “You are going to tell me exactly where Lola is, now!” Nepathi declines to respond, furious he is not dead. He looks at Queen Samala who remains silent, and seems oddly relieved. It gives him hope that she does care for him; not guessing she needs him alive for either of her escape plans to work. Darciana hopes to save Nepathi, “I do not know, yet if you have other questions; I might be able to offer you insight.”

  Kolo is furious he cannot risk taking revenge, until he has Lola and is stronger. The tension has Nepathi speaking, “I never did that spell before, how can I know the outcome, nor if it is not doing what you wanted? You neglected to say before it was finished, only afterward did you demand she be here.” Kolo taps his chalice on the table; the Egyptian now sees it is not the cup she put poison in. It causes a chill of fear, she feels doomed, certain she will pay for this.

  Nepathi decides there is no point in being kind, positive that Kolo knows of her attempt to give him a lasting death; she seethes, “You picked the bloody spell! And, I did it perfectly.” Kolo glares, as she states, “Do not blame me for not reading the outcome of your spell, to you. Did you even read it all the way through, before asking me to do it?” Kolo slowly whistles Lola’s song, in a haunting and creepy way, it succeeds in shutting the very nervous Nepathi up.

  The Evil One looks to Darciana, coldly saying, “You tell me, I no longer trust the disloyal Egyptian!” The Rambler shivers, thinking how to save them, she says, “It is likely that your sister’s soul was scattered by the sword, it was improbable that you collected all of her ash essence. If I remember, ah- the, the spell will gather the rest of her scattered soul to its resting place. It sends the essence to bind with her Shade there. It makes her Spirit whole again.”

  Kolo asks in a suspicious tone, “The sword? I left it on Donatello. Perhaps I should have brought it here. Tell me, how do you know of the sword? I said nothing of how Lola was taken.” Darciana admits, “You were angry she was not here. So, I attempted to find her and my vision only showed her demise at the Vampire’s sword, perhaps she remains there. Without Nepathi’s help, Lola may or may not have found herself again and it would take her longer.”

  She adds, “Even decades, on her own. Still, like a new shade, she will be weak and confused. It takes time for her to rebuild her powers and abilities, before being able to find you.” Kolo grumbles, “I do not like the sound of her trying to find herself or me, explain it.” The Rambler states, “I believe when a soul is scattered it takes a while for the particles to gather together, more time than when she was a child, as I assume her soul was whole when she first died.”

  Darciana adds, “Due to you selecting my spell and Nepathi sending Lola’s essence to her; it will be quicker.” Kolo huffs, “This still fails to tell me where Lola is?” She sighs, “I can only guess-.” Trying not to mention what part the Grave Dirt played in guiding Lola; the Rambler offers, “-By sending the essence to Lola it will help her wake faster than the usual three days after death, although she is not just a human shade. It is likely faster for mystical shades.” Kolo hisses, “Why send her, rather than bringing her to me?” Grumbling, Nepathi fumes, “I only did what the spell said to do.”

  ~*~

  Warlock Camp, Witch-Fight, 1 AM, 677, 29th, October

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  Crimson’s mist brings the Rambler’s Charmed Amulet behind Rorik. The black Wolf is nearly to Crimson, as the Goth gets the necklace around Rorik’s neck, before the Wolf knows it is near. As the Charm is in place, the Wolf leaps. Crimson does a jumping flip to avoid the coming claws of Rorik’s Wolf before the black Wolf lands. The power of the Rambler’s Charm hits, the Wolf howls in pain and dismay, as the Amulet forces Rorik’s Wolf into a retreat.

  But the bloodthirsty Wolf fights it, rolling onto his back, snarling, he claws at the air. Losing, he whimpers as the amulet forces the Wolf to revert, shifting slowly towards a human. As the ears shorten, the Wolf growls in fury at Crimson. Rorik’s Wolf is more aggressive and vicious than the Prince. He tries to get the Goth’s blood, crawling towards him. He yelps in pain, as the amulet is relentlessly causing him to submit, denying the Wolf his target.

  Rorik refuses his Wolf’s desire to kill, the yellow mist form of the Wolf gives a weak snarl. Slowly the mist pulls into the Prince. The Wolf’s black fur starts to recede, the glowing yellow eyes fade. His extended teeth and claws retract. His body is becoming human, but stalls. The Ringmaster shouts, “Fight forfeited by the Rambler! Crimson wins the bout! The challenger, Rambler Prince Rorik Tricker, has lost the fight!” There are a few shouts of anger.

  It is those who gambled on the Rambler and lost coin. The Fight Master cuts in, “Were you entertained?” Calming, they nod and he yells, “The Royal Rambler is fined, receiving no pay for his participation; due to violating the title of the first fight, which was to be of no magic, just a fist-fight. His magical shapeshifting into a Wolf, broke that rule! We claim the Goth Crimson as the Winner of the first fight.” Goths and others, who bet on Crimson, cheer.

  The Ringmaster adds, “Crimson will compete in the third and final event of this evening. The Goth will go against the winner of the second match.” There is a roar of cheers for Crimson. Rorik is still not in control, as he is shaking, weak, and sweating. Crimson comes over, saying, “You never should have fought without the charm, nor on any night of the Full Moon.” Rorik gasps, “I guess the drink made me forget, I was already shifting when I saw the moon.”   Crimson shakes his head at Rorik’s lack of accepting any blame for nearly killing him. Knowing his type choose to ignore their responsibility; others wisely prepare for their coming shift.

  ~*~

  Eastern Black Forest, Country Inn, 1 AM, 677, 29th, October

  Assisted by Sidonia’s magical key, Grekan dreams of Skull Island. The dark girl says, “It was a dark clan of Goth Witches who stopped them. As a punishment, the Giants they captured were brought here. The Blood Masters forced the Giants to build the Fort that housed the Blood Masters and the prison. The gray stone walls before us are the Mighty Fort and the oblong structure behind it is Fall Prison.” Grekan says, “Pleasant names.” Sidonia tells him, “They were mocking the Giants, as it was their ‘Mighty Fall’-.”

  She groans, “Which got them imprisoned. The Prison is a large five story ring with open green space in the center.” Grekan mumbles, “Sounds nice, for a cell.” Sidonia says, “It is where they were tortured, as their cells were open to the elements so they had a view of the center space, it warned them of what will happen to them next. They were also using the Giants in some sort of horrendously appalling medical magical experiments. The realm’s leaders claimed they were unaware of the torturous treatment of the prisoners.”

  ~*~

  Xiko is a skilled hunter, starting at the crypt, he quickly finds the tracks. His group briefly sees a larger brown Wolf. Xiko points, “It is the Warg; I see Grigori’s mark, a ‘B’ on his left cheek. Xiko runs, feeling they are near to catching him, until he sees the wolf’s tracks make a sharp turn. Wirf motions for a few to stay with him, following the tracks, while Xiko turns running through his group, warning them, “The Wolf is circling behind us, watch your backs.”

  They turn following Xiko back; the thick woods keep them from seeing past the trail. Suddenly, the Warg Wolf jumps out of the thick underbrush, taking a man down. The group races toward him, as they hear his screams, “Help! It is the Wolf!” Unsure who was attacked as Xiko reaches the last in his group Deitrick and Erik, they shrug saying, “Who did the Wolf get?” The group runs on, just as they hear another scream, “Help, Kristopher the Warg has got me!”

  Trek is the eldest clansman, and had trailed behind, not trying to catch up. The Warg Wolf snarls into Trek’s face and it is all he can do to hold him away. Trek sees that black is coming from the wolf’s eyes, he knows Trina is right Krist is a Warg. It is not quite going as he planned. While it found him, as he hoped, Trek is not strong enough to toss him off. Trek cannot hold him with one arm, to get his knife, he can only scream, “Help, the Warg Wolf has me!”

  ~*~

  Darciana tells Kolo, “My spell was not written to bring the spirit to us. It might have been possible to reword it; if you said you wanted it changed. But Lola might not take that long to find you anyway, since she has lingered here for decades.” Kolo’s head whirls, keeping him confused, the Evil One demands, “Where is she exactly?” Nepathi scoffs, “It did not say where she would be. You did not think to reword ‘send’ to say ‘bring’ nor state where to go.”

  Kolo wags his finger at her, she still says, “-why blame me for the wording-?” He points at her tomb, silencing her. He points to Darciana, she says, “It is too late to change it, the Blue Skull has likely finished delivering her essence to her and has returned to the Shade Realm. It is best to wait and see if she arrives here.” Kolo yells, “Exactly, when will she arrive?” The Rambler admits, “I am uncertain how long, perhaps a few days. Likely even sooner.”

  He insists, “Fix it. I need her here this instant!” She replies, “It is dangerous to attempt to alter what was done, afterwards, and we no longer have her ash. Without any of her Shade, I doubt the Blue Skull will come or know what it seeks.” Nepathi mocks him, “You act like when you first came to me. You have forgotten all I taught you and are still unskilled! You claim you have studied, comprehending spells now. You even speak of the texts you read.”

  She scoffs, “Bragging, that they are ‘on the complexity of life and death’, as though you understood them too. You fooled yourself. You should have said you did not understand what you were reading; I could have explained the spell to you. I am stunned you think you are reviving us. Instead, it is the potion, and Sorcerer’s Stone that are doing it for you.” Darciana shakes her head at her.

  Ignoring the warning, Nepathi adds, “When you see her, you can thank me. I am confident that I did a perfect spell. And I have no idea where she is, because the spell you picked did not say.” Kolo is near collapsing, he gulps down another drink of blood, two witches watch and hope he dies in his chair. Kolo fumes, “You forget I just came back from death; my head is throbbing.” Nepathi mocks, “Yet you expected me to know what you wanted, after my own rebirth!”

  The Egyptian smugly adds, “I sent Lola’s essence to her, so she will return sooner.” The Evil One mumbles, “What was the part of her resting, is she in her bed or back at the Castle where the sword ended her?” Nepathi hisses, “Again, the spell did not say where she will be.” Kolo yells, “One of you better do a vision, to tell me where Lola is! If no one tells me, all die in excruciating agony!” Darciana says, “I tried. Lola is not solid enough yet, to be found in a vision.”

  Samala hates his need for his sister, and loathes Lola; but she needs to be alive for her escape plan to work. She mocks, “Lola is likely in her grave, wherever that is. I can only guess it is why the spell requires the Graveyard Dirt.” Darciana and Nepathi glare at her. Kolo screams, “Lola is in her coffin! Oh no, why did you all just sit here babbling nonsense, rather than telling me where she would go! Lola will bloody kill me for letting this happen to her!”

  Kolo rages at the Egyptian, “You did this on purpose. You knew that Lola had nightmares of her death as a child. After she died, Lola became weak and went back to her body. It took her a few weeks to get away from her rotting corpse! I remember I foolishly trusted you with that information.” Nepathi fumes, “You foolishly trusted me? That is a grim laugh.” Ready to murder her as he leaves his chair, Darciana says, “Reread the spell, we are telling the truth.”

  The Evil One hisses, “If any of you bothered to inform me of what would happen to Lola, I could have dug up her bones and brought them here first!” As he nears, Nepathi stands, backing away, and mocks Kolo, “How is her suffering any greater or different than our endless torture? Awakening in our tombs, within our rotting corpses, is far more painful than a spirit in a bloody coffin laying on her old bones. Why should I ever have sympathy for either of you!”

  ~*~

  Trek’s arms are weakening under the heavy Warg. Krist twists in Trek’s grip, putting more weight on his left arm, it buckles. The oldest male in their clan keeps the Warg from his face and neck; so the Wolf bites into his left arm, viciously tearing at it. Trek’s screams give Krist joy as it echoes in the forest. Trek needs enough nerve to stop holding the Wolf off to get his knife but he is too petrified. Krist hears the others nearing, releasing Trek’s arm.

  The Warg escapes by jumping free of his victim. Defeated, the elderly man sobs, grabbing his forearm. Xiko rushes to him, quickly binding it and stops the bleeding. Trek wails, “Made meself his easy target. Me was sure it would run at me so I can kill ta Warg, not expecting it to jump out of te bush. Ashamed of screamin’ like tat. Trina is right; I saw te black ooze from his eyes. Did not even injure te foul Warg. Go, only keepin’ ya from gettin’ him!”

  The old man sobs, “Cried like a kid! Go.” Xiko is certain Trek was in the group guarding camp; he assures him, “The Warg would still have gotten anyone in the rear.” It quiets his sobs, Trek nods, “Better me t’an any of you.” Xiko says, “You saved one of us. Go have the wound cleaned.” Trek tries to stand; Xiko says, “I need two men to help-.” The old man cuts in, “Dark no, ya all got-ta kill the Wolf! Will walk meself!” Xiko sighs, “If the Warg tracks you-.”

  Trek scoffs, “Me is a fool, not a weaklin’. Let te Warg finish the job!” Xiko says, “I would still order it, if I were injured.” Trek groans, “Nah, tis foul!” Erik says to Trek, “Dietrich and I were at the rear, you kept us from getting bit, let us watch your back now.” Trek gives in; telling Xiko, “Get the Wolf!” Xiko and the rest of his group leave, tracking the Warg, Xiko hopes to kill Krist before dark.

  ~*~

  Dark Elf Desert Castle, 1 AM, 677, 29th, October

  As the Elves come in, they see the Vampires are already there. Anthony immediately senses things have changed. First, Vanna is looking at the floor, as though she fears others will guess her fate. Second, Haldir cannot keep his eyes off her. Third, the Dark Elf King states, “I might, let Prince Alrod live.” The Vampire High Lord, King Anthony Vlasac, listens with suspicion. Haldir adds with a sinister grin, “I am considering reducing his sentence from death-.”

  Haldir’s pause causes tension, “-to imprisonment… if, I am properly compensated for the seriousness of his crime.” Stupidly, King Bailey smiles, “I am glad you are finally seeing the wisdom of my deal and will negotiate.” Anthony shakes his head; rather than showing any humility, Bailey continues, “If you remain civil and reasonable, I am certain we can find an agreement. It is time to excuse your Arbitrators; they are no longer needed.”

  ~*~

  Erik and Dietrich get halfway to their camp when they notice that Trek is acting odd. The old man is hunched over. Erik asks him, “Are you feeling alright?” They hear him making a low gravelly sound in his throat. Erik gives Dietrich a worried shrug. Dietrich asks, “Trek, are you still up to walking or do you need to sit a while?” Erik comes closer. Trek turns, grunting at Dietrich.

  Worried, Dietrich says, “Ah, Erik I think we have a problem here. Trek’s eyes are a bit wide and glassy. His eyelids are red, and he is sweating. Do you think his bite is already infected?” Erik gently leads Trek to a log, as he says, “Trek, I think you should sit for a bit, while we check your arm.” Dietrich touches his head, “He is feverish.” Taking the flask from the old man’s belt, Erik hands it to Trek so he can drink some water, it pours down him.

  Trek seems to have forgotten how to swallow. Erik groans, “Dark, this is not good.” Dietrich lightly pulls at the bandage and they see it is bright red and oozing. Erik huffs, “That looks very bad.” Dietrich puts it back in place. Erik says, “I am not sure he can make it back to camp.” Dietrich replies, “Then we will carry him between us.” As they start to lift him, the old man suddenly leaps from their grasp and runs out of sight, startling both men.

  Dietrich and Erik get their wits about them and chase after him. They are glad when they see him up ahead. It appears he is heading to camp; they are relieved at first, and then very distressed.

  ~*~

  Country Inn, Grekan dreams of Skull Island, 1 AM, 677, 29th, October

  The torture of the Giants astounds and horrifies Grekan. The Dark Princess smiles, “It was the Sibyls, an elite group of Oracles, who learned of the Goth’s abuse of the Giants and exposed their torture to Destiny, the Grandess of the Mystical Realm. She put an end to it, releasing the prisoners upon their word that they would not seek war on any others again.” Grekan gasps, “Good!” Tik scoffs, “They should have killed them. They sided with the betrayers!”

  Spitting, Tik adds, “With the Dark Realm, in the Demon War.” Grekan states, “I am not surprised, after the way they were treated.” Tik sneers, “You think that justifies what they did to us? Tell it to our kind, who they killed.” Rolling her eyes, she whispers to herself, “Tik is not an Old One nor even there.” The Dark Princess states, “Not all of the Giants. Father found several groups of Giants who believed as he did, and fought with him for freedom.”

  ~WBM~