Chapter Eight

Lola

~N~

Black Forest Castle, 673, After Midnight 28th of October

The furious little female’s frightening grayish black image with a dark green glow had him moving further back from the gate, which he had started to unlatch. The shade put her head down on Kolo’s chest Kolo still lay limp and lifeless, causing Lola to sit up and scream, “Wake up! Damn you, wake up now! You do not get to die!” Still unable to get any sign of life she let out a cry that could rival a Banshee.

Donatello could almost feel sorry for her, if she and her brother had not tried to take Sidonia. Then groaning she flung herself back onto Kolo, and sobbed as she mourned her brother. True to her nature, Lola then became furious as she cursed him, “Kolo, you damn fool! I warned you about this! How dare you die and leave me here alone.” The evil one did not respond. Again, Donatello was very tempted to risk all to capture Kolo, yet knew if he opened the gate, she would be able to come enter the grounds, she clearly intended harm.

How could he fight a ghost and it seemed wrong to wish a child ill. Could she harm anyone on her own? Lola saw the danger they were in, as she attempted to find any life in her brother, and knew Donatello intended to keep him dead, so she made her own intentions known. The dark green phantom came away from Kolo as she raced for the gate.

Donatello gasped, “Oh shit.” Backing up as he prepared for her to attack, again his hand went for his sword, and realized it was still in his trunk in the bunkhouse. Not knowing where he could run that a shade could not enter, he hoped it kept her out again, yet pulled out his wings thinking he could out fly a child. The fury of this specter was terrifying to see. Lola came faster than he thought possible, as she planned to come for Donatello through the barrier. Donatello hoped that what Sidonia had said was true.

~N~

Rorik nearly fell, as he tried to run, his hands began to change, growing claws. He screamed in pain and fled into the trees. Kolo’s other man gave chase and caught him. Kolo’s man fought with him, until Rorik became too much for him to handle. Now his fangs started to grow, and he sank them into the man who screamed in fear and now fled. Rorik tried to make it back to the safety of the camp, when he was forced onto all fours, and the change took over ripping his clothing, from his growing body. Samala groaned out, “No! Not my son.”

Fur covered much of him as he arched his back and howled. Then he ran off through the forest of extremely large, tall, and ancient trees. Gone were all of his cares, worries, and sorrows. It was pure animal needs and desires as his senses were alive with all that was about him, and his mind was looking at it all in a completely new way.

Those at the camp heard, and Nera swore, “Damn mutt! I tried to warn Rorik, now he has activated the curse and on a Dark Moon. It is a bad sign, and I feel he might become a Warg!” The other boys groaned, “Should we go to him?” Nera shook her head, “There is nothing any of us can do now, and he is more likely to attack us, perhaps even kill us, than let us help him. No I will activate the barrier and we shall stay in camp, and then look for him in the morning. If he manages to turn back, he has a chance. Yet we must be armed in case he is a Warg!”

Her husband came over and asked, “He just left, and has not been gone a minute. How could he have killed anyone that quickly?” She shrugged, “If he had stayed I might have got a better read on what was about to happen. Now we will have to wait.”

The best looking boy asked, “You plan to kill him if he is a Warg?” Her husband answered for her, “It is our way. The risk of what he will do is too great.” The short one hissed in anger, “They also remove the head and burn it. Then they nail the body in the coffin.” The tall one said, “I hate the part where they cut out the heart and make the family eat it. They did that to my older brother because he killed on the Dark Moon.”

The best looking one shook his head, “Some choose to stay a wolf. How do you know he is Warg if he chooses that?” Nera said softly, “I will try to learn the source of who, and why he turned, and we will all hope.” The boys shook their heads and her husband cautioned, “When I was a child, one went Warg. He killed my father and four others in the clan; one was a helpless child. The family refused the burial rites-.”

The tallest interrupted, “What do you mean burial rites?” The short one elbowed him, “The cutting off of the head to burn it, and eating the heart.” Nera’s husband continued, “That night, he rose from his grave and had become a Mullo, the foulest, blood sucking fiend.” The dark boy gasped, “A vampire.” It took days before we caught and killed him. His family could no longer object, to the burial rites we customarily do, as he had killed them first.”

Rorik was snarling in his sleep, covered in sweat when he woke, his mother cried out, “Rorik, my son! How could he do this to my son!” He cried out to thinking he was asleep, “Mum!”

~N~

The ghost child, rushed towards him. She was mostly mist yet he saw her clothing was of an older style, twenty or thirty years before. She was soaking wet, with water dripping from her hair and clothing. As soon as the little female’s ghostly mist touched the copper gate, she let out a terrifying scream as it threw Lola back forty yards as she fell out of sight.

Wasting no time, Donatello raced for the gate. Intending to pull Kolo in, and close the gate before she could return. Yet as he neared it, a head sized stone hit the gate from her side, and Donatello stepped back furious he had lost his opportunity. He paced in front of the gate, fuming that he did not have his sword, if not capturing him; at least he could have beheaded the vampire, it was nearly impossible to regenerate without it.

He heard the specter coming from a grove of trees by the river as the child screamed, “You bloody think you won?” He frowned seeing the image of the drowned child was increasing in size and age. With the different look, her clothing and hairstyle changed, she was also no longer dripping wet, as even her hair was dry.

Lola launched into a fit slowly sounding older, “No, do not fool yourself.” She was nearly a teenager, “You can trust that I will kill you for this!” She ended in an adult tone, “I know how to make you hurt and have your pain last, so you will be begging for the release of death!” Donatello stood there as Lola came back to her brother’s side.

As she screeched at the vampire guard, “There is no escape for you. I shall hunt you into the next life, even into the fucking Nifl Realm if I must.” He believed her, as he stepped back further. Lola swore out a curse, “You will pay for taking Sidonia, and causing his death. You will burn and I will hang your body for all to see!”

~N~

Rorik came out of his nightmare, now completely awake. He was unsure if he had dreamt the voice of Samala, his Mother whom he had never expected to hear again. Rorik repeated his whisper in disbelief, “Mum?” She tried to stop crying as she said, “Oh no. Kolo promised me he would stay away from you and now look at what he has done to you! How long ago did this happen?” Rorik admitted, “Six months ago.”

Gasping Rorik now asked, “How are you finally communicating with me after nearly half a decade of silence. I have missed you so much. I thought you were dead. Are you alright?” Samala seethed, “No. I was captured by Kolo Skotadi and he is keeping me his prisoner.” Rorik hissed, “Where are you? I will come and get you!” Samala wept, “I do not know where I am.”

Rorik sobbed, “How are you speaking to me after all this time, without a single word, when I tried to reach you for over four years!” Queen Samala hissed, “I believe Kolo has been killed, yet I get the sense that he will come back to life within a few hours. While his power over me is gone, I am too weak to move the stone lid of my tomb.”

~N~

Donatello had never hated a female as much as he did now. Lola was fearless, “No one fucks with my brother!” She was now within touching distance of the gate as she glared at him becoming nearly solid. He could clearly see her long dull brown hair, brown eyes, and flowing blood red dress. She looked very similar to her brother’s current features.

Lola did the opposite of Kolo as she bragged, “Oh you all fear the evil mysterious Kolo, and have no idea that I am the left hand path. I am far more deadly and have killed many more than he! I doubt he would have ever killed anyone if I had not been whispering in his left ear.” Lola went back to Kolo, shaking him again. Donatello liked that she felt unnerved by his presence, wanting her mad enough to try again.

Seeing two guards approaching on top of the wall gave him hope. With his adrenaline filled moment of terror over, Donatello wanted to go after the fiend, regardless of the shade’s threats. While he had heard of Witches who traded and sold souls, keeping them in spirit jars, he had no such bottle nor the power to put her in it. Still Donatello called out to the guards, “I need some help getting that bastard to the captain.”

~N~

Rorik gasped, “Tell me how to help.” Samala wept, “I do not know how long I have before I die again. I am getting weaker and cannot move the stone lid of my tomb.” Rorik gasped in horror, “He buried you alive! I am coming to get you. Just tell me where you are.” There was silence and he feared he was dreaming. He called to her, “Mother!”

He waited a moment and called out again, “Mother!” After a few more moments as he was about to believe it had only been a nightmare, Samala groaned, “I passed out. I am so exhausted. I do not have time to go into the horror’s that felt like centuries to me, rather than the few years you claim it was. Listen to me carefully, I need you to go and find Sidonia.”

Rorik argued, “Why?” His Mother replied, “Do not question me, just listen. I see that she is afraid that Kolo will take her and she is planning to leave Blackstone Castle-.” Samala’s voice had trailed off and then stopped as she passed out. Rorik called out in fear, “Mother?” He wept, “Mother?” As much as his mother claimed that Sidonia caused this, he was stunned that it sounded like she wanted him to go help Sidonia.

~N~

The guards on the wall shook their heads as Donatello implored, “He is the fiend who killed the two men and tried to attack our princess.” The guards looked down at the unconscious male, seeing the green mist sink into him. They quickly turned and nearly ran away at the sight as Donatello yelled after them, “At least drop me your sword!” Clearly, Captain Tik had ordered the other guards not to help him.

~N~

Lola struggled to lift Kolo up from within, but found that she could not animate Kolo, and now knew he was dead. As she had found before, that she had no power to possess a dead Witch nor Human if she did not enter before they died. She came out and was frustrated with her own lack of power, yet not as much as she was furious with Kolo for putting them in this situation. She kicked him twice, and then fell on him crying.

Now she sobbed over his dead body, “I told you not to indulge. I warned you about letting her go. I told you to hurry and grab her. You never listen to me.” She slammed her fists down on his chest, then turned seeing Donatello coming for the gate again. Fear had her acting desperate, and just as Donatello was certain she would rush the gate, suddenly she heard talking and turned to see two day guards leaving by the dock.

Donatello felt Tik’s fear of Anthony’s anger was leaving Sidonia in grave danger. It frustrated him that others did not see what they were choosing was far more likely to bring the High Lord’s fury, than being proactive, by sending for him. Donatello was debating on going out and trying to get Kolo’s body away from the ghost.

Lola rushed to the two human guards, and Donatello saw as he yelled at them, “Todd, Thomas! You need to leave. Get away from her!” Thomas jumped into the rowboat. Todd turned to look, and understand, “Who?” He was unable to see the ghost, so he just stood there. Thomas’ blood must have had some magic as he saw her and rushed to untie the boat. Donatello yelled at Todd, “Run!”

Thomas was too late as he screamed in terror, “No, no do not do it, no!” As Lola flew into him, horrifying Donatello, Thomas tried to resist her and the boat rocked to where he nearly fell into the river. Then the Human Guard’s next scream as he came out of his body due to refusing to be possessed, was the most horrifying scream Donatello had ever heard.

It stopped, as Thomas fell as though dead. Todd leaned over the boat asking in a frightened voice, “Thomas what happened, are you all right?” It was beyond spooky when Lola stood him back up, from inside. The Day Guard’s expression was caused by Lola’s will, as the look he gave Donatello was her smug angry glare; it sent shivers up his spine. He wondered if she could have possessed him also, or if it was just humans.

This scene had him less willing to tempt fate, as he backed away from the gate. His hand came to his hip and again remembered his sword was in his trunk by his bunk. Lola was impressed with herself as her determination won, kicking the human’s soul out of his body and Donatello saw his shade as it wandered toward him as Thomas’ garbled words came to him, “Help me. Something is wrong.”

Donatello warned, “Do not touch the gate.” Thomas did not understand as he reached out saying, “I need help.” He was instantly shocked and tossed back. While Lola felt stronger no longer overwhelmed by her nearness to the water, it seemed her fury kept her in control. Todd lightly chuckled, “You scared me for a moment.”

The man’s body felt clumsy and slow to her commands, as Lola attempted to leave the rowboat. Finally, she grabbed the rope getting close enough to reach the post. Now she got out of the boat and went for the other guard, as Todd backed up she said in the man’s voice, “You! Come help me with the body.” Todd shook his head, “What body? I want to go home. You are acting a bit odd Thomas.” Lola hit him in the face.

The guard went down more in shock than due to the punch, as he whined, “What has gotten into you Thomas.” He became even more terrified, as Lola stood over him looking down into his eyes, then she informed him, “Either you help me or I will kill you.” Todd nodded. She put out Thomas’ hand, helping Todd up. They quickly came lifting the body from the tall grass.

Donatello frowned as he got a better look at Kolo, he still did not recognize him. He was certain the red haired gaunt looking younger male flew into the barrier. Yet that was not who they picked up, as this male was shorter, older, plump, with dull brown thin straggly hair and pot mark scarring to his face. Still, his right side of his face had the bright red with black charring burn, from hitting into the mystical barrier.

As Donatello stared harder, he saw the left side of his face was not just pot marks, there was also an infinity rune mark that had been branded onto his left cheek, and that eye was black not brown. Donatello watched as they carried Kolo’s body to the dock. Once there, they put him in the rowboat. Then getting in, Todd untied it and they began to row upstream.

Now, Thomas’ head turned to glare at Donatello as she assured him, “I have not forgotten about you.” Soon they were rowing out of sight, and he finally left the gate to go inside. Frustrated Donatello went back to the princess’ room. Once in her room, he saw she was still safe and asleep. He sat on the window bench, trying to justify that it would have been reckless to go after Kolo, and risk Lola entering.

Turning to see Sidonia laying there, he knew this was best and right, since no one else cared about the danger and threat to the princess. Donatello felt terrified at the idea of going through this for a few more nights. What more might happen if something delayed Anthony even a week? Sighing with irritation, he decided to ask Grekan for help.

He fumed, ‘It is either that or chain her up in her room’. He locked the door leaving out the outer door Donatello immediately had a spy following him, and he waited at the next corner wanting to know if he was just paranoid. When the Human Guard came in sight, he grabbed the guard and demanded, “Why are you following me?”

The man denied it, “I was just heading this way.” Donatello now grasped his throat, “No you were waiting for me. Tell me who asked you to do this and what they want.” The man stayed mute. Donatello glared into his eyes, compelling him, “You will tell me who wants you to follow me and why.” Slowly the guard seemed to awaken, “What am I doing here, why are you accosting me?”

Holding the human still, he compelled him further as Donatello demanded, “Why are you following me?” The guard replied in a trance, “We are supposed to watch you for the master; if enough of us are together we are to grab you, so he can kill you for reading the letter.” Donatello shuttered at this revelation and then worried, “Who is the ghost?” He answered, “Lola. She is the Master Kolo’s twin sister.”

~N~