Beyond the Darkness

by M. A. Maddock

  ‘How can you remain so… composed, when your friend lies here, dying?’ Rosalyn protested, feeling utterly helpless as she stared at the weapon wedged into the Samurai.

  Gill’s heart sank. Asai is dying! he told himself, knowing it was by his hand—the one that had held Eleanor’s dagger. She’ll hate me for this! he thought. The irony of it weighed heavier on his heart. He thought of running away—escaping—but to where? Surely, he would be punished for his crime—put to death—hung, drawn and quartered. His father came to mind. Where was he when he needed him? His head ached, looking for solutions, when suddenly the Samurai’s eyes flickered wide open.

  Rosalyn fell back, stunned by his sudden re-awakening. Asai drew in a long, deep breath, glorifying in the cooling night air. Relieved, Tam released a long-winded sigh which was met by Rosalyn’s steely glare of disapproval. Placing a reassuring hand on Asai’s shoulder, Reece smiled at his friend for his welcomed return.

  Gill’s erratic thoughts ceased, when the Samurai eased himself up. He then stared at his mother, sharing in her confusion, unprepared for what was yet to come.

  ‘You are well, my friend?’ Reece enquired, lowering his voice.

  Asai lingered, glancing down at the blade still embedded inside him. ‘I am… quite well,’ he said, appearing unusually perplexed. He then turned his head slightly, his eyes now tapered; he seemed distracted.

  Reece narrowed his eyes. ‘What is it?’ he asked.

  ‘I am unsure,’ he replied, coming back to them.

  While Tam kept his quiet distance, Rosalyn and Gill looked-on, lost for words, yet relieved by the Samurai’s apparent brush with death.

  ‘Shall I?’ Reece asked, offering the usual assistance to his fallen comrade.

  Asai bowed, allowing him to proceed.

  ‘This will not hurt,’ he whispered.

  Aware of their audience, the Samurai tried, without success, not to respond to the personal aspect attached to his colleague’s comment, then nodded at Reece.

  Detecting their hint of humour, Rosalyn pursed her lips, trying to contain her anger. How dare they! she screamed inside.

  But the faint smile was wiped from Asai’s face when Reece gripped Eleanor’s dagger, observing the initials of all its predecessors, as the blade was gradually removed. Asai winced the instant it left the place where Gill had thrust it—into the centre of his heart. Reece felt the long, drawn-out release of his friend’s breath, as though it had been his last. Asai then shot a peculiar glance at him.

  ‘I feel her—inside me!’ he murmured.

  ‘Eleanor?’ Reece mouthed, aware his colleague wanted his discretion.

  The Samurai slowly nodded. In a moment of doubt, they held each other’s gaze, completely at a loss.

  ‘Look at it!’ Tam blurted, pointing to the dagger still in Reece’s hand.

  To their astonishment, the blade glowed crimson red—not of blood, but of an unknown energy from within its steel. Aware of the heat of its power, Reece looked at Asai, showing him the dagger. Feeling his strength return, the Samurai rose to inspect it closely. When he did, its glow intensified. Curious, Reece motioned him to move away; with each retreat, they watched it fade.

  ‘There’s no blood!’ Gill remarked.

  Asai paused, regarding the young man.

  Gill lowered his eyes, still embarrassed and ashamed by his actions.

  Rosalyn stared at the Samurai, in awe. ‘How can he still be alive? Surely, not even someone of—’

  ‘Our kind?’ Reece cut in.

  She nodded, without apology.

  ‘Aye. Asai’s heart took its full length. How can that be, if he is half human? ’Tis impossible!’

  ‘I have not seen this before,’ said Reece, carefully observing the Dirk.

  Watched closely by everyone, he approached Asai, intrigued. Rosalyn gasped when the blade glowed again. Reece held his friend’s attention. Fascinated, he offered the dagger to the Samurai. Asai hesitated, peering down at the weapon.

  ‘Take it!’ Reece urged him.

  The moment it passed into his hand, the blade glowed with the intensity of a bright flame, dominating the hue of night. Raising the Dirk—to the level of his eye—it illuminated his strong features. Asai felt its growing energy merge with his, joining them together, until it glowed no more. Closing his eyes, he secretly searched for her. When nothing came, he scolded his imagination for playing tricks on him.

  The Samurai then turned to Gill, his hand outstretched. The young man remained silent and uncertain, as to his next move, as he regarded the dagger in Asai’s hand. In their hesitation, Rosalyn quickly stepped forward, retrieving her daughter’s heirloom. Gill caught her with a disheartened glance.

  ‘Forgive me!’ he begged, finding the courage to look Asai in the eye. ‘I am ashamed to have even contemplated…’ His words drifted with guilt.

  ‘No harm has been done,’ Asai replied.

  ‘This time, perhaps,’ Gill added, overcome by self-pity. ‘How can I be the great ruler that is expected of me, if I’m unable to control my temper? It might have been someone else—someone who could not survive such impact.’

  ‘There is no time for regrets, Gill,’ said Reece, taking control of the situation. ‘No life was lost... thankfully. However—’

  ‘I am to blame for Eleanor’s abduction,’ Tam interrupted, stepping into the thick of things.

  The Highlander had taken no more than two paces, when he felt the sudden impact of being forced to the ground, followed by the unexpected sound of clashing steel. Tam found himself locked tightly between the crossed blades of the Katana and the Wazashi. Reece leaped forward, retrieving his Broadsword from where he had offered his surrender to the Valkyrie, then stopped abruptly. Asai was leaning dangerously close, pausing within inches of his defenceless opponent’s face. Leaning closer, he applied pressure to the weapons, until Tam felt their razor sharpness.

  Things were now getting out of control.

  ‘Stop him, Reece!’ cried Rosalyn. ‘No matter what Tam has done…’

  Bewildered by Asai’s uncharacteristic behaviour, Reece now grew concerned for Tam’s life. Panic soon followed, when the Samurai spoke in a menacing voice.

  ‘Shall I tell you how to kill a Dhampir, Gill?’ he snarled, adding pressure to the blades. Asai’s eyes burned into Tam’s with the promise of death, telling his colleague, he could no longer match his increasingly, overbearing strength.

  Aware of his fate, Tam remained silent, knowing one flinch would insure his demise.

  ‘Leave him, Asai!’ Reece commanded with ill effect, suddenly feeling powerless against his friend’s unpredictable actions. Often, they had witnessed death together on the battlefield, with full recovery of their injuries, and yet he knew this was different. The Samurai was playing out his emotions for all to see—Eleanor’s dagger, clearly the instigator. Reece now feared his close friend was losing control of his calm and peaceful demeanour.

  ‘If you truly wish him dead, Gill,’ Asai persisted in his deadly threat, ‘it is important to complete the task, by removing his head after the stabbing. But be warned: should you fail, he will be blessed with added strength. However, unlike you, I do not intend to falter.’

  Tam’s eyes widened, feeling the sudden need to swallow, fighting against the urge to do so. He then became conscious of the importance of one of the most natural things required by the body—a requirement all living creatures took for granted—and one he could no longer resist; it was a necessity. As his throat tightened, he coughed, rising up to meet the lethal blades.

  Everyone rushed forward as Asai took a sharp breath, preparing to make his bold and lethal move.

  ‘No, Asai!’ came the soft voice of reasoning from behind them.

  The Samurai leapt to his feet, tearing himself away from Tam. He swiftly turned, having heard her voice.

  ‘Eleanor?’ he whispered to the lonely figure, standing at the edge of the clearing.

  She smiled at him in a familiar wa
y—but it was not her; though, the resemblance in Onóir’s smile and voice sang sweetly of youth. Accompanied by Kai, the old woman came forward from their hiding place.

  ‘We had to intervene,’ she revealed, approaching Asai.

  ‘You saw what happened?’ Rosalyn asked her mother, throwing a seething look at Reece.

  ‘Most of it,’ she replied.

  ‘You should not have witnessed any of it, maw.’

  ‘Do not blame your father, Rosalyn. He made me aware of their traits, their strengths and weaknesses. However, I believe’—Onóir looked up into the Samurai’s lost eyes— ‘you would not have killed Tam. It would reduce our chances of finding Eleanor, despite your feelings for him at this time. With great consideration, I know you will find her. And what is more, I do not fear for her life.’

  ‘If only I could share in your sentiments,’ Gill protested, turning away from them. Tired of their assumptions and speculations, he marched from their company towards the house. In the distance, he heard Rave’s persistent howl, aware of her master’s return.

  ‘Do not walk away, Gillis Shaw!’ Rosalyn snapped, pursuing her son—the Dirk still clenched in her left hand. Her voice continued to resonate as she followed him, hurling accusations of “denial”, for refusing to accept their situation.

  When Reece moved to follow, Onóir stopped him. ‘Leave them!’

  Turning to his two colleagues, Reece regarded their state. Tam slowly found his feet, inspecting the scars that had now formed on his throat, knowing they would soon fade.

  Hearing his movements, Asai spun, holding the Katana at arm’s length. Reaching for his axe, Tam jumped back, now ready to defend himself.

  ‘Please, Asai,’ begged Onóir. ‘Think of what I said.’

  Lowering his head, he maintained a fixed and determined stare on the Highlander. ‘Should any harm come to her… my friend,’ he warned, ‘I swear it, upon the souls of those gone before me, that this’— he tapped the point of the katana where Tam’s heart beat slowly— ‘will cease. Then, I will cut it out and hand it back to the whore you betrayed us to.’

  No-one was in more denial of Asai’s vow, than Reece. Despite being a man of honour, he knew the Samurai would carry out his threat, without fail. The friend, he thought he knew, had now taken on a new behaviour, bringing with it, suspicion. However, now another suspicion presented itself, when he sensed something hanging in the air—the lingering menace, drawing his attention skywards.

  ‘I think it wise to return to the house,’ he stated, distracting the others. ‘I do not wish the arrival of another unexpected guest, while we are vulnerable.’

  Asai reluctantly lowered his sword, his determined eyes still watching Tam.

  ‘It will achieve nothing, my friend,’ Reece told him. ‘We need him.’

  ‘And answers?’ Onóir insisted.

  ‘And I’ll do all I can to provide ye with them,’ said Tam. ‘If only I could remember.’ Despite his admission, he felt completely helpless. He did not doubt, for one instant, his life was at stake. But, if he were to die, he would rather it by the hand of his companions.

  Ashamed, he quietly cowered passed Asai, diverting his eyes. The Samurai’s ignited with hate as he brushed by him.

  ‘He is telling the truth,’ Kai stated, having scrutinised the Dhampir.

  Reece and Asai turned to acknowledge the Servitor, who had kept his silence throughout.

  ‘And how would you know?’ Reece snapped.

  Onóir scowled at her husband for the scathing tone he continued to use towards her friend, prompting her to hit back.

  ‘Did you know, Reece?’ she challenged, stepping forward.

  His drew his brow together, uncertain of her meaning.

  ‘I saw the dishonourable look on your face, when Gill made his discovery,’ she persisted.

  ‘I did not!’ he retorted, aware he had just become Asai’s new object of inquiry, feeling the Samurai’s eyes on him. ‘My shame was… for not realising it, sooner. It was then, when Gill made his assault, my fears were confirmed. But I am at a loss as to why Tam is unable to recall his obscure betrayal. I am… baffled by it, even though he takes the blame.’

  ‘Tam knows he has done wrong,’ said Kai. ‘I sense his torment. He battles between guilt, and his loyalty towards you, now that he is aware of it. But, if you persist in forcing him, the outlook will prove unsuccessful.’

  ‘Meaning?’ Reece insisted.

  ‘Be patient with him. Give him time to—’

  ‘Be patient, you say?’ Asai interrupted. ‘Time is something we do not have—or have you forgotten?’ The Samurai’s growing agitation was clearly evident, by his reluctance to return his weapons to their resting place.

  ‘I have not forgotten,’ Kai replied, keeping his calm, to the annoyance of Reece. ‘But, if I am not mistaken, I anticipate the motive, behind his inability to recall what torments him.’

  Onóir, Reece and Asai gave the Servitor their undivided attention, waiting for him to divulge his deliberations.

  Kai hesitated, then looked in the direction the Valkyrie had taken Eleanor. For a moment he mused over his final thought, before making his deductions.

  ‘I believe the Valkyrie… stole his thoughts.’

  Chapter Forty-Four

  ‘She stole my what?!’

  Their faces continued to stare at Tam, as if judging him.

  ‘No!’ he insisted, shaking his head, defiant, refusing to believe such nonsense. ‘’Tis impossible!’

  Rosalyn glared at him, as she occupied herself with their later-than-usual supper. Her head throbbed with harrowing thoughts of her daughter, and what she could be going through. She glanced at the empty seat where Eleanor always sat, and stopped herself. What am I doing? Why am I doing this? she asked herself, then looked up. And why are they not looking for her? Her heart then sank, recalling Reece’s explanation. He’s right, she realised. The risk is far too great. No—I must keep busy.

  ‘Do you recall informing Kara of our planned escape?’ Reece quizzed his friend.

  ‘I told her nothing!’ Tam retorted, taking offence.

  ‘And yet you willingly accept the blame,’ said Kai.

  Dumfounded by the Servitor’s statement, Tam slumped into the nearest chair by their dinner table, continuously scratching his deformed ear. ‘I feel guilty,’ he admitted, wholeheartedly. ‘I know it was me, but…’ He groaned.

  ‘But you struggle to understand how…’ Kai continued, ‘when you have no recollection of it.’

  ‘Aye, that’s right!’ said Tam, relieved to know, at least, one was on his side.

  ‘And how do you assume to know?’ Gill sneered, subconsciously stroking Rave, who kept a keen eye on Rosalyn’s every move.

  ‘There is much you do not know about me, Gill,’ Kai informed him. ‘Although I am a servant to the Elliyan, I have been fortunate to be educated in the ways of this world. But, no matter how much I know, the learning process is endless. I am well acquainted with the myths and legends of many cultures, some of which remain a mystery. However, I am privy to the Valkyrie’s “gifts”.’

  ‘Gifts?’ Rosalyn echoed, shooing Rave’s inquisitive nose from the table.

  Kai paused, sharing a wary look with Tam; he would have to choose his words carefully, to spare the Highlander’s embarrassment.

  ‘The Valkyrie has her way of obtaining what she wants, and needs. She has the ability to… lure her victims. She carries a sweet scent that is overpowering to males, though, not all. Those who are unfortunate are entrapped by it, with little or no recollection of it, later. They lose all sense of purpose, while she delves into their thoughts, stealing them for her means.’

  Tam felt Rosalyn’s look of contempt as he desperately tried to evade her gaze; it was clear she knew exactly what Kai had insinuated. Gill smirked, shaking his head in disbelief.

  ‘Do not judge his weakness!’ Reece snapped, stepping in to defend his colleague. ‘And do not condemn him for things you do not
fully understand. Tam has not yet come into his own. He is not responsible for the way he is, and battles against the temptations linked to it. But he is learning fast. See how he sits with ease, in your company now, when you consider his threat on your first meeting.’

  Tam looked up when Rosalyn stopped what she was doing, and smiled bravely at her, expecting nothing in return.

  She forced a wry smile at him, trying to understand.

  ’Tis a start, he thought.

  ‘It seems plausible!’ Onóir stated. ‘I, for one, believe it.’

  ‘As do I,’ Reece added, waiting for a positive response from the others.

  Rosalyn and Gill shared their thoughts with a single glance, before nodding in agreement, however unbelievable it seemed.

  Reece then considered the silent individual hovering by the door. Asai appeared mislaid from their conversation. His deep eyes preyed on the dagger, which, to Rosalyn’s annoyance, had found its way back into Gill’s hand. The young man was reluctant to part with it, needing to feel close to his sibling.

  Reece slowly approached Asai. The Samurai seemed unaware of his friend’s presence, until he spoke.

  ‘What ails you, my friend?’ he asked.

  ‘I cannot be sure,’ he replied, his frustration clearly visible, by the frown on his forehead. ‘Say nothing… for now,’ he then whispered.

  Tam regarded his colleague’s private words with curiosity, when Reece turned to address them.

  ‘Then, we must assume,’ he began, ‘that Kara did steal his thoughts, to protect her mistress.’

  ‘Like a spy?’ Gill surmised.

  ‘Indeed. If there was a sinister threat against the Sorceress, Kara would, in her own words, “dispatch” the traitor.’

  ‘Such a callous word,’ Onóir remarked.

  ‘The Valkyrie has no regard for death,’ said Tam, ‘She believes she has the power to send her victims to Valhalla.’

  ‘Where?’ Rosalyn enquired.

  ‘Valhalla,’ Kai broke in. It is her… heaven,’ he explained, ‘where—she believes—her victims wait for her, when she dies in her final, and most glorious, battle.’