by Lori Darnell
"My lord, the teachings told us you were coming. But you never did. The Church has taken everything from us. We need to feed our families," he pleaded to my unforgiving ears. I grabbed his face, staring hard into his eyes.
"I will ask you once - if you lie, this conversation will be over, along with your life. What would you have done with Jill?" I looked down at Jill, wanting her to know that I would never let it happen, but it was important information to know. His eyes went round, but he answered readily enough.
"I would have sold her to the Church. The Hotel here is always willing to pay for beautiful women." No one was more surprised that the whimpering man in front of me when Jill left my side and approached him. She reached out and touched his face, which he took as a calming gesture. She smiled slightly, then drew her arm back and pounded her fist into the man's jaw. He fell to the ground, hard. Blood began to pool and drain from his mouth.
"Thank you, thank you." He sputtered, spewing blood, trying to kiss her feet as she backed away and nestled back into my side. I couldn't help it - I laughed out loud, in spite of my rage. He was still trying to get to Jill, and I didn’t like it.
"Why do you keep calling me 'my lord'?" I asked, redirecting his attention.
"Your image is on the walls in the sacred temple. I will show you, please, let me show you," he begged, holding up a sleeved arm to his jaw slow the bleeding. Well, and this man may prove to be more useful than I had originally thought.
"You may lead us there,” I agreed. “However, if you even look at her again, I will kill you. In fact, if anyone we encounter touches her, your life is forfeit." I leaned down to his level. "Do we have an understanding?"
"Yes, yes my lord, of course. I will serve you. I will not let anyone look upon your woman again." He repeatedly bowed to us both, carefully keeping his eyes away from Jill.
"She is not my woman, she is my wife. You will call me Marcus, and her name is Jill. My travel companions behind me are James and Dean." He looked behind us, glaring at the men who were embraced in support, trying to keep calm in this situation. I could see he was clearly disgusted by what he saw. I drew his attention again. "Is this going to be a problem? Because I can do this without your assistance, it will just take longer." He shook his head quickly in denial of his obvious disgust.
"Do you have a way to travel - a camel, perhaps?" I asked, hoping he wouldn't have to walk, it would take much longer on foot.
"I have a horse. My cottage is visible from here - just beyond the hill next to the Hotel - it is called the 'Red Door'," the man stated, pointing earnestly.
“Wait, what did you say?” I wasn’t sure that I had heard him correctly.
“Did you mean the Red Door? That is the name of the Hotel of the Church.” The man looked at me and back toward James. I turned to follow his gaze and found James clutching Dean, panicked.
“James, what is it about these Hotels that makes you cringe?”
“Marcus, you don’t understand. I don’t think I can explain.” He looked at me, plainly not wishing to discuss it.
“Fair enough,” I stated, in the interest of time. But we would discuss it later, I thought to myself. I unhinged Jill’s death grip and walked her over to the camels. Looking up at ours, the beast responded instantly by bowing to the ground on his front legs.
“I am going to call you Duke, and as we are now friends, you have to keep her safe. If anyone comes, run away with her.” I knew the camel understood. Jill gave me a blank stare as I hoisted her into the saddle.
“I will go at once and fetch my horse - you may call me Sam.” Barely hearing the man’s words as he ran away, I turned to follow him.
“Marcus, you can’t be serious. Please, don’t do this.” But she saw that I was determined to go, and relented, sighing. Recognizing my resolve, she whispered, “Please come back to me. Duke and I will be waiting right here.” She patted the camel’s neck in reassurance, she then looked down at me and smiled bravely. Although she tried to hide it, I felt the panic in her mind.
“I won’t be long,” I called over my shoulder, then walked toward the Red Door.
“Marcus, NO!” James grabbed my one arm, trying to pull me back; Dean grabbed the other when he saw James was doing no good. “Don’t go there, I don’t want them to take you.“ I dragged them both for a few paces before stopping to glare at them.
“I will be fine. Watch out for Jill.” Defeated, they both released me. I quickened my pace to the Hotel to deter any more interruptions. It was high time I saw what the Church was using as their greatest threat. For years I had hints and innuendos, but no truth. As I approached the buildings, I saw Sam outside, saddling his horse. His house was silent and appeared deserted, and he was easily within eyesight.
I stopped in front of the double doors to the Red Door, staring. With my gaze locked at the ground, I pulled open the doors and walked through. I could see where I was going to stand out. More than half of the people were wearing black robes. I strode forward, ignoring the stares I received. Several black robed figures actually stopped as I walked by. As usual, I was nearly a foot taller than most people around me.
The entrance was grand, but lacking comfort or appeal. The walls were clothed in red velvet, harsh to look at. They were soft to the touch, and I ran my hand across the wall’s edge, nearing the corner. The smells in the hall were a mixture of unwashed bodies, blood and feces. It was nauseating. I turned down a hall to my left and saw several doors on each side. There were unpleasant sounds coming from most of them that I found disturbing in the extreme. They seemed to be coming from everywhere at once; I felt a protective surge, and then a powerless one – I was only one person, and the quantity of people in this place greatly outnumbered me. I tried to ignore it. I had to be there as an observer, I couldn't get involved. Remaining uninvolved was a hard task to accomplish; I should be getting involved - someone should stop this. The sounds rose and fell in the hall, varying between soft moans, hard slapping noises, tortured screams, and crying. It was horrifying, and made my gorge rise into my throat.
Toward the end of the hall I turned to leave, not wanting to get caught, or at least captured. Everyone here seemed to notice me, but said nothing. It was strange; as I continued on my way through the hall, there was no one person who spoke to me or tried to draw attention to themselves. Not even the robed men looked at me for very long. It felt like they were afraid of me. Good, I thought to myself. Fear could be useful, but it seemed out of place for them to fear me, especially walking through these halls. I could never do these things - they were the monsters. Why would they be afraid of me?
I walked past the first door from the corner and froze. A loud scream came from the other side. “Please, not again!” came the screeching voice of a young girl, begging her attacker to stop. Choking sounds escaped through the door, and then I heard her gasping sobs – she sounded no older than a child. Well, and if I couldn’t save them all, maybe I could at least save her. I couldn’t just walk away. With a sigh of resignation, I turned around.
I braced my shoulder against the door and forced it open, splintering the wood around the lock. Both people in the room froze at my entrance. I ducked my head and entered the room. The robed figure casually stood and went to sit in the chair near the back of the room, facing the wall, his back to me. The girl flew off the bed, covered in blood. Wrapping her bloody arms around her naked body, she ran behind me and down the hall. I didn’t know where she was going; I doubted she would ever escape. Looking around the room, the black robed figure just sat in the chair, motionless. He looked straight ahead toward the pools of blood on the bed. He held a small knife in his hand, which was covered in the girl’s blood.
Without looking at me the figure spoke. “You know, I could have you reported for interrupting my sport. What you've done matters little - the little whore will never find redemption.” He snickered coldly as he wiped the blood onto his robe, then placed the knife into its small holder at his waist. He let out a heavy si
gh. “Too bad you interrupted, it was finally getting interesting." He ran his long fingers through his thick brown hair. "You know, it isn't any fun if they don't beg. She is supposed to be quite tasty when she is afraid.” His entire presence disgusted me. I could feel the heat rise. I couldn't tell if it was rage or a vision. With another languorous sigh, the robed figure stood and turned to look at the person who had interrupted him. I closed my eyes, not sure of what they looked like at the moment.
I was furious. The anger made my visions come quickly. My head was spinning, but I could still see the images. How could anyone do that to someone? Looking into his mind further, I saw the other victims of his games. He reveled in it. It wasn’t fun unless he could leave his mark on them, scarring them. So may victims. Both men and women had suffered at his hands. I felt the heat surge through my body as my mind sifted through the images. My eyes were still closed, waiting to hear him approach. I clenched my fists to my sides when he was within a few feet of me.
“So, you can’t even enjoy the show.” He mocked, seeing I refused to look at him. “For such a big man, you seem to have a weak stomach.” He laughed, approaching closer. “But then again, maybe you could be more interesting sport. I could have that arranged.” The menace in his voice dripped from his lips like venom.
My head shot up. I shook it violently, trying to clear the visions so I could see this man. This tormentor, evil incarnate - he would pay for his own sins. Slowly, I opened my eyes.
The robed figure dropped to his knees in astonishment and cried out, “Marcus!”
I couldn’t believe my own eyes. Shock seemed to slow things down around me… could this be real? Jacob was crumpled on the floor at my feet, crying. He was as my vision had seen, a monstrosity wearing the shell of the good person I had met when I was a child. He seemed older than he was, aged with years of hatred.
“Jacob, what have you done?” I voiced, coming out strangled and cracking. How could he do this, how could he enjoy this life? Something he was so scared of, he now inflicted suffering on everyone around him.
Reaching for my hand, afraid to touch me, he stood, slowly. “Marcus, you don’t understand. I have to, this is who I am now.” He tried to plead with me; I could hear the faint echo of the man I knew.
“Is this why you asked the council for me? Is this the reason you placed a price on my head? For your own amusements? I trusted you! Do you have any idea what you have done?” My voice shook with confusion. I wanted to kill him, but I couldn’t. He saved my life, so many years ago, sacrificing his own life at the hands of the Church to do it.
“I wanted to see you; I would do anything to do that again. I didn’t want you hurt. But I wanted them to think I did.” He reached for my left hand and grabbed it, pleading. He dropped it almost instantly as he felt the gold band around my finger. His face dropped in recognition. At the same moment that it registered in my mind what it was he meant. It was so clear to me now. He was hoping to be with me. I shook my head in disgust, trying to clear the images he was seeing from my mind. How could he think that I could even see him in that way with him here, torturing people? “Marcus, I have always loved you.” It was wrong, but I understood his desperation. I felt it every time I was with Jill.
“I love her, and I am sorry. But even if it weren’t so, I could never love a man who could do this.” I waved my arms about the room to emphasize the fact that the bed was covered in blood, fabric, and scraps of the girl’s long dark hair. I felt my eyes cool. I was ready to leave. The Jacob I knew was dead; this horrible stranger had taken his place.
I turned to walk away, and Jacob grabbed my hand again. “I know you don’t understand. But you will someday. Someday the Church will take away the ones you love, and everything else.” I reacted like lighting. I spun around, reaching for his neck. Flinging him against the wall, I held him off the ground so I could look into his eyes. As he struggled to breathe, I warned him, “Jacob, if the Church ever touches my life this way again, I will find a way to destroy them. It could start with you. Are you going to betray me?” I dropped him to the floor.
“No, I would never do that. But it will happen. No one can escape.” I turned back to the door and walked through, I heard him call from the room, “you’re just not strong enough.” I turned the into hall, leaving the building. I thought to myself, not yet. But I will be.
Chapter 23
I saw Jill waiting for me up the road. She smiled, glowing; as her entire body showed relief that I was okay. But I wasn’t okay – nothing could be further from the truth of what I felt. I reached Duke and he bent down so I could climb up behind Jill. James and Dean were already on their camel. The man Sam was waiting next to Jill with his horse. I mounted the camel behind Jill and looked at Sam expectantly.
“Let’s get moving. I am done with this place.” James sighed and leaned into Dean’s back, who was holding the reins.
James spoke after a few moments, as we rode past the Red Door on our way into the open desert. “I told you so. I knew you didn’t want to see.” I shook my head, wishing I could clear the images of the last few moments from my mind.
It wasn’t the building, or the sickening violence that radiated through every room of that building. Jill shook in my arms as she looked into my mind, seeing what I saw, seeing Jacob. I leaned into her back, resting lightly against the side of her neck, holding her tightly, protectively as I spoke.
“James, I saw Jacob.”
Dean pulled their camel to a stop, and Duke followed suit without hesitating. Sam respectfully moved up several paces to be within calling distance, but not within listening distance.
“Are you sure?” James asked me, low voiced.
“Of course I am sure. James, don’t test me right now.” I nudged Duke forward. There was nothing to talk about. Jacob was gone; nothing would ever bring him back. The only family I had left was right here in my arms. I wrapped my arm around Jill possessively. Trying to reassure me Jill reached back to stroke my face.
“Marcus, we are going to be fine - Jacob… won’t try to find you again.” She said in a careful tone.
"Marcus, I would have done anything to keep this from you. I think that the bible had the right idea, with the apple being forbidden. Knowledge can be a curse." James looked down toward the ground. He was looking anywhere but at me.
“I know, but I think that instead of the apple, the fruit should have been a lemon. The fragrance draws you in, but the bitter aftertaste leaves you regretting it.” There was nothing more to say on the subject. I hated the Church with every fiber of my being. The only redeeming factor I could associate with the Church was that through my capture, I found Jill. She was the only thing I was taking away from them.
I pulled Duke closer to Sam so I could ask him questions. He glanced up briefly then bowed his head. He was keeping true to his word, he would never look at her again. It made me smile a little. I hated this man because he attacked my Jill, but he was turning out to be fairly harmless and even useful, so far.
“Sam, is there anyone at this temple you're taking me to?” He looked forward, hesitating before answering.
“My lord - Marcus, I don’t understand," Sam muttered anxiously. "You are from here - you should know everything about it already. Why do you ask me questions for which you already have the answers?”
“But I am not from here. I was born thousands of miles away,” I revealed, urging him to continue. This seemed to surprise him, and he began to answer my questions.
“Yes, there are people there. I will be a hero for bringing you. Letting me escort you home is the greatest honor I could ever wish for!” I could see the smile reach his eyes.
“Why did you call it my home?”
“Because that is where the great gods left us, it is where it is said the new ones would return. Everything is ready - you will see.” The excitement in his voice was almost contagious.
“How did you recognize me?” I asked. Sam seemed fit to burst with excitement.
The stifling heat was making me cranky. Jill was dozing behind me, still with a death grip around my waist. The desert was as beautiful as it was dangerous. There were mounds of sand as far as the eye could see. It just looked like a large sandbox. But as hot as we were, I was still enthusiastic to move forward. I could only hope I would make it there before we turned to dust as well.
The day fell into dusk. We were all tired. Sam suggested we stop and make camp. The temple was still a considerable distance out into the desert. When I reached up and stroked Duke’s head, I could see the building again in the animal’s mind. It was large, but the entry was very small, just a square opening, in the vast desert. I searched the images a bit more, but then Jill distracted me.
“Marcus, can you see?” I focused, pushing the visions aside, and I looked at Jill. Her radiant skin seemed to be enhanced somehow. I don’t think I could ever see her so well.
“Of course I can, and you are beautiful.” But as I looked over at Dean, helping James off the camel, a mild blue wash was flowing around them, as well.
“What the-” I began, seeing for the first time that it was my skin glowing, shedding roughly a five-foot radius with a low, blue light.
“Marcus, you’re my very own night light!" She placed her hand over mine, leaning against my chest. This was something new, and I found it disconcerting. Every new mutation of myself filled me with apprehension. When would these changes stop?
I closed my eyes, concentrating on Jill, on not seeing the visions. I opened them again and the desert was dark. I sighed in relief – apparently, it was connected to my psychic energy. Duke kneeled down and then dropped his back legs so he was lying on the ground. I easily stepped off him, pulling Jill with me into my arms.