“I wish to show you something,” he said getting up from the piano stool. Eveline watched as he closed the windows, curtains and the music door.
“What is it?” Eveline asked as she rose from the seat and stood in the centre of the room. Galean opened his jacket and procured from it two long, silver daggers, beautifully set with emeralds at the hilt. They looked akin to katar dagger often found in India. Eveline stepped forward and lifted one of the daggers from Galean’s hand and held it up to the light, the emeralds sparkling.
“They are special daggers that we angels use when defending ourselves against shadows,” Galean explained as he watched Eveline’s face, filled with intrigue and curiosity.
“I don’t know how to use a dagger,” she said, her eyes falling to him.
“Well I thought I could show you before we leave.”
“If you are sure,” Eveline said turning the blade in her hand.
“Well I think it necessary that you are able to fight shadows not just with your gifts but with weapons as well for they are greatly trained in the dark arts and for all your abilities you need someone who will help you to harness them, making you their equal,” Galean said, his mind bringing up an image of Anvin, the high priest of the Meer who was greatly endowed with magic, he would be the best mentor for Eveline if ever she returned to Unas.
“I understand,” Eveline said quietly.
“Come and stand in front of me,” Galean ordered, taking off his jacket and resting it by the window seat. Eveline came to stand before him. “The art of self-defence with particular reference to knife fighting is made up of three factors; intelligence, balance and precision. You must always evaluate your attacker and if we are talking about shadows then you should be aware that they are incredibly strong and resilient.”
“I’m doomed then,” Eveline smiled, her eyes sparkling.
“Not necessarily,” Galean replied with a light smile upon his lips. “Now always make sure to grip your dagger or knife properly like this,” Galean gripped the hilt of his dagger with his fingers wrapped completely around it with blade facing away from him, pointing up to the ceiling. Eveline followed suite. “Now you can also do this,” Galean then turned the blade upside down, pointing it to the ground. “Always keep your body behind the knife and bring your shoulders and head in, flexing your knife at a 45 degree angle like so.” Galean showed Eveline, bending his head and shoulders downwards. “Now your other arm should fall over your chest for protection like this,” Galean went on to demonstrate bidding Eveline to do the same. “Do you happen to like dancing?”
“Dancing?” Eveline laughed feeling silly and vulnerable against the strong and lean Galean.
“Yes dancing?” Galean quipped his brows awaiting her answer.
“I suppose I do.”
“Good, now when faced with an attacker it is vital that you keep moving, I call this the blade waltz,” Galean smiled as he began to move about quickly. “You must always outsmart your opponent.”
“Alright,” Eveline replied as she moved about getting used to the blade in her hand.
“You want the blade to become a distraction,” Galean went on. “When they have their eyes on the knife you can use your legs as a means of kicking them and ultimately flooring them.”
“I doubt I could do that Mr Edwards,” Eveline smiled as she came to a stop, her chest heaving in a deep breathe.
“With practice you can,” Galean said quickly. “Now disarming your opponent may prove hard in your case, but that’s why I will be sticking to you like glue until you finally are re united with Theodore.” Eveline didn’t reply. “A good way of disarming your opponent is by striking them with a blow. If you would come here please…, that’s it.” Eveline came to stand before Galean. “Remember you have a free arm in which to use but also remember the hilt of your blade which can prove devastingly useful in a fight, especially when used as blow to the head.”
“Mr Edwards I am no ninja or samurai,” Eveline complained.
“I know.” Galean quickly clasped her right hand wrist in which she carried the blade and softly struck a blow to her abdomen with the hilt of his blade. Without thinking Eveline stood on his foot hard and forced him backwards quickly picking up her blade and falling on top of him, the tip of the dagger at his throat, her eyes wild with intent. “You just said you were no ninja or samurai Mrs Sampson!” At the mention of her marital name, Eveline rolled off Theodore and stood up, straightening her skirt. Galean rolled onto his side before getting up to stand before her.
“Eveline?”
“No one has ever called me by my marital name before,” Eveline admitted handing the blade to Galean.
“No keep it, it’s yours,” Galean said softly, seeing the distress in her eyes.
“Where will I put it?” Eveline asked sheepishly looking down at her waist.
“I have a sheath you can place it in,” Galean replied walking to his jacket, his chest falling and rising quickly. From the jacket he retrieved a leather sheath and handed it to Eveline. “Here place it in this and keep it in your pocket, preferably in your jacket.”
“Thank you,” Eveline said with shy eyes.
“No need to thank me, Theodore asked that I prepare you in some way,” Galean lied as he put on his jacket and opened the door of the music room. Eveline exited the room and made for the stairs, ascending the steps and making for her room, leaving Galean behind. Once in her room she closed the door tightly and fell upon the sheets of her bed sighing. For a long while she simply lay and tried to conjure a picture of Theodore. Slowly she lifted her left hand and touched the gold band around her forth finger finding comfort in its coolness. After an hour of lying facing the ceiling, Eveline got up and made for her dressing table sitting down in front of the circular mirror and lighting her candles with a wave of her hand. As she sat pensively before the mirror she gently swept away her thick hair to reveal the bite mark upon her throat. The mark had grown and the veins around it had darkened as well. A surge of anxiety swept over her consuming her bones with a sickness that caused her to tremble. Nervously she touched the bite and bit down on her lip, the pain soaring through her like a thunderbolt of lightning. Quickly she dropped her fingers and bent her head into her palms, fighting back the urge to cry. When eventually she found courage within herself she took in a deep breath and drew her head up, staring into her eyes deeply. As she stared she noticed something odd occur, her golden gaze darkened slightly. Eveline sat forward so much so that the point of her nose touched the mirror. She gazed into her eyes waiting for them to reverse and go back to her normal colour but they did not. All at once an image of Lagar appeared behind her, hidden in the corner causing her to freeze. With the hairs on her skin upright and goose bumps prickling under her clothes she began to tremble. The flickering lights of the candles died as a cold rush of air filled the room. Eveline raised her eyes to the reflection in her mirror and found that the creature had gone, leaving the room prey to the darkness that consumed it.
With trembling lips, Eveline re lit the candles and stood up. With cautious steps she made her way over to the window and stood, her gaze falling to the countryside before her. Upon the dark land in the near distance she could see the silhouettes of the shadows, waiting patiently in the darkness. Eveline stood and stared at them, her golden gaze now dimed by the darkness that touched her irises. A knock at the door brought Eveline to life.
“Yes?” she spoke aloud, quickly rushing to her dressing table and sitting down once more.
“It’s only me,” Estelle said as she entered the room with a smile on her lips.
“Is something wrong mother?”
“No I just wanted to see how you are,” Estelle bent her head and laid a soft kiss upon her daughters head before sitting down upon the edge of her bed. “A lot has happened in the last two weeks which makes me as your mother incredibly worried about your well-being.”
“I’m fine honestly,” Eveline lied, her lips not quite rising to mee
t her eyes as she smiled.
“Then why do your eyes betray you?”
“Do they? I hadn’t noticed,” Eveline retorted as she began to pin her hair back.
“Eveline I would have thought that I had your trust,” Estelle said with great sadness.
“And you do mother,” Eveline replied, turning slightly in her chair to face her mother.
“You have struck up quite a friendship with Mr Edwards.”
“How could I not,” Eveline shrugged. “We all have mother, there is nothing out of the ordinary with our friendship. I assure you.” Estelle held her daughters gaze for a moment.
“How do you feel about seeing Theodore?”
“I am nervous and excited to see my husband,” Eveline said with warmth attached to her tone.
“So am I,” Estelle smiled kindly. “It has been so long this damned war.”
“War is always long from the moment it begins.”
“How do you feel about all that has been said through conversation today? Are you frightened or disturbed?”
“Yes I am both, but with you, Belle and Galean at my side then I feel all the stronger for it.”
“I will always be at your side,” Estelle said gently.
“You always have been mother.”
“We are leaving in twenty minutes, everyone is downstairs waiting. Shall I give you five minutes?”
“Please,” Eveline smiled as her mother rose from the end of her bed and made for the door, turning to glance at her daughter.
“Everything will come to right soon.”
“I hope so,” Eveline whispered as her mother slipped out of the room leaving her alone once more to place some powder upon her bite mark. When ready she left her room behind with a sigh and made her way downstairs where she collected her coat, scarf, hat and gloves from Estelle. Galean was standing by the lit fire, his face serious and pensive. Beside him stood the reverend, clad in a long coat and hat.
“We will take the car at the back,” the reverend said aloud as Estelle fixed Belle and placed a lead on Wordsworth. “If you will all follow me.”
Quietly Estelle led the way after the reverend bringing Belle and Wordsworth. Eveline followed alongside Galean who was quiet.
“Mr Edwards are you alright?” Eveline asked as they stepped out into the darkness, walking down the garden path towards the reverends car.
“I am very well Eveline just keeping an ear out for anything suspicious.”
“Oh.”
The reverend helped Eveline into the car before closing the door and jumping into the driver’s seat with Galean beside him in the passenger’s seat, his eyes scanning the surrounding area. The air in the car was tight as everyone was tense with fear and anticipation. Belle clung to Eveline and Wordsworth lay his head upon Estelle’s lap as the car roared into life and began the cautious journey into Keswick. Behind them another car roared into life and Eveline looked behind her, the car’s headlights hurting her eyes.
“Don’t worry they are allies not foes,” the reverend smiled in the rear window, calming Eveline’s nerves. Eveline let out a sigh, allowing her head to fall backwards against the leather. She felt Belle’s body tremble and held her close as they drove through the countryside at quite some speed. Nothing out of the ordinary occurred on their journey and when they eventually made it to Keswick everyone sighed with relief. Galean turned to make sure Eveline and Belle were alright and was met with a brief nod of the head before he turned back again. Eveline kept her free hand upon the dagger that had been bestowed upon her earlier in the evening. Soon they found themselves before the station.
“Stay in the car for a minute whilst we make sure the station is safe,” Galean ordered as he and the reverend left the car and those within the car alone and vulnerable. The night was dark and the air cold and as those within the car sat in pensive silence, Galean, the reverend a few other masonic members searched the station. Eveline watched as they disappeared from sight and instantly began to search the area.
“I’m scared,” Belle whispered into Eveline’s arm.
“Don’t be scared Belle, I’m here.”
“It’s so dark.”
“Remember what I said about the night sky?” Eveline soothed. Belle looked up from Eveline’s arm.
“That our eyes are never drawn to its darkness but the light of the stars.”
“Look to the stars when you are afraid Belle and never doubt their light,” Eveline whispered as Estelle looked on. Belle laid her head down upon Eveline’s arm once more. Eveline let her gaze rise seeking the stars in the sky. She rested her golden gaze upon two very prominent stars that lay side by side and felt her heart warm. A knock on the door made everyone gasp.
“Come its safe,” Galean announced as he opened Estelle’s door. Wordsworth jumped out with ease and awaited Estelle to join him.
“Is the train ready?” Estelle asked quickly, still afraid of the quietness that surrounded the group.
“Yes, follow the reverend, he will show to your carriage.”
Estelle walked away with Wordsworth, meeting the reverend at the door of the station. Galean helped Belle out of the car and scooped her up into his arms.
“Still scared?” he asked gently.
“I’m better now you’re here,” came her soft reply. Eveline appeared from the car with a faint smile.
“Such a struggle to get to the station,” she teased as two masonic men emptied the boot of the car of the luggage bringing it to the train.
“It will be over soon,” Galean promised as he followed Eveline to the doors of the station. Suddenly he stopped in his tracks and turned slowly. “Eveline take Belle and get to the train now,” he whispered darkly, handing Belle over to Eveline who was trembling. “Go!” he ordered loudly as two shadows appeared, running fiercely towards with the blades of fire. Eveline turned and hurried to the station as other masonic men and women ran to help Galean who now was amongst a group of three shadows. Quickly Eveline entered the station with a crying Belle and ran to the reverend.
“Quick Eveline!” he cried out hurrying her to the platform. As he opened the door he found two shadows awaiting them and quickly shut it. “Okay different plan,” he said aloud as Belle’s screams filled the waiting room.
“It’s okay Belle,” Eveline soothed, setting the child down on a seat as the reverend closed all the doors, bolting them tight. “What do we do?” Eveline cried out.
“Keep the child safe!” he ordered. Eveline unbuttoned her coat and took out her blade, unsheathing it and clasping it tightly in her hand. Behind them the door began to shake and in front of them the cries of men, women and creatures filled the air. The reverend also withdrew a sword, curved and gleaming from his long coat. Eveline looked about and found a toilet. Quickly with the reverend by the side of Belle she opened the door, there was no window.
“Put her in the toilet!” she ordered as Belle cried out.
“No!” Belle screamed as the reverend placed the child in the toilet. “Don’t leave me please!”
“I’m not leaving you!” Eveline ran to Belle and knelt down before her, the windows of the waiting room now breaking. “Belle listen to me!” she said firmly causing the child to quieten. “Those bad men are going to come crashing into this waiting room do you understand?”
“I’m scared. Where is Galean?”
“He is outside warding some of the men away. Belle I am going to close and lock this door, it is the only way to keep you safe from the men until the reverend and I get rid of them, do you understand?”
“I don’t want to be locked in a toilet,” the child cried with terrified eyes.
“I know pet I know, it will only be for a few minutes okay? I promise,” Eveline said quickly, her breathe ragged and rushed. Belle simply nodded and stood back into the tiny sized toilet, sitting atop the toilet. “Here take my scarf and hold onto it for me okay?” Belle took the scarf and held it close as Eveline closed the door and locked it with a wave of her hand.
Turning she saw another window break and a shadow enter, his blade of fire bright and terrifying. The reverend transformed into a stronger being, wielding his sword with strength and precision as Eveline ran towards another shadow that had entered through the window. She would never know or understand what had come over her in that minute, but she had rid herself of any lingering fear and stood tall, wielding the blade within her hand as though it had been a part of her since her beginning. She bent low as the shadow flung his sword in the air and used the hilt of her blade, blowing him hard in the leg. The shadow undeterred by her move kicked her hard, so hard that she fell back against the tiled wall with great force, winding her soundly. As she struggled to get up the other shadow still warding off the terrifying reverend spoke aloud, his voice cold and emotionless.
“He said not to kill her!”
The shadow that now had a hand around Eveline’s throat looked into her eyes before dropping her. Eveline fell to the ground hard and cried out. The shadow bent down low and forced her head up, scanning her throat. Eveline struggled to find her blade as the shadow found the bite mark and smiled dangerously. He called out to the other.
“She has been bitten!”
Eveline looked across at the shadow with terrified eyes, clasping her dagger tightly. The reverend sliced the shadow into two and stepped back, watching the shadow fall to the ground, his blade of fire dying. Without wasting another moment, Eveline pierced the shadow before her and winced in pain as he screeched, his cry filling every corner and shadow within the waiting room. She watched as he fell backwards, dropping his own sword of fire to the ground. The reverend ran over to Eveline.
“Are you alright?” he asked quickly as the door to the station fell down with one swift kick. Eveline looked at the door and saw with relief Galean entering, ready for combat.
One Crown & Two Thrones: The Prophecy Page 14