One Crown & Two Thrones: The Prophecy

  “Eveline!” he cried out running over to her. “Where is Belle?”

  “In the toilet,” Eveline said as she was helped to her feet by the reverend. Galean turned and made his way over to the toilet, opening it also with a wave of his hand. Inside Belle was sitting with her knees up to her face.

  “Belle it’s okay,” Galean soothed picking the child up in his arms and turning. “Quick we must get into the train now!” he ordered loudly. Eveline followed the reverend out onto the platform. The door of the carriage was wide open and Eveline jumped in quickly, followed by Galean and Belle. The reverend closed the door behind them and sounded the call for the train to depart. Galean rolled down the window with rapid speed.

  “Thank you reverend!”

  “It was an honour!” the reverend shouted back as the train began to move. Galean waved goodbye before rolling the window back up and turning. Galean and Eveline were met by an exasperated Estelle who roughly embraced her daughter.

  “I tried to get out but they wouldn’t allow me,” she groaned, lifting herself away from Eveline and holding out her arms for Belle who gladly fell into them. “Poor child.” The group made their way up the carriage to first class where they took their seats. It took the group several minutes to make themselves comfortable. Wordsworth was barking loudly, unable to settle.

  “Here boy,” Galean called out to the wolfhound. Wordsworth turned and made his way over to Galean. “That’s it, its okay,” he soothed, stroking the dogs ears and face tenderly. In the corner Belle was clinging to Estelle, her face stained with tears. From his coat Galean took out a small bottle and handed it to Eveline. “Give her two sips it will calm her and put her to sleep for a while.”

  “Are you sure?” Eveline replied taking the tiny bottle in her hands.

  “She will not remember tonight’s events when she wakens.”

  With that said, Eveline gave the child two sips and waited before she eventually closed her eyes and fell asleep against Estelle who let out a long and sombre sigh.

  “What a night!”

  “You said the station was safe,” Eveline turned to Galean.

  “I thought it was,” Galean said with shame in his eyes, he had failed. “I’m sorry.”

  “There’s no need to apologise we are all on the train and unhurt,” Eveline said with a small smile on her lips. “How long will it take before we reach Bristol?”

  “A few hours,” Galean muttered. “You should try to get some sleep.”

  “That’s highly unlikely after tonight’s events,” Eveline laughed nervously as she noticed the dagger was still within her hand. Galean spotted the weapon and gently took it from her.

  “I’ll clean it in the toilets,” he said getting up from his chair. Eveline looked up at him with terrified eyes. “Don’t worry the train is safe and secure.” With those words Eveline dropped her gaze and sighed, casting her eyes out of the window into the abyss.

  “None of us are safe.”

  VI

  Fire from the sky

  24th November 1940

  I acquired a hunger for fairy tales in the dark days of blackout and blitz in the Second World War…

  A.S.Byatt.

  Eveline sat by the window of her hotel room and looked down onto the busy street, filled with people walking along the paths, popping in and out of shops that were heavily protected with large sand bags. With the window open she listened to the busy motor mobiles as they drove by and the conversations that filtered up into her room. It was in her opinion a fine Sunday, the sun was shining and small families mainly made up of women and children were walking home from their Sunday services. Eveline understood from reading the papers that Bristol had become the victim of german bombing in recent months and hoped that during their brief stay, Bristol would be spared any further bombing campaigns. Eveline was alone wishing to stay at the hotel whilst the rest of the group went for an afternoon walk along Castle Street and Castle Park. She had instead resolved to go along to St Peters church which lay within Castle Park for the six o clock evening service. She had found herself feeling quite outdone and exhausted after the previous events of their journey to Bristol and needed some space and time in which to simply digest all that had taken place within the last two weeks.

  The rationale part of her bid her to simply take each day as it came and to not look too deeply into what was currently happening to her, it simply bid her to keep a cool head and to focus on getting to Bath were with hope, life would at last go back to normal. Unfortunately her rationale mind was often under attack by her irrational mind. The irrational mind consumed her with confusion and fear. Her whole world as she had once known it had been turned on its axis and she didn’t quite know how to deal with it, she was after all only one woman. And yet with all that had been revealed to her she found relief in simply knowing that she was right in her understanding that she was different. She had not quite allowed herself to take in the fact that she was of another world and that her husband was in fact an angel but she understood that she was in danger from the dark creatures of the universe despite not quite understanding why it was that she was the focus of their hatred.

  Despite all of this, it had been the vision and words of Lagar that harmed and preyed on her the most especially during the night when she lay awake in bed unable to sleep for fear of the shadows that lingered in the corners of her room, not quite real and yet not figments of her imaginations. With a shiver that shot its way up from her tail bone to her head, Eveline closed her eyes and found herself once more within the beautiful and enchanting palace, by the side of the young couple, her eyes looking down into the child’s face, so alike her own it still shook the core of her being. When she found herself standing by the couple she felt in an unexplainable way linked to them as though they were her own flesh and blood. The young Queen, so fair and beautiful was in her likeness and the King, proud and noble also bore a similar resemblance to Eveline, if not in looks then in the determination that lay behind his green eyes, a determination she also carried within herself. She could not explain it even to herself the incredible bond she felt to the child, almost as though she were looking down upon her young self as a babe. The child’s face was round and plump, her eyes filled with love and contentment, she was happy and well loved by her parents a feeling Eveline had never encountered until she was adopted by Estelle.

  For as long as she could remember, she was different. She could talk and hold conversation from a very early age, she even on rare occasions had the ability to look into people’s minds and hear their inner most private thoughts. When she was placed into a small school she was instantly made an outcast what with her strange eyes and peculiar abilities, children were almost frightened to be around her and so she was turned away from public education having to be home schooled by her first set of adoptive parents who at the age of nine placed her up for adoption again, unable to handle her peculiar ways and singular nature. When she had settled in to her new life in Keswick she found she was loved instead of ridiculed, encouraged instead of locked away in a room with no toys or company. And then Theodore arrived and her life was complete, finally she had a friend who better yet seemed to share in her strange ways. The darkness eventually turned to light and Eveline evolved and transformed into a young woman, who still was shy and reserved but was loved and acknowledged by those surrounding her.

  She had never asked Estelle about her real parents and in many ways she didn’t want too, she found herself constantly afraid that the spell that had been cast upon her in Keswick would break and that she would find herself alone once more in this world that she did not quite consider to be her own. As she grew up she found herself becoming more powerful and struggling on occasions to keep her abilities under control especially when driven by anger. She didn’t want much from life, only that she could be like the other women of Keswick. She wished to lead a normal life, to become a wife and mother and live peacefully in the country near to Estelle. She yearned for a simp
le life, disregarding a deep and unsettling need to step out of her comfort zone. When she had come to know of Theodore’s feelings for her she found that her prayers had been answered. She did not seek a grand love story for she knew no other man could love her or understand her like Theodore and yet underneath all the layers of yearning for this simple life that she had created and moulded in her mind, a lively, secretive and determined Eveline lay in waiting, angered by her want of a quiet life unperturbed by adventure and risk. This part of her usually exposed itself through her abilities which over time became more risky and adventurous in spite of her quiet ways. She had always known this part of her existed and tried incredibly hard to force it deep inside of her psyche.

  Her actions the previous night astounded Eveline, she had transformed in the blink of an eye to a woman she had never before known. She felt as though she had shed her skin and had been renewed into a woman who possessed power and strength, unalike the Eveline she had trained and urged herself to be, normal. Of course she took into consideration the life of Belle, which was in her hands alone. How strange that a child so young could have such an effect on her. Eveline had longed questioned morality, what was right and what was wrong. She was a pacifist much to the annoyance of her husband who was not. She believed there were other ways in which to sort out disputes be them domestic or global. And yet she felt no sting of shame when she plunged her dagger into the shadow, she felt instead relief for she had saved Belle knowing that the shadows would not have spared the child, that they knew nothing of morality and love. As she sat by the window she took in a deep breathe, she had always been a great believer in forgiveness and mercy, everyone shared in equal amounts of light and darkness and so everyone could be saved. But when she looked into the black eyes of the shadow that had nearly killed her she realised that there was no light within and that made her uneasy. Her enemies were past any hopes of redemption and she wondered to herself what could have brought them so low as to willingly serve such a hateful master as Lagar, how did they benefit from such an alliance?

  Her world had changed overnight, she had changed overnight. She was now involved in a spiritual war for reasons she wasn’t entirely sure of, she only knew that she was a creature of light like her husband. Yet she had forgotten about the physical war taking place around the world and it had taken her to re visit Bristol to see the destruction that man could wield. If man could do so much damage, how much damage could the spiritual world do? With a shake of her head she arose from her window chair and paced the room, her hand lying gently over the infected bite, which deepened with every new sunrise. Stopping she turned to look at her reflection in the mirror in particular her eyes and found them slightly darker than the day before. She was not ignorant of the fact that the snakes bite had obviously contaminated her and with this realisation she was petrified of how it would affect her in the coming days and weeks. But pride took place and she could not put anymore strain upon those around her, who were trying to keep a straight face, trying like her to acclimatise themselves back into the normal ways of life, knowing in truth that it was futile. Eveline opened her silver pot of powder and lifted her brush sweeping it into the powder before sweeping it across the left hand side of her neck, quite darkened and quite obvious to the naked eye. When she finished re masking her bite she went to her bed and picked up her grey coat and swung it on before finding her hat and placing it upon her auburn curls. It was a fine day so she forwent her gloves and scarf and simply picked up her bag, leaving her room and making for the tea rooms downstairs. She and the rest of the travelling group had arranged to meet within the tea rooms at two for lunch. Quickly she stopped before another mirror and fixed herself before descending the winding marble stairs. When eventually she arrived at the tea rooms she looked about briefly and found Estelle waving at her with elongated arms. With a smile upon her red lips she made her way over to the table.

  “How was your walk mother?” she asked bending down to kiss Estelle’s cheek before sitting down beside her, taking off her hat and coat.

  “It was lovely, very refreshing was it not Belle?”

  “Wordsworth was naughty,” Belle smiled across at Eveline. Eveline looked under the table and spotted the wolfhound, asleep on the ground.

  “What did he do this time?” Eveline smiled as Galean poured her a cup of coffee.

  “He stole an apple from a corner shop,” Galean replied with a small laugh.

  “Gosh!” Eveline said with sparkling eyes unable now to keep her gaze from the angel who sat back in his chair observing her seriously.

  “Don’t worry I sorted it all out,” Estelle exclaimed as she buttered a scone.

  “How are you feeling today Eveline?” Galean enquired, still leaning back in his chair and observing the young woman, whose eyes had considerably darkened causing him concern.

  “Much better after a good night’s sleep,” Eveline said merrily seeing the seriousness in his face, knowing that he was assessing her bite mark and discoloured eyes. “And yourself Mr Edwards?”

  “I am very well Mrs Sampson.”

  The group became quiet as they sipped on their drinks and ate the plateful of scones before them. After they had finished eating they spent an hour at the table discussing Bristol which brought to them great relief, almost as though nothing had occurred to within the last fortnight to cause them worry. When eventually four o clock was announced by the loud grandfather clock they retired to their rooms giving Eveline time to fix herself up again before heading to St Peters Church for the evening service. As the sun began to set Eveline put on her gloves, hat and scarf before retrieving her small bible and slipping it into her coat pocket along with a pear. Before she departed her room she heard a knock upon the door.

  “Yes?”

  “Eveline it is Galean, may I come in?”

  Eveline looked about the room making sure it was tidy before opening the door and allowing Mr Edwards to enter.

  “Mr Edwards it is highly inappropriate for you to be in my room,” Eveline said with accusing eyes.

  “I just wanted to make sure that your neck is alright,” Galean asked side stepping the question and stepping forward, looking at her neck with keen eyes.

  “Mr Edwards I assure you I am fine now please I must go if I am to make the evening service on time,” Eveline said as she waved away his hand and reprised her bag, exiting her room and standing in the corridor with her hands upon her hips. Galean followed her out and closed the door behind him.

  “Eveline this is no laughing matter, I have noticed that your eyes have darkened considerably since yesterday.”

  “My eyes darken when I am tired,” Eveline lied, keeping her gaze upon him.

  “They were bright and undisturbed after the incident with Lagar,” Galean replied firmly.

  “Galean I am perfectly well! You are driving yourself to distraction for no reason,” Eveline turned and began to walk away from Galean, her anger rising at his presumptuous actions.

  “Wait!” Galean called out, running to her side.

  “Mr Edwards what is it that I can do for you?” Eveline asked with irritated eyes.

  “Be safe when you are out walking, do you have your dagger with you?” Galean whispered as a couple passed them by.

  “I do.”

  “Shadows cannot enter any religious building so if you find yourself under attack keep yourself inside the church and if you do not return by eight then I will come for you.”

  Eveline looked into Galean’s worried eyes and felt her heart warm despite her protestations. He was genuinely concerned for her well-being and she revelled in his worry, it was nice to be cared for by another.

  “Mr Edwards…”

  “Galean if you please.”

  “Then Galean, I will be fine. I have my dagger and I will make no detours on my way to and from the church, does that satisfy your worry?”

  “A little.”

  “Then may I go now?”

  Galean sighed and nodded.


  “Good, I shall see you later for supper?”

  “Yes,” Galean said with defeated eyes. Eveline tuned and smiled deeply, walking away from the deflated Galean, whose eyes burned into her back. She enjoyed the unspoken bond between them, she found herself becoming more outspoken and daring his presence and liked that he had that effect on her even if at times she found herself gazing into his vivid blue eyes a second longer than was appropriate. He was kind, courageous, and dependable and she needed a friend in these uncertain times.

  *

  The walk through the beautiful Castle Park allowed Eveline the space and time to simply be, to cast off her worries and doubts and simply take in the natural beauty that surrounded her as the last rays of the setting sun fell upon the bare trees that dotted the wide and green park. She looked at her watch upon her wrist and found she had fifteen minutes to spare and so took out her pear and began to eat it, feeling wistful and calm. She observed a few couples sitting on benches, their heads close together and sighed, soon she would be in the arms of her husband, feeling the security of his arms about her. A gentle wind cooled her skin prompting her to close her grey coat about her tall body. With the tip of her hat lowered she saved herself from the constant staring that she was so used too. Finally she came to stand before the beautiful church, tall and graceful. She had a secret passion for architecture with particular interest in old churches and castles, especially in France, Denmark and Austria. She understood that the church building could be traced back to the eleventh century when it was an abbey known as Tewkesbury Abbey. It wasn’t until the fifteenth century that the church began to take shape during and after the English civil war. Behind the grand church was St Peters hospital, a timbered mansion which had stood upon the site since the fourteenth century. Eveline looked up at the beautiful Norman structure and sighed, it had been a long held ambition to one day enter the church to take in the beautiful interior and imagine all of the pairs of feet that stood within.