The Black Rose Witch
Table of Contents
Title Page
Prologue:
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven (Revenge)
Chapter Eight
© Michael W. Huard 2019 all rights reserved
Prologue:
It was a small cemetery built ages ago. Its tombstones were weathered and the wrought iron fencing surround such broken in spots squeaked as a gust of wind came up from the ocean nearby.
Its archway opening, however, remained intact and it was on this day that its doors swung open and a cloudy, blue mist poured out from within.
A spurned raven-haired, young woman beckoned out to those buried souls that dwelled upon this unhallowed ground. “Yes, hear my call, I welcome the shadow world, and I give unto you this horrible island and these woods.”
It was then a storm suddenly came in; lightning crackled in the dark sky, and such an eruption lit the woods up and one could see the trees all about cry out in fear.
“Yes, hear me loud and clear, for my pain does not go without retribution. Darkness come forth; take this island as your private sanctuary, steal all you desire, hoard them to your world and do what you may.”
She lifted a dark rose up in the now pouring rain. “For those here that gave unto me this black rose, I give it back, I give you death, I give you shadow, and I curse you forever more.”
This is the story of the Black Rose Witch.
Chapter One
Ivan Polanski had a dream.
When he first arrived on the secluded island; he saw the future. The entire area would make a wonderful escape from the mainland and from the cities now overcrowded themselves.
His uncle Teevas was a builder and he saw it too. Both men today had climbed the rocky shoreline and made way to the lush fertile grounds and to a wonderful spot overlooking the sea below them.
“It’s so beautiful uncle,” Ivan said smiling at his tall bearded, rough and tough relative.
“Think about it, we know how to build, there's only one thing stopping us, and that's a lot of hard work, purchasing the land, and getting the word out. What say you, are you with me?”
Teevas looked to his young nephew, the two of them were only perhaps ten years apart, yet Ivan was so different. He was this dark, handsome fellow with the greatest of gift, that being to gab, cut a deal, and inspire people. Teevas had worked in hard labor his entire life and at forty-something, he was gray-haired and aching all about his body.
Ivan watched closely, as his hard-nosed uncle scanned the secluded island and when he turned back his eyes told his answer. Ivan could not stop from smiling.
Teevas grinned, “Ahhhh, what’s a little work; I say we get started as soon as you make the purchase!”
Ivan nodded his head up and down, his dream was unfolding.
The Polanski’s were stone masons and could surely make some beautiful structures here. Ivan envisioned a castle on the edge of the sea, a church not far from it, a festive theater for the arts down in an active villa; he saw it all, he was a visionary and could picture it bright and clear.
There was only one problem, the Bariskanov family, those who were the main boat people here, they too would come about the isle often offering sight-seeing trips and even taking from the island exporting goods. It was in truth, an unclaimed land, and surely they would want a piece of the pie.
Yet Ivan was not just a builder, as his uncle noted, he was a people person, and he knew that since there were no major structures on the island, be it a few ships docked here, and five small wooden cabins near the shoreline, no one really owned this island.
It was so far secluded and ripe for the buying and building on. He was sure people would come here; he just had to take action. He and uncle now started back down the trail to the shoreline.
“I’d have to go back to the mainland of Quegster; there I’m sure they will claim ownership at the mere mention of it.” His uncle agreed, “Oh you can be sure of it kid.” Teevas patted his nephew on the shoulder, “You can do it.”
Ivan paused and puckered his lips. “I bet they don’t even have a title for such. They will say the northern Kingdom owns it, for we all know they are now governed by the high King Vargas.”
Teevas gave a sly grin, “And you can bet your hide they too will want a piece of the sale. You’ll have to jump through multiple hoops to get a deed for this place, Ivan. I don’t envy you, yet I still believe you can pull it off.”
Ivan scratched his head and took a deep breath of the fresh ocean air. “Uncle Teevas this is what we need to do. You need to get all the necessary construction parts and immediately start bringing them to the island. Hire the best builders you know that can relocate here for a few years. Grab the dwarves if need be. Now, while you're doing that I'll go through the necessary steps so that we can own this island outright. We can’t waste time once word gets out, or others will try to claim the land right out from under us.”
Teevas himself gave a smile, he had lost most of his teeth at an early age and he clenched his calloused fist showing his oversized finger joints slightly deformed from all his building ventures. He was a worker, his skin was tanned and dark, his body had suffered many dangerous injuries from his building days already, but that did not slow him down. Ivan knew he could build anything and he loved the idea of both of them together starting fresh on an island like this.
Teevas added a thought as they reached the beach. “Do your thing kid and do me a favor, wear that nice-looking top hat of yours, that thing is a winner!”
His uncle then spit on the grass, “How you going to go buy this island, do you even have enough gold my flamboyant nephew?”
Ivan looked to his uncle and winked, “Do as I say and trust me; you get the stuff here and I'm going to head to Quegster, I’ll be sailing out at first light.”
The men shook hands thereafter. A plan was set in motion.
Chapter Two
On the big island of Quegster, it wasn't long before young Ivan was before the mayor asking to own or “so to speak” create a deed for the secluded Island to the far west.
Ivan used his charisma to get in to meet quickly. He had studied theater as a child and performed quite often along the various city ports in the area surrounding the big mainland, he knew what it took to facilitate action; bribes and a good hat. Today he wore a black top hat and carried a cane and his attire was well suited, and expensive for such a meeting with a money person, like a well to do mayor.
He now began his presentation.
“Good sir, I come to you with an offer and a good one.” Ivan was putting on a show already. By using his theatrical talents, he walked about banging his cane on the table just enough to get the attention of the mayor before him without having the fellow call for security.
The mayor, who was a bit on the heavy side adjusted his glasses and turned his attention to the chap before him.
“The isle I speak of,” explained Ivan, as he placed a map showing such to the good mayor.
“Oh, I know you’ll want a good copper for it, pardon the pun, and oh yes the king to the north will want his share too ... well, rest assured, I am here to make a deal, and a good one for you sir.”
Ivan was good at what he did. He looked to see the quiet mayor’s reaction now.
The mayor frowned some but still said nothing. He wondered just who this young man thought he was. He looked good, spoke well, and appeared to be serious, but really ... he wanted to buy an island?
Ivan went on, “We are masons my righteous mayor, and once we own the Island, w
ell let’s just say, every piece that we sell to anyone who wants to live there, will include the building of a structure for them, and this money paid out, will come in and you will receive a monthly stipend as well. A very good profit indeed,” Ivan so happily made note of.
At that, he tipped his hat at such good news. “As to the kingdom above, well there will be no one disappointed. I give you my word, the land is fertile, but it will take a lot of manpower and lots of work to get it off the ground. We will buy build; sell, harvest and do everything we can to make the island prosperous and for that, I ask the gentleman to sell it to me at a reasonable cost and thus our partnership shall begin.” Ivan took a deep breath thereafter.
Mayor Ward, Johnathan Ward in full name, who was somewhat short, such being noted as he stood up, and ran both his hands through what he had left of a bush of curly red hair.
He was first-most a businessman and to be honest, deep inside he snickered some, no one even cared about that Island, nobody until this very offer today.
He started out with an outlandish demand for money and a percentage profit monthly that most people would turn a cheek to in an instant. Ivan listened to his demands very calmly.
He had a dream and he surprisingly accepted the mayor’s first proposal right here on the spot. But he was clever enough not to offer gold until, as he explained, It is a wonderful deal, and I shall send first payment once the land begins sprouting wealth!”
The mayor grinned, yet went along with this offer of future earnings. He made up a rather crude document which later that evening Ivan picked up.
He had done it, he was as happy as a lark skipping back to the docks with the land title in hand. It was near the water and boats about he spotted several families asking for passage on ships. They were being turned away for lack of funds. These struggling people he truly felt sad for. Hopefully, soon they could come to his isle and make a living.
FOR ALEXANDER AND ALEXEY Bariskanov, the small shipping business they had built coming to and from the island was making them both a little silver, and it was growing too.
They had now begun to take advantage of some of the isles commodities too, that being a whole lot of chickens and pigs. The fish were plenty too in the region. They already had money, their family shipping business was solid, yet they considered this far off isle their own little treasure.
When the news arose, that about the area that the land had been sold to the Polanski family, that being Ivan and his uncle Teevas; they were not very happy.
A pretty good confrontation was just now taking place down by the water on the very evening the news had fully circulated about.
Alexander and Alexey were gathered with Ivan and Teevas along with other crewmen from the Bariskanov shipping workers.
There was yelling and screaming and it almost came to fisticuffs, each claiming that they were the rightful one to own this tract of land.
With the deed in Ivan’s possession, there was no arguing the fact that he had, quite sneakily to the others, purchased the island out from under Alexander and his brother’s grasp.
It was always kind of just assumed that they sort of were the “owners” in the area since they were the first to be there and had some small buildings on the shoreline and brought people about on their boats.
Ivan tried to make it all smooth over, by offering something to calm the brother Barisnakov’s down. A deal was struck that they would never pay to be docked on the island and that they may have a piece of land to themselves free of payment and taxes. It worked for the time being, but a heated rivalry was definitely set in motion.
In time, making deals is what made Ivan begin to turn the island, once a bare spot in the middle of the sea, into a beehive of workers bent on bringing it to life.
It didn’t take long before word had spread; the isle was open to all those that sought seclusion and community away from the bigger cities and towns.
It was the following month, on a great day for Ivan and his uncle, that the infamous sea captain Cornelius Gravestone arrived on a ship asking for Ivan, who the people about now declared the burgomaster if he could have a piece of land to let his family dwell themselves upon. Gravestone was as rich as rich could be, and this was a great opportunity.
Uncle Teevas had been building the infrastructure of many of the important buildings in the village already and this new wannabe sea captain’s tax money and high level of prestige could really set things even further in motion.
Cornelius would be offered a free built mansion to the far northwest only having to pay taxes for such.
Ivan offered such at a private meeting. “We will help build you this mansion he explained to the heavily bearded Gravestone, but in return, I ask that you spread the word far and wide about this isle so that those that wish to come here may venture for a new lifestyle upon the good sea captain’s recommendation.”
The seaman smiled, “We have a bargain young man, my wife, the children and I are very excited.”
Ivan also knew Gravestone’s friends were well to do as well. Things were going quite well indeed. This was a good choice and as it started out, he was right!
Settlers came from all about and commodities such as rope, wine, wheat, and bacon thrived in the place now known for its gothic and beautiful stone architecture.
Ivan’s castle on the sea ledge was finally done as was a large temple to Athena nearby nearly completed.
Ivan's love of theater had him begin building a magnificent stone building for the arts as well and the island became known for such the following year offering shows of music, dance, and theater. The place was up and running though still only about half completed.
The Island was becoming a marvelous success story.
The thing about the now burgomaster, was that Ivan also had a kind heart; so at times when people came over by boat seeking land, but having little to spend on such, he was the first person to give out a deal to them as well. These families would be allowed to pay back buying of property by working the land itself on their farmsteads. It was a good deal that suited all parties.
One particular family was that of the teenage girl name Svetlana. Her family, the Karakoffs could barely afford any place to take up dwelling; they had been turned down by many of the nearby larger isles for lack of funding. But Ivan was not one to say no to those with hope in their eyes.
They soon had a small place of their own. Little did the new burgomaster know, this move would change the islands history beyond imagination.
Chapter Three
A terrible tragedy struck the isle just as things were going so well. Uncle Teevas took a great fall while working on a high rooftop to the new Poseidon temple to the west. He died on impact and it was a dagger to Ivan’s heart.
In time he proclaimed the island to be named after his awesome uncle, and Teevas Island was born in honor of his beloved uncle. Ivan mourned the loss for many months, but he knew he had to go on. The island was counting on him.
IT WASN’T LONG BEFORE the Polanski family became quite wealthy. He had many realitives helping now and things were moving forward rapidly.
The castle that his uncle built overlooking the kingdom sea was certainly a landmark for all to visualize when sailing about the ocean water looking up. This drew even more people to the land.
With the newly added wealth, the family upgraded and built a school for children out of the same stone material as the churches and Ivan’s estate were made from. Homesteads sprung up and Teevas isle grew and grew.
Meanwhile, the family of Svetlana, worked to make a farm worthy of at least affording their taxes. The teen girl had to do as much as her parents, working in the hogs pens, goat pastures, and horse and donkey barns. They could afford very little extras, so when she appeared in public the young dark-haired girl was often poorly dressed and smelled rather badly.
In the meantime, unexpectedly, she found a fancy studying an old witchcraft book she had been given by a kind lady at a curio store in the vil
la. The woman, who many would refer to as very weird, told the young girl to make sure to keep the book to herself. Svetlana did just that but really enjoyed the herbs and potions and ideas to create spells she learned from it.
It was not until the new school opened up officially that all kids were declared to attend free of charge. This is when her troubles would arrive.
Teevas had earlier brought in seven master dwarf craftsmen to work on such, and it was a wonderful structure indeed. Yet, the death of his uncle still loomed over Ivan and he made himself sparse as to being out in public too often.
One of the only things that would excite him was the thought of finishing and continuing the work on the Grand Theater that was still being worked on. He would at times spend his entire day there pushing it along even being alone whilst he did.
It was there when he was healing more and more, he met a young ballerina named Anastasia, who he fell in love with and would soon see him; begin a family of his own.
But as fate would have it, tragedy struck once more. The children of Cornelius Gravestone and his wife Paulina were said to be murdered at this very mansion itself.
An investigation would now be at hand with the town constable and the burgomaster Ivan himself. It was more than obvious that there was some wrongdoing at the mansion on the sea.
Gravestone appeared before the court talking with Ivan at this very moment.
“It appears that in my long sea voyages, my wife became lonely, and in her darkest hour has let the unthinkable occur.”
This was bad, really bad; Ivan wanted to do a full investigation immediately before word got out on all of this. If anyone were to find out how bad the situation was he would be ruined.
The seeking’s proved that his wife was in fact very lonely when he went out to sea. She had begun the practice of black magic, the evidence was found in his mansion. However, Ivan made such findings silent to the public. So no one could prove as such, but with the death of her children, and rumors floating about regarding the creepy Gravestone estate, people talked.
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