Bridgeworlds: Deep Flux

by Randy Blackwell

  In the morning when they woke Myles had Catalina wait at the hollow while he went to hunt some rabbit. He could hear someone walking through the woods again; this time he called out. “Who is it?” but there was no response. He asked again and was rewarded with a familiar sound. A bark answered him and he knew it was Gannan before the Kuon showed itself. Myles put his arm around the giant winged dog and patted him on the back. He nudged Myles to three rabbits that he had caught. “Ha ha! Good boy, Gannan. Who taught you how to hunt?"

  He walked up to Myles nuzzling him and almost lifting him off of the ground. Myles brought the rabbit back with Gannan, introducing him to Catalina. While he roasted the rabbits over the fire, Myles commented on his appearance, “There is a bond that is created between a Kuon and his owner. Gannan can find me at any time. I told him to go during the battle and he obeys well, but I’m sure he has not been far. I've been imprisoned, in battles, and on a pirate ship. It seems now that things are safe he sees that I approve of his convenient return.”

  Gannan carried them both and flew them north for another full day’s ride until they reached the Castle. Catalina then led them through a secret entrance taking Myles to the servant’s quarters where she explained to him the situation.

  “You are now the rightful king of Pathos, however; my brothers will not see it that way. You are a stranger here and not even one of us. All of the royal lineage can read the minds of others, but I have put a block on your mind. They will not be able to read you which will bother them even more. You must pretend to be one of us, because if it is found that you are not one of us they will turn you. “

  “Turn me?" he gave her a questioning glance.

  “How do you do that if you don’t drink blood?” he asked. “I’m used to the good ol ‘Bleh, bleh. I 'vant to suck your blood!’ vampires, but you guys are way too complicated."

  She giggled at his impression and the image in his mind of an old black and white Dracula movie. She shook her head, "No silly, nothing at all like that. Only the royal line can turn others into a vampire. It takes a large pool of emotion. If I were to turn you it would have to be at a major event like a war, a funeral, a royal wedding... It would have to be a time where there were large amount of people gathered. I would take all of their emotions into myself and then pour them into you. This would stop your heart, you technically die. Your body would be preserved but you would no longer need to sleep, eat, or breath."

  Myles rubbed his chin, "Nah, me and death don't see eye to eye. I’ve been able to out run him this long, no sense in letting him win at this point. Besides, why not just let your brothers take the throne?”

  She shook her head, “Because it is rightfully yours. My father chose you and he did so for a reason. You could withstand the light, which is strength against the ‘Broken’ using light to kill the royal line.”

  Myles sat on a servant’s bed, “And who are the ‘Broken’?” “Vampires who drank too deep of a human’s emotions and drained their very life essence from them. When a vampire does this repeatedly they go mad. They are broken in mind and are a blight on the Kingdom of Pathos. “She took off Myles’ hat and coat. A servant brought more renaissance style clothing which he reluctantly changed into behind a screen. She smiled and nodded when he came out, but truthfully he felt like an idiot.

  “I am no King, I’m a gambler for crying out loud! I’m a conman; Kings have been the targets of my cons in the past.” She smiled at him like a parent smiles at a little child who has said something cute, “You are a King, whether you want to be or not, but better that you don’t.”

  The servants came in and trimmed Myles’ beard. It had grown very long having been in prison, at sea, and traveling in the wilderness without a razor. Then they cut Myles’ hair short. At the first lock that went, Myles jumped and protested to the servant but she only held up the lock of his shoulder length hair with a sheepish smile. It was too large of a chunk to just leave. She did that on purpose. Catalina smirked as he thought that. Ugh, will I ever be alone in my mind again? Nothing worse than a woman that can read minds… well, there might be. Marrying one might be worse. Catalina slapped him on the back of the head for that one.

  Myles smiled. That will teach her. She slapped him on the back of the head again but harder. He turned to look at her and she only smiled.

  After they were done with Myles he looked like a proper King. Myles frowned into the mirror as Catalina walked up and placed the crown on his head. She smiled back with her reflection before turning him around. Myles smiled. He looked into her rainbow colored eyes.

  She was in her head. Wait... no, I’m in her head. How? But before Myles could voice the thought he was gone and all that existed was the past playing before him.

  Catalina was human. She had been born of a human mother. Her father was a dark and strange man. She was 6 years old and thought 6 year old girl thoughts of flowers, butterflies, and faeries. There was color to all of her life until her father came around. Everything seemed dark at times when he visited her and her mother.

  Her mother had gotten sick and died of a plague called "The Coughing Death", it was something that had come from the Seven Kingdoms over to Taynin Erets. At 6 years old she was able to take care of herself for a few days by herself. Her mother lay dead in her room and Catalina dared not go in, touch her, or try to move the body. In this memory Catalina sat near the door. She did not know how she knew but she did know that her father was coming. She knew he was powerful. To her he was like some dark god out of a nightmare. He looked normal but there was an emptiness to his eyes.

  She sat staring at the door. And he did let himself in after not too long. He went into the room that she had avoided. Then he came out and looked at her as if noticing her for the first time. He was dressed in all black, he was young then but there was age in his eyes. His boots whacked against the floor as he stalked over to her and then bent down on one knew.

  Myles felt her terror of him. She jumped as he stroked the back of his hand against her cheek. But then his eyes changed. They were not empty but deep and sympathetic. "Sleeping beauty, will you come to my castle and keep me and my sons company."

  Myles could feel the fear but there was a child-like trust that had begun to grow in her heat born from the hope that she was not all alone in the world.

  Images flashed in Myles' mind as if a movie in fast forward but too fast for him to process all at once. Then they stopped. Catalina was 12 years old. Her father had been in a foul mood that day. There had been two executions. Over the past 6 years she had been able to soften his heart and teach him compassion but he had dark days like these from time to time. She had gone out to a flower field and made a crown of vines and flowers to place on his head instead of the sharp metal helmet crown he always wore as if he was ready for battle.

  When she walked into the throne room he had executed another man and the body was there on the ground. One man was still kneeling on the ground still pleading for his life. "I promise we did not know we were trespassing into inhabited territory. Please don’t kill me, I have a wife and a daughter at home."

  Before he father could react the way she knew he would she walked in. She was wearing a white dress that he loved on her. He looked to her and as always seemed a little less cold as she approached. She walked up to him and removed the crown from his head and put the flower/vine crown she had made there. He looked confused, almost dazed for a moment.

  Catalina looked to the man and then to her father. "Today you will be kind and spare this fool's life. Because you do have a kind heart. I know because I have seen it despite the mask of anger and judgment that you sometimes wear."

  The only fear that Myles could sense in her was for the man kneeling.

  "Surely you would not rob a daughter of the love of her father, no matter how much of a fool he is," she said.

  He looked back at the man who had tears in his eyes. Her father picked the man up and looked deep into his eyes. She knew what he was doing, He was
putting a trigger in his mind that would wipe all memory of the location of the castle once he was home.

  Then he pushed him, "Go. Before my daughters spell on me wears off and I come tie my senses and kill you anyway."

  Then her memories flashed to a coach ride that they had taken together just before they had been attacked by the Broken. Looking at her father through her eyes he could see that she had worn away all of the hardness. She had one the battle for his heart over the darkness that had consumed him. She had healed him of the sickness inside him.

  "I can’t give the Kingdom to either of your brothers. Both of them are too much like I was. Too many people died and the Kingdom was in ruin before you entered my life and I honestly think one of them might kill you if I give it to you," he said.

  "Then what will you do?" she asked.

  "Did I ever tell you that I once had a vision of my own death?"

  Myles could feel concern rise up in her when he said that. She shook her head. "No, never." "On the day I die, the next King of Pathos will save your life. He will be two men, you must make him be the better one," said the King just as the coach was tipped over.

  The visions stopped. Myles was himself again. He looked into her beautiful eyes and asked faintly, "What are you doing to me?”

  She smiled, “Appealing to your responsible side.”

  He shook his head, "I can't believe you showed me all of that." Myles shook his head still reeling from the aftereffects of the visions. “I look like a King, but I still don't feel like one. Doubt I ever will. Now what?”

  She shrugged with a knowing smile, “Now we see what you are made of; if my father was right to choose you. You will need to face my brothers in the throne room.”

  Myles sighed, it was all happening so fast, and he could hardly wrap his mind around it. A simple rescue turned into a complicated political mess… “Any words of wisdom?”

  “Smart man," she smiled. "Carn is the smart one and Mullach is the fighter. Mullach may just outright try to kill you, but Carn will play the long game with you. Convince him that you have legal right to the throne. Convince him that you tell the truth and he will back you for now hoping for a chance to oust you later.”

  “And I’m supposed to marry you? With a wife like you, who needs enemies?” She laughed and shoved him out the door. She led him to the throne room; a very large room full of vampires. On the throne sat a skinny man with light green eyes that reflected light like a cat's. He had long blonde hair and thin angular features. Myles would almost swear he was a Miyka, but he did not glow or have pointed ears. Catalina looked surprised to see him actually sitting upon the throne.

  Beside him was a man in full armor. His helmet had horns at the top that spiraled at least two feet in the air, and he held a glowing sword across his lap. Myles noticed one common trait amongst the vampires; none of them were ugly. In fact, if you were to rate their looks on a scale of one to ten, everyone in this room would be a ten. Myles never really thought of himself in that way so he imagined he stuck out. Granted, he knew he had charm and that was all he really needed, but he never really considered the way he looked compared to other people. At least not until now; in a room of so many genetic anomalies.

  Catalina approached the throne holding Myles' hand. It was comforting to have her hold his hand, easing any embarrassment he might normally have. He stood proud and ready for combat, be it physical or social.

  Catalina whispered to Myles, “The one with the sword is Mullach and the one on your throne is Carn.”

  He nodded to her, “I figured as much from your description.” Mullach began to stand but Carn put a hand out. “What is this sister?” he asked. “Our father is dead and you bring us a court jester wearing his crown? I find your humor to be lacking in taste.”

  Catalina began to speak but Myles put a hand on her shoulder. “I must speak for myself now, thank you.” Carn gave Myles a questioning look. “No formal address for the princess? Who is this man wearing my father’s crown and holding my sister’s arm as if she is some trophy?”

  Mullach stood and walked over to Myles towering over him menacingly. Mullach had no white to his eyes, they were just black and hollow. This is not a man, it’s a monster.

  “He is my brother and monsters have their uses,” Catalina said in his head. Myles turned and looked at Carn ignoring Mullach breathing down at him. Drawing from wisdom passed down to him from his grandmother, he spoke in a kind of way he had almost all but forgotten. “There is a time for fighting and a time for mourning. Your sister brings me here as her King and her betrothed. She brings you the grave news of how your father died. It is not a time for fighting but a time for unity. I tried to save your father’s life from the hands of the ‘Broken’ but I was too late as the light had already touched him. His last act was to place his crown upon my head. I could not save him, but I did save your sister. I find much worth in her though I have only known her for a day; I am sure you value her all the more so. Mourn for your father, rejoiced for your sister, but do not fight with me for I want unity.”

  Carn paused for a moment before looking to Catalina. “Sister, does he speak the truth? Did father crown him?” As Catalina spoke, Myles had a feeling she was showing Carn what happened because he had a variety of facial expressions ranging from anger, to fear, to sadness. “He saved me and everything he has said is true.”

  Carn put his hand to his chin considering, “I do not trust him. I cannot read his mind.” Catalina cocked her head at her brother, “Do you think that I would not protect him? I owe him at least that. You will have to accept my word or condemn me as a liar and a traitor to my King.”

  Carn gave Catalina an affectionate look. “Sister, flower of Pathos, such lies are not within you. I know this.” He stood from the throne and moved aside gesturing for Myles to take his place. Myles closed his eyes briefly, I don’t want this. I am no King.

  “It is the Kings that want it who are sometimes the worst,” Catalina thought gently in his mind. Each step towards the throne was heavier. He felt as though he was giving up all of the fun in life and trading it for an impossibly heavy burden. Still he kept moving forward; steadily towards the throne.

  Mullach jumped in front of Myles to block him. Myles had been expecting something from the brute, though, and vanished reappearing behind Mullach. A hushed murmur fell over the crowd of vampires as he plunged a dagger into the back of Mullach’s neck. Mullach choked but did not fall down or ask for help. Unfazed Mullach pulled the dagger from his neck and stepped toward Myles, but Carn yelled for both of them to stop. “What happened to no fighting?”

  “There are only so many times I will be challenged before retaliating. I am the King and I will not be disrespected publicly.” Myles looked up at Mullach's sour face. “Your choice is simple, kneel to me now or die standing on your feet.”

  Mullach stared at him as if judging from the look in his eyes weather Myles could back up his threat. Carn knelt and bowed his head where he stood then looked up at Mullach expectantly. Mullach turned from Myles to walk and stand beside his brother, also bending to one knee. With their public surrender, the entire court followed suit. Myles stepped forward; once a heartbroken boy from Sallisaw Oklahoma, now the King of Pathos – a nation of vampires. Myles sat upon the throne. What have I done?

  Catalina looked at him and only smiled. That alone gave him hope and strength to face whatever came next.

  6

  The First Gauntlet

  Kasey sat on the simple thatch roof of the house her Phoenix Collective had built. She looked up at the stars pondering how she might bring Misia to the Shepherd. It had been a month and she had taken to staying in the jail cell with her which had led to twelve attempts on her life since then. Tonight she would sleep in her own bed; she needed the rest. But how do I get through to her? It seemed the more Kasey pushed the harder Misia pushed back.

  Misia was dangerous; too deadly to let go, and too devious to leave alone with the other members of t
he order. She would cause strife and division in Kasey’s absence. She needed someone who could handle her… Someone who knew how to handle Kalat Nobility – the most prideful and stubborn of the race. Misia could take years to change if she ever did. The truth was that all Kalat were vile murderers. She had to remain a prisoner or die. If Kasey could not turn her she would hand her over to King Erestar who would likely have her executed. So her life literally hung on Kasey’s ability to break her, and it was not going well. Kasey had come close to striking her in anger several times. That would compromise her integrity and put her in a position that she could not recover from easily. It was also exactly what Misia wanted.

  Matters were now more pressing since the message one of her members brought from Lake City earlier that day. It seemed the monarchs were not going to waste any time finding their champion. An official letter signed by the King stated that any who wanted to join the Philos army or wished to be champion and general of all the armies of Soterion would need to be in Lake City by the next new moon. That was only three days away.

  A horn sounded in the woods. That was the signal from the watch tower that there were riders approaching. This late at night? The sound came from the northern section of her land. Kasey dropped down from the roof with grace as she saw two figures approaching riding Kuon. Magi.

  Kasey could hear her own Kuon Davaag, barking from close above. He swooped down and walked to her side. She found it amazing that the older a Kuon, the larger they became. Daavag had lived over 175 years and was now the size of a mini-van. Most of the Kuon his age had died in the battle with the Great Red Dragon, but the ones approaching were the same size, so they were of the same generation.