The Gathering

by S L Dearing

  "Why would we have to do that? Pasadena's only a half a day away."

  "You'd travel all that way, just to see me?"

  Sam nodded his head and smiled.

  "Yeah, of course I would."

  "I don't want you to leave."

  "Well, I don’t have to leave."

  Coeli looked down at him.

  "What?"

  Sam took Coeli's hands as she sat down next to him.

  "I'm telling my parents that I'm staying. Actually, I think Scott's staying too. Maybe we can get jobs helping Vance's dad or maybe enlist. Maybe I can train with the healers. I don’t know, I'll figure something out."

  "You would stay?"

  "Yeah, I'm staying."

  Sam smiled, leaned in and kissed Coeli, his hands on her face, strong and gentle.

  "You really think that I could leave you now?"

  Coeli sat looking at Sam. He couldn't read the expression on her face, so he smiled and asked.

  "What are you thinking?"

  Coeli smiled.

  "I think I love you."

  She leaned in and kissed him and this time it was Sam who was taken aback, but it took him only second to recover and he pulled her close. They parted and Sam touched her cheek and smiled.

  "So you're sure you want me to stick around?"

  Coeli nodded.

  "C'mon, dance with me."

  Sam stood up and held out his hand. Coeli stood up and took it. They moved close together and as Sam held Coeli against him, he let his hand move up her back and into the black curls of her hair. She moved her cheek against his and felt the bristling of his stubble against her skin and his breath in her hair. In that moment, she knew she would never again doubt how Sam Hearst felt about her.

  Madison lay by the bench watching her master, occasionally raising her eyes to the sky.

  44

  Stephan Merganser walked quickly though the streets of the village, making his way towards the south end of the colony. Before long he stood in front of a stable, he looked around and then entered. He walked slowly past the horses to a door in the rear of the building. As he approached, the door opened.

  He entered the room and waiting next to a window was Rona Mason. She had her back to him.

  "I wasn't sure you would come, Mr. Merganser."

  "Your note said it was urgent that we speak, Ms. Mason."

  Rona turned and smiled at Stephan. He was taken aback by her beauty as she stood and motioned to a chair.

  "Can I offer you some water? You look parched."

  Stephan moved towards the chair and sat down as Rona poured him a glass of water. She held the glass towards him, making every movement deliberate. He took the glass and looked at her.

  "What was this urgent matter?"

  Rona sat down, leaned back and crossed her legs. Stephan watched her, feeling his heart beat a little faster as she did.

  "I believe, Mr. Merganser, that our queen has fallen victim to these evil intruders. She hasn't been herself."

  "I see, but why tell me? Why not tell your healers or members of government?”

  Rona looked around and shifted her eyes to the window.

  "I'm afraid I'm no longer the head healer. I've been demoted and now I'm made to run errands for the new head healer, Beverly Watson. The queen believes I'm not able to handle the responsibility, but I believe she was coerced by the gypsy woman."

  Stephan nodded and began to sip his water as she continued. He noticed it was sweet and spiced, but soothing.

  "I've long feared the old woman's potential influence over this village. I've never trusted gypsies. Their magic is charged with darkness. Do you understand what I mean, Stephan? It is alright that I call you Stephan, isn't it?"

  He smiled and nodded and she reached over and touched his hand. The spark made his skin tingle and he felt slightly dizzy.

  "What would you have me do, Ms. Mason?"

  "Please call me, Rona. I believe that you can convince Mr. Roberts and several of the other leaders that this evil is spreading. I believe the queen has been compromised by others in her circle, Stephan, the captain of her guard, for instance."

  "Coerced how? What do you believe Lantry has done?"

  "I have no proof, of course, but I have it on good authority that he has drugged her and subsequently taken advantage of her many times. He was a producer for a big studio before the War, did you know that?"

  Stephan shook his head. He again drank from the glass as he continued to listen.

  "I heard he often used Rohypnol to get what he wanted before the War and I believe he is still using it and the poor queen is none the wiser. Since the death of her husband, she has been so lost with no man to protect her."

  Stephan shook his head and downed the last of the water. He felt hot and light-headed as he set the empty glass on the table.

  "I think if you could convince Mr. Roberts and the other dignitaries that the queen had been compromised, then we might be able to save her. Don't you agree, Stephan?"

  Rona moved towards Stephan, who had stood up and was leaning against the table.

  "I knew that Alia was in some sort of turmoil, but I had no idea she had been infected. I too have had my suspicions about Lantry, but I did not believe he could have stooped to such vile atrocities."

  Rona again touched his forearm and moved her fingers lightly up the stretch of his arm to his shoulder. He again felt the tingling of his skin and looked at her.

  "I know that you care for her deeply, Stephan."

  Her body was now only inches from his and he could smell the musk on her skin. He turned to her.

  "I do indeed, Rona."

  Her hands now rested on his shoulders and her mouth was only inches from his.

  "Perhaps you could care for me as well, Stephan."

  She allowed her lips to hover in front of his, her breath hot and moist against his. He was dizzy, hot and heady from the musk. He closed his eyes and shook his head and when he reopened his eyes he was shocked to see Alia standing before him.

  "How…I don't…"

  She placed her fingers on his lips.

  "I can be anyone you want, Stephan…anyone."

  She pressed her mouth to his. He tried to clear his mind, but all he could do was respond to her body and mouth. It had been so long since he had felt the touch of a woman. He had dreamt so long about being with Alia. He opened his eyes again and saw her there. She let go of his neck and reached behind her, undoing her dress and letting it fall to the floor. He stared for only a few moments and then he pulled her to him and placed her on the table.

  Within moments he had disrobed and had placed his head between her legs, tasting her. She moaned and reached for his hair, thrusting towards his mouth as he devoured her. He listened to her moans and waited until she was almost at climax and then he stood, kissing her torso and breasts. He again consumed her mouth as he plunged into her. He stopped briefly to contain himself.

  Once he had regained control, he began again. Pumping harder and harder filling her with every inch of him. She shuddered and moaned under his weight as he finally released and he held her tightly as he tried not to collapse.

  Rona smiled as the first part of her plan was now in motion. It would only be a matter of time before they all fell in line.

  From the window, Albion Merganser had watched the final act. He stayed hidden until he saw his father leave, then he walked slowly back to Keystone House, from the top of the stables a raven watched.

  45

  Monsignor Klaus could no longer feel his feet and thought fleetingly of letting the wagon drag him to wherever they were going. The pace had slowed slightly, but he felt dizzy and sick to his stomach. He licked his dry, cracked lips, tasting his blood. Just as he was about to collapse, the wagon stopped. Monsignor Klaus looked over at Father Leon, who had staggered to the side of the wagon and looked beyond.

  Father Leon's heart, already beating rapidly, flipped in his chest and his eyes grew wide. Monsig
nor Klaus saw this, moved next to Father Leon, and then he looked beyond the wagon and breathed deeply.

  There, looming before them, was a massive black castle. The turrets rose five stories into the sky. The black stone used to build the castle glistened like polished obsidian in the new moonlight of the evening. Strange orange lights came from the lower windows and in the upper windows pale blue lights ebbed off and on.

  Monsignor Klaus could feel the hair on his arms standing up. This is where the evil had come from. Then he saw them. In the light of the moon, Monsignor Klaus saw hundreds of birds flying around the castle. Not just any birds, but falcons. They screeched and screamed and Father Leon tried to cover his ears.

  The wagon lurched forward, once again pulling the prisoners behind it. The women whimpered quietly as Father Leon continued desperately trying to cover his ears. They trudged onward, walking under the great arch. Carved into stone were strange beasts that danced with goblet in hand and naked maidens being forced to succumb to the demonic demands of the goat-like creatures. The beasts offered drink and fruit to the women and many were fornicating.

  Monsignor Klaus shook his head and looked away. Blaylock was watching him as they walked through the archway. He smiled to himself and kicked his horse forward, only stopping next to the prisoners when the march had concluded.

  "What's the matter, Monsignor? See somethin’ you disliked?"

  Monsignor Klaus breathed heavily and raised his face to look at Blaylock, who was amused by the priest's demeanor.

  "Only that you and your kind worship the dark prince, Mr. Blaylock."

  Blaylock started to laugh and jumped off his horse. He handed the reigns to a stable hand and began to remove his gloves.

  "You priests always think you know everything. The images on that arch aren't demons, they’re fauns, and the women are nymphs. They were demigods, so I'm thinking you don't know shit, Padre. No devil here…well, if you don't include me anyway."

  Blaylock laughed, as did several of his men. Brollen walked over and placed his hand on Blaylock's shoulder and leaned in to whisper something in his ear. Blaylock nodded and looked back at the prisoners.

  "Ok, it's showtime everyone."

  Blaylock turned to several of his soldiers.

  "Untie them from the wagon and line them up over there."

  Blaylock pointed to the entrance of the castle. It was a great flat round stone with a few steps leading up to the main door. As the huge wooden door opened, it creaked and groaned. Then an odd orange glow came from the doorway, growing brighter as a tall, black-robed figure stepped from the opening, followed by a woman.

  Father Leon looked down at the ground and shook, but Monsignor Klaus stood upright and watched the pair move into the soft lights around them. The robed figure had no visible face, but as the woman got closer, Klaus could see she was beautiful.

  They stopped before the prisoners and the woman removed her hood. Her face was translucent and her eyes were blue like shining gems. The black of her hair was as dark as the stone that surrounded them. She saw Monsignor Klaus and Father Leon staring at her and she smiled. Both of the men felt no more pain as they gazed on her beauty.

  The Shape looked at them and then at the women. He raised his hands and clapped. From out of the doorway several young women, dressed in gold jewelry and flowing attire, moved to his side and waited.

  The Shape moved slowly among the women prisoners and would occasionally point to one. When he did, one of the finely dressed women took that woman inside the castle. When he was done, he clapped again and moved back towards the steps. Several of the soldiers smiled and walked towards the remaining women. They took the women by their arms and led them towards a large building on the west side of the castle. Several of the women realized where they were going and they began to scream and fight, but to no avail. Even when they were in the barracks, the screaming could still be heard. Blaylock and Brollen smiled at one another.

  Monsignor Klaus was shaken back to the reality of the situation and turned to the Shape.

  "You are a bastard, Sir! God will destroy you for this."

  The lovely woman looked at the Shape and shrugged. The Shape then moved into the priest's face and still the Monsignor could make out no features.

  "You are alone, Monsignor."

  Klaus shook his head and smiled.

  "I am not."

  He turned and looked at Father Leon and his smile faltered. Father Leon was rocking back and forth and shaking his head, muttering to himself as the Monsignor glared at him.

  "Father? Father Leon!!"

  Leon turned and looked the older priest. He shook his head and looked at the Shape, and knelt before him.

  "I…I…I am but your…humble…servant, Master…ple…pleas… please spare me…"

  Monsignor Klaus shook his head.

  "Coward! You will answer to the Lord for this."

  Klaus took a deep breath and turned back to the Shape.

  "I am not alone, God is with me."

  The Shape leaned in.

  "You're right, Monsignor…for I am God!"

  "Blasphemer!! The Lord shall rain down on you a terrible vengeance for these atrocities!!"

  The Shape spun around and Monsignor Klaus could just barely make out a sneer form under the black hood. The Shape raised his hands and Klaus felt his eyes grow big. He stepped back and fell on the ground. A bright blast of orange light surrounded him and his hands were untied. He lifted himself up, but no sooner had he stood up then he felt the heat. He was on fire. He could feel his skin sear and blister under the flames.

  Just as he felt the pain and thought he could stand no more, the flames died away and he stood, his skin now cracked and charred. He stared at the Shape. He was shaking, but he did not beg for mercy, instead he stood taller and stared at the Shape. He sneered and frowned.

  "I do not fear you, Monster."

  The Shape sighed.

  "I didn't think you would."

  The Shape turned and began to walk inside, but stopped and turned back. He raised his hand in a delicate fluid movement. Monsignor Klaus found himself drawn to watch the Shape's hand. The Shape moved his hand around in circles and all but the Monsignor lowered their heads, not daring to watch. Then in one sweeping movement he clenched a fist and twisted his arm in the air. As he did this, the Monsignor was lifted in the air and snapped in half.

  The Monsignor screamed in agony, his broken body spinning in mid-air. The Shape continued to rotate his fist until he pulled back his arm and looked like he was throwing out a baseball.

  Monsignor Klaus was flung into the distance, like rag doll being tossed through the room. He only stopped when he hit the great black archway. Father Leon was watching and whimpered as he saw the Monsignor's head connect with the rock, with a loud crack. He covered his face.

  When everyone else heard the snap, they raised their heads and looked at the Shape. He motioned for the blue-eyed woman to take his arm.

  "Thomas, please take Father Leon to the baths. I'm sure he could do with a rest."

  Blaylock nodded and picked up Leon by his arm. As they walked into the castle, they could still hear the screaming, both from the birds and the women.

  46

  Alisha stood in the darkness, leaning against the balcony wrapped only in a blanket exposing her head, shoulders and back to a cool autumn breeze, which gently moved her long auburn hair across her skin. She looked out over the vastness of the valley below and listened to the wind move through the trees in the forest below. Vance was sitting up in bed, watching her. He eventually got up, pulled on his jeans and walked outside, the cool tile felt smooth against his feet.

  He slipped his arms around her waist and she leaned back against him. He kissed the side of her face.

  "Can't sleep?"

  She shook her head.

  "Weird dreams."

  "Like what?" He asked.

  Alisha shrugged and smiled.

  "It's nothing. I'm sure it's just al
l the stress from planning the hand-fasting and all the strange things that have been going on."

  Vance made Alisha turn and look at him.

  "Talk to me."

  Alisha lowered her head and turned around and leaned against the balcony railing. She smiled at how well he knew her and then she frowned as she recalled the dreams.

  "I keep dreaming of these men. They're an army and they all wear black and one of them has a long scar down his face. He's a leader, but he's not in charge. He rides with another one, who has more power than he does. That one has eyes that make my blood freeze; they're this horrible blue color, like blue ice. Then there's this other one who is really tall, but he doesn't have a face, just a shape, like death. I think he's the real leader. And every time I dream about them, I see falcons… falcons everywhere. And I see…"

  Alisha shook her head and Vance walked over and lifted her face up towards his.

  "What, Baby? What do you see?"

  A tear ran down Alisha's face.

  "I see them killing people, but not just killing them. They torture them… it’s horrible.” Vance wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

  "

  They're just dreams, Lish. Just dreams."

  Alisha wrapped her arms tightly around him. She knew in her heart that the dreams were a warning. She hadn't told him everything she had seen. There was no point. She pulled back and moved her hands to his face. He smiled at her and she pulled his mouth to hers and let her lips close around his. His hands moved to her face and he held her head, letting the blanket fall. Alisha was unsure as to whether her goose bumps were being caused by the cool night air or the touch of Vance's hands against her back and the inside of her thigh.