saint Sebastian the Rose

by Glover, Michael W.

  “It’s only for the mood,” Jacob said, waving the small crucifix around. “The flashlight is just for when it is real dark, so you won’t be so scared.”

  “What about Dad?”

  “He’s working late. Can’t pull him away from the library. He won’t even notice we’re away.”

  Jessica gave her brother a wary look and got up from the couch to get ready again for a late night excursion. Being the rational person that she was, her head kept telling her there was nothing to worry about, but her heart was telling her they were treading on unfamiliar ground.

  They both donned their darkest clothes, mostly black, and anything a teenage ghost-hunter might need, seeing as how they were so unprepared the other night. The hour was late and the castle was dark.

  Pushing two doors open they peered into the Grand Staircase Hall. The twins stopped on the topmost landing and looked. Once again the chill came over them as they remembered the events they had witnessed the previous night. Jacob started moving down the stairs, when his sister grabbed his shirt and pulled him close.

  “Where are you going? Shouldn’t we stay up here, considering what happened last time?”

  “We have a pit stop to make,” Jacob said.

  Jessica’s eyes moved rapidly around the room, seeming to catch the movement of something here and there, but she knew the shadow play was not to be trusted.

  They came to a juncture of several hallways converging in a small open alcove, and her brother stopped cold. Then he moved to a small cubby in the wall that was completely dark. Jessica moved with him.

  Voices were coming from beyond the doorway. They stayed very still trying to discern the conversation, but the voices were too faint and far away. Not a moment later Father Donovan emerged, walking across the alcove. For a short while there was nothing, no sound, no movement, and the twins wondered if the old monk had been talking to himself, or just praying aloud.

  Then another person emerged whom they also recognized: Sebastian. Jacob and Jessica both thought of saying something as he walked across the small chamber but didn’t know what to say. They watched as Sebastian walked into the darkness and disappeared. When all appeared to be clear, Jacob made his way, with sister in tow, into the small chapel.

  The room was as it had appeared on their previous visit, except in the corner was the votive candle stand. This time the light in the room was from three candles … candles lit as prayers offered up for something or someone.

  Jacob surveyed the room looking for his objective, and there was a small holy water font.

  “Are you kidding?” Jessica forgot they were trying to be quiet. He pulled out a couple of small empty bottles but when they looked the bowl was empty. Jacob couldn’t believe his bad luck.

  “I guess we will have to look somewhere else. There is no sense in not being prepared for anything, right?” Jacob smiled at her. “Besides, it only adds to the atmosphere. You know, like going to a haunted house on Halloween. This is the same thing. Do you really think I believe in ghosts?”

  “I am starting to believe you do, or at least you want to,” Jessica said, feeling a hint of concern for her brother’s mental state.

  “What do you think they were doing?” Jessica asked.

  “I don’t know. Maybe Sebastian was going to confession. You know how teenagers have a lot to confess,” Jacob said.

  “At this hour of night—confession?”

  “Maybe we could follow him and see what he is up to?”

  Jessica thought about it and nodded her head, not wanting to pass up an opportunity to find something out about her new infatuation. They made their way as fast as they could to the Grand Staircase Hall and a nice shadow on the stairs.

  They did not have to wait long; their memories were brought to life again, recalling the footsteps. The sounds came softly at first and grew in tenor, Jessica once again cursing herself for following her brother into one of his adventures.

  Jacob was firmly grasping the items in his pockets, not knowing what he might need if confronted by a ghost. Their anxiety was peaking when a figure emerged.

  “It wasn’t a ghost; it was only Sebastian,” Jessica whispered.

  “Come on.”

  They followed as closely as they could, trying not to be noticed by Sebastian, listening for doors and footsteps as they went. Soon they were outside and watched him walk into the woods past the boundaries of the moat. The twins looked at each other and knew this next step would be a step into another world. With deep breaths they both made their way towards the woods and the unknown.

  The path was worn down some, and the snow had mostly melted, making their footfalls silent. There was really no need for a flashlight, considering the light from the almost full moon was like a great beacon; actually the woods were more lit than most of the castle.

  Jacob was the guide and was fixed on every movement Sebastian made, walking when he walked and stopping when he stopped. This was new for Jessica, she realized—her facing her fears.

  After walking for what seemed like forever, Jacob noticed Sebastian had stopped again and looked as though he were surveying the area very closely. Jacob walked very gently, trying to get closer, hoping for a better vantage point. He located a nice spot and Jessica had done the same about an arm’s length away.

  As they watched, Sebastian made his way, pacing around the area. He had on a long jacket that covered most of his body, but he did not have his hood up at the moment. Jacob knew they had prepared for many things except for one: being outside, the chill air reminding him he didn’t have on a jacket. He worried also because neither did his sister and it was his fault.

  ***

  Sebastian sat on the bench and waited, hoping his Companion would appear. He closed his eyes and felt himself drift inwards, witnessing the battle he had described so well. The strength of the memory plagued him, sounds echoing in his head and the smells of the burning. It is one thing to lose a friend to death, but it was another to watch him being run through only a foot away. The thought flashed to him but was not the worst of his recollection. Now he saw it again like he had for the first time. His gaze was drawn not to his friend being taken from him but to the person who was killing his friend. Maybe it was the fierceness of the warrior that so encompassed his imagination, but then, he saw them for the first time, the eyes. Eyes that burned like the fires their army had set to light up the night sky so they might take the advantage away from their unknown enemy. Those red eyes bore into him and told Sebastian that when this thing was done killing his friend, he was next; this thing already had his fate planned.

  He had never known real fear until that very moment. Of course the people of the area had been afraid of their unknown enemy, but it was that—fear of the unknown—the fear everyone has since birth, the fear that keeps you safe from ordinary things until you investigate them and understand them.

  This fear bore itself from something real, however unreal the situation seemed to be for Sebastian at the moment. That fear was almost realized because when this thing finished with his friend, he did indeed come for Sebastian, but Sebastian was ready and lucky at the same time. Soldiers had rallied into a small group near him and caught the enemy soldier from behind with one of the mighty spears, like the one Sebastian lay down at his feet, preferring to use his sword. Watching the spear run his opponent through, Sebastian did what he knew he had to do; he took off the head, with its burning red eyes, with his sword.

  One of many moments in a battle he did not fully understand—how he made it out alive. Sebastian sat quietly with his head bowed, lost in his own thoughts … too lost.

  The twins looked on, watching Sebastian. The woods around them were making the usual sounds with the wind blowing lightly every so often, making the trees sway and creak, casting shadow here and there.

  Jacob had to shake his head and blink, for it must have been a trick of shadow with a cloud crossing the moon. One second Sebastian was sitting alone on the bench in the cleari
ng and then, there was someone standing almost next to him … a tall shadow of a figure. The twins had to restrain themselves from yelling out.

  “Sebastian,” the figure said softly.

  Sebastian looked up quickly, with fear running through him. He nearly fell over trying to get up off the bench. After coming to a safe distance and taking a quick glance around, he soon realized he was with his Companion again.

  “Do you really need that?” his Companion asked lightly, but harshly looking down to his hand.

  Sebastian looked down to his right hand and he saw that he had drawn his sword without a thought. The action had become second nature to him at one point in his life, and now it returned.

  The twins both looked on in surprise to see Sebastian draw a sword from under his jacket. Jacob reached a new level of concern for their situation and Sebastian’s.

  Sebastian looked from his sword hand to the figure of his companion who was still, by his estimation, too close, and sized up the situation.

  “If I wanted you dead, do you not think that I could have done that at any point while you were off somewhere in your head,” the Companion said dryly. “You are lucky I am of a nature to not want your death. You should be more careful if you are going to continue to deliberately ignore my warnings.”

  “What do you want of me?” Sebastian asked.

  “I have told you all that you need to know.”

  “You have told me nothing that I didn’t already know. You obviously have more to tell me, or you would not have come here again.”

  “I knew you would be here because you are of a stubborn sort. You do not take direction or orders well, and you are far too curious for you own good. I do not ask for your trust; I should have earned that already, for as I have stated, I could have killed you at many points if that had been my desire.”

  “I will tell you now that if you prey upon anyone at the monastery, I will hunt you down and kill you,” Sebastian said flatly. The Companion remained silent and slowly began to walk around. Sebastian kept him in his gaze and matched his walk.

  “You do not have to worry about those poor souls in there; I do not have to feed very often if I do not want to—the advantages of age. I am sure you can understand this.”

  “That is none of your concern.” Sebastian felt his anger rise once again as he was reminded of the part of himself that he hated.

  “If you will not leave, then you must be ready. He comes. The Deep Heart calls him home. Do you not understand? He comes for the books and the place of his past,” the Companion said, telling Sebastian more than he ever had.

  “The monastery has not been called the Deep Heart for a very long time. He cannot have it,” Sebastian stated.

  “The Deep Heart is only a by-product of what he wants. You know of what I speak: the Walk of the Dead, the path that was lost, the stones that lead the way, the stones that mark the places of eternal death.” The Companion’s words rang out like ominous secrets one tries to forget but that always come back with burning force.

  “The book is no more. The path is lost and forgotten and no one knows its way. Surely there are none that know of its course and its destination,” Sebastian said, more like a wish than a statement of fact.

  “You know and I know. If we know, then wouldn’t you surmise there is someone else who knows even more than we do?” The companion’s words struck Sebastian hard.

  “What shall I do?” Sebastian asked with all sincerity, for now he began to truly understand the severity of the situation.

  “You must find out more, more than you already know. That which has been made to be forgotten must be protected, and to do that you must know more.”

  Sebastian was working over all of this new information in his head when he noticed his Companion move suddenly, his hand going inside of his cloak. Sebastian brought his sword up ready for his Companion to attack him. His Companion drew a wicked looking blade from under his cloak but did not appear to be paying attention to Sebastian.

  The twins were gripping the trees like they were on a wild rollercoaster. Were Sebastian and this other person to sword fight right here in front of them in the middle of the night? They were both worried and excited at the same time. Sebastian then took note of something also and looked at his Companion who was backing away slowly.

  “You must prepare,” the Companion said.

  Sebastian was holding his sword at the ready and pacing toward the edge of the woods, never losing eye contact with the figure he was coming to know a little better. Something was wrong for sure. The Companion lowered his sword and looked at Sebastian with his red eyes and locked him in his gaze.

  “They are here.”

  Sebastian lowered his sword, trying to register what was going on when the figure before him melted into the shadows and was gone. That’s when he noticed something very distinct and something very unwelcome again.

  The silence fell as Sebastian was alone again. The light breeze that brushed his face gave him a chill and seemed to be whispering something to him.

  Sebastian turned in place, expecting anything to come from the woods that had once been his friend, his escape. He was not disappointed when he noticed a figure standing in front of the trees. Could this be someone else come to talk to him as his Companion did? Sebastian did not think so. That’s when he noticed a shadow to his left and knew he was in peril.

  Sebastian feinted to the right, quickly raising the sword he had held so easily by his side. The move was correct; his intuition was right, and the shadow attacked. With a ringing of metal on metal he caught the downward blow that surely was meant for his head.

  He knew he had to act quickly and plan his moves. With the attack from his side he saw the advance from the figure in front of him. Sebastian was aware of such tactics: draw one’s focus in front of him and then strike from behind. The oldest trick in the book, one he had been victim to and one he had used to his advantage also.

  With the parry of his sword and continuing the motion to his side he pulled a long dagger from his belt with his other hand and came around in a sweeping motion behind his opponent and drove the blade deep into the figure’s back. His enemy let out a scream of pain; he had struck well with his blade.

  The figure crumpled in front of him, giving Sebastian an obstacle between him and his new opponent. The new adversary came on quickly, very quickly, and swiped his blade over the crumpled form. Bringing his blade up he caught the incoming strike before his face, and they were held in a test of strength.

  Sebastian stared once again into the eyes of someone who wanted to kill him, someone he didn’t know and someone with eyes as red as the hot embers in a fire that so entranced him. They held each other’s stare for a moment, one moment that dragged with such intensity that they seemed to come to understand each other fully.

  The battle of strength lasted only long enough for Sebastian to withdraw his dagger from his first opponent whom he pushed into the other and thrust his blade to the side. With the two forced to reorganize, they backed away while Sebastian walked around the clearing, knowing that he was not out of this fight yet.

  He held out his sword with his right hand, a fine rapier that he had become accustomed to with much practice. The blade was a dear gift and bore his name inscribed down its length. Sebastian was not too big, and the light blade suited him well, very well. In his other hand he held a fine dagger with a long thin blade that almost appeared to not be there when held correctly. The dagger dripped with blood and no longer shined in the moonlight.

  The figure that was down on the ground rose up as if he had suffered no injury and started to circle to Sebastian’s left while the other circled to his right. Sebastian kept both of them in his sight as they moved to his sides, knowing the impending attack would come quickly. He guessed and moved toward the center as he saw the one on his right disappear and the one on the left came at him in full.

  Once again, he came up with his sword to parry the first and he came back wi
th his dagger, but his enemy dodged the strike, remembering the first attack. Knowing there would be an attack from behind him, Sebastian ducked as he watched a blade go past him and plunge into the chest of his first attacker.

  With blinding speed Sebastian came around with his dagger and drove the blade into the side of his enemy, sending him backward, while the other pulled the blade from his friend and watched him go to his knees again. Sebastian remained there for a second, making sure the dagger kept the second one down and then he turned to the first who was on his knees reeling from his chest wound.

  Sebastian deftly brought his blade around him parallel to the ground and neatly took the head of the first. The body slumped to the ground, coloring the snow red.

  Turning to take account of his other foe Sebastian found himself alone once again, alone and with a feeling of both contentment and sadness. He had vanquished one enemy and sent the other fleeing, but his heart knew that his peaceful existence was at an end.

  Sebastian looked around and took in the scene. He had been attacked by two unknowns, who he knew were not normal people but creatures he had longed to forget. They had not said anything to him, no cause and no justification. He checked the night, listening for anything that might bring him to think this fight was not over, but there came nothing.

  There was something in the air—a sound—faint, but something unexpected. Now he was scared; chills ran up his body as he searched for the sounds. There to his astonishment were the twins, Jacob and Jessica.

  Jacob was sitting on the ground with his sister in his arms. Jessica was shaking uncontrollably. Jacob had a look of sheer terror and concern on his face as he held Jessica.

  Sebastian understood the scene a little better as he saw two bodies lying very near them, no more than six feet away, both missing their heads. Both of the bodies appeared to look like the ones he had just met. His understanding turned to questioning when he noticed that Jacob and Jessica had no jackets or any weapons. How could they have killed anyone, much less two vampires?