Cill Darae

by Donald D. Allan

  "He was a dissident and punished."

  The wordsmith gaped at the words. "Punished? By whose authority? He had the right to trial! You cannot simply execute anyone you like! That's unacceptable!"

  Jack motioned to one of the guards. The man strode toward the wordsmith.

  The wordsmith backed up. "What's this? Are you going to arrest me? Do you think that will stop what's right?"

  Jack grunted. "No, you aren’t being arrested. You are going to be hanged from the tree in Fjodham Square. We will let your corpse be a warning to others who would question our authority. Take him outside.” Jack turned to the town members as Steven spluttered. “As for the rest of you, you can watch him be hanged, and then you can head home. Curfew starts an hour after sundown. Anyone found on the streets after curfew will be killed on sight, no questions asked. Curfew lifts at sunrise. Dismissed."

  Part Two: Theocracy

  Eleven

  Munsten Chamber, August 902 A.C.

  ARCHBISHOP EYLENE KISSANE opened the door to her private chambers and allowed the two wordsmiths to enter. They filed in quietly and were followed by the only wordsmith she cared to speak to: Andrew Noble. She admired his dark skin, bright teeth and eyes, and the close-cropped hair on his head. He was a handsome man. Her equal. He nodded to her and smiled and went over to the nervous wordsmiths John and Peter and settled them down by talking of work. Andrew had been here numerous times over the past few weeks. A few evenings ago, he insisted he bring his fellow wordsmiths to celebrate.

  “They’ve been holed up in the lower chambers for far too long, Leeny,” he had told her. He had then run his warm left hand down her dark, lithe form and stopped it at her hip. She lay on her right side with her back to him on her bed. They lay on top of the bed, with the covers pulled back and discarded, and they had the floor-to-ceiling windows wide open to allow the cool onshore breeze to blow through her bedchamber and pull the sweat from their bodies.

  She almost shuddered in pleasure once again, remembering the feel of his hand. The hairs on her neck and arm rose and gave her a tingle she didn’t want to stop. He has a way about him, this Andrew Noble, she thought. “How so?” she had murmured in question, not really listening to him. Instead she waited to feel his hand move again, and she was wondering where it would go. She was glad it was not his right hand; that hand was missing fingers and repulsed her. Although, he can do things with his right hand that has me gasping.

  “Leeny, my darling. They’ve been working non-stop on your handguns. They’ve only just completed the work. This deserves a celebration.”

  “They’re late. I wanted them weeks ago.”

  “It was complicated work. It’s not our fault. You’ll be happy to hear we discovered a better way to keep the powder dry. You won’t be disappointed for the slight delay.”

  “If you say so, honestly, I don’t understand a word of it.”

  “Leave the Word to me and don’t worry about it. How about Friday night? We can bring them up here. It’s just John and Peter. Show them the respect of the Church and the new Archbishop. They love our Church, Leeny, and you. They know what the future brings.”

  “I suppose you’ll want entertainment?”

  Andrew pulled on Eylene’s hip until she lay on her back looking up at him. He reached out and stroked the tight curls of her hair. “Of course, my love. I would expect nothing less from you.”

  Eylene smirked and took his left hand in hers and placed his index finger in her mouth. She popped it out and batted her eyes at him. “Very well. Friday it is.”

  It was now Friday night and Eylene closed the door and sauntered closer to the wordsmiths. She wore the most revealing clothes she owned; which was saying a lot. The eyes of John and Peter followed her every move. She blushed and looked away.

  Andrew saw the effect when the men had stopped listening to him. He turned to her as she approached and winked when the wordsmiths couldn’t see his face. “Ah, Archbishop Kissane, my thanks for this reception this evening. You honour us.”

  Eylene sidled up to Andrew’s left side and slid an arm around his lower back and pulled him in slightly. The top of her head only reached his shoulders, and she laid it against him for a moment and stared out at the two astonished wordsmiths. She took a step forward and reached out with her left hand to the nearest wordsmith.

  The poor wordsmith, Peter, didn’t know what to do. He glanced first at his partner, John, and then at Andrew. She kept her hand extended toward him and waited. Hesitantly, he grasped it with his fingers. Eylene twisted her hand until the Archbishop’s ring of office gleamed in the flickering candlelight. Eylene smiled when she saw it dawn on him what was expected of him. He bent over to kiss the ring.

  Andrew coughed and Peter froze and looked up at Andrew. “On your knees, Peter. This is Archbishop Kissane. Surely you remember the teachings in Shape?”

  “Why yes, I’m so sorry, Eylene. I mean Archbishop Kissane.” Peter dropped to his knees and then brought the ring to his lips and kissed it.

  Eylene swung her hand toward John and he dropped to his knees, took the offered hand and kissed it.

  “Rise, John and Peter.”

  They rose awkwardly and then stood looking embarrassed and sorry for themselves. Eylene threw her head back and laughed startling the two wordsmiths. “Relax, you two! We knew each other in Shape! How could I ever treat you other than friends?”

  Eylene saw the look of confusion they gave each other. Truth is they stalked me in Shape. Two little boys hoping to catch a glimpse of me. Two naughty little boys. But now two of the best weapon smiths in the land. Andrew made her promise to be civil to them tonight and reward them. She meant to do so, no matter how much she wanted to laugh at the two of them. They were smart, but not in ways that intrigued her. They had no guile. They were exactly how they appeared, and it bored her. She gathered her strength and beamed a smile at them and led them over to a large side-table. It was covered with wine, liquor, and an assortment of fine foods. She even had the spicy meat pastries from Shape presented for them to enjoy.

  The room they were in was strangely laid out. It was a large square room, but with a sunken central area. A series of interconnected soft couches with thick, soft cushions spilling everywhere surrounded the central area. In contrast, icons of the Church covered the walls giving the room a sombre look. Catching the eye was the far wall which was completely made up of an exquisite stained-glass window. The moonlight shone through the glass and washed the room in a myriad of colours. The room, the colours, and the icons gave the room a surreal look. Everything caught your eye. But John and Peter only had eyes for Eylene.

  Eylene poured four large measures of Cala whiskey into crystal tumblers and handed out three of them. She raised her own glass to her mouth, smirked at the three men, and tossed the contents back in one gulp. She tucked her glass under her arm and raised an eyebrow at the two young wordsmiths.

  John and Peter gaped and then looked down at their own glasses and the large quantity of whiskey in them. They looked at Andrew for help, but he just smiled back at them. Peter raised his glass to his mouth and John watched him with a little fear showing. He took a small sip and then noticed Eylene’s frown of disproval. He took a breath and then gulped back the whiskey. It took him three gulps, and he ended up bent over coughing with tears streaming down his face.

  Eylene clapped her hands in glee. “Your turn, John., Drink up!”

  John looked at Peter coughing and then closed his eyes and poured the whiskey down his throat. He swallowed once and then opened his eyes in surprise. He looked at his empty glass and then smiled.

  Andrew clapped him on the back. “Well, done, John! Well done!” Andrew shot his own glass down and held out his glass to Eylene.

  Eylene grabbed the whiskey decanter and poured four more equal levels into their glasses. Peter looked chagrined, but John smiled at Eylene. She gave him a half-wink.

  “Well done, boys,” said Eylene and sauntered over to the
central area and down three broad steps to the lower area. She carried the decanter in one hand, letting it sway with her hips. She sipped her whiskey and then plopped down on a couch and then put the decanter on the floor. Eylene leaned back and sipped her whiskey watching John and Peter grow more nervous.

  Andrew sat beside her on her left side and placed his deformed right hand on her thigh. John and Peter looked uncertain and glanced about at the other couches. The lower area was a good twenty feet across and sitting opposite Andrew and Eylene would be uncomfortable. John decided for the both of them and putting on a brave face sat next to Eylene but kept a good three feet between them. Peter sat next to him and looked over at Eylene and Andrew and then away to stare at the stained-glass window.

  Eylene turned to Andrew, knowing her shirt would open just enough in the front. “Andrew, tell me the news.”

  Andrew lifted his left hand and traced Eylene’s jawline. “We have the handguns you requested. They are all fashioned and waiting to be distributed. There are enough for one hundred of your Church Guard. The incendiary arrows are finished as well. We have three hundred packed and ready for the outlying villages and towns. They should quell any rebellion should the need arise. We have hundreds of small kegs of powder and thousands of lead balls for the handguns. This will change warfare. Nothing can withstand the power of the weapons. Those gold crowns you gave us are funding everything.”

  Eylene purred and leaned in toward Andrew a little. The gold and jewellery were being used to fund her Church Guard. A large amount of the Sect money was now sitting in Shape. The wealth had help assure her position in Shape. This is all so perfect, she thought and inhaled and took in the scent of Andrew. It always awoke something primal inside her. She lifted her right leg and placed it over her left. Her short skirt was riding high, and she knew what she was showing the two young wordsmiths. Eylene was feeling high on her power. Everything was hers for the taking. Plus, Lana had removed years of age and tightened and rejuvenated so much of her body. She felt twenty again and revelled in it.

  Andrew chuckled and ran his hand up to her right ear and stroked it. Beyond Eylene he could see the two wordsmiths lost in their lust. Their eyes poured over Eylene, not sure where to look.

  Eylene loved the attention. "We feed the loyalty of the Church Guard with coin. Enough to make them fabulously wealthy. With the power of the handguns they will soon lust for more." Eylene smiled at the wordsmiths for a moment and watched red heat rise high on their cheekbones. She turned her smile to Andrew. "And the journal?"

  Andrew frowned a little. “Much of it is indecipherable. He used a replacement code, we think, but we don’t know the key. However, there is much that he didn’t code. Either he lacked the time when writing, or he cared little for the content. I searched first for mention of the herbs used by Windthrop when he sent those two guards to assassinate him. I found the details easily enough, and it confirmed what we knew and have been using it on the draoi in the dungeon.

  “It keeps them sedated, completely so. I drove a large needle through the palm of the one called Katherine. She didn’t even flinch. Her hand healed before my eyes. A wonder to observe. I would like time to conduct more experiments on them now that the weapons are made, what do you say?”

  Eylene leaned her face in to Andrew’s neck and brushed her lips on his neck. She watched the little hairs on the back of his neck rise with his goose bumps. “Perhaps. Continue.”

  Andrew made a soft noise and ran his hand down Eylene’s side and up over her front, stroking her covered breasts, until he ran it up to her shoulder. He ran his fingers under the material of her shirt and paused there. He could see John and Peter glance at one another.

  “It seems Edward has theories about the herb mixture. He believes the right mix could completely negate the draoi powers. This would allow your guard to close them, subdue them, and then collar them. I’ve spoken to some wordsmiths with the knowledge of herbs and the like. They promise me something soon. They only know I need something that places the mind in a state of disconnection.”

  Eylene laughed softly. “Perfect. If that fails, then we fill them full of those lead balls from my handguns. Well done, you three. I am very pleased, and so is God.”

  Andrew smiled and drew Eylene’s shirt off her shoulder. The others gasped. She shrugged to help him pull it off her shoulder and felt the cool air tighten her nipples. Or, is it the excitement? My God, this is exquisite. “My pleasure, my love,” whispered Andrew. Eylene gasped as his hand pinched a nipple. He looked past her. “Ah, here is the entertainment.”

  Eylene didn’t need to look up to know the six women she had brought in for tonight had wandered into the room. She heard the gasps from Peter and John. One of them murmured that they were naked, and she smiled. She was already lost in the feeling of Andrew’s hands on her body. She felt a weight settle on the couches near the wordsmiths and the sounds of fake protests from the boys followed.

  “Now, now! Our Archbishop rewards those who assist the Church of Belkin. Indulge my friends. This is your night. Lana will join us later. Her druid powers will take us to new heights. You’ve earned this, gentlemen. Enjoy.”

  Eylene smiled and slid over to lie in Andrew’s lap. She placed her mouth next to his ear and whispered. “Well done, my love. Well done.”

  Twelve

  Munsten Gaol, August 902 A.C.

  THERE WERE BRIEF moments of lucidity for Katherine. She had glimpses of who she was, but she was never sure where she was. The moments were like a flashing light to her: images of a dark hole, a feeling of cold and wet, hunger, feeling filthy, and the list went on. She was starting to piece the moments together, but with it came a sense of dread and part of her wanted to avoid the truth. She felt trapped but couldn’t remember why. And then the darkness would return until the next bright fleeting moment.

  The next moment of clarity came with blinding brightness. One moment she was lost in the dark and the next she was awake and aware for the first time in a long time. She waited for the darkness to return, but she remained aware. She felt hard stone under her naked body. She was freezing cold and wet. The smell of human waste; potent and thick, assailed her nostrils. Her head throbbed with unimaginable pain and she wanted to tear the back of her head off and scoop out the agony. She heard a distant voice speaking from underwater and she struggled to fight past the pain to hear what was being said. She tried to open her eyes, but they were filled with sand and it hurt so terribly bad.

  A hand lifted her head, and something was pressed against her mouth. She tried to fight it, but she had no strength. A wetness touched her lips, and she sensed it was water, pure and clean. She opened her mouth and sucked greedily at the flow. She gulped it down and felt the liquid splash against her empty stomach. Hunger drove into her middle and she groaned. A feeling of nausea washed over her, and she swallowed against the desire to lose the water she had just gained.

  A wet cloth wiped gently at her face and the words continued to speak in low tones, impossible to hear. She drew her knees up to her chest and shuddered. The cold was all the way through to her bones. She had never felt so cold before. I need to get warm.

  Where are my mom and dad? Where am I?

  Her head swam and despite the clarity, she was confused and lost.

  Always the voice spoke, but her ears could hear nothing.

  She closed her eyes and darkness returned.

  When she woke again, she was lying on her side with her knees drawn up to her chest. Someone was shaking her. Where am I? What is happening?

  She tried to open her eyes, but they felt gritty. Her head throbbed with such pain and it made her feel sick. Was I struck in the head?

  She was aware of someone trying to speak to her. The person sounded so far away. Why can’t I hear? What’s wrong with me?

  A memory returned. She was walking through the streets of Munsten at night. I wasn’t alone. I was with… Dog! Where is Dog? She struggled to roll over. She had to find Dog. How
did I forget about Dog? Where am I?

  A second memory returned. I am draoi. I have powers.

  Katherine reached inside herself and remembered how to use her powers. She felt it at once and savoured the luxurious feeling and caressed it. I could do anything with this. She knew intimately that the amount of power was so small compared to what she was used to possessing. She once wielded immense power. Memories of Cala stabbed at her and guilt struck her hard causing her to whine; the sound similiar to the whine of a dog. The fresh feeling of guilt surprised her. She had pushed it away for so long and now it seemed larger than before.

  She shoved the guilt aside with difficulty. I need to sort myself out. She was waking up more and more. Her powers were limited. So little of her strength remained. She reached out and felt no presence of Gaea. She felt the loss and then remembered what had happened to Gaea. Simon motes, I need them. She reached out but felt nothing. Her powers didn’t seem to reach out from herself. She cracked an eye and saw with relief it was James kneeling beside her. She could see he was in poor health and immediately she tried to reach to him, but her powers wouldn’t work. What is happening? What’s wrong with me?

  Her memories flooded back. She remembered arriving back in Munsten. Walking the streets and the sudden attack. She had been captured. All of us: James, Heather and Dog. She reached for Dog but couldn’t sense anything beyond her own body. They must be dead! Grief ripped through her and she cried out. James clapped a hand over her mouth trying to silence her. She thrashed on the ground. Not Dog, no, no, no!

  She opened her eyes and saw James staring down at her. His lips were moving, but she couldn’t hear him. Her eyes darted about, and she saw she was in a gaol cell. She focused on her hearing and saw the problem and applied what little power remained to her. In a moment, her hearing restored, and James insistent whispering came through.