Dark Soul Silenced - Part One (10 page)

Gerome had mounted his horse and waited impatiently while Josef pushed Stephen to remember more details.  It didn’t take long, it soon became clear Stephen knew little more and none of it was of use.  Josef sent him on his way with a blessing, then mounted his own horse. 

Josef nudged Snowflake into a trot, resisting the urge to travel faster.  Their quarry still had a significant lead, he needed to pace the horses accordingly.  Still, they were close and might even catch up the next day.  Josef smiled to himself as they rode, truly the Almighty was with them in their hunt.

Chapter Twelve

Despite Josef’s caution they made good progress.  Josef had no doubt they were catching their quarry.  With only one horse between them the family and mysterious stranger could only manage a walking pace.

Late afternoon was fading into evening as they reached a village.  Several fishing boats had recently landed and were being tied down for the night, their catch already carried away.

One building was clearly an inn so Josef headed for it.  Dismounting he was met by a large middle aged woman who introduced herself as Gloria.  She seemed pleased to see them, always a good sign.  Too many feared those of the Order, especially in smaller settlements, not truly understanding the vital service they provided.

Josef engaged Gloria in conversation while they settled the horses into the stables.  He soon learnt that other travellers had stayed the night before.  A family with a young girl and a man who was travelling with them.  Gloria said she hoped Josef and his men could catch up and travel with the family, to keep them safe.  Josef agreed, saying it would please him greatly while trying to avoid giving away his true feelings.  He wanted to catch them, but that would be the end of their journey and the start of another, a return to Hammersgate.

Once settled in the inn Gerome quickly made his excuses and disappeared to his room.  The guards settled down with a welcome beer and Josef spoke further with Gloria.  He asked about the family, natural questions as she had suggested he catch them, but learnt little of value.  All had seemed normal to Gloria and he couldn’t risk asking more specific questions.

As the evening light waned Gloria secured the inn for the night.  Her actions didn’t surprise Josef.  The Order knew the dangers of the area well.  While their weapons and protective charms gave them a strong advantage Josef was still happy to be spending the night in a secure inn.

When dinner was served Josef sent a guard to fetch Gerome.  The guard returned to say that Ser Gerome would prefer to eat in his room, that he was tired from the days journey.  Josef was quite relieved and asked Gloria to have the food sent up, which she did.

The meal was warm and filling, a welcome relief after days on the road, and the beer that accompanied it was even more welcome.  Josef sat near the fire feeling a warm glow inside and out, wrapped in a warm, comfortable haze.  He knew he would have to move soon or fall asleep where he sat.  The long days ride was catching up to him.  Then Gloria rushed over.

“
Ser Josef… please… my Amber… she has done nothing wrong.  Why does your brother question her?  Why will he not let me in?”

Her words had the effect of a bucket of iced water hitting him in the face and travelling down his spine.

“What do you mean?” he asked, fearing he already knew.

“
My granddaughter Amber — I sent her upstairs with the meal as you asked, but she didn’t come down.  I just noticed.  When I went to see if something was wrong he told me… he told me that she was tainted, that the dark powers flowed in her veins.  He told me that she had to be questioned.  Please… there must be some mistake…”

Josef stood quickly.

“There must be a mistake,” he said.  “I’m sure Ser Gerome simply meant that he wishes to prove she has no dark powers.  She won’t be hurt.  Let me go and check.”

He gestured to four of the guards to stay with Gloria, then started for the stairs, telling the other six guards to follow.  When he reached Gerome’s room he found the door locked so he pounded on the door.

“I told you woman,” Gerome shouted.  “I am busy.  Now leave lest I think you too are bound by dark powers and put you to the question next.”

Josef’s heart sank at the words, his worst fears had come true — and it was his own fault.  Lulled into relaxing by the food and beer, he had taken his eye off Gerome.

“Gerome, it’s Josef.  Let me in right now.  If the girl is possessed I need to see it too.”

There was silence beyond the door, broken only by a young girls whimper.

“Gerome!  Open this door now!  We will break it down if we have to.”

After several more seconds the sounds of bolts being drawn and a key turning in the lock could be heard, then the door slowly opened.  Josef shoved the door, stepping into the room.  He sensed the guards staying by the doorway, not wanting to get involved unless they had to.

The room was dimly lit by a lantern turned low, but it was more than light enough for Josef to take in the situation.  A young girl lay on the bed, tied down by her hands and legs and with a gag in her mouth.  Laid out beside her on the bed were various tools used in questioning.  Tools of torture in Josef’s eyes.  He despised their use unless the subject was proven beyond all doubt to be infested by the dark powers.  Thankfully none appeared to have been used so far.  The girl looked terrified.  Josef suspected Gerome had been letting the tension build, enjoying the terror in her eyes.  He felt something harden inside.

“
Ser Gerome,” he said sternly.  “What is the meaning of this?”

“
The girl is tainted by evil!  She carries the stain inside her.  I must find its root, tear it out, so that her soul can reach the Almighty.  The Purity Orb marked her out.”

“
You know at least two must witness any use of the Orb.  Why did you not send for me?”

“
There was no time.  I was testing it, holding it in my hand, when she brought my food.  It flared blue as she approached.  She saw and prepared to run.  I had to grab her and start the questioning.”

Josef knew Gerome was lying.  He had already noticed the tray of untouched food placed neatly on a chest.  If she had indeed tried to run the food would be spilt on the floor.

“Then let us prove it now.  Take out the Orb, show me the reaction.”

“
Alas brother, I cannot.”  Gerome looked uncomfortable now.  “Her darkness was so great it exhausted the last of the Orb’s power.  It will be useless till it recharges now.”

“
I see.  Then it seems I must trust your judgement in this.  Here, let me take a closer look at her.”

Josef walked towards the bed, closing the distance to Gerome who turned and also moved towards the bed.  Once he was close enough Josef grabbed Gerome from behind, dragging him to the floor, shouting for the guards.  Gerome struggled to free himself but within seconds the guards had him pinned down.  Gerome was quickly subdued and tied up, a gag in his mouth to stop the torrent of curses he spat at Josef.

Josef picked up the Purity Orb from where it sat by the bed, balanced it on his palm and concentrated.  The grey mists swirled inside, showing it was working, but there was no hint of blue.  No one touched by the dark powers was nearby.  It was doubly damning for Gerome, firstly because the Orb had not reacted to the girl and secondly because it was not discharged, as Gerome had claimed.

“
Now what Ser?” asked one of the guards.

It was a good question.  He had to let the girl go, but she would soon talk.  He had sufficient guards to keep those in the inn at bay, but come first light the entire village would turn against them.  Not only that but the reputation of the Order was at stake.  This was an important first stop for travellers heading north.  He thought hard while freeing the girl and assuring her she would be safe.

When he carried the sobbing girl downstairs a few minutes later he had a plan.  Several of the guards began packing, while the others guarded Gerome.  Josef felt it was important he faced the girl’s family alone.

Once he made it downstairs and handed the girl over he started to doubt his decision.  As well as Gloria there were three men and four women, all with anger in their eyes and several holding large kitchen knives.

“My apologies,” he said.  “Ser Gerome sometimes becomes carried away, especially when the wellbeing of one as young as your daughter is at stake.  He was correct I’m afraid, she had been tainted.  One of your visitors last night was not as he seemed, the man accompanying the family, and he laid his dark influence upon your granddaughter.”

“
But I saw him walking in the sunlight!” Gloria said.  “I wouldn’t have let them in otherwise.  I wouldn’t have risked my family!”

“
Sadly not all who embrace the darkness are so easily identified.  I didn’t want to alarm you but we knew what he was, but not about the family.  When you told me about them I knew that we must make every effort to reach them before they are harmed.”

So far he had stuck close to the truth, bending but not breaking it.  Now though came the outright lies.

“While he was here he planted a great evil within your granddaughter.  Within Amber.  Ser Gerome realised it and knew that with every passing minute it was closer to consuming her, to irrevocably changing her.  Despite the risk to himself he immediately began the ritual to purify her.  He succeeded, but in doing so he risked his own life, his own mind.  He has absorbed much of the darkness into himself.  We had to restrain him for his own sake.  Tomorrow, once the sun is up, we will be able to cure him.  Until then we must contain him.”

“
My god, I misjudged him so.  He risked that for our Amber?  Can I thank him?”

“
I’m afraid not.  He is not himself now, we have had to bind and gag him to prevent the dark stain spreading.  Fear not, we can save him — but by first light we will be far from here.  It pains me to say, but I had underestimated the creature we follow.  Now I know how powerful it is we must make haste to catch it before it harms that poor family.  We will depart in a few minutes.”

“
Depart?  Now?  In the dark?”

“
Yes, I am afraid so.  Fear not, we have the means to protect ourselves, and we will ensure nothing enters your inn while the door is open.  None of you should step outside, we can prepare our own horses and you lack the protection we have.”

Josef didn’t give them time to think, to ask questions.  Within a few minutes he had the guards walking through the front door, two carrying a struggling Gerome.  He followed them through, once more assured Gloria that Amber would now be fine.  He warned Gloria that the issue should not be mentioned to the other villagers who might not understand, and who might turn on Amber.  Then he turned away, hearing the door slam and bolts being secured behind him.

As they rode slowly from the village, lanterns lighting their way, his stomach was full of disgust.  Disgust for Gerome and what had almost happened of course.  But also disgust for himself for the lies he had told, and for letting his guard down so badly.  Only chance had saved an innocent child from terrible suffering at Gerome’s hands.

Everyone was tired by the time they reached Muddy Creek. Jon was riding and Daniel was carrying Mary again.  For a while Sarah had insisted on carrying her daughter, but eventually could do it no longer and allowed Daniel to help. 

Daniel worried about Sarah’s attitude, not so much towards himself as towards Mary.  She seemed to be torn between a mothers love for her child and a deep fear of Mary’s powers.  He had tried talking to her several times during the day, each time she had given brief answers that slammed the door on further conversation.  It wasn’t just Daniel.  She hardly spoke to her husband either.  Daniel was relieved when they finally saw the village, hoping that hot food and a good nights sleep might help.

The village was fairly small but the inn was once again large, a sign that at times larger groups travelled the coastal path.  The inn keeper was welcoming, though he warned them only one room was available.  Daniel offered to sleep downstairs, an offer both the innkeeper and Sarah welcomed.

“Do you have that many travellers staying tonight?” Daniel asked.

The inn keeper laughed.

“No my friend.  Today is a celebration, a holiday.  Most of the village will be here drinking into the night.  No one can risk leaving once darkness falls, so they will be staying here.  I’m afraid things will get a little noisy.”

“
I am sure it will be fine.  I hope people do not feel we are intruding.”

“
Not at all!  We are used to it.  We often receive travellers, and we have quite a few holidays.  The two often come together.  Now, let me get you all some hot drinks.”

Soon they were settled down at a table in the corner of the room.  Before long people started to stream into the inn, the quiet replaced by a throng of people all determined to have a good time.  Every age was present, from a babe in arms to several elderly women who had to be helped to their seats.  Beer started to flow and the celebration was soon in full swing.  The inn keeper was proven right, everyone was friendly and made the travellers feel welcome.

Daniel enjoyed the evening — the noise, the bustle, the feeling of belonging.  It felt familiar, and comforting, though it didn’t free any new memories from his past.  Even Sarah relaxed, laughing and smiling, even singing along with several of the songs.  Mary had a wonderful time, joining in the dancing and singing.  Even when she grew sleepy she sat drinking in the sights and sounds with wide eyed enthusiasm.  When sleep finally overwhelmed her she lay curled up between her parents who frequently smiled at each other.

Finally the evening started to wind down, some of the villagers headed upstairs to their rooms.  Jon and Sarah followed suit, Sarah carrying the still sleeping Mary.  Many of the villagers planned to sleep downstairs.  They insisted that Daniel sleep near the fire, claiming he needed to warm his bones to cope with the cold journey the next day.  When he realised they would not take no for an answer Daniel accepted, curling up and basking in the warmth from the fire and the villagers.