Protectors: The Valdronius Kingdom
Chapter 2

Darkness cascaded

Over my eyes

And the light died inside

The rest of a day was a blur, figuratively speaking. I lay there in bed thinking of how the day turned out. It was fun, real fun. We went bowling, which was nothing but laughs. He kept slipping and falling, every thud echoed by our laughs. Everything we did Jeffery was in my world. He carried around an eye cover, the type you wear to bed, because it was too easy for him to open his eyes wearing glasses. I can remember him asking one day if that would offend me. I told him no with a smile. We went to Movietown; it was an old cinema that showed older movies. They were showing “The old dark house” it was odd, to say the least. But the popcorn is delicious. We went down Food Street, which is exactly what it is. A bunch of people come out and cook stuff and give out samples, everything is always delicious. I could feel the smile on my face, and the yawn that escaped watered my eyes. I must have been more tired than I thought. As soon as I closed my eyes I drifted to sleep.

Hot gasping breath slipped from my lips as I ran. Ran from battle cries and clinking armor. My feet pounded the ground hard, harder still after they became numb. Only the crunch of sticks and the wetness of dew stained grass reminded me that I was running. Pain shot through my chest as it seized in, then out. But still I would not stop. I would not stop till I heard those footsteps behind me stop. They were heavy and faster still. The pounding of those venomous steps engulfed my mind. Pound….POund….POUND. My tears grew dry and cold, but I knew new ones would replace them shortly. It wasn’t till I reached a creek that I was forced to stop. Stopping hurt worse than running, I longed to still be running. The sting in my chest cut my breaths short, and the tears I knew would come ran down my cheeks.

I…I could see. The moon shined…brightly in the darkness, the lanky tall trees hid the shadows behind them. But not the moon, no the moon mocked me. I can see you, it said, I see you and you have nowhere to hide. I used to think that the moon would give me comfort, beauty in that wretched darkness I was accustomed to.

I listened intently for that venomous noise following me, watching the darkness. The pounding in my head stopped, a ring of silence filled the space around me. Nothing…simply nothing. My eyes hurt from the dry air, my eyes hurt to see, but I would not close them. I dare not blink for the fear that he would appear as soon as I should commit the act. My heart pounded loudly as I moved into the creek. I told myself that I would go across, and then disappear into those shadowed skeleton trees. I am brave; I fear not the dark for I live in darkness. My breath quivered as I forced my body to move. The cold water felt smooth, asleep against my body rippling only when I took a step.

My body froze, my senses heightened, and my eyes… my eyes shook from the sound of snapping, the kind that would break underneath pressure. The creek became fervid as I pushed forward, my arms hit hard and my feet searched harder for land. My throat cracked, frozen from sound. The water behind me gave way and my throat found the tune it was looking for. My screams awoke the sleeping ravens flocking from the skeletons. Water sloshed down my throat choking me as I fought and struggled against the arms wrapped around my wet form. Gasping, screaming, fighting, I had to make it to the shadows. Silence. I was thrown on the ground my eyes shut from the fear. I felt my lips quiver, the only thing to pass my mind…this is it… I’m going to die. I could feel him close to my limp, wet body. Such a pitiful state to die… in the darkness.

“Embry.”

It must have been early morning when I was awoken, screams still echoed in my ears. It was her. As quick as I woke I was by her side. Her sleeping form twitched, her hands clenched and a cold sweat lined her forehead. She was having a nightmare, what were her fears? What made her scream? Only one way to know. Her mind was not guarded, making it easy to weasel my way in. Shadow magic was not without its benefits. She was lying on the ground, wet and shivering. The area around her was blocked off, nothing but fog covered around us. Her eyes were shut, closed by force. She was terrified. Of what? Nothing was around…at least not anymore.

“Embry.” I was forced out as soon as I called her name, and faded to the shadows. Her breath was ragged, panic on her face. She peeled back her hair, even in the dark her eyes shined. Now was not the time to confront her, no that would be an even worse idea than the day before.

I awoke with a start, sweat beading my face and my hair damp. My heart was thumping from the dream. More questions ran through my head but at least I have one answer. Shadows. The man said trust the shadows. Why? Why should I trust the shadows? In the dream I was running from the shadows. No not a shadow it was something darker. I could feel the darkness. But are they not the same thing, darkness and shadows?

I pull my hair back from my face and make my way to my bathroom. The water runs cold and feels even colder on my face. The splashing from the faucet brings back the sight of the rippling lake. Out in the hall I could hear Jeffery snoring, it must be very early in the morning. I go downstairs through the hallway to the backdoor. The cool air hits me in a rush as I open the door. Jeffery put in a ramp for me so I wouldn’t have to go down the stairs, I told him he could put up a rail but he insisted, he also made a path that leads to the tree that held an old swing. The Backyard was larger than most, the tree sat at the back of the yard. Except for the tree and the grass, the yard was bare. I liked it that way; I could always find the tree no matter the direction I came from, finding it, I follow a rope that leads to a swing, I sit down. I remember trying to put my arms around the tree but it was too big. There’s an oval shaped hole in the side of it, if I wanted to I could fit in there. I swing gently; trying to clear my head I look up and wonder if there are stars in the night sky or a moon… I can see. I shake the thought from my mind, dwelling on what could have been is not…healthy.

“Hey there!” A voice comes from behind me. Startled I stand up to quickly and trip over my feet, landing hard.

“Oh! I’m so sorry Embry. I didn’t mean to scare you!” The girl was already helping me up before I got a word in.

“Thanks.” I say as I wipe leaves and dirt off of me.

“Karmin, why are you here so early?”

“To get ready for the party of course!” she sounded way too excited.

“Party?” She takes my arm in hers and walks me back to the house.

“Jeffery didn’t tell you? MEN! We’re having a party!”

“Yea, I got that part already. But what exactly for?”

“Nothing, Everything, And Anything!” she giggled. She actually giggled.

“O…K?” Understanding Karmin is like trying to understand politics, it just gives you a headache. We made our way to the living room.

“Let’s wake Jeffery!”

“I think he’s ….”

“JEFFERY!” A high pitch squeal rings out.

“SSHHH! You’ll wake the whole neighborhood Karmin!” There’s a faint bang upstairs then a groan.

“I think he’s up” I shake my head and head for the comfy chair.

“OMIGOD!” Suddenly I’m grasped at my arms.

“What’s the matter?”

“You must have been so scared yesterday! I don’t know what I would have done if that happened to me!”

“Yea, well…”

“I would have screamed really loudly. Thank goodness Jeffery was here!” The way she said his name gave me an odd feeling.

“Yes, he’s…”

“I would have cried if something ever happened to you!” I’m suddenly in a tight embrace. I hear a creak.

“Jeffery?”

“Yea?”

“Karmin is here.”

“So I heard.” I’m finally let go.

“So a party huh?” I ask to Jeffery.

“Oh yea, I forgot, sorry.”

“Uh huh.”

“Babe, the party doesn’t start till late. Why are you here so early?”

“It’s eight thirty. We have to get this place cleaned and everything set up! The DJ will be here around seven tonight to set up.”

“A DJ?” I asked bemused.

“Uhh YEA! It’ll totally be fun!”

“Ok, Ok first coffee.” Jeffery said.

“…wait! Let’s get it on the go. You said you’d take me to Griffens.”

“What’s Griffens?” Karmin asked suspiciously.

“It’s where I get my cane, mine got broke yesterday.”

“Yyeeesss. Yes I did. Sorry babe. We’ll be quick, you can…you can just start and we’ll be back.” Jeffery sounded excited.

“Nonsense! We can all go together, it’ll be fun!” Karmin sounded resolved.

“What do you think Em’s?”

“Sure why not?”

“I’ll go get the keys.” Jeffery said shuffling away.

“Aren’t you going to change first?” Karmin said.

“Yes!” I say a little too quickly forgetting that I’m still in PJs.

I heard Jeffery steps behind me before they stopped, then some groaning. I guess she wanted some privacy. I’m not sure how Jeffery ended up with Karmin. He says she’s hot and has a wicked bod. She’s blonde and brown eyed. Karmin’s nice and everything, she’s just so valley girl to me and not always the sharpest tool in the shed. But don’t let that exterior fool you, you mess with one of her friends and you have hell to pay. She can be quite evil at times. She wasn’t thrilled with me at first, but something changed her mind. I hear a knock at my door.

“Yea?”

“You ready? Karmin’s getting impatient.”

“Yep, I’m done.” I fish my glasses out of my pocket placing them on me, opening the door and feel for Jeffery’s arm. We make our way down to the truck. Karmin persuaded us to take her truck, Jeffery agreed only if he could drive and I agreed because she let him. We finally got our coffee at Starbucks, Caramel Macchiato, hot or iced tastes amazing.

“Ok! Game time! Riddle me this, Riddle me that!” Karmin clapped her hands enthusiastically

“It’s too early for that babe.”

“I’ll play.” I say encouragingly, but I also like this game.

“Ok me first.” Karmin is way too excited.

“Riddle me this, a rich and handsome man was murdered in the afternoon at his estate. At the time of the murder there was the maid, the cook, the gardener, the butler, and the wife. The maid was cleaning, the cook was cooking breakfast, the gardener was gardening, the butler was polishing silver, and the wife was reading a book. Who did it?”

“Riddle me that the wife, no way was she reading.” Said Jeffery.

“Wrong.” Said Karmin a little too pleased.

“Riddle me this the cook.” I say.

“What! No way!” Jeffery rang out.

“That is correct! One point to Em’s.”

“How?”

“The man was murdered in the afternoon, but the cook said he was making breakfast.” I say.

“Ok, I have one.” Jeffery piped up. “Riddle me this can you name three consecutive days without saying, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.”

“Riddle me that past, present, future.” Karmin said excitedly. That was actually a really good guess for Karmin; I would have given her a point on principle.

“Nope.” I could tell there was a smile on Jeffery’s face.

“Riddle me that yesterday, today, tomorrow.” I say.

“Correct. Two points Embry.” Ok, my turn, think!

“Riddle me this what can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a bed but never sleeps, has a head but never weeps?” I almost feel bad.

“Riddle me that a river?” Karmin asks.

“Correct! One point Karmin.” She claps excitedly.

“I like your riddles, do another Em’s.”

“Ok. It stands alone with no bones or solid form, Adamant it prospers to never be wrong, though it may hurt, sometimes twisted, malicious and curt, but always straight as an arrow, this substance always harrows.” Silence. Now I do feel bad. The truck has stopped. I can hear the faint sound of a bell. We must be here.

“That one is tricky, we’ll think on it.” We walk into Griffens. It smells of cinnamon and spice. I’ve always loved that smell.

“Why Hello, hello Lady Embry and Sir Jeffery. Who is this beautiful creature you bring with you!” For a second I think I can actually feel the heat in Karmin’s’ cheeks.

“OH! You devil you! My name is Karmin.”

“Welcome Lady Karmin, to Griffens. Where the wonders find you. Please if you have any questions do not fret to ask faithful old Griffen.”

“Hey Griffen, have you gotten any new canes? Mine broke.”

“As a matter of fact I have. Right over here young lady.” He takes my right arm and leads me to the counter. I can hear clinking as he places several on the counter. I’ve never liked the white canes. I prefer something…different.

I feel each of them and test the length of them. Some are heavy, some are light. One catches my attention. There’s a smooth ball on the end of it, like glass. Half way down the ball, it sits on a shaft, I can fit my hand around it. Around my hand seems to be some lines that twist. Further down the cane there’s markings of some sort. The cane feels as if it has something in it. I try to pull but nothing happens.

“Griffen?”

“Yes my lady?”

“What does this cane look like?”

“Well, it reminds me of a dueling sabre. A sword used in fencing my dear. It’s black and silver, with a glass ball on top, the ball is a blue in color.”

“How much for this one Griffen?”

“If you don’t mind me saying, I’m not sure that’s the type of cane you use.”

“True, But I can still use it like one.” I Point out.

“That one is priced at $60 my dear.”

“That seems like an awful lot for a cane Em’s.” Jeffery was next to me. It did to me to, but something drew me to it.

“I think I can help my dear. Lady Karmin was telling me of a riddle you gave them. If I cannot answer that riddle, then you shall have the cane for free. If I can answer the riddle, then I shall give you a riddle and if you guess it right, then you my dear can have it for half the price.”

“Deal.” I put my hand out and he shook it. “Riddle me this it stands alone with no bones or solid form, adamant it prospers to never be wrong, though it may hurt, sometimes twisted, malicious, and curt, but always straight as an arrow, this substance always harrows.” I say carefully. There is shuffling and tapping on the counter.

“Riddle me that the truth.”

“Correct.” I say a little impressed. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“Alright, riddle me this never does it sleep or wake, never does a sound it make, never does it live or die, never will it say goodbye, trust it in the darkness and trust it in the bright, something hard to find without the light.”

“Dang that’s hard.” Says Jeffery.

“Shh.” I say. I go over it in my head; something about that riddle gives me the creeps. Ok something that doesn’t come out at night or it leaves by night. You can trust it to be there in the light and the darkness, but isn’t the darkness and the night the same thing? Something clicks, same thing. Darkness and shadows. There are no shadows in the night. But it is there in the darkness? No he said I can trust it in the darkness, a shadow would always be with you no matter what. Even if you couldn’t see it.

“Riddle me that shadows.”

“Correct my lady. How about that!” Griffen walks off and I hear the register ringing. I pay and we leave. Something stirred in me, making my stomach flip and my hands sweaty. I felt something, no I felt someone. The same way I felt that man before, except this was different, darker. The bell to the shop jingled and the presence faded. He must have gone into the shop. It was strange; they both had something in common though. I kept thinking, which I can’t seem to stop doing.

“Em’s? Is everything ok?” Karmin asked.

“Embry?” Jeffery shook my shoulder.

“Oh, yes. I’m…I thought I had left something. I’m good. Let’s go home.”

The ride home was anything but quiet, Karmin was planning out loud, and Jeffery was singing to the radio. I just keep thinking how creepy everything was, first the man, then the dream, now that riddle and now the shop. It had to be him, right? The man from before, but he didn’t seem like that. In all honesty I don’t think he was there to hurt me. But this time, this time something was different. No, they were not the same man. There was just something so dark about him, but there was something in common. I couldn’t place it, and it was going to bug me till I figured it out. There was a tap at my window that jolted me out of my mind.

“Embry?” It was Jeffery. He opened my door.

“Sorry, I was just thinking.” I stumbled out, Jeffery’s hands braced me. I smiled up at him.

“Thinking about what?” I really didn’t know how to explain this to him. Did I want to?

“...Oh you know, about what I should wear tonight.” He cleared his throat; I knew he knew I had lied. I felt bad. He didn’t press though, that’s one of the thing about Jeffery, he doesn’t pressure anything.

“HURRY UP YOU TWO! We have a lot of work to do!” Karmin seemed agitated.

“Ok, ok.” Jeffery rang out. We made our way up the drive. My right hand felt along the bushes. The front yard was small with bushes a bit taller than me lined around it. There was a walkway next to it leading to the steps to the front door, and then the driveway was next to that. I liked the bushes; they prevented anyone from looking into the living room, creating privacy so I could play the piano.

“She’s really excited about this party huh?”

“Yea I guess she is.”

“And you?”

“It’s just another party, there will be dancing and drinking. Same old same.”

“That’s because you’re always going to them.”

“True, but it gets boring after a while.”

“Well change it up!”

“What do you mean?”

“Add some games in there.”

“Drinking games are overrated. The only point is to get drunk.”

“Not drinking games. How about Apples to Apples, Hide and Seek, or Tag.”

“That’s actually not a bad Idea; I haven’t played tag in a long time.” He chuckles at a thought or memory, it’s nice to hear.

“You’ll just have to get the queens permission” I laugh a little.

“What’s so funny?” Karmin recited in a tone I had yet to hear from her, almost like she caught us in a secret.

“Oh. Nothing, sorry. I mean…”

“Em’s had an idea about playing tag or hide and seek, tonight.”

“Those are child games.” She sounded astonished that I even came up with the idea, and not in a nice way. What was her problem today?

“Obviously we would be drunk, which could give a bunch of laughs. It was just an idea babe.”

“…True. Just an Idea.” Things were not sitting well.

“So where do you want me to start?” I ask just wanting all this behind me.

“Ok. First we need to make room in the living room. So push all the furniture back and move the piano in the corner.”

“Kar, Embry uses the object to find her way around.”

“Then she’ll be able to find the furniture to move them back…” That was mean.

“KAR!”

“It’s fine. Besides its just one night, we can move everything back in the morning.”

“Excellent!” Karmin Chimes

“No, it is not fine!”

“It is.” I protest. “I can use my cane, which I seem to have left in the truck.”

“I’ll get it for you.”

“No it’s ok. I can manage.” Thankfully Jeffery lets me go, he had that tone in his voice, the one where your about to push his last button. As soon as I close the front door voices flare up.

“What is your problem Karmin?!”

“My problem? All I wanted to do was make some space and you got all pissy!”

“I told you Embry uses those objects to get around!”

“She said it was ok, she has her cane.”

“Only because you wanted it!”

“Why are you always defending her? Waiting on her hand and foot!”

“She’s blind Karmin!”

“OH so all I need is a handicap and you’ll pay attention to me!” Ouch Karmin. It went quiet; I took that as a cue to leave. I take my glasses off and rub my face, placing them on my head I follow the bush line with my fingertips, walking slowly. That was the first time I heard them fight, and yet it didn’t seem like their first. Their fight was over me, over my … handicap. I never thought about it as a handicap, just an obstacle. It was part of me now. And Jeffery does do a lot for me, but pity was not something I needed from him. I will talk to both of them; make them understand that I’m not a fragile little girl. Thirty, that’s how many paces it was to the street. My hand goes out and I lean forward and find the truck. I feel along to the back door and pull it open. A smell hits me, my nerves scream, and a stirring invades me. I stand there shocked; it’s the same as before at Griffens.

“Looking for this?” The man’s voice was hard, hoarse, almost a whisper. I look up.

“…who…who ar…”

“Let me see your eyes!” It came out as a rush, almost excitement.

“Leave me alone!” I say firmly as I can. Something brushes against my cheek. I pull back and fall hard, my right shoulder wincing. I scramble away and hit something hard, Jefferies car. I crawl around it leaning my back against it.

“I see you” he taunted.

“JEF…” Suddenly I’m cut off, I can’t say anything, and I can’t talk. Dry air escapes.

“There will be none of that from you.” Is he doing this to me?! How!?

MOVE. I whimper escapes me; there was a voice in my head. EMBRY MOVE! Where!? The Gate, get to the backyard! A shuffling in the grass startles me.

“You cannot escape me!”MOVE NOW! I crawled to the end of the car, then forward. The house should be about five paces away. My shoulder ran into the corner of the house; I wince from the pain. I stand up, following along the house. I place my hand out in front, fifteen paces to the gate. My hand jams into the gate, I try to ignore the pain fumbling with the latch. I open it feeling my way to the end of the house. I hear something land behind me, a popping sound emerges. A scream would have escaped me if I could talk. Move Embry, Get to the tree! The tree?

“I found you.” He sang out. EMBRY! RUN! TRUST ME! I ran in the direction of the tree. If I hit it at least I would knock myself out. It was a pleasing thought. There was another popping sound behind me and a blast echoed. Go towards your right! I do as I’m told. STOP! I jolt to a stop. Someone grabs my hand and pulls me forward. I try to scream and struggle. But their grip finds my waist pulling me in close. I smell him; it’s the same musty smell as the man before.

“Trust me Embry.” It’s the voice in my head, I stop struggling, my arms wrap around him holding tight. All I knew was that he seemed to be helping me and I was not about to go in the other direction.

“NO! You can’t run forever. I will kill you!” A snarl came from behind me. Then nothing, and yet I felt as if I was sinking, the ground beneath my feet slipping away, my body went numb. Pitch dark. I could feel the darkness around me, there was nothing in it. Even if I could see, if I opened my eyes it would be pitch black. I felt solid ground coming back beneath my feet. I let a breath go that I didn’t know I was holding and tears filled my eyes and spilled over. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, hear it in my ears. I was safe. It was a feeling as sure as water is wet. Feelings! Too many feelings and questions ran through me.

“You’re ok now.” My grip on the man wouldn’t falter and we slipped to the ground.

“You’re ok.” I could feel his chin rest on my head and his arms held me loosely. He shifted and his hand came to the side of my face. His hand was warm, soothing. I felt a tingle spread through my cheek and my eye lids started to feel heavy, I fought the urge to close them.

“What is going on? Who was that man? Who are you? Why…Why does…kill…” The sobs choked my throat.

“Everything will be alright. Close your eyes.” I did as he said. The last thing I felt was being lifted in the darkness.

It was strange to have someone Morph with me through shadows, especially when they didn’t have the talent. It felt like she was being pulled away forcing me to hold on tighter. It was strange though, the way she came towards me. Like she didn’t know exactly where to go. Calistus must have done something to her sight, the bastard. One thing was for certain, if he was willing to kill her she was important. And important was worth protecting. We came out of the shadows and panic ensued, why women insisted on crying was beyond me. It’s a useless feature, what man knows what to do with a crying woman, none and that included me.

“Everything will be alright. Close your eyes.” Her skin was soft to the touch, wet from tears but soft. Time to go, she was light in my arms as I lifted her. Every time I looked down I expected to see her eyes looking up at me. Those eyes that I haven’t seen for ten years now. It was uncanny how very similar they were. Where to go…what was next? I had to keep her safe, and the safest place I knew was the Manor. Time to pay a visit to an old friend.

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