On The Darkest Side Of The Sun - Chapter 5

Chapter 5- Hatred of the Wounded Dream

‘The war is coming close to an end and it seems that those dead wretches are doing our work, just as planned’ she said, with a fiendish and content smile. ‘Everything is… so damn simple. Right, beloved?’

‘Do not start with those utopias about enslaving the Assassins!’

‘Utopias? Are you trying to tell me that you did not want this from the beginning?’

‘I’m not trying to tell you anything. I am pointing it out for you! The war is going to end soon, indeed. However, consider this: when the Undead are to be victorious, who is going to take care of their mess? Their body count will have grown to an unexpected number. Who will face them, then? The Assassins? I’m quite convinced that that won’t be the answer.’

‘Please share your plans with me! You’ve aroused my curiosity!’

‘This is not the kind of talk I expected, when I called for you. I wanted us to discuss something more… casual. How is Umrao coming along, by the way?’

‘Oh, she’s just playing with Maur…’

‘Excuse me? She’s “just playing” with Maur? Since when?’

She gave him an amused look and pondered if telling the truth would be a good idea. Lying was so much better. It was always so amusing and stimulating, in the same time. Getting him into that playful state… it would soon become enticing for both of them; finally, they would end up in bed, for countless hours.

‘About two days ago. Apparently, she has become bored of the elemental practice. Like father, like daughter.’

‘Two days… I wanted her to be an elementalist, in the first place. Lycanthropy is not to be trifled with. Manipulating the beasts and assume shape shifting is only for the masters and advanced initiates. Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?’

‘Relax! They are having a great time. Besides…’

‘RELAX?! You know as well, as I do, that Maur is moody. I am the only one who is truly capable of controlling him and you’ve let our daughter play with a three hundred kilo beast? Tell me, when do you think it’s best to send her on the battlefield? She’s merely twenty years old and you’re telling me that she’s already fit to “play” with Maur?’

‘Is it just me, or you’re really starting to get stressed out about your plans? You know, ever since you have started it, you have changed. There is something changed in everything that you do, even when we are making love… Nothing satisfies you, any longer. All you see is this and that, the war, the Undead, the Assassins and the Assassins’ end. Not even Nehru himself is more preoccupied with the conquest than you are.’

‘He is not, because I am the one who had the idea of luring the Undead upon them and don’t start giving me that woman talk again! I am the one who wants to witness their downfall, the burning of their homes and temples, their decimated troops and the scorched lands. I, more than anyone else, want to see them begging for mercy. I do not desire their extinction. I do not want them turned into slaves.’

‘What is it that you want, then?’

‘Their humiliation! I want to see them crawl on their knees, attempting to rise from their ashes. I want to make them realize how hard it was for me to accomplish that, with nobody’s aid. No, I do not want them erased. I do not want them enslaved, either. All I want is revenge. To see their pride crushed and their hopes turn into dust. This is all there is to it.’

‘And when will the hatred extinguish itself? They will face their greatest challenges and lose. What then? What about now? You want everything to be perfect. Isn’t this the very same mistake every Assassin is making? Think about it.’

‘I have! Believe me… I have!’ He approached in a manner that suggested he was sorry for their little debate. ‘There’s nothing in this world, now, that doesn’t hold some… fascination’ he offered, coming ever so close to her, smelling her perfume and gazing at her gracious shape. His green eyes were wide and full of wanting and he couldn’t and wouldn’t deny it for anything in the world. His pair accused him of being unsatisfied and he wanted to show her how wrong she was. She stroked his red, long hair and started to kiss his forehead. Another kiss, gentle, on his mouth and their quarrel had ended. Just the two of them, that’s what they wanted. Just them, in the heat of the ending night, in the heat of each other’s embrace.

*

The thing was that no ordinary Necromancer and absolutely no Assassin had any idea who was at the head of all this. Not even Narathanomu knew why this war started, the Necromancer who had bedded Nali, the beautiful and stubborn Assassin. It was becoming an obsessing matter to him. After all these years of butchering humans and Undead alike, no reason guided his existence. ‘Three hundred years have passed and I know nothing of great value about life and death.’ This was the same old conclusion he reached now. Killing, satisfying his needs and pleasures, these seemed to form the only goal of his perpetual life, until the morning he awoke with a wild beauty at his side.

«How ironic: all the friendly beddings I’ve made, present themselves shallow, sweet but giving nothing in return. Now, the revelation made itself known, with the help of my beloved murderess, in a rape-like bliss. She is a wonderful lover and companion, indeed! » Each time he slept with someone, that woman met bliss in its every detail: physically and spiritually, she was never to be satisfied again by anyone. «Not the same with the Assassin who ran away, though. A bless and a curse, in the same time, » he smiled to himself, content. «But the Druids… Why are the Druids involved in this? It seems… so without reason. Why did she lie about him being dead? Surely she feels something for that wretch. Too bad, though. Too many questions and so little time…»

**

‘Danuska, we’ve been walking for two hours. Are you sure we are on the right path?’

‘Trust me, Nali. I’ll get us there, in no time. I know where we need to go. I can feel it.’

«I wonder if she can read my thoughts…» Nali looked at the wraith, but it didn’t turn to meet her gaze. «Well, at least that’s covered. » She could not bear seeing her baby sister like that, but she had to carry on with it. The trick is not to think about it. Try to replace the memory in which she used to walk, with the present reality of that she is flying. «Not an easy task, you know? » She was following the wraith and wondered what would have been like if Karl had not left them. «This couldn’t have possibly taken place!»

The Druid was more that welcome among her people and anyway, it made no sense to recollect those old stories about Druids being beasts that lived in the wild, feeding on everything that crossed their path, when hungry… including human beings. The stories her grandmother told her and Danuska, when they were children, seemed to be unfounded now. The Druids were Assassins’ friends, were they not? Moreover, Karl was more than a friend to her. They started to make out, ever since they found Karl at the steps of the city gates and Nali attended his wounds.

‘The Undead are blocking the path between my brothers and I. We tried to make our way through, but we have failed. If it hadn’t been for Maur, who knows what would’ve happened.’

The imposing beast showed itself when Karl mentioned its name. «Incredible how they could get along! I never saw somebody else communicating with a wild animal the way Karl did… » But Karl had confided her that Maur wasn’t an ordinary beast.

‘Hell, I’m the only one that truly understands what’s going on with him. I can smell when he is angry; I know when he wants to hunt or when something is wrong. In addition, a telepathic bond developed between us, a long time ago. Maybe when I will recover, I will be able to tell you more about Maur and me. He is my bodyguard and my best friend, my servant and my companion. We’re taking care of each other the same way brothers do, don’t we, Maur?’ The huge wolf sit at its master’s feet, in acknowledgment of what Karl had said. So many thoughts, so many good memories, even in this war. Surely, two generations of Assassins perished under the Undead assaults, but she thought that this was the most terrible time her guild had witnessed.

‘Alright, Nali, here we are!’ The wraith stopped in the middle of the desert. She looked at it and tried to gain composure.

‘You must have a solid argument for this!’

‘Leave the child alone! She did what she thought best. The sun is coming up once more and I believe you’ll need my help, once again!’ She sat there, thunderstruck, unable to mutter a word.

‘I am glad to see you too, beloved! Now, before the sun scorches your beautiful eyes, would you be so kind to follow me in my tent?’ Nali couldn’t move for a few moments. The shock was too great… and then she realized. ‘You brought us here, haven’t you?’

‘I’m afraid I haven’t, Nali. You should thank your sister for this.’

‘What do you mean?’ she demanded.

‘Why, Danuska, please explain this odd behavior. Why didn’t you lead your sister to the Assassin’s garrison?’

‘But I wanted to take her there. I felt where we needed to arrive, I swear. I swear Nali, please believe me. Please, don’t get upset with me…’ As she spoke the last words, the wraith started to weep.

The Assassin spoke with utter hatred. ‘Save it, sister!’

‘We should all go inside my tent. We’ll make matters clear to all of us. I believe we have a rather need of each other and I mean strictly information.’

Nali stood motionless and pondered what was to be done.

‘I promise I won’t read your thoughts this time’ he offered.

‘I find it rather impossible.’

‘Me either, but at least I won’t share with you the knowledge,’ as he gave another broad smile. Was this an honest smile? Probably. Anyway, she’ll have to take it for granted.

‘I come to hate you with every passing moment, Necromancer!’

‘You’ve already shared that scrap of information, beloved! And by the way… I’m Narathanomu! Pleased to finally meet you, Nali!’

‘Spare it! Let’s just go inside.’

‘As you wish!’

***

‘When a Necromancer summoner dies, the wraith he called from the dead body becomes aimless, until the next Necromancer possesses control of it. That’s why Danuska here, betrayed her purpose, without her even knowing it. She’s a young wraith and knows nothing of this thing. She darted in this direction, because that’s what the energy that surrounds this area told her: go to the most powerful summoner and he’ll take care of you. She came to me, thinking that would find her old companionship. If a summoner is old or, in my case, powerful enough, or both, then be sure that he’ll find a good use for any Undead. If you’re an old wraith, you’ll be put in front of the Undead troops.’

‘Wait a minute; I thought vampires are your Undead generals.’

‘That is also correct. But wraiths are more effective. They are ethereal; nothing can inflict physical damage to them. Even if they can hurt solid beings, living and Undead – it is common knowledge that wraiths hate everyone, except other wraiths and sometimes their masters – no one, without the proper summoning training, can defeat them. That’s why they are so dangerous. And thank God that Danuska here is too young to do any harm to you, other than chatting your brains out. Am I right, Danuska?’

The wraith started to giggle and fly careless in his tent.

‘I’m glad we’ve worked that one out’ she said, dissatisfied.

‘Nali, I’m not going to play games with you. The Assassin garrison is too far for you to reach it on your own. I would be more than happy to aid you in your quest of returning to your people. Back to Char Nehrun, even.’

‘And why’s that?’

‘Before you and Danuska arrived this morning, I had a strange feeling. It told me that you’re more important to me than I may now think.’

‘Hardly a possibility!’

‘Tell me, why did you lie to me about Karl?’

‘You told me you’ll shut up when you’d be reading my thoughts.’

‘That’s just it: you weren’t thinking of him when you and Danuska arrived here.’

‘Then how could you possibly know about him? I never mentioned his name when you dragged me into your tent, the first time.’

‘Indeed, you are right. But you’ve mentioned it while you were traveling with Danuska.’

‘So you can read my thoughts, after all, bitch!’

‘Don’t be so harsh on your sister. She didn’t…’

‘Look, now, Necro, I don’t care what you want of me or what “use” you’d have for me, but I have had just about enough of this stupid comedy. Reading thoughts, stealing images out of my mind… Just kill me and be done with it, if that’s what you want. Otherwise, let me go! Understood?’

He rose from his seat and his expression darkened. He was angry and Danuska sought refuge under the huge bed.

‘I aid you, when the sun rises in the sky. I spare your life for two times in a row. I want you to realize in what shithole you’ve been living all your life and you dare defy me each time we meet? Pay attention to these words, Assassin, for I will not repeat them and you will not be warned, next time.’

He grabbed her by her throat. ‘I understand this is you favorite killing method? Wouldn’t it be charming for me to test it on you? Look into my eyes and see that I am not Narathanomu of the Undead, for nothing. I didn’t want you to fear me, although it would’ve been more accurate and less time consuming. Defy me once more, don’t listen to what I have to say or try your pathetic attempts to kill me and I promise you, here and now, that your life shall come to an abrupt and stupid end! Understood?’

Nali only nodded in approval and dismissed his hand from her neck. She was a little shaken by this outburst and caution was the thing she sought first, after this incident. ‘Your terms are clear, alright. However, know that I do not fear you. Tell me what you have to say and let’s get this over with. You’ve told me you want to help me get back to my clan.’

‘Precisely! But you will not be unattended.’

An ironic smile showed up on her face. ‘And who will be my servant?’

‘Your master, not your servant’ he answered, trembling with anger. ‘I will go inside Char Nehrun, with you and I shall learn everything I can from your brethren.’ This made her heart freeze with fear and panic. ‘And don’t think you can alarm anyone about my presence there. If you do, with the risk of my demise, your Master man-at-arms shall fall.’