If Only for a Night - Part 3

Part 3

We stepped out, looking at the front gate of Maximillian Castle. The place hadn't changed. It was still a thing of nightmares. The walls were covered in plants, muck, and cobwebs, looking like it was just dug up from a crypt. The place looked like it was falling apart, but it still had the ominous feeling about it. The only thing that did change was that a dragon carcass was entangled in the metal vines that created the gate.

It was probably remaining from night we were attacked and had to flee here. That night, the gate was down as we entered. But as soon as we were past, one of the dragons chasing us came lunging through. As it did, the metal vines had snapped up and pierced the dragon's head, instantly killing it. It was the corpse of that dragon that was wrapped in the gate. The body was mostly dry bone with a few chunks of flesh hanging off. I was frightened as I clung to Kelladain. He rubbed the back of my hand as he stared straight ahead.

We walked forward, trying to remain calm at what we were about to do. We reached the gates when they snapped down suddenly, disappearing from view and the dragon carcass turned to dust at our feet. We jumped, each person clinging for their weapons. We moved forward and over the gate. Once we made it in, we breathed a sigh of relief. That was until the gate snapped shut, each of us letting out a surprised cry.

"I don't like this," said Justina trying to calm herself as her hand shook on her War Sword.

"You and me both," I said as we nodded to each other.

Bradock grunted in agreement as Kelladain rolled his eyes. We then turned our attention to the door of the castle. The doors opened slowly, as if expecting us. We looked at each other as if daring someone to go first. Naturally, Justina strode ahead, followed by Bradock. The rest of us fell in place as we entered. Even though it was around noon, the place still had a gloom about it as the feeling sunk into my bones. Somehow, I dreaded entering here, but I couldn't leave the group behind.

We walked into the grand hall. It hadn't changed either. The hall was decorated with black suits of ancient-looking armor, covered with cobwebs. A crystal and metal chandelier hung from the ceiling, twisted in a demonic sort of way that made one frightened to look at it. The owner himself was seated on a throne near the back, sipping on wine from a plain silver chalice. He looked amused to see us again, but didn't speak of it.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the second time you have entered my hospitality, what brings about this visit?" he asked coolly.

We all looked to Justina. Of all of us, she was the best talker. She smirked at us before moving forward, and said, "We are questing for the Fang Cloak, we heard it was in this castle, and we wish to have it."

"And why would a good Genvan like you be after a necromancer's artifact?" he asked sarcastically, trying to ruffled Justina.

She didn't look ruffled. "We wish to destroy it," she said bluntly.

"If it is that you seek, then you will have to wait for morning. It will be destroyed by then," he said carelessly.

Justina didn't look convinced. Tilting her head, she asked, "And how will it be destroyed?"

"As we speak, I'm absorbing its power to prolong my life to protect this country. What good is a knight of the realms if he is dead," he said as he took a long drink from the chalice, "the Cloak will have lost all it's power by morning, and I'll move on to a lesser evil artifact."

"How do we know you are not evil?" she asked eyeing him as if he were a Venetin holy symbol.

"Because I am strong minded enough to suppress their evils," he said as he stared at the chalice in his hands, "and this is one of the most benign things in this place."

With that he placed the chalice on the pedestal near the throne and stood. "Your rooms are the same as last, you'll leave in the morning after you have your proof," he said as he pointed in the opposite direction of the door.

Just as he was going to turn to leave, Bradock was edging closer the forbidden door.

The knight's face twisted into anger as he shouted, "Don't even think of touching it!"

Bradock quickly moved away, looking smug but shaken. The knight seemed to relax. He bowed, then left.

We looked at each other. "Looks like were staying the night, again," said Justina as she frowned, "We'll see what tomorrow brings."

We walked off, but as we left, Kelladain turned away from me, and starred at the door. I pulled his hand. He flinched and turned back to me. I furrowed my brow, silently asking if he was all right. He smiled back his answer. With that, we walked to the rooms, passing corridors of web-covered walls. We entered our rooms and paired off. Kelladain again had a room to himself. I was almost tempted to ask if I could sleep in his room. No, not like that! Get your minds out of the gutter. It was from fright of this place that I wanted to share his bed, but I didn't ask in the presence of the party.

Dinner passed peacefully as everyone was silent as we ate. By the time of night, there was a rainstorm outside, thundering on the metal roof of the castle. Justina and I were snug in our beds, trying to fall asleep. We both fell asleep reasonable fast considering this place was as creepy as it was. But it wasn't restful.

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About half way through the night, I had a dream. I was standing in some white world hugging Kelladain. I felt sublimely happy, feeling his arms around me. Just as I was going to kiss him, he backed away. I reached for him, but he backed away again and fell. I looked and he was gone in a puddle of black liquid that started oozing out and onto the white of the world. I screamed as everything was quickly turning black. I was standing alone in a circle of white as it crept everywhere. Then it began to invade the circle and crawled up my leg. I was deathly frightened, trying to run but I was stuck as it crept up my other leg. Everywhere it touched, I lost feeling. It slowly slithered up my face, trying to blot out my eyes and mouth. I felt like I was slowly suffocating. As it entered my mouth, I screamed again as the blackness disappeared and the world blazed white.

I woke up with a start, sitting upright in bed. I was scarred, frightened to the bone. I looked around. The rain was pouring outside as it suddenly thundered. I jumped, while Justina continued to sleep peacefully. I really really didn't like this, especially after that dream. I wanted out of there. I jumped out of bed and padded out of the room, clad only in my underskin.

I walked to Kelladain's room, wanting to seek comfort in his arms. I knocked on his door, hoping he would still be awake. There was no answer. I opened the door and looked into the dark room. I couldn't see a thing.

As the sky suddenly flashed with lightning, I saw that there was no one there. His bed looked like it was slept in, but he was gone. My mind was reeling. Where was he?! If he wasn't here, then . . . I nearly screamed. The Cloak! I bolted out of the room, running back into mine. I quickly grabbed my armor and sword, buckling them on as fast as I could. I then hurried over to Justina, and shook her by her shoulders.

She drowsily woke up and said, "Huh?"

"Justina! Wake up! Kelladain's gone!" I yelled.

That was the second time I ever heard a Genvan curse. She quickly came out of bed, almost tripping, and was quickly armed and robed. As she dressed, I ran to the other rooms, waking fellow party members. We gathered and walked briskly down the hall, Tempest and I in the lead, since his safety was supposed to be our responsibility.

"I should have stayed in with him," said Tempest silently cursing himself.

"I thought that was my job," I stated as I strode past him.

He looked bewildered as he caught up, not saying a word. The closer we got, the more I feared what was awaiting us. My nightmare was coming true. I silently prayed that we'd get through this in one piece, fearing the worst. The others caught up. As soon as everyone was there, we burst through doors leading to the main room, slamming them opened.

I nearly burst into tears. The forbidden door was wide open and Kelladain was hovering in the air, the cloak wrapped around him. The cloak looked like a living thing. It was made of flesh patched together. All the edges were surrounded with fangs which were sunk into Kelladain's shoulders, arms, and neck. The underskin he wore was torn from his chest, lying on the ground at his feet. He stared at the party, looking with contempt at all of us. He was possessed.

He murmured as we drew our weapons. Then a wave of magic flew over the party. I closed my eyes, trying to shield myself with my Ion Blade. I opened them again to my horror to see Justina, Tempest, and the others frozen in stone. The only one who wasn't stone was Bradock as he laid limp on the floor. I breathed heavily. This wasn't good, not good at all. It was I and Kelladain.

What was I going to do? I looked at him, my eyes hurting. I looked at my sword. That wasn't even an option. I looked around trying to find a way of escape. I looked back to him then raised my sword hoping to threaten him.

"You wouldn't do that, would you," he said sarcastically as he lowered himself to the ground.

I suddenly felt defenseless. He was right. The sword felt like lead in my hands. I couldn't raise it even to save myself.

"Aw, you're as beautiful as he remembers," the cloak said as he spoke through Kelladain.

My eyes narrowed to slits. I was beginning to hate the useless feeling I was having. I stiffened as he got nearer. Even if he was possessed, he was still Kelladain, my body argued as it tried to betary me. He then reached out and stroked my hair. I slapped his hand away, starring daggers at him.

"I guess he didn't tell you did he?" he asked he chuckled evilly.

"Tell me what?!" I yelled, furious that it was playing a game with me. I didn't like the way this was going.

Something was wrong. He brushed my face with the back of his hand. My heart nearly jumped from my chest, and out my throat. That touch felt oddly familiar. But it was impossible, there was no way. "You see, Lady, he's the one that killed your Lord," he said without any emotion.

That idea shot through my brain like a crossbow bolt. I felt as if a dagger had been plunged into my heart. It wasn't true. It couldn't be! It wasn't true! My mind screamed at me to do something, anything but believe it was true. "You lie!" I screamed as my voice cracked.

"My dear, I'm afraid it's very true, he's not what you think," he said, before laughing maniacally.

I dropped my sword, and fell to the ground. I cried. Maybe he was right. But why would Kelladain lie to me?! I felt used, fooled, and stupid, so I cried. I looked back to him as he paced. I wanted this to end. I wanted to hear the truth from Kelladain's own lips, not from the cloak. I quickly wiped my tears away, trying to not look hurt, but I was. I stood up looking down.

"You know, I'm not going to hurt you. You're too precious to do that. In fact, I'll make you an offer - be my queen, and I won't kill you. You can't hurt me. I know you still care for him, I can see it in your eyes," he said as he breathed down my neck, making me shiver.

I looked around the room, trying to find so way of escape. Then I saw it, remembering back to the words that the knight said before he left. The plain silver chalice was still sitting by the throne. My mind was quickly forming an idea.

Looked back to him, and said, "I accept."

It was a blank stare but he bought it as he grinned.

"But first a toast," I said praying he'd say yes.

"An excellent idea," he said as he moved toward Bradock. I cringed before quickly grabbing the chalice, and said, "How about this instead?"

"As you wish, Lady," he said walking back to my side. Inside I was grinning. The cup filled with red wine on it's own. I gingerly took a sip. I felt a wave of magic run through me. I felt all my wounds from the previous night wash away. I was right about the chalice. I then handed it to him. He took a sip as I smiled brightly. The Cloak had sealed its own fate. I had just managed to fool the evil artifact of a necromancer. And I thought mages were smart.

With a scream, he dropped the chalice, clutching his throat. In a bright flash of light, his body was enveloped totally. He fell to the floor. The cloak turned to dust and drifted away. It was gone forever. I quickly grabbed the chalice and poured the wine down each of my friends' throats. They quickly turned back to normal, each of them staring at me suspiciously. I didn't care. I knelt beside Kelladain, pouring the wine into his mouth. All the wounds left by the fangs on the cloak were gone. With each second, I resisted the urge to sob again. I waited for him to wake so I could finally find the answer. I kept telling myself it wasn't true. It couldn't be. I leaned over him, staring right at him, waiting for any sign of life. He eyelids flickered then slowly crept open. I could feel my tears running down my cheeks. He closed his eyes again as if it hurt to look at me.

"It's true," he said as his voice cracked, trying to fight back his own tears.

I hung my head. It was true. I closed my eyes tightly, trying to hold back my wail. "Why did you do it?" I asked softly as my voice ached.

"I'm an assassin, I was sent to kill your lord. But now it's over, I was discovered, and now I have to die," he said as his voice sobbed.

What was he talking about?! Die?! But why?! He slowly pulled a dagger out from my belt and placed it in my hands. I couldn't believe it. Now this?! I looked to him, the pain rising in my chest.

"Do it Jenna, I'm dead either way, I was found out and now you hate me! Kill me or the others will! I'd rather die by your hands!" he screamed.

He looked in pain. I raised the dagger above my head. Could I do this? Was I doing this? The man I loved, the man who had just lied to me was asking to die?! My fiancee? Was he still my fiancee? What was I going to do?! My tears were flowing heavily, I could barely see. I closed my eyes, trying to sort my feelings as my hands shook. Then it burst through my chest, a crushing feeling. My heart was aching. Was it breaking? I looked at the dagger then closed my eyes. I snapped. I screamed and thrust downward to hear the dagger hit with a clunk.

I opened them to see the dagger inches from Kelladain's face embedded in the stone floor. I wailed. I pulled the dagger free and threw it across the room as it skittered away. I sobbed horribly, my body shaking terribly. I stood up, throwing my arms around. "Damn it, Kelladain! If I couldn't kill you when you were possessed by the cloak, what makes you think I can do it now!" I wailed, whirling to face him.

"I'm supposed to hate you! You ruined my life! I've gone through hell after that day! The fear! The pain! And all because of you! But damn it, I can't do this! Cause I . . . ," I suddenly stopped.

Why couldn't I do it? I knew the reason as it burst from the pain in my chest. I wailed. "Despite everything I still love you!" I screamed as I crashed down beside him, my head buried in his chest.

I cried as his arms circled around me. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know if everything would be right between us again, and that frightened me. I still felt the happiness of being in his arms, so there must have been hope. I looked back to his face, he looked pained as I asked between sobs, "Who are you?"

He close his eyes and said, "I'm not a Lord. I am of the path of the Shadow. It's a secret path. Only a few who prove themselves worthy can join it. I'm one of the few selected. I was an Elementalist before. We do the dirty work for the Empire, killing enemies, and destroying civilizations for new colonies. We also watch over the lords for their safety, and kill them if they go too far. That is why I killed your Lord. He was secretly plundering the city treasury and killed anyone that found out. He had to be stopped. I was sent to lure him away from the city, and kill him and any warrior that stood in the way."

"Then why didn't you kill me?"

"I couldn't, you were the most beautiful creature I had seen in a long time, Jenna, you were so young, so innocent, you even managed to hold your own against me, you had so much ahead of you, I just couldn't do it, I think I was in love," he said blushing.

Ever since I entered the room, I felt my life had changed, and it had. I felt all my anger and pain wash away. I felt all the fear and paranoia that I felt since that day lift off my shoulders and fly away. The man in black was the man I loved. I suddenly felt that even though he may have done some evil things, I still loved him. He was still a good person. That's how my life changed that day, I had found the man in black and was in love with him. All my days of worry were now over.

"You probably still hate me," he said turning away.

"Kelladain, I forgive you, and I do still love you, I don't want anything to change between us, but I can feel it will, and I'm scarred of it," I said my voice cracking again.

His gaze softened, and he said, "Jenna, part of being a Shadow is to watch another Shadow as another watches you, to keep you in line, if you are ever caught by anyone not a Shadow, your Shadow is supposed to kill you, I've just been found out, so my Shadow is going to kill me! Either way I'm going to die, Jenna!"

"Then why didn't they kill you before? When you kept me alive?" I asked.

He cringed, then looked away before answering, "Because you didn't know exactly what I was, you didn't know it was me, or about the Shadows, but now you do, all of you do."

"Do you honestly think your Shadow could be in this castle? Could even get through the gate without the knight finding out?" I asked trying to prove a point.

He raised an eyebrow and said, "Not really the way this place it."

"Then there's nothing to worry about cause he isn't here to hear you tell us, the Shadow won't know that we know," I said suddenly feeling a lot better.

"It only takes one person with a slip of the tongue to end my life," he said as he brooded to himself.

I smirked. He was being difficult, like he wanted to die. He was resigned to it. I guess he felt he had nothing left to live for. I was getting more furious at that thought by the second. I was going to show him that he had something to live for, namely me. Before he could even protest, I kissed him, pouring everything I felt for him into it. He quickly responded back, hugging me tighter. We pulled apart.

"Still wish to die?" I asked smirking.

"No, I never did, but still . . . ," he said trailing off.

"I swear in the name of my Lord, the Empire, and the Emperor himself to keep this secret of secrets till the day I die, and if I do, may I lose my honor as a Warrior, and my life," I said as I starred at him unflinching.

"I swear on the House of Drexlar, and in the name of the King of Drexlar as the Scion of the House of Drexlar to never divulge this secret as long as I live, and if I do, may I lose my life and the crown," said Blade proudly as he held Justina's hand. She was blushing, but said, "I swear in the name of Genva and everything holy to him that I will never tell this secret of secrets as long as I still breathe, and if I do, may I rot in a Veneti Temple."

"In the name of whatever territory I lord over, and my life as a gambler to keep this secret as long as I live, and if I do, may my balls and everything that goes with it fall off," said Thorn grinning at Blade and Justina, before Blade punched him in the ribs. The two glared at each other then back to us.

"I swear in the name of the Doravan Military Guild, and as the First Guardian of Drexlar to never tell this secret as long as I live, and if I do, may I never touch a drop of beer again," said Bradock as he nodded.

"I swear in the name of my Lord, the Empire, and the Emperor himself to keep this secret of secrets till the day I die, and if I do, may I lose my honor as an Elementalist, and my life," said Tempest as he nodded as well.

The rest of the party said similar oaths. When it was over, I looked back to Kelladain. He didn't look too convinced. I looked at him tenderly.

He melted, and said, "Thank you, everyone. I just hope this works."

I hugged Kelladain, feeling the happiness and love swell in my chest. Just as we were going to kiss, there was an "Ahem" from the party.

I glared at Justina and stood. Kelladain soon followed as he stood uneasily. I gathered my weapons as Kelladain closed the door. We then walked to join everyone else.

"Well, since the Cloak is gone, I don't see any reason to stay around here, let's go get our things and leave," said Blade.

Just as we were going to exit the room, something in the room creaked. We jumped, looking at each other. Then suddenly one of the suits moved. It was barely a twitch but it was enough to get us to draw weapons. My Ion Blade was out in a second and flickered on, while Kelladain pulled out three weird looking daggers. I blinked at him while he grinned. Must be his gear from being a Shadow. We gathered round in a circle, our backs to one another. Then the armors moved again, each engaging one of us.

Just as they attacked, there was a loud screech over our heads, like metal tearing at itself. We looked up to see the chandelier uncoil into dozens of metal tentacles, each ending with a crystal shard that was as sharp as a razor. We jumped forward, expanding the circle to try and avoid the waving arms. The battle wasn't looking good. I had managed to make short work of the suit of armor in front of me before I was hit in the back of the leg with one of the tentacles. I cursed and spun around to chop the tentacle in half. I then cut away at the others before a mage in the party cast a fire spell on it. The chandelier screeched, and curled back into itself.

The others were having trouble. Justina couldn't use her Genvan magic or pray for aid because the knight had forbidden it. She was reduced to fighting with her War Sword but her skills were lacking. Luckily, Blade was nearby to help her. I looked up to the chandelier again to see it regenerate and uncurl again. I yelled a warning before it struck again.

Just as it was about to hit, there was a loud "Stop!" coming from the stair.

The suits of armor went back to standing in the room as the chandelier curled up again. We looked over to see the knight standing on the stairs. He looked severely angry, eyeing each of us suspiciously. "What happened to the Cloak?!" he bellowed.

Justina glared back at him and yelled, "That Cloak tried to possess one of our group members, we had to destroy it!"

"I thought I told you all to stay away from that door!" the knight yelled loud enough to shake the metal of the chandelier. He looked severely pissed as he eyed us again.

"It wasn't like I had a choice, the blasted artifact possessed me!" Kelladain yelled back with contempt in his eyes.

"Then you shouldn't have been so weak willed! I expected more from a Vel Lord!"

"I've been going through a personal crisis for the past two nights! Don't talk to me about being weak willed. That cloak could even have taken you!"

The knight didn't look happy, but grunted. Kelladain must have hit a nerve in the knight. "So be it, it was almost finished anyway, but I don't want any of you back here unless it's on more friendly terms, especially you," he said coolly as he starred at Kelladain.

"Why did those things attack us?" Justina asked smirking.

"A safety measure, against thieves. Now get your things and go!" he said angrily.

With that, he turned and left. It was the last we ever saw of him. We walked back to our rooms in silence, and packed quickly. By the time we were walking outside the gate, it was dawn. Thus we sat, and waited.

"Kelladain, that night is going to change everything for us, isn't it?" I asked as I leaned against him.

"More than you know, dear," he said with melancholy, "but things will get better, I promise."

"When this is all over, can we go to Cele?"

"Of course."

"I love you."

"I know. I love you too."

"You know that now everyone knows what happened last night?"

"I could care less."

"I'm glad." We snuggled against each other, wanting to stay that way forever. But soon enough, our time was broken as a black and purple portal opened before us. Then we walked through.

The End

Continued in the sequel "Just For A Stupid Sword!"

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