Dominion
Terri Sutro
It was a dark and stormy night (no
really, it was!). Kid and Heyes had been
riding for what seemed like hours, the cold rain drenching them to the bone,
the wind howling through the skeletal trees.
They both knew their horses, and they themselves, couldn’t take much
more. Heyes was in front, letting his
horse follow a faint track through some overhanging
trees. It wasn’t so much that Heyes knew
where he was going, it was just easier to let the horse go where it wanted than
to fight it along a different route. The
cold and dark was lulling Heyes and Kid both into an exhausted stupor.
Through the fog covering his brain,
Heyes realized that the horse had stopped.
A screeching sound followed by a loud bang startled him into full
wakefulness. In front of them was a
large structure that on closer inspection was an old barn. Heyes dismounted, motioning Kid to do the
same. They entered the barn cautiously,
making sure to grab the banging door so it didn’t spook the horses. Heyes pulled a match, thankfully and
miraculously dry, from his pocket, lit it and quickly surveyed the
surroundings. It wasn’t a large barn,
but it was snug against the storm. The
dust and cobwebs gave them the idea that it hadn’t been used in a long time, so
they decided to bed down the horses for the night – not that the horses or the
men had any intention or desire to go back out into the storm.
Kid looked out through the crack
between the doors, old habits making him check that no
one had followed them.
“Heyes, look at this…” He held the door open a bit more so Heyes
could see the outline of a large bulk of a house. They were both surprised they missed it as
they rode up, but chalked it up to exhaustion and the dark. There were no lights on in the house, but the
occasional flash of lightning lit up the surrounding area, giving the two-storied,
gabled house an eerie look.
“Guess we better make sure no one is
home.” Heyes grinned, the state of
disrepair of the barn telling them that no one had lived there for years.
“I don’t know Heyes; the barn is fine
with me.” Kid couldn’t explain the uneasy
feeling that the thought of going into that house gave him. Maybe it was too many of Heyes’ spooky
stories when they were children.
“Oh c’mon Kid, it’s got to be better
than sleeping on moldy old hay. I’m
going; you can stay here if you want to.”
Heyes headed back out into the storm, the wind grabbing the door and
slamming it back against the outside wall.
Kid sighed and followed, shaking his head.
They stepped up on the decrepit porch,
making sure to glance in the windows just in case they were wrong about no one
living there. The lightning lit up the
interior enough for them to get a glimpse of broken furniture and more cobwebs.
“Looks pretty deserted to me; I’m going
in.” Heyes reached for the doorknob,
which turned easily in his hand, but the door wouldn’t budge. “Give me a hand here Kid.” Kid thought about clapping, but common sense
won out and he went over and both men threw their weight against the door. It held against them for a few seconds, then flew open like it was pulled from the inside. Heyes landed on the floor first, Kid landing
on top of him, knocking the breath out of both men. They looked up sharply at the sound of a
match striking, and a raspy voice…
“It’s about time you got here; I’ve
been waiting for you.”
************************
The sepulchral voice echoed
in the foyer. Both men lurched upright
in one uniform motion, two bodies stick straight, two
hands pointing weapons at the figure in front of them.
‘Gentlemen…” The black clad figure took two hurried steps
back. “…there is no need for weapons.”
The outlaws didn’t budge.
“What do you mean it’s about
time we got here.”
Heyes cocked his head, trying to get a clearer picture of the man in the
dusky room.
“We didn’t know we were gonna
be here…how did you?” Kid’s deep blue
eyes never left the figure, his finger solidly on the trigger of the Cole
Peacemaker.
“You were meant to be here,
gentlemen.” He ignored their
confusion. “I’ll show you to your
rooms.” The man arched his back and
started up the stairs. “Well? Are you coming? All will be explained in
time.”
Kid glanced at his cousin
with a wordless question.
Heyes shrugged. “All right. Tell us this.
If you were expecting us, who are we?” A smile tweaked his lips.
The man scowled. “Games…there is little time for what must be
done…and no time for child’s games.” He
took two more steps, turning back when he realized he was not being
followed. Sighing. “Very well. You sir…”, he
pointed at Curry…”are Jedediah Curry.
And you are Hannibal Heyes. And I
would be grateful if you would put those weapons down. Weapons are not needed here. They’d be useless in any case…but I’ve said
too much. Will you come now?” The last words uttered with a note of
impatience, he turned and without a backward glance, he once again began
climbing the stairs.
The two outlaws exchanged
confused glances.
“Heyes…” Curry whispered.
“I don’t know, Kid. But what have we got to lose?” Heyes holstered his weapon and started up the
stairs.
“I don’t know…that’s what
worries me.” Curry reluctantly holstered
his gun and followed his partner. A
feeling of intense disquiet settled upon him and he found himself looking over
his shoulder more than once.
Once on the landing both men
looked right and left – their guide seemed to vanish.
“Where’d…” Kid started, once again drawing his gun. Turning he squinted against the shadowy light
trying to find the man. “Heyes…” He turned back. There was no one there. “Heyes!” His voice grew louder and he inched
forward. “Hell and damnation…Heyes,
where are you!”
“No need to shout Kid…I’m
right here.”
The baritone whisper came out
of the shadows, causing Curry to jump back.
“What the…where were you?”
“Looking
for the…proprietor.” The sly grin creased the man’s face. “He seems to have vanished. “Found us rooms though. Come on, I’ll show you.” He turned and led the way down the corridor
to a set of double doors.
He pushed them open and
walked through.
Kid swallowed hard,
hesitating at the door. One of these days, I’m gonna kill him…don’t
know when…just one of these days…” He
stepped through and found himself in a very large parlour
suite.
The furniture was rich, dark
mahogany, the oil lamps cast a warm glow, enhanced by the brightly burning
fire. There was wood stacked on the ample
hearth, and kindling neatly placed in the copper holder. A bowl of apples sat on a round table,
covered with a white linen cloth.
The beds – two enormous four
posters – were covered with multicolored quilts. Pillows beckoned to the tired man.
Kid’s vision finally brought
him back around to his partner. Heyes
was propped casually against the wall next to the fireplace. Kid stiffened…what…who was that…there was
something that floated by….” He shook it
off. I
must be more tired than I thought.
“So, I think we should
stay.” The baritone voice sounded
confident.
Thunder cracked above their
heads, rattling the windows. The ensuing
lightening lit the skies outside. Within
a few seconds the sounds of pouring rain could again be heard pounding on the
roof.
“Of
course.” Kid mumbled resignedly. He turned back to Heyes. “I’d be happier if we left.”
“Kid, we’ll drown out
there.” Heyes said, smiling.
“Maybe the barn…” Kid asked hopefully, knowing the answer
before the words were spoken.
“Now Kid. Why would we ride out and risk pneumonia or
sleep in that cold, cobweb filed barn when there’s this nice, warm room just beggin’ to be slept in?”
He picked up an apple and idly tossed it from hand to hand. “Why that’s just plain…” He grinned
again. “You do what feels right,
Kid. I’m gonna get a good, warm, night’s
sleep.” He started taking off his
clothes, tossing them over a chair. Picking
up a book, he climbed into one of the beds.
He took a large bite of the apple.
“Mmmm….definitely better
than the barn.”
Curry watched
incredulously. Heyes was usually much
more cautious about things that looked too good to be true. Mainly cause they usually weren’t. “All right Heyes…but I don’t like it.” He pulled his boots off. Nope, don’t like it at all. Not one bit.” He tossed his clothes on another chair and
climbed into the other bed. “And I don’t
‘spect I’m gonna be doing much sleepin’.”
A yawn was all that met the
man’s complaints. “You forget to put the
light out Kid.”
Curry turned, ready to tell
his cousin what he could do with his thoughts, but Heyes was already buried
under the quilts.
“Fine.” He crawled
out of bed and walked to the table. One of these days… He waited a moment hoping his eyes would
adjust to the sudden change in light, then started
back to bed. He glared in Heyes’
direction – stopping at a sudden light emanating from next to Heyes’ bed. “Heyes?”
“Mmmm…go
to sleep Jed.” The light
dissipated.
Kid shook his head. Yep, I
must be more tired that I thought. Seein lights where there aren’t any. I just need some
sleep. Crawling into bed, he lay on
his back watching the shadows from the fire dance on the ceiling. Sleep came in fits and starts. He woke twice to what he thought was a woman
sighing…no, moaning…hell, he didn’t know what he meant. He started to call out to Heyes, but the
sounds of snoring dissuaded him. No sense in both of us not sleeping. Finally he rolled over, punched his pillow
into the shape he wanted and forced himself to sleep. He missed the soft laughter that floated
through the room and finally disappeared.
************************
Morning found Kid Curry
decidedly testy. His mood did not
improve when he woke up, looked over and saw an empty bed where Heyes should
have been.
He lurched out of bed,
hurriedly pulled his clothes on and flew out of the room, strapping his gun on
as he ran down the stairs.
He skidded to a stop when he
reached the ground floor, hearing voices and smelling breakfast. His grumbling stomach reminded him that he hadn’t
eaten in over a day. Once again he
shoved the weapon into its holster and followed the smells and the sound of his
cousin’s voice.
“Good morning!” Hannibal Heyes nearly leapt out of the chair
to greet an unsmiling Kid. Slapping him
on the back, he ushered him to a chair, shoved him into a sitting position and
immediately poured him a cup of coffee.
“Here ya go…you’ll feel better after you get some of this into you. Ellar…that’s his name..you know the fella that
greeted us last night…Ellar…well he may not be the
most cheerful of fellas, but he sure can cook!
Are you hungry…what am I saying…of course you’re hungry…you’re always
hungry.” He laughed, and slapped Kid on
the back again.
Coffee slurped out of the cup,
depositing a puddle on the long wooden table.
“You’re all-fired cheerful, Heyes.
“Well why shouldn’t
I be. Good night’s sleep, good
food, no one chasing us…why aren’t you?
Heyes put a large plate in front of Kid.
Overfull with eggs, bacon,
toast and potatoes it temporarily diverted Kid from his concern. Picking up a fork he ate with gusto. After a third plateful, he sighed loudly and
sat back. “All right Heyes, maybe you’re
right, But
there are still things that got me worried…how did they know we were coming and
how do they know who we are and there was this light and these moans…” He stopped, seeing the amusement on his
cousin’s face. “All right…it isn’t as..well it’s not…it’s better in
the daylight.” He slammed his fork down
to emphasize his point. “Look, we’ve
gotten some sleep, we’ve had some food…let’s get outta here. This
place gives me the willies.”
“You’re just tired. Ellar said we could
stay as long as we wanted…well he actually said we were ‘sposed
to. Seems like a nice fella…well for
someone who’d look more at home in a haunted house…” He stopped at the look on Kid’s face. “Oh yea, he said the house has beings, he
said its name is Bru de Bone or somethin’
like that…just right for Halloween.” He
paused just long enough. “Look, Kid,
he’s just an old man who’s lonely. I
don’t know how he knew we were coming and I don’t know how he knew who we
were. Maybe one of the posse chasing us told him.
Maybe he just knows things. Maybe
one of them beings told him. I don’t
know. What I know is that it’s cold and
wet outside and warm and dry here. We
got comfortable beds and good food and no one’s shootin’
at us. So I say we stay for a while, get
some rest, then we can move on.”
“The beings told him? Thanks Heyes that made me feel much
better.” He held up his hands in
surrender. “Fine. We’ll stay.
But if I get killed in my bed,you’re
gonna have to live with it.”
“That’s the spirit!” He looked at Kid. “I didn’t mean that the way it came out…”
“Have you had enough Mr.
Curry?” The hollow voice startled both
men.
“Anyone ever tell you it’s
not safe to keep sneaking up on a body.”
“No, no one has ever told me
that.” The dour expression did not
change, “The
mistress awaits you in the study.”
Another
exchange of glances.
“Mistress?” Heyes finally
asked.
“Yes sir…Mistress Brigid.” His already scrunched face tightened even
more. “Mistress does not like to be made
to wait.”
“A lady never does.” Heyes’ attempt at a joke fell as flat as the
pancake that remained on Kid’s plate.
“OK, that’s it. Heyes, we ‘re leavin’. Don’t care
where, but we’re leavin’ now.” Curry rose and strode forcefully from the
room.
Heyes turned to the old
man. “Looks like the lady will be waitin’ after all…much as I’d like to meet her, when my partner gets an idea,
there’s no stopping him.” Heyes nodded
and hurriedly went to catch up with Kid.
Which was
why he found it very confusing that as soon as he left the kitchen, he found
himself in the study.
Facing the most beautiful
woman he’d ever seen. And Kid was no
where in sight.
Heyes smiled. Sometimes
things just have a way of working out.
************************
Kid Curry was also not where
he expected. He expected, when he left
the kitchen, to climb the stairs, pack his bag, get on his horse and get as far
away as he could from this house.
Where he found himself after
he left the kitchen was in a jail cell.
Facing the biggest, angriest
sheriff he’d ever seen. And Heyes was no
where in sight..
Kid covered his face with his
hands. Sometimes things just had to go from bad to worse.
************************
“I’ve been waiting for you, Mr. Heyes.” The voice was deeper than most women’s. Mellifluous. Hypnotic. “I do not like to be kept waiting.”
“My
apologies, ma’am.” He wanted to say more but for one of the few
times in his life, was at a loss for words.
“Accepted.” She stepped
closer. “Are you wondering how your true
names were known?” She took another step
forward.
Her heavy perfume overwhelmed
his senses, he felt himself reeling, dizziness
overcame him…he was spinning…no the room was spinning...the last thing he
remembered before darkness claimed him were her words…’The house knows
everything, Mr. Heyes.”
************************
Kid was having a dizzy spell
of his own. He’d uncovered his head when
he’d heard the Sheriff talking. It
wasn’t the Sheriff’s voice that opened his eyes. It was the very familiar voice of Lom
Trevors, Sheriff of Porterville. Former outlaw. Friend to two outlaws seeking amnesty.
“He’s in my jail and I’m keepin’ him.”
Sheriff Ezekial Lumbarger
shook a fist in Lom’s face to emphasize that possession was indeed more
important than fact.
Lom just smiled. A cold, hard smile. “Zeke, I know he’s in your jail. But you just said you don’t know why he’s
there or how he got there or who the hell he is for that matter. And I do know him. He’s a friend of mine and I’m asking you to
let him go. In my
custody of course.”
“Dad blast it Lom, I do know
him – he’s Kid Curry. Everyone knows
him. And I don’t give a hoot how he got
in my jail, he’s here and I’m keepin’ him.” The Sheriff crossed his arms in front of him
and stood there, looking very much like a pouting eight year old.
“Damnation Zeke, will you
listen to yourself? You can’t keep him.”
Impatience grew in Lom’s voice.
There was work to be done, and the amunsement
of this game was fast fading.
Kid had also tired of being
the observer. “Scuse me. I
understand I resemble that fella Curry, can’t begin to tell you the trouble
that’s caused me. But my name is
Thaddeus Jones and I’d be grateful if you’d listen to Sheriff Trevors and let
me out of this here cell.” Kid was
trying to be both confident and contrite.
“Nice to see you Lom.”
Both men turned to the prisoner
as though they’d suddenly remembered he was there.
“Now look Zeke, you let me take him
and I’ll make sure you get credit. And the reward.”
Lom smiled genially. “And you
won’t have to deal with what happens when his partner shows up.”
The Sheriff’s countenance
darkened. “I ain’t afraid of Hannibal
Heyes. I got ways of dealing with fellas
like that.”
Kid wasn’t sure why Lom had
so readily agreed with him as to his true identity, but he hoped he’d have time
to deal with that later. “Now look Sheriff. First off, I’m not sayin’
I am this Curry fella. But if I was and
if my partner knew I was in jail, why nothing would stop him from getting’ me
out. And you know this Heyes and Curry
run the Devil’s Hole Gang – and well, there ain’t no more ruthless a gang of
outlaws anywhere.” He looked from Lom to
the Sheriff. “Ain’t that right,
Lom? He nodded encouragingly at Trevors.
Trevors put his hand out for
the keys. “Get the irons, Zeke.”
Lumbarger’s breath was shallow and he seemed fixed in place. Silently he handed the keys over, turned and
walked away.
Trevors unlocked the cell and
opened the door, good humor returning to his voice. “You sure do have a way of getting’ yourself
into trouble. Where’s Heyes?”
“Lom, why the…why’d you agree
with him on me bein’ Kid Curry?” Kid rose and took a step towards his friend,
Lom held up his hand to stop
him. “We’ll talk when you’re out of
here.” He took the irons the Sheriff
offered and calmly shackled Kid’s hands, ignoring the scowl directed at him.
Lumbarger’s voice finally returned. “What’re ya gonna do with him?” Stage don’t come
through till tomorrow? Why not just
leave him here for the night?”
“By tomorrow we’ll be halfway
home. And with less
attention than having him on a stage full of other passengers. Let’s go Curry – sooner we get going, the
sooner we get you where you belong.”
Trevors took Kid’s arm and led him from the cell, past the glowering
Sheriff and out the front door of the jail.
************************
“You wanna tell me what’s goin’
on? And get me outta
these things! Kid’s eyes were dark and
his voice a growl.
“All in good time Kid. You don’t want the good citizens of…well the
good citizens to think we’re in cahoots.
Let’s get us some horses and we’ll talk on the way.” Lom pointed in the direction of the livery.
“On the way
to where? Where are we anyway? And how’d I get here?” Kid stopped, glaring at the other man.
“Kid people are beginning to
stare. Let’s just get goin’. There’s a
time for questions and a time for answers.
I got some of my own.” He took
the outlaw’s arm a bit more firmly and shoved him forward. “Like for example, where’s Heyes? Not much separates the two of you.”
Kid sighed. “All right, Lom. We’ll play it your way. For now. Heyes is at this house. We found it last night – comfortable enough,
if you like haunted houses.” He found
himself grinning at the lawman’s expression.
“Anyway, after breakfast, I was gonna leave. I left the kitchen and next thing I knew I
was here. Where is here anyway?”
“And Heyes is still at the
house?” They’d arrived at the livery and
Lom ushered Kid in.
“Well of course he is, at
least he was…Lom I don’t know what’s goin’ on, but I
don’t like it. Now will you get me out
of these things and let’s get movin’. Kid stuck out his shackled hands and waited
impatiently for the lawman to do his bidding.
He unlocked the irons and
removed them from Kid’s wrists. “We
should go. Storm’s comin’
in.”
Kid looked at his friend
questioningly. “It’s clear and dry. What storm are you talkin’
about?” A funny tingle was running up
Kid’s spine. The tingle that always told
him something wasn’t right.
The man raised his eyebrows,
hesitating for a split second. “The one
that always shows up right after my leg starts aching. You know, the leg
that got shot up…”
“Yea, ok, I remember.” He pushed the tingle away. No one other than Lom would know that
story. He watched the Lom talking to the
stablekeeper.
You’re just on edge because of
that house and losing Heyes. It’s Lom. Who else could it be? Then what was it that just wasn’t sitting
right. And there was still that question
of how he’d gotten out of the house into that cell in the first place. How long had he been there? Kid’s head swam with the questions and he
found himself grateful that Lom finished his negotiations for two matched coal
black stallions and handed him the reins.
“You ready?” Lom mounted his horse and started walking it
out of town.
Kid eyed the horses. Did
small towns keep horses like this? “More
that you know.” Kid followed suit and
soon they were out of town.
Picking up the pace, Lom took
the lead.
Kid, happy
to stay back a bit and study things, wanted to ask how Lom knew where he was
going. But at this point, the thought of one more question
was more than Kid felt he could deal with.
Whatever was going on, he was going to have to let it play out. And be prepared to whatever was going to
happen when they reached their destination.
The house.
************************
Hannibal Heyes woke up with a
splitting headache and no idea where he was.
He struggled to his feet, the room still swirling. He hung on to the back of a chair until
things stopped moving and he felt like he could take a step without falling
back down.
“Thaddeus?” He called out
tentatively, the sound elevating the throbbing in his temples. Wonderful. And things were going so well.
“Are you ill, Mister
Heyes?” The voice was back, as was the
scent. “I wondered if you would ever
wake.”
She was in a gown of the deepest
green velvet, a green that matched her eyes.
Her red hair was a mass of curls, bound somehow on top of her head. A black velvet choker with a cameo of a woman
was at her neck.
The vision was sufficient for
Heyes to forget about his throbbing head.
“No ma’am, I’m fine. “ He took a
step towards her. “Ma’am where is my
friend?”
“Your friend is gone Mr.
Heyes. I chose you. You will be my victory.” She held him with her eyes. She stopped suddenly and turned away. “They are close.”
Hannibal Heyes was a lot of
things. A patient man, when it cam to
danger involving his cousin was not among them.
“Look lady, I don’t know who you are and I honestly can’t say I care. Tell me where my friend is and tell me
now.” The menace in his voice had chilled
many men; it
seemed to have no effect on the woman at all.
“Fine.
You’re leaving me no choice…if I have to tear this house down one room
at a time…well, let’s see…what’s in here…”
He walked to another set of double doors and tried to pull them open. They wouldn’t budge.
“NOOOOOOO….”
The shriek sent shivers
running down Heyes’ spine. “Guess this
must be the place.” Heyes pulled again
on the door.
“You mustn’t let them
in. It will spoil the game!” Her voice was angry, annoyed. In an instant she was by his side.
“Get away from me,
lady.” He shoved her away, more harshly
than he’d planned.
She fell against the heavy
side table, lying there momentarily stunned.
She reached out as if to stop Heyes, but to no avail.
“I’m sorry, but if my cousin
is in there, I’m going to get him. Now
don’t get in my way.” He took a deep
breath and pulled on the doors again.
This time they flew open, revealing a cavernous blackness and a bone
chilling cold. Heyes involuntarily took
a step backwards. “What the…” He turned to the woman…but she’d
vanished. “Of course.” He swallowed hard, preparing to enter the
blackness. “Kid! Kid you in there?” He shouted into the black. He tentatively put his hand forward.
As soon as he touched the
blackness, a wave of nausea and terror staggered him. He fell back, a cold sweat covering his
face. Breathing heavily, he sat
there. I’ll just catch my breath. Hang
on Jed, I’m comin’.”
He pushed himself up, ignoring the fear that tried to envelop him,
he walked towards the dark. He’d almost
reached it when he heard the sound. Thundering, coming towards him. It grew louder and louder until it threatened
to run him over. He jumped just as the
horses flew through the black at him.
************************
“Heyes!” Kid tried to control the horse, to avoid
crashing into his cousin.
They’d fairly flown back to
the house, taking paths that didn’t seem to exist before they’d started down
them. He’s lost track of day and night
and, if truth be told, had no idea what day or month he was in. He’d figured out early on that this wasn’t
Lom. He didn’t know who it was or why he
looked like Lom. He’d come to the
conclusion that he didn’t know what the hell was goin’
on, he didn’t like it and really wanted his nice simple life back. Running from the law sounded wonderful right
now. He decided he’d definitely mention
this to Heyes as soon as he made sure his cousin was all right, then flattened him.
He didn’t have a particular reason for flattening his cousin, he just
needed to hit someone and Heyes had to have started all this with his Halloween
stories.
They’d entered another path
and the horses moved quicker and quicker, there was no holding them back. The man in front of Kid seemed to meld with
the horse, they moved in one fluid motion.
Kid hung on and waited it to stop.
Then he saw the blackness and tried with everything he could to turn
away from it. The horse would have none
of it and drove forward to be side by side with its brother.
Kid could hardly breath, they were moving so quickly. The wind whipped against his face. Every fiber of his being
fought to stop, to no avail. He
hear thin, high pitched laughter from
the man beside him, more like a howl of victory and then all went black.
************************
“Well.
“Bout time you woke up.” Heyes
voice brought Kid out of the blackness.
“Heyes? What
the…what’s goin’ on?”
Kid sat up suddenly, grabbing for his gun.
“Won’t do
you any good, Kid. I have no idea what’s goin’
on, wish I did. Where’d you go,
anyway?
“Where’d I go?” Where’d you go? I was here, then I was in jail…yea jail,
don’t ask me why or how. Only reason I’m
here is Lom got me out…” He squeezed his
eyes closed, ignoring the confused look on Heyes face. “Look, you asked, I’m tellin’
you.” He sighed loudly. “Heyes, can we just get out of here?” I don’t much care who these people are or
what they want. Maybe it’ll make more
sense with a whiskey,
maybe a double….hell, maybe the bottle.”
“Lom,huh. I got a
beautiful woman.” He held up his hands
in surrender. “I don’t understand
either, but I agree with you Kid. Let’s
find the front door and get movin’. He looked around the room.
“The front door…” He also looked around. “Of course.” The room they were in had no doors or windows. It looked very comfortable with big heavy
furniture, a brightly burning fire, there was just no
way in or out.
‘Well it does beat some of
the jail cells we’ve been in.” Heyes was
trying to be jovial.
“Glad you can find the humor
in all this Heyes.” Kid finally
holstered his gun.
“Gentlemen.”
The voice came out of no
where and both men jumped at the sound.
“You are summoned.”
“Ellar…where’d
you come from…how’d you get in here!” Heyes shouted at the man – covering the
distance between them in two long strides.
“More important, where’s the
door, so we can get out.” Kid had drawn
his gun and was now pointing it at the man.
“You are summoned.” The hollow voice showed no emotion.
“Fine! Let’s
go!” Heyes whirled around pointing as he
spun. “Show us the door out!”
Ellar nodded.
************************
“Getting’ mighty tired of this Heyes.” Kid was sprawled on a hard surface.
“Yea, me
too.” Heyes rolled off his stomach and surveyed the
room.
Big, empty,
only furniture were two large chairs. “Looks like something I saw in a
book once…something King Arther sat in…” The fire that blazed in the huge stone fireplace was the only
light in the room.
A scent flooded the room, the
scent of heather and mist and something darkly magic.
“We have a contest.” A man’s voice filled the room.
The outlaws spun to face the
chairs, now filled with a man and woman.
They looked at each other.
“Your
beautiful woman?” Kid mumbled.
Heyes nodded. “That one yours?”
Kid shrugged. “Hard to say.”
The two beings studied the men as though they
were under a microscope. “Do you know
of me?”
The outlaws watched as the
being became Lom, then slowly he…it…became something else. Tall, muscular he was fair complected with long red hair. He work garb of leather and mail. He looked human, but no one in the room
believed that was the case. “I am your
friend…no…I am the Sheriff…or am I someone else….” He laughed, a cold,
arrogant laugh. “I am Dagda. I rule this
dominion.”
The woman turned angrily to
him.
The man ignored her. “This is Brigid. We have been longer than time itself, coming from your homeland to find a new place. This one suits us.”
“It suits me. And this is my place.” There was no longer any melody to her
voice. It was cold and flat.
“We shall see.” He rose.
“The game has been enjoyable.
Living in the memories you provided.
Experiencing your humanness. You will learn to obey and enjoy your fealty
to us.” He sat back down. “The time is here. A test. We shall learn and one of you will
survive. You will fight to the
death. He who is victorious shall have a
place of honor.”
The outlaws exchanged
looks.
“I don’t know or care who you
are. My friend and I are not fightin’ anyone. We
have a place and it’s not here. So if it’s
all the same to you, we’ll be goin’.” Heyes’ silver tongue had seldom failed him, he hoped it wouldn’t do so now.
Kid had a more direct
approach. “Where’s the door?” He fired a shot into the wood paneling
directly over the head of the man. “Next
one goes lower.”
The man smiled and spoke
quietly to the woman. “I will have my
victory in him.”
“We shall see Dagda.” Bearing a
striking resemblance to the man, she glided to him. “You will bring me glory.” She caressed his face. “And my rewards shall be great. The door will show itself when the battle is
done.” She raised her arm. “Begin.”
The men did not move. For an excruciatingly long
moment.
Then in a heartbeat, Heyes
tackled Kid, pinning him beneath him.
“What the hell…Heyes have you
lost your mind?” Kid tried to push him
off, but Heyes hung on, both men rolling over and over.
“Play along, Kid.” Heyes fierce whisper. “Let ‘em think
they’re getting what they want.”
Kid understood and this time
roughly pushed Heyes off, leaping to his feet.
Heyes rolled to a corner and
also stood.
The men studied each other as
they circled in the firelight.
“Don’t want’ta do this Heyes.”
“I want to live Kid…easy as
that.”
This time it was Kid who
leapt, knocking Heyes backward and into the wall. “How long do we do this?” He whispered.
“Not sure.” Heyes shoved him off.
“Enough! There will be blood! Or you both shall die!” The man’s roar filled the room. “ELLAR!
Weapons!”
The man appeared from nowhere
carrying a tray that glittered in the dim light. “Gentlemen.” He offered the tray to both outlaws.
Laid out on the tray were
weapons. Silver, deadly, they seemed to
draw energy from the two outlaws, humming and whispering.
Heyes reached for one – a
sword, deadly sharp with a jeweled handle and a slightly curved blade. He balanced it in his hand, testing it’s weight. “A fine weapon.” He
smiled directly at Dagda. “Good for killin’.”
Kid reached outward to a
knife, at least twelve inches long. Something
caught his eye and he looked up. Ellar’s eyes directed him to another weapon. Trusting his instinct, he reached for
it. A spear, long,
sharp and deadly in every way.
“Be careful, sir, it is very
sharp.”
“As he uttered the words,
Kid’s palm slipped across the blade, nicking his palm and leaving a droplet of
blood on the weapon. He winced
imperceptibly and grasped the body of the spear, not bothering to test it’s feel. He moved
instantly backwards, facing the two beings, twirling the weapon as though it
was a baton.
“This what
you want? One of us kills the
other? What do I get when I win?” Kid now tossed the spear, almost playfully
from hand to hand. There was no
playfulness in his words.
“Whatever
you desire.” Dagda laughed,
feeling victory in his reach.
“I desire her.” Heyes instinctively took a position opposite
his cousin. “And when I win, I’ll have
her.”
They once again danced back
and forth, equal combatants, shadowy figures in the firelight. When they stopped, Kid had his back to the
beings.
“Shut up Heyes. I wan’ta live
too. And I’m gonna. And when this is over I’m gonna burn
everything that reminds me of you in the fire and finally be free.” His eyes were a slate blue, dark and angry,
they bored into Heyes.
“If that’s how you want it,
Kid.”
“That’s how I want it
Heyes.”
“Well then, let’s get it
done.”
They moved forward, circling
each other, crouching, jabbing, knowing, waiting for the moment to
strike…leaping in unison, weapons flying forward…the screams of destruction as
the blades found their homes and the fire that followed as the beings melted to
the ground and turned to ash.
************************
Neither knew how long they’d
been unconscious. The thunder as the two
beings were destroyed had knocked them both out. Now, they struggled to clear their heads and
follow the voice that came out of nowhere.
“Go raibh
maith agat. Thank you.”
It whispered and was gone.
************************
The sun rose on two men stretched out under a
spreading oak tree. It’s
leaves, golden and red looked like a
“Where is it?” Kid ran forward, shoving brush aside as he
went.
“Should be right there…I
mean, here…hell…where is it? He shouted as he followed his partner
“There…” Kid stopped suddenly.
Heyes nearly knocked him over
as he too saw the flat surface where a house once stood. Their horses stood placidly chewing on bright
green bushes that clumped together where the barn should have been.
“Heyes?....”
“I don’t know Kid. Maybe it was a dream.”
“That we both had? I don’t think so Heyes.”
“Then were
is it?”
They walked forward, reaching
out as though maybe it was there, just invisible. Catching themselves, they both lowered their
arms, embarrassed.
“What’s that?” Kid pointed towards a square object in the
center of the plot of land. He walked
forward and picked it up. “A book.”
“I can see that…here let me
have it.” He snatched the book
away. “Legend of the Tuatha De Danann.” He scratched his head. “Didn’t Grampa
Curry mention that name once?”
“Mebbe.” Kid peered over Heyes’ shoulder as he opened
the book. The first page was a
drawing.
“Well I’ll be…” He shook his head.
The drawing was of the beings
they’d encountered in the house that wasn’t there. He turned the page. It was Eller, holding a tray of weapons.
“Ya know Heyes,
I hear
Heyes studied the book. “Wait, Kid.
It wasn’t a dream, it was real.
Well as real as it could be. I
remember the story. They were magical
beings that invaded
“That’s it Heyes. We’re leavin’. Now you can get on your horse on your own, or
I’m gonna flatten you, tie you to your horse and lead you outta
here. But sure as anything, we’re leavin’. He glared
at his partner.
Heyes stared silently at his
friend, then broke out into laughter. “All right, Kid. You’re right.
We can talk about this later.”
“Ain’t gonna be talking about
this. Ever again. I’m serious Heyes.
They walked side by side to
their horses, saddled them, mounted and started riding.
“Wonder who Ellar was and why he helped us.” Heyes mused.
“So help me Heyes…” Kid started and kicked his horse into a
gallop.
“Just a
question Kid.” He spurred his horse on to catch up. “His name means steward. Maybe he was sent
here to help.
“Shut up, Heyes.”
“But Kid, aren’t you
curious?”
“No. Now I’m tellin’ you to shut up, ‘fore I do something we’ll both
regret.
Heyes cocked his head at his
partner and sighed. “Well if that’s the
way you want to be.”
“It is.”
For an hour they rode in
silence, each digesting the events that had befallen them.
Finally Heyes could be silent
no longer. “Kid?”
“Don’t start, Heyes.”
“I think I know what
happened.” Heyes persisted.
Kid’s sighed loudly. He knew he just had to let Heyes get it out
of his system or this would go on forever.
“Fine Heyes.
What happened.”
Eagerly, Heyes started. “Well I think those two, Dagda
and Brigid, were trying to bring their ways here to
the good old US of A. I dunno, maybe they didn’t like
“If they were fairies or
leprechauns or whatever they were, why’d they have to sneak on a ship. Couldn’t they
just be here?” Kid, always the practical
one, had decided if he couldn’t make Heyes stop, he could at least annoy him during
the telling of the tale.
Heyes made a face, continuing
as though he’d never been interrupted.
“However they got here, they decided to stay.”
“And why
us? How’d we get involved? I mean were they just waiting for us to show
up?” Kid also continued his
journey. “And who was Ellar?
“Will you let me finish! I don’t know why us. Maybe we just happened to be here. Maybe we were supposed to be
here…maybe…maybe….maybe it’s cause we got here on Halloween! And Ellar was a
good…well a good somethin’ and was supposed to help
us.” He pulled his horse up. “That’s it Kid. We got here on Halloween and that must mean somethin’!” He
grinned. “Halloween..”
he said fondly. “One
of my favorite holidays.”
Kid turned to stare at him,
sighing again. “Heyes, I think you have
finally gone loco.” He thought for a
moment, before riding away. “Anyway, I think I like
Easter better.”
Heyes grinned. “Did I ever tell you the story of the Easter
Rabbit? Kid?”
But Kid had his head down and
was riding as hard as he could.
Note:
THE TUATHA DÉ DANANN.
The Tuatha De are described as physically
outstanding; tall, red-haired, fair-skinned, powerful aristocratic and mystical
beings who mingled with mortals and yet remained aloof and superior to them.
Their principal residences were in and around Brú na Bóinne,
the
According to Lebor Gabála
the Tuatha Dé Danann were the progeny of those Nemedians who followed Jobhath,
the third son of Nemed, out of
Led by their commander Jarbonel they settled with
others of their race near the city of
The Tuatha Dé Danann then wandered across Europe settling first in Scandanavia, and later in Alba (Scotland) and "The
Northern Isles".
From Alba they resolved to reclaim
Names:
Dagda, The Irish-Celtic god of
the earth and treaties, and ruler over life and death. Dagda is one of the most prominent gods and the leader of
the Tuatha Dé Danann.
He is a master of magic, a fearsome warrior and a skilled artisan.
Brigid: The "Fiery Arrow or Power," is a
Celtic three-fold goddess. The daughter of Dagda. Known by many names, Brighid's
three aspects are (1) Fire of Inspiration as patroness of poetry, (2) Fire of
the Hearth, as patroness of healing and fertility, and (3) Fire of the Forge,
as patroness of smithcraft and martial arts.
Ellar:
Gaelic for steward