Book One : The Prophecy : X : Look Upon Thy Death

X

Look Upon Thy Death

It is not death that man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live…

Marcus Aurelius.

“Where does he live?” Theodore asked a tired Jophiel as they finally made it to Oxford, passing the Carfax Tower as the clock struck two in the morning.

“Winchester road,” Jophiel yawned. “You need to get onto Woodstock road and head north until you reach Bevington road.”

“I think I know where it is,” Theodore said quietly as he drove onto Cornmarket Street and headed north. “Why have I heard the name Professor Vavilov before?”

“Alexis taught at Ravinston during the twenties,” Jophiel answered as she cast her eyes out onto the lifeless road covered with a light dusting of snow. How eerie the city seemed to Theodore who had once lived in Oxford for a while before the outbreak of the Great War.

“That makes sense,” Theodore murmured as he turned onto Woodstock road. “Why did he leave?”

“There was an incident,” Jophiel replied, closing her eyes tightly with memory.

“What incident?”

“He had taken his first year class down to the beach to conduct a fairly simple experiment,” Jophiel said quietly, her breathe causing the window to fog. “One of the children went missing and he never really recovered so took up a post at Cambridge University until he retired, three years ago.”

“Did they ever find the child?” Theodore asked with a curious gaze.

“He was one of nine children that had gone missing that summer,” Jophiel answered morbidly.

“Nine?” Theodore turned to Jophiel with wide eyes.

“Three girls and six boys went missing during day trips, four of them being pupils of Alexis.”

“Have any of them been found?”

“No, there are no traces of them anywhere,” Jophiel spoke darkly, she had been one of the five chosen to investigate the cases. “Not one.”

“How strange,” Theodore said as he took a right off Woodstock road.

“It has puzzled myself and others for many years,” Jophiel said as she put on her hat, the professors house coming into sight. “He lives three houses up on the right, can you see it?” Theodore cast his gaze up the length of the street until his eyes rested on the house that Jophiel had described. It was dark and so Theodore could not see the house clearly, but knew that it was an old Victorian semi-detached by the silhouette. The head lights of the car reflected off the bay windows as he drove into the small driveway.

“Theodore I think I should warn you,” Jophiel turned to face Theodore as he turned the car off. “Alexis hasn’t really ever been the same since that incident.”

“What do you mean?” Theodore asked as he put on his hat.

“He’s been a bit of a recluse,” Jophiel said darkly as she put on her gloves.

“I wouldn’t care if he was Frankenstein’s creature as long as he can help,” Theodore said tensely.

“I know,” Jophiel whispered. For a moment they held one another’s gaze, feeling something pass between them.

“Let’s go,” Theodore announced abruptly, opening the door and getting out. The street was quiet and dark as they walked silently to the door.

“Should I knock?” Jophiel whispered as flakes of snow began to fall. Theodore nodded as he stood turned from Jophiel and the door, scanning the area for anything unusual. Jophiel knocked the door lightly before rubbing her hands together for warmth. Theodore turned and folded his arms tightly.

“I don’t think he heard,” he whispered scanning the doorway. “Ah here we go,” he smiled pushing a small round button.

“Why didn’t I see that?” Jophiel sighed, rolling her eyes.

“We often don’t see what’s in front of us,” Theodore said gravely.

“I see something moving,” Jophiel whispered as she leaned forward and looked through the stained glass window, seeing a dark figure coming towards them. With a quiet snip the door opened and a tall figure stood before them, sheathed in darkness but for a pair of brilliant blue eyes.

“Jophiel is that you?” a shaken voice asked as an elderly man stepped forward.

“Professor Vavilov ALexis it is I Jophiel,” Jophiel announced kindly.

“What are you doing here at this hour?” the professor asked as he stood to the side and bade them to come in, stopping for a brief moment to check the quiet street before turning and closing the door behind him.

“We need your help,” Jophiel said quickly as the professor walked on before them, biding them to follow.

“We?” the professor answered with a light Russian accent. The trio entered what seemed to be the living room.

“Do you by any chance know of the name Celestine?” Jophiel asked as she and Theodore stood in the centre of the dark room whilst the elderly professor closed the curtains before lighting a lamp with a flick of his hand. The room awakened with a soft glow allowing both Theodore and Jophiel to examine the quaint room. It closely resembled the style of Edwardian interior which was to Jophiels taste. The wall behind them was filled with shelves that were brimming with books. Before them was an unlit fireplace which lay under a large glass mirror. Before them on their right was a large cream sofa and an Edwardian mahogany table which lay before the bay window, now filled with the figure of Professor Vavilov.

“Close the door,” Alexis whispered as though afraid that they should be overheard. Theodore gently closed the door to the living room and returned to Jophiels side protectively. “Please sit down.” Jophiel looked at Theodore who nodded before taking a seat and taking off her hat, resting it upon her lap neatly. The professor walked to the fireplace and bent his body over the hearth, his hands upon the mantelpiece breathing in a deep sigh. “I have heard a rumour that includes the name you speak of,” he began darkly. “Though I only heard of it through the grape vine a few weeks ago after I learnt of Lier’s murder.”

“You know?” Jophiel exclaimed with slight shock. “We haven’t disclosed to anyone the news of his death, how come you to know about it?”

“The death of Lier at the hands of Lagmar was sure to spread like wildfire Miss Schoenberg, surely this you know?” Alexis said with raised brows as though disappointed in his once fellow teacher. Jophiel coloured slightly with embarrassment.

“Forgive my ignorance,” Jophiel mumbled as she clutched at her hat.

“There is nothing to forgive,” the professor waved his hand before resting it upon his hip. “Are you not going to introduce me to your friend?”

“Yes of course, this is Theodore Sampson, he is an old and cherished friend of mine, an angel like you and I,” Jophiel said with warm eyes. Theodore gazed at her with sudden attachment. “He is the husband of a woman called Eveline or to those of us with wings, Celestine.” At this the professor turned to Theodore sharply and strode forward, bending down to get a better look.

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Theodore announced, reaching his hand out. Alexis frowned deeply before placing his left hand into Theodores and shaking it lightly.

“And yours Mr Sampson,” the professor said quietly, studying Theodore’s face carefully, taking in every detail. “Do you know if you were followed?”

“Em - well no I don’t think we were,” Jophiel said with uncertainty.

“We must take no risks, please if you will follow me down to my cellar were we may speak more boldly,” Alexis announced, his body and face etched with anxiety. Theodore looked over at Jophiel with concerned eyes wondering if this reclusive professor was to be trusted. Jophiel read his thoughts and merely nodded with a slight smile as they rose from the sofa and once again followed Alexis out of the room and into the dark corridor. Theodore stayed close to Jophiel, their hands touching lightly as they followed the tall man, dressed in a heavy black gown down a flight of winding stairs. The professor opened a door and showed them into a large cellar that was not filled with wine as Theodore had thought but had been turned into a laboratory. The walls of the cellar were stacked with heavy wooden shelves that housed hundreds of bottles of every size. At the end of the large room was a blackboard, which hung upon the wall covered in equations. Before the blackboard was a heavy wooden table filled with books, papers and a small antique banker’s lamp. A long wooden table filled the middle of the room, its surface covered with various instruments and papers. Theodore stood by the table and gazed at its contents, an Edwardian microscope standing near to him amongst an array of test tubes, slides and petri dishes. At the other end of the table were a small pair of forceps’ alongside probes and scalpels. The cellar once alight was filled with curious things much to Theodore’s curious eyes. Jophiel pondered around the cellar stopping to rise up onto her toes to get a better look inside the large glass bottles filled with dead snakes.

“Shall we speak plainly?” the professor announced, heralding Theodore and Jophiel back into reality.

“Yes for time is short,” Theodore exclaimed as he watched the professor walk over to his table, turning on his lamp.

“Then speak plainly Mr Sampson.”

“My wife, Eveline is known by another name, Celestine, you have heard of this name yes?”

“Yes, she has been living right under our very noses,” Alexis smiled proudly. “But those of us who knew of her existence understood that this could not last. Lagmar and Belem are too clever and devious.”

“She has been bitten by Nagtium,” Jophiel said with urgency, making her way to stand before the professor, her eyes upon his own vivid blue gaze. “We need an antivenin and you are the only one I know who has access to it.”

“I need the milk of Nagtium if I am to make Celestine an antivenin, do you have some?” the professor asked with raised brows, shocked that Jophiel had procured the venom of the most sought after snake.

“No of course we don’t,” Jophiel said with haste, placing her hat down upon the table. “We hoped that by using any type of antivenin that it would slow the poisoning down.”

“The bite of Nagtium is not like the bite of an earthly snake Miss Schoenberg,” Alexis said with stern yet grave eyes. “If you wish to save Celestine then you must procure the venom of Nagtium and only Nagtium.”

“You know that would be futile Professor,” Theodore interjected seriously. “Until we can devise a logical plan in which to somehow find access to Nagtium can we use the venom of another snake instead?”

“Mr Sampson, procuring antivenin is an arduous job, it does not just consist of milking a snake,” Alexis said as he strode over to one of the shelves, casting his eyes upon a section of small bottles, picking one up and turning it to Theodore and Jophiel, holding it up before him. “You must cool it and then immunize it to create antibodies mainly through the use of horses. And even at that you must wait for the antibodies to form which can take a matter of weeks. Then you must bleed the animal drawing at least three to six litres of blood from the jugular vein before using a centrifuge to filter the plasma.”

“I understand the process if only slightly, do you have any vials of antivenin that we can use?” Theodore asked as he swept a hand over his forehead, stress causing his temples to ache.

“I have five, and altogether it had taken me twenty years to create them,” Alexis said quietly. “The art of creating antivenin is really very young and many scientists like myself who study the methods are still not a hundred percent sure if the antivenin works as we would like it too.”

“Professor,” Jophiel walked over to the professor and found his free hand laying her own over it. “You know that Celestine is the grand daughter of Heiden yes?”

“Yes.”

“Then you know how important it is that we keep her alive?”

“I quite understand Jophiel. I am trying to warn you that my antivenin may not save her,” the professor replied gently. “Do you understand that?”

“Fully,” Jophiel said with confidence. “But we must try.”

“Yes I see that you must,” Alexis said with a nod of his head and slight smile which only enforced his wrinkled and aged skin to deepen. Jophiel smiled up into the professor’s face.

“You are a good man Alexis,” she said with warmth. “And I’m sorry it has been so long since we last spoke.”

“You once spoke to me of a Cael, is this him?” the professor whispered softly. Jophiels eyes fell to the ground in response. “Ah.”

“Professor we don’t have a lot of time,” Theodore interrupted as Jophiel stood away, her gaze still on the floor. “Tell us what we must do.”

“The Vials are filled with saline on top of the antivenin,” the professor said haphazardly as he collected the rest of the vials and brought them to his table. Jophiel and Theodore stood around the table and watched as the professor opened up one of the drawers and brought forth a small box, placing the vials inside. “I’m not entirely satisfied that five vials will be enough, especially considering the type of snake we are talking about. Nagtium is no timber rattlesnake.”

“What happens when she has been injected?” Theodore asked as the professor handed him the small box.

“The antibodies should bind themselves to and neutralize the venom giving the liver and kidney’s time to flush out the chemicals,” Alexis replied, his eyes shifting from Theodore to Jophiel. “Each vial contains a two hundred millilitres, give Celestine fifty millilitre’s over a twelve hour period.” The professor rounded his table and made for another shelve, collecting a green bottle and bringing it back with him. “Here is two thousand millilitres of Sulphapyridine, it usually comes in tablets but I have it in liquid form. Give her a five hundred every four hours to bring down the fever and level her breathing.”

“Thank you professor,” Jophiel said with great appreciation, pocketing the bottle safely. The professor walked back around his table and opened another drawer.

“You will need a syringe and needle,” Alexis said as he produced the instruments. “You know you may need more Sulphapyridine but I have no more so try to find a local pharmacist and procure some.”

“Don’t worry there is a pharmacist nearby,” Theodore said as he watched the professor place the instruments into another box. As they stood patiently a noise transcended down through the house from above.

“What was that?” Jophiel whispered, her eyes on the ceiling of the cellar.

“You said no one followed you?” Alexis said with anxious eyes.

“Who would have followed us from Bath?” Theodore returned with urgency as the house once again fell victim to more noise.

“Cael is it possible that shadows were watching the house?” Jophiel whispered as the professor rushed to the door and locked it from the inside.

“I suppose,” Theodore said with a confused expression. “But we would have noticed if they were following?”

“Is it possible that they may have contacted shadows that live in this area?” Jophiel asked the professor as he rushed by them, his long thin grey hair flying about.

“I suppose so you,” Alexis answered as he bent to the ground where his hand bent around a small metal handle. “Quick follow me,” he rushed as footsteps could be heard descending the stairs. Suddenly a secret passageway opened up. Jophiel peered down the dark passage. “No time for dwindling Jophiel, down you go!” Jophiel stepped down into the narrow passage with her hat perched atop her head. Quickly Theodore followed suite, followed by the professor who once down into the passageway closed the latch. Jophiel stood, disorientated and a little nervous. As she stood within the narrow passage she felt a hand cover her own, an electric shock coursing through her arm and piercing her heart. With a thudding chest her eyes found those of Theodore’s.

“Are you alright?” he whispered calmly, rubbing her palm with his fingers, soothing her anxious state.

“Yes,” she replied, their noses touching ever so slightly.

“Quick we must hurry!” the professor whispered above them, as he passed them by, his heavy footsteps reverberating through the tunnel. Theodore smiled at Jophiel before guiding her through the tunnel behind a panting Alexis. It didn’t take long for them to come to the end of the tunnel. “There should be keys here somewhere,” the professor mumbled aloud, tracing his hands along the wall. The noise of keys filled the tunnel. “Found them!”

“Professor where are you taking us?” Jophiel whispered over Theodore’s shoulder.

“To my car,” the professor replied as he reached up and found the steps, pulling them down to the ground. Theodore turned to Jophiel and gazed down into her eyes for a moment. “Quickly! There is no time to saunter about.” Theodore turned about and sighed, following the professor up the stairs, waiting patiently for the elderly man to push open the hatchet. Jophiel quickly followed the men until she finally climbed out of the tunnel and found herself above ground once more. She looked behind her, they were in his back garden, the lights of his house now turned on with shadows passing by the windows.

“Jophiel come,” Theodore urged as the professor opened the garden door and rushed them out to where his car was parked.

“Take my keys and get out of Oxford as quickly as possible!” Alexis ordered darkly, handing the set of keys over to Theodore.

“But this is your car?” Theodore argued as he opened the doors.

“Well until you can bring it back to me safely I shall use your car,” the professor retorted hearing voices from within the house. “Do you have your keys?”

“Yes in my pocket,” Theodore said as he rummaged through his coat pocket finding the keys. Roughly he handed them to Alexis before jumping into the professor’s car and starting the engine. Jophiel wrapped her arms about her old friend.

“What will you do?” she whispered into his ear.

“Don’t you worry about me Jophiel, just you make sure that Celestine survives, promise?” the professor said with wide eyes.

“I will try my best,” Jophiel returned as she opened the passenger door and climbed in.

“Go!” the professor cried out. Theodore put his foot down and the car sped into life, driving down the narrow back street towards the exit. Jophiel quickly looked behind her and spotted the professor walking back into his garden.

“Will he be safe do you think?” she asked as they rushed up Banbury road.

“I don’t know,” Theodore said stiffly. He kept the headlights off as he drove north out of Oxford. Jophiel felt herself tremble and tried to concentrate on the scene outside but found it hard to distract herself. She had lost Lier a few weeks prior and her world had been shaken, the thought of losing another friend was too much to digest. As if sharing in her fear, Theodore once again found her hand and placed it within his own, keeping his eyes on the road as she gazed over at him. How many times over the last twenty eight years had she tried to reguratate what it had felt like to hold his hand or to feel his lips upon her own, and yet in this moment of chaos and fear he was holding her hand, the man that had for weeks refused to meet her gaze or be in her presence. Despite her need to keep still and quiet, Jophiel felt her eyes water with pain, never had she imagined the pain that Theodores touch would evoke, the pain she had harboured so closely for so long.

Theodore felt her hand tremble within his own and understood the fear that ran through Jophiel, feeling it himself. He cursed life, cursed himself for this was all his fault. He was stuck between two women with whom he loved. With each day that passed by since the veil of ignorance had fallen away, his heart had been resuscitated, awakened once again. The man that he had been before Eveline had been very different. Never had there been another woman but Jophiel, he had spent years hoping in vain that she would return his affections only to give her up for his own selfish needs. He knew now why he had felt the stirrings of regret when he had married Eveline, despite his own infatuation for the ethereal Celestine, beautiful and rare. He understood now that the veil had fallen that his heart had never truly lost touch of the love he had for Jophiel, a woman so graceful and kind. He supposed this was his punishment for being greedy.

“Theodore can we stop please,” Jophiel whispered as a tear fell upon her cheek. They had been driving for over an hour and were driving through Bibury. Theodore turned the car off from the road and stopped by a gate. The sky was beginning to change ever so gently as Jophiel got out of the car. Theodore watched as she climbed of the gate and walked through the field, stopping with her hands upon her hips. Theodore took the keys out of the ignition and opened his door, stepping out onto the grass closing the door behind him. Cautiously he climbed over the gate and made his way to where she stood, crying.

“Jophiel?”

“Don’t!” Jophiel cried out, holding out her hand as though to caution him from coming any closer. Theodore ignored her protests and stepped forward, placing a hand upon her shoulder feeling her muscles flinch, her back bent over with grief.

“What is it?” he whispered softly as the morning birds chirped poetically around them.

“Nothing,” Jophiel lied, wiping her face with her sleeves.

“It’s not nothing,” Theodore said as he stepped closer until his chest met with her shoulder blades. Cautiously he let his hand fall from her shoulder, wrapping it about her waist tenderly, leaning her mouth against her ear. With his other hand he found hers and took it within his own, resting it over his other hand. Jophiels body trembled as she felt a wave of pain wash over her.

“So long…I waited so long for you,” she gulped, her body beginning to relax against Theodores.

“I know,” Theodore whispered into her thick black curls. “What I did to you…was unforgivable.”

“I spent so many years crying for you.”

“I don’t know what else to say only that I am sorry,” Theodore said faintly. Jophiel pushed herself away from Theodore and turned to face him.

“I happen to love your wife not because I feel I must,” she said aloud, straightening her back and finding her courage. “I won’t betray her by falling into your arms.”

“You must believe me when I say that I never intended on falling in love with Eveline,” Theodore pleaded holding out his hand.

“And yet you did,” Jophiel retorted with a sadness that pierced Theodore deeply.

“I love you too.”

“You’re despicable! You’re a monster!” Jophiel cried out, striding up to Theodore and hitting him hard on the shoulder. “Your wife is dying and all you can think about as usual is yourself!”

“That’s not true!” Theodore barked, grabbing her wrists and holding her tightly.

“You left me before you met Eveline, don’t use her as an excuse!”

“I wouldn’t!” Theodore pleaded, his blue eyes unwavering as they held her own distressed gaze.

“You don’t get to have my heart Cael! You threw it away the moment you were given a chance to walk away from those who loved you.”

“You wanted me to go Jophiel! You told me to go!”

“I never wanted to force you to choose,” Jophiel whispered, her lips shimmering with moisture. “I wanted you to choose me by your own free will.”

“You never gave me a choice, you ran away before I could make up my mind!”

“If you loved me enough then you wouldn’t have needed time in which to make your mind up.”

Theodore let go of Jophiel and turned from her, his head within the palms of his hands.

“It doesn’t matter what I say, it will never be enough.”

“No it won’t.”

“What can I do?” Theodore’s voice cracked with emotion. “Whatever I do I let someone down.”

“The fault lies with you Cael and no one else. It doesn’t lie with your wife who is dying, a wife you publically humiliate and control.”

“To protect her!”

“From what Cael? Lagar or the prophecy?”

Theodore turned, his eyes blazing.

“It has nothing to do with the prophecy!”

“Yes it does and you know it,” Jophiel said aloud. “Have you never stopped to think that by you possessing your wife you are driving her into Galean’s arms?”

“I don’t possess her,” Theodore whispered. “How am I to act when I am constantly surrounded by two women I love and a man who is apparently destined to be with one of them?”

“You can’t have everything Theodore!”

“I know,” Theodore whispered fervently. The sky began to turn as the first rays of the sun began to appear.

“Don’t you think my heart aches to see you with Eveline?”

“I know it does.”

“This is bigger than you or I Cael, this is bigger than a perverse love triangle,” Jophiel said with feeling. “This is about the universe and everything beautiful within it being condemned to darkness if we don’t manage to save Celestine.”

“I know.”

“If you love her in the way I hope you do then you will do all you can to protect her,” Jophiel said quietly. “No matter what feelings you may have for me. Overcome the very thing that drove us apart and don’t do it to please me, do it for her. She has done no wrong against you or I, she is innocent.”

“I know,” Theodore said pathetically. “I don’t deserve her.”

“No you don’t,” Jophiel said with a weak smile. “But she choose you.”

“Well I choose her if truth be told,” Theodore said sheepishly.

“Whatever doubts you have in relation to her feelings towards you, she married you, remember that.” Jophiel wiped her eyes and began to walk back to the car, stopping as Theodores hand found her own. “Theodore don’t,” Jophiel whispered as he leaned his face into her own, using his other hand to stroke her cold cheek.

“I have too if it is the last selfish thing I do,” he whispered as his lips brushed her own lightly. Theodore turned his body to her own and raised his other hand to her face, cupping her beautiful face within his trembling palms. He felt her moist lashes against his skin and deepened their kiss. Jophiel opened her green eyes and looked up into his own and found Cael.

“I never loved another,” she whispered, pressing a hand against his chest. “I will never love another.”

“Such a privilege,” Theodore whispered gently as their noses touched. “Though I am not deserving of such a rare and beautiful gift.”

“No, you never were Cael. Know that right now you and I are both guilty of betraying your wife.”

Jophiel released herself from Theodore and walked back to the car, leaving him alone in the field to deal with the consequences of his actions.

*

Eveline stood upon the stairs and gazed down at Galean, oblivious to her. As she stood, she watched him put on his long coat, the sun flowing through the glass stained door showing up the particles of dust. Feeling a set of eyes searing through him, Galean turned and found Eveline’s golden gaze upon him.

“Eveline, are you sure you should be up?” Galean asked with concerned eyes.

“I am feeling much better Mr Edwards,” Eveline beamed, her body, soul and mind completely her own as she made her way down the stairs to stand before Galean as he put his hat on.

“Where are you off too?”

“To Weymouth,” Galean said as his buttoned his coat, keeping his blue gaze on her. She looked young and healthy, her skin warm, her lips red and her eyes sparkling.

“So far?” Eveline replied with surprise.

“It is the anniversary of my wife and daughters death,” Galean said under his breath as Eveline handed him his scarf.

“I’m so sorry Mr Edwards,” Eveline said gravely as Galean wound his scarf about him.

“No need to apologise,” Galean smiled weakly.

“Why the sea?”

“They loved the sea,” Galean said flatly.

“I have never been to the seaside before,” Eveline said as she rested her hands before her.

“Would you like to accompany me?” Galean asked with hope. Eveline furrowed her brows in thought.

“When will we back?”

“No later than nine.”

“I’m not sure I should,” Eveline said with uncertainty, stuck between loyalty and curiosity.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have put you on the spot like that,” Galean said roughly, turning away from Eveline and making for the door, opening it to let the winter sun flow into the reception area, bathing Eveline in a flood of light and warmth. “Good day.” Galean tipped his hat to her before closing the door behind him. Eveline looked about her, the rooms empty and the house quiet. Before her she eyed up her coat, hat, scarf and gloves and immediately took in a deep breathe.

“To hell with it,” she muttered as she quickly took her coat down from the hanger and picked up her hat, gloves and scarf opening the door in a hurry. “Galean! Wait!” Galean turned around and smiled up at her.

“I cannot believe you have never been to the sea side before,” Galean said as they drove through the countryside.

“Well I do live beside a lake,” Eveline smiled as she gazed outside the window, taking in the bare fields. “I suppose that counts for something doesn’t it?”

“Well no not really.”

“How so?”

“I’m not entirely sure how I can explain the difference, despite their being so many,” Galean returned with a miffed expression.

“I suppose the environment is completely different, the air, the beach and the atmosphere.”

“There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar; I love not man the less, but Nature more.”

“Lord Byron I believe?” Eveline quipped her eyebrows.

“Indeed,” Galean laughed, his face lighting up in a way Eveline had never truly experienced before.

“Do you like Vaughan Williams, Mr Edwards?”

“Of course I do!” Galean announced gaily. “The Lark Ascending is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever listened too. Why do you ask?”

“I have never been to the sea, but I have a recording of his sea symphony which always conjures images of what the sea may be like,” Eveline said with glazed eyes. “Of course I have seen images of the sea and so I can create quite an accurate image of what the seaside may be like and so when I mould my image with his sea symphony I find myself at the seaside.”

“I’m sure it will meet with your expectations.”

“I hope so,” Eveline smiled, enjoying this new sense of freedom. “How long does it take to drive to Weymouth?”

“About two hours,” Galean replied. “Don’t worry we can stop along the way for something to eat.”

“Good, I haven’t had any breakfast,” Eveline laughed. “I feel so very rebellious although you may think that silly.”

“Why would I think that?” Galean returned, turning his eyes to her side profile. She certainly looked different, alive and without worry which only highlighted her beauty and youthful spirit.

“I never really stray from the boundaries of propriety and safety.”

“And you feel that you are now?”

“Yes! I feel filled with an abundance of merriment and curiosity,” Eveline blushed as they drove through Warminster. “What a beautiful town.”

“I always find the further south you go the quainter the villages and towns are,” Galean said as he rolled down his window slightly for a little air.

“I’m not sure that would go down well in the North Mr Edwards,” Eveline teased gently, loose strands of her hair dancing.

“Well then let us keep that bit of information to ourselves shall we?”

“Of course.”

The trip south to Weymouth went by smoothly, Galean stopping in Dorchester so that they could have lunch. Eveline was fascinated by the change in her being just by being away from Bath and all the problems that surrounded her there. No one knew her here bar Galean who was a good companion, filled with conversation that intrigued her. What fascinated her the most was the change in Galean, at first he had been pensive and quiet but over the course of their trip he like her had found a sense of freedom in their journey, finding peace in the distance between themselves and Bath. After they had lunched they made their way south to Weymouth, where the sun shone brightly in the sky, no clouds to be seen.

“Weymouth has also fallen victim to the Germans lately,” Galean explained as they drove by some destroyed buildings.

“How unfortunate, it is a very beautiful town,” Eveline said with grave eyes as they passed some young children that were picking up pieces of shrapnel. “That cannot be safe,” Eveline noted with a frown.

“You’ll be amazed at how children cope during wars, many find a thrill in the excitement of it all at first,” Galean said as they drove through the centre of the town.

“When Belle came to us in Keswick a year or so ago, she would tell us of the horrifying scenes she had to witness in London.”

“London has been heavily bombed that much is true,” Galean said with a nod. “I was living there before I travelled north to Keswick.”

“Have you been in active service?”

“I work for the government,” Galean said as they finally reached the front of Weymouth.

“May I ask what it is you do?”

“To be honest not much as I have been somewhat distracted as of late,” Galean said with sigh as he parked the car along the front, overlooking the beach.

“I really love the Victorian and Edwardian buildings that line the front,” Eveline said as she looked up and down the front.

“Yes they certainly add to the whole affect, it is one of the reasons why I love to come down to Weymouth in my free time,” Galean said as he reached into the back and picked up his hat. “Shall we go for a walk?”

“Yes, lets,” Eveline beamed, taking her hat and putting it on before plunging her hands into the confines of her leather gloves. Galean quickly climbed out of the car and walked round to her side opening the passenger door for her, holding out a hand. “Thank you Mr Edwards.”

“Galean please.”

“Galean it is,” Eveline smiled as she stood before the beach and drew in a breath. “Oh Mr Edwards it is more than I imagined!” Galean smiled broadly as he opened the boot of the car and extracted a basket.

“We are lucky to have good weather,” Galean exclaimed as he came to her side once more. “Shall we?” he held out his arm.

“After you Galean,” Eveline wound her arm within his own and let him guide her down to the sand. The beach was spotted with children and couples, taking the chance to let the winter sun seep into their skin and souls, a brief breather from the realities of war. Eveline wanted to jump about with giddiness as she stepped onto the sand, letting her feet experiment with the sand. “Do you happen to know any quotes in relation to sand?”

“Em- let me think,” Galean responded as they walked over the white sand. “They dined on mince, and slices of quince, which they ate with a runcible spoon; and hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, they danced by the light of the moon.”

“That is beautiful, who is the author?”

“Edward Lear I believe.”

Galean stopped before the sea, still and peaceful, the waves gentle and content. Eveline let go of his arm and pondered onwards, stopping before the water. Galean watched on as she took off her gloves and placed them in her coat pockets, letting her fingers seep into the cold water. She gasped with joy before standing up and turning to face him, her cheeks flushed and her eyes bright.

“It’s so cold!”

“Of course it is, its winter!” Galean laughed as she came back to his side.

“Well I know that! I’m just surprised at how cold it is!” Eveline laughed in return.

“I brought some food if you would care for some?”

“What did you bring?”

“A flask of tea, some sandwiches and apples,” Galean replied as he guided her away from the water.

“Mother once told me that the seaside makes you extremely hungry,” Eveline said with knowing eyes as they found a place in which to sit.

“It’s the air I believe,” Galean said as they took off their coats, laying them down upon the sand.

“It’s quite warm from a winter’s day,” Eveline beamed, lifting her face to the sun and closing her eyes briefly before taking off her hat. Galean took off his own hat before opening the basket and taking out the flask and two tin cups. “Do you prefer tea or coffee?”

“It depends,” Galean smiled as he handed her a cup of tea. “I like to have coffee in the morning as a wake up and tea during the rest of the day mainly for comfort. Yourself?”

“I’m not much of a coffee drinker if I do say so myself,” Eveline said as she blew down on her hot tea, the steam swirling about in the air. “Tea is comforting especially after I take Wordsworth for a lengthy walk up the hills.”

“Yes it is rather comforting,” Galean said as he put down his cup and scanned the beach with a content gaze. They sat in peaceful companionship as children played nearby, their mothers looking on with a mixture of worry and glee. Eveline found herself examining the grains of sand in her palm, letting her fingers journey through the sand, cold beneath the surface. When she looked up she found Galean’s curious gaze upon her and felt her cheeks colour slightly.

“Don’t you think it marvellous that you and I can simply drench our hands into the remnants of natural history?”

“On many occasions I do, when thinking about it,” Galean murmured, watching on with fascination as she lifted a handful of sand only to let it fall, some of the grains blowing in his direction.

“Imagine that it travels so far and wide, an untold story weaved into time.”

“I like to imagine the people throughout history that have walked along this beach,” Galean said with glazed eyes as he gazed out to sea.

“Do you know that sand molecules can vary in colour? Even pink apparently.”

“Yes, white, black, green and pink I believe,” Galean said with intrigue, she never bored him and he found great comfort in their conversations.

“I wonder how deserts are made of sand when they are not near the sea.”

“I know that they are composed of quartz grains,” Galean said with a thoughtful expression. “It comes from several components like natural erosion by the wind and water, volcanic eruptions and through the erosion or rocks.”

“Have you heard of the Sahara desert?” Eveline asked curiously as the wind picked up slightly causing the surface of the sand to shift slightly.

“When I was in Egypt visiting the pyramids just after the First World War, I travelled to the border of the desert yes,” Galean replied as he picked up his cup and drank from it.

“You have been to Egypt?” Eveline said breathlessly in awe of her companion, how worldly he was she thought.

“Yes, I was taking part in an excavation alongside a man named Howard Carter,” Galean replied seeing the intrigue in Eveline’s bright gaze, her lips pursed in suspense. “He had been searching for the tomb of Tutankhamen, later to find it in 1922. Unfortunately I was no longer there to see it.”

“There is so much I don’t know about you Mr Edwards, and I mean no offence, in fact I am intrigued by you and you’re worldly if not universally educated mind.”

“Your young still and have time in which to do the same,” Galean said with serious eyes.

“I doubt it very much,” Eveline whispered, forcing herself onto her feet. Galean watched as she patted down her skirt, wiping of the fragments of sand. Eveline looked down at him before walking off towards the shore. Galean found himself rising from his coat to follow her. Eveline felt his presence. “You see, who I am presents a problem, wouldn’t you agree?”

“What do you mean?” Galean asked as he stood gazing after her.

“You have enlightened me enough for me to know that I have two names Mr Edward, Eveline and Celestine,” Eveline began, her body straight and unwavering as she cast her golden gaze out across the far reaches of the sea and horizon. “I know of Eveline but know nothing of Celestine. That is why I ask you, who am I?”

“You are yourself Eveline,” Galean replied with furrowed brows, confused by the unexpected change in their conversation.

“I am a creature of light, this I know, but why am I set apart from the other creatures of light? Why is it that you, Jophiel and my husband are willing to give up your life’s in order to ensure that I stay alive?”

“What has this to do with you having adventures?” Galean argued lightly, turning Eveline about with his hands.

“How can I go forth into the unknown if I do not know who I am?”

“You do know who you are,” Galean said with fervent eyes. “You are you.”

“Am I? The serpent of the night wishes me dead, me! Can you offer me an explanation as to why?”

“I have told you I am forbidden,” Galean said with urgency in his once calm voice. “Eveline, you are and always will be you, label and name be damned.”

“Why do I feel that Celestine bares a greater burden than Eveline?”

“If it does then you will be able to carry the burden with understanding and knowledge,” Galean said softly. “The core of you, your principles, ethics and morals will not alter with a change of name.”

“Why do I feel that it will?”

“You fear it because you haven’t been enlightened as to what it means,” Galean said gently, wiping away a stray strand of her auburn hair.

“You know what it means. Tell me, will it change me?” Eveline looked up into his vivid blue eyes, deep and soulful.

“Not if you wish. Eveline it is not the name that makes a person, it is all that is within them. You have the power to stay true to who you are, whatever change may come your way. Do you trust me?” Galean asked with a graveness in his tone that caused Eveline to feel alarm. He was here on the anniversary of his family’s death and here she was causing him more pain by being selfish. Eveline felt her shoulders relax as she chastised herself inwardly for her poor behaviour. This man was the most selfless man she had met, he didn’t need any more burdens in life, and he needed this day to be a day without trouble and grief.

“I trust you,” Eveline smiled up into his face, watching his lips curve into a deep smile, his eyes creasing.

“You scared me there for a moment,” he laughed weakly, his hands still on her arms.

“I’m sorry, I know today is poignant for you,” Eveline said with shame. “Shall we have something to eat?”

“Yes,” Galean exclaimed as they both made their way back to their coats.

Still slightly ashamed of herself, Eveline ate in silence as the air was filled the squawks of seagulls close by. Galean was quiet and reserved, his eyes distant and distracted. The sun was high in the sky still and Eveline a little overcome with tiredness, lay back upon the sand and closed her eyes, crossing her feet and placing her arms under her head for comfort. She could feel him close to her and tried to distract herself from the need to feel closer, her eyelids pink as the rays hit her eyes. She concentrated on her senses, smelling the heavy scent of the sea air and feeling the salty moisture upon her skin and in her hair. Galean turned his eyes upon her and pressed his hand down beside her head so that he could cower over her, intrigued by her face, fascinated by her expressions. She had one arm bent under her head and the other across her body, her hand resting upon her heart. Eveline felt his gaze and opened her eyes slightly, her golden gaze penetrating into his blue, his face shielding her from the sun. Without words she lifted her hand to his chest, letting it rest upon his heart and smiled. Galean looked down into her eyes with a serious expression before laying a hand upon her own heart as they had done upon their first meeting. He felt her hand move, gently rising to touch his face. For a moment she traced his features delicately before she let her fingers delve into his golden locks. With gentle urging she forced him to bend down lower, raising her lips to meet his. A thousand suns filled her as their lips touched lightly. Eveline opened her eyes and found his own bright and overflowing with emotion. Galean lifted his hand away from her heart and placed it down into the sand near to her waist. Eveline lifted her arm away from under her head and wrapped it about his neck as they touched lips once again, a little heavier this time, their bodies touching. A rush of warmth spread throughout her as she saw stars fill her vision, his fingers tenderly stroking her skin through her blouse. In that moment, she felt unburdened by her troubles, if he stood she stood and if he fell she would fall with him. With her fingers she explored his throat and shoulders, his hands winding their way under her back and pulling her up so that they sat in one another’s arms. Galean’s hands held her gently as she leaned into him, his hand finding the back of her neck tenderly, tracing the delicate bones of her spine with his fingers. Time and light merged as one until their lips parted, there breathes mingling as their lashes brushed each other’s eyelids softly. Eveline touched his lips lightly with her fingers, a small smile as he rested his forehead against her own, sighing with love.

*

“Eveline?” Estelle whispered to the sleeping form. Galean stood away from the bed and watched on as Eveline began to cry. Belle sat on the far end of the bed with Wordsworth as Eveline awoke from a deep sleep.

“Galean?” she whispered awaking with a pain in her heart as she realised it had been a dream. Galean strode over to her and clasped her hand.

“Eveline? Are you okay?” he asked with concern, seeing the pain in her darkened eyes as she wept. “What happened?”

“It was a dream,” she whispered through her tears.

“Was it a nightmare?” Galean asked softly as Estelle looked on with concern.

“No,” Eveline shook her head as a tear fell down the side of her cheek, falling onto her pillow. “It was so beautiful that it hurts to awaken.” Galean saw it in her eyes, saw the pain that awaking from her dream had brought and wondered what it was that she had dreamt about. He felt her grasp, unwavering and unfaltering. “I found myself.”

“Found yourself?” Galean whispered. Estelle stepped forward, causing Eveline’s gaze to shift.

“Eveline you have been asleep for hours, you need to eat, come let me help you up,” she said with gentle firmness. Galean feeling Estelle’s eyes on him, dropped Eveline’s hand and moved away to the window with furrowed brows. Belle jumped down from the bed and walked over to Galean and rested her head against him.

“Why is she crying?” Belle whispered up at him.

“She is just tired,” Galean said calmly, picking Belle up into his arms. “Would you like to go for a walk with Mary and Wordsworth?”

“Will Evie be alright?”

Galean looked over at Eveline who was now sitting up against her pillows being tended too by Estelle.

“She will be up on her feet soon,” Galean lied as Eveline met his gaze, disorientated and aggrieved. Estelle turned to them.

“Can you take Belle and Wordsworth downstairs for a while?”

“Yes of course,” Galean returned with a weak smile. Turning he slapped his thigh. “Come Wordsworth.”

Eveline watched him leave the room and felt the same pain in her heart and began to cry again against her mother’s shoulder.

“Eveline it is okay,” Estelle soothed as she rubbed her daughter’s back gently.

“Where is Theodore?”

“He is on his way home now,” Estelle replied as Eveline pulled herself away.

“Good.”

“Do you want to tell me about the dream?”

Eveline shook her head, no her dream would only ever be between herself and Galean.

“Okay, Mary is sending up a tray.”

“Don’t let me die,” Eveline whispered with urgency.

“Eveline you know I wouldn’t let you die,” Estelle said with a shaking voice. She thought it better not to mention the episodes of violence that had occurred during the previous night, violence mainly aimed at herself. Eveline had spoken in a language quite unknown to Estelle and her once beautiful eyes had darkened considerably to such a depth of blackness that Estelle felt disturbed to the pit of her stomach as Galean fought the possessed Eveline. If it hadn’t had been for Galean and his friends, Estelle perished to think what would have happened to herself. In the moments of insanity, her daughter had incredible strength a strength that Estelle could not match. And yet she had noticed with a mixture of relief and wonder the affect that Galean had on her daughter, the darkness that would consume her would evaporate in his presence as though he was able to get beneath the layers of darkness and reach her, bringing her back to life.

A knock at the door brought Estelle out of her thoughts. Mary entered with a tray and wary look.

“How is she?”

“Awake and better,” Estelle whispered to her friend with a weak smile.

“I have made her some broth, it should fill her,” Mary said as she handed the tray over to Estelle. “Theodore and Jophiel have returned, he said that he would be up at once.”

“Does he have the antivenin?” Estelle asked with desperate eyes. Mary smiled at Estelle before turning her gaze to Eveline who was listening on.

“Yes.”

As they sighed in unison the door opened and Theodore entered with Jophiel and Galean at his heels.

“Eveline!” he sighed coming to her and kissing her forehead. Eveline wrapped her arms about Theodore and held him tight.

“I’m glad you are home,” she whispered in his hair. Jophiel and Galean watched the scene with distraught eyes.

“How was Alexis?” Galean asked Jophiel.

“We were followed by shadows,” Jophiel answered under her breathe as Theodore took out the boxes and set them by Eveline’s bed on the side table.

“Jophiel do you have the medicine and instruments?” Theodore asked as he looked up from Eveline.

“Yes,” Jophiel answered as she stepped forward.

“I will need everyone to leave the room for ten minutes,” Theodore said aloud. Mary and Estelle nodded and left the room. Theodore looked over at Galean. “Everyone.” Galean bowed his head and left the room, standing outside with his head bent against the wall. 



© Iseult O'Shea and OneCrown&TwoThrones, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Iseult O'Shea and OneCrown&TwoThrones with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.