Banshee's Curse - The Sacrifice   When the blackness began to recede, the first thing Snicker noticed was the cold. It was not normal cold, which chilled the skin, but something that went a lot deeper, seeping into his bones and even further into every pore of his being. Unconsciously he attempted to move his fingers, but if they responded, he was too numb to register the movement. When he eventually opened his eyes, he was terrified for a brief moment that he was blind. Before long however, faint light could be seen emanating from the moon above. But it was not red now, if it had ever been, but pale white. The light was enough for him to work out that he was lying on his back, in a forest somewhere. The dark shapes of trees, large and imposing, loomed over him nearby. Sounds of movement, probably forest animals, began to infiltrate his clouded mind. Apart from the harsh sound of his breathing, there were no other sounds. He spent the next few minutes trying to move, but he was not even able to move his head to the side. Numbness encased him from head to foot, making it impossible for him to feel any movement. He could not even tell what he was lying on. It wasn’t the ground though, he could tell that much from rolling his eyes to the side. He was elevated at least several feet from the ground. His muddled thoughts were interrupted a moment later by a voice he vaguely recognised, but face he knew well. It was Julius. "It pains me to see you like this lad," he said, bending over the prostate warrior. Snicker tried to speak, but found he could not even move his lips apart more than an inch. All he could manage was a brief groan. Julius smiled sadly at him. "If I could change places with you I would, lad, but after all these years I’m still as much of a coward as I was when all this started." Snicker felt some warmth returning to his body at last, and managed to move slightly. Julius just shook his head. "Lay still, lad. It will go easier for you with her if you don’t struggle." Snicker tried to speak once more. His voice was rough and raspy, but he managed to croak out a question. "What are you going to do to me?" Julius hung his head for a moment. "I’m not going to do anything to you, lad. She will." He didn’t say who SHE was, but Snicker assumed he meant the woman from the tavern. Julius raised his head once more, and regarded Snicker with regret on his face. "But it will be me who is to blame. I started this horror many years ago, and have suffered because of it. The nightmares and self-loathing have nearly driven me insane. But like the coward I am, I do not even have the courage to do what is right. It will only end with my death, yet I cling like a miser to what little time I have left. But it is a heavy price I pay." Snicker struggled to understand what Julius was trying to say, but the man was babbling. He was startled when Julius laughed mockingly, but whether he was laughing at Snicker or himself was unclear. "It was a mistake. Such a simple one too. I was a young man then, forced to take up arms to defend the town from the imps who threatened us. But even then I was a coward, and fought more out of fear than any of the more noble reasons you could think of." He laughed loudly this time, and it rang out across the clearing. "I used to be quite skilled at avoiding the conflicts, and when I was forced into combat, I’d fight like a man possessed. They used to hail my bravery, but the fools only saw what they wanted to see. I used to think the terror on my face would show me up for the coward I am, but it never did." Julius paused for a moment, deep in thought. He seemed to have forgotten Snicker was even there, so caught up was he in his memories of the past. Snicker was not idle why he was speaking however. It was a slow process, but whatever magic the woman had used to freeze him in place, was starting to recede, and he was gaining more freedom as each moment passed by. When Julius spoke again, Snicker listened intently, but surreptitiously flexed his muscles in a steady rhythm. He was not sure how Julius would react if he knew that the spell was wearing off. "It was the ice imps that were giving us trouble that day. I’d already had to fight several of them and was wearying of battle. I’d found a nice spot though, just on the edge of the Run, where I could hide. Large bushes surrounded me, so there was little chance of detection by anyone, whether friend or foe. Or so I thought." His expression, which had been blank for the last few moments, now showed true horror. "Why did she have to choose that particular bush to hide in? And why did she have to wear a white dress? It was an honest mistake! You must believe me!" Julius grabbed Snicker by the shoulders and stared intently at him, his face only inches away. There was madness there, and it took all of Snicker’s willpower to keep still, and not give himself away. "I was a coward yes, but not a murderer! When I saw the flash of white entering the bushes, I reacted out of instinct. My sword seemed to be possessed of a life of its own as it thrust out at her. Even after I had removed it from the young girl’s body, I did not realise the horror of what I had done. She did not even have time to scream, but she was not dead yet. She fell through the bushes into my arms. And before she died, while I held her in my arms, she looked at me only once. And she cursed me." Julius let go of Snicker and stood up straight. His eyes resumed that distant look once more, and his voice was suddenly passionless. "I took her body and buried it near here. I was so horrified at what I had done, I’d given little thought to her curse. When the fighting ended, I bought the Wail and settled down to what I thought was a quiet life. But a year later, to the day, she came back. Just walked right on into the tavern she did, and ordered a glass of wine. She told me she had come for me, that I must die. Only then would she be able to find rest. I was terrified, and begged for mercy. I tried to explain it was an accident, but she would not listen. It was then that I noticed the drunk in the corner. He was old, and had no family. If he vanished, he would not be missed. I then stooped even lower than I thought I could ever go. I offered him to her instead. To my surprise, and relief, she accepted. But she warned me she would return each year, and she would require a new sacrifice. If I did not provide one...she would take me instead." Snicker listened horrified to the man’s story, and when he had finished, he felt that he was almost back to full control of his body. He ran his right hand along the surface he lay upon, and felt stone beneath him. He was sure now that he must be lying on top of the sarcophagus that was rumoured to be in South West Bloodwood. Julius seemed to be lost in thought once more, as he stood facing west, towards Leinster. There was silence for a few moments. "How many people have died after listening to your story?" Snicker said at last, anger evident in his voice. "How many innocent lives have been sacrificed to keep you alive?" Julius didn’t seem to hear him initially, but he replied in a soft voice eventually. "Too many. You cannot imagine the horror I must endure. Your end will be quick and merciful, but I must live each day with her blood on my hands. As well as the blood of those I have given over to her." He paused for a moment, before glancing at Snicker. "Time is running short. I have already stayed longer than I had planned. She normally leaves her victims here alone for a short time only. But that time is almost up. Goodbye, lad. May your death be painless and quick." Snicker ignored him. Movement, coming from the east, had caught his attention. Julius was facing the wrong way, and didn’t see it. A moment later, he could make out its source in the moonlight. It was the woman. She looked exactly as she had when he had first seen her, except for two things. The first was that she was floating two feet above the ground. The second, was a large bloodstain on her chest, which marred the ghostly white dress she was wearing. She made no noise as she floated towards them. Snicker felt evil emanating from her as she approached. Fear engulfed him, but it didn’t stop him from leaping up from his prone position, and drawing his sword. Julius was startled when he moved, and spun around in terror. Snicker considered running, but Julius seemed frozen in place, his mouth opening and closing silently, as if he was robbed of the power of speech. When she closed in on them, Snicker leapt forward at her, but felt a sharp pain in the tendons of his leg. He wasn’t certain, but it felt like something had snapped. Ignoring the pain, he swung his sword. She didn’t seem concerned, but simply brushed the blade aside with her arm and lunged at him. As she did so, her face changed from one of beauty to one of pure horror, like a shrivelled hag. Her fingers became long claws that lashed out at him. Snicker dodged as best he could, but could not avoid the blow completely. It caught him on the side with unnatural strength, and knocked him flying backwards, where he landed with a thump against, the side of the stone coffin. Snicker could only lay there and watch in horror, as she approached him. But it wasn’t him she was interested in now. It was Julius. He had not moved from where he stood. He did not even move an inch as she floated in front of him and paused. Her face had returned to normal for a brief moment, as she regarded her murderer. But then the vision of horror returned, and her claws swept down at him, ending his life in one swift blow. He hit the ground and lay still. She remained floating there for a few moments, before glancing once at Snicker. She smiled at him, but made no move to approach him. Then she began to fade. That was the only way Snicker could describe it. At one stage he could see right through her, before she disappeared completely. All that remained was a small cloud of mist, that was blown away by a soft breeze that entered the clearing. Page 2 of 3   Previous Page Return to Index Next Page   This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page