Chapter 1
I thought I would never be returning to these parts ever again. But fate had brought me back here one more time. Staring out the back window of the cab as it pulled up the long, dark driveway. Sighing as I gathered my gear as I reached into my jean's pocket and grabbed the cash I had stuck there. Flipping through the wad of bills, as the cab pulled up to the front of the old mansion. Tossing the cab fare up onto the front seat, "Thanks." I said as I exited the cab. The trunk popped as I grabbed my two large duffle bags. The cab pulled away as I adjusted the handles of the bags. I sighed as I looked around the darkness, seeing everything in the dim moonlight. Slowly walking off the gravel driveway, up the squeaky, wooden steps of the front porch. The white paint was chipping, peeling away from the wood, from being exposed to the sun for so many years.
Stepping up to the door, placing one of the bags upon the porch. The mansion since I left, was the same as it always was. Looking unkept, old, run down. Kept all the curious away and law farther. Taking a silent deep breath and slowly releasing it, I finally knocked upon the door. I heard movement from inside, at least someone was alive this time of night. The door slowly opened wide, standing back was a black robed druid. I nodded as I picked my bags up off the porch and stepped inside. The druid closed the door with a gentle nod could be seen from the hooded one. "Welcome home." His voice sounded. "Thank you. I believe everybody is here as summoned?" He nodded once again, "As requested, but one." I sighed as I nodded, "Good. I will bring my gear to my room. Gather everybody in the great hall, down stairs, and I will be there in mere moments. Give the late one some time to show up." Nodding once again as booted feet sounded upon the wooden floors of the house.
Inside was well kept up. Everything took on the soft glow of the oil lamps and candles, that lit up the house. The glow couldn't be seen from outside, dark curtains and drapes covered all the windows. Heading up the main stair way, up to the second floor, my tan work boots were cushioned by the decorative rug upon the floor. Heading to the right and down the hallway, I opened the door to my quarters. It was the same as I left it. King size bed in the middle, silk black sheets and a thick blanket covered the four post bed. Placing my bags to the side as I lit a couple of oil lamps upon a nearby tall, cherry wood dresser. Running a hand through my loosely tied back, dark red locks. Originally my hair color is dark brown, but I have dyed it recently. So it looked dark red. Walking over to the closet, grabbing the decorative handles as I pulled open the double doors. The smells were the same too, his smell mostly. He hasn't been here in years, so how could that be?
I shook my head as I stepped inside, knowing what I was looking for. Reaching up for my robe, taking it off the hanger gently, making sure it didn't drag on the floor, until I placed it upon my shoulders. I have lost a bit of weight since I last wore this.
Closing the closet doors, I placed the robe upon myself. It was thick, heavy in anybody's hands. But to us, it felt light like a feather with comfort. Nobody was here to make a statement, when it comes to fashion. Only thing that placed me differently from everybody else was the purple trim that ran along the edges of the opening of the robe, stopping before hitting the hood. Closing the robe, tying the black ropes snug, but loosely. A silver chain hung from my rope, with a symbol be known to only our group. A twisting Chinese dragon. It's hard to explain, everybody carried it upon their belt. Keeping the hood down as I made my way out of my room, heading down to the first floor of the mansion. Navy blue eyes looked around as I heard everybody gathering into the great hall as told. I sensed someone missing amongst the ranks, which wasn't a good sign at all. That either meant, they have perished or never got the message, which even means a worse fate.
Everything even felt the same as I stood in the foyer, just slowly taking everything in. Just one thing was missing. Everybody could feel and see the void amongst the ranks and the home. But nobody mentioned it, it was meant to be. Slowly sliding my hood up as I headed for the basement. Descending the stairs, the basement opened up wide, except in front of you was long, stone wall with a set of heavy wooden doors, at the bottom of the stairs. Torches sat upon the wall, either side of the doors. Making it to the bottom as I pounded a fist upon the door, as both doors slowly opened to a huge room. Rows of benches on either side of the walk way. Slowly in waves, everybody stood up. At the front of the room, stood an alter with lit candles standing on high iron holders at each end. A leather kneeling bench sat before the highly decorated alter. Everybody had to pay respects to the elders, who have passed on and through this same great hall as everybody else has before them.
Slowly, I followed the blood red velvet, worn out rug, which made the path all the way up to the front. Slowly I stepped into the hall as everybody stood facing forward, everybody had their hoods up until further notice. I slowly made my way up to the front of the hall. Torches lined the walls of the hall, along with other decorative flags and banners of the clan, from when it started to now. It had changed three times over the centuries. Slowly stepping up the three stone steps to the alter as I slowly descended to my knees, paying my respects. After doing so, slowly I rose to my feet, turning slowly as I faced all the members as I slowly rose my hands into the air, slowly lowering them as everybody sat down in unison. I stood upon a stone platform as I folded my hands in front of me, my sleeves covering everything, so it looked like my sleeves connected.
A bell tolled three times from the back of the great hall as I slowly unlinked my hands as I slowly lifted them up, lowering my hood. Everybody else followed suit. I slowly lifted my eyes as I looked to everyone, "Thank you fellow followers and lurkers of the night, for coming on such short notice this fine eve. The night of our all hallows eve. The night we all look forward to every year. But this year, you all know is very special." I started as everybody nodded as they kept their eyes upon me as I spoke.
"Tomorrow night, he will be returning to us all. Lead us on our quest that was given to us to follow, many centuries ago. To battle the darkness dwellers and bring peace to the surface once again. Nobody is to be late to the site, where I will rise him and have him rejoin us once again. Take the position that is his to take, that I have taken over, many years ago. I appreciate everything that has been done while I stand before you tonight. But my time is nye for me to step down and have him take over once again." Slowly stepping down the steps as I stand at the beginning of the aisle. "Go for your last night under my orders to seek out the one who seems to be missing. If this one cannot be found, he will be very unpleased in knowing this one did not show up. John, Dave, Paul, and Glen, stay at the mansion, as you all know you what you must prepare for tomorrow night's ceremony. If any of you need me, I will be in my quarters for the last night as your elder. That is all. May the darkness follow you and protect, where ever you may roam."
With that everybody slowly lifted their hoods up, stood up and exited the great hall. I stood watching as everybody left the hall to seek out the night's goodness, before he takes the throne once again. Sighing as I slowly lifted my hood up and slowly walked down the aisle, leaving the great hall, heading upstairs to the first floor. I was stopped by a few of the followers, for advice or wisdom, before heading upstairs to my quarters, to retire for the evening.