Out of the Keep
Chapter 12
Waking in Richard's absence left Katherine feeling more bereft each morn. Visions of touching him as a woman touches a man haunted her sleep even as the glow of his enchantment surrounded her, heating her blood. Without it, the stone of her cell was cold and unforgiving.
Griswald's arrival seemed later than usual, but as he left her bread and wine, Katherine resolved to occupy her mind as strongly as she could. Drop by drop she forced her wine into the crack in the wall, feeling the remains of Richard's magic lending it's comfort to her fingers. She drank only what wine was needed to wet her lips and tongue, yet her supply came to an end before Richard's arrival. Forcing the edge of the base of chalice between the stones, she increased the space. Most pleased with her strategy, she awaited the appearance of her companion.
Katherine was greatly to disturbed to see the sparks slowed as they had been when Richard met his barrier. She waited with great trepidation straining to see his form, uttering a prayer of gratitude when he was finally before her eyes. "Sir, was your journey again obstructed?" she asked fearfully.
"Twas," Richard replied, "but I have much to convey of great import. When you hear that which has transpired with Rick and Kate, you will reach understanding. I must speak with haste."
"Then Sir," Katherine urged,"I beseech you, do."
"Kate and Rick endeavored to make careful preparations for the trapping of the thief they sought," Richard began. "They established the meeting time as a surety. Demming, while carrying hidden armament was to masquerade as a fellow collector of arcane items. Two of Demming's comrades in arms would be waiting in a car parked some distance away. Kate yearned for an armament of her own, such as she had made use of when serving with the police. To her continuing discomfort, the rulers of the city had denied permission for her to make use of one while in partnership with Rick. I understood this prohibition to have some connection to Rick's friendship with Scarpelli, of whom I've spoken before. Had Kate's desire been fulfilled, the outcome of the meet might have been much changed. I know not.
Though his intention was not to complete a purchase of stolen goods, Rick made a call on an institution that provided the requested cashier's check. With that matter in hand, Rick and Kate greeted Demming at an appointed place.
The meeting place chosen by the trader in stolen treasures was in an edifice such is made use of by merchants for the storage of goods. The fellow, who called himself Brody, was tall and of unhealthy look, gaunt with nose red and sore. He covered himself in a coat of length longer than most seen in that world. He greeted Rick and Kate but looked with much suspicion on Demming, whom Rick identified as planned. Brody commented that Demming had not the look. Rick made what seemed a jest, that one could not discern a graphic novel by its cover. Brody still looked on Demming with a doubtful eye, but produced the coat of brown and catalyzer. Rick extended the requested payment. As Brody reached for Rick's offering Demming displayed his escutcheon and declared Brody under arrest.
Brody's eyes took on much wildness and from beneath his coat drew a large armament, which with horrendous sound sorely wounded Rick and Kate before Demming used his armament to wound Brody. Demming used his phone to call in the police parked afar and summon aid for Rick and Kate. A loud wail issued from the conveyance transporting Rick and Kate to a place of healing, where physicians stood at ready. There was was much blood and the visages of the physicians were grim. A police car was dispatched to fetch Rick's daughter Alexis, and his mother Martha, as well as Kate's father, called Jim Beckett. In an area set aside for such purpose, they waited with much disquiet for word from the physicians."
"What word was there?" Katherine asked in deep distress.
"It was of great sadness," Richard replied. "The physicians believe Rick's and Kate's wounds to be mortal. They expect their souls to depart before yet another day passes."
Katherine covered her face in grief. "This can not be! Can nothing yet be done?"
"Lady," Richard murmured softly, "the physicians can do naught, but you and I may yet give them life."
"How is that possible?" Katherine asked in wonder.
"Lady, my enchantment is my prison as this keep is yours. But yet I have come to some understanding of magicks. My attachment to this world is weakened. On my return to Rick's world, my life may become his, the force of it flowing into his body."
"And what of Kate? How may I have force in her world?" Katherine questioned doubtfully.
"Lady," Richard replied, "I have come to discern that the crack in the wall upon which you labor with such determination is a magical pairing to the passage between worlds. Just as it weakens my bond with this world, it looses yours as well. When I journey once more to the world of Rick and Kate, your spirit may use that pairing to join with mine and make the journey to find haven within the earthly vessel of of Kate. But never again will you see this world. That choice abides in your heart. What say you?"
Thinking but a moment, Katherine gave answer. "There is naught in this world for me but you. If I can make escape with you to that wondrous strange place, giving life to another, that I freely choose."
"Then," Richard declared, "rest through this last night and as dawn comes, our spirits will travel together." Light flowed from Richard as a shower of stars, enrobing Katherine as never before. She felt her spirit flowing and joining with the enchanted luminance. Sleep came upon her. Suddenly, though still entwined in Richard's warmth she felt a pull, as if grasped in a mighty hand. Rings of color surrounded them as they made their passage until they stood beside bowers where Rick and Kate lay.
"Now," Richard prompted, "as the force of their lives ebbs from their bodies, ours will fill them."
"Who will we be?" Katherine asked, "Richard and Katherine or Rick and Kate?"
"Lady," I know not," Richard replied. "I know only that we will have the visage of Rick and Kate and be of this world. Quickly now, their souls depart."
Katherine saw a shimmering fog rising, as a mechanism near Rick and Kate gave out with a baleful sound. Like unto Richard, she became a golden stream, joining with Kate in warmth and life.
As nurses rushed into the room, the alarms stopped and the monitors returned to a steady beep. Rick and Kate opened their eyes, as if emerging from a deep sleep. They turned their heads to catch sight of each other. "Kate, hi." Rick murmured.
"Hi, yourself," she returned. "I had the weirdest dream."
"It must be our mind meld," Rick responded. "So did I."
"Maybe it's yours mother's influence, but I have the strangest urge to call you Richard,"
"Katherine, joy of my heart," Rick replied, "you can call me whatever you desire, as long as you're here to speak my name.
