The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Resurrected
Chapter 4 – Austria and Abandonment
The first thing Tom heard was a quiet murmur. He found that strange because he'd always thought that when you died you heard angel's singing. A savage headache raged through his head every time his pulse beat and he screwed up his face in pain.
Swallowing slightly he co-ordinated some deep breathing and tried to at least slow his pulse. What was the last thing he could remember? First he was in the pub, then the note, then he escaped and then the riffle butt. He winced at the mere memory of the thick wood coming into contact with his skull. He wondered if it had done any permanent damage.
He realised that the pain didn't seem so bad when he didn't think about it, so continuing to breath deeply he sought about seeing whether he could move the rest of his limbs. With some relief he found that his joints responded to his commands but he couldn't move his arms and legs because someone had conveniently tied them together.
The next big step would be to open his eyes. Once he did that he would be able to assess the situation much more clearly. That was easier said, or rather thought, than done. The pain had seared fiercely through him every time he had tried to move his muscles and he was worried that if he saw any bright lights he might relapse back into a faint.
Deciding to try and prove to himself that he could be a man, he opened them just a little. Thankfully there was no white light which signified that he was dead, or that signified that he was going to have a fearful stab of pain driven in. He swiftly shut them again and then after a brief pause he opened them about half way. Everything looked stunningly blurred and confusing. He could only make out a hazy grey brown colour so he closed his eyes once more. He vowed that he would open them all the way this time and keep them open. Even though the release into unconsciousness was rather inviting it wasn't exactly that productive.
He eyes brows creased down into a frown as he fully opened his eyes and slowly blinked. At first they watered and then an over whelming tiredness came over them. Tom valiantly refused to give up his fight and soon his eyes were comfortably open and he was gazing up at a very high stone ceiling.
"So nice of you to wake up Mr Sawyer."
Tom jumped slightly at the sound of the voice and as a result jarred his head. The pain swept through again, but as a flash flood, soon died away. In general the pain was becoming less and less and he was starting to feel more and more angry. "Who the hell are you?"
The man; for it was a man's voice he'd heard, cleared his throat and announced impressively, "I am Lord Schlasser Ussell."
Tom couldn't help but stifle a laugh at the fairly ridiculous name and settled for repeating in a tone of complete disdain, "Schlasser Ussell? What kind of a name is that?"
The unseen man exploded with what seemed like fury, although it could have been laughter for all Tom knew. "There was a time when my family had to stay in the German town of Hassel-Kassel due to some rather private issues going on at home. My mother thought it would be quaint to give me a name that reflected the town. Thankfully my father was adamantly opposed to having his son named Hassel. So instead my mother decided to mimic the excessive use of German sess in my name."
Tom smothered another giggle and rolled his eyes, "Right. Anyway are we in said Hassel-Kassel?"
"No. We are in the beautiful Austria, and in my home castle just south of the Semmering Pass."
Frowning Tom tried to remember where Austria was in relation to the rest of Europe. He suddenly found it very annoying that you were always made to remember the countries of Western Europe but never those of the East. Maybe it was because they were more interesting and teachers couldn't afford to give them interesting lessons.
Tom greeted the man's sudden insight into his confusion with mixed feelings; he did not like to be given aid, but he was fairly baffled as to where he was. "We are South of Vienna my dear boy, just next to the border of Hungary."
Now Tom was almost in hysterics he wanted to know who this man was, why he was here, where here was in relation to America and whether he could get a pain killer. Deciding that a mass of mumbled questions probably wasn't going to have very much effect on Ussell he started slowly and clearly, "Who was the man who brought me here?"
"That was my underlining Viscien. Due to certain circumstances it is better that I refrain from being in the public eye. Viscien completes errands for me. I suppose you might call him a hench-man or something of the sort."
Tom was more awake now and the pain in his head was nothing more than a dull annoying throb. He had worked out that he was lying on a sofa which had a fairly panache air to it. The whole place well what he could see of it looked as though it had been furnished in early Halloween. If you had take a snapshot of this castle in the Medieval Times he was sure that nothing would have changed except the owner. At least he hoped the owner had changed.
Speaking or rather thinking of the owner he realised that he couldn't actually see him. He came to the conclusion he must be standing behind the high back of the sofa and was therefore out of sight range. "I don't suppose it would be too stupid for me to ask why you had Viscien or whatever bring me here?"
A definite laugh came from behind the sofa this time and Schlasser replied, "No, no at all. In fact it's a rather good question. A little obvious perhaps, but still good."
From all that this man had said Tom was getting the impression of a stiff elderly gentlemen with greying hair. Probably one of those eccentric aristocrats left from the Edwardian era. He was wearing a dark grey suit in Tom's mind and maybe leaning on a polished wood walking stick.
He tried his ropes again, they gave him a fraction of room to move but nothing more. The knots looked incredibly tight and Tom was beginning to wonder whether he'd be able to escape at all.
"You are here Mr or rather Agent Sawyer, because you are part of a payment."
Tom's eyebrow cocked and Schlasser must have realised how ambiguous that sounded for he carried on rapidly, "Please allow me to explain. I had you brought from Paris to Austria because a friend of mine is helping me out in a business endeavour. I believe he must have known you sometime because his price for helping was not money, it was revenge."
Suddenly Tom had an insight and he blurted out, "I'm part of a trap aren't I. You're luring someone here with me aren't you?"
Another low chuckle came from the man behind him, "Yes, I suppose you are bait. It's not me who's wanting to do the luring though. I believe he's an old friend of yours. He told me to inform you that he knew all about the League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and that he's had to cross the boundaries of life and death in order to be able to settle this score."
Tom's mind whirled, who knew about the League apart from the members and Nemo's crew. Surely none of them would betray Nemo or any of the others. He had to cross the boundaries of life and death. Tom knew only one person who would hate them all enough to want to do something like that. "Moriarty", he growled and anger filled him. The murderer of Allan was alive! He'd send him right back where he came from. Oh yes he'd send him right back to Hell.
"You might as well calm down Agent Sawyer. I tied those knots myself and I was a member of Navy for a good part of my life. They are not going to come undone no matter how much you pull them."
"So, what you're saying is, I'm in some random Austrian noble's castle waiting my friends to arrive so that they can come and be killed?"
Footsteps echoed as Schlasser moved over to an unseen table and poured himself a drink. Tom guessed it was probably quite a strong bit of alcohol as he wasn't pouring if for very long.
"I'd offer you a drink." He replied mildly to Tom's rather dramatic statement, "But we'll be on the road soon. You've been asleep for nearly a whole day. You travelled by plane from France you see."
"Where are we going?", asked Tom, now thoroughly perplexed. This made no sense what so ever. He was in a house in Austria, with some Lord who seemed to be plotting something. One of his accompaniers wanted the League as payment for his part in the plot. It could only be Moriarty really, but Tom was so sure he'd been dead. Then again he'd never actually seen the body himself, he had satisfied himself with knowing he was dead. Maybe he never really had died and it was all a sham.
The question buzzed around and around, never ending, fogging up his mind like a thick mist in November. Ussell seemed to sense his confusion and he apologised, "Forgive me. I really don't think I've been terribly clear. Let's see how better to explain it."
There was a few seconds silence as he mused on the task and then he cried, "Ah hah! I have it. Let me start right from the beginning."
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Mina sat at the airport in Marseille looking distinctly irritated. They were late, they had another half an hour to get there or they were all doomed. Doomed to loose Tom and probably; as they would all blame each other as well as themselves, doomed to loose their friendship.
They'd received correspondence from both Jekyll and Skinner to say that they were both on their way. And yet, none of them were going to get there before 11'o'clock that night. Mina didn't honestly mind being up late. For her the night was nicer than the day. So much more claming, so much quieter. But then again she would find the hours of darkness more appealing wouldn't she? She was a Daughter of the Night after all.
Once they were altogether they had two days to reach Romania. Thankfully it was near the North of the country where they had to travel and Nemo would explain the route to them when they were altogether aboard the ship. Mina knew it would be the best way possible, he had been planning it, checking it and double checking it to make sure. He'd even sent men on ahead to make sure certain points that could pose trouble were clear and they would have an easy passage through.
Suddenly her sharp ears picked up the low hum of an engine and indeed it became louder and louder. Soon it seemed right on top of the building and then it stopped altogether. She hoped beyond hope it was either Jekyll or Skinner.
The door flew open with a huge bang and a man in a rather crumpled blue- grey suit flew through the building to the exit at the far end. He rushed out, and then scrambled back in to smartly salute the officer on duty.
Mina was watching the disappearing figure rather closely trying to decide whether Jekyll or Skinner would be more likely to have that kind of effect. The doors from the airfield flew open once more, and in walked Skinner, cool as the proverbial cucumber. He grinned at her, thankfully he was in full make up so she had no need to worry about him sneaking up on her like before. He strode up to her and said mildly, "Alright Mina, what's the idiot gone and done now?"
"I suppose you were responsible for the mental state of the man who came through here moments ago."
Skinner spread his arms wide and put on an innocent demeanour, "You said, and I quote, "do whatever it takes" to get here on time."
Mina's eyebrow rose, "And what, pray tell, did you do exactly?"
Skinner gave a cough and turned away from her slightly, "I err . . . impersonated his conscience. I told him he had to say the Lord's Prayer on the beach here before the sun rose tomorrow or he'd be" he turned to her in a rather pleading manner and finished, "eternally damned?"
Her expression changed rapidly from disbelief, to disapproval, to dismissive and then finally to one of happiness. "You Mr Skinner are a thief of more things than just material objects."
He perked up and regained some of his jaunty manner, "And what exactly do you mean by that Mina dearest? I'm afraid I don't quite follow."
"I mean you've stolen my affection." She paused and an inner battle took place in a matter of mille-seconds, "In short I've missed you Skinner."
"Oh, well I'm touched. To be honest I've missed you too. All the spying for the British government was fun and all, but there's nothing like the company of a friend is there."
Mina smiled and relaxed slightly, "No indeed there isn't. You seem to have grown up slightly you're full of such soul searching statements and," she eyed the door where the pilot had fled from down to the beach, "soul searching ideas as well."
Skinner's white face gave her a cheeky grin, but then returned to a fairly sombre expression that had haunted him quite a lot recently. "So what's dear old Agent Sawyer managed to do now?"
The mention of his name had a similar effect on Mina and the brief joy of their reunion soon faded back into the hopeless circle of worry, anger and fear. "He's got himself kidnapped, we believe by someone working with Moriarty."
"Hang about, isn't Moriarty dead?"
"Apparently not.", sighed Mina. She glanced over Skinner's shoulder impatiently "Oh Henry where are you, we really, really have to get going."
"The old boy not here yet? Maybe he had trouble getting a plane. It's not easy impersonating someone's conscience you know."
"Skinner, please none of your sob stories just now." Her eyes set on him and gave him a glare. Then quite abruptly she pushed right past him. "Oh at last. Henry where have you been?"
Skinner turned to see the impeccably dressed Dr Jekyll stroll through the door from the air field. Beside him was a short stocky man tottering around off balance due to the two suitcases he was carrying.
"You going on holiday Jekyll?"
"Good evening Mr Skinner, and no. It was my assistant's idea. I had a hard time controlling Edward when he looked in them on the way over. Denethy seems to have brought everything that's not useful for anything."
"My, my aren't we in a bad mood."
It has to be said that Jekyll's immediate suspicion of Skinner in their past exploit had some what hurt Skinner's feelings. The two had never really got over the bad start to their friendship and although they didn't dislike each other as such there was always some sort of rivalry going on between them. Jekyll and Edward had always had a faint soft spot for Mina and they both sensed Skinner as a threat to any chance they may have with her.
Skinner thought the whole thing was quite amusing and as a result had played it up quite well. He did like Mina, she was a very beautiful and powerful woman. But deep down Skinner knew she'd never love him like he wanted and he had the sense not to ruin his friendship with her by trying to make it something it could never be.
"Really you two, don't you ever stop?" Came the soothing but obviously irritated voice of Mina, "Jekyll I don't suppose you'd care to explain your entourage?"
Jekyll gave her a tired smile and said, "This is Benjamin Denethy. My assistant from back in London. He read your telegram, realised I would be leaving and begged to come with me. We've grown quite close through the war and he has no family to return to while the laboratory is closed. He's quite harmless, I didn't think anyone would be opposed to having him."
Denethy for his part stuck his head out from behind the suitcase and gave them a heart warming smile. Mina closed her eyes into a frown for a moment and then held up her hand as a sign of submission. She honestly didn't see what harm the man could do, perhaps he'd help Jekyll control Hyde. She could tell that from his tense mood he was having a lot of trouble with his alter ego. The complete lack of being able to do anything to help Tom was giving him a lust for power and domination. One that Edward would be only to happy to fill.
Skinner was looking at Jekyll curiously a humorous suspicion growing in his mind, "You've not gone homo have you Harry?"
All the ears that heard that particular question went a deep shade of read and Mina looked at him her expression aghast. Denethy felt himself go hot and was glad that he had to cover of the suitcases to hide his blush. Jekyll's ears went red, but that was his only sign of embarrassment he jaw clenched and inside he heard Hyde murmur, "Let me out Henry and I'll pound that piece of fil-"
"No!", he cried and then smoothly he covered their argument with a softer, "No, I have not gone "homo" as you put it. How dare you even suggest such a thing. Denethy and I have been through a lot of hard times together and I didn't want him left on his own with no where to go. Now do you think we could please get on with the job in hand."
His hands shook slightly and Skinner could see the sweat starting to break. He wondered whether he'd pushed Jekyll a bit too far, but thankfully Mina was there swiftly to head off any possible confrontation. "Of course Henry, it was good of you to get here as soon as you could. Mr Denethy if you'll just follow me. Once we're aboard Nemo's ship we'll see to some accommodation for you."
She shot a look of venom at Skinner and hissed, "And you Mr Skinner should very well be quite and stop making ridiculous comments. Try listening to your own conscience for once."
Skinner gave the black clothed woman a smirk and wordlessly took a suitcase off poor Denethy. Ben muttered his thanks profusely and then hesitantly asked Skinner where his legs were. Mina took a deep breath and then an idea came to her, "Skinner why don't you fill Mr Denethy in on the history of the League and its members. That should keep you out of trouble."
Skinner nodded and lowly started telling Denethy of their adventures in Mongolia and Venice. Mina meanwhile walked next to Jekyll and he asked her quietly "So what have you found out?"
"We believe that Moriarty is behind it the-"
Jekyll interrupted, "Isn't Moriarty dead?"
"We all thought so, but none of us saw the body in the end. Except that is for Tom who shot him."
Nodding Jekyll asked, "So Moriarty's got Tom in order to lure us to our deaths? That sounds like the sort of thing that he'd do. I just can't believe he's not dead though. And why didn't he go for you, or Nemo or even me?"
"I have two answers to that, who better to use as bait than the boy who almost, and I say almost with dread, took his life? And also out of all of us Tom was the easiest target. I mean you would have turned into Edward, Nemo's got the protection of his ship, his crew, his sword and his martial arts. And I, let's just say that my natural instincts would take over."
All of this made sense to Jekyll and he agreed all the way. Tom would have been by far the best target, but he was just so sure that Moriarty had died. He'd seen the body being taken away by Government officials, there was just that little snag that annoyed him. Quietly Edward told him that he was being far to suspicious he should let a real man do the thinking, he should let him out.
Only Mina being near him and Denethy behind him kept him from giving into the hopelessness of the situation. "We go to find him then?"
Mina nodded, "Indeed."
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"Rosaline you have to free me soon. I don't think you love me."
Rosaline lay by Dorian, giving into him quicker and quicker every time she met him in her dream. The advice Naina had given her had been useless. She knew it as soon as night had come, Dorian knew it as soon as he's heard her blurt out to her mistress over dinner that Naina had gone.
He had been very worried when she had fled from the house that morning. He knew she'd got an old friend who she talked to but he didn't know how good their advice would be.
"Do you want me to be trapped forever?" He persisted dramatically, "Do you hate me that much?"
Rosaline sat up, her hair askew and her face framed with rose petals that had become entwined in her locks. "I don't hate you Dorian. Please don't hate me. I love you really, but I don't know how to free you."
"You haven't even tried thinking about it." He retorted cruelly, "I shall leave you and go back to your Mistress. Is that what you want ? Will you drive me away with your evilness like you drove Naina away?"
Rosaline's eyes widened considerably and tears sprang to her eyes, "I didn't – It wasn't-I couldn't . . ." she paused unable to form a coherent sentence until she asked curiously, "How do you know about that?"
"I know so much about you Rosaline. I listen to you and your Mistress every day. I know you'd never want anything to hurt her." He stressed the word anything and then carried on, "I suppose you'd be terribly upset if she just happened to go walking in her sleep and fall down the stairs."
Her heart screamed out to her to run to leave him, to pray, but instead she flung herself upon him and crying softly she said, "Oh Dorian you wouldn't. Please don't do anything like that I'll think about how I could do it. It's just I really don't understand why you think I can do it."
Dorian gave her his infamous smirk and replied coolly, "Just try darling I have full faith in you."
The word faith seemed to reverberate through Rosaline like a great church bell ripples through a sleepy town. Her hand strayed down to her cross and it all hit her like a flash.
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"I'm a friend."
"Yes from Greece."
"Old, old woman on your death bed."
"Asclepius and the line of Iaso."
"Free me please."
"Through the valley of the shadow of death."
"What are you doing?"
"Fell down the stairs."
"I will fear no evil."
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She pushed away from his, his crisp grey suit seemed to reflect the flames of Hell. His dark and laughing eyes watched her with nothing but ice.
He hadn't counted on this particular piece of rebellion. Trust him to use the wrong word. He should have known that "faith" would remind her of the God she believed in so much. Dorian was going through a religious crisis himself at the moment, he had no wish to share in other's.
"So what are you going to do Rosaline?", he asked calmly, "Stab me with that thing?"
Her hand shook and he advanced on her, taking advantage of her unstable state, "You know no one but that old woman of yours would believe you. They'd call you a child of the damned and lock you away. You can't run Rosaline, you can't hide from yourself and now there's no one to turn to for advice."
"Th-the L-L-Lord", she stammered, "W-w-will p-p-protect m-me."
Dorian allowed himself to become visibly more relaxed. He wondered what card to play next. The whole thing could rely on this next move, this girl's sanity may rely on it. He looked at her, she was standing on the edge of an abyss. One breath in the wrong direction she would toppled into a never ending darkness. One tiny push in the right direction and she'd land on the sunny grounds of home.
"Rosaline, you don't need the Lord's protection."
She blinked in confusion at looked at him through bleary eyes, "I –I d-d- don't?"
He knew he had made the right choice and slowly he started to calm the entire situation back down. "No because I'll protect you. I love you, and I know you love me."
She nodded blindly any straight thoughts now disappearing once more into the intoxicating promises of his love, "But I can't protect you if I'm stuck in your dreams and in my portrait. Would you agree?"
"You promise you only want to help me? And that if I let you out you'll not hurt my Mistress?"
He nodded slowly. This whole charade was rather annoying actually. Dorian had long given up the innocent smitten lover act. He liked passionate romances now, something with fire.
What he liked, loved, hated and lusted for was Mina. It was a complicated array of emotions, some that he didn't even understand himself. There were times when he wished he had killed her back in Mongolia and there were times where the very memory of her face brought up such a choking flash of pure wantonness that even he felt himself blush.
Dorian had revelled in his little piece of espionage for Moriarty. Although he hadn't gone into it completely willingly he'd soon found that playing the role of evil had its definite highlights. What he hadn't realised was that everyone who's evil in episodes like that meet a horrid end. Even Immortals who are still stupidly in love with their killer.
No that it mattered now, Mina hated him. He had left her twice with the same promises of love that he was giving Rosaline and he knew she'd never take him back. It didn't matter once he was free and the fire between him and Rosaline had died he'd move on. He'd find a new Sibyl, a new Rosaline and one day he'd find a new Mina.
"Yes, I promise I'll not hurt your mistress."
Rosaline moved back over to him, the field of love now drawing her close in the same irresistible way that the field of hate had repelled her. He looked down at her pale face and gently ran a hand through her dark brown hair. So similar to his and yet so wildly different in appearance.
"I'll never love anyone but you.", he promised. Such a piece of treachery can only be compared with the Trojan Horse. This was the sweet lettuce of Passover that turned bitter once you chewed it. This was the pharaoh's promise of the Israelites' freedom as the first wave of plagues hit Egypt. This was deception in its greatest form but Rosaline, Rosaline saw nothing in his eyes but truth and love.
"I'll always love you too Dorian."
They kissed for the final time and his awakening in two days was sealed. The League would be there to witness his grand triumph, his escape from limbo. Then he'd take Mina and they would make their get away, all the way to Versailles. Just in time for him to fulfil his part of his deal with Schlasser.
There was one small problem with Rosaline however. He couldn't risk for her to have remembering sessions like what had just passed. He needed her to stay under the spell of his seduction. So as she was overwhelmed by the deluge of her feelings his expert fingers swiftly unclasped her crucifix and he surreptitiously pocketed it. That would be her last link to any sanity gone. Tomorrow a fever of madness would over take her, it would start off fairly mildly and then the next morning it would sweep over her mind and body. She'd be able to think of nothing but him and on that second night . . .
He'd be free.
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Dun Dun Duh . . . So Dorian's almost free. The League have met up and next chapter Schlasser will explain to Tom his master plan. Or some of it at least there would be no plot twists if I told you all of it. ^^
I need to take this opportunity to thank some reviewers who make my day every time they press that "submit review" button.
Xini :- What can I say, Tom Sawyer, sugar high, cheese and of course the ever immortal "Growl."
Clez :- Just thank you for giving my story the time of day. I've started a couple of yours and I shall say to everyone READ THEM, for they are fantastic. : D
Lady Norbert :- Yet again you make me feel soooooo happy. I look forward to reading your sequel story. I hope you had a good Easter and thank you for continuing with my story.
Kate :- I'm glad you like this story. I'm having a ball writing it. I hope this chapter meets up with your expectations on Dorian.
And finally funyun :- Your reviews are always very helpful. You take the time to give quite a detailed view of the chapter and helps me immensely. I will be looking you up soon as an author very soon.
Now onto some bad news. There won't be another chapter up for about a week as I'm going away. Don't loose hope though, I shall be up and kicking probably by next Wednesday.
The chapters though may come slower because I'll have school work, and in about three weeks I have public exams so I'll need to focus on them. There should be about 17 chapters in this story and an Epilogue so I'm on 4 at the moment. I'd say this could take quite a long time. Lol.
Anyways review soon
All the best
Emmy.
Chapter 4 – Austria and Abandonment
The first thing Tom heard was a quiet murmur. He found that strange because he'd always thought that when you died you heard angel's singing. A savage headache raged through his head every time his pulse beat and he screwed up his face in pain.
Swallowing slightly he co-ordinated some deep breathing and tried to at least slow his pulse. What was the last thing he could remember? First he was in the pub, then the note, then he escaped and then the riffle butt. He winced at the mere memory of the thick wood coming into contact with his skull. He wondered if it had done any permanent damage.
He realised that the pain didn't seem so bad when he didn't think about it, so continuing to breath deeply he sought about seeing whether he could move the rest of his limbs. With some relief he found that his joints responded to his commands but he couldn't move his arms and legs because someone had conveniently tied them together.
The next big step would be to open his eyes. Once he did that he would be able to assess the situation much more clearly. That was easier said, or rather thought, than done. The pain had seared fiercely through him every time he had tried to move his muscles and he was worried that if he saw any bright lights he might relapse back into a faint.
Deciding to try and prove to himself that he could be a man, he opened them just a little. Thankfully there was no white light which signified that he was dead, or that signified that he was going to have a fearful stab of pain driven in. He swiftly shut them again and then after a brief pause he opened them about half way. Everything looked stunningly blurred and confusing. He could only make out a hazy grey brown colour so he closed his eyes once more. He vowed that he would open them all the way this time and keep them open. Even though the release into unconsciousness was rather inviting it wasn't exactly that productive.
He eyes brows creased down into a frown as he fully opened his eyes and slowly blinked. At first they watered and then an over whelming tiredness came over them. Tom valiantly refused to give up his fight and soon his eyes were comfortably open and he was gazing up at a very high stone ceiling.
"So nice of you to wake up Mr Sawyer."
Tom jumped slightly at the sound of the voice and as a result jarred his head. The pain swept through again, but as a flash flood, soon died away. In general the pain was becoming less and less and he was starting to feel more and more angry. "Who the hell are you?"
The man; for it was a man's voice he'd heard, cleared his throat and announced impressively, "I am Lord Schlasser Ussell."
Tom couldn't help but stifle a laugh at the fairly ridiculous name and settled for repeating in a tone of complete disdain, "Schlasser Ussell? What kind of a name is that?"
The unseen man exploded with what seemed like fury, although it could have been laughter for all Tom knew. "There was a time when my family had to stay in the German town of Hassel-Kassel due to some rather private issues going on at home. My mother thought it would be quaint to give me a name that reflected the town. Thankfully my father was adamantly opposed to having his son named Hassel. So instead my mother decided to mimic the excessive use of German sess in my name."
Tom smothered another giggle and rolled his eyes, "Right. Anyway are we in said Hassel-Kassel?"
"No. We are in the beautiful Austria, and in my home castle just south of the Semmering Pass."
Frowning Tom tried to remember where Austria was in relation to the rest of Europe. He suddenly found it very annoying that you were always made to remember the countries of Western Europe but never those of the East. Maybe it was because they were more interesting and teachers couldn't afford to give them interesting lessons.
Tom greeted the man's sudden insight into his confusion with mixed feelings; he did not like to be given aid, but he was fairly baffled as to where he was. "We are South of Vienna my dear boy, just next to the border of Hungary."
Now Tom was almost in hysterics he wanted to know who this man was, why he was here, where here was in relation to America and whether he could get a pain killer. Deciding that a mass of mumbled questions probably wasn't going to have very much effect on Ussell he started slowly and clearly, "Who was the man who brought me here?"
"That was my underlining Viscien. Due to certain circumstances it is better that I refrain from being in the public eye. Viscien completes errands for me. I suppose you might call him a hench-man or something of the sort."
Tom was more awake now and the pain in his head was nothing more than a dull annoying throb. He had worked out that he was lying on a sofa which had a fairly panache air to it. The whole place well what he could see of it looked as though it had been furnished in early Halloween. If you had take a snapshot of this castle in the Medieval Times he was sure that nothing would have changed except the owner. At least he hoped the owner had changed.
Speaking or rather thinking of the owner he realised that he couldn't actually see him. He came to the conclusion he must be standing behind the high back of the sofa and was therefore out of sight range. "I don't suppose it would be too stupid for me to ask why you had Viscien or whatever bring me here?"
A definite laugh came from behind the sofa this time and Schlasser replied, "No, no at all. In fact it's a rather good question. A little obvious perhaps, but still good."
From all that this man had said Tom was getting the impression of a stiff elderly gentlemen with greying hair. Probably one of those eccentric aristocrats left from the Edwardian era. He was wearing a dark grey suit in Tom's mind and maybe leaning on a polished wood walking stick.
He tried his ropes again, they gave him a fraction of room to move but nothing more. The knots looked incredibly tight and Tom was beginning to wonder whether he'd be able to escape at all.
"You are here Mr or rather Agent Sawyer, because you are part of a payment."
Tom's eyebrow cocked and Schlasser must have realised how ambiguous that sounded for he carried on rapidly, "Please allow me to explain. I had you brought from Paris to Austria because a friend of mine is helping me out in a business endeavour. I believe he must have known you sometime because his price for helping was not money, it was revenge."
Suddenly Tom had an insight and he blurted out, "I'm part of a trap aren't I. You're luring someone here with me aren't you?"
Another low chuckle came from the man behind him, "Yes, I suppose you are bait. It's not me who's wanting to do the luring though. I believe he's an old friend of yours. He told me to inform you that he knew all about the League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and that he's had to cross the boundaries of life and death in order to be able to settle this score."
Tom's mind whirled, who knew about the League apart from the members and Nemo's crew. Surely none of them would betray Nemo or any of the others. He had to cross the boundaries of life and death. Tom knew only one person who would hate them all enough to want to do something like that. "Moriarty", he growled and anger filled him. The murderer of Allan was alive! He'd send him right back where he came from. Oh yes he'd send him right back to Hell.
"You might as well calm down Agent Sawyer. I tied those knots myself and I was a member of Navy for a good part of my life. They are not going to come undone no matter how much you pull them."
"So, what you're saying is, I'm in some random Austrian noble's castle waiting my friends to arrive so that they can come and be killed?"
Footsteps echoed as Schlasser moved over to an unseen table and poured himself a drink. Tom guessed it was probably quite a strong bit of alcohol as he wasn't pouring if for very long.
"I'd offer you a drink." He replied mildly to Tom's rather dramatic statement, "But we'll be on the road soon. You've been asleep for nearly a whole day. You travelled by plane from France you see."
"Where are we going?", asked Tom, now thoroughly perplexed. This made no sense what so ever. He was in a house in Austria, with some Lord who seemed to be plotting something. One of his accompaniers wanted the League as payment for his part in the plot. It could only be Moriarty really, but Tom was so sure he'd been dead. Then again he'd never actually seen the body himself, he had satisfied himself with knowing he was dead. Maybe he never really had died and it was all a sham.
The question buzzed around and around, never ending, fogging up his mind like a thick mist in November. Ussell seemed to sense his confusion and he apologised, "Forgive me. I really don't think I've been terribly clear. Let's see how better to explain it."
There was a few seconds silence as he mused on the task and then he cried, "Ah hah! I have it. Let me start right from the beginning."
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Mina sat at the airport in Marseille looking distinctly irritated. They were late, they had another half an hour to get there or they were all doomed. Doomed to loose Tom and probably; as they would all blame each other as well as themselves, doomed to loose their friendship.
They'd received correspondence from both Jekyll and Skinner to say that they were both on their way. And yet, none of them were going to get there before 11'o'clock that night. Mina didn't honestly mind being up late. For her the night was nicer than the day. So much more claming, so much quieter. But then again she would find the hours of darkness more appealing wouldn't she? She was a Daughter of the Night after all.
Once they were altogether they had two days to reach Romania. Thankfully it was near the North of the country where they had to travel and Nemo would explain the route to them when they were altogether aboard the ship. Mina knew it would be the best way possible, he had been planning it, checking it and double checking it to make sure. He'd even sent men on ahead to make sure certain points that could pose trouble were clear and they would have an easy passage through.
Suddenly her sharp ears picked up the low hum of an engine and indeed it became louder and louder. Soon it seemed right on top of the building and then it stopped altogether. She hoped beyond hope it was either Jekyll or Skinner.
The door flew open with a huge bang and a man in a rather crumpled blue- grey suit flew through the building to the exit at the far end. He rushed out, and then scrambled back in to smartly salute the officer on duty.
Mina was watching the disappearing figure rather closely trying to decide whether Jekyll or Skinner would be more likely to have that kind of effect. The doors from the airfield flew open once more, and in walked Skinner, cool as the proverbial cucumber. He grinned at her, thankfully he was in full make up so she had no need to worry about him sneaking up on her like before. He strode up to her and said mildly, "Alright Mina, what's the idiot gone and done now?"
"I suppose you were responsible for the mental state of the man who came through here moments ago."
Skinner spread his arms wide and put on an innocent demeanour, "You said, and I quote, "do whatever it takes" to get here on time."
Mina's eyebrow rose, "And what, pray tell, did you do exactly?"
Skinner gave a cough and turned away from her slightly, "I err . . . impersonated his conscience. I told him he had to say the Lord's Prayer on the beach here before the sun rose tomorrow or he'd be" he turned to her in a rather pleading manner and finished, "eternally damned?"
Her expression changed rapidly from disbelief, to disapproval, to dismissive and then finally to one of happiness. "You Mr Skinner are a thief of more things than just material objects."
He perked up and regained some of his jaunty manner, "And what exactly do you mean by that Mina dearest? I'm afraid I don't quite follow."
"I mean you've stolen my affection." She paused and an inner battle took place in a matter of mille-seconds, "In short I've missed you Skinner."
"Oh, well I'm touched. To be honest I've missed you too. All the spying for the British government was fun and all, but there's nothing like the company of a friend is there."
Mina smiled and relaxed slightly, "No indeed there isn't. You seem to have grown up slightly you're full of such soul searching statements and," she eyed the door where the pilot had fled from down to the beach, "soul searching ideas as well."
Skinner's white face gave her a cheeky grin, but then returned to a fairly sombre expression that had haunted him quite a lot recently. "So what's dear old Agent Sawyer managed to do now?"
The mention of his name had a similar effect on Mina and the brief joy of their reunion soon faded back into the hopeless circle of worry, anger and fear. "He's got himself kidnapped, we believe by someone working with Moriarty."
"Hang about, isn't Moriarty dead?"
"Apparently not.", sighed Mina. She glanced over Skinner's shoulder impatiently "Oh Henry where are you, we really, really have to get going."
"The old boy not here yet? Maybe he had trouble getting a plane. It's not easy impersonating someone's conscience you know."
"Skinner, please none of your sob stories just now." Her eyes set on him and gave him a glare. Then quite abruptly she pushed right past him. "Oh at last. Henry where have you been?"
Skinner turned to see the impeccably dressed Dr Jekyll stroll through the door from the air field. Beside him was a short stocky man tottering around off balance due to the two suitcases he was carrying.
"You going on holiday Jekyll?"
"Good evening Mr Skinner, and no. It was my assistant's idea. I had a hard time controlling Edward when he looked in them on the way over. Denethy seems to have brought everything that's not useful for anything."
"My, my aren't we in a bad mood."
It has to be said that Jekyll's immediate suspicion of Skinner in their past exploit had some what hurt Skinner's feelings. The two had never really got over the bad start to their friendship and although they didn't dislike each other as such there was always some sort of rivalry going on between them. Jekyll and Edward had always had a faint soft spot for Mina and they both sensed Skinner as a threat to any chance they may have with her.
Skinner thought the whole thing was quite amusing and as a result had played it up quite well. He did like Mina, she was a very beautiful and powerful woman. But deep down Skinner knew she'd never love him like he wanted and he had the sense not to ruin his friendship with her by trying to make it something it could never be.
"Really you two, don't you ever stop?" Came the soothing but obviously irritated voice of Mina, "Jekyll I don't suppose you'd care to explain your entourage?"
Jekyll gave her a tired smile and said, "This is Benjamin Denethy. My assistant from back in London. He read your telegram, realised I would be leaving and begged to come with me. We've grown quite close through the war and he has no family to return to while the laboratory is closed. He's quite harmless, I didn't think anyone would be opposed to having him."
Denethy for his part stuck his head out from behind the suitcase and gave them a heart warming smile. Mina closed her eyes into a frown for a moment and then held up her hand as a sign of submission. She honestly didn't see what harm the man could do, perhaps he'd help Jekyll control Hyde. She could tell that from his tense mood he was having a lot of trouble with his alter ego. The complete lack of being able to do anything to help Tom was giving him a lust for power and domination. One that Edward would be only to happy to fill.
Skinner was looking at Jekyll curiously a humorous suspicion growing in his mind, "You've not gone homo have you Harry?"
All the ears that heard that particular question went a deep shade of read and Mina looked at him her expression aghast. Denethy felt himself go hot and was glad that he had to cover of the suitcases to hide his blush. Jekyll's ears went red, but that was his only sign of embarrassment he jaw clenched and inside he heard Hyde murmur, "Let me out Henry and I'll pound that piece of fil-"
"No!", he cried and then smoothly he covered their argument with a softer, "No, I have not gone "homo" as you put it. How dare you even suggest such a thing. Denethy and I have been through a lot of hard times together and I didn't want him left on his own with no where to go. Now do you think we could please get on with the job in hand."
His hands shook slightly and Skinner could see the sweat starting to break. He wondered whether he'd pushed Jekyll a bit too far, but thankfully Mina was there swiftly to head off any possible confrontation. "Of course Henry, it was good of you to get here as soon as you could. Mr Denethy if you'll just follow me. Once we're aboard Nemo's ship we'll see to some accommodation for you."
She shot a look of venom at Skinner and hissed, "And you Mr Skinner should very well be quite and stop making ridiculous comments. Try listening to your own conscience for once."
Skinner gave the black clothed woman a smirk and wordlessly took a suitcase off poor Denethy. Ben muttered his thanks profusely and then hesitantly asked Skinner where his legs were. Mina took a deep breath and then an idea came to her, "Skinner why don't you fill Mr Denethy in on the history of the League and its members. That should keep you out of trouble."
Skinner nodded and lowly started telling Denethy of their adventures in Mongolia and Venice. Mina meanwhile walked next to Jekyll and he asked her quietly "So what have you found out?"
"We believe that Moriarty is behind it the-"
Jekyll interrupted, "Isn't Moriarty dead?"
"We all thought so, but none of us saw the body in the end. Except that is for Tom who shot him."
Nodding Jekyll asked, "So Moriarty's got Tom in order to lure us to our deaths? That sounds like the sort of thing that he'd do. I just can't believe he's not dead though. And why didn't he go for you, or Nemo or even me?"
"I have two answers to that, who better to use as bait than the boy who almost, and I say almost with dread, took his life? And also out of all of us Tom was the easiest target. I mean you would have turned into Edward, Nemo's got the protection of his ship, his crew, his sword and his martial arts. And I, let's just say that my natural instincts would take over."
All of this made sense to Jekyll and he agreed all the way. Tom would have been by far the best target, but he was just so sure that Moriarty had died. He'd seen the body being taken away by Government officials, there was just that little snag that annoyed him. Quietly Edward told him that he was being far to suspicious he should let a real man do the thinking, he should let him out.
Only Mina being near him and Denethy behind him kept him from giving into the hopelessness of the situation. "We go to find him then?"
Mina nodded, "Indeed."
*********************************************************************
"Rosaline you have to free me soon. I don't think you love me."
Rosaline lay by Dorian, giving into him quicker and quicker every time she met him in her dream. The advice Naina had given her had been useless. She knew it as soon as night had come, Dorian knew it as soon as he's heard her blurt out to her mistress over dinner that Naina had gone.
He had been very worried when she had fled from the house that morning. He knew she'd got an old friend who she talked to but he didn't know how good their advice would be.
"Do you want me to be trapped forever?" He persisted dramatically, "Do you hate me that much?"
Rosaline sat up, her hair askew and her face framed with rose petals that had become entwined in her locks. "I don't hate you Dorian. Please don't hate me. I love you really, but I don't know how to free you."
"You haven't even tried thinking about it." He retorted cruelly, "I shall leave you and go back to your Mistress. Is that what you want ? Will you drive me away with your evilness like you drove Naina away?"
Rosaline's eyes widened considerably and tears sprang to her eyes, "I didn't – It wasn't-I couldn't . . ." she paused unable to form a coherent sentence until she asked curiously, "How do you know about that?"
"I know so much about you Rosaline. I listen to you and your Mistress every day. I know you'd never want anything to hurt her." He stressed the word anything and then carried on, "I suppose you'd be terribly upset if she just happened to go walking in her sleep and fall down the stairs."
Her heart screamed out to her to run to leave him, to pray, but instead she flung herself upon him and crying softly she said, "Oh Dorian you wouldn't. Please don't do anything like that I'll think about how I could do it. It's just I really don't understand why you think I can do it."
Dorian gave her his infamous smirk and replied coolly, "Just try darling I have full faith in you."
The word faith seemed to reverberate through Rosaline like a great church bell ripples through a sleepy town. Her hand strayed down to her cross and it all hit her like a flash.
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"I'm a friend."
"Yes from Greece."
"Old, old woman on your death bed."
"Asclepius and the line of Iaso."
"Free me please."
"Through the valley of the shadow of death."
"What are you doing?"
"Fell down the stairs."
"I will fear no evil."
*********************************************************************
She pushed away from his, his crisp grey suit seemed to reflect the flames of Hell. His dark and laughing eyes watched her with nothing but ice.
He hadn't counted on this particular piece of rebellion. Trust him to use the wrong word. He should have known that "faith" would remind her of the God she believed in so much. Dorian was going through a religious crisis himself at the moment, he had no wish to share in other's.
"So what are you going to do Rosaline?", he asked calmly, "Stab me with that thing?"
Her hand shook and he advanced on her, taking advantage of her unstable state, "You know no one but that old woman of yours would believe you. They'd call you a child of the damned and lock you away. You can't run Rosaline, you can't hide from yourself and now there's no one to turn to for advice."
"Th-the L-L-Lord", she stammered, "W-w-will p-p-protect m-me."
Dorian allowed himself to become visibly more relaxed. He wondered what card to play next. The whole thing could rely on this next move, this girl's sanity may rely on it. He looked at her, she was standing on the edge of an abyss. One breath in the wrong direction she would toppled into a never ending darkness. One tiny push in the right direction and she'd land on the sunny grounds of home.
"Rosaline, you don't need the Lord's protection."
She blinked in confusion at looked at him through bleary eyes, "I –I d-d- don't?"
He knew he had made the right choice and slowly he started to calm the entire situation back down. "No because I'll protect you. I love you, and I know you love me."
She nodded blindly any straight thoughts now disappearing once more into the intoxicating promises of his love, "But I can't protect you if I'm stuck in your dreams and in my portrait. Would you agree?"
"You promise you only want to help me? And that if I let you out you'll not hurt my Mistress?"
He nodded slowly. This whole charade was rather annoying actually. Dorian had long given up the innocent smitten lover act. He liked passionate romances now, something with fire.
What he liked, loved, hated and lusted for was Mina. It was a complicated array of emotions, some that he didn't even understand himself. There were times when he wished he had killed her back in Mongolia and there were times where the very memory of her face brought up such a choking flash of pure wantonness that even he felt himself blush.
Dorian had revelled in his little piece of espionage for Moriarty. Although he hadn't gone into it completely willingly he'd soon found that playing the role of evil had its definite highlights. What he hadn't realised was that everyone who's evil in episodes like that meet a horrid end. Even Immortals who are still stupidly in love with their killer.
No that it mattered now, Mina hated him. He had left her twice with the same promises of love that he was giving Rosaline and he knew she'd never take him back. It didn't matter once he was free and the fire between him and Rosaline had died he'd move on. He'd find a new Sibyl, a new Rosaline and one day he'd find a new Mina.
"Yes, I promise I'll not hurt your mistress."
Rosaline moved back over to him, the field of love now drawing her close in the same irresistible way that the field of hate had repelled her. He looked down at her pale face and gently ran a hand through her dark brown hair. So similar to his and yet so wildly different in appearance.
"I'll never love anyone but you.", he promised. Such a piece of treachery can only be compared with the Trojan Horse. This was the sweet lettuce of Passover that turned bitter once you chewed it. This was the pharaoh's promise of the Israelites' freedom as the first wave of plagues hit Egypt. This was deception in its greatest form but Rosaline, Rosaline saw nothing in his eyes but truth and love.
"I'll always love you too Dorian."
They kissed for the final time and his awakening in two days was sealed. The League would be there to witness his grand triumph, his escape from limbo. Then he'd take Mina and they would make their get away, all the way to Versailles. Just in time for him to fulfil his part of his deal with Schlasser.
There was one small problem with Rosaline however. He couldn't risk for her to have remembering sessions like what had just passed. He needed her to stay under the spell of his seduction. So as she was overwhelmed by the deluge of her feelings his expert fingers swiftly unclasped her crucifix and he surreptitiously pocketed it. That would be her last link to any sanity gone. Tomorrow a fever of madness would over take her, it would start off fairly mildly and then the next morning it would sweep over her mind and body. She'd be able to think of nothing but him and on that second night . . .
He'd be free.
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Dun Dun Duh . . . So Dorian's almost free. The League have met up and next chapter Schlasser will explain to Tom his master plan. Or some of it at least there would be no plot twists if I told you all of it. ^^
I need to take this opportunity to thank some reviewers who make my day every time they press that "submit review" button.
Xini :- What can I say, Tom Sawyer, sugar high, cheese and of course the ever immortal "Growl."
Clez :- Just thank you for giving my story the time of day. I've started a couple of yours and I shall say to everyone READ THEM, for they are fantastic. : D
Lady Norbert :- Yet again you make me feel soooooo happy. I look forward to reading your sequel story. I hope you had a good Easter and thank you for continuing with my story.
Kate :- I'm glad you like this story. I'm having a ball writing it. I hope this chapter meets up with your expectations on Dorian.
And finally funyun :- Your reviews are always very helpful. You take the time to give quite a detailed view of the chapter and helps me immensely. I will be looking you up soon as an author very soon.
Now onto some bad news. There won't be another chapter up for about a week as I'm going away. Don't loose hope though, I shall be up and kicking probably by next Wednesday.
The chapters though may come slower because I'll have school work, and in about three weeks I have public exams so I'll need to focus on them. There should be about 17 chapters in this story and an Epilogue so I'm on 4 at the moment. I'd say this could take quite a long time. Lol.
Anyways review soon
All the best
Emmy.