Out of Darkness Comes the Light - Chapter 31
Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone you may recognize. I don't even own the title. If you think I have ripped you off, sorry. This came purely from my own imagination, such as it is. I don't even claim that my story is any good...
A/N: Okay kids, hold onto your drinks. This is going to be a bumpy ride. I needed to do two things at once here. So I did something different. I hope it makes sense. I need to stop worrying so.
dellis - Yes, Yes, Yes! You sooo get it! I hope you still do with these next to chapters.
KnightMaiden - Thank you!
melosine - Ceri is just something to focus his anger on. And even then it's not that much. I hope you like this next part with Teagan...
June Birdie - Yup, he is. But not by who everyoone thinks. (Hee, Hee!)
Cardeia - I know it's a tad choppy. I saw that after Iposted. Ahh well...
Good, you get what Gilly was thinking. Tristan is changing, but think about his past. And his own created lonliness. He needs her and the magnitude of that has just about hit him.
Oh - Sorry about the thing with Ceri. This is the second time she ran into the moron. The first time, she only told Teagan, hense them taking her with them. And remember, Justus has become a stalker as oflate, looking for the most opportune time to grabe said red head.
Lastly - the red fishes. Hee Hee! I never thought of them. Iwas writing, remembering a bar I used to frequent when I was younger called the Bug Jar! Andit had thishuge bug hanging from the ceiling.
Teagan lay, staring at the ceiling of the tiny room. Her thoughts a mess. She let her mind focus on the small spider on the ceiling as she thought of a way out of this situation. She watched as the tiny thing slowly decending on its string. Making its way down to her boot before hurrying off about its business.
Justus had all but dragged her to this place. Locked her in this room that was so far away from her friends. Those she desperately wanted to call her family.
It seemed like this place was so far away from the rest of the bustle of the city. Teagan remembered not seeing anybody but a few stray dogs as she was brought here.
If she hadn't gone with him today, he would have killed Gilly. If it had been possible to get the boy away from Justus, he would go after someone else that she cared about. She would not always be in the company of the knights.
If she had gotten away from him, he would follow her. Victor had told him not to return without her. And Justus was taking this assignment seriously. He always took his assignments seriously.
Justus may be a morbid individual, but he was loyal to Victor. Almost like worship...
If Justus didn't get her, Victor eventually would.
So many 'ifs.' Not enough answers.
Rolling onto her side, she curled herself into a ball. As she drew her legs up, she felt a hardness on her leg, in her boot.
Teagan sat up on the tiny bed, bracing her back against the wall behind her. The coldness of the clay felt good against her warm body.
Patting her calf, she felt the small dagger in her boot. The tiny blade that she had gotten for Tristan with the money she had won. She had wanted to give it to him today, before they left Isca. All the women had each bought something.
Cassandra had bought Lancelot a brush made of soft hairs. The vender had said it was used to smooth men's beards. For grooming. Cass had thought it perfect for him as he was so vain about his appearance.
Teagan remembered falling about, everyone agreeing that he was indeed, vain.
Guinevere had bought Arthur some very thin calf skins. The leather so thin that you could almost see through it. She had mentioned that he would have liked some for the making of some maps. It would be good for that purpose as is was soft and pliable. But as it was pricey, he had put it aside.
Even Ceridwen had bought herself some honey for her mead. She had been playing around with a few recipes, that she wanted to try this special kind.
She had bought each of the women some honeycomb, the sweetness a wonderful treat as they walked.
And Teagan had bought Tristan a very small throwing dagger. He was forever losing some of his and had spent an entire day looking for several of the tiny blades.
This one was perfect, it didn't have a handle. There were no engravings, nothing to identify it's user. It was all one piece, with the actual blade only the length of her forefinger. But it was sharp. That she had made sure of.
Now, it was the only weapon she had on her. She hadn't had time this morning to strap on others. She hadn't even thought to strap on weapons.
But, she hadn't needed to carry weapons. Tristan had been with her all this time, she hadn't needed to. He carried enough on his body to arm a dozen men.
Teagan let out a colorful curse. She knew better than to not carry one. She had been getting too relaxed being with the knights. Before she relied on no one but herself.
She found herself now relying on others.
Now, this little thing that was intended to be a gift was now her only protection against Justus.
And maybe, Tristan would find her, help her.
Suddenly her stomach seized, the contents of it emptied into the basin that Teagan was quick enough to grab.
Ceridwen led the men out of the Blue Fish, down the main street. The quietly led them down several different streets, obviously headed out of the main part of the city.
Shestopped suddenly, not sure which way to go. All these alleyways looked the same to her especially at dusk.
And she had only been this way a handful of times in all her years in Isca. She had been one of the fortunate ones, to not have to live in poverty. She didn't have a lot of money, but she was comfortable.
And she didn't have to sell her body to make a coin.
"What's wrong?"
Arthur's voice brought her back to the problem at hand.
And that problem would be to find her friend before she was killed.
Teagan watched from the tiny bed as Justus sat at the nearby table. It wasn't a very big table and it only had one chair.
The Roman sat in that one chair, silently eating. Well, not silently, he ate like a Sus scrofa.
Justus sat there, eating, not bothering to offer Teagan anything to eat.
Which was fine with her. She wasn't hungry and couldn't eat, even if she was.
The man sat there, eyeing both his eating knife and Teagan warily.
Picking up the blade, he twirled it in his fingers. Flashes of light glinting from the lit lantern.
He sniggered at her. Baring his ugly yellow teeth. "I need to watch myself around you. You've always been good with a knife."
Teagan had conceal the laugh she felt bubble up. His hair was whiter than his teeth. The men of the fort used branches to clean their teeth and mint for their breath. She doubted Justus had even cleaned his mouth in ages.
But her smile faltered when he leered at her again.
"I think it's on the other side of the city."
"You think?" Lancelot arched a dark brow at her. His mood becoming as foul as his friend's.
Arthur glared at his knight, willing him silent. Gently he guided Ceri forward.
"Let's go, shall we?"
Ceri nodded, moving uncertainly forward, Arthur at her side.
Behind her, Lancelot snorted his annoyance and Tristan silently seethed.
He heaved his thin frame out of the rickety wooden chair. With a force his lean frame disguised, he jabbed the small knife into the table. With an arrogance Teagan was familiar he made his way across the dust covered floor to her.
He smiled again as he saw her cower further back onto the bed.
He reached on of his long, dirty fingers to her face, caressing her chin, guiding it up. Bringing her eyes to meet his.
"I wonder what else you're good at. All you Sarmatians are good for is killing and bedding."
His finger moved it's way over her lips, down the other side of her face, to her neck. The side with the tattoo.
"Since I don't think you are any good at killing, I bet you are wonderful to bed."
Teagan audibly swallowed. "I don't think that Victor would like you to do this."
"I don't think that Victor would mind if I take just a taste of you." Justus was sneering as he pulled at a lace on Teagan's dress, the thin leather pulling free.
Teagan had to swallow another wave of nausea. The bile raising quickly into her throat.
She said not a word.
Justus continued his path, loosening another lace, then another, his fingers tracing the swell of her breasts, his fingernail causing small cuts as it pushed itself down the soft flesh.
In one quick motion, he had ripped her dress, completely exposing her breasts.
"Oh yes, so lovely to look at. No wonder Victor wants you so badly."
Justus pushed himself more fully onto Teagan's body, his head bending to her neck. She stiffened, knowing what he was about to do.
He had seen the mark on Arianna.
His breath was foul as he breathed on her, the smell affecting her already weak stomach. But, there was nothing left to expel. All she succeeded in doing was a few dry heaves.
Justus let out a laugh, his face coming closer to nuzzel her neck, rubbing his nose along her collarbone. Like he was sniffing her.
Teagan willed her body as still and as calm as she could. Panic was starting to set in.
Ceridwen led the men through several dark alleyways. Her steps were sure and steady.
Arthur thinking that is was like a maze, wondering how she knew her way around. But then he remembered something that Teagan had said. Something about the two of them getting into much mischief. Surely, they would know their way around the city.
Again, Ceridwen's step faltered.
"What's wrong now?" Lancelot said quite rudely.
"Lancelot. That's enough. She's trying to help."
He only snorted at Arthur. "Not fast enough. We've been traipsing around in this muck for nearly an hour."
Arthur chose to ignore his friend's last remark. He understood why he was so touchy. This was his sister they were looking for. He glanced at Tristan, who was as silent as ever.
He said not a word. The only emotion showing was in his eyes.
Arthur commended Tristan, holding himself in check as long as he had.
Ceridwen looked around her surroundings, trying to find something familiar, trying to remember how to get to where she was trying get to.
"I'm trying to remember. I've only been to that area a few times."
Justus took his time, dragging his tongue along her shoulder, up her neck. His path took him between her breasts, to the soft part just to the side of one, on her ribs.
Suddenly, he sank his teeth into the soft flesh, drawing blood, pulling on the meat of her body.
Teagan let out a cry, the pain was so great. Her body arched forward.
Justus brought his head up, fully intending to kiss her on the mouth with his bloodied lips. His hands starting to move up toward her breasts. His fingers digging, pulling more at her dress. His knees forcing her legs apart.
'NO!' Teagan's mind screamed. She would not let this happen.
She brought her hands up to his chest, trying to push him off.
Justus only laughed. A high pitched eery sound. He pushed on her hands with his body, forcing his weight on her.
"Yes, I will do to you what I will. I want to taste of you just as you let that bastard of a knight taste you."
Again her mind screamed. Then it went red.
Again the small group of rescuers were moving toward the furthest end of Isca. Ceri vaguely remembering where to go. Where Justus said to bring her.
"How do you know where to take us? What if it's some kind of trap?"
Tristan's voice stopped Ceri's forward movement. She turned, glaring at Tristan and to Lancelot who was standing behind him.
"Because I'm not like that. She is my friend."
Arthur held up his hand. Mostly to stop the knights from further accosting this poor woman. She was doing her best to help.
"I think what they are trying to ask is...how do you know where Justus is? Where he would take her."
"Oh. I told you that I met him. He said he was betrothed to her." Ceri took a breath, looking at each of the knights in turn.
"I believed him. So he told me where to bring her. Where he said he was staying. So I could bring her to him."
"So, you are in league with him?"
Teagan took a breath, willing all her strength into her chest, into her arms. She moved quickly, bringing her head into his nose as hard and as fast as she could. With her arms, she pushed him off her body, rolling onto the floor.
Justus screamed. His hands coming to cup his face, the blood running thickly through his fingers. He fell back, to rest against the wall that was next to the bed.
Teagan skittered against the far wall as far away from Justus as she could. Her fingers digging to find the small dagger in her boot.
Pulling it out, she held it tightly in her shaking fingers, hiding it in the folds of her skirts.
Glaringat the bleeding man, she waited. Her hand absently rubbing the spot where her head met his nose.
Ceridwen looked at the dark knight. His already dark eyes, blacker with anger. His mouth was set in such a tight line, she thought he'd crack his jaw. It was clenched so tight.
This was the man that Teagan loved. And she could tell from his actions that he loved her in return.
"No. I believed him because I knew there was a Woden from her past. But, I thought she said he had died. Or she had suspected he had."
Tristan seemed to accept her answer as he brushed past her and moved toward another alleyway.
"Come on. We have not time." He said as he past her.
"But you're going the wrong way." Ceri smiled as she pointed in another direction. She was sure now.
It wasn't far. Just past these minor gates were several small abandoned storage houses. Old houses that were no longer inhabited and were mostly used for storage.
Or the homeless.
She hadn't thought to question Justus at the time about the place. She had assumed it was because it was cheaper to rent. People often did that. And maybe the man wanted some privacy.
She didn't have to wait long, Justus gave a shout, launching himself off the bed.
As quickly as she could, Teagan stood in a crouched stance, bringing her small dagger forward, driving it into Justus' charging body. Embedding it into the soft flesh of his stomach as he nearly fell on Teagan, forcing her against the wall.
Justus stood still, blood running down his face, into his open mouth. His eyes flickered to Teagan, all the hate he ever felt for this woman showing in his eyes.
Teagan forcefully pushed him away from her. Her hand making a sickening sucking sound as she pulled it out of his belly. The warm blood freely flowing from her hand to the floor as he fell backward.
"Where are we going anyway?" Lancelot had noticed that they had left the main body of the city and were now on the outskirts where very few people were.
"To an old storehouse. Nobody lives there and it's kind of out of the way."
"Perfect." Muttered Lancelot. Whether he was saying that to Ceri or the pile of dog dung he almost stepped in was anyone's guess.
"You might want to watch your step, pretty boy." If the situation wasn't what it was, Tristan would have laughed at his friend.
Arthur could only shake his head.
Suddenly, Ceridwen stopped again. This time pointing to a small building. "That's it."
It was old, it's bricks and wood crumbling. It looked to Arthur that it was two stories. There was a faint light coming from several windows on the second floor. And shadows were seen in one window.
He prayed that this was the right place.
Around, the place was deserted. Except for the dogs barking and the rats scurrying from underfoot, there was no one around for a while.
'Justus knows what he's doing.' Arthur thought as he held up his fist. A sign for the men to stop.
Suddenly a scream tore through the air. It sounded like a man's scream.
Of pain.
Slowly she sank to the floor hugging her knees tight against her body, watching the sight in front of her.
Justus had fallen over, his knees pulling up, his hands clutching his stomach. He started moaning, his lifeblood pooling onto the wooden floor beneath him.
Teagan just sat, watching the writhing body of Justus. She had murdered him. Or almost had. He wouldn't survive this night, this she knew. This she hoped.
Outside, she could hear a dog barking. And in the distance, the answering howl of another.
In the back of her mind, Teagan could hear voices. Voices she thought that she could recognize.
Teagan sat huddled against the wall, her bloody hands clutching what was left of her gown. Her eyes never leaving Justus.
0o0o0o
Arthur was first, stepping into the room, quickly surveying what he saw in front of him.
Justus was lying on the floor, clutching his stomach. The way he was moving on the floor, Arthur could tell the man was in pain.
Movement caught his eye. Teagan sat huddled against a far wall, holding her knees to her. Her hands were bloody as well as her neck. She looked up at him as her stared at her. Her face looked frightened, but her eyes held something else.
Hatred.
Arthur's thought's went to Arianna for just a second, then back to the situation at hand.
Lancelot and Tristan pushed their way in almost together. Lancelot crouching next to a moaning Justus while Tristan went to Teagan.
Neither man said a word. None was needed just then.
Ceridwen was next. She couldn't keep in the gasp that escaped her. The sight before her almost to much. Clutching her stomach, she almost lost everything she had put into her this day.
Arthur pointed to the door.
"Tristan. Take her out now. Wait for us downstairs."
Tristan didn't need to say a word. Quickly, he scooped Teagan off the floor, holding her close. Before heading out of the door, he grabbed a blanket, wrapping a still silent Teagan into it.
A/N: Cardeia - as you see, I took some of your suggestions to heart. I just hope that I made them work. And you'll get to see into his head the next bit.