Chapter 20: IN THE LAND OF THE SHASKA: Searching
I gasped in utter horror as I looked around the both of us at the new devastated world I had never seen before in my life-- a place so decimated and strange that it was frightening and completely unimaginable-- had I seen it in a nightmare or even in photographs, I would not have been able to believe it; Nzinga, on the other hand, stared around us with a cold expression glued upon her face-- a look of knowing. I sensed that she had been here before-- or was simply unaffected by the devastation. It reminded me of Mars, and yet it was so very different; there was an enormous and dying red sun dully shining above us; nearly dead, it provided very little warmth or light. I shivered at the thought of the thing one day being extinguished forever; plunging the already fucked-up world into complete darkness for all eternity… It wasn't a very pleasant thought. I frowned, staring around at the strange black caves that were simply everywhere; there seemed to be thousands of them-- maybe even millions, as they seemed to stretch on forever in all directions, "Each houses one or two of them-- they keep them safe from the faerie," the Princess explained as my eyes widened at the thought of the endless amount of caves. The stone I wore around my neck glowed dully, and I nodded, "This is where I must leave you," she whispered, trying to sound gentle and motherly once again as she turned around to face me.
"What?" I demanded, snapping out of my daze over the world, and becoming frightened and outraged by the very idea, "I can't be left here all alone!" I finished, spinning around to face her again, and closing my eyes to shut out the horrible images of the caves and the sun that seemed to be etched deep within my mind.
"I cannot remain here with you," she whispered, "if I would, it would simply be more dangerous-- they would spot you more easily that way, Beatrice, and our kind are striving to prevent that from ever happening-- and besides, you naïve thing, other prophecies have stated that your final battle must be fought alone, one on one with the shaska who snatched away your beloved."
"Other prophecies--? What--? Never mind, look, you can't just up and leave, I mean--"
She held up her hand to cut me off, "Think of your child, Beatrice. Would you want to risk its life just to not be alone in all this…? Be stronger. Don't let everyone down just because you're afraid of what lies ahead."
"No," I insisted, angrily, "No," I repeated, "I do not want to be tossed aside like that-- you can't simply leave me to fend for myself here. I don't even have the faintest clue what the fuck I'm supposed to do-- where I'm supposed to go-- I don't even know who it is that took Matthew."
"There is no other way around it," she whispered, gently, "Do not fear anyone or anything here… They can sniff out fear like dogs."
"Thanks for the cliché metaphor, but seriously--" I rolled my eyes, but she continued speaking, "I am confident that you will emerge triumphant."
"No-- listen to me, Nzinga! I do not know what to do. I haven't the faintest idea where Matthew could be here. Don't you understand that?"
"That's easy to remedy," she whispered, gesturing towards the thousands of caves that surrounded us, "He is most likely within one of them-- with one of the shaskas, of course."
"But, how will I know which one…?"
"Ask around-- make them tell you-- one will most likely know… After all, your coming here has been awaited for very long. They took Matthew to bring you here-- they've been waiting, Beatrice, and they want to find you. If you can use that talent I've heard you possess to torture one, he'll break. He'll tell you."
"And how am I to defend myself against them…? They aren't the friendliest creatures, you know."
"Always asking such obvious questions. You have a knife. Use it if it's necessary. You, unlike many mortals will of course be able to kill them."
She turned her back to me, and made to go through the barrier again.
"You can't do this, Nzinga. I--"
She turned around to face me once again; suddenly fierce, "You don't need me, Beatrice. You may be naïve, but you are quite able. Therefore, you will go through with this, and you will be strong. You cannot be defeated. The fates of many hang in the balance because of you."
"But I just discovered that--"
"Silence," she hissed, "if we stand here arguing all day, you won't get anything accomplished. You will find your husband, and if you like, upon your return, we will have another chat then. Only then… You must fight for what is right, Beatrice, and I will be among those who celebrate your return to our world. Don't let them destroy what is good. Don't let them get to you. Don't let them, Beatrice. Here," she suddenly produced a third jade-green diamond necklace from within her pocket, and handed it to me, "When you find Matthew, you will be able to return to our world directly from out of whichever cave he is now imprisoned within."
I tucked it safely into my pocket, and stared at her as she turned her back to me again. Deciding to forgive and forget, I whispered, "Goodbye, Princess… Don't get trapped within the barrier."
She turned for a split second, gave me a warm smile, and then disappeared into the barrier.
All right then, I thought, turning after gazing at the spot where she had been only seconds before for a moment, I need to find Matthew-- and soon. If what the Princess told me is right, then they probably already know that I'm here-- and it's safe to say that they will not be too very pleased.
I stared at the nearest cave, deciding to begin my search there. It was also true that battles were being fought all over-- maybe many of the shaska had gone off to fight their mortal enemy, the faerie? I was banking on it… There was always the chance that not many were fighting. I took in a deep breath, and began running towards the cave, trying to be discreet, and avoid being spotted until it was altogether necessary.
Crouching in the shadows provided by the many caves, I waited and watched. After a few minutes of making sure no one had emerged or was out and about-- (minutes that seemed like hours, might I add), I immediately entered the first cave.
After the strange glow of the outside world, I was actually shocked to be plunged into complete darkness once again… Wishing I had a flashlight or candle to light the way, I crept deeper inside; my nostrils were suddenly stung by such a strong stench of death that I could hardly stand it. My eyes watered tears and I thought for one wild moment that I would die from the unbearable smell, but I soon became more accustomed to it, so I ventured deeper inside.
Disembodied voices were whispering strange names-- not mine, thankfully, but names that I couldn't place, try as I might. I was frightened-- petrified, actually, and it was then that I sensed that this was not Matthew's place of imprisonment-- if you could call it that.
Feeling a strange sense of relief, I exited the cave, and was once again in the midst of the thousands of others, and the dying red sun in the sky…
"Hey!" an angry voice suddenly screamed, and I looked around me, wildly. I wanted to run from it, but, as if I were a deer caught in wild headlights of a car, I remained motionless, and I felt big, hairy hands grabbing me from the back, and dragging me back into the depths of the cave, I guess I should have made absolutely sure than no one was in the cave with me, I now realized, as the dark replaced the light again, and I was being dragged across the floor now, as I had been heaved to the ground… My eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness, and I found that whoever was dragging me along was dragging me through many skeletal remains of what appeared to be humans and other mortal species, So that's what's producing that vile stench, I realized, frightened by the notion that I would probably be joining them shortly…
No, a sane voice whispered in my mind, as the unnamed man stopped dragging me, and allowed me to remain at the very back of the cave, That's ridiculous-- this is just like the time with Travis, and you can fucking fight for yourself. I went to stand again, but the man pushed me back down onto the ground in a sitting position.
"Who are you?" he demanded, and before I could begin to answer, he had answered for me, "Oh, wait a minute… You're that Beatrice girl, aren't you…?" I nodded in response, "Yes, I've heard of you-- and your missing husband," he laughed, "What do you mean?" I demanded, "Is he dead?"
"Might as well be," he replied, and was suddenly facing me, as he had taken a seat beside me on the bone-strewn ground, "You will provide for a decent price," he paused to stroke my cheek, "Once I've alerted our leader to your presence."
"'Leader?'" I demanded, shrinking away from his unbearable touch, "And, who, pray tell, is that?"
"Can't say," he whispered, "but you can bet that--"
I stopped listening, and casually slipped my hand into my pocket, where I could feel the cold steel blade of the knife I had taken all those days ago away from the Viscount. It was sharp-- and it would of course bring me some assistance now.
Praying that it wasn't too rash a decision, I tore the knife from out of my pocket, and pointed it at the man's throat, "Listen here, fucker," I hissed, "I've been hunting and killing your kind for years now, so don't try to fuck with me… If you lead me to the cave where my husband is currently imprisoned within, I might let you live… Try and get away from me, and alert your 'leader…'" I dug the blade a bit deeper into the flesh of his throat, not yet penetrating it, but nearly, "…and I'll make sure you never see the light of day again. Now, stand up, and lead the way…" he did so, "That's right… That's right," I whispered, as I stood as well, "Try anything, and I will use it," I dug the blade into his back, and then whispered, "Now, get a move on."
Surprised by how utterly simple it was to manipulate their kind, I began to follow him out of the cave, "You won't ever get away from this," he hissed angrily back at me, "Do you really think so?" I asked, "I wouldn't be too sure of that if I were in your position," I dug the blade a bit deeper into his back as a prod, and safe to say, he quickened his pace from slow to brisk.
Out of the cave once again, and counting my blessings that I had been able to make it this far without meeting up with any real danger, I walked close behind him. The sun was beginning to set, but I had the feeling that since it was a Red Giant now, it might take longer for the world to be cast into darkness. We walked for what seemed like hours, and no one was alerted to my presence-- or so it seemed, as no one burst from out of their caves, and tried to assist their fallen comrade. I was pleased with my work, and just as darkness was coming across the land, the shaska stopped in front of a cave entrance, and told me by nodding his fat head that this was the one, "Can I leave now?" he asked, hopefully.
"I don't think so," I whispered, "I'm not a dunce, and I don't want to be lied to, so you're not getting away from me until we enter that cave, and find my Matthew within."
He nodded; probably having expected an answer like this, and we entered the cave. It was pitch-black within (no surprise there), and it seemed to take eons for us to get from the front to the very back, "Where is he?" I demanded.
"He's hidden-- behind the walls. She knew you would eventually come here, and didn't want for you to get to him easily."
"Who's-- never mind. Show me where he is, and then I'll let you leave."
I followed him around the back of the cave, "I think i-i-it's t-th-this one," he slapped his hand against a particular spot, and hissed, "Shesektra," the stone wall melted away to reveal the trembling form of Matthew-- he was unconscious or under some magical sleep, "What's wrong with him?" I asked.
"Another spell. I don't think--"
"Undo it," I hissed.
He uttered a second spell, "Maynepresah," Matthew's eyes fluttered open, but seemed as though they were not functioning properly at all-- he was obviously surprised or in shock.
"Can I leave now?"
"Yes," I murmured, and lifted the knife from out of his back, as he turned to run, "But, I do not want to be bothered by the army of shaskas I feel you will send to stop me…"
"I won't…" he murmured, frightened, "I swear…"
"Sorry for lying to you," I whispered, and without a second thought, plunged the knife into his stomach.
He fell to the ground without a struggle, and I tore the knife from out of the open wound, and wiped the ruby-red blood off on my clothes, "Matthew, darling," I whispered, gently, touching his cheek, as he further came to, "I'm here-- we can leave now. It's over."
He struggled to speak. It made my heart ache to watch him as his mouth contorted, and he struggled to answer, "N-n-no, i-it-it i-is-isn't. Sh-she's h-here."
"Who's here, Matthew? Who? Who is it?"
"I am, of course. Yes, it's me, Beatrice."
And I turned to face the new presence, knowing that we were not alone. I screamed in horror as I recognized that cold unmistakable voice.