Hamelyn's Curse
Prologue
I am the weaver, I am the web.
I am the flow, I am the ebb.
I am the wolf that Patrick fed.
I am the flow, I am the ebb.
I cast you back amidst the dead.
Chapter 13
Once the initial shock of the damage to Colby's camper had waned Don held an early morning briefing. He began by asking Charlie to report on the research task he'd set him.
"I can see by the way you recognized the symbol over there. That you have made some progress." he said. His brother gave a curt nod then proceeded to give them a potted
History of the Celts and the role of the Druids in particular.
"I'll start with what is accepted as true historical fact," Charles said. "Very little is known about the ancient druids. They left no written accounts of themselves, and the only evidence is a few descriptions. Left by Greek, Roman, and various scattered authors and artists, as well as some fictional stories. Created by later medieval Irish writers."
"Were these fictions credible or did they exaggerate the Druids' abilities?" Don interrupted.
Charlie gave a non-committed shrug.
"Its difficult to tell. For although a lot of archaeological evidence has been uncovered. Pertaining to the religious practices of the Iron Age people. There is not one single artefact or image. That can be categorically. Connected to the ancient Celts or the Druid Priests. However! Various recurring themes emerge in a number of the Greco-Roman accounts of the druids.
"Such as?" Don barked
"The most common theme is that they performed animal and even human sacrifice. They also believed in a form of reincarnation, and held a high position in Celtic society. Next to nothing is known for certain about their cultic practice. Except for the ritual of oak mistletoe and serpent as described by Pliny the Elder." Charlie paused and took a long draft of the coffee Colby had set in front of him. Don sighed heavily
"So there is little hope of finding anything in the historical records to help us defeat this fiend?" Charlie put his coffee cup down.
"I didn't say that I only said accepted scholars,"
"Which means what exactly?"
"Said scholars and theologians are dogmatic. In their adherence to the Ancient Greeks and Romans. An adherence that excludes and even refuses. To look at other sources."
"Are their other sources?" David asked.
"Yes! Dozens! But not ones Academia would consider worthy of its attention. For so called intelligent people Most of them. Myself excluded, are complete cretins." Colby agreed with Don'd brother. He'd met plenty of so called Professors in his time. Most were precisely. What Charlie described? Closed minded idiots. Who'd probably never had an independent thought of their own. Don leaned forward
"So if we wipe away the Great Empires of Antiquity. Who is left?" Charlie pushed his now empty mug aside, Wiped his mouth on his sleeve - then replied.
"I have always been highly suspicious of the Norse God Balder!"
"Balder?" Colby gaped in surprise "Why? I thought he was supposed to be the favorite of all the gods. A wonderful shining being. That radiated goodness and light."
"If you believe the sanitized Christian versions of his stories yes!"
"So there are older less well known stories concerning him?" Don raised a quizzical eyebrow. Charlie lifted up a file, he'd earlier laid. Beneath the picnic bench they sat around.
He laid it on the table but didn't yet open it.
"In the oldest sagas. The ones that have been handed down. From the earliest times by word of mouth, Balder was said to be a shape shifter. Some whispered! That the face he showed to the world was not his true form. It is also said that he never lingered with his comrades beyond sunrise."
"Do the tales say why?" Don was anxious. To know as much as possible about any potential suspect Regardless of whether they were corporeal or mythical. Charlie gave him a nod then - continued.
"The wisest of these Talesein said:- That when morning dawned He reverted to his real personna."
"Which was?"
"Only one myth survives to tell of his original form,"
"And!" Don pressed
"It was said that he was small, ill favoured of face and crooked of back."
"Cromn Cruach!" Colby breathed. Charlie nodded
"There is one further thing that you should know about him. Balder could not eat or drink like normal men. He was said - to have been given a horn each evening. A horn filled with fresh blood."
"Oh my God?" Colby stared at the younger Eppes. "He was a Revenant?"
"A what?" David poked his partner. "What's a Revenant?"
"A shining one! An Enticer! A person so beautiful all fall under his spell." Don tutted and to David enlightened.
"He means a Vampire." David turned visibly pale at the thought of facing one of the undead.
The VCU Agent Hedger had a separate question for Charlie
"What's that other word you mention Tally-something?
"Talesein?" Hedger nodded As Charlie added. "The name is very old it means Bard or Harper, A Singer of Songs."
"You mean like a story teller?"
"Yes!" He looked back at Colby and added "Going back to the Norse Sagas. It has been suggested that Balder kept a large retinue of slaves. Who were bled daily to supply his needs," he paused and finally opened the file. Then passed a number photocopies to everyone around the table. "These Slaves were said to bear. Their master's mark on their foreheads." Don took one look at the Ancient Runic symbol Then turned to stare at the artwork. Burned into Colby's camper. The two were identical. Colby suddenly clicked his fingers.
"The Mistletoe! That was used to kill him," his eyes were bright and excited. "Loki knew That's why he made a shaft from the Sacred Tree. He knew only a stake through the heart could kill a Vampire." David frowned slightly
"I thought any wooden stake would do?"
"You have been watching to much Buffy," Charlie agreed with Colby.
"According to the Original tales it had to be cut from Mistletoe and only at one time in the year." Ian looked hard at his Don' brother
"And if my mind hasn't leapt too far ahead. I'm guessing that would be Sunrise on the Summer Solstice?"
"Yes!"
Agent Hedger spoke again. "So did Balder have a Flute as well?" Charlie inhaled then softly answered.
"He was known for playing the sweetest music," The younger Eppes turned slightly. "And his Symbol," he pointed to Colby's RV. "Was a winged staff about which were coiled two entwined serpents!" David stroked his chin.
"It looks a bit like the symbol doctors use," he ventured
"It is! It's called a Cadeuce!" Colby said. "Balder was also the God of Medicine!" Don felt a tightening in his stomach
"The same as the Greek God Hermes?" Charlie gave a half nod Then grimaced as Ian voiced the opinion.
"I think that this entity was known to a great many cultures even as far away as South America!" Colby blinked and then his memory again kicked in He instantly surmised Ian was referring to "Quetzacoatl the Feathered Serpent?"
"And he was killed by Tezlacatlipoca guiding the hand of a blind man to cast a dart of wood at his heart." Don drummed his fingers on the wooden table. For a few seconds then addressed himself to Charlie directly
"Did you find any evidence of a defense against the Piper's music?"
"Possibly A numerical chant might suffice!" he said quietly "but," he glanced at Colby "The incantation could affect Shukr as well!" Colby laid his hand on the dog's head.
"Then let us hope we don't have to use it?" Don sensed his reluctance to put his new pet in danger. Especially as it had already defended him against the murderer.
As squad leader Don made the decision - he stood up.
"Right! Enough talk! It's time to go arrest this Creep and put an end. To his Bloodlust once and for all!" Colby gathered up the mugs and carried them into his campervan. David followed him. Colby dumped the cups in his Dishwasher then opened a cupboard and extracted two pairs of walking boots. He handed one set to his Partner.
"These should fit you and I can guarantee. They won't give you blisters. I've had them a couple of years so they're nicely broken in." David gave him a smile of thanks then sat on his bunk To put them on. Colby rammed his feet into a newer looking but identical pair. Shukr put his head through the open door and 'woofed' hopefully. Colby laughed and gave him the last sausage and two leftover rinds of bacon. Then he and his partner leapt down from the RV and Colby locked it. Charlie gave him an awkward sort of smile. He sincerely hoped. He wouldn't have to use the 'Chant of Unmaking' He'd discovered. Don checked all his team were correctly kitted out for a day's hiking then looked to Hedger.
"Right then let's go! You lead as you've been out here before." Dallas nodded and took point at the head of the line. Colby felt Shukr brush against his leg and the queasy feeling in his belly lessened slightly. The David came up on his right and pressed something into his hand. Colby glanced down then gave a small smile as he beheld. Two small pieces of soap. His Partner had remembered his deafening aid. From the night before. Colby slid them into his pocket. In readiness should they actually meet with the Piper. But inside he was determined. That he was not going. To allow Charlie to say or do anything. That would threaten his hound. Secretly David was going to back him up on this. The animal had already proved his worth. It did not deserve to become another one of the Piper's sacrifices.
TBC