Chapter 2 ~ The interruption of an anniversary
As soon as the last rays of the sun had disappeared behind the horizon, they set off. The last strands of yellow and red blurred with the dark blue of the sky until the day finally gave way to a not so warm and cloudless night. Soon, the nighttime sky was alit with thousands of sparkling stars, and beneath the glow of the moon, the two dark figures flew towards their destination and finally landed silently beside the gravestone. As every year they wanted to commemorate the woman who had found her eternal rest here.
What they hadn't expected, however, was a little sleeping human girl lying in the grass in front of the rowan, surrounded by a few berries and holding in her arms that book that was supposed to be in the safe of their private chambers thousands of miles away... How could that be?
Normally, they spoke little to nothing during their stay because they didn't need words to communicate. After the death of their queen, they had strengthened their bond to catch each other's grief. Since then it had been again like 1228 years ago, when the older had made the younger one a creature of the night. Like back then Eric felt as if their soul was divided between two bodies, they were that close to each other.
He therefore felt immediately what was going on in Godric. Unbelief, curiosity, anger and sadness alternated in quick succession and hardly let him have his own thoughts.
"How did she get here? This place should be protected!"
The deep growl of his maker also vibrated in Eric's chest because of their bond. It was almost painful and in an attempt to distract himself from it, he looked around to see if there were any more surprises lurking for both of them. But the only thing he saw was Enid's grave, which for the first time in many long years hadn't been left untreated since their last visit, but shone in a sea of flowers. But the flowers weren't laid on the grave. No. They grew around and on the last resting place of their Enid. Only in the middle was a small gap, and when Eric curiously bent over it, he saw a simple child's drawing that the girl had probably placed there.
When he straightened up again, turned to Godric and saw that he had meanwhile kneeled down next to the girl and stared at her with an unfathomable look, he realized that his feelings had turned into a confusion of attraction and questioning ambiguity. Astonished, he came nearer to the unequal couple and took a closer look at his maker. A sublime silence seemed to have taken possession of his appearance. His gaze was clearly set on the girl's face, who breathed calmly in her sleep with her lips slightly open. The longer Eric watched the scene, the more the chaos in Godric calmed down that he felt through their connection.
"Godric?"
He got no reaction – neither inward nor outward. Smiling, he crouched down on the other side of the girl and tilted his head.
"Godric? Is anyone present in there?"
When again no reaction occurred, Eric nudged him over their bond and finally his counterpart showed a movement. Godric blinked unnecessarily several times, as if he were awakening from a trance.
That gave him food for thought. Because the last time Eric had seen him like that was many years ago in the presence of Enid.
'Could it be...?'
As if shocked by his own behavior, Godric jumped up and took a few steps away from the sleeping child. Carefully, Eric pulled the book out from under the girl's arm and stepped up to him.
"Do you want to hear my theory?"
With an angry expression on his face, Godric turned away from the girl and stared up into the starry night. Again, Eric got no other reaction and shook his head with a sigh.
"Hellooo... Do I have to hit your head with Thor's hammer or could you please concentrate on me?"
"It is wrong."
It was just a whisper, and with a raised eyebrow, he stared at his maker. But again Godric's lips seemed to be sealed.
Eric sighed deeply once more and turned away to sit in front of the grave like every year. But this time he didn't have a silent dialogue with his mother, sister and friend, but expressed his thoughts in words to get Godric out of his seemingly still prevailing trance.
"Long time no see, little cat. Another year has passed and we are here again. But this time you have probably already got yourself a companion for this night? She would definitely be too young for me, but you've always had a knack for little human beings, haven't you?"
After his greeting, he closed his eyes and prepared to wait patiently. But almost immediately he heard the soft laughter of Enid's soul, whose presence had become weaker over the years, but was still clearly audible in his mind. It was nice to hear her laugh, at least once a year, and as always, he quietly thanked the spirits of the three sisters who had woven this spell and made sure that Godric and he could overcome their painful loss.
It is an order of life... His soul threatened again to lose itself in darkness...
"So it's true? She carries a part of your soul? She's your rebirth?"
"No!"
A shattering growl echoed into the night and interrupted Eric's thoughts. He looked at Godric, startled. His face was distorted with rage, his eyes blacker than the night, and he radiated a deadly omnipotence unparalleled.
He felt it... You saw him... how he looked at her...
Unconsciously, Eric leaned away from the growling Death and let himself be enveloped by Enid's soft and gentle presence. In such a state he hadn't seen his maker for centuries. Not even when he had given Enid his blood after the bomb explosion in Dallas 149 years ago. Knowing that every word could now be a provocation, he humbly lowered his head and stretched both hands toward his maker with palms pointing upwards. Eric didn't know what had caused this reaction, why Godric had so completely lost his temper, but he felt that this gesture of submission was necessary right then and there.
"Isn't it good that she's here? Now we know Enid was right and we can protect the girl as she gets older and-"
"No soul will ever replace my Enid! Min sol!"
"So it's not that you don't want to admit it. You don't want to accept it?"
"Stop talking, child!"
"Why? Father, you also have a right to feel happiness again. You-"
He wasn't able to talk any more. An unspeakable pain exploded in his jaw when Godric not only closed Eric's mouth with his hand, but also with his deadly power.
"Do I really have to repeat myself? Never. Ever. Will some soul replace the one that was mine. Do not dare say something so sacrilegious again! Never again. As your maker I command you!"
It was a game with fire. Eric actually knew better, but blinded by Enid's gentle presence, he couldn't prevent all the anger and sadness she had had caused him to feel and accumulate because she had chosen to die instead of choosing an immortal life by Godric's side, from suddenly finding a way out. With a mark-shattering scream and a rage that matched that of his maker, he pushed Godric away and jumped on his feet.
"You command me not to talk about it? For all I care. But what you cannot forbid me to talk about is your obligation to the people. You have given an oath, always to give all your strength and your thoughts for the new beginning. To this new life! And what do you do? Drifting more and more into the darkness, as you did then. Do not think that we haven't noticed it. You are no longer able to fulfill your duties to your people if you think of following her. You-"
Håll tyst!
It was neither growling nor screaming. Eric wished it had been one. Instead Godric used their bond to silence him. Good thing Eric didn't have to breathe, because he wouldn't have been able to. Every muscle and fiber in his body had frozen to ice. Slowly, like a cat of prey, Godric came closer and was only inches away from Eric's face when he snarled at him.
"You are talking about my responsibilities, child? Is it not my duty to come here every year on the anniversary of her death and take care of her grave? It was not me who disturbed that. It was that human being there! It was to be a peaceful night full of memories. Instead a baby is placed in front of me who wants to sneak into my heart! I will never allow that."
Before Eric noticed, the book was ripped from his hand and disappeared into Godric's coat.
"This girl means nothing to me. Remove her from here and take away her memory of this place. If you do not do it, I will find and kill her. And if you doubt that I can fulfill my obligations, it will be your task from this night on! As your maker, I command you!"
Again Eric was shaken in the depths of their connection and seconds later panting unnecessarily air into his lungs when Godric's icy grip suddenly disappeared. He felt like a drowning man and could do nothing but look after the one he owed his immortal life to as he flew off into the night.
An indescribable cold wanted to seize him, but again Enid's warm presence was there, hugging and preventing him from freezing completely once more.
Everything will be fine...
"How can you be sure?"
Turn around... Look at her...
Eric followed her request and noticed in amazement that the girl was awake and had sat up. She must have woken up from the loud argument between Godric and him. But no fear was visible in her eyes. Just an unfathomable stare into the night where his maker had disappeared. How could she not be afraid, when even Eric had trembled inwardly at Death?
Look, Eric... Do you see it? She feels it too, even if she can't assign it yet. Her soul knew that he would be here tonight and led her here...
"I will have to glamour her to forget about all this."
As sad as it made him, Eric couldn't escape this command.
I know... But have no fear, she is now connected with my book, our story, and when she gets older, everything will come right... And he didn't forbid you to watch her grow up, did he? When you talk to her, be gentle, she has lost her father...
With a nod he stepped closer to the girl and crouched down next to her under the gently swinging branches of the rowan. That attracted the girl's attention and she turned her eyes to Eric. A timid smile graced her lips and he caught himself smiling back.
"Who are you, girl?"
Eric didn't know why, but uncertainty then spread across her face. He quickly tried to calm her down.
"You don't have to be afraid of me. Please tell me who you are and where you come from, little girl."
Now clearly nervous, she chewed on her bottom lip. When she finally answered, Eric couldn't believe it.
"Я не понимаю, что вы говорите, сэр...
"There are still people who speak Russian?"
The world has become emptier, Eric... But nevertheless, yes, there are still people living there...
"Damn it! It's one of the few languages I've never spoken. How will she understand my glamour then?"
Enid's laughter enveloped him and warmed his heart. At the same time he remembered her comment with the girl's father.
"You understood her? How? You couldn't speak Russian either."
That's right... But don't forget I am a spirit and connected with all beings now... She isn't aware of this, but we have spoken to each other in a universal way. But for now I can help you two to understand each other... Let me in, I lead you...
With gratitude he accepted her help and shortly afterwards felt how her warmth not only enveloped but drove into his chest and filled him from within. For an endless minute, he closed his eyes and enjoyed the feeling of her presence inside him again.
"Сэр?"
The girl's high children's voice led Eric back to the present, and with renewed confidence, he placed a hand on his chest and looked at the girl.
"Eric. I am Eric."
With a smile he then pointed his hand at her and tilted his head questioningly. At first the little girl frowned, but then she seemed to understand and her face brightened.
"Эрик? Тебя зовут Эрик?"
"Да."
Astonished, his eyes widened and in his mind he heard Enid's airy laughter.
"Меня зовут Лeaнна."
She proudly announced her name and Eric couldn't help but notice that she had the same confident and cheerful character like Enid when Eric had first met her over a lifetime ago, despite the difference in age of the two females.
With a barely audible sigh he set about his task and caught the girl's eye without any problems.
"Leanna..."
Carefully, he formulated his words which would make the girl forget this place, him and Godric for now. But with no word he mentioned the call she had felt and followed. To find out exactly where she came from and to be able to follow her, he quickly pricked his index finger on a fang and trickled a drop of blood into her mouth. Still trapped in his glamour, she let it pass without resistance and when he ordered her to return home the same way she had come, she stood up obediently and closed her eyes.
At first nothing happened, but then she began to shine in a soft green light and she became translucent until finally disappearing completely. Eric had already seen many things in the more than 1000 years he had been walking through the nights of this world. But a teleportation spell wasn't one of them.
"Witch..." he whispered.
Yes... It is certainly no coincidence... He needs someone who can captivate him with her very own life magic...
"But how can she be so powerful already being still so young? That worries me. What if more powerful witches live where she comes from and want to disturb the balance that we have built up?"
I am confident that she will soon come into your sphere of influence... Just be patient... And in regard to your fear: You know, children have a special access to magic... What we have seen tonight is simply her innate abilities... She isn't yet bound by social norms and laws to how she has to use her magic later on...
With these breathed words in his mind, Enid released Eric and let the berries float that the girl hadn't eaten. As if carried by the wind, they floated to the grave and came down next to the girl's drawn picture.
"Now the flowers no longer surprise me knowing that... Leanna... is a witch."
It was a pleasant and melodic name, and smirking, he thought of Godric. His maker would surely find her interesting too as soon as he came down from his negative denial trip. At least Eric hoped that he could leave this phase behind at some point...
Have faith, Eric...
He only answered with a nod and then concentrated on his blood. Wherever the girl was at home, it was at least an hour's flight southeast of him – flying fast.
"Well, the night is still young. I'll see what conditions our little hopeful lives in."
Feeling Enid's approval in every fiber of his body, he turned back to her presence and bowed gracefully.
"See you next year, little cat."
Let yourself be carried by the wings of Hugin and Munin, my Viking...
Once again smirking, he nodded one last time and then rose into the air towards the formerly huge country that was once called Russia.
He neither heard the gentle laughter of Enid's spirit, nor did he see how her gaze turned to the south instead of his heading.
Just be a little more patient, my dear Eric...
With a last smile her presence faded and withdrew from the earthly sphere. And under the warm light of the moon peace returned to that valley, hidden in the nowhere of nature up in the north.
…
On his flight to the little girl's home, Eric realized once again how quiet it had become in the world. Hardly any light brightened the vastness beneath him and the sounds he heard came exclusively from the wind or the animals of the night. It was like a journey into the past for him – the closer he got to his blood in Leanna, the more untouched nature became. It was a beautiful feeling to be master of the vastness, like when he had roamed the infinite forests of Europe with Godric, before they were cut down bit by bit. At the same time he already missed the pulsating life that was still raging in Copenhagen nowadays. But for a little girl this life was certainly perfect, as it ensured a carefree upbringing. Well, provided one beloved parent didn't die...
Nearing his destination, Eric slowed his flight until he settled in the top of a big tree. In front of him stood a two-story house on a flat plateau which was crossed by a meandering river and surrounded by small and larger hills as well as a forest. He could hear quiet noises in there, the squeaking of floorboards, the electric humming of a lamp on the lower floor and the quiet breathing of the little girl who seemed to have her room on the upper floor.
He quietly left his position and floated closer to Leanna's window. Luckily for him, she hadn't closed the curtains, so he could look unhindered into her little realm. What he saw there made him frown though. Her room was a desert place full of torn pillows and books lying around. And right in the middle of it, the little human slept calmly on her bed, still wearing her black dress and the small wounds she had probably suffered from walking barefoot through Enid's valley. Eric felt, however, that the one drop of blood had already begun to unfold its healing effect. In the next few minutes, these wounds would be gone for good.
After watching Leanna sleep for a while and at the same time listening into her through the delicate bond his blood had created, Eric nodded contentedly. Her chest raised and lowered evenly and he felt it was a dreamless sleep. The one drop he had given her wasn't enough to let her dream of him but still enough to heal her wounds and improve her health by the end of the night.
He was about to turn away to head back to Copenhagen when a terrible creaking sound of the staircase penetrated his ear. This house really had to be very old... Then the door to Leanna's room opened and an old woman was about to enter. She stopped for a moment though and Eric clearly saw her incredulous expression when she became aware of the chaos. But then her expression turned into a deep sadness and her gaze moved to the little girl. With a soft sigh she approached the bed and settled down on the edge of it. Nothing happened for the next half minute and Eric was about to turn away again when the old woman finally began to speak quietly.
"Has it already begun? Where will you lead us, my little one?"
Hearing these words, Eric's focus was immediately back on the two humans in the small room and he had to pull himself together to not draw the woman's attention to him or even to glamour her into revealing everything she knew about the girl. Instead, he saw her carefully lifting first the girl's arm and then her head to take off her little bag and put it on the table. But the clasp was open and so a pen and a small booklet fell out and landed on the floor with the cover facing up. The old woman picked both up and looked for a felt eternity at the page of the booklet that had been opened when falling down.
Luckily for him, she held the book so high that Eric could also take a look at the page. And what he saw conjured a proud smirk on his face. Because although it was hard to read and the letters were more painted than written, Eric would recognize the words everywhere.
'You little minx… You really made sure yourself that you would have a memory despite my glamour. Very clever, girl.'
Most content with this outcome, he let his body merge with the wind and thus drift away from the girl's window. Whatever would happen in the next few years would be good. He was sure of that now. With one last look at the girl and the old woman who lovingly stroked a strand of hair from the child's face and still held the open booklet in her hand, he bowed elegantly in the air and spoke the words that Godric and he had chiseled into Enid's gravestone with their own hands:
Väninna, älskarinna, frälsare, maka... för evigt i mitt hjärta. Tills vi möts igen väntar jag på dig. Evinnerligt.
Friend, beloved, savior, wife... forever in my heart. Until we meet again, I am waiting for you. Forever.
I wish you all a happy New Year.