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A Walk in the Dark
Chapter 14 |
Author’s Note:Some days it just seems like too much trouble for someone to do much but go with the flow. Dahlia may be comfortable with her new self now, but she still isn’t completely comfortable with how she got there, or with the motives of the three who seem to be responsible for her and Sam being where and what they are.
Again to all of you following, speculating and commenting on this story. Thank you. I won’t say it’s as good as money, but it does help keep me writing. Also,I've been pretty regular with posting chapters to this story and that won't stop. I'm having way too much fun with the story. But I may not have another one up till after Christmas.
Thanks.
Maggie
I looked at the three then at Sam, let out a sigh and leaned back in the chair, I still thought the furniture in this place was almost sinfully comfortable. “All right, first off, I don’t trust any of you three as far as I could throw you. You took us from our home, our lives, and even if we have been treated well overall, the fact remains that you basically kidnapped us. We had businesses, we were successful, I was getting married in few months and I know Sam had a few romantic interests of his own going back there. So that leads to my first question. Again, and none of that crap about the resonance of our souls or spirits. I want the truth this time around, all of it. Why us?”
“That would involve a very long explanation, lady.” Kae’song told me and winced at my own expression.
“We have all day here.” I reminded him.
“True enough.” He nodded and shrugged. Very well it all begins with the portal that brought the two of you here…”
It was a long explanation. The gist of that part was that portals between worlds (and yes there are more than one or two worlds.) are very difficult to create, hold together, and use. The really unbelievable part was the things didn’t actually transport anyone to anywhere. What they do is ‘read’ the person(s) body, mind, and soul, then create a duplicate of that on the world of the portal's origin.
“So what you’re telling me is Sam and I here are copies?” I questioned to give myself time to get my already bruised and abused mind around the concept. “That we, the so called originals, are still going about our business back home?”
“Not quite.” Alis interjected and I gave her one of those warning looks I seemed to getting a knack for so well. She shook her head and smiled, if a bit sadly. “A portal will only ‘transport’ someone who is going to die soon where they are. Soulless bodies are quite dangerous to allow out and about without a lot of supervision, so it did actually bring your souls over to inhabit the bodies it made for you here.”
“What does that ‘not quite’ mean, exactly?” I asked even though I was sure I wasn’t going to like or want to believe the answer I was going to get. Are you trying to tell me that Sam and I are dead back on our home world? Please don’t tell us that.”
“I’m sorry, Lady Dahlia, I truly am.” She answered softly and the little lie meter I seemed to possess, didn’t ding in warning. (Okay it doesn’t really ding, but I need some way to describe how I can tell if someone is telling the truth or not.)
“There was a gang of thugs in that strange stable you left your conveyance in.” Kevin took over and spoke softly, almost soothingly. “I believe they are called ‘Gang Bangs’?
“Gang Bangers, I absently corrected him. “Gang Bang is a little different.”
“Thank you.” He nodded and went on. “These ‘Gang Bangers’ wanted your conveyance, the jewelry you were both wearing, and your money. I’m afraid they weren’t at all gentle or subtle about getting those. Both your old bodies were dead minutes after the portal took you. But did give a good account of themselves, if that’s any help.”
“Not really.” I looked towards Sam and could see he was feeling much the same things I was. “Why should we believe that?”
“Because of this.” Kevin tapped a gemstone mounted in a simple copper base. “It is a Truthstone, no one is able to lie effectively when it is activated and I assure you it is working right now.”
“Sure, pull the other one.” I grumbled and Alis rose from her seat and took my hand. “Come with me a moment and I will prove that much to you.”
I allowed myself to be pulled to a spot about twenty feet away from the table, mainly because my mind was sending alarms out to all points regarding overload, I think. “So what is this supposed to prove?
“We are outside the radius of the stone.” She told me then directed me to look at the table. “You are magically capable, Dahlia. Look at the table, and the stone, then tell me what you see.”
“A glow?” I questioned. “Kind of a silvery gold glow?”
“The Aura of Truth.” She confirmed and went on. “Now I will tell you something that is a blatant lie out here then tell the same lie within that aura. You’ll be able to tell the difference.”
She did, I did. This magic stuff was kind of cool and all, but it bordered on being freaky enough to have the old me running for the nearest psych help had I seen anything like it before that portal had grabbed us.
“I believe you.” I told Kevin with a flatness in my voice that clearly showed that I didn’t really wish to do that.
So we were dead back home. Somehow that tied in so neatly with my sudden acceptance of being what I was that I couldn’t help but remain suspicious. I mean sure, the thing betrayed lies, but that still didn’t compel anyone to give all the truth, I was sure of that.
“Your souls were ready to move on.” Kae’song continued quietly. “And they fit our requirements perfectly. You were both decent sorts who always tried to do the right thing for the sake of those around you even if it wasn’t always the easiest thing to do.”
“So you’re telling us that you saved our lives?” Sam questioned with a skeptical look.
“Not at all, Sam.” Alis shrugged. “We simply redirected your souls to new lives instead of letting them simply drift into another as would have happened. Your souls would have moved on to something else regardless.”
“So you ‘redirected us into lives that would benefit you.” I stated.
“Honestly, yes we did.” Kevin answered that one. “We won’t and never have lied to either of you about that. It is a truly rare being who could refuse a gift from the gods that your situation presented us, and as you’ve already deduced, Lady Dahlia, none of us here are in line for sainthood.”
“No shit.” I grimaced then very carefully pushed my anger, and yes, grief back down to where they could fuss and fume all they liked without disturbing the present conversations. Very carefully, I looked at each of the three then asked the question that had been bugging me since Sam and I had gotten to this insane place. “All right, so just who and what are you three and what do you want us for?”
“A fair question.” Kae’song responded while directing the servant to refill my goblet and place a platter of fruits and nuts in front of me. “Obviously, we aren’t completely good, but we aren’t evil, Dahlia.”
“Look, your treatment of me and Sam has shown that you aren’t totally evil.” I told him. “Then you did take pains to make sure we got training in our natural skills even if those could prove detrimental or even dangerous for you. Okay, you aren’t evil. But if you aren’t good either, what does that leave?”
“A lot of ‘wiggle room’ as people where you come from often say.” He chuckled then turned serious. “Lady Dahlia, Lord Kevin, Lady Alis, and myself are part of a group dedicated to maintaining the balance.”
“Why do I think that last one should have been capitalized and in bold print?” I questioned.
“Because, my lady,” Kevin added his own chuckle into things, “you are not even close to being a fool.”
“When people CAPITALIZE words it usually means trouble for someone else.” I countered.
“Of course it does, dear.” Alis nodded at me in approval. “You have a fine understanding of politics and how emphasis on otherwise innocent things can influence an entire world and more importantly how the people in that world think of something and perceive it.”
“Dammit Sam.” I grumbled. “We fell in with propaganda freaks.”
“Oh, not quite.” Kevin was laughing and he really thought it was funny. “You have such an interesting way with words, m’lady. And your expressions and body language say so much more than your words do. It is refreshing to finally find someone of power who has no use for all the prevarications, machinations, and excuses most of the powerful rely on. It will be interesting to see if you can maintain that in the times to come.”
“Powerful? Me?” I shook my head and worked really hard not to grind my teeth. “I’m a pawn right now. How can that be powerful?”
“Even a pawn, under the right circumstances, can become a queen, dear lady.” He answered quite seriously. “And yes, we have chess here so I understand your reference. The question here is whether or not you are prepared to be that queen when the time comes, and if you can put up with being a pawn until then.”
“Damned if I know.”
“Honesty is a good start.” He told me and seemed to be pleased with my response.
“You’re dodging the original question here.” I told them, trying to deflect the speculative looks and other things I was getting from those three. “Just what the Hell are you guys, then?”
“We hold the balance, lady.” Alis answered. “If one side, evil/good, light/dark, law/chaos, achieves ascendency and remains there the world will suffer greatly. We and others with us are dedicated to seeing that such an imbalance doesn’t occur, or if it does we make sure it will not last long enough to damage the world.”
“Oh, crap.” I turned to Sam. “We’ve landed in a bunch of fanatical neutrals.”
“Exactly Lady Dahlia.” Kevin smiled as if he was congratulating me for getting an A on a difficult algebra test.
Sam ignored that, looked at me and said, “Oh shit.”
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Comments
RP based Stories
I dont usually comment on stories here, but I am I have to admit a LARP'er in the LT system in the UK, and a very long time RPG player. This story is amazeing, and I can "See" it all happening in my minds eye, so clear is the Writing here that in my mind it is "almost" real in a way. seriously this story deserves to be ranked allong with the best here and once again shows that Maggie, is well equal to the likes of the late and great T.D. Aldoennetti etc. I for one cant wait for the next chapter!
Thanks.
For the comment, observations, and praise. I'm happy that you're enjoying the story.
Maggie
This reminds me
Of one of Spider Robinson's books. (Callahan's Legacy, I think?. No, maybe Lady Slings the Booze)
Anyway - the militant pacifists being the bad guys. They were willing to sacrifice entire cities to try to force peace on the world.
BW
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
I always liked.
Callahans Cross Time Saloon. Robinson and Zelazny were some of the biggest influences on the way I write, by the way. That should tell you something right there.
Maggie
Crazy much?
If even the neutrals are this nuts, I hate to think how extreme the other two sides are. I still feel that there is much that they are not telling them. And they have not answered the question of how did they know that these two were about to die? Having a gate that just opens up before someone is going to die seems really odd, and how did they determine that was the way it works? Still lots of unanswered questions that I look forward to hearing some of the answers for.
Usagi
Answers?
You're waiting for answers to all those questions?
Thank you. They will be forthcoming, trust me.
Maggie
Yes! Called it a few
Yes! Called it a few chapters ago. First time I've managed to anticipate anything you or Lili do with a story. Might be the last too, lol.
This's a great story. I'm sure I'm not alone in checking for updates several times a day. But don't forget to have a great Christmas! We can wait an extra day for that. ;)
-Korran
Yes you did.
Take my advice, grab it and run. Now. lol
Maggie
A Walk in the Dark Chapter 14
OK, then why turn them into Dark Elves which are inherently evil?
May Your Light Forever Shine
May Your Light Forever Shine
Take someone who is
Take someone who is generally, or even vehemently, on the side of good. If you want _balance_, give them something that has a tendency to be evil. You still have a good person, but with urges they then have to fight. Kind of like a custom made alcoholic.
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
I think you missed the brief
I think you missed the brief explanation a while back. It was an experiment.
People are inherently neutral. It doesn't really matter what race they are. Good or evil, lawful or chaotic is a learned behavior except in the case where there is a defect. Such defects are usually only noticed in extreme cases and generally societies don't care if the defect is on the lawful good side of things. Societies tend to lean toward lawful good in general. Anything else tends to be self destructive.
Take a wild animal such as a tiger or a any number of other large animals. If removed from the wild at a young age, an animal can be more or less socialized. Most remain extremely powerful and dangerous animals that need to be handled with care. However, in the wild, that same type animal would have just as likely eaten you without a second thought. An often repeated experiment in the differences an environment can make.
The Drow would be from the Forgotten Realms world. If we were dealing with Drow born and raised in that society, then they would tend to be evil. In addition to my D&D interests, I also read a lot of fantasy when I can. R.A. Salvatore brought the Drow society to life in several books. There is also the various D&D books.
SnowWolf
Now,now.
if I answered that one it would give away some major plot points here.
Maggie
oh no!
Stanman just ruined the story for me - I think I know where it's headed now.
To be completely neutral- don't you have to balance too much good with an act of evil?
Fanatical Neutrals
Isn't that redundant? I mean in order for someone to remain true neutral, especially after gaining a lot of power, they would have to be somewhat fanatical about it. Self interest tends lead an individual away from true neutralness. Yes self interest can make someone lawful good.
Neutrals.
Not necessarily Lawful or otherwise always tended to do things that others alternately perceived as being good or evil depending on which side of the fence they were on. In the games I played in, and ran, truly neutral beings could get away with a lot just so long as they balanced any act with another on the opposite end of the spectrum. Unless they were actually redressing an imbalance.
No more clues right now. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Maggie
Moorcock?
The Concept of The Balance as a Third Option in the battle between the Forces of Chaos and order has long been a feature of The Elric Saga and other books in the Eternal Champion Series by Michael Moorcock, it will be interesting to see if Dahlia becomes a "Proud Princess of Ruins", I would hope that if she is offered a "Hell-forged Rune sword" carved from some Black material that she would refuse it for being a "Thousand times more evil than ever (she) wert".
The nature of Monkey is - Irrepressible!!!
The nature of Monkey is - Irrepressible!!!
Ah.
Ok, you have them where you want them, balanced between good and evil :)
It's hard to be P**ed at people saving your life, even if it's possible.
Human nature have quirks all of its own.
But what are you going to do with it, and them?
You have all kinds of possibilities here I think.
And Callahan's saloon was a nice reference.
I'll read on with the utmost curiosity Maggie:)
Playin' Catch-up
Maggie,
Life seems to have gotten in the way of me keeping up with this fun and intriguing tale. Even so, I had to tell again how enjoyable it is to see Dahlia work through the issues and "Gang Bangs".
You are so evil at times - gotta love it.
As always,
Dru
As always,
Dru