The Coming From the Shadows Series
Coming From the Shadows: Lydia
Previous Instalments:
- The Ambush: Part 1 – Surviving the Cult: A Journey Through Chanthaburi
The Ambush: Part 2
November 1908
Despite the scene of relative safety as they reached the small settlement; its scent of woodsmoke and damp earth filling their nostrils, a tension remained from the recent ambush.
Within the cramped space of the lodging house; Cathryn paced around, unable to settle, unable to calm herself, her movements casting dancing shadows across the rough-hewn walls, it was mirroring her turmoil which was not only evident in her inability to sit, but in her silvery-grey eyes, her strands of raven-hair streaked with grey fell across her face as she muttered under her breath, anxieties spilling like venom “Lydia…, Norina…, they are still in danger out there”
Her daughter; Elizabeth was perched on the edge of a rickety old chair; when her mother came close, she reached out; placing a hand against her arm “Mother; Stop, you’re exhausting yourself” she told her, she tried to maintain a calming tone instead of feeding into her mothers worries further “You trained Lydia; she is resourceful, and while I don’t know Norina all that well, she is clever”
Cathryn stopped pacing, her gaze hardening as she looked towards her daughter “Cleverness will not stop bullets” she stated firmly “If Norina is alone, she hasn’t the capability of fighting them off; you know the Imperium, you know to what extent they will go; and we do not yet even know if this is a local Cultist movement or the Cult of the Minotaur” she shifted her gaze away “If your father…, if George is involved….”
Elizabeth sighed; she understood her mother’s growing anxiety; Elizabeth herself had for years been a devoted loyalist at her father’s whim, it was only in Greece when he so easily cast her aside after witnessing her younger twin; Lydia in action she realised that day he never truly cared “Mum” she said softly “Lydia wouldn’t leave Norina in danger; and I saw her go after Norina, we have to trust that they are fine; panicking won’t help anyone”
Cathryn’s gaze softened as she looked at Elizabeth; Elizabeth, with her blonde hair and icy-blue eyes reminded her so much of George, though despite the failures of their life, it led to the births of not just one, but two remarkable daughters – Elizabeth and Lydia displayed so much skill and determination ; but right here, Elizabeth simply demonstrated her ability to lower Cathryn’s anxiety; it had managed to force a smile through Cathryn’s expression.
Elizabeth gave a gentle smile in return.
Deep within the jungle’s embrace; decay and desperation permeated the air; Damir, his face streaked with mud and sweat wiped a trail of blood from his brow, a Cultist lay twitching at his feet.
The interrogation had been brutal but necessary – long abandoning the niceties of civilized warfare; survival demanded ruthlessness, his time in the Serbian Royal Army had taught him that.
“Smythe has sent Bartholomew and Jack?” Damir spat; slowly kneeling down; his eyes fixed on the down Cultists; his Serbian accent was thick with supressed rage “To hunt them?; Cathryn, Elizabeth and Lydia?”
The Cultist whimpered, his eyes were wide with terror “Yes!” he said in a panick, pain surged from the various wounds inflicted across his body; he felt the warmth of blood damping his clothing, the taste of iron at the back of his throat “Smythe wants his daughters returned back to the Estate in Britain; Cathryn is an added prize if she can be captured” he said quickly “He intends to break them; turn Cathryn back into the demostic slave she was before he threw her out, wants to bring Elizabeth back to her previous loyalties and wants to mould Lydia into the perfect vessel for the Imperium’s will”
Damir narrowed his gaze; he listened patiently as the Cultist spoke.
“The whole point of breaking you all up was to make it easier to capture you individually” the Cultist revealed; it made Damir’s eyes widen with realisation
Shifting his attention briefly, Damir thought “Damn it” with a quick thrust; his hand moved forwards, he grabbed the Cultist around the throat, tightening his grip instantly “Just to make sure we are clear; your part of the Minotaur’s Cult?” he questioned, he already knew the answer – Bartholomew and Jack were directly under George Smythe’s command, they were subordinate to him and him alone, they wouldn’t take commands from a local Cultist movement within Siam
“Yes” the Cultist said quickly “Master Smythe; He specifically wants Lydia; she is the primary target”
Damir tilted his head a little towards the right; moving his left hand, he gripped the hilt of the knife along his belt, he pulled it free; the polished steel glinting in the dappled sunlight – with a swift, precise strike to the throat, he silenced the Cultist permanently
Damir rose back up; his jaw clenched, he had to find them, to warn them.
Elsewhere – the first rays of dawn began painting the sky hues of orange and pink; Lydia and Norina finally stumbled from the dense jungle and onto a dusty country road, the ordeal had left them exhausted, their clothes torn and bodies bruised, the jungle was not forgiving, every step had been potentially deadly.
The bag slung across Lydia’s shoulder gently bounced against her ribs; tied tightly to it hung the Jian sword; its movements as they walked were tight and limited.
Norina shivered, her dark raven-hair plastered across her face – exchanging in Italian, she questioned Lydia ~”Which way…, we are lost out here”~
Lydia, her silvery-grey eyes darting around scanned for any signs or clues on a direction, any form of subtle curve in the road; she wasn’t sure either; her eyes finally landed onto Norina as she pushed her own dark-raven hair back; quickly tying it back into a messy bun just to keep it from constantly falling into her eyes ~”I am unsure”~ Lydia finally answered in Italian ~”We have a map, but…, I am not so good at reading those silly things”~ she commented, still maintain the Italian so Norina would have an easier time understanding her
Norina’s eyes lit up; if Lydia still had a map, then she might be able to work things out; she smiled and held her hand out towards Lydia, Lydia simply tilted her head for a moment before it clicked, pulling the bag around to her front, she fished around the inside of the bag for a moment before pulling out a worn map and passed it over towards Norina, smiling as she did so; then gently pushed the bag back towards her side.
Norina, deciding to sit down on the ground opened up the worn map to begin studying it; her eyes glancing about for a moment before shifting back to the map; she had begun checking for anything that could match the map itself; though, that was not so simple, the map itself was clearly older than expected; but, as Norina’s eyes shifted once again, taking interest in how the way the grass flattened on one side, a subtle scent of woodsmoke that carried within the breeze; she started piecing some ideas together.
When Norina finally turned her attention back to Lydia she did so with a smile and pointed ~”Are you sure”~ Lydia asked, turning her attention in the direction Norina pointed
Norina slowly rose back up to her feet, the ache was still there, but even that brief time resting was good enough for now; as Lydia looked back to her, she nodded, Lydia smiled at her; the two resumed their walk, Lydia remained close to Norina as they moved; her eyes constantly checking their surroundings.
Back at the lodging house; the rising sun offered little comfort, but, Cathryn was spurred with a renewed sense of urgency “Lets get going Elizabeth; I can’t wait any longer”
Nodding her head; Elizabeth tucked away the revolver “Alright; let’s get moving then mum”
As they stepped out though; the uneasy peace was shattered as gunfire erupted; a deafening noise; Cathryn cried out when a bullet tore through her arm, the impact sending her stumbling – Elizabeth reacted immediately, shoving her mother down to the ground and drawing her revolver free “Down!” she yelled; her eyes scanning the surrounding trees, the gunfire though ceased, replaced by an eerie silence
From behind a cluster of trees; Bartholomew stepped out, a cruel smile twisting his lips as Cultists revealed themselves “A Pleasant day isn’t” Bartholomew said, his voice dripping with sarcasm “But look at what we have; the traitor and her irritation of a mother” as Bartholomew began moving forwards his eyes scanning the scene before him he noticed something, it made his cruel smirk seem almost wider “Two of Three; Lydia must be all alone, she will be as easy to capture as you two”
Damir burst out from the jungles edge reaching the country road; unaware that somewhere along it Lydia and Norina had also begun travelling – his muscles ached and lungs burned, scanning the horizon, his eyes narrowed in concentration.
A figure came into view, beside him another individual dressed like a monk; though he carried a rifle slung over his shoulder; Damir moved his hand instinctively towards the handle of his knife, then recognition dawned “Xian?” he exclaimed, relief washing over him
Xian smiled as he and his companion finally came to a stop, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners “Damir; it is good to see you alive my friend”
“How did you escape Australia?” Damir questioned, his voice filled with confusion “After we got separated during the attack I had thought you was lost to us”
Xian gestured to the man beside him “This is Nintau Lam; he assisted in my escape” he looked to Lam and then gestured towards Damir “Nintau; this is Damir”
Nintau, a man of few words simply bowed in greeting
“Unfortunately we don’t have time to linger” Damir said urgently “I interrogated a Cultist; Smythe has sent Bartholomew and Jack to capture Cathryn and her daughters, they’ve forced us apart to make it easier to capture them”
Xian’s face hardened “The twins are being hunted by their father” he thought for a moment “He is a serpent; but, I have seen no signs that they have been captured, I suspect that they may have found some safety, though for how long they could remain that way, I am unsure, I haven’t seen much movement, no Cultists have crossed my path”
Nintau; gesturing, he made a silent indication of the direction they should go; Damir and Xian looked to him for a moment before their gaze shifted in the direction he pointed “Lead the way” Xian said as he nodded his head, Nintau simply moved silently ahead of them, leading the way
For Lydia and Norina; they continued to find themselves wandering along the country road; having yet to see any signs of civilisation; as they reached a bend in the road though they spotted a figure approaching in the distance – the figure came to a stop upon seeing them.
Lydia, sensing danger raised her arm to stop Norina before moving directly in front of her; her hand gripping the hilt of the Jian sword, ready to draw it; she eyed the figure carefully.
It was a man; tall, broad-shouldered; his face obscured by the shadows of his wide-brimmed hat, he wore a long coat buttoned up to his neck, concealing whatever lay beneath.
As soon as he stepped forwards; resuming his movements towards them, uncertain of his intention, Lydia remained guarded, simply observing for now as the distance between them began to close, without an obvious indicator, she was left waiting, preparing for a possible confrontation
Written By: Westley H.
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