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 – Surviving the Cult: A Journey Through Chanthaburi II
The Ambush: Part 3
November 1908
The stillness of the Siamese countryside was broken by the crunching of gravel along the road; the echoing chirps of insects – Lydia and Norina, there clothes torn and bodies bruised from their recent ambush that forced them through the dense jungle, it was only recently as the morning sun had begun to rise they had even found their way back to the road – the humid air hung heavy, thick with the scent of damp and decaying vegetation, Lydia kept Norina close, her eyes darting around – though something in the distance had drawn her attention.
They stopped; Lydia shifted her position, moving directly in front of Norina; her bag, hung along her side, the strap over her head against the right shoulder, tied directly to her bag; her Jian sword; her finger gripping its handle in preparation.
In the distance; a figure silhouetted against the morning light came to a stop; his wide-brimmed hat hiding his face; but he eyed Lydia and Norina in the distance carefully; he took a moment observing them before resuming his movements, slowly, moving towards the two.
British Raj, Burma
The salt spray stung the faces of the crew as the Military vessel; a Grey leviathan of the sea, lumbered into port along the Burmese coast; the air thrummed with the clangs of machinery and the shouts of the workers along the docks – among the departing officers there was a group of four that stood out; Three of them older, towards the Fifties and Sixties, faces etched with lines of power and influence with their western suits impeccably tailored.
The fourth though was younger, barely out of his twenties – his attire was a curious blend of East and West, a silk tunic embroidered with intricate designs was paired with western trousers and boots.
A gleaming Talwar sword was strapped across his back, with a Lee-Enfield rifle hanging over his shoulder by its strap.
George, the most imposing of the three older men, addressed the younger one, his cockney accent was deep and resonant; carrying an undercurrent of command and authority “Albert; go ahead of us to the bureau; see if there are any messages from Bartholomew or Jack, I am hoping that they have been successful in their…, endeavours”
Albert bows his head slightly “Of course Mister Smythe; I shall meet you at the bureau”
He watched as Albert strode away; his unusual attire drew many curious glances from the others disembarking the ship.
The Lodging House
What had been a safe spot initially, has since become a makeshift prison with the capture of Cathryn and Elizabeth – the metallic tang of blood mixed with the smell of sweat and fear in the humid environment.
Cathryn was slumped against the rough-hewn walls; her face pale and a crimson stain spreading along her arm were she had been struck by a bullet during Bartholomew’s attack – her greying-raven dark hair was matted with dirt and blood.
Beside Cathryn was Elizabeth her blonde hair stood in contrast to her mother’s; despite the grim circumstances, her icy-blue eyes burned with defiance.
Bartholomew seemed to loom like some kind of hulking figure as he stood before them; a sneering grin curving his lips “Look at you Elizabeth; I always knew you would betray us, your actions in stopping me in Egypt when I could have killed Lydia” he shook his head “Now, reduced to this, I am rather pleased how easy it was to capture you and your mother” he chuckled; a harsh grating sound “I have no doubt your sister will prove to be just as easy to capture as you proved to be, perhaps easier; after all, she is alone out there with nothing to protect her”
Elizabeth spat at him “You underestimate my sister”
Bartholomew wiped his face with the back of his head, his eyes flashing with anger “We’ll see about that” he snapped, kicking his foot at Elizabeth causing her to crash back against the wall, he then turned away while Elizabeth winced; but her focus returned to her mother.
Back along the country Road
Lydia keeps her grip tight around the hilt of her Jian sword, edging back; Norina also edges back behind Lydia, eyes fixed on the stranger – he comes to a halt, his hand rising slowly to the brim of his hat, tilting it backwards to reveal his weathered face, etched with lines of hardship and wisdom, his eyes dark and piercing, met Lydia’s Silvery-Grey eyes; it was obvious from her torn clothing, the dirt, the numerous bruises that he could see, her raven-dark hair hastily pulled back into a bun; she was exhausted, but her preparedness to fight, he found it rather endearing “I am no threat” he said, his accent indicating him as a local of the country and his tone was surprising gentle “I advise you not to continue on down the road, there are Cultists waiting for you”
Lydia shifted her eyes for a brief moment, looking past him, then returning her gaze back to him, she was sceptical “How do you know?”
“They have gathered together down there with weapons; there isn’t really much reason for doing so unless they were organising a trap” he told her “You also match the ‘Monks’ description, I am assuming you are Lydia; I haven’t met many British people, let alone British women; who carry a Jian sword”
“The Monk?” Lydia recognised the name; it lowered her defence, if he was speaking the truth; then this individual knew the very man that gifted her the Jian sword in the first place; her posture began to relax; though she never moved her hand from the hilt of her sword
Slowly he nodded “Yes; ‘The Monk’ told me about you” he offered a soft smile “My name is Nang Htoo; if you come with me, I can take you to him, away from those seeking to harm you” he gestured the direction she had been coming from
The Lodging House
Damir, Xian and Nintau crept their way cautiously towards the only known place that Cathryn and Elizabeth could have gone too; with the information Damir has acquired during his interrogation of a Cultist, he knew that the Imperium and the Cult of the Minotaur would be closing in – he had to get the warning to Cathryn, though; the three of them were unaware that it was already too late.
As they got closer a movement caught Damir’s attention; but as the three stopped, they realised they were surrounded as Cultists came out from the dense bushes with rifles raised at them “I think we have a problem?” Xian commented; his eyes drifting around
Damir, shifting his eyes towards Xian was not amused at the comment.
Jack made his way forwards, his eyes scanning the three of them but he realised something that quickly angered him “Where is Lydia!” he snapped
“Not with us; obviously” Xian stated; his attention turning to Jack
Nintau moved his rifle from over his shoulder, though he simply dropped it to the ground knowing it would be useless at this point.
Jack though turned to another Cultist beside him “Take someone with you, and go search along the roads; find Lydia, she shouldn’t be much trouble; she is alone out there”
One of the Cultists simply nods, pointing to someone before setting off; meanwhile, Xian, Damir and Nintau were escorted into the lodging house where they are bound alongside Cathryn and Elizabeth; Xian’s concern for Cathryn was immediate as he saw her, though the Cultists deliberately kept them at a distance.
Burma
George Smythe sat at the head of a long, mahogany table, he was surrounded by other members of the Imperium’s council; the room was opulent, filled with various expensive pieces of art and antique furniture – the air itself was thick with power and ambition “This situation in Siam is becoming delicate” one of the Imperium’s council members said; his voice measured “We require your Cultists to press the advantage, but to also not cause a stir, we must maintain a balance and not cause too much unwanted attention”
Leaning backwards, Smythe steepled his fingers “Those who work on my behalf, have established a strong presence; we have been securing resources; the Kingdom of Siam has a lot of potential that can be used, and my Cultists will ensure the Imperium’s reach and influence is maintained”
“You have a tendency to reach for your own interests Smythe” another voice spills out, a tone of frustration present
“Within Siam my goals align with the Imperium; you have no need to be concerned, so long as it remains that way, there should be no issue should there” there was some further back and forth before the meeting came to an abrupt end by George after being made aware of a telegram sent by Bartholomew that had just come through
Meeting with Albert, he was made aware of the current situation in Siam and Bartholomew’s progress “Are you sure this has just come through; that it is not out of date?”
“I am certain; there is mention of a lodging house that they have secured and using to hold Cathryn prisoner, along with Elizabeth” Alert told him
“What of Lydia?” George crossed his arms as he looked over the telegram carefully; he didn’t see any mention of Lydia’s name; it simply stated of their success in capturing Cathryn and Elizabeth, there was nothing else present, indicating that the news sent from Siam could indeed be out of date “I want you to travel to this lodging house”
Albert nodded, but before he moved he looked at Smythe carefully “Before I leave; I would like to ask about what we previously discussed, regarding you daughter”
“I already made this clear; once Lydia has been captured, she is yours; I keep my promises, and besides, unifying our two families has many benefits for your as well as me” George did not take his eyes away from the telegram, still scrutinising it for possible missing details, despite not seeing anything that would suggest otherwise
Albert nodded and quietly left the room.
Yemen
Within a British controlled shipyard in Yemen; a colossal Dreadnought loomed, it’s black hull cutting a menacing figure against the azure sky – on its bridge, William Smythe, the elder half-brother of Elizabeth and Lydia stood quietly.
A man of sharp intellect and ruthless ambition; a shadow player in the game of power – he was reading a recent telegram sent to him from his allies working across the Raj and Siam; only a few days has passed since George had arrived in Burma and the news of Cathryn, Elizabeth, Xian, Damir and Nintau had been captured – there had been no signs of Lydia according to the reports.
Though the arrival of Albert in Siam had caused William intrigue, the telegram also detailed the activities of Bartholomew and Jack, but William’s focus returned back to the name ‘Albert’ he knew of Albert, recognised the name, and knew of promises behind that were meant to be behind closed doors; his fathers promises specifically regarding Lydia “From attempt to Sacrifice her; to forcing her off into a marriage?” he spoke with a hiss, an utter tone of disdain “What further proof do I need to validate the reasons for turning my back upon you father” he spoke to himself, his anger, while controlled seemed to fill his very surroundings
The door to the bridge then swung open; William though barely even reacted “Sir, all preparations are complete”
William slowly nodded; not even looking up or even acknowledging the one who spoke immediately, it took a moment longer before he finally did so “Set course for Siam” he said; his tone was cold, but resolute “It seems my father is playing games; I would hate to be left out of the fun”
The great ship shuddered as its engines began to work; the machinery roaring to life as black plumes of smoke began to escape the ship signalling to everyone nearby that the giant leviathan of steel was on the move – it began slow at first, but slowly the Dreadnought began to pick up speed, its destination; the East, towards the heart of a gathering storm.
Written By: Westley H.
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