The Coming from the Shadows Series
Coming From the Shadows: Lydia
Previous Instalments:
- The Shadows of Lombardy – Shadows of Lombardy: Cults and Power Dynamics
In the Shadows of Lombardy
Story Recap:
Returning to Europe; Cathryn, her twin daughters Elizabeth and Lydia along with her adopted daughter, an Italian girl; Norina, follow up on Norina’s request to visit the remains of what was once her home in Lombardy – The Fiorito Vineyard – here, Norina encounters the American Cultist; Erin Mason, who manages to corner Norin, while initially a terrifying encounter that blended Erin’s intimidating posture and sultry flirtatious comments, Elizabeth attempted to intervene to help – in the face of danger, Erin was unphased entirely using more sexual commentary before disarming Elizabeth.
With Lydia’s arrival though; Erin lost all interest in Elizabeth as she closed the gap with Lydia and like she had Norina, invaded Lydia’s personal space, her tone shifting once again to something far more flirtatious and sultry as she engaged with Lydia’s stoicism – only adopting an innocence appearance by Cathryn’s presence who looked upon the scene with bewilderment expecting to be finding a fight.
At the same time as the counter at the Fiorito Vineyard; Erin’s older brothers; Morgan and Jakob joined the Italian Cultists – the Cult of the Wolf, to begin a search for an Ancient Temple that was discovered near Verona and had become a point of interest for the Cultist parent organisation; the Imperium.
While in the Indian Ocean; William Smythe, following his victory in organising the Imperium’s loss of their Port and Facilities on the coast of Burma to a British occupation, now plans his next strike against the Imperium and its Cultist organisations.
Introduction
24th of January, 1909 A.D.
Lombardy, Italy
The Fiorito Vineyard
The air hung think – the twisted vines skeletal against the bruised sky and clawed at the ruins of what had once been home to Norina Fiorito before its destruction by the Italian Cultists after her father had interfered in their operations within Lombardy 3-Years prior in 1906 – Since then, Norina had been adopted by Cathryn and has since travelled with Cathryn and Lydia, eventually with Elizabeth when Elizabeth finally reunited with her mother and younger twin-sibling in Greece the previous year in 1908 after so easily being cast aside by her father due to his impress at Lydia’s developed skills from a once-timid child to become a dangerous killer; a ‘Human Weapon’ as he saw her.
Erin; the youngest of the Mason siblings, a representative of the American Cultists; the Brothers and Sisters of Liberty, to Europe, she was an unsettling figure; her long black hair framed the picture of innocence; her cold emerald green-eyes fixed on Cathryn as she made her appearance in the doorway – she had taken on the innocent façade purposely – Cathryn recognised this immediately upon landing her eyes on her, it was a calculated act.
Erin’s gaze flickered from Cathryn towards Lydia; her eyes lingering a moment too long before they finally settled on Norina, her lips curving into that signature beautifully-terrifying smile, his tongue momentarily licking her lips as she observed Norina carefully – aside from Cathryn, Erin was the eldest of the girls present, being born 11-Months before Elizabeth and Lydia – She was Nineteen compared to their eighteen-years and Norina’s seventeen..
“She’s a viper” Elizabeth hissed, her anger was still on display; Erin had already gotten under her skin from their previous interactions and what little discussion before Cathryn arrived; her blonde-hell fell in front of Elizabeth’s icy-blue eyes, they then flickered to the fallen knife she had dropped when Erin had pressed a pressure point in her elbow to defend herself against Elizabeth; but, she felt the revolver still in her holster, moving her hand towards it in preparation
Erin grinned as she turned her attention towards Elizabeth “Oh do not be so dramatic; I am simply curious”
Chapter 1
24th of January, 1909 A.D.
The Indian Ocean
The steel leviathan sliced through the ocean; a Dreadnought leaving a scar of churning white in its wake; below deck, in the cramped confines of a makeshift war room, William stood leaning against a table – he was a man like granite, his hawkish features lit up by the flickering light.
Facing him was Silas; a mano who moved with quiet authority, a man use to wielding power from the shadows “Your success in Burma and Siam are intriguing” he told William, his voice a low rumble “They have now been brought out into the open, after centuries of controlling from the shadows, the Imperium just discovered it is incapable of fighting an Imperial Power like Britain in the open”
“Indeed” William agreed “They have now lost their private facilities and port along the Burmese coast to British occupation, though the British Empire does not yet understand exactly what it encountered, it still believes it was simply an uprising”
“Ah…, but it had forced their operations in the region to end; without their Burmese Facilities, they will need to move all their central operations to a new facility, a new port that they can begin using to advance their goals once more” Silas said; leaning against the table
“It still isn’t enough though” William raised his head; his eyes looking to Silas “How long do you believe it will take them; a Day, a Week…, maybe two weeks…, they have so many facilities they can switch too, and not all are as easy to find as that one was, we only stumbled upon the information that allowed me to arrange that attack by chance, and while Cultists were killed, the Council Members escaped”
“William it is a start; no body has ever achieved such a victory, even ‘the Guardians’ have failed” Silas states with a hopefully tone
“The ‘Guardians’ were named so because they were present on our world to protect their Ancient Temples from human beings; the Imperium’s manipulation of Kings and Queens over the centuries gave them the push needed to exterminate them from our world” William shifts his gaze downwards “Keep in mind, all we know of them is that they once existed, they don’t anymore”
“Perhaps; perhaps they do, perhaps they don’t…, it is just an observation that what you have done, has never been accomplished” Silas grins
William’s gaze became distant “I need to make a more impactful move; my father; George is one of the most influential Cultists around, he and his Cult of the Minotaur hold too much power even after I burned down the Estate, he still holds power; I think, Greece will prove to be the best place to set up my next plan”
Lombardy, Italy
The Fiorito Vineyard
“I have already pointed this out Elizabeth; I am not even meant to be here, I am meant to be influencing Lombard Politicians, luring them to the Imperium; I only decided to change my attention from that assignment because I saw Lydia” Erin grinned as her eyes fixed on Elizabeth; she maintained her eerie posture, her hands clasped behind her back “I am fascinated by Lydia…, and now…, I want to know Norina as well”
Elizabeths coffed, her hand gripping the revolver, but not yet pulling it free from its holster “You had her pinned against the wall!”
Erin tilted her head slightly to the left “I did not even touch her” she felt her lips tug into a wider grin “I may have gotten very close; but I never put my hands on her in anyway, though it was very tempting to touch her face, she was already to terrified poor thing, though, it did make her look even more cute” she let out a rather sinister giggle
Cathryn observed the exchange; her mind raced, Erin’s openness about what she was meant to be doing versus what she decided on doing, her comments and the clear predatory glint within her eyes despite that deceptively innocent façade, then her admission of her fascination with Lydia and now Norina – it was just perplexing. That she even dared deviate from her mission – the Imperium was very rarely this…., unfocused
“We should bind her wrists, make sure she can’t escape” Elizabeth shifted her eyes to her mother
“Oh yes please…, a bit of rope would be fine by me…” Erin’s voice immediately shifted tone; no longer innocent, but sultry with a purr
“What the hell is wrong with you!” Elizabeth snapped
Lydia, though maintaining that same unreadable expression felt a supressed need to laugh; though, she managed to keep it under control as she observed the exchange
“Enough!” Cathryn’s voice cut through the tension “Just…, enough please Elizabeth; Erin, why have you strayed from you assignment, if the Imperium has tasked you with interfering with politicians, why are you stalking my daughters?”
Erin’s eyes returned to Cathryn once more; her smile tightened “The Imperium’s goals are boring, I prefer doing my own thing; but, I found something far more interesting, Lydia is like a puzzle…, she is a beautifully complex puzzle and I want to solve it”
Cathryn regarded Erin carefully – her eyes shifted after only a moment of thought towards her daughter; Lydia, Lydia exchanged the same bewildered look, Cathryn then shifted her gaze towards Norina, gesturing her to come over to her.
Norina moved hesitantly as she slowly moved past Erin; Erin simply locked eyes with her “I said before my dear; I won’t bite unless you want me too” her tone was soft as she simply maintained her still posture to avoid frightening Norina
Norina felt her face heat up as she reached Cathryn; Cathryn looked at Norina’s redding face and raised her eyebrow a moment, then shifted her gaze back to Erin “Join us; you can have a chance to learn, but, any attempts to betray will be met with swift retribution”
Erin inclined her head, her eyes gleaming with a strange intensity as she maintained her smile “I think I am in love with you as well now; so dominant” her voice practically purred
Cathryn’s expression shifted immediately to confusion as she glanced towards Elizabeth who gave her the same look; Lydia, who continued to retain her silence just observed the whole exchange trying to work out what Erin was up too.
Chapter 2
Lombardy, Italy
The Countryside Road
Along the rutted road that stretched before Morgan and Jakob, it unfolded like a grim prophecy, they, along with the Italian Cultists accompanying them had been travelling only hours by this point, Morgan’s eyes shifted to observe the scenery until his brother Jakob spoke.
“Do you think Erin will be alright on her own?” Jakob asked, breaking the silence
Morgan shifted his gaze towards his brother nodding his head in response “Yes; Erin knows her place…, or she should anyway, she won’t struggle, she’s never failed, even if she ends up distracted, she always accomplishes what she has been assigned to do”
Jakob thought for a moment slowly nodding “Normally I would have faith in her abilities too, but, something I heard mother say to father just makes me wonder”
Morgan raised his eyebrow a moment “What comment?”
“Four Years ago; Erin found Lydia, when we was meant to capture her and Cathryn, Erin had found her, she let her go, she seems to have developed an…, obsession”
Morgan’s gaze intensified “Is there anything else you heard between Mother and Father?”
“Just that; she seems to be obsessed” Jakob tells him; his attention moving ahead as they continued to follow along the road.
Morgan began to feel a sense of concern build “There isn’t any signs of Lydia or her mother being in Italy is there?” his question though was directed to an Italian Cultist; the Cultist looked towards Morgan a moment before shifting his attention to another; the group came to a stop as Morgan stopped, the Italians murmuring to one another before one finally shifted his attention back to Morgan “Well…, Cathryn was sighted in Genoa”
Morgan shifted his attention back to his brother “What chances would there be for them to travel anywhere near our sister?” Jakob questioned
Morgan let out an irritated sigh “The notion we have to check our sister is doing her job….” He groaned
Venice, Italy
Far to the east of the country as a ship entered the Venetian harbour, the city air was thick with the scent of salt and a blend of rotting vegetation; here, Albert Cain had finally arrived to European soil after his long journey from the British Raj, now, all he needed was to continue to the next stop of his journey.
As Albert stepped off of the gangplank; his attire quickly drew attention for its mix of Eastern and Western style, on his back, a Talwar sword was strapped in place with a Lee-Enfield rifle slung over his shoulder, his eyes scanned his surroundings as he moved, they still burned with a intensity as the desire for vengeance lingered, fuelled by his humiliation in defeat by the British Soldier; Thomas during their encounter in Burma – the fight itself was for Lydia Langdon, who had been promised to him by George Smythe – her father, but in his defeat, he honoured his agreement with Thomas to walk away that day – but since then, Lydia has remained on his mind, her beauty and fierce determination – the clash of her Jian sword against his as she tried to fight against him – it left an impression.
He would encounter her again; he was determined to ensure her capture so he can take her back to her father George on Britain so that their deal could be kept, that George would ensure Lydia would as he promised, be hers.
Albert intended to bend her to his will; to break her spirit, make her a fitting consort for a man of his ambition.
As he began to wander, he discovered he was no longer alone, taking notice of a strange who had begun to follow, he came to a halt, reaching his arm up and towards the hilt, he tightened his fingers around the sword in preparation; the stranger than approached raising their hands “Speak” Albert stated firmly, his eyes narrowed
“My name is Alonzo” the an said carefully; observing Albert’s preparedness “I am only approaching because we heard you had left India, and from what we was told, you match the description of a man named Albert”
Albert kept his fingers around the hilt of his sword; he eyed the man with a wary gaze “That is who I am, yes” he maintained a guarded tone “Who told you I left the Raj”
“The Indiano Cultist Girish Batra” Alonzo claimed, he could see the name clicked “We recognise that the Cult of the Minotaur often tends to clash with us and the French Cultists, but, we have a proposal for you, we have sighted Anti-Cultists in Genoa, I believe they are people you are familiar with from the East; Cathryn and her daughters; Elizabeth an…”
Albert cut him off “Lydia” he said, his tone immediately changing as he finally lowered his hand away from the hilt of his sword “You now have my attention Alonzo” Alonzo felt his lips tug into a grin as he gestured for Albert to follow him
Chapter 3:
Lombardy, Italy
The Fiorito Vineyard
Within the skeletal remains of the Fiorito Vineyard; the group had set up a small encampment amongst the jagged stones and burnt timber of a once proud home; a fire crackled, as the darkening sky began to plunge the area into darkness; shadows began to dance due to its flickering flames.
Cathryn watched Erin with cautious eyes; as she observed her, she noted the unsettling beauty of the young woman, it was deceptive, she recognised how everything Erin said was done in such a way that it easily struck something, she could disorientate with words alone and easily.
“So…., tell me…” Erin leaned forwards; her eyes shifting between the group, or at least, that that were sat around the fire; Elizabeth had chosen to stand off to the side “Why do you fight the Imperium?”
“Because they represent Evil” Elizabeth snapped; she had little patience for Erin, all she saw was a threat; Cathryn’s eyes shifted towards her daughter a moment
“Evil?” Erin spoke softly, almost with a purr as she shifted her posture, twisting to look towards Elizabeth “In what way are they evil?” she queried with a genuine curiosity “I have been amongst the Imperium’s education since I was a little girl”
“And your twisted” Elizabeth said quickly; interrupted her, Erin seem unphased though, she simply maintained her grin
“Tell me, if people fall so easily to the corrupting influence of money, how exactly am I the evil one?” She observed Elizabeth carefully “You was sent by your father to expand his control and influence in Japan, you went to establish your fathers Cult in a land filled by its own traditions and beliefs, yet you undermined it for his plans; yet still…, you claim I am evil, prove I am evil, prove I am twisted”
“Your actions towards Norina for starters” Elizabeth said, her voice dangerously low as she narrowed her gaze on Erin “You cornered her, intimidated and threatened her”
“I did no such thing” Erin chuckled “I told her how beautiful she was, how she reminded me of Lydia; I told her I do not bite…, I would though if she asked” She grinned, her eyes flicking towards Norina a moment, her gaze returned back to Elizabeth “You are the only person I even came close to harming; and it was purely self-defence on my part, you put the knife against my throat” again, Erin felt her lips tug, her terrifyingly beautiful smile widened “Tell me how I am twisted; I don’t understand that one”
“Your flirting with us” Elizabeth commented “You invade our personal space, it looked like you wanted to kiss Lydia when she came into the room; the way you got so close to her…, what is wrong with you”
“Now I get it” Erin let out a quiet chuckle “And you call me the twisted one, I simply act on my feeling; what you are claiming as twisted, which I am assuming you believe to be because of the Imperium’s education, it isn’t; that is just how I am, I am not brainwashed, unlike what you claimed earlier, you however was once brainwashed by your father, blindly following his demands; I act according to my own desires and interests, I do not care for the Imperium and its overarching goal”
Erin’s gaze then shifted; Lydia had remained silent through the exchange, her eyes fixed in the dancing flames, she was a study of controlled intensity, a predator waiting patiently; Erin’s gaze lingered on her, a predatory gleam mirroring Lydia’s own “What are you Lydia” Erin purred, her head tilting “What drives such a…., warrior?; revenge perhaps.., ideology?…, or is it something more personal?”
Lydia’s expression remained unreadable; but, a subtle tightening of her jaw betrayed her unease; Erin pushed, her voice a soft whisper “You’re so controlled…, so contained; I wonder…, what would it take to…., unravel you” slowly she leaned closer
Elizabeth felt a burning anger building once again “Leave her alone Erin!; this is meant to be a peaceful interaction, not some twisted chance for you to seduce”
Erin laughed in response; a melodious sound that sent a shiver down Cathryn’s spine “Oh…, but information comes in many forms Elizabeth; and sometimes, the most revealing truths can be found through intimacy…, they usually are more truthful as well”
Erin’s attention then shifted; her eyes falling towards Norina – she reminded Erin so much of Lydia, how closely alike they both looked, while most people mistook Lydia and Norina as twins – Erin could see the differences, a slight difference in height, but it was the expressions both possessed – Lydia and her stoicism, her usual determination to remain unreadable – Norina though, she could see her vulnerability, Lydia was a puzzle, but Norina, she could read her like an open book, she didn’t even need to speak.
“And what of you Little dove; what brings you to this band of rebels” Erin asked, her tone surprisingly softer now as she focused on Norina entirely; her usual intense stare seemed to momentarily soften as she observed her, she then twisted around a moment, her attention shifting to the surrounding vineyard, she had already connected Norina to the land, as her eyes returned back to Norina, Norina didn’t need to even say anything for Erin to work out what led her to Cathryn’s group.
Cathryn who had remained quiet the entire time simply observed with a growing suspicion; there was more to her flirtation, it was calculated probing; a deliberate attempt to exploit vulnerabilities, but, there seemed to be a genuine fascination when it came to Lydia and Norina.
Cathryn slowly leaned back placing her hand against her chin as she thought; her eyes not leaving Erin.
Chapter 4
Venice, Italy
Within a warehouse amidst the crates of rotting fish and the scurrying of rats; Albert met with a group of Italian Cultists; his attention was drawn to the older Cultist; an older man with eyes like chips of obsidian “Ah…, un onore to meet you Mister Cain” he said with a slight bow “I have a telegram here that has made us aware of Cathryn and her daughters in Lombardy; they travelled from Genoa to a ruined vineyard in Lombardy, it once belongs to a family called the Fiorito”
Leaning forwards, Talbert gripped the table as he gazed with narrowed eyes towards the elder Italian “Let’s set things on the right track shall we; I have no concern for anything beyond Lydia” he stated, his voice was low, firm and authoritative “I care not for any of what you intend to propose, but I know it will most likely have something to do with my own interest indirectly, so, let’s get this started shall we; Lydia is mine, she is my interest and goal; you provide me with the support needed to launch an ambush; I will deal with Lydia, and you can kill anyone else there”
The elder Italian looked to Alonzo a moment; Alonzo simply shrugged “Va bene” he said with a nod “I shall send word to our Cultists operating in the Lombardy region, tell them to converge on the Vineyard, but, Lombardy is not exactly close Mister Cain, what if she escaped the region”
“Lure her” Albert said simply “Just ensure she does not leave this land, get me something to reach that Vineyard, I don’t care what, just get me something”
“We shall take you to Marghera; we have a rather wealth member overseeing some of its local politics’, I believe that he might be able to provide assistance” the elder Italian says “He has tendency to import many things for foreign lands, including an Austin from two-years ago, hopefully it will enable you to get to your destination faster than travelling by horse”
“Just get me something” Albert said coldly; his mind already drifting to his intentions for Lydia; he was hopeful the British soldier would not be anywhere near her, but would need to be prepared if that happened to be the case, but, once he had her; he would break her – ‘She will Obey’ he thought to himself, his attention drifting away from the Italian Cultists ‘And she will bear my children and Submit’ he shifted his position as he began to follow the group of Cultists, he could not delay; if he could reach and capture her, everything would fit back in place like it should have done in Burma
Lombardy, Italy
The Countryside road
The brothers had stalled completely; the idea that their sister might turn her back entirely on her assignment if she was to encounter Lydia was now a potential threat to the operations they needed to carry out “We need to go back” Morgan said; his voice tight with concern
Jakob slowly nodded; the Italian Cultists though were confused as they listened; one of them, a man named Frederico moved forwards a little “Why?”
“Our sister; if she encounters Lydia, she may completely disregard her assignment to follow her instead; she has an unusual obsession, it may cloud her judgement, she might jeopardise the mission” Morgan stated with an unease in his voice
Jakob nodded in agreement; Morgan rarely got calls wrong, so to turn their attention away from the Ancient Temple and return back due to what Jakob had informed him about with her strange obsession, there wasn’t much further discussion; Morgan wanted to prevent his sister from doing something that could potentially be irreversible.
Written By: Westley H.
Leave a Reply