The Coming From the Shadows Series
Previous Instalments:
- The Newcastle Conspiracy: Part 1 – Norina’s Encounter: Cults and Danger in Newcastle
Connected Stories:
- T.I.C: The Mystery Fighter of Leeds – The Imperium Chronicles: The Mystery Fighter of Leeds
- In the Shadow of the Reaper – The Chronicles of the Imperium: In the Shadow of the Reaper
The Imperium Chronicles: The Newcastle Conspiracy
Part 2
Back-Ground:
Being the sole survivor of the Fiorito Family; Norina was rescued and adopted by Cathryn and her younger twin-daughter; Lydia – Lydia, who Norina shared an eerie twin-like similarity too, quickly found herself with a new supportive family offering her safety, despite being the youngest and most vulnerable of Cathryn’s group, Norina still willingly entered into the shadowy world that Cathryn lived within, joining the fight against the Shadowy organisation; The Imperium – theImperium which acted as a unifying body for various Cultist groups since ancient times – was a name Norina recognised, the Cult of the Wolf, one of the Cult groups which were operating within Italy had attacked her family home.
While no fighter; Norina still provided what she could, offering her skill with map reading and quick learning which she applied for discovering ancient Temple’s and Artefacts; enabling Cathryn’s Anti-Cultist group to interfere with the Imperium grander-goals.
Though; Norina began to feel as though she was a burden due to her lack of active-participation unlike Cathryn herself and her two Twi-Daughters; Elizabeth and Lydia – wanting to prove herself, Norina finally requested the chance to become involved, while Cathryn made it clear she did not need too, that her presence was enough – trying to alleviate Norina’s concern about being a burden was nonsense, Norina’s determination gained Cathryn’s permission to begin actively helping.
On her first attempt to eavesdrop though, while she secured some information, she was spotted – though the Imperium operative proved not to be the danger, instead; it was a group of four-men that began harassing her after she trapped herself in an alleyway – her reverting to her Native Italian while entering a panic only fuelled the predatory men – though, Erin, an American Former-Cultist that had developed a strong bond with Norina intervened.
Introduction:
15th of March, 1910 A.D.
Newcastle, England
The grime of the alleyway was now a slowly fading memory as Norina, now in Erin’s safety began to walk with her; she could feel the softness of Erin’s hand as she intertwined her fingers with Erin’s; Norina felt herself tremble, but, she also had a strange feeling that made her focus on Erin’s soft grip around her hand.
“They won’t bother you again” Erin stated; her voice was a soft purr, Norina was sue to the way Erin spoke; often it was like a silky purr, or sometimes detached of emotion – Erin displayed many personalities which was made it impossible to decipher her true nature; throwing in her appearance – her Long Black hair that cascaded down her back like a silken waterfall, it contrasted sharply with Erin’s pale, almost ghostly complexion – she provided an ethereal appearance, often she simply unnerved people with her very presence, then, then there were Erin’s eyes; Emerald Green – when Erin looked at someone, they wouldn’t stay still, they struggled beneath her gaze
Norina’s appearance differed; she shared a twin-like appearance to her adoptive sister; Lydia – Norina shared the same long raven-dark hair and silvery-grey eyes and her innocence and slender frame usually drew attention – it was these similarities that first brought Norina to Erin’s attention – Erin has always had an obsessive fascination with Lydia since 1905 – and initially, that was all Erin was interested in during her first interactions with Norina – though after rescuing Norina during an ambush in Lombardy, those feelings changed.
Norina had become an obsession all on her own for Erin; distinct from her obsession from Lydia – unlike Lydia who Erin dubbed as ‘The Daughter of Shadow’ due to her mysterious and stoic nature; Erin had begun to affectionately refer to Norina as ‘Her Little Dove’ – unlike Lydia; Norina was less hardened, more innocent and Erin felt a need to protect her.
Norina looked at Erin and nodded “Grazie Erin”
Erin shifted her gaze towards her and smiled; normally, her smile was seen as beautiful, but terrifying – for Norina though, Erin’s smile drew her in – it was simply beautiful to Norina “Of course my Little Dove; Let’s get you back to Cathryn, hm?”
Chapter 1:
Whickham, England
The safehouse was a nondescript building nestled amongst a row of similar dwellings; it was a significant difference to the alleyway that Norina had just been feeling threatened in; Cathryn Langdon, a fierce woman with long raven-dark hair with some grey-streaks present, with piercing silvery-grey eyes, took notice of their arrival; she quickly picked up on Norina’s unease despite having calmed down within Erin’s presence “Norina; what happened?” Cathryn’s voice, usually commanding and sharp softened, now laced with concern as her eyes drifted bac and forth between Erin and Norina, she took in Norina’s dishevelled appearance, when she had left she was more put together, she noticed the hand-holding, but didn’t react to it, she was aware of the growing bond between them
“Some men cornered her in the alleyway” Erin explained, her voice taking on a more natural tone “I intervened”
Cathryn scrutinized Erin carefully before nodding “Thank you Erin; I am in your debt” Erin simply smiled in response; Cathryn’s eyes drifted back to Norina
Norina then remembered the while reason she had even gone in the first place; quickly recounting the information she had overheard when she was eavesdropping on the Cultist operative and his informant in the market; informing Cathryn of something happening at the Port of Tyne.
Cathryn thought for a moment she shuffled some papers on the table as she quickly started looking for something; but nothing matched with what Norina had overheard; and references to another group that was causing trouble was something of an intrigue for her – turning her attention back to Norina and Erin she fixed Norina carefully “The Port of Tyne?”
“Perhaps, I could be of some assistance” Erin offered “I can go down to the Port and keep an eye out for whatever is happening, once I have some information, I can bring it back to you”
“That would be appreciated” Cathryn smiled as her eyes moved to cast her gaze towards Erin
“Can I go with her?” Norina asked; a hopeful look within her eyes
Cathryn thought for a moment as she moved over towards the two; kneeling down and looking at her adopted daughter carefully “I am okay with it; I can keep her safe” Erin said, drawing Cathryn’s attention for a moment before she settled her gaze back to Norina
“You stay close to Erin” Cathryn told her; Norina nodding her head slowly “Whatever she says, don’t argue, okay?”
Norina smiled and nodded “Yes Mamma”
Cathryn’s eyes drifted back to Erin “Keep her safe; please”
Erin inclined her head “No harm will come to her; she will be safe with me, I promise”
Later into the Evening
The Port of Tyne, England
The Port of Tyne seemed to just throb with life, even as a cloak of darkness began to descend as the hours progressed; cranes groaned as they hoisted heavy cargo, stevedores shouted orders and the air was thick with the smell of coal, salt and the scents of different lands.
Erin and Norina found a safe position in the shadows of a warehouse; observing the unfolding of typical day-to-day life of those that worked on the port “What are we cercando?” Norina asked, her voice barely audible above the chaotic scenes of life
Erin’s gaze slowly swept across the port; she took in every detail, lingering only for briefly, but regardless of how little she spent staring; she gathered all she needed as she kept her gaze moving – the markings of crates, the uniforms of dockworkers; subtle shifts in activity “Anything that may seem out of place; that doesn’t belong”
Erin didn’t need to spend much time if she didn’t want too; for her, she had a remarkable talent of simply soaking everything up like a sponge with water – even a brief look at something, Erin had a talent for clicking the pieces of a puzzle together with little issue.
As time ticked away; hours would be spent observing, though they shared whispered conversations – though, the initial excitement had begun to wane for Norina, it was instead replaced by a growing sense of unease, but not because of danger.
The more time Norina had spent with Erin; the more she had begun noticing things; she couldn’t take her eyes off of her, she couldn’t focus on the activities of the port; Erin was now her sole focus -the subtle curve of her lips, the way the light caught within her hair, the intense focus of Erin’s emerald green eyes – everything about Erin just drew Norina’s attention.
Chapter 2
Despite Erin seemingly being oblivious as her gaze drifted across the port; her attention seemingly laser-focused; beneath that calm exterior; she was acutely aware of Norina’s gaze and fixed attention towards her and not the port, she could feel the weight of it, a subtle pressure that Erin knew meant something was going through Norina’s head – she simply waited, she knew sooner or later, Norina would finally breach the subject, and she would be ready to answer Norina if she needed her too.
That moment came sooner rather than later; Norina just could stay silent anymore.
Feeling ever growing confusion, the thoughts running round her head, she needed to say something “Erin?” she began, her voice trembling
“Hmm?” Erin acknowledged carefully; not taking her eyes away from the port; though, unbeknownst to Norina; she had her full attention; she was simply maintaining the feigned interest for now.
“I…” Norina hesitated; her nerves quickly taking hold as she reverted to her native Italian, her words beginning to spill from her mouth in an uncontrolled manner “Non capisco, c’è Qualcosa che non va in me, non so cosa sia”
While Erin understood her; she slowly turned towards her, gently taking her hands and looking her in the eyes “Calm down; speak a little slower, take your time; if your confused, just take a breath” Erin said, her tone adopting a more gentle nature as she fixed Norina’s gaze
Norina took a breath as suggested “I…, there is something wrong; I don’t know what it is” she told her
Maintaining her gaze; Erin’s features remained softened “Tell me” she said softly
Norina’s voice trembled “When.., when I am in giro.., you, I just feel different, I feel diverso, my heart races and I.., I can’t pensare” she paused, her cheeks now flushed “Non capisco”
Erin listened intently; maintain her gaze on Norina, when Norina trailed off, she moved her hand, gently stroking her fingers along the soft curves of her cheek “What do you believe these feelings mean?”
Norina hesitated; she was searching Erin’s eyes “Non sono sicuro; is it romantic attraction?”
Erin maintained her soft expression; her lips gently tugged into a sympathetic smile “Do you want it to mean that my Little Dove?”
Silence. The moment seem to stretch; Norina was clearly thinking – then, finally, with a slow, almost imperceptibly, Norina nodded
Erin continued to stroke Norina’s cheek gently “We will need to talk about this properly my Little Dove, and it will be a good idea to involve Cathryn; after all, she cares deeply for you, and deserves to be part of this conversation” Erin’s smile became a silent promise of support and understanding
Norina nodded; relief washed over her “Va bene”
Chapter 3
Unbeknownst to Erin and Norina as they were having their heart-to-heart; chaos had begun to brew within the Port; a mysterious group launched a direct challenge against the Imperium’s operations on the Port, they’d launched a surprise attack setting of a chaotic fight – the conflict unfolding was sift and brutal, a testament to the nature of hidden-war when it would spill into the lives ordinary people’s lives as innocent workers found themselves caught in the midst of something they had no understanding of – the men that launched the chaotic surprise attack stood out starkly, they wore strange equipment that looked almost like some kind of experimental armour over their chests despite the normal bolt-action rifles or knives they carried.
Erin and Norina hearing the chaos unfold; turned their attention to see what was happening “Something’s happening” Norina said, her voice tight with apprehension”
Erin nodded “We’ve gathered enough” believing it to be too dangerous to remain where they were, and not willing to risk putting Norina in danger, she gently urged Norina up to her feet “Come on. Let’s return to Cathryn”
Norina frowned though “We…”
Sensing what she was about to say; Erin simply smiled “Don’t worry; you underestimate me my Little Dove; I do not need much to work things out, I have a…, knack for connecting the dots” Erin’s uncanny talent for just soaking up information regardless of how small the hint might be placed her ability rather uniquely as an advantage to anyone she wanted to assist, it had once been a benefit to the Imperium, now though, she had begun opposing the Imperium despite her upbringing and family always having had loyalties and ties to them
Back at the safehouse; Cathryn raised her head away from the documents she was going over upon hearing Erin and Norina’s return; her expression showing a sudden concern “You’re back” a mix of relief and anxiety present in her voice “What did you find” she asked as she got to her feet, making her way over towards them and given Norina a gentle hug, her eyes returning back to Erin
As Erin began recounting everything they had observed up until the recent attack; Cathryn latent intently, noting the crates Erin described, the movements of workers all the way to the fighting that erupted explaining that as the reason behind their return.
Cathryn’s brow furrowed in concentration “Hmm” she murmured “Something is going on, this may require a bit more careful planning and organising” slowly, Cathryn nodded her head as she moved back a moment, though she fixed both of them with a curious look “Is there anything else you would like to talk about?”
Erin looked towards Norina a moment; Norina looked to Erin, Erin was giving her a silent encouragement with her eyes; her support “Yes; I believe there is something important Norina would like to say”
Cathryn watched Norina carefully; Norina; she took a deep breath as she finally looked toward her adoptive mother; she was terrified now, but, the silent support from Erin gave her just enough courage to speak “I…, think I have feelings for Erin”
The room fell silent; Norina felt her stomach twisting into knots; that Cathryn did not immediately speak, was even more terrifying for Norina, she felt her heart beating rapidly against her ribs – would she be cast out?, she wasn’t sure what the reaction would be – Cathryn’s face simply remained impassive, but her silvery-grey eyes fixed onto Norina’s.
It was a confession, though Norina’s uncertainty was present; she clearly did not understand her feelings, and that was what Cathryn was more concerned about; not the nature of what she just brought up; but, since nothing was said – Norina decided to instead begin to explain further, revealing more – Cathryn kept her eyes fixed on her as Norina simply began letting out everything, she effectively poured her heart out; confessing her confusion, the overwhelming emotions she could feel.
Cathryn let Norina finish completely – her voice was barely a whisper, and Cathryn could see the tears welling, slowly, Cathryn nodded as she moved back towards her, kneeling down “I see” she said softly “This is a rather big decision Norina, you have to be certain of your feelings before you go venturing into something, you need to be sure that what your feeling is real, not an infatuation born of her being a protector; I suggest exploring these feelings” Cathryn paused as she looked her in the eyes, her features soft “I will accept you regardless of your choice Norina; you are my daughter” she stated firmly
Norina’s eyes fixed on Cathryn’s “I want you to understand that Norina; it doesn’t matter if you are of my blood or not; your my daughter, no matter what, I love you, and nothing will change that” her words were a balm to Norina’s troubled heart, a reassurance of her love, even acceptance for Norina’s possible feelings for Erin, Cathryn had not cast her out – it brought the tears down Norina’s face
The weight felt as though it had simply vanished; replaced with a sense of peace “Grazie mamma; Grazie”
Cathryn gave Norina a gentle hug, her eyes shifting towards Erin, observing her carefully; while she wasn’t certain of Erin, her history of helping proved she was trustworthy – and the way Cathryn could see Erin’s soft expression breaking the usual unreadable exterior, she would accept her
Written By: Westley H.
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