Walking With Darkness

Chapter 12

 "Are we just going to allow this? He was my lieutenant!"

"Of course not! Keep your emotions in check Charles. We warned your son about the dangers of being a soldier".

"He'll have an honorable burial. Do not fret."

"I will not accept this. He must be killed. With immediate effect!! " Charles declared.

I looked on as the Dark Council worked on deciding what to do with me. I was in the centre of the circular room, and was surrounded fifteen of the most influential Shadowers in the world. Some held sway over the world because of their power, and others because of connections to power. Dressed in silver cloaks, the light bounced off their drawn hoods as if in an attempt to hide their identities. A foolish gambit. I had long deciphered who they were due to their demeanour. I, Donovan Red-Knight, would not be intimidated by those who were scared to even show their faces. I should be up there. I've more than earned it. But that's a problem for another day. For now, I need to focus on planning here alive.

"Donovan Red-Knight, you are charged with the continuous murder of, not only your own troops, but recently you were responsible for the death of a high ranking officer. In addition to this, you went on a rampage in a town adjacent to your citadel. Knowing full well that this is a crucial time, and that we can't have any mistakes now. "

The voice softly echoed around the room. She spoke from the front of the room, and was the only one with her hood off. Drew Caster. Her blonde her calmly resting in braids at her shoulders. Her grey eyes in the centre of a face that showed no emotions. She was a true professional. Not like some of the people who sat around me. I smirked.

"That being said, " she continued. "Give us three reasons we shouldn't kill you where you stand"

I thought about it. They really didn't have a reason to keep me alive. I was a Red-Knight, but as far as that went, I was just an average Shadower. My power had come from hard work and commitment. They really weren't losing anything. Even I could admit that. Even though. I was not about to die tonight.
The smell of roses plagued the room. As if it tried to make the cold chamber seem like more that it was.

An execution chamber.

"Well. I think that if you would-"

SCREEEEEEECCCHHH
Before I could finish. My sentence, Drew was out of her chair and had her hand around my neck. I could feel her bloodlust coming through my throbbing throat. It was then that I knew,

I was going to die.

She brought her black stained lips close to my ear. Seductively, she whispered

"We do not tolerate this, Donovan. Be proud. We will speak of you for years to come. As an example."

I felt her gather energy for a split second and suddenly I didn't have my neck. I collapsed on the hard floor, my mind fighting against the icy grip of death. I saw a pool of my blood form of the floor. The room got darker, as I my life left my body.
The last thing I ever registered, was the enticing smell of roses, leading me away.

__________________

We ran like that for a long time. It was humid, and the wind cooled my sweaty face as Mum ran. You could hear the grass around her moving as she passed through. it. The horizon was turning a deep orange with the coming sunrise. I was starting to be able to see around me. Ahead of us was a grey hut. It was small, and it stood out against the back yellow-brown background of the savanna. There were no trees around, and though the grass was tall, it didn't even reach my waist. You could probably see the hut from good distance away.

Not the best safe house is it?

Come on, she just saved us. Me I mean, from whoever those people were. As my subconscious you should be at least a little grateful.

Yeeeeaaaahhh no. That isn't part of my skillset, sorry. When do you think we made the jump back to earth??

I don't know, let me ask.

Yeah, you do that.

"Mum" I asked as she put me down. "When did we jump back to earth?"

She looked at me, with an eyebrow raised.

"What makes you think we're back on Earth?"

"Well, I can see, for one thing" I said uncertainly.

I hope you're understanding what's going on. I'm proud of us. We didn't even have to work for it.

"Well sweetie, we're still in the Zone. Which means you're developing as a Shadower. Well done. Almost as fast as your brother." she said with a grin.

I looked at the blue in the sky that yesterday I wouldn't have been able to see yesterday.

Been a pretty eventful last few days, hasn't it. How you holding up?

Is that concern I hear?

Well if you think I'm your subconscious, why wouldn't I care for you?

Well, I have a feeling you'll be asking that a lot, in the next few days.

I sighed and walked slowly into the hut.