Worst Curse: A Ghostwalkers Journey, Book II

Chapter 4

     Just over the horizon, the darkness held back the morning for a couple more hours. The lovers were approaching the city limits, and Pilo left Demini behind. Scouting up ahead, within the spirit realm, Pilo flew the rest of the way to the wall. Just as Pilo had expected, security took precautions in locating those tainted with evil. An alert Ghost Walker stood on the walkway of the wall, beside the South gate. Taking the long way around, Pilo approached the Ghost Walker from behind as he looked upon Demini approaching in the distance. Before the man could alert the other guards of an approaching threat, Pilo lifted the man off of the walkway, and carried him off into the darkness.

     High off of the ground, the Ghost Walker couldn't retreat from Pilo into the other plane. Helpless, the man flew with Pilo without putting up a struggle. Taking the man far away from the other guards, Pilo set them both down on a rooftop in the middle of the city. On a stable surface, the man stepped away from Pilo, and went for his sword. When he turned around and saw Pilo standing before him, the man took his hand away from his weapon.

     "Pilo," said the man, "take pity on me." Kneeling, the man bowed his head toward Pilo.

     "You know me by name?"

     "Great Cleanser, your name has not been forgotten. I was a young recruit when you were still within the ranks. I know your face. You are the cause for our years of peace. We still speak your name."

     "Years of peace?"

     "Hunters have been bored ever since the last time you were seen. No patrols in the city, just solely searching the forest for threats. Until last night, the people were beginning to forget. We thought you eliminated all monsters."

     "What happened last night?"

     "There was an attack on the North West gate. From what I've heard, they think it's a witch attack. Is that not why you've returned?"

     "I've returned because of an attack by those cursed with thirst. I'm pretty sure it was orchestrated by Ladieta, self-proclaimed queen of the thirsty. You say there haven't been any attacks since I left?"

     "Vampires? We've been told that you eliminated all of them."

     "Vampires?"

     "Yes. That's the title they've been given. Werewolves for those cursed with hunger. All of it's turning into legend though. The people are calling for our jobs. Last night's attack took that topic off the fire. It seems evil is coming out of hibernation."

     "I'm surprised it took the coven this long to attack."

     "Coven? You must have left that night...There is no coven. At least that's the rumor from the Capitol Guard. They escorted the Light Witch up the mountain, to get control of the darkness, and she took out the coven. I've heard the mountain has been abandoned. She now lives on the estate at the bottom of the mountain. Maybe she's built up forces, but the Guard doesn't allow people to travel into the forest. Not out that way, toward the mountain. Nothing's been found out there...They've told us to prepare for an overnight trip. I'm pretty sure they plan on attacking her."

     "There's nothing out of the ordinary? No talks about cursed? No whispers of anything hidden within the shadows of the city?"

     "They keep us out of the loop...We've been taking pay cuts. We are the last to know anything. People fear the magic we use, and would like to see us stopped. There's a fear that our use of ghost walking fuels the plague in the city."

     "Plague?"

     "No one knows for sure, but it started after the darkness was thrown out of balance. Small groups of people, living near the edge of the city, on the North end, got it first. It looked to be getting under control, but recently it's come back in strength. Without any threats, population has spiked. People are living on top of each other. Parts of the city are filthy. These conditions gave new life to the disease. People looking for answers they don't have, like to point fingers at things they don't understand. A lot of those fingers like to point at Ghost Walkers. It's a thankless job."