“I am a scholar on my way to Ireland… I presume I have the right ship?†he wasn’t quite sure. 10 of the giants were docked for loading and most of them looked the same. “Yep, this ‘ere ship goes straight to Ireland, M’names Aiden, good meetin ya sir†Levant’s eyes were fixed on a little boy of about 9, Aiden grabbed Levant’s luggage. The gentle rocking of the sea lulled Levant to sleep, he awoke to the Capitan announcing their arrival. Levant stepped out on deck, all he could see was shimmering gold. Once his eyes adjusted to the searing sun he saw her. Stunned by the picture before him he was quickly awakened by Aiden informing him of an inn his parents own. All he could do was think of the beauty he saw as he poked at his dinner. “What’s on yer mind?†Levant raised his head to meet with the large grin. “Well, I think I saw a goddess†Levant stammered. “Ah, ya saw Chrysainia, I can take ya to her, by the way m’names Kegan†he thrust his had out to Levant who feared his bones would break from the hand shake. “Get some rest lad, tomorrow is the second day of the festival†Aiden showed Levant to his room, this thoughts on Chrysainia he finally gave in to sleep. Tormented by nightmares he tossed and turned “I love you my Raven†“as I you Kaiden…†Levants vision muted by leaves, he forced the brush aside, “I will be with you again.†he followed the voices to see a couple bound to a burning stake, he was startled awake by the inn keepers wife. “are ye alright m’lad?†she gazed down with a look of concern. “I am fine, just a nightmare†Levant brushed the fog of the horror away with a strong cup of tea. Kegan greeted him with a large grin “we’d better get going ladâ€. The hurried sights and sounds of the town square lifted any feelings of the haunting dream, to his delight a dainty pale hand took his as the dancing chain reached out to the crowd for more participants, it was Chrysainia, the beauty that enchanted him from the docks. He was speechless, her dancing eyes and beautiful smile were like a magic spell. As the day faded to night they sat for the meal. “so this festival, I was wondering if you could fill me in?†he asked, “This is the night before hallows eve, so we give a feast to remember the dead…†her eyes turned to mist “the veil grows thinner, spirits from the Netherworld can walk with the living.†Levant wasn’t sure what to say in response, wondering about the sweet sadness that washed over her. “Sister?†a beautiful kindly woman approached the table, by her side a tall handsome man. They looked inquisitively at Levant “Pleased to meet you, my name is Kaiden, and this is my wife Raven†Taken back for a while Levant realized the couple was the same as from his dream. “The veil grows thin Levant, sometimes things seem so real†Chrysainia stammered, Levant looked again to see only mist where Raven once stood, Levant downed another pint of Ale. “I think I should retire†he finally managed “I will wait for you tomorrow by the linden tree†were her parting words. Drugged by the Ale sleep came easy, “Levant…†a whisper echoed through he night, once again he found himself in a fitful dream watching helplessly as an inquisitor wrote the name of his new love, a stake of iron drove through her chest into the cobble stone. “Nooo!†he shouted, awakened by the terror, his chest pounding and sweat pouring. That eve he went to the Linden tree, Chrysainia was there, lit by the sunset. “I thought you might not come, you seemed shaken last night†relief swept her face. “Is there something you aren’t telling me about your family?†Chrysainia gazed at him solemnly “the church wants to abolish the old ways†his face softened “I wont let them hurt youâ€, now convinced he’d seen a glimpse of the future, she sighed, resting her head on his shoulder. “Come with me, I have something to show you†she beckoned, “This is my family’s estate†he followed her up the walk “wait, I must know. Did you have a sister named Raven?†Levant insisted “I don’t want to talk about it the night is going so well†she whispered, her eyes met with his, “the inquisitor took her from me†tears filled her eyes. “I am sorry†Levant held her close. They continued up the stairs and in the front door. “the library is over here†she gestured to a large staircase “I Know you love books†he reached a large leather bound book. Upon opening it he discovered her family tree, her name resting 100 years back. Startled by his discovery he dropped the book “what is really going on here?†he demanded eyes aflame “you wouldn’t believe me if I told you†she cried running down the stairs and out the door. He called after her, a scream was his only reply, “chrysainia No!†he shouted running to her. “Le..Vant…†he heard whispered on the breeze. He stopped short of the cobblestone when he smelled blood, the inquisitor writing her name in his book with a sadistic smirk. Panic and pain went through Levant like a bolt of lightning. He ran back to the library, reopening the book to her name realizing his was there also. Tears drenched his face and pain filled his heart, confused he fell to the floor. His life dancing before his eyes like a twisted cinema, he was the interloper, reliving pieces of his shattered life from the purgatory his soul is chained to, this is where he is trapped… darkness closes in… “I am a scholar on my way to Ireland… I presume I have the right ship?†*** word count: 998 inspiration: I alwas have loved supernatural thrillers, and the more plot twists the better :)