Time Cursed

CHAPTER 7

  Diokles sat at his desk staring at a sheet of paper. It was a paper that listed all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. How could he have been so stupid?! He controlled everything and yet he missed this one detail. He thought back on the events of the prior evening. Avalynn and Kellam’s surprise betrothal was to be the highlight of the night. He had never seen Marika so happy. He had even been happy that Arlana was there. She had grown to be a beautiful woman. She was the image of her mother. If only thoughts of her mother did not bring such painful memories. So much so that he could not bear spending much time with Arlana as she grew. He knew that he had avoided her for most of her life but he did not realize what such feelings of abandonment could do to a person.

  As he looked at the genealogy of his family he finally saw that Arlana was not only the youngest and a twin but she was his eighth child as he had been and as had his mother. It had been literally eons since he thought of his mother but he now tried to remember the old tales. Eight was a special number amongst his kind. He was under the impression it was supposed to be a good omen but with Arlana’s actions of the prior night perhaps he was remembering incorrectly. Yet, he wondered how she could have been involved in anything. He was the only being with access to the elixir and it was secure until moments before the ceremony. She must have done something. None of his children are born immortal. Half breeds cannot be immortal unless he gives them the elixir. No other living being has access to neither the elixir nor its ingredients. Plus there was the second birthmark, which was as bewildering as Kellam’s birthmark. Sophia had betrayed him more than he ever could have managed. She should have told him that Arlana had a second mark. He didn’t know what it meant but he could have learned of its meaning which would have helped avoid the situation he was in now. Marika wanted Arlana’s head which thankfully her newly acquired immortality prevented. That being said punishment still had to be given.

  The sound of the door opening drew Diokles from his thoughts. Marika stood before him with Avalynn and Kellam in tow. “Diokles, my love, you must punish Arlana for her treachery! Since she can’t be killed as most traitors would be then she must be made to suffer for the rest of her life!” Marika demanded cruelly. Avalynn sucked in her breath in shock. She was angry with Arlana for what she did but Arlana did not deserve such punishment. After all it wasn’t as if Arlana hurt anyone.

  “Don’t be ridiculous Marika! How could this be Arlana’s doing? I think maybe you should ask Cole what happened. He did seem intent on getting her out of there before anyone noticed her change. I think he should be the one punished!” Kellam yelled at Marika. His face was red with anger.

  Avalynn was surprised by Kellam’s reaction. She knew that he cared for her sister but this was over the top. Why did he hate Cole so much?

  “Father, I don’t know what exactly happened last night but I do think we should ask Arlana. After all she is the one that was made immortal and perhaps she could tell us how and why she did it. I do not believe that she meant any ill will to any of us.” Avalynn said stoically. Hiding the hurt she felt at Arlana stealing her immortality.

  “As always my wise daughter you are correct. Now that I have had time to think over what happened I am ready to speak to her. Sven, call her in.” Diokles stated.

  Arlana sat outside Diokles’ study. Marco sat next to her. She knew he was there to make sure she didn’t run away. Oh why hadn’t she run away when Cole told her to? Where was Cole? She had no idea what happened last night but whatever it was she was now immortal and everyone hated her. She missed the days when no one realized she existed. The baleful looks she had been receiving all morning were very unsettling. Avalynn would not even look her in the eye. She, Marika and Kellam had just walked into the study and only Kellam said “hi” to her. He received an evil look from Marika for it but he just smiled and winked at her.

  Arlana looked at the painting on the wall across from her. It was of her Mother’s favorite lake. It was one of those crater type lakes. So deep that no one knew where the bottom was. Sophia had taken Arlana there many times when she was little. There was a hot spring nearby and they would have a picnic by the lake and then go and bathe in the hot springs. Arlana tried to think of the name, Lake Takachiho in Japan. It was always so much fun because they would dress up in kimonos and wear black wigs. Apparently the best time there was prior to any non-Japanese living in the area so they had to blend in as much as possible. Sophia’s, now Arlana’s, necklace always changed perception of all around so that they would be thought of as one of the locals. If only the necklace could make her blend in to the wall right now. Thinking of Sophia made Arlana sad. She wished her mom was there with her. She would be able to make sense of this mess. Arlana felt her eyes tearing up at the memory of her mother. She took a deep breath and wiped her eyes. She was determined to not cry in front of Marika.

  “Arlana, Diokles would like to see you now.” Sven said with a sympathetic smile. Sven had always been Avalynn’s protector but he treated Arlana with great respect. She was surprised that even now he showed her kindness.

  “Thank you. Wish me luck” Arlana said with a smile.

  Arlana walked into the study and stopped in front of Diokles’ desk. He sat there looking as though he had not slept a wink last night. Standing behind him was Marika. Avalynn and Kellam were by the fire place. Kellam gave her a smile and Avalynn wouldn’t look at her at all. Arlana felt a hand on her shoulder; she turned and saw Cole standing beside her. He looked at her and then turned his attention to Diokles. She was grateful he was here.

  “Father?” Was all Arlana could manage to say.

  “What do you have to say for yourself?” Diokles’ demanded.

  “I am not sure what you mean father?” Arlana responded.

  “How did you get access to the elixir? Did you think we would not notice that you took it? Explain yourself Arlana!” Diokles stated sternly.

  “Father I did not take the elixir. I swear to you I do not understand what happened last night. I am as perplexed as the rest of you.” Arlana stated as calmly as she could.

  “LIAR!” yelled Marika. “You have been planning this for years! You always wanted everything for yourself and not your sister. I know you have been working on stealing Kellam’s heart from your sister and now you have her immortality! You are truly a hateful young girl! You should have never been allowed to live!”

  Avalynn and Arlana gasped at Marika’s outburst. “Mother you do not mean that. Arlana would not purposefully hurt me. Plus she is not interested in Kellam. They rarely see each other and we have all been friends a long time. Please do not be so angry. I am sure Arlana has an explanation for last night.” Avalynn cried out. As much as her sister hurt her she would never wish her gone.

  “Avalynn do not speak of things you do not understand. Diokles I demand you punish her!” Marika said venomously.

  “What would you have me do Marika?”

  “Banish her!”

  “NO!” cried Arlana, Cole and Kellam.

  Diokles looked at Cole and then at Kellam. He was surprised at the passion behind their response to Marika’s idea. Banishment was the kindest punishment. He could keep an eye on her but she would never have contact with them again. Yes he thought, Arlana being sent away would answer many problems. He realized that perhaps Marika was right about Arlana and Kellam. Why else would he respond as he had? First blaming Cole and then bursting out such as he had. Recently Cole had been more and more insubordinate and it usually related to decisions pertaining to Arlana. Plus the added bonus of not having the constant reminder of Sophia would be pleasant.

  “I believe you have found the perfect punishment my dear. Arlana for your deceit you are banished from the camp forever. You are never to have any contact from any citizen of the camp or any of your family. Should I discover you have contact with anyone then they will be severely punished and I will ensure you are made aware of what torture you have brought that person!”
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  “Please Father! Do not send me away! I do not know anything about the outside world! How will I survive? I swear to you that I had nothing to do with what happened last night!”

  “You will have the day to pack and say your goodbyes. You will be escorted out of the camp this evening.”

  "Please father, don't separate Avalynn and I."

  "That is enough Arlana, I have heard all from you I can bear. You should have thought about all of this before what you did last night. Don't speak another word, things will only get worse for you." Diokles eyes were bulging and he was gripping the edge of his desk.

  Cole intervened, "If you must send her let me go with her, I can protect her, she is still your daughter after all. I give you my word I never saw her take anything she wasn't supposed to. I was with her most of the night except for the few moments she was with Kellam."

  Diokles bristled, "Why do you want to go with her, what do you care, your loyalty is to me and my wishes. What do you have to say about all of this Kellam?"

  Kellam started to open his mouth when Marika glared over at him, "Um, I can't be sure what she did, I didn't see anything, I was mainly with Avalynn."

  Arlana’s shoulders sagged and she looked down towards the ground.

  Marika spurned Diokles on, "You are being too easy on her, make her forget, we don't want her spreading word about us everywhere, she is lucky you are letting her survive, that you are showing her any mercy at all after everything she has done to her sister and our family. Even giving her a day to prepare herself is too much."

  Diokles nodded his head.

  "Why do you even listen to her?" Arlana screamed.

  "I told you not to speak," Diokles shouted back. "Because you have disobeyed me you will forget, how can I trust you to keep our secrets when you don't even obey direct orders when I am present?"

  Kellam turned away and held Avalynn closer. Avalynn put her head onto Kellam’s shoulder and closed her eyes. Arlana cried quietly.

  Cole walked towards Arlana and pulled her close to him, he didn't offer her words of comfort but he longed to. He didn't want Diokles to know the full extent of his feeling towards Arlana. " Diokles, please let me go with her, I will watch over her and make sure that nothing is said, this punishment you are giving her is too great, she will be completely alone and won’t understand why she is different and never ages, how can she form any attachments in a life like that?"

  "Cole, the more I hear from you the more I see that your loyalty has left me and gone to another. That is too bad, you are the best of all my men, but no amount of skill or talent can make up for a lack of loyalty. You will have your wish, but on my terms."

  "No!" Marika and Kellam burst out at the same time.

  "What's this, do I need to worry about your loyalty as well?" Diokles glared at Marika. He began to wonder if maybe Marika had some feelings for Cole. She didn't realize that he was completely aware of the flirtatious advances that she had given to Cole and a few others over the years. Kellam was all too obvious, their seemed to be some sort of love triangle forming, in more ways than one Diokles thought. The confidence he felt on sending both of them away was growing greater with each word that was spoken.

  "No, of course not darling, you know you are my world, there is no one but you! I just feel that we need all the protection we can get, and as you say he is the best. Especially since our precious Avalynn is still mortal."

  "She will be well taken care of by Marco and Sven, maybe we can search for some new talent as we are traveling. Don't question my decisions Marika. Avalynn, Kellam, leave now." Diokles stated gruffly. He wanted to wrap up Arlana’s punishment and move on. He couldn't stand being in the same room with her much longer, she was too much like her mother and he didn't want to face that pain.

  "Arlana, this will be your punishment and your curse, you are being banished to another time, you will have no memories of your life here, and you will take the place of someone who could have been but never was. And as for you Cole if you think you can protect her so well go ahead and try but first, you will have to find her. You are banished also to the same time but a different place. If you come within twenty-five miles of Arlana and you do not have hold of her by the time the moon meets the sun a second time you will shift times with her and she will shift into another life. You will have to start searching for her all over again. I will give you no assistance, no connections. You leave only with the clothes on your back. You both leave at first light, when the sun rises you will be gone. Now get out of my presence, both of you, say nothing or your punishment will only get worse. Marika, you stay with me."

  At that Cole and Arlana rushed out of the room. Cole put his arm around Arlana and with his body urged her to move quickly. Once they were out of sight Cole pulled Arlana into his embrace. She put her head against his chest and wept softly. He pulled her closer and rubbed her back. "It's ok, it will be ok," he whispered.

  "How can it be ok when tomorrow I won’t know who I am, I won’t know who my sister is, and I won’t remember you," Arlana looked up and met his gaze. She felt like she could melt there and didn't want to leave the protection of his arms. "Let's escape now, before he banishes us tomorrow, I will go with you, please?" a frantic whine had crept into her voice.

  "I'm sorry Arlana but it is too late, he has already spoken the curse. It will still be alright though, I will find you, I will protect you."

  "You will find me, but I won’t know you."

  " Arlana, how could you forget a face like this?," he tried at humor, anything to take the look of hopelessness off of her face."You need to go to your room and start to get ready. See if you can say goodbye to Avalynn, try to make things right between you two. I have to go to my room and figure out what I can bring that may help us. I will meet you in your room in about 2 hours. Make sure you get something to eat also. I can't say anything here but I will figure things out for us, don't spend what little time you have worrying, let me do that for the both of us." Cole pulled Arlana in close once more.

  Arlana nodded to Cole, “I will see you soon." She tried for a smile but it didn't quite reach her eyes. Cole walked her the rest of the way to her cabin and then turned and headed towards his room.