The Vigil

another work in progress excerpt from After the Fall of Darkness

     Vaughn walked out into the garden and across to the stable where they had placed the body of Carnac. The full moon cast shadows across the doorway, inside a shaft of moonlight outlined the body. Leaning against the door he let out a deep sigh, Carnac needed to have the roof fixed thought Vaughn. So much needed fixing that a roof hardly mattered anymore

      He sat on a bale of hay next to Carnac and rubbed his temples. Reaching into his robe he pulled out the flask and took a drink. The voices quieted to a whisper and leaning back, he closed his eyes. The vigil was going to be a long night if he had to deal with the nightmares.

      Remembering the vial Sam had given him, he poured the rest of the powder into his flask, swirled it around for a bit and drank the rest. His head cleared and the voices stopped. He laughed out loud like a child chasing leaves in the grove. The pain was almost bearable and for a time, with the elixir running its course, he was able to sit in quiet company with Carnac.

      But the pain and nightmares never really went away. Slowly, after a couple of hours of Vaughn daydreaming of the better days, they crept back into his head. The old familiar friends came calling once again. He shuddered and fought the darkness, but as always, he could only come to a stalemate.

      Mauler appeared in the doorway, laughing his big booming laugh and pointed at Vaughn. 'I am sorry,' whispered Vaughn. The ghost stopped, pain creased the forehead of Mauler and he fell forward into the stable. The pain seared through Vaughn's head and the vision passed. The waking nightmares were returning and the flask was empty. He groaned and rubbed at his eyes and temples.

      Breathing hard, he caught a movement to his left and turned. Martek and Brandor were crouched down, throwing bones in the corner. They looked over at Vaughn and the room chilled. Blood dripped from Brandor's hand as he scooped up the bones. Martek grabbed his head, blood flowing from the wound. With pleading eyes and out stretched hands, they faded.

      His hands shaking, Vaughn slumped and reached out to the body of Carnac. Desperate for release, Vaughn cast back into the pleasant memories of his time spent with Carnac in the Grove. Those few years were filled with the wonder of youth as they learned the Way of the Clan. It was a good time, a peaceful time. With all the strength he could muster, Vaughn willed his thoughts away from the nightmare of the war to the days of peace. He sat there through the night until the rise of the morning, mumbling to his old friend.

Comments

[Morgan Elektra]

Good stuff, Patrick. I think it could use a little tightening, but the story is compelling so far. Looking forward to more!

[Jenny Beans]

You've definitely got a good story here, Patrick. I'm so glad you're sharing parts on your blog with us. I look forward to reading more when you're ready.

[Patrick]

I am working on the beginning, started revising and editing, although this part is raw, just like I wrote it a long time ago. More to come, so much more to come.

[Jim Ryan]

You're setting an interesting mood here. I also get a definite sense of there being a lot going on, which is a good thing, in my opinion.

[vange]

I need some of that powder!

[Patrick]

@Vange ~ herbal mixture of white willow, feverfew, rosemary, and a pinch of belladonna..(contact your local herbalist and be careful!) or excedrin migraine-that works pretty well.

@Jim ~ it is often a dark story