The Lady Lies Sleeping

by Hypatia

 

Part 3

 

"You're bleeding," Andrew said to Angela, a thin stream of bright red blood was running from her nose down her ashen face. She wiped her nose with the back of her hand and looked at the smear of blood.

"I have never done anything like this before, it's rough on the body," Angela whispered. Andrew could see the strain on her pale face, with the darkness there had been a renewed attack on the barrier that protected them. The people within the barrier though would not last through the night, there was nothing to burn within the circle of stones and even during daylight, Andrew had recognised the symptoms of hypothermia amongst the huddled people.

"You can't keep it up much longer…can you?" Andrew asked and Angela just shook her head. "When it falls, you run and try and get at least some of the people out of here, I will see what I can do to delay them." He hesitated a moment and then continued, "Can I ask a favour of you?"

"Yes," she replied knowing that any attempt he made to stop the creatures would be as pointless as trying to escape.

"The girl, Mary…can you keep her moving? I'm just worried that she might try to stay and help me, she's got a lot of spirit that one."

"You are going to have to talk to her first," Angela said. "The choice is hers as it is yours."

"Do you think she will listen?" Andrew asked.

"She likes you, any fool can see that, but as you say she has spirit and there are worse things in life than a woman who will stand by you no matter what. You feel that in her, as I do. As for her decision, who knows?"

The barrier flared again as another group of the demons threw themselves at it and Angela winced, "Talk to her," she said gently, "there isn't much time."

*****

Their journey was slow; before them the creatures fled without challenging them, but Aiken was unwilling to proceed faster.

"You are my responsibility My Lady, your safety is the only thing that I can worry about at this time," he told her when she expressed her impatience.

"These things seem scared of us," she protested.

"They seem scared," Aiken replied. "When there are enough of them their fear will be overcome…then they will attack."

"Is there anything we can do to stop them?" The Lady asked looking around with a little more care now.

"We…No," Aiken said firmly. "The Lady does not fight, she is a part of nature, she is the mother to all and it is her call that will awaken The Goddess, for when The Lady calls she knows that she is not forgotten."

"So what the hell am I supposed to do when they come?" the Donald part of The Lady's personality asked angrily.

"You will find The Priestess, for it is her that they hope to defeat now."

They carried on walking along the deserted roads; from some windows, people could be seen peering out in fear at the events of the day.

"They are safe," Aiken told her. "They are the spoils of the battle only to be claimed when we are defeated."

"But that isn't going to happen, is it Firstborn?"

"No, not while I can still swing a blade," Aiken said with a smile. The Lady put a hand out to stop him; they were nearing the edge of the town, perhaps three quarters of a mile from The Lady's Bed.

"They wait for us, even above the pain of the earth I can feel them," she shuddered for a moment and took a deep breath. "It makes me want to vomit…"

"The Earth is violated by their presence, the sickness that you feel is the sickness of The Earth," Aiken said. "Though it does make it difficult for them to surprise us…"

"What do you suggest?" The Lady asked.

"Well…" Aiken said looking embarrassed.

"Go enjoy yourself Little One, but when the time is ready you must be ready too," The Lady answered without Donald trying to.

"Oh thank you," Aiken said with a huge grin and shouted, "Lucifer, Satan, Beelzebub…it's time to run…it's time to hide. Lord Herne has need for a new horn and he who finds him one will join his hunt, at least for a while."

He began to head off up the road ahead of her, then hesitated for a second and looked back.

"Go Firstborn," she shouted to him. "With the very earth watching over me what have I to fear?"

"There is much to fear, for much walks this day," he shouted back. "You though are special and the light of your love shall blind all who dare look upon you."

"Go Firstborn, show them what one favoured such as you is made of; teach them that if they wish this world they will pay for it thrice over in pain," she shouted to him, he waved and was gone.

*****

Chaos was confused, within the area that it was confined a new power was awakening…something with a feel that was too familiar. Chaos ruled here, yet within that chaos was order…within the fear and torment there was now a seed of hope. From the midst of chaos, order was being born…from the depths of despair hope had emerged. Chaos began influencing directly those that fed on its power, feeding their emotions and driving their hate with its own. Deep within the eternal creature though was fear.

*****

The wind seemed to suddenly increase in violence, tearing at the unfamiliar clothes that Donald wore and now he/she was walking into the teeth of the gale. It had become very dark too and even the short distance to The Lady's Bed looked like it might take a long time. She wished that she had made Aiken stay; his abilities would have surely helped at this time. For a moment she staggered as a stronger gust almost took her off her feet, but it was as she regained her balance and began fighting forward again that she felt it…a sickness deep in her gut, cramping and twisting her insides. She gasped for breath, the icy air filling her lungs and quelling the nausea for a moment.

"Show yourself," she shouted into the darkness. "I know you are there…"

There was no movement for a moment or two, then in the gloom could be seen many figures moving hesitantly towards her. There were many different forms, a patchwork collection of animal and human forms merged together, others seeming to have an older, more reptilian heritage, but all of their attention was focused on Donald.

Donald considered running, for a moment anyway, her new bulk was not designed for speed and some of these things were. She had faced death once and like with all things the first time was the worst…something banged into his legs. Looking down he could see a badger, an old beast from the grey in its black fur, shuffling forward to stand between the creatures and her. It looked back towards her its eye catching hers and she saw intelligence there and a determination. The badger stood there, facing the demons alone…one of the smaller creatures, a twisted reptilian dwarf, stepped forward and swung a clawed hand at it. With agility defying its apparent age and build, the badger avoided the attack and its teeth found the demons arm. The demon, screaming in pain like a child, retreated back to the pack, where it continued its unintelligible protestations to its companions.

The badger shuffled back to its original position between the demons and The Lady, it sniffed at the air and snuffled loudly as if it couldn't see the beasts clearly and had finally acknowledged that it had found them. The demons began moving as a mass towards the solitary animal, which growled a warning. Suddenly the air was filled with feathery bundles hurling themselves suicidaly in the wind at the creatures, a large black bird possibly a crow got a firm grip with its feet on the reptilian dwarf and began pecking at its eyes, before the wind swept it away. Something hit Donald in the chest and he looked down, at his feet was a small bird, a mere sparrow, its body twisted in death; the body only remained at her feet for a moment, before it was taken by the wind.

The demons fought with the birds for a minute or two, screaming as some of the larger birds did damage…but the battle was unbalanced. The wind and the strength of the enemy was too great for even ten times the number of birds which had appeared and those that were not killed by the blows of the demons were blown away into the darkness. As the demons regrouped they once again hesitated, between them and The Lady still stood the solitary figure of the badger.

Around her, even above the screams and moans of some of the demons and the roar of the wind, she could hear noises. Something brushed past her leg and she looked down to see a stream of small brown creatures swarming around her and a scream caught in her throat.

Rats, thousands of rats.

A larger rat stopped for a moment and looked at her while sitting up on its haunches, it chattered what sounded like its irritation at her, displaying large yellow teeth and then looked towards the demons. Without hesitation it joined the swarm that was parting around the badger and they attacked the demons.

This was not the unbalanced battle that the birds had faced; the rats and now many other creatures had little regard for the wind. They were swarming over the demons, teeth doing very real damage. A small number of larger animals were present now, foxes, more badgers and even what looked like a small group of weasels. As one of the demons fell to the ground they attacked, ripping flesh off the struggling form. The old badger was still stood there between The Lady and the demons, watching the unfolding battle.

The badger's attention was suddenly drawn from the battle; he looked into the darkness and moved. He now stood between The Lady and an unseen opponent. The other creatures, which had been so valiantly fighting in her defence, also sensed the new foe and fled leaving the demons that still stood to escape. Now it was just the badger, The Lady and the unknown…hidden in the darkness.

"You and The Firstborn made me relinquish my prize…the priest was mine," came the voice from the darkness.

"You fled because you were scared," Donald shouted back.

"Do you fear me? You are of The Blood, you are now The Lady, but I think there is fear in your heart, fear because you know we have won."

"Fear you Satan…" The Lady answered reasserting dominance of the symbiotic being that had been created. "I fear no one, I love all…even you, for in the great scheme of things even you have your place."

"All fear me, all hate me," Satan screamed back coming into view as a dark ominous shape.

"I cannot hate, I will not fear," The Lady answered. "All I can do is love you…and perhaps pity you."

Satan screamed his rage and ran at The Lady. The badger met him half way with a growl that almost matched Satan's scream. The mass of the badger hitting it was enough for Satan's charge to miss The Lady, though by only an inch or two. The badger was thrown far by Satan's massive arms, but it twisted in the air, landed on its feet and was attacking again before the beast could react. Again as the teeth found flesh it was thrown away like a rag doll…again as it hit the ground it resumed its attack.

A claw found the badger this time and the white fur was marked with red, but it did not stop its defence of The Lady. Again it attacked, but this time Satan grabbed it, snatching it out of the air as it leapt. Holding it at arms length in a huge hand he looked at it.

"Such pitiful defenders, there is no sport in this," he said and his muscles rippled as he squeezed. The badger though in a last act of defiance found a finger with its teeth and bit hard. Satan screamed his pain and threw the badger to the floor, where for a second or two it tried to stand again. The damage though was too great and it just lay there struggling to take each breath.

"These things test my patience," Satan shouted while looking at the injured digit. "You though will suffer far more than I have for this, you will wish…"

The beast was silenced as a screaming ball of fury hit it in the side, as the two figures rose Donald could see that it was Aiken who had now come to her rescue.

"Forgive me Lady, I should not have left you," he shouted before turning back to Satan. Satan ran forward screaming his rage…straight onto Aiken's blade. The beast doubled over with the pain of the sword through its belly and Aiken reached up with his hand and pulled at one of the horns on Satan's head. With a cracking and tearing noise that made Donald shudder, the horn came loose. Satan cried out in pain and pulled away from the blade…in a second he was lost once more in the darkness.

"Forgive me my lady," Aiken again said to her, but her attention was elsewhere. She crouched down besides the fallen figure of the badger and removed her glove. As she ran her fingers through its fur the tears were ripped from her cheeks by the wind.

"It died for me, knowing it couldn't win," she whispered.

"Many died for you here and all creatures would die for you, knowing that you are the only hope," Aiken replied. "Only mankind has lost the knowledge of what The Lady is, only mankind would desecrate her resting place."

"He fought alone, the others deserted him," she said the tears flowing freely down her face.

"He was an ancient beast," Aiken said wiping the tears from her cheeks with a grubby finger. "He had a wisdom with his age and knew it was his time and his place. We mourn those who die, but we mourn more those who die for naught. He died a worthy death; one that will not be forgotten while the world endures. I was first and I will be last…I will remember…"

"I don't want to leave him here," she said struggling to pick up the heavy corpse.

"No," Aiken said firmly. "It is the way, from the earth to the earth is the cycle of life and to take one from that cycle who has lived his life by those rules is wrong."

"We have all this power, is there nothing we can do?" she asked imploringly.

"Life can be extended, health can be given and blessings can be bestowed. Death though is inevitable, even for me. Death is beyond you and I, but it is not the curse or bane you fear, it is but a transformation to another existence."

"Reincarnation you mean?" Donald asked somewhat self-conscious of the tears he had just shed.

"I do not know, I have never died…" Aiken replied. "You have, you tell me?"

"The living have no understanding of death," The Lady answered for Donald. "It is different, different from anything within existence and to explain it is impossible. Try explaining the comfort of a warm fire to the fish of the deep, it is as alien a concept."

"I have known a fair few fish," Aiken replied, "and more than a few had a greater understanding of the scheme of things than I. Dark solitude gives a creature a lot of time to think…many a profound thinker has never walked upon the earth and breathed air."

"If anyone would take the time to converse with fish it would be you Firstborn," The Lady replied and turned back to the form of the badger. "I thank you for your sacrifice, I promise it will not be in vain. Come Firstborn, we must go."

*****

"They have eased off," Angela gasped her strength returning a little as her efforts to hold the barrier eased.

"Why?" Andrew asked looking out at the creatures whose attention appeared to be elsewhere.

"Probably because they know we can't last much longer," Mary said who had taken up a position at Andrew's side and had made it plain that it would take a lot more than Andrew's pleading to move her.

"What do you mean?" Angela asked.

"People are going to start dying soon, because of the cold. Father Grant won't last much longer, he was in shock when we came here," Mary said sadly. "I give him a couple of hours at the most, the old and the kiddies won't be that far behind him."

"Is there nothing we can do?" Andrew asked.

"I don't think surrendering to those things is much of an option, besides when they decide to attack again I don't think we have a couple of hours," Angela replied. Andrew looked at her; she was in a bad way. In her left eye a dark red haematoma marked where a blood vessel had burst under the stress, her nose had stopped bleeding though a smear of blood on her upper lip reminded Andrew of what this woman was enduring.

"Something definitely seems to have their attention though," Andrew said. "I wish I knew what the hell it was."

"It's coming from town, and whatever it is I don't think I want to know," Mary whispered.

*****

The demons at The Lady's Bed scattered at their approach and inside the faintly glowing shield Donald could see the refugees from the town. Their actions in provoking the demons, by their resistance, had saved many lives, now it was up to her to save them all. She could feel The Lady trying to answer her questions, trying to guide her, but it wouldn't come.

"Let the earth help you, let The Goddess guide you," Aiken said gently as he sensed her struggle.

"What do you mean?" Donald asked.

"Let it be…"

Donald relaxed and felt a power deep inside him, but there was no understanding of how to use it…just a burning deep within his belly.

"Do not fight it, you are The Lady, so be her," Aiken said.

She relaxed more and felt the other in her mind, for a moment she fought against the intruder into her consciousness, then took a deep breath and let it happen. It wasn't a violation, it wasn't a possession it was a blending. In that moment Donald ceased to exist, now part of a greater being, now part of the most basic of human deities, the fertility symbol, the spirit of nature and she who is one with the earth.

"Firstborn," The Lady said. "The circle you created must be dispelled."

"Lady, that would allow them the freedom of the earth," Aiken said fearfully.

"Ease your mind Firstborn, I am here. For a while all must be risked, for should the one become two here…the universe itself would cease to exist in the battle that would ensue."

"The one become two?" Aiken asked.

"Go Little One, there will be time enough for questions later," The Lady said and pushed at him gently.

"But Lady," Aiken protested. "What of you, who will protect you?"

"I need no protection now, my friend. She who slept is awakened and none who walk the earth may challenge me at this time."

"I will go Lady," Aiken said starting to run.

"The wind itself shall marvel at my speed," Aiken shouted from the distance.

"All of nature marvels and rejoices at The Firstborn," The Lady said.

*****

"There is someone out there," Andrew shouted moving close to the barrier. "A woman…"

"What is she doing out there?" Angela demanded.

"Probably running from those things," Andrew replied.

"I can't let her in, if I release the circle I haven't the strength to protect us again…" Angela said almost weeping.

"It is all of us or her," Mary said placing an arm around the woman to offer her some support.

"But I should do something," Angela said the tears running down her face. "To leave her to those things is inhuman…"

"Could you protect her and us if you dropped the barrier?" Mary asked, Angela just shook her head.

"Too late for that," Andrew shouted. "HERE THEY COME!"

*****

The Lady turned to face the oncoming demons, now she had no fear, there was no confusion in her mind…she was Donald, who had made the sacrifice at the time when an offering was needed. She was The Lady; a being at one with the earth, living asleep in her cold embrace…except for now, now The Lady didn't sleep, for she was needed.

"You walk upon the earth," she said barely loud enough to be heard even if there had been no gale. "All who walk upon the earth do so at my discretion. You do not have my permission to be here, your presence violates the very earth that you stand on…BE GONE"

The beasts hesitated, none daring to come closer to her, trying to build up the courage to attack her.

"Be gone from this place, go back to the shadows where you live and none will harm you. I promise this, for even Lord Herne is bound by my word in this matter."

The creatures were agitated, unsure of what to do, then they parted as a great figure pushed through them.

It was Lucifer and he was dragging a small frail figure with him in one hand a blade in the other.

"You have awoken too late," Lucifer roared, "and what are you without the dancing fool, but a fat weak woman?"

"I am all I need to be," The Lady replied. "Like The Firstborn, while all else perishes, we endure."

"You died, the fools on this world destroyed their greatest hope through their own ignorance. You are not eternal, you are just the latest of a long line."

"The Lady is eternal, the form is but a shell," The Lady said firmly.

"Where is the fool? I have one of his pets here," Lucifer shouted shaking the old woman viciously.

"He is elsewhere…let her go," The Lady demanded her voice threatening.

"Why? Is she something to you? You like him are weak, your love betrays you; your love will be your undoing."

"No," The Lady said. "Our love is our strength and because of that love you cannot win."

"Do I pull her arms off slowly?" Lucifer asked pulling Sarah into the air by an arm, she screamed in pain. "Perhaps I should bleed her, see how long she can suffer?"

"YOU CAN DO NOTHING TO HER," The Lady shouted and the earth shook in response.

"She gave freely to those in need," she said quietly but no less ominously. "She will be thrice repaid for her kindness."

"I have her woman," Lucifer said shaking Sarah around again like a rag doll. "Do you dare challenge me…for her?"

"Yes," The Lady replied.

"Sarah, I am sorry about this pain you endure. It is your kindness that has brought this onto you, do you forgive me?" The Lady asked.

"Forgive you, there is nothing to forgive," the old lady screamed. "Promise me you will stop him…"

"I promise," The Lady whispered. "Sarah, close your eyes now. Another place awaits you and many wish to honour one such as you."

There was fear in the old lady's face for a second or two at these words and she looked imploringly at The Lady.

"It is the time, but do not be afraid," The Lady said to her. "It is one more step in the great adventure of life, not the end of the journey."

Sarah looked at her and despite her pain, smiled at The Lady who looked on her with such love, she closed her eyes and her body went limp. Lucifer was left holding a corpse.

"You did that…" Lucifer screamed in rage. "You would kill one of your own to deny me…"

"I did nothing, but tell her she was to be welcomed."

"You took her from me," Lucifer screamed again. "Again and again my pleasure is denied, you though are mine."

Lucifer bore down on where The Lady was standing, his organ erect and his intentions obvious. Suddenly though the wind dropped and The Lady could feel her ears pop as the pressure equalised.

"It matters not now," Lucifer shouted in joy, "you have lost. The world is ours."

*****

"It's killed an old woman!" Andrew shouted at Angela, as Lucifer threw away the body of Sarah like a discarded toy.

"We can't do anything…" Angela told him, though she was trying to think of any other options that were available to her. She watched the huge form of Lucifer bear down on the large woman who had stood firm before him.

"We have to do something…" Andrew shouted. Outside the barrier the wind suddenly ceased. The smaller demons looked up and suddenly were running. Lucifer, as Angela had told him the beast was called, appeared to be talking to the large woman, threatening her, though no words could be heard through the barrier.

"When I drop this, you run," Angela shouted at the people in the circle. "Their attention is elsewhere, run and hide…it is your only chance…"

"You run too," Andrew said to Mary.

"Like hell I will," Mary told him.

*****

The consciousness that was Chaos was overjoyed at its sudden release from its prison. The unexpected dispersion of the barrier that had trapped it allowed it to expand, filling a galaxy with its being.

Dispersed like this it luxuriated in its freedom for an age or two, then after eons spent drifting with the cosmos it decided to finish what it had started. As its consciousness coalesced to something more substantial its thoughts slowed drastically.

As it coalesced its power grew…

Mere minutes after its escape, it began its return to earth with all its fury.

*****

"They do my work, they know the world is ours," Lucifer shouted as the demons dispersed. "The world, and you too, are mine to do with as I wish,"

"Nothing is yours," The Lady replied, "all you have beast, is your hate, that is your power and hate can never do anything but destroy. Only in balance can there be harmony."

"Balance…Harmony…Sweetness, light and love," Lucifer said mockingly. "They are nothing, all that there is, is power and strength of which you have neither."

"Your lack of understanding will be your downfall," The Lady told him. Behind her was noise and suddenly she was thrust out of the path of Lucifer.

"Run now, run while you can," Angela's voice rang out.

"Fuck off, back where you came from…" Andrew shouted placing himself between The Lady and Lucifer. Mary stood next to him.

"See…" Lucifer shouted in joy. "Strength is in anger and hate."

"No," The Lady replied. "Their strength is in their love and self-sacrifice."

"We shall see if that saves them," Lucifer told her.

"NO!" She shouted. "These are not for you…"

"Stop me then bitch!" Lucifer challenged and the earth around his feet began to boil. At first it was grasses that grasped at his hooves, then the earth and rock began to climb up its legs. Lucifer screamed in rage and tried to pull his feet free, but the grasp of the rock was too strong. He began tearing at the advancing rock with his clawed hands only to find that his hands too became trapped. Only when his head was covered did his screams and curses end, leaving a mound that was soon covered with grass.

"What the hell happened?" Andrew asked.

"That Andrew, would take too long to explain and even longer to make you believe," The Lady told him. "Come on this isn't over yet, not by a long way."

"We must run," Angela said urgently.

"No," The Lady said. "We must make our stand here. All we need is The Firstborn, with him here they have lost…without him all is lost."

"We have to get out of here, look around you," Andrew said. "Everyone has gone, we are on our own here and we have no weapons…not that I think a tank would do any good here…"

The Lady walked up to the mound where Lucifer had been imprisoned and touched it, for a second the earth again bubbled and the blade of the sword that both Donald and Lucifer had carried appeared. The Lady grasped the blade and it effortlessly came free. She threw it hilt first to Andrew who caught it in the air.

"You wanted a weapon, there you go and I guarantee that will do damage to them," she told Andrew who already seemed to be in thrall to the blade. The Lady wondered, was it now talking to him too. He shuddered and he suddenly seemed surer of himself, he walked forward in the direction that The Lady could feel demons approaching from.

"We fight here," she told him.

"There are better places to fight," Andrew protested. "We are open here, there is no one to protect our rear. I need men, brave men, valiant men willing to do battle against such evil."

"Andrew, no," The Lady said gently. "Stay with me son, don't lose yourself…"

"How do you know my name?" Andrew asked shuddering as he escaped the memories of the blade.

"I have known you many years Andrew, I am The Lady and I was Donald Jameson," The Lady replied.

"No don't give me that shit," Andrew shouted backing off away from her. "I saw Sergeant Jameson fall, those bastards ripped him to bits."

"Is it the most difficult thing to believe this night, that one who died has been made anew by the power within the earth?" she asked him.

"I don't know, I just don't know," Andrew protested. "This is just impossible, shit like this just doesn't happen."

"Well the shit that doesn't happen is coming this way, get within the stones," The Lady said and movement could be seen in the gloom. The large cat like creature stepped forward and hesitated.

"The stones were moved," Angela whispered. "This is not their original place, they may offer no protection."

"They offer some, which is all we can expect," The Lady replied. The creature seemed interested by the mound, which hid Lucifer; a clawed paw began scratching at the earth, ripping through the rock that encased him as if it was nothing. In a matter of moments, Lucifer was free.

"Is that all you can do?" the creature demanded as the leopard like creature took a place at his side.

"I seem to remember you screamed in pain as my blade found you," The Lady said quietly.

"That was but a fleeting thing," Lucifer said stretching to his full height. "You will suffer the pains for as long as you live and life itself shall be something you beg to be released from."

"Change the record," The Lady said laughing. "Threats, threats and threats. That's all I have heard from you, even the job of killing me was a half arsed one. I'm still standing here and now it isn't just a sword that I can fight you with. Do you feel it? Can you feel the earth waiting for my call? Can you feel the essence of everything alive repulsed by your presence? Do you think you can fight all and win?"

"The world is ours…you have failed," the creature shouted in response; Bitru, the leopard like creature growled its agreement.

"You have lost Lucifer. As always, at the moment your victory seems assured, you will lose everything."

"Silence Bitch!" The beast screamed.

"I do not answer to you Light-Bringer," The Lady replied in a tone of voice that matched Lucifer's anger. "I am The Lady, I answer to none and I take orders from none. All who walk on the earth do so at my tolerance…be they mortal or ephemeral, your presence offends me and offends the earth, be gone. "

"You cannot tell me…" Lucifer began.

"I can and I do, The Goddess herself walks upon the earth only with my blessing," The Lady shouted interrupting Lucifer, the earth shook echoing her words.

"Your time grows short, you despite all your power are mortal and mortals can die," Lucifer snapped at her, then tilted his head back and wailed.

"What the hell is he doing?" Andrew asked.

"Calling for help, despite his posturing and bluster, it is a coward," The Lady whispered back. "Two of them are not enough to risk tackling me."

"Can you hold them off?" Angela asked.

"No. When the others of the trinity arrive, then the shit starts. Be ready with that wand and Andrew be ready with that sword," The Lady said.

"What can I do?" Mary asked.

"You keep your head down and keep out of the way," The Lady said gently. "Someone might just end up getting killed if they have to watch out for you."

"I understand," Mary replied without enthusiasm.

"Andrew," The Lady said more firmly. "We do not make the first move, we need the time."

Andrew backed away from Lucifer who he had been gradually advancing on. The blade had him in its thrall again, the powers loose on the world amplifying that which only the most sensitive could normally feel.

"Andrew, stay with me, we need you," she said to him again.

"My Lady," he replied as if seeing her for the first time. "This is no place for you, the beast walks upon the earth once more. Run seek shelter and do not tarry in this place, for I cannot hold him for long."

"ANDREW…" The Lady said sharply.

"Go now all of you," he answered, "may god watch over you this night."

"Andrew," Mary said gently, "I need you…"

For a moment he froze and then shuddered.

"Jesus this is weird shit," he said.

"You have your job, keep him with us," The Lady said to Mary.

*****

The demons were moving, heading out to wreak havoc on the world. Aiken avoided them as he made his way back towards The Lady; she was his concern now despite the fears he had about the rest of the world only she could end this. All the players were now in place, all was now ready…except him and he should be by her side.

A scream to his left drew his attention and for a fraction of a second he considered ignoring it, but his nature wouldn't let him. Leaping a hedge as if it was nothing he found himself on a narrow lane. Trapped by a demon coming at them from either end were two of Angela's girls, struggling with the incapacitated Father Harrison.

"Help us please!" one of them screamed, but Aiken was already sizing up the nearest of the beasts. His blade bit deep before the creature had time to turn and see who or what was attacking it. The second one raised an arm to ward off the blow…only for the blade to find its legs. Driven by all the force of The Firstborn's rage at their attempted attack on these children, the blade didn't even slow. The two creatures were left incapacitated and screaming their agony and rage.

"Get off the path," he snarled at the women. "No path is safe to walk this night, find somewhere to hide."

"We can't leave him…not for those things," the girl who screamed for help protested.

"Run, hide, save yourselves," Aiken said looking at the injured form of the priest.

"No," she said firmly. "If we leave him he will die."

"What disservice did I do you?" Aiken asked looking up to the sky. "I am a simple creature, a full belly, good companions and the knowledge that The Lady is safe is all I ask in my existence. Yet again and again you test me…should I abandon one to save the many? Should I save the beasts of the sea at the risk of all? Should I leave these children in the knowledge that they would surely perish?"

The faces of the two women, though pale to begin with blanched at The Firstborn's final words. He though saw their fear and smiled warmly.

"Fear not, I would not desert two who risk all to save an injured comrade. Come let us find shelter for you and this strange priest, then I must leave you; for my place is elsewhere at this time."

*****

Two of the Trinity that The Lady had spoken of were now gathered. Others of their kind hesitated but a moment before making their way to safety, far from the lady and her companions. The Lady was content for the moment; time was the key to their victory now. Andrew however was eager to test himself in battle against Lucifer and Satan. It was taking more and more of their time and attention to keep him controlled.

"We stand here and do nothing while the beasts gather," he shouted.

"Why do you not let your companion loose?" Lucifer asked. "We will care for him and give him the death he seeks."

"He is not for you Morningstar," The Lady shouted back.

"Who are you to deny me?" Lucifer demanded.

"I know your nature beast, I know what you are though others might have forgotten. This form you wear does not disguise the fact that you were once that which you hate most, that which you denied."

"That was then this is now," the beast screamed.

"What will it take for you to betray your allies again? Do they trust you?" The Lady asked. "Satan, you of all creatures know that what is the nature of the beast can never be changed…The Light Bringer, The Prince of Darkness, as he calls himself now, is an oath breaker and can never be trusted. Even by you."

"Trust…" the injured Satan shouted, then laughed a long booming laugh. "I understand the nature of beasts better than you who spends her days sleeping. Trust is something that I neither have nor want. I know what Morningstar is; I also know the power of fear and this form epitomises that which mankind fears most. All forms are but an illusion for ephemerals, even you perceive us as we wish."

The huge creature that was Lucifer began to twist and change, his size rapidly diminishing. After a few moments in his place stood a tall man clad in white robes. His skin was almost as pale as his robes, his hair and eyebrows jet black against his angular face…he smiled, but his eyes, totally black eyes, betrayed him.

"What is it? Who is that man?" Mary asked.

"That is Lucifer in the form that he wore before he was turned," The Lady said. "Morningstar, such theatrics do not impress me…you still cannot be trusted."

"Why?" the man asked in a relaxed tone of voice. "Because I dared question our place? Mankind wastes the earth it has been given, yet we are banished to the dark places."

"The earth is not for you," she said. "This is the time of man and this is the place of man, you have no need for this place."

"Need plays no part in my actions…Desire is all the motivation I need," Lucifer replied. "The Lord of the Flies arrives now, we are complete and your failure and destruction are now assured. The Firstborn may now dance his last dance…for the age of mankind is over."

*****

There is something within mankind that remembers, remembers things from ages past, things that are never taught. A man will fear a snake even if he has never seen one before, something deep inside him remembers. As The Earth was violated by the presence of the creatures that walked on it this night, the people of the earth felt fear, a nameless fear deep inside them. Most ignored it and carried on with their lives safe in the knowledge that nothing could or would hurt them…a few though found that the things that they feared most…were so very real.

*****

"Why won't you take me and the children out?" the woman demanded as they drove along the deserted motorway.

"Take you out?" the man demanded. "I have just spent seven hours with your mother and I was polite every minute of it…what the hell more do you want from me?"

"A pantomime, its Christmas you should take us to a pantomime. We never do anything as a family anymore, the kids won't be children forever you know."

"Jane is fifteen, John is now almost seventeen…get real will you woman…the only interest they have in what we do, is how much we earn and how much of that they can make us part with."

"Or the circus," the woman said ignoring his protests. "There is a circus this year, that funny Chinese one…if you were half a man you would take us to the circus."

"If I was half a man I would be in the friggin' circus. Now will you shut up about it, all the kids want is to be with their mates and perhaps drink a little too much…if they can get it."

"You were never like this when we were married," the woman quickly replied. "You used to want to do things when we were first married."

"A lot of things will change in nineteen years…" the man said. "Believe me I know how much can change."

"I know a lot can change in nineteen years, when we were married you were interested in me," the woman replied, "and will you slow down?"

"No. I want this journey to be as short as possible. It is always the same after you have seen your sister, nothing but bitching."

The woman didn't get time to reply to the final comment, the car swerved to avoid the figure that appeared from the embankment. It was only by mere centimetres that they cleared the cloaked manlike shape and the brakes brought the car to a screeching halt.

"Stupid wanker," the man shouted. "That's what happens when you let brain dead idiots loose after they have had too much to drink…that's just like your family. He's been to a party, got pissed and decided to come back across the motorway."

"That is nothing to do with my family. Now lets keep on moving it's nothing to do with us."

"Nothing to do with us? That idiot nearly got us and him killed, I am going to give him a piece of my mind."

"We don't want any trouble George, just leave it," the woman said, George however had other ideas and without a word was out of the car, slamming the door behind him.

Georges' wife sat there staring firmly ahead, her anger building with her husbands actions…by the time the door was opened again she had built up a good head of steam.

"I hope your happy now…the last thing we need at Christmas is you in trouble. You know what your temper is like. I hope it was just a bit of your mind that you gave him…" She said eventually turning to look at the open door.

"Yesss…" an inhuman voice lisped back at her. "Would you like some?" it asked as a bloody lump of flesh was deposited on the drivers seat.

Georges' wife found herself for once in her life with nothing to say…which was a pity, for moments later she never had the chance to say anything ever again.

*****

The three stood before them now, Lucifer The Fallen One, Beelzebub The Lord of the Flies and Satan. The arrival of Beelzebub had thrown off all restraint that Andrew had, it was only Mary holding him back physically which now stopped him taking on the three of them.

"Let me loose woman, do you not see them, the creatures of evil?" he demanded of her.

"I see them," she admitted, "but not yet."

"Tis the time for men to come forth and stand for what is right. Where are they though? Where are my men? Do they hide, leaving women to fight?"

"No," The Lady said. "All others are gone only we remain, we shall have to suffice."

The three creatures split, approaching the small group from different angles.

"Angela, your wand…use it against The Light-Bringer, Andrew see what you can do to delay Satan, he is wary of your blade, thanks to The Firstborn," The Lady said and stepped forward to confront Beelzebub herself.

"Prince of Pestilence, do you think you can stand against the earth?" The Lady asked.

"If you were able, you would have used the power already," Beelzebub growled as he cautiously moved closer.

"Power is more than a display of force," The Lady said. "You have no comprehension of my power."

"A woman with a stick, a fool with a blade, a girl little more than a child and you…this is the best that can be brought against us." Beelzebub growled and a shout from the darkness answered him.

"The Lady has chosen her ground and where she stands, there stand I."

"We have allies," Andrew shouted joyfully. "Come join the fray."

"I have been in the fray for far longer than you," came Aiken's answer. "Ask Satan who took the horn from his head."

"Let us finish this now," Satan roared and Lucifer and Beelzebub moved away from their intended victims to form up either side of the wounded creature.

"Light-Bringer, how pretty you look, ye won't be so pretty afore very long," came the shout, though the source could not be identified.

"Angela," The Lady said urgently. "All now depends on you, clear your mind, focus your energies and when I say let loose with everything within you at The Firstborn."

Angela nodded her agreement and closed her eyes, controlling her breathing and bringing her thoughts under control.

"Andrew, we will need a second or two of time, you will have to get it for us," The Lady said, Andrew raised his blade in salute and acknowledgement.

"What about me?" Mary asked.

"Now all you do is watch your arse," the Donald part of The Lady answered with a smile, "you have done your part. Angela are you ready?"

Angela nodded her agreement without opening her eyes.

"Ready Andrew?"

"Yes My Lady," Andrew replied.

"NOW IS THE TIME FIRSTBORN…COME TO ME," The Lady shouted.

From the gloom a small figure could be seen running, dodging around the three who faced them.

"NOW ANDREW," The Lady shouted and Lucifer's attempt to grab Aiken was met by Andrews' blade across his side. The Light Bringer backed away and his form began to change again, in seconds the horned beast that had first interrupted Angela's rituals was back.

"This is the time?" Aiken asked standing before The Lady she nodded and The Firstborn dropped the blade and the horn he still carried. He opened his arms and walked towards The Lady who embraced him tenderly.

"I'm scared Firstborn," she whispered to him.

"Do not fear," he replied with what could only be described as a wicked little grin, "this is the good part."

Andrew's blade bit deep into the side of Beelzebub, who screamed his pain. Satan seemed reluctant to risk the blade again, though Lucifer was swiftly into the fight again knocking Andrew to the floor.

"NOW ANGELA," The Lady shouted, turning so that Aiken's back was towards her. Angela opened her eyes and hesitated…

"NOW" The Lady shouted and Angela released all that she had left, focused by the wand into the back of The Firstborn. He and The Lady twitched for a moment, the earth seemed to jump underfoot and the two of them separated as if thrown apart, Aiken falling forward to the ground and The Lady falling backwards arms spread wide. She lay there a second or two eyes closed, then opened them and let out a scream as all that was concentrated within her and the earth was let loose at the sky.

*****

The power, which Angela threw at The Firstborn, was but a catalyst, focused by The Firstborn it was driven with a passion into The Lady. The Lady unable to contain such a force within her body channelled that energy into that which made her all she was, into The Earth.

The Earth responded with a blast of power that though feeble on the scale of the creature Chaos, would have destroyed both The Firstborn and Angela had it followed the path back. However it did not follow the path back, it was driven far away from The Earth, towards the doom that was rapidly approaching.

The forces were unequal that which was all that The Earth could deliver was a mere pinprick, to that which rushed to destroy all.

*****

Chaos felt all that The Lady could throw against it and for an infinitesimal moment ignored it. That was too long though, for the energy, corrupted by the touch of those that used it, buried deep into the essence of the being.

It was not pain that Chaos felt, it was something worse, something awakening deep within it. It was that which it hated most, for within Chaos lay order.

Chaos screamed its rage, lashing out at anything and everything, seeking nothing but destruction. It was blocked though by a force precisely matching its own…for it was part of it. Whatever it did, wherever it went that which it most despised was there. Its fury changed to fear as it found itself unable to escape from its eternal foe. Chaos escaped in the only way it could, Chaos escaped within itself and from Chaos emerged Order…yet Chaos existed deep within that which was called Order and always would, for the two were inseparable. Without one the other could not exist and from their eternal conflict between the two natures of the one being, all existence came and would exist only as long as The Great Game continued. For from that conflict came a power…but now it was a different power.

*****

"Do you not feel it?" Aiken screamed to the world as he picked himself off the ground.

"Feel what?" Angela asked, though she too could feel every molecule within her infused with a power. It was a different power from that which she felt earlier…it felt good. "What is it?" she asked.

"It is everything that is, it is the sensation of everything that has been and will be. It is a promise of what will be," Aiken replied.

The three creatures now stood still, their attack forgotten as the essence of the power that they used changed. Now there was balance in that power, it was not just directed at them, it was there for all to use.

"Something's coming," Mary shouted and Angela turned to look. To the north and the south of the stones was a glow, human like in form.

"What the hell now?" Angela demanded raising her wand again.

"No, not this time…" Aiken said his face taking on a dreamlike expression; he walked over to The Lady and helped her rise. "They await your permission, they await the permission of The Earth itself before they may act."

"They are always most welcome, more so in our time of need…but always welcome," The Lady said and bowed first to the north then to the south.

"May I Lady?" Aiken asked eagerly like a child seeking a treat.

"It is not I you need to ask," she said with a smile, Aiken though did not seem satisfied. "Go ask, you have my permission."

With a glance towards the three immobile figures of Satan, Lucifer and Beelzebub, Aiken walked over and picked up his discarded sword and the horn. He walked over to the southernmost figure, which appeared to be the more solid of the two and held out the horn. A hand accepted the horn and Aiken bowed deeply.

"Thank you Firstborn," a warm but ominous voice boomed. "Today Aiken Drum, is welcomed into The Wild Hunt, at least for this hunt."

A horn rang out and suddenly the three figures of the beasts sprang into action. Running as if pursued by a great host…but there was a great host. Creatures some of them physical beings as real as Lucifer or Satan, others as immaterial as the shimmering figure to the north were appearing between the stones. Legions of creatures, reminiscent of the creatures of fairy stories but without the innocence, marched out in the direction that the great three had fled. Each group though paused three times once to bow to the shimmering figure in the north, once to bow to The Lady and then to stop for a moment before the confused figures of Andrew, Angela and Mary, before saluting them with their weapons. Many hundreds passed by, until no more appeared and Aiken and the now horned figure that appeared in the South paused and bowed to the North, bowed to The Lady then paused before the three confused humans.

"Why?" Angela asked. "Why do they salute?"

"They salute ones who would have given all to save all…they salute true warriors, in mind, in spirit and in body," Aiken said sincerely.

"I did nothing," Mary protested and her eyes sank to the floor.

Aiken walked forwards reached up and lifted her chin with a dirty hand. "You stayed because you cared…there are not many who would have faced the three, unarmed. Though maybe not totally unarmed, thy love can be a powerful weapon."

 

Mary again dropped her eyes to the floor a blush colouring her cheeks.

"Stand tall, stand proud, for songs shall be sung about the deeds done today…" he turned to face the still shadowy figure of Lord Herne. "Shall we go My Lord?" he asked.

For a moment Herne appeared to be caressing the horn he carried, then though he passed it to Aiken, a horn now inlayed with silver.

"May I?" Aiken asked reverently and the figure nodded. Aiken grasped the horn and blew a clear note that must have echoed around the world, before handing it back. The two of them then began running and were soon lost from sight though the horns could be heard for a long time after.

Mary, Angela, Andrew and The Lady stood there looking at each other for a moment or two, the respect that had been shown to them an unnerving surprise. Eventually though all eyes fixed on the shimmering figure to the north.

"What the hell is that?" Andrew demanded, bending down to pick up the discarded sword.

"No, you don't need that," Angela said placing a hand on his shoulder to restrain him. "Not here, not now…"

"What is it?" Andrew asked again.

"Something good," The Lady replied with a smile. She bowed her head to the glowing figure; the figure returned the bow.

"The Goddess bowed to you," Angela said with awe in her voice.

"No…she bowed to what I represent," Donald replied understanding fully at last. "She bowed to the earth, the great mother of all…"

"And what are you then Sarge," Andrew asked

"Me Andrew," she said, "why I am the spirit of nature, I am that given life once more by the earth…I am The Lady who waits."

*****

There were questions afterwards, most of which could not be answered. People were missing, people were dead, a police sergeant had vanished without trace and strange things seemed to be happening around the world.

Those who knew what had happened were silent, despite repeated questions. No one however questioned who the strange woman was who had moved in with Angela…somehow she was beneath the notice of anyone who saw her. The Lady knew it was a skill, a talent that had been given to her. She was set apart from the matters of men now, serving a higher purpose…and that was complicated by the fact that she didn't have a clue what she was doing in her new body.

Angela was patient though despite all the complaints, moans and even insults about the design of women's bodies and women's clothes and The Lady learnt. That which could not be taught, that which makes a woman a Lady never had to be taught…The Lady was a lady and her presence demanded respect from all.

Donald knew there was a duality in her life, no other name was necessary, she knew she was The Lady, she knew she had been Donald. She was at one with every living creature on the planet…yet was an alien within her own flesh. There was something else though, a place she needed to be, high in the hills near mountains. This world was no longer for her, she had made her sacrifice and it had been accepted. Now her life, if it was life that she had, was to be served for a higher purpose and despite mankind's arrogance it was but one small piece in a much larger puzzle.

"The Goddess, is she a goddess…or just something alive?" Angela asked after a few days, her faith tested to the limit.

"She is as far above us as we are above the ants…is she a god, I don't know, but she has power and she cares," The Lady replied gently. "If nothing else she deserves our respect and our praise, for without her none of us would be here."

"What of the other gods, are they all false?" Angela asked.

"Just because The Goddess is real doesn't mean that other things are not…there is room in creation for infinite variety, even with deities," The Lady said with a smile. "There are more things out there than either of us can guess at."

"What of you now…what happens with you?"

"I have somewhere I must find, then the lady must sleep once more, until that time when she is needed," Donald replied.

"It is as if you were dying…" Angela protested.

"I am already dead, I died as Donald, now I am here at the grace of nature. Besides we have to get Aiken back here first and that might mean you have a houseguest for a couple of years. He is having fun and nothing is going to stop him."

"What then?" Angela asked.

"Then we leave to find a place that I have never seen and that might take a hell of a long time."

*****

For many years they had wandered the earth The Priestess, The Lady and The Firstborn…for many years they had searched for a place that The Lady would know when she saw it.

The Priestess had aged, long gone was youth and now just the ravages of old age lay ahead, but it did not worry her. Many things she had seen on her travels and this had put her life into perspective. The Firstborn though disagreed; she was one of the most important people to have ever walked upon the face of the earth. Angela though was unconvinced, content and for once in her life happy with her own unimportance in the scheme of things…she had done her part and now she could leave it to someone else.

"Is this the place, My Lady?" Aiken asked looking up the immensity of the valley; the foothills of the Himalayas beyond though, dwarfed this immense valley.

"I don't know, it feels right, but I said that about Mexico…"

"Do not worry, it had been many years since I had last crossed a great ocean, something that immense firmly puts man and all his achievements into perspective," Aiken replied.

"I dislike getting your hopes up and then dashing them," The Lady replied.

"This time in your company is something I cherish, something that I will use to sustain me until the time when we meet again. I wish that this time could last forever."

"As do I," Angela replied.

"This place does feel right though," The Lady said thoughtfully.

The ancient Land Rover continued along the track climbing higher and higher into the hills with Angela driving, she had become used to negotiating rough country in decrepit vehicles, following a sensation, a direction and a half remembered dream from she who had been Donald. Up ahead though a building began to be resolved, built into the side of a cliff face with high imposing walls.

"I feel I have seen that place, I feel like I have seen it often in my dreams," The Lady said.

"Tis a fine place, a nice place to sit and defend," Aiken said happily.

"You will have your chance Aiken," The Lady said with a smile at the little man.

"Good, though I like a good fight, I prefer something a little more in my favour than last time. That was a little too close, bad country to fight on that place that you come from."

"It is never easy, otherwise why would we be needed? If it wasn't the fate of the world at stake would you find so much amusement in it?"

"No, a desperate time, an impossible situation and a hopeless quest always makes the blood sing…and The Blood show themselves," Aiken replied.

"You think there are those of The Blood here?" The Lady asked.

"Oh yes, there is always The Blood, there is always The Lady and there is me…"

"But you are eternal," The Lady replied with a chuckle, "some of us aren't that lucky."

"Ah, but The Lady is eternal, you are her and you are here, that is proof," he replied. He could never be drawn further on the fact that the predecessor had perished in the earth, there was only one Lady and always had only been one Lady. That fact seemed to assure him that The Lady was eternal too.

They passed through a primitive village that lay between the large cliff-side complex of buildings and the entrance to the valley; it could have been a village in anyone of a dozen countries they had been before. The same faces looked out at them from doorways, the same children played in the dirt. It was true that these were better fed than some of the countries they had visited, perhaps the clothing and the houses were looked on with a little more pride than those who struggle to just stay alive, but the attention of a malevolent government or nature playing fickle games with the weather could change all that in a matter of months.

"It is less of a climb than Kilimanjaro," Angela said with a wry smile.

"It was something I wanted to do, see the sunrise on the African plains. I saw no harm in it," The Lady replied apologetically.

"There was no harm," Angela replied, "it was just that some of us don't have the limitless energy that you two seem to have."

"Limitless energy," Aiken said, "no not limitless, I am tired, more tired than you would ever believe. The attention of The Goddess sustains me and invigorates me, but now she looks elsewhere. Soon we must find the place to rest, the place for The Lady to once more wait."

"What will you do at this time?" Angela asked.

"I will find a place to rest undisturbed for a while, then when rested I shall see what in the world amuses me."

"I thought everything in the world amused you, you are amused by the sun rising in the morning," The Lady said with a smile for her companion.

"The affairs of men amuse me most, though they are occasionally confusing. Too often they turn against those who do most for them, yet give accolades to those who serve only themselves. I prefer the simple people, people who live life to the full."

"You want a place where people love and fight at the drop of a hat," The Lady suggested.

"Why should they wait that long?" Aiken asked.

*****

The gift of tongues was something The Lady had received for her sacrifice, one of many mixed blessings. The young man protecting the gate of the great monastery seemed unimpressed by her understanding of his language.

"If you wish food and lodging go back to the village, many will give hospitality for just a few coins, but we have no wish for the world to intrude," he said firmly. Aiken's actions did little to reassure the man, the robes he wore and the man's baldness fascinated him.

"You were given hair to keep your head warm, yet you shave it off and go cold here in the high mountains…Why, because of lice?"

"Do not mock me little man, just leave, go back where you came from and leave us in peace."

"Mock you, how can I mock you by asking questions? Where we not given a brain to wonder about the world, a mouth to question the world and ears to listen the answers?"

"We do not concern ourselves with the world, we seek enlightenment,"

"Enlightenment…I am enlightened, I was enlightened long ago, long before this place existed."

"You mock me again, now go you are not welcome here," the young man replied.

"Again you say I mock you, what would a child such as you know about who is enlightened and who is not? You speak to one who is immortal, one who has transcended death by sacrifice and one who has committed her life to a quest that can be called holy. Because we do not lock ourselves away in isolation, does not mean that we are any less worthy than one such as you. I wish to speak to one who is in charge here or do I have to rip the walls down to get the attention of one who is worthy?"

"What will you do little man?" The Monk asked.

The Lady restrained Aiken with a hand and ignored the imploring look that he gave her.

"There are many names of god and many are the forms of those who seek god, do not mock my companion because of his form, for he is the most favoured of all creatures. Go now, get someone who is more than a child to talk to us, for we have travelled far to reach this place and our quest is at an end."

"This is the place Lady?" Aiken asked.

"Oh yes my friend," she answered with a smile, "this is the place."

"You are a woman, women are not welcome here," the young man said firmly.

"I can control my lustful nature if you can control yours," The Lady said but the man turned his back on her, done with talking to the strange visitors.

"If ye turn your back on The Lady again, I shall take issue with you," Aiken said threateningly. The Lady placed a hand on his shoulder to restrain him.

"No, my friend, we wait…"

*****

It was seven days later, at dawn, when the wizened old man appeared from inside the monastery; even Aiken had to admit that this man was no child. Supported by two men, neither of who could be classed as anything but old, he stopped before Aiken.

"Do I know you?" he asked The Firstborn.

"It has been many years since I last walked these paths Ancient Father," Aiken replied.

"That is not the question I asked," the priest replied sharply. "I asked do I know you?"

"I am not unknown to your people, though I have not always been in favour,"

"I ask once more and only once more, time is something that I cannot waste, it is the most precious thing I have, besides my faith," the priest said.

"I have walked these paths before and with one such as you, it was long ago, many lifetimes though…" Aiken replied.

"You are the creature born of nature, he who challenged heaven?" the priest asked.

"Not exactly challenged, more annoyed…" Aiken replied meekly much to the surprise of Angela and The Lady.

"I know you…eternal one," the priest said raising a bony finger to point accusingly at Aiken.

"Forgive me for whatever dishonour I did to you in a previous life," Aiken said quickly. "Whatever it was it was not out of malice, but purely because of my nature. I am what I am…I can be nothing else."

"Do not deny your nature Hanuman," the priest said his ancient face cracking with a smile, "for though your heart may be full of mischief, The Lord Buddha knows and loves you. Welcome…"

"What the hell was that all about?" The Lady demanded in English as they entered the great monastery.

"I helped to deliver some religious texts a long time ago," Aiken said guiltily.

"They got to know you a little too well," Angela suggested.

"I dislike being told what to do," Aiken said firmly. "The Lady created me and let me loose on the face of the world, I am there when I am needed. All other times the whole world is mine to explore."

"The world is so much richer, because of your presence and your curiosity," The Lady said with a smile her hand resting for a moment on his head. "Your presence, which delights The Goddess so, leaves a little magic wherever you have been, that is your gift to the world."

"Your gift is yourself, my lady," Aiken replied, "and for that you are and will be forever honoured."

"I have your love my friend, what greater honour would I wish than the love of one so favoured by The Goddess…and whose name is known to Lord Herne?" The Lady asked.

"To be remembered?" Angela asked sadly.

"She will never be forgotten," the priest said in English surprising them all, "for while he who you call Firstborn walks the earth, she will be loved."

"You speak English," Aiken said the surprise evident in his voice.

"Only when it is most unexpected; we may be reclusive but we are neither uneducated nor without a sense of humour. Now come tell me your story and what we can do for such beings as you."

*****

The rituals complete, The Lady lay asleep…waiting…Aiken watched the Land Rover with its single occupant draw away. There was sadness at this parting, there always would be for those that loved The Lady, who were not immortal. However, despite her tears Angela, The Priestess, had learnt much about the nature of life and that of death. The cycle of life and death was inevitable, except for those who stood outside the great circle. Outside the cycle of nature was a power, a power that drove everything in existence and only outside could one see, and use, such power to the full.

His time with The Lady had made him strong again, a power to be hoarded and guarded for a time that might come when all was dark, but once again he had wasted a little. Not that The Lady would mind, she loved all living creatures, especially her friends. The kisses and tears shed by Angela at The Lady's and Aiken's parting had been too much for The Firstborn, she had given the most yet received the least. Her years had been wasted following the dreams of The Lady and her companion. It was not her task, yet she had undertaken it willingly, giving many years of her life. Well it would take a while but as one with more years than he needed Aiken had returned those years and a few more. Angela would yet have a long life and hopefully happiness; with a heart such as hers and her capacity for love a family was sure to follow.

"I might head back your way in a decade," he shouted, knowing that she couldn't hear him. Yes children, children were fun, though often parents were less understanding of his influence on them. Angela would understand though…as would the hill dwellers here, those who hid themselves from mankind.

It had been many years since he had visited the Yeti…

"The Lady rests by the cliff in the west. Deep within the stone she has a safe home." Aiken whispered looking at the monastery far below. "I shall remember my lady and once again shall we embrace and shake this world to its bones…I shall be here when I am needed. I shall be ready."

"As you are always, Firstborn," came an answer on the wind. Aiken didn't question its origin, be it The Lady, The Goddess or man he was content. He looked up at the great mountain range before him and began walking, a small lone figure in an immense landscape.

The End

 

 

 

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