Chapter 4

Chapter 4

 

Relieved he continues walking till he quickly turns his head hears a scream across the road, with instinct he bolt down the alley. Back in the alley the man carries the women, treading the pools of still water trench coat damp from the rain. The women tries to scream before the man violently shakes her, “Shut up! Just shut up, you want to live don’t you?” The man’s unshaved face nearing her’s. The woman scared shakes her head in fear. The man calms himself relaxing his grip, sill holding her well. Something flies past them as the man quickly looks to the sky shaken, “What was that?” he utters. The women also scared looks to the air.

Wary of his safety he goes deeper into the alley away until he reaches a dead end, he spins around frantically, looking for a sign of an exit. In realisation he curses in anger shaking the women. He then hears something behind him, in panic he withdraws his revolver from under his coat. Pointing it nervously into the unknown darkness, using the women as a hostage. “Who’s there?.. Show yourself!” the gunman stutters, the gun shaking.

 

Then from the darkness an outline is seen, tall in figure. “Let the women go”, a stern voice utters. The gunman looks at the figure shaking trying to say the words, “screw you” he utters fearfully. The gunman nervously fires a shot into the darkness, the outline suddenly fades. Suddenly Matius springs out from the shadows, attacking the gunman. Both of them struggle in the fight, trying to gain the utter hand. Without holding back Matius slams him into the wet brick floor, before dropping on to the floor limp. His job done Matius rises up satisfied, allowing a smile. Forgetting about the women she walks over towards him relieved, resting her head on his chest. “Thank you soo much”, she says relieved, “just who are you?”. Before she can find out more Matius quickly backs away in surprise before running back into the shadows of the alley, into the dark night. She lowers he head before heading out the alley, Matius watches her exit the alley before she quickly walks up the road away from her.

 

Later at night, the women run down a street before crossing the road without looking.... At her house she Eva later arrives back as a relieved mother opens the door, face filled with concern. “Ohh Eva where have you been? We’ve been soo worried about you”, her mother comfortable says rushing towards her, “are you hurt?”. Eva shakes her head, “no I’m fine I just feel tired. I need some rest”. “Really Eva do you even know what time it is?”, her mother replies in annoyance noticing her avoiding the question. Eva turns towards her sighing, “yes I know it’s past midnight, and I know I said I’d be back before then. Okay I get it I just ran into trouble”. Her mother and father suddenly pause, “Oh Eva please don’t tell me you went through the alleys. You know how much I’m against them. Who did you run into this time?”. She turns back towards her mother rolling her eyes in frustration, “It’s the quickest way!”. She protests. Her father suddenly interrupts in anger, “Eva stop arguing with your mother! You know those alleys are dangerous!!”. Eva lowers her head in defeat, “but I didn’t have any problems” she utters, “Some person helped me”. Eva’s mother suddenly pauses curiously, “who helped you? What happened?”
  Eva gives a sign confused, “I don’t know. There was someone who was stopping me from getting home, then someone saved me...” Her father moves closer, “who was he?” he question. “I don’t know, he disappeared before I could find out”, Eva replies turning towards the clock.  Both her parents look at her before calming themselves “Alright, it’s getting later and we both have work tomorrow, don’t think this is over” her father mentions as he heads up the stairs. Eva watches him walk up the stairs before her mother breaks the silence. “Listen, we will talk more about this tomorrow. Now is not a good time and we need sleep, you had better go to sleep yourself. Good night Eva.

Back on hell Ivan rests himself on one of the royal palace walkways looking over hell watching the people in the streets and the usual traders trying to sell. There was still no sign of Matius since his escape; he knew the citizens would be watching him as he would be the ruler to take the throne. Most of the people believed this man was responsible for the murder of Sousan but he wasn’t convinced. Why would a man such as Matius kill the ruler? There were no grudges, there was no reason, heck Matius served in the army and he wouldn’t kill Sousan knowing the forces behind him. Ivan was convinced that Dervish had some part to this, that civil war, the men carrying the colours of Dervish. He might be dead but he had some part to it, he had to. Just as he’s thinking several men approach Ivan deep in conversation. Ivan turns his head towards them as they look towards him.

  “Ahh Ivan, it’s good to see you”. One of Sousan’s advisors announces with him several members of the royal family. “Nice to see you to”, Ivan smiles giving a pat on the back as they all start walking. “Listen Ivan... I’m so sorry about what happened to Sousan” mentions, “He was dear to us all” Ivan continues walking thinking deeply to himself, “he was a important father figure to us all” Ivan admits. One of Sousans cousin’s turns towards Ivan as they walk. “I’ve heard that the man who murdered Sousan, Matius still has not been found, is this correct?” Ivan closes his eyes in guilt before opening his mouth, “Yes, so it would seem, he has yet to be found”. “Ivan we know what happened, he escaped hell and is in hiding, on earth!” One of Sousan’s cousin’s argues, “Why have you sent men after him?!”. “Because there is no evidence that Matius is a murderer”, Ivan snaps, “Besides it’s too dangerous to send men there. We have always had trouble with earth” This silences the family members. “It is funny though, this man... this Matius. How did he survive the ceremony?” One of the Cousins questions. “How should that be possible? No one has survived that”, another responds in surprise. “I do not know, but this man he deserves my attention” Ivan replies. Sousan’s advisor then leans moves side by side of Ivan on the walkway, “Then tell me Ivan, who do you believe is responsible for Sousan’s death?”.  Ivan pauses to himself looking to the sky, “I know only one who would have a reason to kill Sousan... that would be Dervish”. “Dervish? Nonsense Dervish is dead, his body was burnt, Ivan you watched yourself”. “Yes I know that”, Ivan bursts, “but what if he was responsible for his death? That civil war... those men, soldiers were his” “It was probably just an act of revenge for their fallen leader”, Sousans cousin responds reassuringly. “was it?” Ivan turns stern,  “I know Dervish more than any of you and I know he’s had a grudge against Sousan”

Everyone falls silent except for the people down below. Ivan comes to realisation of something, his expression changes. “You didn’t come here to talk about Sousan did you?” Sousan’s advisor smiles gathering his thoughts. “Several weeks have passed since Sousan’s passing and in that time there has been some...unrest” the adviser declares. “Ivan.... because of Sousan’s death and your brother’s disappearance, we need order. We need someone to take the throne”.
  Ivan suddenly stops walking turning around, “wait, you want me to take the throne?”  The advisor with several of Sousan’s mummer to themselves, “Well yes, you are a suitable candidate and are Sousan’s son after all”.Sousan’s advisor responds.  Ivan pauses to himself before facing them hesitantly, “But to have such responsibility placed on my shoulders? I don’t think I could deal with that kind of pressure”. Sousan’s advisors smiles patting him on the back,  “Don’t worry; I would be at your service to give you guidance and support while you rule. It’s what I did for Sousan and it’s what I’d do for you”. Ivan looks up thinking about it... “How long would the ceremony take to be arranged?” “Oh…two to three weeks Ivan”, the advisor responds, “In that time you can keep the past possessions of Sousan if you wish and move your belongings into his quarters” Ivan nods to himself thinking it over before smiling in agreement.

 

As they are talking this they suddenly hear footsteps approaching behind them. Everyone turns around waiting to see who it is. “So you talk about my death as if it’s true. Well this won’t do at all”, out of the shadow Dervish emerges in royal uniform, raising his head in conceit.
  One of Sousan’s friends looks in shock pointing at him defence, “Dervish?.. You’re alive! But I thought you was...” “Dead?” Dervish utters smirking.  “First thing’s first!” Sousan’s advisor bursts unimpressed,  “Where on earth have you been?” Dervish turns his head slightly unmoved, “Travelling. Seeing the outside world, it gives you ideas and a fresh outlook on things”. “Don’t you realised what’s been happening since you’ve been GONE?”, the advisor blasts,  “Sousan’s dead!, a civil war broke out by your own men! and people think you DIED, we watched as your body burnt!” Dervish allows himself a smile looking towards Ivan, “that wasn’t my body. That would have been one of the angels belonging to the rebels who have always troubled us, and no doubt putting my men under the illusion they were following me”
  He looks at their faces before looking low. “By the looks of your faces nothing has been done despite this...” Realising the silence Dervish raises his head. “Nevermind that, anyway who was it that murdered Sousan?” Ivan looks at Dervish coldly, watching his every move. “Sousan was attacked and killed in the throne room”, one of Sousan’s servants replies. Dervish turns away looking outside the window, “and whom killed him?” One of the men steps towards Dervish, “a man named Matius so the reports say, but we have no hard evidence that it was him” Satisfied Dervish turns around yet concerned. “I see... and has this man been apprehended?” Silence before someone wakes up. “No Dervish, he escaped, he is currently on Earth in hiding...” Dervish spins around in anger, “Ivan you should know better! This man killed our father yet he runs free? You didn’t even send any men to earth! If I had my way I’d have him by my very hands”. Dervish clenches his fist quickly lowers his voice, “I rest my case. But as you know there must be a new ruler at some point” Finished Dervish walks away, leaving Ivan and his servants alone a smile spread on his face.

 

On earth Matius continues to fly above the city looking at all the lights shinning below, he looks towards the moon with several clouds covering it. He suddenly feels a breeze move through his wings making him shiver. It’s getting cold here, I need to find shelter somewhere to stay. He then lowers his altitude coming into the view of the houses and the cars driving around on the midnight hour. As he’s flying he notices an old looking house, the windows appearing boarded up.  

  With interest he flies lower looking for a way inside. Seeing a crack in the roofing he glides down, landing onto the wooden floorboards. He rises up, looking around his surroundings creaking the floorboards. Looking around he sees leather chairs draped over with cloth with dust covering them. He immediately recognising it as the living room. He looks around noticing the damp woodwork from years of rain, rotten and damp. Curiously he approaches one of the doorways by one of the sheeted chairs and grips onto the worn door frame. He looks inside finding a worn staircase, many of the wood broken and damaged from the years of use. It’s a wonder this place still stands Matius thinks to himself.

  Persistent he carefully makes his way down the steps, some of the wooden boards creaking under his feet. He manages to reach the ground floor finding it empty except for the past remnants of the past. Wallpaper peeling from the walls and loose pieces of carpeting.  He looks above seeing water dripping down from the ceiling much to his annoyance. He then approaches a old leather armchair before relaxing himself into it, “Who would have framed me like that?” Safe Matius closes his eyes before falling into a deep sleep, the sound of dripping merged into his conscious.

 

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I like the rebirth of Dervish in the story. Adding to the plot and reason for the story. I like the desire of Dervish to find Matius. There are alternate reasons for his desire. A very interesting chapter. Thank you for sharing the excellent chapter.
Coyote