ALTERNATIVE NIGHTMARES

By Steven J. Guscott

Plague Doctor Children, Moral Mycelium and an Apocalyptic Tardigrade are a few of the strange creatures in Part One's short story collection.

Part Two's three novellas pay homage to the empathetic, heroic, and gothic:

In Empiphany, Jessica and Blair's community live in blissful happiness thanks to emotional transfers via touch, but t

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steven J. Guscott
• Release date: Jun 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9781068612190

Steven J. Guscott

Steven lived in Scotland for most of his young life, but currently lives in England. At the beginning of 2010 he discovered an unhealthy obsession with writing and loves creating fantasy/sci-fi stories.His hobbies include drawing, reading, watching films, Dungeons and Dragons, and playing board games - Risk is his favourite. He also loves most types of music, and is always searching for unique books and films.To keep up with other writing projects he's working on you can visit www.stevenjguscott.com

Book preview

1

Short Stories

1

The Lost Loch

For days the beaten hungry soldiers trudged on. Picking roots, mushrooms and berries to stay alive. Rabbit or deer stew would have magnified morale and sated starvation, but the eerily quiet forest made stalking animals impossible. They wandered aimlessly in the bleak cold mists of this Caledonian forest trying to find others from their legion, or a way home, but it felt hopeless.

I don’t know how much longer I can go on, the bleary-eyed young soldier declared. I need to drop my shield or remove my armour.

Stop your moaning, Cato, the centurion barked back. You’re a soldier of the greatest empire in the world. Act like it. Without your armour you’re dead.

With the armour I’m dead, Cato mumbled.

With a flash, the sharp blade of the gladius sword did a full arc. Gurgles and blood replaced the mumbling. A moment later a thud echoed and caught the attention of all the others. The remaining twenty-six soldiers grimaced, closed their eyes and turned their heads away.

The first few days since the battle they had stayed united, but bit by bit some had lost their nerve, complained, or tried to flee. At first, Lepidus had dispatched those in a ritual ceremony to hit home the consequences. Now he simply killed anyone he deemed to be a threat to their survival.

We stand more chance of living and getting home as a unit. It has been drilled into you since day one of training. He clucked his tongue against the gap between his front teeth. How are so many of you cowards?

His wide eyes leered accusingly, and spittle flew from the bearded mouth like venom from a cobra. I don’t want to do this! I have served and commanded you for years. But you leave me no choice if you don’t put the unit first.

He waited for dissension, but none came.

Good. Leave him where he is. He took a calming breath, ran a sweat and mud-stained hand along the bald skin of the side of his head, under the helmet ear guards, and blinked down the necessary cruelty. I’m sure when this mist clears, we’ll find the edge of the forest. Mars will bless us in some way soon. In fact, Romulus, do another climb and see if the mists and clouds have dispersed up there.

A wiry soldier leant his tower shield against a pine tree as the unit circled the area on lookout. He took off his helmet and lorica segmentate armour then shot up the tree. Once back down he addressed Lepidus.

Nothing but grey heavy cloud. Will rain again soon I reckon.

There were audible sighs of despair.

That’s infuriating, Lepidus said with a growl. Let’s move.

The unit formed up and marched on. It wasn’t long before icy rain pinched at their skin.

The seventh day came and went since the ambush, and they camped for the night. Their mission to claim this land under Roman rule had taken a brutal turn. The native tribes had been far more numerous and savage than expected. The legion had been divided and split by cunning tactics and traps. All the superior weapons, amour and military experience in the world couldn’t prevail against such ferocity and strategic use of the land.

*

Romulus and Marcus, scout ahead, Lepidus called after another half day of marching.

The sun was halfway down from its peak when they came running back to report optimistic findings.

Take us there, Lepidus ordered.

The unit marched forth with hopeful anticipation. They made their way through dense trees and thick thorny brush. The melancholy mists came and went like thin smoke of a fire, and the ever-grey dark clouds above turned the sun into a disc that could be looked at, as if it had no power here. 

Romulus and Marcus slowed to a tortoise pace and skirted thick foliage until a clearing opened up. The contrast was breath taking. It was like standing on the line between opposites. The bleakness behind them and celestial Elysium ahead. The unit of weary legs and aching hungry stomachs gasped and muttered with wonder at the beautiful water and luscious emerald hills yonder. The sun was no longer covered by clouds and shone bright, making the water sparkle like liquid diamond. It took all their strength and military training not to run and drink.

Hold your position, Lepidus whispered as loud as he dared. We’ve not come this far to trip up now. You know the drill. Keep formation no matter what happens, unless I say otherwise.

In a step-by-step process of mechanical precision, they lined up into a square and moved as one. They reached the water’s edge with no issue and opened the formation to let each soldier drink and refill their waterskin. The water was like pure ambrosia from Venus. Once this was done, they bathed in the same routine.

Futuo! What in Minerva’s name is that!?

They all looked in the direction Marcus was pointing. He had been mid wash but was scrambling back the few paces towards them. With the non-pointing hand, he peeled back his wet dark brown hair from his face, and then with both hands grabbed his shield as the others formed up.

Breaking the surface of the shimmering water was a long thick neck with a huge monstrous wedge-shaped head. The bluey-green skin looked metallic, and big black curious eyes watched them.

Anyone remember this from the lessons on creatures native to this gods forsaken island? Lepidus called after a moment of stunned confusion.

No one spoke up.

Well, from the size of it I say we back up. Marcus, Romulus, Felix, once you’re armoured up, we’ll move.

The three who had been bathing helped each other and the unit moved step by step backwards, keeping an eye on all points in case of ambush, or an attack from this creature.

It’s matching our movement, Marcus called out.

I can see that! Lepidus replied. Those with spears switch to the water side. Cassius, if it charges take a shot to try and deter it and scare it away. Keep moving back until then.

They reached the forest edge, and the creature remained the same distance but began to show its full size as it left the water coming onto land. The long neck was connected to a round body and the water ran off its ridged spine. It waddled forward using four giant paddle like limbs to move. The head was three adult men off the ground and the creature nine in length.

Continue the retreat, Lepidus ordered, the habitual nervous cluck of his tongue between the gap in his front teeth punctuating the words. Hopefully it won’t follow us into the trees. It shouldn’t be able to fit.

Before they took another step the creature began singing. A soft ethereal sound like nothing they had heard kissed their ears. Colours of all kinds flowed from the mouth, like breath in the cold and whipped around the neck and body until the creature was engulfed.

What do we do! Romulus called.

Keep going back! Lepidus ordered.

A gust of wind took the mystical colours away and they faded. The song played on and where the creature stood was a child with the same bluey-green skin, big black eyes, and it was hairless. The child stopped singing and called out in a language the unit didn’t understand.

Hold your position, Lepidus ordered.

Wonder and curiosity began to replace fear. 

Let’s see what it does, Lepidus continued.

For a long moment the child spoke on and then laughed when no one replied. With a quick motion it turned, ran down the shoreline and around a bend out of sight.

Lepidus ran through as many possibilities and outcomes as he could. To spend too long debating was a leader’s biggest mistake. Those that followed needed assertiveness.

After it! he commanded and the unit moved in double time march, staying in the square formation. Cassius leave your shield, chase it down and shoot it, he ordered.

The skilled bowman detached from the group, nocking an arrow and sprinting with all his strength.

We’ll be right behind you, Lepidus called before addressing the remaining soldiers. This is heretical unholy magic. I don’t know what we are dealing with. But if we run and flee, they’ll likely track us down. These natives are callous and cruel. If this child monster thing tells others, then we’re doomed. If we can stop it, we may live. But we don’t know what’s ahead of us. Keep a tight formation. Remember, we are one!

We are one! the men shouted in ritual answer.

As they turned the corner they met a stunned Cassius, his bow on the floor. They followed his gaze.

The shore arched into a cove and dozens of huts were built slightly inland. Monsters like the child’s first form were swimming in the waters, splashing around without a care in the world. Riding some were the humanoid form, and one even jumped off and sang midair. The same vibrant colours flowed swiftly from its mouth and then dispersed with an unexpectedly large splash. Rising from the splash was the monster form. On the shoreline, and in the forest beyond the huts, were dozens of horses with godlike beauty. They were white as snow with a long golden horn protruding from the top centre of their heads.

Those horns will fetch a Caesar’s ransom, the handsome blonde Felix said, breaking the units silence.

Quiet yourself, or I will, Lepidus called sharply, death appearing in his bulging eyes as he snapped to glare at Felix. He then went back to scanning the scene. We probably couldn’t overpower one of those monsters let alone all these. Cassius get back in formation and we’ll…

It was too late. Lepidus finally saw the child monster. It was talking to a group of adult sized female versions of itself, all bluey-green skinned, black eyes and no hair. They were all looking their way while the child pointed.

…We’ve been spotted, Lepidus said as a call from those women echoed forth in singsong tones.

The whole scene became still as a painting. Nothing moved except water, plants and hair in the wind.

Don’t run! Lepidus suddenly called. I’ll handle this. If I’m attacked or killed then run, but not yet.

At once the painting erupted into commotion. The creatures in the water, both in humanoid and monster form, all moved quickly out to deeper waters and dove under. The white horses galloped off into the forest with many humanoid form monsters jumping on their backs.

As the commotion unfolded, Lepidus walked forward removing helmet, armour and gladius. He knew well enough it was a pointless fight. Diplomacy would hopefully save them here. With his hands held high in supplication he called out, hoping the remaining band of about fifty humanoid creatures gathered by the front of the biggest hut would understand. Lepidus noticed they were all women and had no weapons.

I mean you no harm, he called out as he walked up the beach. We are lost and just want to go home.

A woman shorter than all the others stepped forward and began to sing so majestically and magically Lepidus thought he would die of the beautiful sounds. The colourful smoke-like vapor flew out of her mouth, rose and hovered towards Lepidus and his unit. They all took a step back in fear, but then the unintelligible sounds turned into comprehensible language.

Follow these waters away from us. You will come to a valley between two very high hills. The thick dark clouds will return but remember your directions. Follow that valley for four days. Then turn south and continue in a straight line unwavering. You will find your way back to where you came from. Do not speak of us. Do not tell another being of what you have seen here. If you stay quiet, you will live out your days. If you do tell others, then I curse you with death.

As you will, Lepidus replied, so much temptation to learn about this place was trying to take hold, but his sensibilities won over.

Backing up, he kept looking at the strange beings until he met his men. Picking up his helmet, armour and gladius he spoke.

You heard her. Let’s get out of here.

But the treasures of those horses, Felix whispered. We should hunt them. I’m sure the horns were gold.

The gladius arched once more but stopped a hairs width from Felix’s neck.

Are you not tired of all the death? I am. Any more talk like that and I’ll kill you. We cannot do anything against all these creatures. Trust the unit, act for its good, and we will get out of here.

Felix complied, but with slumped shoulders and dragging feet.

*

Good news! Romulus called as he returned from his scout with Marcus at a running pace. We have found brothers of the legion. We are going to be okay and get home!

There were cheers and banging of shields, while the more cautious looked around the trees still afraid of what might happen if the natives found them.

The journey out of the mystical body of water had been tense. No one dared mention what they had witnessed, but there was certainly an air of frustration at not being able to hunt at least one of the unique horses. Once the unit was ready, they followed Romulus and Marcus.

*

Lepidus! It is good to see you! Quintes called, the tall athletic grey-haired man taking long strides toward him.

Legionnaire, Lepidus said with a military greeting of fist on chest and head bowed to his superior.

Lepidus looked around. From walking into the camp and what he saw now, there were anywhere of up to three hundred soldiers here.

This is all we have left, Quintes said. You’re lucky you found us. We are heading south tomorrow. We’ve moved around between several locations, dodging the natives when we can, and ambushing their scouts to stop them finding us. But we have built up a good number of soldiers and can make it home safely.

It will be a relief to get out of this god forsaken place, Lepidus said. What are your orders?

Get those with you cleaned up and fed. They can do a watch before going for a proper rest tonight. Report back to me once they are organized and tell me of what has occurred to you and your unit since the ambush.

Thank you, Legionnaire. I will return in haste, Lepidus said and bowed before marching off.

*

Lepidus woke with a start. His head twisted right as pain slammed into the side of his face over and over. He was then dragged to the legionnaire’s tent.

You thought it acceptable to lie to me? Quintus said with a guttural growl. When you reported to me earlier you made no mention of the strange place you found and the wealth there. Do you have no regard for the greater good of us all?

Lepidus went to speak through cracked teeth and bleeding mouth.

Stay quiet, Quintus said and slammed a hand on the arm of the decorative chair that looked recently carved. From day one you have been taught to put the glory of Rome first. How could you withhold this information. With the remaining soldiers we have, and the element of surprise, we can kill these creatures and take some for slaves. We would be honoured without reproach in Rome and add to its glory.

Lepidus hung his bald head in despair. Felix, he muttered in disgust and anger.

You’ll be given an honourable death, but you are a traitor to Rome. I’m so disappointed in your betrayal. Do you have anything to say for yourself?

Lepidus gritted his jaw painfully and his eyes bulged with a familiar crazed look, but then it vanished, and he spoke.

We are one. For the greater glory of Rome. Long live the ninth legion.

Very well, Quintus said and nodded with some respect. Take him to the edge of the camp and get it done. We leave at first light.

*

Lepidus knelt. The cold steel hung over him ready to plunge. He thought about the water, tranquillity, mystery and beauty of that place and those creatures. It was going to be destroyed. This felt wrong and disgusting. Maybe the curse would get to his brothers first and stop them. But did he really want that? He was no longer sure where his allegiances lay. As he closed his eyes for death, he thought he saw a flash of white and gold ahead, and a bluey green tinge in the trees. A lullaby his mother used to sing swam forth and filled his entire being with happiness and sadness. He began to cry.

Part Two: Lamentations of Loch Anessa

Darkness. Death. Release. A beautiful song. One last breath and it would be over. The sword above would free him. Screams from the encampment behind Lepidus broke the tranquillity. He kept his eyes shut, lost in the abyss. Gurgles from his executioners joined the screams, smothering the beautifully melancholy songs serenading him. They were magical sounds whose origin he couldn’t fully discern. Had they drifted from the strange creatures in the forest, or were they conjured by his mind in preparation for death? All he knew was they should have been the last things he heard. But screams, gurgles and now three thuds next to him had interrupted his acceptance of the end.

What fresh new nightmare awaits me? Lepidus thought. Or maybe my death is only momentarily delayed. The creatures have returned to inflict death on us all.

Bodily feeling distracted him for a second. His knees ached from the cold hard soil of the shaded dark Caledonian woods. The night shirt was no protection against the harsh environment and the feelings made him want to stand. He dug deep for courage as he suddenly heard hooves from all directions. One set thundered closer and closer. As a soldier of Rome, even though disgraced, he knew he wouldn’t cower. He opened his eyes and got to his feet.

The approaching thundering hooves belonged to a glorious white horse with a golden horn on its head. On its back sat one of the bluey-green skinned humanoid females from the magical lake they had stumbled across days before. Magic glowing lights hovered above her, improving on the fire light coming from torches in the ground around and back at the encampment. She had an arrow drawn and pointed at him.

I didn’t break the promise, Lepidus called. It wasn’t me! he added with the habitual cluck of his tongue between the gap in his front teeth.

The horse drew up and lowered the sharp pointed golden horn to his face. Hot breath and grunting flowed over Lepidus as he did everything not to run. He had faced dozens of battles with his brothers but to be alone and unarmed against such foreign powers tested all his resolve. He raised his hands slowly above his ginger beard and bald head. The magical songs he had embraced at his execution hadn’t been in his head. They could still be heard amongst the screams back at the encampment. The songs contained some sort of magic and power like nothing Lepidus had experienced.

Above him the hairless bluey-skinned female began to sing such a song to him. Her breath poured out harsh sounds mixed with clouds of swirling colours.

We gave you a chance, she said as the colour cloud flowed over him and dispersed. You will all die this day.

I swear I had nothing to do with what was going to happen, Lepidus called out, hands still above his head. My leader had sentenced me to execution because I had kept my promise. I told no one of you and your people. It was my unit and Felix who lusted after your horses and magical powers. My leader was ordering us to attack you.

The strange creature looked at the three dead men with her fully dark blue, almost black eyes. She jumped off the horse and looked back at Lepidus in his night shirt.

First of all, these are not horses, they are unicorns. Second, if what you say is true then it must be hard to be betrayed by your fellow soldiers. But you’re still a soldier and have come here to kill and take what isn’t yours.

Lepidus let the statement hang in the air and rubbed one hand over his bald head and then tugged at his beard, the other still up high.

I don’t know what to say, he said finally, trying not to meet the dark eyes that glared at him fiercely. Fear of your power stopped me from telling my leaders of you, but I also didn’t want the beauty and uniqueness of your people to be spoiled by us… He was going to say more but was cut off.

Stop speaking human soldier. I will let Mackella judge your intention and decide your fate. No more talking from you until then.

Lepidus knew when to keep quiet.

*

Anessa focused her will and opened herself to all nature and the powerful songs of her people. Songs that governed life and were open to all from the dawn of time. Only her fellow kelpies and a few other beings still understood these songs now. She sung and the colourful vapours of magic flowed forth from her mouth. Rope coiled itself into her hands and then the vapours dispersed to reveal it.

Stay still. If you try to escape, I will slit your throat, she told the human man.

The screams of these grotesque invaders were dying out as her fellow kelpies, and unicorns dispatched the encampment. It had been sad to get involved, but the protection from the local clans had not been enough. The secret loch had been discovered and the promise made had been betrayed. Mackella had felt the betrayal. She had called together those who would leave the peace and joy of the loch to inflict retribution. With the help of the animal scouts, they found the invaders quickly.

Anessa tied the man’s hands together, left enough slack for him to walk behind her and tied the rest around her waist. She mounted the unicorn and looked back. Her kin were hard at work amongst the mist-carpeted encampment. Blood drained heads, torsos and limbs were being magically entangled into the gnarled trees that had not been chopped down. The sticky warm blood steamed in the cold as organs became paintbrushes used to smear symbols on ground, carts, tents, weapons, shields and everything that these invaders contaminated. Some of her fellow kelpies had rounded up a dozen or so soldiers and began marching them towards the secret loch for more rituals. Anessa decided to stay and watch for a moment longer.

Enjoy the punishment, she said to the man as he looked on in horror.

Dark sorrowful songs sailed forth from each of the kelpies in the encampment and the blood symbols began to glow and erupted into fire. In a hot flash everything the symbols touched vanished, turned to ash, and began to birl and disperse in the wind. The man fell to his knees and cried out.

Quiet fool! Anessa said with venom in her voice and tugged the rope hard.

He stood and clenched his jaw tight, the orange beard crowning the look. The colour reminded Anessa of many of those from the local clans. She had seen enough though and made sure the monstrous human had a vivid reason to be fearful. With a tug of the rope and whisper to the unicorn she set off.

After a few minutes the screams of those ahead could be heard. Anessa kept them moving forward and they came to the first set of rituals. Two soldiers were embedded in pine trees with their eyes dangling from their sockets by the nerve. Blood-like tears wept down their faces as the screams and curses spewed forth, all while they writhed against the strong wood holding them in place. A slight growl came from the man, but Anessa kept them moving.

The sun rose as they journeyed and was now high in the sky. They had reached the second ritual. Anessa admired the fine work and precision used to make the magic as powerful as it could be. The two soldiers hung by their ankles from within branches, their mouths in ruin with teeth, tongue and lips removed. The mostly brown teeth were displayed in a circle on the pine needle ground beneath their heads and each juicy pink tongue placed in the centre, poking out the lips as a gesture of mockery.

The rest of the journey brought them through the valley, and they reached the loch not long after the sun had set. Anessa called magical lights to her aid. They floated around her and the unicorn like a swarm of bugs, the human didn’t deserve any over him.

The rituals all going according to plan? Anessa asked, switching to her own language as she drew up to one of her kin.

Nessie! It’s good to see you well, the tall bluey-green skinned kelpie replied.

She looked at the two humans on their knees in front of her who were panting and cursing from pain and agony. Putting a bone knife between her teeth she held up two sets of ears and smiled awkwardly around the knife blade.

Well done, Ceilidh, Anessa said. Your work is remarkable. The magic will be powerful indeed thanks to your meticulous rituals. I’m sure it will muddle any other trespassers. Their senses will be greatly confused, and they will turn away from our home. Thank you for your skills.

Ceilidh wiped some of the blood on her hands down her bluey-green chest and gave a bow and nod in thanks. She took the knife out her mouth and sang a quick song and it vanished in the colourful vapours.

I’m nearly done, Ceilidh said. You want to wait here? The others went on with the remaining human men. I’m going to swim back but can follow alongside you. You adding that one to the final ritual, or keeping it as a pet? she asked with a nod towards the roped man.

I’ll wait, Anessa replied. And I’m not sure what to do with this one. He seems different. I’ll let Mackella look at him and see what she thinks. I might be keeping him as a pet. Or maybe add him to the ritual. Or let him loose and then hunt him.

I doubt he’s different, Ceilidh said and spat towards the human man. But you always do as you please, Nessie.

Hey, those trolls could have been friendly. How was I to know they would try and eat me. I’m glad you and the others were there though. Would have been the end of me.

Well, be careful with that one, Ceilidh said, before adding, I’ll be ready to go in a wee moment.

Anessa looked on as Ceilidh placed each set of ears at the roots of the last two trees before the loch. She then sung out in forceful tones and rhythms. The colourful vapours whooshed forth and covered the heads of the two men. The bonds fell off them and they walked to the trees. They turned around and walked backwards into the trunks. The colourful vapours dispersed, and the trees sucked the men up as if the bark and wood was mud. With a squelch and then a crack of wood and bone, the tree solidified. Only the earless heads of the men protruded and hung limply forward.

One last ritual to seal the magic and we can return to innocence and peace, Ceilidh said after her song had ended.

It will be good to have that again, Nessa replied as she whispered to the unicorn, who turned to face up the loch and trotted on while the two kelpies talked. These invaders are savage and cruel with their wars and invasions. This is our land and the land of the clans. If any creature wants to join us that would be understandable. But to travel such vast distances to take and take and take is so twisted.

Do you think we’ve done enough to help the clans? Ceilidh asked.

I hope so. They have sacrificed much to repel all the invaders over the cycles. What we have done will be enough, I’m sure.

They reached the water of the loch and Ceilidh gave a sigh.

I’ve missed the water, she said before singing in a beautiful high-pitched tone that made Annesa smile.

Anessa watched as Ceilidh’s colourful magic swirled around her humanoid form before she burst forth into the much larger water-form. The following splash created waves and then Ceilidh floated alongside, paddling forward in the water. Annesa longed to join but had her burden to pull. Ceilidh looked so beautiful in the water under the night stars and magical lights flittering around. The smooth wedge head, not unlike that of a large broad horse, glistened as water dripped and ran down the long neck. The droplets continued running over the round body that bobbed and moved gracefully forward by four large paddle limbs. Once this night was done, Anessa decided at least eight sun cycles in the waters was needed.

Finally, they turned the bend and saw similar magical lights and their kin dancing and singing, many in the water and many on land in humanoid form. The biggest congregation gathered by the loch shore where the last part of the ritual would take place. She didn’t know whether to go see Mackella now or to wait until after.

They reached the first few huts and listened to the screams of the soldiers having their limbs pulled off and displayed in symbols on the floor. Ceilidh appeared back in humanoid form and gave Anessa a quick wave as she went to make sure all was in its rightful place. Anessa dismounted and thanked Charlia for the help and the unicorn galloped off to be with other unicorns watching from the tree line behind all the huts.     

Anessa sung a quick tune and the rope vanished. After another quick song she could communicate with the human man again.

I assume you’re smart enough to realise there’s no escape. If you run, you will die.

The man nodded.

We will wait until after the ritual is complete and then we will see what Mackella makes of you.

She pointed to a spot where the majority had gathered, and the man walked ahead of her.

*

Lepidus felt beyond broken and sick. When he had first seen the magical innocence of these creatures, he had thought they were worth saving. Now he had seen their evil magic and could not comprehend the contrast. He stumbled forward, nervous of what was to come. The crowd of creatures ahead sneered but parted to let him and his captor through. At the front of the crowd, he gasped.

Felix.

The handsome soldier who had been filled with greed and betrayed him to the legionnaire was still alive. It was he who had brought this curse upon them all. But Felix’s dashing features were no more. His head was tufted with clumps of hair missing, and his face was bruised violet, black, and swollen. The most shocking ruin of his face was the bleeding stitched together mouth and grim bulging eyes with no eyelids. He had heard his name and looked up through forever leering eyes at his fellow soldier. He went to writhe and scream but his movement stopped dead and only muffled cries came forth from the bleeding and stitched mouth.

Lepidus dry-heaved and failed to imagine what horrors were about to take place. Felix was staked into the ground, the wood penetrating his crotch fixing him in place. In front and behind him was a wooden cross like the numeral ten, or more like a starfish because it had a wooden board jutting skyward from the centre to make a fifth point.

The songs and chattering suddenly stopped and from a hut up the shore the shorter creature who had spoken to them on their first encounter stepped down to towards them. The tall one who had done the previous barbarity was by her side. Lepidus guessed the shorter was Mackella and tried to think of some way to stop this nightmare. He could do nothing. Mackella sung and a stone table appeared by Felix and the two crosses. Instruments of torture lay on top of the table and without further ceremony the tall one next to Mackella selected a knife from the table and went to work.

The silence was broken by Felix’s attempts to scream, and Lepidus saw the stitching stretch. Felix’s eyes became more blood shot as sweat and dirt ran into them, unable to blink away the pain. Lepidus watched on helpless. But did he want to save Felix? He thought so, but then again, this was all Felix’s fault. There was no helping him. Lepidus watched on and could tell Felix struggled between trying to remove himself from the stake or stay still so less agony.

The creature locked a hand around Felix’s leg and began cutting surgically, hardly breaking the muscle. She sliced up the inside of the leg to the crotch and did the same on the other side. With a quick flick of the blade the creature then did the same on the outside and followed up the torso and arms on both sides. Next, she sliced up the shoulders and neck. Some dark magic must have been keeping Felix alive to endure so much, but he shook and gasped for air through his nose. Tears mixed with blood ran down his face the whole time. There was so much blood everywhere. The limbs and organs on the ground that formed strange symbols were drenched in Felixs blood. One last purposeful cut around Felixs head took place, and the creature stepped back with a smile. From behind, Lepidus’ captor stepped forward and so did Mackella. They surveyed the scene, and both nodded to Felix’s torturer. She gripped tight on the back of Felix’s head and with beyond human strength began to peel the skin from the muscle underneath. The squelching tearing sound made Lepidus’ stomach turn as the rear side flesh of Felix’s head, shoulders, arms and back came off and were pulled to the top points of the cross. With a song, nails attached the head to the piece jutting skyward and the skin of the arms to the top cross parts. The same was repeated for the legs and they were attached to the bottom of the cross. The other side was attended to with the same squelching tearing as fingers gripped under skin, touching muscle as they pulled. The lipless, eyeless skin face, arms and legs were nailed in the same way to the five points of the front cross. Bloody sinew and muscle were exposed to the elements, except for the waist that remained attached to Felix.

Lepidus’ legs gave way, and he sat back on the cold ground. No one paid him any heed. The whole group began to sing, and the colourful vapours moved across the scene. The sticky blood, slimy organs and viscous gore began to illuminate. Felix was somehow still living and the stitches tore open his lips as he tried to scream. The agony seemed to climax as loud gurgles and bloody spittle spewed forth from a mouth with no tongue. Finally, the whole thing went up in colourful flame. Felix and the whole scene evaporated. The singing stopped dead and laughter and joyful cheers erupted. Lepidus fell sideways curling into a ball.

*

Every muscle ached but it was the weariness of his mind and feelings that hurt the most. Lepidus was scared to open his eyes. Memories of the night before surely had to be a fevered nightmare. He could hear the lapping of water and the sound of familiar songs, and he dared to open his eyes. Sitting on a bed opposite him was his captor. The one who had spared him. He wished she had just killed him. She was looking at him curiously and then she spoke.

It’s time to see what Mackella thinks of you. Get up.

He dragged himself heavily to his feet and walked out of the hut.

The contrast was mind boggling. The sun was out, and once again, it was the most beautiful scene he had ever beheld. The hills and water glowed, and the unicorns and bluey-green skinned creatures played without a care in the world.

Lepidus looked to where Felix had been slaughtered the night before and there was no evidence.

You are the only one left now, his captor said. We may still kill you, but I hope you are different. It seems you understand the magic of oaths and keeping promises, but Mackella will decide.

Lepidus walked towards the hut she pointed at and stood on the threshold. He took a deep breath. As he exhaled, he stepped into a garden scene three times the size of the hut and his head whirled with confusion. Yet another beautiful scene that was in complete opposition to what these creatures had done to his fellow soldiers. Under a tree sat Mackella and she spoke.

Come sit opposite me strange one. Lepidus did as he was ordered. What is your name?

I am Lepidus, he said, not knowing what more to say.

Nessie seems to think you’re not like the others we have dealt with. What do you think of that?

Lepidus tried to choose his words carefully, but decided to be somewhat honest and clucked his tongue against his gapped teeth before he spoke. Part of me wishes I had died in the original ambush by the clans. Part of me wishes we had slaughtered you all. Part of me wishes to be with you here in this Elysium forever. I confess I’m torn between many wants.

Internal conflict is the toughest war of all, Mackella said with a meaningful nod. "Not knowing what is right or wrong is painful. Do you wish to understand better?

Lepidus thought long and hard. He recalled his life as a farmhand, and then a slave, and then a soldier of Rome. The purpose and brotherhood felt like it was all he ever needed. But then they had betrayed him and were going to execute him. He hung his head.

I wish to understand.

Mackella took his chin in her surprisingly soft bluey-green skinned hand and looked deep into his eyes. Lepidus felt lost in the darkness of them. They reminded him of the night sky but without stars. She sang the lullaby of his infancy, and he began to cry. The tears made his eyes sting and he blinked. When his eyes opened, he beheld the horrors of the Roman Empire and tried to scream out, but no sound came. The lullaby played on as endless horrific images of murder, slavery, rape and butchery repeated. He wanted it to stop. Again, he tried to cry out but nothing. He barely felt his own form but could feel blood sweating on his face and skin. Just as he thought he would die of it he was able to cry out and scream. His own vision returned, and he lay cradled in Nessie’s lap.

It’s okay. It’s okay, Nessie said soothingly.

Lepidus calmed and lay still trying to catch his breath. He was in a hut and could hear the now familiar sounds of the water and creatures.

Mackella says you understand now, Nessie said. Do you?

Lepidus closed his eyes and started to sob. After a while he stopped and took a deep breath.

I understand.

I knew you would. Do you think you can stand?

I think so. I feel so weak.

Our magic has sustained you, but it has been ten sun cycles.

Ten,