Naming Day (Jake Underwood Book 1) (17 page)

“Just for lying? They would kill me for lying.”

“No, not lying. For being forsworn. If you swear by the Compact and break that word then you are in a world of shit. You can be released from a vow, but that is rare. Most of the time, when someone swears the Compact, they become bound up in a web of interlocking vows. For example, if you swear by the Compact to become my man the only way that you could be released would be for me to forgive the vow. The problem is that once you take the vow, you will know a lot about the world of the Fey and I am sworn, like all those who travel to this realm to keep this knowledge secret, I could not release you from your vow without breaking my own. The only way I could do that is if I  was released from my vow, not very likely.”

“How would they know?” He asked. “I mean, if I broke my oath. Do they watch all the time?”

“No. Nothing like that. In fact as long as you never saw any Fey ever again and your transgression was never noted by either court, you might get away with it. But if you run into a Fey, they will know something is not right about you.” He looked puzzled so I explained.

“Look, have you ever seen a guy that you just knew was up to no good? Maybe the way that he checks out the corners and fidgets while the cop car passes by. Or maybe he just seems like a sneak. When you are forsworn and break a vow taken on the Compact and are declared Unclean, another Fey will get that feeling. We all would feel it and while we might not do something about it, we would know that you were not someone we should know. Also it’s always useful to know someone who looks more interesting to cops than you do. Of course if you do something big and public like kill a bunch of mortals, you’ll have the Black Watch or the Twilight Order chasing you. I can’t think of many cases where they fail to catch their prey. Those guys from last night were probably from one or the other.”

“But-“

“I can’t tell you anything more without swearing you to the compact. Trust me when I say that there is a lot more going on here than just a possibly forsworn fugitive.” I said pointing to Dalia. “Hell, there’s more to tell you than we have time for. Even just the important stuff will eat up a good part of the day. But first, I have to swear you and I need Dalia for that, if I can wake her. A witness is always a good idea.”

“I don’t know Jake, she’s in a pretty deep sleep and when she wakes up she’ll be in a lot of pain, at least according to the guy Carlos brought in to look at her.” I glanced doubtfully at Dalia and decided that he was probably right. I could always have a reaffirmation ceremony when she came around.

“Okay. I’ll buy that. So will you do it? Swear by the Compact?”

“What if I don’t take the oath? Haven’t you already told me stuff you shouldn’t?”

I nodded. “Yes. If anyone every found out what I have already told you, it would be serious trouble for me and mostly memory erasure of the relevant facts for you. I would do everything I could to keep that from happening, but ultimately it would be near impossible to prevent.”

I looked at his eyes and knew that he didn’t really want to but his greed to know what was really going on and to explain what he had seen was greater than his reluctance so he nodded slowly.

“Your part is simple, you just answer yes when I nod say no when I shake my head. There is one part where you actually have a reply that is different. When I point at you, you say ‘By breath and bone, the Adversary will never know quarter.’ You got all that?” I could see that he was taking it seriously. His face was a little grim, but determined to see this through.

“I had Dalia lead me through this last night in anticipation of this, so this should be pretty close. Little matters of form can be overlooked as long as we get the main parts right. It’s a little formal, so bear with me.”

“Gather round all spirits of Morning and Twilight and mark this day. Comes to us now a lost son, a new son, a found son who would join us in our dance beneath the cool stars and the warm sun. He would join our path and walk with us to face our wryd. Is this your wish?“ I nodded to Marty. The world around us began to fade at the edges of our sight, very much in the manner of concentration. The power of the Compact was drawing closer.

“It is.”

“Do you come to us free and with allegiance to none but your own course?”

“I do.”

“It is well. To serve the Bright Kingdom is a single honor and all who so swear, serve high or low. If you take shelter under the Compact it will protect you and you will protect it and live under its strictures. Whether slight or heavy, this duty cannot be lifted save by death or dismissal. It is not an agreement to take lightly so it is fit and proper that you consider whether you can fully discharge your duties to your lord and to the Court. I ask for the first of three times, is this your wish?”

“It is.” Marty eyes were wide and I was certain that he was being drawn into the spell of the Compact. It would become part of him as it was a part of all the Fey.

“It is well. The lord who brings you forth to so swear is also bound by the Compact as well. He is charged with your keep and custom. As you owe him allegiance and loyalty, so does he owe you honor and justice. He will stand sponsor to you and you will serve in his band. I ask for the second of three times, is this your wish?”

“It is.” I could feel the power gathering between us. Like smoke filling a room I could sense it pooling around us and joining us. As always when I did a craft working, I could feel the regard of great and awesome powers drawing to witness the working. I was sure that Marty felt it to.

“It is well. You have sworn to serve the Court and your Lord and in turn be served by them. There is yet duty beyond the Court and your Lord. The Compact itself calls you. No mere parchment can contain the Compact. Its power lives in the hearts of those bound by it. Each of us carries a small part of it within and we are bound to this oath till the adversary knows nothing but dust and darkness. By swearing on it, you are bound by an oath so sacred that it binds into the dark lands and beyond. If you are forsworn, all will know and every hand will be turned against you, for you will be Unclean. No peace will you know until flesh is rift from bone. Consider well how you will answer this. It is third and three times asking, the final chance to turn away from this. Once so sworn there is no release except in the land beyond. So I ask for the third of three times, Is this your wish?”

The air hung thick with portent, like the moment before the storm breaks and you can feel the water in the air and the hint of ozone that will call down the lightning. When Marty said “It is.”, the storm broke. Marty and I were caught up in the power of the oath and those who watched pronounced it well said. I could feel tendrils of the Compact insinuating themselves between Marty and me. The oath settled on Marty and I could feel his regard and respect for me and in turn he knew my heart. He was a member of my band and my sworn man. True, my band only contained one member, but he was a damn good man and I would rather have one good man behind me than a whole troop of half hearted warriors.

“It is well. Welcome Marty Obromowitz to the Bright Kingdom and the Court of Dawn and the Band of Jake Underwood, scion of Lord Stavros Melliscant, Master of Kareen’s Blight. All present bid you welcome.” There was no one there but me, but I did welcome Marty and again it made me realize how alone I had been these past few years.

“Son of Adam, I bid you answer one final question. Answer truthfully for you are beneath the regard of the Compact and all would know your heart. The Adversary may fair in aspect and in dealing. Many have fallen to his trick some ways. Will you stand strong? Will you deny him and oppose him in all things?” I pointed at Marty.

He shook his head violently “By breath and bone, the Adversary will never know quarter. I shall show him nothing but my spite and every cut shall be as deep as may be” Marty looked surprised at his words and I was a little as well.

“So be it. We shall continue to oppose the Adversary and all his minions.” I paused for a moment and let it fill the space between us. “I, Jake Underwood, scion of Lord Stavros Melliscant, Master of Kareen’s Blight, do declare that this working is true and clear, let all respect and honor it as a true will of the heart. Let those bound by it keep their word and live cleanly in the sight of the Compact. So mote it be!” I finished with a flourish and felt the attention of mighty powers drift and wane and the world become more real than it had been during the ceremony. As usual after a working I felt tired. This combined with my aching head made me feel unsteady and I was glad that I had nothing more complicate to do than stand.

Marty shook his head as if doing so would remove the feeling of heaviness that remained. He took off his glasses and pinched his nose, his mouth curved into a big dopey grin. “Damn. That was really something. I see what you mean by feeling it. I can feel it in my chest and my head. It’s weird, kind of like a throbbing that watches me through my eyes. I can feel you and Dalia. I can tell you’re all right. I mean you’re not forsworn by the Compact. Everything is so sharp and clear, I’d swear I can see every leaf on the trees. Is it always going to be like that?”

“No. It will fade with Dalia and me to a degree. Since you are my sworn man, you’ll always have some connection to me, but with others you’ll be able to tell that they are Fey but little else, unless they are forsworn under the Compact and Unclean. Right now, you are filled with the power of the Compact. It will fade, but never completely leave you.” He continued to smile and I wondered how long that would last once I really started filling him in on the world that he had entered. I hadn’t lied to him, I just hadn’t shown him its ugly side. Getting to the attractive part might take a while. Unfortunately, I couldn’t let him find out on his own. I needed his help now.

“Let’s get back on the road. We need to get to a place where we can crossover to The Bright Kingdom. I’ll explain while we drive.”

So I told him everything. I held back nothing and emptied the bag for him. After all, he had just paid full price for admission and deserved the full show. When I finished he stared out at the passing trees for a minute and sighed. He looked at me, opened his mouth and then closed it. He sat for a few more minutes digesting and considering the crap storm he had dealt himself into out of friendship for me. Fixing me with a quick glance, he spoke.

“So let me make sure I understand this. Not counting the dead PI and his secretary, there’s also a dead bartender who was beheaded by a hit squad, possibly a rouge hit squad from the Black Watch. In addition, The Twilight Order is probably looking for Dalia, because they think she’s some kind of agent for this Count Trellisor guy and broke her probation. As a cherry on top, there’s a Sheriff’s man, Aron Crosswich, who is looking to peg this on you and an Sergeant Angel Bermuda  who’s doing his own investigation, which you have been obstructing, so he’s probably looking for you as well, especially since you never called him like you said you would.”

“Yes. That’s quite succinct.” I nodded almost jauntily.

“There’s more. Not only do you have all these guys looking for you, you also have this Jeryn Callisandra who has lied to you and is probably dirty trying to use you against Dalia. But the worst thing is that you basically have to put yourself in their hands day after tomorrow, at this meshugana Naming Day ceremony. But the worst of all you don’t have any good idea what’s going on. Does that about cover it?” He seemed a little exasperated and I didn’t really blame him. I certainly was handing him a shitburger sandwich.

“Yep. That’s about a concise a summation as one could hope for.”

“Well don’t sound so pleased with yourself. I haven’t seen a mess this complicated since somebody tried to explain The Big Sleep to me.” He looked back towards Dalia, who was stirring from her sleep again. It took a few minutes for her to focus and realize where we were. When she did, her hands flew to ears, trying to cover them. I was driving so I couldn’t spare her too much attention but I did what I could.

“Dalia, it’s okay. He knows. I swore him to my service. He’s under the Compact. Can’t you feel it?”

“It is hard to feel much of anything with this shoulder aching so much. I suppose I am lucky to be alive, but if I had been truly lucky I would not have been wounded.” She steadied herself and look hard at Marty. “Yes. If I concentrate I can feel a twinge of recognition. He is under the Compact. Hail and well met Martin, son of Obromowitz man of Jake Underwood. Let me be the first to greet you as a member of the Court.”

Marty actually looked a little embarrassed. “You’ll have to give me a chance to learn all this protocol and stuff. In the United States we tend to down play protocol. Should I call you Lady Dalia or what?”

“Call me Dalia. Technically, we are related by our bond to Jake. Besides, we have been in battle together, so in a way we are brothers in arms.” Marty looked a little confused.

“She means it in the old way, not the Dire Straits album.”

Marty gave me a sour look. “Funny. I knew what she meant. It’s a little off to have a woman, let alone an Elfish one describe herself as my brother. But I do get it.” Marty lapsed into silence and Dalia looked with wonder at the speeding landscape.

              “Jake, please excuse me, but I am confused as to exactly where we are and where we are going. The last time I was conscious, we were headed east to a city called New Orleans. We now appear to be headed to the North and the West. What is our destination?”

              “The Court of Dawn is where we’re headed. Ever since Cuthbert Brightwater showed up on my office and announced that I had to appear for my Naming Day Ceremony things have gone straight to hell. I’m convinced that nothing that has happened is coincidence; it’s all part of some larger scheme. I just don’t have all the pieces yet. I think we’ll find them there.”

              “How are we to get there? I was under the impression that all the crossings would be under surveillance.” Dalia seemed a little confused. I put it down to shock.

              “Well, yes. All the safe crossings will be covered. But the riskier ones won’t be. We are headed for Texarkana in general and the Nassoni temple mound specifically.” I turned off Interstate 20 and onto state highway 59. I figured that we were about 2 and ½ hours from our destination.

              “Nassoni?! We can’t go there. It’s haunted.” Dalia’s eyes were wide and her face was pale.

              Marty chuckled. “I think we can handle a few ghosts.”

              Dalia turned a hot gaze on Marty and I could tell that she was pissed. “Excuse me Marten Obromowitz, I did not realize that you were such an expert on the world you just entered this morning. I am sure that you know all about the forces of the Adversary and other unclean things that might make such a place a lair. By all means, tell me how you will deal the restless army that prowls the Nassoni mound.”

              Marty started to respond, but I interceded before this discussion got out of hand. “She’s right about this Marty. It’s not a joking matter. Nassoni is a dangerous place to be, especially at night.”

              “You’re serious about these ghosts? I thought she was joking.” Marty thought for a moment. “Of course you’re serious. What’s ghosts to deal with? Especially after finding out that the Fey are traipsing all over Houston. Maybe you better fill me in on exactly what the story is with this place.”

              “Dalia can probably tell you the story better than I could.” I signaled to change lanes. “Besides, I need to concentrate on what we are going to do when we get there. It’s been a while since I went through there.” Marty turned to look at Dalia, who was calmer than she had been.

              “I apologize Marten Obromowitz. I sometimes overreact when a more clever response is needful. It was that very trait that has led to my current predicament.  If had kept closer guard on my tongue, I would not have been made a pawn of.” Dalia lowered her gaze waiting for Marty to accept her apology.

              “If anyone should be sorry it’s me. When I’m uncomfortable or out of my element I use humor to try and force things back into a mold I can deal with. The idea of ghosts, ogres and hit squads makes me very uncomfortable.” He paused and looked back at Dalia. “Please, tell me what I need to know about this Nassoni mound place.”

              “Very well. I will tell you what I know of this cursed place and any details that I miss or gloss over, Jake will be able to fill in with luck.” She opened a bottle of Evian and took a long drag.

              “The first thing you have to understand Marty is that this place has been a crossing point for centuries. Even after the Compact was signed and my kind quit this world, we still came at invitation. The people of the New World as your folk called it often sought our guidance. Often we would appear as totem animals to them and some spirit quests were actually forays into our world. For this to happen, a spot where our worlds can touch must be found. These places can occur naturally, but often a path can be made with the work of craft users on both sides of the veil. Nassoni is one of these places.”

              “The Indians who lived near the Nassoni mound had lived there for over a thousand years and built a temple mound for their religious services and this mound, like the fairy mounds of the Old World provided us access to this world. The arrival of the Europeans in the 18
th
century put an end to this. The Caddo were friendly and so were the French explorers and traders who came through the village. Unfortunately, they brought diseases which over the course of a half century killed nearly all of the population. The pitiful remainder fled to swamps.  The expedition that came through the village in 1806 found the village abandoned except for the dead, unburied and rotting”

              “So this place is haunted by Indian spirits?” Marty had been drawn into her tale. “It’s terrible, but what would they care about us?”

              “It’s not just Indian spirits, Marty, there are also the forces of the Adversary involved.” I glanced back at Dalia and said; ” Just give him the short version of the War with the Adversary. It’s too long to go into now.”

“Very well. The Faerie have been involved in an ongoing struggle with the Adversary for centuries. He is the great evil. A force of darkness that shadows all. In your world he has many names and forms. Lucifer is one of them, but he has others. No culture is left untouched by him. In our world, to name a thing is to have power over it, so his true name is unknown to us as is his precise nature. To us, he is simply the Adversary.” She paused and I twirled my fingers in a “go on” motion and she continued.

“One of the reasons for the Compact was to help the two factions of the Bright Kingdom consolidate their enmity against the Adversary. It has, for the most part, worked quite well. The Court of Twilight and the Court of Dawn have been willing to put aside differences whenever the Adversary stirs and he always does. Over the centuries he has made many attempts to end us all. He has a unique advantage. He has no interest in conquest other than that it gives him opportunity to kill as many of us as possible and sicken the land beyond hope of recovery. Even when we win a battle against him we will lose a little. His minions’ blood is poison that stains the lands and kills it beyond death.  ”

“The last pitched battle occurred on the very site we are heading to. It is an ill-omened place in any event just because of all the deaths that occurred there, but a battle between an army of infernal forces and the Bright Kingdom could only make it worse. The energies liberated there, both dark and light, have the effect of lens, intensifying each malefic spirit as well as each lingering ghost. Tragedy on both sides of the veil have made this a terrifying place to go through. The Nassoni Temple mound is avoided by nearly everyone because it is a very dangerous place. Only the criminal and those with nothing to lose would consider it as passage between the veil.”

“I guess it’s a good thing that we fall into both categories at the moment, huh?” Marty had a wickedly large smile. I couldn’t be sure but it looked like Marty was either actually enjoying all the intrigue or he didn’t really take what we were saying seriously, despite what he had been told and had seen. Well, I thought, if he didn’t take it seriously yet, he would soon enough.

“So. What can we actually expect when we get there?”

“I am not sure. I have never attempted passage through such a place. I am not well traveled and even if I was, I would have come through a better regulated and peaceful passage. Perhaps Jake is best to answer this question.” Dalia nodded her head at me and I considered the last time I had used the Nassoni Temple passage. It had been quite a few years ago and it had been pretty awful. Marty turned to me and his eyes asked the question.

“I don’t know for sure what it will be like. I think it is different for everyone who uses it. If I tell you what I experienced it may not serve you very well as a guide. I’m afraid that you will either take my story too much to heart and freeze when the moment to cross comes or what you experience will be so different that you will be too much at ease. Both reactions can be fatal.” I paused for a moment and considered what I actually could tell them as I made my way up state highway 59 towards Texarkana. We were already starting to see more buildings and I knew that we only had about an hour or more before we got there.

“Marty, you’ve never crossed the Veil before so you won’t have anything to compare it too. In some ways, that’s a blessing because it means that you won’t have any expectations about what’s to come. Dalia, All I can tell you is that it’s like a regular passage but more so. Just remember that no matter how bad it feels, it will pass.”

“The main problem is going to be actually getting to the passage itself. The mound is surrounded with the psychic remains of a horrific battle and the restless dead of the plague victims. It’s the voices which you must beware of. No matter what they say, you must ignore them. They’re not real. Or least they aren’t real in the way we think of reality. Whatever actually lives there now will pluck at your thoughts and try to make you lose your way. It’s not very far from the edge of the site to the passage as a crow flies but we ain’t flying. It might seem like a long time just to get there, but we have to get there and make the crossing. If you wander off or lose focus, you will have an ‘accident’. It’s the reason that the State of Texas has never allowed many people onto the site and tries to keep its actual location secret.”  Marty started to ask a question but I stopped him.

“No. They don’t know why it’s so dangerous just that people seem to have a very bad time there and that accidents seem out of proportion with the normal park. The WPA group that tried to excavate the mound suffered a collapse that killed 5 workers. They gave up after another worker fell head first into a campfire and burned to death.” Marty was silent, considering what he had gotten into. It was the best thing I could hope for. He was starting to take this seriously.

“Are there any questions?” I asked. Dalia shivered and shook her head no. It was worse for her. She had some idea of what to expect and she was obviously nervous, bordering on terror. I suspect her wound wasn’t helping.

“About a million,” Marty said, “But only a few that really matter. If this passage is so dangerous, why doesn’t someone do something about it? Maybe quarantine it or clean it, like an EPA super site or something.”