Chapter 4: Dark Revelations

Duncan trembled as the moonlight revealed the object of his worst fears. The creature stood in the clearing only feet from him, stepping slowly forward. A low growl emanated from deep within its shadowy form, menacing and fierce. Crimson eyes stared out of its horrid visage.

Frantically, Duncan turned and tried to run. His feet seemed anchored. Looking around desperately, he realized how unfamiliar his surroundings were. At night, all the woods looked the same. Where is the monastery? he screamed, his eyes darting every which way.

The creature approached slowly, laughing in guttural, inhuman tones. Duncan turned back on it, his face ashen. He gaped in horror as the creature drew close. It’s chill breath reeked of gore and rotting flesh.

I don’t want to die, Duncan whispered, averting his gaze fearfully. The beast’s clawed hand raked slowly along his robe. He heard it snicker as it rose up, preparing to pounce. He cringed as the creature bore down on him. Claws pierced his flesh and he screamed, but no one would hear his cries…

Duncan awoke with a start. Cold sweat soaked his clothes. He gasped, looking around the room frantically. It was only a nightmare, he reassured himself. His heart pounded furiously. He sat up on the side of the bed and buried his face in his hands. “What a horrible dream…,â€? he said shakily into the darkness.

After several moments, Duncan stood and looked out the window. The sun was beginning to peak out from behind the hills. In less than an hour, the church bells would toll. No matter, he thought to himself, remembering the nightmare. I doubt I’d get any more sleep anyway.

Duncan readied himself and descended the stairs into the sleeping monastery. The chill of night still lingered on the stone floors, radiating upward. The candle quaked slightly in Duncan’s hand as he began to shiver. He pulled his robe tightly around him, though it offered little warmth.

The prayer hall was much as he had expected it to be. Darkness pervaded the emptiness, which seemed all the larger for lack of light. Duncan’s footsteps seemed to echo loudly in the silence.

The monk began lighting the torches along the walls in preparation for morning prayer. It was quite early yet, even for monastic life, but Duncan almost basked in the solitude. It would be some time before anyone or anything intruded on his contemplation. Finishing his task, he approached the front of the hall. Perhaps some prayer will rid me of these nightmares, he considered idly.

He knelt and clasped his hands, closing his eyes in concentration. Words of prayer fell from his lips readily; they had become second nature to him. Some time passed before his suspicions crept up. He was not alone.

Duncan paused in his prayer and half-opened his eyes. His companion was immediately apparent. There, beside the door into the monastery, stood Marcus. He reclined against the wall in his peculiar fashion, his arms folded in front of him in a relaxed fashion.

“Good morrow, Marcus,� Duncan said nonchalantly, returning to a praying position. “You’re up rather early.�

“I could ask the same of you, Brother,� Marcus stated, his deep voice resounding through the hall. “To be honest, I awoke because I thought I might meet you down here.�

Duncan looked over at him perplexedly. “How could you know I would be up?� he asked.

“Just a feeling I suppose,� said Marcus, shrugging. He righted himself and walked past the monk, heading for a window. “Actually, I wanted to thank you for the other day.�

Duncan considered for a moment. “You mean the mourning?� he asked. “There’s really no need to thank me,� he said, rising and walking over toward Marcus, “You had just as much a right to grieve as the rest of us.�

Marcus looked over at Duncan with an expression of mild amusement. “You’re very kind to say that. I doubt many of your brethren would have agreed.�

Duncan raised an eyebrow in acknowledgment. I suppose he’s right, he thought to himself. They both turned and gazed out the window. Dawn drew closer with each breath.

“What truth are you leading me toward, Marcus?� Duncan asked without looking at the stranger. Perhaps it was the clarity of the morn or simply his own wearied thoughts, but the monk was tired of skirting about the issue.

Marcus sighed audibly. “I’m not sure if you’re ready to know yet,� he answered. Duncan glanced over at him, but the man hadn’t taken his eyes off the approaching dawn.

“How much longer, then?� he said, an edge in his voice. “Will anyone else have to die before you tell me who these ‘beasts’ of yours are?�

The two stared at each other hard. Duncan met the stranger’s gaze unwaveringly. Marcus seemed hesitant. They stayed like that for several long moments before he spoke. “What they say about you is true, Brother.�

“And, praytell, what do they say about me?� Duncan retorted. The tone of his voice betrayed his feelings; the monk was in no mood for innuendo.

“They say you yearn for the truth more than anything else. They say you and the old Abbot argued on many occasions. They say,� he stopped, dipping his tone. “They say you value truth above your own God.�

Duncan could feel his blood beginning to boil. “And what do you say?� he asked, a trace of venom in his words.

Marcus’ expression lightened and a characteristic smirk played across his lips. “What do I say? I say you’re ready for the truth.� The stranger snickered lightly at Duncan, whose expression had gone from anger to shock.

Marcus walked past the monk, into the monastery. His words trailed behind him. “Meet me by the well this afternoon.� Duncan stared blankly after him. Ready for the truth? he wondered. What is this all about!?!

Overhead, the church bells rang in the day. Duncan shook off his momentary confusion. Several monks joined him in the hall, somewhat surprised to see him up so early. “This afternoon, then,� he whispered to himself, his eyes lingering in Marcus’ wake.

Duncan clutched his furs tightly. The cold wind spoke of approaching winter. He glanced upward, noting the overcast sky. More rain was on the way.

Where is Marcus? Duncan wondered impatiently. It was mid-afternoon already. In a few hours it would be dark, and the monk’s instincts made him dread wandering in the night. Memories of his nightmare came flooding back. Lost in the dark woods, unable to escape the beast… the dream had seemed all too vivid.

Duncan’s tried his best to keep his eyes off the well. It had only been two days since he helped remove the young nun’s mutilated body from the nearby tree. He feared the sight of it might overcome him. What could be keeping him? he thought. He rubbed his hands together briskly, trying in vain to keep them warm.

“I hope you haven’t been waiting out here long,� Marcus suddenly piped up. Duncan half-turned to see the stranger moving toward him from the monastery. He, too, had donned extra protection from the cold. A long cloak lined in fur trailed behind him, blown by the wind.

“Why did you insist on meeting out here?� was Duncan’s first question. His teeth involuntarily began to chatter.

“What I have to tell you,� Marcus said, a sober expression on his face, “is for you alone.� He looked over his shoulder at the monastery. “My words cannot risk intruding ears.�

Duncan’s first reaction was to protest. The monks would never do something so dishonest as eavesdropping. Marcus’ sedate manner, however, stayed his tongue. Perhaps he was right to tread carefully.

“Come,� Marcus said as he passed the monk, walking by the well and into the woods. Duncan stood in the wind momentarily, his short brown hair blowing before his eyes. His eyes squinted in confusion.

“You mean for us to leave the monastery?� Duncan asked, raising his voice above the wind as it blustered by.

Without turning or stopping, Marcus replied. “As I said, my words cannot risk intruding ears.�

A bit flustered, Duncan hurried past the well. In a moment he had caught up with the stranger, who walked in great strides. The wind had calmed slightly for the tree cover, but the biting cold seemed all the more evident.

They walked for several minutes without speaking. Marcus led the way. To where, Duncan wasn’t sure, but he felt the stranger’s motives to be trustworthy. And so he followed close behind, twigs snapping under his step as he did so.

“Don’t you think we’re far enough from ‘intruding ears’ by now?� Duncan asked. The distance was beginning to make him uncomfortable.

“Just a bit further,� Marcus stated without turning around. Duncan, displeased but curious nonetheless, said no more.

At length they reached a small clearing. A large rock sat at once edge, looking quite out-of-place amidst the forest scenery. Much to the monk’s delight, Marcus finally slowed his pace and approached the rock, sitting down at last.

“Now we may speak freely, I think,� Marcus said, sending a plume of mist into the air. Duncan rubbed his arms and looked around. The clearing did have a solitary feel about it.

“So, where do we begin?� Duncan inquired without looking at Marcus. He looked up at the clouds once more, which had begun to darken.

“Well, you could tell me what you think is going on, and I’ll tell you if you’re right,� Marcus said almost jokingly. He reclined against the rock slightly, pulling his knee up towards his chest.

Duncan’s eyes narrowed. Is he playing another game? He turned toward Marcus. After a moment he realized the stranger’s intentions. His eyes suggested a grim sobriety that his manner was concealing.

“Well, I know enough to say that whatever these ‘beasts’ are is quite unnatural,� he said, watching Marcus carefully for a response.

The stranger cocked his head to one side and smirked. “Unnatural, you say?� he asked, a rhetorical tone in his voice. “Well then, what does that tell you?�

Duncan shook his head and chuckled lightly. He’s leading me on again. Suddenly, it hit him. In a low, sullen tone, he asked, “Evil?�

Slowly, Marcus closed his eyes and took a deep breath followed by a single nod. Duncan’s brow furrowed in consideration. Unnatural and evil?

Opening his eyes, Duncan finally revealed his true mood. The facade dropped to reveal a serious expression. He dropped his leg and leaned forward, looking straight at the monk. The wind blew his long black hair behind him. “I suppose my wording could have been better,� he said morosely.

Duncan knew instantly what he was talking about. The monk looked at Marcus, horror encroaching upon him as the realization set in. “You mean,� he said, swallowing, “they aren’t beasts.�

Slowly, deliberately, Marcus shook his head. Duncan’s mind raced. He felt as if his heart would leap into his throat. “What, then?� he asked.

“I think you know, Duncan,â€? Marcus said. His expression was a cold one, communicating the import of his words. “I think you’ve suspected as much for quite some time. From the time I first appeared on your doorstep…â€?

Duncan reeled backwards several steps. It couldn’t be true, he thought frantically. That couldn’t be it! That’s impossible! “No,� he said aloud, horrified. Marcus rose and approached him.

“Yes,� he said simply, never taking his gaze off the monk.

“De… demons?â€? he asked shakily. A crash of thunder erupted from overhead, causing him to start. His ashen visage fixed on Marcus.

“Now you know the truth, Duncan,â€? Marcus stated. His words seemed harsh. Rain began drizzling down, damp and frigid. “Now you know the truth…â€?

Duncan stood in the clearing staring at the stranger. His mouth gaped in personal horror. Marcus’ words rang in his ears. “Now you know the truth…â€?