Twilight of Eternity

The great king lay dying. The disease that coursed through his body would soon take its toll and Ulith Elder's reign would end. His close friend and companion Gottfried stood near at his side as he had always been, loyal to the last. Gottfried had his instructions, though Ulith knew he would never be able to carry them out. The disease was too powerful. When Ulith was laid into his crypt Gottfried was to cut off his head.

He thought of his friend and quietly smiled. He'd always been at Ulith's side, even through the terror of the fierce battles they'd fought together. Gottfried would be at his side as Ulith and his armies would face their enemy, Ulith clad in his trademark red armor, the helmet shaped like a dragon's head. Ulith's servants would bring buckets of oil which Ulith would dip his two great swords into and then have them set on fire. It was the signal for the charge. The vision of Ulith in his red armor, his great charger with its nostrils flaring, racing down a hill towards the enemy screaming with his flaming swords held high, was a sight that turned men's guts to gruel. Gottfried would be charging next to him hacking and slashing a gore splattered path through enemies that quickly lost their desire to fight. The pair had slaughtered and terrified thousands and their tales were told in homes throughout the land. Then came Serasina.

The fact that Ulith had been brought low by a woman was the great irony. Even now thinking of her, he knew he loved her still. The disease had come from her. She had called herself Serasina. That first time she had come into his castle he knew she would have to be his. His arrogance had been his downfall as it is with many kings. The long dark hair, the pale skin, the aquiline nose and thick lips gave her an exotic look, not often seen in the northlands of Ulith's kingdom. It suggested she came from the south, far south. She walked with a grace and lightness that seemed to buoy her of any weight. It was rare and precious and something to be possessed.

When he went to meet her, he was struck by the coolness of her hand and guided her towards the fire in the great hall of his castle, knowing the chill was upon her. He hoped the warmth of the fire would comfort her. It did. The pair sat and talked for endless hours, he about the great battles he'd fought and the great triumphs he'd achieved while she would speak of the many places she'd been and great wonders she'd seen.

As he laid there, the memories were comforting as he edged towards his death, the disease of Serasina's doing its work. Servants came and went from the room, making certain he lacked for nothing. Gottfried offered him some wine, which he gratefully accepted. Ulith knew this would be his last taste, he savored it.

Again he thought back on Serasina. She was a woman of rare quality and grace. Elegance and grace hung about her like a cloak. He'd relished the time he spent with her and then there was that fateful night when she'd passed the disease on to him. He remembered how they had talked about spending an eternity together, forever bonded, forever together. He had hung on her every word, breathless, excited. He told her that he would still want Gottfried to be with them as well. The bond of battles and adventures would never be able to be broken. Serasina had understood and accepted Ulith's comradeship with his friend. That night he knew she would rule at his side with Gottfried, ever vigilant, watching their backs.

It had been hard on Gottfried to watch his king and friend fall to the ravages of the disease. He was grateful for its speed. A warrior like Ulith should have died in battle, not wither away with the cold, pale, wasting that had afflicted him. Gottfried was grateful that Ulith had at least found some happiness and solace in his last days through Serasina.

The priests had plead with Gottfried to be brought to the King so that they might save his soul in his last hours, but Gottfried had refused. Ulith had asked him to keep them away. He wanted no part of their mumblings.

Just as darkness began to descend, he knew it was nearly over. He felt the tightness in his chest becoming a crushing weight. His limbs went numb and useless. Then came the convulsions and then Ulith Elder died. His body settled into the bed, lifeless.

Gottfried went to the hall and ordered the servants to bring a bier. Ulith had been very specific about the procedures following his death. His body was immediately carried out to the waiting crypt. No ceremony, no mourning, no funeral, no consecration. A stone casket had been prepared for him.

Gottfried led the precession into the crypt and then bade everyone to leave. He was alone with the body of his king and now he would perform the final promise. In the corner he had placed an axe. The steel glimmered in the torchlight, the darkness of night having enveloped the outside. He walked over to it and wrapped his hand around the haft. He didn't like what he was about to do but it would be the last duty he performed for his King.

Standing next to the sepulcher he raised the axe. The hand of Elder flew up and grasped Gottfried by the throat. He had no time to react. The king was out of the casket and had Gottfried pinned against the stone wall. Ulith's teeth sank into the neck of his friend and he drank deep of his blood. The disease was passed to Gottfried. Soon Gottfried fell to the floor, his blood drained, dead.

Ulith stood there, feeling his new strength coursing through his body. Every sensation seemed new, enhanced, better. This was power he'd never known.

He looked down at his friend and companion, now crumpled on the floor lifeless. The disease wouldn't take long, not like it had with him. Serasina had taken his blood slowly, over time, nourishing herself under Ulith's protection and willingness to join her in their immortality.

He heard noise at the door. Serasina stood there with a servant from the castle. She had brought him there on the pretense that she wished to see the king's body a last time. He gasped as he saw the king standing next to the body of Gottfried. Words caught in his throat. He saw the blood on his king's face and down the front of the tunic he'd been buried in. He turned to run, but Ulith had him by the collar and threw him against the wall with his new strength. The servant crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Ulith then walked over to Serasina and held her. They had each other now and all of time. He looked deep into her eyes and smiled. She had shared with him the greatest secret there was, eternal life. It was the prize all men sought, or at least yearned for. Serasina had brought it to him, had offered it freely and now the prize was his.

There was a stirring on the floor. Ulith grabbed the servant and stood holding him. Gottfried would wake up with the frenzy. It was a part of the disease. Suddenly Gottfried's eyes flew open and he leaped up. Ulith shoved the servant into his arms. Gottfried grabbed the offering. Without a moment's thought, his teeth tore open the neck of the servant. He drank heartily and gulped the thick liquid. Finally, he dropped the dead body to the floor. He looked at his king, bewildered.

"My Liege, you live. How is this? And I thought you killed me, yet, I too live. Was it a dream? And what I just did, I couldn't help myself. Sire...?"

Ulith told Gottfried of the gift. Then, "My friend. You've always been at my side. I couldn't bear the thought of living without your friendship, council, and good right arm. But we must hurry, the disease is in the servant and it must be stopped, quickly, your axe."

Gottfried separated the servant's head from his body. They put the two pieces in the sepulcher and covered it with the lid. No one would ever know. There would never be a reason to look. Ulith turned to look again at his beautiful woman.

Serasina smiled and said, "Come, an eternity awaits us."