Iron Harbour: A digital story by Luke Franklin (Part 13)

He was in such pain, his side left like it had been torn open and put back together and torn open once again, the pain was unreal. As Alucard struggled to make sense of his surroundings, he notes a small dwarf like person sitting on a char in the corner of the room, the room was quite dark, he could not make out his face, the dwarf like fellow let out a loud snort like sound, it reminded Alucard of a pig.

But that was not all, there was also a young girl kneeling down beside his bed, it looked like she was praying and had fallen asleep beside him. He looked once more at the young girl and saw she had crimson red hair, surely not he, thought to himself.

He learned his head down and saw that the young girl was Ezrin, the young lord's daughter, why was she here? And why was she in his room? a sleep beside his bed? Questions he did not have the answer.

“By the Great beard! You're awake!”

Alucard looked up once more and saw the man had walked into the light, it was Brok, what was he doing here? And with lady Ezrin?

“What happened?” Alucard asked but Brok ignored his question. Brok jumped to his feet, yelling “He’s awake, He’s awake”

Alucard ushered Brok to lower his voice, pointing at lady Ezrin. Brok suddenly notes and falls silent. “Oh sorry, my bad.”

Brok's exuberance mixed with relief painted across his stout face. "You had us worried there for a moment. That creature did a number on you. But it's good to see you're still in one piece... mostly."

Alucard winced as he attempted to sit up, still feeling the lingering pain. "What happened after the creature attacked?"

Brok scratched his head, glancing at Lady Ezrin before answering. "Well, unfortunately I got there some time after the city watch, they ran like an army, once

they heard the monster’s screams they all gathered their weapons and changed all over the city looking for it, they were on a mission.

“What happened to the other? Are they alright?”

Brok sighed heavily, his usual cheerful demeanour replaced by a more sombre expression. "Some are okay, others not so much. Markus is in bad shape. The creature tossed him around like a sack of potatoes. He's alive, but he's got broken bones and a few internal injuries. We got a healer looking after him."

Alucard frowned. Markus had proven to be a capable leader, and Alucard couldn't shake off the feeling of responsibility. "And Ed?" he asked, his mind flickering back to the young soldier.

Brok hesitated before answering. "Ed... didn't make it. His injuries were too severe. We did what we could, but..." He trailed off, a solemn look on his face.

Alucard clenched his fist, the weight of the loss settling heavily on his shoulders. "Damn it. He was a good man."

Brok nodded, understanding the shared sense of loss. "We'll give him a proper farewell. Him and Rick, they were both good lad’s they did not deserve that. But enough of the gloomy talk. You need to rest, and once you're back on your feet, we've got more questions than answers about what happened tonight."

“How did you find me? I was not on the street with the other, the creature backed me into one of the side alleyways.”

Brok scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. "Well, truth be told we did not know you were there, we thought the creature attacked Markus the other, there was so much blood we did not know who it belonged to. We had no idea you were with them.”

The news worried him, he could have easily been killed that night, along with Ed and Rick. “I was stupid, I got too close to the beast, I let my guard down, I thought I could kill it, I did not know it could heal so quickly.” Alucard turned to one side slightly, he winced in pain as the slightest movement course uncomfort pain.

“But if you have anyone to thank for your rescue, it's all because of the pale man, err, what's his name again? He works in the morgue.”

“Alaric?” asked Alucard, quite confused.

“That’s it, he is the one who found you in the alleyway, it was a good thing to any longer and we would have been having a funeral for 3.

Alucard nodded, acknowledging the role fate played in his survival. "Alaric, the pale man from the morgue... I owe him one."

Brok grinned, patting Alucard on the shoulder. "Aye, you do. He dragged you all the way to the main street calling for help, complaining the entire time about the weight of the 'damned, heavy, armoured fellow.' But he did a good thing, and we owe him for that."

“After that, Davos made sure you and Markus were under lock and key, you keeped you both at the manor, you have been out for just over a week.”

“WHAT...” Aluacrd said out loud, almost waking Ezrin.

“Shhh lad... yea, you lost a lot of blood, I was sure you were a goner, but you are one tough bastard.”

Alucard did not feel like it, he had come close to death before but never because of his own stupidity, he should have known better never to run into an unknown enemy.

“Davos made sure to keep you and Markus at the manor, you both have been under constant protection, Markus has around 6 guards always watching his door.”

“His men respect him, he cares for people and they do too.”

“Aye lad, and so do you, you also have 6 guards outside your door, you would have more, but there is only so much room.”

Alucard absorbed this information with a mixture of surprise and gratitude. The fact that Davos, the lord of the town, had taken such measures for their protection showed a level of commitment that Alucard hadn't expected. He nodded appreciatively.

"I owe him and Alaric a debt of gratitude. If it weren't for them, I might be six feet under."

"Aye, but now you're here, and there's work to be done." Brok leaned in, lowering his voice. "There's talk in the town. The attack has stirred up more than just the fog. People are scared, and they're looking for answers. You've become something of a legend overnight, especially after you faced that creature and lived. Some see you as a saviour, others as a harbinger of doom. Either way, you've got the town's attention."

“I thought I had everyone's attention with the mine stunt?”

“But this is completely different lad, some believe with you clearing out the mine’s it angered the beast, hence why it was so bold enough to attack you and Markus out right, some people are blaming you for the death of Rick and Ed, but people have been dying in this town for years, your acastion changed nothing. The only thing it means is you are getting things done.”

Alucard pondered Brok's words. The weight of responsibility settled on him like a heavy cloak. He looked down at Ezrin who was still asleep by his bedside. “Why is she here?” he asked, wondering why he had only met her a few times and both were for a brief moment.

Brok looked down and smiled at the young lass. “Well, it turns out, I don't know if you know this but, her Mother was a great healing back before she married the lord, and it turns out, young Ezrin has also been learning and pratasing from her mum. When you were brought here she insisted that she could help heal you, and that the town healer should help Markus. She has been by your side ever since.”

Alucard felt a mix of surprise and gratitude. He hadn't expected such a gesture from Lady Ezrin. "She stayed by my side all this time? That's... unexpected."

Brok chuckled. "Aye, unexpected indeed. But she's a stubborn one, and she's got a good heart. Seems like she sees something in you, lad."

Alucard glanced at Ezrin, her peaceful expression as she slept. "Well, I appreciate the care. I owe her thanks."

“How did you get in here Brok? I did not know you were good friends with Lord Davos?”

“I would not say we are close friends, no he normally got along well with my brother, but after you were brought here, did you really think I would let just anyone guard you? Absolutely not!” Brok raised a fist in the air. “If any beast wants to try and kill you, they will have to go through me!”

Alucard couldn't help but chuckle at Brok's passionate declaration. "I appreciate the sentiment, Brok. You're a good friend. But I don't intend to make a habit of it, it's bad for business."

Brok grinned. "Aye, I'd prefer that too.”

Brok got to his feet and walked over to the door. “I’ll tell them that you're awake, Davos is likely waiting, and there's much to discuss."

Brok left the room, closing the door behind him. Alucard gently moved Ezrin, she awoke softly and took a moment to realise she had fallen asleep.

Ezrin blinked, her eyes adjusting to the room's dim light. When she saw Alucard, a mix of surprise and relief flickered across her face. "You're awake," she said, a genuine smile forming.

Alucard nodded. "Thanks to you, it seems. I appreciate your care.”

Ezrin realised that she must have fallen asleep next to Alucard made her feel quite embarrass, her faced turn a rose colour of red, she got to her feet as quickly as she could and looked around the room, realising that she was alone with him, Brok had left the room, her face turning even more shade of red, she grabbed a few of her things and started to leave.

“I am glad you are feeling better.” She said as she bowed her head, “Drink this” she handed over a small cup of some sort of drink, it simmered with a strange sound and the smell was quite unpleasant.

“What is it?”

“It will help with the pain.”

Alucard accepted the cup, studying its contents with a hint of scepticism. He nodded his thanks and took a sip. The concoction had a bitter taste, but a warmth spread through him, and he felt some of the pain easing.

"Thank you, Ezrin," he said, offering a sincere smile.

She smiled back, a bit shyly, and headed towards the door. “I will leave you to rest, I am sure my father and the others will be down shortly.”

Ezrin left the room and Alucard was left alone to his thoughts. He replayed the fight over and over again in his head, recreating every moment that lead up to this point, he played out different outcomes hoping to see if there was anything he may have missed or if he could have saved both Rick and Ed.

His mind jumped towards the beast-like creature he had come across, a memory came to him at that moment, a moment when he was a teenager, he was in a large room, sitting at a large oak desk, piles of books covered 80 percent of the table surfers. He was writing in a large notebook when the door opened and a man walked in.

“Still studying Alucard?” the man said.

He was a tall towering form of a man, built like a bear, he had short brown and grey hair, with a beard that had turned silver with a hit of brown left inside, he had a small necklace around his neck of a family crest. He wore large black and brown clothing with chainmail sowen within the fibres of his clothing, he carried a small short sword on his belt.

Alucard looked up from his notebook and ignored him and went back to his studies.

“Come now Alucard, surely you can forgive your old man?”

Alucard looked up from his notebook, his expression a mix of irritation and reluctance. His father, a figure of authority in his life, though not always one he embraced. "Forgive you? Maybe if you were actually here more often."

His father sighed and took a seat on a nearby chair, his large frame making it seem smaller than it was. "I have responsibilities, Alucard. The same responsibilities that you'll inherit one day. You need to be prepared."

Alucard closed his notebook with a thud, his frustration evident. "Prepared for what? Endless paperwork and political nonsense? I'm more interested in real threats, in the things that go bump in the night."

His father leaned back, a serious glint in his eyes. "You think those things aren't part of our responsibility? You're young, Alucard. You don't understand the depth of what we protect. It's all connected. You can't just focus on one aspect and ignore the rest."

"But Father..."

"No 'buts,' Alucard. You have potential, but potential alone won't make you into the man I know you can be. You need discipline, understanding, and a broader perspective. There are dark forces at play, things that lurk in the shadows. And one day, you'll need to face them."

“You never treated the others like this.”

“No, because I believe you can be the best out of the Morgraine family, and I know I pushed you harder than the rest, but your brothers and sisters are not like you, you are different, not in a bad way my son, you are the best of me and your mother.”

The acknowledgment brought a momentary softening in Alucard's demeanour. His father continued, "You have a natural talent for understanding the supernatural, for dealing with the darker side of our responsibilities. But you can't let that consume you. It's a delicate balance, Alucard, and you need to learn it."

“I understand Father.”

“Good, now show me what you were looking at?”

Alucard opened his notebook at a page full of notes and the textbook he was reading alongside it, he pointed towards a badly drawn picture of a tall beast like creature. “I was looking at this.”

“Oh, that is called a Fade, very deadly. I know many great houses who lost good men to those thing’s.

“What are they?”

“They act like a vessel like being, what you should understand when fighting them is there are always 2, there is the master and the servant, the master, normally a powerful mage or warlock, whatever they call themself these days. They use powerful magic to transform the servant into a Fade where they will do their masters bidding, but there is a catch, the servant has to agree upon the deal and transformation or it wont work, so only true loyal people to a course can transform.”

“OH WOW, they sound dangerous, have you ever gone against one father?

“Yes, many years ago, I found myself trapped in this arena type area with cultists, they captured me, not my finest moment. They put me into their arena for games and sports. I was their prisoner for weeks, constantly fighting everything they could send at me, after a while they got fed up, and their leader summoned a Fade to kill me that night.

Alucard was so excited, it was rare for his Dad to talk about past jobs he had worked on.

“What happened next? Did you kill it?”

“No, I did not know this at the time, but the bugger could heal so quickly, most of my blows did nothing.”

“What happened? How did you kill it?”

“Your mother, she had been looking for me ever since I disappeared, she tracked me down and found their hideout and killed the fade’s master, and when the master is killed the Fade loses its power and transforms back into its human host, he I made quick work of.”

“Wow, Mum saved you? How come she never tells us that story?”

“Your mother is a kind person, but she does like to remind me of that event every so often when we have a disagreement.”

“Darius, Darius where did you go?” said a woman's voice coming from a distance. “Oh speaking of your mother she is calling, come Aluacrd let's go.”

Alucard was snapped back to his room. The door opened, Davos followed by Eugene and Brok. all walked in.

“Good to see you my boy, you gave us all quite the scare.”

“Thanks to your beloved Ezrin, I understand she stayed with me and healed me, I did not know she had magic abilities.”

“Nor did I, I had no idea she and her mother were partasing in secret, but it was a pleasant surprise nonetheless.”

“How is Markus doing?” asked Alucard as he had not heard anything about his condition, he knew Markus was badly hurt in the attack but apart from that he was unaware of his condition.

“Apart from a few broken bones and his internal injuries, he is on the mend so it looks like he is getting better, but he is not out of the woods yet, but only time will tell.”

“That's good to hear.” Alucard had a sombre look on his face that turned to anger, “I am sorry about the other two, Rick and Ed, they were good men.” Everyone agreed with him, both of them were well liked within the town and their losses will be shortly felt for years to come.

Brok started to inform Davos and Eugene about everything that had happened within the mine, and how brave Rick and Ed were down there, and how everyone was stronger together if any of them were missing. Who knows if anyone could have returned safely.

“I have read Markus' report on the events that have transpired.” Said Eugene in a firm but worried tone, “The report also mentions that you both believe that the mine is still too dangerous for public use, as there could still be small packs of ghouls still down there even after collapsing the tunnel to the deep runs. Is this still true?”

Brok glanced a look of worry towards Alucard, everyone including Markus wanted to keep what they found down there a secret for now until they found out who it was or who built the memorial so far down in the mine’s filled with ghouls.

”Yes, for the time being best to keep it closed.”

Davos sighed. "It's a blow to the town, Alucard. The mine was our lifeblood. We can't afford to lose it. We need to explore other options, find new sources of income for the town for the time being, hopefully it does not take too long for the matter to be resolved. But that's a matter for another day.”

“There was also another matter from Markus' report that I wish to disguise with you, if you are up to it, but I am afraid this information is sensitive, because of the nature of this topic, I am going to have to ask you to leave the room Brok.”

“What? For what reason?” bellowed Brok.

Davos hesitated, exchanging a quick glance with Eugene, who nodded subtly. "Brok, we need to discuss a sensitive matter with Alucard. It's crucial for the safety of the town."

Brok, sensing the seriousness of the situation, crossed his arms and grumbled, "I've been with Alucard through thick and thin. If there's something that concerns him, it concerns me too. I'm not leaving."

Davos sighed, recognizing Brok's loyalty. "Brok, please. We'll fill you in afterward, but for now, we need a private conversation."

Brok looked at Alucard, his expression a mix of concern and frustration. "I'll be just outside the door. You better tell me everything afterward, you hear?"

Alucard nodded, understanding Brok's unease, and Davos motioned for him to step out.

As the door closed, Brok couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "I don't like secrets. Never did."

Outside the room, he waited anxiously, his thoughts consumed by worry for Alucard and the town.

Davos sat down in the same seat that Brok had fallen asleep in hours before. Davos cleared his throat and spoke. “Alucard as you know this matter is sensitive to me and my family, Markus' report claimed you found signs of what you believe is misdirection? He did not write down what it is that you believed for security reasons and what the subject covers, so I must ask you, does this involve my son?”

He nodded. “Yes, what I found does make me believe what I saw within the mine’s and the autopsy report from me and Alaric, as skilled as he is, he did not see what I thought I had seen.”

Davos leaned forward, his eyes intent on Alucard. "I need you to be explicit, Alucard. What is it that you believe involves my son? Don't sugarcoat it."

“The wounds I found on your son's body showed signs of severe damage to the body with extensive lacerations, abrasions, and contusions. Most of the torso and limbs have been mutilated.”

Hearing the details of what had happened to his beloved boy hurt and angered Davos with great pain, his mind was an endless cage of torture, he imaged what it was like for his son’s last moments and the pain and fear he felt.

Alucard continued, not leaving out any detail just as Davos requested, I believe your son was killed quick, he did not feel it, but the wounds I saw showed signs it was a ghoul attack, both me and Alaric agreed upon it, but I was still not convinced and Alaric did not see what I could see.”

“What did you see?” Asked Eugene, as he sat next to the bed sharing a worried look with Davos.

“I found other claws and laceration damage to his body that could not have come from any ghoul, that is why I wanted to go into the mine. I needed to see for myself what type of ghouls were down there.”

“Could it have come from one of the special ghouls you told me about?” Eugene asked Interrupting Alucard. “You know, the ones with the blue eyes. You said they went mad before maybe that drug, you told me about Viper. Did they change their claws somehow?”

“No, After we exited the mine, we spent time bring many of the ghouls corpses up from the mine, to burn, I checked every ghoul we had there and every ghoul has the same claw style they don’t change, think of it like a cat, every cat has claws and there are hundreds of different type of cat’s but they all have the same shape, Ghouls are no different.”

Davos sunk into the back of his chair heavily, his face in his hands. The weight of grief, anger, and disbelief bore down on him. Eugene looked at Alucard with a mixture of sadness and frustration.

"What are you suggesting then, Alucard?" Eugene asked, his voice strained.

“The wounds on your son’s body was that a ghoul attack, but I Believe it was design to look that was to hind the true crime, the marks i found on the body tell me something els attacked you son killing him, it then somehow commanded the ghouls to tear into your son’s body hiding their own attack.”

Eugene's brow furrowed in confusion. "Something else attacked him? What could it be? And why go through such lengths to cover it up?"

“I don’t have all the answers yet, but I am working on finding out what happened, but what I do believe killed your son was a creature called a Fade.”

Eugene's expression shifted to a mix of concern and disbelief. "A Fade? Those are just stories, legends. Creatures of darkness that can manipulate shadows, right?"

Alucard nodded solemnly. “That is not entirely true, it is common belief that they can manipulate the shadows themselves to hide in plain sight, but no they don’t have that kind of power.”

Davos, although grief-stricken, focused on Alucard. "Tell me everything you know about these Fades. If they're involved in this, we need to understand what we're up against."

"A Fade is a creature born of dark magic," Alucard explained. "They're bound to a master, a sorcerer of great power. The master performs a ritual, and if the potential servant agrees, the transformation occurs. They become powerful, unholy entities, with a sole purpose: to obey their master's commands."

Eugene interrupted with a sceptical tone, "And why would anyone willingly agree to become a monster?"

"It's not willing in the way you and I understand it," Alucard clarified. "It's often a pact of desperation or malevolence. The transformed creature loses its free will, becoming a puppet for the master."

Davos sighed heavily, absorbing the grim information. "So, we have a dark sorcerer somewhere in or around the town, controlling these creatures. And my son was caught in the crossfire."

“I don't think so, I have been here for a few weeks now, and I have not come across the monster that has been killing people until a week ago, and I only believed it attacked me because I angered it Master, Markus and the others were not the targets tonight. It was me.”

Davos raised an eyebrow, confusion evident on his face. "You? Why would this sorcerer and their creature be after you?"

“Well as you both know, in the past most who came here were killed or scared off, they could not scare me off, so they tried to kill me tonight. I believe the one behind this is Father Maxwell.”

Eugene let out a cry of joy, “I knew he was behind this!”

“Hold on Eugene, I am not a fan of the man too, but he showed up years later after the first killings, how would you explain that Alucard?”

“I do believe you did have a monster problem all those years ago, most likely a smart one, who found this town using and used it as it’s hunting ground picking off small targets and using them to feed, but over time as the killings did not go away father Maxwell and his decibels were sent here on a mission by their group the Eternal Flame, to cleanse this town of its sin’s and bring it into the light, I believe that he has a willing host with him who he uses to summon this Fade.”

Davos and Eugene exchanged wary glances, the gravity of Alucard's revelations sinking in.

“I told you from the very start my Lord, he has been after your seat from the beginning.”

“Now, now, Eugene, hold on a minute, Alucard it's not that I don't trust you but how do you know all this?”

“After the mine, a few of his priests asked for me to follow them as Father Maxwell had requested a meeting with me. He wanted to sit down and talk.”

“What did you talk about?”

“We shared are thoughts on the matter, he tried to make me see if from his way, but we both don't see eye to eye, he told me about his past and when he was young, he was from a small town from Skeistan, there the church came to his village and they purified it of sin, from that day he was forever changed, following in there light.”

Eugene's scowl deepened. "Purifying a village of sin? What does that even mean?"

Alucard continued, "He believes that certain individuals, like me, attract darkness. He sees it as his divine duty to rid the world of such 'evil.' But I made it clear, this town isn't his playground for divine retribution.”

“I think when he came here, he used his Fade and killed the real monster that was killing everyone and he used his Fade to take on the town's monster doing his bigging riding people who may become a problem but yet still keep some of the killings random as it not point towards him.”

Eugeue passed around the room, muttering under his breath, the anger could be felt around the room.

“That's not all, you remember the Elf girl your son may have been seeing? I found a poison in her system called Endless Night. It is a rare poison that has faded away over time, no one should know how to make it anymore. But Father Maxwell told me of his family, from Skeistan, they made healing potions and poisons, a long time ago Skeistan was known for creating such deadly poisons such as Endless Night. When I asked him about it he got really angry and ignored the question.”

Davos, gripping the arms of his chair, listened intently. The revelation about the poison added a new layer of complexity to an already intricate web of deceit. Eugene's pacing reflected the shared frustration in the room.

"So, Maxwell could be involved in more than just commanding this Fade. He might have orchestrated other deaths, manipulating events to suit his agenda," Davos mused. “But why kill the girl? She had nothing to do with anything.”

“I don't know, maybe he found out she was seeing your son, and wanted to hurt your family.

“Then why kill my son?”

“I don't know.” Alucard did not have all the answers, he hoped he would find but there was still so much more left to uncover.

“How do you know it was Maxwell who sent the Fade after you? Surely if he had all these poisons he could have easily taken us out a long time ago? Why wait? What benefit does it do for him?”

“You are loved by all of your people, he could not just kill you and your family he needed to win the hearts and minds of the people and wait for the moment to take control. After I had gone and talked with him, he offered me a gift, My Live, he told me I had until sundown to leave town or I may not service the night. It would be a shame for someone as talented as me to fall in such a place.”

Davos clenched his fists, anger and frustration etched across his face. "He dares threaten you and our town? This is unforgivable."

Eugene, usually the voice of reason, was seething with rage. "We can't let him get away with this. We need to expose him, no matter the cost."

“We will, Don't worry Eugene, we will. Now Alucard I think we have taken far too much of your time, you need to rest, get your strength back, the guards will keep you safe, and I am sure Brok will be by your side.”

Davos got up from the chair and started to walk towards the door.

“Eugene, we can not let Maxwell know what we know, ok I want to keep an eye on him at all times, Alucard you talked about his Fade? How would we be able to identify it?”

“In my fight with it, I cut it deeply and tore most of its insides out, even with his rapid healing, it would have taken time, and so the human host would most likely be in great pain still, find him and we can use that.”

Davos started to smile, for the first time in a long time he finally had answers to his problems, the light at the end of this horror is within sight. “Eugene, I am going to need a pen and paper. I am going to write a letter. A very long letter.”