The Beast
in the Tower
Countless stars were scattered across the night sky. Their light softly embraced the earth, played with the leaves, painted the grass golden and danced on top of rivers and lakes. A gentle breeze caressed the branches and made them sight in hope. Crickets and toads carried out their nightly performance and filled the wilderness with music. Magic filled this wondrous night when man felt at peace and united with the entire world.
Such a night comes once in a thousand years and prophets believe it foretells a misfortune.
Ira1 would remember this night for the rest of her life.
She lived in a small secluded village. Her mother was one of the most well-read persons around and had taught the girl to read and write, to count and observe, and most importantly – to believe in herself. She had a happy and simple life. She and the other youths from the village wondered near and far and explored all kinds of mysterious and magical places. They came up with wild adventures and played them out as if they were real. At night they would go stargazing. That fateful night they were watching the stars, as well. It was the last peaceful one for them.
The next morning horrible news reached their small village.
A rumour was spreading like wildfire that the red army had appeared. The prophecy said it would set fire to their world and run everything down, it would rage until there was nothing left. People were wondering whether to run or hide, but there was no place to escape to, nowhere was safe. Some gathered their belongings and left without knowing where they were going. Others locked themselves in their homes and prayed.
Ira could not believe that this was real. It felt like some gruesome fairytale from the books. She hadn’t seen fires and death her entire life but she could feel the fear of the village-people. Everything was becoming a terrifying nightmare, but there was no waking up.
Three days later an army arrived. The girl had never before seen that many people in one place. They covered the entire horizon and progressed to the west. The people were preparing for the worst but to their surprise that was not the red army. The troops were led by a young nobleman in black armour. He was tall, with sharp features and lean figure. He quickly became the centre of attention. Ira was so dazed by what was happening that she could not realise the gravity of her situation. The young nobleman ordered every man that could wield a blade to join his troops. He was gathering a force to face the red army. There was a second part of the prophecy, he claimed, that a single maiden held the power to defeat the enemy. He laid eyes on Ira and pointed her as the girl in question. Then he took her with him and left.
However, things did not progress as smooth as he had hoped.
The army was moving slowly. It was to join the other forces already fighting against the enemy. Ira tried to start a conversation with the young man only once during their journey. She asked him why he was so certain that she was the maiden from the prophecy. The reply was that fate had led him to her. The nobleman didn’t pay further attention to her. Ira believed in her sound judgement and soon she was certain that the man saw her only as tool to defeat the red army. She was well taken care of, but everybody avoided her. The men even tried not to look at her.
Finally, the army reached the battlefield. The ground was already painted red with blood. Men were fighting all around them, but Ira did not know what was expected of her, what she should do. She was trembling with fear and helplessness. How was she supposed to save their world? She could not fight or wield a blade, she could not use magic. What was she supposed to do?
The nobleman was not pleased, but Ira did not care about his disapproval. He should have said what was expected of her? Ira looked at him, as they left the battlefield:
‘I have no special power.’
‘That is not true,’ he replied.
‘In that case it is shy and is hiding. Neither I, nor anybody else have ever noticed anything’, the girl said angrily and with that the conversation ended.
Afterwards the nobleman brought Ira in this dark and cold castle to hide her from the world. He left her to wonder alone in this prison. Here, behind these walls of stone, she should be safe, he had told her.
The nobleman visited rarely. Most of the time she was alone in the enormous building. She knew that there were other people since someone was taking care of the castle, keeping it clean and orderly and preparing her food. However, they were keeping their distance and Ira saw them only from afar and they never spoke to her. She felt abandoned, lost and lonely. A bulk of ice had settled in her chest and was burning her with cold flames.
The castle itself was an enormous enchanted maze. The first time she got lost in the castle she was certain that nobody would find her. She was very scared. But then suddenly she was standing in front of her bedroom door.
Afterwards she had become more daring and exploring the castle had become one of her few entertainments. She wound up in various places – some were dark, dusty and forgotten, others were filled with enchanted objects and enormous chandeliers that cast magical light. The girl often ended in a place she had never before seen. There was a library so big, that Ira doubted a lifetime would suffice to read all the books. Sometimes, when she could not find the library, she ended in an indoor garden with a man-made spring.
But most of all she loved her secret place. It was not that she wanted to hide there. More like it was so magical that she wanted to keep it to herself alone. There she felt free and happy, she could feel peaceful once again.
She would go out through the castle’s back door, intended for the servants, and climb the hill behind the castle. Nights here were quiet and warm, but the girl always felt anxious. She thought the stars were more distant and cold and the air was filled with tension. Everything was frozen in breathless anticipation. The breeze wasn’t dancing with the leaves and branches, the crickets and toads weren’t signing their calming songs. They too must know about the red army, her fate and the impeding end, foreseen in the prophecy, the girl thought.
The top of the hill ended with a cliff that led to the foaming sea. Among the waves one could distinguish the remains of a tower. Most likely a long time ago it served as a look-out, a guard that protected the castle against attacks from the sea. But at some point the bank must have given way to the constant beating of the waves and the tower had sunken. Now the remains were submerged by water during the night and appeared again in the morning.
The girl swiftly climbed down the rocks. Luckily the ruins were close enough and she could jump from the rocks above them. She was careful. The first time she, she jumped in the sea carelessly. The recollection frightened her and she wondered what would have happened if at that time she had drowned. She sprung in the water inside the tower and tried to imagine what it would be like to die in this place. She did not have the courage to take her own life. She dove and held her breath. Her body knew its way in the dark waters although her mind still feared them. They felt like death – dark, stealing the warmth from her body and sticking to her like an unpleasant embrace. It sent chills down her spine. She kept close to the walls and felt her way down. Finally, she reached a door. Probably there was no other and that was why she could always find it easily. She pushed the door slightly and something sucked her in.
Ira got back on her feet and took a deep breath. She could smell the sweet aroma of flowers. She opened her eyes and saw the moon. Here it was so big and so near that the girl felt as she could touch it. She only needed to stand on tip-toes. She heard the music – as if thousands of flutes and harps were played somewhere in the distance and the wind was carrying the wondrous sounds. The girl took off her shoes and walked barefooted. The grass was gently tickling her. She spread her arms wide and started moving slowly dancing to the music. She raised her head and looked at the sky. She felt whole here. She felt at peace.
When she got tired, she lay down in a bed of flowers and closed her eyes listening absently to the sounds carried by the wind. This place healed her soul and mind.
Ira would always leave her magical world before the break of dawn. She would swim to the cliff and then climb back up, put on her shoes and return to the castle.
One morning she snuck back in the castle as she had done countless times before. She knew that there was no point in sneaking like a thief since the wet trail had long ago betrayed her. She headed towards her bedroom. The candles in the hallways had almost entirely burned down and the sun was slowly climbing up the horizon. Faint light was coming in through the small windows and cast long shadows.
Ira stiffened the moment she opened the door to her room. The young nobleman stood in the middle of the small living room, leading to her chambers. The room was not big but it had tall windows which allowed the sunlight to freely come in. It gave off a feminine vibe with its subtle colours and modest furniture. The only decorations were two tapestries, picturing luscious forests. Thus the dusty and sweaty man seemed very much out of place there.
‘Where have you been the entire night?’ he said in an irritated voice.
‘I had trouble falling asleep and so I went out for a walk.’
‘Did the walk take you the whole night – it is already morning?’ the man raised his eyebrows in wonder. ‘I do not recall rain and yet you are wet from head to toe. Where have you been?’
‘It’s none of your concern.’ she snapped. ‘As a matter of fact, what are you doing in the chambers of a lady, sir?’
‘I do not see a problem with me being here as there was no lady in the room the whole night.’ he moved forward in a threatening gesture.
‘I thought I was no captive and I could wonder free,’ he retorted. ‘And yet you are returning to your chambers at dawn, completely soaked.’
‘As I said – it is none of your concern what I do with my time!'
‘I beg to disagree,’ he made one more step forward and came to stand right next to her. Ira had to jerk her head in an uncomfortable angle in order to be able to meet his eyes. ‘Our salvation is in your hands and so I would hate to lose you because of some insignificant accident such as you falling in the dark and breaking your head on a stone or something of the sort. Now, would you please explain to me where have you been or should I endeavour to find the answer myself?’
‘I am not your prisoner!’ the girl shouted desperately, but after a moment she calmed down slightly and continued. ‘It seems I am wrong. I am only a small bird in a golden cage obliged to explain myself to you, Lord Dessimir2.’
‘That is not the case,’ the man gritted his teeth.
‘No, I have no illusions about my situation.’ she moved slightly to the side, putting some distance between the two of them and crossed her arms before her chest. ‘I was practically kidnapped from my home and locked in this secluded castle. There are no people to talk with. And now you demand an explanation for my every move. What is the difference between me and other prisoners? That the doors are not locked?’
‘You make it sound as if you truly are a captive.’ Dessimir replied saddened. ‘But I am doing all this in view of your safety. You hold the key to defeating the red army and if our enemies find out where you are, you will be in grave danger.’
‘And I am staying hidden here as you have decided for me.’
‘No, you were not here. We searched the entire castle and you were nowhere to be found. That is why I am asking: Where were you?’ he raised his voice.
‘At the tower near the sea,’ Ira whispered.
‘The tower?’ the man staggered. ‘Not near the sea, in it! You swam in the dark waters near those cliffs! You could have drowned!’
‘But I did not,’ the young woman argued back. ‘And, to begin with, I was not there to swim...’ she bit her lips.
‘You were not? Then what were you doing?’
She wasn’t going to tell him anything else. He wanted to use her but she turned out to be completely useless and he left her in this cold place. Now he demanded from her to betray her only joy. She would never do it!
‘You couldn’t have entered the tower, could you?’ Dessimir groaned.
The girl winced and he knew he had guessed correctly.
‘What were you thinking? Change your clothes immediately! I want to know what you were doing inside the tower!’ The man spoke in a sharp and cold voice and the young woman knew she had no other choice. She could not understand why he got so irritated by the fact that she had entered the ruin.
She changed swiftly and the two went up the trail leading to the tower. However, in the middle of the way the young man turned and went in another direction. They went down the hill to a small shore. The sand was still wet. Dessimir went along the beach and soon they reached the ruins of the tower hidden among the fallen stones. They went in through what most likely one was the front door. Inside it was wet and dusky and Ira thought the place looked scarier in the light of day. May be it was due to the sun drawing figures on the stones or because she was with that man...
The nobleman led her to the centre of the tower, right beneath the clear blue sky.
‘And now tell me what you were doing here when the ruin was submerged.’
Ira looked around. She could not see anything familiar. To her surprise there were three doors – two on the ground floor and another one above them. However, there was almost nothing left from the upper floor and thus the door hung ridiculously in the empty space.
‘I usually come in from the roof and enter one of the rooms...’ the woman stammered. ‘Everything is so different during day.’
‘There is no hurry. Take all the time you need.’
The young woman continued looking around but she knew she wouldn’t be able to find the right door. She could not come up with anything that would distinguish her door from the other two. All she knew was that her secret place was created through magic and maybe it did not exist at this time of the day. It might even have moved somewhere else. Only her good fortune had guided her during her night visits. She hoped it would help her this time, as well. She pointed the nearest door without thinking. Dessimir opened it with a grim face and she looked inside. It was like looking in a cave. It took some time for her eyes to adjust to the darkness and then she saw it. At the other end of the room an enormous monster was chained to the walls. It had thick fur and unusually long limbs. It looked at them in a bloodthirsty and horrifying way. Ira stepped backwards surprised and shocked by its looks.
‘That is not it.’ the man pointed out. Two doors remained and he hoped that the worst could be avoided. ‘Which one is next?’
Ira was trembling. What if she had entered by mistake this room instead of her secret place? What would be left of her if she had run into that creature? Surely too little to tell it’s her. She looked at the remaining two doors. Which one? Her hearth was slamming against her ribs. She shifted her eyes towards the door in the air and that seemed like the most logical answer. She pointed it. Dessimir took a deep breath in and forgot to exhale. She looked at him wary. Had she done something wrong?
‘Stay here! I will go inside alone.’
A cold sensation went down her spine. That was bad. She nodded and stood quiet and meek. He climbed carefully to what remained from the second floor. It formed something like a platform close to the entrance. He opened the door and slowly went inside. Ira stood there watching after him. It was as if something was drawing her in. She told herself to stop thinking about the monster that most likely lurked behind the door. She looked around. Nothing but ruins. Around her there were remains of what were once floors, staircases and walls but with time they had fallen apart and now the only thing left was a pile of stones. Would this happen to her world if the prophecy came true? It could be even worse. Maybe, nothing would remain from her world and nobody would even know that they existed. She tried to drive those thoughts out of her head. Her eyes involuntarily travelled back to the door. Her body moved on its own. She followed in his steps and climbed up to the platform. She stopped there. She had a feeling that she did not want to see what was inside. She made a small step towards the entrance and then stopped again. What would she do, if she saw an enormous monster and Dessimir was already dead? Her eyes were drawn by the slight crack in the door that was big enough for her to peek inside. And then she heard the voices. At first they were muffled and she could not tell what they were saying, but then they became more distinct.
‘Give me power.’ Dessimir’s voice echoed inside her soul.
Without noticing she quickly overcame the small distance, separating her from the crack and looked inside. She crushed her hands against her chest and drew sharply a deep breath. She had not expected to see something like this.
The man was tied to a chair and his head was lowered. His wet hair was falling before his eyes. He was breathing heavily and sweat was dripping down his chin. He had only his pants on and otherwise he was completely naked. Ropes and chains spread across his body and held him down. He was bruised and bleeding. Then she noticed a small boy standing in front of the nobleman. The sight of the child sent chills down her spine. It looked exactly like Dessimir. However, the boy’s eyes were filled with inhuman cruelty and his face was distorted by hatred. He was smiling in a sickening fashion. In a way it was more frightening then the monster in the other chamber and Ira knew it was natural for her to feel fear. She wanted to run away, however her body betrayed her. She felt trapped.
‘Power. Give me power.’ the man kept saying and with each word his voice grew louder and clearer.
The child’s laughter chilled Ira’s blood.
‘I want all of your power.’ the man shouted as he raised his head. He was frowning as if he was experiencing great pain.
The boy raised his hands high above his head without stopping his dreadful laughter. Ira had not noticed when she had stopped breathing. Dessimir needed help, but she could not move a muscle. He needed her power to stop the red army, but she proved to be useless. Now he was looking for another solution. He was not giving up.
The boy spoke with the voice of Death:
‘It is yours!’
The young man swung his head back and choked a cry of pain. Fires were spiralling up one of his arms and burning it. As the arm became black, the flames turned white. Symbols started to appear on his flesh burning with a white light. They were spreading quickly covering his entire skin from the hand to the neck.
‘More!’ Dessimir shouted.
His second arm caught on fire and Ira took a sharp breath in.
‘More!’ the man’s voice filled the entire tower and the symbols began spreading until there wasn’t a part of him that was not covered. Then he spoke softly, ‘Yes.’
The girl swung back breathing heavily. Tears were flowing down her cheeks. Dessimir was willing to sacrifice himself in order to gain the power, necessary to change the prophecy. Power that she had, but did not want. Ira had chosen to run away, to disregard what was happening around her, to imagine that it was not real. It was her fault that this man had to lose everything, including himself.
The storm inside her grew more violent as if it was threatening to sweep her away. Winds were raging inside her stomach and chest taking her breath away. They were trying to take her down. She hated herself for running away, hated her weakness. She was despairing that it was already too late to do anything. An ocean of emotions was raging inside her and it threatened to drawn her.
However, Ira could feel a small spark of hope. The fact that Dessimir had not intended to use her, gave her the courage. He continued to take care of her even after she had betrayed his hopes. He was brave and unwavering, selfless and dedicated to saving their world. She admired and respected him. He felt how his strength spread to her.
She would save him!
She left the storm of emotions behind and looked deep inside herself. She looked everywhere – in her mind, soul and hearth. She studied every nook and cranny. She went even further into her core and there in a corner she found something. When she touched it, light erupted and gave her the strength to drive away all the insecurities, shadows and doubts. The light filled her entire world and swept her body. It left her feeling weak and heavy, bound by her flesh.
The light filled the whole tower and seeped through the cracks and holes. It was brighter then the sun, cleaner and more powerful. It disappeared as fast as it had come but the girl knew she had found what she was looking for. This gave her joy. Ira closed her eyes and let the darkness take her.
Ira felt the sun on her face. The sleep was gradually slipping away and she enjoyed the warm caress of the light. She could see how bright it was even through her shut eyes. She felt as if she was on a soft cloud. What happened, a thought crossed her mind? The last thing she remembered was going to the tower with Dessimir. And then her memories returned and she jumped up. She saw a window that was letting the sunlight in. She looked around and finally she recognised her own bedchamber. How had she ended up here?
And then she saw him sitting on a chair next to the bed. He looked tired and sleepy.
‘How are you feeling?’ her voice was husky and weak.
‘I think I should be the one asking. What happened?’
‘I am sorry. I had to do something.’ she had not been able to help him escape from the monster.
‘I do not understand.’
‘I saw what was happening,’ she did not know how to explain it. She was ashamed for spying on him. Most certainly he did not wish to be seen in such a moment.
‘You saw?’ The young man seemed surprised. And for some reason he smiled at her and Ira just noticed how warm his smile was. ‘And you wanted to help me? That was very kind of you but unnecessary.’
‘Why?’ the girl protested.
‘Because I didn’t need help.’
‘I know you want power but that is not the way...’
‘Hear me out,’ he interrupted her. ‘Behind every door in that tower a magical beast is trapped and each one is unique. However, what you saw was not the monster. No one knows what the creature in that room looks like. He cannot harm a person, at least not physically. Still, it is the most dangerous one. Its power is to read a person’s soul and find out his greatest desires. Then it creates an illusion that seems real. The beast feeds of that person’s hopes and joys and that is why it needs you to keep coming back. What you saw there was just a lie – the ugly side of my heart. And that is why I did not need any help.’
‘Why would you want something like that?’
‘Lately I often imagine, I have the power to defeat the red army. You see, blades cannot harm them and so I need some kind of divine power. I do not believe that I will receive such a power for free and with no conditions and sacrifices. I hoped that, if I encountered a magical creature, it would allow me to use its strength.’
The girl could barely hold in her laughter. She imagined Dessimir running around looking for a monster that was willing to grant him power. The idea seemed ridiculous. She wondered what other ideas had crossed his mind. When she managed to get a hold on herself, she said in a serious voice, ‘You have my power.’
‘I will never again take you to a battlefield,’ the man said troubled. ‘Once was more than enough and you did not take it too well. You were quite upset.’
‘Thank you for your concern.’
‘Do you like this place?’ Dessimir couldn’t help asking
The girl looked at him and saw the distress in his eyes. She smiled, ‘It helped me think about the future.’
The young man wanted to continue questioning her but then saw her smile. Her vision for the future certainly was a wondrous one. And then something in what she said struck him:
‘What do you mean I have your power? You did not know how to use it, right?’
‘I told you – there, in the tower, I decided to help you. I tried to find the power you were so certain I had. Here, away from the battles and death, it was easy for me to run away from my fate and responsibilities. You gave me a small, safe and peaceful world to hide. And then I saw you with that monster... I couldn’t allow myself to run away anymore.’
The nobleman looked surprised. ‘I am the reason behind your resolution?’
‘Yes, it did not seem right that I had the power needed to defeat our common enemy and not use it, while at the same time you were willing to sacrifice yourself for it.’
‘For me?’ the man was surprised.
‘And for the entire world!’ Ira scolded him.
‘Did you succeed? Do you know how we can defeat the red army?’
‘Give me your hand and I will give you what you desire so strongly.’
Dessimir offered her his hand. She took it and pressed it against her chest.
‘What are you doing?’ the man stiffened.
But she did not pay any attention to his arguing and softly placed his hand between her breasts. And then it sunk in her flesh. Dessimir froze. This was not possible and yet there was something in his hand. He squeezed gently. The woman let go of his arm and waited expectantly. The nobleman took carefully his arm out of her without letting go of whatever he had found there. He was holding the handle of a delicate blade that seemed to be made of glass. It was light and well-balanced. The sword had a pulse of its own as if it was alive.
‘This is my heart and the key to your victory. Take good care of it,’ Ira said softly.
Dessimir looked surprised and then he said in a low voice, ‘You asked me how I knew that you were the girl from the prophecy. It is quite simple – I feel in love with you the moment I heard the prophecy. Since then I was certain that I knew you better than anyone else and that I would be able to recognise you the moment I saw you. And that is how it happened. Even before our eyes met for the first time, my heart found you.’
Ira blushed.
‘And now you will have to excuse me, my dear. I must go and settle this thing with the red army once and for all. I promise, it will not take long.’
Dessimir softly pressed his lips against hers before he left the room, carrying the blade gently.
‘Dear God,’ the woman whispered, blushing bright red.
1. Ira means chosen
2. Dessimir means one who seeks peace
