The Curse Conduit

Uriah sat on the edge of his bed for the longest time before finally giving in by lying down. No sooner had his head hit the pillow, he was asleep. Anyone looking at him would have thought he was resting peacefully and for a short time that had been the case. However, it did not take long for his mind to open up the cage that held his dreams and now his worst nightmares. This time it started further back, this time he was with Declan, this time they were preparing to leave for battle. Uriah shifted restlessly in his bed as he dreamt. The feeling was different, before he had been detached, as if he was watching a movie. Now it was more like he was in the movie, it was so very, very real. He was even thinking as Uri as he looked around him. Seated on a horse riding out to the battlefield, surrounded by other knights. He was willing himself to wake up; he could hear his own thoughts. Then he heard his name, well, not his name exactly but Uri’s. Someone was calling Uri’s name. “Uri….Master Uri…”

Uriah turned to see who was speaking to find another knight riding at his side.

“I expect the King is most pleased that you have accepted to be his nieces champion at the wedding games.”

Uriah was a little taken back as he realised this man expected him to answer. What did he say? It was like he had replaced Uri. The words that he spoke also seemed so unfamiliar yet familiar to him. “I except he does my good man.”

“You will be able to give Declan the news soon enough.”

“Declan, he’s not with us.”

The other knight laughed. “Being champion has surely caused you some memory loss sir. Your good friend Declan was one of the first to leave. He has been gone for the past two days now.”

Again as he spoke Uriah’s words felt strange as they passed over his tongue. “Then I shall be well pleased to give him the news.”

Uriah and the knight settled into a quiet ride. Uriah searching his mind for a way to get back home, to wake up. The realisation that they had not entered into the battle was unsettling. Uriah had never lifted a sword let alone fought a battle and here he was riding into one. Not only that, if his dream played out the way it always did he would be taking Declan back to die. Uriah spoke to himself. “Wake up damn it! Wake up.”

The knight looked at him? “You spoke Master Uri?”

“A prayer Sir, a prayer.”

The knight nodded his head.

“A good thing Sir.”

Once again they rode in silence and with each step of his horse Uriah got closer to the battle.

It was just on sun set as they reached the camp site. Uriah dismounted slowly, not sure as to what he was expected to do next. He was saved from embarrassment by the shouts of Uri’s friend Declan as he strode across the campsite to meet him. Uriah held his ground watching Declan walk towards him and smiled weakly. Declan took hold of his arm and shook it hard while patting him on the back. “Glad you have arrived my friend. What news of home do you bring?”

Uriah was still coming to terms with the fact that he was living another man’s life, he was looking into his friend Derek’s face but yet it was not Derek. Somehow the eyes were a little different. “What news of home would you have me bring Derek?”

Declan looked at him curiously. “You call me by a strange name Uri. Has the King decreed that I should change my name as to marry his niece?”

“I beg your forgiveness Declan. It has been a hard and tiring day.”

Again Declan slapped him on the back. “Then you shall accompany me to my tent and eat and rest. But you must also tell of your news.”

Uriah had no idea what he was going to tell Declan. The only thing he did know was that Uri was to be Beth-Elena’s champion at some ceremony.

“I have news of the impending wedding. I am to be her ladies champion at the games.”

The smile that crossed Declan’s face was bright and full of love. He looked so much like Derek it unnerved Uriah.

“No better news could you have brought me Uri. Once we return home. I think you and I shall be rather busy for a time.”

At the mention of going home Uriah expression changed. Declan became concerned. “Uri, are you ill? Is there some other news you have not told. Grave news perhaps?”

Uriah looked at the man before him and sighed. “What if we do not return?”

Declan laughed. “Not return. Ha! I have a wedding to attend and I intend to be present for it. Come Uri take your leave and rest, for tomorrow we do battle.”

Uriah accepted Declan’s offer and drifted off to sleep and woke up with a start back in his hotel room. Slowly he sat up holding his head. It was pounding, his throat was dry and his body was lathered in sweat.

Derek had suffered the same fate as he had fallen asleep. His dreams had transported him back into Declan’s time. He had not found himself on the battlefield or dying in the arms of Beth-Elena. Instead he had found himself in the middle of some sort of exercise routine. And like Uriah, he was taking part in this dream rather than just observing.

Derek stood holding something rather heavy. As he looked down he could see a sword in his hands. It felt strange, he felt strange and had no idea what he was supposed to be doing.

A booming voice rang out from behind and Derek spun around just in time to see a large man coming towards him with his own sword raised. Taken by surprise Derek stepped back and lost his balance. All he could see was the maniac bearing down on him. Derek thought he was dead. The man raised his sword to strike Derek and in return Derek closed his eyes and prepared for the blow. Nothing happened. Derek waited for a few moments then looked back to see the man standing over him with a smile on his face, sword now at his side.

“Declan. Day dreaming of your fair lady yet again?” The man held out his hand for Derek to take and helped him back to his feet. “Mind that you do not let Marcus see you in such a state. He will be far less kind.”

“Marcus?” Like Uriah, Derek’s voice in his ears sounded strange.

His companion laughed. “Yes, Marcus our fearless leader and trainer. The King’s trusted guard. Declan….It will be good when you marry then maybe your mind will stay in one place.”

Still confused Derek spoke. “Married?”

Again his companion laughed. “Surely you are not having doubts about marrying the fair maiden Beth-Elena. After all the commotion you two lovebirds have caused the King will not be amused.”

Derek just stared at this man unable to comprehend his situation. The other knight took it as a sign that Declan was getting cold feet. “Not to worry Young Declan. Your good friend Uri will be with us soon. I am sure his presence will settle your nerves.” The knight put his arm around Derek’s shoulder. “Ah that every man should have a friendship as Uri.”

Uri’s name brought with it a thousand images from Derek’s past dreams. His stomach ached as he realised he was actually living Declan’s life. He had no idea how or why but this was real. It was no longer a dream and if it were no longer a dream how did he get out of it? His steps faltered. “I just want to go home.”

The other knight stopped walking and looked at Declan curiously. “Young Declan. Are you not feeling well? It is unlike you to speak in such a way.”

Derek smiled at his companion. “Wedding jitters.”

He got a puzzled look from the knight.” You were right. Nerves.”

The knight laughed. “Then perhaps you should rest for a time.”

They stopped outside a tent and the knight left Derek. “I bid you leave Declan. I shall return with word of Uri’s arrival.”

For a moment Derek looked at the tent and then went in. Just like he knew he was no longer dreaming he knew this was his tent. Everything looked strange and different but he knew it was his. He lay on the bed and soon drifted off to sleep. Like Uriah, he woke with a start in the hotel room. As his mind took hold of reality he began to shake. He took several deep breaths trying to get his thoughts and emotions under control and heard a knock at his door.

Standing at his door was Uriah looking pale and drawn. The two men looked each other up and down before Uriah spoke. “You to?”

Derek opened his mouth to say something but was silent, he was still shaking. Uriah stepped into his room and shut the door. “Derek what the hell is happening to us? That was too damn real and I dreamt about things I have never dreamt about before.”

Derek sat back on his bed. “What things?”

Uriah began to tell Derek but the further into the story he got the paler Derek got. Worried about him Uriah stopped. “What is it Derek?”

This time as Derek spoke of his dream it was Uriah’s turn to go even paler if that was possible. He looked around the room thinking to sit but headed straight for the bathroom. Derek heard his friend throw up and knew exactly how he felt, He was only just holding on himself.

He looked up at Uriah as he slowly came out of the bathroom. “Uriah, are we going insane? How can this be? I mean. How can we fall asleep and end up living another life? It’s impossible.”

Uriah joined Derek on the edge of the bed. “Apparently not.”

Derek shot his friend a startled look.

“What! Like I’m supposed to know. Damn it Derek! I don’t even know where to look for help do you?!”

Derek dropped his head and both men were silent for a while. “Well Uriah I guess this means we make sure we don’t sleep.”

Uriah stood raising his voice. “Yeah like that was a resounding success last time.”

Derek stood with an angry look on his face. “Hey! Don’t shout at me! I was just thinking out loud.”

“Well don’t until you’ve got a better idea!”

“Oh for god’s sake grow up Uriah!”

That was enough for Uriah, he was angry, he was tired and even if he wasn’t going to admit it he was scared and he threw a punch at Derek which landed squarely on his chin. Derek lost his balance but did not fall, instead spinning around and throwing a punch of his own sending Uriah backwards into the wall. Uriah wiped his hand across his face catching the blood from his nose and giving Derek the wildest look he had ever seen. Derek knew he had two choices, either to stop and surrender or fight Uriah and surely lose. He was the taller of the two but the look in Uriah’s eyes told him he was never going to win and could very well lose a friend in the process so Derek took the chance on surrender. He held up his hands and backed away from an advancing Uriah.

Uriah Stop! I’m sorry. I over reacted.”

Uriah continued to advance as Derek continued to walk backwards only stopping when he reached the bed. “Uriah please! I don’t know what the hell is going on! I’m scared okay!”

There was no change in Uriah’s expression and Derek conceded, lowering his hands and waiting for the blow to be delivered.

Uriah looked at Derek for a few seconds then looked wildly around the room. He needed to vent his rage and had come to his senses enough to know he didn’t want to hurt Derek. But he still needed to get it out of his system. His eyes fell on a vase of flowers innocently residing on the table. Picking it up, he threw it at the wall with all the force of his anger.

Derek flinched a little as the vase smashed against the wall. He looked at Uriah wondering if he was going to be next. He saw his friends eyes soften and in a soft voice Derek spoke.” I’m sorry Uriah.”

Uriah looked back at Derek and sighed. What did he say? He had almost made the second biggest mistake of his life.

Derek held out his hand. “Friends?”

Again Uriah looked at Derek and slowly raised his own hand to meet his. “Are you sure?”

Derek gave a laugh. “Of course I am sure,” He grabbed Uriah’s hand and pulled him into a bear hug. Derek knew his friend found shows of affection difficult and uncomfortable but he needed to let him know that things were okay between them. As they broke their embrace Derek spoke again. “So I guess it is time we tell the others.”

Uriah raised an eyebrow and scowled a little.

“Face it. We are going to need some help with this. It is either tell them or those two are going to order a couple of strait jackets for us.”

“And you think by telling them they won’t?”

Derek shrugged his shoulders, patted Uriah on the back and laughed a little. “You might have a point there. But at least we have a few more concerts to do so we have a little more time of freedom.”

There was a knock at the door and Derek opened it. There stood Casta and Simian. The smiles left their faces as they saw Uriah and Derek. Uriah with a swollen and bloody nose and Derek with a large red patch on his chin.

Simian swore in his native language, French, Casta did the same in Spanish and they both started to shout at Uriah and Derek.

Patiently Uriah and Derek waited for the barrage to finish, giving their friends the time they needed to get their feelings out.

In some warped way Derek found it amusing and a smile began to appear on his face. Simian was incredulous. “What the hell are you smiling about?”

“You are right. You were both right. This is so much more than not being able to sleep.”

Casta slapped Simian on the chest. ’”See I told you, they’ve been fighting.”

Uriah spoke up. “No, we haven’t.”

It was Casta’s turn to raise an eyebrow looking at Uriah’s bloody face.

Uriah went to touch his now painful nose. “Well not until just now anyway. But we can explain.”

Derek opened the door wider so their friends could come in. “Have I got a story to tell you.”