3rd Eye: Dark Secret

You are sickened by your weakness
Of a heart that's filled with fear.
And if the world won't understand you
You can make it disappear.

All Hallows Eve dawned bright and clear, it was one of the busiest times of year for the village, and for others like it all over the kingdom.
With winter fast approaching, the harvests were underway, and the store houses were filling with supplies enough to see the community through a season of cold darkness.
Tonight after the priest had spoken in solemn tones of the reward that awaited them in heaven for their labours in this world the villagers would slip away into the forest and give thanks to older Gods. They would feast and dance moonclad in honour of the Sun and the Earth.
Kalita had little thought for dancing and feasting in honour of the sun and earth. Today she just wanted to run into the dark trees and not stop until she reached the edge of the world. The only thing that stopped her embarking on this journey was Matin. Surely he must be an angel descended from heaven, the sun set his blonde locks afire, and when he smiled at her, her heart melted. Kalita would have given anything to be able to wear her dress and garlands of summer flowers, to stand in front of everyone she had ever known and promise to love and obey Matin for ever and a day.

In her heart the vows had already been made, in secret shadows of the forest trees, after they had lain together and been one, then he had held her against his smooth chest and promised that he would always love her and be there for her, inspite of Lerone.

Lerone, Lerone, God in heaven how she loathed that name. Lerone the destroyer of her heart, Lerone who would take her love and defile it. Lerone The stranger, Lerone The sorcerer, Lerone Of The Sword.
Some called him Sir Lerone, for he arrived on horseback, bearing a beautiful sword of fine steel. Law dictated that only nobles and knights might bear arms and ride horses. But he seemed to be a man of simple tastes. He took an abandoned house, re-thatched the roof, repaired its broken walls and then took to cultivating its small fields.

Cause there's a dark secret
You carry with you
Carry with you

The villagers had watched and whispered of this strange man for several weeks. Finally when it became clear that he was going to be staying they approached him and learned that his name was Lerone. And he was tired of fighting and had chosen the simple life of a farmer for now. The villagers found him to be quiet, polite and eternally watchful. None ever approached him without his greeting them by name, even in darkest night.

Now once again it was All Hallows Eve, the second since Lerone had arrived amongst them. He had approached Kalita's father and spoken of her. Your daughter is the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes upon, he had said. Kalita's father had agreed, for she was tall and slim and strong and truly beautiful. Lerone then asked for her hand in marriage. He had gifted the old man with silver coins, laid in a small-carved box that was beautiful to the eye and the nose, the wood itself carrying a tantalising musk scent.

Kalita's father had agreed to the union on the spot and All Hallows Eve was chosen as the occasion for the betrothal.

And that terrible day was here. Kalita dressed herself numbly that morning, her face still wet she went about her chores, her long dark tresses lay limp and uncombed over her face and she did not lift her head to smile or thank any for their well wishes and congratulations.

Of Matin there had been no sign since the evening before and though Kalita looked for him he was no were to be found.

The day passed too quickly.

Kalita's parents had only made enough of a passing gesture to the Christian God to prevent them being burned as witches by any passing inquisitors, their souls still embraced older forces.

Lerone had been instructed to be ready at sunset, he would be escorted to his bride and the wedding would be conducted to the satisfaction of all present. Lerone had merely nodded and said whatever ceremony would please her family was fine with him.

The evening approached, two men arrived at Lerone's house bearing garlands of forest flowers. They laid one upon Lerone's head and another around his neck. Lerone was dressed in a fine cloak and expensive clothes, trimmed with gold thread embroidery.
His sword was sheathed at his hip.

The escort led Lerone deep into the forest. Here fires burned and the villagers awaited the ceremony to begin. All agreed that it was a fine union, and though it was rumored that her heart belonged to the lad Matin, she was still a young woman, and in time she would grow to love Lerone.

The couple stood together in the light of the fire. Kalita was dressed finely, her hair shone in the flickering light, her eyes shone, but with tears and the faces of her parents were set and grim.

'There's a dark secret you carry with you,' Lerone whispered to her as Kalita's mother began the ceremony.

'You condemn me to Hell sir,' was her reply.

'You are sickened by your own weakness, I sense a heart that's filled with fear.' He smiled gently at her, lifting her chin to stare into her eyes. 'And if the world won't understand you, you can make it disappear,'

Kalita just stared at him, a strange sensation rippling over her skin, she felt as if lightening touched her.

Kalita and Lerone made their vows to each other, their wrists were loosely bound and they jumped over a broom and their marriage was complete.

At that moment with a howl like an enraged beast Matin ran from the trees, a great scythe raised over his head, his face a mask of blood were he had clawed at his eyes in his insane grief.

Still bound at the wrist, Lerone spun and pulled Kalita who shrieked in misery at seeing Matin so wounded, behind him. Drawing his sword Lerone knocked the scythe aside and then lashed out with his boot, Matin tumbled into the dirt and lay there weeping as Lerone untied Kalita.

'Go home boy and live boy,' Lerone lifted his sobbing bride into his arms and carried her away from the clearing.
The wedding feast was over before it began.

And deep inside the way you hate them
On the outside doesn't show
And though they think that they will find you
They are slave to what you know

No one was ever sure what happened that night. A horse was heard riding through the village, then the sounds of fighting from Lerone's house. Steel on steel until finally a demon windstorm roared through the village and lightening flashed and arced around Lerone's house. Then all was still.

It was before dawn when Matin crept to Lerone's house. The shutters hung loosely from the window frames, the door had been thrown open and inside was chaos.

He called Kalita's name, softly at first, but when there came no reply he called louder. Finally he heard her reply.

Entering the house Matin found Kalita lying naked on the bed, around her was blood, more blood than Matin had ever seen and though Kalita bore no wounds but she seemed pale and near death.

'I would not give myself to him….I threw myself upon his sword….A rider, a man with a blue face, oh Gods, he took Lerone's head and there was lightening and pain. I died and still live….He spoke to me, he said I would live forever now…'

'Kalita, oh Kalita,' Matin held her against him and together they wept. He for she was dying and she for deeds both seen and done.

'We must be aways from here my beloved,' she said at last. 'There be no truth here for our families to see. No truth they can ever know.'

Nodding without understanding he rose and helped her dress. Kalita took Lerone's sword and draped the belt over her shoulder, then together they rode Lerone's horse out into the rays of the first dawns light, as bright as the quickening, together they left the village forever.

Dark Secret ~ Matthew Sweet

You are sickened by your weakness
Of a heart that's filled with fear
And if the world won't understand you
You can make it disappear

Cause there's a dark secret
You carry with you
Carry with you

And deep inside the way you hate them
On the outside doesn't show
And though they think that they will find you
They are slave to what you know

It's a dark secret
You carry with you
Carry with you

And it's a dark secret
You carry with you
Carry with you...

And it's a dark secret
carry with you

And it's a dark secret
carry with you

And it's a dark secret
carry with you