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Dark Rituals	By : MarianTheBlackadder Category: S through Z > Sherlock Holmes (2009) > Sherlock Holmes (2009) Views: 3327 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I in no way own any rights to or make any profit from Sherlock Holmes the book, the movie, or any other medium concerning these characters. This is a non-profit story for entertainment purposes only.

Chapter List
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Means to an End
            Blackwood walked into his study finding Katherine sitting by the window just looking out watching the leaves in the trees blow in the wind. He closed the doors behind him before walking over to her.
            “There is nothing to be done but wait.” He said, before sitting down next to her. “I’ve got every member of the order on alert and we’re searching everywhere for them. We’ll find them soon.” He said reaching out and covering her hand with his.
            “No one’s heard or seen anything. The one woman who could have given us answers is dead. Where are we supposed to look? Where could they have gone?” She said keeping her eyes on the trees below.
            “Have patience.” He said. “But in the meantime, you need to start eating. It’s been three days, and you haven’t touched a bite of food. You’ll wither away if you continue this.” He said. “I know you’re worried and upset but you cannot neglect your health.”
            “Do you know, I think Michael was ready to begin speaking?” She said softly. “He always seemed as though he had a lot to say, but didn’t have the ability to get the words out.” She sighed a little as her eyes closed.
            Blackwood watched her and could see she was grieving, but there was nothing more that could be done until they picked up a trail somewhere. “I know that you’ve gone to Holmes.” He said changing the subject a bit.
            “It’s said he’s the best.” She whispered, almost expecting to be beaten for her actions. “I thought they could help.”
            “I think it was a wise idea.” He said. Katherine turned her eyes towards him in surprise that he approved of her going to them. “They have a knack for missing persons cases. Which is why they are such an irritant to me. They would be the most likely candidates to find something.”
            “They haven’t found much of anything.” She admitted looking back out the window. “The last I heard from them, they had found Christina dead in an alleyway, and Dr. Watson was taking charge of the body, wanting to perform an examination personally. But I’ve not heard anything else.”
            Blackwood reached out and took her shoulders turning her to face him. “Katherine, I’ll make whoever is responsible for this pay. I promise you that.” He said seriously. “If the cowards cannot attack me directly and attack my defenseless children . . . they will pay.” The dark look on his face seemed to explain the fury and anger that was dwelling just under the surface.
            Just then a knock came at the door, and one of their maids came in but stopped when she saw Lord Blackwood. Katherine motioned for her to come in with whatever news she had. The maid had been taking reports and letters back and forth between Holmes and Katherine, and she knew that Lord Blackwood wouldn’t approve. Yet the cat now seemed quite out of the bag and it didn’t matter if Blackwood was sitting in the same room and saw the exchange or not.
            Taking the envelope, Katherine opened it finding more then just a letter this time. She poured the contents of the letter into her hand as a silver cross slid from the envelope. It was a Christian cross, and necklace that many Christian women wore. Blackwood took it from her and looked it over, as she took out the letter and began to read.
            “Well?” Blackwood asked.
            “They found this on her body. She hid it by wearing it on her wrist under her uniform instead of around her neck.” She said with a frown. “Why would she do that? Why would she come here knowing who we were, and your reputation when she was obviously a very religious person?” She asked. Shaking her head she read the rest of the letter from Holmes saying that they had a new place to start looking, and she would hear from them again soon.
            “They said they are following a lead, and will send word when they find anything.” She told Blackwood.
            “I don’t think it takes a specialist to know what this means, Katherine.” He said holding up the necklace. “The church sent her, and charged her with taking the boys from us.”
            “We don’t know that for certain.” She said not wanting to believe that. Especially when abduction and murder was involved. She couldn’t believe that the church would do such things.
            “At least we have another place to look now, don’t we.” He said looking into her eyes.

Deportation
            Katherine had to sit down hearing this news that they had wanted to give her in person. She immediately went to their home answering their call hoping for some good news. Yet it was the extreme opposite. “Are you sure?” She said in shock.
            “They are alive and well.” Watson told her, “We know that for certain. This entire episode was engineered in an attempt to rescue them from Blackwood’s influence. Several of his own followers had a hand in this. They handed them over to the church who immediately had them spirited out of England.”
            “Where did they go? Where did they send them?” She asked looking at the two men.
            “We don’t know.” Holmes said irritated beyond all reason that this had happened and they weren’t able to catch the culprits in time to stop them from deporting Katherine’s sons. “They were given into the care of one individual of the clergy and he disappeared with them and is the only one who knows their whereabouts. The church thought it best to keep it a tight secret so they couldn’t be tracked down.”
            “This is insane.” She said. “They can’t just . . . take my children and give them away. What right have they to do this? To take my children and just . . .” She shook her head and covered her face with her hand.
            The two men looked at each other, not knowing what to say. This wasn’t like any other case they had had before. But questions were certainly answered about who were as crafty, powerful, and staunchly indoctrinated in their beliefs as Blackwood’s followers. The Christian faith was just as fanatical about their beliefs if not more so.
            Before Watson or Holmes could say another word she stood, “Thank you. For your help.” She said. The look in her eyes spoke of being in shock, but neither man could respond before she left out the door.
            “That didn’t look promising.” Holmes said with an uneasy feeling.
            “She was shocked on more than one level with that news.” Watson said.
            “You mean the fact that the lines that were drawn so clearly for her before, the ones between good and evil are now blurred and broken?”Holmes sighed running his hand through his hair. “I have a few contacts in the various surrounding countries I’ll send letters out immediately and see if anything turns up.”
            Watson nodded, just as concerned with how Katherine was taking all this. She didn’t seem to be able to comprehend it.

Divination
            Blackwood walked into the prayer closet that was once his fathers. He and Katherine had moved back into the headquarters and Sir Thomas’ house that Blackwood inherited when the search was begun. Wanting to be close to whatever news or leads that might arise.
            He paused seeing the room lit with candles in every direction. Katherine was kneeling at the altar, their book of spells open before her. Offerings and incense in every offering plate in the room. She knelt with a handful of runes, tossing them down on small black cloth with a gold pentagram embroidered into it.
            “As glad as I am to see you practicing such things, Katherine. You should have told me.” He said walking closer to her. “You should have consulted me first.”
            “Have you had any word about our sons.” She said simply not turning towards him.
            “No.” He said.
            Katherine was quiet a moment before she stood from the alter and looked at Blackwood. “I knew this was coming. Didn’t I.” She said seriously.
            “What do you mean?” He asked.
            “That night, when I held the lamb in my arms that was to be sacrificed, and I could feel was its mother’s pain at the loss of her child. It’s because I knew what was coming.” She said seriously.
            Blackwood was quiet and just stared at her, before glancing towards the alter where the runes were scattered over the pentagram. “What have you seen?” He asked.
            “Not what I wanted to see.” She said turning back and picking up the handful of runes holding them out to him. “There was more reason for marrying me then you’ve told me wasn’t there.” She said, “Why could I see this coming? Why could I feel these things?” She opened her hand holding the runes and showed them to him, “and read these as easily as if I had opened a book?” She demanded to know.
            He studied her for a moment. It seemed that she was angry, but angry because she was frightened and confused. “Yes.” He said answering her question directly. “The gift you possess has only showed itself in empathy . . . until recently when our children were born.” He reached up closing his hand around hers that held the runes. “You’re mother was a seer, Katherine.” He said honestly.
            “You knew who my other was?” She asked in astonishment. “No one knew who my mother was, . . . they told me they didn’t.” She said looking a bit confused. “How could you know?”
            “Katherine,” he said after a moment, not going to tell her how he knew. “I’ve waited a long time to see your gift begin to take form and shine through. I was beginning to have my doubts. With what you had been taught from the time you were small . . . I thought perhaps your gift had been buried so deep it could not be retrieved.”
            “A lot of good its doing me,” She said turning in frustration and tossing the runes back down on the alter. “All they’re not telling me anything, or making any sense.”
            “You’re asking where our sons are.” He said knowing already what she had been trying to accomplish.
            “Yes, and when I ask they say nothing. They don’t even make sense or give me a coherent answer.” She said becoming even more frustrated by the moment.
            “Because they are in the hands of the church.” He said reaching out and putting his hands on her shoulders. “That is what is blocking us from finding them with our power.” He said rubbing her arms a bit pulling her closer. Katherine covered her hand with her face, just trying to stay calm but it was difficult. “Patience. We’re doing everything we can.”
            Katherine dropped her hand from her face and turned starring at him, “How can you sound so happy right now? You actually sound excited.” She said in disbelief.
            “You’ve just given me some wonderful news. You’ve no idea how long I’ve waited to find that you’ve inherited your mothers abilities.” He said a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “This opens up so many things for us darling, you can’t even fathom how much power we will gain.”
            Her eyes continued to stare at him in disbelief feeling as though he was not striking the proper tone or attitude considering their dire situation. “I don’t care.” She exclaimed, letting him know that there was currently only one thing on her mind. “I don’t care if we are to inherit the crown jewels! I want my babies back!” She shouted at him.
            Blackwood’s face darkened when she shouted at him, not approving of her talking to him in such a manner in the slightest. Even though Katherine saw the look and knew what it was, she was far too upset to play the game. “Be careful.” He warned.
            “CAREFUL?!” She shouted at him. “How has careful been beneficial to us in anyway? How many innocents blood were spilled in the name of ‘being careful’ and gaining protection for our children? The countless rituals, the indecent behavior we engaged in infront of ALL of your followers, my putting up with your debauchery, the pain of baring your children and for what?? For our sons to be stolen away by men as fanatical as YOU ARE!” She shouted.
            Suddenly, Blackwood backhanded her so hard she hit the floor with a thud. Katherine shook her head, dazed with her ears buzzing from the blow. Reaching up she held her head closing her eyes as a huge pain replaced the buzz and she thought she was going to be sick. Blackwood stood over her, still quite displeased with her conduct. “You want to help our children? Aid in their recovery?” He said. Couching down closer to her reached out and seized the front of her dress jerking her up closer to him. “Then instead of raving about, casting blame in every direction . . . I suggest you do what is necessary to nurture and enhance your gift.” He growled and glared at her.
            A few drops of blood escaped the corner of her mouth from a cut that had been made by her teeth when she was struck so hard. She bit back the urge to cry, her entire body trembling, “I don’t know how.” She said in a quiet voice.
            “Then do as I instruct you to, without question.” He released her dress pushing her back slightly. “I can tolerate your behavior considering the circumstances . . . but only to a certain point.” He stood up and turned leaving the closet slamming the door behind.

Unprecedented
            Holmes approached the table not comfortable with any of this, but not about to let it show. There sat Blackwood in the middle of a crowded dining hall, waiting. This meeting place was agreed upon because of the large crowd that surrounded them. To insure each others behavior was kept civil.
            He sat down across from Blackwood, and the two men sat in silence glaring at each other for a few moments.
            Blackwood, was the first to break the silence. “Is the fact that there are no bars between us this time, making you nervous.” He said.
            “Not at all. I was thinking how surreal it was to have a conversation with a dead man.” Holmes replied. “Even though you refuse to stay that way.”
            “I’m more useful here, then I would be as a rotting corpse. I assure you.” Blackwood said simply. “You can’t kill someone who is protected by unseen forces.”
            “Why didn’t Katherine come.” Sherlock said dispensing with the small talk.
            “She is currently unavailable. The only reason I’m not taking your head to place on my mantel, is the truce between us that Katherine went out of her way to arrange.” He said. “Temporary as it is.” Blackwood added letting Holmes know that they weren’t even distant acquaintances.
            “You must be desperate, to come to me hoping that I can find your children where you failed.” Holmes said.
            “Have you news, or was this simply a social call.” Blackwood asked.
            “ I was hoping to ask Katherine if she had any more details that she could share about their environment and the day they were abducted.” He said keeping a close eye on Blackwood’s hands in case he tried to move or signal something to happen.
            Neither man was foolish, and each knew the other had someone watching to step in should they decide they needed assistance. The ‘come alone’ condition was usually ignored by simply keeping the extra parties out of direct line of sight.
            “She has already given you everything that she could gather. My account, the servants, and a complete detailed list of the nursery and the belongings that were missing. There is no more evidence to give.” Blackwood stated.
            “I suppose that a visit to your manor to investigate in person is off the table.” Holmes said.
            “Absolutely under no circumstances are you ever welcome or allowed on the grounds.” Blackwood said in a warning tone, even though it could have gone quite unmentioned.
            “I thought as much. Although I have a trained eye where you and Katherine most likely would not. I could see something that the two of you missed.” He offered.
            “It seems we’ll never know.” Blackwood said making it clear that it wasn’t going to happen. “Is that all?”
            “The clergy that was involved has disappeared. Either relocated, or . . . hidden somewhere. Of course you would have nothing to do with that yourself.” It was a theory that Holmes and Watson had been entertaining. That the order had taken their one link inside the church to conduct an interrogation of their own, and then felt that the priest was no longer required.
            “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but he’s not a guest of ours.” He answered simply. “If you have nothing else of use or interest, then I think perhaps I can bid you farewell.” Blackwood said glaring at him.
            “I think that would be best,” Sherlock said not wanting to be here anymore then the other man. “Give my regards to Katherine.” Then, the inspector stood and turned exiting quickly. Watson joined him in the foyer and the left together. Blackwood watched with narrowed eyes, tempted not to allow them to leave, or make it back to Baker street. But Katherine was cooperating with him completely, and taking away two sources that were searching for their sons might upset her.
            Blackwood knew that he would have to tolerate the two men for the time being.

Reports
            “I can’t believe that you managed to do this,” Holmes said starring at the doctor.
            “The entire order is distracted. The search for the boys is still going strong, and . . . . they’re doing everything humanly, and apparently inhumanly possible.” He said tossing down the cloak he had worn that hid his identity when he went to the meeting earlier in the evening.
            “I still should have gone with you, I would have been quite irritated with myself letting you go alone and some sort of disaster befell you.” The Inspector said.
            “Only one of us could get in, and after observing what I saw this evening, I think being the doctor it was best that it was me.” Watson said.
            “Uh oh,” Holmes said crossing his arms leaning against the desk. “What’s the newest prognoses for your favorite patient.” He asked.
            “Um, . . .” Watson hesitated not certain how to explain. “Well, she has gone from being a timid and hesitant pawn in the order and Blackwood’s plans . . . to a very strong and willing participant.” He said in disappointment. “I would like to believe it was just the drugs she was given, but I think it’s more then that.”
            “How do you know she was drugged?” He asked.
            “Her eyes were dilated so much that they were almost entirely black.” He reported in amazement. “I’ve never seen anything like it. She reads from the books, and she goes through the motions as though she had been doing so all her life. Although, fortunately, she is still not taking part in the sacrifices. Her eyes turned away when they killed the animal, so at least she isn’t entirely gone.”
            “Then it’s safe to say that she is officially one of Blackwood’s drones then.” Holmes asked.
            “She’s terribly upset and distraught about her children being abducted, Holmes. I wouldn’t put it past Blackwood to use this opportunity to his advantage in swaying her to his side. Who knows what he told her to make her want to do these things.” Watson said.
            “You weren’t able to contact her then I imagine.” The inspector said with a slight sigh. “Which of course was the whole point to your going in the first place. Blackwood has allowed open communication between us and Katherine so far since we are all working towards the same goal where the boys are concerned. But her lack of communication these past two weeks indicates she lost whatever hope or faith she had when she first came to us.”
            “It’s been almost two months. They could be anywhere in the world by now, and it could take years for them to be tracked down. The few leads we have had and followed have come to sudden and rather ghastly ends.” Watson said sitting down and leaning back in his chair.
            “It seems the preferred method of keeping secrets is to simply silence anyone who knows of them. As they say, Dead men tell no tales. And It looks as though it is one of the unwritten beliefs and practices of the Catholic church.” Holmes paused lighting his pipe and taking a few puffs before crossing his arms thinking a few moments. “This is what she wanted in the first place.” He stated.
            Watson looked at Holmes bewildered by his words. “How can she have possibly ever wanted this?”
            “It’s what we would have done if she would have had daughters instead of sons. And she gave her consent for it to be done then. It was to save their lives and separate them from Blackwood, taking them from his reach.” Holmes said.
            “Giving permission and granting your consent to save someone’s life and their well being, is a far cry from the decision to be taken from you. Not to mention she knew that we would have taken care of the child, and seen that it was looked after by good honest people that wouldn’t harm them.” Watson sighed again, “And I’m positive that a trail of bodies wouldn’t have been left in our wake when we did take them for safety.”
            “I find it interesting that they use sinners to do their dirty work, and then speed them on their way to hell. I suppose that’s how they justify the murders.” Holmes said.
            “Any word from your contacts outside of England?” Watson asked.
            “None. Even my brother has written to some colleagues and none of them have had any more luck then we have finding clues.” The inspector replied. “We’ll keep at it. And hope that luck will favor us soon.”

Trances
            Katherine sat perfectly still, her back straight as a board, and her eyes staring straight forward into what seemed to be nothing but darkness. Her eyes were almost black, showing little or no white at all.
            Blackwood had been reading from their book, casting several spells and calling spirits after she had been given wine with several chemicals that help send her into this state. It was one that she had been in most of the time for the past month, and rarely fully conscious.
            “What do you see.” Blackwood asked standing beside her.
            “Darkness.” She said simply. “Nothing but shadows . . . and laughter.” She said softly.
            “Laughter?” He asked thinking that that strange.
            “They’re laughing. Clapping their hands. Smiling. They’re happy.” She said. Her eyes turned downcast. “They don’t miss us.”
            “Can you see where they are? Can you see anything that would help us locate their whereabouts.” He said trying to guide her.
            Katherine closed her eyes, “I can feel a warm breeze . . . the smell of orange blossoms . . . blooming flowers . . .” She leaned her head back a moment, “Warmth from the sun . . .” She said. Blackwood waited to see what else she had to say.
            “Anything more?” He asked.
            She remained quiet for another few moments, before her eyes opened and she looked straightforward again. “Darkness.” She said indicating that she couldn’t see anything now. Blackwood sighed feeling as though they had reached another dead end. Still, he was quite pleased with how her ability was developing.
            He decided it was time to end this session for the evening. It would be morning soon as it was. He blew out the candles on the table and took her hands in his. “It’s time to rest.” He said standing her to her feet.
            She didn’t say anything, or blink, or really make any sort of acknowledgement. That was to be expected. Until the chemicals had worn off, she was quite obedient and receptive, but lacked the ability to be responsive to her own thoughts and emotions. Even her movements were directed by Blackwood while she was so completely under his control.
            Blackwood put out the rest of the candles, before taking her arm and escorting her from the catacombs, back to their rooms in the headquarters of the order above.
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Dark Rituals