Henry is hitting the dummies with the sword one late afternoon. When he catches sight of Kelanar heading to the garden, he drops his sword and follows her. “Kelanar!” yells Henry. Kelanar sees him and tries to go another way, but she walks into a dead end of the garden. “What is going on? You were avoiding me for weeks. I know Master John said to stay away from us, but it is not healthy to be alone. You look miserable,” says Henry. Kelanar keeps her face turned away from him and looks at the ground. I have to get out of here before he sees us, thinks Kelanar. Henry grabs her left arm and turns her toward him. Henry spies red and puffy eyes, and her face has lost its shine. Her smile is nonexistent. “Oh, Kelanar I told you. I will be here for you. You don’t have to be alone. I never see you at any of the meals or on the weekends. Anytime I see you in the hall, you run away or go where I can’t go.” Kelanar is quiet as a tear rolls down her cheek. “I won’t be the reason you get
Hector just nods and lets Rex take the lead with the three boys. He needs to face that this is his life now. The death of the boy still plays on in his mind and how many prisoners Lord Skorn keeps, and now they will decide what will happen to these three. “You three will tell me what I want to know or suffer, understand?” orders Rex. The three boys look at each other, fear across their faces when they see Rex is a vampire when he smiles at them. “I am going to ask a few questions. Hector, removes their gags. Don’t speak unless you’re spoken to, or you will be gagged again,” orders Rex. Hector does as he is told and walks behind each boy and unties their gags, which falls into their laps. “Now then, let’s get to it,” says
With a lot on her mind, Kelanar heads back to the kitchen to help prepare dinner. Why did I agree to let Henry be there? He will get in trouble. I kissed him. What was I thinking? Maybe Master John is right. “Kelanar?” says George. Kelanar looks up from her potato peeling to see George standing beside her. “Are you ok? I've been calling you for a few minutes?” “Sorry, George, I just got lost in my head. Did you need something?” “Yes, Master John has requested that you join him for dinner tonight in the teacher’s lounge. Something about a report. Take dinner and go down the hall to your right, first door on the left.”
(Three days after the bar test.) Hector and his team have been taking it easy and getting ready for their ultimate test. Rex calls them all downstairs into the kitchen on the fourth day. Once all four of them are lined up, Rex addresses them. “You have had three days off and it is time for the last test. This one is a little different. You will each take your last test alone. You may not discuss the test with anyone prior to taking it. Hector, you will go first, then Ruby, Ash, and finally Trevor. Any questions?” asks Rex. The group looks at each other and then Rex, but no one speaks. “Good, the rest of you are dismissed. Hector, follow me.” Rex leads Hector down
Kelanar heads to her room after Master John's speech and decides to try to get some sleep, as she knows she needs the energy. The next morning, she dresses, goes to the kitchen and helps George. The morning chores go by in a blur and soon George is nudging her shoulder, bringing her out of her thoughts. “Hey, Kelanar, are you ok? You seem a little off today?” asks George. Kelanar shakes her head, trying to get her head on right. “Yeah, I am fine, just a little upset that Master John thinks he needs to add on to my load of work. I start the laundry and cleaning the dorms today.” “I know. I have the keys and the supplies for you. It is five rooms each day. That's four loads of laundry per room. You can read in between the washing and drying and then return to the room.
"Morning Hector, time for the last of your punishment. You will bring them to the courtyard and there you will burn them. You will stay in the sun without your cloak until their bodies are ash,” orders Rex. Hector just nods. He picks up the icy bodies and carries them to the courtyard. There he lays them on some wood and sets them ablaze, then he stands and watches them burn. As he watches, his skin is burning from the sun. It sizzles, but Hector welcomes the pain. It is not as bad as the pain he feels inside for killing the kids like an animal, like a monster. Rex comes out to Hector, who had been standing by the fire pit for the last two hours. Rex sees the children’s bodies are now ash, but still Hector stands, and his back is blistered up and skin is turning black. “Hector, your punishment is over. Come
Ruby feels on edge with the way Hector looked. He looked haunted and messed up. Ruby follows Rex to the stairs at the bottom. He stops and turns to her. “I do hope you take Hector’s warning and complete your test, Ruby. The test is simple enough,” says Rex. They walk to a cell at the end of the long hallway. Rex opens the cell. They walk in. There is one woman sitting on a small cot. She is dirty and has been crying from the looks of her eyes and face. Her Cheeks have tear stains. “This is Elizabeth Smith. She has been found guilty of treason against the king and has been sentenced to death. You are the one who is going to carry out her sentence. This is your last test. Complete the order without question and quickness,” orders Rex. “Rex, does it have to be pai
Henry leaves Kelanar's room. He doubles his fist and seeks out Conner. The twins know his thoughts and head him off at the bottom of the stairs. “Henry, you don’t know for sure it was him,” says Ben “Besides, you just get in trouble and prove Master John right. That she is a distraction and he will send her away. I mean it might be best, but it could hurt her as well,” says Ken “I know you're right Ken. Ben, you're wrong. I know it was Conner. He talked last night to his friends about her being his maid and putting her in her place. She must have said or done something he didn’t like and he took it out on her. He knows I like her and will do anything to get back at me too. So for him it is a two birds with one stone kind of thing,” says Henry. “That might be tr
Kelanar sleeps most of the night, but early morning, around two am, she wakes up, notices the trash can and gets sick. Kelanar knows she drank too much. After she gets sick, she drags herself to the bathroom to take a shower.Why did I drink so much? Thinks Kelanar.Kelanar places her head against the cold tiles of the shower wall and lets the warm water hit her back. Once she cleans up and doesn't feel like the world is spinning, she goes back to bed.Kelanar sleeps until six am, then she gets up, dresses and heads down to help in the kitchen. Kelanar hears talk In the kitchen. She Ppushes open the door to notice a smiling George and Henry looking refreshed this morning.“Morning Kelanar, how are you?” asks George.“I am ok. I think my head is killing me, but I did drink last night for my guard induction with Henry,” says Kelanar.George chuckles. “Yeah, Henry is just telling me about it. I have seen many boys go through that. I am glad to see you can stand and still help with the ki
Hector wakes up in a dark room nothing like the room he last remembers being in. Hector tries to move, but finds he can’t. He is chained to a chair. Hector hears footsteps. They are very close.Around a corner he spies the queen and a few guards. He has a bad feeling about this.“Queen Gabrielle, what is the meaning of this? You signed the treaty. Why am I chained to a chair?” asks a worried Hector.“Oh, Hector, I am sorry this isn’t personal. You see, Rex is one who won’t turn on his King and give me information and my daughter truly cares for him, so I couldn’t hurt him. Now you, I know, are new to Skorn's ranks and have a love you can’t see. You're hurt and angry with Skorn. You will tell me what I want to know, won’t you?” orders Queen Gabrielle.Hector tests the chains. They are strong, holding him like a vise.“Oh, don’t bother Hector. These are vampire steel. You will not be able to break or get out of them, so get comfortable and answer my questions and we can put this whole
Kelanar is in shock due to Henry's statement. So much so, that when the barmaid comes back over, she is still speechless.“Would you like your check, Sir, or dessert?”“What do you suggest for dessert?”“Well, we have our famous apple pie, chocolate pie and chocolate cake.”Her bright eyes never leave Henry.“Apple pie sounds nice.”“One or two, Sir?”Kelanar just watches while smiling at Henry. This girl was flirting with him hardcore.“Two sounds good.”“Yes, Sir. I will be right back.”As the barmaid turns, she winks at Henry and glares at Kelanar. She comes back a few minutes later and places two slices of pie down. One is an enormous piece and the other is tiny, the bigger helping she gives to Henry. As she goes to leave, she spills a drink on Kelanar.“Oops, so sorry. Let me get you a rag in the lady’s room around the corner, if you'd like to freshen up,” says the barmaid sweetly.Kelanar glares at the barmaid, gets up and goes to the lady’s room.While she is gone, the barmai
Rex and Iris leave the Queen’s study and head to a little pub down the street from the castle.“I am glad you came back, but do you think it wise to leave Hector with my mother?” asks Iris.Rex orders two beers and sits by her.“Hector can handle himself. Besides, he's all business. He will have the drink with her and then head back to his room or go hunting. His mind is on his girl,” says Rex.“He has a girl? Is it that blond that came with you all?” asks Iris.“Well, in a sense, yes,” Rex takes a drink and sighs.“Hector is my charge, but he didn’t come to this life willingly, like most. We have to have some way to control the vampires. I am afraid you will hate me if I tell you this,” sighs Rex.“I couldn’t hate you and I know you have done things you don’t like, but you have a king to answer to, and we all know he is not very nice. Some even call him evil.”“Well, this is true. I had to threaten his girlfriend, the human one. If he gets out of line, she will be hurt and before we
“I can dutifully oblige you. Come, let me speak to the masters. I think they would give us both a pass to go to town to celebrate,” says Henry.“Is that allowed? I haven’t left here in six weeks. That would be nice to relax some. Let’s go,” says Kelanar.Kelanar follows Henry back to the castle.“I don’t see why it wouldn’t be.” Henry goes up to speak to the masters.Master John notices them while he is seeing the other masters off.“Henry, Kelanar, can I help you with something?” asks Master John.“Yes Master. I wish to take Kelanar to town to celebrate. May we have a pass? I will keep her in my charge,” says Henry.Master John looks like he is thinking, then he smiles.“I am not supposed to let her leave the compound unless she is going home, but as of tomorrow she will be officially in the guard and under my charge fully. I suppose I could allow it. If you promise to watch her and make sure you’re both back by curfew. It is a day to celebrate, for I believe some women might want t
Hector and Rex walk into a grand room. A long table is present and the queen's throne sits at the end of the grand table. There are many people seated at the table already. The young girl from before sees them.“You both clean up nicely. The queen will be pleased. Come with me.” She leads them to the two chairs on either side of the queen’s throne.They sit and Hector turns to the girl.“Do forgive me, but I didn’t catch your name earlier.”She blushes. “I am sorry, I am so used to Rex, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Princess Iris.”Hector is surprised and bows.“I am sorry, Your Highness. I didn’t know you were a royal,” says Hector.Rex laughs. “It’s fine, Hector, you didn’t know, and Iris isn’t one for titles. Just respect the queen and we will be fine,” orders Rex.Ruby and Ash join the group a few moments later. Ruby sits next to Hector and Ash sits next to Ruby.Hector goes to speak with them when the double doors open and everyone stands and bows. The queen enters wearin
Kelanar sent her letter over three days ago and she has been waiting to hear back from her sister, Eve. She is helping George with breakfast when Master John hands her a letter.Dear Kelanar,Glad to hear you're doing ok. I can’t believe they have you in the guard, that is crazy, but mom and I are very proud of you. If they were to have a first woman, we could see it being you. I know you are great with a bow, so give those boys hell. I can’t wait to see you for our birthday. Write back soon.Love, Eve(Six weeks later)Kelanar has been enjoying her time with Henry in the morning as they help George and then they train all day. Then they get some time alone as they clean the boots. Master John said that this was the last week for boots, thinking they had been punished enough. Henry has been doing all this with a broken hand. He gets the wrap off today.Kelanar has been getting better with a sword, and she is moving up in the ranks with the boys. She is still the best with a bow and M
Henry is in his bed and can’t sleep. What Kelanar said really bothered him. An idea comes to him, and he goes to sleep before his alarm goes off at three o'clock. Ben and Ken groan at that. It is not time to get up yet.Henry wipes the sleep out of his eyes and grabs a quick shower before dressing and heading down to the kitchen. He sees George.“Well, good morning, Henry. What are you doing up already?” asks George.“Morning George. Well, Kelanar made a comment yesterday that really bothers me. She must do double duty as a woman and a guard. I find it very unfair.”“I am sure you do, but that is the orders and like you said, she is a woman.”“I know very well. I have come to a decision that, as long as she has to, then I will too. So, put me to work,” says Henry with confidence.“Very well, that is very you. Grab some potatoes, get to peeling. She will be here soon,” orders George.Henry sits and gets to work. A little before four, Kelanar strolls in. She spies Henry working and is
The sun sets, and Hector and Rex rise from their sleep. Hector stretches his muscles, stiff from horseback riding, and wants a shower.“Do you mind if I shower first, Rex?” asks Hector.Rex looks over at him and smiles.“No, go ahead. I like to hunt before I shower, but make sure you are done before I get back. No taking your time like a woman would,” says Rex.“No, I will be out pretty quick,” says Hector.Hector walks into the bathroom. He sees a good sized room. On the walls he sees a lot of symbols like runes. He uses the restroom and turns on the shower. As soon as he does, he smells this fragrance consisting of roses, lavender and some other herbs. Hector knows he is in the kingdom of the witches, and he needs to stay alert. He strips out of his clothes and steps into the warm water. He sees many bottles of soap and they all smell like the rain. Hector quickly uses them, rinses off and dries with a towel he finds hanging on the wall. He walks out of the bathroom just as Rex is