Ambrose got furious. He stood, motivated to hunt the little traitor.But Leo let out, “Let him go. We have hurt him enough. He will need time to get over it.”Tristan wept. Leo watched his younger friend. He knew this was like separating his wife from himself. But Tristan had to become strong.“Dry those tears, knight. You are not a woman. You are a fighter, a knight. Now you will be our second in command. It is time for your initiation.”Above them, pink lemonade clouds wrap the sky as if Earth were a child's party gift. Passed leaf, upon the moss, softened rock, come the sun rays that were promised us by the starlit sky. Yet, Tristan didn't feel pleased about it. He felt the opposite.Hours later, Leo had his eyes blindfolded with soft animal skin leather. He was led to another region not far from where he and Tomas had been. He stood in the warm breeze of sunset, but a coolness crept through his bones as he heard the appearance of about two or three other men. He was focused. Trist
Redberg VillageNear the mangroves little moor, the panhandler rested his back against the post of the keelhaul and stared up at the afternoon tangerine sky. The clouds were parting and, after a few moments, the sun was exposed and he felt warmed by it. Nevertheless, he kept his shroud tightly draped around his body against the early spring wind. As he stared up, the ebony crow appeared, straddling on the keelhaul's leveled extension above."I have nothing for you little crow," let out the panhandler. "Not a single traveler has departed by these last few hours you know."The man longed for that crow's parents - or perhaps his friends - might have dined on caged bodies of witches that hung and half-burned at the crossroads by the Old Father. And some of the corrupt chaplains, reverends of Redberg who forbade recanting, shunned lovers, betrayers - both true and fictitious - their cadavers had been presented from the keelhauling as a warning to others.But no insignificant individuals ha
“We’re good,” Celestina told them, holding onto her wooden tray. She had used it to defend herself if she had to, no matter how much the patrol leader might lecture her about ‘inappropriate weapons’ later. Even now, she could feel the soldier's and the jester's regards burning across the area wearying into them.“You don’t look fine Celestina, are you alright?” Diana grumbled. She sat there almost unmoved and a sliver of moonlight coming through the window, blond hair, a blazing faded gray tunic and kilt, and one foot covering untied. Making her so vulnerable yet in truth she was the predator in this aisle.She was a close second to Tommy in times of unconditional loathsomeness. Her look flickered to Jenna who was smirking at them, understanding full well Diana wasn't comfortable with so many humans in the enclosure. She could almost feel her fangs slowly coming to life as Jenna's spell to make her reek like a human was almost coming to end. 'Dammit! I missed taking a shower' Diana th
The mangroves region was a tremendous inhospitable habitat that would kill travelers unfamiliar with its capricious territory. It was the sort of cold winter that would freeze the blood of those who didn't take sufficient care to be warm in heart and core.Drifters and travelers confronted a lack of rest, especially with the wet, alligator and slug-infested wetland, scorching hot days, freezing snow-cold nights, and unforeseen storms at a moment’s notice. The cold weather that seeps through any thin cloth to drain the soul instead feeds the soul of those well wrapped in warm layers of well-insulated fabrics.Fortunately, the panhandler at the moor knew the landscape because he had been through its jaws in the past during his alligator killing days with his father and brothers. They had crossed the barren terrain on their way to the floating cavern of the Battleaxe tribe. Winter mangrove trees line the next route. Their thin-clothed forms stand starkly against the snow, almost like cha
Inside the stone villa walls of Camella, Lord Andrew Lawvosky was confused and dazed for weeks and not with himself, he looked out and saw the hillside in flames and Camellana's people's hamlet destroyed. Undisclosed to him, the old woman had been enhancing him for weeks and made him fast asleep, oblivious in his chamber.But this time, he had awakened. He knew his time was short. He would take no more chances at waiting, he would find that woman. The woman in his dreams. He would take what was his before he lost it again.Furious and annoyed, he slammed open the door to Camellana’s chamber and found her in a corner weeping and with a woman on her side on the floor praying with the long white sheet gathered over her in useless defense.He grunted pleasure to himself and walked over to the unmoved woman. He grabbed the white sheet and whisked it off of her.But it was not Camellana underneath. It was her servant. Andrew turned and threw a dagger at her side, hitting the other woman in
The sight which met Diana's eyes after yet another episode of her sudden collapse at the dining hall had the horror of a dream within a dream, with the reality of sensibility added.The dim-lit chamber was as she had seen it last at the dark natives' cavern; except that the shadowy look had gone in the glare of the many lantern lights, and every piece of each oil lamp stood stark and solidly real in the niche of the chamber she was in.By the empty mattress sat young Celestina, as Diana's eyes had last seen her, sitting bolt upright in the chair beside the bed. She had placed a pillow behind her so that her back might be erect, but her neck was tightened as that of one in a warrior trance. She was, to all pursuits and goals, turned into stone as she surveyed her.There was no outstanding attitude on her face--no anxiety, no horridness; nothing such as might be anticipated of one in such a circumstance. "Celestina, where is Jenna? I haven't seen her in the dining hall."The young woman
Later at night, the healer came back with her two helpers after Cavin convinced her that what she saw earlier was just a mere apparition of the werewolf soul and she wasn't looking at the demon himself.A young helper was at once posted for the healer, and several of her servants disappeared to make themselves respectable. The healer and Cavin lifted Tommy onto the mattress where he had laid yesterday; and, having done what he could do for him, turned his attention to the helper. In all the commotion earlier the poor young woman had not stirred; she stood there as before, straight and formal, breathing softly and artlessly and with a placid look. As it was manifestly of no use to try anything to help them till the healer had left and the helper followed suit.In Diana's chamber, Celestina watched the vampire, who had by this time taken her guilt away and changed her demeanor; Celestina took her time to freshen up and change her clothing with a pair of tunic, comfortable and fresh for
The burial went smoother than expected, tears were shed as they all mourn for the fallen. Their mourning was the dawn before the light was brave enough to flood over the frontiers of the cliff facing the dark ocean. It was the time when the colors of the world bowed in reverence to their grief, pausing... before moving on with the new day and the life that needed their loving attention once more. At times the Battleaxe tribe must let the dark come as a cocoon, for their grief prepares them for the light; so they let the mourning wrap around them, they let it start their healing song. Vengeance must serve in a plotter, fresh and warm, they thought.After the burial, Celestina, Diana, and Tommy launched their journey to the Dark Mountains as per the manuscript of Marites, the Fated One dwells on the darkest peak.Supervised by young Cavin, the four souls commenced their voyage into the darkest side of the land.The small village of Twin Hallows near Dark Mountains was the region of sev
" I… I've come to realize that things aren't quite as black and white as I've been portraying them to be. I don't need to give up something to become someone else. I'm hoping to gain something more. But as long as you were with me. I don't care anymore, Andrew. My grandpappy can wait. In fact, the tenth century can wait. Right?” She looked at him with a sheepish expression.It took him no time to respond affirmatively. His hands glided down her back to her shoulders as they reached his chamber, then he went down her neck back again. "Yes, my love." The corners of his mouth split into a sensuous smile. "Your grandfather can wait." His words kissed the side of her face. “However, I believe you could push yourself even further. You are powerful Diana. Never hold back yourself. Do whatever is necessary to survive.”“Why? Do you want me to be like you?” She exhaled as his hand became entangled in the buttons on the front of her gown. Slowly giving her goosebumps.“You are really similar to
Diana's heart began to beat again, her lungs began to fill with air, and she took a deep, gasping breath. Slowly, the chill began to melt away from her body, dissipating in the face of the raging river coursing through her, ratcheting up her seer magic a notch. The amazing bliss she felt from his single drop of blood fueled her mind and made her want for more, and she felt like she was drunk on lust. Diana could see everything so clearly now, and at that moment, she wished she could have Andrew with her. Now! Right here, right now!And so she stepped closer, coming to a complete stop in front of Andrew. Then she pushed herself to her toes and grabbed the back of his neck, pulling him against her for a long, passionate kiss. In that kiss was the sweetness of passion, a million loving thoughts condensed into a moment. In that kiss were the promise of years and the sweetness of waiting for real love.She then drew back just as fast as she had come. Diana was aware that people were starin
Blanca's cheeks were flushed. "I'll be delighted to comply with my lord's wishes." She kissed his cheek once more as she grinned. It had been a long journey, a long adventure, and she had given up hope that she would ever see Dimitri's smile once more...The ladies with the wine approached them, and Blanca whispered to Dimitri, "This area looks like a battle zone, and I can't wait to taste you again." He halted when Elfar groggily waved the ladies over to them. "How is he going to get it ready for a celebration by tonight?" "He was drunk as hell." Blanca wondered as she waved her hand to Elfar, who reciprocated by waving his hands in their direction."The stubbornness of Elfar should never be underestimated. He was more than just a mere wolf. He is my sire demon for a reason.""I get what you're saying. He's just as stubborn as you are!" Blanca spoke with a little smile on her lips as she gave him a sly look. "Don't be concerned. There's no danger of that, my love. My stubbornness wil
Nirvana, on the other hand, smirked and murmured, "I happen to know that you are killing all of the offspring you have spawned through your wicked younger years," Nirvana said with a smirk and a "tsked."Camellana looked at Danny with a guilty expression on her face.Nirvana went on to say, "After all, you are not the only one that has spies." It turned out to be true. Nirvana had covertly dispatched spies across the hamlets in order to gather information about Camellana's plan.Continuing to dig, Nirvana said, "You are gathering military resources for yourselves to take with you, leaving Redberg Village as a shell of its former self, with its great walls as its sole defense. And I'm not sure what the assembly of the knights had expected you to perform, but I'm sure it's something big, something monumentally important. Despite Sulu's self-assurance and bluster, your very situation was dire. Andrew Norton was led here by my spy, and you are well aware that I am probably the only person i
Diana made a shaky motion with her head. Several strands of filth dropped from her hair and landed on the dirt floor. Diana then continued to recount all that had occurred earlier, while the others sat there and sobbed as she spoke. The others were so enraged at the traitors that it was understandable that they were infuriated. Even Anna had been questioned about what had transpired, and she proceeded to tell them about her confrontation with Sulu as well, which elicited a gasp from the audience.The elderly lady was deafeningly silent. Diana recognized that she was just as excellent at concealing her feelings as Lucinda was. In addition to being a charismatic leader, she would also be an excellent commander of their troops, as Anna would be.The following morning, Diana, Danny Nirvana, and Elfar, who had recovered from his wounds, arrived in the Redberg Village, which was close to Camellana's villa. As a result, Knight Leo chose to stay for another day at the witches' new cavern, firs
Elfar had the distinct impression that the ground itself was enraged at them. Massive mountains of loosened rock were falling into the cavern, and the rapid shift of such a large amount of mass was causing the entire area to become unstable. A louder, sharper disturbance could be heard just above their heads, and when Elfar peered up, he noticed fissures appearing in the concrete and stone roof of the tunnel. It was a terrifying sight. Within seconds, the fissures had grown in length and width. Clods of earth spilled out of them, strewing the train rails with their ashes."Run!" Elfar let out a yell. He snatched Anna and Leo's arms once more. "The tunnel is about to collapse! Is it possible for Nirvana to create some gateways, perhaps portals, to allow us all out?" Elfar was the one who inquired."I'm not sure if it's even possible to do so. Lucinda had made certain that her spell was strong enough to prevent anyone from entering or exiting the cavern without her permission. It's not t
Leo and Anna seemed to smile at their successful accomplishment.When they returned to Diana, they saw that she was barely holding her own against Sulu, but Nirvana was on her side as well.But Anna rushes to the other witches who were still battling with the two elders, and the three of them are found dead in the ravine, practically sizzling with the lava, as the enormous beast slowly drops its black tail into the ravine and falls. Along with the witches, of course. Then Anna threw herself at the elders and engaged in combat with the four friends. While Tommy engaged in combat with the four huge goblins that had fallen from the above-ground pit. And Leo rushed to Diana's side to assist her.Although she was backed up against the ravine that encircled Sulu's dais, Diana came close to falling, until the snake plunged into the lava under her feet. Nirvana was well aware that Diana was on the verge of being pushed over the ledge and into the abyss of molten lava below her feet. She didn'
Tommy added, "Oh well, D. I had planned on eating snake BBQ for dinner this evening, but it's not even feasible with that shadow hanging over me. Doesn't it look like a green screen that was used in future movies, D?""Yes, it's some kind of animated fuck of crap! In addition to a pot of giant worm soup. So put an end to your stomach aches and put your wolf fangs on, Tom."Then both of them halted their mind foolish conversation then Sulu's boomed around the niche of the chamber."Your commander Cornelius is a weakling," Sulu howled. "...Cornelius was a softie, but Nirvana here, on the other hand, was astute in assisting me, as were the two other chiefs." The two elders of the Dark Native's coven appeared out of nowhere, causing the witches to gasp in surprise. It took them completely by shock. It's no surprise why Sulu was successful in apprehending Lucinda. "Traitor!" Anna muttered under their collective breath while the rest of the witches stared at the two older leaders with contem
But Sulu is a master at exploiting the relatively weak aspects and outsmarting his stronger opponents. Yet he was livid, and his hands trembled. His fury had such a potent effect on him that if he had stayed that way in front of a human, it would have blinded them. Nevertheless, Diana was not a human. Vampire Seer, the Fated One. She wouldn't be phased with this jerk. She thought to herself.Sulu, on the other hand, flashed a menacing smile and lifted his hands in the air as if invoking his magical abilities. "Arise, my brethren!" he said emphatically.Then unexpectedly, the huge shadow and black barrier started to wiggle and move. To slither towards them. It was not a column that had fallen. It had come to life. And it was now poised to swoop down on Diana's entourage.Meanwhile, Knight Leo vampire knights and Aya's witches were frantically fighting with the Goblin who was waiting at the entrance to the Gathering Hall. It was a bloody battle. With its hammering power, the battering r