by Морган Райс
“Because I failed,” he said simply. “I was ambushed, and outnumbered, and I let it slip from my grasp. This is an action for which I take full responsibility.
“And that is why I’ve come here to warn you. They do have the sword. They have started this war. It will spread to us. And we must act now.
“I propose that we send our legions out now, to attack before they grow strong in numbers. If we concentrate all of our force on them, if we catch them by surprise, we might just be able to contain them downtown, and to get back the Sword. Speed and surprise are the key. I will gladly go first, and put myself on the front line.”
Another murmur spread throughout the room, as the judges looked at each other, this time caught off guard, and exchanged words. This went on for quite some time.
Finally, the center judge cleared his throat, and the administrators banged their staffs, bringing the room to silence.
“You are right about one thing, Caleb,” the judges began. “You have indeed failed. You have defied us at every turn, and if what you say about the Sword is true, you and you alone are to blame for letting it go. Far from coming here to rescue us, you have brought nothing but harm and danger upon your coven and your people. You should be ashamed.
“And how insolent of you to think that you could rescue us. You are just one vampire. We have all lived collectively for thousands of years. We don’t need your help, whatever you may think. This is our stronghold, and it always has been. Here we have all the defenses in the weaponry to protect ourselves from any attack. Here we are strong in numbers. Out there, we will be fragmented, and we will lose our force.
“No, the best course of action is for us to stay here, and to fight the war here, if there will even be one. And we don’t even believe that there will. This will surely all blow over, as it always does.”
“And then what of the humans?” Caleb asked. “Are you just going to let them all be slaughtered? Have we no responsibility to save them?”
“Our responsibility is to ourselves, to our coven. We rescue humans when it is convenient to us.
Now it is not. We can let them die. More of them will always be coming. But we—we are a special breed.”
“How convenient,” Caleb said. “Only protect the humans when it is convenient for you. That does not sound like the creed of a warrior to me.”
The judge scowled back.
“This meeting is adjourned. Last we met, we sentenced you to 50 years confinement. This time, your punishment is banishment. You are no longer a member of this coven. Your face will not be recognized. You are never welcome on these grounds again, and if you come, you will be killed on sight. Gather your belongings, and be gone from here.”
With that, the administrator banged his staff, and the room erupted into chaos.
Caleb stormed away from the grand hall, and back into the corridor. He continued down the hall, and up the staircase, taking them two at a time. He had to get away from all of this, from all the internal politics which he despised. All of these judges’ pronouncements, judgments, delays…it was also so old-school, so resistant to change. So predictable. He couldn’t stand it.
He was glad they had formally banished him. At least now it was official. In his heart, he felt that this was not a place for him anymore. The only real attachment he had to it anymore was his brother. And memories.
Caleb burst out of the spiral staircase and into the lower level of the Cloisters, and as he did, he felt a strong hand on his shoulder. He turned.
Samuel looked back with concern etched across his brow, dozens of soldiers behind him.
“Where will you go?” Samuel asked.
Caleb wasn’t quite sure of the answer himself. All he knew was that it would be away from here.
He knew that he couldn’t stand by and let all those humans die. And he knew that he had to attack the Blacktide Coven, had to try to get the Sword. If he had to attack them alone, then so be it. He knew it was suicide, but he had to try.
“To get the Sword,” Caleb answered.
“By yourself?”
“What choice do I have? It was stolen from my grasp. I feel obliged. Moreover, I can’t let all of these humans die. Not on my watch.”
Samuel nodded. “I see that some things never change. You are bold. And brave.”
Caleb allowed himself a small smile. “It runs in the family, my brother.”
“I, too, am dissatisfied with the Council,” Samuel said. “I agree with you. War must be initiated now. We cannot wait. As you say, their numbers will grow stronger. Sitting here, we only grow weaker.”
Caleb looked his brother over.
“I am with you,” Samuel said. “As are my men.”
Samuel reached out his arm and Caleb took it, clasping each other’s forearms.
As they had for thousands of years, Caleb and Samuel would head into battle together. That was all Caleb needed to hear. Now, he felt as if he could war with the legions of the world, and that if he should die, at least he would die with his brother by his side.
“We must bring the weapons,” Samuel said. “The sacred weapons.”
Caleb looked at him for a second, and then remembered. Of course.
They turned and walked down the corridor, into the small treasure room of the Cloisters. They stopped before a vertical glass case, inside of which sat a four-foot ivory staff, intricately carved, with a round circular head and mysterious etchings all over it.
Samuel reached over and with two hands gently picked up the heavy glass case and removed it.
Now they could see it more clearly: the ivory staff, the crozier, one of the greatest weapons of their coven. It had been in their safekeeping for thousands of years, reserved for the time of greatest war.
“Can we take it?”
“It is yours,” Samuel said. “You won it in battle. No member of this coven has as great a right to it as you. Go ahead.”
Caleb reached in and slowly grasped the staff. A bolt of electricity coursed through his body as he squeezed it. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, remembering back thousands of years. This was a weapon of wonder. It was not on par with the magical Sword they had found in the King’s Chapel, but it was still formidable. It could still maim most vampires, especially those of an evil inclination.
Caleb grabbed the staff with both hands, holding it close, examining it.
As he did, Samuel reached in and took out the large, blue cloak that hung beside it. The cloak of power had been a shield for their kind for thousands of years. With it, a vampire was nearly invincible. And it was always to be worn by the one who wielded the staff.
Samuel draped the cloak over Caleb’s shoulders. Caleb felt an energy wash over his body as the cloth hugged him securely. With the cloak on and the staff in hand, Caleb felt invincible, ready for battle.
“And you?” Caleb asked his brother.
Caleb thought of all the incredible weapons they had hidden throughout the Cloisters. The swords, staffs, shields, cloaks—it was an arsenal. He wondered which weapon Samuel would choose.
Samuel took only a few steps, to the center of the room, and removed a small, glass case.
Of course. It had always been Samuel’s favorite.
The reliquary hand. A large gauntlet, made entirely of gold, with two of its fingers outstretched, this was an incredible weapon. It acted both as a weapon and as a shield, and incredible power to the vampire who wore it.
Samuel reached in, extracted it, and put it on his right hand. Already, he seemed formidable.
“And what of us?” suddenly shrieked a voice.
Out of nowhere, Sera approached, marching in between them and scowling at Caleb.
“Have you forgotten about us?” she yelled at Caleb, furious. “You’re not going anywhere. You will stay here, safe and sound with me. The council’s ruling means nothing in this time of war. You can stay here safely, and you and I shall be together. You’re not going to war, and neither are you,”
s
he said, facing Samuel. “You are both foolish, reckless. You’ll both certainly be killed. Especially if the Sword exists. Your weapons are powerful, but nothing next to the Sword.”
“That is a choice for Caleb to make,” Samuel said.
“Wrong!” Sera shrieked. “Caleb is mine!”
Samuel, helpless to argue with Sera, merely looked at Caleb.
“Give us a minute,” Caleb said to Samuel, as he took Sera by the arm and led her out the room.
“Be quick,” Samuel said. “Our time is short.”
*
Before they had even entered the side chamber, Sera was already reeling towards Caleb, screaming.
“You know that you cannot win!” Sera yelled. “You are being foolish. And you will drag your brother into it. The two of you, always so foolish. You will both certainly die this time.”
“That is our choice to make,” Caleb said.
“No it’s not!” Sera yelled. “You belong to me, too.”
“I do not belong to you,” Caleb snapped. “I do not belong to anyone! Least of all you.”
“We can leave this place,” Sera said. “Just you and I together. We can start our future together.
Now is our time. We can go back to that castle in Europe. We can try to have another child—”
“Sera!” Caleb snapped. He had no patience for this. “Listen to yourself. You’re not making any sense. I have told you countless times that I do not love you anymore—”
“You loved me once. You can learn to love me again,” she said, equally determined. “We will be together. That is all that matters. Over time, your feelings may change—”
Caleb had heard enough. He couldn’t take any more of this. Hundreds of years of being in this coven had made her crazy. She could not be reasoned with.
He turned and walked out of the room.
But she used her vampire speed to block his way. She stood there, blocking his exit. Her face looked distorted with rage and fear.
“You cannot leave me!” Sera yelled.
“I am leaving you,” Caleb said. “I am leaving this entire coven. For good.”
“For what? For your little battle? And then to run off with your little whore?”
Caleb could feel himself fuming at her words.
“That’s it, isn’t it?” she yelled. “You are willing to give up everything, to sacrifice everything—
even our love, for that stupid little girl. Well, I’ll tell you,” she said, suddenly smiling in a vicious way,
“your girl won’t be waiting for you anymore. You can be sure of that.”
“What do you mean?”
Sera paused, smiling, reveling in the moment.
“I told her.”
Caleb’s mind spun as he tried to figure out what it was she might have told Caitlin. He knew that whatever it was, it could not be good.
“What exactly did you tell her?” Caleb asked, slowly, enunciating each word.
Sera’s smile grew wider, more vicious. “I told her everything about us. Everything.”
Caleb thought. Everything. That could only mean one thing.
“You told her about Jade, didn’t you?” Caleb asked, fearing that she had, and knowing already from the look in her eyes that she had, indeed, told Caitlin about their child.
Sera’s smile was vindictive now. “Yes. She knows we have a child together. And she knows that you love me more. And that you always will.”
“Have?” Caleb asked. “You told her that we have a child together? Or had?”
Sera didn’t answer, but only smiled wider. Caleb grabbed her by the shoulders.
“You misled her!” he yelled. “You misled her on purpose!”
“Oh, Caleb,” Sera said, shaking her head, “you are so naïve. Who in this world has not misled someone else? Don’t you know by now that all of love is based on lies?”
She was sicker than Caleb thought.
He shook his head in disgust, and, before he could do anything rash, he took two steps past her and strutted out the door.
“That’s right,” yelled the voice behind her. “Now you’ll listen! Now you won’t go anywhere!”
Caleb strutted out of the room, his cloak over his shoulders, staff in hand, and met his brother.
“I need but one more minute, my brother,” Caleb said.
“What is it?” Samuel asked.
“I need to set wrongs right,” Caleb answered.
Samuel nodded, seeing his brother’s resolve. “Day breaks soon. Hurry at your task.”
Caleb strutted down the hall, by himself, into a side chamber, slamming and locking the door behind him.
This room had been his study. A small, stone room, with high arched ceilings and stained-glass.
He had always come here to collect his thoughts.
He sat at the simple, wooden, medieval desk, took out a piece of old parchment, and a feathered quill, dipped it in ink, and began to write.
My Dearest Caitlin,
I fear for what Sera may have told you, but rest assured, whatever it was, it was but half the truth.
Yes, at one moment in time, Sera and I did have a child together. A boy. His name was Jade. I loved him dearly, so very much. Jade, like you, was a half-breed, for when I first married Sera, she was but a human. Jade, I tear to say, did not live long.
My heart is with Jade every day, but I fear it is only in spiritual form. He has not walked this Earth for hundreds of years.
I meant to tell you of him, in good time, but we had not the right moment to share this memory. I presume you assume I was withholding something sacred from you, and in some ways, I was, but only due to my own deepest sadness. And insecurity. You see, I was afraid of losing you. And apparently, I already have.
Please trust that there is nothing between myself and Sera, and there has not been for hundreds of years. I am deeply sorry if she gave another impression. I was not kissing her, despite appearances: she had thrust herself upon me, and I was merely pushing her off.
Know how much I love you, and how much I’m thinking of you even now. I eagerly anticipate the end of this war, and a new life somewhere far from here, that is, if you are in it.
Please know that you hold my heart in this letter.
My deepest affection,
Caleb
Caleb gently folded the parchment, again and again, until it was a tiny square, barely bigger than his palm. Then he walked to the large, open window, raised a finger to his mouth, and whistled.
Within seconds, a huge falcon swooped in, and as Caleb held out his arm, landed perfectly on his wrist. Caleb reached up and stroked the Falcon’s head.
“My old friend,” Caleb said softly.
It jerked its head back to Caleb, in recognition.
“Deliver this to Caitlin. Pollepel Island. You know where it is.”
Caleb stuffed the small piece of paper into a tiny locket around the Falcons neck, and closed it securely.
“Be off!” Caleb yelled, raising his arm.
With that, the falcon flew out the window, and into the night sky.
Suddenly, there was a banging at the door.
Caleb strutted across the room and opened it. There stood Samuel, with all his soldiers.
Caleb grabbed his staff, and walked right towards them.
“I’m ready,” Caleb said.
TWELVE
“Caitlin!”
Even in Caitlin’s haze, even as she knelt there, choking Cain, there was something about that voice that snapped her out of it. Where had it come from?
A man stepped forward, cutting through the crowd, wearing a long robe and carrying a staff.
With his long, silver hair and long beard to match, he looked like a prophet. He stood there, scowling down at Caitlin, disappointment in his voice.
“Release him!” he said firmly.
As Caitlin looked into his eyes, even in her haze, she could feel that there was something special about this man. She felt as if it were a reunion
, as if she had known him for lifetimes. And she respected him.
She was helpless to refuse. Caitlin slowly loosened her grip, and as she did, Caitlin quickly scurried out from under her, gasping and choking, and ran off towards the woods.
Caitlin stood, and faced this man.
Aiden. She was sure it was him.
“Yes, it is me,” he said, answering her thoughts. “And you and I have a lot to discuss.”
Caitlin walked in silence behind Aiden, as they hiked on a narrow trail through the thick woods of the island. Pollepel, she was starting to realize, was deceptively big: while the huge castle was perched on one corner, once she headed into the interior, the rest of this island was consumed with woods.
They hiked this way and that, weaving left and right, up and down trails. Aiden kept a hard pace, several feet in front of her, and never once slowed or turned back to see if she were following. He must have just assumed she was. He had a magnetic personality; there was something about him that Caitlin couldn’t quite place, something that made her follow him whether she wanted to or not. He was clearly a leader.
As they hiked, Caitlin could spot glimpses of the river in the distance, peeking its way through the still bare trees of April. Spring was happening all around them, and the thousands of trees were all starting to bud, giving a pale green shimmer to the forest. This place so beautiful, and with a pang, Caitlin suddenly realized that she didn’t want to leave it. She was struck by a sudden fear, as it crossed her mind that he might kick her out already.
She hadn’t meant to attack Cain like that. But she couldn’t stand bullies, and he was one of the more repulsive bullies she had ever encountered, and she just couldn’t control herself. It seemed to always keep coming back to that: controlling herself. When she was a human she couldn’t do it, when she was a half-breed, she certainly couldn’t do it—and now that she was a true vampire, it seemed like she was no better. When the rage built up inside her, she just couldn’t keep it down. She didn’t know Aiden, but she could already feel that he disapproved of her actions.
They hiked to the top of a ridge, then down the other side of it. Caitlin could see families of deer bounding in every direction, hurrying to get out of their way. This must be where the coven caught their nightly dinner.
