by R. A. Miller
Myra saw it before Brandon did. Accompanying the rumbles, the bones and dirt rippled like waves on a lake. A massive red shape emerged from the ground underneath the vampyre and began lifting him up. By the time Brandon realized what was happening, he was over ten feet in the air.
The vampyre tried to jump from the red mass but was thrown higher into the air instead. With Brandon in the air, the red mass emerged fully from the ground, a pair of massive jaws lined with pointy white teeth opened to accept the falling vampyre. The jaws snapped him up easily and he was swallowed whole.
Myra cold not believe what she was seeing. Standing before them, fully emerged from its underground slumber, was a great red dragon. The dragon seemed to be at least thirty feet tall and when it spread its wings and roared, it must have been a hundred feet across. Steam seemed to pour from its nostrils and it looked in Myra's direction.
She had heard of this dragon. All Gaelach had. The same studies that told of the less intelligent lesser races also told of the return of the Gaelach God, Brostaigid the crimson dragon. They said that a powerful wizard imprisoned it over a hundred years ago, along with the other dragon gods of the world.
Then the vampyre invaded and wiped the Gaelach race from Altlock. Now, standing before her, was a great crimson dragon. She knew it in her bones. This was Brostaigid, protector of all Gaelach.
The great crimson beast looked down upon the two Gaelach and seemed to immediately recognize them. That recognition lasted only moments, before the dragon moved to snap at them. Myra grabbed her brother and rolled them both out of the way inches from the large teeth now buried in the ground.
Brostaigid lifted its head up and snapped at them again. This time Myra got her and Sammy onto their feet and the two Gaelach ran as fast as they could. The dragon followed closely behind.
CHAPTER 7
From the giant picture window in the throne room he could see all the way out to the gates. On his side of the gates people went about their business as usual: sweeping, conversing on corners, and the palace guards patrolling their normal rounds. Outside the gates he could not see, but he suspected it was more of the same. The dead were being kept down below in the crypt, well out of sight of prying eyes. Markus did not want to start a panic, not yet. He needed to think, he needed to figure out what to do.
What he needed was his old friend Borimar. The dwarf always knew what to do. As Markus’ most trusted advisor and his father’s before, the dwarf had made himself a reputation for making the tough calls. But where was he now, Markus wondered.
When their king ordered the city gates closed and to deny any and all entrants, no one batted an eye. Markus saw them whispering to each other. They didn’t question his orders, but they did question the reasons. Markus was not sure that it would be enough, but it was a start.
“Katelynn, what do I do?” Markus asked.
It had only been a few years since her passing and Markus still grieved for her. It had been hard for him to move on, and seeking her advice now was helping him stay calm. Markus closed his eyes and prayed for a sign. Something to let him know that he would be able to handle the storm of violence surely on its way.
When he opened his eyes a great commotion at the city gates caught his attention. He motioned one of the nearby guards over to him.
“Find out what’s going on down there.”
“Yes, sire.”
The guardsman hurried from the throne room and ran as fast as he could to the front gates. Markus saw several guards converging on the gates, weapons drawn. The gates opened and almost immediately the guards dispersed and made way for the party of two that were seeking refuge within Markus’ walls. A darker skinned woman and a dwarf made their way past the guards and out of sight below. A young soldier hurried into the room, moving with haste to his king.
“What is it, son?” Markus said.
“You have visitors, sire.”
“Who seeks my audience?” A smile was already forming on the king’s face.
The soldier straightened and his own smile grew as he spoke.
“The Dwarf has returned.”
****
Markus met his visitors downstairs in the foyer. May hugged Markus upon arrival and Borimar nodded at the king. A twinge of jealousy splashed across his face. Markus ushered his friends upstairs and commanded his guards and soldiers that they not be disturbed. Markus spoke first.
“I am so glad to see you both.” Markus said.
“Aye, and we to see ye,” Borimar added, “But I have ill news to bring ye, though I am at a loss as to how to explain it.”
“I pray it is not as grave as what I have to tell you.” Markus said.
“Alright, somebody spill.” May said.
“Never one to mince words, right my friend?” Markus asked.
Borimar nodded and stroked his scraggly beard. Markus saw fear in his old friend’s eyes and found that same fear echoed in May's eyes as well. They might have crossed the same vampyre that paid him a visit.
“I was visited today by a…dangerous man,” Markus began, “This man claimed to be from Elvintika, and that his queen was going to take over all of Raven's Hold.”
Borimar and May listened and did not seem at all shocked by this statement. Markus studied the dwarf’s face and saw no disbelief or humor. He turned his attention to May and only found the same. Markus continued.
“This man…no, monster…killed three of my guards right in front of me, then threatened to do the same to me. He moved so fast I couldn’t defend myself. The way he killed, with no compassion for human life, made my skin crawl. I don't know how to handle an attack like this. It was like nothing I have ever witnessed in all my years.”
“This man,” Borimar asked, “Wouldn't happen to have referred to himself as a vampyre, would he?”
“How could you know that?” Markus asked.
“I also had a run in with one of them vampyres,” Borimar said, “She was every bit as terrifying as yours and she also gave me an ultimatum. Me life in exchange for an amulet that she was looking for.”
“An amulet?” Markus said, “What amulet?”
“The Eye of Brostaigid.”
“I thought that thing was just treasure hunter talk. You said yourself there was no merit in it. Just more rumor started by a long dead race of elves. Since when do you listen to dead elves?”
“Aye,” Borimar said, “I thought so meself, until I got reliable Intel that it was real and in a church in Fayth.” Borimar chewed on his bottom lip and continued stroking his beard. “Now I wish I had never went looking for it.”
“What did this thing want with the amulet?” Markus asked.
“I dunno,” Borimar said, “But she wanted it real bad and she’s killing for it. Now its me life if I don't bring it to her. That's why we're here, me friend. We were hoping you could help us.”
“It sounds like you have your own problems to deal with,” May said.
“I have lived my entire life with stories that vampyres were a fairy tale, and that the Elves were wiped out by their own actions. I have never seen nor read anything to tell me otherwise. Then out of the blue this man…this thing comes into my castle and claims to be one. If I hadn’t seen the slaughter with my own eyes I wouldn't be believing it right now.”
May took hold of Markus’ hand. He looked up at her and she gave him a reassuring smile. Markus nodded. She always had that ability to calm him down. So did Katelynn.
“It can't be coincidence that two separate beings claiming to be vampyres show up on the same day and in very much the same way, a day's travel from each other.” May said.
“She's right,” Markus said, “We have to assume that we have at least a small group of them attempting to intimidate us.”
“So what's our move?” Borimar asked.
“I am king of Raven's Hold,” Markus said, “I don't go on assumptions and threats, no matter how convincing he was. We need to establish whether there are more of them. If so we need to
know how many and where they are. Then I will send my army to them and put a stop to this.”
Markus saw Borimar smile a little. If the two that they experienced are truly a part of something bigger, then he needed to root it out and to do it fast. He refused to call it a vampyre. Man didn't seem right either. Monster was closer. Whatever the visitor was, he wasn't human. Whatever was going on, Markus felt it was only the beginning.
“So where do we start?” May asked.
“I think that's where I come in.”
The voice came from the doorway behind Borimar. He and May turned towards the voice. Upon seeing the woman standing in the threshold, Borimar hopped out of his seat. May smiled as she rolled her eyes at her small companion.
“Quin,” the dwarf said, “It's been awhile.”
Quintessa Rivermark leaned against the doorframe; her slender arms crossed just below her ample breasts. This pushed them up a little out of the top of her green silk blouse; a fact that did not go unnoticed by the dwarf. She wore her blond hair up in a ponytail and she was barefoot. She looked as if she had been sleeping when the soldiers came for her.
Quin came from The Hunters: a group of monster and big game hunters who live their lives in the wild, tracking and killing monsters for money. Sometimes they even took contracts for the kings of Raven's Hold or Foxcrest, whichever paid more. Markus had given her use of the north tower while she stayed in Raven’s Hold. She was all too happy to accept.
“I know,” Quin said, “You have more wrinkles and I think I see some gray mixed in that brown tangle you call a beard.”
Borimar and May hugged the hunter.
“How did you come to be here?” May asked.
“Funny story.” Quin said.
“Not really that funny.” Markus added.
“Funny,” Quin continued, “Meaning The Hunters don't know that I'm here.”
“Deserter?” May said.
“No, more like a detour.” Quin said.
“Ye mean ye deserted.” Borimar said.
“I got a mission from the king of Foxcrest to bring him Intel on the military capabilities of Raven's Hold.” Quin said.
“They were paying you to spy on Markus?” May said.
“Essentially, yes,” Quin admitted, “I was going to turn it down. I mean, come on. A hunter who can't hunt might as well be dead. Right Borimar?”
“Aye.”
“When I found out that it was spying on Markus, well, I had to come. Markus and I haven't seen each other in almost ten years. So I took the job. Once I arrived in Raven's Hold I sought him out and he agreed to let me stay in the north tower for a while. I’ve been hunting down trolls in the Briar Forest for the past week.”
“Do you ever plan to go back?” May said.
“Not anytime soon.” Quin said. “At least not until we figure out this vampyre mess.” She stole a glance over at Markus who was playing with the wedding ring he still wore. She brushed a strand of hair from her face and turned her attention back to Borimar.
“Enough about me, lets talk about your problems.”
Markus ran through everything that Quin missed. When he was done, Markus looked across the table at his friend Borimar and took a deep breath.
“We need to find one of these two beings and have them followed. We need to know whether or not there are more of them and where they are hiding.” Markus said.
“That’s what you need me for.” Quin said.
“Ye were a master thief before joining up with The Hunters.” Borimar said.
“Thanks, Borimar.” Quin said.
“You're a master of stealth and tracking,” Markus corrected, “Plus neither of our visitors have seen you.” Markus said.
“I know.” Quin said, “Doesn't mean I can't give the little dwarf a hard time.”
Borimar smiled then laughed a hearty laugh that shook his small frame. A serving maid arrived with wine and the four friends discussed how to find one of these vampyres.
“Where do we begin?” Markus asked.
“Fast or not,” Quin said, “He still would have left tracks. If there’s tracks, I’ll find him.”
“And if there ain’t?” Borimar asked.
“I’ll go to church.”
“Church?” May asked.
“I don’t think the Gods will be helping ye track.” Borimar said.
“No,” Quin said, “I mean The Temple of Alec. It’s west of here.”
“How can they help?” Markus asked.
“They can’t.” Quin said, “Only a priest and a handful of farmers live there now. But their library contains every word ever written by Alec, himself a known vampyre hunter.”
“Ah,” Borimar said, “I have heard of him. He is legendary for hunting and killing hundreds of them.”
“Right.” Quin said, “There must be something there that will help.”
“Good thinking.” Markus said.
“I need to get started,” Quin said, “I’ll get dressed and start tracking.”
“Be careful,” Markus said, “He’s dangerous.”
“Why Markus,” Quin said, “Is that concern I hear?”
“You’re our friend, Quin, we all worry for you.”
“Oh.” Defeat crossed Quin’s face as she left the dining hall. Markus took a sip of his wine.
“She’s in love with you.” May’s words caught the king off guard, producing wine from his nose which landed on the table in front of Borimar.
“What?” Markus said.
“Quin,” May said, “She loves you. It’s obvious. Don’t you see it?”
“She’s one of my best friends. She has been for years. I don’t think she’s trying to come between me and…”
Markus caught himself playing with his wedding ring again. His cheeks flushed and he looked away from May.
“When she gets back,” May said, “You should talk to her. Maybe it’s time to think about moving on.”
“Maybe you’re right,” Markus said, “But now is not the time. We have to prepare to defend this city. Real threat or not, I won’t be caught unprepared.”
“What do you need us to do?” May asked.
“Tell me old friend,” Markus said, “Are you still afraid of heights?”
CHAPTER 8
Cora threw off the masses now behind her and ran as quick as she could towards the dark figure. She did not know why she so easily went to him except that it was the better than being swarmed by undead. She knew she was too weak to fight through hundreds more of those things and this person seemed to know what she was and wanted to help her.
By the time she got to the end of the hallway the figure was gone. To her left, Cora saw that a window was open. She moved to the window, looked out, and saw the mysterious figure down below. Cora jumped through the window and landed with ease next to her mystery savior.
“I have been waiting for you, Cora,” the mystery man said, “Father Jessop wanted me to come with you on your quest. He feared for your safety, young one.”
“Are you Lothar?” she asked the stranger.
“I am,” Lothar said, “Now we must go. The undead are coming.”
Noise from the upstairs window grabbed Cora’s attention. The young vampyre looked up and saw the undead bunching up at the window, like water in a dam. One of the undead fell out of the window, landing mere feet from where the two Vampyre were standing.
“I’m right behind you.” Cora said.
She allowed Lothar to lead her away from the inn. Answers, for now, would have to wait.
Lothar led her into a nearby stable. She could still hear the dead things shuffling towards her. It was clear that the longer they stayed in town the more danger they were in. Lothar closed the stable doors behind them and barred the doors with a broom he stuck through the handles.
Not satisfied that the door was secure, Lothar hurried Cora to the last stall where a pair of horses waited. Both beautiful black steeds were agitated, shaking their heads and stomping the ground.
Cora was not sure if it was from them or the things outside.
“Horses?” Cora asked.
“For us to get away. Unless you are having fun here.”
The moans outside grew louder as the undead things figured out where they had gone and were now trying to get into the stable. Cora could hear them banging on the door as they bunched up, still trying to get at them.
For the briefest of moments the sound reminded her of the dream from last night. She shook it off, not wanting to be reminded of a nightmare when she was living one now.
“Have you ridden?” Lothar asked.
“No,” Cora said, “But I’m a fast learner.”
“Good,” Lothar said. A smile formed on his lips. “I wouldn't want to leave you here with your new friends.”
“Couldn’t we get away just as fast on our own two legs?” She asked.
“Trust me.”
Lothar helped Cora mount her horse before climbing aboard his own.
“Grab hold of the reins,” he told her, “Then give them a brisk snap to get it going.”
She gave the reins a hard, quick snap. Her horse reared, throwing her off, and ran out of the stall. The horse stopped at the barricaded front doors, reared up again, and ran back towards her. She reached out to grab the reins but the horse dodged her easily and ran out the back doors, which Lothar had opened for their escape.
Lothar lowered his head and suppressed a laugh. He gave the command for his horse to move. Rider and horse moved easily to Cora’s side. He grabbed ahold of her arm and helped her jump onto his horse behind him. The two vampyres, now together and ready to ride, exited the stable and found themselves in a sea of undead.
“So much for not fighting them.” Lothar said.
The dead ones came around the corner of the stable, heading straight for Cora. She saw men, women, and even children; all hungry for her. Lothar called to her, motioning her towards him.
She had a mission to complete and there was no time to waste on the dead. She held onto Lothar as he bade his horse to go. When Cora was satisfied the dead things would not follow them further, she questioned her savior.
