Spirit Blood: Genesis of War
Chapter 10

With the defeat of Lester, Veronica’s will was freed, but the ‘kiss’ had already taken her leaving her a full-fledged vampire. Makaylen approached her hoping to replace a shred of hope in salvaging her mortality. “You’re free now Veronica. There is no need to stay as you are,” Makaylen said helping Veronica to her feet. “If you come with me I do believe I can replace someone to help you…”

“I don’t need your help!” Veronica heatedly interrupted him. “I wanted to become this and for my own reasons. I never asked for your help and now again you have gotten in my way! I don’t need your lectures, your advice or anything else from you! I made this choice and that is all there is to it!”

Nodding in defeat Makaylen realized his sacrifices to help her were in vain. Clearly he hadn’t received the vision in order to actually help her, but instead to assist this small village to regain their independence once again.

“But where will you go?” He inquired of her. “You and your kind are no longer welcome here. Your master burnt his bridges with his house a long time ago. Whomever it was that gave him the power to take over this village will not come for you unless it is to seek retribution of some kind.”

Shrugging, Veronica answered him uncaringly, “It doesn’t matter. I don’t have to rely on his bridges. I can make my own.”

With that said, Veronica began to storm off towards the thick forest before she stopped and turned back to say one last thing.

With a wicked glare in her eyes she stated, “Mark my words Makaylen Stryphe, now being immortal, I promise we will meet again and on that day you will die.”

He could only watch her in pity as she sped off vanishing into the dark forest. In his heart he knew her words were only an empty threat, but it saddened him to know she felt so much hatred and contempt for all his help. I’m sorry Veronica, but your kind do not hold my fate, he thought to himself before turning back towards the club.

Taking a week to recover from his battle with Lester, Makaylen stayed back with Davien and Christopher trying to help rebuild the town’s people’s way of life. He met with Choric outside the club to discuss the looming danger that still resided all around the village.

“I hope you agree that this town isn’t safe. Whoever sent Lester is still out there and will probably only send someone else in his place,” Makaylen stated to Choric. “However, this time they won’t be coming to just take over the town and enslave the villagers. Each of the Fae that abandoned the vampires after Lester’s death will also be in grave danger.”

“I do agree, but what can we do? As strong as I am I could never have taken on Lester. If someone more powerful is sent we will all be at his mercy,” Choric answered.

Makaylen could see it pained Choric to have to admit such a thing as being too weak to fight his enemy, “The town needs guardians and a governing body composing of both Fae and human alike. It is my opinion that Sheneska and yourself could sit on the council to represent the Fae people as well as the town’s security while two willing, wise villagers could represent the towns people and the laborers.”

Choric let out a series of small growls in an attempt to chuckle, “Who in this town is going to be willing to concede to us a part of a governing body, let alone not go running away in fear of us?”

Knowing just the two perfect people for the job, Makaylen took Choric into the residential part of the town where Massuoe and Sonja lived with their children. Just as they approached the door, Massuoe opened it having kissed his family goodbye and began to exit his hut with intentions on mining some minerals to sell. But upon opening his door he noticed the eight-foot rust colored and heavily armed Kunine warrior standing before him. The entire family let out a long scream of pure terror. Choric could only look down at Makaylen with an I-told-you-so look upon his face.

After calming the family down and convincing them they were safe, Makaylen and Choric began to discuss their ideas for the village. After a short discussion, but a long time of convincing, the two were able to sway the husband and wife into being the two human representatives. Makaylen, Davien and Christopher stayed around a few days more to help the village put together their new plan of action and town reconstruction before trying to move on.

“Well, it’s time to go,” Makaylen said slinging his pack over his shoulder.

“I suppose it is, but where to now?” Christopher asked him strapping his own pack onto his back.

“Probably somewhere with giant half-crazed monsters ready to devour us and the small town it’s terrorizing,” Davien joked.

“No, I’m hoping not,” Makaylen laughed. “We’re headed to Karza. The king of the city is a friend of mine named Kenneth Wulf. He may be able to shed some light on who might be behind the wide spread of dark beings lately.” He continued in a more serious tone, “It wasn’t normal for vampires to come here and take over a town, and Lester wasn’t someone of noble regard in the vampire community. His power had increased, but not by any means used by his kind. Someone was backing him, helping him. I’m only hoping we can replace out who might have been able to do such a thing.”

“A little trip to Karza? That doesn’t sound so bad,” Davien said with a smile as the three began their journey of hopeful thinking.

A week after leaving Sherlin-Dea, Jason, Lockefren, Amon and TaeAnne finally caught up with Terrell and Benthalas having left their homeland in exile. A relationship formulated further between the two parties as Jason explained to them that he was headed to the kingdom of Karza. In Karza there lived a former knight of Talkain named Kenneth Wulf who had left many years ago to start a kingdom of his own.

Kenneth Wulf was a strong man with a fierce spirit and, unlike Kalagin, would never bargain with devils to keep his castle, but would fight instead till his last breath. Jason had once known Kenneth and his three brothers quite well when he himself was only a teenager. He remembered how Kenneth had left the Order after Kalagin took the throne knowing Kalagin was not worthy of following. Jason allowed memories of past childish play and such with the Wulf family to comfort him long enough to get some sleep, but inevitably his mind would race back to thoughts of Thessa.

He couldn’t remember a time when he hadn’t loved her. Plans for their marriage were underway until, one day, Jason was given orders from the kingdom that would take him away from Talkain for quite some time. He now wished they hadn’t decided to postpone their wedding plans until he had returned. I can’t believe I’ve lost her forever, he thought tormenting himself over and over. He played back the painful memory of their breaking when she wrote to him on his tour-of-duty to inform him she had been arranged by her family to marry Kalagin; then again with the heart wrenching letter he had received informing him that she was pregnant and her marriage to Kalagin would have to take place much sooner than she had expected. He’d forgiven her long ago for marrying Kalagin and for becoming pregnant by him before their marriage, but knowing how little time had passed since their last encounter and her affair with Kalagin pained his heart so. However, his love for her never faltered.

He realized her family had very influential ties that would certainly entice the king to want to marry her. When he did finally return to Talkain, she had already given birth to Amon. In his heart he imagined the child was his, as Amon should have been had he not been sent away before their own marriage could take place. Memories flooded his mind in an uncontrollable succession of moments they had spent with one another; from the first moment he saw Amon, yet saw nothing of Kalagin in the dear sweet child’s face, to the strained moments between Thessa and himself whenever they would be in a room together. Their love hadn’t failed, he could see that by her delicate smile and the way she would try and touch his arm or face whenever they spoke, yet Kalagin was always watching them and subsequently sent Jason on many far away duties. The tender embrace they had been able to share one stolen night a year after he’d returned had led to an unbelievable encounter between the two of them. Jason regretted having to commit such an immoral deed just to be able to show his love for Thessa once again, but knew in his heart he would cherish the moment for an eternity. Never again after that night had they even dared to test their luck by repeating their deeds and Kalagin seemed to take notice of their obvious attempts to keep their distance from one another.

Not that her husband ever treated her with much care and concern, but after their brief affair, Kalagin became much more demanding of her time and cruel in his deeds. Thessa spent more and more time away from Talkain just so she could distance herself from her husband. Not knowing the magnitude of abuse she must have suffered under the thumb of her husband had disturbed Jason’s sleep for many years, but now, having the vision and memory of her death to keep him awake, refueled a burning passion of hatred towards Kalagin. Even more than before, he couldn’t wait for the day they would meet each other again.

Jason sat poking and prodding the fire to keep it lit while he lost himself in his thoughts. Vaguely he could hear the soft sweet voice of a woman filling the air. When he finally shook out of his trance he was met with the beautiful eyes of Lockefren looking at him. She was snuggled up in a large fur blanket watching him as he methodically churned the kindling.

“Hi,” she started. “Nice to have you back with us. It looked like you were visiting another time and place in your head.” Watching him continue to poke the fire she added, “What are you doing Jason?”

“I’m just making sure the fire doesn’t go out in the night and everyone get cold,” he lied, trying to push out his thoughts of Thessa.

“Really? All night or just until you get bored?” She pushed knowing he was preoccupied with his thoughts.

“Oh, sorry for being so courteous,” Jason joked mockingly after hearing the delightful sarcasm in her voice.

“No, really Jason. What are you doing? It’s been months now since that day. You can’t keep beating yourself up over her death. It wasn’t your fault,” Lockefren stated trying to ease his pain.

Jason nodded, but the look on his face as he kept prodding the fire was one of anger and seriousness.

“Don’t let revenge be your only motivation to live. You must let Life be your motivation.” Moving closer to him and placing her arm around his back and her head upon his shoulder she added, “Love will keep you my friend, but despair will forever hinder you.”

Having said her peace she yawned dropping her head heavy against Jason’s shoulder and fell back to sleep. Jason loved this woman beside him as if she were truly his own sister. She was better than a sister; she was a dear and faithful friend. Only Haldrov himself could ever have loved him in this manner as much as she did. He smiled looking down upon her peaceful sleeping face. Gently he picked her up and carried her back to her bedroll. Her words rang in his head as he returned to his job poking the fire. Now, however, he allowed the meaning and importance of her words permeate his mind rather than let the looming threat of his memories with Thessa make their way back into his thoughts.

The next morning started as usual with everyone busily packing up their belongings after a hearty breakfast of wild game and fruits and TaeAnne struggling to fit everything back into her pack. Lockefren was finishing putting her bow into a holster on the side of her horse when Jason walked over to speak with her.

“Thank you for your words of wisdom last night my friend.”

With a curious look on her face she answered as if asking a question, “You’re welcome?”

Jason nodded in understanding, “Even if you don’t remember, I still thank you.” Giving her a mischievous smile he added, “It’s just as I’ve always told you, you’re more wise when you are asleep than when you’re awake.”

She scoffed at his teasing, especially wondering just what she had said last night, but felt quite honored that he thought her words wise.

For another three days the group traveled in the day and camped at night. It was on the forth day that they finally reached a small town called Fringe. The name seemed to fit the town perfectly by the state each and every building was in. The entire town was falling apart and was covered in filth and debris. The few town’s folk they passed while riding through the town appeared dirty and starved and the look on their faces was one of perpetual torment. Others tried to hide themselves from their sight by ducking behind old signs and rushing into abandoned buildings. The only thing that stood out from the degradation and oddness of Fringe was a large mansion which sat on a lush green mountain top miles up the main street. From anywhere you stood in the town you could easily see the beautiful and luxurious home as if it was put there to survey over the town itself.

“What do you think their problem is?” Amon asked watching a woman and two dirt clad children dash into a building resembling a store of some kind.

Jason shrugged, acknowledging the young lad’s question, but said nothing out of his own lack of understanding. After riding a bit further they came upon a building with a sign out front dangling from one hinge and swinging back and forth as if the wind were trying to take it off.

“There is something quite odd about this town,” Terrell stated while dismounting his horse.

“Really? What makes you think so, the lovely living conditions or the warm welcome we received from the residents?” Amon joked sarcastically hoping to raise the spirits of the group.

“Well, besides those facts, the wind isn’t blowing yet that sign sways as if caught in a breeze,” Terrell pointed out alarmingly.

Immediately the attention in the group shifted to the strange sign reading Sleepy Sands Motel. After dismounting their horses, Jason hastily positioned the children into the middle of the group as they entered the motel.

The inside of the motel quite resembled the outside with warped and dusty walls and flooring. A few patrons could be clearly seen sitting at a bar in another room since the wall between the two rooms had apparently been knocked down some time ago with only a bit of rubble remaining as evidence it once existed. To the left of the front door stood a patched up front desk and an old man staring questionably at them while picking something out of the few white hairs he had poking out of what looked like dirty rags sitting upon his head.

“Can I help you?” The old man croaked while straitening his round glasses on his crooked beak like nose and tenderly scratching his haphazardly bandaged head.

Un-phased, Terrell walked over to the man answering, “Yes, do you have any rooms available?”

This sent the old man into a laughing fit that mimicked a fairy tale witch followed closely by a wheezing painful sounding cough.

“Sure do,” he answered finally catching his breath, “every single room in fact. No one stays here anymore.”

Reaching into his money pouch, Terrell commented looking around at the decrepit state of the place, “Maybe if you did some work on…”

He was interrupted by the witch-like laugh once again, “No, you silly man. No one stays in this town anymore.”

“Really,” Terrell asked, throwing five gold pieces onto the small desk. “Why is that exactly?”

Quickly the old man’s eyes lit up in amazement at the sight of so much gold as he scooped it into his hand placing it into a locked drawer residing just below the top desk.

“Ever since she moved in, no one comes here anymore,” the old man coughed with excitement.

“Who is She?” Terrell asked before anyone else in the group could.

The old man paused looking around the room as if following an invisible fly, “No matter. Here are your keys.” Throwing five keys down on the desk with shaky hands and an even shakier voice he added, “Rooms are upstairs and the kitchen is always open. You just have to fix it yourself.”

Terrell tried to ask another question, but the old man vanished inside a small office nestled right behind the desk and quickly locked the door behind him. Terrell shrugged turning to the group and handing Jason and Lockefren two of the five keys.

“We should probably buddy up this evening,” Terrell pointed out to the group.

Without a word they each nodded their heads and decided the pairing would be the two girls in one room, Ben and Amon in another with Terrell and Jason sharing the third. Unenthusiastically the six companions headed towards their rooms hoping that maybe the bedding would be soft enough to make their staying here worth it.

The night fell blanketing the town in total darkness. No torch or light was lit contributing to the already eeriness of the pitch black and unfriendly town. The group kept on their guard with their weapons sitting closely by them. Only the elves had the advantage of sight being able to see around them in the dark. None of the three could see anything stirring outside as each of them took positions in front of their prospective windows closely watching the streets and forest for any disturbances. Both Jason and Amon took posts at their doors ready for anything that might burst in while little TaeAnne did her best to fall asleep in her strange and cold bed.

“Something has cursed this town Jason,” Terrell calmly stated as if he had been told by a reliable source.

“That seems pretty logical to assume. But what is my question,” Jason replied.

“I don’t know, unfortunately, but whatever it is I bet it resides in that mansion on top of the hill,” Terrell answered staring at the undisturbed mansion in the distance.

Normally Jason would only be focused on making it through the night and then traveling on to his final destination, but the sorrow and pent-up anger he had only fed his desire to lash out and fight any threat or foe he might face. Now, in his mind and heart, whatever this town was cursed with was now his concern as well. I’m tired of running from one threat to the next! If it be Shiloh’s will, I will destroy whatever this threat may be, he thought over and over to himself until finally his eyes began to shut from pure exhaustion.

In fact, each of the four other able-bodied fighters felt as Jason did. In their hearts they knew their own homes were no longer theirs to go back to. Why shouldn’t they do what they could to help others on their way to hopefully replace help for themselves? As the night lingered, these thoughts helped the alert group to relax and allow sleep to overcome them.

Suddenly a piercing scream shot through the quiet night waking all within its vicinity. Jason stood to his feet rushing over to where Terrell had dozed off at the window.

“Where’s that coming from?” Jason asked hoping Terrell had seen something.

“I don’t know! It must be on the other side of the inn,” he breathlessly answered while starting for the door of his room.

As he slowly opened his door he saw small lamps moving around downstairs.

“Jason,” Terrell called out beckoning for Jason to join him.

He pointed out the lamps from downstairs when down the hall two other doors creaked open as Ben and Lockefren poked their heads out to investigate as well. Motioning them back into their rooms, Terrell and Jason started to quietly descend the stairs. Carefully maneuvering themselves around the fallen rubble that lay here and there, they came upon five people shivering from fright sitting at a long table positioned in the bar area holding their lamps tight in their hands.

“Everyone okay?” Jason asked walking into the room clutching his weapon.

His question was met only by five horrified expressions of grief. Each one of the five men slowly removed their gaze from Jason only to look towards the front door as if in shock until one by one each man lowered their heads in shuddering disgust. Nodding towards one another, both Jason and Terrell left the room to investigate what was outside. To their own shock, they were met with some of the mangled remains of their still tied horses lying on the ground before them. Amongst the carnage, which was flung around in many areas, lay a woman torn apart lying in the middle of the road.

Terrell checked on the horses while Jason checked on the woman, but it was clear to them both no one could have survived the mess that littered the ground before them. With a look of bewilderment on his face, Jason began to back up from the woman while simultaneously looking around him at the horses.

“There are parts of them missing, Terrell,” Jason pointed out in horror still backing away from the carnage.

“And we’re not alone here,” Terrell almost whispered while drawing his weapons to fight.

Searching in the darkness around them, Jason drew his weapon as both men slowly backed their way towards the inn entrance.

“Back inside!” Terrell suddenly ordered.

As soon as they were inside the doorway of the inn something came out of the darkness snatching the body of the woman and taking off so quickly it was nothing but a blur to them both. Slamming the door shut, they jammed the entrance with the nearest tables and chairs before running upstairs to gather their group into one room. Fear began to take over TaeAnne and Amon witnessing the look of shock on Terrell and Jason’s face. TaeAnne began to cry uncontrollably rocking herself back and forth on the bed. Lockefren did her best to try and comfort the girl and help her quiet down, but TaeAnne just called out for her mother in short gasping whispers. Jason pulled Amon aside hoping knowledge of the situation would work to control his fear rather than fuel it.

Trying to speak low enough for only the other three men surrounding him to hear, Jason suggested, “At daybreak I suggest we take everyone up to the only place around here that doesn’t seem to be touched by whatever plagues this town.”

“You mean that creepy mansion, don’t you?” Amon asked trying to cover the shakiness in his voice.

“Yes, Amon, I do. I believe it is the only way we will replace answers to our growing questions,” Jason stated.

“We’re not leaving?” TaeAnne screamed at the men. “Why aren’t we just leaving?”

Jason felt deepening sorrow for this poor girl he loved as his own. Never before had these children faced so much dread and death. Her dear mother would know how to help her, he thought wondering what he could possibly say to ease her torment right now. He slowly walked over to TaeAnne and lovingly wiped away her increasing tears. He lowered himself to his knees and wrapped his arms around her trembling body. After a moment she began to replace some solace and reassurance from the feeling of safety his mere presence seemed to grant her.

He looked into her eyes as he spoke to her, “TaeAnne, we must stay for now and replace out what is haunting this city.” Before she could begin to cry again he added, “I would like to leave as well as you, but we are currently without horses making our decision even more necessary. Whatever is haunting this town has seen fit to rid us of our transportation, but regardless, we are all here to protect you. I promise.”

Kissing her forehead, Jason stood to rejoin the other men while Lockefren gathered TaeAnne into her arms rocking her soothingly back and forth.

“Jason, I agree not to split the group, seeing we don’t know our enemy just yet, but the mansion is an unknown and bizarre location. Do you replace it wise to go there without first replaceing out more information about it?” Terrell asked.

“Actually, I figure this entire town is an unknown and bizarre location and not a soul is going to tell us a thing about what just happened or that mansion. My bet is, it couldn’t hurt to go where it would seem that creature doesn’t,” Jason announced.

Nodding, Terrell began to let the human logic sink into his head as he noticed the fright still implanted upon the little girl’s face. Surely it couldn’t hurt to check the mansion out during the day and get the children out of this dark and dank room.

“Fine,” Terrell started, “then we’ll take turns on watch until daybreak so we’re all a bit rested at least. I’ll take first watch.”

Before Jason could object, Terrell nudged the large man towards Amon.

“You have your first duty to look after my friend,” he said nodding at TaeAnne.

He knew it was useless to argue at this moment besides, in his heart, Jason desired to hold these beautiful children of Thessa’s and protect them in a way he had never been able to protect their mother. He sat down on the small bed and wrapped his arms around TaeAnne again. Immediately Amon joined them, as well.

With only a slight nod, Terrell signaled for Benthalas to stand watch over the window where he stationed himself with his bow and quiver concentrating on the ordinary sounds of the town. As the night passed everything seemed to be quiet and still once again in the streets. However, there wasn’t need for a guard change since no one could sleep restfully anyway. To the relief of the others, the children’s youth finally got the best of them. They fell asleep nestled in Jason’s protective arms. No one wanted either of the children to face another day of unknown and possible terror and stress without at least some sleep to comfort them.