Out of the earth to rest or range
Perpetual in perpetual change,
The unknown passing through the strange.
- John Masefield, 'The Passing Strange'
Cold Front
'Here are your children,' the vampire said, putting down a basket containing two sleeping bundles. 'You can see, young prince, that they are unharmed.'
He was very old, Niall could tell, despite his youthful appearance. He knew he should probably be fearing for his life right now, but Godric did not look as if he was about to lose control and drain him of his blood. Niall debated whether he should just take the twins and vanish, in case the vampire changed his mind, but curiosity got the better of him.
'The mother -' He paused, not yet used to it. After nine months thinking that Einin would die before she could give birth, it was still a shock to realise that he had two living sons, and a human woman who loved him more than her own life. He had come so close to losing them, tonight. 'She described the man who took them,' he said. A giant, with long, wheat-coloured hair. 'I don't think it was you.'
'It wasn't.' Godric bowed his head, then looked up at the much taller fairy, as unmovable as an oak tree. 'But I am responsible for his actions. He was...attracted. He did not know who - or what - they were. I will pay any compensation, within reason.'
'A favour, then,' said Niall, thinking quickly. 'Collected from you, not the miscreant.' It was the customary bargain. He took up the basket, allowing the silver chain around his wrist to hang in plain sight. A warning, since he had no intention of using it.
'Will you protect my family? See that none should suffer as a result of your kind? I know it is in your power.'
The vampire seemed to consider the sweet, rosy infants, blood-of-his-blood, the pupils of his eyes silvered in the moonlight. For a moment Niall was afraid that he had made a mistake, trying to make deals with this deadly creature. Then to his surprise, Godric nodded.
'Done,' he said.
THE END
13 September 2009