Purestrongpoem: Sorry for the crappy summary. I don't own Darren Shan Cirque du Freak's characters.

Vampirites

The fire crackled and Alice put more dry wood to feed the fire. Debbie sighed and stared into the fire, deep in thought. They were in one of the vampires' way stations. They had been traveling for weeks and now they were in the snow lands. Even though, they both were wearing jackets, they were still freezing.

Alice looked up at Debbie. Debbie was shivering and so was Alice.

Alice softly asked, "Are you alright, Debbie?"

Debbie looked up and smiled. She answered, "Yes, I am fine."

Alice knew that was a lie. She knew that Debbie missed Darren and wished he had gone with them.

Debbie broke the silence by asking, "So how many more days to Vampire Mountain?"

Alice took out her map and was looking at the routes that they were currently taking. After analyzing it, she answered, "Around a week more."

Debbie sighed. "Thank goodness. I thought we might never get there."

Alice laughed. "Oh, we will get there but I am just worried if the vampires will accept the proposal or not. If they don't, then we walked to Vampire Mountain for nothing."

"Let's hope they do for the sake of winning the War of the Scars."

Both continued to stare at the fire not knowing what else to say. They stayed silent for a long time until both heard a sound. Both stayed still to listen more carefully. Now they can clearly hear footsteps. Alice pulled out her gun from her belt while Debbie pulled out her dagger. They pointed their weapons at the entrance and waited for the enemy to appear.

A man appeared for a second but quickly moved in a blur to attack. Alice quickly shot him but missed. The man knocked Debbie's dagger and grabbed her arm. He twisted her arm and put his dagger at her neck. Alice pointed her gun at the man who was holding Debbie hostage. Alice could see the man clearly. He was a tall man with messy, black hair and blue eyes. He had an X scar between his eyes. Alice knew he must be a vampire to move so quickly.

He glared at her and said, "Drop the gun or I will kill your friend."

Alice had her eyes on him while she lowered the gun slowly. Alice spoke, "Please, my friend and I mean you no harm."

"What are vampire hunters doing here in a way station and so close to Vampire Mountain?"

"We are not vampire hunters. We are Darren Shan's friends. He is a vampire like you. We are going to the Vampire Mountain to bring the vampires an offer." Alice hoped they knew who Darren was. Maybe she should have also told him about being Larten's and Vancha's friends.

"Darren, the half vampire prince. You are his friends?"

Debbie and Alice was surprised. Darren never told them that. Debbie asked, "Darren is a prince?"

The vampire nodded and asked, "What is the offer you wished to bring to the mountain.

Alice said, " We wish to ask for the Princes' permission to create an army of humans to fight the vampets."

The vampire laughed. "You think the Princes will approve of your offer."

"We hoped that they will at least considered it."

The vampire released Debbie. "Sorry that I attack you. May I asked how do you know of the way stations and the route to Vampire Mountain?"

Debbie answered, "Well, Darren was supposed to come with us but he left for an important business. He showed us the routes and told us about way stations."

"I see. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Burnis Denham."

"I am Alice Burgess."

"I am Debbie Hemlock. Nice to meet you."

Burnis sat down by the fire. He was warming himself up. Debbie and Alice was disturbed by the fact he was barefoot and was only wearing a shirt and pants. They still don't understand why vampires made such a crazy rule. Burnis noticed the women was staring at his feet.

He said, "It is a tradition among vampires. It is a test for the vampires. Only the strong vampires can made it to Vampire Mountain." Alice and Debbie still thought it was a crazy rule.

Burnis asked, "So how did you two know Darren?"

Debbie said, "Well, I met him when he was young. He was very sweet."

Alice said, "Yep, they were in loveee."

Debbie blushed and Burnis laughed.

"I used to be the chief inspector police. A case went up about murders of innocent people. vampires and vampaneze were involved. I will just tell you the short story. Vancha kidnapped me and explained the situation. I met Darren, Debbie and Larten. There was a fight between them and the vampaneze and..." She looked at the fire sadly. That was when Larten died. He died to save them all.

Burnis finished, "Larten died saving his friends. He died an honorable death." They were silent.

Burnis asked, "Why did you want to be involve in this war? You have no part in this."

Debbie said, "You're wrong. Both of us choose to be involved because we want to save the innocent people who are indirectly involved. It is our new purpose. Besides, we are worried about the vampets. While vampaneze have honour, the vampets are just vicious humans. Someone needs to deal with them."

Burnis smiled and said, "A good answer."

They talked a little more about vampires and Vampire Mountain. They learned that Burnis was a general and was going back to the Vampire Mountain to report back about the recent activity of the vampaneze. They continued the journey to Vampire Mountain together. It was tough. Finally, they made it to Vampire Mountain. They went inside the tunnels which were lit up by luminous lichen.

Finally, they reached the entrance of the mountain. Alice and Debbie held their breath as Burnis knocked on the wooden door. After a few minutes, a couple of vampires appeared. The vampires were surprised when they saw two humans.

One of the vampire guards asked Burnis, "What are two humans doing here? Why did you lead them here?" He was pointing his spear at the women.

Burnis said, "You forgot to asked us to address ourselves to the gate. I am Burnis Denham, come to seek the council."

Debbie spoke, "I am Debbie Hemlock, come to seek the council."

"I am Alice Burgess, come to seek the council," said Alice.

"Debbie and Alice are humans but they know Darren Shan, Vancha March and Larten Crepsley. They came here to asked the Princes permission to create an army of humans to fight the vampirites."

The guards were silent except for one guard who was trying his best to hide his laughter. Burnis glared at him. The laughing guard became silent.

"Burnis Denham, Debbie Hemlock and Alice Burgess are recognized. The halls are opened to all of you. Enter and farewell."

He let them passed and they followed him to the Hall of Osca Velm. Their names were added to the attendance. The guards went away to report to the Princes about the new visitors. Debbie and Alice looked around nervously. Burnis sat down on the table. Alice and Debbie sat down with him. Luckily, there weren't too many vampires in the hall. The hall smelled bad but Alice and Debbie bear with it. It wasn't just the hall, it was also the vampires who smelled a little smelly.

Burnis said, "We should eat first, then I can show you a tour. There is also a place where I want to show you."

A vampire came and gave them food. There were no plates and cups. Alice was disturbed by the fact that the bowl was made of an animal skull. They ate the stale bread with the broth.

Debbie asked, "How do you drink the water?"

"You drink it from the jug," replied Burnis.

Then another man came towards them. He had short, brown hair and black eyes. Burnis stood up and greeted him. The vampire smiled and clasped his hand. Burnis turned to Alice and Debbie.

"This is my friend, Irdos Brinus. He is another general like me," Burnis said. "This is Debbie Hemlock and Alice Burgess."

Irdos smiled and waved at them. Debbie and Alice said, "Hi."

Burnis continued explaining, "They are here to ask the Princes' permission to make an army to fight the vampets."

Irdos looked at them with interest. He started to move his hands into gestures. Alice looked at him, confused.

Debbie said, "Oh, I am thinking you are saying that you will support us."

Irdos nodded.

"I forgot to tell you that Irdos is mute. It also seems that Debbie also know sign language. I also know it as well. Irdos is pleased," said Burnis.

Debbie said, "Well, my aunt was mute so I learn how to do sign language to communicate to her.

Alice said, "Oh. Debbie, can you teach me some sign language later?"

"Sure."

They continued eating the food. Alice took a piece of the bread and dipped it in the broth. She tasted it and made a disgusted face. She pushed the bowl to Debbie.

Alice said, "You can eat my bowl of broth if you want it."

"You don't want it? But it is so good," asked Debbie.

"You can have it. The broth doesn't suit my taste."

"Oh, ok. Thanks."

Debbie continued eating when she notice a wing sticking out of her broth. She touched it with her piece of bread.

"Is this a bat wing?" asked Debbie.

Irdos nodded. Debbie and Alice looked horrified.

"What is a bat wing doing in the broth?"

Burnis answered, "Because it is bat broth."

Both exclaimed, "Bat broth!"

Debbie pushed the bowl away. She couldn't believe that she thought bat broth was delicious. Burnis laughed while Irdos was trying to hide his smile.

"Thank goodness that I didn't eat the rest of the broth," said Alice.

"I am full now," said Debbie.

Burnis stood up and said, "Well, since we have some time to kill, there is a place I want to show you before the tour."

Debbie and Alice agreed and went with Burnis and Irdos. They passed a couple of halls. Finally, Burnis stopped in front of a newly formed hall.

Burnis said, "This is a newly formed hall. Can you guess what this hall name is?"

Debbie and Alice shook their heads.

"Each hall is named after a famous vampires. This hall's name is Larten Crepsley. This is another training hall."

Debbie and Alice looked at the hall with fascination and awe. They stood there for a few minutes observing the hall. At the entrance was a statue that looked like Larten. There were a few vampires brawling with each other. They watched with interest.

Then Irdos used his sign language to say, "So, onward to the tour."

Alice nodded. They walked away from the hall while Debbie still looked at the hall with sad eyes. Alice turned around to see Debbie still looking around the hall. Alice pulled Debbie's arms and whispered, "Let's go."

They were about to walk away when a vampires approached them. The vampire said, "The Princes ordered that the humans were to go to the Hall of the Princes to discuss the proposal." They looked at each other and nodded. They followed the vampire to the Hall of the Princes.

Purestrongpoem: Don't worry, you will see the Vanez and Seba later. Please review.