Chapter 4

Three weeks have passed, and by night Lucian teaches her to forge a sword, he recites each tiny motion in exact order and by dawn she must have it memorized. Then it is out to the forge to hammer and burn her anger and fear out on the anvil, as the weeks pass the metal begins to form.

Late one evening she overheats it and as she lays it out upon the anvil it snaps in her hands spilling scalding metal from its core, she leaps back hissing, the guard sighs, that will be another hour he has to spend guarding the filthy creature in the frozen darkness whilst she mends the error of her ways. Over an hour later she has hammered it to perfection, and the moon shines in its mirror bright blade.

Lucian watches from his place among the other slaves, he misses the heat of his work and the easy company of Erzsebet, fear for her twists at his stomach until at the end of each day as the guards are ensuring the slaves return to their quarters she holds up her day's work, for a moment only and he nods to her, she is doing better than he ever imagined, she easily memorizes his words, she could listen to him all through the night, it would not matter what he was talking of.

Her days are lit by the heat of the forge, the endless glow of the flames, she has even been known to work throughout the night with a guard to watch over her to ensure that it is finished by the next full moon. She has the body of the sword completed, and by the middle of the following week is working on the pommel, she uses a chisel to shape the hilt elegantly, and as the moon rises it is done.

She lays it down and wipes the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, she turns and announces to the guard that it is done, Viktor is told by a slave sent running just for the privilege, and the poor man runs back Viktor will come himself to inspect her work, she is trembling, the vampire lord terrifies her, his power and elegance remind her of the feeling of being in church with her mother, of the angels and demons that looked down upon her from her lowly pew.

He sweeps out across the flagstones and Erzsebet falls to her knees, the sword held out to him, Viktor takes it and turns it, inspecting it closely until it all but touches his thin white nose, the nostrils flare and for a moment she fears she will vomit for terror.

Then that thin, cruel mouth twists into a smile, "It is…magnificent. But I believe we need one last word on it." He turns to the slave, and sends him for Lucian; he does not miss the light in her eyes "You have pleased me this night Lycan. It will not be forgotten"

Lucian approaches across the snow-covered courtyard, he kneels beside her, Viktor gives his eerie smile "I am proud Lucian, she has learned well, a truly magnificent gift to present to my beloved daughter."

Lucian bows his head, and gently brushes Erzsebet's hand with his own, she smiles sweetly when Viktor turns to acknowledge Sonja's presence, she descends the castle steps wrapped in a white fur cloak that emphasizes her ebony hair and milk white skin. Viktor lays a hand upon her arm, "A gift, I had the Lycan forge it for you."

The vampire woman takes the sword from her regal father and inspects it "You are too kind my lord." She turns it carefully "it will do".

Viktor turns to them "Lucian, take her back, her task is done. You will return to your work come morning."

Lucian bows his head and takes Erzsebet's hand firmly, leading her away from the sneering vampire warrior, he glances back and sees Sonja's eyes widen ever so slightly, the slaves lay hands upon the Lycan girl's back as she passes them, she is source of pride for their species and has earned her place among them.

They wander the damp halls of the castle to return to their quarters; the moonlight spills in through the bars above them, they reach their cage and the guard moves forward and turns the key in the lock, he leaves them standing before the open door, Lucian stands back and she passes him, once inside she curls into her corner, they sit and watch the snow that falls into their prison, Lucian lifts the thin blanket meaning to offer it to her for the night air is bitter, she glances up and then crawls across the stone to him, she settles her head against his chest and he drapes the blanket about them for all the protection it will offer.

Lucian dares not move all through that night for fear of waking her; it feels as if he is lost a dream in the strange heat of her against his heart.

He looks out at the darkness at the silver clouds as they dance across the moon, the wind's mournful whisper is broken by the thunder of boots and a key in the lock, Lucian glances up to see the guards enter the cage, Erzsebet's eyes flutter open "On your feet Lycan."

The guard grabs at her roughly and Lucian snarls at him, letting the wolf within show, he stands and feels the rush of the beast, his eyes glow like moonstones, as he stands over Erzsebet, the guard raises the silver whip "Get back you filthy animal, its not you we want." Lucian helps the girl to her feet and she clings to his chest her eyes wide with fear, the guard sneers and snaps the whip at her, he laughs cruelly as she leaps back out of its reach pressing herself against the far wall, "Viktor orders your presence."

Lucian can smell the terror on her; he reaches for her hand "I will go with you."

She smiles then, "Thank you."

The guards take her arms and drag her between them to the great hall, Viktor turns his head as they enter, "I am most grieved Lycan…the girl" he adds as Lucian looks up.

He holds out the sword she had forged, it has broken at the heart of the blade and the metal glints fearfully in the cold starlight.

The scent of her mortal terror rushes over him and Lucian struggles to breathe, it calls to the darkest side of his beast, that part he fights with every rising moon.

Viktor's voice rings out like ice, "My beloved daughter brings a grave accusation against you Erzsebet the Lycan. She claims that you deliberately sabotaged this sword! That you did so in order that she might die at the teeth of William's Children. That you loath her for reasons unknown, that you..an animal…have betrayed my trust after all I have done for you."

Erzsebet looks up her eyes wide "No, my Lord! I would never!..." she is beside herself. Her eyes an eerie pale glow in the darkness.

Lucian can feel her beast rising with her fear.

"She must die for her treachery." Sonja's voice is merciless.

Erzsebet looks back at Lucian her eyes begging him to save her.

There is nothing he can do. It is hopeless. All he can do is pray that Viktor might be moved to mercy by her frailty and her fear.

But Erzsebet has lost her senses in her terror, her eyes shine brighter, she groans and to Lucian's horror her nails begin to grow, her hair thickens and darkens, she turns on Sonja with a snarl, her teeth are too long, all but fangs in her sweet rosebud mouth.

Merciful Jesus.

Lucian springs forward as she pushes off the guard and throws his arms about her, holding her in place. "My Lord, she means no harm she is afraid." He holds her as tight as he can, Viktor taps long pale fingers against his arm rest, like a thin white spider, as Erzsebet sinks to the ground her rage replaced by tears. Lucian falls with her until he lies out on the cold stone with the Lycan girl clinging to him and sobbing, Viktor leans forward "Lucian, bring her here."

He helps her to her feet holding her against himself as if he can by some miracle shield her from what is coming.

"Hold her."

The vampire beckons to the guard with the silver whip, Lucian's grip tightens "My lord, no! Please she is…!"

Viktor sighs, "She may be guilty of treason, she must be questioned."

She is trembling so that she can barely stand; Lucian takes her arms and braces her hands against his chest, "You need only answer what they ask Erzsebet, I will be here with you I swear it." He caresses her cheek, she pulls back and meets his eyes; her voice quaking "I understand"

Viktor's voice intones, as if this is some holy ritual, like Erzsebet's beloved mass rather than questioning by torture at the point of a silver whip.

"Did you break the sword?"

"Yes." The whip comes down and she shrieks.

Lucian forces himself to hold still, as she writhes in his arms.

"Did you intend to?"

Her voice is ragged "No! It was an accident, I swear! I thought I had repaired it."

"Do you wish my daughter's death?" Viktor's voice is like ice.

She looks up and her eyes are shining once more "No my lord, she is my lady, I could never wish her harm."

Sonja stands "Lies!"

The guard brings the whip down and the Lycan's scream cuts the cold air.

Lucian snarls savagely. That was done for spite, in his minds eye he tastes the guard's blood hot and sweet on his tongue as the wolf that crawls beneath his skin tears out the man's throat.

The guard sneers

Viktor raises his hand "that is enough, she is not dangerous, only ignorant, she will be punished for the risk her foolishness posed to my daughter's life, fifty lashes and then no more shall be said of this. Lucian you shall have ten lashes for lying to me, she is to receive her punishment first. You may be with her. I am not without mercy."

The guards take Erzsebet's arms.

Vikor's voice rings in the icy night as she is dragged from the chamber.

"Take them away."