Chapter 4:

Dracula sat in the throne before the chamber. The council meeting, lead by Ska, explained the situation, giving all possible solutions. The meeting was suddenly interrupted. Tyreth shoved through the double doors and fell before Dracula. The man stood angrily.
"Tyreth? What is the meaning of this?!" he boomed.
Tyreth turned to the elders who all bowed their heads. Dracula glanced up at the elders and scowled. Slowly he sat and Tyreth looked up at his face. The boy trembled slightly, forcing a brave smile onto his face.
"I was wondering if I could have a second chance..." the boy whispered nervously.
Dracula squinted down at the boy. He hesitated before turning to the counsel. They were motionless. The man thought for a moment before looking at Tyreth once more. His eyes narrowed.
"Do you mean to trick me?"
Tyreth fell back. He shook his head disappointed. He had been thrice mistrusted by The Master. Slowly he glanced up and stood. Everyone behind him gasped, for he stood higher than Dracula, The Master.
"Trust me or don't. I don't care! If you do, send me out, and I WILL get the girl. If not, drive a stake through my heart now, for I tire of depression!"
Dracula stared up at the puny vampire. To humans, Tyreth was strong in comparison, but to others in his sect, he was tiny and weak. Slowly, Dracula stood, pulling Tyreth up to face him at eye level.
"Do you stand higher than ME, Brat?" The Master snarled.
"N-no, sir," Tyreth whispered, lowering his gaze.
Dracula dropped the boy and laughed slightly. Tyreth shrank back keeping his head down. Quickly, he crawled away and stood to exit the auditorium. Dracula glanced up calmly after a moment of thought.
"Tyreth," he called out.
The young vampire froze. He turned to his Master and stared, unblinking. The oldest vampire sat once more and nodded. Tyreth stepped forward, unbelieving and confused. He looked from his Master to the counsel. Dracula laughed out, drawing all of the attention to himself.
"You may have your second chance. Don't ruin it!"
Tyreth grinned, finally exiting. He stood on the other side of the heavy double doors. Slowly, he leaned against them and pushed his hair out of his face.
Amilia's face came to his mind and the smile faded. He walked to his room and looked around. The sun was setting. The carriage had been drawn up in front of the castle, yet no one had stirred. Nobody exited the carriage, entered the castle, or exited the castle. That was until Tyreth did.
Quickly, he leapt into the night sky, just as the remaining sun disappeared below the earth. In an instant, he was a tiny bat, vanishing against the black sky. Tyreth was gone...

A few men stood watch over the great church. One shifted his weight and watched as two bats flew out from the tower. He squinted but could no longer see them, yet could hear the swarm of bats at the tower peak.
A tall man wearing a blue robe exited the church. He had long black-graying hair and dark eyes. Followed behind him was Nathaniel Graves. The taller man turned to Nathan and stood, frozen.
"I'm glad you came, dear friend... I see our motives are, once again, the same. I won't be so weak this time..."
Nathan reached out and embraced his friend. The two held each other, as memories of the past filled their eyes with tears. Slowly, Nathan pulled away and smiled bravely up at the man.
"Your father would be a proud man to see you now, Hugh," Nathan whispered resting his hand on the man's broad shoulders.
"Thank you," Hugh said.
After a brief moment, Nathan entered the carriage and took off. Hugh turned once more to the church and exhaled. Slowly, he entered, nodding to the guards. They stood respectively motionless.
The swarm of bats froze. The remaining men glanced up. The bodies of the bats were still, in mid-air. The tallest guard squinted at the multitude of still black. He, with the sharpest ears, could hear something like that of a cloak flailing in the wind.
"What's going on up there?" he asked.
"Stand guard, men," the captain said shifting his weight and drawing his sword.
Some of the bats seemed to explode. Blood rained down from the sky onto the men, who ducked crying out. The captain looked up in time to see the tallest guard drained of life. Slowly, he turned just as the skin on the other man melted away. The captain let out a scream, full of fear, but it was cut short.

Hugh pulled on his gloves and turned toward the door, just as it flew open. A large dark skinned man entered, bearing a familiar signet to Hugh. The man stopped before the altar. He held up his blood covered hands and grinned, revealing the infamous fangs. Hugh fell back.
"Baldwin..." the man hissed, deeply.
The large, stain glass windows shattered with the ominous voice. With them were the stories, hopes, and dreams of the holy. Hugh turned away, snatching the goblet of holy water. A fiery whip smacked at the silver cross welded goblet. The water splashed out and the goblet hit the floor. Not a drop was spared.
"Tell me, holy man, where is your friend?" the fiend demanded.
Hugh watched the water trickle through the cobble stones. He bowed his head and reached into this robe. The vampire beast stood erect and growled, a deep throaty sound.
"You do not realize the strength I have received through God... It will not be taken away from me!" Hugh cried out throwing the robe hidden hand up.
A six tailed whip struck the beast across the chest, ripping into the signet. Hugh allowed the robe to fall from his shoulders. Once more, he was the man of many years before, fighting alongside Graves, to rid the country of vampires. A smirk lit upon his face and briskly he kissed the cross that hung around his neck, before lunging toward the beast.
Tyreth opened his eyes. The storm had interrupted his flight and before he had gone very far, the sun had come up. He pushed himself further into the tree, away from all rays of light. His wings were soaked and his fur matted.
The tree, in which Tyreth took shelter, was a large Oak Tree. (That is subject to change...as well...again, I'm not too familiar with the wildlife Austria contains.) It had been a home to many animals, proving perfectly suitable a shelter to the bat. Quickly, the vampire shut his large brown eyes and snuggled closer against the damp bark.
Hours upon hours passed by and Tyreth did not budge. He slept, he ate a few insects, and he cleaned the fur on his winds but never left the safety of the tree. A squirrel had attempted entrance, and Tyreth hissed. Nothing else had returned.
An hour after the squirrel had intruded on the vampire's slumber, a man walked by the tree. He was humming and plucking at something. Tyreth couldn't really see what was becoming of his shelter.
The boy crawled closer toward the knot hole. The man was, in reality, a teenage boy. He stood carving something into the tree, while a girl sat watching. She giggled and grinned with pride. Suddenly, the teen shoved his hand into the hole.
Tyreth squeaked, chomping down onto the intrusive hand. The boy cried out in pain and the girl shrieked in fear. A string of swears crossed the teen's mouth and he peered into the hole. Tyreth snarled, backing away. The girl chided the boy and stomped away. The boy followed, swearing once more at Tyreth, as he went.
The bat curled up again to sleep. He had nothing better to do while he waited for the night sky. The day was late and soon he would leave and resume the search for Amilia Graves. For the time being, though, he would sleep.

Amilia rushed up the hill, sweating profusely. She fell to her knees, pantint to catch her breath. The girl crawled a ways, to a lone Oak Tree. Tearfully, the girl pulled her knapsack to her chest, leaning up against the tree.
Tears rushed down her fair face as she trembled in pain. Soon it would be nightfall and Amilia had yet to cross an inn, tavern, or homestead willing to take in a runaway. She would have to face the night, tired and fearful.
Slowly, the girl fell asleep. Her body fell limp and the knapsack slid off of her chest. An apple rolled out and something within the sack clicked on. A soft melody began playing.

The sleeping Tyreth startled awake. It was dusk and he could exit the tree safely. Music filled the large pointed ears. The bat dropped from his hanging spot and swooped out of the dark damp hole. The vampire grew and fur vanished. Tyreth searched for his clothes and upon retrieving them, quickly dressed.
There was a soft thud behind the boy and a girl was revealed. Tyreth jumped back startled. He made short realization as to where the music was coming from. Slowly, the boy crept towards the far side of the large tree. A second gasp escaped the boy.
Amilia Graves lay sleeping, with nothing but a small knapsack. He glanced down at the bug bitten apple and kicked it away. Tyreth opened the knapsack to find few belongings. The girl had packed a knife, small trinkets, and apples. He turned to her and shifted uncomfortably.
All the girl wore was a pair of riding boots and pants, as well as a large blouse. For a wealthy and beautiful girl, she was dressed manly. Tyreth scowled in disapproval, returning his attention to the bag. He pulled out a tiny music box. It clicked off and the music stopped.
Amilia sat up groaning. She rubbed her eyes and glanced up. Tyreth turned to her dropping the trinket. He stood and backed away. He knew the moment to prove himself was now.
"You shouldn't travel alone..." Tyreth whispered, "You could get killed."
Amilia stared in horror at the boy. He dropped to his knees and reached a hand out. Amilia opened her mouth to protest, but found herself taking the hand. Tyreth stood, pulling the girl to her feet. At that moment, Tyreth felt warm. A smile formed at his lips and he shivered.
"I'm not going to hurt you, Amilia," the boy said quietly, "I don't think I could hurt a human..."
Amilia also smiled. She no longer felt fear in her heart. The threatening hold that paralyzed her disappeared. Tyreth looked away. He was at shame, disappointed at himself, yet in an odd satisfying way. The girl touched his shoulder.
"I know you won't harm me..." she said breathing out a sigh of relief, "I thought that maybe...your instinct would."
"I don't have the thirst for blood!" Tyreth hissed, "Just a natural hunger..."
Tyreth bowed his head. He was a black sheep. The misfit. He had disappointed his Master. Once more, Tyreth would be called a failure among his people. Ahren would bully him and Ska would be banished.
From the forest below, wolves cried out. Tyreth looked up and glanced back towards Amilia. She shrank away in fear, knowing the beasts would tear her apart in seconds.
A pack of about 20 wolves charged up the hill toward Tyreth and Amilia. Tyreth turned to Amilia, again. Snatching her in one hand, her belongings in the other, the boy jumped up into the tree. Instantly, the wolves surrounded it, barking ravenously. Amilia shrieked pushing away from the boy. Tyreth stared into her frightened eyes. He released her and sat for a paralyzed moment. Quickly, he dove down into the pack.
The vampire disappeared under the fur. The dogs continued jumping at the tree; clawing their bodies halfway up, before falling upon the others and beginning the cycle again. Amilia threw down an apple, hitting the muzzle of a brown wolf. It snarled biting the solid item in half for demonstration. The wolves ripping into Tyreth, began screaming. Amilia stood, clinging to the branch beside her. She averted her attention away from the dogs.
A large shadow clouded the beasts below. It contracted and the largest wolf was squeezed, yelping. Its body crunched and went limply. The shadow did not cease. It squeezed the Alpha Dog in half. The skin split causing blood to fall from its position onto the pack below. The carcass fell. The remaining wolves sniffed at the body before fleeing.
The shadow stood, erect and fell like a cape around Tyreth, who was completely unharmed. He turned to Amilia and leapt into the tree beside her. The girl watched him for seconds before screaming as she stepped away. Her boot slid on the mossy tree, from the rain from the night before, and Amilia fell. Tyreth cried out, grabbing the girl and pulling her close to him.
"I know, we are enemies by fate... but I swear, I will not hurt YOU... Do not let your fear take control of your senses like that..." Tyreth sighed.
Amilia's large blue eyes rolled back and she fell limply in the vampire's arms. He sat in the tree cradling the unconscious girl. The night was dark and silent. Tyreth scanned the surrounding for a safer area Amilia could stay. After finally deciding the tree was the best spot, the boy stood and leapt off the branch. He vanished into the night, leaving Amilia exposed in her solitude.

The day broke and Amilia was blanketed with soft dew. The girl opened her eyes, groaning. The branch she sat in faced the east, in which the sun rose. A few birds spotted the sky, searching for their breakfast.
Amilia sniffled, taking her sleeve to dry her face. Her belongings were tied up nicely and hung on a branch above her. The girl stood, shaking the remaining cold night from her skin. The ground was not far from the branch, as she'd initially assumed. Grabbing the knapsack, the girl jumped down onto the grassy knoll below.
She searched for a moment, with a slight hope in seeing Tyreth, but he was long gone. The wolf carcass was still lying stiffly. Flies and other insects shrouded its body. Amilia gagged, escaping the sight, sound, and smell it left in her mind.
Once more, Amilia glanced around. After finding no traces of her dark and mysterious acquaintance, she decided to continue her journey alone. Her feet were still slightly sore from the run the day before, yet she persevered. Quickly, down the hill the girl ran.
The forest concealed her presence to the world. Amilia ran, until she could no longer carry herself. Staggering clumsily to the stream, the girl fell. Tears panged her eyes and she let out a wail. Pain shot through her entire body.
The stream trickled on through the rocks. It was moving water and seemingly clear. Amilia was dehydrated, among other things, yet this need burned at her. The girl fell into the water, taking in giant gulps with her cupped hands.
A twig snapped. Amilia looked up, allowing large drops of water to run down her face. They hung at her chin a moment before plunging back into the stream. The water in her still hands began seeping out as her body went numb. A tearful laugh rang through the air and with renewed vigor, the girl lunged into the arms of Vincent.

After hours of being carried once more onto the road, Amilia broke down sobbing. Vincent hugged her tightly, closing his eyes. He stroked her hair and rubbed her back. The girl straightened her posture and forced a thankful smile onto her lips.
"Why are you alone, dear Amilia?" Vincent asked quietly.
"My father left our home and I was out searching for him..." Amilia confessed her fears to the friend who embraced her again.
"You do not need to worry. I'm here now," he whispered soothingly.
Amilia pulled away and nodded, for the first time noticing a cross around his neck and a stake at his side. She thought for a moment and remembered her father speaking of a ranger hunting vampires. A new respect came upon the girl. She looked up and met the man's large brown eyes. Amilia leaned in, puckering her lips. Vincent pushed his finger to her lips and shook his head, brow furrowed.
"Amilia...in current circumstances...I find this emotion slightly inappropriate. Please forgive me..." he spoke bluntly.
Amilia grew hot and her face grew red. She averted her gaze, quickly, feeling scorned. Vincent took her hands and pulled her to him.
"No, no...I did not mean to upset you..." Vincent amended, "I just think it would be best...if we kept our emotions out of the way of our logic for awhile... You are very attractive and I would love to court you... but as of the moment, we need to get you to safety."
Amilia smiled, blushing out of her infatuation. Vincent kissed her on the cheek before standing. He pulled the girl to her feet as well and grabbed their belongings.
"Shall we then?" Vincent asked holding out his free arm for the girl to take.
Amilia giggled and nodded taking the offered support. Vincent led the girl on down the dirt road. The two walked on for tireless hours, chatting idly. The more they spoke, the more in love Amilia became. Finally, they reached a village. Vincent stopped and turned to Amilia. He allowed their belongings to fall from his shoulders. With one, swift move, he pulled Amilia close to him and kissed her.