6

CHAPTER NINE

Throughout the long chill of the winter day, Eric slept. Deep into November, the weather had turned bitter and the first light snowfall drifted across the trees, over the roof tops, and collected around the tall cold chimneys. The muddy puddles along the tracks outside had iced over, the sallow clouds closed in, and the sun set early across the hills.

Eric slept with his brother Edward, both men unmoving throughout the daylight hours. In the next underground chamber, their maker and his newly made child slept deep. As they lay in the darkness, the snow continued to fall. It was already thickly settled when finally Eric awoke just before sundown, and when he climbed the stone steps back to the ground floor and the main hall, through the windows he saw the night's shadows creeping in and the grass buried beneath the ice.

Eric smiled, the snow reminded him of his own home in Jämtland. He turned, suspicious at the soft creaking sound behind him, but was relieved when he saw Edward standing there.

Edward spoke softly, "I cannot accept this anymore. Something must be done." The torture in his eyes was clear.

Eric raised one eyebrow, and put his finger to his lips to let Edward know that they could be heard. "Come outside to watch the snow with me brother." He put his arm around Edwards shoulders as he spoke. When they stepped outside, Eric took hold of Edward and flew them both up into the trees, landing a moment later in small spinny. He wandered a few steps in the snow, turning back to watch the prints left behind, and stooped to pick up an icy handful, squashing it into a ball as he looked at Edward. "Our dear father is no advantage to either of us, I agree. But if you mean to eradicate him in some way, then you are mad. If you attempt it, then you will fail. And if you fail, then he will destroy you."

Edward sighed and sat on the damp cold ground. "I was king – king of this realm. I never asked for help. I gave orders, and the orders were obeyed." He put his head in his hands. "Now I am the weakest of you all. But you're the strongest amongst us, Eric. And I count you as being more than my brother in death. You are also my friend."

"Friend yes, but fool no," Eric said. "I will make no plans to kill my maker, much as I hate him. That is not only forbidden by every law we have, it is also foolhardy. But I will make a bargain with you, I will help you avoid Apius, and his new slime, Bill. I am leaving. You can travel with me and I'll even hunt for you sometimes. But you will help me in return."

Edward looked gloomy. "You don't need my help. You never have."

"You were a poor king Edward, you lost these very hills that we now stand on," Eric smiled. "Edward II, - lost Scotland and forced from his throne, then finally betrayed by his queen. But you sired one of the greatest kings who ever lived until the present monarch. Another Edward, now the fourth of that name. So you have succeeded after all, my brother. You should not see yourself as a failure."

Edward still wore the flowing velvets of the historic years when he had ruled England. His gown, rich and warm to his calves, was full skirted over his woollen hose. He was proud of his grandeur, and often wore a narrow golden battle crown. Now he pouted. "Royal blood," he said. "I should have ruled longer. I could've won Scotland back. But that is no longer my problem. That bastard Apius is my problem."

"I need your help with an unusual situation," Eric explained. "And in return, I will take you away with me. We will leave this house. It has been my sanctuary for nearly fifty years, but I will not regret moving on. So, will you help me, brother, with whatever I ask?"

Pam was laughing, leading Susanna by the hand. "'Tis a great little village," she said. "Come on, let's find a tavern, have a few jars and then settle down for the night in the stables. Warm straw, that's the answer. It's bloody freezing out here and I want a cosy bed, not another night in the forest. "

"I can't afford ale," Susanna said. "I haven't a farthing left."

"Who needs money?" Laff objected. "I can steal us a few pennies, and Pam can work her arse off for some more. Come on, girls. I'm starving."

They set off down the narrow lanes, hurrying over the cobbles. The snow was banked high either side in the shadows of the overhanging buildings, and in the central gullies, the gutters were turning to ice. The snow was now blowing stronger as the wind slanted down the alleys. Laff wrapped his grand cote around him, and Pam was wrapped in her fur trimmed cape, but Susanna, still dressed in her old doublet and threadbare hose, was frozen. They rushed into the first tavern they came to, and pushed through the crowd to huddle by the little fire in the main tap-room.

"Hey, friend," Laff called to the tavern keeper. "We're customers like to die of this weather. Three brimming cups over here if ya' please." As soon as the tavern keeper turned his back, Laff pushed beside a fat man in a leather apron, slipping his long fingers into the man's purse tied to his belt.

They sat on stools next to the spitting logs and small flames across the heath, drinking their beer and grinning at each other. "Reckon we've got it made here," Pam said. "Drink up while I find meself a quick customer. Then we'll order supper."

Later as the day turned into long dark evening, the three friends hurried out to the stable block, where the horses were kicking at the straw. The ostlers and the young stable lads were feeding the horses their last meal of the day, mashed turnips and some stale wads left from the summer's hay bales.

"'Ere, lad," Pam called to one boy. "Don't mind us, will ya? This is the warmest place for miles around, so we'll be sleeping here till sun up tomorrow. We won't make no trouble."

"Yer welcome," replied the boy. "Plenty of room. The big destrier in the far stall is too frisky for a cuddle up, but the other horses sweat enough to make a good blanket."

Laff grinned. "There y'are, Pam. Fancy a big war horse for a kiss tonight? I'm curling up right here." He threw himself on the straw and stretched his hosed legs, to ease his muscles.

"Supper was good, but was it worth the payment Pam, I don't want you suffering for our food. Can't we offer to work for the money?" asked Susanna.

Both Pam and Laff laughed, "It is work, it ain't suffering. Hell, just wait a while and you'll soon find suffering, but for now we've got food in our bellies and a warm bed, I feel like a queen." Pam smirked as she curtsied to Laff, who gave a exaggerated bow in return.

Susanna smiled gratefully at them both. "I'm still so cold though, do you think Eric will come tonight?." She snuggled into the straw as much as she could.

"He said he would, o' course he'd have you warmed up. But I'm not sure I'd trust him yet. Mind you, I'd happily share if ya fancy." Pam laughed and unwrapped the cloak from her shoulders. "But reckon we're all bloody cold. So keep close together. We ain't got nothing worth the nicking – so no one will bother us for sure. Nick one o' them turnips if you gets peckish in the night," She sat close to Susanna and wrapped her cloak around them both.

Just as they were settling and getting comfortable, they heard noises outside.

"Get out here and face me, you slut," the voice shouted in furious anger. "I know you're in there, for they told me in the tavern. A trollop dressed as a boy, they told me, and I knows full well, that's you, my girl. Come and face me, for I'm going to tan your hide afore I drag you back home."

There was another short silence, startled, Susanna cringed in the shadows. "Oh my God," she mumbled. "It's my bloody Dad."

Laff sat up and took a short knife from his boot, Pam took another from her skirts. Looking at Susanna, she whispered, "Don't you go out there, we'll pack up and sneak out the back." She looked across at the lad she had spoken to earlier, "Keep 'im busy as long as ya can, we're off out the back." She gave the stunned youngster a kiss and grabbed her shoes to join the others.

The snow was a problem. Not only were they shivering with cold but tracks were difficult to conceal. In places the snow had already turned to ice and keeping upright was also an issue. But they managed to get away without being followed, and hoped that Susanna's father would rather stay in the warm. They huddled together and talked of their plans. Sleep was no longer an option.

It was only a short time later that Eric and his brother found them in the shadows. Edward laughed at the scared faces, when they jumped with fright as he and Eric landed silently in front of them.

"For fuck sake, where in hell did you come from? I nearly pissed me'self. Can't ya give a warning next time?" gasped Laff, struggling to regain his composure. Edward smiled down at Laff as he saw his very own stolen silks and furs. But he had promised Eric he would behave, so he said nothing, though his smile grew as he watched him.

Susanna leaped into Eric's arms when she realised who it was. "Thank G-god its y-you." She was sniffing and shivering so much it was difficult to know what she'd said.

Eric wrapped his arms around her and kissed her thoroughly. "Who were you expecting lover, other than me? Did I not say I'd come." His eyebrow raised, questioning himself as he realised what he'd called her.

Edward watched on in amazement, for never in his one hundred and sixty years with Eric had he seen him behave like this, or call anyone lover!

"I didn't know if you'd be able to, you said you might have problems. But I'm so glad you did." Susanna sniffed again before explaining about her father.

Meanwhile both Laff and Pam were leering at Edward, his tall, lean frame and dark blonde hair made him a far likelier brother to Eric than the man they had interrupted the other night. Edward smiled back, his mind conjuring very pleasant thoughts containing these two.

"It seems that both our sires may still cause us problems. I would like to get as far as possible from here, so will you come?" Eric still held her tightly as he looked for her answer, his fingers trailing her cheek down to her long elegant neck. It was more than blood he was thinking of though.

Her father he would deal with soon, but his own, only distance would fix for now. Although he knew this would only delay the problem to be dealt with another time.

Looking up into his hypnotic eyes she replied, "Of course, but what about Laff and Pam? I can't leave them behind, they've helped me so much."

"Edward will help, In fact he may enjoy it more than I thought." Eric watched the three of them, over Sookie's shoulder, smiling widely. "I want to get to Carlisle before morning, if we can."

"That far, how can we do that? It has to be at least 50 miles from here." Her nose was red, and she was still shivering with cold, yet he thought her adorable.

He lifted himself off the ground just a few feet with her in his arms. She yelped as with arms and legs wrapped around him, she clung on for dear life. "It's not quite 40 miles as the crow flies, or maybe I should say as a vampire flies." His face was alight with laughter as he brought her back to earth. "Come, we will work out a way of bringing your friends too." He led her over to the others who were laughing over something Laff had said.

"I see you are now acquainted with my brother, so shall we decide how this should be done?" Both Laff and Pam looked up in confusion.

"We cannot take three at once Eric, perhaps you should take Sookie ahead, and we will walk until you can get back to take these two." He seemed keen on getting rid of Eric, "We will be fine, we can cover five or six miles and we have over four hours before dawn."

Eric too was keen to have Sookie to himself for a while, so agreed readily. "I will be back as soon as I can. You two will do as Edward says, for your own safety." He raised an eyebrow at Pam, who seemed about to disagree with this statement. "I wouldn't advise it, Edward can hear trouble coming before you could raise your skirts. If you want to survive stay close and do as he says." With that he took Sookie back in his arms and flew up before she had a chance to complain. Which if she had any breath left, she would've. He laughed and held her closer as they flew over the snow covered countryside.

Susanna's voice was muffled by the wind, and she had to shout. "If you're going back immediately to the others," she yelled, her voice cracking, "how will you leave me? I mean – will you just leave me all alone?"

"Frightened, little one?" She heard the amusement in Eric's voice. "I will take you far enough to escape your father," he promised her. "A snug corner, perhaps, a shepherd's hut, or a hollow tree?"

Susanna was outraged. "A hollow tree? I'm not a squirrel."

Eric laughed. "I have another idea," he assured her. "And perhaps I will not hurry back to Edward and your friends so quickly after all. Will you complain if I stay with you for a while? There are some things I wish to talk to you about in private – and definitely some things – in private – which I wish to do."

Susanna sighed, and laid her head on his wide shoulder. "Oh no," she murmured. "I won't complain about that at all."

Meanwhile Edward was left smiling at Laff and Pam, and could not decide which one he desired the most.

"There's no way you're getting me up there, I'll run the distance if I has too, but take me in the air, you won't." Laff was still looking up at Eric and Sookie as they disappeared into the night sky.

"We'll see," laughed Edward. "In the meantime we have a lot of land to cover, so I suggest we get moving. Do you have much to carry?"

"Just meself, if you want ta get far. I've been working all evening and walking all day, there's no way I'm walking anymore tonight." Pam stretched out her arm for Edward to help her up, and winked at Laff as she saw his look of envy.

"My lady, I am at your disposal, your knight in shining armour." He laughed as she put her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. She could feel the hardness of his prick as she wriggled to get comfy.

"Then shall we move on, kind sir?" She laughed and batted her eye lashes at him.

He gave her a resounding slap on her rump and pressed her to his groin. As he took his first steps forward, Pam moaned with arousal.

"Don't mind me, I'll just keep the wind off ya backs shall I?" Laff sneered at the two of them, picked his hat of the ground and slapped it across his thigh to rid the snow from its feathers.

"Now don't sulk sir, maybe Pam would be happy to swap places in a mile or so." Edward made an obvious show of looking at Laff's crotch as he spoke and Laff decide that it might be a fun night after all.