Solace

Chapter IX

The Next Morning

Mirena had awoken in her and Vlad's tent. She saw Vlad curled in a corner shaking. The princess went to try and calm her husband, but he shocked her by grabbing a hold of her wrist.

"Your scars are gone. What happened to you?" Mirena asked

"I met evil in Broken Tooth." he answered

"What?" she questioned

Vlad grabbed a small knife and cut open a part of the tent. When the sun hit Vlad's skin, his skin started to burn away.

"Stop!" Mirena explained and pulled back into the shaded part of the tent.

"May God punish the one who has done this to you." she explained

"This is my choice." Vlad said

"Is this the power you were looking for? Why?" Mirena asked

He answered "Because I sent corpses back to Mehmed, instead of our son."

With that Elena woke up with a whimper. Mirena went over to the make shift bassinet and picked up her daughter. She tired rocking Elena back to sleep.

"You did this for us?" she questioned

Vlad shook his head 'yes' and said "In two days I will be restored. I just have to resist."

Mirena asked "Resist what?"

Vlad did not answer

She exclaimed angrily "Resist what, Vlad?"

"The bloodlust." he answered sadly

Elena whimpered again. Mirena rocked her.

"And if you give in?" Mirena asked

Vlad answered "Then, I'll stay like this forever."

"May God forgive you." she said then, Mirena took Vlad's hand and held it tight

Elena, who now was wide awake, wiggled in her mother's arm

Then, Dumitru said outside the tent "Vlad. Mehmend and his army are coming closer. We should move out."

Vlad looked at Mirena and then he looks down at his daughter.

"You have to go to the monastery immediately" he said

"But, Mehmed's men are close." Mirena said

Vlad squeezed his wife's hand and said "Listen to me. I'll get to you after sunset. I promise you."

The princess kissed her prince and declared "I love you."

"Why don't you let me hold Elena while you get ready?" Vlad said

Mirena looked at her daughter and then at Vlad cautiously

"Mirena? What's wrong?" he asked

She shook her hand and said "Nothing." Mirena handed Elena over to Vlad and left to change quickly.

"I am doing this to protect us all. I will not let any harm come to you ever, my Elena." Vlad said

Elena gurgled at her father and he noticed his silver ring that he put around his neck was floating. Then, Vlad saw Elena's little hand glowing with the pale white light.

Mirena walked back and Elena's hand stopped glowing. Vlad's sliver ring fell back to his chest. She grabbed Elena from Vlad and walked out of the tent.

Vlad watched his wife leave with their daughter. He looked baffled.

"My husband agrees with your advice. We will leave now, under your temporary command." Mirena said

"What? Where is Vlad going?" Dumitru asked

She answered "To go and spy on the Turks. He insists that he go himself."

"I will not allow it" Dumitru said

"It is too late. He is already gone." Mirena stated

Dumitru looked angry and sighed "Prepare to leave, everyone" he announced

In the distance

Two Turks spy the small Transylvanian group from a far.

The one soldier looks at the other says "Tell the Sultan where his enemies are heading."

In the Woods

"Where is the White Witch, Baba Yaga?" an elderly woman with boils covering her face asked

"We have two more nights until the spell is ready. She can stay with her family a while longer." Baba Yaga answered

"The longer she stays with her family; the chances are that the Old One will find out that his protégé's infant daughter is The White Witch." The elderly boiled faced woman stated

"Do not worry." The Old One will not find out about her. I will take her away on the third night, my sister." Baba Yaga said

With that she left toward the monastery to wait for the third night.

End of Chapter IX