Hey guess what. I'm back with an really long chappy. So enjoy and tell me how you like it, feedback is really welcome.
Please excuse any mistakes...
Last Chapter: Anna begins her training with Kurda, but is quickly switched over to Arra after Arra insist that she train Anna. While Darren is still preparing for his trials as well. Anna and Larten have another fight about Kurda and Darren confronts his first trial, and Anna's visions start up again. Anna claims she can see everything Darren is doing, and that she can see him coming out alive. Anna's visions are correct of course and everyone leaves happy that Darren had passed. Anna waits for Kurda and he takes her too his study where she speaks to him in private, one thing leads to another and Kurda makes his first move on Anna , in which she grudgly accepts. And Larten worries about the closeness of his assistant and the would be Prince...
Darren's Trials Anna's Training 2
" Concentrate or you will get hit like that again," Arra said pulling back away from me.
I bit my lip. That strike hit me right in the side. For a second there I thought I heard ribs collapsing.
She struck again; I dodged this hit and countered with a blow of my own. It didn't land solidly.
Ever since last night my thoughts have been all over the place. Arra struck again this one hit me in the same spot as before. Screaming I fell face forward, landing on my knees.
" I think my rib is broken…" I mumbled.
Dropping her weapon Arra bent down to where I was then reaching out she touched the side I was holding. I flinched. Now that she had touched it, it hurt more than it did before.
" It isn't broken. Bruised, but not broken. I will escort you to the infirmary. When we come back we will continue."
" You weren't joking when you said you would torture me," I said as I followed her out. Somewhat happy that Kurda had something to do and left before he saw what happened. He would have a cow if he saw that just now.
At the thought of Kurda my face heated up past its prime. True we didn't do anything yesterday besides make out…but it still felt like I had betrayed someone. I mean I could barely look at Mr. Crepsley or Darren when I returned back to them to get something to eat. Mr. Crepsley thought something had happened and even reached out to touch my shoulder, but I flinched away from him and told him nothing was wrong. He curled his eyebrows as usual and didn't say anything, but I could tell he was worried.
" Please sit here."
I glanced up. Another woman stood over me. Her hair was auburn brown; scars lined the outside of her face, over her lips eyebrows and spread to her ears. Even through she was strangely beautiful. She smiled down at me. From the angle I was sitting I could see she was well endaored. If Vampire's had models, she would be the perfect one. She sure had me blushing in her presence.
" She needs a quick patch up Kori," Arra demanded as much as she said.
" You never fail to bring me work," Kori said still smiling. " Lady Eldora is disappointed that she could not attend this year. She sends word of you to stay alive long enough for her to see you again."
" A message I cannot hold commitment too."
" You are right. We do not know what challenges the Gods may place beside us, or whether we will be strong enough to contend with them." Kori said. " But enough of such things. I see there is another female among us. And you are training her no less. What is your name?"
" Anna," I said.
" Anna…?"
" No last name…I gave that up a long time ago."
Kori smiled. " Very well Anna of the no last name. I am Kori Smalls."
" It is nice to meet you," I said bowing.
" You are new am I correct?"
" Yes."
" Do you have a Master? Or are you mated to someone?"
"Larten Crepsley," I said not considering the last part of the question. Kori's eyes widened.
Arra stepped in. " She is his assistant."
" Oh. I did not think he would take in a female assistant. Full of surprises that Larten. Although you have young. How are you finding the Mountain?"
" Its kinda overwhelming," I said lifting my arm for her examine my wounds. " I didn't expect there to be so any men."
" Annoying devils," Kori hissed. " If any problems arise tell them that Kori sends you with her blessing."
" What will that do?" I asked as she wrapped my wounds.
" Let me say that the few of us females have a repetition among the Vampire men. They will mess with you for now, until you completely join the folds of the Vampire women. After you join us they will be more cautious."
" If she joins us," Arra growled.
Kori laughed again. " Do not be so hard on her. She looks like a very capable girl. She will be among us before you know any more of it."
" How many of you are there?" I asked.
" Enough," Kori said. " Stay here long enough and they will show themselves slowly. Even Lady Eldora will show up eventually."
" Lady Eldora?"
" Don't worry you cannot miss her. She is a presence. When she arrives you will be fully aware of her."
Arra who was clearly getting agitated by our talking sighed loudly and glared in Kori's direction. " Are you finished as of yet?"
" So impatient, here I am done."
She released me. I stood; the moment sent a shockwave of pain spiraling up my side.
" Go easy on her Arra. She is bruised quite a bit."
Arra growled again. " As If I know such words."
Kori chuckled then grabbed me lightly pushing me up against her ample breast.
" Also whenever you get the chance tell Larten to stop by here. I would like to have a few words with him." Her voice was delighted whine that was different from her other demeanor. Arra stopped at that. Turned and glared in the direction of Kori. Kori grinned. But even then there was a slight smile on her face that gave me the impression they joked like this often. She waved us goodbye.
" Well she was nice," I said.
Arra ignored me like I knew she would.
Calm…if I concentrate long enough I can block the visions…I don't need to know what happens before it happens…you've been doing it up to an hour now…
" Anna," Gavner called.
" No offense but I'm trying to block the… Darren!"
He was done. Done and bleeding. Bleeding meant he was alive.
" Your cuts and gashes are deep. I hope you can heal before the next trial," Mr. Crepsley said. Still a bit dazed from blocking the visions I hugged him tightly. He made me so nervous it hurt.
" Not again," he said.
" Darren good news,"
Everyone turned. Kurda ran towards Darren, that happy look on his face. Then grabbing his shoulder he shook the flinching Darren. " The Festival of the Undead begins tomorrow."
" The Festival…"I began.
" The final Vampire has finally arrived. Even the Princes must abide by the traditions set by the ones before them. For the next three nights all official business must come to a close."
"Three nights to drink be merry and just relax," Vanez exclaimed walking away with Darren. I took the time to grab Kurda's sleeve and pull him back.
" I'm confused…what's going on? What's up with this festival talk?"
Kurda turned to me, still grinning. " Three nights, Darren is cleared for just that long until the festival ends which means he has time to rest. He will not have to undergo any more trials until this period ends. Isn't it great." He grabbed me under the arms and swung me around in a complete circle, like my father once did when I was a child. Hitting my bruised ribs in the process. I winched.
" Kinda bruised there Kurda," I said pulled away from him.
" Oh sorry," he said. " Perhaps you need these nights as well. Arra has you working hard."
" Its not as bad as I thought it would be," I admitted. Kurda didn't look convinced. I rubbed my hands together. " So a Festival? Where do we start?"
The Festival was not what I expected. What was fun for them was not so fun for me. Mr. Crepsley, Gavner, Seba and even Kurda left me. Each pulled into the thick crowd of Vampires that came down the halls shouting and screaming. I felt totally at ends. And then the fights started. But not just any fights.
Anyone could challenge whomever they wanted. And it was dishonorable to refuse a fight when proposed. So naturally like a mouse in the presence of cats I was attacked.
Most of them weren't overly rough, but they were enjoying the wrestling more than I was. Although it gave me a chance to practice what Arra had taught me. I reasoned that as long as everyone else was happy so was I. Even stern Mr. Crepsley seemed happy, doing his weird looking Jet Lee dance with the guys he was fighting.
Luckily halfway through Gavner found me and saved me from the mess.
" Thanks," I said once he had pulled me to the other side of a empty hall.
" Seemed like you needed saving."
" I did," I said sitting and taking a deep breath. " Never seen so many men in my life."
Gavner hit my back. I gasped out loud. " They should be ending soon, just sit here for a moment catch your breath."
" Alright." He left me there. I could hear the others outside and decided that it was good that Gavner saw me instead of one of them, they were enjoying themselves to much. " Those guys…" I laid my head back and closed my eyes.
" Anna! Anna!"
I opened both eyes slowly. Kneeling in front of me was Mr. Crepsley, his eyes searched me frantically.
" Huh?"
" Did anyone do anything to you?" He asked shaking me, his fingers dug into the sore spots of my arms.
" Is the fighting over yet?"
" Never mind that," Mr. Crepsley said. " Why are you sitting here in shambles?"
" Shambles what?"
" I came looking for you. Only to find you here clothing ripped and body in his position."
I glanced down at my appearance. The cloth of my shoulder had been ripped almost completely off, my pants bottom tore up to my thigh, one of my bra-covered breasts was exposed. Suddenly embarrassed of my state in front of him I pulled my legs close to my body.
" Gavner brought me here and…"
" Gavner!" Mr. Crepsley shouted standing. He looked angry and concerned at the same time. Only then did the realization of what he thought had happened hit me.
"No! No." I grabbed his hand. " He brought me here to rest. I was being bombarded out there."
He seemed to calm down then. I smiled. He helped me stand. " What's happening?"
" We are settled in. Everyone is in the dining hall."
I grabbed his arm for support. " Well I can't meet them like this. I'm going to need more clothes."
Mr. Crepsley moved to remove is cloak. The movement looked so familiar I gasped and moved away from him. The movement reminded me too much of him moving towards me to embrace…of Kurda moving…
" Sorry…" I mumbled closing my eyes and standing stiffly enough for him to cover me with the cloak. He lingered there for a moment before pulling back.
" I…met another female vampire. Her name was Kori Smalls."
" Kori," Mr. Crepsley said shaking his head.
" What you don't like her?" I asked.
" She is one Vampire I would like to not be left alone with."
" Then that answers what she wanted me to ask you." I giggled.
Mr. Crepsley sighed. " She more trouble then I like to deal with. I can only surmise what she wanted you to ask me.
" Even so everyone here is so nice. It's totally different than what I expected." Reaching into my pants pocket, my fingers touching something square shaped. Pulling it out I examined it.
" This is the gift Evra gave me when I left the Cirque…" I pulled the ribbon's top. " He said it wasn't anything I could use…" Pulling the top off the box I glanced into the insides. " Its paper…" I pulled one from the box.
The looking glass, so shiny and new You made a deal, and now it seems you have to offer up
How quickly the glamour fades
I start spinning, slipping out of time
Was that the wrong pill to take?
But will it ever be enough?
It's not enough
" Song lyrics…and Evra's in his handwriting." I said holding the box up for Mr. Crepsley to examine.
" I can not read this," he answered truthfully. I turned to him.
" What do you mean?"
" I am illiterate," he said.
Not pondering on it very long I started to read one of the papers. Reading turned into singing, and before I knew it I was singing the lyrics under my breath. Why would he..
" Is has been a while since I have heard your voice," Mr. Crepsley said.
" Yeah. I haven't sang since…the night Robert died." I pulled out another paper. This one was different than the others. " I wrote these down for when you get back. Remember you promised to sing for me one day. Well now that you have some lyrics you have no excuse not to. Evra."
" So illiterate huh?" I asked pulling down my shirt. " You've never learned to read?"
" I have never had the proper education. As a child I went to work early."
" So you want to learn?" I asked.
" I have no interest," he said.
" Either way.…"
" Oh! I found you!"
" Kori. Speak of the devil!" I proclaimed.
" I've been looking all over for you. Arra is so busy fighting that she won't give me the time of day. It makes me so frustrated," her voice was in a whine again. " Larten!" She ran forward " How are you?"
"I am fine."
" I haven't seen you since…"
" Yes," Mr. Crepsley said bowing.
" You should come visit me. The infirmary gets very lonely. Everyone is always so busy. Even Mika stopped coming by…"
" Um Lady Kori," I said.
She grabbed my arm. " So where are you two headed" Her tone was suspicious. "Oh. Can I join. I promise I'll be quiet, you won't even know I'm there."
" Going to get more clothes for me. I kinda let these get ruined."
" Oh I understand the usual attack the new girl. I guess you didn't tell them what I told you to tell them. Pity."
We turned the corner into the clothing storage room. " We'll be right out Larten. Better yet you can go on ahead of us. We'll meet you at the dining hall. I won't let your girl get hurt."
" His girl," I said.
" Oh Arra does not like you. I can see why," she tapped her scared chin. " Ah now I'm jealous. Larten is a woman's dream. Nothing like these other stupid Vampires in this mountain. If only he would stop by my room…"
" Clothes remember," I reminded rambling through shirts. I was starting to see how Arra could get annoyed with Lady Kori. She spoke her mind regardless of who it was.
" Oh I forgot you are with Kurda aren't you…"
" How do you know that" I asked.
She sighed out loudly. " If anything you just confirmed it just now," she said.
" No I didn't…"
" Tell me how is it?"
" How is what? We didn't do anything…"
" I am old but not dumb," she pushed.
" We just kissed," I said. " Then he escorted me back to my room."
" Borrring," Kori rang cocking her head to the side, auburn hair following. " Are you going to mate with him."
" No…I mean…Mr. Crepsley will so not go for that. I still haven't ended my apprenticeship with him. I can't just break it to go get hitched."
" Sure you can. You are old enough to. And Kurda could be your new Master."
" You sound like a teenage girl," I said.
" I am young at heart."
" I…don't know…Kurda is nice and all. But I feel warily of him sometimes…"
Kori cocked an eyebrow at me. " Or maybe I'm being silly. Besides that I like being single. It's fun. Well better than being held down by some guy."
Kori waved her hands at me as if dismissing my silly notion. I pulled on my pants followed her back outside where he all walked down to the dining hall. When we arrived there was music playing from instruments and Vampires dancing. I joined Darren and the others in corner all huddled together and drinking their hearts out. Gavner was singing, his ridgit voice echoed through the room.
" Somebody's excited," I said.
" This isn't even the half of it," Vanez said standing and grabbing my arm. He pulled me towards the middle of the floor where everyone was dancing. A stange dance that looked more mechanic than it did fluent. I watched Vanez and some others do it before I finally joined in, feeling truthfully a little embarrassed.
Darren joined moments later and after him Harkat, who seemed to be having a little trouble because of his limp. Laughing I grabbed his hands and twirled in circles, following the steady tone of the music and beat of the drums erupting behind us.
Not stopping with just Harkat I pulled Seba into the crowd with me, he laughed and joined in, Darren pulled others in as well. " Mr. Crepsley," I called grabbing his hands next. He shook his head, I smiled prettily at him. " Come on, you're the one who said we would enjoy ourselves. So come on."
He stood up then and followed me to the middle. " Very well," he said. " But do not make a habit of getting your way."
" I'll try not too," I added spinning him around in a circle before letting go his hands and joining Darren who was stumping around. Someone tapped my shoulder a moment later. I turned. Standing behind me grinning was Kurda.
" Seriously?" Kurda asked her.
" Believe it or not," she said.
" Another talent among many," Kurda replied touching Anna's cheeks lightly. Fingers brushed past her ears pushing back hair.
" Not really," she blushed grabbing his hand. " Save me a jug of Wine. Haven't had any since I arrived, and it would be a shame to let them drink it all."
" Alright," Kurda said.
Watching from where he was perched Larten couldn't help but feel a bit angry. Had something happened without him knowing? They seemed closer than before.
Kori leaned down again her arms coming down upon Larten's shoulders, breast pressed against his back. She was drunk. " I think you should say something,…" she said. Larten sighed.
" I have not the slightest idea what you are talking about?" He said gently prying her fingers from his shoulders.
" You should know by now Larten that you can't hide…" she hiccupped before continuing. " The hearer of feelings."
" Apparently your so called ' special ability,' as finally failed you." Larten replied shuffling away from the drunken woman. Everyone had finally settled in the hall, and the sound of singing could be heard over the fading roar. He glanced over at Anna to see her reaction. She had wanted to hear some of the songs sang by Vampires.
" Are you going too," Kurda said.
" Now that I think about it…I don't think I can…"
" You would face the mighty Arra Sails yet you flinch at singing in front of us?"
" Hey. That's not fair, singing and fighting are on two different levels."
" If I sing will you?" Kurda asked.
Anna's face scrunched. " Now that's peer pressure…so not fair."
Kurda opened his mouth and began to sing. Anna observed him for a moment before opening her mouth then snapping it shut. " I don't know the words…"
" It doesn't matter," he said.
" Fine. But only this one time." She said following his lead. Upon noticing that she was singing Darren turned towards her and began to sing as well, rocking back and forth. Gavner cheered out loud and walked over to clamp a hand on Anna's shoulder.
" Happy now," Anna said punching his arm.
" No," Kurda said still grinning.
" What?"
Leaning forward he kissed her frowning mouth.
It was official, Larten was sure he wasn't really that angry before, but now he was.
" Three hard days of partying and celebrating and finally it comes to an end," I said.
" Back to reality," Darren said a tinge of sadness in his voice.
"Yeah," I said looking over at Mr. Crepsley who looked more sober than usual.
" The Festival…my first Vampire Festival has ended."
After the Festival Darren immediately had to pick his next trial. Which was the Hall of Flames.
" Flames…" I said grabbing his arm. This seemed to familiar too like the dreams I had before. I dreamt of Darren surrounded in water, pushed on top of spikes, engulfed in flames. Out of all the visions this one seemed the most deadly. Like he was going to get hurt or something, I hated that feeling.
" I will take care of him," Lady Arra said.
" But…this doesn't…" I started, Darren looked back at me. " I wanna come with you…to watch."
Lady Arra nodded. " Very well you may learn something." She allowed me too follow in behind her. She led us to the place where Darren was to train, I took it upon myself to sit and watch from a distance. Darren quickly stripped down his bottoms and jumped right into his training. Peering at him from where I was I noticed he had gotten a lot stronger since we'd arrived here. His body wasn't as lean as before, but filled with some muscle. And if I didn't know any better I could say he looked a little older too.
It's ok…its ok…your not going to lose him…these visions…they…are just you making up something Anna. Calm…completely calm…I held my head and gritted my teeth as the visions played in my head, over and over again.
She looked frightened. More frightened than Darren himself was. Anna gripped her head, mumbling something to herself that Larten couldn't decipher. She didn't believe Darren would come out alive. Placing a hand on her shoulder, Larten pushed aside the contentment he was feeling towards her at the moment and pushed in concern he felt.
" Darren needs support at this moment Anna. Raise up your head." His voice was stern, as he commanded her. Blinking she lifted her head, but the shaking of her limbs still remained, as well as the biting of her bottom lip.
Hesitantly pulling away from her Larten approached Darren who was getting ready to enter his trials.
Darren turned. " Mr. Crepsley if I don't pull through…"
" Do not talk like that! Think positively," Mr. Crepsley exclaimed.
" I am…I just know how difficult it will be. I've been thinking it over, and if I die I'd like for you to take my body home and bury it in my grave. That way I'll be closer to my family." He glanced over at Anna who gave him weak thumbs up as a reply.
" And also make sure Anna doesn't kill anyone…or disembody my corpse. I kinda made a promise to her that I wouldn't die…and if I do…then…"
" I understand," Mr. Crepsley said holding out his hand. " May the Vampire gods be with you."
Stepping forward Darren hugged Mr. Crepsley tightly.
" Mr. Crepsley. What did he say?" I asked once Darren had went into his trial.
Mr. Crepsley didn't answer.
" It doesn't matter…if he doesn't come out of there alive I'm going to disembody his corpse," I said grabbing Mr. Crepsley's sleeve. He glanced down at me finally, his eyebrows pushed together.
" He will be fine," Mr. Crepsley said making no move to get away from my grasp.
" I need to loosen up some…fifteen minutes is not that long…that's how long it takes to cook freezer pizza…or for a Popsicle to melt…" I thought I was thinking to myself…but apparently I wasn't because Mr. Crepsley was looking at me. Gripping my head with one hand I squeezed his hand with the other. " I hate this…I can see everything…pain…screaming…Darren!" Running forward towards the doors that Darren disappeared into, I had every intention of getting him out. Even my visions suddenly revealed that he would come out alive; I couldn't bear the thought of him being hurt.
" Arra!" I heard Mr. Crepsley yell out. Then suddenly my hands were pinned behind my back and I was pulled onto my butt. I didn't fight it as tears streamed down my cheeks, and Mr. Crepsley pulled me around to face him. I couldn't tell if he was angry or concerned. I didn't care. He shook me, hard. He was saying something but I couldn't hear him…I could I concentrate on were the last ticking seconds left on the time he was contained. " Fifteen minutes are up…" I answered.
His hands left me then. I didn't protest I knew where he was going, the screams and smell of burnt flesh told me that. That's how I knew Darren was alive, alive and in pain. That's how I knew I had ability, an ability that no other person had. I could see things…being here had fully awoken it.
Someone picked me up then. I couldn't tell who it was. Dazed I let them, and they carried me away along with Darren.
Done! Yay. Review! Check out my profile for Deviantart links...working on Larten pics and Anna pics as well. Link is on my profile! See ya. REVIEW!