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First Trip to Vampire Mountain

Larten and Arra had been living with their children at the Cirque du Freak for eight years. Arra came and went, attending to her general duties while Larten and the members of the Cirque du Freak cared for Darren and Elena. She was at the Cirque for the moment, discussing the Vampire Council with Larten, which was rapidly approaching.

"We have to present them to the Council." Arra was saying, arms folded across her chest. "It's our law."

"They are not vampires." Larten protested.

"They will be eventually." Arra retorted, "And besides, I'm going to have to tell the princes that they exist in any case and then we'll have to bring them there anyways. You just don't want to go to the mountain again."

"They will not be able to make the journey." Larten said, ignoring her last sentence.

"We'll have to carry them," Arra admitted, "But they aren't vampires, they can wear boots and bundle up unlike us. We'll have to risk lighting a fire along the way, but we can deal with that I'm sure."

Larten sighed, knowing he had been defeated. "Fine." he relented, "We shall present the children to the Council."

Arra kissed his cheek, "I'll start packing, you should see Jimmy about stocking us up."

Larten nodded, "I will take Darren and Elena with me to keep them out of your way. Jimmy always enjoys their company."

"They're playing with Evra." Arra said.

Larten left the tent, going to search for his children. He found them with Evra, a boy covered in scales a few years older than his children, playing with Evra's pet snake and his own spider, Madam Octa. "Darren! Elena!" He scowled. The children turned their heads towards their father quickly, eyes widening, glancing down at Madam Octa guiltily. "What have I told you about playing with Madam Octa?"

"You told us not to." Elena muttered, looking down at her small feet.

"And yet?"

"We were just playing." Darren said.

"Madam Octa is not something you play with. If she had bitten either of you or Evra there would have been nothing anyone could do."

"We were being careful."

"You are not old enough to control her properly yet. Perhaps when you are older I will let you look after her." Larten said firmly, holding his hand out for the poisonous spider to crawl over.

Darren approached his father cautiously, "Are you mad?" He asked.

"No, but if I catch you taking her without my permission again I will be."

"Sorry Mr. Crepsley." Evra said.

"It is alright Evra. I am going to see Jimmy, would you two like to come with me?"

"Yes!" Darren shouted, hugging his father's leg.

Larten laughed, "Alright then, come on, before the sun comes up." He squatted so that Darren could climb onto his shoulders and picked Elena up. "Hold on tight." He said, and then the vampire flitted, vanishing into the night.

They arrived at an old building. Larten snapped his fingers, unlocking the door, and Darren and Elena clambered down. Another man walked out of another room, "How may I-"

"Uncle Jimmy!" Darren shouted, barreling into the man.

Jimmy chuckled, ruffling the boy's hair, "Hey sport." He looked up at the boy's father, "Here for a refill?"

"Yes," Larten said, guiding Elena in front of him, "Do you have anything."

"I should," Jimmy said slyly, "That is if your old friend hasn't drained him dry."

Larten looked confused, "What old friend?"

"Charna's guts!" A booming rough voice sounded, "Well if it isn't Larten Crepsley."

"Gavner Purl?" Larten said gleefully. A burly man emerged from the same room Jimmy had just left.

"It's good to see you," Gavner said, smiling broadly. His teeth were yellow, glistening in the bright lights of the morgue. Elena had moved to hide behind Larten's leg. Gavner embraced the orange-haired vampire tightly, and noticed the young girl standing close behind him. "And who's this?"

Larten flushed deeply, "This is Elena." He said guiding her in front of him once again. He grimaced slightly, "She is my daughter, Elena this is Gavner Purl, an old and clumsy friend."

"You adopted?" Gavner said incredulously staring at him.

"No."

"Evanna finally-"

"No."

"Then how-"

"The old legend has proved to be true."

Gavner took several steps back, eyes widening. "Charna's guts!" He paused, "Who's her mother."

Larten's blush deepened. "Arra."

Gavner let out a booming laugh, "So that's where she's been sneaking off to for the past decade." He knelt down besides Elena so that they were eye level. She tried to move behind her father's leg again, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her. "It's alright." Gavner assured her, "I'm a friend of your mom and dad."

Elena peered at him, "Are you a vampire too?"

"Yes."

"Gavner I am going to refill my-er-supplies, could you stay with her?" Larten said, striding over to the room Gavner had entered from.

"Of course." Gavner replied, watching Larten leave, he turned back to the little girl. "So are you a vampire or a human?"

"Human." The girl paused, "I think. Mum said I might turn into a vampire when I'm older by myself but I don't think she knows either."

Gavner chuckled, "It's hard to know when you're the first of your kind." He turned to Jimmy, "Did you know about this?"

Jimmy had hoisted Darren into his arms, "Yes, I've known them since they were small. Larten always brings them when he fills up."

"Them?" Gavner asked, and then zeroed in on the boy in Jimmy's arms. "You don't mean-"

"He's theirs as well." Jimmy confirmed.

"Blimey," Gavner said, "The generals will have a field day with this."

"We are presenting them at the Council." Larten said frowning, reentering the room "Though I would prefer to wait until they were older."

"I was about to head to the Mountain myself." Gavner said straightening, "We could travel together, travelling alone is boring anyways."

"We're going to Vampire Mountain?" Elena asked.

"Yes, we are leaving tomorrow night. You are welcome to stay at the Cirque until then Gavner."

"I think I will take you up on that."

Larten and Gavner began talking with Jimmy, reminiscing about old times wile Darren and Elena played tag around them, running around the room until they had both tired themselves out too much to play anymore. The twins fell asleep on one of the benches laid against the side of the wall. Jimmy nodded at the two sleeping children, "I think you ought to get them to bed Larten."

Larten glanced at his children and nodded, "I am sure Arra is wondering where we have all got off to." He walked over and scooped Darren up, Gavner picking up Elena besides him. Larten smiled at Jimmy, "Til next time, young Ovo."

"Next time." Jimmy grinned, shaking Larten's free hand and then Gavner's.

"Bye Jimmy!" Gavner said cheerfully, following Larten out the door, flitting to the Cirque once they were outside the town limits.

The Cirque du Freak campsite was lit up, illuminating the colourful tents. Larten and Gavner entered Larten's tent, greeted by Arra who was standing next to the coffin, with four pack sacs lined up neatly on the ground. "Took you long enough." She said, without turning.

"He got sidetracked by an old friend." Gavner said, causing Arra to whip around.

"Gavner!" She hooted, moving to fling her arms around him, careful not to jostle Elena, who was still sleeping in his arms. "It's been a long time."

"A long time with a lot of secrets." He said, nodding to the small girl in his arms.

Arra looked down guiltily, "We haven't ran into any other vampires, and I thought it was too complicated to explain mentally."

"I understand." Gavner assured her, "But if I had known I would have helped you guys out. You know that."

"Well you're here now," Arra said, "And they're still young."

Gavner smiled at Arra, and handed her Elena. "You should get them to bed if we're going to leave for the mountain tomorrow night."

"We will." Arra promised, "You can sleep in Darren's hammock if you want, I'll put the twins in together. We'll have plenty of time to catch up on the journey to vampire mountain."

"Sounds good to me!" Gavner said, and all three vampires settled in for the day, wanting to get as much sleep as possible for the long journey ahead of them.

The next evening, Arra dressed Darren and Elena in thick clothes. By the end of her task both children looked like large colourful beach balls. "Arra is that really necessary?" Larten asked, indicating his overdressed children.

"They're human, and they're young." She said as if that settled the matter.

"I'm assuming you plan on carrying them." Gavner said with a laugh, "It doesn't look like they have use of their limbs."

"I told her to wait until they were older before presenting them to the Council." Larten said, shaking his head in amusement.

"It's better they're presented now rather than later." Arra said, preparing for another argument on the matter.

Larten held his hands up in defence, "I did not mean to start anything." He shrugged a pack over his shoulders and picked up Darren, whose voice was muffled underneath the many scarves his mother had wrapped around his head. "Can you breathe?" Larten asked staring at his son. He received a muffled reply and unwrapped the scarves from his mouth.

"Yes, but it's hot, and I can't move my arms, look!" Darren feebly moved his arms, but they just went up and down slightly before stilling again. "Do I have to wear all of this Dad? How cold is going to be? And how long will it take to-" Darren's voice once again became muffled as Larten rewrapped the scarf around his mouth.

"We do not want you to catch a cold." Larten muttered and Arra laughed at her son's angry eyes, his eyebrows disappearing under his hat in anger.

"Let's get a move on then shall we." Gavner said, picking up his own pack, he volunteered to take the children's packs as well. They were small and it would be far easier for Larten and Arra to carry them without them.

The journey to Vampire Mountain was harder than normal, carrying two eight year olds up the side of a mountain was no easy feat, but there were no major incidents. The children listened to their parents and Gavner talk about past Councils and old friends they hoped to see. The twins were anxious to reach the mountain and meet other vampires. Gavner was the first one they had met besides their parents, they usually stayed with the Cirque du Freak, and when they left for some reason, they stayed with Arra or Larten.

Finally, after several cold, hard weeks, they came to a passage embedded in the side of the mountain. They were met by two vampires, wearing blue and grey robes, the dress of the guards of Vampire Mountain. "Address yourselves to the gate!" One of them barked, and Darren sank further into his coat.

"I am Gavner Purl, come to seek council."

"Larten Crepsley, come to seek council."

"Arra Sails, come to seek council. And these," Arra continued, "Are Darren and Elena Crepsley, come to seek council."

The guards eyes narrowed as he sniffed the air around them. "They're human." He grunted, "What's the meaning of this Arra?"

"They're my children, and Larten's. They were a gift from the gods, we've come to present them to the princes. They aren't vampires yet, but they will be."

The guard studied her carefully and stiffened, "Gavner Purl is recognized by the gate. Larten, Arra, wait here, this is a matter for one of the princes to deal with." The guard followed Gavner into the halls, the General gave an apologetic look towards his friends.

"I'll meet you in the Hall of Osca Velm" He promised before he disappeared.

Darren tried to speak, his voice muffled against all of the clothes. Arra unwrapped the scarves around his mouth, "Mom, can I take all this stuff off now? Please?"

"Mom?" A voice asked uncertainly. Arra glanced up and saw her former mentor, Mika Ver Leth standing besides the guard, dressed in all black, as usual.

"Sire." Arra said, bowing her head slightly. Larten followed suit.

Mika studied the children carefully, "Is it true? Has the legend actually come to pass?"

"I think I would remember carrying them and giving birth Mika." Arra said, turning to help her children rid themselves of their heavy clothes.

Mika chuckled lowly, "It is no trouble to tell who she belongs to." Indicating Elena's tightly curled orange locks. He turned to the guards, "You can let them enter the halls." Turning back to Larten and Arra he said, "You can rest in the hall of Osca Velm for a while, someone will call you, I'm sure Paris and Arrow will have questions."

"Thank you sire." Larten said, picking up the extra layers that his children had previously wearing and indicating for them to follow him.

The hall they entered through was made completely of stone. A roaring fire was situated in the centre of the room, and all around them vampires sat, eating and drinking after their long journeys. They sat next to Gavner, waiting to be called into the hall of Princes.

They were not waiting long, when another guard approached them, telling them to follow. Gavner tagged along this time. The Hall of Princes was fairly large, rows and rows of vampires were seated against the back wall, and three vampires sat upon thrones at the front, presiding over everybody, the vampire princes.

"Larten, Arra" The oldest prince said, smiling kindly. "What is this we've heard about two vampiric children."

"Paris." Larten greeted smiling warmly back, "They are not vampires per se."

Paris frowned, "Have you adopted two human children? Because you know that is not altogether appropriate to bring them-"

"No Sire." Arra interrupted.

"Arra." Mika hissed, "You should let Paris finish speaking before you but in."

"Apologies Sire," Arra said, looking guilty at being reprimanded in front of everyone, "They are not vampires, but they are our children. I don't know if they will come into vampirism when they reach a certain age or if they will have to be blooded. I'm sure the Lady Evanna would know, but she did not tell me when I went to her for help."

Paris folded his long fingers together and pursed his lips. "Do you mean to tell us," Arrow said. "That you carried them?"

"Yes, Sire. I am their mother and Larten is their father. The old legend has proved itself to be true, at least in part."

The generals in the stands erupted in loud whispers. Arrow leaned in his chair to get a better look at the children. Paris held a hand up for silence. "Let the children step forward." Larten gently nudged Darren and Elena in front of him. "What are your names?" Paris asked gently.

"Elena." The girl said softly.

"My name is Darren. Darren Crepsley."

Paris 'hmmmd' and peered at them in interest. "And how old are you?"

"We're eight." Elena said.

Paris looked at Larten and Arra. "They are twins." Larten explained.

The oldest prince nodded and turned back to the children. "Well they certainly do look like the two of you." Paris mused.

"What are we going to do about them Paris?" Mika asked.

"Nothing." Paris decided. "No laws have been broken, technically, they are not yet vampires, but I believe we can let that slide on account of the-er-unique circumstances."

Arrow and Mika both nodded, approving Paris' decision. "I think the best course of action," Arrow interjected, "Is to raise them here, where they can learn to be proper vampires. If that's alright with Arra and Larten of course."

Arra and Larten both nodded. "That sounds reasonable Sire." Larten said.

"Excellent!" Paris said clapping his hands together, "Go see Seba about getting a room. I look forward to getting to know you better Darren, Elena."

Larten and Arra turned, preparing to lead them out of the hall, "Oh, and Larten?" Paris added.

"Yes Sire?"

"I look forward to getting you back into the swing of things, perhaps back in your position as General?"

Larten gave him a tight lipped smile, "We shall see Paris, we shall see."