The sun was burning down upon Reinhardt's skin. He lay flat on the ground and gazing up at the sky. After twelve days without food or sleep Reinhardt could feel as the sun slowly went down and signaled the end of day and the beginning of night. In his mind he could hear the voice of his father. Together with his brother Werner, they camped out in the middle of the forest with nothing but the clothes on their back and one knife between the three of them.
"One day" he said, "you may both be called upon to sit in the same spot for weeks at a time. To do otherwise might mean the difference between life or death, or worse."
Their father had been a rigid teacher. Sometimes he and Werner forgot that the man was their father. But that would always change. At some point his face would transform and he would pat them both on the shoulder and say, "Excellent, you two will be a great team. Brothers and partners forever." But forever never came. Reinhardt swallowed the sweat coming down from his forehead as the only nourishment he could get. Memories floated about in his head, memories of ill chosen words and hasty decisions.
"Reinhardt, I don't agree. I think we should consider traveling there now."
"We wait Werner."
"And while we wait,
innocents might die!"
Reinhardt could not help but get up from the ground. His muscles ached from
disuse but he pressed on. He began to run down a steep and nearby hill. At the
foot of the hill stood a large rock. At the speed he was descending he would
strike the rock and be crushed. With the pain soaring through his body he could
let himself collapse, but then he would curl up like a snowball and still be
crushed. And so Reinhardt kept on running. As he approached the rock Reinhardt
quickly pulled out his sword from its sheath. He leapt into the air and turned
backwards as he flew. His feet screamed in pain, as they struck hard against
the ground. Then before he felt anymore pain, Reinhardt swung his sword down
onto the large rock and sparks flew out as metal struck stone. As the moon slowly
shined down upon him, Reinhardt began to run back to his wooden home. When Reinhardt
approached the front door he came to a dead halt. An odor reached his nose that
made him draw his sword and open the door slowly. When he was inside he quietly
made his way towards the kitchen. In the kitchen he saw a figure some inches
shorter than himself. The figure was quietly cooking some chicken soup. Reinhardt
got behind the lone figure and placed the sword at his neck. The figure looked
back and Reinhardt immediately recognized the boy.
"Jonathan?"
"Yes Reinhardt. We were hungry from the long trip and felt that you would not mind us using your kitchen."
Reinhardt turned to the source of the voice and was delighted to see that Father Samuel was standing at the doorway to his kitchen. Reinhardt immediately sheathed his word and patted Jonathan on the head. "Sorry, about that. Almost didn't recognize you now that you are all grown up now. I knew opening those doors all the time would bring you some muscle," Reinhardt smiled but the boy's was as if it had never changed since the last time they met.
"Come Reinhardt, let us speak. I have much to tell you."
At the dining table Reinhardt sat in his customary chair. He had sat Samuel in the seat that belonged to his father. They sat for a few moments in silence. Finally Samuel broke the silence with a question.
"What do you think of Jonathan?"
"He growing up to be a strong man. Have you thought of having him trained."
"No, although I see your point. He would be a strong ally but it is not what he needs. To have seen so much so younghe needs to lead a quiet life. I think he has improved over the years, don't you? Eight years ago he would not even have looked at you. He looked at you did he not?"
"Yes. What news do you have."
Samuel smiled. "At a time like this I struggle to think upon how others gone about my same duty. Do they prepare some speech? Do they write a letter instead of speaking in person? Perhaps they do what I do right now, ponder on those that have come before them?" Reinhardt stared at Samuel. "Reinhardt, yesterday night a village was attacked. The forces behind the attack were creatures that refuse to leave this earth and take they place in the after life. Ghosts demons, and skeletal warriors. These forces were under the leadership of Prince Vlad Dracula III."
Reinhardt rose from the table and stood silently looking through the window. Behind him Samuel continued. "Like those who have served before you, Sonya, Simon, and Richter, now is your time Reinhardt. What say you?"
Reinhardt turned and stared into Samuel's unseeing eyes. 'Once more unto the breach'
The next morning Reinhardt, together with Samuel and Jonathan, rode out to the town of Veros on a small wagon. Reinhardt rode silently upon his horse contemplating in his mind what lay ahead of him. Since boyhood he had known that this day might come. Each member of his family knew quite well that they must always be prepared for this moment. This was the moment when his life would be forever changed. As he rode out he adjusted his armor. He would have to make sure that he was comfortable. It would not be very likely that he would be having a change of clothes for the next. For this reason he only chose his most comfortable clothes. But he also took into account that this journey would not be an easy one. To protect himself he wore a silver armored breastplate, the collar of which was laced with some animal fur to help keep him warm during the long nights. Around his neck he wore the red scarf that belonged to his father. His boots were hard enough to break a man's legs but light as a feather. They reached to his knees and covered the dark gray colored slacks he was wearing. Hanging from his left side was the sword that he had trained with since manhood and going from his right shoulder to his waist was the chain whip of his ancestors. The final addition to his battle attire was a small backpack, which held a few supplies, but most importantly, a weapon far more powerful than most might think. In Reinhardt's mind he was calling out, "brother, where art thou?"
After several days journey, all they found were the charcoal remains of the town. Houses were missing their roofs, doors were non-existent, and glass littered the ground. The streets were scarcely inhabited. One woman was huddled in a corner crying and mumbling something about her child. Others walked around aimlessly searching for homes that were gone. The population of Veros was in shock. Reinhardt rode the old wagon to the front of the church. Among all the chaos the church stood relatively unharmed. When Reinhardt led Samuel to it's doors, Samuel placed his hands on the wood of the door and smiled. No matter where it may be, the church was his home. Inside Samuel made his way to the front altar and stood before it with Reinhardt and Jonathan behind him. Together they all knelt down and made the sign of the cross. Samuel rose and turned to face Reinhardt who remained kneeling in prayer. Jonathan in the meantime disappeared into the shadows of the church. When he returned he held in his hands a small bowl filled with water. Samuel touched the water and then placed some on Reinhardt's forehead.
"Father, son, and the holy spirit. Go in peace. May God watch over you and guide you."
Reinhardt rose up and turned slowly as to leave. Samuel stopped him and gestured for Reinhardt to guide him. Together they walked outside and surveyed the poor remnants of a once quiet town. Samuel sat himself on one of the steps leading to the church doors.
"There is something you must know Reinhardt. You will not be making this journey alone after all."
"What do you mean?"
"Eight years ago, a trio of youngsters came to my attention. They were a young girl, a boy of the somewhat the same age, and a manwolf."
"A manwolf?"
"Yes."
"I thought"
"Whatever you thought, erase it from your mind. No one knows for sure. So it is better to not speculate. What is for certain is that eight years ago, something happened. Only three people know for sure. One of those is going with you."
"Wait a minute, Samuel. I go alone. It's tradition."
"Originally you were not going alone."
"That was different. He was family. Blood."
"Others before you have ventured in teams. Besides, this time it is different."
"How so?"
"The children!" said a loud voice in front of them. Standing at the foot of the steps to the castle stood a large man in armor. He wore a silver helmet with a cross on its face. The cross also acted as a visor through which he could see. His sleeves and trousers were a dark green and hanging on his side was an odd looking pistol.
"Welcome Henry. I'm glad you came."
"I came as soon as I received your letter, Father Samuel. I haven't wasted any time here. There are three boys and four girls missing."
"Children?" Reinhardt asked.
Henry turned to Reinhardt. "Yes, when the village was attacked the demons took the children of the town."
"For what purpose?"
"That is yet to be seen" Samuel said. "So as you can see Reinhardt, there is more to this than meets the eye."
"There are also several villagers missing as well. I thought perhaps they had been taken asdrink."
Reinhardt knew that he was right, but that did not help. If his brother were here, he would surely feel their pain. He was always sensitive to such powerful emotion such as pain and suffering. Reinhardt found his way back to the discussion as Henry continued.
"The oddest thing of all is something that the villagers have been telling me. There was a girl, one of the missing children, she was not taken by the demons."
"Where did she go then?" Reinhardt asked.
"She supposedly drove the demons away, with magic."
"A girl with magical powers?" Samuel whispered to himself. "How interesting." He raised his voice and addressed Reinhardt. "Know you can see why it is crucial that you take Henry with you. Something is amiss and you will need all the help you can get."
Reinhardt looked into the cold stare of Henry's helmet. Henry turned and mounted on a nearby horse. Reinhardt followed suit and mounted his horse. He looked up at the sky. "Werner, where are you?" Reinhardt began to ride away with Henry behind him. Henry caught up to Reinhardt and looked at him for a moment.
"Do you mind if I lead? I know the way."
Underneath Henry's helmet
a smile crept across his face. Henry was going home.
Chapter 23:
The Arrival