The sunset was gorgeous this evening, sending rays of multicolored light across the horizon, sinking lower into the mountains of the west, the colors reflecting slightly off the almost always present snow here. The air grew cooler and the forest started to take on the life it had when there was no more light from the sun. The area was still well lit as the moon already seemed full, though the actual full moon was still a day away it gave the world a new existence. One rarely explored by man.
Christian wouldn't see the lovely sunset…he hadn't for some time. He could remember little of the daylight any longer. He rose with his usual simple routine of getting dressed and bathed. Why people assumed vampires never bathed still amused him…how on earth would they hunt if they stank to such a degree? He shook his head slightly, he had to get his mind on more serious matters, staring at the large mirror in his room even though he couldn't see himself in it. Lost in his thoughts.
It was sometime he just stared, putting his plans slowly into place, before he became aware of a perfume entering the air, it was still very far off, but he noticed it long before it would arrive thanks to his exceedingly heightened senses. It was a light, slightly tangy scent, a mixture of orange and perhaps apricot. He smiled at it in recognition. That would be the perfume of his sire. A short pause before he walked toward his window in slight more annoyance. She was early…he would have to hurry now to get his business in town finished.
* * * * *
"Anthony, you really think you have the time to wander this place and worry little of your studies or work?" Bram asked in what was growing annoyance at the continued badgering of his student.
"Look here," Anthony started to get defensive, "I don't wish to just go and party. This is a great chance for our barony to get some Russian nobles as possible allies or at least learn more about them. It's only another couple days."
"You'd be shocked how much can occur in only two days," Bram replied dryly, "Besides I heard you speaking to that innkeeper about his daughter. Your worry for her wouldn't have anything to do with it would it?"
Anthony paused a moment," Perhaps some, but am I not to care for the peasants under my rule?"
"Yes, all of them," Bram sighed, starting to rub his temples, "not just the pretty girl ones."
"I'm insulted," Anthony almost huffed.
"Fine, fine," Bram waved him away before he got more troublesome, "we'll stay until your damned party and then we are leaving. Do you get me?"
"Yes," Anthony was instantly more cheerful, like the child that got the candy it kept begging it's parents for.
Bram rolled his beady little eyes in a gesture that would have been rather unsettling to anyone else that would have been unfortunate enough to miss it. Glancing out the window as he drummed his fingernails with several clicks across the ledge. Watching the Russian noble headed into the inn below. The one that had thought to invite Anthony to stay would be his guess…he narrowed his eyes suspiciously and got up heading for the door.
"Where are you going?" Anthony asked him, slightly concerned he had pushed his friend too far this time.
"You have company downstairs," he explained quietly, "I'm simply going along to be threatening."
"Are you sure that's wise Bram?" Anthony frowned at the idea, "it's a bit insulting isn't it?"
"To show that you have strength behind you? And that you aren't fool enough to simply trust anything he does?" Bram chided, "no. Lets go."
Anthony followed with a slight mutter under his breath, walking downstairs with his bodyguard and mentor in silent toe. A little guardian raven-man fellow.
The common room had a few more patrons this evening, but most of them were quiet. There seemed little to celebrate in this god forsaken snow covered land. However Herbert seemed almost glowing, a cheerful smile on his lips as though he hadn't a care in the world. This only brightened when he saw Anthony.
"Hello An-toe-knee," he said with his usual accented way, "how are you?"
Anthony couldn't help but smile a bit at the charismatic fellow before him, "I am well Baron, and you?"
"Call me Herbert, I insist." He grinned and motioned to his table. "I am very well, though hoping that you, and possibly your friend here can make the ball soon?"
"Oh, I apologize," Anthony instantly turned toward Bram, "This is Sir Bram…"
"Just Bram," his friend interrupted him before he got a chance to finish.
"A humble knight," Herbert commented as he watched the unattractive fellow, "how nice to see one that follows the actual codes these days."
Bram didn't comment, just stared at the man as he sat near where Anthony did. Being generally unsettling to most of the people around, though Herbert seemed to simply ignore it as though it was nothing.
"Yes," Anthony attempted to break the tension, "we will be staying for the ball. Though we'll have to leave the next morning to try to keep up with our schedule."
Herbert ignored Bram fully at the news, his grin widening, "Good. This is wonderful news, I will have rooms prepared for you both immediately."
"We'd prefer one room," Bram spoke quietly, breaking in.
"Or one room if you would like…" Herbert sent Bram a slight glare, "whatever is better for you both."
"Thank you Herbert," Anthony said, still trying to keep the tension to a lower degree.
"How would you like to go hunting for a little while An-toe-knee," Herbert asked, "game isn't real common here, but we could get lucky."
Anthony nodded slightly, glancing toward the hall where he knew Diana's room was. Concern still weighting on his mind, though there was little that he could do. Perhaps she would feel better tomorrow before the ball. Then he could invite her…
