The rocking of the boat was soothing. The Barons body rested living off the binge it had had three long gruelling months ago. The Baron tried hard not to think of his stomach and his uneasy mind wandered.

*** Flash back ***

The castle of his neighbours was barely visible. The Bolovnik's home was only clear on a good day and sometimes not even then. Demons possessed it or powerful sorcerers. Sometimes the castle vanished all together. Bastion shuddered.

He went back inside the Burrows. It was now spring some snow still lingered but the river had defrosted and was thrashing its way through the country as though angry for being made to stand still.

Things had changed in the Burrows and not all for the best. Lady Killishandra was still here. She'd been staying for months and it looked like she would still be here for summer. She seemed to be the only one other than the Magpyr brothers who were. Servants had gone missing, so had a number of the peasants. This meant Bastion had fewer mouths to feed but it left him with an uneasy feeling in his stomach. Had they gone to another landowner? Had they switched loyalties? He was never going to find out or so he thought.

The sun had gone down and the Burrows were coming to life. Bastion scowled. No one was allowed to make any noise when the lady was asleep. He himself and his brother Jacob had personally issued those orders. They also personally punished those who disobeyed sending them to deeper caverns in the Burrows to mine away for treasures or comfier living spaces. The lady slept all day and only awoke after sun down. The whole populace of the burrows converted itself to coincide with her sleeping habits, especially Jacob. Bastion tried but his own habits were hard to break. He was used to getting up with the sun. He tried to stay awake for the nocturnal festivities but this made him tired and irritable.

He stood in the library where a bunch of monks stood around a scroll deciphering. They had tried to leave a month ago, claiming creatures unholy were wandering through the Burrows. Bastion put a stop to that nonsense band firmly them they were to stay until they were finished. They had lashed vials of foul smelling sacramental oils around the library and their dormitories and the halls connecting them. Killishandra had stopped visiting him here. A highly sensitive girl.

He left the library in search of her and stalked into the living room. Throwing the doors open he stopped in his tracks. Jacob sat in his chair; killishandra was leaning over the arm kissing his neck. Jacob looked pale and was staring into the middle distance. Killishandra looked up into Bastions gaping face.

"Good evening Bastion." Bastion managed a small bow of the neck in return.

" GET OUT!" Jacob bellowed, his unseeing eyes finally focussing on bastion. "OUT!"

With blood pounding in his ears he turned and fled. His stomach churned and he had difficulty breathing. His Killishandra with Jacob! He went to his room and lay on the bed of furs seeking sleep that wouldn't come that night. He kept thinking of all the nights he and Killishandra had kept each other company whilst Jacob was out hunting. Nothing had been said in words but Bastion was sure their feelings were mutual. It was never said but everyday implied he loved her, she him. He had never been overly jealous of his brother, being the younger meant that he would never inherit anything other than his Fathers good looks but now jealousy ate away freely. He would have to wait for an opportunity to prove himself to her.

His chance came only a few hours after. He heard a pair of footsteps coming down the hall. With them came a pair of hushed voices.

"VE have our vhole lives ahead of each other, there's no need to rush."

" Jacob! I vant it done nov!"

"Ve have eternity. It can vait!"

"You're afraid! You're a covard!"

"I'm nothing of the sort, I'm tired. There are other vays of dealing with this than murder!"

"My dear if you will not bind yourself to me I'll find someone who vill!"

"killishandra!"

"Jacob" she said with a low sigh. "You're right. vhy don't you go to your room and rest? It has been a long night for you."

One set of footsteps was heard retreating down the corridor. The other stopped outside his door. There was a light tap. Bastion leaped off his bed and opened it, as he had hoped outside was Killishandra.

"Killishandra! What are you doing here? I mean a lady of your stature shouldn't be visiting men's rooms!"

"Bastion will you let me in? I need to talk to you"

" Of course come in!" He stood aside to let her pass. She sat at his desk and he retired to his bed. "vot iss the matter?"

" I have done a terrible thing!" she uttered with a dry sob.

" Milady it cannot be so terrible."

"Your brother he made me! You walked in! And Bastion I'm so sorry!"

"Jacob!" His face clouded with anger. "I shall kill him. You have my word! He will not ."

"No!" she shrieked. "No. It was only a kiss. But you and me ve could be something." She paused to see if her words had any affect. They had obviously had the wrong one; she would have to be careful. "Jacob vill not me go if you vont help me! I promised him a pair of boots." "Boots? vhat has that got to.."

" My tanner has been taken from me. He is being held at the local village. vould you get him for me?"

"Yes of course milady."

" There is another matter to be free my uncle must die him and all his family."

"Die?"

"If you love me Bastion."

"Of course I love you more than the world!"

"Swear a promise to me! That you will obey me!"

" Milady I swear it and to do your will in every matter. Words from your lips I will follow blindly this I swear. Say you love me back." He grasped her hands in his leaning over her, his eyes full of devotion.

" Silly boy!" she smiled triumphantly and pushed him away. " It must be done tonight. I shall give you a parting gift to make your work swifter." She leant forward and bit him soundly on the neck. He blacked out.

When he came to he found himself lying on his bed with Killishandra looking over him. He had an unquenchable thirst.

"Up! Get up! Your promise don't forget your promise"

He stumbled headlong into the last hours of the night. There he found more than he was looking for. He found the gift she had given and her will was done.