Chapter.7. Into the forest
The undergrowth was dense and hard to get through, but Eldinwen concentrated on the blood. Small pools appeared here and there but the blood was mostly small trickles at a time. A twig scratched a long cut across her cheek. Drops off blood dripped down her chin. It didn't matter. All that mattered was that she found whatever was wounded.
Her dress would need repairing. A rip had formed on the hem and the gold fibres had become lose. Her mum would surely kill her if she didn't repair it soon. By about half four, Eldinwen was truly lost. She felt so stupid because she did not listen to advise. She was just about to turn back when her senses detected something. Like all the Greenleaf's, Eldinwen had excellent hearing and sight. It sometimes came in handy! At this point, Eldinwen had heard a, how could she describe it, sucking sound. It came from the east where the blood had trailed off. Keeping her ears open, she followed the sound and was led to a small clearing surrounded by large elm tree roots. The sucking sound was coming from a large Rowan tree in the middle of the clearing, but whoever, or whatever, was making that sound was hidden in the shadows. If Eldinwen got a bit closer she would be able to see the figure. But as soon as she took a step forward, a twig snapped under her foot. The noise stopped and the figure emerged from the shadows. Eldinwen's breath caught in her throat and her legs were stuck fast with fear. The figure stepped into the moonlight and Eldinwen could see it close up.
The it was a her. She had long black hair that covered her face. Her skin was pale and cold and her fingers were long and bony, accompanied by long sharp nails. Her face was also pale and when she looked up, Eldinwen could see her eyes were cold and grey. She stared at Eldinwen. A stare of a Killer. Her lips dripped with blood, her fangs were that of a werewolf. She snared evilly. It was, undoubtedly, Seregwen the vampyr.
"We meet again elf, but this time there is no-one around to save you!" Her voice was eerie. She cackled and made a leap towards Eldinwen.
If it hadn't been for Firenze, Eldinwen would have been pinned to the floor and had the life sucked out of her. The Centaur had come in the nick of time, jumping in the path of Seregwen's teeth and Eldinwen's neck.
The vampyr screamed in anger at the centaur before biting into his flanks. The centaur yelped and kicked violently. His fore hoof whacked Seregwen in the chest and she flew into the Rowan tree with a thump. Hissing, she climbed to her feet, staggered and fell back over. Firenze charged, using his powerful hind hoofs to fling the vampyr to the other side of the clearing. Seregwen finally found her bearings and lunged at the centaur again. Her fangs sunk into his neck. He didn't have time to yell. They fought each other until Firenze, panting and wounded, threw Eldinwen onto his back and sprinted out of the clearing. Eldinwen looked back to see Seregwen screech, pick up a limb body which had been laying near the tree in the centre and disappeared.
Later, when the two were out of the forest into the moonlight, Eldinwen climbed off Firenze's back. His mane was mattered with blood and his sides heaving.
"Thank you, ever so much! I thought I was a gonna!"
"That is quite alright Miss Greenleaf. You are always welcome in this forest, remember that." Firenze's breathing calmed and he smiled. But as soon as it had came it went, in its place a sharp bolt of pain. Eldinwen's eyes grew.
"Will you be O.K?"
"Yes. If not, Hagrid will look after me. Do not fret." He tried a small smile again. With one last kick of his hind legs, Firenze was back into the forest, hidden by the undergrowth. Eldinwen sighed, glad to be safe, and headed back to the school. Two thoughts stuck in her head, puzzling her. Why was Seregwen back when she was weak and who was the person she was feeding off? These questions had here thinking all the way to the girl's dormitory.
Raene snored peacefully in her bed. Eldinwen won't wake her to tell her the adventures she had had tonight. She would tell her tomorrow, over breakfast. Eldinwen got changed and climbed into bed. It had been a tiring day but how could anyone sleep when they new a vampyr was in the forest?