Chapter Eleven: Colliding Emotions
When you get a chance to think about it, however, you realize that it is nearly impossible to determine what lies within the future. Your destiny is going to rely solely upon your cautiousness and your abilities. It is wrong for you to get too close to any of your companions, and vice versa. You say nothing of this minute revelation.
"I can't feel my legs!" Complains Carl.
"No one can feel their legs," retorts Vladimir from the other side, "It's too cold and we've been riding too long."
"Van Helsing, we need a break! At least for the sake of the horses!" States Carl. It is now dawn and the east sky looks like wildfire.
"We will not stop until we are within the Courts of Andume," replies Van Helsing.
"For the sake of the horses…?" Repeats Carl, as if saying it a second time would make the philosophy more appealing to the monster slayer.
"Carl. We are not stopping," Van Helsing says. You look at him and then at Carl. Carl looks extremely disappointed, and puts up his hood, sulking.
The mountain range that lies beyond the forest is in plain view now. There is a wide field and then more forest, which slopes upward into magnificent snow-covered peaks. You stare at it as if you've never seen it before, when in reality, it is where you grew up.
"We'll be there by night-fall," says Van Helsing, following your gaze. You look at him. He is looking at you. Then you glance in the other direction and see Vladimir glaring at both of you. Everyone is silent now. Carl seems to be contemplating another idea.
"Van Helsing, what if we get off the horses, and walk beside them instead?" Suggests Carl modestly.
"First it's for the horses' sakes, now it's for our sakes?" Shoots Van Helsing, glaring at Carl. Carl shrugs.
"I can't feel my legs!" The friar protests once again, "It's not right! It's not natural! I am certain that they will freeze if I do not move them!" Van Helsing rolls his eyes.
"All right, everyone. Dismount your horses and lead them instead," says Van Helsing. You slip off the horse with ease, pulling the reins over in front of the horse. Van Helsing comes up alongside you.
"Thank you, Van Helsing!" Expresses Carl, "Finally, I am beginning to feel them once again." There is more silence before Van Helsing starts to talk to you again in a murmur.
"I do believe your companion has a problem," he says. You both glance over at Vladimir, who now has his attention focused on the path ahead. "Seems a little on the touchy side," adds Van Helsing. You look back at him.
"I admit I know little of him," you say quietly, "I was set up to travel with him because the priest said he would be the strongest one to travel with."
"The man lacks a steady personality, and he grows attached too quickly then," deducts Van Helsing, glancing back over at Vladimir.
"You really think he's attached?" You ask, meeting his eyes.
"I don't understand how he could not be," replies Van Helsing, "Why else would he be so on-edge about it?"
"Maybe he's just naturally paranoid and suspicious of all that goes on around him," you suggest, "It happens to people who have seen a lot of tragedy in their lives."
"I doubt that is the case," says Van Helsing.
"He's turning 201 years old at the end of this week," you reiterate.
"How is that possible?" Exclaims Van Helsing.
"I was given the elixir of life by the church," calls Vladimir. You both whip around and see him looking at you from across the path. "I am to live until I have redeemed myself," he explains. There is an awkward silence in which Van Helsing seems to be in deep contemplation of this. He looks at you and shakes his head, realizing he cannot talk without Vladimir hearing.
"That is an interesting story," says Carl, picking up the conversation, "I have read about the elixir of life, but I did not know it really existed. I would be interested to hear more of it, Vladimir."
"There is nothing left to tell. It's a liquid conjunction, made by the priests during a sacred ritual on the full moon. They have bottles of the stuff locked away in a chamber somewhere in the mountains and only use it when necessary. Small doses prolong life, large doses sustain life for eternity," says Vladimir.
"What dosage were you given?" Asks Carl. Vladimir gives him a sidelong glance.
"Large dose," he states.
"Does it give you any powers?" Continues Carl, fascinated.
"No, I'm still fairly mortal… just with triple the experience of most mortals," states Vladimir. Van Helsing takes you by the waist and pulls you in between your horses for a smoldering kiss, which lingers for several minutes while Carl is talking to Vladimir. You have to watch that your feet do not get tangled as you walk along being consumed by his lips.
"…that is very interesting!" States Carl, "Isn't that interesting, Van Helsing?"
"Mmm-mm-mm-M!" Answers Van Helsing, not really caring that Carl is asking him a question at the moment.
"Van Helsing?" Questions Carl.
"Van Helsing is too busy trying to suck off Miss DeLune's face," says Vladimir haughtily, "And not doing too well, might I add." Then he mutters, "God knows the woman must have been born a whore." Van Helsing releases you abruptly, drawing his sword and swerving around out of the horses.
"What did you say?" He demands. Vladimir seems surprised for a second. You peek around your horse. Everyone has now stopped and Van Helsing stands with his blade pointed at Vladimir.
"N-n-n-nothing," stutters Vladimir.
"Do you think you know everything because you're 200 years old?" Asks Van Helsing, "Do you know how to slay Dracula? Can you say you have EVER been on the side of what is right?" Van Helsing looks very angry and Vladimir looks as if he is trapped. "God, I would kill you in an instant if you were not sent by the priest," states Van Helsing. Vladimir does not respond. He just stands with his reins loosely in hand, staring at Van Helsing. Van Helsing finally lowers his weapon and re-sheaths it, returning to you, "Don't take pity for granted. It is not so freely given in the world of the evil."
"Can we ride now?" Asks Carl, hesitantly. Van Helsing does not verbally respond. He mounts his horse with rigor, giving you a firm boost onto yours. Vladimir mounts silently, and Carl fumbles getting up. When he's finally seated in his horse, he has to situate himself. It provides amusement to watch the friar try to force himself out of potential disarray and you smile to yourself.
Van Helsing finally looks at you and his anger seems to vanish. He pats you on the shoulder. "My intentions were good," he mutters and then turns back to the path. You smile slightly and look ahead. You are now entering the clearing. It is mostly untouched, except for large prints tromping through the midsection. You stop in the middle and Van Helsing dismounts, getting down to examine.
He curses, under his breath and then quickly mounts again.
"Pick up speed," he commands. No one questions and you all kick your horses into canters.
"What's wrong?" You ask him. He looks at you worriedly. The wind rushes past, blowing his and your hair wildly into streams of color in the frigid air.
"We're passing on the territory of wolves," he states, "We'll be lucky if we live through the night."