Chapter Thirteen: Close Encounter
After an hour of riding, you are caught up with Carl and Vladimir.
"Well?" Asks Vladimir, as you ride up. You just glare at him and say nothing.
"A plan is formulating in my mind, but we will discuss it at dawn when we have reached the Courts of Andume," says Van Helsing. He looks as if he is trying to get your attention, but you ignore the fact that you noticed. You are far too hurt and dismayed to speak with him at the moment and so ride along in silence.
It is then that you realize how incredibly tired, hungry, and thirsty you are. So you take out your canteen and have a sip of water, but screw the cap back on quickly so that it doesn't freeze. You have a bite to eat as well, just enough to sustain you until a proper meal that is. You cannot do anything about your fatigue, so you stare straight ahead, resting.
"These horses never tire," comments Van Helsing.
"They are Transylvanian horses. They do not tire easily," you reply, still not looking at him. He gives up on trying to get your attention. Vladimir is smirking to himself.
"What happened back there, Mira?" He asks, almost as if he knows for some reason.
"Nothing," you state, "Leastways, none of your business." He frowns and then says nothing.
"Well, we certainly are making excellent time!" Says Carl, trying to lighten up the situation, "We shall be in the Courts of Andume at dawn!"
"That is the plan," says Van Helsing. His good mood has vanished. Silence ensues once again.
The ground ahead begins to slope upward into a narrow path. You halt your horses at the foot of the path. You all glance around at one another. Vladimir rolls his eyes.
"Fine, I'll lead," he states, kicking his horse into a light walk. Van Helsing follows him. You follow Van Helsing. And Carl then brings up the rear.
"I don't like the looks of this road," says Carl. Van Helsing chuckles.
"Carl, you're paranoid," says Van Helsing, "It's just a road."
"Single file is dangerous…one can easily get plucked off the path," says Carl.
"Well then, we'll just have to be extra careful of the friar in the back," says Van Helsing sarcastically.
"Van Helsing, I resent that!" Says Carl.
"Stop complaining, Carl," calls Van Helsing, "Nothing is going to go wrong."
"Don't say that," you interject, glaring at him. He whirls around to look at you, triumphant that he now has your attention. You blink.
"Why not?" He asks, as if he already knows the answer, but he should ask anyway.
"Have you ever heard of speaking too soon?" You finally say, keeping your eyes narrowed at him.
"Why, in fact, I have heard of such a thing. Are you suggesting that I am giving us bad luck by saying we will meet no trouble on this road?" He asks mildly, batting his eyes, mocking you in some absurd way. You growl. He grins and then turns back to the path.
"Yes, I do suggest such a thing," you say defiantly.
"Let's see if you are right then," he says, "Because Dracula has granted us safe passage."
"Since when did Dracula stick to his terms?" You ask.
"Dracula never sticks to his terms. I think we are in for trouble," states Vladimir from the front. Van Helsing narrows his eyes.
"Mira," whispers Carl. You turn around just in time to see a werewolf behind him, about to spring.
"Carl, don't move," you whisper to him.
"Van Helsing," You call.
"What is it, Mira?" Asks Van Helsing annoyed.
"Van Helsing," you repeat.
"What?" He fumes, jerking around. He sees the werewolf. "Oh," he states, too surprised to think of a better response. The werewolf growls menacingly. You load a silver bullet into your pistol and take aim.
"Carl, whatever you do…don't get bitten…when I shoot, swing underneath your horse. Then let me handle it," you say. You hear Van Helsing loading his crossbow and glare at him.
"Not alone," says Van Helsing, "Carl, you ride past with Vladimir. Mira and I will get this." Carl looks completely petrified, which is probably why the werewolf hasn't yet attacked. Without wasting another minute, you fire directly at the werewolf's heart. It lunges at you. Carl ducks underneath his horse, plummeting to the ground and hanging out of the stirrups, sliding along the ground, while the horse charges. You jump out of your horse and fall to the ground, firing at the thing as it starts to come down on you. Van Helsing starts rapidly firing with his crossbow and then leaps off his horse, countering the werewolf with a thud in the air. You shoot at it again, trying to prevent it from biting Van Helsing.
The werewolf falters and howls, backing away from Van Helsing. He shoots at it again. It whimpers in pain and then shrinks away to the shadows where it transforms into an unidentifiable man, gasps, and dies.
Van Helsing slowly gets up, his crossbow still drawn. He is breathless. You are shaking uncontrollably as he gets up. You both stare at the dead man in the shadows, and then approach. The horses have run off up the path by now. Neither of you recognizes the face.
"I don't know how it's possible," you finally state, "It's not a full moon yet."
"I know how it's possible," says Van Helsing, catching his breath and twisting his face slightly in pain. There are claw marks on his shoulder, but he has not been bitten. "Dracula," he states. You finally look at him with tears of worry in your eyes.
"What are we going to do?" You ask quietly. He puts his arm around you, shouldering his crossbow. You start walking up the path.
"We're going to find sanctuary in the Courts of Andume, and take it from there," he says. You walk a while in silence. "Are you mad at me, Mira?" Asks Van Helsing. You look at him, meeting his eyes. You do not answer at first.
"No, Gabriel. I'm not mad at you," you finally say, looking away.
"But you're disappointed," he says. You shrug slightly.
"I suppose," you answer.
"I didn't really make the trade, Mira," he says.
"You say that. But I fear what your plans may be," you counter softly, staring at the path ahead. He sighs, rubbing his eyes.
"You're not going to like my plans…" he says, "You're not going to like them at all."
"Well do you care to elaborate then?" You ask, annoyed. He sighs once again.
"It involves using you as bait," he says. You stare at him, shocked.
"You would risk me?" You ask incredulously. He frowns.
"I don't look at it that way. I figured, you wanted to get back into the city. Dracula wants you. But, he also wants me dead. You see, if I send you into the city in order to divert his attention, you may be able to hold him off for a while so we can figure out what needs to be done. Then we can rescue you and carry out what needs to be carried out," he explains.
"That is insane. It will never work," you state dryly.
"It will work if we send you into the city in a weak condition," he says, "Dracula will not make a move on you unless you are strong enough to resist. He wants the resistance. It would make you stronger as a vampire."
"I will not enter my city in a weak state!" You protest. Van Helsing frowns, shaking his head.
"We'll see if Carl and Vladimir have any better plans, if they have plans at all. There just isn't enough time, we need to stall for it," he says.
"And you plan to use me as your puppet?" You ask dryly, "I think not, Mr. Van Helsing." He cocks his head, looking at you.
"Oh I do believe you will do whatever the majority suggests, as will I. So I would not think that way if I were you," he says. You draw away from him, walking with two feet in between you now. "I love you, Mira. You're here to help. It might be dangerous, it might be life-threatening, but I swear to God I will die before Dracula can make you his bride." You stare at him, wide-eyed.
"No," you say softly, "Don't say that… it's what he wants you to say."