Hi people! I was away for two days and was unable to post the second
chapter. Whoa, I have reviews! This is what I have to say:
Angel: Thanks so much!
Tiger: I am really happy to see some construction criticism here. I know everyone is a little OOC here, but I just wanted the first chapter to be showing some characters. Personalities get better here, (I PRAY) and o ya, um, I didn't mean to steal any lines, there is more individual on- character dialogue in this chapter.
Celia: The story is not totally set in Romania; I will have some stuff going on in the Spain-Portugal area. There are some ties (you will find out later) that needed Transylvania for a setting. And yes, I just might make it a romance, (I totally loved Helsing/Anna, but then I have no storyline.)
Verona: I seriously apologize for the lack of Sais, though I do mention them in this chapter (for your personal benefit.)
Rauko 2003: Here is the next chapter!
Artemis 1860: Yes, the hand-singeing thing was funny, this fic is not intended to be boring.
Okay, I believe that that as everyone. On with the second chapter!
Chapter 2: Castle l'Etoile
The bright sun reflected off of the newly fallen snow. Van Helsing and Carl galloped across the sea of white to the beginning of the Carpathian Mountains.
From the edge of a forest to the East a lone rider sat, a deadly falcon sitting hooded on his shoulder. After several minutes of staring at the duo intently, her turned, satisfied, and cantered backward, away from the mountains freezing arms.
Suddenly reining in at the top of a rise, Van Helsing and Carl stared in wonder at what lay before them.
A magnificent castle lay nestled in the mountains, its windows reflected in the failing light. It was a castle hinting at former splendor, and of intricate design.
Dismounting at the huge oaken entrance, Carl and Van Helsing tethered their horses and grabbing their saddlebags, Van Helsing reached up and rang a large gold griffin-shaped knocker. The heavy doors swung open, revealing a great and antique entrance hall, complete with a crystal chandelier and ebony staircase. Walking down it was unmistakably Destiny Damarian.
Van Helsing noted with surprise that she looked younger than her picture, around 18 years old. Her light brown hair, tinted gold in the low light, was in an intricate braid, and she was wearing a pair of black breeches and knee high boots, with a midnight cloak and crushed-velvet tunic the color of blood.
"Ah, Van Helsing, I presume?" She asked lightly. "And you must be Carl, the famed scientist." Carl blushed at the compliment. The men nodded, and Destiny asked them to tell their story.
After hearing it she laughed, a sound like chimes. "Any chance that the mighty Cardinal Jinette told you why I was useful to him?" The men looked at each other, trying to come up with an answer.
"I don't suppose you want to tell us?" Carl asked curiously. Destiny grinned mischievously
"I have spent the last fifty years working as a assassin for your mighty friend the Cardinal. You kill monsters Mr. Helsing, I kill monstrous men. Rather the same occupation, I think."
Van Helsing looked at each other, shocked. The unspoken question hung in the air. A Female Assassin? Reading the men's faces, Destiny's light expression turned dark.
"You have a problem with my occupation? She asked, eyes flashing.
"No, no, of course not!" Carl stammered nervously. Destiny grinned.
"Then I should show you to your rooms." Van Helsing had what was evidently one of the master bedrooms, with an emerald green canopied bed and private study. Carl's room was more modest, but with sliding doors that led to the Master Library and a private Laboratory.
"I thought that this might benefit you." Destiny commented, indicating to the stainless steel room. Carl nodded absently, already setting up various machinery.
Dinner that night was a seven-course affair, complete with huge dishes from all over the world. Van Helsing asked to retire early, (probably to polish his array of weapons) and Destiny and Carl went to the library to compare and contrast the works of Plato, Nostrodomus, and Archimedes.
The next day at breakfast Destiny announced that she was going into the city on business.
"What!" Van Helsing exclaimed, rising from his chair. "We have only just arrived, and you are leaving already?" Destiny shrugged.
"I didn't say you had to come." She said, belting a pair of Sais under her long black cloak and walking to the door.
Van Helsing sighed in defeat. "Fine." He muttered, following Destiny out into the icy morning.
Authors Notes: Okay, hope everyone was on character. The second I get a review; I'll post the next chapter. Thanx!
Angel: Thanks so much!
Tiger: I am really happy to see some construction criticism here. I know everyone is a little OOC here, but I just wanted the first chapter to be showing some characters. Personalities get better here, (I PRAY) and o ya, um, I didn't mean to steal any lines, there is more individual on- character dialogue in this chapter.
Celia: The story is not totally set in Romania; I will have some stuff going on in the Spain-Portugal area. There are some ties (you will find out later) that needed Transylvania for a setting. And yes, I just might make it a romance, (I totally loved Helsing/Anna, but then I have no storyline.)
Verona: I seriously apologize for the lack of Sais, though I do mention them in this chapter (for your personal benefit.)
Rauko 2003: Here is the next chapter!
Artemis 1860: Yes, the hand-singeing thing was funny, this fic is not intended to be boring.
Okay, I believe that that as everyone. On with the second chapter!
Chapter 2: Castle l'Etoile
The bright sun reflected off of the newly fallen snow. Van Helsing and Carl galloped across the sea of white to the beginning of the Carpathian Mountains.
From the edge of a forest to the East a lone rider sat, a deadly falcon sitting hooded on his shoulder. After several minutes of staring at the duo intently, her turned, satisfied, and cantered backward, away from the mountains freezing arms.
Suddenly reining in at the top of a rise, Van Helsing and Carl stared in wonder at what lay before them.
A magnificent castle lay nestled in the mountains, its windows reflected in the failing light. It was a castle hinting at former splendor, and of intricate design.
Dismounting at the huge oaken entrance, Carl and Van Helsing tethered their horses and grabbing their saddlebags, Van Helsing reached up and rang a large gold griffin-shaped knocker. The heavy doors swung open, revealing a great and antique entrance hall, complete with a crystal chandelier and ebony staircase. Walking down it was unmistakably Destiny Damarian.
Van Helsing noted with surprise that she looked younger than her picture, around 18 years old. Her light brown hair, tinted gold in the low light, was in an intricate braid, and she was wearing a pair of black breeches and knee high boots, with a midnight cloak and crushed-velvet tunic the color of blood.
"Ah, Van Helsing, I presume?" She asked lightly. "And you must be Carl, the famed scientist." Carl blushed at the compliment. The men nodded, and Destiny asked them to tell their story.
After hearing it she laughed, a sound like chimes. "Any chance that the mighty Cardinal Jinette told you why I was useful to him?" The men looked at each other, trying to come up with an answer.
"I don't suppose you want to tell us?" Carl asked curiously. Destiny grinned mischievously
"I have spent the last fifty years working as a assassin for your mighty friend the Cardinal. You kill monsters Mr. Helsing, I kill monstrous men. Rather the same occupation, I think."
Van Helsing looked at each other, shocked. The unspoken question hung in the air. A Female Assassin? Reading the men's faces, Destiny's light expression turned dark.
"You have a problem with my occupation? She asked, eyes flashing.
"No, no, of course not!" Carl stammered nervously. Destiny grinned.
"Then I should show you to your rooms." Van Helsing had what was evidently one of the master bedrooms, with an emerald green canopied bed and private study. Carl's room was more modest, but with sliding doors that led to the Master Library and a private Laboratory.
"I thought that this might benefit you." Destiny commented, indicating to the stainless steel room. Carl nodded absently, already setting up various machinery.
Dinner that night was a seven-course affair, complete with huge dishes from all over the world. Van Helsing asked to retire early, (probably to polish his array of weapons) and Destiny and Carl went to the library to compare and contrast the works of Plato, Nostrodomus, and Archimedes.
The next day at breakfast Destiny announced that she was going into the city on business.
"What!" Van Helsing exclaimed, rising from his chair. "We have only just arrived, and you are leaving already?" Destiny shrugged.
"I didn't say you had to come." She said, belting a pair of Sais under her long black cloak and walking to the door.
Van Helsing sighed in defeat. "Fine." He muttered, following Destiny out into the icy morning.
Authors Notes: Okay, hope everyone was on character. The second I get a review; I'll post the next chapter. Thanx!