Disclaimer: see Verse 1.

The Everblack Bible

Verse 5

A Casual Stroll through the Woods

By Random1377

Alice sighed as another long string of curses echoed through forest.  "Aren't we trying to be quiet?" she asked tiredly, covering her mouth with the back of her hand as a rather broad yawn escaped her.

Ahead of her on the narrow trail, Yuri cursed again.  "Damn stupid branches!" he growled, sounding as if he was actually making an attempt to stay quiet.  "If I get whipped in the face one more time, so help me God, I'll-"

"Easy there, tiger," Margarete interrupted softly, "I think I heard something."

The trio moved quickly, arranging themselves in a rough triangle, back to back to back, and froze, eyes scanning the dense foliage all around for any sign of movement.  After several moments of tense waiting, a soft rustling came from the underbrush… and a small, brown rabbit hopped out of the underbrush, its tiny nose wriggling as it scented the air cautiously.

No one moved.  Far too often, in their line of work, a seemingly harmless creature could prove to be more deadly than a rampaging black bear, lulling its victim into a false sense of security before transforming to some horrid beast and consuming them before they could so much as scream.

"It looks normal to me," Alice said after a moment, relaxing visibly as the rabbit investigated a leafy green plant.

"See anything else out there?" Margarete asked Yuri, sweeping her third of the forest with her ten gauge (liberated from the ruins of the car's trunk) and pressing herself a bit tighter against the man's back.

"Nothing on this side," Yuri reported, "kinda feels wrong, though, doesn't it?"  Abruptly, he laughed.  "Jumping at bunnies," he snorted, shaking his head ruefully, "let's go… we're wasting time."

As he started off, Alice turned to Margarete.  "Hey, I almost forgot," she said softly, reaching into her backpack and rummaging around for a moment, "you dropped this back there."  After a moment, she pulled out Draze, offering it to the other woman with a look of vague distaste.  "Here."

 "You hold onto it for me," Margarete said darkly, "I'm going for something heavier from now on – stupid thing didn't even put a dent in that Emperor, and my backpack is already pretty full."

"Alright," Alice sighed, reluctantly tucking the weapon back into her pack, "but don't forget to get it when we get to Bistritz – I don't really like guns…"

Margarete waved a hand.  "Yeah, yeah," she mumbled, "can't have a pretty little thing like you running around with a gun for heaven's sake – you might break a nail on it."

Alice flushed, but refused to let herself rise to the insult.  "Yes, well," she said with forced lightness, "I think we're almost there, so why don't we save our breath."

"Best idea I've heard all day."

In silence, the two hurried to catch up to Yuri… none of them ever noticing the pair of dull golden eyes watching them from a branch high in the concealing canopy of the trees.

**

Keith Valentine, immortal member of the Earth Clan, was a patient man by nature.  After several hundred years of life, he simply found it very difficult to get worked up over anything less than a world-threatening catastrophe.  He could, however, empathize with his mortal companion Master Li Zhuzhen's concern over the current situation, so he did his best to be comforting.

"I'm sure they're fine," the vampire said casually, "probably just had a flat tire or something – Koudelka's wire said they were traveling in somewhat of a rundown car, after all."

Zhuzhen continued his restless pacing, his hands clasped firmly behind his back.  "I know, I know," he admitted, "but they are longer overdue than I am comfortable with.  I would be much relieved if they would arrive."

"Agreed," Keith said amicably, "but there is no need to be so agitated, my friend… come, sit down – they will arrive regardless of whether or not you are wearing a rut in the street."

With a sigh, the adept nodded, walking to the other man's side and slowly lowering himself to the ground.

Keith offered him a faint smile.  "I admire you, Master Zhuzhen," he said quietly, "it must take a lot of effort to put on such a show."

"What do you mean?" Zhuzhen asked briskly, "I feel fine."

"I didn't say anything about your health," Keith pointed out lightly, "and to someone that hunts the night, the pain in your eyes is as plain as day."

Zhuzhen let out another, gustier sigh.  "There is… no reason to announce my discomfort to the world," he said slowly, leaning his head against the wall of the Bistritz church and staring up at the early evening sky.  "Some things are private."

Keith nodded sagely.  "If you would like to talk about it," he offered quietly, "I… do have a little knowledge of easing pain."  He grinned suddenly.  "In my mortal life, I was actually in training to be a doctor, and my interest in the workings of the human body has never faded."

"There is no cure for this pain," Zhuzhen murmured, "I fear… it is simply approaching my time to depart."

There was a moment of thoughtful silence.

"With all due respect," Keith said dryly, "I cannot see you giving up your life so cavalierly."

Zhuzhen snorted.  "Oh give me some credit," he said ruefully, "an adept knows his own body… and mine is telling me that it is weary.  I have endured things that no mortal man should endure – and I have lived far longer than a man with my experiences should, but-"

"Nonsense," Keith cut in sternly, "while I concede that you have seen and done much, the very idea that you are approaching the end is… offensive.  Next you'll be telling me that you see a long tunnel with a light at the end."

"You've been hanging around Yuri too much," Zhuzhen grumbled, "I didn't say I was at death's door!  I just think that I won't be around fifteen or twenty years from now."

Keith considered this.  Twenty years did not seem like much time to him, of course, but to a human it should be quite a bit of time.  "How old will that make you?" he asked suddenly, deciding that a change of topics was in order.

"I'd say about a hundred and fifty," a voice boomed out of the shadows, "maybe one sixty."

Zhuzhen and Keith scrambled to their feet as three shapes made their way through Bistritz's front gates.  "It's about time," Zhuzhen complained, showing none of his prior anxiety.  "Where have you been??"

"Oh, here and there," Yuri said casually, "strolling through the woods, playing with the wildlife, fighting demons – the usual."

"We were attacked by a Death Emperor," Alice explained, leaning forward and rubbing her right leg with a tired groan, "destroyed the car… tried to kill us…" she frowned.  "The usual."

Zhuzhen shook his head.  "Kids," he chuckled, "you'll be the death of me."  He nodded to Margarete.  "I see you've come equipped for trouble," he said, eyeing the shotgun in her hands, "you can put that away… I don't think anything would be stupid enough to attack while we're all here."

"Yeah, you know what?" Margarete said absently, her eyes scanning the forest they had so recently exited, "I'll just hold onto it for now."

"Suit yourself," Zhuzhen shrugged, "now I give you, your host."

Keith rolled his eyes.  "Always one for pomp and circumstance, aren't you?" he muttered, stepping forward and clasping Yuri's hand.  "It's good to see you all," he said warmly, "and I have a surprise for you."  He bowed over Alice's hand, kissing it lightly before straightening and announcing, "I've had one of the shops in down converted to an inn… and I would be honored if you were its first guests."

"An inn?" Margarete blinked, "in a town this small?  How will it support itself?"

"I don't expect it to," Keith laughed, gesturing for the tired trio to follow him, "I commissioned it with the idea of having a meeting place for the townspeople to frequent and a safe haven for any travelers that might be passing through the area."  He nodded to the former weapons shop.  "I had the entire inside torn out and rebuilt, and we added a second floor… and for the times when there are not enough visitors to ensure that the bills are paid, I have agreed to supplement the inn's income with my own funds."

"I'll let you in on a little secret," Yuri commented, looking around the nearly empty town, "you'll be doing a lot of supplementing."

"I'm fine with that," Keith nodded, "it is my honor as this town's magistrate."

"Wow," Margarete murmured, "you're really taking this seriously."

Keith bowed, pushing the door open and bowing them in.  "But of course.  Now if you would be so kind as to choose rooms and deposit your things and join me at Castle Blue, I would love to have you for dinner."

"Could you rephrase that?" Yuri asked amicably, picking significantly at his canines. "It just sounds wrong coming from you."

"Be nice," Alice admonished, walking up to the front desk.  "Oh!" she exclaimed, "Michelle, you work here now?"

Michelle Wagner nodded, smiling warmly.  "Only a few hours in the evening, after my shop closes," she explained, "Kei- ahem, Mister Valentine was kind enough to offer me a second income if I would help him tend the inn during supper time, when the regular innkeeper is dining."

Alice smiled, taking in the woman's faint blush, easily catching the quick look the woman shot the blonde-haired man.  "I see," she said, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, "you'll have to tell me about it sometime."

Michelle's blush deepened.  "I umm… ahem!" she cleared her throat, "Right this way, I'll show you to your rooms."

**

Yuri let out a long, satisfied belch and leaned back in his chair.  "Now that was a meal!" he exclaimed happily.

"Yuri!" Alice gasped, clearly mortified by the man's behavior.

The long table the septet was situated around had been lavishly appointed with every kind of food imaginable, from roast beef, to oven baked chicken, to countless dishes of fruits and vegetables – a feast, Alice thought dizzily, more than fit for a king.

"He's funny," Nina giggled, trying to cover her mouth as her mother gave her a slightly reproachful look.  "Sorry…"

The two townspeople, Alice further noticed, were the only ones outside their party that had been invited, cause enough for raised eyebrows without Michelle's constant glances at their host.  Good for you, Alice thought, smiling at Yuri as he announced that he was going in for thirds, I know we don't know each other that well… but I still wish you the best.

"So," Zhuzhen said finally, "now that we're all a bit fuller," he shot Yuri a disgusted look, "why don't you tell us about this book you're looking for, Alice?  The wire we received was not very clear."

Alice cleared her throat.  "Well," she said slowly, "Koudelka seemed to think it would be a bad idea to mention it in an open letter, but the book we're looking for is called the Everblack Bible, and-"

"The Everblack?" Zhuzhen cut in suddenly, "you're sure that's what she said?"

"You've heard of it?" Yuri asked around a mouthful of roast pork.

"Yes, my mannerless friend," Zhuzhen mused, "a very powerful artifact, the Everblack.  No one knows who wrote it, or when or where for that matter… only that it is very dangerous – only to be handled by those with a pure spirit.

"Or a tainted one," Alice supplied helpfully, "that's what Koudelka said."

"Indeed," Zhuzhen said thoughtfully, leaning back in his chair and stroking his chin.

 "Ahhh, I think I have also heard of this Bible," Keith said suddenly, "it was in my youth, and-"

"Your youth??" Margarete cut in skeptically, her lips compressing to a thin line.

"Yes," Keith grinned, his sharp teeth glittering in the candlelight, "and it was an old legend then.  Having little interest in such matters, I did not pay it much mind, but I remember my brother telling me that it was to be avoided at all costs, as it holds a certain… reflective power."

"So it protects whoever uses it?" Alice asked uncertainly, wondering why vampires would be bothered by such an item.

"Partly," Keith nodded, "it is rumored to have that ability, but it also seems to act in accordance to the nature of the person using it."  He waved and rose from the table as one of his newly-hired servants appeared in the doorway and gestured frantically for him to come. "Mirrors need not be silver," he said as he passed Alice's chair, "remember that."

"I think what our vampiric friend means is that it is somewhat of a 'wish fulfiller,'" Zhuzhen said slowly, "I wish I could remember more of the bits and pieces I've read about it, but… no, I can't think of them right now."  He sighed and rubbed his eyes.  "I'll sleep on it – maybe it'll come to me in the morning, but there are quite a few warnings regarding that book… if you do plan to go looking for it, don't take it lightly."

"I understand," Alice nodded, feeling suddenly very tired, "we'll… talk about it tomorrow while we're looking at the church, ok?"

"That sounds like an excellent plan," Zhuzhen agreed, rising to his feet, "discussing important topics when you are tired is a very good way to forget what you have learned."  He bowed to Nina and Michelle.  "Good evening ladies," he said politely, "I apologize if our conversation was boring."  He offered Alice his arm.  "Shall we, my dear?"

Alice curtsied.  "Why Master Zhuzhen," she grinned, "so gentlemanly.  Yuri, are you coming?"

Yuri shook his head, biting into a rather large chunk of beef.  "Gonna finish up," he said, sounding muffled through the food, "night."

"I'll stick around to make sure the bottomless pit here doesn't choke," Margarete said casually, "see ya."

Alice hesitated, slightly unnerved by the predatory smile the other woman gave her.  "Al…alright," she said reluctantly, "Goodnight."

Margarete sighed.  Damn I'm being a bitch, she thought tiredly, I know she likes him… maybe I should back off? She glanced at Yuri from the corner of her eyes and sighed softly.  Maybe I'll just take it easy for a day or two… she what she does.  God – why am I being nice about this!  She's been with him a year, and-

Cutting her self off mid-though, Margarete picked up her glass of wine and took a sip, finding that she actually agreed with Zhuzhen.

It's just not a good idea to think about important things when you're tired… she thought, I'll just sleep on it – though I'd rather sleep on HIM, I-  Wow!  Where did THAT come from!

"Are you ok?" Michelle asked suddenly, "you're all flushed."

"I'm fine," Margarete said quickly, noticing that Yuri had stopped eating and was watching her closely.  "I'm… just tired – walk back with me?"

Yuri sighed, looking down at his half-empty plate.  "Yeah, ok," he said slowly, "guess I've had enough anyway."

Withholding a rather childish giggle, Margarete rose to her feet and offered him her arm.  I'll sleep on it, she told herself, but until I get to bed, I'll just pretend I'm his wife again.

**

"A most interesting character, this Mister Valentine."

In the forest between Bistritz and Blue Castle, just off the beaten path, the tall man and the shorter man watched Yuri and Margarete make their way back to the inn.

"Do you believe he will be a hindrance?" the taller man asked, idly wrapping a blade of grass around his finger.

"I have no doubt he would try to stand in our way should we be required to make a move while the Elliot woman is in his town," the shorter man said quietly, "but if it comes to that, and we need to take… extreme measures, he would not be able to stand in our way."

The taller man glanced deeper into the woods, frowning as he caught a glimpse of movement.  "Would it not be easier to just take these two now?" he asked, pursing his lips.  "She is drunk, and he is clearly too comfortable to be truly alert.  T'would be child's play to-"

"Now, now my good man," the shorter of the duo interjected calmly, "all in good time.  Let us stick to our current plan of watching and waiting.  After all," he shook his head wearily, "would it not be easier to have them locate the Bible for us, then swoop in like a hawk and relieve them of it?"

"I suppose," the taller man yawned, raising his hand and pointing it into the woods, "but I've always found it best to deal with vermin quickly and-"

The smaller man reached out and put his hand over his companion's palm, shaking his head as a small ball of energy began forming there.  "Let it go," he said softly, nodding to the place the other man had been about to attack, "it is unimportant… and it will draw undue attention to us."

"Of course," the taller man bowed diffidently, "though it… irks me that it has the nerve to follow us so brazenly."

A wheezing chuckle issued from the smaller man's throat.  "It is simply hoping for more scraps from our table," he said dismissively, "leave it be."

"Of course."

There was a moment of quiet as the two men turned their attention back to the trail, finding it now empty.  By silent accord, they said nothing more, choosing to simply wait and see what the next day would bring.

After all, when someone else is doing your work for you, there is never a need to rush.

Continued…

Author's notes: there is definitely something to be said for having others do your work… I wish I had someone to write this chapter – I had a hell of a time finding a direction for it! _  Well, 6 and 7 should be pretty soon in coming, since I have a strong sense of how they will go, so hopefully… the 2 of you out there that read this won't have so long to wait for the next installment! :P

Oh, one last note – I could find NO reference to a last name for Nina and Michelle… so I made one up.  If there IS a documented name out there, anyone feel free to let me know and I'll correct it.  Thanks.

Aegis once more graced my pathetic story with her divine pre-reading abilities… I can only bow to her.  *bow bow*  :D

Feedback is welcome on this site or by e-mailing me directly at random1377@yahoo.com