Author's Note- This is set in the Medieval Time frame, so if I make some mistakes, I deeply apologize. But hopefully, everything is generally right!:)

Characters are mine but is loosely based on Night World and Sweep

Thankyous with cherries on top to:

babydrag0nfly- Thankyou! I like ur name! Cute!:) I'm glad u like readin it, it's always so nice when ppl like the stuff I write

JasmineIII- Siena and pompous jerk? Lol, maybe...Thanks 4 readin, you'll get 2 find out a little more about the 'pompous jerk' in this chapter. Enjoy! :)

Kasai- Thanks! (Big, big smile) U will find out what happens with Cobern and Taylor in this chapter. Read on!!

Incarnated-soul- I really like readin about girl pretends to be guy stories 2 and I just had to write one. Lol, anywayz, like I said u will find out more about dis guy coz it's in his point of view. :) Hmm, Cobern is a nice name huh? Thanx 4 readin!

Katysays22- Thanks, I had dis chapter in my PC 4 awhile now and i thought I might as well upload it. I really need 2 study now, ): Thanks for ur support and 4 readin 2.

Alright, read on

Chapter 4

The horse stopped when it felt the pull of the reins. From the Blacksmith store, the castle had been an hour's ride. Kale dismounted off his horse and looked at his home with great fondness.

Instead of dark, disdainful granite stone, the castle was built with brownish orange stone and was a brilliant contrast to the lush green woods that hid and surrounded it. Vines twisted pleasingly around the front, with brightly colored flowers blossoming at the stems.

There was also a huge lake just beside the fortress. Which was a great convenience, not for him of course, but for the many servants who served him and his family. He couldn't remember a day that he didn't have at least one servant dressing, feeding or doing other things for him.

He had lived here since he was selected to be a knight who fought in tournaments, challenges and battles when the time came. The Redfern family were deeply respected and feared, which in other words meant that they were noble, rich, powerful and in alliance with the royal family.

Just a year ago, the King himself had placed that gleaming superlative sword upon his shoulders and officially made him a knight. One of the youngest in the century, for much to his annoyance, he was still considered a boy, for he was only 18 years of age.

Shaking his head and causing more hair to get in his eyes, he rode through the gates and started thinking about the events that happened on this day. In the morning, he had been woken up and dressed by his Nana, an old lady who had taken cared of him ever since he was born. Then he was rushed off to have breakfast with Gregory and Cadence Redfern, his parents, who he absolutely refused to call mother and father to their faces. They gave him as much affection as you would to a diseased beggar.

A tournament was to be held on the sixth day of the week and so Kale spent most of his time training with Bernard, who had been a knight in his early days and was highly experienced. Perfecting his skills in fencing, facing opponents in duels and riding and handling a horse, Bernard made him nothing but the best at everything.

Feeling exhausted, he had rode into town to make his worn-out sword useful again. He would have sent a servant but they had never learnt how to ride and to walk there at this time of day would have taken far too long.

Already in a bad mood, he had then met the boy with the straw hat. He couldn't understand it, but he felt that the boy was hiding something. When he looked into his intense amber eyes, he seemed to see an aura burning away and simply glowing with power.

He was certain that the boy couldn't be human, because like so many other Night World people, this boy was unnaturally good-looking. The boy was either another vampire or a witch, since he didn't have any features that would resemble an animal. But there was still something not quite right about him.

Kale entered the hall then gritted his teeth as he saw the petite blond girl standing in front of the winding marble staircase.

Jill was Candace's personal servant and always informed him when his mother wanted something from him. She had always tried to flirt with him, but after 3 years of that, it got really aggravating. The girl couldn't seem to take a hint and was still smiling seductively at him when she got the chance.

She lifted her dress as she walked towards him. Kale had to try hard to not roll his eyes at the blatancy of her actions. She smiled prettily at him while fluttering her eyelashes.

"Master Redfern, your mother has asked me to tell you that the lady Leann Rasmussen is joining us for dinner this evening and you are to dress accordingly" she announced, a flash of jealousy in her eyes.

A smile formed at his lips, partly to anger Jill and partly because he was happy at the news. He was betrothed to Leann, who was another vampire and without a doubt, one of the most gorgeous young women in Hampshire. She was also relatively intelligent, unlike many other beautiful girls he had courted.

He nearly burst out laughing when he saw the look of pure, heated spite in Jill's eyes. "Sir, may I suggest you get ready for tonight?" she said malevolently, twisting her hands together in frustration.

"Yes, I should" he replied and just couldn't resist adding "I want to look my best for such a fine and respectable lady." Giving Jill one final smirk he climbed up the plight of stairs to his room on the third floor.

The many candles on the glass chandelier were lit in the dining room, illuminating the soft peach-cream colors on the walls. Everything was perfect, just as it always were. Gregory and Candace never tolerated untidiness and deficiencies.

Kale sighed, if only it was different. Sometimes it felt like he was stuck in this fake world of luxury, everyday filled with lavishness and abundance. These things mattered little to him, the only thing he wanted was people who could understand him.

His parents didn't, the servants didn't and most of the world didn't either. The only person who could fit the description would have been his best friend William Sutton, another vampire, whose only ambitions in life were to charm and sleep with as many women as he could and to drink as much as he could while he was at it.

"Kale, come here child" Mother snapped him out of his thoughts. Candace Redfern always treated her son with utmost respect and formality. Others would have congratulated her for being kind and polite even to her own son, but Kale detested it. There was always something in his mother's voice that sounded so forced, like she was just putting on a show when she conversed with him.

Candace's eyes were blue, which Kale had inherited, but they were as cold as ice. When she laughed, the happiness was in her smile, never in her eyes. He couldn't even recall a time when her mother was genuinely happy. I hope I will never be like that.

Walking deferentially over, he bowed and nodded his head, a ritual he had to perform every single day since he was 14 years old. Together they made their way to the entrance hall and waited for their guest to arrive.

Lady Leann Rasmussen arrived just on time and was dressed beautifully as usual. Her white blond hair was in a French braid, fixed with pins, making sure that not even one strand of hair was out of place. Her head was held high, displaying an air of elegance and superiority.

Her face was pale and painted, bringing out her sapphire eyes and lush red lips. She wore no jewelry save for the gold-chained lapis lazuli around her neck. Which complimented her deep blue dress perfectly, it showed cleavage and was long at the same time, the ends were frilly and a paler blue.

It was just dinner, the Lady didn't have to go to all that trouble. Kale thought and tried to imagine how long it must have taken her servants to make her look like that. Nevertheless, he kissed and smiled charmingly when Leann offered her gloved hand to him.

Dinner went by very slowly. Master Gregory Redfern arrived late as per usual and caused uneasiness as he started eating large mouthfuls of the gravy and roast chicken, the food wasn't filling, but was delectable.

Later on, he knew that they would go and hunt for some real food. Animals or human blood, it didn't really matter, but he knew which he would prefer. He noticed sapphire eyes constantly watching him and waited for Leann to say something.

"Sir Kale Redfern, how are your tournaments? I hear you are quite the champion. I bet there is no other knight that can even challenge and beat you," she said sweetly.

It struck him how strange it was that a young 18-year-old woman would be talking so formally but he didn't meander on that for long. "Yes, I am doing quite well and I thank you for your support. I dedicate and win all my tournaments for you, my lady" he added, lying easily.

He watched as Leann's smile grew bigger until she was beaming at him, the color of her unnaturally pink cheeks glowing even redder. "Really?" she asked fluttering her eyes at him. Not even hesitating, he slipped his hand over hers and nodded and smiled back.

This is too easy. It's not even fun or exciting, because she's already infatuated with me. He thought as Leann discreetly passed him her handkerchief from under the table, as a token of admiration. I never really grasped the concept of giving and receiving handkerchiefs. What am I going to do with the 150 or so handkerchiefs I already have? Wipe my head 150 times?

The night finally ended and Kale felt like he had been released from prison. "Will I see you again?" Leann asked as she stepped outside the castle. What is she talking about? I see her every two weeks on the fourth nights. It annoyed him greatly, because she knew that Leann was not stupid, but pretending to be.

"Of course" Smiling he leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Goodnight"

Cobern inhaled profoundly, his whole body tense with fear and worry.

He had arrived at Marilynn's house as quickly as he could and hurriedly pushed aside the humans to get to the healer. "Please, Mrs. Hazelton, my father...you have to take a look at him, he is exceedingly ill"

Marilynn must have heard the desperate pleading in his voice, because she announced that her services were ceased for the day, driving a lot of unhappy customers out of her house, who were groaning about how long they had waited and all for nothing.

Cobern cautiously followed Marilynn into her room and carefully placed father on the bed. Marilynn then bent down "Now, Cobern I need you to tell me exactly what happened" Her eyes reflected concern and apprehension as she examined Taylor Diable, who lay as still as a statue, still pale as a sheet.

"We were talking about our finance issues and suddenly he just..." Cobern replayed the scene in his mind and shuddered. "Started gasping and next moment he was on the ground clutching his heart, please, what can you do for him?"

Sighing, Marilynn turned back to Taylor and positioned her fingers over the man's heart. Cobern watched as the woman, closed her eyes in concentration. The same blue magick from the healing of the squirrel erupted from her nimble fingers and scurried around his father's chest.

After what seemed like years, the healer stopped working. "Is father going to be well now?" Cobern asked as he came closer to the bed. He looked into Marilynn Hazelton hazel eyes that usually held such vitality, and his heart sunk as he searched for that energy, something that had simply disappeared.

Furthermore, the woman diverted her gaze and looked away. "I'm sorry Cobern, I did my best" Is father dead? What am I going to do now? Why didn't I bring him here sooner, its all my fault! Would there have been a chance for him if I have gotten here to Marilynn's house earlier? Without realizing it, Cobern had started trembling.

He startled when he felt something on his shoulder. It brought him out of the trance he was in when he was being absorbed into his thoughts. Once again, he found himself looking into Marilynn's eyes.

"Your father is not dead boy, but he suffered a heart attack and I cannot prevent another one from occurring," she explained "He will not be able to work and I know how great an difficulty that will be, I'm afraid he will have to rest more now, for I could not cure him completely"

This sent Cobern almost jumping with relief. It was unquestionably the best thing that had happened. Father would now get the rest he deserved and he would eventually get well. But before he could ponder more on this matter, he heard a very familiar voice.

"Ma! Is dinner ready? Would you like me to prepare it? Ma?" There were loud footsteps and a very distorted Siena suddenly appeared in the room. "Cobern? What...what is going on here?" she asked dazedly, seemingly perplexed.

"Darling, come and sit with me," Marilynn said softly, patting the spot beside her. Warily and still confused, Siena compelled. He watched as her expression changed to one of shock as the girl became aware of the form on her mother's bed.

Mrs. Hazelton answered her question before she had a chance to ask. "That is Taylor Diable, Cobern's father. He had a heart attack but he will imminently be able-bodied soon." Pending on her reaction to this, Cobern stared at her and was struck again at how beautiful she was.

A few minutes passed, before Siena finally raised her eyes, giving him a prolonged look of compassion. He smiled faintly at her offer of sympathy and slowly rose from his chair. "I should be taking father home now. It is long after sunset, I do not want my mother perturbing about father and me."

Without difficulty, he hoisted his father over his shoulder again. "Thank you for your help, Mrs. Hazelton, please do not hesitate if you require assistance from me or my family. I am forever at your arrears"

Tilting his head in a bow, he swiftly made his way out of the house. Unaware that someone was following closely behind him.

"Are you alright?"

Cobern immediately turned around to face Siena, who still held commiseration in her expression. She is such a caring girl. He thought distractedly, unwilling to ever tear his eyes away from her face.

Without thinking he nodded and continued to watch Siena. The girl sighed in reprieve and all of a sudden her eyes lit up "You must stay for dinner Cobern!" Momentarily bemused, he quickly remembered to respond and nodded again. "That would be nice."

He walked back into the house and charily placed father back into the bed. Moments later he found himself sitting outside, talking with Siena. Heedless of the delicious smell of Marilynn's stew wafting through the wide-open door.

"Was it really frightening?"

Shaking his head, he tried to explain what emotions he had experienced earlier today. "I felt utterly helpless, everything was up to chance and I could not do a thing about it. It was an ominous situation because I did not know if father would live or die. To be honest, I do not know what I would do if his life ended today..."

It didn't hit him till then, how fortunate he was. Things could have gotten so much worse, but auspiciously it turned out well and he would have to thank the Goddess for that. The job of the provider for his family had been unexpectedly shifted onto his shoulders, but he was too contented to care.

"This will mean you will not be able to visit me daily anymore" she stated.

"Are you disappointed?" Cobern asked giving her a teasing smile.

"No, I'm over the moon" she said sarcastically. "Of course I am! You are one of my closest friends and I will sorely miss your company," she answered, oblivious to the fact that she had said exactly what he had wanted to hear.

She erratically wrapped her arms around his frame. "I will miss you."

Closing his eyes, he pressed her closer to him and was lost in thoughts of the possibility that they could really be more than just friends.

I hope u like dis chapter, coz I really hav 2 study now. (crys and pleads no!!!) Meanwhile, reviews would be very, very greatly appreciated!!!