Frying Pan Girl: Thanks for the candy! Didn't go trick or treating like some other people were doing. Went to a haunted house though.
Tom T. Thomson: Thanks! Here's the new chapter!
Blood of Angels: Yes, Kain is OOC on purpose. But he gets back to normal in this chapter.
I awoke with a start. Someone else was with me in my room. Then, I remembered. Weeping, with tears blurring my vision, I had retreated to my chambers. Then Kain came in here and…
I was lying on his chest. He still had both arms holding me tight. His eyes were closed and I realized he was still asleep.
I sighed and closed my own eyes and thought. Why was Kain doing this? He had been merciful towards me. He had comforted me. Was that possible? What did all of this actually mean?
I had heard so many horrible stories about Kain. They said he had no heart but this scene proved the contrary. It was almost as if…
He cares for you, a voice inside my head finished for me.
I snuggled up against Kain. Unconciously, his arms tightened around me.
And now you care for him, that same voice sounded again.
I didn't deny it.
* * *
It had been a long journey to Ziegsturhl. The sun had made Kain weary. Dust from the roads had buried into his clothes and had parched his throat. He needed to find an inn of some sort for the night.
Bone tired, he looked for a tavern of some sort to quench his thirst. They would have ale or wine to alleviate his craving. But what Kain truly wanted was—water.
Kain turned to the west and saw the last rays of red sunlight die in the tree-lined horizon. Soon, vampires would walk the cobblestone streets. Villagers hurried past him in vain to get back to their own cottages and cabins. To lock the door behind them and perhaps sit in front of a warm cheery fire with their families or crawl into their beds praying that they would not die before they woke.
Kain sighed and turned to his left and paused.
There was a woman by a well. Her back was to him and she was currently bringing up a bucket of cool water. He could see her slender shape clearly silhouetted by the dark blue peasant's dress she wore. Her hair was dark and curly and reached her waist.
As if moving of his own voilition, he walked up to her. He didn't need to speak a word. Sweetly, she handed the bucket of water to him.
"Here, drink this," she offered.
Kain wordlessly took the wooden bucket. Inside, he could see the reflection of the crescent moon shining in the water. Without hesitation, he put the bucket to his lips and drank all of the cool refreshing water. Then, he handed the bucket back to the woman.
"Thank you, my lady," he said courteously. Then it occurred to him that he hadn't seen what she looked like.
He looked up from her skirt, to her laced bodice, and finally to her face. His gaze rested on her eyes. Her eyes were so—expressive. A soft brown with gold glints in them. She was beautiful with the moonlight illuminating her face. Like a goddess of the night…
It was Marina's face.
* * *
Kain woke with a start. All of the details of the dream came rushing back to him. Two things upset Kain greatly. First, he never dreamed. Second, not only had he dreamed, but it was a dream of his human life. He had never even thought about his mortal life. Why in the name of the Pillars would he dream about it?
But, of course, the reason was lying right on his chest. Marina had an odd effect on him. A powerful effect. Enough to make him feel that emotion he had not even allowed himself to think upon.
Kain finally decided to get up. With difficulty. As soon as he let go of Marina, she whimpered in her sleep and reached out for him.
Quickly, he brushed her glossy hair off her forehead. She smiled in her slumber. When he was sure she had drifted into a deep state of unconsciousness, he left her. Work had to be done to make sure that Marina's existence would be secure. Oddly, he felt that his destiny may depend on it. Not to mention his heart.
* * *
I looked out the window at Nosgoth's accursed landscape. Mountains, craggy boulders, and deep gullies. No vegetation anywhere. The resplendent moon--a crescent-- shimmered on a lifeless wasteland. The beauty of the glittering stars seemed to be wasted on world such as this.
I had awakened only minutes ago, only to find the room empty. Kain must have crept out sometime in the night whilst I was wrapped up in my dreams. As the room felt empty, so did I.
I didn't wish to stay in my room tonight, nor did I want to pore over musty books in the library. I wanted to feel…alive again. I wanted to go on an adventure where the wild wind would whip through my hair and carry a polished sword in my hand. I hated to complain and frankly, I was glad to be alive at all, but things were becoming more tedious with every passing hour.
I opened my door which was as intricately carved as all the other furniture in my rooms, and stole into the hallway. I hadn't left this mansion since the night I had disposed of my "past" forever. Inside, I was wondering, Where would Kain be?
As I strolled down the hallway, I saw a flash of green turn a corner and come towards to me. Turel.
"Marina, I was just about going to come and get you."
"Why?" I asked suspicious. "Did Lord Kain change his mind? Am I to be executed?"
Turel smirked. "Quite the opposite. Follow me."
So I did. I didn't have much choice in the matter.
* * *
As usual, we all assembled in Kain's Throne room. Again Kain was sitting in his polished throne. And he looked angry. What had I done wrong this time?
Kain spoke one word. "Zephon."
To tell the truth, Kain looked like his old self. Only hours ago, Kain had been uncharacteristically gentle. Now, he was a fierce as I had ever seen him.
"You have grown too bold, boy. Come up here. Now."
Zephon had no choice but to obey although one could clearly see Zephon's reluctance about the whole affair.
"Tell me Zephon," Kain went on smoothly, "Have you been fabricating any elaborate stories, hmmm?
"No, my lord." Zephon's voice cracked at the end, revealing his untruth.
"Don't you ever lie to me!" Kain struck Zephon across the face, and he was flung across the room.
I was shocked. Frightened even, at Kain's explosive temper. But I resolved to look as stony as the others. Dumah however was gazing at Zephon with outright hatred.
"Don't grow insolent with me, my son." Kain spat the words out. "You have no right to manipulate me into believing falsehoods or try to undermine what I dictate. I almost committed a grieveous error tonight, Zephon."
Slowly, Zephon got to his feet. "Forgive my treacherous ways, sire. It's only because I am not as superior as yourself."
"That excuse will not work tonight, Zephon. I think you need to be punished and that your spirit should be reduced sufficiently." Kain declared.
"What do you mean, sire?" Zephon quietly said.
"I haven't done this since you were a fledgling. But I think it oddly appropiate since that is how you have been behaving."
"You don't mean…" Zephon trailed off.
"I do. Dumah, bring me the lash."
Dumah bowed. "With pleasure, sire."
Dumah picked up the object that had been on the floor and brought it to Kain.
"On your knees, Zephon," ground out Kain.
Shakily, Zephon did so. He trembled. Now he knows what it feels like to be a victim; publicly humiliated and dreading what is to come.
Kain raised the lash. "How about twenty, Zephon? Does that sound fair?"
"No!" I suddenly cried out. "Don't!"
Everyone looked at me; startled.
"Don't," I repeated. "He has been frightened enough. I'm sure Zephon will think before he acts now."
Kain shrugged and turned to Zephon. "You have Marina to thank for this one, Zephon. If it were up to me, you would not be so lucky."
Kain then got up and stalked out of the room without any explanation.
"We'll handle Zephon. Don't worry," Dumah assured me.
"I'll keep an eye on him as well," Turel promised me.
"And I think we were just dismissed," Raziel said aloud.
* * *
"And what does your mystery man look like?" teased Zara.
My best friend Zara and I were picking vegetables in the garden for my family's dinner tonight. In all truth, Zara was supposed to be at her own home helping her mother with the chores, but Zara hated serving or even seeing her wicked stepfather and his ill-favored and spoiled son. Honestly, I didn't mind the company, but Zara would most likely get punished as a result.
"He's rather tall, with long dark hair, and black pearls for eyes."
"How romantic you are!" laughed Zara. What's his occupation? Did you snag yourself a rich merchant, mayhaps?"
"No. A nobleman."
Zara's mouth dropped and her green eyes widened. "A nobleman! Why would a nobleman have anything to do with us common folk?"
"I'm not sure. I don't think about that. But, I'm fond of him and I know he feels the same."
Zara was silent for a moment. A breeze stirred her sandy hair. "You haven't done anything foolish, have you? Men like that…"
"I most certainly have not!" My cheeks flushed red. "How could you think I would do something that improper?"
"I just wanted to warn you," Zara said absently. "Oh. Is that him now?"
Sure enough there was Kain striding up the dirt road holding something behind his back.
"What's he doing here?" whispered Zara suspiciously.
"He is to have dinner with my family this evening. He's a traveler and needs a hearty meal for the night."
"What!? Zara gasped.
Kain finally reached us. "Good evening, ladies. And these are for you."
Kain then presented me with with a bouquet of white and blue wildflowers.
"Oh, Kain. They're beautiful," I breathed. I looked over at Zara, somewhat embarrassed at her seeing this display. She was scowling at me. Was it disdain? Or jealousy?
"Kain," I said quickly. "This is Zara, my good friend."
Zara nodded but said nothing.
"Will you be joining us for dinner as well?" Kain asked.
Zara shook her head. "No. I really need to be going. Mother is expecting me." And with that, Zara ran away from the farm.
"Is something wrong with her?" Kain's brow furrowed.
"No, she simply lost track of the time. She needs to help prepare her own supper."
Kain sighed. "She doesn't approve, does she? I'm sure that most people wouldn't."
"I'm surprised you approve. I see how you act in town."
"It's a facade," Kain explained. "I don't have to put on airs around you. You know me already."
"Will you be leaving Ziegsturhl soon?"
"Not at the moment." Kain searched my face. "I feel like I have a greater purpose than the life of a nobleman. That is why I decided to travel. Social status isn't as important to me as it once was."
Kain then lowered his face to mine. I knew his intention. I closed my eyes and tilted my head waiting for his kiss.
* * *
The dream had me confused all day. It felt as if it really happened. Like it was really me…but in another time. As a human. True, I had no memories of my mortal life but—no! It couldn't have happened. I would be as old as Kain if it did. Compared to him, I was a babe.
Perhaps it was all a dream. Or did I really see witness something that happened to me over a thousand years ago? That thought refused to go away.
I needed someone to talk to. And I knew just who it had to be.