Disclaimer: Never have and never will own Van Helsing or anything to do with the merchandise or actors (lip trembles)

Chapter 8

Jory stirred and lingered in the empty place between sleeping at waking. At the edge of his consciousness he could hear a constant buzzing sound. He snorted and rolled on to his side, becoming aware of the hard floor beneath him.

Grumbling he fought to get comfortable again. He finally gave up after a few attempts and sat up blurrily looking around the sunlit room. Frowning he tried to locate the source of the buzzing noise that had disturbed him.

His answer came when he looked over at the bed and saw Marston on his back, his mouth wide open. The buzzing came clearly from his throat. Jory had to bite his fist to keep the burst of laughter leaving his mouth. He stumbled to his feet and fled the room bursting into hysterical giggles when he was sufficient distance down the corridor. Getting himself under control he consented to the fact, that further sleep was not an option and recalling that Sarah hadn't been where she had slept he decided to join her, hopefully somewhere with food in the vicinity.

He wandered round the maze like mansion marvelling at the sheer size of it. After many wrong turns he began to hear the sound of laughter and the sharp clash of metal on metal. Frowning he walked towards the sounds. He came to a stairway he recognised as leading towards the foyer, and as his stomach was kind enough to remind him, the kitchen.

He heard Sarah laughing and looked round the banister to see her sitting on the stone floor of the foyer having just tripped over her own feet. Anna grinned and helped the girl to stand retrieving her unmarked sword from where it had fallen.

"Better, but your trying to do too much with your feet, it's your arms that have to do the work." She was saying patiently handing the blade to her.

Jory laughed walking the rest of the way down the stairs. "Morning." He greeted them pleasantly.

"Hey Jory, Anna's giving me sword fighting lessons!" Sarah said excitedly. Jory grinned, "Your letting her have a sword? We are all gonna die." Sarah stuck her tongue out at him and settled into a stance that Anna had taught her, feet shoulder width apart, sword held tightly in both hands.

Anna feinted to the right aiming for the girl's side, and forcing her to jump back to avoid the blow. Quickly Sarah countered bringing her sword around, going for the princess's legs, their swords clashed and the duel began.

Jory watched fascinated for a few minutes before his grumbling stomach drove him into the kitchen. He was looking in cupboards for anything edible when the two girls entered. Sarah collapsing exhausted into a nearby chair.

Anna smiled at her "You're doing really well, but you still have to work on your footwork. I don't know what you were thinking when you tried to do that strange twirl." Jory laughed and looked at Sarah pointedly.

"You twirled?" She pouted.

"It worked fine for Obi-Wan" she muttered sulkily.

Anna directed Jory to a barrel of oats in the Larder and helped him to make a large pot of porridge for when everyone woke up.

As the boy walked past her she again noted the strange material and pattern of his clothes, she looked towards Sarah and also noted her clothing. 'This won't do she thought.' Sarah looked up sensing her gaze. "What?" she asked.

"I was thinking that we need to get you some different clothes if you're going to be with us for a while. The villagers don't take kindly to strangers as it is and if they see you dressed like that" she gestured at them, and they both looked down at themselves in concern.

"They could get violent?" Sarah guessed.

Anna nodded "So what are we going to wear?" asked Jory his mouth full of porridge. The Princess walked to the far side of the kitchen and retrieved her black coat from where it lay upon a vacant chair. "I'd better get you some new ones in the village." She said walking towards the door that led to the armoury.

Sarah followed her, "Can I come with you? You'll need help bringing it back," she pleaded. Anna frowned for a moment considering, after a moment she walked back into the kitchen and gathered up an old brown cloak throwing it to her, "Use this to cover your clothes, and don't forget to bring the sword you were practicing with." She ordered walking towards the main doors.

Sarah eagerly put on the cloak "How do I look?" she asked standing in front of Jory he snorted in to his porridge. "Like your about to flash me!" she laughed and ran after Anna buckling her sword on as she went. "Women and shopping" Jory muttered to himself settling down to his breakfast.

Note: felt guilty about the long chapters so here's a nice short one for you all :D