The Cardinal grimaced, eyeing the two forms before him as he listened to their report of events. They hadn't even the decency to clean the dirt of their journey from themselves before reporting to him. True, he wanted a full report on what had happened in Romania, but he did no want to inhale the smell of horses while receiving it. Along with the smell and dirt, neither man looked as if they had shaven in a few days and around the darker of the two there seemed to be an aura of sadness. These things, while annoying the Cardina,l did not concern him. What did, however, was the new mission he was about to send them on.
"You will be going to America," the Cardinal stated once the tale was told. "Both of you. I want Carl staying with you on all assignments from now on." He again looked over Van Helsing and Brother Carl.
"Oh no. I'm not babysitting anymore," Gabriel stated firmly. He was going to be damned if he lost another friend to some monster.
"What? I'm not a field man. I do work, here, on experiments." Carl got out a moment after Van Helsing made his statement, his eyes wide. He had thought his trip to Romania was a one time thing.
"Your knowledge is invaluable to Van Helsing," the Cardinal stated, shifting his gaze to the blonde, not at all happy about having his decisions questioned.
"Besides, he whines," the dark haired man added, looking at Carl and trying to come up with any reason not to take him.
"I do not whine," Carl shot back, slightly affronted, not understanding why Gabriel was so opposed to him going. He had figured out the way to Dracula's castle after all.
"You do quite frequently," Van Helsing answered.
"You are both going," the Cardinal cut in.
"I am not a field man," Carl stated again as Van Helsing spoke as well, "I work alone. What part of that don't you understand?"
"You WILL take him." The church official was becoming aggravated at the fact they were fighting his orders.
"He's not a field man," Gabriel tried yet again to keep his friend from harms way.
"Right!" Carl agreed.
"This is not up for discussion." The cardinal glared at both men.
"You're right he stays here." Van Helsing returned his glare.
"He goes with you."
"He doesn't want me there. I can stay here." Carl commented, though a little down trodden. Gabriel's attitude was finally sinking in.
"Enough! You are both going to America that is final." The Cardinal had finally had enough of their bickering. "I do not see why you are so against this when you were willing to take him to Romania."
"And he was almost killed several times," Van Helsing interjected.
"Twice!" Carl felt the need to correct him. "Less than you."
"Twice too many times." Gabriel turned to his friend. Though Carl did not really want to go, he was hurt that a man he'd considered a friend was fighting so hard for him not to go.
The hurt that shown in Carl's eyes tore at Van Helsing. After his failure to protect Ana he simply didn't want to lose another person he considered a friend.
"As I said, you are both going," the Cardinal broke through Gabriel's musings.
"He is important here, where he can come up with my weapons."
"You have passage on a vessel leaving tomorrow morning. The vessel leaves at ten." The Cardinal ignored Gabriel's last statement, considering the matter closed. As he walked away from the figures, he heard Van Helsing growl low and speak to Brother Carl. "You are going to learn how to defend yourself."
"I can do that, I think." Carl nodded, his uncertainty showing in his eyes.
"You can and will my friend." Gabriel patted the friar's back, who nodded again.
It had been a month of very rough seas and Brother Carl had not been feeling well at all, when Van Helsing found him on the deck of the ship being violently sick over the side. "You really shouldn't have eaten such a big meal." Van Helsing approached his friend, patting him on the back.
"I wanted to die happy. If I am to die." Carl just looked at him panting slightly.
"Well you aren't dead yet and you're miserable."
"Quite." Carl wiped at his mouth.
Gabriel nodded, taking a small item wrapped in a piece of brown cloth and handing it to the friar. "I think this will help. May not taste great, but should help with the nausea."
Carl accepted the item with a bit of hesitation, unwrapping it to find some Ginger root. Taking a small bite, the friar made a face but continued to nibble at the root.
"I did try to get you out of this." The dark haired man sighed.
"Yes, by making me sound like a burden and no help at all," the blonde snapped. "Remind me to thank you for that." Carl was still hurt by the man he thought was his friend.
Van Helsing wanted to tell his friend he was sorry, hadn't meant to hurt the man's feelings. He only wanted to keep Carl safe. The blonde remained silent as well, though his stomach did feel much better.
After another week on the water the duo finally reached land. Carl never thought he'd be happier than the moment he saw land on the horizon. As they departed the boat, because his legs had become use to the sea, Carl wobbled a little as they hit land. Gabriel, seeing this, was at his side helping to regain his footing. The friar looked up at him sighing. "Such a beautiful sight. I hope we aren't to be back anytime soon." He did not relish the thought of another trip by water. Van Helsing's only response was a slight chuckle as he eyed a figure making its way towards them.
"I see you have made it," the woman stated, stopping before both men. Her straight jet black hair was long, hanging to her waist. Her eyes almost as dark, her pupils nearly indistinguishable from the iris. Her skin was a flawless porcelain white, a striking contrast to her hair. The attention she received from bystanders was as much do to her physical appearance as to the fact she wore what was considered men's clothing, wearing slacks and a shirt as opposed to what was considered appropriate female attire. The woman stood regally, head held high and gaze meeting theirs directly.
"Do we know her?" Carl looked to Van Helsing.
"And you are?" Gabriel didn't move a muscle, watching her closely.
"I am Shamira. I was sent to meet you." If they found it odd she did not give a last name, the two men made no mention of it. If hey had asked her, however, she had none to give them.
"Do we trust her?" Carl looked nervously from Shamira to Van Helsing.
"Do we have a choice?" Gabriel shrugged, never taking his eyes of the woman in front of him.
"I suppose not." Carl eyed Shamira again, not happy about it. Something about the dark haired woman struck him as predatory.
"No you do not, little man." Shamira turned her attention to Carl, slight annoyance playing over her features.
Carl reacted by moving slightly closer to Van Helsing "Must you attract trouble?"
"I doubt she would hurt you." Gabriel chuckled as he nodded that he did indeed seem to attract trouble.
Carl watched Shamira as she stepped closer to him, the female eyed him a moment, subtly sniffing at him. To his credit, Carl did not inch back farther, standing his ground. He did not want to look cowardly.
"You are an odd man. First you insult me then hide behind your friend." Though Shamira did find him odd, something about his scent intrigued her as well. It was vastly more appealing then his companion's.
"Leave him alone, he's just not use to people." The dark haired man felt it necessary to defend his friend, trying to make up for the way he had acted back in Rome.
"I insulted her?" Carl looked at Van Helsing, wondering why he chose now to act as a friend.
"You're the one that didn't trust her and was vocal about it." His voice was not accusatory. Gabriel was just stating a fact.
"I didn't say I didn't trust her. I asked if we should."
Slightly confused about how Carl's scent was affecting her, Shamira stepped back and decided to change the subject. "We have another long journey."
Carl groaned at the thought of another trip. He wanted nothing more than to lie down in a soft bed and rest before starting this new assignment. Van Helsing didn't move for a completely different reason. He had questions and the woman before them was going to answer them. "I want answers first."
"I have none to give. You will have to speak with my…With Primitiva." Luckily Shamira had caught herself before she revealed too much.
Carl looked at the Shamira intently, he knew when someone was not telling the whole truth and this woman wasn't. "With your?"
"My…friend." It took the dark haired woman a moment to think of an appropriate title for Primitiva.
Though not totally satisfied by her answer, Carl nodded as she motioned them towards the train station. "First a train, then a carriage ride to the desired destination." Gabriel had the distinct impression that their guide was not happy about being here, but remained silent about it.
"At least it's not a boat." Carl made conversation as they settled themselves into their seats.
"Do you always whine so?" Shamira studied him openly.
"I am not whining." He was becoming touchy about the subject, wondering if he really did come off that way.
Turning her attention back to Van Helsing, Shamira tried to ignore the blonde. "I can tell you what I do know."
"Which is?" She had his full attention.
"There have been several attacks in the area we are going to, several have been changed."
"Changed?" Carl asked before Gabriel could speak up.
Turning her attention back to Carl, she answered, "Into Werewolves."
"I hope I packed enough silver stakes and bullets." Carl mentally went over what they had brought with them.
"You didn't know why you're here?" Shamira raised an eyebrow at both men.
"We were told we'd get more information when we arrived." Gabriel shrugged, use to such things.
"Very well." Shamira nodded becoming silent again. After a few minutes of quiet, Carl began to fall asleep, his head resting on his companion's shoulder. Van Helsing had not the heart to wake him.