Marina held tight to Bello as they crossed the old stone bridge. They were safe from Dracula now but not safe from the other odd creatures that ran a muck in the forest. They ran through the woods quietly and quickly hoping that nothing would get in their way. They finally crossed over the last hill as the town came into sight. They ran in quickly. Her town was little and build in circle formation, everyone there was apart of the tribe, witches. She nearly jumped off Bello when they passed her brick house. She ran in the wooden door slamming it behind her. "Papa!" she called. A man with a white beard braided at the bottom cam in through the open doorway. His gray eyes looked sorrowful. His skin was almost whiter then his beard and long hair. He looked frail in the doorway, wearing a white billowing shirt and leather breeches with boots. He held onto his walking stick and looked at his daughter.
"A battle?" he asked, "You bring a battle with you?"
"Papa, I…."
"I feel Dracula's sorrow, have you killed a bride?"
"I…I didn't…" Marina looked away.
"Marina, I feel your anger and your fear for Velken, but you must not bring your hate here."
"Papa, I was cornered, Dracula was about to kill me, I had to fight back,"
"No Marina, You have powers, you could have ended it peacefully. Outraged, he will be harder to beat."
"I'm sorry Papa, I just couldn't…" she started then realized her error, "I'm sorry, I made a mistake." Her father nodded and held out his arms for his daughter who ran into them lovingly. "I'm scared for Velken…"
"Velken will be fine Marina," he stated blandly as he walked into the parlor room. Her younger brother, Davit sat on the floor. He had their father's blonde curly hair that hung shaggily off his head and the same gray eyes.
"Marina! You are home!" he shouted jumping up from his place by the fire. Amico, the white wolf sat up. Davit ran to Marina wrapping his small arms around her waste, he was only 7. He smiled his brilliant white smile and ran back to his spot by the fire, carefully writing with his quill. Amico walked lazily over to her.
"Amico, wake up silly one." Marina said kneeling down to pet the animal. She loved Amico dearly; he had belonged to their mother. Their mother who had fell victim to Dracula only five years ago.
"I must rest, listen for the warning. There is a gathering tonight here, but I feel it will be interrupted." Their father said as he walked up the stairs.
"Tell me of your adventure! Is Velkin alright? Is he afraid to die?"
"I ran into the vampires, Dracula himself. I almost died there if it had not been for our powers. Davit, they are useful but you must be wise. As for Velkin, he is brave as he must be, and no Davit he is not afraid to die." Davit nodded in complete understanding of what could happen to Velkin, and then went back to his writing.
"Mother visited last night, father says her spirit wandered the halls of this house. I wish she had stopped by my room to bid me hello." Davit said looking gloomy. He was only two when Dracula had killed their mother, he should have been dead too but their father managed to save him.
"That's interesting; she'll probably come again tonight for the gathering. There's going to be a battle Davit."
"A BATTLE? I MUST GO HAVE MY SWORD SHARPENED AT THE SMITTY!" Davit cried out in excitement.
"Oh no Davit! You must not fight, vampires, werewolves, you wouldn't survive. You must promise me that at the first tolling of the bell you will voyage down through the cellar and into the underground roads. You must make yourself un visible Davit, you must." She looked at him firmly, "Promise me Davit,"
"I promise Marina." He said his eyes growing large.
"I must go nap too, stay here by the fire and keep warm. Its getting colder." She smiled at her brother and he smiled back. They were both beautiful by any standards, and both in the middle of a much bigger fight.
