I don't own Cirque du Freak, Remember to review. This will be the end of book 6.
Darren let out a sigh as Paris announced Kurda's sentence. "You can go back with your mother and sister if you would like." He looked up at his father who had just spoken.
"It's okay." Darren said quickly, "I want to go."
"You are sure?" Larten asked, face serious, "It will not be a pretty sight, no one would judge you for not attending."
"I have to see it through." Darren insisted, rising to his feet.
"Very well." Larten stood, wrapping an arm around Darren's shoulder.
The pair made their way to the Hall of Death with their enthusiastic fellows, who were still shouting verbal abuse towards Kurda despite the fact he was not present. Seba stood behind his old student. "It has been a long time since this hall was used for a matter such as this." He said sadly.
"Where are they?" Darren muttered, beginning to get anxious to tell Elena and Arra what happened.
"They are likely asking Kurda what he did with Gavner's body." Seba explained, "Among other things. Be patient Darren, they will be here shortly."
No sooner had the words left Seba's mouth did Mika and Arrow appear on the cliff face above the stakes. Two guards followed them, roughly dragging Kurda between them. The blonde's face was impassive as they brought him before the two princes. Arrow had a scowl plastered on his face, though that was unsurprising given his strict anti-vampaneze stance. Mika looked much more solemn. He raised a bowl filled with red paint-or was it blood-and dipped three fingers to paint three marks across Kurda's chest. They looked eerily like the three scars on his cheek. The mark of an ally or a victim to the vampaneze, the mark of a traitor to the vampires.
"Any last words Kurda Smahlt?" Mika asked grimly.
"Only this, I'm not sorry for what I did, I am only sorry that I failed."
"Very well Kurda." Mika said, Darren thought the prince sounded rather unhappy and briefly wondered how close the pair had been.
"Strap him in." Arrow grunted to the guards.
Kurda's arms were bound behind him and a blindfold was fixed over his eyes before he was placed in one of the cages. The guards secured a rope on a pulley and tightly tied it to the cage. They stepped away and presented the rope to the princes. Arrow and Mika shared a glance, and most likely some sort of mental conversation, before Mika took hold of the rope, knuckles white with his iron grip. Darren watched as the cage was raised from the ground. Despite his bravado and determination to see Kurda's trial and sentencing through to the end, he couldn't help but bury his face into his father's side as the cage dropped, suddenly thankful for his father's habit of wearing his ridiculous red cloak. He only wished that the cloak could quiet the sounds of Kurda's screams, the creak of the wooden pulley as the cage was raised and dropped, two times, three, four-the screaming ceased. His father's hand was tight on his shoulder as he pried him away. Looking up at his face, Darren was surprised to see tears in the orange-haired vampire's eyes. Hand still firmly on his shoulder, Larten led Darren out of the Hall of Death. Darren glanced back as the cage was raised a final time, the bloodied body of Kurda Smahlt still inside. Kurda the prince-to-be, Kurda the traitor, Kurda his friend.
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Elena was asleep when Darren and Larten returned to the chambers. "What happened?" Arra whispered as Larten knelt on the floor beside the coffin.
"He was put to death." Larten replied bluntly, "We just left the Hall of Death."
"You let him watch the execution?" Arra asked, indicating Darren. From the look on her face it was clear she didn't approve of his decision.
"He insisted." Larten defended, "And he had every right to. Without Darren we would be overrun by the vampaneze by now."
"I didn't actually watch." Darren said quietly, "And he offered to bring me back here first. Don't get mad at dad."
"How is Elena?" Larten asked, tactlessly changing the conversation topic.
"I changed her bandages an hour ago. The wound isn't healing as fast as it should be."
"She will be fine Arra." Larten said, brushing back a stray hair behind her ear. He smiled weakly, "Or else I will demand the Princes send Seamus to the stakes as well."
Darren took a seat next to Larten, folding his arms and resting them on the coffin. "When will the funerals be?"
"Three nights from now." Larten said. "The Guardians of the Blood have to prepare the bodies. It is our custom to leave the dead for three nights."
A knock on the wall of the cavern startled the three of them. Mika Ver Leth stood by the doorway. He cleared his throat and stared pointedly at Larten, "I team is about to be dispatched from the Hall of Princes to retrieve Gavner Purl's body. I thought you should know. Paris told them you might be joining them."
Larten rose to his feet, "Thank you Mika." He said, briefly gripping the Prince's shoulder before swiftly departing.
Mika strode over to the coffin, "I can't stay long," He said to Arra softly, not wanting to wake the sleeping vampiress, "We're still trying to figure out what to do about…" He trailed off with an apprehensive look in Darren's direction.
"What to do about me." Darren finished for him.
He grimaced apologetically, "Paris and Arrow are working on it." He turned back to Arra, "How is she?" He asked, nodding towards Elena.
"She'll be fine." Arra said determinedly, though she pulled Elena closer to her, whether consciously or not. She paused briefly, "Though I'm worried about infection setting in." She admitted.
"She's a fine fighter, she was beside me in the battle." Mika praised. He turned to leave, "I know you and Larten would have preferred she didn't get hurt, but she proved herself beyond any shred of doubt." With that note, Mika disappeared, leaving Arra alone with her children.
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Larten intercepted the group of vampires on their way from the Hall of Princes. He recognized Seba's assistant Thomas, as well as some of the guards. "Larten!" A large vampire named Regis called. He was dressed in the blue garb of a guard, "Sire Skyle told us you might be joining."
"Aye." Larten said, "I owe Gavner Purl that much at least."
The small group made their way to the cavern where Darren had first discovered the vampaneze, and where Kurda had killed Gavner Purl. "Split up," Regis ordered, "He said that he stashed Purl's body in a crack in one of these tunnels."
Nobody spoke while they searched. Most of the party was made up of younger vampires, men around Gavner's age who had been friends with the burly general. Thomas silently beckoned Larten over with a wave of his hand. "I think I've found him." He said quietly when the older man approached.
Larten's face turned whiter than his scar when he saw the crack Kurda had, no doubt unceremoniously, shoved Gavner's body into. Carefully the two vampires set about freeing Gavner's corpse from the rocks, his limbs stiff with rigor mortis. Larten suddenly recalled fishing bodies out of the tunnel in the Hall of Final Voyage. This work was somehow worse. He held back a sob as they finally retrieved the body and he was met with the face of his dead friend. His first son. Thomas made the death's touch sign beside him and Larten reached his fingers out to close Gavner's eyes before making it himself. Eyes burning bright, he ordered Thomas to return to the other vampires and tell them they had found the body. Left alone, he studied the face of the dead General, memories of Alicia and Sylva and Wester an Tanish Eul flooding back to him. "I promise that you will be the last of my children I see dead Gavner Purl." Larten muttered. Thomas returned and Gavner's body was taken away. There would only be one more stop before he embarked on his final voyage to Paradise.
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The day of the funerals Larten and Arra made their way to the cavern in silence. The going was slow since Elena refused to let either of her parents cart her around and her wound was still not closed. Arra had been loathe to let her out of her coffin, but a shouting match had ensued that could be heard all the way from the Hall of Princes and she resignedly allowed it. Seba waited for them outside the Hall of Cremation, leading a blindfolded Vanez.
"Hello Seba, Vanez." Darren said as their group approached.
"Hello Darren." Vanez responded, "I'm sorry I missed Kurda's trial, I was held up in the infirmary getting treatments." He held up a finger and pointed at his blindfold.
"How is the eye?" Larten asked.
"Completely ruined," Vanez said cheerfully, "I'm as blind as a bat."
"I thought you were getting treatments." Arra said surprised.
"Aye, so I don't get an infection, but there's no saving my vision."
"Will you leave the mountain?" Arra asked.
"Normally I would do what any blind vampire does and seek a noble death, but I feel that given we are on the brink of a war with the vampaneze that would be dishonourable." Vanez admitted,
"The Princes will find some use of you I am sure." Seba said smiling, "I have likewise decided to put my retirement on hold for the time being."
"Maybe your other senses will get stronger now." Darren chimed in positively.
Vanez laughed and clapped his hands together, "Wouldn't that be something! How's your sister?"
"I'm fine." Elena said weakly. Larten had an arm wrapped around her waist, holding her steady and she leaned on him heavily.
"I figured you'd still be in your coffin."
"She should be but she's too stubborn for that." Arra said bitterly.
"You say that like you're any different." Vanez commented wryly.
"I'd punch you if it wasn't an unfair advantage." Arra snarled at him.
The doors of the Hall swung open and they made their way to the front. The Hall was soon packed. "I thought you said that not many vampires bothered to attend the cremation ceremony." Darren said to his father confused.
"They do not. However, Gavner was quite popular and very respected." His father answered softly. He smiled, "He would have been thrilled that this many people came to see him off."
Paris Skyle soon came to the front. As the oldest vampire in the mountain, he would be the one leading the ceremony. Sire Arrow stood next to him. Gavner was carried into the hall by a team of guards. He was dressed in simple white robes.
"Be strong Larten." Seba said quietly to his student, "Gavner would not want you to shed tears for his sake."
Larten nodded, his expression betraying nothing. Though he did pull Elena slightly closer to him than before.
"His name was Gavner Purl." Paris said.
"Gavner Purl." The chorus of vampires repeated.
Arrow stepped forward with a lit torch and set Gavner's body ablaze. That was the end of it. Vampires were not beings of sentimentality. Later on, they would drink a toast to his name and swap fond memories over ale and wine. Arra put her hand on Larten's shoulder and led him away as everyone filed out to make room for the friends of the next dead vampire.
They had only just made it out of the room when Elena's face went stark white and she let out a gasp of pain. "What's the matter?" Arra asked.
"Nothing." She said, "I just think I might have pulled out a couple stitches." She feebly protested as Larten promptly lifted her into his arms.
"This is why you were not supposed to move." He sighed, "I will take you to the infirmary to get them fixed."
By the time they reached the infirmary Elena was shivering violently and had lost every trace of colour from her face. "Seamus!" Larten barked, seeing the old medic pass by.
"Larten! What-" He stopped when he noticed Elena in his arms, shaking and sweating. "Get her on a bed." He said sharply.
Larten gently set her down and Seamus quickly came to her side with a needle and thread. His face paled as he lifted up her shirt. "What is it?" Larten snapped.
"Infection, and a nasty one at that." Larten watched anxiously as the medic cleaned away the pus oozing from the wound with a strong smelling cloth. The medic undid his previous work and restitched the wound again after cutting away some of the infected skin. He pressed a cool cloth to her forehead. "I think we should keep her here until the danger of infection passes for sure."
"I will stay with her." Larten said quickly.
Seamus raised an eyebrow, "Isn't your boy's trial tomorrow?"
Larten paused, taken aback. "Yes, well-" He faltered.
Seamus put a hand on his shoulder, "Talk with Arra, tell her what's going on and figure it out together. Elena isn't moving anywhere."
Larten nodded mutely and ran to find Arra. He found her talking with Darren and Harkat in their son's room. "Where's Lena?" Darren asked.
Larten weakly put a hand on Arra's shoulder, "She ended up with an infection."
"What?" Darren gasped.
"Seamus cut it out but she still has a fever. He is going to keep her in the infirmary until she recovers fully. Can I talk to you in private for a moment Arra?"
She nodded and stood, following him outside. "Did Seamus say anything else?" Arra asked him.
"No, I came back to talk to you. I do not want to leave her, but Darren's trial is tomorrow evening. I will not allow him to be alone for that."
"I can stay with Elena today and I can go to Darren's trial." Arra said immediately.
"Arra I cannot let you-" He stopped as she put a finger to his lips.
"I want to. And you need time to process everything." She gripped his forearms tightly, "You haven't exactly had an easy return to the fold."
"As you wish." Larten said, pressing his forehead to hers. She backed away and quickly headed towards the infirmary. Larten made his way back to Darren's room.
"What's going on?" Darren asked as soon as he entered the room.
"Your mother is staying with your sister for the day. She will go with you to your trial tomorrow evening."
"Are you okay?" Darren asked.
"Do not worry about me Darren."
Though he had held back his tears all through the funeral and the infirmary, it was only when he thought Darren had finally fallen asleep and he was left alone in the cell that he finally wept. The weight of the trials, of Gavner's passing, of Kurda's betrayal, of Elena's injury, of Darren's up coming trial finally hitting home. Darren got up from his own hammock and climbed next to his father, giving him a tight hug. Larten embraced him tightly. The mountain filled with heartbroken sobs.
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Darren and Larten stopped by the infirmary so that Larten and Arra could trade children. Darren hadn't mentioned a word about his father's breakdown the day before, for which Larten was grateful. Arra was carefully placing a cloth across her daughter's forehead, carefully smoothing down her hair.
"Good Evening." Larten greeted.
She whipped around. "Evening."
He took a seat next to her, "How has she been?"
Arra couldn't quite meet his eye. "She hasn't woken up yet."
Larten reached out an took her hand, "She will." He promised. "You two should get going. You do not want to keep the Princes waiting."
Arra leaned forward and kissed him softly, and then she bent over to kiss Elena's cheek. "I'll be back soon." She whispered.
"Arra," Larten called her back.
"Yes?"
"Do not let them kill him."
She gave him a strange smile, "I won't. I swear it."
Darren ran forward and gave his father a hug and kissed his sister. He left the infirmary, sparing only a glace behind him as he made his way to the Hall of Princes to embrace his destiny.
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The Hall was completely packed as Arra and Darren made their way to the Princes. Harkat followed close behind, sitting next to Arra in the front row while Darren stood before the Princes alone.
"Darren Crepsley." Paris said, officially commencing the trial. "We are grateful for your help in locating and eradicating the threat of the vampaneze, you have done this clan a great service. However, you still have to answer for the failing of your trials and fleeing of your sentence." Darren nodded to acknowledge Paris' words, eyes downcast. "We," He gestured to the other Princes, "Could unfortunately think of no lawful way to absolve these crimes."
Arra leapt to her feet in anger standing behind her son, "You cannot be serious." She snarled. "After everything he has done you would still send him to the stakes."
"General Sails, if you would let Paris finish-" Arrow started.
"No!" She shouted. Quieter, "I promised Larten I would not let you kill him. Do not make me break that promise, not now."
"Arra if you would just-" Seba called.
"You agree with them Seba?" She said incredulously.
"I have been to all the meetings regarding this decision and I have to say that I do Arra."
"I won't stand for it." She snapped, "If anyone wants to lay a hand on my son they will have to go through me first."
"Me…too." Harkat had joined Arra in the center.
"Arra sit down, for the love of the gods, you are making a fool of yourself." Mika chastised.
"But-"
"Sit." Mika said more firmly with a glare. "Or stand if you prefer, just shut up and listen."
"We cannot change the laws for you Darren; However," He raised a hand as Arra's mouth opened to protest once more, "We can place you above them."
He stopped and Arra was silent, seemingly dumbstruck. "Paris," She said slowly, "You cannot mean-"
"I do."
"But the Generals-"
"Have all agreed." Arrow said, "You didn't, but we assumed your vote would also be yes. In any case the decision was unanimous."
"Unani-" Her voice fell silent.
"Excuse me!" Darren called, "Can someone explain to me what's going on?"
"They want to make you a Prince." Arra whispered in his ear.
"What? Me? No way!" He looked uncertainly between the Princes, sure this was a practical joke they were pulling.
"You can thank Arrow for the idea." Mika said.
He glanced back at the Generals who were all beaming at him. "You're serious?"
Mika sighed, "Well it seems you won't make a very bright Prince, but we are serious all the same." He glanced at Arra, "They've also voted to make Elena a Princess as well. Given she recovers."
Arra stared at Mika in utter disbelief. "There's never been a Vampire Princess." She said.
"Well," Paris said, "Perhaps it is time. After all, we all know the legend. But besides that, your children have both proven themselves to be capable and fiercely loyal to this clan."
"What do we do now?" Darren asked.
"Step forward." Paris said.
Darren climbed the steps up to the thrones. Mika and Arrow were both digging their nails into their fingertips, the same way his father had when he had blooded him. "We won't exchange too much blood, that way you can stay a half-vampire." Paris explained. Arrow held up his fingers and he pricked Darren's fingertips. Arrow and Mika each placed a hand on the Stone of Blood that sat behind their thrones. They extended their other hands to Darren and he took each of them. It was far more intense than it had been when Mr. Crepsley had first blooded him. From the pained expressions on Mika and Arrow's faces it was the same for them. When they separated, Darren almost fell over. Luckily, Paris was standing behind ready to catch him.
"How do you feel?" Arrow asked.
"Dizzy." Darren said, "I probably need to lie down."
"That will have to wait." Paris said with a smile, "Your subjects are waiting, it would be rude to ignore them."
Darren made his way to the edge of the platform. The vampires below erupted into cheers. He could see Seba and Vanez among the crowd. Harkat was whooping alongside them. His mother just below the platform, eyes shining with pride. The festivities were almost enough to rival the Festival of the Undead. Darren was overjoyed when it was deemed finally acceptable for him to go to bed.
Larten could hardly believe it when he was told the news. Elena's fever broke a few nights after Darren had been blooded. When she had fully recovered she too was blooded by Mika and Arrow and the festivities broke out in full fervour for a second time.
For the first time since arriving at Vampire Mountain Larten and Arra could stop worrying about what would happen to their children. Despite the looming war with the vampaneze, they could be at peace, just for a little while.