The road to Fort Sunguard was uneventful. They met no-one, they saw no-one and it seemed as if no-one saw them. They walked a day and a half straight. They didn't even stop for a rest. It was important to get there as soon as humanly possible. At last, as the sun began to set, Fort Sunguard materialised into view. The weak sunset reflected on the imposing black turrets and towers. Pricks of light could be seen from the tiny windows.
They approached the fort silently and stopped in the undergrowth in the bushes opposite the building. They huddled together in the confined space.
"My Lord," whispered Lilith. "I request to go first."
"We all go together," said Stefan.
"My Lord," cut in Lilith. "It would be easier for me to go first. I can take out the guards giving you a clear path to rescue Lucinda."
She drew her silver dagger. It shone in the sunset. Serana looked at Stefan.
"It would certainly be more beneficial then going in there swords raised," she said convincingly. "We can get her before they even know we are coming."
Stefan scratched his chin for a moment. His plan was to slaughter all of them at once. But as he thought about it that could be more of a hindrance then a help.
"Very well," he said. "We shall stay here until you return Lilith."
"Father," said Valeria. "I would like to assist Lilith."
Serana looked over to her.
"Whatever for?" she asked.
"Lilith might need an archer," said Valeria. "You know, they will never see an archer coming."
Stefan chuckled and shook his head. His daughter has learned well from him.
"As you wish," he said in amusement. "Lilith, my daughter is your responsibility. Take care of her."
"Valeria is in safe hands my Lord," she replied. "Like she was my own daughter."
Stefan nodded at Lilith. He then gestured his daughter to follow Lilith. Valeria hugged her father and her mother before following Lilith.
"We'll send up candle light when it's safe," called Lilith quietly.
They crept silently across the deserted road and hugged the death dropping slopes that the castle sat on. Lilith looked behind her and gestured for Valeria to follow her. They crouched and sneaked up the steep hill leading to the castle. They reached the summit and could see the castle in front of them. The silhouettes of the sentries could be seen pacing along their pre-chosen routes. Lilith beckoned Valeria to wait. Valeria crouched next to Lilith as she studied the movements of the two sentries.
"Can you take them both out?" asked Lilith.
Valeria's red eyes narrowed as she studied their movements.
"I'm not sure," she said.
Lilith smiled reassuringly at her.
"You have the one on the left," she said. "I'll take the one on the right."
Valeria nodded.
"Wait for me," said Lilith. "We take them together."
Valeria nodded. Lilith crept to the one on the right. Valeria loaded a silver arrow into her bow. She took aim at the left sentry and waited. One eye on the sentry, the other on Lilith. Lilith crept towards the sentry. She moved silently. Her black armour hid her from view. She crept quietly. Closer and closer she became.
The sentry stopped. She crouched. His back was facing her. She drew her dagger. She crept closer. She leapt up. She wrapped her arms around his neck. She plunged her dagger into her body, piercing his chest and destroying his heart. Valeria, with her Vampire sight abilities, saw Lilith drop the sentry. She fired her silver arrow. The arrow cleaved through the air and pierced the sentry's neck. The sentry fell in one, unaware of who shot him.
Valeria crept towards Lilith as her sentry fell. Lilith stood waiting for her.
"Good shot," she said as Valeria approached. She smiled in gratitude as they continued towards the castle. Stefan had given Lilith an account of how many sentry's he saw and how many he killed. They knew there was one on the grounds and one on each tower. Lilith grabbed Valeria and threw her against a wall. She joined her seconds later just as the other sentry ambled past them, missing them by millimetres.
"Wait here," whispered Lilith. She placed her dagger between her teeth and crept behind. She sprang up and slit his throat. The sentry choked on his own blood and fell to the ground, bleeding to death. Lilith dragged his body behind the tower and rejoined Valeria.
"Do you think you can take out those guards?" asked Lilith.
Valeria looked around. They were all within range of her bow and arrow. She nodded.
"Good girl," said Lilith. "Once they are down, signal to your parents to come up."
Valeria nodded in understanding. She pulled out a silver arrow from her quiver and loaded it into her bow.
"Take your time," said Lilith. "Don't miss."
Valeria took aim at the furthest one. She drew back her bow and took aim carefully. She fired. The arrow sliced through the air and hit the guard square in the back. In one movement he keeled over, dead. She loaded another arrow. She took aim at the second farthest. She released her arrow. The arrow slammed into the guards neck. He fell off the tower and landed with a thump on the ground.
"What was that?" asked the closest one drawing his sword.
Valeria looked at Lilith.
"I'll take this one," she said. She cast the invisibility spell and sprinted up the stairs to the tower. Valeria loaded another arrow. She took aim. She fired. The arrow slammed into the guards neck. He fell to the floor, bleeding out. Valeria lowered her bow. A body landed inches from her. She looked down. It was a guard. He was dead. Lilith reappeared next to her.
"That was close," whispered Valeria.
"Don't worry," said Lilith. "I got you covered."
She gestured to the overlook.
"Send the signal," requested Lilith. "I'll keep watch."
"What's the signal?" asked Valeria.
"Candle light," said Lilith.
Valeria crept to the overlook. She threw her hand up in the air and a ball of light issued from it. Serana and Stefan, who were waiting quietly in the bush below looked up to see the light.
"Let's go," said Serana tugging Stefan's arm.
He looked up to see the candle light and allowed Serana to lead him out of the bushes and up the hill.