"From what I've gathered Spaulding is going to be fine." Eric said as he entered the cabin door. Kyrie had been sitting on the bed through out the day. Her nose was bleeding as were her ears. Her head pounded and she felt as if she were going to pass out. The news brought some relief to her. "Apparently this isn't the first time that he has had a case of madness brought on by a long voyage, not to that extent but he has been known to exhibit odd behaviors."
"It must be from drinking from our kind. I never would have even dreamed that it would have that type of effect on humans." Kyrie said softly to herself. Eric sat next to her on the bed wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "Eric, our blood is sacred. There is something special about it for some strange reason. Promise me that if a human ever asks you for your blood you will not feed them."
"I promise." He replied laying her down on the bed. "For now mama, you must rest. Kyrie you are exhausted from worry."
"I am but you know how difficult it is to sleep come nightfall." She stated. Her progeny gave a nod laying down beside her as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Later on I will bring you something to eat. You are still weak from being in ground for so long. What posessed you to entomb yourself like that?" He asked curiously. Kyrie felt herself stiffen slightly before relaxing again.
"I lost my purpose." She said.
"So you say, what was that purpose that caused you to make such a rash decision?" Eric questioned. Kyrie let out a soft sigh knowing well that she wouldn't be able to get away with a short answer again.
"I found out what became of my clan, the one I was born to as a human." She stated. "I killed them Eric. I killed all of them. The first night that I was a vampire. Godric helped me out of the ground, explained to me who he was and I ran home despite the fact that he told me not to."
"I can't say I blame you for wanting to go home. You were frightened." He said. Kyrie shook her head once.
"No, not frightened, Terrified is more like it. I went back to my clan, our small village, and I was greeted by everyone trying to kill me. My younger sister was the one who alerted the household. She saw me outside the front door from the bedroom that I shared with the girls. My father opened the door and tried to strike me down with his sword, it was iron and I was burned across my arm." She continued. "My mother shot me with an arrow. I cried, screamed, and begged to understand what was going on. Then I killed them, I attacked them all. I drank from them and ripped them apart."
Eric was silent for a while holding her close to him. She heard him swallow hard a few times and rubbed his hands soothingly down her back before bringing them back up again.
"Kyrie, there is something that I never told you or Godric. It is about my human life, my family before I was turned into a vampire." He stated. "I never said anything before because I thought it wouldn't matter to you."
Kyrie readjusted herself so she could meet Erics eyes with her own.
"A vic, of course it matters to me. I care for you greatly. What is it? Tell me what happened?" She said encouraging him to continue. Eric stared at her for a moment before giving a nod.
"My father was a king. He tried to convince me to take over the crown from him but all I was interested in was boning the servant girls and picking fights where I went." He began. "Right up until he was killed my father attempted to convince me to take his place as king. He was growing older and knew he didn't have many battles left in him. I shouted at him to put it off and left. I heard shouts, my mother screaming...I ran to them in the main hall but both my mother and small sister were already dead. They were killed my wild wolves."
"Wolves?" Kyrie asked uncertain she had heard him correctly.
"Yes, they were being commanded by someone else. A figure in a black cloak. I couldn't make him out in the darkness. One of the wolves brought him my fathers crown and he left. I never found a trace of them at all. Even all these years later there has been no trace or path to follow." Eric said.
"Why would a person want your fathers crown and not take his throne?" She asked.
"I have asked myself that question many times over the centuries and I haven't any answers, only more questions come to mind." He replied. "When you told me that I had eternity I knew that I had been given a gift that could never be accomplished in a humans lifetime. I will find the figure that killed my family or others that may be responsible."
"What makes you so certain that this figure or creature is still alive?" She wondered.
"Those wolves were being controlled Kyrie. The way they rallied around the figure, it was more than just a coincidence." Eric replied. "A creature such as that is not human."
"Magic is possible or sorcery." Kyrie stated. Eric grinned at her as if she were an ignorant child. She suddenly felt like a fool under his gaze as if he knew something that she didn't. "What is that that look for?"
"There is no such thing as sorcery or magic Kyrie. There is science, that is what they call magic now. Science explains what we could never have understood before. It is logic and mathematics." He said slowly as if he believed her to truly be dim witted.
"I may not know what, mathe...mati...cs are but I do have logic. Do not speak to me in such a way. I may not fully understand this world that I've come out of ground to find but I am not an idiot." She reprimanded. Eric gave a nod.
"Yes mama, I am sorry." He mused. She knew he was only humoring her but decided to let it go for the moment. She knew that while Eric had been under her supervision as a baby vampire that every instance she simply had let him talk back to her or do as he pleased didn't help her situation now any.
She didn't mind having someone by her side again, especially her son. Kyrie understood perfectly well that she needed a companion who was up to speed with the progress of the world around them however she still didn't enjoy feeling inferior to her progeny.
The ship docked during the day meaning that Eric and Kyrie were transported off of the ship in coffins. Kyries eyes fluttered open and a deep panic took over her. She was still in ground. Had it all been a dream or worse a delusion? Was she so far gone that she her hallucinations had become vivid enough to feel real? Maybe she was dying the true death.
Her body remained stiff and rigid as she inhaled deeply receiving the heavy scent of well oiled pine instead of the earth. She exhaled forcefully in relief. It was just a coffin. Eric had explained to her that they would be moved out in coffins when the ship docked in port. The lid creaked open on its hinges and Kyrie was greeted by none other than her progeny.
He extended a hand down to her helping her first to sit up then to stand. Her legs felt weak as the ground under her feet moved as if she were still on the water. Eric assisted her as he wrapped a cloak around her shoulders and straightened out the hood.
"There." He said grabbing their satchels slinging them over his back and strapping them into place. "We will meet at the Revere House with the american league that controls the vampire authority."
"Where are we now?" Kyrie asked curiously glancing around at the wooden structure they were in currently.
"This is a warehouse at the docks." Eric said simply.
"Have you been here before then?" She asked
"Yes. I had to come out fifty years ago in order to do some purveying for the league that is in charge in this area now. In a sense the vampires that we are meeting with are my underlings." He said. Kyrie gave a nod of understanding as Eric offered his arm to her. She took it gratefully as he unlatched the entry door and they stepped out into the night.
Immediately Kyrie was met by scents she had never encountered before. It was nearly overwhelming. The land smelled as if it had been recently cultivated countless times over to suit the peoples needs as they arrived and left bringing in new people. She could feel that this land she was in was constantly in flux.
Since it's inception it had never stayed the same for very long. These were a people of progress. Unlike the old world where everything had settled in for centuries this one was constantly on the verge of a break through in what ever manner it may be.
"What is the name of this city a vic?" She asked curiously.
"This is Boston, in the commonwealth of Massachusetts." He said. "That is what this particular territory is called. There are many towns with in the commonwealth. The other areas outside of this one are known as States."
"And in what state are we heading?" Kyrie asked as they paused to allow a horse and cart to pass down the cobbled road.
"We are going to be heading west to San Francisco, California. We are currently on the east coast and California is on the west coast." He replied.
"That will certainly be a long walk. I certainly hope there is enough places to sleep during the day." She stated concern clear in her voice.
"Mama, we are not walking. Don't worry so much and leave the travel plans to me." He said with that hint of amusement in his voice again. Kyrie glanced up at him but said nothing. "Here we are, Bowdoin Square. There it is the Revere House."
The building was large and made up of brick. Elegant lamps were lit to line the walkway leading up to the front door. With out a hitch in his step Eric made his way through the doors as if he had done it a thousand times over. Kyrie on the other hand was hesitant.
She had been in a few churches that were structures to be reckoned with but this was different. Those cathedrals always seemed stuffy and ominous, this place held a lightness to it. It was a place that people went to to have a good time from what she could tell. Still she would rather be in a drafty old church with its impressive structures and stained glass, this place was to new.
"This way Kyrie." Eric said as they walked past a large counter that had men dressed in the same cloth behind it. They nodded in their direction acknowledging them as Eric led Kyrie to a set of stairs. Kyrie hitched up her skirts as they climbed up reaching the top floor.
They headed down a large hallway to the end. Eric produced a small key unlocking the door. They walked in to find a large fireplace that had already been lit. Kyrie stared in amazement her feet becoming planted to the spot that she had stopped in. She blinked a few times unbelieving the elegance that surrounded her.
The room they walked into was heavily furnished with sofas and end tables. Kyrie slowly walked over to one of the couches running her hand over the smooth wood that adorned the top of it decoratively to the smooth red velvet that lined the cushions. Silk curtains covered the windows while the windows themselves were blacked out.
"If you think this room is impressive you should see the sleeping chamber." Eric stated sitting down at a desk and removing some papers from his satchel. Kyrie slowly made her way to the bedroom and gasping audibly at the sheer size of the bed. It sat up on a platform needing several small stairs to reach it.
It was made of metal that had been given a golden hue tint. Large drapes covered it in a canopy to flutter down its sides elegantly. The covers on it were a royal purple that was embossed with gold lining. Matching pillows sat invitingly on the bed. Kyries eyes fell to the large dresser and mirror that sat with it. Slowly she made her way over to it and froze. Her eyes grew wide as she took in her reflection.
It had been a long time since she had seen herself but never had it been so clear. A clicking sound was heard to her right and suddenly the room was illuminated beyond anything she had seen before. She closed her eyes tightly for a moment before slowly reopening them. She stared at the lights on the wall.
"It's called electricity. No more need for candles or torches. Lights are created with wires and switches now." Eric said as he crossed the room. He rummaged through a drawer before exiting the room again. Kyrie only shook her head.
"And he says there is no such thing as magic anymore." She stated to herself softly. Her hair hung down in greasy strands framing her face. She appeared gaunt and pale. The hollows under her eyes were purple and sunken. She looked ghastly. "Have I always looked like this? Or is it from my time in ground?"
The thought occurred to her to ask Eric but decided against it for the time being. She walked up the small stairs that led to the bed and sat on it sinking it. The sensation was startling at first. The beds on the ship that had been on were more comfortable then straw sacks but still were nothing compared to this one. Kyrie took off her cloak laying it down next to her and unlaced her boots. She removed the heaving stockings underneath and dropped them on the floor.
She wasn't accustomed to having foot wear on her feet. For centuries she had simply run the forests bare foot with Godric. At first it had bothered her when she would step on a sharp rock or stub her toe hard enough to cause a break but the pain never lasted for more than a second, she enjoyed the freedom of feeling the world underfoot.
The clothes she wore were stuffy as well. She unbuttoned her top and wiggled out of her skirt relenting to at least stay in the petticoat for the time being. She crawled around on the bed testing its plushness certain it would collapse under her at any given moment. Carefully she made her way to the pillows and laid down on them.
She sunk into its softness and giggled a bit as she climbed under the covers. They were heavy on top of her but soft all the same. Her hands went under the pillow she was laying on and bumped her fingers into a piece of paper. She brought it out to find an envelope. It was sealed with a red wax insignia on it and labeled for Eric.
She ripped open the back of it bringing out the folded piece of paper. As she sat up she unfolded it and began to read. Most of the words she had to sound out to herself the way that Lorena had taught her to do. She knew some of them off hand but most were lost on her as her mind refused to process them. It was written in English but some of the writing was hard to make out.
She caught the basic message of it; the writer hoped his journey had gone well, there was business to attend to regarding the vampire authority, he would travel to his destination soon and they would meet up shortly after wards. There was a name signed on the bottom.
"G...od...r...ic." Kyrie gasped clutching the letter tighter. "Godric. Godric? Godric wrote this?" Her voice came out shrill and near hysterical. She couldn't believe that what she held in her hand her maker had had not so long ago. She held it close to her for a moment before her eyes ran over the words again and again desperately trying to figure out what the rest of them said that she didn't understand.
Eric ran into the room concerned.
"What's wrong? Why were you shouting?" He asked stopping when he saw the paper in her hands. Kyrie was shaking with desperation as her eyes ran over the letter again and again. "Mama." Eric walked over sitting next to her on the bed.
Kyrie simply shook her head in disbelief. She had assumed that Eric had been in contact with Godric but had never expected to find written proof of it.
"I just, I can't believe it. Godric wrote this." She said softly. She placed the paper down on the bed and ran her fingertips over the words lovingly, as if she were reaching out to her maker and stroking his cheek. A ghost of a smile graced her lips as she brought her hands up to cover her face. "I am pathetic."
"No Kyrie. Never, don't ever say that." Eric said gently.
"Yes it is and you know it is!" Kyrie snapped. "I can't survive on my own, I relied on him far to much and now I don't know how to live on my own. I never learned. Godric tried for centuries to release me but I always talked him out of it, always found a way to force him to keep me by his side. That is why he finally snapped the way he did. He was right, I did it to myself."
Eric remained silent for a moment in debate. Words burned on his tongue to be released, to give the female that he cared for so deeply some sense of comfort. He wasn't sure however if it would help her in her current state or hurt her worse. In the end he chose to stay silent knowing that if what Godric had told him in confidence made its way back to Kyrie he would not be pleased.
Word would get out quickly to Godric that Kyrie had accompanied him to the states, of that he was certain. Godric on the other hand didn't have to know the circumstances under which he had found her. It would only add to his own depressive state. Despite what Kyrie believed, that Godric was fine with out her, she couldn't be more wrong.
"I suppose I should bathe. Is there a wash tub?" She asked. Eric smirked at her standing up. He held out his hand to her helping her stand.
"There is better than that mama." He said. "There is a bathtub with water that comes out of pipes already hot."
Kyrie raised a brow at him in question allowing herself to be led to the adjacent room.