Night had fallen over Epping Forest nearly an hour ago. Reginald, Josiah's right-hand man, was making his way through the underbrush, holding a blazing torch overhead for light. Accompanying him was Daniel, a nervous-looking new recruit to the carnival.
"You don't really think that… that wolf creature is still out here, do you?" Daniel stammered, eyes darting around uneasily. "I mean, Benjamin and Ezekiel saw him early this morning, a few hours before dawn. It must have moved on by now."
"You're forgetting that the creature was incapacitated by one of our darts," Reginald snapped. "And that's the only reason those two idiots are still alive. You saw what Josiah did to that bunch who let all those creatures escape during the branding ceremony." Daniel instantly trembled as the horrible memory came back to him, of how Josiah had made all of the carnival workers be present when the men in question were forced to walk into the cage that held the carnival's manticore. He wouldn't soon forget the sounds of their pleas for mercy, or their screams of fear as they were pushed into the monster's enclosure.
At that moment, the sudden sound of something big moving around made the two men stop in their tracks. They barely had time to think before a large russet wolf staggered into view, dragging its hind legs along the ground.
"That must be the beast!" Reginald exclaimed, staring at the inebriated wolf in shocked amazement.
"It's… it's bigger than I thought," Daniel whimpered, eyes wide with fear. Reginald spared a withering glare at Daniel when he started to back away in terror.
"Keep it together, idiot!" he barked, unfastening a spiked catchpole from his belt and striding towards the wolf. As Reginald approached, the wolf growled and snapped its jaws at him. In response, Reginald swung the catchpole downward like a club, striking the wolf across the snout, forcing a sudden yelp to slip from its mouth. Without any further hesitation, Reginald forced the catchpole around the wolf's neck, barking out at Daniel to come and assist.
As Reginald and Daniel occupied themselves with restraining the wolf before leading it away, they remained ignorant of the fact that they were being watched from overhead. Once the carnival workers were completely out of sight, Edward, Carlisle and Vermundr dropped down from their previous hiding spot in the forest canopy. As quietly as possible, they turned and ran back to the estate at vampire speed, where Abraham, Alice, Bella, Cassie, Renesmee and Jacob were all waiting out front to hear how the plan was progressing.
"Well, the infiltration phrase went over as well as we'd hoped," Edward announced. "The carnival workers didn't even doubt that the 'wolf' they just picked up was the same one they saw last night."
"I have to admit I'm impressed with Nightmare," Jacob commented. "I know Vermundr said she could make herself look like any animal in existence, but I didn't think she could make herself look completely identical to me as a wolf."
"Neither did we," Abraham commented. "I'm surprised Nightmare actually revealed that extent of her power to Renesmee. She's been on good terms with us for years, and she never let us know she was that good."
"It's not that surprising when you think about it," Cassie pointed out. "After all, they've both half-breeds, aren't they? Nightmare probably felt a stronger kinship towards little Ness than she does for everyone else."
"Do you think she'll be all right, being stuck in the carnival like this?" Bella asked.
"I'm sure she wouldn't have agreed to the plan if she wasn't willing to go along with it, Bella," Vermundr reassured. "Besides, Nightmare knows what's at stake. The fate of her kind is in danger, too. Knowing that, she'll be ready to do her part. Only way we can really thank her is by doing ours."
"Then we best get started," Abraham agreed.
"The Tikbalaling," Jacob read out loud, nearly tripping over the unfamiliar word. "It says they're creatures that mainly live in secluded swamps in the Philippines. While centaurs have the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horse, the Tikbalaling has the lower body of humans and the head and forearms of a horse. They are notorious for leading lone travelers astray, but if their potential victims turn their clothing inside out, they may escape with their lives, for the Tikbalaling will see that as a threat display and will promptly retreat."
"Well, I don't remember seeing any creature like that in the carnival," Bella stated. "But some of the cages were angled in such a way that I couldn't see inside them, so I suppose there's always the possibility that they do have a Tikbalaling there."
Shortly after Edward, Carlisle and Vermundr had arrived back at the estate with the news that the disguised Nightmare had been picked up by the carnival workers, everyone had convened to the withdrawing chamber, where they immediately began pouring over the various mystical beast related writings, which Abraham and Vermundr had compiled throughout their exploits, trying to learn as much as they could about the creatures they would be freeing from the carnival and Josiah's plan in order to gain a firm understanding of what they would be dealing with in a few days' time.
"I hope I'm not disturbing anyone too much," Cassie began as she stepped into the room, carrying a serving tray that had been loaded with pasties, almond tarts, a jug of cider and two flagons of ale. "But I thought that, since there won't be a regular supper tonight on account of the current situation, I should at least make sure there's some form of sustenance on hand. I can't imagine it would be conductive to your research if anyone went hungry. I hope this will do. I wasn't sure what your feelings about ale were, Mr. Black, so I made some cider as well to grant you an alternative option."
"Thank you, Cassie," Abraham smiled, turning his eyes to Cassie's serving tray. "You know your cooking is always welcome." After a brief second, one of the flagons of ale and a pasty lifted off the tray and glided across the room, straight into Abraham's waiting hands.
"Always happy to help in any way I can," Cassie replied, carrying the tray over to Jacob so he could help himself. "So, might I ask what the plan will be if those poor creatures the carnival captured don't leave as soon as they're free from their cages? After all, Vermundr didn't when he gained his freedom. Regardless of what they've done, do those men really deserve to be set upon by every manner of aggressive creature there?"
"Of course we'll do everything we can to protect those men," Carlisle assured her.
"Yes, I know you'll try," Cassie agreed. "It's just that there will be so many of them. I can't help but worry that you might be in over your heads. Obviously, with the majority of you being immortal yourselves, you're well equipped for what's ahead. But… there's always the possibility that something unexpected will happen."
"Everything will be all right, Cassie," Abraham said. "Do not forget we also have my powers among our list of assets. If anything starts to get out of hand, I'm sure I can slow things down long enough for us to get things under control again." In response to Abraham's words, Cassie smiled kindly, but her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Wait," Alice spoke up, glancing around the room. "Where's Vermundr?" It was only then that everyone noticed that he was not present.
"You don't think he went off to try and get his sister out after all, do you?" Jacob asked urgently, sitting up straight.
"No, of course not," Abraham replied with conviction. "You saw the look on his face just as well as I did. He's in complete support of the plan, so he's not about to do anything that would jeopardize it."
"Then where did he go?" Bella wondered.
"Knowing Vermundr, he probably slipped away to his forge out back to do some routine maintenance on his sword." Abraham commented with a casual shrug. "For as long as I've known him, he's always been action-oriented. When you take into consideration that it's not just the very future of all immortal beings on the line, but the safety of his long-lost sister as well, it's probably a soothing balm on his peace of mind for him to feel like he's actually accomplishing something tangible."
As Abraham returned to scrutinizing over the book in front of him, a contemplative look passed over Carlisle's face. Almost cautiously, he glanced over to archway leading out into the hall. Upon hearing the direction of Carlisle's thoughts, Edward, who had been sitting on the nearby sofa next to Bella and a currently-sleeping Renesmee, reached over to place a hand on his father's shoulder, drawing his attention. Once Carlisle turned to look back at him, Edward gave a subtle nod, non-vocally displaying his agreement with what Carlisle was considering. Needing no further convincing, Carlisle quietly stepped out of the room, making his way outside. The moment he set foot on the grassy lawn, he heard the unmistakable sounds of a crackling fire, and he followed the sounds to the doorless shed that stood behind the estate. Once he reached the small building and stepped inside, he very nearly staggered back from the unexpected wave of intense heat. There was no doubt in Carlisle's mind that if a human entered the forge, they would pass out almost instantly.
"Carlisle! Is something wrong?" Vermundr, who had been crouched down next to what looked like a clay fire pit, had looked up upon catching Carlisle's scent. It was clear from the look on his face that the visit was completely unexpected.
"I'm sorry for interrupting you," Carlisle explained. "But when Abraham mentioned that you were out here, I was curious. This is where you forged your sword blade, wasn't it? Using vampire teeth as your source material?" After a brief pause in which Vermundr seemed to be studying Carlisle's face, he smiled in quiet understanding.
"This is connected to your tendency of always being eager for new information about our kind, isn't it?" he asked knowingly. "If that's the case, then you're in luck. I was just about to begin a practical demonstration."
"You're making another weapon?" Carlisle asked, stepping over to Vermundr's side.
"Yes, I am." Vermundr replied, pursing his lips in thought. "After we've dealt with the Carnival of Darkness, and my sister is free…"
"Go on," Carlisle urged, noticing that Vermundr seemed to be struggling in his explanation.
"Well… I suspect it would be difficult for you to relate. Obviously, I can't really be sure, but from what I've seen about the future you and your family have come from, the civilization you originated from, the one that currently exists in this era, remains intact. The cultural norms and vocabulary may be slightly different due to the passage of time, but the foundation remains. Three hundred years later, people will still utilize the same alphabet and maintain the same fundamental laws and social structure. But… for Bryn and me, the world we came from has all but been forgotten. Even our native language has fallen into obscurity. If I called you vinr right now, what man alive could tell you what I was saying? We both know, Carlisle, that the older a vampire is, the harder it is for them to remember their lives as a human. Most would not dwell much about the matter, but when you originated from a culture that has long-since died out, what guarantee do you have that the world will remember it? Will a day come when my people will be completely forgotten? If they are forgotten, then my people, my kinsmen, will have lived and died in vain. But when I'm here in my forge, utilizing the skills I mastered during my human life, or when I'm wielding my sword against some manner of creature that threatens a human town, remembering my origins become that much easier. And I need to remember my origins. If I don't, then who else will stand able to remember that my people once lived?
"I realize I have no way of knowing yet what sort of life Bryn has led since then, but... if she shares my feelings about our human kinsmen, she may wish for her own way to remember them. That's exactly what I'm planning to make for her now, by recreating her old axe, the one that was lost that night."
"Well then…" Carlisle, who had listened quietly to Vermundr's words, crouched down next to him. "Is there some way I can be of assistance?"
"You wish to help me fashion Bryn's new axe? I was under the impression you opposed the violence involved."
"Regardless, I believe I understand your reasons for doing so," Carlisle explained. "From what I've just heard, you forging conventional weapons in this way is how you remind yourself of your humanity. You're right; I might not be able to relate, but that does not mean I don't understand your feelings on the matter." Vermundr didn't reply right away, but the look on his face was evidence enough of his gratitude.
"Very well then," he began after a few moments, gesturing to the fire pit in front of them. "Now, this right here is the furnace. And you can see the cylinder container positioned in the center. That's where the vampire teeth are melted down. The cylinder lining must be coated with dragon scales beforehand. Otherwise, the teeth would simply disintegrate instead of melt. It's also important to make sure the fire remains hot, and that is what these are for." This time, Vermundr directed Carlisle's attention to what looked like a giant fireplace bellows that had been attached to the furnace. "I trust you are familiar with the concept of the bellows. Care to give it a try?"
"Those flames do seem warmer than is usual," Carlisle noted as he began to pump away at the bellows.
"Well, most forges deal with copper and steel, don't they?" Vermundr pointed out with a chuckle. "We're dealing with a much stronger substance, so these flames need to be a much higher temperature. Which is why I usually coat the coals with my venom. That always seems to do the trick."
The two vampires continued to converse as they worked together to create the new weapon well into the night.
Miles away, Nightmare was still in her guise of the giant russet wolf, curled up within the cage the carnival workers had forced her into. If anyone walked past the cage, they would have believed her to be sound asleep, but she was actually wide awake, keeping watch through her partially closed eyes. She was waiting for the last carnival worker to leave the nearby cooking fire and make their way to the tents that had been set up around the perimeter. It wasn't until a little past midnight that every last carnival worker retired for the night. From the perspective of a mortal, the wait would have been agonizingly long, but like all faerie folk, pucas, even half-pucas, were eternal and time meant very little.
As the sound of the last carnival worker's snores filled the air, Nightmare's eyes snapped open and she got to her feet. With a blink-and-you'd-miss-it speed, she shifted her form from the russet wolf to a jet black rat. The moment her transformation was complete, she darted to the front of the cage and scaled the bars, crawling out to reach the top of her cage. With her beady rat eyes, she quickly spotted the elaborate symbol that had been etched into the top of the cage, just as Vermundr had described it. Hesitating for only a moment, Nightmare quickly went to work, gnawing into the seal, being very careful to make as little noise as possible. While she knew that the sleeping humans nearby would never hear the sound of a rat gnawing through wood, the captive immortals surely would, and it was imperative that none of them gained any inkling of the fact that the magical seals that kept them confined were being broken. At least, not yet. If any of the imprisoned beasts broke free from their cages too soon, then Renesmee's plan would fail before it could start.