Author's Warning: Contains graphic fight scenes & Adult content- Be aware of what you read!!!

The Princess and the Sheriff

1. Do not think dishonestly.
2. The Way is in training.
3. Become acquainted with every art.
4. Know the Ways of all professions.
5. Distinguish between gain and loss in worldly matters.
6. Develop intuitive judgment and understanding for everything
7. Percieve those things which cannot be seen.
8. Pay attention even to trifles.
9. Do nothing which is of no use.
- Musashi Miyamoto, A Book Of Five Rings (Go Rin No Sho)

The warrior's intention should be simply to grasp his sword and to die.- Kiyomasa Kato (1562-1611)

A warrior must only take care that his spirit is never broken.
- Shissai

Chapter 14: Warrior

The next night…

Palace of Queen Sophie-Ann…

It was a dark night. No stars shone through the quilt-cover of clouds. What little moonlight there was failed to reach the ground below. The palace glowed in the heavy darkness; as though it were a holy beacon against the night. In-ground flood lights were placed around the area. A landscape designer had placed them; not a military hand. They had no defensive value- it was all for show. The palace was like a jewel; all shiny and pure. Too bad such great evil lived with in those walls.

Lennie was crouched near the edge of the grounds; atop the hill. Her body was covered in a special suit. Made from material to repel silver dust. She had yet to put the goggles on. The suit had pockets and loops all over it. Every available space was full.

The suit was one complete piece with only two openings: One at the midsection and the other around the eyes. The midsection opening was so wearer could climb in and pull it on. The suit was tight; molding to the flesh like a second layer of skin. It was like a wet suit with attached gloves.

The chest opening in the suit was sealed over by a compression fit vest. It took two people to secure it to the body. The black titanium -polycarbon vest adhered to the suit; acting as a chest-guard against a stake. The vest was pressure sealed, making it air-tight against the chest. No human could wear it; the pressure would crush their heart. But she wasn't human anymore. The pressure release valve for the chest-piece was inside her right boot. It might seem like an odd place to put it; but that kept the valve from being easily damaged.

The head cover was full facial coverage. Vampires didn't breathe, so there was no risk of suffocation. The only gap in the head-piece was at the eyes. The suit came with goggles, used to protect to the eyes if one used silver-grenades. The goggles would bond to the suit; forming an airtight seal.

Lennie flexed her toes inside the heavy, flat-soled black boots on her feet. They went all the way to her knees and were buckled tight against her legs. The boots were made of a special, silver-resistant material that was also UV-proof. Handy if one was using Sun Spots; which she might tonight.

Focusing back on the palace grounds; there were several things she noted. First:There were fewer guards here tonight; which wasn't a good sign, something had changed. Second: The powers that be had a cruel sense of humor. The total darkness around her was a blessing and a curse. She could use the full extent of her night-vision. It wasn't much of an advantage; but it was enough. However, the guards would have it too.

Lennie maintained her crouch. The loamy ground cushioned her feet. It would make planting the pressure charges easy. There was a soft breeze tonight, not enough to make the weeds around her move. The heavy clouds in the sky never moved in the weak breeze. Glancing upward she narrowed her eyes. With her nose covered by the mask, she couldn't smell anything. But she could see rain in those thick clouds. Her plan was not affected by weather; so she didn't care if it rained.

Looking back at the palace; she glanced at her cell phone. Before she could move forward, she needed one other piece in place. Her sources had yet to confirm one thing. She was waiting for the text message.

While she waited, she checked over her equipment one last time. The upper half of either arm had loops; she carried five pressure-bombs, totaling ten. They were slender cylinders that contained a highly sensitive pressure switch. They were activated by putting them under a surface. If the surface was disturbed-they exploded. These were designed to go off even if a vampire blurred over them. She would use these around the grounds; like landmines.

The pockets on her forearms held throwing knives. Four on each arm. Handy back-ups for a quick staking.

On either thigh of the suit; were pockets. Two pockets each on either side; she'd put the C-4 in there. The primer pins and timer devices were already pressed into the plastique. All it would take is a press of a button, on the primer pin, and ten seconds later-kaboom! She would use this to destroy the house or, if needed, blow a safe or perhaps she would blow up a few vampires.

The loops on the torso panel of her vest had been specially modified. They sat just under the vest; giving easy access to the contents. The fabric of the pockets shrouded the light until the bead was withdrawn. Each pocket held one Sun Spot- a personal favorite of hers. Each bead was brilliant neon blue in color, glowing with the power of the sun. Contained in the hardened- gel casing was a liquid that, when exposed to air, was the equivalent of a solar eruption. To activate the liquid, you had to crush the gel casing and then run- like a bat from brimstone-ville. It was incredibly fatal and awesome as hell to watch. Part of her hoped to heaven she wouldn't have to use them. They were hard to out run; even for vampires. That's part of the reason they were so fatal.

Across her back was her sword. It was in a special double-insulated sheath in the suit. Silver particles wouldn't each the sword; protecting her hands if she ever had to use it. There was also a special pouch at her lower pack for her to transport the laptop she was after.

The boots around her calves had a duel purpose. Aside from protecting her feet if she had to dive for cover against a solar explosion- they also held- what she called- White Christmas Bombs. Each boot could hold three of the palm-sized hard cased explosives. Each disc-shaped device was packed with silver-dust and a powerful charge. Used individually they were good at blowing off a door or through a wall. Used in sets of three or more; they filled a twenty foot area with heavy clouds of silver particles. Shrouding everything in grey dust. reminding her of a nuclear winter after an atomic bomb. Or, in a perverted way, a White Christmas.

The phone silently flashed at her. She looked at the screen; frowning. It wasn't the news she wanted. Queen Sophie-Ann wasn't home tonight; she'd been invited to a party in New Orleans. She'd been away until the following night. That would mean Lennie would have to come back another day and deal with the bitch-queen.

Turning the phone off; she put it in the pocket of her riding jacket. Rising from her perch she walked away from her bike. Time to go.

**

Silently, Lennie descended the sandy-mound; sliding down like a surfer would an ocean wave. In the distance she could hear the ocean surf, somewhere in the sky, thunder rumbled. She paused behind a thick cover of brush, thirty feet from the palace. Lowering the goggles over her eyes; she heard the quiet sucking-sound of an air-tight seal forming. Lennie let out a steadying breath. Once again, that black calm filled her core. She was utterly quiet, completely still. Her mind slid into that dark place and she feared nothing.

With careful, quiet, hands she withdrew the first pressure bomb. She plotted her course through the land. She would have to move incredibly fast to avoid being caught. Taking one last moment; she let go of every piece of humanity she had left. It wasn't much; but she felt completely void.

Pushing herself into a rush, she blurred herself to the first mark. Quickly she moved the loamy earth aside and planted the bomb. Covering it in a single motion; she blurred to the next one. She did this eight other times; each one getting closer and closer to the house.

Lennie had to pause a moment; focus herself. She was crouched just behind one of the huge columns in the front of the palace. Ten feet in front of her was a man-made lake covered with a floating boardwalk. If the guards looked right, they would see her. None of them did moved. The guards weren't as aware as she had given them credit. They weren't actively scanning the area or listening for anything. That could work to her advantage. Silently, she withdrew one of the explosive discs from her left boot. She ran her thumb over the black button in the centre. Once activated she would five seconds to find cover. One it went off; the contents would explode into the air, coating the entire area in thick silver dust.

Lennie aimed carefully, pressed the center-button, and released the first one. It skittered across the boardwalk in front of her. The guards looked over now. He cover was blown. She threw out three more devices; each boardwalk now carried a device. A disc was slammed against the door; held in the wooden surface. She blurred herself through the corridor as she threw them. Moving in front of the door; running to the right-hand side of the palace wall. The two guards in front of the door; were relieved of their heads. Blood sprayed like a geyser, the beautiful cream-colored marble turned red.

Lennie had mere seconds to throw herself around the far corner of the house. One second later…the ground was rocked as the devices detonated. She lifted her head, peering around the corner. The air filled with grey dust; like a fine nuclear winter. These were far more effective then smoke bombs.

Screams filled the night air; Lennie stood up. The dust fell across her, she waited to feel the burn of silver; it never came. The suit had done its job. Bodies lay at her feet as vampires screamed, thrashing about. She glanced down; the guards were burning alive. Their skin melting off their bones as they clawed at their eyes. One of them was tearing their hair out as he fell into the water. The lake bled dark colors.

Running into the house Lennie, she looked up a find silver-dust cloud had filled the entrance. She heard screams in the distance; figures ran blindly in the deadly dust. More guards were writhing on the polished marble floors. So much noise; so much chaos and it was only the beginning.

Lennie needed to go straight down the hall to the end. Before leaving tonight, she had memorized the layout. Her goal was the office on the second floor. She would cut left at the end of the hall; follow a staircase up to the second floor.

Blurring herself around the corner; she stopped. The room before her was huge. Ceilings soared above her like a cathedral. Four massive crystal chandeliers poured gold light into the room. The gold-them was continued in the color of marble used to construct this room. The floor was a pattern of bright gold and deep amber shades; rivulets of real gold were inlaid between each square. Lennie couldn't help the grin across her face. This was her kind of home! She may hate Sophie-Ann but the two of them did share the same taste in home decor.

Lennie saw the staircases she needed mid-way across the floor. But calling this a staircase was like calling Everest a hill. The staircase was a piece of pure art. The huge, wide steps were made from dark gold marble. The same stone, in softer varying shades of gold, was used in the banister and pillars. The walls of the room were all done in grey-white marble. Accenting the rich hues of the floor and staircase. There were windows high above her; she saw lightening whip out from the clouds. Thunder rumbled; shaking the crystal chandeliers above her. They light flickered a few times before cutting out. The room was thrown into near total darkness. Only the flash of lightening outside illuminated the space.

Godric, Lennie smiled to her self, Thank you for the diversion.

His presence drifted briefly through her mind. Your welcome, Lovisa.

Lennie crossed the floor; heading up the stairs. Above her she saw several hallways. A dozen guards in all, came rushing toward the stairs. There was no cover here; she couldn't use the Sun Spots. Lennie drew her sword as she climbed. Three guards met her on the stairs; six pieces of dead vampire fell behind her. There were five more guards waiting at the top of the stairs.

Lennie paused, two steps down from them. She held her sword at the ready. The first one attacked, blurring at her. She had a moment to realize he was armed- a quarter-staff with a two foot silver blade on either end.

Lennie ducked the first strike, kneeling on the ground. She kicked out and back with her right leg. The guard flew back into a gathering of bodies. The next one attacked, she drove her sword out and upward; slicing through his jaw. He jerked in surprise, his eyes widened. She made a quick motion, pulling her sword back. As his body fell; she used one of the smaller blades and staked his heart. He fell to the ground, exploding. Blood and body bits flew everywhere. The once beautiful marble surfaces were now marred with gore. Her suit glittered with too much wet.

Another guard came from the left side; she leapt straight up in the air. He looked up, following her. As she landed she drove her sword down through his eye. She felt his brain give way under the sharp blade. She landed with one knee on the ground; jerking her sword loose. She drove her sword down again; staking him. He exploded; she was again covered with the mess. Lennie ducked on instinct; pressing her chest to her knees; head down. Metal whistled above her head.

She had to get off this step. Looking over her shoulder she kicked back; the guard staggered. The space he gave her was enough. Pushing with her legs she launched into the air, somersaulting twice before landing on the floor. The step was inches from her heels.

There was a second of calm before a man yelled and Lennie was swarmed. They came from both sides; she was lost to a sea of black suits and vampire guards. Lennie cut through the first wave; their bodies littered the floor. Too much blood made the stone tiles slick and filled the air with the smell of burnt copper.

There was no conscious thought as she fought. Her motions blurred to the point where she couldn't even see them. She occasionally felt her sword impact a body. Her own was hit with the occasional blow. None of it registered as she cut through the swarm of guards.

Finally the last one fell. There were no more. Lennie looked at the collection of body parts, blood, and ripped cloth around her. Had she been human she would have been gasping; her limbs would be shaking. Instead she stood completely still. Sword clenched in her right hand. Looking at her suit she saw cuts through the material. Small slice marks were everywhere, even her head cover. They were small, but they added up. Blood dripped from her sword, splattering on the wet floor. Her own blood joined it.

"So you're the famous Lennox." The first guard said.

She looked over at him; he was still standing on the step she'd left him on. Now that she looked at him; she vaguely recognized the face. He was a gorgeous Asian man. His muscled body was noticeable even under the suit. Thick, black hair was tied in a long braid down his back.

She recognized him, his name whispered from her lips. "Shang Zhao."

He surprised her by bowing at her from the waist. It was sign of respect between combatants.

"I've heard of you as well."

It was rumored that in his human days Shang Zhao was the personal guard of the Emperor of China. That had been twelve-hundred years ago. The man was a legend. She was overcome with a sense of awe and sorrow.

"I don't want to kill you," She whispered, "You deserve a far more honorable death then you will get here tonight."

He smiled at her, it was warm. "I serve my queen to the death." He chuckled, "As you serve your Maker."

Lennie nodded; slowly she brought her sword to the ready position. "It is with honor and humility that I fight you."

He bowed again, "It is with honor and humility that I challenge you."

Before they could engage Lennie heard motion behind her. She blurred around and caught the wrist in one hand. The vampire's fangs flashed in the lightening outside the window. She kicked him back; he lifted off the ground, slamming into one of the blood-covered walls.

A guard slammed into her from the right; knocking her off her feet. The two of them slid across the wet floor, her sword spun out of her hand. Hands that were like iron-vices, gripped her shoulders. They ripped at her suit with his hands. The cloth tore; his fingers broke skin, her blood glittered on his fingertips. His fangs were out and he moved to bite her. She drove a fist across his face; the bones shattered. She shoved him off; blurring to her feet. Grabbing one of the small knives from her arm sheath; she slashed across his throat in a blinding fast move. Stabbing the blade into his heart; he exploded. Showering her in vampire blood and body bits. She'd had enough of the suit. Tearing off the head-cover; she tossed material aside. Her hair was braided down her back; she wore a black undershirt under the suit. The chest guard still held fast; ragged pieces of fabric peeked out from under it.

She turned back to Shang; he still had not moved. Off in the distance she could hear more guards. But right now her focus on the one in front of her.

He tipped his head indicating she should pick up her sword. Lennie crossed the floor and picked up her bloody sword. When she faced him again; he had moved off the steps. They bowed out of respect for the other; Lennie brought up her sword in the ready. He was going to be a hell of a tough fight. But she had to win; she needed that laptop from the office. Her job was to save Eric. And she never failed.

Shang spun the staff in competent hands. The blades made soft sounds in the air. He blurred the motion; like a helicopter blade. She sprang backward; the blades clinked against the chest guard. She arched into a back-flip. The air stirred around her as the blade whistled across her face, narrowly missing her. Lennie landed on her hands and pushed off the floor, she blurred the movement of her body. Brining the sword up in a swift arc with her right hand; the blade sliced through his suit. There was a huge gap in his suit.

Shang looked down. Lennie landed on her feet. He tore the clothes off his upper body. She had a split-second to admire the muscled body; before he brought the staff downward. The suit of her left arm sliced open; her skin burned as if acid had been poured into her blood. She flinched; but managed to bring up her sword stopping a slash to the throat. His blade clashed with hers in a shower of sparks. Their eyes met; neither of them would quit until one of them was dead. .

Lennie backed away from him; he let her. They both needed a moment. She ripped the suit from her arms and shoulders. The vest held fast; the cloth tore around it. She tossed the torn cloth to the ground. Gripping the sword in two hands, she watched him.

Their gazes met again, he rushed her; blurring as he moved the quarter-staff. Lennie launched herself backwards. Her body flipped in a lay-out position. She came to land on the railing around the second floor. Shang leapt for her; in a graceful, soaring jump. She blurred herself at the last second, cart-wheeling to the left. His blade sliced through the boot on left leg. Pain ate through her focus. She had to fight to stay steady as she landed; she tumbled to the floor, rolling to her knees. Blurring to her feet, she nodded her defeat on that move. He hopped down and slowly crossed the floor toward her.

Blades clanged as they met; lightening flashed into the room. Lennie moved into a series of martial arts moves. He blocked them, but it left him open. She swiped her sword upwards, slicing under his left arm. His eyes widened a moment; blood coated his side. Lennie finished the motion, his left arm fell to the floor. He was now limited to one arm; that limited his options but wouldn't stop him.

Shang came at her in a blur of punches and kicks. Lennie dropped her sword as the barrage of blows came at her. She blocked most of them; but not all. Those that landed, hit hard. She caught his right arm and snapped the wrist. The staff clattered to the floor. Shang sprang upwards, kicking out. The blow hit her left ribcage, the bones caved in.

They both fell back; laying on the bloody floor. More lightening flashed in the sky. Lennie blinked a few times; she was hurt, really hurt. But she forced herself to her feet. Grabbing her sword from the floor. Shang came to his feet a little more slowly. He seemed more hurt then her.

"You have learned well how to blur your hands." He rubbed his right shoulder. "I have only seen one other vampire do that."

"He calls it a double-blur."

Shang nodded, "Makes sense."

Lennie had mastered a very hard skill. It was called double-blur. While the striking limb was in blur-speed; the hand blurred just a bit faster. The focus required to use that kind of kinetic-energy was immense. If done properly; the double-blur led to multiple and often severe injuries within a single motion.

Most vampires only learned how to block against one speed of blurring. Very few even knew you could double the speed of the motion. It took centuries to learn and was exceptionally hard to master.

Shang bowed his head, weakly. "Godric must love you very much."

Lennie was taken back by the comment. "What makes you say that?"

"He would never teach it to just anyone." Shang suddenly fell, "You must have traveled with him for centuries."

She nodded, "I have."

Lennie had managed to hit chest; breaking the bones, puncturing his heart. It took a moment for the body to realize it was hurt. The act wasn't as direct as a stake. But the result was the same. Shang looked at her; a moment later he exploded.

She exhaled softly, "I am sorry. But I can't fail."

The rest of the guards had arrived by now. She turned and ran down the hallway she needed. They followed. One of them leapt at her; she spun around. Slicing her sword downward; cutting his head off. Another had blurred behind her. She pushed with her legs; somersaulting over his head. She landed, thrusting another small blade through his back; his heart was staked.

At the same time, she heard the motion; another guard had blurred beside her. She blurred the movement of her hand; blocking the side-strike with her blade. Kicking out with her left leg; her foot connected with the guard's knee. He buckled. She spun around under her blade; in a quick motion she brought her sword around and down. Plunging the blade into his chest; she closed her eyes against the explosion. More blood and body bits rained down around her. She used her left hand to wipe her face.

She stared at her surroundings. Most of everything was splattered with exploded vampire. Lowering her sword slowly; she looked down the hall and ran for it. Her feet were silent as she ran; the floors here were still shiny and clean.

At the end of the hall was a door; through the door was an office. She needed the office. She saw motion to the right and threw herself back. Her spine bowed, her hair brushed the floor. Pushing off with her feet; she cart-wheeled into the air; her left hand planted on the floor, giving her leverage to complete the move. She kicked out with her right foot. Her boot connected with a head. She heard a grunt and the man went to his knees. Slashing out with her sword; she took his head. Blurring the motion, she staked him and ran on. Two more guards stood before the door.

Taking the last of the knives from the sheath on her forearm, she threw them. The vampires exploded as she ran by. Vampire rained down around her as she busted through the door.

The office was dark with heavy shadows. Windows ran along left-hand wall. There was a desk near them. Running to the desk; she saw the laptop. Picking it up, she strapped it to her back.

Shouts filled the hallway. She looked up; a dozen guards were charging toward her. There were too many to fight hand-to-hand. Lennie reached into the vest pockets. Taking out two beads; the brilliant blue glow lit the dark. The guards paused, startled by the sudden, intense light. She clenched the beads in her gloved palm and hurled them. The beads fell like shooting stars across the room. Flipping the desk over, she dove to the floor, pressing her back to the flat surface. Lennie curled into a ball; seconds later blinding blue light exploded like a captive star;. Soft fingers of light washed over the desk. Light bends, so it still touched her. She felt the light burn across her exposed flesh. The light faded. She jumped to her feet; looking over the office. Dust coated the floor like a thick carpet of loose particles.

There was more shouting; more guards. She sucked in a breath she didn't need. There were simply too many. She sighed heavily. She could use more Sun Spots; but her skin was still blistering with the effects of the first ones. Turning, she saw a window near her. Guards charged into the office; she blurred to the window. Diving through it, head-first. Glass shattered around her; slicing her scalp, arms and hands. The burns on her skin were cut open and her blood fell with her as she plummeted to earth.

Lennie twisted her body in the air. She managed to land on her feet; going to her knees on the ground. The shock of the impact hurt all the way from toes to skull; she felt momentarily stunned. Shaking her head, she focused. Dozens of guards were coming from the front door and others were leaping out the same window she had.

So much for fewer guards, she thought to herself.

She blurred herself toward the beach around the house; the army of guards followed. Lennie was careful where she put her feet; they were not. The front line of guards was blown to bits; the others paused now. There were still too many of them. She blurred across the sand. She felt a shift beneath her feet; Lennie had a split second to launch her self into the air. As her feet left the ground; the sand around her exploded. It arched up and out; falling like a screen of pale gold across the sky. A cloud of grit rained around her. She rolled on her back as she landed. The sand shredded her already burned skin. She came to her feet and ran.

A body slammed into hers; she was tackled with the force of Mac truck. Lennie hit the ground; a vampire guard above her. His fangs sang into her left shoulder. She kept herself from screaming, but just barely. Grabbing the vampire's head in both hands she pushed her hands together. She felt his skull gave. His body jerked once, twice and flopped still. She twisted his head off, his fangs ripped through her flesh. She had no time to think about it. Rolling to her feet she reached for the C-4 in her thigh-pocket. Pressing the timer button; she ran. She paused, turned, and hurled it like the bomb was a football. The guards nearest her stopped; one of them caught it. They stared at it.

Lennie blurred herself across the land. As she ran she dropped more charges; trying to break the wave toward her. She left them every few feet. She didn't get very far. A shot rang out and her body jerked. Wood bullets tore through her back. She felt them rip through her body and come out the front. Shots bounded off the metal chest guard with sharp sounds. She fell to her knees. A sniper? Was I taken down by a sniper?

An explosion rocked the night, a few feet away from her. The blast wave threw her off her knees. She flipped, and tumbled through the air as sand and vampire bits pelted her. She hit the ground and lay there. Another explosion threw more sand into the air. They were getting closer to where she lay.

There was only so much that she could take. Even she, Lennie, beloved warrior of Godric, had a breaking point. Lennie lay, on her back, bleeding, burned and too tired to breathe. She stared at the clouded sky. Thunder rumbled and she felt the first kiss of warm rain.

Another explosion; closer then the last one; rocked the ground around her. The rain fell harder, faster, a deluge of warm water.

Around her, the earth was ripped apart by another explosion. She flinched on instinct as the ground around her heaved and shook. Curling into a ball; she screamed now. The explosions were getting closer. Lennie opened her eyes, tapping that link with Godric did the only thing she could think of.

Goodbye, Godric!

Her eyes shut as the ground heaved again. She felt pain that no human or vampire could ever describe. She knew in that split-second of clarity before final death; she wasn't sorry. This is how she had always wanted to die. Fighting: Fighting for those she loved most.

As she drifted into the Soul-Plane she heard her Maker's beautiful voice. It made her smile as she released her hold on this world. Welcoming her final death as her most loved father guided her.

Lovisa, Godric's voice filled her from the core of her being; you will not die this night.

**