Part 14 - new world 1775-1783 Eastern USA - american revolutionary War Part I
As you are no doubt aware, the walk from India to Europe is by no means a short one. I was determined to take my time to begin with, making sure I did not run into fellow soldiers who might question my uniform and the way it hung in tatters where the gunshot had shredded the material. They could also be curious as to the lack of any wound beneath that gaping hole. Did I kill a soldier and steal his clothing, they might think. Or possibly did I take it from a battlefield cadaver.
It was a conversation I was keen to avoid, so I kept to the countryside, travelling by night. A natural way of life for my kind, yes, not so much a necessity for myself until now.
Soon I found myself clear of the subcontinent, moving through the mountains in the North West and into the rocky scrub of Afghanistan. The area was relatively devoid of life, so I found it very easy to keep to myself. I decided that travelling through this land as a British soldier may not be the best way not to draw attention, so I killed a farmer and stole his robes. Under them I was able to hide my rifle, a weapon I intended to hang on to despite the fact that it had done nothing to help me thus far.
The countryside flew past in a blur of grey as I sped along by night, the endless sea of browns stretching before me during the day. The landscape remained much the same as I passed through Iran, finding the Euphrates river to help guide me along my way. This took me through the country of Iraq and yet more desert scrubland. My attire was doing its job in allowing me to blend into the area and pass by unnoticed, and I avoided any human contact unless I was feeling somewhat hungry. There were lonely farmers who provided as quick meal, and even a bedouin encampment which I eliminated in a few short moments, quickly stifling the screams of the women and children. Yes, I was a monster, but I was merely doing what I had to, giving myself the energy I needed to keep moving.
It was another bright sunny day, and I was sitting on a hillside looking down on a town nestled by the water. I had chosen to spend the day here as the sun had begun to brighten the sky, and now I could see it was going to be a great place to spend the day. What I had assumed was the river in the dawn light was actually much larger. The coast. I had been here before, many, many years previously, but the area looked much the same as it had then. Apparently that left turn I had taken away from the river had taken me much further east than I had expected, straight though Syria.
So my next challenge would be getting myself onto a boat. I wasted no time in moving into town and approaching the marina. There were all kinds of merchant vessels, and I managed to talk my way onto one, trading my rifle for passage to the Italian coast.
The voyage was uneventful. I was able to control myself and didn't eat any of the crew. It can be a poor choice when on a boat, since the crew will panic when the odd member disappears.
Quickly I moved though Italy, noticing with a little concern that I was in Tuscany. This was the region in which I lost my head, and I had no desire to linger, but some deep down part of me was drawn to a small villiage on a hillside. I arrived during the day and sat in the town square for a while gathering my thoughts. I was sure I had been beheaded only a few miles from here. I wanted more than anything to move on and put this pace behind me but something kept me from moving. The sun passed overhead and sank below the horizon, casting long crooked shadows all around me. I barely noticed the crowds of locals die down and was surprised to find myself alone, sitting on the fountain. Then I noticed them. Three hooded figures, black robes trailing to the ground. They seemed to glide towards me.
"Hello." I spoke quietly but I knew they could hear me. I could smell them from the moment they entered the square. They did not smell human.
"Good evening sir." Spoke the one in the middle. His voice was soft, and somehow familiar. Where had I heard this voice before? "What is your business here?"
"In truth, I do not know." I replied. Then I realised how I was dressed, still in the old farmers robes, once white, now a dusty brown. "I was passing through on my way from the subcontinent when I felt compelled to detour in this direction. The town seems to have a pull."
The man in the middle chuckled softly, his companions remaining silent. I couldn't make out their faces as they kept their hoods up. "Well, you wouldn't be the first to be drawn to us, but tell me this, have we met? You seem awfully familiar." His lilting voice carried gently on the warm breeze.
"In truth, I do not know, but I feel the same way." I was scouring my memory to place the voice until he pulled back his hood and all was clear to me. The round face, the black hair, and the eyes like moons. Yes, this was the man I had seen all those years ago in Warwick, when I had first become a vampire.
He approached me, his hand outstretched. "Please, allow me." He said softly, but I got the feeling that it was not a request, and his flankers loomed ominously behind him as he lay his hand upon mine gently. His eyes went wide as if he were watching something in the distance, and then he stepped back. "Maybe it would be best if you would come with us." He said, and they turned, gliding away. I stood and followed them.
They led me to an unassuming building where I followed them into the darkness. We descended several flights of stone steps, my eyes easily cutting through the inky blackness that would have rendered a human blind. Presently we emerged into a chamber, dimly lit with sconces on the walls. The floor was marble and I could see three large chairs almost set like thrones in an old fashioned court. I could also feel many eyes upon me, and sense a shifting in the dark alcoves of the room, but I followed instruction to stand in the centre of the room as the leader placed himself gently into the centre chair.
"Dear friends, I would like you all to meet Castor." He spoke softly but the sound carried across the room with ease. "He is unaware of us. Or I should say he was, until now."
I looked around hoping to gain some clue as to what was happening but my military background and discipline kicked in and I remained emotionless in the middle of the room.
"Do you have any questions?" Wheezed the figure to the right of the leader. He was older, and had a kind of disappointed, unsatisfied look about him.
"Who are you?" I asked, unable to contain my curiosity.
"My name is Aro, and these are Marcus and my brother Caius. Collectively we are known as the Volturi." Aro smirked a little as he said this.
"And what is the Volturi?" I asked patiently.
"We are a group of vampires who work to keep our secret throughout the world. We help those who abide by the rules and we punish those who do not." He paused for effect. "Think of us as your government."
There was an awful lot of shuffling in those dark alcoves. It was making me slightly nervous but I was determined not to show it. I had been grilled by officers much more intimidating. "And what do you want with me?" I kept my voice even and strong.
"You are an interesting one." Aro sat back on his 'throne' casually. The other two were still slightly on edge. "Are you aware that almost every vampire is blessed with a gift?" I nodded almost imperceptibly. "Well mine is to see the memories of all those I touch, and I saw you have had quite a few adventures in your life, but the interesting part is your gift." I remained still. I did not want this man to feel that he had the edge on me. Treat him like an officer. Remain silent. Give nothing away. "For the benefit of those gathered, Mister Castor, would you please tell them what your gift is?" His voice was soothing, but in an unsettling kind of way.
"I have the ability to walk in the sunlight without giving myself away." I spoke clearly and decisively. A ripple of murmur passed around the room.
Aro slowly clapped. "A most spectacular gift indeed. And I have seen your battles. You have fought well for King and country." The room was silent again, waiting. "And so I would like to offer you a position in my guard." He gave nothing more away and a choking silence fell for a few seconds before Caius stood.
"What say you?" He said loudly and impatiently, like a spoilt child.
"While your offer is a great honour to me." I spoke with a calm voice. "I must decline." A feeling of disappointment began to grow. And one of impeding danger. The crowd was not pleased. "My duty is to my country. This is my mindset and I am afraid it cannot change."
The crowd now inched forward out of the shadows, black robes encircling me. Aro stood again and raised his arms. "Very well." He was still relaxed, a wide smile splitting his face. "You may return to your service." The crowd was hushed again, and now they stopped dead. "But remember this. The offer will stand as long as the Volturi exist. But should you do anything to jeopardise our secret then the most severe punishment shall be dealt." I stared back, emotionless. No fear.
"Understood." I spoke.
"Then it is with great disappointment that we bid you farewell and hope to meet again soon." His words were sincere, and the crowed edged apart to form a passage. I turned and walked through the opening, and kept waking until I reached the English channel.
As I signed up to re-join the army, this time as William Castor II, the final words of Aro rang in my ears. "Remember the rules. Don't give us cause to hunt you." Words that followed me to the docks and onto the ship that would take me to the new world colonies where a major war was brewing.