AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Aww, I got my first two reviews today and I was so happy; they absolutely made.my.day. and I wanted to thank both Anon E. Mouse and Topgallant for their encouraging words.
I don't think there's a better feeling in the entire world than knowing someone enjoyed what you created. It's a good feeling; one I hope to repeat in the near future ; ) wink wink
Thanks to all you 'hits' on my story too; I know you're out there and you don't review but I hope you enjoy this anyway.
Now the story:
The feeling of numbness slowly receded from Brookarius's body and the smell of fresh blood reached his senses. Immediately his eyes snapped open, Gabriel! Erron! A battle and no…his blurry gaze fell to the figures strewn on the floor. Puddles of crimson lay beneath them.
Unsteadily he pushed himself to his feet and looked over the room. It had been a short battle, and Brookarius could almost see how the battle played out and which vampire had killed each of his men. Thomas lay closest, a dagger straight to the throat, his eyes wide open and expressionless. Precise and efficient; Gavin.
Tears filled Brookarius's eyes as he looked at the youngest of his chosen guard. Gently he reached out and shut Thomas's eyes.
Next he moved to Colins, the man whose plan had met with disaster, he lay on his back with his sword drawn as if he'd been given the opportunity to defend himself. A quick thrust straight into his heart and a twist had at least sparred him from at least some pain. Honorable and merciful; Rumus. Someone had already had the decency to shut Colins's dead eyes.
More tears slipped unnoticed out of Brookarius's eyes as he made his way to the next figure, Erron. Although it was hard to tell since his body had been so horrible mutilated. Purple and black bruises covered the entirety of his body and Brookarius could see bones of arms and ribs poking out of the corpse. His face and body had been beaten with a blunt object and his entire body was twisted in unnatural angles. Raw power, strength, and malice.; Lucus.
Brookarius whispered in a quiet, broken voice a heart-filled prayer for the souls of his fall comrades as he wept quietly for the men that had been like sons to him.
A soft noise coming from the back of the room suddenly snapped Brookarius out of his prayers. Cautiously he drew his sword and walked across the room to a small bundle on the floor. Bending down he pulled the top of the blanket away revealing a tiny baby. No more than a couple days old.
Brookarius was stunned. What in the world? Was this Gabriel's child? And if so, why did Dracula leave it here? What was he playing at? Thousands of questions raced through Brookarius's head as he gently sheathed his sword and lifted the tiny bundle into his arms.
"A girl," he thought, "A little girl. With Anna's eyes…"
As he stood studying the tiny child a letter slipped from the folds of her blanket and fluttered softly to the floor.
Curious, Brookarius gently shifted the bundle to one arm and bent down to pick up the letter. It was think parchment and the envelope bared Dracula's insignia. A dragon stamped in crimson wax. Quickly he broke the seal and began to read:
Guardian Brookarius,
In accordance with my promise to Gabriel, here is his one and only child delivered safely into the hands of the Holy Order.
I have now fulfilled my duty and am no longer responsible for the health or welfare of this mortal child. It was Gabriel's last wish that she be left with you and in return Gabriel has agreed to be my servant till the end of his mortal days.
What you do it the child remains up to you. Leave her, love her, drown her, crown her. I care not; but I will warn you Brookarius. It is the dawn of darker times. Stay out of my way or you will regret the day you were born.
Sincerely,
Count Vladislaus Dragulia
Brookarius dropped the note, too stunned to even react. His servant? Dracula's servant? Now the anger hit Brookarius, the pain and rage and betrayal. How could Gabriel do this! Was betraying him once not enough! After raising the Son of the Devil, the Spawn of Satan, Vlad the Impaler, from the depths of Hell, Gabriel would go so far as to swear him loyalty! Become his servant! The very thing the Holy Order's lives were spent fighting against! How could he do this! How could he-
His thoughts were cut short as the tiny bundle in his arms twisted and turned, trying to free herself from the confines of her blanket. Tiny fists rose in the air at Brookarius and soft giggles bubbled out of the infants lips as he gently unwrapped Gabriel's daughter. "This is why," Brookarius thought, his anger dissipating as he watched the child wake and squirm in his arms, "For love he said. All for love…"
Brookarius sighed and began re-wrapping the child. It was cold outside and no place for a child but- the sight of something stopped Brookarius's train of thought. There. On her left wrist. It was almost like a burn or a birthmark of some kind. A tiny black 'V' was visible of her left wrist; the point facing outward and the ends wrapping around her little wrist to form something like a permanent bracelet…
"Too many questions and too few answers," Brookarius thought, "but one thing is for sure," he mused sadly looking down at the child, "the world will not be safe for a child in the years to come; much less the child of a betrayer."
Brookerius sighed, so much had happened in the last few hours. Men had died. Hope had been lost. Trust betrayed. And innocence marked. He could feel the fatigue slipping over him, even his emotions were drained. He had no more tears or rage. Only a resigned sense of sadness of what has been done and fear of what will soon come to past.
Securely tucking the child deep in his heavy traveling cloak and sheltering her fragile face he turned and headed to the door. Taking one last glance at his fallen comrades, he cuddled Gabriel's child closer to his chest, and stepped outside into the freezing snow.
Yes, I know it's a short chapter but it's a REALLY IMPORTANT chapter and it's setting the stage for something big. Haha; cliff-hanger!! Love it.
I won't be updating till at least next week because I'll be writing all this weekend but REVIEW AND MAYBE I'LL GIVE YOU A TEASER.
Hope you're all well.
-Your Vigilant Servant