by RL Edinger
“I can, but not with the book,” Ana answered.
“I am taking the book,” Andrew insisted.
Ana tossed Andrew one of her swords and he caught it. Ana rushed at him and made the first attack. Andrew blocked with his defense. He countered but Ana blocked and then brought the blade from the right. Andrew brought his blade to block. Ana spun and attacked with a kick, but Andrew anticipated her move. Instead Andrew dropped down and caught Ana in the knee with his boot. She stumbled and let go of her sword which clattered to the floor. Andrew was about to finish Ana, but she jumped up and retrieved her sword. It was as if Andrew knew her every move even before she did it. How could this be? Andrew leapt up on the table, and Ana followed right after him.
The banging of metal striking resounded across the walls as the battle raged on. For every strike that Ana made, Andrew was there with his own. His kicks and punches matched each and every one of Ana’s. Her level of frustration and anger were building and building. This was exactly what Andrew wanted. He was hoping that Ana would make a mistake. Andrew knew that Ana was the one who trained all the knights. She had taught them all the same moves; her moves. So with each of her knights that Andrew had fought previously; he had learned them all.
Ana and Andrew drove each other back and forth across the table surface. They were locked in a struggle to the death; each one hoped to gain the final upper hand. Andrew sent a snap kick at Ana’s face, but she blocked, spun around and caught Andrew with a blow to the chin. Andrew stumbled backwards, fell on his butt and let go of his sword. He watched in anguish as it slid across the table top and fell over the edge where the hidden room was. Ana lunged at Andrew, but he jumped up and somersaulted backwards, narrowly being missed by her blade.
When Andrew reached the edge of the table, he gave Ana a salute and vaulted off! Ana followed him and leapt from the table. Andrew had mangaged retrieve his sword and slashed Ana across both knees. Ana shrieked and let go of her sword. Like a rag doll, Ana fell to the bottom of the steps. Andrew grabbed the medallion by the chain and pulled it from the slot. The last thing he saw was the horror-struck look in Ana’s eyes as the floor panel slid shut. Andrew calmly walked over to the window, opened it, and tossed the medallion into the deep snow. Andrew retrieved the book and quickly exited the library.
Wyatt was working through his moves. He wanted to impress Ana. Wyatt was hoping to impress her enough so that he could get close enough to finish his mission. He was in the middle of a swing with a wooden practice sword when the door opened.
“You!” Wyatt shrieked when he saw Kara. He instantly dropped the wood sword and bolted for the other door. Kara ran, paused to pick up the sword, and continued her pursuit. Just as Wyatt reached for the door, Kara flung the sword. It struck Wyatt in the back of the head and caused him to fall down.
“Why did you do that?” Wyatt cursed.
Kara walked away and over to the arsenal wall. She took a sword and returned to Wyatt. He cringed when Kara swung the blade and stopped with inches to spare.
“You are coming with me,” Kara ordered.
Wyatt rose in submission. Kara had him lead the way as they left the training room.
Andrew finally arrived at the helicopter. Kara and Wyatt were not there! All kinds of thoughts; bad thoughts, ran through Andrew’s mind. He was about to go and search for them, but suddenly stopped. Andrew saw Kara and Wyatt exit the castle and head in his direction.
“Where were you?” Andrew yelled at Kara.
“Busy,” Kara nodded at Wyatt. “And you?”
“Me too,” Andrew held up the book for them to see.
“What about Ana?” Wyatt looked shocked.
“Ana is no longer a problem.” Andrew answered callously.
Kara gave Wyatt a shove and he stumbled towards Andrew, who caught him before he fell. Wyatt stood in front of Andrew, and there was no mistaking the expression contempt and anger on Andrew’s face.
‘I…I…” Wyatt began to say, but he did not get a chance to finish. Andrew knocked Wyatt out with a blow to the head. He opened the side door of the helicopter, scooped up Wyatt and put him inside. Kara took her place in the pilot’s seat. Andrew climbed inside and closed the door. The engines breathed to life and the rotors picked up speed. Kara looked back at Andrew. He gave her a wink. This time was different than the last. This time they were free.
Chapter 16
A heavy glass stein filled with beer and a pack of smokes were Nick’s only companions. He had sat at the same booth, the same time and the same Hoffbrau for the past four days.
Things were not good. After his arrest at the Berlin train station, he was booked and placed in a holding cell. Even his Chicago police credentials bought him no special treatment. The one phone call he got to make was to his Captain back in Chicago. When Nick talked to him, to say he was angry was an understatement. He reamed Nick up one side and down the other that day for, being so stupid. He also told Nick that if he was not back in Chicago in week, Nick was out of a job.
After his bail was paid, the Berlin police informed Nick that he should go to the hotel, get his things, and be on a flight back to the States by the end of the day. Nick did not listen, and instead used his train ticket to travel to Zwickau. It was more important for him to find out what happened to Andrew, Talia, and Kara.
When Nick arrived in Zwickau, he immediately went to the police station. The level of cooperation he got there was zero to none. They did inform him that Captain Brewster was still out and recovering from an accident. They told Nick to just return home. Again, he did not listen.
Nick raised the glass to his lips and took a long drink. The beer tasted good. He put the stein down and lit up a smoke. Nick inhaled it deep into his lungs. He coughed and exhaled.
On the second day, Nick had found a mountain guide to take him up into the Ore Mountains. When the guide learned where they were going, he suddenly changed his mind. He informed Nick that he could no longer do it. Nick even tried to find out where Captain Brewster lived, but had no success at that either. So he decided to give up for the day and return to the Hoffbrau for the evening. Nick was seated at the bar that night instead of his usual booth. There were some tourists talking about an incident with the train almost a week ago. Nick heard them talk about a police officer from Berlin, and a young woman that were found dead in the baggage compartment. They talked about seeing a black helicopter and that the local police captain had been shot with arrows. Nick continued to listen as they talked about a man being arrested and taken into custody. Nick raised the glass stein and took a long, big drink. He finished and ordered another one.
On day three and four, Nick just toured the city and all its sights. He found a park and spent most of the day there watching the people walk by. His thoughts drifted to Kara. He had never let any one get close to him like that, in a long time. Nick thought back to the day they first met when Andrew introduced her to him. She was all dark and mysterious. Here was this gorgeous creature that was interested in him. Nick gulped down his beer, grabbed his smokes and left to go back to the hotel.
The night air was cold when Nick walked out of the Hoffbrau. He zipped up his coat and started back to the hotel. As Nick walked along, from time to time he would look up at the night sky. The stars sparkled and never looked clearer than tonight. But one of them appeared to be moving. Nick rubbed his eyes and looked again.
The star was moving and it was getting closer! Nick ran in that direction and was soon at the park. Just as he got there, Nick heard the sounds of rotor blades striking the air. The snow on the ground started to swirl as the black helicopter came in for a landing. Nick covered his face as the snow whipped faster and stronger. Nick peered through his hands and saw the helicopter finally land. He ran over and when the door slid open, Nick saw Andrew emerge. Nick couldn’t believe it. There was Andrew alive! Nick saw some kid lying unconscious on the floor of the helicopter. Where was Talia? Where was Kara? Nick felt a tap on the shoulder. When he turne
d around there was Kara. Nick picked her up in his arms and squeezed her tight. Nick kissed her for a long time. Andrew delightfully watched Nick and Kara’s reunion. He missed Megan so very much. But there was one more thing he had to do. Andrew had to go back to Gothica and retrieve Talia’s body. For that he needed help. Nick and Kara drew apart and looked at Andrew. Nick walked over to Andrew.
“Where is Talia?” Nick asked.
“She’s dead.” Andrew was very solemn.
“Where’s her body,” Nick was shocked.
“We had to leave her behind,” Andrew replied.
“You are going back, right?” Nick insisted.
“Yes,” Andrew answered. “But we need help.”
“Count me in,” Nick said.
“No,” Andrew ordered. “I want you to make sure that Kara and Wyatt get home safe and sound back to Bayport. I need you to do this for me, Nick.”
“What about you?” Nick inquired.
“I going to see Captain Brewster,” Andrew replied.
“Tonight?” Nick scoffed. “He wouldn’t see me.”
“He will once I show him this,” Andrew retrieved a large leather bound book from the helicopter and showed it to Nick.
“What is that?” Nick asked inquisitively.
“This book contains all the names of each and every one of the Knights of VanHelsing,” Andrew explained. “It also contains every person the Knights have killed over the years in the name of their so called, justice against the evil ones.”
“Do they know you have it?” Nick was worried.
“Yes,” Andrew answered as he closed the book.
“I will do as you ask.” Nick shook hands with Andrew. “I promise.”
“Kara let’s go,” Nick said. He climbed aboard the helicopter and closed the door.
Kara walked up to Andrew and slipped her arms around his waist. She squeezed him tightly and did not want to let go.
“You need to go now,” Andrew whispered.
“I know.” Kara said. Kara let go and kissed Andrew on the cheek. She walked around the helicopter and took her place in the pilot’s seat. Kara closed the door and coaxed the engine to life. Andrew put some distance between him and the helicopter. He watched as it took off into the ebony sky. Now it was time to find where Captain Brewster lived. Andrew took off and did not look back.
Yuri could not sleep. The pain from his wounds still bothered him. He decided to get up and take another pain killer. He put on his robe and went downstairs. His wife was still asleep and snoring.
Yuri poured some water and opened the bottle. There was a knock at the back door. Who could it be at such a late hour? Yuri put down the glass and bottle. He walked to the back door and peered out the window first. Yuri saw a man with black hair dressed in black clothing and long leather coat. The man was holding a leather bound book tightly to his chest. Yuri opened the door.
“How may I help you?” Yuri asked looking the man over more closely now.
“My name is Andrew Knight,” he replied. “I am a private investigator from Bayport in the United States. I need your help.”
“You must be mistaken,” Yuri scoffed. “I have a man by that name in custody. Is this some kind of joke?”
“A while ago you were contacted by Lieutenant Gunderson of the Berlin police,” Andrew answered as he explained. “He told you of a joint operation between the Berlin police and yours to capture Wyatt Collins from a place called Gothica.”
“How do you know that?” Yuri demanded.
“The operation was planned by an American,” Andrew continued.
“Yes,” Yuri added.
“There was a code name,” Andrew said.
“Yes,” Yuri replied. “We had a code name because this fellow suspected that there was a spy in their midst.”
“The code name was ‘Night Kill’,” Andrew finally answered.
“Yes that was it,” Yuri was in shock. “Then who is in my jail?
“The real Eric Schultz,” Andrew replied. He opened the book and showed it to Yuri. “He is also a Knight of VanHelsing known as Gold Blade.”
“What do you want from me?” Yuri wondered.
“May I come inside,” Andrew shivered.
“Yes, yes.” Yuri stepped aside. He gestured for Andrew to come inside. Once he did, Yuri closed the door. He ushered Andrew to the sitting room while he went to make some coffee.
Andrew sat down on the small, but very comfortable sofa. He opened the book to the first page; the title page. It had the date the Knight’s of VanHelsing began, and the signature of Abraham VanHelsing. Along with his signature were the ones from each and every generation that followed. Andrew paused when he came to Ana’s. A feeling of regret washed over him. He couldn’t believe to what lengths she had forced him to. If he hadn’t defeated Ana, she would have killed him without any uncertainty. Andrew shook off the feeling and turned to the next page. Each country and city was listed alphabetically and so were the ‘knights’ that were assigned to them. Andrew could not even fathom the expanse of the Knights of VanHelsing. There were thousands of knights all over the world. Andrew flipped to the page for his home city of Bayport. Andrew’s eyes widened with revelation. Right there in front of him were the real names of Moon Blade, Star Blade and Night Blade. Andrew slammed the book shut when Yuri walked into the sitting room with a tray of coffee and two cups. He set it down and poured them each a cup. Andrew thanked him. The coffee tasted really good after all this time. He could feel the warmth as it filled his stomach.
“What do you purpose?” Yuri asked.
“We need to go back to Gothica and retrieve the body of Sheriff Talia Delsmann,” Andrew put his cup down. “We are also going to arrest Ana VanHelsing and her knights for the deaths of hundreds of innocent people.”
“Do you have evidence?” Yuri asked.
Andrew opened the book for Yuri to see. Yuri could not believe his own eyes. Right there is black and white was the names of all the missing persons from the last twenty years from Zwickau. He never realized that there were these killers in their midst. They were like wolves amongst the sheep.
“I will make a call and have my men ready in the morning,” Yuri stood up. He was angry.
“Is there somewhere I can get some sleep?” Andrew asked. He was drained.
“We have a guest room upstairs, second room on the right” Yuri answered.
“I’m sorry about shooting you,” Andrew finally apologized.
“I am glad you are a bad shot,” Yuri tapped his leg and shoulder.
“I’m not.” Andrew patted Yuri on the back. “Good night.” Andrew went to bed. Yuri swallowed hard when he realized that Andrew had wounded him by design, and not the alternative. Yuri put the cups on the tray and carried the whole thing back to the kitchen. He took his pill and water and headed off to bed.
Andrew set the book down on the bed. He took off his boots and coat. Andrew picked up the book and drew back the covers. He slipped into the bed and recovered himself. He placed the book on the night stand. The bed felt so comfortable and Andrew could no longer resist. He was exhausted and quickly fell asleep.
Thunder filled the valley early the next morning. A storm of retribution was coming against evil. The swift sword of justice poised to strike a blow for the innocent.
A squadron of law enforcement helicopters appeared on the horizon as the morning sun peaked over the mountains. The helicopters came in low and fast. Within minutes, they landed at Gothica castle.
The doors flew open. With their weapons at the ready, men in fatigues and body armor stormed the castle. Andrew was among them. He led a team with a stretcher to retrieve Talia’s body. They quickly entered the castle and rushed up the stairs to the third floor. Andrew was bothered by the fact that they encountered no resistance. Andrew left his team alone as they prepared Talia’s body for transport. There was one thing he had to know. Andrew left for the library.
Andrew had encountered no one on his way to the libra
ry. The Knights of VanHelsing had abandoned their home. Andrew shoved open the door and rushed into the room. He ran over to the grand table and to the side where the secret room was. His worst fears were realized when Andrew got there. The floor was open and Ana was gone! She was alive. Did they disappear as they had done in the past; gone into hiding at some other location? Or did they go after Nick, Kara, and Wyatt. He hoped and prayed that Ana had gone into hiding and that the fact that he had the book was enough to keep them away. Andrew did not see any sort of key in the slot. So how did Ana get out? He supposed that when the knights could not find Ana, she had to be trapped in the secret room. They must have had another medallion and used it to free her. Andrew descended the stairs. There was dried blood on the stone steps and a trail of more, leading back up. Andrew followed the trail of blood up until it stopped at one of the bookcases. There must be a hidden passage Andrew thought.
Andrew searched the shelves for the trigger. He found some more dried blood and one of the books. Andrew gave it a pull and part of the book shelf opened. He stepped inside the passage. As soon as he had done this, the panel instantly closed. Andrew followed the winding passage, not knowing where it led to. There were no lights, only darkness. Soon he came to the end. Andrew felt with his hands and could tell it was a stone wall. Where was the trigger to open it? He continued the search with his hand and in a few minutes had located it. Andrew pushed the trigger and the stone panel opened. The light from the sun nearly blinded him as Andrew stepped outside. He was somewhere on the opposite side of Gothica castle. It was a secluded area high in the Ore Mountains. Andrew discovered another helicopter landing area. It was camouflaged and would not have been detected from the air.
If there had been a helicopter there, it was gone. Andrew had no clue where Ana and her knight could have gone. He was relieved that they were more interested in seeking refuge than an attack. Andrew had defeated them and they were going in hiding to lick their wounds. But Andrew wasn’t finished. He had to make sure any Knights of VanHelsing that remained would be tried in court for their crimes. Andrew returned to the panel and found the key stone to open it. He stepped inside and the panel closed behind him.