"Hey, you two," I called them over as I stopped at the stables.
"My lord!" the taller of the two replied as they ran over.
"Drink," I said, cutting open my wrist. But the two men just stood there, unmoving. "Drink!" I ordered again and brought my hand up to the guard that replied first. I could feel him gulp it down hungrily, but he pushed my hand away after only a second.
"My Lord! Thank you!"
I nodded and offered it to the second guard who took in only a couple of drops. Still, those drops would get him through the month comfortably. Ordinary Humans didn't really need much blood to become super-soldiers.
"Guard this place with your life," I said before the two ran off.
"Yes, my Lord! We will!"
The stablemaster brought out three well-fed horses, among which one was the white mare Harma had ridden during the battle. She looked at the animal hungrily, and then at me. I shrugged and chose the pitch-black raven, leaving the chestnut for Katya. She didn't seem to really care, so neither did I.
"What's with the gestures today?" Katya asked once we were deep into the woods.
"Nothing. Trying to keep morale up. Why?"
"Morale? Giving her the horse she attacked us on?"
"Hey, we don't have to speak mentally. I don't mind if she hears us speak. She won't live long enough anyway," I replied.
"If you say so," Katya replied and went silent. She was brooding over me sleeping with Tierney, but I didn't care. She better get used to it pretty quickly, since I was about to lose my patience with the trio. But strangely, I was drawn to Harma for some reason. I couldn't shake it off that there was more to her than met the eye. So I decided to dig a little deeper.
"Harma?"
"Yes, my Lord?"
"What's your story? Why did you join the clergy, and even more, how the hell did you manage to make Bishop?"
She looked away as if embarrassed by it all.
"I'm the sole heir to Cardinal Westfalen. They-- use people any way they see fit. And in this case, my father gave them the land on which the portal and keep were built. Then-- they asked for me to lead a raid against you. He protested and was stripped of his rank, saying how he lost his heart to serve the holy Pope and the Vatacan."
"I see. And the Vatacan made you reclaim your father's honor?" I asked curiously.
"Not really. Unless I did what they asked from me, all of the Westfalen would be killed as traitors."
I sighed, annoyed by the constant power-hungry bastards that liked to toy with people's lives. Just like Dvorak had with mine for so long. I glanced over at Katya, but she remained quiet. I could see she didn't care about Harma's sob story in the least, and neither did I. But something bugged me.
"Who demoted the Cardinal?"
"It was an old man. His skin was bone-white and wrinkled as if he'd lived for a thousand years. An aura of death surrounded him, so father didn't dare to fight back. After all, that man is now the Pope."
I cracked my neck and shook my head around, annoyed by this revelation. An old man who refused to die. We could surely help with that.
"Is he still there? At the keep?"
"Who? My father?"
"No," I groaned. "The Pope."
"No, I'm sorry. He went back through the portal the same day. In any case, he was heavily guarded. I think there were about twenty high ranking officials acting as his escorts. And I don't mean high ranking due to political connections, no, the fighting type who knew how to get things done."
We rode in silence for a while as I thought about everything that she told me. Then my thoughts wandered off to Tierney. I couldn't help but smile at imagining her beneath my body. She was a beast, and a little devil, no matter how you looked at it.
"How about I offer the Westfalen protection from the Pope. If you can make your father spill all he knows about the Vatacan, the Pope and everything else I might find of interest, you could live in Zharevo."
"Not possible. The Pope would send an army, and I mean a real army this time. Father knows too much, so if they got a whiff of betrayal, we'd all be dead before the next day."
"No, we wouldn't, I can guarantee you. But more about that another time. How about we rest for a while," I proposed seeing her sweaty brow. "How long have we been riding?"
"Seven hours straight. The horses will need a blood infusion if you want to keep them going any longer," Katya said.
"Good. I think we made good progress for the day, let's put up camp for the day."
The darkness of the forest was interrupted as the sun appeared far on the horizon. Surely, it was possible for us to move on already, but I didn't see the need for haste. We had all the time in the world ahead of us, so why rush into our death? No, we would ride during the night and leave our horses at the town nearest the keep.
"Tent? Or barn?" Katya asked.
"Leave it to me," I replied as I got off my horse. "Rise," I whispered. "Do my bidding."
Hundreds of shadows rose from the ground and the thicket all around us. Some resembled axes, while others looked like shadow-men. It was a strange sight, but why do it by myself if I could have someone else do it?
The axes danced around tall trees felling them with a single blow, all the while as the worker shadows built us a cabin from the chopped wood. I didn't dare make it too lavish, or someone might have crazy thoughts about occupying it while we were away, but it would serve its purpose.
More shadows rose and searched around for berries, nuts, and fruit, while the last group busied themselves with furniture. Finally, I sat with a sigh, exhausted by ordering the shadows around.
"Why is it so dark in here? It's not like you Vampyres can't walk outside in broad daylight, no?" Harma asked once she sat in the corner, furthest away from me.
"I hate the sun. And daylight. Even if it won't kill me, it doesn't mean that I have to like it. Speaking of which, why are you huddled up in the corner? Come sit with us."
"I'm just fine where I am."
"That wasn't a request," I growled. Harma looked down at her feet and pushed herself up, then made her way to the two of us and sat down on the lone empty chair.
"What now?" Harma asked. I glanced over at Katya, who was humming some tune and acting like she didn't care about the situation. I knew better, but now was not the time to get into details. At least not with Katya.
"I need you to tell us the details about your keep, the portal, the layout, and the location. I also need to know where your family's estate lies. In case you get any funny ideas."
She looked down, defeated, and broken. If I would actually go through with my threats remained to be seen, but the knowledge was never wasted.
"Once we arrive at a small town South-East of Orsova, we'll leave the horses there and move North. The keep sits atop a large hill overlooking the city and the land around it. The walls are fifteen feet tall and two foot thick. There's no way in other than through the only gate that leads over a moat. The gate drops four times a day, namely every six hours once. Wards are placed all around the land, the moat, and the wall. They're strategically set up so as to detect movement or anything else than a Human or a bird."
"Interesting. They've basically done what we have, but on a grander scale," I said. "Tell me, how much larger is the keep? In comparison to my town."
She shrugged and sat upright.
"It's not about the size of your own keep. There wasn't enough raised land to build a castle, so it is what it is. The portal is located in the East wing, while the west one serves as a barracks for the troops. The inner keep is where the 'ranked' clergy lives. There's a-- dungeon located underneath where they hold the traitors. You can find my family there," she whispered. "If they're still alive."
Something in me snapped. I had come to despise humanity with a passion, but not all of it. There was a tiny amount of me that still held life dear. Maybe it was my dead mother or even my father. Perhaps it had been Dvorak and his despicable ways, but no matter the reason, it was there.
"What are you brooding over?" Katya asked.
"Her family," I replied honestly. "Maybe we can save them if the situation allows. What do you think?"
"Up to you. I couldn't care less, my Lord."
"Y--you would really go that far?" Harma whispered. There was a tinge of hope present in her voice that betrayed everything she stood for. Yes, she would do whatever I asked of her. Even if it were just empty promises.
"Of course, my dear. If you prove your loyalty, I will not only kill whoever wronged your parents, but I will give your father and mother them eternal freedom."
Chapter Seven
The poor were poor everywhere, not just in Zharevo. Beggars and homeless people littered the main street of the town we arrived at. Run-down homes, broken windows, and the stench of sickness and death lingered heavy in the air.
From what I could see, it was the size of Zharevo, maybe a little larger. The situation was far worse; much more run-down. A large inn was centered on the main square, which forked past the building and went on for a good while to both sides. Next to the inn were the stables, and again next to the stables a graveyard.
"What the hell?" I murmured. "Why did they put the graveyard near the center of the town?"
"Beats me," Harma replied. "I've been here only a couple of times. In any case, we should take a room at the inn and leave our horses here. We can do the rest on foot."
"Won't they get funny ideas and try to rob us?" Katya asked. "Just look at my outfit and these long legs."
"When you're with a Bishop, people tend to look away, even less try anything funny."
"Right, right. Come on. We'll leave the provisions and extra clothes in our room, Katya," I said. "And you better put on something more fitting or you'll go naked."
"Oh, wouldn't you like that?" she winked.
"In this case, no. We're about to attack a keep chock full with the clergy. If it were anything but this, I'd say go ahead, my love."
"Aww, you really do look after me," she replied. I hated it when she did that with her voice, raising it so high my ears almost hurt.
"Harma, can you do the talking."
"Yes, my lord."
My right eyebrow rose into my forehead. My Lord? Since when? But I remained silent as she turned to the stable boys and called them over.
"Take good care of them, alright? If they're rested and fed until we're back, you'll both get an extra coin," Harma said with a smile. The two little boys faces lit up as they took a copper piece each and put them away before the stable master came along.
"Evening," the elderly man said with a slight bow. He didn't dare meet Harma's eyes, but he did hold his hand out, palm up. "How long will the horses be in our care?"
"One or two days most. I'm here for business with the keep, but I need to keep a low profile, do you understand?"
"Oh, yes. Certainly! They will be ready at a moment's notice, lady Bishop."
She nodded and pressed two pieces of silver into his palm. His eyes went wide from greed before running off after the two boys shouting orders.
"Is it smart announcing your arrival?" Katya asked.
"Don't worry. He's a man loyal to my father, or rather to his coin. He's been working on our estate until-- the Pope took it from us."
"Still, Humans are fickle creatures. Easily swayed by the promise of more coin than the one who initially paid them," I said.
"Whatever the case, it's not like I'm wanted. I still serve in an official function. Come, let's get our room. Or rather two, since clergywomen aren't allowed to mingle with men."
I sighed, annoyed by their rules and by the details. Still, Harma could prove to be valuable, so why not go on with the charade for a while longer?
"Lady Bishop!" a short, bald woman exclaimed as we entered the inn. To our luck, it was empty but for the woman and us. The first thing I noticed was the heavy, stale stench of liquor and a fresh scent of roast pork. A large counter stood across the entrance with a large dining area to the right. The worn wooden boards creaked with each step.
"Shh, keep it down, will you?" Harma hissed. "Not everyone needs to know I'm back."
"Ohh, there's no soul in here but you-- three. Who are your friends?"
"None of your business, auntie. We need two rooms for the night. I can't present myself like this at the keep. I need to rest and clean myself up before we ride out tomorrow."
At that, auntie's expression changed, but not for the better. She motioned for Harma to come closer. When she did, auntie slapped her across the face.
"You nasty little cunt! You're lucky that my brother's still alive!"
Harma stood there as if she was being berated by her own mother, taking the abuse.
"I did it to protect everyone! But you wouldn't know much about it, would you? After all, you thought you could succeed on your own. But please, can we have this conversation another time? I don't want my new 'friends' to get the wrong opinion about my family."
"Take rooms three and five," auntie hissed throwing two sets of keys our way. I caught mine in mid-air, while Harma accidentally fumbled hers and picked it up from the floor.
"Thank you, auntie. Until tomorrow."
The older woman didn't reply and instead went back to scrubbing glasses and cutlery as we moved up the stairs. I could hear her hiss and curse both Harma and her parents, along with the situation they put her in. Humans were indeed small-minded creatures, only thinking about themselves.
"See? The walls are so heavily defended, that you'd need an army to storm it," Harma said as we stood atop thick tree branches overlooking the clearing and keep. There were at least a couple of hundred feet open ground to cover before one had to go up the hill. Then there were the moat and the walls, the traps, and whatever she might have hidden from us.
"You sure didn't lie when you said it was impregnable," Katya murmured as she pulled at the skin-tight leather pants. "And shit, these pants are horrible. They're going all up my ass and in between my legs. How the hell can someone find this comfortable?"
"It's much better for a raid than a short, blue dress, my dear," I replied. I hadn't told Katya about the piece of clothing on purpose, because she would have worn something impractical. Like another dress or something. Sure, I loved to see her long legs that seemed to go on forever, but not tonight.
"Whatever," she murmured and let out a deep sigh. "So? What next? And I really didn't have this in mind when I proposed we hit the road, my Lord."
"I'll make it up to you, Katya. You know I'm good for my word, no?" I replied and turned to face the keep again. An uncomfortable silence reigned over us for a long moment before Harma spoke up.
"We got a little over two hours to kill before they lower the bridge. Anyone has an idea about what to do in the meantime?"
"Wait, do you hear that?" I asked, turning back toward the forest as I tried to see if anyone was following us. The sound of hooves slamming down against the cold, hard ground reverberated in the silent night. "A lone rider."
"It's an elderly person. They're heavy out of breath. I can hear them from here," Katya sneered. I turned to Harma who gave me a 'don't ask me' look.
"It's better to intercept them since we're already going to--"
"Wait!" Harma hissed, putting her hand on my thigh. "Look at the keep."
I turned back around only to notice the lights jump to life. The outside lit up as if it was broad daylight. Shouts and orders carried in the quiet night.
"What the hell?" I cursed narrowing my eyes on the gate that was being lowered. The rider flashed by us. I could smell the roast pork from earlier when we were at the inn. "That's your aunt," I said. With a flick of her wrist, Harma sent a dagger flying and sunk it into her aunt's back. The woman keeled over and dropped from the horse, hitting her head against the cobbled road.
"Shadows, engulf her," I ordered. As one, a barrier of darkness surrounded the fallen woman along with the horse. "We don't have much time. Get down, Katya. You'll sit up front, and
I'll hide behind you. Harma, run ahead and check the situation out. If they put up a trap for some reason, call us off by shooting a beam into the air."
"Wait, what? They'll catch me for that! And torture and put me in the dungeon!"
"Move, or you won't live to see them." I put my arm around her and jumped down from the tree. Katya followed and ran up to the horse, put on the cape and cowl, then helped the horse up and got on. I slapped Harma's ass and pushed her along. She glanced back as she ran and hissed at me.
"Really?" Katya asked as I got on the horse and put my hands around her waist.
"What? Want me to grab your breasts instead?"
"No! Yes! I mean, why did you slap her ass? I heard you from a mile away!"
"Oh, that. Accident, my love. Now, how about I hide and we go in?"
"Sure, but you do know that the moment we arrive all kinds of wards will go off and announce our presence, no?"
"Yeah, I'm counting on it."
"Why are you changing the subject so readily?"
"Shush, my love. Go, we don't have much time."
Katya sighed and tapped the horse's flanks, forcing the animal to start running. By then, Harma was already half-way to the keep. We'd have to time our arrival just after her. After all, she would need a minute to play her part.
The cold breeze danced across my face and neck as we trotted along on horseback under the half-moon. I couldn't help but think back to when I was still an innocent boy. How many half-moons did I see in my broken childhood?
Harma arrived ahead of us and started yelling at the guards to lower the drawbridge. The commotion she stirred up was far more than what I'd have asked for.
"Can you kill one of the men atop the wall with an icicle?" I asked Katya. She shrugged.
"Most likely. I can try anyway. Why?"
"Just do it. Please," I said without giving away anything. Still, knowing me as well as she did, Katya already assumed what I was about to do. She concentrated on a tiny icicle the size of a needle, condensing water at immeasurable pressure. With a flick of her wrist, the needle struck a cleric atop the battlements right through the eye. He dropped like a sack of meat.
Lord of Shadows book 2: Bloodlines Page 5