Chronicles of Darkness: Shadows and Dust

by Andrea F. Thomas

  Nicolae's dark glare fell on his son, right after Anatol crashed into the table. "Rouven!"

  "What? Is it my fault that he stumbled?" he replied, innocently.

  "We have an important discussion here. Don't you have better things to do than fooling around?"

  Rouven rolled his eyes and retreated to his men with his half empty mug. "Alright, Father. Don't get upset."

  The mayor dipped the quill in the black ink and finished the last word. "Well, the list for the wood collection is done."

  After all the others had taken a look at it, Nicolae rolled up the parchment and put it aside.

  "What happens now?" Costin, the chronicler asked.

  "Yes, what is to become of our village? Now, without Marlin? What if the demons do come? Who is going to protect us?" another man complained.

  Mikahel cleared his throat. "Demons don't exist."

  "Then how do you explain all the strange occurrences that happened lately? Cattle that suddenly disappeared..."

  "Don't forget about the misfortune that happened to the wolf hunters."

  "Right, or what about Anatol, who turned crazy and..." one of the village's older people chimed in.

  Nicolae's fist hit the table. "Enough! I will tell you what we are going to do. We will go back to our roots."

  Mikahel frowned. "What does that mean exactly?"

  "It means we will bethink of our ancestors' customs. We will return to the old traditions and rituals."

  "Are you sure that's wise?" another old man asked.

  "It is for the best. We will control the situation in our valley ourselves again, just like in old times. The first step to that was the funeral today."

  A heated discussion followed. In the end, the village elders agreed. It was decided that nobody would be sent to tell the church about Ion Marlin's death.

  Nicolae pushed back his chair and rose. "Let's drink on our agreement, which was forged after endless discussions." He waved at the waiting István, who carried a large mug that had been made from a cow's foot. Its rim was made of wood and decorated with tiny carvings; scenes from the village. Nicolae wrapped his hands around it and proudly declared, "It is an old custom to drink from the traditional mug, in order to seal a council agreement." He took the first sip before giving the mug to Mikahel.

  After everyone had had a drink and the mug was empty, István came to take it away. A bit tipsy from the strong, dark beer, they sat back and continued talking.

  *****

  The small carriage flew across the snowy paths of the village, until it stopped in front of the tavern. Warm light fell through the small windows.

  "Wait here," Lilith said, exited the carriage and stepped in front of the house.

  The coachman, a ghoul, nodded and didn't move an inch from his seat. Meanwhile it had stopped snowing.

  The vampire wrapped a long cloak around her shoulders and looked to the sign that swung squeaking above her head. The letters had begun to fade, but were still readable. "The Howling Wolf."

  Muffled voices and laughter could be heard from the inside.

  She pulled the hood over her head, until only a cold smile was visible. Then Lilith opened the big wooden door and entered the tavern.

  A flood of perceptions swarmed her. The scent of sweat, fried meat, smoke, bad wine and stale beer. For Lilith it was the indescribable stench from a crowd of primitive humans. "How unsavory."

  For a short moment it was quiet, while suspicious and inquisitive eyes roamed over the newcomer. The men's interest in the stranger faded fast and they turned back to their concerns.

  Lilith ignored all the glances. He was looking for someone in particular.

  With his back to the door, the bored young man sat at a table, his eyes following the rolling dices of the other players. A strangely familiar feeling overcame Anatol. His hands started to tremble, forcing him to put down his beer mug. He couldn't see the new guest, but deep inside he knew where he had had the strange feeling before. Tense, Anatol kept sitting motionless and thought, 'Does nobody realize what's going on here?'

  A shiver ran down his spine as he felt an ice cold hand stroking his back gently and a lovely voice whispered, "Good evening, Anatol. It is nice to see you again."

  That was too much for the young man. A scream escaped him and he leapt up, knocking his chair to the floor. Anatol whirled around, but there was nothing. Greatly confused, he scanned his surroundings.

  The newly arrived guest was still standing beside the door.

  Anatol began to sweat and nervously ran a hand through his hair. "That can't be... that can't be..."

  That drew the attention from the other men and also Rouven's, who rose from his table and stumbled toward the scared man. He grabbed his shoulders roughly. "Hey, Ana... Anatol... whassss se matter, huh? Had too mush beer, hmm?" he slurred drunkenly and belched unashamed, right into the other man's face.

  Anatol just stared at him horrified, grabbed Rouven's jacket und shook him hard.

  The stout tavern keeper shuffled slowly to the stranger, wiping his fingers on his leather apron. "What can I do for you? A bed for the night?"

  "I am just taking a break. I have a long journey ahead of me and I wish to have some wine."

  Suspiciously, István raised an eyebrow. "Will you be able to pay the wine?"

  A golden coin landed on the counter as an answer.

  The tavern keeper's eyes instantly began to gleam like the gold piece. Respectfully bowing again and again, he announced cheerfully, "For that, you can always have meal and drinks at my place, for as long as you live."

  "Do not take on more than you can handle," Lilith scoffed. Searching, she looked around.

  István demanded of his daughter, "Ljudmilla, make sure that the dice players leave. I need that table. For what it's worth, they are still nursing their first and only beer of the evening anyway!"

  Outraged voices sounded from said table, but the stranger raised her hand, silencing the innkeeper. "I will sit there."

  István's eyes followed her pointing finger. "What? The table in the corner?" Desperately he tried to change the stranger's mind. "It's so dark there, unworthy of your presence."

  Lilith stood firm

  "You, Andrej, take a seat somewhere else. I need that table," István pleaded. He didn't dare to throw the tall man out.

  "Hold it. I will sit with him."

  István was stunned, but obeyed. "As you wish. My daughter will bring you some wine. In the meantime, why don't you take off your cloak?"

  "No. Give me two glasses and your best wine. And I mean wine, not the usual watered down brew."

  Flabbergasted, István looked from the guest to Andrej, whose face didn't betray any emotion.

  On her way to the table, a drunk staggered into Lilith's path and stumbled. Searching for something to hold on, he reached for her cloak to regain his balance. The vampire took a step to the side and the man fell thudding to the floor, where he started to snore loudly.

  The others crowed with laughter at the sight.

  She stepped over the fallen and sat down on the wooden bench, putting up her legs on a nearby chair, her back resting against the wall.

  After István was out of earshot, Andrej hissed, "What for heaven's sake are you doing here, Lilith?"

  "Are you not even the slightest bit happy to see me?"

  Andrej scowled. "No. And what have you done to the poor Anatol?"

  "Who, me?" came Lilith's innocent reply. "I was nowhere near him."

  "You know that you have certain means and ways. I doubt he fell off his chair on his own, his face as white as a chalked wall."

  Lilith snorted in disgust, as they were interrupted.

  Unsure, Ljudmilla approached, trying to act and speak elegantly. "We do not have any glasses, but my father is hoping that our most expensive tin mugs will meet your approval."

  Lilith nodded and István's daughter used a big jug to fill their mugs. After a rather clumsy curtsey, Ljudmilla hurried to get away
.

  Andrej lifted his mug and announced, mockingly, "To my noble patroness." He took a sip and asked again, "What are you doing here?"

  Lilith didn't answer and she didn't touch the wine. Instead, her eyes roamed over the interior of the tavern and the present men. The whole room was stifling and warm. Thick patches of smoke drifted through the air. Her gaze stopped on Rouven and Anatol, who were still having a fiery discussion.

  Suddenly, Anatol screamed at the top of his lungs, "We all are in grave danger!" Everybody present glared at him.

  "You have caused a wonderful mess," Andrej hissed at the vampire.

  István came from behind his counter, pushing his belly through the rows, until he reached the two young men. Impatient, he turned Anatol around and glowered at him. "I won't allow any rebels in my tavern. Go home! And don't come back, until you're clear in the head again!"

  Rouven grinned stupidly and slurred, "That was great."

  Anatol felt treated unfairly, but he could stand the sympathetic glances from the others even less. His eyes darted to the table where Lilith and Andrej sat. Dizzy, he ran towards the door, which closed banging behind him.

  "The boy is a bit hysterical," Lilith mentioned, amused by the scene that had taken place. "Although interesting."

  "What?" Andrej asked, annoyed. "Why interesting?"

  "I could say, useful," she added.

  Andrej rolled his eyes. "It's of no use. There is no way to have a normal conversation with you." He took another sip from his mug.

  "Ooh, the fine mister. Always so serious. Cannot have any fun, huh?" she mocked.

  He grumbled something unintelligible and stared into his mug, as if hoping to find something important at the bottom of it.

  Slowly, the crowd dissipated and the tavern emptied. People went home because of the late hour.

  Sighing deeply, Lilith rose. "I did not think it would be so very boring among humans." Glancing at Andrej, she added, "Here I thought it was only you, but now I know they all are like that."

  The young man refrained to answer, swallowing the snide remark that lay on his tongue.

  Realizing that she wouldn't get a rise out of him, Lilith left the place as fast as she had arrived.

  *****

  Sadden was relishing the unbelievable silence at the castle. She highly valued the fact to be all alone with her thoughts for once. The vampire sat in the large ceremonial room at a long table, which was covered by a vast number of yellowed scrolls and parchments. "All this information is unimportant and useless. If only I knew what I am searching for...whatever I am searching for..."

  Exhausted, Sadden leaned back and rubbed her temples. "I have forgotten so much... I wanted to forget it all, and now I am forced to remember." Tired and listless, she rose and was startled.

  Lilith's eyes were fixed on her while she leaned against the wall with crossed arms.

  "I do not have to ask for how long you have been standing there, do I?"

  Lilith shrugged her shoulders and walked to her teacher. She glanced at the documents before taking a seat at the table, putting one leg over the other.

  "Do you intend to keep sitting there?" Sadden asked patiently.

  Again the young vampire shrugged her shoulders.

  "You are not very talkative? A while ago, you had more to say. Has it something to do with your little trip to the village?"

  Lilith exhaled sharply.

  "Uh huh..." Sadden couldn't suppress the smirk that formed on her face and asked, "Where is Andrej?"

  Indifferent, Lilith shrugged her shoulders once more as said tall man entered the hall. "I wish you a good night, Sadden. I'm frozen stiff and so glad to finally be somewhere warm." He quickly walked to the blazing fireplace, shook the snow off his coat and warmed his hands at the bright flames.

  Sadden strode to him and asked seriously, "How was the funeral?"

  "Father Ion Marlin is on his last journey to eternal peace," he answered, rubbing his cold hands. "The people have agreed to not send word to the church."

  Sadden frowned. "I do not know what to make of that."

  "Well, look at it this way. No one will come knocking at the main portal, trying to find a way into the castle, in order to convert me to come to church." Mocking, Andrej made a horrified face before dissolving into laughter. "Or to see what devilish things are going on in here."

  Convinced, Sadden nodded slightly and returned to the table. She rolled up the scrolls and placed them back into their leather protection cases. Trying to break the uncomfortable silence and tension that had fallen, she inquired, "Did you have a nice talk at The Howling Wolf?"

  Andrej pricked up his ears and wrinkled his forehead. "You really gave her permission? I didn't want to believe that." He ignored that Lilith stuck out her tongue at him.

  Sadden didn't and shot her a sharp glare. "I thought her mature enough to not cause any trouble and to have control of herself."

  Andrej grinned broadly at Lilith. Then he became serious again. "I also heard something else. It seems as if someone lets the cattle out of their stables at night. Probably to feed the wolves. They never were so close to the village's borders like this year."

  Lilith scowled at Andrej.

  "I want these undertakings to stop immediately. The wild animals can fend for themselves," Sadden responded firmly to that.

  Annoyed, Lilith gave in and nodded. As if nothing had happened, she returned to the former subject. She crossed her arms and sighed dramatically. "He is sooooooo boring. It is getting on my nerves." she pointed at Andrej.

  Sadden raised an eyebrow, smirking inwardly.

  "So, the fine lady is bored stiff with me, yes?" Taking big steps, he went to fetch a long spear from the wall at the opposite side of the hall. That granted him Lilith's undivided attention. Andrej weighed the weapon in his hands, testing the balance and decided it would do nicely. "I see that quite differently."

  "What are you intending to do?" Lilith asked puzzled while she quickly leapt up and instinctively took a defending stance.

  "Choose your weapon," Andrej demanded calmly.

  "A duel? You wish to fight with me? How astounding. Did the wine give you the courage?" Lilith didn't have to think twice. She grabbed a light sword from above the fireplace. "You honestly think that fighting you will be a challenge for me?"

  "I think you shouldn't always judge so fast. As far as I see it, you're nothing more than a spoiled little brat."

  "What did you call me?"

  "Oh, excuse me. I meant an immortal spoiled little brat."

  They began to size each other up.

  "What do you know about me, huh?" Lilith asked disparagingly.

  "A lot more than you know about me. Let's begin with the heart in your chest, as cold as the body in which it doesn't beat."

  "Ha ha," Lilith said bitterly and started a direct attack.

  Andrej had seen it coming and countered, holding the spear protectively in front of his body to deflect her uncontrolled blow. The young man continued, as if nothing had happened. "In my opinion, you are drinking far too much blood, which makes you aggressive and insufferable. Or is there another reason?"

  The vampire was furious. The way Andrej goaded her demanded a fitting response. Lilith kicked against the spear, which the young man was still holding in front of him, and forced him back a couple of steps.

  "I also don't think that you have any special powers." Andrej advanced, but the young vampire jumped aside and hit him powerfully in the back with her sword's handle. His face contorted at the sharp pain that ran down his spine.

  "Really?" Lilith asked, then she laughed loudly and pursed her lips. "As if it would be of any interest to me what you think."

  Their eyes firmly locked, they circled the heavy oak table in the middle of the room where Sadden still stood.

  Lilith smiled, playing with the rapier in her hands.

  "You drain other creatures off their blood, only to prolong your own existence."

  To h
ear these hurtful words from Andrej caught Sadden's attention. Until now, she had never thought about how he felt about vampires. Her eyes rested on her friend. She knew the words were spoken in the heat of the fight. Despite that, she got the impression that it sounded like a reproach.

  The two duelers didn't notice Sadden's sudden hesitation. Completely engrossed in their fight, they also didn't see her storm from the room.

  Lilith waved challenging at Andrej. "Humans are attaching way too much importance to the drinking of blood. How often did I have to hear that we get a mental or even sexual satisfaction from it." Provoking, she ran her fingers gently from her throat to her candid décolleté.

  Andrej ignored this allusion and pointed the metal tip of his spear at the vampire. "Isn't it the truth that always young, beautiful humans are chosen? What other reason could there be, huh?" His flat hand hit the table. Andrej was sure that he would neither lose the word duel nor the fight. He walked around the table, facing the vampire.

  Lilith indicated a bored yawn. "A fatal mistake from your side. No, there is a complete different reason. Can't you imagine why vampires prefer young humans?" At the same time, she started an attack.

  Andrej dodged the blows, crawled under the table and rolled to the other side, where he jumped to his feet again.

  Lilith leapt over the table without touching it and came to stand right in front of him. "It is because of the memories. Young humans do not have so much of them, which makes the drinking of blood easier. Seeing Andrej's questioning face, she explained, "Their thoughts, memories and fears continue to live on inside of us."

  Andrej was stunned. He could have never imagined it like that. "I don't know if I should ask this question, but why no children?"

  Lilith smirked. "Children can't handle the amount of blood loss and would die. We are no monsters."