Vermilion Dreams_A Vampire Fantasy Epic

by M. U. Riyadad

  “Dina has a good heart,” Cecily remarked, without looking away from the glass walls. “But I fear that one day she’ll learn that ruling isn’t as easy as keeping good intentions. Her father has hard choices to make. One day, she’ll have hard choices to make, too.”

  Yephi shook her head in dismay. “Oh I hate those. They give like twenty of them at once on pieces of paper at the Cathedral.”

  “Those are called tests,” Iris replied with revulsion.

  Yephi pointed a threatening finger at her. “And you wouldn’t even help me. Your own flesh and blood. I was the one who warmed the womb for you.”

  “Because that’d be cheating.”

  “I didn’t need you to give me the answer. I had it, I just wanted you to check it for me.”

  Iris staggered backward, then pointed a finger back at Yephi. “You said you thought the answer was the name of a province in Xenash.”

  “Yes, well—”

  “We were in math class. They were multiplication problems.”

  Raldor interrupted, pointing to the end of the hall. “Hey isn’t that the Lady Anasahara by your room? Dina, that’s your grandmother, right?” He stepped to the side, brushing his hair away to get a better look. He turned to Terethy, still pointing at the alcove.

  “That’s her all right,” the third guard said. “Could always tell by that shawl. Made from the hair of an umbriel, they say.” I didn’t recognize him, though I knew his name was Nadel. Someone had called to him while we were walking back from the forest. He was a middle-aged and bulky man, bald with a dark beard like Father. He didn’t speak much. Mostly grunted. From what I understood, it was a common trend in veteran soldiers, especially the ones who had been in the army all their lives. They were never empty grunts, save for those occasions when they followed too much wine or beer. There were messages inside the sounds, wrapped in intonation and timing. If you had the ear for it, you could catch whole conversations exchanged in three breaths.

  “Was it dangerous?” I asked, trying to change the subject. “The forest, I mean. Did you find anything there trying to get us? We didn’t see much but we heard noises. We were safe with Taa of course, but that didn’t make it any less jarring. I kept feeling like the woods were closing in around us.”

  “You weren’t out that late,” Terethy admitted. Her eyes wandered to the side of the wall facing the forest. “The night is only beginning for them.” She pointed to a haze of blurry shapes walking across the marshes. They were too far to see clearly from here, a vague mix of naked fangs and shackled features that stuttered toward Chaya in a trail of decaying flesh and ghost blood. Some of the shapes waded through the deeper parts of the wetlands, floating above clusters of ribbon weeds and spike-rushes like shards of smoked molasses. Others moved quickly. Dark, amorphous figures that split the water with wide strides, turning into the distinct silhouettes of vampires whenever lightning streaked across the sky. Yuweh protect us, I thought. Last blue moon we only had six deaths in all of Chaya, but we had more soldiers from the King’s Guard to spare for defending the people then. Today, the majority of Father’s guards were defending the area around the palace. The creatures that came to us tonight wouldn’t waste time here. They’d go in search of easier prey.

  “Who is your grandmother speaking to?” Raldor asked. His hair fell freely in front of his helm once more, covering his eyes in a shock of chestnut locks. “That doesn’t look like a guest of the Royal Court. He’s not from one of the guards either.”

  Terethy followed Raldor’s eyes, then turned to Cecily. “Is everything all right there?” she asked, gripping the hilt of her sword. “Should we—”

  “No!” I interjected, louder than I intended. “I’m sure they’re just talking about the weather or something. Old friends catching up.”

  I turned around to look at Taa and her guest. The man in the dark cloak was making wild stabbing motions into the air, twisting his fist in and out, while Taa was nodding eagerly.

  Raldor began to walk forward. I sidestepped to block him.

  “I’m telling you, it’s just a friend. I’m certain of it,” I insisted. “Trust me, you really don’t want to be bothering Taa. She’s always cranky during blue moons. In a depressed mood of sorts. Can barely get her to smile.”

  From across the hallway, Taa erupted into a raucous laughter, so loud it echoed off the glass walls to encircle us in hoarse notes for at least a full minute. I turned around again. Her guest was strangling something in the air, face bulging with streaks of furious emotions. Taa was cackling so hard she had to reach a hand over her head to keep the hood of her shawl in place. She bent over and slapped her knee, breaking into a coughing fit a few seconds later.

  “Well I won’t bother her,” Raldor said, narrowing his eyes. “Shouldn’t we at least ask her if everything is okay? Is she laughing? Or choking? That doesn’t sound right. That man looks dangerous. I think… Dina, I think he’s got a knife or something in his hands.” He craned his head left and right, trying to steal a better glance as I kept moving to block his steps.

  Nadel chuckled, muttering something underneath his beard.

  “How did he even get in?” Terethy asked. “I didn’t see anyone come up here. He went through the gardens? Do we not have that guarded?” She stepped toward the right side of the wall, trying to glimpse the palace’s side entrance between its marbled pillars.

  Nadel shook his head tiredly, then grunted. “Business as usual for the Lady Anasahara. Don’t worry about it, lads. This is as normal as it gets.”

  “Precisely,” I replied.

  Raldor tried to walk around me again, almost running into my shoulder with his knee plates.

  “Dina, what if—” he began, but I cut him off with a raised hand.

  “Listen. Raldor. Old friend,” I sighed, taking a deep breath. “You’re new here, but there’s something you’ve really got to understand about this palace. In particular, about—”

  “Our grandmother,” Yephi chimed in.

  “Listen well,” Iris continued. “Valuable advice you’re about to get. You’re lucky we’re here to tell you these things. Doubt anyone else will fill you in.”

  “Can we charge for this sort of thing?” Yephi asked. She reached a finger out and poked the leather purse on Raldor’s belt.

  I pointed down the hall to Taa. “You see that old lady there? When she’s around the palace, you’re going to see a lot of weird shit. Get it?”

  “Dina!” Cecily gasped. “Yuweh’s eyes are upon you.”

  I moved my hand to her, shaking my head. “Believe me, Cecily, the lad needs to hear it like it is before he gets himself hurt.” I turned back to the soldiers. Terethy was smiling. She was a bit more familiar with my sisters and me than the other two, though Nadel seemed to know Taa well.

  I took a deep breath, then continued, “Raldor, If you’re walking through the palace gardens on a pleasant summer afternoon, and on the way to get your breakfast from the kitchens you see our grandmother wrestling with a plant that looks like it’s a few seconds away from biting one or two of her limbs off—”

  “You just keep on walking,” Iris said. “If you’re feeling bold, wish Taa a good morning.”

  I nodded. “If you’re walking by the great hall in the middle of the night and you see it’s been emptied out, and inside, Taa is speaking to a silverback gorilla wearing an executioner’s mask, a red cape, and a straw hat—”

  “You just keep on walking,” Yephi said. “If you’re feeling bold, wish Taa a good night.”

  I nodded. “If you’re walking outside and you see Taa sitting by one of the benches, reading fables to a group of children and feeding the ducks—”

  “Come to us immediately,” both Yephi and Iris said in unison.

  “Something’s gone terribly wrong,” Iris exclaimed.

  “Poison, likely,” Yephi added. “Something that’s knocked Taa entirely out of her senses. Neptune root. Silver cyanide. Maybe an overdose of whisper.”

/>   I looked up at Raldor, squinting one eye in a half-wink. “Savvy?”

  Raldor turned to Terethy, then Cecily. He paused for a moment, looked back at me with a disturbed expression, then gave a reluctant nod.

  “Err… I think so,” he mumbled. “But you know, we have orders and such to—”

  “Good then, we have an understanding.” I smiled.

  Yephi whispered next to me. “So we’re not charging him then? Felt a fat purse, I did.” She pointed at Raldor’s belt.

  “Cecily, ready to go then?” Nadel asked, pulling his belt up while tightening his sheath.

  “Would be good if we could get back before the blue moon peaks,” Terethy said. Her grip on her sword loosened, but she kept her eyes down the hall on the alcove. “Rain’s getting harder too. This thunderstorm won’t be ending anytime soon.”

  “You’re not staying in the palace?” I asked, looking up toward Cecily. “It’s a blue moon.”

  “Oh it’s not too far,” Cecily said. “We moved closer, remember? And anyway, Dina, today has been too long of a day.”

  “You need your own bed. And you already stayed last night.”

  She nodded, then turned to Raldor. “May I have a moment with Queen Dina?”

  Cecily referred to me as Queen Dina in front of others whenever she needed extra leeway. No one would say no when a request was phrased like that. Caretakers of an heir apparent were almost always women from other noble families. Being so close granted you favor no amount of money or influence could buy. Cecily was a commoner, but she took pride in her position. It had brooded resentment among the other noble families of Chaya when Taa first appointed her. Mother had told me stories of how desperately several families had vied for the position before I was born. The Speights, the Bisus, the Huqs. It was why Taa had chosen none of them. The Bisus found it particularly insulting. Father’s caretaker when he was young had been one of their own. It was one of the reasons why Chaya’s last conflict had escalated so quickly to battle. The Fennel Coast River fell under their lands. To Mother’s annoyance, the Bisu woman came by at least once a month and asked if she was properly looking after Father.

  “Of course,” Raldor said. He dug his heels into the elder stone, setting a gawky arm against the wall to hold himself up. “And… well… not to rush anyone, but we’ll have to be outside again after getting you home. Would be best if we left soon.” His hand slipped from the glass and he faltered sideways for a moment before hauling himself back up against the wall. He blushed, though no one paid any attention to his stumble.

  “Only a minute,” Cecily assured him. She took my hand, squeezing firmly. Her fingers were slippery from the rose oil in Yephi and Iris’s hair.

  “Out again?” I asked. “Father’s having you go outside of the palace?”

  Nadel grunted.

  “Queen O’nell wants to take a ride in the blue moon after dinner,” Terethy said. “Wants to see the marshes and the outside of the forest when Eio peaks. Says she’s always been curious about the Dwah Forest. She came here when she was younger, didn’t she? To study under the Lady Anasahara.”

  “Thinks she’s invincible,” Raldor muttered. “Going outside in a blue moon. Toward the forest nonetheless.”

  “I mean, she kind of is,” Terethy said. “They say her lineage goes back to Enek’Senehet.”

  Raldor raised his left hand in defense. “Didn’t mean to insult your idol,” he replied sarcastically. “Yuweh knows she’s brought enough of her Queen’s Guard to keep her safe. I’d reckon her personal staff is big enough to invade Chaya if she gave the order.”

  “Aye,” Nadel cut in. “King just wants us there out of respect. Shouldn’t let our guests roam by themselves. Not proper, that.”

  “Even if they could take over all of Chaya in a fortnight,” Raldor said, avoiding Terethy’s gaze.

  Cecily pulled me aside as the three of them continued discussing Queen O’nell. Yephi and Iris tried to sneak closer but stepped away after Cecily glowered at them. From across the hall, I saw Taa watching.

  “Dina. Your shoulder.” She tapped where the wound had been. “Did you get it taken care of?”

  “It’s fine,” I said. “The physikers fixed it. A bit of alchemy, a bit of magic, and it’s as good as new.” I flexed my shoulder, rotating my joints to show her I was in no pain. “I feel strong enough for another round in the Dwah Forest. Not that I was considering it,” I quickly added, seeing her lips form into a thin line. “But if I was…” I swung at the space in front of me. “Could take down another three or four daemons easily. Would have them begging for it. All the way back to the woods.”

  “Let me see it,” Cecily demanded, kneeling down and pulling on my collar before I could protest. She examined the area, pressing on it to see how I’d react. Her eyes met mine as she pushed, trying to catch any change in my expression. She placed the back of her hand on my forehead when she was done, checking my temperature.

  “See?” I said. There really was no pain, but as she pressed on my shoulder, I realized it was still a bit numb. Best not to tell her. It would be gone by tomorrow. I was certain of it.

  “Hmm.” She put my collar back down, kneading the area to fold down the crease she had made. “Your skin feels cold there, Dina. You’re sure you’re okay?”

  “I’ll tell Taa about it if that makes you feel better. Just not Mother, please. I’m already in enough trouble as it is.”

  “It would, Dina. Thank you.” She brushed a hand against my cheek. “Dina, you and your sisters are the greatest blessings the gods could have given me, but you’ve got to understand how big a burden that can feel like sometimes. It’s like I have all of Chaya counting on me not to mess up, and then a few people just waiting for it to happen.” Her eyes strayed to the soldiers, then to the wall facing the forest, where they lingered on the forms of daemons strolling through far away trees, voices and shapes lost in the distance. “You’re incredibly smart, Dina. Incredibly smart. I’ve not seen anything like it. It’s to some degree that feels impossible. A gift of the gods.” She paused, drawing her eyes back to me from the forest. “But sometimes, I feel that all that perspective makes you miss simpler things. Your mind just blows over them. It’s like it doesn’t want to waste time, but it doesn’t understand how important those things can be for the bigger picture.”

  She looked left and right before turning back to me. “I heard what you did in the great hall. That’s quite impressive.”

  I hid a grin behind a modest smile.

  “Just be sure that you don’t mention much of it to anyone tomorrow,” Cecily said. “The side effects of wine alchemy include memory loss and nervousness. You’ll want to make it realistic.” She combed my hair with her fingers one last time before standing up and walking over to Yephi and Iris. “Stay safe tonight, girls.” She kissed the two of them on their foreheads, then turned to leave with Raldor, Terethy, and Nadel. Each gave a short bow in our direction.

  “Dina, the other maids have already brought in a kettle and some firewood for your room so Taa can cook in there,” Cecily said as they began walking away.

  “Thank you, Cecily!” I shouted back. “We’ll see you tomorrow morning!”

  Yephi and Iris followed me down the hall toward Taa and her guest.

  CHAPTER 17

  “All right Chadd, you best be off now,” Taa said as we approached, her voice suddenly abrupt and urgent. “Getting quite late. Blue moon and all, wouldn’t want you to get lost and knifed again. Had to skip my smoke last time just to get you out of that pit of thieves.” She pushed her hands forward, trying to guide her guest toward the alcove’s exit.

  You could smell the gardens from up here on a blue moon. The alchemical plants that Taa kept locked away, like the thistlegrass and shanto’s donises, would expunge their cavernous scents into the air whenever the old magic was strong. I was never allowed to go down and see them on a day like this. They’re too wild in the blue moon, ayetha, Taa would say. Thorned petals a
nd rope-like vines would sing in your thoughts, chanting the old magic to your bones. Pieces of bark and broken twigs would tumble about, looking for a forest breeze to carry them toward the scent of flesh. Thick stems and rustling leaves turned electric in the moonlight—their green and yellow lines forming into the vivid fantasies of Manasi Jungle brawls.

  “Ahh, your grandchildren!” The man in the dark cloak beamed. “Ladies, princesses, hello there!” He held his elbows up, trying to keep Taa at bay, but she kept shoving him back. From closer up, it was more obvious that he wasn’t a native of our lands. He didn’t have the soft tan of a Chayan. Rather, it looked like he might have been a bit paler naturally, but had darkened to the color of chestnut from time in the sun. He had an ashen face with gaunt features, but it was perpetually brightened with a seemingly never-ending grin. His eyes were the color of dark soil, with narrow, cat-like pupils, and they dashed from place to place every minute or so with mischief, looking for something new to capture his attention. He had a hooked nose and a large skull with a full mullet of green hair. My first inclination would’ve been to say he was a wild mix of different races. Part Chayan, part Mimenhish, part Xenashi, but that couldn’t be it. He did have a mix of features from different places, but they didn’t blend together in a consistent way. Each one was too pronounced and distinct, unique to an entirely separate and individual race.

  “These things?” Taa asked, pointing to us. “No, no, they’re the young training maids that tidy up my chambers.” She flicked her hand back, gesturing to my room. “Hurry up now, get the pots ready, girls. I’ve almost finished the stew.” The door stood half a foot ajar. The smell of spice, meat, and different lentils spilled out from the gap, along with the sound of a whistling kettle.

  “Nonsense!” Yephi cried, affronted. “We’re her grandchildren all right. Her favorite ones. Don’t let her pretend we’re not related. What’s that package you’ve given her?” She tried to grab the pouch, but Taa was too quick.

  “Important artifacts related to what I discussed with the Royal Court today,” Taa barked. “Things I’ve got to study tonight. Ancient and magical things. Don’t touch them, wild child. Keep your grubby hands off. Your fingers will burn. The dark will take you.”