I stepped back from the cliff’s edge. “Yes but I knew how to swim as a human. That was easy. I obviously could not fly as a human.”
“Don’t worry; we will not push you off the cliff,” Sonia said.
“Yet,” Orrick added with a smirk.
I took another step away from the cliff.
“First, we will try to get you off the ground, so you can get used to it,” Rosalia said.
“Then you’ll push me off the cliff.” I was not afraid of dying; it was dying a painful death that worried me.
Rose laughed. “You see? I told you; she learns quickly.”
“She had better,” Orrick said.
I glared at him.
“When I was new,” Rose said. “I had to become afraid or angry for my wings to come out on demand. Of course, now it is as easy as telling my legs to walk.” In the next moment, Rosalia was no longer a lovely young lady but a hovering gray stone-like monster with giant bat wings. “Give it a try.”
I thought of the last time I had been angry. That was at William. The thought of him touching me was infuriating but I did not feel any different. I shrugged at Rosalia.
“What worked for me is to imagine being attacked,” Sonia said. Her voice was kind and soft, still that of a child’s. I could not imagine her killing someone. It broke my heart to think that a vampire would turn someone so young and innocent.
Sonia also appeared as a monster, swooping through the air above me.
“Very well.” I shook my head and tried to focus. “Being attacked,” I said out loud but to myself. Again, nothing happened.
“Let us hurry this along, shall we?” Orrick said as he lunged toward me with his fists up, poised to attack. That succeeded. In an instant I was hovering out of his reach.
Cheers erupted from the vampires.
My legs looked terrible. I held my hands out and stared at them. They were not mine; they were ugly, gray and cracked. I panicked causing my wings to falter. This sent me plummeting to the ground with a loud thud.
“Well done. I think she is ready,” Orrick said.
With that, the four of them grabbed me and easily threw me over the cliff.
“Noooooo,” I yelled. The ground sped toward me as I fell in terror. It felt much longer than only a moment or two. Time flew by. Then … time stopped. Enormous seven-foot wings extended out horizontally, suspending me in the air. I glided with ease.
“Yes!” I yelled in triumph. This is fabulous! That was when I heard the whoops and howls of the others. There were two massive winged creatures on either side of me, cheering me on.
“Flap your wings,” Rosalia’s voice said, though I could barely recognize her in this form.
I studied my wings and focused. They slowly moved up and down. I began to gain altitude rather than slowly gliding downward. It is like learning how to walk — or so I imagined. I had to figure out how to control different muscles, in this case, ones I did not know I had. Flapping the wings felt like flexing my shoulder blades.
The others dived and spiraled through the air with ease. I watched with a child’s amazement. All I could do was focus on adjusting to the wind speed and not falling out of the sky. I wobbled with even the slightest change in air pressure or wind.
We flew through the valley, speeding over a large farm and a small farmhouse. Orrick — at least I think it was Orrick — flew low over the sheep in a pen, scaring the poor creatures. He laughed heartily as he corkscrewed through the air.
“How high can we go?” I asked.
“Let’s find out,” Rose said.
Up and up we went. It appeared we could fly until we tired, which was a very long time — essentially until we had to feed. Finally, we all stopped and hovered. We were many times higher than the mountaintops and far above any clouds. It was as if I could see the entire world from up here. I narrowed my eyes and strained to see as far as possible. The world seemed to curve away from us in all directions, as if the earth were round and bigger than we could ever have imagined. I laughed out loud as I thought, The earth is spherical, just as Father believed. I wished I could have told him he was right. It was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen.
“This is the best part.” Orrick tucked his wings in and dived head first.
The others did the same. I followed more cautiously.
I never wanted to land. I would have been content to stay in the air forever. Landing? How does one land? My exhilaration faded and my heart began to race.
The others landed back on the cliff. I circled them to watch. Their wings were fully open, flapping hard as they slowed. They landed on their feet with ease. Their wings quickly folded up and disappeared. Once again, they looked like normal humans, fully clothed. That is convenient, I thought.
“Are there any tricks to landing?” I yelled down to them.
“Keep your wings fully extended and parallel to the ground rather than perpendicular,” Irene yelled back.
This simply baffled me. When I tried to rotate my wings, they folded in too far and I dropped hard to the ground, rolling five times before coming to a stop.
“Ouch,” I moaned as I got to my feet. It hurt but the pain quickly vanished.
Everyone roared with laughter.
“You did very well,” Sonia said.
She was sincere. I already liked her.
“Aye, until that landing,” Orrick said in between laughing wildly.
As incensed as I was becoming with Orrick, I could not help laughing with them.
“Come along; the sun will be on the rise soon. Let’s get back,” Rosalia said.
Chapter 29 Constantinople 1260 A.D
After a time, I grew comfortable in Ramdasha’s cavern. There was no sun to hurt my eyes, no smell of delicious human blood to make my throat ache. I did not have to constantly work to move slowly like a human. I even began to consider Rosalia’s band of “commoners” my friends.
Nights were usually spent flying. I practiced moving my wings in different ways to learn what would happen when I did. I practiced taking off from the ground — as opposed to being thrown off a cliff. And, of course, I practiced landing. This was the most difficult part but I was slowly getting better. During the day I read from the supply of books in the library and spent time with Rosalia and the others. I had not seen much of Orrick, so I asked Rosalia one day about the politics of vampires and if there was anything I should know. She said that Orrick was the expert on such matters and that I should consult him.
So I sought Orrick out. Much to my dismay, he was in the large round room at the end of the hall, Ramdasha’s throne room. I had gone out of my way to avoid this room and Ramdasha. My stomach fluttered as I entered. Many eyes turned my way but thankfully Ramdasha hardly gave me a glance. I wish I could have said the same for the large man to his right. He stared at me intently. I looked away and I scanned the room for Orrick. My skin crawled as I could still feel the vampire’s stare. I all but ran to Orrick. Not caring that I was interrupting, I blurted, “May I have a word?”
“Now?” Orrick frowned.
“Please. … And not here.” I looked around uneasily.
“Excuse me,” Orrick said to the vampire he had been conversing with.
We joined our other friends in the small common room.
“This had better be good,” Orrick said.
“Sorry about that. I have not seen you much lately and Roselia said you were the one to consult.”
“About what?”
“About what I need to know regarding the vampire world?”
His eyes brightened but he did not smile.
He must be eager to have someone who will listen to him, I thought.
Aaron stood. “I think I’ll go to the training room.” He stopped in front of me, issued a half-mocking bow. “Please excuse me, My Lady.”
I frowned at him and playfully pushed him away.
“To start …” Orrick gestured for me to sit in a chair across from him. “There is a group of
vampires in the North. Some of them are very old. They call themselves the High Court of Elders. By and large, they are the leaders of our kind. They make the laws and ruthlessly enforce them.”
“Doesn’t the High Court reside in Denmark?” Irene asked.
My head started to spin. Elijah … and the Court he always talked about.
“That is right, Denmark. And the head of the Court is … what’s his name, Lord Castain?” Sonia said.
My body went rigid at the mention of this name because I knew exactly whom she meant.
“No, Lord Chastellain.” Orrick shot Sonia an irritated glower.
I inhaled sharply and then forced myself to breathe normally. Remain calm! I hoped the others would not notice the sudden change in me that had occurred at the mention of the name Chastellain.
Orrick continued, “The High Court is concerned that the vampire race is growing too fast and that this puts the human race in danger. Their laws state that vampires must remain hidden from humans, for the protection of both races, so they claim. We must live and feed discreetly under the High Court’s laws.”
Orrick’s tone indicated that he was not in favor of such laws. However, they made perfect sense to me. “You do not approve of such laws restricting us.” I struggled to keep my voice steady.
“Lord Ramdasha is the leader of the resistance to the High Court. He does not like laws that restrict vampires. He stands in direct opposition to the Elders. I follow Lord Ramdasha. After all, it makes sense; we are by far the more powerful race. Why should we have to be the ones to live in hiding? We should be the ones who rule this world.”
I forced myself to close my mouth, which had fallen open. What Orrick was saying was appalling. I quickly pushed thoughts of Elijah out of my head and gathered my composure. “What are Ramdasha’s plans for us?” I was relieved that my voice sounded casual, as if I did not truly care.
“Only the vampires closest to Lord Ramdasha know his plans,” Orrick replied. “I’m not one of them. Although that is why I have been spending more time in the Great Room. I hope to move up in rank.”
“If vampires don’t remain anonymous, won’t humans retaliate and burn our lairs?” Sonia inquired.
“There would be a war and we would win.” Orrick’s smile was full of malice.
I shivered and resisted the urge to slap Orrick. That will not do any good. This is preposterous! Orrick actually believes that he is better than humans and that vampires should rule over them.
I fought to maintain my composure. “Wouldn’t Ramdasha require an army to accomplish his goal of overthrowing the High Court of Elders?” Hopefully, I sounded only half-interested, simply making conversation.
“That is Lord Ramdasha,” Orrick corrected, “and I don’t know but I am sure that is why he encourages us to train so much.”
“Yet are we not to remain inconspicuous? That is one of Lord Ramdasha’s decrees, is it not?” I asked.
“Yes, for now he does not want to go to war with the High Court. They swiftly and mercilessly carry out this law. I suspect that he is not ready to directly challenge the Elders. Lord Ramdasha does not want to draw too much attention from them — yet,” Orrick said.
I felt ill. Having heard enough, I let it go for the time being and was glad when Rosalia changed the subject. She was looking forward to accompanying me on my first patrol of the city tonight — although I was barely listening, as she mapped out the night for us. My thoughts were of Elijah and the Elders. I was clearly on the wrong side. It was fortunate that there was a Court that worked to keep vampires under control. I should leave for them at once, though I hated the thought. The image of Lord Chastellain made my blood boil.
What am I to do? I could not stay here and support this crazed power-hungry Ramdasha. Perhaps I had some time. It appeared that Sonia might not fully support him. Maybe I could discreetly find out who else disagreed with Ramdasha and convince them to come to Denmark. I liked this idea, as any vampires I could take from Ramdasha would weaken his resistance to the High Court.
One thing I did agree with Orrick on was that I should learn to fight. It would not come amiss and it seemed that I might need it after all in this violent world in which I was now forced to live.
That night on patrol, Rosalia gave me a tour of some of the most magnificent places in the city. We waited until there was no one around, then flew to the top of a large oval-shaped arena.
“The grand Hippodrome.” Then Rose’s face darkened. For the first time since I’d known her she looked angry. “Or at least it used to be grand. It is in need of repair. It is still used for certain royal ceremonies and the like. I wish you could have seen this city in her prime. She used to continually buzz with many people from all over the world and her wealth was unparalleled. I was still a human but clearly remember the endless days and nights of looting. My family and I stayed hidden until the pillaging slowed. Those two-faced barbarian heretics from the West — I wish I had been a vampire then. I would have killed them all. The gold, jewels and many precious icons were looted and taken West, mostly to Venice, so I hear.” She paused and took a deep breath as if to put herself at ease. She smiled in her usual carefree way. “Emperor Michael will rebuild this city to its former grandeur. Soon we will be a world power once again.”
Father did not like to talk about the last dreaded Crusade. He would say only that it was “a dark time in Christian history.” It had once seemed so far away and so long ago. But being here made it seem like only yesterday — the devastating effects were right in front of me — practically screaming at me. I was saddened for the city and for Rose.
“Come,” she said. “Let me show you my favorite place of all.” We leapt down onto the chariot track. In the middle of the long corridor stood towering obelisks.
“There were once many statues of past emperors and heroes adoring the arena. Four life-size bronze horses used to stand atop the entryway,” Rosalia informed me.
The track itself was lined with full-body statues of previous champion charioteers — well, some still remained, while others had been stolen or destroyed and only their bases remained. I studied the amazing craftsmanship of one such statue. At its base it bore the name Elijah, 644–656. I quickly looked closer at the statue’s face. It is Elijah! My Elijah — I mean Elijah from Ludus. He really is as old as he said, I thought.
Rose came back to where I was standing and eyed the statue as well. “Aye, I remember hearing stories about him. He was the best charioteer to ever compete in this arena. No one has ever come near to beating his twelve-year winning record. He never lost a race. When I was a small girl my brothers used to pretend to be Elijah and my sister and I dreamt of marrying him.” She chuckled. “You would think he was a vampire.”
“Yeah.” I breathed.
I glanced around at all the empty stands rising high above me. I could imagine them filled with brightly clothed people. The sound of cheering and many horse’s hooves pounding the ground, rang in my head. I imagined Elijah in Roman warrior’s garb, rounding the sharp corner while being pulled by four lean and swift horses. As good as he was with horses, I had no doubt his would be the best. They would do anything to please him — running faster and harder than the other horses. I smiled at this vision when Rosalia interrupted my daydream.
“What is it?”
The imaginary crowd stopped roaring in my ears as I reluctantly pulled myself back to the present. “I was picturing what life was like here many years ago. I wish I could have seen it.”
It was ironic that her childhood infatuation was now her coven’s enemy. “How old is Ramdasha or how long has he been in power?”
“He is about as old as I am,” Rose said. “He has risen to power over the past forty years.”
That made sense. The Chastellains must have lived here long before that, at least for a time. I smiled at the thought that the man this statue was fashioned after was indeed a vampire and that Rosalia had no idea he was Lord Chastellain’s son. Even if sh
e had heard of Elijah, the lord’s son, she had not put the two together and I was not about to make the connection for her. As far as anyone here was concerned, I knew nothing of the High Court. I still needed to find out how Rose felt about the issue.
As we exited the Hippodrome, I decided that this was as good a time as any. “What do you think? Should we have to live in hiding, or should we be allowed to rule over humans?” I tried to sound nonchalant.
“It would be nice to be free and open about what we are. The thought of spending an eternity in that cavern …” She shook her head and looked disgusted at the thought.
“Aye,” I replied, as if in agreement. That was her answer. I could count Rose out. I swallowed my disappointment.
Chapter 30 Constantinople 1260 A.D
Rosalia and I stood in front of the Hagia Sophia. I had seen the large domed church from afar but up close its size was overwhelming. The painting in the Chastellain’s manor had not depicted the true beauty nor the sheer mass of the building. Rose flew up to a window opening and landed on the sill.
“Wait. We cannot go in here!” I said.
She gave me a mischievous smile. “We can do whatever we want.” She disappeared into the large dome.
I double checked to make sure no one was around and leapt onto the sill. I stepped onto the upper balcony just below the window and looked down to find a single person in the middle of a sea of white. The floor was like nothing I had ever seen before. It looked like an ice-covered lake — impossibly shiny and smooth. Surely it would break under my feet if I jumped down from this height.
“Well, come along,” Rose yelled from far below.
“What is the floor made of?”
Rose laughed. “It’s marble, like the statues in the Hippodrome.”
That was impossible; stone could not be so shiny and smooth.
At my continued hesitation Rose stamped her foot on the floor. “You see, it is safe.”
Of Lords and Commoners: Book 1 (Lords and Commoners Series) Page 12