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The Vampire Thief.
The horse whickered softly as the shadowy figure crept into the kings stables. He placed a calming hand on the soft velvety flanks of the prize charger, as it shuffled nervously in its stall. Almost silently, the mysterious man saddled up the horse and readied to leave. But almost was not silent enough. The young sentry jolted awake at the sound of a horses bit falling to the floor. There was a muffled curse, and then, a terrifying silence. The boy cautiously crept toward the warning bell, regretting the small nap he had been taking. A large gloved hand shot out of the darkness and enclosed around his throat just as he grasped the bell pull.
“Not another sound or you get a knife in the ribs.” The voice was hushed and beautifully powerful. The sentry raised his chin.
“I’m not afraid.” He struggled to stop the fear he felt infuse his voice. “I gladly die for the king.” The intruder chuckled softly.
“You don’t know what dying for the king means. I have seen soldiers leap across the king’s chest to take a flaming sword for him. Sacrificing yourself to save the kings horse is a bit extreme, as I’ll get away anyway.” The sentry knew what he had to do. Hating himself, hating this situation, he gripped the bell pull and rang with all his might. The next thing he knew was the hot pressure of a knife sliding through his ribs, then, nothing.
The small 14-year-old girl struggled up the hill, finding small pathways lodged in the stones. Lena rose above her small village, feeling the wind whip past her cheeks, stealing her breath as she exhaled. The hill was massive, and she alone would brave it. Terrifying tales had reached her village of an evil predator that stalked the day in human form, and grew vicious claws and fangs at night, to prey on all that crossed its path, leaving terrible bite marks on the body. Her grandfather did not ignore these warnings as she did, and, truth be told, believed them even more than the gullible villagers did. He had begged her not to go hunting, even though it was bright daylight. Dragging her mind away from the weird rumours, she gazed at her beautiful village. As always, she tried to pick out her hut in the tangled mass of houses. She could not see for the smoke drifting across the village. She suddenly took off at a run after realising whose hut was on fire.
She reached the burning inferno just as her grandfather was dragged out. She gasped in horror at his legs, once strong and powerful, now cracked and burnt. She knelt by his scorched body just as he came round.
“Grandfather?” she asked tentatively, “are you alright?” her grandfather chuckled
“I doubt I’ll live this one. I’m too hurt for life.” Lena shook her head, tears clouding her vision.
“No! I wont let you! You can’t go!” she would be alone. Her mother and father died when she was three, and then her brother when she was ten. The rest of her relatives had never contacted, and were probably dead.
“Listen!” her grandfather trembled at his pain, “there’s no time for that! You must not tell anyone who you are! The reason I’m good as dead now is that I’m the one who’s been stealing. I taught you about the ghostly thief because I am the ghostly thief.” Once again, she shook her head. Her auburn hair fluttered across her face as she struggled to digest the absurd notion that her grandfather was a legendary thief that could steal anything, and always get away with little or no alarm. “Listen honey, I know it’s hard to believe, but you have to. There is not much time. There never is.” He smiled at her, tears streaming down both of their faces. “You must continue my work. You must. I cannot teach you, but there is someone who can. You must go to the port of Freon, and ask for Felicia and Morden. You must get there fast; the king’s men will be after you next. Go. NOW!” she gasped and spluttered at the very idea of running away.
“I can’t! I can’t do it! I’m too weak, and I’m not ready!” he smiled and uttered his last words,
“We’re never ready”. Then he was gone.
Two Weeks later, she was far away to the west. She had heard some disturbing noises in the bushes, but had found nothing. She judged it safe to light a fire. As she prepared a stew, her thoughts began to wander towards the tragedy of her life. First were her parents, in an awful cart accident. Some fool had left a skittish mare and cart next to the old forge. The mare panicked when the iron was being hammered and bolted, killing her mother first. A hoof to the stomach knocked her over and hurt her badly, and a wheel had nearly severed her right leg. She died of blood-loss two hours later. Her father had been knocked over in the mad rush to calm the foolish beast, and then trampled. That had left her brother. They lived with their grandpa, until a winters illness had killed him. Now with her granddad gone, she was truly alone. With a weary sigh, Lena began to eat. A rustling noise stopped her, and more rustling in the bushes too the right made her pick up her short sword.
“Who’s there?” she asked warily. A tall but handsome boy stepped out and eyed her hungrily. Lena stepped back in horror, at the boy’s physical appearance. He was very thin, and was obviously alone and on the run, because unlike her, he had no supplies, except a bow and arrow much larger than hers, and a long broad sword buckled at his side. He suddenly lunged, not at her, but at her stew.
“Are you hungry? Do you need more food?” she quickly served him some and he ate without pause, except to say,
“Thank-you. My name is Tristan.” Lena sat back and waited until he had finished his meal.
When he had polished off the stew, she spoke to him.
“Excuse me for asking, and sorry if it’s rude, but who are you?” Tristan chuckled, and she found herself shivering, though it wasn’t cold.
“Well, like I said before, my name’s Tristan. In on the run for being,” here he paused and looked slightly uncomfortable. “For being me I suppose. You’ll find out later anyway.” Again, Lena shivered. His words were terrifying and somehow ever so slightly seductive.
“I was born on the 3rd of May. I’m 15 and I’m not very well loved. My parents were burned for being against the good king because they said that they didn’t agree with some of his policies. I hate democracy. I would have had the same fate if I hadn’t of been too young. I got out of there as fast as I could. Then I was bitten. I’ve been shunned ever since. Anyway, less of me. I don’t matter. What about you?” Lena took a deep breath and started from the beginning
An hour later, she finished her story.
“I guess you think I’m a bit of a weirdo.” She looked away and blushed for some reason. Looking up she saw an amused smile on his handsome features.
“I don’t think you’re weird. I think you’re lovely, and unlucky.” Lena smiled and began to busy herself with the blankets.
“Well thank-you for that. I’m going to sleep now, or I won’t get up in the morning.” She handed Tristan two blankets
“Thanks. See you in the morning.” The last thing Lena saw before shutting her eyes was him looking at her intently, and then she was asleep.
The next thing she knew was that something was leaning over her, and her eyes flew open. She found that she couldn’t move for there was rope all around her.
“Tristan! Tristan where are you! Help me!” a soft chuckle pierced the fog befuddling her brain.
“He can’t help you now.” She struggled feebly against the ropes. It was hopeless. She was trussed up so tight a snake wouldn’t fit through the ropes.
“What have you done with him? If you’ve hurt him, I’ll kill you!” another chuckle, louder than the first.
“You can’t kill a vampire.” Then she saw fangs, and then she felt pain on her neck, then nothing.
When Lena awoke, she frantically checked her neck. It was smooth as ever, no bite marks or anything. She sighed with relief and glanced around for Tristan. He wasn’t in his unusually neat blankets, or by the long dead fire. Lena propped herself up on her elbows and began to wait. Tristan entered the clearing noiselessly, and began plucking three wood grouse.
“Morning. When did you get up?” he barely glanced up, just grunted a response. Strange, she thought. He suddenly looked up, and to her surprise and horror, his eyes were black. She felt like she was drowning. He grinned at her silent struggles against his hypnotic eyes, and she couldn’t help but notice his teeth were pointed, like fangs. He looked away again, and she gasped for breath. In a flash, she knew who he was; she knew what had happened last night. He was the horrific creature that stalked the night. He was the beast that everyone called the vampire. And he had bitten her. So why didn’t he kill her.
“Because I didn’t want to.” She flinched at the sound of his mocking voice. “Yes, you are also a vampire. I like you. You don’t deserve to be meat, left for the crows drained of blood.” She began to feel sick.
“So does that mean I’m a vamp-thing?” he smiled again, his lip curling in amusement.
“Yes, yes it does.”
The villagers were still in a state of shock, even two weeks later. The hut that had belonged to Lena and her grandfather had been ripped down for repairs on other buildings, as she had run away and he was dead. In the pub, a disturbance was growing. It seemed that Raphael the baker was all for going out and searching for Lena and giving her to the king.
“It’s the only was to get rid of these goddamn soldiers from attacking us.” The barman, Fredrik and the waitress, Margarite, listened at the bakers words. It was true. The king had pulled out all the stops to find one tiny little girl, who, in her grief Fredrik supposed, had run away and probably got eaten by a bear or some wolves. Margarite, sighed, and pursed her lips, turning them as white as snow.
“Now Raphael, I will not have that sort of talk here. We all loved that young lady, no matter what trouble she was in, and her grandfather too. I will not have you going and slaging her and her family of in here. I won’t have this ridiculous notion of finding her and just handing her over to the king. Now, I don’t know why she ran away, to whatever plan she’s got formulating in her head, but I fully intend to back her on it. Who’s with me?” to Frederiks disgust, only a smattering of agreement was heard. He quickly took centre stage with the passionate woman stood pleading with the immovable villagers. “Remember when the bull got loose and hurt Johnny Thatcher? Who was it that nursed him from certain death? Lena’s mother and grandmother. And what about when the bakery caught fire? Who was first on hand to help? The whole family. And, Alice, what about the time when Lena sat with you for two and a half weeks keeping you company because everyone else was too busy? Have you forgotten the kindness that the whole family has offered to us but of course, I forgot, you’re all to selfish to help when they are the one’s in trouble. Have you no pride? You ought to be telling those soldiers that she killed herself or were killed by a bear, not condemning her to death! Frankly, I’m disgusted by the lot of you. I thought you were kinder than that.” He turned away, and Margarite took her cue and turned.
“Yes. Let’s tell them she’s dead.” They both turned to see Raphael stood up and looking sheepish. “I’m sorry. I had forgotten about all the wonderful things they had done for all of us. Well, let’s go!”
Lena, at that moment, was staring intently at the man who was driving the cart that she and Tristan were hitching a lift on. He nudged her and hissed,
“Stop it. We will feed later. First, we have to find the person that your grandpa mentioned. Did he say a name?” she blinked and looked away reluctantly.
“Sorry, umm, yes, I think so. What was it? Come on, think, you know this.” She paused, her brow furrowed. “Ah! He said to go to Freon, and find Felicia and, umm, Morden! That is it. Freon, Felicia, and Morden.” Tristan smiled at her, and then looked away again quickly.
“Freon might be a problem. It is very busy, and if you’re on the run, it’s gonna be really hard to not be noticed. Your face will be on every wanted board in the country. But I’m up for the challenge! Are you?” he gave her a sharp-toothed grip, which she returned.
“Of course I am!” she giggled back. A sudden jolt in the dusty track made her fall forward onto Tristan, and she righted herself face flaming as red as his.
“Oops, sorry!” she stammered quickly.
“Oh it’s okay.” He replied looking intently at the rough wood between them. He cleared his throat and said, “Well we better get off in a minute. That sounded wrong. I meant off the cart. Sorry” he was very red, and said it very fast. She coughed, embarrassed.
“Where are we?” she asked, to relive the discomfort in the air.
“I think we are in… Harse.” Lena looked up
“Really? We can’t have gone that far?” Tristan smiled stiffly.
“Hard to believe isn’t it?” he said softly. Then, in one swift movement, he leapt down, and waited for her to follow. She leapt and landed like a cat, and walked over to him.
“Well, we’ve got a long way to go. Come on!” she said, and walked off, humming to herself.
Non-stop walking and light conversation passed the next few hours. Then, Tristan pulled aside and sat down in a tiny clearing in the middle of a thicket, and patted the ground next to him.
“Come on; time to learn some vampire lore.” He announced. Lena looked back at the road, and reluctantly entered. “Right, good. First lesson!” he sat up a little straighter and cleared his throat. “Vampires do burn in sun light, but ONLY when they are transformed. You see, if I was to transform into my vampire form, I wouldn’t last three seconds in this sunshine. So that’s why we only attack at night.” he smiled as she made connections in her mind.
“So that’s why you stopped me attacking the villager? So I wouldn’t burn up?” she looked pleased at this notion.
“Second, holy water doesn’t work. Its normal water with a couple of words mumbled over it. Third, stakes are definitely going to work, but only because if you stab anyone in the heart they’re going to die, vampire or not. Fourth, crucifixes don’t work either. Its two bits of wood nailed together. Nothing but superstitious nonsense, as most everything is. Got all that?” Lena nodded. They both passed for a moment, revelling in the quiet clearing, protected on all sides. The only thing that was heard was their own breathing, and the minute scraping of tiny insects. A few birds squabbled in the trees, and a horse and cart was clopping away down the road in the distance.
“It’s so peaceful here.” Lena thought to herself, secretly glad that she wasn’t alone in the world, as a vampire and an outcast, wanted by the king. She was glad she had Tristan by her side. She could feel his knee pressing into hers, and he was so close she could smell the clean earthiness of his skin. She looked at his features out of the corner of her eye, thinking that he wasn’t what her acquaintances back home would call handsome. Nevertheless, his eyes, nose, and mouth suited him perfectly. She realised with a small shock that anyone else would say she was sweet on him. She pushed the thought away.
“I’m too young! I can’t be thinking of that sort of thing!” she muttered to herself, disturbing the peaceful hush that had descended on the thicket. Tristan glanced at her, and said,
“Are you alright?” he looked confused, as she was red as holly berries. “Oh yes I’m fine. Shouldn’t we get going?” Lena said briskly.
“Ok. Are you sure you’re alright?” he looked amused now, and was trying not to laugh.
“I said. I’m ok. Come on, lets go.” She marched off, getting angry as Tristan was now fighting laughter. She turned round and glared at him, but he couldn’t stop. His shoulders started shaking, and the compressed giggles burst forth.
“Stop it.” He laughed harder. “I said stop!” Lena hit him and he howled. “Ow! What was that for?” he complained, rubbing his shoulder. He looked so pathetic squinting up at her, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Hey, that’s not very nice!” Tristan moaned, but he was laughing too. Soon they were clutching their sides, though they couldn’t say what was so funny. They did eventually stop, but after the tears had streamed down their cheeks, and their sides ached for ages afterwards. Tristan sat up eventually and said,
“Right we’d better get going now”. Lena stretched her arms, and sighed happily.
“I love it here.” She mumbled drowsily, “I could stay here forever, and nobody would ever find us”. Her eyes drifted closed, and the next thing she knew, she was asleep. Tristan smiled as she dozed on the grass, the sunlight creating dapples across her small face. He looked at her slight frame, and thought about how she was so different when she was asleep. Awake, she was determined and fiery, but asleep she was small and quiet. She looked so calm and graceful, and he had to sit down next to her, as she wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Lena was awoken rudely by Tristan tugging at her hand
“Come on we’ve gotta go!” he yelled. “We’ve been discovered!”
“What? What are you talking about?” she mumbled, still half asleep. Tristan growled in annoyance at her drowsiness.
“The king! He’s found us, and they’re coming closer come ON!” with a yank that nearly ripped her sleeve, she was hauled up onto her feet. She quickly grabbed her stuff, and went to run out of the thicket.
“Wait! Not that way.” Tristan said, grabbing her hand and pulling her in the other direction. All Lena was aware of was his warm hand grasping hers, and the fear for her that sounded in his voice.
“Well, it’s night isn’t it? We can bite them can’t we?”
“Maybe. But I don’t want you to get hurt. Come on, we have to get out of here!” they ran in silence, and kept running until they couldn’t heard any more soldiers behind them. They slowed to a walk, and Lena realised that Tristan still hadn’t let go of her hand. He must of realised too, because he quickly dropped it and walked a little faster. Lena went to follow, but was suddenly seized from behind, and a large gauntleted hand stopped her desperate scream for help.
“You’re coming with me, little girl.” The soldier growled, squeezing her wrist so much it hurt. She struggled feebly at his crushing grip and blocking hand, but he held on and more soldiers began to tie her up and gag her. She wiggled and squirmed, but all to no avail. Her only hope lied in Tristan. She hoped and prayed he could find her in time.
Tristan hid in the bushes, inches away from the soldiers. He had already transformed, and looked in horror as four more soldiers appeared, carrying a writhing wriggling bundle.
“Lena!” he whispered, and was about to step out to save her, but realised how foolish that would be. Instead, he would wait.
Lena’s thoughts raced. She thought of every possibility of escape, but none would work without Tristan. And he wasn’t even trying to save her.
“That chicken.” She thought angrily. "He doesn’t even care that I’m going to be killed.” She sniffled quietly.
“Aww, what’s wrong sweetie?” said a voice by her left ear. “Do you want to be rescued?” she nodded furiously. Tristan leapt silently over her prone figure, and landed right by the man who had captured her. Tristan leapt again, and, with unnatural accuracy and height, landed on a branch above him.
“You know, you should really think twice about kidnapping pretty young maidens.” He called down. “Especially when they know a vampire that’s always willing to help her out.”
“What the?” the soldier exclaimed, as Tristan dropped from the branch and began to walk towards him. The soldier raised the crossbow and threatened to fire.
“Oh come now, don’t be so silly. I’m clearly out numbered, 3 to 1.” He smiled and looked scornfully at the crossbow. “But then again, I am a vampire.” The soldiers began to advance, trying to intimidate him.
“3 to 2, actually.” Lena stood up, outlined by the moon. “And I’m also a vampire.” She grinned revealing horrible pointed fangs. The soldiers turned white. Her grin got wider.
“And I haven’t fed in a while, so I’m very hungry.” She added pleasantly. Tristan chuckled, and offered her his hand. She took it and stepped down daintily, and they both smiled warmly at the terrified military men. They continued to advance, taking slow and deliberate steps, and they kept smiling, much as a wolf might grin when he has caught the rabbit. It was not a very nice smile, and it was terrifying the poor little soldiers. They lunged at the same time, each sinking their vicious fangs into a soldier’s neck. They shared the last one, and cleared away the bodies.
“Well, we have transport now!” Tristan said brightly, motioning to the abandoned cart, still hitched up to four horses.
“We can sell two of them and the cart as well. We can ride the others.” Lena said, licking her lips so they were clean again. Tristan couldn’t help but watch them, her pointed tongue flicking in and out delicately. He watched her approach the horses, and pick out two of the strongest. She gently stroked their hides, soothing them, and searched the sacks in the cart.
“Nothing of value, except this crossbow, this tiny bit of food, and this small bag of gold. Oh well, we can put it to good use.” Lena informed him. He shook himself and looked away quickly. He didn’t want her catching him looking and admiring her. He walked over and asked,
“Which one do you want?” he glanced over at her and she placed her hand on the stallion.
“You can have the mare.” She said, and she leapt on and rode away, taking the cart but leaving the other three horses for him to take.
He sighed and climbed onto the mare, and rode off after her, with the other horses trailing behind.
Margarite paused, and tried to convince herself that this was a good idea. But somehow, walking up to a bunch of heavily armed soldiers and lying through her teeth about a wanted outlaw wasn’t particularly sensible. She took a deep breath, and walked forward. She tripped up, and was caught by a handsome young soldier, who dusted her off.
“Are you alright ma’am? You look mighty upset.” He had a kind face, and she hated lying, but she had been voted best for it. She knew what she had to do.
The soldier was a kind man, and good at heart. So when he caught the pretty young lady he was totally unprepared for what happened next. She suddenly burst into tears, loud, noisy sobs that echoed all around the valley. She gasped and gulped for air, and managed to choke out a few words.
“The little girl you’re after.” She sobbed her head down and the tears flowing freely.
“Yes? What is it about the girl?” Margarite looked up.
“She, she, she got killed! She was killed by a bear!” she crumpled up again and sobbed louder. “She’s dead!” the soldier couldn’t believe it. This truly was his day! He would tell the chief right away, and get promoted! He would be praised and highly regarded and asked how did he get that little snippet of information? Just at that moment, another soldier arrived.
“The girls been spotted. And she’s with a vampire. What’s worse, she’s a vampire too.” He looked at the other soldier worriedly.
“But, she just told me that she was eaten by a bear.” He said, pointing to Margarite.
“WHAT? I don’t believe it! They’re protecting her! She’s lying.” gasping, Margarite stepped back quickly.
“No! I swear! She did! She was killed! I swear!” she screamed but it was too late. Both soldiers moved as one and grabbed her by her hair. They dragged her, kicking and screaming, away from the edge of the camp, and she was never seen again.
Tristan and Lena were getting on marvellously with their journey. They talked and laughed easily, and fed every other night, mostly rabbits and deer, but sometimes people if they were lucky. They were aware of their own like of the other, but were too shy to say it aloud. Their conversations took most of the night, and within days were within reach of the magnificent port of Freon. Tristan reined in the mare, which they named Lightning, and pulled up next to Thunder, the stallion.
“So now we find Felicia and Morden.” He said triumphantly.
“That might be a problem.” Lena pointed to a scaffold. There was a sign nailed to the bottom. Lena read it out.
““Here are the traitors Felicia and Morden. Hanged for treason.” Oh dear.” She sighed. “We tried grandpa. We tried.” Tristan shook her.
“It’s ok. You don’t need training. You can be a different thief. You can be the Vampire Thief.” He smiled shyly, and then, very gently, kissed her.
The end.
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