I wonder what happened to the boy. He must be what…eight by now? I wish I knew what the oracle predicted for his future. It’s too bad I was running for my life at the time.
Bah, I’m too maudlin tonight. Maybe a bit too much of that intoxicating barmaid last night, he mused, laughing lightly at his play on words. What was her name? What was … “Ieeee!”
The snow erupted in his face when a snow-monster lurched to its feet and lunged at him. He fumbled for his sword before he identified the monster as a dog. The muddy, scruffy, ugly brown dog woofed at him and then burrowed back into the midst of the sheep it had been guarding. The ones he’d nearly stepped on. Sheepishly, he glanced around hoping no one had seen him spooking like that. When nothing else fought against the howling wind he laughed at himself and continued on his trek.
Slowly the blizzard started to die, leaving a ringing silence in its wake. Before he knew it, he could see his feet and couple of steps beyond. A few strides further and the snow quit falling. Stumbling to a halt, he looked at the land around him, trying to see where he was.
He blinked in surprise at a hut just a few feet in front of him, buried nearly to the top in snow. It might have been slightly taller than his six feet, but it was small around. He counted the paces as he circled it. When he reached three hundred, he stood in his own footprints.
Really small, he thought. Maybe it’s a shepherd’s hut.
He cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, “Hello, the house. Is anyone in there?”
A head popped out of a hole on the side just under the roofline. “A little generous calling this hut a house. Be out in a minute.”
He heard a slam and a grunt. One door being closed and another being forced opened?
A wiry man, well past his youth, slithered out of the hut over the top of the snow. “What do you want? Why are you out here in this weather?” Nervous and unused to visitors, he ran his hands through his white streaked red hair and then yanked on the base of his cream colored, homespun tunic. Not sure why someone would be wandering around in the middle of nowhere, he peered closer at his visitor. Besides the large but not overly muscled frame, he saw pale skin, dark midnight hair and colorless eyes. Only one creature had that peculiar color-no color combination. “Shit,” He spat as he reached for the crossbow on his back. “You’re one of them.”
Reaching out a strong, pale hand, he closed it over the man’s fore-arm. “I’m not here looking for sport. My name is Caleb. I’m on Search.” He released the man’s arm and stepped back, revealing the tattered remains of a once fine shirt, faded to a nondescript bland color and ripped trousers. He started to fidget under the man’s green eyed gaze.
Raising one eyebrow in disbelief, the man asked, “You’re not?” He didn’t believe that someone as down-on-his-luck as the vampyre appeared wasn’t looking for his next meal. Besides, Vampyres on Search never traveled alone.
“I don’t usually talk to my prey,” the vampyre lied. “I don’t like to feed from people after I get to know them.” He hoped the man wasn’t dense but he’d get nowhere if the guy wanted to stake him. He glanced over the man’s shoulder and saw the first edge of the sun and the round figure of the day moon. He felt the Sleep begin to spread through his body.
“Samuel. You can call me Samuel.” Trying not to appear nervous, Samuel looked closer at the vampyre. There was something off, not quite right, about his story. “You say you’re on Search?” He waited for Caleb’s nod before asking, “Who are you looking for? Are they close enough to shelter you?”
“I doubt it. I don’t know where they are,” Caleb interrupted before the man could ask where his companions were.
Yeah right, Search indeed. I wonder why he’s really here. Could it be...? After all this time, could it be Kelvin’s magic calling him? He was used to the magic that surrounded the house emanating from the little grove of trees a stone’s throw north of the hut. If the magic led him here, then he needs to stay here. There’s one way to find out. “Look, I need to check on the sheep and I’m guessing you need to pretend to be dead.” Samuel paused, his mouth tightened. Then he nodded once as if making up his mind. “Give me your word that you won’t harm me or mine and I’ll give you shelter for the day.”
“You have it.” Outside in the sunlight or inside in the dark? Gods, not really a choice at all. He doesn’t even know me? Hope he doesn’t plan to stake me in my sleep. Stupid myths. I wonder how that particular tidbit made it into the stories? Great, now I’m babbling to myself. Better get horizontal soon.
Samuel nodded. He’d expected the answer. Glancing over Caleb’s shoulder, he glared at the sun judging that there were still a few minutes before the vampyre would pass out. “Don’t go through the second door,” he said as he stepped aside.
Caleb climbed up the snow dune and slid down the other side sending loose snow tumbling after him. At the bottom, he reached for the door and pushed it opened. Protective magic washed over him as he stepped over the threshold. It felt like ants walking on his skin. Distracted by the magic, he pushed against the second door before he realized his fingers were resting on the wood. He yelped and pulled away. Looking at his abused flesh, he thought his fingers looked like red, swollen sausages. Cradling his hand against his chest, he leaned against the wall next to the outer door, determined to stay awake and wait for his host.
* * *
Samuel watched his guest disappear down the other side of the snow, waiting for something to happen. “I trust the old wives’ tales.” He whispered to the wind, knowing belief had a lot to do with the reality of the stories. “I don’t want him in there alone with the boy. Magic or no magic, he’s still a blood sucker. But if he is here because of the magic, what choice do I have?”
Deciding haste was best he looked out at the sea of white and raised his hand to his mouth, sending out a shrill whistle to bounce along the snow covered field. Almost immediately, barking and baaing answered him. White snow flung upward to reveal white fleece, black faces and one mud colored, ugly brown dog with a splotch of white on the top of his head.
The dog trotted up to him, his plumed tail wagging fiercely.
“There you are, Pal. Guarding the flock like always. Keep up the good work.” Samuel started counting the milling sheep but gave up almost immediately. Milling sheep were hypnotic to the eyes. He only had twenty-five sheep. It shouldn’t take that long to make sure they were all there. He whistled to Pal and then headed down the hill. The dog grinned and took off, nipping at the sheep, getting them moving.
Fifteen minutes later Samuel climbed back up the hill. All his sheep were back in the small meadow and Pal was happily burrowing his way to the center of the flock. He reached the top of the snow dune and slid down the other side before he remembered his unexpected guest.
The vampyre was waiting just inside the door. He looked like he was staying awake through will power. At least he’s still on his feet. The shepherd noticed Caleb had his fingers wrapped in the cloak. The side of his mouth twitched as he pushed past the vampyre and opened the inner door. “Me and mine,” he whispered to himself as he stepped through the doorway. “Remember your vow and be welcomed in my home.”
The ritual words caused surprise to flicker across Caleb’s face. “Where did you learn that?” he asked.
Samuel shrugged rather than answer as he ushered Caleb in. Watching the vampyre glance around, he could almost see the thoughts flitting across the other’s mind. Against one wall, near the door, a large bed box took up most of the floor. Against the opposite wall a fireplace held court. Next to the fireplace, in the corner where two walls joined, hung a hammock. In the center, barely squeezing between the bed and the fireplace stood a scarred table with two rough-looking chairs. A cured animal skin of some kind hung over the window, blocking out the cold.
A flash of brownish-red in the hammock caught Caleb’s attention. An auburn haired little boy, sound asleep with his nose buried under a thick wool blanket, swung slightly back and f
orth. Caleb glided past Samuel. He could feel the magic pulling at him now that there was a focus. The pale skin and the long fingers, combined with that hair color proclaimed the boy a halcyon. Human hair came in a variety of shades, like the boy’s, but only a vampyre had that color-or lack thereof- of skin. He swept a lock of hair from the boy’s forehead. As his fingers touched skin, he felt a bond snap into place. He cursed softly as he realized this boy was why the magic had brought him. He was now stuck with a light bond to the boy, hoping profusely that it would disappear when the boy bonded with a real Guardian. He hoped it happened soon. For now, he was stuck. The child, about six he guessed, was too young to travel far and he couldn’t stick around and let the Emperor’s men catch up to him.
“He’s why you’ve come.”
“What?” Caleb reared back, startled.
“It’s the magic. It’s invaded my life; surrounded the boy. I think it’s a protection spell, but I’m not completely sure. I can feel it, but I can’t read it. However, I do know it changed when you touched Alec.”
“Alec?”
“That’s what I call him. I named him after my friend. I found him on my doorstep a few years ago. No one lives near here and the closest village is two hours away. What else was I suppose to do?” Samuel asked defensively.
“Forgive me. I wasn’t criticizing. I was merely surprised he has a human name.”
“I’m sure he was born with one of those rambling names your kind seems to favor, but when I found him, he didn’t know his name and there was nothing with him to tell me.” Samuel decided to change the subject. “You look like you’re about to drop. You should rest. We can discuss things when you get up. You can use the bed.” He pointed to the box structure. “We use it as a work table during the day. The top is sturdy, locks on the inside and blocks out all light. It’s been used a time or two,” he added with a smile.
He’s lying, Caleb thought, but he was too tired to try and chase down the truth. Tomorrow would be soon enough. He climbed into the box bed, and waited for Samuel to slide the top on. Enveloped in darkness, he latched the lock and let the Sleep come. He was out before Samuel moved away from the bed.
Samuel tapped on the lidded bed, making sure it was on securely before he walked to the other side of the hut and sat down in the chair by the fire. He had a long wait ahead of him. He didn’t know about the vampyre, but Alec would be bouncing around just as soon as the sun set. And that wasn’t anytime soon.
* * *
Darkness is almost as bad as the whiteout earlier Caleb decided when he opened his eyes to nothing. Why am I awake? I can feel the sun. And it’s still up. He’d never been claustrophobic before, but now the sides of the bed felt like they were closing in on him. I can’t stay in this little hut. There’s not enough room to sneeze. Not to mention the people looking for me. Yet, thanks to that bond, I can’t leave the boy, either. Trying hard not to hyperventilate, he wrenched his racing thoughts onto a different path.
He has to be Kelvin’s kid. I’m sure Kelvin called me here, but this seems really sloppy for the Druid’s work. It’s almost like he was in a hurry. There’s no security here. My house in Aurora Springs is armed to the teeth. That would have been a better choice. I’ll guess I’ll have to take him to Aurora Springs. His mind made up, he knocked on the lid of the box, hoping Samuel was still in the hut.
A voice drifted through the wooden slats of the box. “Why are you awake? The sun is still up.” Samuel had an idea but didn’t want to voice it if Caleb had a different one. He decided to give it a little more time play out.
“I don’t know. I’ve only been awake this early once before.”
“When was that?”
Caleb struggled with himself. He’d never told anyone about that. It was hard to trust anyone now-a-days. But, I feel that Samuel is trust worthy. I’m still here and not looking at the dark side of the moons. But I don‘t know him. But still, maybe I‘d better tell him or he might not let me out of here. “It was just about a year ago. I felt a magic binding wrap around the core of me. It felt like my friend.” I still don’t get it. Kelvin’s been dead nearly five years. How could it feel like him?
He allowed the memories to surface. Shivering in the early evening, he knew something felt different. He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. As his feet hit the carpeted floor, magic swept over him. The glittering power called to him. It beckoned to him; telling him he was needed. The power curled around him, standing on his skin. He reached across his body to brush the glitter from his hand. When he touched it, the power sank in. He felt warm. His heart felt whole, as if he had his friend Kelvin back. He glanced at the blacked out window and felt shock race through him. Outlining the heavy curtain was a thin thread of bright yellow light, tinged with just a hint of red. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen sunlight.
Across the room, Samuel waited for Caleb to continue. As the silence lengthened, he began to fidget. Glancing at the candle burning near the chair he had vacated, he watched it burn through the fifth hour of Aurora. With the sun nearly gone, dusk ruled the countryside. Complete darkness was about ten minutes away. His eyes swept around the hut. Without the fire, he wouldn’t be able to see beyond his nose. “You can come out if you want to.”
Caleb had forgotten he had an audience. Grimacing at the intrusion, he reached up, pulled back the locks and pushed against the lid. It moved two inches, barely enough for him to see the light from the fire. It’s heavier than I expected, he thought as he pushed harder. Forgetting the wall the bed rested against, he immediately sat up. The lid snapped up, rebounded off the wall, and slapped him on the head, before clattering to the floor.
Samuel turned around at the muffled curse. He saw Caleb sitting in the bed box, with his arms wrapped around his head. “Forget where you were?” he taunted.
Caleb glared at him through his hands.
“So if you felt something a year ago, why did you wait so long to come?” He paused, not sure if Caleb was really listening. When the silence stretched into uncomfortableness, he changed the subject, “It hasn’t been easy raising the boy. I’ve had him a few years and I know what a handful he is.”
“I don’t know anything about raising a child. But I do know I’m not staying here.” Caleb cringed when he heard what he’d said. He didn’t mean that the way it sounded and he wasn’t sure how the shepherd would take it.
Samuel decided to press Caleb. He wanted to know what the vampyre planned to do next. “You’re going to leave Alec? Now that you’ve bonded with him, whatever was hiding him is gone. He’s exposed to his father’s enemies.”
Caleb sighed. He didn’t want the boy, but thanks to that bond, he was responsible for him. “I didn’t plan on leaving him here. I couldn’t even if I wanted to. He’s going to come with me.”
“Yeah, good luck with that. He’s not going to want to leave. This is all he knows.”
Alec stirred restlessly. The yelling in the little room was getting louder by the second. Sheesh. If this keeps up I won’t be able to pretend I’m asleep. I suppose this is what I get for eavesdropping. Why does this stranger think he has to do anything with me? He held his breath hoping his papa wouldn’t notice he was awake and give him a chore he’d have to concentrate on. When the bickering became too much, he decided enough was enough. “Do you two think you can shout any louder?” He grabbed the sides of the hammock and swung himself out. With his feet firmly on the ground, he straightened up and faced the two men staring at him. “Well? What’s the problem?”
Caleb climbed out of the bed box. Five steps later, he was standing in front of the boy. Gah, he looks like Kelvin. He studied the boy glaring back at him. Slim but toned. With that reddish-brown hair and blue eyes, he looks like his father, but the heart shaped face and snubbed nose is all Luna. If he’s Kelvin’s kid then he should be about eight. He looks closer to six though. “I suppose you want to join this conversation. How old are you anyway?” he asked knowing the answer.
“Six.” Alec said. He hated the lie, but Samuel had explained to him why it was necessary.
Eight, Caleb thought. It took a minute for him to register what the boy had said. Six? He took a closer look.
Alec looked like a child playing dress-up in his father’s clothes. The plain linen shirt he wore hung passed his fingers and his pants were two sizes too big. He had them rolled at both ankle and waist. He crossed his arms and glared at the vampyre.
“Six, huh?” Caleb didn’t believe him for a minute. The boy’s features were too developed.
It took everything he had to keep his jaw from dropping when the vampyre didn’t question his age. I don’t believe it. He didn’t even try to argue. Maybe Papa is right. Maybe I do look like I’m barely out of diapers.
“Well, Alec, that makes you too young to know what’s good for you so go sit by the fire while the men discuss your future. Now shoo.”
Did he just shoo me? Alec narrowed his eyes at the hand’s sweeping through the air. “No. I don’t know you. Why do you get to decide my life? Maybe I’m happy here.”
Samuel listen to them argue. He knew Alec was going to win. He always did. He crossed to the chair by the fire and sat down to enjoy the fight. A few minutes later, Alec walked over and plopped himself down in Samuel’s lap. That’s a ‘so there’ statement if I ever saw one, Samuel thought, smiling to himself.
“Fine,” Caleb said. “What do you want?”
“I want to stay here.”
He restrained himself from saying something asinine like ‘well you can’t’ Instead he turned to the shepherd hoping the man had more sense than the boy. “Samuel, you have a say in this, too.”
Surprised, Samuel looked at Caleb. He’d expected the vampyre to ask him for hep convincing the boy, not on his opinion about what the next step should be. “What are you planning?”
“I have a house in Aurora Springs. It’s big enough for both of you, your sheep, and that damn snow monster you call a dog. It has top-quality security. Alec will be safe there.”