Fay Tale - Chapter Four

Maidd threw more brick at the vampire, keeping it back while he checked the surrounding area. One vampire in the light meant twenty more in the shadows as the old saying went. They must have been well hidden because he detected no additional movements through the rooms.

When his hand hesitated a fraction too long to find a piece of rubble, the vampire launched into the air to gouge at his defenseless eyes. Maidd’s massive hand shot up and connected with the vampire’s chest. It hurtled backwards only to be stopped by the nearby wall. Not waiting to see if the creature was stunned Maidd dashed forward and grabbed it by the neck before slamming it into the floor. The vampire let out a hiss of pain and swiped at his arm.

“Be still or I snap your neck,” the ogre growled. His fingers tightened in warning and the vampire suddenly struggled to breathe. It stopped resisting, pupils slit in fury glaring up into the ogre’s own. “And the rest of you stay back!” Maidd added, just in case there were others he couldn't see. “Or I will kill him.”

“Stop it! Let Angel go!” Lily screamed.

She beat against the ogre’s side with ineffective fists then followed it up with a string of profanity that would’ve done a dockworker proud. While Maidd was deciding whether to be properly shocked or laugh himself silly, her first words flipped a switch in his brain.

Angel...Angel that was talking when she wandered off...Meziroth’s Fangs! I almost killed her guardian!

Abruptly the ogre released his grip on the vampire and stepped away.

“I think there’s been a huge misunderstanding here.” The vampire coughed roughly but rolled to his feet and started forward again. His blue gaze locking into the ogre murderously. “This child is under your protection right?” Maidd added hastily. “You can have her back.” He quickly, but gently, set the child down then stepped away again. The vampire paused.

“Liliana come here,” Angel said, speaking for the first time with a voice hoarse from the ogre’s chokehold. The child lifted her foot to obey then paused.

“No.”

Both vampire and ogre stared at her.

“Liliana–”

“No! Don’t wanna get in trouble!”

“Liliana if you do not come here you will be in more trouble than you have ever been in your life!” Angel snapped.

That seemed to decide her for she turned and hurried back to Maidd’s side. She hid behind a massive leg, refusing to look at her stunned guardian.

Meziroth’s Fangs! What have I done to deserve this!? the ogre wailed mentally.

“Li-Lily I think you should go back to your guardian,” Maidd tried to reason with her.

“No!”

“Please go back to your guardian?” Before he calls his whole rookery and I have to fight my way out of the city! Maidd thought of the Lady Judge and grimaced. Assuming I can actually get out of the city. Probably put a spell on me or the token to keep me inside in case I caused trouble.

“No!” Lily declared.

When Maidd tried stepping back, she clung to his leg and was carried along. The ogre didn’t dare try to pull her off while the vampire was watching so he simply stood in agonized silence. Waiting for his fate to be sealed.

To his surprise the vampire carefully rose up from his crouch. Maidd watched as he carefully brushed dust and rubble from his clothing and smoothed the fabric back in place. Then he sat on a low outcropping of rubble, apparently ready to wait all day if necessary for the child to come to him. Lily peeked one eye out from behind the ogre’s leg to watch him.

“Your father is on his way,” Angel informed her calmly.

The child shuddered and hid back behind the ogre’s leg. Maidd’s ears caught the sound of quiet sobs.

Wonderful. Now her father’s coming and it’s obvious as a leech on a mushroom what made her cry.

He didn’t have long to dwell on his unhappy lot, however. Only a quarter-mark had passed which was just enough time for the tears to die down and Angel’s eyes to resume their proper shape when their number grew once more. One moment Maidd had a clear view from a broken wall the next it was filled by a cloud of smoke and a dark-haired stranger. As he landed gracefully the ogre had to force himself not to take an instinctive step away. Ferocity emanated off the new vampire in subliminal waves.

“Angelis.”

His voice was as calm as Angel’s had been. Yet while the first bespoke patience this second was the stopper on a bottle of rage that would consume Maidd utterly if unleashed.

“Liliana wandered off after I made it clear she was to stay nearby during my discussion with Master Engineer Porporiinchurtisky,” the blond vampire said quietly. “I found her here in the company of this ogre and presuming the worst I attacked him.”

“Come here, Liliana.”

The sobs began again behind the ogre’s leg, but the girl slowly peeled away from him and walked toward her father. When she reached him the dark-haired vampire knelt and began a careful inspection. Everything from dirty fingernails to the scuffs on her boots were recorded and accounted for, and Maidd knew the vampire wouldn’t stop at running him out of the city. He would see every scratch and misplaced hair taken directly from Maidd’s hide until there wasn’t enough of it to clothe a satyr.

Inspection complete the vampire scooped up his child.

“Take care of it,” he told Angel then walked out without another word. Maidd took a preparatory breath and prepared to flee the remaining vampire’s wrath.

Angel surprised him by bowing.

“I apologize for the rashness of my actions. You were injured because I misconstrued the situation. Please accept my humble apology.”

Maidd stared.

“Uh…yes?”

“As a sign of my remorse, I will arrange for your wounds to be cared for.”

“That’s not necessary,” the ogre said quickly. “I heal very fast. Perks of the bloodline.”

“If you are certain-”

“Very certain thank you.”

“Then I extend my apologies to you once more before taking leave.”

The vampire bowed again then turned to leave.

“Will she–” Maidd began but paused. Will she be okay is what I want to ask, but that’s pretty much an accusation in and of itself. “Part of this was my fault. I hope her father understands that,” he finished instead. Angel cocked his head consideringly.

“She will be punished because she was disobedient. That carries with it a price which would certainly have been higher had she found herself in unfriendly hands.” He favored Maidd with a slight smile. “But I very much doubt her indomitable spirit will be broken by this. No doubt she will be wandering off again very shortly. Liliana has a habit of getting into...unique predicaments.” After a final bow Angel left the house.

Maidd took a deep breath.

Note to self. Do not offend this kingdom’s vampires.

He licked his wounds clean, which also stopped the bleeding. Satisfied he grabbed another armful of rubble. The satyrs were probably wondering what was keeping him. Not that he could explain the mess that had just happened. He was still a bit hazy on the outcome himself.

Right. No more kids. No more vampires. Keep your head down and your hands busy.

With that thought firmly entrenched, he carried his load out to the waiting satyrs.

~~~ 

Seris rode back to the castle inside the carriage Angelis and Lily had taken earlier that morning. He sat facing his brother, child on his lap.

“Liliana what happened?” Seris asked quietly.

That simple question caused her tears to start anew.

“Angel says you disobeyed him. Did you do that?”

Lily sniffled but managed to nod.

“Why did you disobey him?”

“B-because I wanted to p-play.”

“Was this the right time to play?”

She didn’t answer.

“Liliana were you supposed to playing or learning with Angel?”

“L-learning,” she sobbed and buried her face in his shoulder.

“I’m very disappointed in you Liliana,” Seris continued quietly. “I asked you to stay with Angel and you disobeyed both of us. It’s one thing when you hide in the castle, but out here it’s dangerous. Someone could try to hurt you. To take you away from me.” And considering the amount of money to be made off of royalty, I’m shocked that ogre didn’t try to take advantage of it. Assuming his story was true...

The prince made a mental note to look into the ogre’s presence in the capital. It paid to be careful after all. Ogre hordes were mercenary. Kidnapping royalty to sell on the side was the least of their many faults.

“D-don’t wanna leave Daddy,” Lily said between sobs.

“And Daddy doesn’t want to lose you. So when you go back to the castle you will go straight to your room. A servant will bring you supper. Then you will go to bed. You will not be allowed to wear pretty dresses until I say so.”

“No dresses?” The quiver in her lip was heartbreaking.

“No dresses. I am very disappointed in you.”

She started crying in earnest, but Seris simply held her until she fell asleep.

When they arrived at the castle, he carried her up to her rooms and tucked her into bed. He left two servants with strict orders to watch her before heading to his brother’s rooms. Angelis reclined on a divan with a piece of fruit in his hand. He smiled and stood when Seris entered.

“I’m fine, Seris.”

“You’re not fine until I say so.”

“My throat is admittedly sore but it will heal soon,” Angelis insisted. “I was simply having a snack to expedite the healing process–” Seris forced him down to the divan once more before kneeling beside him.

“Show me or I swear I will order the nearest guards to tie you to your bed, Angelis.”

The blond sighed but slowly worked his garments off. Seris’s eyes narrowed at the deep bruising already showing on the fair skin. He gently touched the areas only to growl at the raised knots of flesh.

“I’ll kill him.”

“You will not,” Angel sighed. “Recall that I attacked first, brother. Indeed, he sheltered Liliana from me until he realized I was with her.”

“It might have been in act.”

“And perhaps it was as she described it. An unfortunate incident of wandering away to find someone interesting enough to humor her in play.”

Seris grunted but did not care to argue further. Instead he ran his hands in careful search of additional injury and Angelis humored his concern, knowing he would do the same were their positions reversed.

He was stripped bare when a knock came at the door.

“Enter,” he called then hid a smile as Seris slipped possessively between him and the door. A servant entered and bowed.

“His Majesty wishes to see Prince Seris in his personal chambers when convenient.”

“Please inform the king that my brother will present himself shortly,” Angelis replied.

“I will not,” Seris muttered, but too quietly for any but Angelis to hear.

“Yes Prince Angelis.” The servant bowed once more than walked out shaking a head over the eccentricities of princes.

“I’m not going,” Seris said, stubbornly continuing to examine his brother.

“You will go because you have already finished your inspection and I am fine. You may dress and feed me before you go.” Angelis flipped blond hair over his shoulder and headed over to the wardrobe to choose his second outfit for the day. Seris followed and rested his head on his brother’s shoulder.

“I love when you use your commanding voice,” he cooed.

“One might think you’d be an ecstasy over the king’s frequent orders then,” Angelis returned.

Seris frowned and bit him. Angelis smacked him in return then chose his outfit and forced his brother to help him don it. Finished the blond kissed his brother’s cheek then chivvied him out of the room and on his way.

Seris grumbled his whole way to the king’s chambers. He pasted a pleasant expression on his face as he passed the royal guards first in the corridor then in front of the king’s reception room. The guard at the door bowed then knocked and entered the chamber. Moments later he reappeared and held the door open for the prince.

“His Majesty expects you.” Seris nodded and entered the chamber.

Trader King Aarav Anand sat behind a large desk at the opposite end of the room. The desk was covered in organized piles of scrolls and books.

Seris forced himself to be patient. The king would recognize his presence when he wished and not a moment sooner. In fact, Anand would more likely make him wait longer if he sensed the prince’s impatience.

A pile of scrolls on the desk shifted and only a quick grab by Anand kept them from rolling off the desk. Two sculpted brown ears appeared then bright blue eyes.

“Oh look it’s Prince Seris. You’re surprisingly quick to answer the king’s summons.”

Seris smiled though inwardly he wished to strangle the feline.

“It is fortunate I was nearby.”

“More like Angelis forced you to come,” the cat observed, stretching out his front paws and nearly knocking over another pile of scrolls. He jumped off the desk to the floor, ignoring the king’s frown. He padded over to the prince and eyed his legs consideringly.

“Mark me and I will pull out your whiskers and tie your tail in knots while you sleep,” the prince informed him, a smile still in place.

Bremen sat and began to clean between the toes of one hind foot. Seris eyed him a moment more then turned his attention back to the king. Anand continued working while Bremen cleaned first one paw then the other. He was halfway through the tail when the king set aside his scroll.

“It has come to my attention that your own has been split as of late,” the king began.

“My duties have been performed more than adequately,” Seris returned, careful not to make the statement an accusation. Not that it’s ever been enough for you, old bat.

“You are capable of performing adequately even when your focus is not fully engaged.”

Seris said nothing in reply.

“The child distracts you.”

“Liliana has no part in this,” Seris all but snarled.

“You threatened members of my court over their perceived interest in her activities.”

“They have no business having any interest in what my child does or does not do!”

“Do they not? The nobility has a vested interest in the continuity of our royal line.”

“They also have a vested interest in returning to the days when they could move as they wished without your censure.”

“Perhaps some of them do,” Anand agreed. “Yet a greater number are starting to realize the benefits a stable monarchy can bring.”

“Assuming they’ll even accept her as anyone’s heir,” Bremen remarked from the floor. “She’s no blood relation to you after all.”

“I am a nameless vampire with no blood relation to the king,” Seris growled, “and yet I was deliberately sought out for this position.”

“Time will prove whether or not I was mistaken in that choice.”

The silence that lingered after the king’s statement was understandably filled with tension.

“Regardless of that fact,” Anand continued finally, “you have still refused to give me a formal answer on whether or not you wish to make her your heir.”

“I...I have not decided.”

“It would be simplest to categorize her as some sort of bastard,” Bremen said. “Nobility rarely takes a second glance at those.”

“I am not putting her through that. Better she deal with the treachery of the nobility than to live her whole life thinking she’s nothing but a spare cog in the machinery my bid for the throne!”

“Then you agree to have her official status announced.”

Seris locked furious eyes with the king but did not disagree.

“Don’t worry about it batty daddy,” Bremen said. “We won’t send it over the entire kingdom. Just drop a few words about it in court in a day or two. The nobility will complain about the dignity of the throne being carried away down a dwarven toilet and in another week or two something else will catch their fancy and they won’t think any further on it.”

“If that is all, I must respectfully take my leave,” Seris said stiffly. “I have many duties to accomplish.”

Without waiting for a dismissal the prince turned and left the room.

“Told you so,” Bremen muttered as he leapt from the floor onto the divan. “I said he’d pick the girl and he did.”

“It was necessary for him to make a commitment. I had no particular interest vested in whichever side his choice fell to,” the king replied.

“She’s Seris’s child in spirit if nothing else,” the cat observed as he curled up. “She’s smart and curious. Charming and well aware of the fact. In short a royal pain.” Bremen purred with amusement at Anand’s sigh.

“It remains to be seen if that combination proves viable.”

“Eccentricity is the price of genius, Majesty, as well you know.”

The king picked up another scroll and cracked the wax seal.

“Inform Angelis that the princess will need to begin more specific lessons in court and diplomatic etiquette.”

“Yes Majesty.”

“Additionally that the child will accompany me on occasional state functions.”

“The perfect picture of familial bliss, Majesty.”

“Do not make me repeat his threat regarding your tail, Bremen.”

The royal advisor peered over his shoulder at the appendage in question.

“That’s very rude Majesty.”

“Then hush.”

Bremen sniffed as he shifted position. He curled his tail protectively under him then closed his eyes and went to sleep.