RBC05 - Bloodline (33 page)

“Come in out of the sun,” he said and motioned for me to go in ahead of him.

I smiled and walked past him, Aaron followed close behind.

Zax closed the door. “Please sit. I am Zax, King of the Faun. And you are?”

“My name is Katrina. I was transported to this land by someone very powerful. I don’t know his real name or even what he really looks like. He planned to keep me captive and steal my child. Will you help me?”

“Let me ask you: Just where in our land were you transported to? Describe it to me. How far away was it from here?”

“I traveled for hours down the stream from a cottage west of here in the woods.”

“I only know of one cottage and it’s a hundred leagues from here. How is that possible?”

“I am…very fast. I am from a very peaceful race of vampire.”

Both Zax and Aaron looked shocked. “That cottage has been occupied before. There are many stories of creatures held there. I am surprised that you got away. Now we know where you were transported to, where were you transported from?”

“From the world of light. Is this a sanctuary?”

“I have never heard of your world. If you need sanctuary here, then it will be provided.”

“Thank you, I do.”

“You will have to have a host family. I will have a council meeting to introduce you to your new community. This is very unusual situation to say the least, but I am sure you will be welcomed. We don’t eat meat, is that going to be a problem for you?”

“No, will I be allowed to hunt?”

“Yes of course. The forest is full of game, that
is
what you meant isn’t it?”

“Yes, I won’t need to do so daily, but it is necessary for my survival as a vampire.”

I could see he had many more questions to ask but he just nodded.

“I’ll convene the council. Aaron, make Katrina something to eat and then bring her to the Ramdan.”

Zax left, leaving me alone with Aaron who proceeded to do what his father had asked. He brought me fruit, and vegetables along with some wonderfully fresh bread and cheese.

“We usually have fresh eggs, but we had an animal in the hen house last night and the hens refused to lay this morning.”

“Whatever you have is fine.”

“You are lucky that I found you instead of someone else.”

“Like who,” I said as I ate.

“The valley is peaceful, but there are tribes in other areas that occasionally hunt here. They supposedly look more like you do. But I have never seen them.”

“What do they call these tribes, Aaron?”

“You were really hungry,” he laughed looking at my now very clean plate. “They are the Caleadon.”

“Interesting, and yes, I am always hungry.”

“I think we should head over to the Ramdan. The council should have gathered there by now. Most of the villagers saw us come in and those that didn’t, don’t have far to travel. The whole village of course, will be wondering about you.”

“I hope I don’t cause you any trouble. That’s the last thing that I want to do.”
      “There will be those who will be afraid that you will bring us bad luck. You don’t need to worry about them, as long as Father is on your side.”

We walked basically just across the street to a much larger cottage.

“It seems the whole village is here,” Aaron said as he took my hand. “Let us through.”

“Ah, here she is now, Katrina, welcome. The council would like to ask you a few questions.”

“I understand. What do you wish to know?”

“Our King tells us that you come from another world. Will there be others that will follow you here?”

“I have no way of knowing, because I have been unable to contact anyone from my world. I can only say that
I
believe that the entity that sent me here will surely follow if he is able.”

“Can you tell us why you believe you are here?”

“In the world of light we were fighting evil forces who were trying to kill and dominate the peaceful races of my world in order to rule. As leader of this fight I have been targeted. I am carrying a child that they wish to use for their own evil purposes. I cannot and will not allow this to happen, and can only hope that you will help me.”

There was much discussion now amongst the crowd.

“Quiet everyone,” Zax insisted. “I know you all have many more questions than answers, as do I. The only thing to consider today is the granting of sanctuary to Katrina, along with all the protection that we can provide to her for now. As King of the Faun I feel her soul is a righteous one. I believe that it is the right thing to offer her sanctuary. If she were my daughter, stranded in a strange land, I would hope that someone would help her. I intend to be that someone for Katrina.”

The seated council spoke among themselves and then finally nodded in agreement.

“Good. Now all we need is a host family.”

“She can come and live with me. My children are grown and out on their own and I have plenty of room,” a voice said from the back of the room.

“Is that you May?” Zax asked straining to see who had just spoken.

A woman pushed through the crowd until we could see her. “Yes Zax, it’s me.”

“This is my aunt May,” Zax said. “If you’re sure May, I think that’s a fine idea.”

“So do I,” May said as she extended her hand to me. She was an older woman dressed in plain, simple clothing. She wore her hair in a sever bun at the base of her neck, her face was round and jovial with eyes, winkled at the corner and were full of mischievous humor. Her smile was warm and inviting.

I smiled back at her as we shook hands. “Thank you for taking me in. I’ll help as much as I can.”

“Let’s not worry about any of that right now. We’ll just get you settled in. Follow me.”

“You can all go home now. Remember Katrina is our guest, part of our Faun family. I expect you to treat her as such,” Zax pronounced as everyone made their way out.

“I live just outside of the village. I like my privacy.” May looked over at me as we made our way out of the village. “You seem to be handling all of this very well. I’d be frightened out of my wits!”

“I have been through a lot this year. I have learned to adapt quickly in order to be able to survive.”

“Hmm sounds like you have quite a story to tell. You don’t seem shocked that we are nothing like you either,” she said looking over for my reaction.

“In my world there are many different races in the sanctuaries, protected from those that would do them harm. Faun is one of those races.”

“Amazing. That sounds like our world, Faralea. Well, here we are. It’s nothing special, but I like it.”

“Oh, it’s lovely.”

It was a two story, white-washed cottage like the others, but this one had a stone covered front and a balcony. May opened the arched, dark wooden door and we went inside.

“The kitchen is to your right. The sitting room is straight ahead and there are two bedrooms upstairs. Yours will be the back one. It overlooks the pond and the meadow beyond and I think you’ll find it satisfactory.”

“I know it will be just fine. What can I do to help around here? I saw a nice garden out back, if you show me, I’m sure I could help you there.”

“That’s something we can talk about tomorrow. Why don’t you check out your room and rest a little bit? I’ll make us some tea.”

I laughed, “Just like back home. The more races I get to know, the more I find how much alike we really are. Thank you again May, for making me feel welcome. It’s been an unsettling twenty-four hours.”

“You’re welcome, Katrina.”

I had noticed an outhouse back by the garden, so I didn’t bother looking for a bath tub. The door to my new room squeaked open revealing a very nice four poster bed, simple but still very nice. It was covered by a soft, cotton-like quilt and several pillows

I don’t know what I was expecting, a stall? For heaven’s sake they were half…elf? There was a simple side table and a small dresser across from the bed. I walked over to the door that led to the balcony, opening it so that I could see the view. It was a Dutch door. You could open just the top, just the bottom or both. I opened both and stepped out.

There was a nice breeze so I took a long breath in more out of habit than necessity. I smelled horses! I’d love to see them. I squinted in the sun, shielding my eyes. They were just over the ridge, but I couldn’t see them. I’d have to ask May about them.

“Might as well unpack,” I said out loud to myself.

I had my weapons, which I wasn’t about to take off. I put my water skin on the table by the bed and the worthless compass on the dresser. The only other thing that I had with me besides the small pouch was the mirror.

I looked into it with hopes a familiar face other than my own, would look back at me. Unfortunately that didn’t happen. If I could just remember the words, I could make my own skrying pool. Although I tried unsuccessfully for quite a few minutes I couldn’t draw the incantation from my mind. Why didn’t I pay more attention?

Maybe when I was more settled the words would come. Meil or one of his disciples were probably here looking for me now. I wasn’t able to use my Jinn power for some reason, but my vampire powers were still intact, including those I now shared with my sisters.

I walked back downstairs to have tea with May. I found her sitting at the small table by the window.

“My mate used to love this time of year,” she said as I sat down with her. “He died last year, I miss him so much.”

“I’m sorry to hear that May.”

She poured me some tea, “Oh death is part of life I guess. It’s just that you get so used to having the ones you love near.”

“Yes, it is easy to take that for granted.”

“Katrina, forgive me that was insensitive. I didn’t mean…”

“I know you didn’t. Let’s change the subject. I have a very good sense of smell and I scented horses over the ridge. Would it be possible for me to keep one here?”

May laughed, “What you scented were Centaur.”

Then I had to laugh too. “So I guess that would be a
no
then.”

We talked for hours about both our lives and our worlds. As scared as I was that I would never see those that I loved again, I was grateful for my new friends. They were gentle creatures and I promised myself that I would never put them in danger.

CHAPTER sixteen

D
amien:

Why can’t we find her Allwain?” I said.

“Damien I know you are frustrated we all are. It’s only been a short time. Once Cathos and Ceron are healed, maybe they can help. What this sorcerer did was not something that we can follow, like a portal. He used his magic to send her somewhere that my power can’t reach, at least not yet.”

“And the witches, what about them?”

“So far they’ve found nothing, but if anyone can it’s Niranjana. You have to be patient, Damien. I am going to Sangustae soon. Call to me when Cathos or Ceron are better. Have we handled the spreading of rumors explaining Meil’s disappearance and everything else that goes with that?”