“I am so screwed.” I complained, pacing back and forth.

The girl stopped her sobbing and was just silently weeping over her prone father. Thankfully the man was not dead, but he would likely stay down for a while. I panicked, like a scared child, it was as if I had never been to war, never seen or done the horrible things that still haunt my dreams.

“Daddy.” The girl whimpered, shaking her father, desperately trying to wake him.

“He will be fine, he just needs to sleep.” I tried to reassure and she didn’t burst into tears this time.

“Why did you do this?!” She screamed, a stark contrast to her prior weeping.

I did a double take, shocked at such a young girl brazenly yelling at a literal adult vampire. The shock wore of just as I was about to respond, she started to fiddle with her dress. I was unsure what she was doing until she produced a strange pouch.

My first thought was she was trying to bribe me, but when she withdrew a stone, I was immediately puzzled. This did not last long as she started to mutter words I recognised. The girl was casting a spell, she is a wizard. I sped forward using every ounce of swiftness a vampire could muster.

I was too late, the girl could really cast a spell quickly. With her power, earth rose from the ground and launched a devastating strike. At least that is what should have happened. Instead a tiny rock shot from the ground and bounced of me harmlessly.

Shocked I stopped in my tracks, unsure what just happened. Did she just use a rock as a spell component, only to use said spell to throw another rock at me? It was a question quickly answered by her.

“Damn it, I screwed it up again.” The girl complained, stomping her feet angrily.

I was not sure what to do, but the situation slowly dawned on me. I chuckled besides myself, finding the magic conjured by this girl humorous. She must have heard my snickering and immediately glared hatefully at me.

“Don’t laugh!” She chastised and I ignored her.

“You used a rock to summon another rock to throw at me.” I observed, trying to keep my face neutral and failing miserably. “Why didn’t you just throw the rock instead of going through all of that spell work?” I asked, still unable to keep a straight face.

“Hey it took me a long time to work out that spell!” She replied indignantly. “Besides I think I did pretty well for my first try.” She added with barely a whisper, for which I heard, vampire hearing really is useful.

“What is a novice wizard doing heading to a warzone?” I asked, realising the obvious. She was clearly a young ill trained wizard heading to a castle about to be sieged.

“Warzone?” What are you talking about, my father is taking me to study under Mistress Ephemia of Narfalon.” She corrected.

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“To study?” I said.

“Yes I will be a student of one of the greatest conjurers in the duchy.” The girl proclaimed proudly. “She will punish you for this!”

“I doubt that little girl.”

“My name is Emily, don’t call me little girl!” She spat.

“Well Emily, your mistress has rebelled against the barony and is about to be besieged by an army sent by the baron. So I don’t think you will be attending class this evening.” I explained as if to a child, which she was.

“What? That can’t be, we were accepted only a few days ago and have been travelling the entire time.” She explained aghast.

“That makes sense, she was declared a rebel only yesterday and the baron quickly mobilised a mercenary army that was in the region, along with a crazy vampire lord.” I added disdainfully, remembering my sire as he callously decided my fate without a second thought.

“Vampire? Like you? Are you attacking the mistress.” She quickly took a guard stance and being a child it was more adorable then threatening.

“Technically yes, but the siege wont happen until tomorrow night. You and your father need to flee as fast as you can.” I tried to explain, only to realise that it was impossible.

The roads would have already been blocked off and with her father in such a state. I looked over to his prone form, I could smell the onset of ghoulism. Why in the name of the goddess did I let myself get out of control? If he didn’t get a healer soon, he would rise as a flesh eating monster. Not exactly the best state for what I expect to be a single father.

I knew what needed to be done, but dreaded it anyway. “With all the roads blocked, the only place to go is your original destination. While it wont be safe when my people arrive, at least your father will get treatment.” I explained, trying to be as reasonable as possible.

“Treatment, daddy is sick?” She blanched.

“He will be fine once I get you to the castle, there should be healers there.” I reassured.

Emily nodded accepting the decision, she really was quick on the uptake, far smarter then a girl her age. I suppose learning wizardry so young makes her a prodigy, but I don’t know much about such things.

Now with her consent I had the zombies carry her father into the carriage, she eyed them fearfully as they placed him carefully in. I had her enter alongside her unconscious father and quickly ordered the zombies to repair any damage.

The wheel was slightly out of alignment, but was an easy fix. With the zombies pushing as the horses went nuts around the unlife. We made our way down the road and towards the keep.

It took several hours and some finesse to keep the horses on our trail. But we managed to reach the castles surrounding lands. I ordered the zombies to make there way back to the camp, reinforcing said order to leave all living things alone. I on the other hand had a greater problem, fierd was coming up and if I didn’t go to ground quickly, I would be dust.

I opened the carriage, noting Emily seated near her father, tending to him. “Emily.” I spoke, getting her attention. “Just down this road, you should reach the castle. Your horses are re-saddled and it’s just a short way.” I explained. “Do you know how to drive a carriage?” I asked, realising I was possibly leaving a young girl on the side of the road with a near dead father.

“I know how.” She answered to my relief.

“That is good, I must go, the fierdlight is almost upon me.” I gestured to the sky and the death that would claim me if I lingered.

“Before you go, may I at least have your name?” She requested timidly.

I paused not sure whether to answer, I could do so or remain a mystery. Eventually I decided to give her at least that, I did owe her and her father.

“My name is Erik, now get your father some healing.” I stated with finality before vanishing from sight.

I heard her gasp as I sped away from the fierdlight, desperately finding someplace to hide. Not finding anything, I was forced to plunge my fist into the dirt and dig my way to the underworld. Frantically I clawed and dug and ripped away anything that impeded my survival. As fierdlight rose, I felt it’s heat singe my back just as I leapt into the hole and buried myself with the dirt and worms.