The cold air and mist buffeted me as I fell. I aimed my dive for Remus. He tumbled out of reach briefly before I managed to to snag his arm.
“Shit!” he yelled as I pulled him closer, then I focused on knowledge I had stolen from the Dark Lord. Dark bat-like wings fluttered into existence from my back.
“Holy Shit!” Remus cused again as he stared in horror at my visage.
The wings only helped to control our descent. I had to draw on my dark gifts, using something akin to a flight like ability to glide. We were still going to hit the ground hard.
“Hold on!” I shouted. My voice sounded rough and inhuman, though I paid it no heed as Remus gripped my side. I enfolded my wings around us just before we impacted the ground. I hear bones snapping and Remus grimacing in pain as we rolled and tumbled.
We came to a stop at the edge of the encampment. I released the transformation I had and my wings dissipated into nothing. Everything felt like it was broken. I couldn’t move out due to the pain.
Slowly, agonizingly everything healed. Bones snapped into place, and flesh knitted itself back together. Even after my body put itself together I couldn’t manage the strength to sit up for a bit. When I did I scanned my surroundings to find Remus and found his crumpled form a few yards away.
“Remus!”
He didn’t respond and I felt my heart sink in my chest. Hurriedly limped over till I managed to stumble next to him. Hesitantly I place a hand on his chest.
“Remus?”
His eyes fluttered open and I felt relief to know he was still alive.
“My Lady?”
“I am here Remus.”
He reached weakly for my hand and smiled bitterly as he grasped it.
“You should have left me.”
“I couldn’t Remus. I don’t, I..”
He placed a bloodied finger over my lips gently, “shush, it's okay. It’s natural for men to die, and I wanted to die for a noble cause,” he coughed and spat out some blood.
“I always thought I would die for my family, or maybe live to see Brutus inherit the lordship,” he continued, then paused as he took a deep tormented breath.
“You won't die here Remus.”
“I’m not you Gwenyth. I’m not immortal and I doubt we could convince the Dark Lord to impart his gift to me,” he chuckled darkly, “just be sure to stop him for good this time.”
I trembled as I considered his words then came to a realization.
“Remus, what if we didn’t need the Dark Lord? What if?”
With another fit of coughing and more blood Remus suddenly convulsed.
I made my decision and pulled Remus’s head back then before I could change my mind, I bit his throat.
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It was several hours later when one of my scouts found us. After ensuring Remus’s body was properly secured to a horse, we fled with all haste. The night seemed unusually long as we rode. At my insistence we did not dare stop till we reached the stone bridge that spans the distance across the gorge.
As soon as I dismounted Timothy approached, “I am surprised to see you again.”
“I was lucky,” I assured him.
“Very much so if you managed to survive dueling the Dark Lord," he commented.
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The conversation lapsed briefly as I directed men to deposit Remus's body in the stone tower.
"Is he alright?" Inquired Timothy.
"He will awaken tomorrow night," I replied. Then I turned to study the forces we had left from the attack, "Have you sent word to our allies?”
"I sent a messenger ahead to the Castillo main holdings. If you have any plans for remaining here I would suggest you discard them."
"Agreed, once Remus and I have awaken tomorrow we need to retreat," I entered the tower with an entourage of followers beginning to form around me.
"Foolish,” Timothy and I grab him by the throat while barring my fangs angrily.
“Do not test me,” I cautioned with a low his.
“Then allow me to point out that we cannot delay here with the Dark Lord breathing down our necks. We are merely granting him the time to kill us at his leisure.”
“He cannot attack with the sun up,” I countered as I released Timothy.
He stumbled on his feet briefly before straightening himself, “You and the Dark Lord may be hindered by the sunlight, however you forget that both your’s and his forces are not. We need to move now! I am no strategist but it doesn’t take a genius to see that!”
I raised a hand to strike him and Timothy flinched. Then I lowered it slowly as I eyed those on the base floor of the tower. Most of the men were exhausted, much of the floor space was taken up by the wounded and injured. Those who could stand watched the exchange between Timothy and I with indifferent expressions.
“Prepare for departure,” I ordered, “Secure the wound, and destroy the bridge. Timothy with me.”
I turned and ascended the stairs with him in tow. Entering one of the available rooms I ordered everyone out. When Timothy and I remained I gave him a cold stare.
“You're testing my patience,” I spoke, “I am beginning to wonder if I have been far too lenient with you.”
“I am a mage and-.”
A hedge mage!” I shouted, “You are a self taught spell caster with the delusion of grandeur. Never have I seen such an inflated ego!”
For a moment Timothy stuttered in rage and I summoned my blood blade. Without hesitation I pierced the tip into his bicep. The stuttering rage was replaced with a scream of pain.
A burst of flame ignited in his palm and I pushed my blade deeper into his arm with a twist.
“Kill me if you want,” I told him, “I hold no illusions that I am the only one that can kill the Dark Lord, but I am confident that I and my former companions stand the best chance.”
I dispelled the blade as I firmly placed a hand on his shoulder the other gripped his wrist with the burning flame in hand. Fighting back the instinct to run from the fire I focused on staring Timothy straight on in the eyes.
“If we are going to ensure the Dark Lord stays dead for good this time, I will need your help Timothy. You have uncovered the secret to his resurrection and can give us an idea of how to prevent it from occurring again.”
“You want my cooperation, then,” said Timothy as he vanquished the flame. I smiled with my fangs as I pulled him in closer, my hand moving to his neck.
“I want to ensure your loyalty,” I whispered in his ear before my fangs pierced his neck. Timothy gasped in surprise and weakly struggled to throw me off. I drank only enough for him to feel faint before I released him. Then drawing a knife I slit my wrist then offered it to Timothy.
“I offer you a bit of my power but in return you serve me,” I proclaimed.
Timothy eyed my wrist for a moment before looking me in the eye, “I know what you're offering. Don’t think for a moment that I don’t know what you’re asking of me. Though I am curious to learn how you uncovered the knowledge of this aspect of the blood.”
Meeting his gaze I focused my power, “You taking my blood will only work to ensure both our cooperation, and guarantees your safety.”
Shaking his head as if to clear his mind Timothy glanced down to my wrist with its offering. He paused to consider it before reaching out to take my hand in his before kneeling down to drink.
When he stood up again I smiled inwardly with relief.
“I want you to ensure that Remus is placed in a secure wagon. Place him in chains and kept in one of the spare coffin boxes the men used to help transport me during the day.”
“Are you cautious that the Dark Lord might have done something to him?”
“I have my reasons and you are to carry out my orders without question. Am I clear?”
Timothy opened his mouth to say something but stopped himself, “Yes I will instruct the men. Shall I tell them to ready something for you as well.”
“Yes and you are dismissed.”
“Excellent and with your generous gift I think I might have the ability to handle the collapse of the bridge as well.”
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From the tower I watched as an explosive burst of flame descended upon the stone bridge. Stone and rock tumbled into the narrow gorge. When my vision cleared I could see that Timothy's spellwork left little standing. I descended to the main floor and was greeted by my loyal men.
“My Lady, we are ready to depart at your command.”
“Very well, see to it.”
Leaving the tower I could feel the warmth of day coming. I approached my wagon that was prepped for me. Just before I laid myself down into the coffin-like box I glanced over to the otherside of the gorge. For a moment I thought I spied a tall man that stood watch from across the way. When I blinked he was gone.
“Move out!” I shouted and men hurried the departure. I laid down and closed my eyes.