It was an unusually warm night when Durance and the Justicars left the village. The sky was clear, and the streets filled with bright starlight as they gathered by the northern road. They’d ended up staying nearly a week, both to tend to their dead, but also to fulfill their obligations to the villagers. In the days since Darian turned some of them into vampires, nearly all of the people in the longhouse had died. But through the old elf’s golden elixir, five had been saved, including Veronica and her son Tomas. And to the sick Justicars’ credit, they had denied Durance’s cure in favor of him giving it to the villagers instead.
Now Darian stood beside Fria, her mother and several of the villagers close behind. Jorg was with the boys Isaac and Krast. The Justicar had proved to be a valuable asset the last few days, especially with Krast. The boy’s thirst was the worst of the bunch, and the cow’s blood did little to calm him. But the child listened to Jorg, and the Justicar had taken it upon himself to mentor and watch the boy.
The couple Darian had turned, Nathaniel and Beatrice, were helping tend to the remaining infected. After they’d confirmed the illness was cured, they offered to help clean up the longhouse. Darian was nervous about them being alone, but at least the infected blood did not smell appetizing. And Nathaniel, who Darian learned was a retired adventurer, had his thirst the most under control. His wife on the other hand was struggling heavily. It was only the thought of spending more time with her children that seemed to keep her fangs away. Though Darian feared what she might do if she smelled an open wound.
Darian had done his best over the past week to aid them. Using his own experiences, he was able to temper the new vampire’s thirst. Keeping them full of cow’s blood was also proving to be extremely effective as it staved off their bestial hunger. He also provided them a short list of rules, both meant to keep the villagers safe but also to keep them from harm. There was a hunter’s lodge in the forest near the village the vampires were staying in. This kept them away from people, and they were only allowed to see their remaining family under Fria’s supervision. While she lacked the strength to physically stop them, one of her flaming arrows would no doubt be fatal in a last resort situation. Still, Darian was filled with anxiety, for it wasn’t only the Justicars who were leaving this night.
Durance stood beside a loaded wagon, his men shifting uncomfortably beside him.
“I would not expect to see a Justicar this way for some time,” he said, eyeing his eagle that circled amidst the stary sky.
Another messenger had come the previous day. Darian wasn’t sure what the message said, but it had put all the Justiciars in an even fouler mood. He’d heard mention of the ongoing demonic invasion, but he had been too busy with his vampires to pay attention to the Justicar’s freighted whispers.
“And I would not expect to find me here if you return,” Darian replied.
Durance huffed. “Lucky for you we haven’t got the manpower to get vengeance for the commander, provided that was something we wanted to do.” He glanced at the longhouse, shame passing over his face. “But this village will see no more trouble from us, but that also means they’re on their own from now on.”
Fria bit at her bottom lip, a snide remark toward the Justicars barely contained.
“We thank those of you who came with kindness in your hearts,” Aelen said, her walking staff tapping against the road as she hobbled forward.
Durance grimaced as he stared into her crimson eyes. “Thank you, Aelen. We lost many fine men and women here.” Then he turned his attention back to Darian. “People who will be missed.”
Darian still felt a pang of guilt about what he’d done. But Marco was a fanatic, and those who stood beside him had made their choice.
“You’d better start down the road before the snows return,” Darian said.
“Goodbye, Durance,” Fria added, her voice softening. “And I truly hope your travels are free of hardship.”
The old dwarf smiled flatly. “I’m afraid hardship has already come, miss Rostcliff. And I fear it is here to stay.” He turned toward his men. “Alright you lot, get to marching. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover if we’re to reach Ors by morning!”
Then he and the Justicars disappeared down the road, Durance’s eagle following them from above.
“Do you think his men will tell the other Justicars what we did?” Fria asked, a hint of worry in her voice.
“I’m sure they will,” Darian replied. “But most of their rage is directed at me. Part of why I don’t plan on staying.”
Not only did he worry about the Justicars returning with grater numbers, but Isaac and Krast were still too dangerous to keep within the village. And despite his strength so far, Jorg was struggling to contain his hunger of human blood. He also had his worries about Beatrice, but at least she had the stalwart Nathaniel by her side. No, it was only a matter of time before one of the boys sank his fangs into a villager. For everyone’s safety, it would be best if they left.
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“I will say what I said once already,” Aelen said, shuffling up to her daughter’s side. “You are always welcome here.”
“I know” Darian replied. “But things may become worse if I stay.” He reached up and gave Fria’s shoulder a tight squeeze. “And I don’t plan on being gone forever. I will return one day.”
Darian turned as he heard a trio of feet approaching him. Jorg was carrying a massive bag atop his back, while Krast and Isaac carried smaller supplies for their trip west.
Zan nudged Darian’s hand. The wolf had been sitting there so silently and with such stillness that Darian had hardly noticed he was there.
“You be good while I’m gone, okay?” he scratched his furry companion between the ears. “And Fria, I—”
The girl wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him hard. “I will miss you.”
Darian hesitated for a moment, then he wrapped her in his arms. “And I will miss you, too.” She was his first real friend in this world, and his first true companion. But she needed to stay with her mother, both to assist her like she had done for Darian, but also to help keep watch over Nathaniel and Beatrice.
“Be safe,” she whispered as she pulled away, her cheeks flushed red. “And I will hold you to that promise we made.”
Aelen raised a brow at that, but Darian quickly changed the subject. “Please give my regards to Beatrice and Nathaniel, and do keep an eye on them for me.”
“I will,” Fria said. “And you keep an eye on those three.” She pointed with her thumb at Jorg and the boys.
Jorg had still been tight lipped about what his supposed mission was. All he would tell Darian was that it was not his time to die, and that he had a holy purpose now. Darian thought maybe he’d just gone insane, but he seemed rather collected, all things considered.
“I will watch them the best I can.” Darian looked down the long, dark road. “You still sure about the location of those caves?”
“Sure as I can be.” Fria stepped up beside him, her arms crossed over her chest. “There should be three on your way to Vizzera. The third is close enough to the border for you to make it across. But with this plague, I doubt the Vizzerans are just letting people through.”
“And once I’m over the border, I’ll just have to hope there’s some accommodating roadside inns.”
“There should be plenty the further into Vizzera you get, but the first few nights may require you to improvise.” Fria started fidgeting with her hands, her worries about Darian roasting in the sun returning.
He gripped her hand. “I’ll be fine. I’ve always managed to find shelter from the sun, and Vizzera will be no different.”
“Let us hope so,” she said with a smile. “I’d hate to lose the system in the event of your death.”
Darian laughed. “What a tragedy that would be.”
Then they stared down the road in silence for a while, the villagers all returning to their homes as a chill wind came down the mountain.
“Before you go,” Aelen said. “I wish to thank you again. I would have died had you not made me a vampire, and for that I am grateful.”
“Be thankful it all worked out.” So far. “Had your thirst been harder to control, I’m not sure you’d be thanking me right now.” He glanced at Krast as he spoke. Even now the boy watched the villagers with hungry eyes, his instincts barely contained.
“My time as a Cleric of Ofnia hardened my resolve,” Aelen replied. “But with me here to heal the sick and wounded, this village will thrive again. And so, I thank you.” She bowed her head, making Darian feel a touch embarrassed.
But he looked over the village. This place would have been destroyed if Darian and his team had not put an end to Victoria, and who knows what would have happened if Marco had been allowed to burn down the longhouse. He let himself feel a moment of pride at the lives he had saved.
“Well,” Fria said, taking a back step. “I guess you also should be going. It might be winter, but the sun will still rear its ugly head eventually.”
Darian gave Zan one last pat on the head before he stepped toward Jorg and the others. “I’ll be seeing you again, don’t worry,” He assured over his shoulder.
“You’d better, Darian. You’d better.” Fria sniffled, then waved her goodbyes, Aelen doing the same.
“Right cheery lot,” Jorg mumbled, nudging Krast down the road. “But I hope no other ills befall this village. It’s seen enough death and mayhem already.”
“They’ll be fine,” Darian replied as he made his way down the hill. “I would worry more about us.”
“Vizzera,” Jorg said with a bit of a growl in his voice. “You really think the children will be better off there?”
“They shouldn’t be hunted at least. And I have some connections there we can use.” He thought of the odd coin Harper had given him.
“And after we get there, what do you plan on doing then?”
Darian turned as they reached a bend in the road. Fria and her mother were still there, waving their goodbyes. He smiled at the sight of them. “I will explore this world and find a home for myself. A place where me and my kind have nothing to fear. And I will fill that place with the people I care about.”
Jorg chuckled, the sound dry. “A childish goal.” He moved down the road. “But one I hope you realize.”
He lingered there for a moment, his heart heavy. But then he turned and worked his way into the unknown, the world opening up before him.