Control
Disclaimer: Legacy of
Kain belongs to Edios and
Rating: PG-13
Part: One of One
Set: Post Blood Omen
Authoress note: It seems
I am on a roll. Damn.
For all my
reviewers, who without I would have surely given up a long time
ago.
Control
{Kain}
“You are
welcome here Kain.” The old vampire smirks.
It is hard
to control my expression at his words, my anger at his smug, self satisfied
attitude. He knew I would come back to him eventually, despite my verbal
assurances that I would always follow my own road; he had laughed at my words
and told me I would return, and now I have. He sees my return as a victory
while I try not to see it as a defeat. It should not be a defeat to dislike being
alone, to want for company, conversation and companionship. But I cannot help
but see it as a defeat as it was not only my simple want for company that has
brought me back here. It is something else also.
Fear.
I have now
lived through my first rainy season as a vampire, it was … unpleasant. Although
the word unpleasant is not truly strong enough to describe the season, at least
in my view and I like to think the view of other vampires. Between dashing from
shelter to shelter, cave to cavern and waking to find myself with minor burns
and water everywhere I turned, I quickly came to the conclusion that I strongly
disliked the rainy season.
However eventually
after the first month of misery I found a small building in which to take
shelter. The house was small but it was warm and dry at least on the upper
floors. It goes without saying that the home’s current occupants were not
overjoyed by my arrival, but I am a selfish creature by nature, and their
displeasure was not my own.
I emerged
three weeks later after the rains had ended starved and somewhat irritated by
the whole situation. The family inside had not lasted long and I had been
forced to make a decision, to either risk starvation and stay sheltered, warm
and somewhat dry or hunt and feed but risk death by mortals or rain. For with the coming of the rains the mortal’s
found strength handed to them by nature and they were more than willing to use
this advantage. Many villages I had slipped through were surrounded by pikes
baring vampire corpses.
The season
had been hard on me, I had survived it but I had been hurt badly more than once
and now I was half starving and it hurt. The idea of a winter filled with snow,
rain and cold with no where to go that I would not be hunted did not appeal to
me. The idea of the mansion in the swamps had begun to take on a new light and
after a few more nights alone scraping survival out of villages and ruins I
found myself wandering through the swamps heading towards the home of Vorador.
My pride
burned inside of me and I glare at the back of his coat as we walk through the
lavishly decorated hallways and passages, towards the actually living areas. My
body however ignored my wounded pride and revelled in being warm and somewhat
safe after so long.
“A
fledgling simply cannot survive on its own.”
Vorador purrs at me over his shoulder. “You were too young, although you
have done substantially better than any I have yet seen.” He shook his head and
stopped at a door turning to face me. “It is fascinating how you have done what
you have at such a young age.” My pride burned anew inside of me. “it would be of great advantage if we could reach an
agreement of sorts.”
“I am not
fascinating.” I said slowly, feeling my lips pull back baring fangs. “I am what
I am. It isn’t perfect, a far cry from it in fact, but it is mine and I am not
making deals with you.” I had known he would want something from me but still
my pride clouded my judgement and my response was an angry one.
The
ancient creature had watched me silently and I felt as if I was being judged
yet again, and without any conscious decision on my part I felt a low growl
rumble up from my throat. Vorador only raised an eyebrow at me and sighed
“You’ve
been burnt before in bargains past.” He breathed slowly as if afraid of
startling me “and you clearly have no desire to repeat the experience, you are
wary of dealing with me and those like me for good reason.” He laughed a little
“Then why
ask something of
“because.”
He sighed and seemed disappointed “we are in need of action and . . .” he
trailed off into silence then as we turned yet another corner in his
labyrinthine mansion he spoke again “I am pleased.” He said after a moment “it
shows you are learning. I do not think I would have had any respect for you if
you had accepted my offer at face value.” He stood and I had to stop myself
taking a step backwards, “even although it is genuine.” He finished with a
small dip of his head.
“Well
that’s a relief.” I smirked “for I would have been crushed by your lack of
respect.”
“Whelp!”
he snapped but his words were not truly harsh, “I admire your defiance, as
something of a defiant creature myself I do believe we could form a strong
partnership.”
“I already
said I am not making deals with you.” I snarled but felt my own anger fading,
exhaustion truly taking it toll on me.
“You also
said you would not return,” He smirks “yet here you are.”
He pushes
the door open and the room inside is warm and softly lit, the bed looks
comfortable to me having slept on stone floors and abandoned crypts for months.
I sigh, the duel emotions of hurt pride and the absolute relief at finally
having somewhere warm that I was welcomed, were taking all the energy I had
left. I half stumbled into the room, the ancient vampire’s cloven hand moved
faster than I could clearly watch and he grabbed my shoulder, his features
twisted into a mockery of concern.
“You are
not well.” He breathes “go rest I will have blood brought for you.” He left
before I could answer and I found myself left alone.
In a place
that would become my home. For a time at least.
The End
Authoress note: Short, pointless but there it is
lol.
Please review.