The carriage sped through the countryside, it's wheels kicking up dust and sending pebbles flying in all directions. The spare moonlight illuminating the road between the treetops flickered and shone as the carriage rounded the corner of the path. The forest was just beginning to thin out as the path became wider and less treacherous.
Marcel looked to the right of the carriage, where Nanesti was keeping in stride with the carriage. He returned his gaze back to the road, sighing in relief that she and her rider were still by his side. He followed the road with his eyes and pointed out the small cluster of lights just beyond the hill.
"Thank goodness! My lord there is a town ahead, we can stop there and rest the horses!" He shouted over the clatter of the horses' hooves.
Reynold barely heard Marcel's words as he and Nanesti galloped through the tree branches. He turned at the sound and cocked his head.
"What?!" he shouted.
Marcel took the reins in one hand and cupped his mouth with the other. He drew a breath and shouted.
"My lord, I said the horses need rest and there is a town just beyond the hill!"
Reynold nodded reined Nanesti towards the town, moving a bit faster than the carriage getting a touch ahead of it.
Marcel slaps the reins down speeding the carriage after Reynold as the town comes into view.
Reynold reins in Nanesti as he slows their speed. He looks at each building searching for a tavern. Finally spotting what looks to be one he points to it.
"We'll stay there for the day," he says as the carriage slows to a steady pace. Marcel nods and directs the carriage onto the new path towards the town. His gaze drifts from the tavern to the stately manor sitting just outside of the town set upon a hill. He shivers and clicks his tongue at the horses.
As the two trots into town they notice the tavern doors close as they approach. Reynold dismounts and knocks on the door.
"Hail in there." He says knocking again. The light under the door betrays someone stepping up to the door and peering through a small knothole.
"I said hail in there I can see you. Open the door."
The door doesn't open and Reynold sighs looking at Marcel.
"Quite inhospitable if you ask me. Very rude," Marcel sniffs. Reynold turns back to the door and notices the knothole. Seeing an eye looking out at him, Reynold draws the power of his blood.
"Open the door," he says with some force. The board lifts and the door opens. A man in a greasy apron stands there a blank look on his face. His hair hangs loosely about his face, unwashed and matted. Reynold enters followed by Marcel. He wanders over to the counter and waits for the man.
The man shakes his head and walks behind the counter, closing the door first and boarding it. He puts his hands on the counter and gives the two a suspicious look.
"We got no rooms," he says.
"Yes, you do and you will rent us one�now."
"Yeah we got a room," he turns and gets a key off the rack and hands Reynold one. "Second room on the right, that's 1 franc a night."
Reynold digs in his pocket and puts one down on the counter.
"Stable our horses and rub them down," he says a bit more force this time. The man nods and heads out back.
Marcel puts a hanky to his nose and crinkles it breathing through it.
"This tavern smells, my lord."
"It will do." He says walking up the stairs and opening the door. Reynold closes it and lights the candles. Marcel watches Reynold and sighs putting his hanky away.
"I am unsure of sending Veni ahead, my lord. Was that necessary?"
Reynold nods absent-mindedly. He sits on the bed and lays down sighing wearily.
Marcel sits on the other bed and flips the sheets.
"At least there are no fleas," he says. Reynold puts a hand on his forehead and stares at the ceiling. Marcel watches him in silence for a moment.
"My lord, it is not good to keep punishing yourself like this. If I may say so, we should just concentrate on finding the Tremere. I know my lady is hard to forget, but I would not see you drive yourself mad."
Reynold peers out at Marcel and nods.
"You're right, Marcel. Perhaps I have been torturing myself lately. I fear that perhaps if I had spoken to her before she had gone to Amalia this could all have been prevented. If I had had the courage, if I-" he stops and rubs his face with both hands. Marcel watches him with sad eyes.
"It is not your fault, my lord."
"I know," he says with a sigh, "I know it is not, but I can't help but believe it could all be different."
Marcel clasps his hands in his lap and nods thinking of what could have been. He smiles a little.
"The two of you living in York. My lady throwing the grandest balls and parties, you helping your sire govern and me with a little garden," he brings a hanky to his eyes drying the tears. He returns from his daydream and looks to Reynold, finding him fast asleep. Marcel sighs and draws the shutters and blows out the candle.
Later in the afternoon, Marcel awakens to a knock. Throwing the sheets off he walks to the door and opens it carefully. Outside stands a girl no more than a teenager. Her smock is dirty with dust and she holds a few sheets in her arms. She looks at Marcel and then averts her eyes looking down.
"Do you need a change of bedding, my lord?" she asks.
"No, my child we are still sleeping."
She nods and turns away. Marcel steps out of the room.
"Wait, do you know if our horses have been stabled?"
Turning to Marcel she nods silently. Marcel looks at her face and cocks his head.
"My child is there a place to purchase traveling supplies in this town?"
"Yes, my lord it is just down the street," she says turning and hurrying down the stairs.
Marcel walks back into their room and checks himself in the mirror. He straightens his jacket and combs out his hair. Nodding at his appearance, he turns and walks out the door. He checks his pockets and walks down the stairs. Entering the tavern he finds it full of people. Their talking stops as they eye him. He smiles and nods at them and walks out the door. The street seems empty as he walks towards the store.
As Marcel continues down the street he notices several shutters opening then closing once the people get a good look at him. He finds the store and turns to see if any one of the shutters open. Sighing he opens the door and enters.
Several women stand at the counter gossiping with the woman behind the counter. They hush their voices once they look at him and begin to disperse as he stands at the counter.
The owner walks over to him, a disapproving look on her face. She stops just opposite him. Marcel smiles kindly and begins to look over her shoulder at the merchandise.
"We don't serve no strangers," she says hands on her hips, her head cocked defiantly . Marcel raises an eyebrow.
"My money is just as good as anyone's," he says taking the coins out of his pocket. Her eyes widen at seeing so much money. One of the women gasps and exits the store hurriedly. Marcel turns to watch her leave then looks back to the woman. She turns her head towards the back of the store.
"Hey Henry!" She shouts. A burly man walks out from the back wiping his hands on a dirty rag. He looks at Marcel eyeing him.
"What's he want?"
"He wants to buy something."
"Tell him his money's no good," he says looking Marcel up and down. The woman sighs.
"I did just that and he won't take the hint."
"I just wish to buy some feed and traveling supplies. I have money." Marcel says spreading his hands. The man walks up to the counter frowning.
"You don't hear so good do you? I said your money is no good here."
"I don't understand," Marcel begins. The door behind him closes with a slam. He turns to see a few men standing there. He turns back to the man.
"I don't want any trouble."
"Henry said that your money is no good, now get out." One of the men says leaving the threat hanging. Marcel looks back to him.
"Fine then, I'll leave. No trouble," Marcel says walking towards the door hesitantly.
The men watch him leave and walk after him as he leaves the store. Marcel turns his head to see them following him.
"Stop right there," one of them says. Marcel turns his hands up in peace.
"This town has no room for strangers. Why don't you and your friend leave today and there will be no trouble."
"We'll leave tonight," Marcel says. The man shakes his head.
"No, you'll leave now."
"Quite impossible, my lord is very tired and is still asleep."
"Then you'll wake him."
Marcel shakes his head, "He is a very fast sleeper. He will not awaken. Please, we will leave tonight and not return."
"Not good enough, we'll wake him if need be!" The man says clenching his fist. Marcel smiles at the man.
"That is something you would regret, my friend."
Across the street, behind Marcel a tall man in black steps out of the door and watches the confrontation he walks slowly towards the group.
One of the men walks forward and grabs Marcel's arm. Marcel looks down at the man's hand and takes it in his and removes it squeezing the knuckles. The man winces and begins to go to his knees.
"Please, I do not wish any trouble, I will attempt to awaken my lord and leave."
The men begin to step forward as the man in black reaches them he holds up a hand and seeing him they stop nervously. Marcel raises an eyebrow and releases the man's hand. He turns to see the new person and backs away.
"Let him be," the man in black says his voice sounds like gravel being rubbed together.
"Thank you sir," Marcel says. The man shoots him a look of anger.
"Get your master and leave, slave. Don't return." Marcel nods and walks towards the tavern nearly jogging.
The man in black turns to the men, "Follow me," he says as he leads them towards the tavern. "It's time to get the girl."
Marcel hurries into the tavern and nearly runs up the stairs. Fumbling with the keys he touches the door and it opens. He rushes in to find the maid near the sleeping Reynold-- her hand upon her mouth as Reynold thrashes in one of his nightmares.
Marcel takes her by her shoulders and turns her to him.
"What are you doing in here?" She looks at him with a dazed look in her eyes.
"He's like the Master! He has fangs!"
Marcel frowns, "What? Master? What do you mean?"
"I heard screaming and went to check and I saw it!"
"Hush, hush he is a good man, he will not hurt you," Marcel says soothingly. The girl looks around herself wild-eyed.
"Will he help me? Your master, is he a good man? Is he?"
Marcel looks quizzically at her. "What master? Who is the master?"
"He wants me to be his bride! He wants to take my very soul," she says kneeling and clutching at Marcel's legs.
"Please, help me."
Marcel looks down at her and a rare look of determination crosses his face. He takes her hands and lifts her from the ground. He nods at her and begins to shake Reynold.
Reynold's eyes snap open and he rises from the bed with a quickness Marcel has never seen before.
"What? Marcel what is happening?"
The girl kneels before Reynold, "Please my lord, please help me."
Reynold looks at Marcel and then back to the girl, he opens his mouth to ask when the door shakes.
"Ho in there! Open the door! It is time for you to leave!"
"Just a moment, my lord is dressing!" Marcel shouts. He turns to Reynold.
"It seems they wish us to leave, right now."
Reynold shakes his head and walks over to the door. He opens it to find several men standing there. He draws up and looks at them.
"You will go away, you will leave us in peace. We will leave tonight." He says bringing all the force he can behind his words. The men blink and walk downstairs. The man in black watches as they leave. He turns to Reynold and smiles.
"You had best leave, my friend. The master wants none of your kind here." Before Reynold can say another word the man turns and is gone.
Reynold turns to Marcel and closes the door. "What has happened?"
The man in black walks from the tavern, a smile on his face. Reaching his horse he turns and looks up to their room. He scowls for a moment then returns to the horse and mounts. He reins the horse around and gallops to the manor.
Marcel finishes telling Reynold of the day's events. Reynold nods and looks to the girl who sits on the bed, hands folded. She looks up to him and then averts her gaze.
"Who is this master you speak of?"
The girl looks away to the wall quietly. Reynold stands and walks over to her. He sits upon the bed next to her. She slides away. Reynold sighs.
"If you don't tell me, I can't help you."
She looks at him, then to Marcel. Marcel nods encouragingly.
"He's like you, he has fangs. He�every so often he takes one of the girls and�she is never seen again! He wants me this year," she says a tear streaming down her face.
"He is horrid! I'm so afraid!" She says clutching onto Reynold's jacket. Reynold looks past her shoulder to Marcel.
"We have to find out what she means. If this Master of hers is abusing his populace�" Reynold says.
Marcel nods and takes the girls shoulders and turns her towards him.
"We will do what we can," he promises. The girl holds onto Marcel and weeps into his shoulder. He looks past her to Reynold and shrugs slightly.
"It will be nightfall soon, my lord. Shall I help you with your armor?"
The man in black reaches the manor and dismounts, not bothering to tether the horse. He jogs to the door and enters. Jogging past the startled servants he takes off up the stairs and down the corridor. He digs into his pocket as he reaches the door at the end of the hall. He keys the door and enters.
The room is lit only by a small fireplace, and he can barely make out the tall gaunt figure laying upon the stone alter. He gulps as he gazes across his master's form and takes a few small steps towards it.
"What is it, Luc? The ceremony is not for another hour," a cold voice says in his mind. Luc stops in midstep, an icy chill runing down his spine.
"I am sorry, my Master. There is a stranger in town. He,"
"What stranger, Luc? Is he Cainite?" The voice insists. Luc nods a bead of sweat runing down his temple. The form stands upon its heels and floats down to Luc. He takes a step back and kneels, keeping his eyes averted from his master's eyes.
"My master, he does not look like you, he is�"
"Handesome?" The voice mocks.
"Y-yes�handesome, and wearing fine clothing." He says still keeping his eyes to the ground. He watches his master boots turn and pace.
"Truly, what does he want?"
"He did not say my master, but�" He gulps and another bead of sweat falls to the floor.
"Say it, Luc. Tell me," the voice urges. Luc swallows hard and winces.
"He has your bride, Catherine," he says in a tiny voice. The Master turns and picks Luc up by the collar of his jacket and pulls him off the ground to face him. Luc cries out and feels his nerves give as he soils himself. The Master shakes him.
"When nightfall comes you shall take me this stranger! Or I will make your daughter my bride! Now leave me to prepare!" He shouts this time opening his mouth wide so Luc can see the uneven yellow maw. He releases him and Luc scrambles on the ground out the door and closing it. He sits with his back to the wall, and pants his fear leaving him with only dread.
The Master turns towards the altar and clasps its long talons and smiles. The fire burns hotter as the flames lick the outside of the mantle in a burst of energy.
"Excellent, finally a sacrifice has come," it cackles.
Marcel stands back his hand on his chin and looks at the straps.
"They are all done and tied my lord." Reynold turns around to face him as he straps on his scabbard.
"Thank you, Marcel," Reynold says turning to the Catherine.
"Now where is this Master?" He asks. Catherine opens her mouth to speak when a loud noise shakes the building. Reynold turns towards the door as Marcel steps back from it. Reynold makes a grab for his sword when the door blasts inward. Marcel ducks behind the small table turning it on its side, hearing the splinters of the door crack against it. Catherine screams as the Master stands in the door, Luc on his right. Reynold pulls his sword as the Master rushes forward swinging his arm towards Reynold.
Reynold ducks, avoiding the arm as the Master kicks out his leg, slamming into Reynold. Reynold falls back towards the shutters and smashes through the rotted wood to fall to the ground below.
Catherine screams and faints away as the Master turns towards her and smiles.
"My bride, what strange company do you keep?" He picks up her motionless form and turns towards Marcel.
"Kill it, Luc," he says simply and vanishes from Marcel's sight. Luc smiles and pulls out a dagger. Marcel stands and lifts up a chair. Luc lunges forward just missing Marcel and scraping the edge of the blade on the wood of the chair.
Marcel thrusts the chair infront of him poking at Luc. Luc grabs one of the legs and tries to wrench it from Marcel's grip.
Marcel moves forward with the momentum and runs forward, knocking Luc off balance into the wall.
Reynold sits up and scrambles to his feet. He runs back into the tavern and up the stairs. Seeing Marcel push Luc forward into the wall, he runs into the room and stands next to Marcel. Taking the chair in one hand he holds Luc in place.
"Where did he take the girl?" He says using his blood. Luc's eyes go blank and he opens his mouth against his will.
"To the manor," he says in a monotone. Reynold nods and brings back his fist and slams it into Luc's face knocking him cold.
"Thank goodness, my lord. I didn't know how long I could keep him from hurting me," Marcel says holding his bruised wrists. Reynold nods and looks down at Luc's crumpled form.
"Get the carriage ready, and stay near it. Loose the dogs if you have to," he says walking out the room. Marcel follows him out the door and down the stairs. The two walk to the stable and Marcel begins to tack the horses. Reynold grabs Nanesti's reins and mounts.
"Stay out of sight. If I don't return in a few minutes, get out of the town and back to York." He says turning Nanesti to face the manor. Marcel opens his mouth to protest, but closes it as Reynold takes off with Nanesti at full speed.
Racing up to the manor, Reynold can see several guards standing by the entrance, swords drawn and running towards him. He reins Nanesti towards them and pulls his sword. He gallops straight into them and chops to his left, nearly slicing one from shoulder to crotch. Nanesti kicks back and knocks a guard into the wall with a sickening crunch. Reynold slices upward and takes the other guard in the chin. Reynold dismounts quickly and faces the last guard. The guard swings his blade towards his head and Reynold parries and lowers his head smashing the man in the face with his helmet.
The guard falls to the ground and Reynold runs to the door crashing through it. Sliding to a stop he looks around him. He turns towards the stairs and runs up them and stops on the landing looking quickly down the two hallways.
'Which way?' he thinks. A scream comes from the left and Reynold darts down the hall. He tries the door and finds it locked.
"Catherine!!" he shouts. She screams again and there is a crash. Reynold stands back and shoulders the door. The door buckles but stays firm. Trying it again, this time it breaks and Reynold rushes through the door and loses his footing, falling and sliding across the floor.
The Master grabs Catherine's motionless form and jumps out the window. Reynold gets to his feet and leaps to the window trying to grap the Master. He misses and watches helplessly as the Master lands on the ground and runs into the street. Reynold steadies himself and jumps. He lands hard and scrabbles runing after the Master.
The Master stops and turns letting Catherine fall from his grip to the ground. He walks towards Reynold and stops a bit away from Catherine. He reaches out his arms and smiles at Reynold as he finally draws closer.
"Let her go!" Reynold says holding the sword in front of him. The Master laughs and motions towards Catherine.
"He Who Waits Outside the Gates demands you as a sacrifice!" The Baali says and begins to chant in a language Reynold barely recognizes. Reynold shifts his weight as a bolt of fire appears in the Baali's hand. Reynold's eyes widen as it flings it towards him with blinding speed. Reynold shrinks back and holds his hands out to block the fire as it speeds to him. The flames suddenly leap to the sword and die out in a shower of sparks. Reynold looks at the sword in amazement and the Baali shrieks in frustration. Long claws emerge from its fingers and it swipes at his head. Reynold pulls back and blocks each swing with the sword and waits for an opening.
The Baali swings again, and suddenly something is biting its leg and knocking it nearly off balance. Miskos bites hard and tugs on the Baali's ankle. Davra leaps onto the Baali's back and nearly knocks it onto the ground. The Baali screams in pain and throws Davra from it's back. Davra lands on the ground and rolls to her feet snarling.
Reynold sees the opening and swings his sword. The blade bites deep into its side and the Baali's eyes widen in shock. Reynold uses all of his strength and cuts the thing in half. The two halves fall upon the ground and quickly turn to ash. Reynold looks behind and notices Marcel, hand on his chest sighing in relief.
"Thank goodness, I was worried that I was too late, my lord."
"Catherine," Reynold says as he runs to her side, taking off his helmet. He turns her over to see her throat covered in blood. Marcel stands behind Reynold leaning down at Catherine and seeing her throat torn out. Marcel winces and leans back up.
"Monstrous," Marcel finally manages. Reynold reaches down and closes her eyes.
"Must I fail at everything?" Reynold murmurs. Marcel shakes his head and puts his hand on his shoulder.
