A Grave Misfortune

[Gwydion Nefarine]

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Suddenly, he smelled something in the air. Blood. The smell of fresh blood. Interesting, he thought. Usually, I only smell blood this fresh if there's...... a fight going on. Indeed there was. He followed his nose to an alley. Three burly men were approaching a woman, probably in her 50's, a little overweight, and had short brown hair. Before, the vampire could get there, another woman appeared, this one probably in her mid-20's with long, flowing blonde hair. Unlike the other woman, she was skinny and fair. She was dressed in a full tunic and had a belted sword, which didn't stay that way for long. She whipped it out and attacked the first thug she saw. The vampire intervened and attacked two of thm at once. He drew his katana and rushed one of them. He held up a spear in front of him, but the vampire was ready. He side-stepped and stabbed the man's right hand. The man cursed, as the vampire slashed at the other thug. He jumped back, but still recieved a lash across his stomach, which he yelped at. The thug drew a dagger and hurled it at the vampire. He didn't dodge it though, and it buried itself in his stomach. At this, the younger woman looked over, with a look of shock on her face. He simply pulled it out and stabbed the thug that had thrown it at him, in the heart. He crashed to the ground. The vampire ran another thug through with his katana, as the woman still stared in horror. The thug that the woman had attacked seized the oppurtunity to take out a small axe and was about to slash her with it, when the vampire grabbed it from him and stuck it in his heart. The thugs were dead.

[Gwydion Nefarine]

The woman that had originally been attacked by the bandits was cringing on the grond noot too far away. She finally opened her eyes and saw the dead bandits. She gasped and ran away. The blonde woman said, "Some thanks." The vampire turned and walke away the way he had come. "Wait, are you all right? I just saw you get stabbed." The vampire replied, "I'm fine. Just a scratch," he lied. The woman ran to catch up with him and started walking with him. "A scratch! He stabbed you! You call that a scratch? Let me take a look at it." He stopped as she knelt to take a look at his wound. She gaped. "Th...there's just a...a scratch mark there! But I could've sworn that he had stabbed you." The vampire shrugged. "You were probably a little occupied with the fighting, and your eyes played tricks on you." She shook her head and changed the subject. "How did you know what was going on? You came about two blocks." The vampire shrugged. "Sometimes you just sense these things." The woman nodded, though she really didn't understand what he meant. "You know, I think we deserve a celebration dinner. What do you say?" The vampire replied automatically. "I'm not hungry, thanks." It was true enough. He'd found out about a supposed trading caravan. It had turned out to be a trading caravan that sold slaves secretly that had been taken from their homes. Another thing he couldn't stand-slavery. The slave driver's miserable life had ended, and the slaves were set free.

[Gwydion Nefarine]

"Hmmm, well, I'm a little hungry, so why don't we go to a restaurant and I'll get something to eat and you can get something to drink. I'm sure you're thirsty." The vampire shook his head. "I've got business to attend to. Thank you anyway." She persisted. "I'll buy. Come on, how long has it been since you've been in a restraunt?" He replied truthfully. "A few hundred years or so." She took it as exaggeration and laughed. "Why don't you come then?" The vampire could tell she wasn't going to give up. "Okay, just a drink though." He had drank water every now and then the past years and it didn't hurt. He would just drink a little and leave. They went in and asked to be seated. A waitress led them to a table and they sit down. "Would you like a few candles for your romantic evening?" the waitress said. The vampire glared murderously at her and the blonde-haired woman's face turned red. The waitress took that as a "no".

[Gwydion Nefarine]

"My apologies. What can I get you two?" the waitress asked, still looking embarassed. The blonde woman answered right away. "Beef and rice please, with some watered-down wine." The waitress looked at the vampire. "And you sir?" He answered readily. "Just water." The blonde woman looked at him curiously as the waitress took their orders to the kitchen. "Ya know, I don't mind if you get wine or something." The vampire nodded. "I know, but I am content with water." She shrugged and started a conversation. "Oh, I guess you don't know my name yet. It's Fiona." The vampire smiled, the first time in a few hundred years. "It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Fiona." Fiona laughed her pleasant laugh. "You know you don't have to call me 'miss'. What's your name if you don't mind me asking?"

[Gwydion Nefarine]

The vampire had actually never told anyone his real name, since he had become a vampire. There was probably no one living by now that actually knew. But for some reason, he felt compelled to tell Fiona his real name. She had trusted him enough, not really inquiring further about his mysterious wound. She had offered to buy his meal, and eventually, insisted that he come with her to this resteraunt. She didn't seem like someone who would go around telling everyone everything she knew, as soon as they asked. And, was there any point now in not telling anyone his name. If there was anyone tracking him, they would just assume that was another fake name. Okay, he thought. I'll tell her. "Kadaj is my name."

[Gwydion Nefarine]

Fiona smiled her wonderful smile. "Kadaj, that's a nice name. It's good to meet you Kadaj." Kadaj replied hesitantly, "Likewise, I'm sure." The waitress came and brought their food, or rather, Fiona's food, and Kadaj's water. Fiona nodded her thanks, but Kadaj didn't move. "So, what are you doing here?" she asked. "I came here to buy this sword." She pointed to her sheathed sword. Kadaj replied steadily, "Nothing, really. Just passing through." The woman laughed to Kadaj's amazementment. "You sure are mysterious Kadaj. You don't really say much, and when you do, in a way, you don't really say anything. No offense to you of course. My apologies. My mind runs away with me every now and then." Kadaj didn't seem to mind. "There is nothing to forgive. I understand." He started to drink his water, the cold, clear liquid going down his throat. It felt strange to have a thin, cold drink. Good blood was pretty thick and warm. Fiona started eating her food like she hadn't eaten in years. A long awkward silence drew on as she finished her meal. She wiped her mouth with a napkin and said to Kadaj., "Shall we go?" He nodded. "Fine with me." They paid for their meal, Kadaj promising to leave a tip, which turned out to be a gold coin, the only change he carried.

[Gwydion Nefarine]

They went outside the restaurant. By now, it was dark. "Are you staying here tonight, Kadaj?" Fiona asked him. He answered hurriedly. "Afraid not. I have to be going on." She smiled at him again. "Always on the move, huh?" she asked, mockingly. Kadaj really did have to leave, even though part of the vampire wanted to stay with Fiona, although he wasn't sure why. He nodded. She grinned. "What a concidence, I have to be leaving too. Where are you going?" Kadaj didn't want to have her following him around. He had to have his real meal sometime soon, and he doubted that she'd want to stick around and watch him. When he didn't say anything, her smile faded, replaced with a look of concern. "Are you alright? How long has it been since you carried on a real conversation? Again, no offense." He sighed. "You woudn't believe me if I told you," he said truthfully. It had probably been about 250 years. Fiona smiled a little bit. "Come on, why don't we journey together for a while. I think you need someone to talk to. You can't let all your emotions endlessly buil up. That'll ruin you in time." Kadaj saw the wisdom in her words, but there was no way he could do that. There was no way he could keep his secret under those kind of conditions. Before he could respond, a man leapt out of nowhere and brought out a long knife, preparing to stab Fiona.

[Gwydion Nefarine]

Fiona gasped as Kadaj grabbed the man's wrist and broke it like a twig. The man yowled out in pain. Kadaj grabbed him by his shirt collars and held him up roughly. It was no coincidence that this mortal had shown up. He was here for a reason. "Who sent you?" Kadaj demanded. Fear shone in the man's eyes, as Kadaj gave him a look that would stop a lion in its tracks. "I think his name was Chaglin, Chagrin, something like that. He wouldn't tell me why. Please don't kill me." Fiona was listening. "Who's that?" she asked, referring to whomever had sent the assassin. Kadaj didn't reply. Still holding the man up by his collar with one hand, he walked into a nearby dark alleyway. "I'll be right back. Stay there." At least his food problem was solved. He dragged the man as he started screaming into a deserted part of the city. He slit the man's throat with his katana and sank his teeth in his victim, as he had done thousands of times before.

[Gwydion Nefarine]

When Kadaj came back, Fiona had a mixture of worry and concern on her face. "What did you do with him?" she asked. Kadaj replied coldly. "I made sure he could never try to hurt you again." It was hard to make out Fiona's expression now. "What's going on?" she said suddenly. Kadaj's expression hardened even more. "I intend to find out." Then, he seemed timid for a moment. "Forgive me, Fiona, but would you mind traveling with me while I'm trying to figure out what the cause of this is. You won't be safe by yourself." She was silent for a while. "Okay, I will." Kadaj nodded in thanks. "Then we better get going." Fiona looked at him questioningly. "How do you know where to go?" she asked as she followed him down the road. Kadaj laughed a mirthless laugh. "I don't."

[Gwydion Nefarine]

They camped outside the city that night. They started a small fire. Fiona and Kadaj sat in front of it, resting after an eventful day. After a while, Fiona spoke. "So, what's your story Kadaj?" Kadaj sighed. He certainly couldn't tell her the whole story, but he tried to tell her without lying. "My parents were murdered, shortly after my younger sister died of illness. After that, I just wandered around the land. When I see bandits, thieves, the like, I take care of them. Other than that, my life is fairly uneventful." Fiona gazed into Kadaj's eyes. She saw a hint of old age in them and what looked like a hardness earned only by living for a long time. She guessed it had been because of his losses. "I'm sorry, Kadaj. It must be hard to lose your entire family." Kadaj stood and took a few steps away from the campfire. He shook his head. "There is nothing to apologize for. Time heals all." Fiona stood, as well and walked over, by his side. "Kadaj, you know as well as I that there are some things that even tie cannot heal." Kadaj looked up at her. Her eyes were tender and kind. "You're right. Some things will always haunt me, but enough of me. What about you?" Fiona smiled. "My parents and I did not get along that well. I ran away from home. I haven't seen or heard from them since then." Kadaj suddenly felt sorry for her. "That is a shame. I bet they miss you." Fiona nodded. "Well, maybe. I tried going back a few years ago. They had moved. Where, I'm not sure." Kadaj thought for a moment. "When this is over, Fiona, I'll help you find your parents, and we can visit them." He didn't know why he had binded himself to such a task, but he felt compelled to help Fiona. After all, her parents wouldn't live forever, and there was always much to learn from elders. Fiona looked at him, curiously. "That would be nice, if you could manage it, Kadaj." Kadaj gave a small smile.

[Gwydion Nefarine]

Kadaj had kept guard throughout the night, since he didn't need sleep. He had to make up excuses though, to keep her from suspecting what he really was. They traveled all through the day. He opened all of his senses to his surroundings, but did not sense anything that felt like something to do with Chagrin. He had not yet found any thieves to snack on, but he wasn't that hungry. When nightfall came, they built another small fire. Fiona started eating. She had offered Kadaj some food, but he declined. When she asked why, he simply replied, "I'm not hungry." She had given him that same curious look, but said nothing more.

During the night, when Fiona lay sleeping, Kadaj heard a small noise. He also caught a faint waft of a vampire's scent. Chagrin, he thought. He followed his nose and ears, but Chagrin found him first. He stood beore Kadaj, for the first time in hundreds of years. "Well, I see that Kadaj is your real name. I'm suprised you told her." Kadaj ignored his comment. "Why did you try to kill the girl?" Chagrin became serious. "Vampires do not belong in friendly relationships with humans, especially in the kind of relationship you want to have between you and her." Kadaj shook his head in confusion. "What are you talking about?" Chagrin growled. "You know what I'm talking about. Trust me. Humans and vampires are meant to be together. It will only result in disaster." Kadaj replied, "I'll do as I wish. You are not my teacher anymore. You don't have control over my life." Chagrin threatened, "If that's how you feel about it then, I;ll have to kill the girl." Kadaj's face turned even paler. "Okay. If you won't hurt her, I'll leave, but if I find out that she gets hurt at all, you're the first one I'm coming after." Chagrin agreed. "Very well."

[Gwydion Nefarine]

Kadaj went back to the campsite. He sat at Fiona's side, looking at her. She was quite beautiful. Kadaj hated to leave, but he knew if he didn't, she was in great danger. He emptied his travel bag of the food that she had insisted he carried, just in case they got seperated and put the food in her bag. He whispered goodbye to her. Her eyes flickered, but she didn't catch what he had said. He stayed around the area until she awoke, so she would be safe from any thieves who might want to take advantage of her sleeping. As soon as she opened her eyes, Kadaj left. He knew he would be tempted to come back by her calling for him. He could not stay with her though. As much as he didn't like leaving, he knew he would not be able to bear the knowledge that he caused her death.

Kadaj did as he had always done after that. He hung around towns and cities. He fed off of bandits and murderers, as usual. He couldn't stop thinking about Fiona. He knew that Chagrin would keep his word. Chagrin might have been a murderer, but he wasn't a liar. About a year had gone by since he had left Fiona. He was outside the city of Skingrad, when he came across a group of about seven thieves. These people were obviously murderers. They were all armed to the teeth. Kadaj was about to wreak havoc on their gang, when he overheard them say something about "the rest". He stopped in his tracks and listened. They were going to meet a few other groups in Skingrad, where they would raid a secluded village. The whole group would be about fifty in number, a small army. The villagers wouldn't have a chance. Kadaj knew what had to be done. An idea formed in his mind. He grinned maliciously and slipped back into the shadows.

[Gwydion Nefarine]

Kadaj traveled to Skingrad. When he got there, he took the road that the gang would go by to the village. He hid himself in the forest, waiting for the raiders. He sat on the ground, patient as an animal predator waiting for his prey. He was starting to get hungry. A few hours later, the gang was in sight. He stepped on the path and stood there. As the mob neared, he crossed his arms. Once they noticed him, one of them shouted, “Oi, what’re you doing blocking the path?” Kadaj replied, “I happen to know where you fools are going and why. You can either surrender to me or I can kill you against your will. Which will you choose?” The men burst out into laughter and sniggers. “You!” another said. “Ha! Kill him boys.” Ten arrows buried themselves in Kadaj’s flesh. Kadaj smirked at the looks on the men’s faces. "I warned you," he said softly. He ran into their front ranks as they barely had enough time to to raise their, knives, daggers, bows & arrows, and a few swords and spears. He killed two insantly with his katana and stopped for a while to look at the disarray that he had caused. The cowards never thought they'd have to deal with a vampire, he thought with a smile. About half of them were running and the rest were advancing, trying to kill him with sheer numbers. He jumped a few yards off the ground and landed in the middle of their gang, killing one of them with his katana as he landed. He swept his katana in a full circle, killing and injuring many more of them. They stuck their daggers, swords, spears, and more arrows in him, but he didn't flinch. He beheaded a few that were attacking him and turned to some others. His katana struck again and again. The bandits hadn't harmed him yet.

[Gwydion Nefarine]

Kadaj's eyes were blood-red now. He was in his element, cutting and slashing at the mortals around hi that had devoted their lives to cowardice and murder. One time, when he looked up, he noticed they were all dead. Then, he remembered the other half. He raced at full speed in the direction they had gone, following their scent. When he finally found them, he crushed their flank and started repeating the chaos he had caused on the other group. Once, he paused to drain a body of blood, while the mortals hit him with their weapons, but to no avail. He looked up from his finished, gruesome meal and continued with his bloody work. When he finished, he was drenched in his enemies' blood. Dozens of arrows and daggers, even three or four swords and spears, were sticking out of him. Even though, the weapons didn't harm him, his clothes were in tatters. He didn't seem to notice them. He drained a few more bodies of blood, then found himself counting. He added the number of bodies there to the number of the other half of the group. When he had counted them when they were all alive, he had counted 53. He had only killed 52.

He sniffed at the air for another living mortal nearby. He caught the scent. He followed it to a small glade. The bandit was standing perfectly still in the middle of the glade. Kadaj did not bother to ask questions. He rushed in and quartered the man. An arrow hit him in the back. He turned to the direction the arrow had come in. "Kadaj?" he heard a familiar voice say. Oh no! Just great!! Fiona was hiding in the limbs of a tree that surrounded the glade.

[Gwydion Nefarine]

Kadaj saw her in the tree. She didn't move. She asked again, breathlessly, "Kadaj?" Kadaj nodded, slowly. He started to walk off, when she droppd from the tree and inquired of him further, "Wha.....What happened? What's happening? What's happened to you?" Kadaj breathed a sigh. "I'll be right back." He started to walk off again. "How do I know you'll be back?" Kadaj unbelted his katana sheath, used magic to clean it and the katana itself of blood, put it in the sheath, and set it on the ground in front of Fiona. He then walked away, into the forest. He went behind some bushes and started pulling the weapons out of him. When he had finished, he counted 37 arrows, 12 daggers, three spears, and two swords. He cleaned the blood off himself and repaired his clothes, both with magic. His eyes resumed their normal color and his fangs grew back in. He came back to the glade, where Fiona hadn't moved since he had left. She raised her eyebrows at his clean appearance. "I'm good at cleaning up," he said humorlessly. She replied, looking at the remains of the man on the ground, "I can see that." Kadaj ignored her comment. "You... uh.... might want to sit down."