Leora passed through the portal meeting her sisters eyes one last time before being transported through the Sunwillow. Stumbling out the other end of a weeping willow trees hallow landing in the mud. Hearing the sound of whistling and roaring from the wind. She rose up off her knees feeling the mud seeping into her worn boots. She felt the wet cold air against her skin. It was dark and pouring rain. Leora was dizzy from the portal, she tried to grasp her surroundings. She looked down still clutching the amulet in her hands, she pulled it to her chest and felt its warmth. Then lifted the chain over her head and around her neck tucking it away in her nightdress. A flash of lightning struck the ground near her. A loud thundering roar from the sky followed it. Leora's joints were already aching from the cold. "You're strong." She could recall an echoing whisper in her mind. The memory was like a dream. But she knew she had in fact heard it from someone. 'But who' she thought.
Looking up she saw flickering glow in the distance. She started trudging in the mud, wind, and rain. Focused on the glow. As she got nearer she could make out it wasn't far off. It was the rain that gave the illusion it was.
Getting closer she came upon a stonewall gate. It seemed to be a garden. Little Leora began looking for an entry way. Keeping her eyes on the light. It was a fire place she could finally see through the window of a gated cottage. Using the cobblestone wall as her guide she kept herself steady from the wind trying to find a gateway. A flash of lighting struck again. The brief light revealing the house was in fact a mansion that was at least four four levels high. She looked to her left seeing two barely lit lanterns swing back in forth rigidly in the wind. As she got closer she could hear them squeak with the rattle of the iron gate. Leora reached for the gate to hold her steady. Desperately trying to find the latch to allow her through. Another strike of lightning had cast an engulfing shadow of a figure behind her. Leora darted her head behind her to see who was there. But the figure was gone. When she turned her attention to the gate again it had already been opened. Not recalling it ever was unlocked. The wind helped swing open the gate revealing a pebble stone path that lead to the back door of the house.
Leora's path was clear as she stepped lightly towards the door. She couldn't bare the harsh wind any longer as it whistled through her ears. It had already began to frost her finger tips, cheeks, and nose. The door was clearly locked with a large iron knocker that little Leora couldn't reach. She seemed to accept her fate. Clutching the amulet for warmth instead. Her breathing shallowing and hardly able to take another step. She leaned against the door. To her surprise, slowly it cracked open. Though she could've swore it was locked. Still shivering stumbled her way in finding the fire well lit with a hot kettle over it. The sight brought her a brief moment of piece.
The door flung open from a gust of wind and rain then slamming shut with a brute force that wind alone could not produce. Scared, she sensed someone in the room with her. She took a step forward to cling to the hearth. An animal skin rug was laid in front of it. She stepped light towards the rug. Finally making her way she sat with her knees drawn into her chest not yet removing her brown soaked cloak. Knowing it was made of wool she knew it would dry quickly. But her shoes were as worn as can be and surly ruined.
Still a bit uneasy. She knew someone lurked in the shadows. She closed her eyes focusing to fell their intent. They were cautious and curious. 'Almost angry' she thought. 'But not at me'. She decided whatever it was wasn't a threat and continued to relish in the heat. Unlacing the knots on her shoes. Slipping off one after another revealing her little bare feet to warmth of the fire.
The portal had drained her as well as the journey to the hearth. Her eyes grew heavy. Trying to remember how she got here and why she was here she yawned. Feeling her watcher growing a bit more at ease. She laid down on the fur rug. Her cloak covering her. Closing her eyes to rest.
She had slept through the lighting cracking and the thunder roaring. Feeling someone close she woke to another whisper. "Have you seen my sunflower?" It was a mans voice. It was deep yet calm. Like a perfect storm. There was a low growl from no response. Still stirring she felt the hiss and click of fangs at her neck. Her heart rate was steady and without fear. This was her watcher. She didn't open her eyes. Simply replied back in a soft sleepy tone "I have down by the willow tree." She felt the mans heart turn softer before disappearing. The watcher was gone. Far from here, he had whisked away into the shadows. Her little heart still unfazed. Her golden eyes opened to see the embers of the hearth burning. Eventually drifting back to sleep.
This time she woke to sunrise coming through the window. The light beamed across the floor and against the stone hearth. She sat up to look at her surroundings. It seemed to be a servants kitchen. There were two doors on each side of the fire place and an opening arch way on the other side of the room that harbored the staircase. There was a large sink on the back wall with cupboards. And in the center of the room was a plain wooden table with six chairs to match. The window she noticed the hearth through last night was by the door she came in.
Her clothes had dried in the night. Looking around, her worn boots had gone missing.
Someone knew she was here. But who she thought with a gasp. Whoever they were they decided not to disturb her. If they wanted to do her harm they would have. She heard steps from above making their way down the staircase. Leora wasn't quick to hide in a mid sized room with only a table and chairs. Instead she adjusted her hood and turned back towards the fire. Whoever had taken her boots had put fresh logs on the fire as well.
A man came for the stairs whistling a hardy tune. Leora used her gift to read his intent. It was calm and pleasant. Walking down towards the sink the man washed his hands and rolled up his sleeve walking towards one of the doors by the fire place. He stopped in his tracks. He looked down to see a small hooded girl with bare feet. Her skin was white as the stone flower while a bit of her silver curls hung from the hood. Seeing as she chose to ignore him. He asked "My dear girl, have you seen my sunflower?" With a wide grin. Leora darted her head to look up at him. He was a dashing figure, with auburn curly hair and a gleaming smile. He wore a loose white shirt with plain brown dress pants and suspenders to match. His shoes not being put on yet. She thought 'surely this isn't her watcher' she was never wrong. This was not the same person. Leora couldn't remember much but she knew who spoke this code was someone she could entrust her life with. How could two people know of it. Confused thinking perhaps she dreamt it. She mumbled softly "I have, down by the Willow tree." He opened his eyes to reveal their bright red color. Leora looked closer and his fangs were visible. 'A Vampir' she thought. 'No, how could be? He can walk out in the sun?' He extended his hand to her "My name is Oliver McKenzie. I am the head butler here." Leora was apprehensive if she had read him correctly. She turned her head back towards the fire.
"Hm." He smiled and pulled his hand away to take a seat at the table instead. "Did you arrive last night?" He asked. Looking towards the girl who had turned away from him. She nodded with her knees pulled into her chest once again. "Leora," he paused. She gasped, 'He knows my name?' she thought. "I won't hurt you. I am your guardian after all." She heard his words. What he said is true.
She stood. Turning towards him beginning to removed her hood. Oliver was sitting with his fingers interlocked. The girl looked only 12 years of age. As her hood fell so did her wavy silver tresses. Her intense amber eyes met his. Her lips red like summer cherries. And her skin like moonlight. His eyes widened. "Leora Galatea." He said with a smile and shaking his head, a bit in disbelief. 'He knows my full name.' She thought. Oliver leaned forward in his chair extending his hand to the girl once again. "Come now, I won't hurt you." The girl clutched the amulet beneath her night dress. Looking at Oliver 'He's not lying'. She thought. She let her hand slowly ease into his. It was warm. She smiled. Oliver spoke "I will be your guardian. And I vow to protect you from harm. Till the day my heart stops beating." Placing his other hand in his chest. With her palm in his, he placed a promise mark identical to her sisters. Now having one on each wrist. Inspecting the mark "You can trust me." Leora nodded.
"Good." He confirmed. "There is much to be done today. Luckily you arrived safe and on my day off." He noted. Standing up from the chair taking a turn to go back upstairs. "Wait!" she stopped him. "Hm?" He looked at her. "What are...how can you walk in the sun?" She continued "I thought Vampir lived in the shadows." Looking down at her "Ah. Yes. I am a sire. Sires may walk in the sun. When I was human my master made me a sire. We are created to take care of our masters." He continued "A human can never become a Vampir, only a sire. I live to serve in exchange for immortality. But I may only feed on my creator to live. If my master dies then so do I." He finished. Tilting his head a bit cocking a smile. "Does that answer your question?" She nodded back.
"Well now, shall we begin?" He guided her up the stairs. "Begin what?" She followed. "Well, firstly your room." He lead her opening a door to the first room on the left. "This is yours." He stated. The room was small but quaint. It had wooden floors and beams to support it. With white walls. It had a single bed tucked in the corner with a pillow and floral quilt. Complimented by a small bedpost with a lantern. There was a window with a desk in front of it and a chair. As well as a small closet. Placed on the desk was little vase full of fresh cut sunflowers. It made her smile. "It's not much but if you prefer the rug by the hearth I wont protest you." He teased. Looking up at Oliver "Its perfect. Thank you." She smiled. Still smirking "You're quiet welcome Lady Leo."
"I would let you explore dear, but today we just do not have the time. We need to prepare for your new life here. These were my exact instructions." Leora was confused "New life?" She questioned. She could barely remember the life she had before. Just her name, a bit of her sister. The promise that was made to her. And of course the code. It troubled her but she accepted it. "I will fetch my coat and barrow the coach for the day. I have a couple of errands to run with you." He said grabbing his oxfords from a bench outside her door.