Seraph startled awake to the sound of things being dropped and thrown around. He heard many footsteps and voices, some clear and close by, others muffled and further away. He looked around, momentarily forgetting where he was until a flood of memories of the events which transpired hit him. His hands tightened into fists, his jaw clenched, as he fought back the tears which pricked his eyes; he couldn't break now.
Beside him, Celestia was curled in a ball, sound asleep. He had to stay strong for her.
After a while, the sailors gradually stopped entering the room until they didn't enter at all. Seraph felt relieved when they stopped coming, sure they would not be discovered for the time being, and hopeful they wouldn't be discovered at all.
He relaxed a little, his body still hurting from the fall from the cliff. It must have been a few hours later in the morning, for he was exhausted, not only form the past night's events, but also from being up at all night. He closed his eyes, wanting to rest at least a little longer.
As he began drifting off, Seraph felt the ship pitch. It must of departed from the docks and was now in the open waters. He felt it sway as it sailed over the waves.
Seraph did his best to keep his composure for several hours as the ship sailed. He'd never been on a ship before, let alone on the ocean. His stomach tossed and turned, making him feel nauseous. He stared at a bag, watching a little mouse emerge from it, trying to keep his mind off the thought of the movement he felt, trying to will himself not to vomit. Looking down at his sister, still asleep, he wondered how she remained unaffected.
Likely doesn't realize it, and is too tired to notice, he convinced himself.
Soon, Seraph couldn't handle it anymore. He moved away from Celestia so not as to wake her from her slumber. He stumbled as the ship rocked before catching himself on a crate, vomiting on the floor. Coughing and spitting out the remainder of bile in his mouth, he felt a hand grab him by the scruff of his neck.
"What do we have here?"
The sailor's breath smelled of cheap alcohol, likely from drinking that night. He dragged Seraph to the stairs and up towards deck.
Seraph's heart pounded in his chest. It was later morning, perhaps midday, he knew. Tried as he might, he couldn't free himself from the sailor's strong hands as they climbed the last of the steps, exposing themselves to the outside air. Seraph gave a little sigh of relief when he looked up. Dark clouds covered the sky, preventing the bright sun from shining down on them. His relief was short lived however, seeing all the faces of the sailors looking at him.
The man holding his neck threw him down to the floor.
"We got us a stowaway, boys!"
A stowaway, Seraph thought to himself, That means only one. They don't know about Celestia.
Seraph hoped they wouldn't discover her. He hoped she would know to stay where she was and to stay quiet.
Another sailor approached Seraph. Looking at him, Seraph noticed a large scar on his face, and also noticed the man staring at his own face before averting his eyes. The man grabbed Seraph by the front of his tunic, lifting him off the deck. His face turned sour at what he saw. Seraph, continued to avoid his gaze.
"This here ain't just any ol' stowaway," man snarled, "Look at 'im!"
He shook Seraph as he spoke, causing fear to rise up in Seraph.
"Look at 'em red eyes, color of blood, they are! Nothin' natural with them colors. I seen 'em before, know what it means. This here's a beast! A killer! Murderer of innocents! A vampire!"
The other sailors stepped away, murmuring to each other. They've all heard the stories of creatures masquerading as normal people, only to become blood sucking demons when one let their guard down. The sailors become uneasy. Seraph became worried, worried of what they might do to him. Worried of what they might do to Celestia should they find her.
"What do we do?" one sailor asked as he fidgeted.
"I'll tell ya what we do," the man holding Serpah barked, "We toss it in the waters! They can't stand the salt, burns 'em it does. The sea'll kill it nice and slow, just as it deserves!
The man strode over to the ships edge, ready to throw Seraph to the sea. Seraph grabbed hold of the sailor's arm with one hand, the railing with the other. What they sailor had said was only a tall tale. The salt would do nothing to Seraph save sting his eyes. However, Seraph would likely drown, for he could not swim.
"W-wait!" Seraph cried out in desperation, "Let me explain! I'm not going to hurt anyone! I would never-!"
The sailors wouldn't listen to him. Seraph felt the man's grasp on him loosen. He was going to fall. He was going to be separated from his sister. He drew in a breath, trying to think of something to say to convince them before it was too late.
"What's going on out here!"
All the sailors froze; Seraph's breath caught in his throat. They all looked over at a large man. He was bald, with a short, dark red beard. His brow furrowed as he strode over to them. The man holding Seraph turned, throwing Seraph to the deck.
"This 'ere's a vampire, captain. We should kill it before it kills us."
The man spat at Seraph, the spit hitting his face. Seraph made no action towards the man, knowing it would do him no good. Swallowing what little pride he had left, Seraph moved to face the captain, on his hands and knees, and bowed low.
"Please, sir," Seraph spoke, trying to control the anger welling within him, "I mean no one harm. I only meant to leave the island. Please, let me stay until this ship reaches the next port. I swear you'll never see me again after."
"Stay!?"
The sailor who had been about to toss Seraph overboard stepped nearer. He pressed his boot onto Seraph's head, forcing his forehead into the deck.
Seraph dug his nails into the wood. He felt as though his head would be crushed. Gritting through the pain, Seraph remained where he was. He'd have to try to convince the captain through his actions; no one trusted words alone, Seraph knew.
Commotion could be heard then, in the direction of the ship which led to the cargo. Seraph heard some voices of men and the crying of a child. The sailor's foot moved from its place atop Seraph head, and Seraph lifted his eyes to the crowd of sailors moving aside for another.
A man dragged Celestia by her bare arm towards the captain. She struggled, trying to break free of his grasp, tears running down her face. Seeing Seraph, she called out to him for help.
Seraph knew she must have been terrified, but his own fear began overcoming him. The man holding her arm wore gloves, but Seraph could see very few other sailors did. Few of the sailors wore sleeves over their arms. If any were to touch her, they'd kill them for sure.
"Don't touch her," his voice came out in a rasp, as though his fear tried to prevent him from speaking.
Ignore or unheard, Seraph bolted up, determined to not let more tragedy befall them.
"Don't touch her!"
Seraph yelled so loudly, so forcefully, his throat hurt from it. All eyes fell on Seraph. Celestia whimpered seeing him stand there in the midst of strangers.
In an instant, Seraph was doubled over in pain, all the air forced from his body. He was looking down at the deck, a fist planted firmly in his abdomen. He then felt something hit his back, knocking him down.
"Told ya didn't I; it's a monster that needs dealing with!"
It was that same sailor, so determined to end Seraph's life. The man kicked at Seraph, his stomach, his side, his head. None came to Seraph's aide. None would care if he were beaten to death. Seraph could do nothing but curl into a ball.
"Leave my brother alone!"
Celestia had wriggled her arm loose while everyone had been distracted. She ran to the sailor who beat Seraph, reaching out her hands.
Seraph saw this. He also saw a moment of opportunity to move when the sailor looked to Celestia, anger and disgust on the sailor's face. Knowing he had to stop her, Seraph leapt towards Celestia. He wrapped his arms around her, before she could reach the sailor, and shielded her with his body.
"You can't," he whispered to her, "Please, don't try to hurt anyone."
Angered, the sailor grabbed at Seraph, who held tightly to his sister. When Seraph did not pull away from Celestia, the man hit the back of Seraph's head repeatedly. The man was then pulled away from the siblings, though Seraph's head was left throbbing.
"That's enough!" the captain shout, throwing the sailor away from them, "No one's going to be touching these two any further. Seeing as what they are, they'll remain locked up until we reach the next port. There we'll contact the hunters. They'll know how to deal with them."
The captain motioned to a sailor, "Take them below."
He eyed his men as the sailor pulled Seraph up before returning to his cabin.
Seraph didn't resist. He held tight to Celestia, ensuring the sailor didn't touch her, as they were led down the steps and to a small empty room. The sailor left them, bolting the door behind him. Seraph sat down, resting his aching head against the wall. Celestia sat next to him, holding his arm, her lip quivering.
Seraph didn't know what to do. They were trapped, but at least they weren't tossed overboard or tied to the mast, left to burn in the sunlight. He thought of what the captain had said about "hunters". Where there people out there, hunting down his kind? Was that who had attacked his home, killing his father, his clan? He did not know. Seraph felta spark of anger within him, he needed to know, needed to figure out who destroyed his life, the people he cared for.
After what Seraph could only guess was a few hours, he heard the bolt slide, the door opened. Celestia jumped, startled and afraid, next to him. She grasped his arm tighter and hid her face in his chest. Seraph glared up as the captain strode in, holding a cup in his hand. The man closed the door gently behind him.
"I apologize for the way you were treated up there," he knelt down, setting the cup in front of Seraph.
Seraph gingerly picked up the cup, looking down into it. It appeared to be water. He brought it to his lips and took a swig of the liquid. It tasted of water, though not like the fresh water in the gardens. He sat, staring at the captain, waiting for something to happen. When Seraph found nothing did, he concluded the water was safe to drink, and pushed it into his sister's hand. She gladly accepted it, gulping it down.
"If you're sorry about what happened," Seraph spat," then why didn't you stop it?"
"If I had intervened, things would have gone worse than they already had. The crew was visibly upset about your presence, and things would have turned sour for the both of us. You'll be safer in here, and once we reach the port of Lis, you'll be set free."
Seraph was confused hearing those words. Almost too afraid to ask, lest he remind the captain, but his curiosity was too great for him to control.
"What about the hunters?" he asked.
The captain smiled kindly at Seraph.
"I won't be contacting them," he said softly, "I was only trying to keep the crew from killing you two. "
"Why? Why would you help us?"
"Because I know you aren't monsters," the captain stood, moving towards the door, "I'll come back when we reach land and the crew are busy in the town, so you might slip out without any knowing."
He left the room, bolting the door after he left.
Seraph was confused. He knew the different races of the world disliked his people, even saw them as a dangerous threat, at least that's what his father and Rosett has told him. However, he also knew the people living in the fishing village of his island knew of the clan's existence, though never bothered them. They lived in peace all his life, and he assumed, all his father's life. Perhaps these "hunters" sought out his people like game, with the sole purpose of killing them. Seraph shuddered at this thought.
But that still left the captain. If people hated his kind, then why was the captain being kind to them? Seraph pondered this as they sat, trapped still, in the room, waiting for the captain to return for them.
Seraph began drifting off, yet every time he forced himself to stay wake. At one point in time, there had been more movement, shouts, and noises coming from above and outside the room. Seraph assumed they had reached the next port town and the sailors had unloaded the many crates, barrels, and sacks. He waited now for the captain to return, as the noises outside had calmed into a silence.
Just when Seraph felt he couldn't keep his eyes open a moment longer, he heard the click of the bolt. The door slowly opened, and the captain entered the room. Seraph gently nudged Celestia, who had been sleeping next to him. She stretched, yawning, then startled upon seeing the man before her.
"The crew are all at the tavern," the captain, "I've told them I'd be waiting here for the hunters to take you away, so the wont suspect a thing when you're missing in the morning."
He waved at them to follow him, then led them to the deck and onto the docks. The man looked around before turning to Seraph.
The captain spoke quietly to Seraph, "When you leave the town, travel east towards the mountain ridge. In the woods lives a hermit. He should be able to help you more than I ever could."
The man looked Seraph up and down, as though judging whether they'd make it on their own.
"We'll be fine," Seraph assured him, trying to convince himself as much as the captain. "I'm not so easily brought down."
The captain gave a nod. Seraph took his sister's hand, and turned to leave. He stopped short, remembering words his father had told him time and again since he was young. "When shown kindness, return it with a greater kindness."
Seraph had nothing to give the captain, no way of showing a "greater kindness". He turned, looking as the captain walked in the opposite direction. He spoke loud enough for the man to hear, yet not so loud for any around them to notice them.
"Thank you."
He would have to pass the kindness on to another. He silently made a promise to himself that he would.
Seraph led Celestia though the winding streets of the port town of Lis. He didn't know the area, so they were lost often, even re-emerging onto a street corner they had already passed by.
Lost, tired, and hungry, Seraph leaned against a wall, Celestia beside him. He heard noise from nearby, chicken's clucking, likely in someone's small yard. How easy it would be to take one for himself and his sister.
Seraph shook his head, dispelling the thought from his mind. He would not resort to such barbarism. Especially when it would only end up causing them more trouble. Though hungry, they would not starve, water would suffice in keeping the pangs of hunger at bay.
Pushing off the wall, Seraph continued along. Eventually, he came across a more shops and inns rather than houses, and saw tall stone walls rise up behind the buildings. He knew they were close to the gates of the town, he felt it in his gut.
As they approached the town's entrance, Seraph's heart began to sink. Few carts and carriages entered and left, for it was only the wee hours of morning, the sun not yet risen. However, guards stood at the gate, watching all who passed them by. How would they ever get by without being seen? Seraph looked around, searching for some way they could leave the city without being noticed. On the other side of the road, he spotted a carriage, the owner tethering the horses.
Seraph pulled Celestia along, hurrying across. Making sure the man didn't see, he lifted Celestia into the carriage, then followed after her.
Many bags and jars full of strange looking items and liquids filled the area; the carriage must be a merchant's carriage. Seraph and Celestia nestled down behind a stack of sacks, sure they were out of view. Peeking out, Seraph watched the merchant pat the rump of one horse before climbing up into his seat. He sat back as the carriage jerked forward.
They soon crossed through the gates without raising suspicion. Seraph breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
The movement of the carriage caused everything to bounce around, and there was a sudden loud crash as a large bottle toppled over, glass shattering over the carriage floor. The man pulled the horses to a stop, cursing aloud. He muttered something about remembering to secure everything as he turned into the carriage.
Seraph slunk down as much as he could, but to no avail. The merchant saw him.
"Why you little," the man spat as he maneuvered his way to Seraph, "What're you doing sneaking on here? Trying to get a free ride, or looking to steal form me, little thief?"
Grabbing Seraph by the arm, the merchant hauled him to his feet. He then saw Celestia sitting on the floor, next to where Seraph had been. He gave an exasperated sigh when he looked at her. Then his face froze as he looked into her eyes, her blood red eyes. Hesitantly, he looked over at Seraph's eyes. Blood red.
Screaming, the man pushed Seraph away from him, jumping out to the carriage.
Seraph fell into the sacks. He regained his footing before dragging Celestia from her hiding place, and out of the carragie. Nothing good would come from the merchant discovering them.
The merchant yelled to the guards at the gates.
"Vampires!" he screamed as though the siblings attacked him.
"Vampires! In the carriage!"
Seraph quickly pulled Celestia down from the carriage as the guards hurried over. He grabbed her hand tightly in his, running east towards the trees. If they could reach the forest, they would be able to lose the guards, and be safe.
"Oh, no you don't!" the merchant yelled.
He picked up a rock, hurling it at them.
Seraph felt a rock graze his ear, heard another thunk on the ground nearby. He heard Celestia cry out, then felt his arm pull back. He stopped, turned and saw his sister on the ground, unconscious, a rock the size of his fist next to her.
"Celestia!"
He knelt down, pulling her into his arms. Bright red blood trickled down her face from a gash near her temple. Seraph felt his chest tighten; he heard the men approaching, yelling to each other. Without thinking, he stood and ran, Celestia's small frame in his arms.
As Seraph reached the first tree, he saw an arrow embed itself in the wood. Seraph didn't dare stop. He sped around trees, over fallen logs, through foliage. He saw vines wither and die as he brushed past them, heard more sounds of arrows whizzing around him.
The ground began to slope slightly. He didn't want to slow, but felt his balance leaving him as he stumbled over rocks and sticks, catching his feet on vines crawling across the ground.
He then felt something hit his back, causing pain to spread through his body like a shockwave. He wanted to cry out, but all breath had been forced from his lungs. Before he knew it, he fell forward, plummeting to the ground.
Celestia dropped from his arms. He watched as the life around her disappeared.
Seraph tried to reach out to his little sister, but his arms refused to move as a new wave of pain enveloped him.
It hurts…
The world blurred around Seraph as tears filled his eyes.
It hurts…
Seraph could hear the voices of their pursuers getting nearer, although they sounded muffled now. He closed his eyes, pain wracking his body with each small breath he took.
Help…me…
…father…
Lateef walked along the road, his bag slung over his shoulder. He whistled a tune from his childhood long ago, a tune his mother used to sing him to sleep to. His long black hair wisped about his face, his fir green robes dancing and twisted behind him in the wind.
People started entering the streets of Lis as the sunlight peaked over the mountains. His pointed ears catching chatters of something that had happened at the gates earlier in the morning.
Likely just some common thievery, as usual, he thought to himself.
This didn't bother Lateef. He had been around long enough to know what may pose a threat to him. He scratched at his arm, the scars in his dark skin a symbol of what he was: a magic user. Though magic was commonly used in the world, one could never be too careful around magic users, for it was impossible to know just how powerful or experienced they were by looks alone.
As Lateef walked through the gates of the city, he noticed few guards than normal. Up ahead was a carriage, seemingly abandoned by its owner. Lateef didn't care to investigate.
He stopped short, feeling a strange sensation in the back of his mind. He turned to the east, towards the woods. He felt a strong presence in that direction. There was a weaker presence, also, though it was so small that it was as though it were barely there. Lateef want to ignore them, but felt compelled to go to them. Hesitantly, he walked to the edge of the wood.
Deeper in the forest, he could hear voices. They were filled with anger, disgust. Lateef followed those voices. He walked on the path of trampled vegetation, noticing some to the plants withered. Up ahead, he saw a small group of men, most being Lis guards. His eyes widened, his jaw dropping, at the two small figures he saw on the ground, surrounded by the men.
Two children lay at their feet. The strong presence came from the smaller of the two, a young girl, surrounded by dead plants. By now, the weaker presence, that of the boy's, had disappeared entirely. Lateef felt a pang of unexplained sadness in his chest.
"Well, how should we kill them then?"
Lateef's mind snapped from the children and back to the situation at hand. Kill them? He couldn't let that happen, refused to.
"I wouldn't kill them, if I were you," he spoke behind them.
The men turned, startled by Lateef's sudden appearance behind them.
"What do you know about these monsters!" shouted a man, a merchant.
Lateef looked the man up and down, considering him no threat to himself. His icy blue eyes stared hard at the man.
"I know that if you kill a vampire, their soul will haunt the one who killed them," he told them.
The men shifted uneasily. Lateef laughed inside, glad they believed his lie.
"It's best to leave them to the professionals, the hunters. However, we won't have to. The sun will break through the trees soon. It'll burn them to ashes, so all we have to do is wait."
The guards looked a little relieved, nodding to one another. The merchant spoke up.
"And what if they wake?"
"Then we'll just knock them unconscious," Lateef replied, "I can remain here. My cabin is here in these woods, and I was just heading home, so I've nowhere important to be for the time being."
The guards nodded in agreement, saying they needed to return to their posts before long, else they'd be reprimanded for their absence. Soon they were making their way back. The merchant was less convinced.
"And how do I know you won't do anything to help them?" he sneered at Lateef.
"The guards trusted me. I see them regularly when I go to Lis, so they know me. If they're fine with me remaining here to make sure the job is done, then you can, too. Besides, I saw an abandoned carriage outside of town that I'm assuming is yours. You won't want to leave it alone too long, else some vagabond might steal it."
The man shot Lateef a dirty look before leaving, grumbling to himself.
Lateef watched him go, making sure he was gone before turning to the children. He knelt by the girl, brushing her hair aside, and saw the bloodied wound on her head.
She will live, though she might be left with a scar.
Lateef then turned to the boy. He grimaced as he looked at the child's wound, an arrow deeply embedded in the center of his back between his shoulder blades. The boy was not breathing, and when Lateef listened, there was no heartbeat to be heard. The boy was dead. Lateef could do nothing for him, save give him a proper burial.
Lateef lifted the boy's lifeless body over his should, and picked the girl up in his other arm. He then headed for home.