VIII
Leonardo Da Vinci had written a letter calling me back to his estate five days later. He had finished the painting a day earlier, Dorina and I knocked on his door and waited. When there was no answer I tested the knob, it was unlocked. Pushing the door open slowly I ushered Dorina behind me as I got ready to draw my sword. The home was empty, the clutter had been cleared away, leaned on a wall was a covered painting.
"There doesn't seem to have been a fight."
"You know, judging by who he is and what I learned from the pope about the Sistine Chapel a few days ago I'm assuming he probably had to go off and do something for the church."
I walked over to the painting and pulled off the silk sheet covering it. I heard Dorina gasp behind me, the painting had to be one of Da Vinci's best works to date. The Mona Lisa could not hold a candle to it. The painter had captured mine and Dorina's likeness as if he had plucked that moment in time and trapped it in the canvas. The colors were vibrant and it nearly seemed lifelike. I could feel the warmth of Dorina's smile radiating from the painting as if she stood before me. Dorina walked to the small table next to the painting and picked up a letter I just noticed. Drawing my sword I opened a rift and carefully stashed the painting. Closing the rift I turned to Dorina who had opened the letter now offering it to me.
The letter oddly enough, had not been written in Da Vinci's signature mirrored cursive. I read the letter carefully as Dorina wandered over to a shelf on the other side of the room.
My friends,
I have been called away by Sixtus for some business that he would not name. This means that I can not present my greatest work to you in person. However I have no doubt that you have come to my home by now and received it. Casimir I have left a few tomes I have found them hidden in the papacy's personal archive. I think their contents would interest you greatly. The tomes have been hidden in my shelf. As you read this the Lady Dorina most likely has already retrieved them.
I looked over and chuckled lightly as Dorina walked back over to me with two books and a box clutched in her arms. Leonardo had predicted exactly what Dorina would have done, or maybe she had read the passage and done so after. Shrugging, I continued to read the letter.
For the Lady, I have left her a set of my personal brushes and instructions on how to mix my recipe of paints. She seemed more interested in my art than you did Casimir. May our paths cross again in the future.
Your friend,
Leonardo Da Vinci
The paint brushes must have been in the box that Dorina clutched close to her chest. I took the books from her and sat down looking at the titles. The faded leather bindings creaked in protest as I opened the first book. It was written in Latin, thankfully I had insisted that a monk teach me Latin a few years ago just in case I ever ran into old books. Vlad had been skeptical at first but quickly shut up when I translated a few books in our family library.
The book outlined some information on Caligula, mainly his life up to the point he summoned the demon. There was a few ineligible notes on the demon, mostly passages referring to it as a fallen elder god, which in the long run was a cause for concern. I didn't know much about the supernatural world. Maybe I could ask the sorcerer supreme, the last time I had spoken to her I had learned that she was much older than the movie had shown her to be. I continued to read and learned more about the fallen elder god. The being wasn't named in the book, however he was credited with creating all sorts of monstrosities such as werewolves and undead.
Werewolves had been hunted down centuries ago by a family of gypsies. The undead eventually rotted away, so I made a mental note to ask my father about this family in the future. They must have some sort of information on this fallen god. Setting the book aside I picked up the next one, this book was substantially smaller. Opening to the first page I was surprised to see that it was filled with drawings of various contraptions that looked like guns, and notes scribbled in Da Vinci's handwriting.
"He gave me one of his journals."
"What did you say?" Dorina put a paint brush she had been looking at down.
"Da Vinci, he gave me a journal full of his inventions and notes."
Dorina snatched the journal out of my hand and started to flip through it.
"Do you have any idea how much this would be worth back in our time?"
"I'm assuming that it would be priceless?"
"Priceless, Cas, there has never been a complete journal. Just pages and copies."
"Love, we are hundreds of years in the past. How do you think we're ever going to profit from any of this?"
Dorina blushed before handing me back the journal.
"Well we could always keep it safe and pass it down to our kids."
She had almost whispered the last part, I looked at her as she fidgeted in her seat, still embarrassed at her outburst.
"Dorina, do you want kids?"
She silently nods.
"Then let's go home."
[Line Break]
Dorina sat underneath the shade of a tree in our Villa. We had moved in a few months ago. Vlad and Mirena congratulated us and offered to help move our belongings. A farewell feast had been held and I promised a tearful Ingeras that Dorina and I would visit. Mirena hinted that she expected grandchildren when we came to visit and Vlad pulled me to the side and expressed how proud he was. He also offered to have Cazan come with us to review any details, I refused the second I heard the Onions name.
After the first month the local population had welcomed us with open arms. The son of their local hero was after all a blessing from god. I was never one for politics so I had hired outside help in organizing any complaints and issues the locals had. I had basically been delegated the job of some form of medieval mayor. I had to resolve local disputes that were too small to take to my father. Last week a farmer had come in with the complaint that another farmer was stealing milk from his cattle. The week before that a band of thieves had been apprehended as they tried to force themselves on the inn owner's daughter. I immediately had them hung in the town square and disemboweled. Sure it was harsh, but the local crime rate had plummeted once people realized that I would not tolerate that sort of behavior.
Taking a swig from my flask that I had filled with moonshine I walked over to Dorina who was still reading a book she had found on painting techniques. I lay on the soft grass and set my head on her lap. She continued to read the book but started playing with my hair.
"What's on your mind, love?"
Still playing with my hair she closes her book before answering. "Not much, just worried about what's to come."
I looked up to her face and flicked her nose lightly.
"I told you, didn't I? Whatever may come our way, I will deal with it. I will not let anything happen to you."
She leans down to kiss me and I meet her half way. As the kiss begins to get heated we are interrupted by a guard.
"Lord Tepes, I have terrible news."
I broke away and looked at the new arrival. Alarm shot through my mind as I noticed the state the guard was in. His armor hung off him by the leather straps. Blood ran down his side and his sword was missing. I got up and helped the man over to a bench close by. Dorina called for help as I began to ask the guard what had happened.
The guard started to explain that he had been on patrol with his group when he noticed a farmer laying in a pool of blood. The farmer had remained alive long enough to tell the guards that he was only following his wife who had left in the middle of the night for some reason. The farmer had followed his wife to Broken Tooth Mountain where he was set upon by an unknown creature. He barely made it out alive as he threw himself off the mountain into the river below. The river had brought him back out of the forest and he crawled his way back to town where the guards found him.
Dorina and I shared a look as the guard was carried away by the local physician and his assistants. I motioned for Dorina to follow me as servants came out of the house to begin cleaning the guards blood where it had spilled.
"I have to do something about this now. We're far too close to the damn mountain and I refuse to raise any kids we have with a vampire basically breathing down our necks."
Dorina looked conflicted. "Cas, I know it has to be dealt with but do you have to go alone?"
"Anyone else would slow me down, they'd have questions about Excalibur too and I don't think they'd take too kindly to the wife of the local lord who seems to have 'magical' powers."
I pulled Dorina into an embrace. "Look, the sooner I deal with the vampire the sooner we can take another step towards a brighter future. After Caligula all that is left is Mehmed and I think my father would be more than willing to lend a hand."
She nods and pulls away, "When will you leave."
Pausing for a moment I tried to think about the most optimal moment to strike. Day time would be preferable in case I needed to make a hasty retreat. The mountain was about a half days ride from the villa and Roach could get me over the rough terrain with relative ease.
"I can leave as soon as tomorrow night," I pulled Dorina back into my arms as I cupped her rear. "Till then, I am all yours." I finished in English.
She smiled seductively as she dragged me to an empty room.
We made love for hours that day, stopping for food and water before continuing as if on a mission. In a way I guess we were, we had planned on having kids.
The night I was due to leave I loaded the last of the supplies I was bringing into Roach's saddlebags. Kissing Dorina one last time I mounted the horse and rode off into the night. The warm midsummer wind rushed past my face. The moon full and high above the scattered houses. Soon I had reached the edge of the forest. Not wanting to rush in and run into wild animals I dismounted and started to make camp.
Once I had a roaring fire going I stripped off my traveling coat and unbuckled my sword from Roach's saddle. I sat down by the fire and took out my journal from a rift that I opened. It had been months since I last wrote in it.
June 21, 1473
It's been a while since I last wrote in these pages. The last entry was two nights before our final battle against the Turks. Dorina and I have moved into a villa together. The pope gave it to me as a gift for my achievements during the crusades. Though I suspect that it is more of a way to keep my father under his thumb. There was a vampire attack the previous day and now I am camped not so far from the foot of the mountain. I am as ready as I'll ever be, and this needs to get done. Dorina has expressed that she wants kids and I plan to oblige her. However having kids when the vampire still lives and the ottomans closing any day now is not a great idea. I have to eliminate one if not both should I plan to remotely have a peaceful life with Dorina. I will make my final preparations tonight and tomorrow morning the Vampire DIES.
Casimir Tepes
I closed the journal, returning it to the rift before closing the void. The journal was a way for me to remind myself of how far I had come, and things that I had accomplished. I sheath my sword and held it close to my chest as I settled down to my makeshift sleeping bag. Tomorrow was going to be one of the toughest fights in my life.
The next day I woke up to Roach nudging me awake. The fire had died down in the night. I quickly collapsed my camp before loading the minimal gear I had brought back onto the saddle. I tied Roach down to a nearby tree by a stream and set off into the woods. The sounds of nature died down to complete silence the deeper in I got. The world was eerily quiet, about an hour or so later I found myself at the foot of the mountain. Strange columns of rocky growth came from the ground. Maybe the mountain was volcanic in origin. I remember reading an article in my past life about how volcanic mountains had column-like growths.
I tightened the straps that held Excalibur to my hip and the bag of grenades that I had around my shoulder. I climbed my way up on the sheer surface, occasionally glancing back down to gauge how far I had climbed. The wind picked up as I got closer to the summit, the hand and footholds slowly dwindled down and soon I was utilizing technique's I had learned in my past life while crevasse climbing. There had to have been another way up, there's no way that farmer climbed this same direction. Finally I reached the summit and looked at the ominous cave entrance. I could already spot the crushed bones and faint glint of discarded armor.
I caught my breath before drawing my sword and steeling my nerves. I readied a grenade and stepped into the dark cave. A stench of death immediately washed over me as I heard the chattering of the creature deeper in the cave. Breathing steadily I worked my way over to a larger open section of the cave and waited. I felt the creature's eyes on me from somewhere in the darkness. An intense bloodlust filled the air and I willed the power of Excalibur to fill my veins. Time slowed to a crawl and I spun around spotting the creature lunging out from the darkness. I lit the grenade on a slow burning fuse on my belt and threw it at the creature. I dodged off to the side and willed time to resume again as the creature collided with the grenade which promptly exploded. Screeching, the creature retreated back into the darkness and I was back on my feet. I heard a crunch of bones breaking behind me and spun around slashing. I was thrown to the opposite wall but I managed to cut the vampire's hand off at the elbow.
An inhuman roar echoed in the cave and I barely had the chance to activate the sword's power before I felt the vampire's claws sink into my thigh. Grunting in pain I faced the vampire who was frozen mid lunge slowly closing in on me. In one smooth movement I removed the vampire's other arm with a swing before kicking the vampire in the face sending it crashing through a pile of bones.
Time unfroze and the vampire scrambled back onto its feet. I grabbed Excalibur with both hands and power exploded from the sword. As time slowed to a crawl again I looked at the vampire. Its face was disfigured mid screech, the stumps of its arms blackened and not healing. The vampire looked nothing like Charles Dance, though maybe it was because it was roaring at me in fury. Time slowly sped back up and I quickly ran forward and impaled the vampire through the heart pinning it to the cave wall. As I released the sword, time returned back to normal and the vampire froze looking at the sword that seemed to appear in its chest.
"Nearly a millennia and I had yet to face a foe like you."
The vampire's voice was hoarse, it spoke with a slight Latin tone. It tried to pull the sword free and immediately burned itself on the handle.
"It is impossible, this blade was lost." The vampire's eyes glowed an angry red as it glared at me. "Tell me mortal, where did you get this blade?"
"Wouldn't you like to know. Caligula."
The vampire's eyes narrowed as I called it by its name.
"I can smell your blood, mortal. You are a descendant of that accursed line. I was led to believe that you all had died out. I know now that I was deceived."
"Just like you were deceived by that demon?"
"So you know my story? Tell me, what has become of the empire."
"Roman Empire?" The vampire continued to glare at me. "The Roman Empire fell to the ottomans and barbarian tribes. Though that does not matter as you will never leave this cave."
I walked forward grasping my sword. The vampire kept eye contact with me as I pulled the sword free, its eyes didn't leave me even as I swung the sword removing the creature's head. Just before it crumbled to dust, what looked like resignation and relief flashed over its face. I stayed for a moment more watching as the ashes of the master vampire scattered into the wind. As I was about to sheath my sword I felt a presence behind me and I spun around.
Applause echoed through the cave as the mysterious being emerged from the shadows of the cave. The figure had deep crimson skin and almost seemed ethereal.
"I congratulate you Casimir Tepes, for vanquishing evil on this land."
I felt a chill run down my spine as I listened to the mysterious appearance's voice. There was something so wrong about it. Every single instinct in my body screamed at me to kill this being that appeared out of the shadows. I watched it carefully as it looked at the pool of blood that the vampire left. I bent down to dip a finger into the blood before the blood was absorbed into its body. Gritting my teeth I called out to the being.
"Who and what the hell are you?"
The being laughed as it turned to face me. Its laughter echoed in the cave, it almost sounded like there were voices beneath the beings' voices as it spoke again.
"I am no one of consequence, though you can call me Chthon."
"Okay, Chthon, what the fuck do you want."
The being tsked and wagged a finger at me. "Now Casimir, there's no need for that language. Let's just say that since you killed my servant that I am now in need of a replacement."
'Fuck that I thought,' rasing my sword I grabbed the handle with both hands as Chthon's eyes widened. A shockwave of power exploded from the sword as time slowed down to a crawl for the upteenth time that day.
Using the same move to kill the vampire I flashed forward and stabbed the blade towards Chthon's chest. Only for the blade to be caught in his hands. Time returned to normal as Chthon slammed a fist into chest in an attempt to separate me from the sword. I held on for all that I was worth before fishing a grenade from the pack on my hip. I lit the fuse and threw it at the beings face as I turned to face away.
A bright flash of light tore through the darkness of the cave and the being released its hold on my sword. Willing the power to fill my veins again I ignored the pain in my ribs I spun to face the being. Before it could recover I rushed forward and slammed the pommel of the sword into its face knocking it off its feet. Using all the strength I had left in my body I jumped up and used my weight to drive the sword into Chthon's chest. The being caught the blade again, but with my weight now behind it enhanced with power from the sword. It's fingers flew off as it roared in pain, the sword found its mark and sunk into Chthon's chest ripping through his heart and into the cave floor. I was blasted back by an explosion of energy that came from Chthon's body and I crashed painfully into the ceiling. I felt sharp rocks piece into my body and I fell back into the ground.
I could feel blood seeping from multiple wounds on my back as I rolled back over onto it. Shards of bone from the ground painfully dug into my skin. I coughed and tasted copper. That blow to my chest must have shattered my ribs. As I lay bleeding out on the floor of the cave my thoughts drifted back to Dorina. I didn't want to die, not when I had found happiness for the first time in both my lives. I heard Chthon's body crumbling close by, my whole body was in too much pain for me to look around. I coughed up more blood as my breaths grew ragged. Cold began to creep into my limbs and I struggled to keep my eyes open. I heard a faint voice calling my name in the distance and as my vision faded felt warmth spread through my broken body.
Dorina POV
Something was wrong I could feel it, Casimir had left the previous night and had most likely reached the mountain this morning. It was close to evening now and he still had yet to return. Earlier that day I had felt something wash over me, it was as if Casimir had walked by me. Fearing the worst I looked out of my window towards the mountain off in the distance.
Pushing the worst of my dread I walked out to the garden we had grown from a trimming we took of Mirena's roses. I sat down beneath the tree and closed my eyes. I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew, a servant was shaking me awake. I thanked the servant and made my way back to the house. Quietly eating dinner by myself I finished before thanking the servants again and returning to the room Casimir and I shared. I took a quick bath and changed into an evening gown. Laying in bed, worry bubbled back up into my gut. As I began to drift off into sleep shouting from down the stairs washed away my exhaustion. As I ran down the stairs I heard the servants calling for me.
"Lady Dorina, Lord Casimir has returned."
Excitement filled my body as I reached the bottom of the stairs and ran out of the door. I stopped in my tracks as soon as I saw him.
His clothing had been shredded, and blood was crusted into his hair and skin. He wavered for a moment before rushing forward and picking me up in an embrace. I turned his embrace and kissed him, ignoring the blood that stained his lips. The servants led Roach away as I took Casimir's hand leading him into the house and into the bathtub in our room. He peeled away his clothes and I couldn't help but to stare. He looked my way and smiled.
"Like what you see?" Still grinning he beckoned me over.
Before I knew it I was pulled into a kiss and down into the tub with him. Yelling out in surprise I slapped him on the chest as he laughed.
"You asshole, I just took a bath."
"Well now we can take one together." He smiled as I glared at him.
I slipped out of my ruined nightgown and straddled his hips. As we sat in the tub face to face I noticed that his eyes were a bit more vibrant than before.
"Cas, tell me what happened." He looked away.
It was a short while before he began his story about what had happened in the cave. When he finished I pulled him into my chest and held him close.
"I'm just glad that you're back here with me." His hands slid lower onto my hips.
As our lips met I melted into him as we held each other. Soon our bath had evolved into a passionate round of love making and we found our way over to the bed. Still in his arms I drifted off into sleep.
I woke up the next morning alone in bed but still warm and fuzzy. I looked out the window and spotted Casimir sitting in the garden writing in his journal. I got dressed and made my way out to him. As I approached he offered me a smile which I returned as I sat in between his legs leaning on his chest. I felt him kiss the top of my head as his arms wrapped around me. All the worry I had the previous night had dissipated into the air. Smiling as I closed my eyes we basked in each other's company.
Soon a routine was formed as the days went by, Casimir would resolve issues in town or delegate tasks. Then we'd spend time together either making love, walking through town or just enjoying each other's company by a fireplace. It wasn't a grandiose life but to us it was our own slice of heaven on earth. As months went by another something else caused worry to resurface. Despite all our efforts we still were not closer to having a baby. It wasn't like we could walk to a clinic and see what was wrong.
We had visited Casimir's parents on our way to mine and Mirena had suggested we try positions the thought of which could make me blush and turn Casimir into a sputtering mess. My mother and father were not much help, suggesting that I drink something brewed out of a pig's testicles. I immediately shot down that idea, as Casimir laughed.
Soon winter was upon us and Casimir decided that we started a little tradition.
Flashback
"Come on, it's not like they'll ask questions. We are the Lord and Lady of the damn place"
"Cas, we don't even know if they even celebrate that here."
Casimir huffed and walked back outside, following him I stared open mouth at the sight. Roach was at the head of a group of horses that were dragging a large tree behind them.
"Oh for fucks sake, why would you ask me if you already did it anyways!"
"Love, I guarantee you that they do celebrate Christmas."
At his direction servants began to prepare the tree, he smiled his annoyingly adorable half smile at me and I let out a huff. Casimir was immediately on my fingers digging into my side. Fighting back laughter I slapped at his hands.
"Stop it you asshole, I'll fuck you up."
"Not until you smile, it's the holiday season after all."
Flashback End
I looked at the massive thirty foot fir tree that servants had erected in the back courtyard. Small ornaments and ribbons decorated its branches. Walking over to the tree I touched one of the ornaments. A day ago Casimir had gathered the children in town and had them make their own ornaments while writing their wishes on a slip of parchment. Casimir, while hating politics, was surprisingly great at organizing people and getting them to do things around town. He gave each family a slip of paper with another child's wish on it and told them that they would attempt to fulfill it while another family would attempt to fulfill their child's wish as well. The idea was greatly received, not that the people couldn't love him anymore.
Word had gotten out that Casimir had destroyed the creature in Broken Tooth Mountain and his fame had spread like wildfire. Some monks had visit a week ago to examine the mountain and they had found a pool of blood they said was the creatures and various scorch marks on the walls, telltale signs of Casimir's grenades.
The monks had been more surprised that Casimir had come out of the ordeal unharmed, though they didn't know the full story that Casimir had told me. A monk named Lucian explained to the other monks that Casimir's sword held holy powers and the monks quickly chalked up Casimir's victory and skill as a blessing from god. Even if I knew better, I would never reveal what Casimir told me happened after he had killed the Vampire and that demon. Thoughts of it still sent shivers down my spine.
"There you are love, I've been looking all over for you."
I turned to face Casimir as he approached me. Wrapping my arms around his neck I pulled him into a kiss. He pulled away and smiled.
"What was that for?"
"That was for keeping your promise and coming back to me."
"I told you, didn't I?"
"Yes you did, now let's get back into the house. I'm freezing my ass off out here."
"But I love your ass, I will not allow it to freeze off!" He exclaimed as he scooped me up into his arms.
Sharing a laugh we made our way back to the warmth of the house.