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Thomas nodded. "We're almost there. Just another hour and a half. Do you think your horse can make it?" He glanced down the road and saw the lights from the camp below.

Thomas frowned and nodded again, continuing down the path in silence. He could tell something was bothering her, but pushed it from his mind. He knew that he would be punished at first light for his actions; that alone was more than enough to take his mind from Trinity.

Dawn was approaching as they reached the camp. The sleet had turned into a light, warm mist. Thomas made sure Trinity was following and motioned for her to be as silent as possible as they crept past the officer's tent. He heard a tent flap being thrown open and his heart sank as they both turned to face the officers behind them.

"So... it is true.," by now the whole camp was stirring and gathering around to watch. "You've recruited a commoner, deviated from your mission, injured yourself," he said, getsturing to Thomas's chest where, underneath his uniform, he was still heavily bandaged, "And worst of all... you're late. Twently lashes for you. Troops! Let this be a lesson!"

He led them toward the center of the vast encampment, rousing soldiers as he went. The general wanted to be sure everyone saw Thomas's punishment.

The general turned his harsh gaze on her. "Every man controls their own actions. He deviated from his mission. He allowed himself to be careless and get injured. Despite specific instructions against it, he insisted on bringing you here to become a soldier. He and he alone as done this. Soldier Thomas will be punished for his actions."

The general shoved him forward where two tall, thick posts stood. He strapped his arms to each post so that he was standing in "x" formation. A bit of leather was forced into his mouth and they removed his shirt and bandages.

Thomas braced himself, biting down hard on the leather. They began to lash him with a whip. The other soldiers flinched.


Thomas was vaguely aware that he was being untied and steered toward the weapons rack. His eyes rolled in his head and his mouth was slack as he was ordered to return to his daily tasks with Trinity at his side. She was to return for meals. He was not.

"You will show her around then complete your mission. She is to take her meals alone. You will remain working until tomorrow night. Understood?" Thomas mustered his strength and nodded his head. The general and the soldiers departed. He slumped to the ground. The loss of blood was making him weak.

"Every man... is responsible for his own actions," he said, slurring his words slightly. His eyes were glazed over and his blood poured to the ground thickly. The sound of footsteps on the cold, wet ground reached his ears. Thomas looked up at the figure behind Trinity. "Nadia?"

"Get up," she snapped at him, "You have work to do. You too, commoner." She yanked Thomas up by his arms and half dragged him out of the camp, Trinity following. After a few miles, they had reached a wall of thick mist. Tall, dark green trees shot upward to the sky behind and through the mist. This was the boundary of the Northern Territory.

Nadia let go of Thomas; he had recovered slightly and was aware of what was happening around him once more.

"It turns out that the ancient ones are still alive and very angry. They have come to the aide of the vampires. We now have even more enemies to fight. We've discovered they take the shape of ravens, crows, doves, snakes, and panthers. I'm sure there's more. You are to make your rounds and kill any vampires." Nadia turned to Trinity. "When you come for your meals, you will head East toward that post," she said, pointing to a wooden structure. "You'll eat with the guards. They don't speak our language, so don't try. When you finish your meal, you will wait there for Thomas to come get you. Don't go wandering in there on your own. You'll be killed and Thomas will be punished severely for your death. Should he not come for you, at nightfall you will report back to the camp. That mean's he'll most likely be dead or held prizoner. We'll search for his body."

She turned back to Thomas, who was bent double, looking as though he might vomit. "Understood?" He raised a hand briefly to show he understood, all the while, remaining focused on the ground, his hands on his knees. "Good. You got lucky this time, Tom. Deviate from your mission and next time the general might not be in such a good mood."

With this ominous note, she left Trinity and Thomas staring at the dense mist.

Thomas sat quietly in a tree, waiting for the slightest movement to betray their position. He could hear them all around; sometimes they called out insults to mock him. Still, they did not attack. They must not know exactly where I am either, he thought to himself. Either that, or they have to wait on an order.

After an hour of hurling insults at each other, his mind wandered back to Trinity in the silence that followed. There could be no mistake that she was acting distant. Damn it! I should've just said I loved her! "This fox seems a bit slow," Thomas heard one shout. "Shut it, parasite!" This was met with laughter as the offended vampire swore.

I hope Trinity is okay out there...

Thomas was getting closer, drawing them out. He could almost feel them right behind him. He stalked ever nearer; he could smell them now - one vampire and five of the ancient ones. He was so close now, creeping along a branch.

Suddenly, he heard a snarl from behind him; he turned too late. The vampire had him by the collar of his uniform coat, dangling him. They were at least two hundred feet up, he noticed in shock. "You didn't think you could hide from me forever, did you? Not with all that blood."

The vampire roared; Thomas screamed as he fell down, down, down...