The Black Star {Lit to Adv. Lit} (New Rule Added)

[Zulma san]

Pomme had not noticed that Mira was in such a bad shape or she would have lifted herself the young adolescent on her horse instead of leaving the task to Lilith. In both reality and their fake familial situation, she should be the one taking care of Mira, for Lilith was the Princess or Pomme was the older sister.
Once again Lilith acted as if Pomme was nothing, ordering her to go...so Pomme went. She was tired. If only Serenice was there. She missed the vampire. As a friend and as an ally...

Pomme was leading the way, pushing their horses as fast as they could manage with an unconscious rider. They would slow down later. For the moment she wanted to use the storm to hide their flee and they needed to put as much distance as they could between the house and themselves. She remembered the kid who died in their arms and shivered. She glanced at Lilith and Mira often.

The short woman was using a path in the woods, less conspicuous than using the roads which were probably monitored but also less rapid. For despite the fact that they started fast, they soon had to slow down in order not to break their necks nor the one of their horses.

Roots and branches were on the way but at least when the rain started to pour they had some shelter. From under the trees it felt as if it were night. It was dark and gloomy, even gloomier with the rain. She slowed her horse down to let Lilith and Mira caught up. Luckily they had wool capes in the horses' saddle bags and some food too. Pomme took Lilith's out and wrapped it around the shoulders of the Princess, sheltering Mira at the same time. She put her own on her back.

"Here Mira. Chew on that for the moment." she gave the child a small piece of smoked meat, they would have to be careful with rationing, but Mira needed strength.
"We cannot stop now. We'll find shelter and rest later..."
She looked at Lilith.
"You alright Charlotte?" She gave a wiry smile.
"Mira can ride with me anytime..." she offered.

 

[Zulma san]

Pomme had taken the poor child in her arms, positioning her in front of her to protect her from the rain with her body and cape. She felt bad that they had to travel so fast in the state of the child. Yet she would have no doubt if she had to leave her dying on the side of the road for the sake of the Princess. Nothing else mattered but to have Lilith safe and sound.

The red hair woman hushed her horse to trot again and they were soon on the road again. They had been riding for a while, fighting the icy rain when a voice came to their ears. Pomme was so startled that she almost dropped Mira. A knife had already appeared by her hand whereas Sam had not even finished her sentence. The short woman recognized immediately the strange woman in front of them, yet she entered the Princess's game.

"Yeah Milady, me sister is right, better for no one to know where thee Princess is."

As she spoke though, she had dismounted. She looked at the trail and noticed how their horses hoofs had left easily followable tracks in the muddy path. The woman was hesitating. They should free their horses forward, hoping to lead the guards in the wrong direction and then walk to their destination, but with Mira in such a weak state?! Pomme was happy to see a known face and a question was burning her lips: was Serenice still alive? Was her friend still there? But that was nor the time, nor the place to ask.

Pomme gently helped Mira down and pulling her horse with them, she hid in the bushes with the Princess and Samhailien. She whispered at Lilith's ears.
"Should we free the horses and hope to lead them amiss?"
She wished once again she were Serenice who would have taken the decision without even caring to consult the Princess.

Serenice had watched the strange woman disapear in the skies. The Royal Family still had a few dedicated followers but they were spreading thin. She had heard not even minutes ago from the blacksmith that two well-known captains had been killed without even a trial, their heads now greeting commoners at the south gates of the capital. She clenched her fist. She would not let that happened. She would protect the Princess, she would live to see her Queen of her Kingdom.

"Enough time lost..." she thought.

The vampire smiled. The shadows of the night would soon be spreading and she would be able to put her plan into motion. She hated her idea but she had not much choice. With slow steps she head back to Mark's house. She had to change before heading to the Fat Pig Tavern. The truth was, after what had happened, she did not want to go back there. She did not want to face Bert whose innocent daughter she had killed to quench her thirst. But she had not much choice.

The vampire made it to the man's house with her leather pouches filled with stuff.

When Serenice entered his house, Mark jumped at his habit, yet he did not speak up this time. The man just rose an eyebrow.

"Thank you Mark." She pointed at the man's clothes, then paused.
"I'll need your help tonight at the Fat Pig Tavern."
The sky was taking the colors of the night. Reds and purples were fighting with the dark blues of the nocturnal clouds.

Mark seemed to be hesitating then he nodded in silence.

The vampire disappeared when she came back in the kitchen, she was dressed in ... prostitute clothes. Her air was still as arrogant as ever, yet if Serenice was ever seen being embarrassed that was the time.

Mark bit his lips then chuckled a bit. "I can see you have no experience with that kind of thing." he said almost professionally. "If you allow me..."

To Serenice's surprise Mark arranged part of her garments, making comments here and there to explain why and how and especially to hide his own embarrassment.

He had found the vampire scary and dangerous, he had never thought she could actually look attractive.

They were ready and they left the house. For the first time Serenice was not 100% comfortable. Playing the role of an attractive seductive woman was all but her forte... She sighed, checking one last time as they walked that she had what she needed in her bag. She had been careful not to take any weapon but for the finely chiseled knife holding her dark hair in an almost sophisticated hairdo.

They reached the Fat Pig Tavern and Mark grabbed Serenice by the waist. "You'll be perfect." he mused as he pushed the door.

Serenice found that he was enjoying himself far more than she wanted, but nothing was showing on her face. As they passed the door, she put on a stunning enticing smile and her hips seemed to be flying right and left as she walked by Mark.

A Bert with shadows under her eyes arrived. She was trying to forget her daughter by working as much as she could. Yet the tavern owner could not help but chuckle at Mark.
"Now Mark, that's a first! Congratulations!!"

"Maaaaaaaaaaaaaark!" a drunk voice rang from a corner. "You have to share!" The man whistled. "Hello pretty!"

Mark grinned at Bert. "The usual please and same for the Lady." He waved at the drunk but had no intention of sharing Serenice with anyone but whom she would choose. Mark was not stupid and he had a good idea of whom the vampire had in mind.

Serenice bowed deeply had the drunk man but with a swing of the hips sat by Mark, wrapping her arm around his neck and whispering in his ears as if she was totally taken by him. What she really said was "Thank you."
The beers arrived and they drank together, laughing and smiling at each other, teasing as if two lovers.
Serenice wanted to run away. Only one thought was in her mind 'Falconer had to be saved tonight for the sake of the Princess.'  

[Zulma san]

The time was passing slowly, too slowly for the vampire. If Serenice was paying attention to her beer consumption, Mark seemed to have forgotten all about their mission.

"You surely are a shy one..." the man chuckled as he wrapped his arm around Serenice's waist and forced her on his laps.

Serenice was furious. She would have punched the man or even kill him if it were not for a mission and she guessed that Mark was very aware of that. Wincing mentally, she giggled shyly but kissed the man's cheek.

"Here that's more like it!" he laughed loudly. "Bert, more beer!"

Bert brought the beers, she cast a side look at Serenice but did not say much.

The Inn was filling up more and more and Serenice was welcoming the loud crowd. At last the one she had been waiting for arrived. The guard seemed tired. Most of the patrons in the tavern did not seem to even notice him and the man found his usual seat against a wall.
The woman played with a louder and louder Mark. Despite her annoyance, she decided to use the man's behavior to her advantage. She waited for the guard to have drunk several beers before standing up and slapping Mark across the face. Hips rolling she turned her back to the stunned man who had no idea what just happened to him. Serenice crossed the room, chasing adventurous hands trying to try to merchandise before paying. She sat in front of the guard, sighed and looked at him straight in the eyes, using some of her race charm to smooth the man's doubts if he had any.
"Is there a man in this room who knows how to treat a lady?" she purred, hating herself.

A smile crept on the guard's lips.
"You could not have found a better one." he answered huskily, taking her hand above the table and bringing it to his lips with a gaze which spoke well of his intention.
He let go of her hand to order a pint of ale for the lady.

Serenice accepted with a gorgeous smile. She had to proceed cautiously for she knew that the guards around a prisoner such as Falconer all knew each other and she could not just replace the man without raising suspicion.
She drank her cup slowly, not that the alcohol had any effect on her but she simply hated the taste. Although the blood of Bert's daughter, the innocent Lizzie, had helped her heal. She had lost so much blood during the Princess's escape that she knew she would soon need another meal to regain her full capability. However with the curfew and the incoming planned execution, she had no time for that.

The vampire shifted her position, coming closer to the guard, all smiles and praise for the man. What a soldier!
In the background she caught words of Mark speaking to another man. For a split second her eyes narrowed. That stupid fool was about to tell the full story!
Serenice bent over to the guard.
"It's quite noisy and crowded here, don't you think?" she whispered, her lips flirting with the man's earlobe.

The guard nodded. It was about time he went anyway. He stood up, wrapping himself around the woman, showing off his trophy.

Serenice hurried towards the exit. Once outside, she took a deep breath. She hoped that her actions of the day had been fruitful or else she would fail. She was about to open her mouth when the guard spoke.

"You're the one?"

Serenice nodded in silence.

"That's a shame." the guard did not seem to have drunk any beer at all.

Serenice had to admit that she was impressed by the man. He looked as if he had just awoken and was fresh and ready for a new day.
"Once my duty accomplished..." she offered.

The man smiled. "I sure hope so."
He paused and stepped towards her.
"You know the rules." without waiting for her answer, he searched her, enjoying checking her out at the same time.
He frowned.
"What's this?"

"Mead." she answered. "Lady Rose said that you, Mister John, and Eric were quite found of it when you visit her."

The guard smirked.
"That's right. You're clean. Let's go."

Serenice followed the man in silence. They reached the castle. The woman noticed that they were controlled several times but that did not matter. She bowed every time, giving a shy gorgeous smile with a little wink when she thought it appropriate and it seemed to work.
At last, after what seemed like ages, they were in front of Falconer's cell.
The guard named Eric was there and so was another guard.

The vampire looked in her clothe bag which brought both guards on their foot. She froze and raised a questioning look at the men.

John burst laughing. "The lady is bringing mead, boys!"
He turned to one of the men. "It seemed that Lady Rose has something for you Eric!"
The other men relaxed and laughed together.

Serenice smiled and put the bottles on the table. Then she sighed as if she was preparing herself for something awful.

John patted her back.
"Don't worry beauty, although he is a traitor, he is not bad looking."

He pushed her forward.
"I'll lock you with him, know when you are done."

Serenice nodded and stepped forward. In her back Eric and the other guard were opening the bottles.

"Don't forget me boys!" called John to the guards.
Then he opened the tiny window in the door to see if Falconer was far enough from the door.
"Hey! Shut up Falconer!" he shook his head. The man seemed mad and was singing again.

John turned to the two guards. "Has he been like this for a while?"
They both nodded.
"If only he sang beautifully..." wined Eric.

John knocked loudly at the door again.
"Falconer, you got some visit, a Lady, so behave..."

The door opened.

Serenice stepped in. She disliked the feeling very much as the door locked behind her.

John spoke from the other side of the door as he closed the window.
"It'll be dark in there but that should make it easier for you lady."

The guards chuckled and John joined them to cheer and drink with them.
Eric was surprised. "How come he get a whore today? Shouldn't it be tomorrow with his last meal?"
John shrugged. "I don't know. I got the order this afternoon that the prisoner was to get his whore tonight. You know Eric, you should stop questioning that would lead you the wrong way."

Eric growled and filled his cup. "Cheers!"
The mead was soon warming up their voices.

Serenice did not mind the darkness at all. She walked straight to Falconer and whispered.
"Falconer, it's me."