Adela Augusta Blood Famine

Chapter Twenty Four

Chaise

Chaise walked down the street, in a hurry, wondering how he got tangled up in such a mess. He had to work quickly, should the worst come to pass. Henry refused to leave Adela's side despite Chaise's pleas. He didn't want to think about the outcome if a vampire patrol or search party happened upon their king's heiress as a pile of dust, with no one but his sick father around. He couldn't let that happen. It was sickening to help those awful creatures. But it wasn't just any bloodsucker. It was worse than that. It was Adela Augusta, the daughter of who was thought by some to be the progenitor of all other vampires Aquilo Augusta. In Chaise's mind that was as good as being evil incarnate itself. He should have tried to strike him down when he had the chance.

A shiver ran down Chaise's spine. He knew he made the right choice. He wouldn't have stood a chance in hell. Aquilo was able to prevent him from even drawing his blade, from across the room. He was an ancient evil, with ancient power and now that monster's daughter was sitting in his tool shed dying. Adea's life or unlife more rather was in his hands, and us much as he'd like to let her pass to wherever vampires go and out of his life, he couldn't. His father's life was on the line, as well as Diya's. He needed Adela alive. Besides, as far as vampires were concerned she wasn't so bad.

Chaise shook his head. All vampires were bad. Manipulative lying oppressive creatures, that's all they were and that's all they ever would be. Tears... or no tears. He let out a sigh and pushed on. He wasn't entirely sure he would be able to find what he was looking for. After all, he was looking for something created solely for vampires, in Reaghan village, the town farthest from the Augustan house. The presence of his oppressive overseers was slimmer here on the east border of Teyrnon. Still, he had to try.

A cart pulled by an ox rattled by, it's haul a heap of root vegetables, the staple resource of Reaghan village. The farmer riding atop the vehicle looked down at Chaise, a glowering scowl on his face. Chaise's family used to be popular here in town, but a lot had changed, and it would seem the citizens would not soon forget the role he played in abiding Diya's escape. It had become a real worry that he would be convicted as a witch's assistant. That type of labeling was just as bad as being called a witch in the end. He hadn't realized it at first but saving and clearing Diya's name meant clearing his own as well. He suspected the only reason the angry mobs didn't come for him was that he was seen with Adela. Of course, punching a few noses in helped too. His father's people skills hadn't hurt either. Sometimes Chaise had wished he inherited such talents but alas that was not the case. He lifted his hand at the vegetable farmer, gave him a fake wave, and then switched his former greeting to a more rude gesture.

At last, Chaise had reached the establishment he had been looking for. "The Long Road Inn'' One of the last stops for travelers before they left the protection of Teyrnon and entered the Lorn Sequence, the road that connected Crichton to Teyrnon, and Teyrnon, to Mallory. It likewise was also one of the first inns of rest that you would find after venturing back. Other smaller villages did exist dotted on the brink of Teyrnon, but they tended to be much smaller and less safe than the Province's major towns. They almost operated as small independent counties and with such close proximity to the dangers of the Lorna mountains, and Murmur woods they really needed to watch themselves. So The Long Road Inn, was a welcome checkpoint for many travelers, be it to stock up on supplies, or rest after a harrowing journey. Human or vampire alike.

Chaise pushed open the doors to the establishment, the tavern only contained a few guests at the moment, the other travelers probably recovering in their rooms. A small caravan of out-of-town merchants occupied a table meant for eight, and a couple of regulars starting their night early sat at the bar. There was a waitress, a barkeep, and a well-dressed man restocking the wares, but that was about it for traffic. Everybody looked his way upon entrance but paid him no further attention.