BLOOD OMEN 2

SEVEN: The Canyons

The thought of leaving the city was a bit exhilarating for I had grown tired of sneaking about the night like a common thief, dodging Sarafan I was not to kill in order to keep our safety and above all, suffering the silly humans and their endless complaints about the Sarafan oppression. I began to believe that even without me, the orders rule would come to an end in a matter of decades when these mortals finally grew the backbone to revolt. As unlikely as it seemed I reminded myself of when it had occurred four hundred years ago.  

As an arrogant fledgling i had been deceived by an enemy masquerading as an oracle to travel through time and assassinate a young king who was destined to become a conquering tyrant. The people had been so angry at their just king's death at the hands of a vampire that with torches and pitchforks, farmers and hunters had formed a mob that in twenty years brought the entire vampire race to the brink of extinction; something that even the ancient Sarafan had been unable to do over the course of a century. Even the mighty Vorador had been dragged from his castle and executed in a village square. Of course he somehow escaped death; in a way he was not forthcoming about, but with the way things were going now, I saw a similar future for this incarnation of the Sarafan. 

The tunnel Vorador's agents showed me led to the northern gates of the city which was the least protected. Even at that getting passed it would be a challenge as it consisted of two gates. As I observed the scene, I saw a trader on his way out of the city been stopped by a Sarafan axe guard. As the knight inspected the carriage, I saw a good medium to escape the city unnoticed. 

The axe guard looked at the trader tiredly. "Name and business." 

"What's this? By thunder every week I depart by this gate." The surprised trader argued. 

"Name and business." The knight asked this time with a stern tone. 

The trader knew he meant it so answered. "Turo; bringing supplies to the garrison beyond the abode of the witch. Here is my toll." 

The Sarafan took the coin and said. "The bridge has fallen." 

"Again!? And they've not repaired it?" 

"There's more important matters afoot. A company's being sent out."  

The trader was glad to hear it. "The smugglers are to be destroyed at last?" 

"Smugglers? There's worse than that infesting the roads but now the culprits will be dealt with." 

"At long last. Why pay such high tolls if they won't keep the roads open. That's what I say." He jested. 

"Hold your tongue! You may not keep it long." The Sarafan snapped and then called to the tower. "Open the gates, there!" 

I was quick to jump atop the carriage as it went past the mighty first gates. The security was so tight that I began to wonder if in truth this city was more of a prison as clearly leaving required clearance of the highest caliber. The second gate was equally well protected but the way was blocked as the bridge that stretched across the mighty river for three leagues had indeed collapsed. There was a second albeit longer path through a tunnel that led to a canyon, but for that the guards were collecting extra toll. The trader paid grumbling and was allowed passed the large gates into a tunnel. 

Finally outside the walls of meridian I allowed myself a brief respite for it would be a few hours till I had to take a detour off the main path. Vorador had insisted I not travel in bat form as the Sarafan had scryers that would instantly sense me. Apparently they had lost many hideouts and countless vampires until they became aware of the Sarafan tracing their bat flight paths right to their hideouts. This method was slower but still enjoyable for now I could enjoy the sweet air, without pollution from glyph energy, smoke of chimneys and the stench of unwashed humans. Even as a human I had preferred the open country to the clustered cities; something I retained in my immortal form.