Vampyre: Desire Immortal

Chapter 4

Resurrection

Just one wish in all the universe –

The River Red floods its banks

To quench this beastly thirst.

*****

The raising of a dead is no easy task. There would be many dark days and nights ahead. The old alchemist was lost in thought.

"What are you doing?"

The memory of those words echoed in the cold chamber.

Perdix sat on a low bench at his long wooden table staring into the small flame that flickered in front of his face. There were scores of beakers full of colorful liquids and a myriad of dusty jars with ingredients unimaginable.

Spices of every variety and a mountain of dried flowers and plants lay scattered about the room. Flasks and jars of ointments and balms lined the shelves behind him. From a tiny window behind his back, gray light lit the room.

The flame flickered in front of his eyes. He did not blink as scenes of the past played out in front of his rheumy eyes. His lower lip moved in a silent monologue. There was no turning back now.

Perlix ground his teeth. He'd tried to warn her father the youth, Wolfstan, was no good. The young Princess forbade it. He must say no more. To do so would risk banishment from the castle. Or worse.

A quick rap on his door broke his reverie.

"The door is unlocked," he said. "Come in. Come in."

He heard Gilia through the crack in the door.

"You are such a skittish colt," he said.

"And you are such a boar, Perdix."

"What. What is it. You waste my time," the old alchemist said.

"It is the Her Royal Highness. She has fallen on the steps to the stables."

"How many times have I told that one to steer clear of those stones? They are loose. And now she has fallen. Is she gravely injured?"

"No, Perdix. It is only her knee. It is cut and swollen. But you know the slop that is on those stones. They are covered with the filth dropped from the tower rooms above. You must do something. A balm. A salve. A prayer. Anything," said Gilia.

"What about Urien? Won't her father call for him?"

"The child calls for you, Perdix. Only you. I fear she is in much pain."

"I will come at once," he said. "Where is she?"

"Her chamber."

Perdix skittered about the room. He gathered many ingredients and set a metal pot over the flame. Dropping the leaves and twigs and sundry other things in, he watched them catch fire. He waited until the flame turned cerulean and quickly poured a brackish liquid into the mix. A thick cloud of acrid smoke arose. The smoke turned from gray to white. Perdix poured the viscous liquid into a small stone box and set it on the ledge to cool.

It would take several minutes before the potion congealed.

The fog of yesterdays two years prior rose before him. He frowned deeply.

The black feather of the crow had blown through the window that day so long ago. It was an omen. A bad one. Perdix abandoned his beakers and flew to Princess Ava's chambers. His heart was pounding in his throat. Adrenaline filled his muscles with unearthly strength. He pushed open her door, and it clattered against the stone wall.

His jaw dropped, and for an instant, he could not move.

"What are you doing?" Perdix yelled.

"How dare you barge in without permission! I will have your head for this!"

Wolfstan held Ava by both wrists. She was struggling, but there was no chance the small girl could escape his grasp. Her gown was ripped. She was as pale as the delicate blossoms of the summer snowflake.

"Get away from her," Perdix said, storming across the room.

Wolfstan drew his knife with blinding speed. He slashed across the old man's face, rending a jagged wound from the top of Perdix's scalp, right eye, cheek, and left shoulder. Blinded by rage and blood, Perdix kept charging.

He slung the young man across the room. Wolfstan slammed into the stone wall and slumped to the floor.

"Did you kill him?" Ava asked.

"No. He merely sleeps," said the alchemist.

"Pity," she said.

"Are you alright?"

"I am now," she whispered. "But you are not. Oh, Peridix! What has he done to you?"

"Do not worry. I will be fine. Where is Gilia?"

"He sent her away."

"Galleron! Galleron!" Perdix called. "Get your master out of here."

Galleron rushed to Wolfstan and began helping him onto his feet.

"Take him to his chamber. He will be alright. I am going to your father, Precious One. I must convince him to break this horrid arrangement."

"No," said Ava. "He will not listen. You will be banished, Perdix. And I will have only Gilia to protect me."

The old alchemist's shoulders slumped.

"I must go see Fye," he said, disappearing as quickly as he had appeared.