Vampyre: Desire Immortal

Chapter 21

The Pigeon's Coo

To be outcast and doomed –

Clothed in robes of unrest for eternity.

*****

"You swapped the babies," said Xhahari, "and put one inside the royal womb."

"Yes," said Perdix. "With only seconds to spare. I worked as quickly as possible. I had heard the peal of the King's trumpets so I knew he was on his way to see the newborn heir. I was sweating cow patties. My spell of invisibility never lasts more than a pigeon's coo."

"What did you do with the monster, Master?"

"I hid him beneath the layers of my tunics and cloak. I took the body and buried it in the pit of the outcasts. It was not difficult. The ground was soft. The grave digger had finished his tasks and left. It was very late. No one was around to witness the act."

"You were not worried the Ichor might claim you?"

"No. I wore this," Perdix said, pulling down the high collar of his ragged tunic.

"An iron choker," said Xhahari. "Brilliant."

"Here," said the old man. "I have one for you, too. It is one of the many things I had the blacksmith make. It has been blessed with many spells."

Xhahari put the choker around his neck.

"Dyryke's son was horribly cursed, Xhahari. Even if they had not drowned him, he would not have lived long, I fear. He was broken in so many places, missing a hand, an ear, and his eyes were most evil. One at the top of his forehead, the other low on his cheek. Abominable. I shudder to think of the poor creature even now."

"Still, a royal among the outcasts," said Xhahari. "It doesn't seem right. What happened to the other one? The outcast you did not chose."

"No good came out of any of it, I'm afraid," said the old alchemist. "As to the other child, he was buried in the floor of the chapel in the royal tomb."

"An outcast among the royals," Xhahari muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.

Perdix stumbled. The way was rocky.

"Let us rest," he said.

They sat down upon the large boulders. Perdix drank some water from his leather bag, offering some to his companion.

"And Andolin," said Xhahari, "he lived but five years."

"Oh," said Perdix, "that was another story I was tasked to spread."

"What do you mean?"

"Andolin will never die. He is one of the clan of Ichor and destined to live forever."