The Vampire Prince of Iberia

Chapter 2

Outside the village of Santarém, farmland gave way to light grassy scrub and woodlands. A barely visible hunting track led off the main road. Led by Diego the hunt master, the party stopped in a clearing to regroup. Portable seats were brought up for the King and his guests to rest in the shade of the trees. Wine was poured into goblets for the men to drink. The King's minstrel, a pleasant young man named Luis, strummed a jaunty tune on the lute, accompanied by another of the footmen who played the six string viol. 

Carlos, the third son of the Marquis, detached himself from his father's side and walked over to where Affonso was sitting by himself, some distance from the group under a large branch. At eighteen Carlos was not only two years older than Affonso, but taller and more muscular, physically much more of a grown man than the Prince. Carlos resented Affonso for his position, and in return, Affonso resented Carlos for being strong and handsome.  

From the start there had been a clash caused by the differences in personalities. Carlos chose to exploit his physical superiority by bullying Affonso at every chance.

'Greetings, my prince,' said Carlos sarcastically.

'Hello Carlos,' replied Affonso disdainfully.

Carlos spun on his heel and threw himself down, butt-first on top of Affonso's legs. As the Prince struggled to free himself, Carlos mock-sighed and said exaggeratedly, 'Oh I'm sorry, I did not see you there at all.' 

'Get off me you fat peasant,' said Affonso, still attempting to wriggle free. Using one arm to hold Affonso's leg, Carlos used his free hand to grab Affonso's crotch. Carlos squeezed on Affonso's bulge,  eliciting a yelp from the Prince who finally managed to scramble free.

'You are so childish,' said Affonso, rubbing himself and trying to sound like a ruler of men.

'You're the child,' Carlos shot back, 'Have you even seen a woman's breasts? Your mother doesn't count, by the way.' 

 Carlos burst out laughing at his own joke. 'Of course you haven't, you're just a little kid.'

'I am a prince, and God does not wish me to concern myself with lust,' said Affonso prudishly.

'I say. What will happen to this country when the prince does not even know how to get a woman with child?' Carlos fixed his cruel gaze on Affonso. 'How could you with that tiny excuse for a cock?' 

Affonso cast around for an object to throw and settled on a small rock. His throw missed Carlos by more than a yard; the target didn't even need to dodge.

'Oh, you'll regret that, my prince,' said Carlos. He lunged at Affonso, but stopped half way, turning a sprint into a nonchalant saunter, because Diego, with a hunter's keen eye for movement, had turned to face towards them.

'Go away. Leave me alone, Carlos,' said Affonso, gesturing back towards the others.

'As you wish. For now,' said Carlos, grinning.

The hunting party was getting underway again. Men took to their horses. The horns sounded and the dogs began barking loudly. Affonso positioned him horse so that he was within his father's sight, but far enough away that no one would bother him. 'The important thing is not to enjoy these events,' his tutors had told him, 'but to be seen and to hear things.'

The party rode on deeper into the forest. Soon, the Master of the Hunt and the dog handlers split off in a separate group, to beat noise and drive the game towards the bows of the hunters. The game animals would be mouflon, wild boar and red deer. If they were lucky they might find a stag.

Affonso was content to let the King and the Marquis lead the more eager hunters off into the woods. He sat astride his stationary horse with a few other stragglers, pretending to watch. In reality his thoughts drifted back towards the strange book and his nightmarish dreams.