10
The Council held a meeting for all the travellers.
"Welcome all of you." Councilman Klaus nodded to everyone. "Our departure time has been set."
"We sail in two months. Please have all your business affairs settled by then. They will have a difficult time finding you." Everyone chuckled.
"Has everyone been given a crate?" We nodded. "Good." The Councilman looked a little nervous. "To save space on the ship. We will be using the crates when we are staked. All the crates have been marked with the name of the vampire going in to it. So there will not be any confusion." We nodded. "You will only be staked after we sail and only when you need to feed again."
"The werewolves and the shifters will be left to guard the rest of us. We will not be unstaked until we make landfall. I know we will be very thirsty but try hard not to kill anyone."
The vampires nodded. I stole a glance at Paddy. He was not happy about the staking. "Please do not feed on any of the werewolves their blood will make you ill. It will be better in the long run. Do not fight the stake. We are only doing this to insure all our survival."
"Have all of you chosen the person that is going to stake you?" We all nodded. I grabbed Paddy's hand. He was shaking.
"They are not staking you because they hate you." There were a few snickers. "But as a friend. It will hurt them just as much as you." Councilman Klaus put his hand on Paddy's shoulder. Paddy nodded that he was all right.
"I know some of you are upset about the way we have chosen to travel. We think it is for the best." He pointed to the rest of the Council.
Everyone nodded.
"Rest assured your Council will also be staked." This calmed Paddy. I think he forgot about that part.
"I have been informed that we can load the cargo on the ship two weeks before we sail. Make sure you do not pack everything. Keep some things out for the voyage. You will not be able to go to your crate once it is in the hold."
I noticed some of the faces in the crowd. I think they though they would have access to it.
"All right that is it for now when we have more information to share we will hold another meeting."
The Council went back into their chamber.
"Dismissed." Shaun told everyone.
Paddy squeezed my hand tightly.
"Did you forget that we have found a way to travel?" I whispered to Paddy.
"Yes but what if it takes longer than three months." He was so upset.
We started walking back to our quarters.
"I might last longer."
"What do you mean?"
"First, we all feed before we sail." He nodded. "Once on the ship we will not be doing any patrols." He nodded again. "Therefore less activity, less need to feed. It might take me longer to have to feed."
He seemed calmer. "You think so?"
"Yes, we might be all edgy having been on the ship for too long in such close quarters."
"Dad and I have been talking about that. Some might have to be staked not because they are thirsty but for the lack of space."
"It should not be too bad. There is a large room for the sailors and another for the Guard."
"Good." I nodded. "That is for the single men right?"
"Yes. The families have a small cabin each. The single women will be in groups of four for their cabins. Councilman Klaus told us the ship was fashioned similar to a Man of War. There are a lot of decks."
"I guess for exercise we will have everyone patrol the decks." I laughed.
"You know that is not a bad idea."
"I was joking Paddy."
"I know but it is still a good idea. Once we have sailed we will appoint someone in charge of each deck. If there is a problem they can go to their deck leader."
"I do not think there would be too much trouble."
"With this many people travelling in close quarters. Everyone's nerves will fray eventually."
"This is true then we will have to find away to keep everyone busy."
Paddy nodded.
Awhile later, Colleen, Gen, Annabelle, Lizzy and I sat down to figure out some chores for people to do.
"We will have to have a group to do the laundry, another for cooking, cleaning, sewing, mending. The men will have to do some things too." Colleen said.
"They can take care of the animals on board, repair and make furniture. Maybe catch some fish for our meals. Butcher the animals as we need them. Tan the hides." Lizzy said.
"I am sure we will think of things for them to do." We laughed. Lizzy always had a list of things for Liam to do.
"And all the children will be given lessons for their letters and numbers. They will also have various games and errands for them to do everyday." Annabelle told us. She was one of Wilbert's family members that kept the children busy. We nodded.
"Kylie what are you going to do?" Lizzy asked.
"I am not sure Lizzy. It depends how long I can last without feeding. I might be in one of the crates most of the time."
"Oh that is right. I am sorry Kylie. I forgot." She glanced at Annabelle.
"Do not be sorry Lizzy. It is only for a short time."
Annabelle looked a little uncomfortable.
"I can not think of anything else. Any of you?" Colleen asked. We shook our heads.
"Well, I have to go feed the prisoners. I will see you all later." Lizzy left.
"Mom and I have to go on patrol. We will see you later." Gen told us.
"All right." I said. Colleen and her left.
"Kylie, how long can you go without feeding?"
"Almost two weeks. You?"
"About the same. I can not leave Cory with Mariela. She is still nursing."
"She will not be by the time we sail Annabelle. She is a shapeshifter. She has grown so much in the last few weeks."
"This is true. I have started her on the mushy oats."
"Mushy oats? Oh! Porridge. They do love that stuff."
"Yes." She smiled. "Well I have to go feed some to Mariela now. I will see you later."
"All right."
I went to start my family's dinner when there was a knock at the door.
It opened. Athos stepped in.
"Athos you made it back."
"Yes Kylie we did."
