I ran around them. "I am ready Boys. Where are you?"
They scattered into the trees looking for me. I was already in Paddy's arms far away. I kissed him. "I am ready." I whispered.
We ran back to the cave.
The patrols reported that they were several rafts of soldiers heading up the river everyday.
"What is happening that there are so many soldiers going east?" I asked Paddy that night at dinner.
"There is talk of another war between Great Britain and France." I looked at him confused.
"If they are going to war why are they heading east?"
"They are going to the outpost near Quebec. They are fighting over this land."
"I know I have been asleep for awhile I still do not understand." I said shaking my head.
"France laid claim to this land a while back. Great Britain wants some of the revenue from here because there are a lot of British settlers here."
"They just want to tax us more because we do not live over there." I said.
"That is pretty much it." He nodded.
"When war does break out the Council usually sends some of us to both sides to see what they are up too."
"That must be interesting if one of us is wounded?"
"It is simple if we are wounded. The person usually perishes then goes to another company and that is only if a mortal notices. There is normally a full squad placed at each front. We protect each other's backs."
"I have never been on the warfront. I should say in mortal conflict just immortal ones." Paddy said. "Those are a little more difficult to survive." I nodded. "I have noticed."
Quinn and Missy were listening to our conversation.
"How many squads usually go Dad?" Quinn asked.
"It depends on how many fronts there are. For every front they send four squads." Paddy told him.
"I would be very interested in going. How often can you be part of history?"
"It depends on how many wars you have been in?"
"How many have you been in Dad?"
"I have never been sent I was too young when we were sent during the Crusades. Half of the Guard was there. I am sure the number of wounded is a little blurred when our people are there." Paddy smiled.
"I also did not understand why you bought weapons?" I asked.
"It was an order from the Council. We have to start using mortal weapons if we are sent to war."
"We are training with them?" I was shocked.
"Yes Kylie. It has to look like we have been using them all our lives." He smiled then took my hand. "I know this is confusing for you but we have done this before just not since you have been with us."
"I will train with you." I said with determination.
"You will never pass off as a man." Paddy said.
"Why not? I do here."
"I...you..." He looked at Quinn. He shrugged his shoulders
"Grandma you are too pretty to be a man." Missy said.
"Yes you are." Paddy said turning red.
"If you are chosen to go I want to go with you. I have missed you for too long to be separated again." I knew my eyes were red. "Wars are too long."
Paddy thought for a moment. "Why not study with Scott? You can be a doctor or a nurse."
"You are right. I would rather help then kill mortals. Wars are a silly way of ending an argument."
"I know but they happen." I nodded.
After dinner Paddy showed me how to use a crossbow, a bow and arrow. We even tried wrestling with a knife. We were not very good we kept nicking each other.
A little while later we noticed that we had an audience. There was a six vampires there I had not met before.
Paddy stood up and signalled a stop. He turned to the vampires.
"Can we help you with something?"
"Yes we are here to see Councilman Klaus." One of them said with a guttural accent.
"Please come with us." We led them to the Council Chamber. Paddy turned to them again. "Wait here Please. I will see if he is available." Paddy went to turn away. "Whom may I say wants to see him?"
"Mientjie Mayor from South Africa." The tall blonde woman said, "and my Council." She pointed to the five other vampires with her.
"Thank you Madam Mayor. I will let him know."
Paddy knocked three times. It was the first time I have ever heard him knock that many times usually it is only twice. He went in.
Madam Mayor moved closer to me sniffing. She bent down to sniff one of my blood spots. Her eyes went into bloodlust.
"My! That blood smells good. Whose is it? Yours or his?" She tilted her head in Paddy's direction. I sniffed. I could not smell anything so I knew it was mine.
"Mine Madam Mayor." I said.
"Good." She moved faster than any vampire I have ever seen. She was at my neck gulping down my blood.
"Mientjie! Let her go of her. Now!" Councilman Klaus yelled.
Paddy waited anxiously for her to stop.
"Stop her Paddy." He pulled out his sword and held it against her throat. She could not swallow without cutting open her throat.
She let go of me I collapsed onto the floor.
"Why are you feeding from one of my Guards Mientjie?" Councilman Klaus asked her sternly.
"Her blood smells so delicious."
"Yes it does. You must control yourself around her or I will let her bite you back." He smiled.
"Kylie are you all right?" The Councilman asked I tried to acknowledge him but I was too weak.
"Paddy take her out to feed."
"Yes Sir." The Councilman and Paddy kept watching Madam Mayor for some kind of reaction to my blood.
"Why do you two keep looking at me?" She asked.
"We are waiting for," Madam Mayor collapsed onto the floor, "a reaction to Kylie's blood."
"Reaction?" She said hoarsely.
"Yes reaction. You see Mientjie. Kylie is special. She has werewolf venom in her blood." The others with her, gasped. "Now tell me why you are here Mientjie?"
"I came to see you because we are having problems with our people making too many vampires."
"Pass a law preventing them from making any without permission. We did it. It works well."
Shaun and the rest of the Elite Guard arrived; Colleen and Annabelle came to Paddy and I.
Colleen signed. 'What happened?" Paddy signed back telling her.
Madam Mayor was groaning in pain. Scott came onto the square Athos and Julian were with him. The three of them came to me.
