The Bellunucis

Long Journey

I was panicking, what the hell is happening at the front of the carriage? I tried to look but my view was blocked. Some of the passengers make their way to the door, but I stay seated.

"This His Majesty soldiers, everyone out of the carriage now!

Didn't have to ask twice, because these men are dangerous. Not men, vampires. Vampires are ruled by the most fearful vampire king in history; Dominiqus Matteo Sansalvador Bellnuci 3rd. You don't mess with him and live to tell the tales.
What many don't know about me, I'm educated about the supernatural world even though I live mostly apart from it. I was trained in the art of war, and politics amongst other things. My grandfather made sure of that. He was an important general, but he refuse to tell me much about his past. It is all a mystery.
So here we are in a line interrogated by these vampires searching for someone or something. I would be lying if I said wasn't afraid but I kept my cool, vampires feed on fear, and it drives them.

"You there! I am talking to you" comes a hoarse voice.

Shit I am dead, I froze, what the hell!

Suddenly the wind almost knocked me over, my heart was beating way more than it should. I was in shock, only to realize that the man next to me was the vampire's target. I think I died for a second because of the way my heart struggle to form a rhythm. Don't ask me where the man went, I have no clue, I was busy too regulating my body's function.
We were released and on our way to the capital. The carriage was deadly quiet. I swear I can hear my neighbor's heartbeat. I tried to put my mind at ease but I couldn't. I almost expose myself as a witch, the one protective spell I know and was capable to do was on the tip of my lips. I wasn't about to die. I might have been afraid, but that was natural, my grandfather didn't raise an incompetent witch. He thought me offensive magic against most species. Many witches are capable of doing this, regardless of their area of expertise.

The rest of the journey was somber, I was tired and night will be here soon. You don't want to travel at night unless you are powerful and even then, the trouble is not worth it. I whisper a meditation mantra to keep calm and observe my surroundings. I should have sensed the vampires, even if it was a mile away. So now I'm not making that mistake again. Where I'm going, there is always a power struggle. People playing dirty games just to be at the top. You have to be cognizant of your surroundings.

The carriage comes to a stop and there were murmurs and groaning from the lack of mobility. We are at the outpost of the capital, just as the sun was setting. Low-level vampires relish the night but this is Cape Verde, no one defies the king. This is still his jurisdiction, outside of it is fair game for humans and even then you are asking died if you create mischief near his border.
The safest thing is to don't travel at night, he is a king but he is not all knowing even though he got eyes everywhere. We all seek lodging for the night and some warm food. The lodge was bustling. I hope I get a room and that's the first I seek before anything else.